kari, thanks. that's what's happening "today in the bay." we are back at 7:25 with a live local news update. >> a last look at sjc. heading home it's the day after christmas and tens of millions are hitting the roads, rails, and airports this morning, the delays and congestion you'll face on the single busiest travel day of the year as a powerful storm gets set to swoop across the country, as well we'll have the latest forecast as you plan your travel. breaking overnight, rushed to safety israel prime minister netanyahu pulled off stage and taken to a bomb shelter after gaza fires a rocket into southern israel. the very latest in a live report breaking ranks >> w >> the first republican senator voicing concern about the gop's plan to coordinate with the white house during the

impeachment trial. so what does this mean for the president? and the support within his own party? all that plus, stunning death, rising 34-year-old star at espn who died of pneumonia after covering the ohio state/michigan game ready, set, return the post-holiday rush to exchange those unwanted gifts starts this morning. what you need to know before heading to the stores or the post office. and christmas surprise fans happy to see alex trebek making a public appearance amidst his ongoing battle with cancer today, thursday, december 26th, 2019. >> 2019 with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza.

>> and welcome to today on this thursday morning thank you for joining us kristen welker in for savannah how was your christmas >> christmas was fantastic spent some time with my parents and my husband how about you? >> my kids are at an age now that i can see christmas through their eyes it was magical special morning. >> i bet it was. >> speaking of christmas, let's start there. that day after christmas travel rush the trouble spots that you could face as you make your way back home dylan's going to tell us about a storm that's become cause for concern but first, nbc's kathie park is tracking post-holiday travel from new jersey kathy, good morning to you. >> craig, good morning to you. after the peace on christmas day, millions of americans are on the move again. but fortunately, severe weather ta has stayed away for most of the country. but if you plan on driving today, be prepared for delays. travel times may double by this

afternoon. >> here we are enjoying this, you know, white christmas. and it's awesome. >> an unexpected holiday gift for southern california. a white christmas for some. >> we're so ready to sled down the snow and have fun. and of course, build up a snowman. >> reporter: in the angles national forest, residents getting into some frosty fun with up to two feet in some areas. >> it's a present for us. >> heavy snow in the grand canyon and it was more wet than white in phoenix christmas day rain there for the first time in ten years. and in frequently-frigid chicago. >> i haven't seen a christmas like this and i'm 60. >> temperatures approached 60 degrees. >> too hot. >> coming close to being the warmest christmas in 147 years. >> i mean, it's like -- like, this is too hot. i want to get rid of it. >> by the delaware river,

thousands turned out for a reenactment of george washington's daring christmas day crossing in 1776. >> i was excited it's a beautiful day it's perfect conditions. the water's great. >> the unseasonal conditions, good news for the millions of americans traveling between now and new year's. >> the day's beautiful. >> 7 million are expected to fly. and more than 100 million on the roads this holiday season. and today is supposed to be the very worst for delays according to aaa. >> we need to get moving. >> with drive times possibly doubling or even tripling during the late afternoon traffic crush. >> expect the rush expect the crowd expect a lot of people on the road >> reporter: and if you are driving today, the volume of traffic is supposed to pick up around 4:00 this afternoon in major cities like atlanta, new york, and d.c. so prepare for delays. and it might be a good idea to head out the door early. guys, back to you.

>> get on the road right now kathy park in new jersey thank you. >> the weather may be clear for much of the country today. but that system in california that kathy mentioned will soon make its way east. hey, dylan, how's it looking >> it certainly will move east today, things are still okay so it's a good travel day with actually above average temperatures keep the windows rolled down looking for near-record highs. back through the ohio river valley back through the upper midwest, chicago. should be close to 60 again today. yesterday, with a high of 57 it is the second warmest christmas on record. before that, it was set back in 1982 the warmest christmas day. friday, we're looking for temperatures to still be running about 10 to 20 degrees above average. charlotte, 62. nashville, 64. cleveland, 65. chicago, 44. then as we go into the weekend, that's when we are going to see temperatures cool off white a bit. nashville should drop to about 50 degrees by monday indianapolis, 41 by monday so it is back to reality

minneapolis down to 25 on monday but let's look at the rain falling out in california. it's starting to lighten up a bit in l.a. but now it's moving through the san diego area that is falling on an already saturated ground so that could lead to some issues this will turn into a bigger storm system for the midwest, especially as we go into saturday craig. >> dylan, thank you. now to some new developments in the impeachment showdown a key republican senator now says she's, quote, disturbed by senate majority leader mitch mcconnell's vow to coordinate on a trial with the white house nbc's chief white house correspondent hallie jackson is traveling with the president this holiday hallie, good morning. >> craig, good morning to you. these are some interesting new comments from senator lisa mur murkowski. a key republican we haven't really heard much from in this impeachment process. and it comes as president trump, overnight, blasts democrats for being what he describes as hypocrites for their insistence

a senate trial be conducted fairly. >> a small but possibly critical crack emerging this morning in the gop wall of support for president trump. a key moderate republican, senator lisa murkowski of alaska signaling she's not satisfied with leader mitch mcconnell's pledge to coordinate with the president's impeachment defense team. >> in fairness, when i heard that, i was disturbed. >> she's referencing this remark from mcconnell last week. >> i'm going to take my cues from the president's lawyers we'll be working through this process, hopefully in a fairly short period of time, in total coordination with the white house counsel's office. >> murkowski, one of the few republicans seen as open to voting with democrats in an impeachment trial, citing the need for impartiality. >> to me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand in glove with the defense. and so i -- i -- i heard what

leader mcconnell had said. i happen to think that that has further confused the process >> reporter: the process itself remains at a standstill. with house speaker nancy pelosi refusing to send articles of impeachment to the senate until she says she's confident it'll be a fair trial. president trump overnight tweeting pelosi is demanding everything the republicans weren't allowed to have in the house. dems want to run majority republican senate. hypocrites his latest dig at democrats since his impeachment. >> i don't feel like i'm being impeached because it's a hoax. >> that christmas tweet capping a day that started with a more topical message about the holiday. >> on behalf of the entire trump family, we wish everyone a joyous and merry christmas. >> now, with negotiations stuck, it as for senator murkowski, her vote could make a difference when it comes to procedural things like whether to call witnesses. but keep in mind even if she were to break ranks with her party and vote, let's say, to

convict and remove the president from office, democrats would still need at least 19 other republican senators to do the same thing and, craig, right now, that appears extremely unlikely. >> hallie, while i have you, meanwhile, overnight, word that one of the president's closest allies, israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu apparently faced a major scare overnight. what more do we know about that? >> boy, dramatic moment, craig all of it captured on camera take a look when netanyahu was essentially rushed off the stage during an election rally the israelis say a rocket had been fired from the gaza strip a siren went off you can see what happened at that point the missile was ultimatelycording military and netanyahu got back on stage but this is actually only the second time in just about three months something like this has happened craig. >> hallie jackson for us this florida. hallie. >> meantime, funeral arrangements have now been made for the texas mother who was killed in a plot to kidnap her baby the child now back with her father as the investigation moves forward.

nbc's sam brock joins us with the very latest. sam, good morning to you >> good morning. of course, the holidays a time for family and this year, an indescribable void we were able to confirm her mother, the wake is tomorrow night. funeral services saturday morning. all of it public so heidi's story is told. >> new photos this morning of tammy and david brousered with their daughter heidi and granddaughter baby margo precious snapshots now prelude to an unimaginable picture of pain heidi broussard vanished from her austin apartment on december 12th along with her baby, onlyty in to be and well inside the house. tammy broussard, christmas feels empty. >> she has a beautiful son beautiful family that's sitting

here waiting on her. >> this morning, little margo reunited with her father shane, who posted this picture to his facebook account and asked for help getting his whole family to louisiana for the wake nbc news has confirmed with heidi's mother, a viewing will be held on friday with funeral services planned for saturday in lake charles, louisiana. but the funeral comes with crucial questions unanswered like, if childhood friend megyn humphrey played a role in heidi's death. humphrey faces two charges of kidnapping and tampering with a human corpse the two met at church camp when they were 11 rachel west was heidi's close friend. >> what has this done to heidi's >> i mean, i say they lost their world. that's their baby. that's their only baby heidi is an only child for them to have to go through this, i would never ever want to feel the pain they feel. >> investigators have not yet responded to numerous calls and e-mails about the case and a possible motive. humphrey's attorney has also not returned our calls. >> pray for silus.

>> now, a community mourns the unexplained tragedy. >> pray for baby margo. >> and turns toward honoring a beautiful life lost. heidi's mom says she does not want this to happen to another family and wants the world to know about her daughter's life tammy broussard found out last night that it's going to be a closed casket. she was telling me i was expecting to see my baby's face one more time. craig and kristen. >> just so sad all right. sam brock, thank you for that. >> we have a lot more to get this morning including an update on that fire that devastated france's famed notre dame cathedral earlier this year. because of the damage, the church failed to host christmas services for the first time in more than 200 years. and this morning, there's growing concern the building may nbc's molly hunter has more on that molly, good morning. >> craig, good morning that's right a lot of disappointed tourists in paris this christmas and a lot of disappointed parisians who have celebrated christmas

mass at notre dame for centuries. and there's no guarantee it will ever return to what it was for the first time in more than 200 years, the famed paris cathedral was dark on christmas. its congregation, clergy, and choir decamped to a nearby church and it wasn't quite the same. >> probably many, many families have that tradition of going every year for christmas services that is quite a break in tradition. >> such a revered monument for catholics like notre dame. i think it's terribly sad they won't be able to have mass here. >> eight months after that fire ravaged the 12 century landmark, notre dame's towering speier crashed down during the blaze. the structure still isn't safe scaffolding supports much of the building calling it a heartache they couldn't celebrate christmas mass for the first time since

the french revolution. he is saying they aren't out of danger yet there is a 50% chance that the church can be saved. but there's also a 50% chance that the scaffolding falling on to the three vaults. in april, the world watched in horror firefighters risking their lives dangerously close to the flames. our craig melvin was there in the aftermath. >> it is so hard to understate how much this cathedral means to the people of paris. how much this cathedral means to the people of the world. >> restoration work isn't likely to begin until 2021. and one of the toughest parts is removing some 50,000 tubes of old scaffolding that crisscrossed the back of the edifice. it may take another three years to make it safe enough to enter. but years before we see services like this, if ever again and, craig, of course you were there. you saw the damage firsthand millions of dollars have been raised for the restoration

not all of it actually delivered. french president emmanuel macron has said he wants to rebuild it by 2024, in time for the olympics but guys, experts say that they be too ambitious. >> thank you, molly. when we were there, people were like that is optimistic. now, it would seem as if it's probably even more optimistic than it was a year ago. >> and you saw first hand how much it means to that community. >> people of the world. >> absolutely. incredibly sad for the folks there. well, in other news, crowds gathered across asia today to see the last solar eclipse of the year the rare astronomical phenomenon also known as the ring of fire could be seen places like thailand, indonesia, singapore, and sri lanka. during the annular eclipse, the moon covers the center of the sun, giving the appearance of a bright ring. they're usually two solar eclipses on earth every year. >> how about a christmas surprise for fans of jeopardy? beloved game show host sitting courtside at that

lakers/clippers game last night at the staples center. there he is. trebek, as you know, battling stage four pancreatic cancer took to social media to say the popular tv personality looked good others saying they were just happy to see him having a good time no word on whether trebek is a lakers or clippers fan he looked really good. >> he looked happy and healthy and that was so great to see. >> and relaxed not wearing a suit either. >> i know. it was so nice to see him in that. >> yes no baby yet. no christmas baby. let's take a look at the weather going on across the country where it is just really, really warm for december. we've had record highs, close to record highs yesterday we'll likely see close to record highs again today across the ohio river valley. it's warm in the south because of all this warmth, we have a lot of fog around in the upper midwest, also down through feks texas.

heavy rain out in california, now moving to san diego. eventually, making for some severe weather by saturday we'll get to your local forecast in the next 30 seconds tions and get scientifically matched with a proven weight loss plan. find out which new customized plan can make losing weight easier for you! the new program from ww. weight watchers reimagined. join for free + lose 10 lbs. on us. hurry! offer ends january 6th! good thursday morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. still some clouds and spotty showers possible for the south bay as we take a look outside in san jose. temperatures heading up to 55. we will get some sunshine by this afternoon and mostly some low to mid-50s across the bay area. we'll dry out and looking good, some cold mornings and mild

afternoons afternoons. another chance of showers in the forecast on sunday and dry weather continuing for the rest of 2019. forecast. >> dylan, thank you. coming up, the sudden death of a young and beloved espn reporter who caught pneumonia covering the ohio state and michigan football game a few weeks ago. this morning, the new tributes that are pouring in. also, what we all need to know about the signs and symptoms. >> and also ahead, for a lot of people, the day after christmas means a day of returns we'll have tips to limit the hassle if you're heading to the stores or to the post office but first, this is "today"

[ electrical buzzing ] [ dramatic music ] ahhhh! -ahhhh! elliott. you came back!

still ahead, how prince george and princess charlotte made history and stole the show during the royal family's annual christmas. >> first, though, your local news

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♪ ♪ ♪ oh, this one's been cut with starbucks. it's not pure 1850. arrestingly bold, yet smooth. drop the carafe! 1850 coffee. quality that's criminal. drivers just wont put their phones down. we need a solution. introducing... smartdogs. the first dogs trained to train humans. stopping drivers from: liking. selfie-ing. and whatever this is. available to the public... never. smartdogs are not the answer. but geico has a simple tip. turn on "do not disturb while driving" mode. brought to you by geico. good morning. 7:26. i'm kira klapper. a christmas night tragedy in the east bay. a car crashes into a power pole killing three teenage boys.

we've learned two of them are brothers. it happened around 10:00 last night near castle wood drive in rural pleasanton. there were five people inside the car, two survived they are in the hospital. the road is expected to be closed while the crash is investigated. kari hall has a look at our forecast. more people are heading back to work.rafael and a few more cars out there. a storm system that brought us the rain yesterday moves into southern california. treacherous travel conditions going south of the bay area. we get a chance to get some sunshine here. cool temperatures and mornings in the upper 30s. another chance of rain, a slight chance on sunday. dry for the rest of the year. a look at all the green sensors for the big part of the commute

looking at the tri-valley which appears to be slowing fairly well and drive times have been all green. things are flowing at speed to 680. 680 takes abou >> thanks for that double duty. in the meantime back to the "today" show. have a great morning.

we are back 7:30 on a thursday morning, december 26th, 2019. hope everyone who celebrated had a wonderful christmas. we're going to get outside and

spend some time with the day after christmas crowd. >> yeah. they are -- >> usually, a lively bunch. >> they are fired up the day after christmas. they clearly had a good holiday. looking forward to talking to them let's get a quick check of your 7:30 headlines now we begin with new developments in the impeachment showdown. republican senator lisa murkowski of alaska said she is nation with the white house. murkowski is one of the few republicans se with >> the remains of an american special forces soldier killed in afghanistan have been returned to the united states the pentagon says sergeant first class michael goble died monday from injuries he sustained during a combat operation. a dignified transfer ceremony was held wednesday at dover air frs force base in delaware was a recipient of the bronze star: >> a zoo in lansing, michigan, is welcoming their newest resident 12-year-old black rhino gave birth to her very first calf on tuesday and it is a boy. little cutie there

he doesn't have a name yet but he's already a star on social black rhinos are endangered. only about 5,000 exist in the wild the zoo said the mother and calf are bonding behind the scenes. and the calf will make his public debut sometime in the spring and will hopefully have a name by then. >> yeah, hopefully also, this morning, colleagues and friends are honoring an up and coming reporter for espn who died on christmas eve. it would've been his 34th birthday and he died after a battle with pneumonia. he caught pneumonia covering a football game. nbc's blayne alexander joins us with more details on the story. >> guys, good morning to you absolutely terrible story. there has been an outpouring of love for edward aschoff. he was a reporter who had a passion for college football when he got pneumonia, he tweeted that he never gets sick and has a very good immune system less than three weeks later, he was gone >> this morning, tributes are

pouring in for edward aschoff, an espn reporter who died unexpectedly on his 34th birthday christmas eve. >> espn executive lauren reynolds called him one of the quote smartest, brightest reporters i ever had the pleasure of working with. >> the bruins held a players only meeting on sunday and i asked quarterback dorian thompson robinson what the main takeaways were. >> ashcoff was a rising star after transitioning from whiting for espn website to on-air college football reporting he passed away fwlollowing a brief battle with pneumonia. he got sick during what he called a bucket list assignment covering last month's game between michigan and ohio state. on december 5th, he tweeted, so i had a virus for two weeks. fever and cough. and the doctors think it turned into this multifocal pneumonia recently later adding, yeah, this is miserable. it morphed into this monster i'm on two different antibiotics a day. walking is not my friend.

>> coach, i gotta ask you. what happened with you on the field during that on-side kick >> sports writer and close friend pat dooley remembers ashcoff as a passionate writer with boundless edger just. >> i i they mentored me more than i mentored him because he was that good of a person. he worked his tail off and he had no ego you don't find many guys like that. >> a proud gator, ashcoff florida journalism school. his alma mater is calling him one of our brightest lights, adding he will forever be in our hearts. >> i'm edward aschoff, espn. >> aschoff was four months away from his wedding day his final instagram post, a heart felt tribute thanking his fiancee. having pneumonia is pretty terrible but it helps having this sweet angel taking care of you. >> and guys, edward aschoff was also an awarding-winning journalist in 2016, he was honored by the football writers association of race and college football.

>> let's bring in nbc news medical contributor. dr. azar, good morning to you. >> good morning to you both. >> obviously, you have heard of folks getting pneumonia. you do not hear of a lot of folks dying from pneumonia what exactly is it >> pneumonia is an infection in the lung that's typically caused by a virus or bacteria or a fungus the air spaces in the lung fill with either fluid or puss making it difficult to breathe. chest pain when you take a deep breath in. fever. difficulty breathing that kind of thing. >> so if you suspect that you have it, at what point do you actually need to go to a doctor and see someone? >> you know, interestingly, the -- that list that we just showed you, you could think of those things but significantly worse. so significant chest pain. high fever in adult let's say over 102 a cough that is persisting or getting worse. real rapid breathing or difficulty breathing you should definitely seek medical attention. especially, if you're older. an older person or younger person

those are individuals who are more at risk for complications. >> so according to his tweeter feed, acshoff was otherwise healthy. how can someone who's healthy end up dying from pneumonia? >> i know. it is a shocking, shocking headline so the bottom line, guys, is that while an otherwise healthy, young adult should recover, you know, barring anything unforeseen, should recover in a couple weeks if appropriately treated. pneumonia can be life threatening. you know, there different scenarios suches as the bacteria could get into the blood system. it could cause sepsis and septic shock. could overwhelm the lung causing respiratory failure. again, not something we would necessarily expect in an otherwise healthy individual and of course i can't speculate on exactly what happened we have no other information other than what we have provided this morning but, you know, definitely things that you can do to think about protecting yourself during this

season there are specific guidelines for the pneumonia vaccine that just protects against a certain strain or multiple strains i should say of num washing hands is definitely important. we recommend getting the flu shot pneumonia is a very well-known complication from actually having the flu and the things we talk about during this season all the time. maintaining good health in general with diet and sleep and things like that. >> to your point, there are different stain o strains. how do you treat pneumonia >> right so well, there are multiple different kinds of pneumonia and different germs. so, you know, the best thing to do obviously if you suspect it is to see your doctor and get tested and, you know, there's different ways to try to isolate which germ is causing the pneumonia. and appropriate treatment can be instituted in those cases. >> dr. natalie, thank you. blayne, thank you as well. thank you. thank you. >> appreciate it still ahead this morning, how to navigate the world of returns if some of your holiday gifts were less than perfect. including a tip to take the hassle out of amazon returns

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♪i was born right in the doorway♪ ♪now i don't know where i am, i don't know where i've been♪ ♪but i know where i wanna go♪ 7:41 now with today's holiday consumer all over the country. millions of americans are enjoying those brand new christmas gifts. >> they sure are but if you got some things you'd like to return, where do you begin? nbc's kari sanders is coming to the rescue with some valuable tips and also a few tricks kari, good morning >> well, good morning, guys. i'm at the sirenventura mall in sout florida but at malls across the country here and everywhere, they are preparing for yet another mad rush

of course, this is all about returns. so if you're going to play that return the gift game, there are some important rules you need to follow with christmas in the rearview rush to return is getting underway a whopping 77% of people plan to return at least one of their presents this year and 20% of people say half of their gifts are going back experts predict the value of all those returns will top $100 billion. that's up 10% from last year but navigating the wild world of returns can be a daunting task and it's best not to wait. >> make sure you know the window of when you need to return something. so if it has 45 days and you buy it early november, you don't get to see your family until late december, you might not necessarily be able to return something. >> many retailers like best buy, macy's, and overstock.com have extended their windows for returns to accommodate the holidays but target stands out. with a standard 90-day return

policy and at rei, you get a full year. if you're planning on going in person to make a return, experts say never forget the receipt many retailers require it. read the return policies closely. some specialty items have different deadlines. don't take the tags off until you decide it's a keeper and if you're returning a gift by mail, always get a tracking number so you know the package got there. ups predicts the peak shipping day will be january 2nd. they call it nagdstional return da and they are estimating nearly 2 million packages will be shipped back up 26% from last year. and if you can't return your present, you can always consider other options. >> there are ways to get some of your money back. you could always consider selling it on facebook marketplace, ebay, next door or you can try your luck at donating it. >> so, kerry, we also know that gift cards are always a very popular gift

i got a couple that year how do you ret actually don't want? >> i think you're pretty much out of luck in most cases the stores will not take it back and give you the cash. but what you can do is for a small fee, you can go on certain websites some called card pool, raise, or card cash, and then you can sort of exchange it with somebody and get some money or you can do what i'm sure you would never do and that is regift it. >> never. >> it's a great move. >> kerry sanders, hope you had a great holiday. thank you. any regifting, craig >> you know, well, yes i don't want to say what because it would make the person feel some sort of way i will have to return one thing. how about you? >> returning your gift cards >> i don't think so. people use those gift cards. >> i was pretty happy. i have no returns this year. >> nothing >> pretty happy. >> how about you >> no. there's one present that calvin e it. >> which gift was that >> lincoln logs. he's just not feeling it. >> i was going to say that's the big question

returns for your kids. >> exactly i tried to help him put it together and it was frustrating me so i was like forget this. >> by the way, why not shop as well so in our next half hour, we're going to show you where to find the best sales today. >> looking forward to that. >> forecast. >> yeah. we've got a storm moving into southern california. we've got all kinds of flash flood watches, winter weather advisories, depending on where you are. the higher elevation you go, that is a he where we're seeing more wintery weather this will turn into a mess, especially as we go into saturday for areas like minneapolis, denver, chicago. for the rain side of this on sunday, in washington, d.c., atlanta, we could see some delays so even though today is a great travel day, tomorrow's a pretty decent travel day. once we get into the weekend, not so much. the northern side of this, across the northern plains in the upper midwest where the cold air is, that's where we will see some of the snow but also, ahead of this cold front, we could see some stronger storms. some isolated severe pockets of weather. this will turn into mostly rain for sunday as the cold air is really lifted totd north

but then as we go into monday, especially across central and northern new england as more cold air wraps around, we could see more o good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. temperatures today heading into the low to mid-50s. and we will get a chance to dry out with some sunshine but the rain is very close by. this continues to move away from us, but still causing some very treacherous travel heading south of the bay area down to l.a. and san diego. and as we go into the end of the week into the weekend more sun, highs in the mid-50s. tracking another chance of rain in the forecast on sunday. and that's your latest forecast. >> all right we've got story kristen welker's very excited about this morning. william and kate's children stealing the show during their first ever royal christmas walk. some adorable images from that

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we're back now with one of my favorite stories. a look at how the royal family celebrated christmas. >> you do love the royals. >> you have a small obsession with the royals. >> i like to check in on them every day. >> well, it's their annual tradition, as you know it started the holiday at a christmas service centered at the queen's country estate noticeably absent, though, prince phillip he was resting at home after spending four days in the hospital he is 98 years old prince andrew also not there he was sidelined, publicly sidelined over his ties to jeffrey epstein. he went to an earlier service, apparently, reportedly. >> the person who stole the

show, though, the youngest royal. so adorable. princess charlotte four years old prince george, six made their debut at the royal christmas tradition. adorable there with their mom and dad. saying hello to well wishers who offered flowers and gifts. charlotte was very fond of one particular gift. a pink blow-up flamingo. look at it she's hugging it so adorable. she also copied her mother by curtsying to the queen. >> louie, they were trying couldn't sit still. >> the young ones always steal the show. >> meghan markle, the duchess and prince harry also not there. they're hanging out in canada. >> that's right. celebrating across the pond there. >> coming up, holiday shopping round two. going to tell you where to find some supersavings starting today on everything from clothes to cars even vacations. diabetes and heart disease but is her treatment doing enough to lower her heart risk? [sfx: crash of football players colliding off-camera.] maybe not. jardiance

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good thursday morning. still cloudy as we look outside. temperatures will stay cool. upper 40s but we will get some sunshine today looking pretty good for the afternoon as we reach up to 55 degrees. rain to our south if you will be traveling to southern california. a bad day for travel. they've even closed down i-5 and then off and on rain continues today from l.a. to san diego, and our seven-day forecast continues to improve with highs in the mid-50s looking at sunday we will have a coming in. but we will dry out in time for the new year. on the roads this morning no issues. a lot of green sensors where we're seeing a smooth commute. a look at the bay bridge where we haven't had to turn on the metering lights today.

our bridge times have been good. about seven minutes also flowing well and the san mateo at about 13 minutes looking at the tri-valley also seeing a good commute on 580 to 680, about 17 minutes. and southbound 680 from 580 to vargas road taking about ten minutes. in the weather department kira. happening now there could be a boom in granny units in california in the new year. new laws go into effect wednesday. no longer a requirement for lot size or how far the units have to be from the street. and a new light rail line. easily connect and will be buses running every 15 minutes. markets will have another local news update for you in 30 minutes.

it's 8:00 on today. coming up coming up, travel troubles as millions across the country prepare to head home for the holidays, a major storm is ready to sweep across the country. this morning, the weather and travel forecast. you can make your plans. plus, post-christmas deals the holiday shopping season not over just yet. the sales are still onhe stores with exchanges and returns, we'll tell you where you can get the most bang for your buck. and under the christmas tree, how celebrities and the today show family celebrated the holiday. we will share all the fun photos and some sweet stories today, thursday december 16th, 2019. >> girls trip. >> from madison, wisconsin.

>> denver, colorado. >> alabama. >> we're on "today." and welcome back to "today" on this thursday morning, the day after christmas. kristen welker here all week while savannah and hoda enjoy some time off. >> it's great to be here i know your kids still have big smiles on their faces after christmas. >> in fact, they are probably listening to dad in the background as they play with some of those new toys. >> santa was good to them. >> santa was good. >> if you want to see yourself on today, there is an easy way to do it just record a shout out and post it on instagram or twitter with our hashtag my today plaza. >> we've got a lot to get to this hour. we start, though, with your news at 8 millions of folks hitting the roads today heading back home after the christmas holiday. and the weather could be a problem for some but not where you might expect nbc's kathy park is tracking all of it for us

kathy, good morning. >> hey, craig. good morning to you. typically, this time of year, we're talking about severe weather, but most of it stayed away this week for much of the country, which has been great news for holiday travelers but in places like chicago, boy, it got downright balmy on christmas day. approaching 60 degrees something we haven't seen in nearly 147 years and then in places like phoenix, it was more wet than white they got lots of rain. and if you wanted to see snow, you had to head out west parts of southern california got plenty of it especially, in the mountain areas. so a lot of skiers at resorts were happy about that. but looking ahead to today, boy, if you are driving, be prepared for delays because travel times may double, if not triple, if you are traveling through cities like atlanta, d.c., new york so pack your patience, the stacks, and good luck to you. >> good luck to you. kathy park kathy, thank you

by the way, we'll get to dylan's forecast in just a few moments. >> now, to the very latest in the impeachment show down. a key republican senator saying she is, quote, disturbed by senate majority leader mitch mcconnell's vow to coordinate on a trial with the white house nbc's chief white house correspondent hallie jackson joins us with the three things to watch today good morning, hallie. >> kristen, good morning to you from down here in south florida. you're right there is this small but possibly critical crack emerging this morning in the gop wall of support for president trump. that's because that key moderate republican, senator lisa murkowski of alaska signaling she is not satisfied with what leader leader mitch mcconnell had to say. she is one of the few republicans seen as open to voting with democrats in an impeachment trial. the president, for his part, is up and twreeteeting this morning after christmas now. accusing democrats of not wanting to go fast anymore he says in this new tweet, they want to go slowly in a trial calling them liars that's as house speaker nancy

pelosi is holding off on sending those articles of impeachment to the senate until she's confident it will be a fair trial. then we have this on the foreign policy front the world watching for that so-called christmas gift north korea has been threatening with experts concerned that kim jong-un may be trying to test a long-range missile soon. well, today, south korean defense officials say that country and the u.s. are now continuously monitoring and tracking any movements from the regime it's something we're keeping our eye on from here as well kristen, back to you. >> organizers of the burning man festival are suing the federal government to recover millions of dollars in what they call excessive permit fees the counterculture celebration draws tens of thousands of people to the nevada desert every summer organizers say they have been waiting several years for the bureau of land management to justify the $3 million in annual charges for the event. they say the fees are jeopardizing the viability of

the burning man festival. >> we have an update on a story we told you about a few weeks ago. a six-man crew led by endurance athlete and adventurist colin o-brady has now completed the first fully human powered and unsupported drake passage. that's the extremely treacherous stretch of water between cape horn and south africa and the antarctica peninsula in just under 13 days the screw traveled more than or crew traveled more than 700 miles. >> i was following that. colin up until a few months ago had not been a rower so the fact he managed to complete that mission. that's an impressive feat. >> lot of bravery. good for them. >> that could have been the boost. but we got a boost for you how about another morning boost? a couple of young detroit lions fans who were going through a bit of a tough time got the surprise of their lives this week when the team's star quarterback showed up at their door >> how are you

>> oh, my god. >> what's up, guys >> oh, my. >> yeah. that's matt stafford he and his wife kelly made a surprise visit to the boys' house. those boys recently lost their father and the -- they're huge lions fans they could not believe their eyes when their qb showed up at the door with his wife the staffords also took them some christmas gifts even took the time to play video games with them, as well. >> i imagine if you're a young boy, that's just about the best thing that can happen. >> doesn't get much cooler than that. >> pretty cool coming up, get ready for even more holiday shopping where to find the very best deals in stores and online today. >> we're also going to show you the rest of our "today" family celebrated christmas we'll have that and much more right after this

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don't start xeljanz if you have an infection. taking a higher than recommended dose of xeljanz for ra can increase risk of death. serious, sometimes fatal infections cancers including lymphoma, and blood clots have happened. as have tears in the stomach or intestines, serious allergic reactions and changes in lab results. tell your doctor if you've been somewhere fungal infections are common or if you've had tb, hepatitis b or c or are prone to infections. needles. fine for some. but for you, one pill a day may provide symptom relief. ask your doctor about xeljanz xr. an "unjection™". well, if you thought your holiday shopping was over, think again. the day after christmas may be the biggest return day of the year but it's also -- it's also one

of the best times to find great sales. nbc's stephanie ruhle is here with where we will find these best post-christmas bargains day after christmas, huh >> day after christmas as you just said, it's one of the biggest return days of the year so if you're in the stores, might as well make something of it and do some shopping. remember, if you're returning a gift, there is a good chance all you got was a store credit that might be a piece of paper or a card. and you know what that's like sitting in the back of your wallet all year. you lose that store credit, that's like losing cash. let's take advantage of it and spend. this year was a huge spending holiday season but a lot of it was at off-price stores or online so those big retailers have a lot of merchandise to move so let's find out what. >> let's start with some of the best places to find some of these big deals. clothing, huh? >> clothing. let's go target. 70% off clothing for the family. macy's, 25 to even 50% on shoes and dresses. but let's think about what clothing you might need. winter clothes outdoor gear it might not have been on your winter list that you wanted snow

boots but you know you need them the winter season has just begun. so starting january, you want to get winter coats, snow pants for your kids. and big stores like macy's and target, they need to clear that floor space because spring's coming and they want to have some spring clothes. >> from clothing to electronics. also, good time to buy electronics. >> electronics but not today research shows that tomorrow, december 27th, is the best day to get the best deals. but here's something that i learned. it's not just new products refurbished gear go to best buy go to other electronic outlets and they're selling refurbished stuff. and they actually have warranties on it. >> oh, you can get a warranty. >> you can get a warranty like a new product. it's not like you're buying somebody's old thing and you're going i'm going to bring this home and it doesn't work buy something refurbished. you get the warranty but you get a great dispount. >> lot of folks travel during the holidays apparently, good time to look at travel deals. >> if you're not on vacation now, this is a good time to look into vacation. spend the next week thinking about where you want to go and

come january 1st, the deals begin. 11% cheaper to book flights in january. i'm talking florida, central america, the caribbean you want to go somewhere warm? give yourself a few days do your research today, tomorrow come january 1st and 2nd, book those flights. >> always cheaper in january all right. so what else do we have here after the travel cars a great time to buy a car during the holiday season >> well, think about it. 2019 models. you've got a week right now to buy them because come one week from now, that's going to be last year's model. chrysler is having their best deals they've seen in a decade so if you like a car, get the 2019 model while you can at these good prices. >> and last but not least, what do we have here? >> okay. listen i know you're not thinking holiday decor. >> i'm never thinking holiday decor. >> but just yesterday, you may sister-in-law's house and envied her beautiful tablescape, her great outdoor decorations. well, today, you can start getting them take yourself to a target, lowe's, any store that selling

decorations, they are slashing prices while they have the gear. once those things sell out, they're clearly not restocking it this is not for people who like me live in new york city who might live in an apartment you need to have a basement. an attic like you, my friend if you've got the attic space, this is the time to buy your holiday decor. >> 80% off. >> 80% off. >> some of these deals, by the way, do you have to go to the get 'em or online as well? >> online and in stores but to go back to clothes, remember those big retail need to clear out so across the board, they want to get rid of that gear because they have to make room for spring clothes so if you're in the store returning, take that store credit before you lose it and do a little shopping. one more thing. >> yes, ma'am. >> dress for the occasion. this is not a day on december 26th to just go walking through the mall heavy coat big bag. you got to dress to shop a sporting day. >> all right stephanie ruhle. stephanie, thank you kristen. >> all right craig, thank you we'll get to pop start in just a moment but first dylan. >> for those traveling today, it

is an ideal travel day there's really not a whole lot going on across the country. the one trouble area is down near l.a. where even that area's seeing some improvement. moving into the san diego right now. and that heavy rain is going to turn into a bigger storm system producing heavier snow through the northern plains and upper midwest as we go to the weekend. also, some heavier rain for the eastern half of the country buchlt buchltbut in the meantime, near record highs in the ohio river valley bit foggy to start off the day in the upper midwest and down through parts of texas also, looking at exceptionally good morning, i'm kari hall, nice to get some sunshine on wednesday ppz tracking the rain just to the south of the bay area and if you're traveling heads up at i-5. closed because of know and a lot of heavy rain across parts of central and southern california. we're going to see that storm

system moving away and a chance to dry out over the next few days. a slight chance of rain in fact forecast on sunday and more drive weather and mild temperatures into the start of the new year. if you are heading and if you are heading out, don't forget to check us out on our sirius xm channel 108. >> ten months pregnant six inch heels and you're pulling double duty. wow. >> it's a holiday week, right? >> that's right. >> would you like some pop start? doing a nice little round up so from a listers to even us, we went all out christmas kanye and kim, the couple gifted their 6-year-old daughter north a jacket worn by michael jackson. the young girl is apparently a big fan of the late singer jackson wore the policeiece to elizabeth taylor's party back in 1997 kim and cannykanye won them just a stocking stuffer. >> speaking of going all out, jon legend and chrissy teegen

captured an epic surprise while vacationing in wyoming forethe the holiday. take a look. >> i see santa claus oh, my god, i saw santa! >> what? you never get to see santa they caught him right there. caught on camera sneaking away from the home. the sight clearly exciting the kids, especially their daughter luna how cool is that and martin scorsese's daughter decided to troll her dad on christmas by using marvel-themed wrapping pam paper for the director's presents. the joke is timely as he recently made headlines for saying marvel films are not cinema actress demi moore posted a foot of herself with some extra large flat wear, i'll say. >> it's the size of her so she's ready for a big turkey a big ham. newlyweds hillary duff and matthew shared their christmas

pic fail looks like everyone is just struggling to sit still. and olympic skier lindsey vaughn got engaged again. her fiance nhl player first popped the question back in august but vaughn wrote on twitter, on twour o our two-year anniversary, nontraditional move i asked pk to marry me and he said yes so women aren't the only ones who should get engagement rings. so congratulations to the happy couple a second time around. >> that is very sweet. >> yeah. it's an exciting time. you can never get engaged too many times, right? >> exactly. >> well, to the same person. >> okay. okay that makes more sense. >> all right speaking of the holidays, our own today family shared how they spent christmas posting on social media savannah, mike, and the kids they woke up real early on christmas morning. savannah writing they were in desperate need of more aa batteries and i'm sure no more trains >> i love the pajamas. >> the matching pajamas are so cute hoda and joel look like they have their hands full trying to take their picture too

hoda's sister and mom also joined them for the holiday. and they've got the coordinated outfits going on as well. >> adorable. lots of smiles. >> al and his whole family together he was posting lots of pictures with his pup pupper too. of course, he cooked up a feast of cinnamon buns, ham, and turkey he goes all out. i saw the grill at one point too. jenna shared a great photo of her entire family together including former president george w. bush see, now, that's a perfect family picture. >> and chanel posted some holiday snaps with her beautiful family as well. >> beautiful picture. >> yeah. looks nice great photos of all of them. and craig, i love the silly photos you shared yesterday which is rare. it's rare for you to kind of, you know -- >> here's the thickng if you had seen the other pictures, you'd know that was the best one that was the only useable picture. >> oh, there's one and you guys have coordinated outfits too. >> my wife started that a few years ago. >> and you got the kids to both smile. >> yeah.

>> you'll discover this one day. once your kids get into it, there's no getting out of it. >> you like it just as much as they do. >> yeah. looks like you're having a lot of fun too. >> we have to think ahead. i was too late planning. >> next time, you'll have to get a pack of four. >> kristen, we know you held it down at nightly news last sniet but you actually celebrated christmas eve with your family. >> yes mom, dad, husband john yep. >> and you have a nice little sweatshirt too. >> i did this goes back to my obsession with the royals. a sweatshirt that basically had the initials hrh her royal highness. >> i don't know how i'm just finding out about this. >> brian and i, cal was up early. here's him actually putting himself into his christmas stocking we also put him to work. he loves to hold the pot while we make the mashed potatoes. brian make the mashed potatoes

it was very low key this year. so yeah. >> can't imagine why. >> tough to put in the effort. that's for sure. finally, justin bieber announced some big news over christmas that has fans excited. the singer has been teasing the poblts of new muvgsic and has now confirmed not only is new music on the way but so is an entire album, a 45 city stadium tour and a new docu series. take a look in this new trailer he released. >> as humans, we are imperfect my past. my mistakes. all the things that i've been there. i believe that i'm right where i'm supposed to be i feel like this is different than the previous albums just because of where i'm at in my life. >> oh, what song was that? >> the song you heard in the background, that's his newest single "yummy" which drops january 3rd. this will be his fifth his last album came out in 2015. so 2020 looking like a big year.

>> what's the title again? >> "yummy. >> busy year all right. thanks, dylan. now, to a remarkable success story that highlights the pour e power of the special bond shared by teachers and students blayne alexander back again with that story. >> good morning again to you love this story. of course, we learned plenty of lessons in school. but for one man, it's the ability to write and rewrite his story that's allowed him to do what he loves the most impact the lives of kids and the community that raised him. education is a journey that never ends a voyage of wonderment, exploration, and glee. a lifelong process that's especially true for michael atkins but to understand why, you'd have to go back to his first classroom and the teacher who would change his life. >> he just walked into my little classroom. sat down in front of me. and looked up, admiringly at me,

and was a super wonderful, little student. >> kari first met michael in 1986 a bright-eyed first grader, he was bussed across town from his nearly all-black neighborhood to her nearly all-white school. >> i wanted to make sure that when they left home, and they got on that bus, they were excited to come to school because they knew that there was something really special inside my classroom. >> every child that enters into any educational system needs to have an adult that cares for them and about them at the level that kari cared for me. >> it was court ordered bussing that brought them together but that year, michael and kari formed a bond. >> it was deeper than he's one of my students, right? she really got to know who i was as an individual. >> and their bond kept growing so when michael graduated at 18 with a daughter on the way, he looked for work at the place that had taught him so much. >> i said, well, i'll reach out.

and i'll go and seek opportunities to be a para professional. >> but as a teacher's aide, there were no takers. >> when i would walk into offices within the neighborhood, principal's offices, i had a hard time finding anyone that would listen to me. >> instead, he took a position as a school custodian. michael took pride in his job and control of his story working days as a janitor. his nights, working on a degree in business. his dedication brought him back to a familiar face. >> he walks into my office i mean, like, what what are you doing and he said that he was the assistant facility manager. >> it was automatic embrace. >> by this time, his former teacher, kari, had moved up to principal. >> i watched him interact with the kids i mean, he was so great with -- with the students. >> so she created the position michael had been unable to get years before

teacher's aide. >> after three weeks, i was in love i changed my major to behavioral science with a minor in k-5 education. >> michael blossomed for 15 years, teaching, inspiring, and learning. until this year, the latest chapter of his story principal of his very own school steadman elementary, just six blocks from where he grew up. >> i am so proud of you. >> our greatest opportunity to change, in my opinion, is just through our children. >> his mission every day to care for each student the way kari cared for him. >> good morning, honey how are you? >> looking at education and students through a different lens. >> he can just relate to so many families here. and he -- he brings this -- an ear for people to, you know, just share all of their experiences. good and bad. >> hola. i'm well i'm well. >> building on the lessons started so many years ago in that first grade classroom.

>> i'm very proud. i see him being very successful here i love you. >> love you too. >> i just love their bond. so, of course, this has been quite the year for michael not only is this his first official year as principal but he also became a father for the third time now, he calls his job his life's passion and he says he wants to t a time guys. >> i love their bond, too. and i love that she says she's learned so much from him. >> great story. >> thank you. >> still ahead here. one of the stars of the holiday-themed illusionists on broadway is a mind reader. he is about to try out his talents on us. but first, your local news good morning to you 8:26 and a christmas night tragedy in the east bay.

a car crashing into a power pole killing three teenager boys. we learned two of them were brothers. it happened last night and there was five people inside that car, two survived, a teenager boy and girl. the vehicle code expected to be closed until 4:00 this afternoon while the crash is investigated. now a look at the morning commute for you. >> not too bad at all going back to work after christmas. a smooth flow of traffic all around the bay area. we have seen it slowing down a little bit in the commute direction going northbound, but not a bad day. no back up at the bay bridge as we get some sunshine. weather is coming up in a few minutes.

[ laughing ] [ electrical buzzing ] [ electrical buzzing ]

[ dramatic music ] ahhhh!!! -ahhhhh!!! elliott. you came back! a lot's changed since you were here. it's called the internet. holiday movies. [ remote bleeps ] ♪ i'm dreaming ♪ ♪ of a white christmas ♪ family. home. [ music swells ] woohoo! -yeah!

w we are back. 8:30 now thursday morning day after christmas. plaza crowd. bright, cheery santa must have been pretty good to you guys, huh by the way, the show here's going to the dogs. the show's gone -- i know. i know. >> could they be any cuter >> they're as excited as everybody else. >> hi. >> what are their names? >> brooklyn and indie. >> brooklyn and indie. big sfanfans of the show. >> can you translate for us, craig? >> yes they're saying, dylan, here's where we do the crowd moment. >> good transition all right. let's -- where's jackie? jackie, hi

i heard it's your birthday. >> it is. >> and big, special birthday this year because we're not going to forget it normally, your birthday kind of gets forgot. >> right because it's the day after christmas. all the hype is over it's been forgotten for the past 38 years. >> is this your daughter here? >> yes. >> you can't forget mom's birthday, right? >> well, i always do >> but this year, you said i'm going to new york to celebrate how's it been? >> it's been awesome so we're just kicking off our visit. >> awesome good for you for taking everybody and now it'll be the birthday you'll never forget. >> that's right. >> so today's your mom's birthday just so you know. all right. good happy birthday. >> thank you. >> never forget her mom's birthday ever again. well, just ahead, the story behind a very special painting made by a nun hundreds of years ago that's received a new lease on life by a remarkable group of women. >> then we've got a post-christmas gift of magic chris cox from the illusionists

is here to attempt his most daring feat yet. reading craig's mind we've all try today do. >> i think you and i both -- that's not going to be much a challenge. not a whole lot going on up there. also, we are geg to introduce you to a classical musician who uses his skills in quite the unique way to soothe shelter dogs you guys are going to be really excited about that story. >> that's right. they're waiting for that they came for that segment. >> they seem soothed now. >> yeah. they're soothed just listening to the music but first, you got another check of the weather little chilly out here. >> little bit chilly sun will come out eventually we had to burn off some fog this morning because it's been so mild a lot of areas dealing with the fog early this morning but as we go into the weekend, that's when we're going to watch the rain that's in southern california move eastward it produces heavy snow in some of the higher elevations in the southwest. still stays mild through the eastern half of the country. it gets a little unsettled across the central and northern parts of new england and then there's the big storm on saturday. we're looking at heavy snow on the northern side of this. we could see a significant

amounts of snow across the northern plains, the upper midwest. strong storms through the rest of the plains and the midwest. and then on sunday, it turns into more rain for the eastern half of the country back through the appalachians good morning, i'm kari hall, you're going to see the rain and snow across southern california that is moving away from the bay area. as we go into the rest of the day we're looking at sunshine, mild weather, and that continues into saturday. there will be another approaching storm system on sunday, but it looks like it breaks up and really weakens before it gets here. so we're only looking at a slight chance of rain and more dry weather for the rest of the year. and that's your latest forecast. >> thank you up next, a stroke of female genius the remarkable story behind the nearly 500-year-old painting of the last supper.

it is now on public display for the very first time. we'll have that for you. but first, this is "today" on nb

we're back on this thursday morning with a really unique story behind a remarkable work of art. >> that's right. nbc traveled to florence, italy, to >> guys, good morning. well, here in florence, art is really all around you. everywhere you look, there are pieces from the great renaissance masters. but for centuries, something -- well, actually someone -- has been missing from the picture. the last supper. there are at least 20 in florence strokes of genius all painted by men. but at the monastery of santa maria maria novella, a surprise. >> there she is. meet nellie. >> nellie. >> yes the world's only renaissance-era last supper painted by a woman

is that right? >> that is right that is right. >> that's the greatest renaissance artist you've never heard of her 26-foot-long last supper hidden in cellars for centuries. >> can you tell it was painted by a woman >> i believe you can first of all, because there's food on the table. this table was made for eating there's china. it's very maternal they're touching each other. >> now restored back to its original glory by women. a group of americans who have made it their goal to resurrect florence's female artists. women living in convents, who dare to go against the grain and pick up a brush. >> we weren't trained to be an artist. >> no. >> and we couldn't study the human form either. >> human form male or female. >> the group, the foundation for advancing women artists, so far has found more than 20 of

nellie's works and other artists, too. >> she is a florentine she was a child prodigy, apparently it's in precarious condition. >> seems like this is an all-women, you know, power team. >> it's very exciting because i feel like we're not just shedding light on the painting by removing all the dirt and the varnish. but we're shedding light on this unknown, invisible artist. >> nellie's 16th century last supper was in such bad shape, it took four years to bring it back to life. revealing the picture and the artist's own story a dominican nun, who entered the convent at 14. in time, setting up an all-women painting workshop. >> nellie was very, very famous in her time. >> if you were painting or if you were sculpting, it meant you were successful. but history hasn't remembered them. >> women who became nuns had the freedom to be creative sister petra said then, as now, prayer and work flowed together.

>> i think she's an extraordinary woman. this was a way for -- for the community to -- to live. to earn money. >> and to say something. nellie's life experience shines through her last supper. >> the tablecloth is folded perfectly. when nuns went into the convent, they would have dinnerware as their dowry. and so you see the china. >> she would have studied the great male artists, like andrea del sarto, known as the flawless painter. >> if you compare it to nellie's last supper, it's quite almost stark. the more spiritual rendition. >> here, they're going hungry, right? >> no food. >> no wine exactly. >> and no signature. this was a master's crowning achievement by a man already so famous, the work spoke for itself but nellie did want the world to know

in the corner, her name and pray for the paintress. a message shouting down through the centuries. >> the old masters never signed. you would only create a last supper when you were a master. we have a 16th century nun telling the world that she's a master >> a lot of ordinary americans helped bring nellie's last supper back to life. that restoration was partially paid for through crowd funding donations of $100 at a time. guys. >> nellie, thank you what an incredible discovery and i love that she signed, you clear it was a female artist. >> kind of makes you wonder how many other female artists there are like that. up next, one of the famed illusionists from that hit broadway show here in studio 1a, he is going to demonstrate his incredible mind-reading skills. >> cannot wait. >> you don't want to miss this but first, this is "today" on

welcome back, everyone we're all excited for this segment. for nearly a decade, people all over the world have been mesmerized by the illusionist franchise. the group known for their mind-bending magic, death defying stunts, and enthusiastic personalities. >> a holiday theme variation of the popular show is -- is running for a limited time on broadway a preview, the self-proclaimed mind reader who -- who doesn't read minds here with his witchcraft. >> thank you nice to be here. so basically, i -- i use lots of different techniques and the thing is i got into magic when i was very little i was ten years old and i was at home in england and i got a letter that was delivered by an owl. and then seven years at hogwarts, and now mind reader. >> how do you become an illusionist, though? how does it happen >> obviously, you get a letter

from an owl of course. and then you basically waste your childhood doing magic and realize there's nothing else you can do with your life. so you just can keep doing magic. and then luckily enough, i've been picked to be in the world's biggest magic show and now i get an awkward question every time i get to security in an airport. what do you do for a living? magician you can't do that for a living. >> what can they expect? >> they get the best mix of magic from magicians from all over the world i do the mind reading. we also have big illusions we have eric chen from america's got talent a mix of every type of magic that could exist and the most fun thing for me is to see audiences where you've got young kids, parents, grandparents, teenagers, first dates, and all of them you just slowly watch their jaws drop throughout the show. >> it's just remarkable. there is a difference between a magician and meantlist, right? what's the difference? >> so the difference is i'm worse. the difference is mentalism, i work with the mind

it's magic of the mind trying to make people think i know what they're thinking despite never knowing what they're thinking you're looking at me going i didn't know rachel maddow was here here i am! >> you take the words out of my mouth. >> i know. >> all right well, let's get to it here what are we gonna do >> i'm going to read your mind if that's okay >> i want to apologize in advance. >> thank you i'm flattered by what you're thinking and i find mind reading works best when i make a physical connection with someone. so if i touch you, i get a connection and i can get into sync and i can read your mind. so it's time to touch me in fact, if it's okay, can i -- can i just touch the bottom of your earlobe because that's where there is the best connection. so is it okay if i touch here? >> that's a little weird. >> with my tongue. >> no. >> it just got weirder. >> that's okay ready? i'm just going to touch it give it a little wiggle. is that okay >> that's fine.

>> look how cute >> okay. all right. coconut shampoo. you treat yourself, don't you? i want you to think of a -- so we got a little connection so you're going to think of a celebrity. and i want you to imagine them coming to your house yesterday on christmas morning and they've got a gift for youn who it is good okay so this is -- right. you look so intense all of a sudden. >> well, i was trying to picture it throw him off. >> oh. >> he knows you well >> probably smells it from last night. >> okay. just think about this person all right. can you imagine them giving you a gift, as well? so it's the holidays and they've got a gift for you i'm going to go -- my spelling is awful but let's see what we can do here all right. i think this is someone sports related. yes? >> yes. >> yeah. okay and okay

close your eyes for a second i'm going to show everyone this. >> okay. >> nice and loud open your eyes who is it you're thinking of >> michael jordan. >> look at that. >> how is that possible? >> and he's bringing you a personalized gift, right you seeing him holding some shoes? >> i am. >> but they're not just any shoes. he signed those shoes. >> yeah. it's kind of freaky. >> that is not possible. >> and you thought i was gonna be rubbish >> i did but here -- >> you know who michael jordan is, right? >> yes, he is a player of the quiddich i think yeah i think that's him. >> what's the secret >> i use magic, psychology, body language, influencing, devilish good looks, and lying. >> that's creepy. >> that is amazing how did you do that? unbelievable. >> yeah. inside here is actually michael jordan if we open can you imagine? that's a trick. >> if he walked on right now with the signed shoes. >> why don't guys like you use your power for -- >> for evil?

>> well, yeah. >> you could win the lottery every week. >> i could i think people would get on to me quite quick like, hang on, this guy needs to stop buying tickets. genu when i was six years old what i wanted more than anything in the world, it would be to entertain people and to see 6-year-old me knowing i'm on broadway now, that is the greatest thing and i love doing this to entertain people, amaze them and make them realize how >> you have exceeded our expectations i'm blown away that was cool. dylan's just stunned. >> we have to burn you at the stake now. >> okay. it's very cold so please do. >> chris, thank you. again, the illusionists. magic of the holidays is running now through january 5th at neil simon theater here in new york city. >> that's right and still to come, a truly remarkable story we'll meet a professional musician who uses his talents to ease the stress of animals but first, this is "today" o nbc. >> didn y

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welcome back now, to a really heartwarming story during this hectic holiday season.

>> we could all use one, right it's about a professional violinist violinist who is using his talents to entertain an unexpected audience. joe fryer. >> good morning. you have probably heard of these shelters across the country. volunteers read books and magazines to dogs to calm them down and help socialize them but when martin agie signed up for the program, he learned he could do a little more than read ♪ >> as a professional violinist, martin agie knows music is a universal language that translates on any stage including the one martin visits every week or two. >> hey, you guys hey, gina. >> where his audience impatiently waits. >> they watch me take the violin out of the case. you know, with sort of quizzical looks.

and the minute the bow hits the string, it's amazing the reactions that i get. >> you see, these dogs are victims of neglect and abuse they come here to the aspca animal recovery center to heal. >> i just feel there's a connection that's beyond words that happens with these animals. and it's amazing experience. >> do you feel like it's making a difference for them? >> i hope so i have to believe that it is >> it's a way for martin to heal, too, following the death of his family's greyhound, melody. >> i couldn't walk down the street and see a greyhound without tearing up the loss was just weighing on me so heavily. >> so two years ago, this veteran musician who's performed in prestigious concert halls and for broadway shows, volunteered to play for traumatized pets and quickly, discovered what music can do

just listen as he plays a handle handle sonata. before long, he is accompanied by gina, a three-year-old pitbull. >> gina, you're singing along there. yeah i hear you. >> martin has had sing-alongs before but nothing quite like that. >> oh, man fantastic. >> martin's truly helping to save these animals' lives. >> the center says such calming music can help the dogs relax. >> if we can lower their stress levels, we can keep them healthier psychologically and physically if we can do that, we can better prepare them for the next chapter of their life, which is an adoptive home. >> for me, it's a very emotional experience i've walked out of the aspca in tears more than once >> martin calls it a life life changing made possible by the language of muvg music

>> martin says when he shows up at the shelter, he's often performing for a new set of dogs it's sad in a way because he makes attachments quickly. and it's hard to know he won't see those dogs again but overall, he feels happy because he knows those pooches have moved on to the next chapter in their lives and he hopes that chapter includes music back to you guys. >> thanks, joe great reminder of the power of music. yeah. >> power of animals too because i'm sure he gets something out of it. >> great point. >> by the way, just ahead on the third hour, we will be catching up with chadwick bozeman, and his 21 bridges co-stars. >> plus, detox teas. they are very popular and promise fast results but come with potential dangers what you need to know. that's after your local news

good morning, it is 8:56, i'm marcus washington.

overnight, a car crashed killed three minors, two of them were brothers. there was five people inside that car, two survived. be closed until 4:00 this afternoon. happening now, new laws on the minimum lot size requirements changing. a a new light rail line being unveiled. we'll have more local news coming up for you in an hour.

gearing up for the weekend what you can expect when you track your holiday plans. >> and the new laws set to impact you starting next week.

join us tomorrow morning from 4:30 to 7:00. today on "california live" it is christmas week and we're celebrating our favorite stories of the year. >> the people and places that touched and inspired us is our gift to you and [ electrical buzzing ] [ dramatic music ] ahhhh! -ahhhh! elliott. you came back!

from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." good morning, everybody. welcome to the third hour of "today." i'm al, along with sheinelle and craig and dylan on assignment right now. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> good morning. and we've got a great show it is amazing. because craig right now is actually drunk >> how is that any different than the usual >> but this is a drunk that you really care about. >> i've got a nice assignment. >> and normally i don't get plum assignments. >> i went behind the brand

it is a series that we do behind th actually my first behind the brand assignment i went behind the brand of and i have