>> all right, thank you so much. and thank you for joining us. we love being a participate of your morning and we want to take a live look as we leave you with a shot of the golden gate bridge there. a beautiful shot to start your morning. have a great one. good morning, here it comes. a dangerous system that is already caused accidents and power outages across the midwest. al is ready with what can you expect from the biggest storm in years. second shot. the fda ready to clear the path for moderna's coronavirus vaccine in a matter of days. more health care workers from coast to coast received pfizer's shot. and the covid-19 surge shows no sign of slowing. >> we're going to have to dig in

and do the best we can. straight ahead, the hospitals now using waiting lists to deal with the demand. game over. mitch mcconnell with a stern warning to republican senators, its time to accept joe biden's victory. >> as of this morning, our country has officially a president-elect and a vice president president-elect. >> overnight, the fears backlash from trump world. the live report from the white house just ahead. gridlock. the post master general sounding alarm on holiday shipping. record demand, combined with the covid-19 vaccine and the storm's impact now fueling major delays. will your packages arrive in time? what you need to know straight ahead. all that plus making spirits bright. >> whoa! >> our season of giving rolls on bringing toys to needy children. and one day after our today food drive -- >> yes! >> wait until you hear what you did to help the nation's hungry. today, wednesday, december 16th,

2020. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza. >> and good morning, everybody. welcome to "today" g to have you with us on a wednesday morning. we loved yesterday. i think today's going to be super special as well. >> we can't wait for today to begin. a lot of kids are in need. they need a reason to smile this holiday season. so check this out. jenna is standing by with marines and volunteers at this toys for tots warehouse. it's in brooklyn. they're up early. they're working hard and doing it right now. they want to make things happen. a lot of kids aren't going to be getting christmas gifts they need, they want during this holiday season. >> yeah. so we're hoping to see a lot of little smiles this morning. we'll have jenna in a few and have your phones ready. again, we're going to try to make it easy for you to help if you're able to. >> we're going to begin with that massive storm.

check this out. look at the scope. winter advisories and warnings stretch down from georgia all the way up to maine this morning. >> and here's a taste of what is coming this way. that is a live look at tulsa, oklahoma. you can see it is blanketed in snow. same for roads in indianapolis. yeah. there it is. it's a winter wonderland. al has the latest on when that wonder land is headed our way. >> it will be making its way here relatively soon. we've got 70 million people right now. and this blue line, we're going to be watching this very closely. that's the rain-snow line, the freezing line if you will. 70 million people impacted right now by this. we also have coastal flood warnings stretching from the carolinas all the way up into massachusetts and new england. so here's what we look for this morning. accumulating ice impacting travel through the midwest. snow and rain start in washington, d.c., and philadelphia. then as we get into this afternoon, the snow will start to move into new york. heavy snow west of i-95.

you can see that 32 degree line right now we're going to zoom in on that. we'll show you this is what's going to determine how much snow each of us gets. to the south of the line, it's going to be rain. to the north and just in between, it's going to be a mix of rain and snow. then north of that, it's all snow. as we move into the evening, snow begins for boston and the sleet line moves slowly into the north. but it's going to continue snowing heavily in overnight, especially up into new england. snow will end for some near sunrise as you see down to the south. south of philadelphia, then thursday morning, the snow starts to pull away. but snow continues in boston into the afternoon. so here's what we're looking at. snowfall rates up to three inches per hour with this system. some folks could see blizzard-like, whiteout conditions and thunder snow. this is a very active system. here's what we're calling for right now. we will probably adjust this as the morning goes on. harrisburg, you could see 22 inches of snow.

allentown, 12 to 18. philly, four to eight. less down in washington. 9 to 13 inches of snow in new york city. hartford, connecticut, where we were yesterday, 16 inches. boston could be 13 inches of snow. and there is wind with this system. high wind warnings for the new jersey coast. we look for downed power lines, trees coming down. travel is going to be a bit of a mess. wind gusts anywhere from 30 to 60 miles per hour. so, guys, it's going to be a changeable situation. we're going to again watch that rain-snow line very, very closely. but everybody's in for difficult weather conditions starting this afternoon. in fact, in the next half hour we'll give you a time line which each city will be expecting. >> and with the winds, it's not the snow that kids run out and play in. >> watch it through the windows. >> okay. thank you. >> thank you so much. one group keeping a close eye on this winter system, everybody involved with the delivery of pfizer's coronavirus vaccine. >> across the country, more front line workers will be vaccinated to day.

we could be just days away from a second vaccine. we have two reports we're going to start with. nbc's tom costello starts. good morning. >> good morning. we talked to both u.p.s. and fedex, and both of them are handling the priority shipments of the vaccines and both of them believe they can execute despite the storms moving up the coast. we will have more on that in a moment. they think they're going to be able to get through it without a problem. but we're now looking at tens of thousands of people who have already been vaccinated with the pfizer vaccine. and now just three days into the process, another company poised to get emergency authorization. >> reporter: as front line medical workers receive doses of the pfizer vaccine, we could see a second option to help prevent covid-19 within days. tomorrow the f.d.a.'s outside advisory panel will formally review moderna's vaccine candidate. >> next week, assuming the authorization by the fda of the moderna vaccine, we expect to ship 5.9 million doses of moderna vaccine from this very

facility. >> reporter: and fda review found that moderna's vaccine to be more than 94% effective and it may prevent the spread of the virus. suggesting asymptomatic infection could be reduced by 63% after a single shot. health experts hope additional data in the next few weeks will confirm even higher levels of protection. >> which would really help us then not only protect against this disease, but also potentially eliminate the virus creation from the population. >> reporter: moderna's vaccine uses the same messenger rna technology as pfizer's and requires two doses, but it does not need the same subzero temperatures, making it easier to store. for now, it's pfizer's vaccine reaching the arms of essential health workers nationwide. arriving wednesday at the largest hospital network in the nation's capital. and more than 4,000 miles away in anchorage, alaska. as u.p.s. and fedex track

deliveries, both companies say to nbc news, they have teams the of meteorologists monitoring the winter weather conditions around the clock with contingency plans in place in case there are potential delays. meanwhile, among those who already gotten their first dose, angela mattingly, a house keeper for the university of iowa health care. so far says angela, no side effects. you feel safer? >> i do. i feel 100% safer. i can't wait to get the second dose. >> reporter: in tulsa, oklahoma, drive-through vaccines for the health care workers. >> i feel like a pioneer. i mean, after everything that is done to people i know, it was a no-brainer to come in and get the vaccine. >> reporter: there does seem to be a public acceptance to getting the vaccine and there is a new kaiser family poll out and 71% of americans say they are open to getting the vaccine

which is up dramatically up from 60% from september or so, and so more and more americans are embracing the idea of getting the vaccine and recognizing it is the best way to be protected. back to you. >> that is promising news there. meantime, tom, the busy holiday season ahead. and there is a major airline out there that is unveiling a new contact tracing program for passengers. what do you know about that? >> that's right. united airlines is announcing this. essentially what happens, when you go to check in for your flight, you can be asked if you want to opt in, and you will be asked to participate in the contact tracing. they're working with the cdc. you'll enter the e-mail and phone number and where you're going to stay. and, therefore, if they become aware of anybody that you have been around who may have had covid-19, they will be able to contact trace you much more easily. so it's voluntary. it's not mandatory. but united now the first one to partner up with the cdc on this contact tracing effort. >> yeah. that's a long time coming. all right, tom, thank you. >> all right. the vaccine is good news. the virus is not. across most states there has

been no letup in the latest surge of cases, hospitalizations, and deaths. erin mclaughlin is joining us now with the latest. good morning, erin. >> savannah, good morning, this crisis is escalating. nearly twice as many people were hospitalized as in april. doctors say care is being compromised and lives lost as a result. >> reporter: this morning, the vaccines are rolling out. giving everyone a much needed shot of hope. in an otherwise bleak battle. >> it's scary. i do think that there is a breaking point. >> reporter: at the largest hospital in mississippi, there's a waiting list to get into the icu. the entire state is out of specialized beds. >> there's no cavalry coming over the hill to save us. we have to dig in and do the best we can. >> did you ever think you'd be in this position?

>> no, not in my wildest dreams. >> reporter: similar scenes in california. the state reporting another day of record infections and a new peak in hospitalizations. the governor ordering refrigerator storage units on stand by. 5,000 additional body bags. texas and michigan joining the list of states where hospitals are nearing the brink. parts of the country where intensive care beds are maxed out, doctors and nurses are working overtime to save lives. >> each one of us is working what is equivalent to two full times and sometimes 2.5 full-times. >> reporter: others say they're fighting for the ability to work at all. >> this industry is hanging on by a thread. >> reporter: some of the hardest hit areas, protests and businesses defying orders. >> at what point do we say that we have nothing left to go back to? there will be nothing to open. >> reporter: frustration and fear with the death toll climbing past 300,000, seniors and minorities still make up a

disproportionate up in of those deaths and even with the promise of a vaccine, there is much we don't know about the disease. >> i can't do this again. >> reporter: tonya is still dealing with her first covid-19 diagnosis. shortness of breath and heart palpitations then last week, a major setback, tonya tested positive again. >> i was naive in march. i thought give me covid-19. i'm healthy. i have no underlying conditions. i had no idea that the virus could jack you up this bad. >> despite the skyrocketing number of hospitalizations, one positive note. doctors say with new treatments, they're able to move patients out of hospitals quicker. savannah? >> erin, thank you. we do have a lot more to get to including the presidential transition. more than a month after the election, more republican leaders now recognizing president-elect biden's victory and signalling it is time for president trump to abandon his challenges to the results. nbc white house correspond has

the latest. good mornings, kristen. >> good morning. president trump will hold a cabinet meeting later today. it comes as the pressure is mounting, as you say, on the president from his own party to face the facts and accept the outcome of the election. >> reporter: this morning growing pressure on republicans to acknowledge a political reality. after the senate's top republican majority leader mitch mcconnell congratulated president-elect joe biden for first time since the election. >> as of this morning, our country has officially a president-elect and vice president-elect. >> reporter: the two speaking by phone tuesday. >> i had a conversation with mitch mcconnell today. i called him to thank him for the congratulations. >> reporter: overnight, president trump responding to mcconnell in a series of tweets, writing, too soon to give up. republican party must finally learn to fight. people are angry.

with congress set to officially count the electoral votes on january 6th, mcconnell on a conference call with senate republicans warning his colleagues against objecting to the election results according to multiple sources. calling it a terrible vote for republicans who would be forced to decide between acknowledging the election results or backing president trump's false claims of fraud. increasing number of republicans senators are acknowledging biden's victory even as president trump still refuses to concede. vice president-elect says it's time to move forward. >> i think it's important. i applaud mitch mcconnell for talking to joe biden today. it would have been better if it were earlier, but it happened. that is what is most important. >> reporter: revelation that's president trump is looking to turn up the heat on rivals before he leaves office. the associated press reporting the president is considering pushing to have a special counsel appointed to investigate hunter biden, the son of joe biden who is currently under federal investigation for

questions related to his taxes. hunter biden says he handled his affairs legally and appropriately. the a.p. which cites several trump anonymous trump administration officials also says that he wants the president to look into his own baseless claims of fraud. we reached out to the white house so far no response. now the decision about whether to appoint a special counsel would ultimately be up to the incoming acting attorney general, jeffrey rosen. he is stepping in after bill barr resigned amid tensions over president trump including his refusal to support the president's election fraud claims. savannah, i will toss it back to you. >> president-elect biden has a couple more cabinet appointments. what is the latest? >> that's right. he does. president-elect biden plans to nominate his one time primary rival, former south bend, indiana mayor pete buttigieg to be a secretary.

and former michigan governor to lead the department of energy. as for the inauguration, the inaugural committee announced that biden-harris will take the oaths of office at the u.s. capitol as is tradition, but encourage supporters to watch from home, and other celebrations will be largely virtual due to the pandemic. savannah? >> all right. thank you. one other note from the capital, negotiations on another pandemic relief package are intensifying this morning. the top four leaders of congress met twice yesterday in hopes of finally cementing an agreement. senate republican leader mitch mcconnell says the senate will not leave washington for the holidays until a deal is reached. lawmakers are hoping to attach the pandemic relief package to the government funding bill. it is 16 minutes after the hour. all eyes are on mr. roker and the storm. what do you got? >> we have other weather going on. we're looking at a western storm coming into northern california. pacific northwest. high surf advisories for

southern california. midsection of the country looking darn good. lots of sunshine as you get into texas. the eastern third of the country, a real mess. heavy snow extending back into the ohio river valley. heavy showers and thunderstorms into the southeast and into northern florida. we will get into your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds. over two million meals provided. over four hundred national parks protected. in fact, subaru and our retailers will have proudly donated over two hundred million dollars to national and hometown charities through the subaru share the love event. (vo) get 0% for 63 months and subaru will donate 250 dollars to charity. good wednesday morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. rain will be coming in later on this afternoon for the north bay. we're starting to see light, spotty showers moving in. some of the heavier rain will

arrive late tonight. starting out in the north wbay. we'll see the heavy rounds of rain mostly clearing by sunrise tomorrow. and then we're back to dry weather. in our seven day forecast temperatures stay cool but reach into the 50s the next several days. weather. guys >> all right al, thank you. we have an encouraging update to share on the college basketball star hospitalized after collapsing on the court. the new signs giving his family and doctors real hope this morning. why some americans in communities hit hardest by the pandemic are so distrustful of the vaccine and what people that have already received it are now doing to show that it's safe for everyone but first, this is "day" on to [ sfx: bzzz bzzz bzzz ]

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a very good morning to you. 7:26. i'm laura garcia. here's a look at today's top stories including marin county. all out of icu beds for covid patients. >> reporter: i'm cierra johnson in marin county. we've reached that point that local leaders and health officials warned us about, the point there are no beds available right now. we're speaking specifically about marin county where they have hospitals with no availability. those hospitals, marin general, kaiser permanente, and novato community hospitals all reporting no beds. it's not just the bay area seeing this issue.

less than 15% bed availability in several california regions including greater sacramento, san joaquin valley and southern california. >> reporter: i'm bob redell in concord with more doctors and nurses here will receive their first doses of the covid-19 vaccine later today. there's been confusion about who is supposed to be receiving first. the thought was people who live in nursing homes would be receiving their first dose this week along with doctors and nurses, but the cdc says that won't happen until next week or the week after. "usa today" reports that's because many of those facilities where people live opted to programs being administered by pharmacies like cvs and walgreens and that doesn't start until december 21st. it's a clear start to our wednesday morning. rain is in the works for later, right, kari? yeah, we're going to see the rain coming in late tonight and moving out of the bay area by tomorrow morning. and then as we go through the rest of the forecast it's dry

and we'll be tracking the time line of that rain. laura? all right. thanks so much. thank you for joining us. another local news update is coming up in half an hour. i hope to see you then. have a great morning.

it is 7:30, wednesday morning, 16th day of december, 2020 doesn't that make you feel good? the marine toys for tots foundation working hard there in brooklyn they're sorting, preparing packages, special gifts for all the little kids who are in need and jenna is there too >> she has a great story hi, jenna. >> good morning, guys. oh, my gosh. we're having the best morning. we're helping these awesome marines sort toys. proving it really is better to give than to receive >> we cannot wait. we're going to really try to go big with our toy drive that's next hour

we'll tell you how you can help. let's get to the 7:30 said lines. the first home test that does not require a prescription will be on u.s. store shelves the fda authorized the rapid coronavirus test which will be available at pharmacies and online regulators granted emergency use for similar last month that one needed a doctor's prescription. initial supplies will be limited. manufacturer said they expect it to produce three million texts next month and will cost $30. >> philanthropist and author mckenzie scott has given away more than $4 billion in the last four months to hundreds of organizations as part of a giving pledge that she announced last year. scott is the former wife of amazon founder jeff bezos. she is targeting communities with high food insecurity, racial inequity and those hit

hardest by coronavirus. scott described the pandemic as a wrecking ball in the lives of americans already struggling >> congratulations are going out this morning to stanford women's basketball coach, top ranked stanford beat the team last night giving vanderveer 1,099 coaching wins. that is the most wins in women's college basketball history the four time coach of the year passing tennessee's legendary coach the late pat summitt. vanderveer total could have been higher but she took a year away from stanford to coach the 1996 olympic team my guess is she is going to keep adding to that title >> impressive. now to an update on a story a lot of people are following. this morning there are positive signs for keyontae johnson, the star basketball player at the university of florida who collapsed during a game. nbc's sam brock has the latest hey, sam, good morning >> hoda, good morning. according to keyontae johnson's parents, he's made incredible progress just a day earlier the

university had reported he was in critical but stable condition and following simple commands. now he's talking and connecting with his teammates over facetime hopefully on a road to recovery. >> reporter: this morning florida gator star keyontae johnson is talking to family members. on saturday, the 6'5," 20-year-old nba prospect was playing against florida state throwing down a dunk early in the game >> johnson with the strong finish >> moments later, following a time-out, johnson collapsed face first on to the court. he was rushed to a local hospital in tallahassee leaving coaches and players from both teams shaken and praying for his recovery on monday, johnson was flown to university of florida health near jacksonville with his mother by his side in a statement on tuesday, johnson's relieved parents saying in part that keyontae is

in stable condition, breathing on his own and speaking with us and his doctors. he even facetimed the team johnson, a junior from norfolk, virginia, was the sec preseason player of the year at florida's leading scorer so far, no medical reason has been given for his collapse. last month the team canceled games because of positive covid-19 tests the associated press and other outlets reporting johnson was diagnosed with the virus earlier this year n tuesday's statement, johnson's parents adding, we've seen how much people love and care for him we hope people recognize that information that doesn't come from us or the athletic department may not be accurate this week many of his friends and former teammates compiled a video with well wishes >> hopefully you can recover and get back to doing what you do best, man. >> what i think got a lot of people through is thinking about your light, your joy, your energy, what kind of person you are. >> keep pulling through, bro you have gator nation behind you and all your brothers behind you. god got you. >> and gators football posting this football of clifford taylor at a recent game with 11 kj johnson's jersey number written

on his sleeve. >> wow, so much love for keyontae what are the steps that the university has taken in light of this since it happened >> so obviously very encouraging signs right now. it's been a rough last few days. the men's team was supposed to play north florida tonight that has been postponed for the time being they also have a game on saturday against florida atlantic we have not heard of any changes about that game so far the coach and the athletic director declined interviews to this point they're expected this week to hold a press conference with everybody feeling a lot better this morning than they were 48 or 72 hours ago. hoda, savannah, back to you. >> good news we all needed. thank you, sam. >> coming up next, leading by example. we're going to hear from a participant in pfizer's vaccine trial and doctors and nurses on the front lines working to inspire confidence in those all important shots especially in minority communities but first, these messages. netwo at a record pace. we were the first to bring 5g nationwide. and now that sprint is a part of t-mobile we're turning up the speed.

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we're back. on the race for a vaccine. building confidence in the shots. >> the u.s. surgeon general says the biggest fears is distrust among minority communities. that's why so many are working hard to get the facts out. nbc's blayne alexander is in atlanta with more on that effort. good morning. >> savannah and hoda, good morning to you both. right now i'm here at the moorehouse school of medicine. this is a testing site because the school's ability to recruit a diverse group of participants. some medical professionals say the problem is understanding and overcoming the level of distrust of black americans that goes back generations. >> reporter: as covid-19

continues the relentless terror, there is no corner of the country immune to the wrath. but for the african-american community, it has been especially devastating. hospitalization, death, all disproportionately high. still even with a vaccine on the way, many do not trust it. a new pew research poll show that 71% of the african-americans responding know someone that either died or have been hospitalized from covid-19, fewer than half said they would get the vaccine. >> really hesitant. of course, call me a guinea pig. >> reporter: ashley nealy wanted to do something to end the pandemic, she signed up to participate in the pfizer vaccine trial. >> i want to make sure that when the vaccine came out that it's effective, especially on african-americans. because what could happen if we don't have enough people to participate in the trial. we could still be in the same boat. >> reporter: the other goal, lead by example. it's why three former presidents have all volunteered to take the vaccine publicly including the nation's only black president,

president obama. and why one of the first americans to receive it is notably a black nurse administered by a black doctor said this. >> i hope they have inspired some people, changed some minds of some people who were skeptical about the safety of the vaccine. >> reporter: people like darrell robinson. if a vaccine were offered to you today, would you take it? >> no. you know, i am concerned about if the studies have addressed pre-existing health concerns in the black community, like high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension. >> reporter: why is there so much distrust? >> there is a long history of black americans being experimented on in this country by the medical establishment, by tock or t doctors, researchers. >> reporter: there's no shortage

of examples, slaves used for medical experiences, hundreds of black men denied treatment during the tuskegee experiment. >> oftentimes the burden is placed on black people to just trust more. it really is important that the community is out here instilling or gaining trust of the community. >> reporter: adding to the trust, transparency like this message from a group of black doctors and nurses titled "a love letter to the black community." >> we're on the front lines in care delivery. and in key decision making roles. we urge you to hold us accountable. >> reporter: it's why ashley is telling her story. >> i think we have to see what happened to me and see i'm still standing. i think i change minds. >> nice to meet ashley. you know, one of the issues you raised inadequate access to health care. that's a big one. how is that being addressed? >> savannah, a lot of states are making this a priority and in california, governor gavin newsom says that the black and latina communities that have

been disproportionately been hit by the virus need to be prioritized for the vaccine rollout. and another large issue that a number of people talk about is the issue of representation. making sure that patients see doctors who look like them and that's another big initiative when we talk about the vaccine rollout. >> added credibility there. thank you. it's really important. appreciate it. all right. 7:42. time again for the look at the weather. >> we want to do a little tick tock right now, a time line of what is happening. if you look down there, we're seeing significant icing developing in western and central virginia. and along this 32 degree line, you can see that purple, that's where it's all mixing. okay, so let's push this into motion now. washington, d.c., you're going to see snow developing in the next hour or so of this wintry mix with an icy glaze expected. one to three inches. an icing of about a tenth of an inch can be very tricky and dangerous. philadelphia, the snow starts around noon. it changes to sleet this evening and goes back and forth

and calling for 4 to 8 inches of a rain and snow slush mix. peak wind gusts, 45 miles per hour. new york city, two to four in the afternoon. the snow starts, periods of heavy snow overnight. you may hear thunder snow. upwards of 13 inches possible. wind gusts of 40 to 45 miles per hour. and then we move into boston. your snow develops around midnight. your heaviest snow is tomorrow morning. we're looking at 9 to 13 inches of snow possible. 35 to 40 mile-per-hour wind gusts. overall, again, snowfall amounts rates of 3 inches per hour. whiteout conditions and as we move inland, pennsylvania, could see 22 inches of snow in harrisburg. 18 in scranton, albany, 14 inches of snow. hartford, connecticut where we were yesterday for our food drive, anywhere from 10 to 16 inches of snow. again, we'll continue to update this as we go through the morning. that's what's going on around the countr good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall.

let's take a look at our rain that's going to be approaching the bay area by later tonight. right now starting out with some light rain just to our north. and as we go through the time line we'll start to see the rain moving in this afternoon for parts of sonoma county. later on tonight is when some of the heavier rain really starts to reach the north bay, and then it quickly sweeps through. that cold front passes. right behind that we have some dry air. we're going to clear out quickly and we'll see our temperatures reaching into the 50s tomorrow into the next several days. >> coming up, another impact of the storm. potential holiday shipping delays in a year where there is already overwhelming demand. what you need to know about the new warning about the post master general and major stores. but first, these messages. ♪ birds flyin' high, you know how i feel. ♪ ♪ breeze drifting on by you know how i feel. ♪ ♪ it's a new dawn... if you've been taking copd sitting down, it's time to make a stand. start a new day with trelegy.

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welcome back, guys we're so excited again for today's season of giving so today we're ready to help toy drives across america. >> one reason we're so excited, we have to make a note of your incredible generosity yesterday. you remember our team was spread out at food drives across the country lending helping hands to families struggling to put food on the tables. there are so many of them this year because of the pandemic get this -- thanks to you, more than $2 million was raised nearly a million through feeding america, $1.3 million through today.com. that means that 20 million meals -- 20 million meals for the nations hungry feeding america said the internet traffic tripled yesterday. you responded in a huge, huge way.

>> so many people are trying to give and finding that the site was locked up or something funky. you kept trying. >> you hung in there. >> al, you were on the front lines watching it all in action. >> yeah. you know, it really -- those volunteers are amazing they're incredible it makes us all realize we were all our entire crew that, you know, so many of us, so many folks out there are one or two paychecks away from not doing well and there were a lot of folks, but they all had a great attitude and they were so appreciative. it was really very, very special. >> so many people would have never dreamed they would be in this situation you showed up in a big way thank you. >> and so many families, guys, have struggled they faced a lot of struggles this year. toy drives are keeping up with an overwhelming demand jenna is there this morning. we did food which is, so so important. toys might seem like a luxury item, but not you're a little kid. no the if you're a little kid. tell us what you're seeing this

morning. >> not at all. you guys, there are nine days until christmas which means it is crunch time in here these marines and volunteers spend 12 hours a day sorting toys and getting them ready. you all, the marines are on active duty which means it is literally their mission to bring love and joy to kids' faces. as you mentioned, the need is huge toy donations in the new york city area alone are 40% from last year. we really hope we can all help today and bring that joy to kids' faces. >> we're with you. we're just getting started, guys big surprises. even bigger ways you can get involved get your phones ready! more after your local news let's end the year nailing it. ♪

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a very good morning to you. it is 7:56. i'm laura garcia. here is a look at what's happening now. >> reporter: i'm roz plater in the south bay. hospitals are being stretched thin as a number of covid cases rise in the post-thanksgiving surge. as we approach the christmas holidays, health officers fear we could have a surge on top of a surge if people continue to travel and hold get-togethers. already two pop-up alternative care sites have been set up for covid patients who are less severely ill. good morning, everyone. i'm scott mcgrew. our reporters in washington are saying democrats and republicans are much closer on a potential stimulus deal now that democrats have backed down from asking for aid to counties, cities and states. a deal could come as soon as

friday, and it might include direct stimulus to american families. a clear morning over the bay area. the rain is in the works. maybe don't wash the car just yet, kari. yeah, hold off on washing the car. maybe let mother nature wash it later on tonight. we are starting out clear and cool. rain arrives during the overnight hours and will quickly move out before sunrise tomorrow. the rest of the forecast is dry as we get the sunshine in time for the weekend. laura? sounds good. thanks so much. and thank you for joining us as well. we'll be back with another local news update for you in about half an hour. enjoy your wednesday morning.

monster storm. tens of millions bracing for a powerful storm that could bring up to two feet of snow. al has what you need before you head out of the door. then holiday headache. the post master general sounding the alarm on shipping during an unprecedented year just ahead, what it means for your holiday packages. plus, cruisin' for a bruisin' tom cruise reportedly unloads on crew members who broke covid-19 safety protocols putting health

and jobs at risk. >> we're bringing thousands of jobs you. [ beep ] i don't want to ever see it again, ever! if you don't do it, you're fired. >> this morning, the reaction to his fiery message. and season of giving >> spread an act of kindness it makes the world a better place. >> we're teaming up with toys for tots to shine a light on kids in need jenna is live in a distribution center with a special surprise you won't want to miss december 16th, 2020, "today" on nbc. >> from bloomfield, new jersey -- >> we're get being ready to celebrate avery's first christmas. >> today show's favorite fan in lakeland, florida -- >> is celebrating a golden family >> we're celebrating our 19th wedding anniversary. >> penelope is turning 5 who do you want to say hi to

>> savannah and hoda >> oh, my gosh hi hi right back. >> turning 5 that's a big one good morning, everybody. welcome to "today. it is wednesday morning, and we have a lot the smile about. >> you stepped up in a big way a lot of companies did, too. we made yesterday's food drive a success. so we thought why not do a little more this morning we're teaming up with toys for tots to brighten the holiday season for even more families. >> that's right. the organization has seen an increase in need this year and they're really struggling to keep up with demand. also, you know, there aren't as many toy drives. remember, you walk into your office, people collect there were bins in the banks and different things that is not happening because of the pandemic the need is great. but guess what we're ready. we're going to check in with jenna in just a moment she is live the aa toys for tots

warehouse in brooklyn, new york. yesterday sheinelle explained how you use that qr code. how does that work show us again. >> i have never received more tweets and dms in my career. i'm not even kidding you everybody wants to know how to do this. we'll try it once again this morning across all hours of the show you'll find this qr code on the bottom left hand corner of your screen i promise, it is super easy to use. open the camera and hold it up to the screen. you can do it right now. hold it up to the screen you'll get a notification right at the top of your phone. then you just go to today.com where you can learn how to help toys for tots right now. and, of course, if you don't want to do all that, there is another option go to today.com/toysfortots. its so worth it. i can't wait to see how the kids will be blessed. it will be exciting. >> yeah. >> get your tissues out. you'll need them again we're getting a little weepy we'll get started on that in a

moment >> the biggest snowstorm in years is living up to the billing, blanketing streets in the midwest as this heads east al has the latest on what to expect >> all right let's get the -- break this down for you. right now we have 70 million folks under some sort of winter weather advisory you can see the system now pushing up already we're seeing activity just to the southeast -- southwest of washington, d.c. already through the ohio river valley here's what we're looking at now we've got cold canadian high pressure up through canada this nor'easter coming up the coast. so subfreezing temperatures now really locked in throughout a good part of the northeast moisture and humidity coming in. and the i-95 is kind of the dividing line. only 50 miles will separate from zero snow to upwards of two feet of snow. it's all due to that freezing line and i-95. here's what we're looking for. snowfall rates up to three inches per hour. whiteout conditions at times because it's such a vigorous system, you may hear thunder snow scranton, pennsylvania, 12 to 18 inches

harrisburg, up to 22 philly, four to eight. as you go to washington, even less maybe one to three new york city, between 9 and 13 inches of snow strong winds with high wind warnings for the new jersey coast. downed trees and power outages likely will we'll continue to update this for the folks in new england, the snow is going to start later tonight around midnight. and then be really heavy by tomorrow morning we'll continue to track this guys >> all right al, thank you so much. meantime, delivery companies are keeping a close eye on that storm as they continue shipping the pfizer coronavirus vaccine across the country more front line health care workers are getting their first shots today. it could be just days until a second option is available an fda advisory panel meets tomorrow to review the moderna vaccine ahead of a possible authorization for emergency use. but there has been no letup in the surge of new covid-19 cases. texas and michigan have been added to the list of states where hospitals are really on the brink. and mississippi completely run

out of icu beds. >> christmas is just nine short days away. there is some less than encouraging news if you're waiting for the arrival of your holiday presents and packages. nbc's stephanie gosk has more on the unique set of circumstances fueling the 11th hour problems good morning >> hey, hoda, good morning the line at this post office is steadily growing with people staying home rather than gathering with families, the presents that showed up in at the car trunk, they're being shipped. and already the post master general is calling this season historic you guessed it, expect delays. the. >> reporter: the post master general in a special year end message warning employees even more mail is coming. >> 2020 has been a difficult year for the nation. and for the postal service our competitors are likely to get more volume than they can handle which means we may be getting a lot of overflow. >> reporter: u.p.s. and fedex

have preset plans for shipping both companies say they're working to handle shipments that right now far exceed expectations with the crush of new online purchases fueled by the pandemic, 33% more than last year, the whole shipping system is getting backed up >> we're getting down to the wire on when packages can make it in time for the holidays. >> reporter: the ceo of shipped says there are still ways to get things on time it sounds like you are saying that people should scan and look for shipping solution options? >> yes, absolutely. there are options out there. whether shipping it through u.p.s. or fedex, ordering online, driving up and having it loaded into their car. >> but if curb side pickup is not an option, lots of retailers are telling people to expect delays target warns that some orders are being affected by high shipping volumes walmart says the next day delivery items have to be ordered by december 21st to

guarantee christmas arrival. and shipping frustrations are spilling over on to social media. adding to the delays, the first major batch of covid-19 vaccines understandably getting priority. and a huge winter storm tearing through the country set to hit the east coast today is not going to help matters either in the end, this holiday season, the message is something people have been hearing a lot lately be patient the post office has added 50,000 new seasonal workers, part of that is to make up for people calling in sick with covid-19.ts da there is more transportation, expand sunday deliveries and deliveries on christmas day. the bottom line is all of those amazing gifts that you bought me this year, i hope you plan on shipping them this week. so thanks. >> steph, how do we call it? they're in the mail. >> yeah. >> you didn't get that i'm sorry. >> stephanie, we love you. all right.

let's get a morning boost. steph gave us a smile, you can give us a boost. >> okay. so there was a family in lebanon. they were posing for a holiday photo. they were missing a family member the son who had been away at school overseas. they're getting the camera set watch the mom front and center she is sitting there and they're like smile and then all of a sudden, she realizes something her son is standing right behind her. take a look. look at her face >> antoine somehow made it home from france. he actually said when he was behind his mom, you are going to take this picture without me his mom said something, my son, my love, my life beautiful. >> i love that her face and then how she slowly comes around like she just can't believe this is happening. >> yeah. >> that is lovely. all right. just ahead, some encouragement as we get ready to launch our

season of giving toy drive >> it was just that feeling in my heart that was just like come on, you have to do something about this >> that is a remarkable little girl her name is lily you're not going to forget her her beautiful spirit is changing the world one toy at a time. wait until you see what she's doing to help kids in need despite everything she has lost. right after this ally did me a sd with that "maya markdown" on my insurance. here's the deal maya, state farm offers everyone surprisingly great rates. right. no really. there's no markdowns, just great rates. pull around back in 20 minutes. i'll hook you up with the good parts. when you want the real deal... like a good neighbor. state farm is there.

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bublé sparkling water. it's buble! we're ready to launch today's season of giving toy drive >> we're so excited. so many faced incredible challenges this year from personal losses to job losses, and it is especially difficult during the holidays. so this morning we have teamed up with the marine toys for tots foundation and we have a very special toy drive. >> it's going to be fantastic. again, easy ways you can help. we'll keep that qr code on the screen all morning you can scan to find ways to support toys for tots. you can also head to today.com/toysfortots. >> to get things started, you have an extraordinary story and going to introduce us to an amazing young woman.

>> yes, this is a wonderful young woman with a huge heart. she is a fourth grader from long island she has taken her own personal heartache and channelled it to help kids in need. i got a chance to get to know lily, her mom deb and her aunt we even got to do a little shopping for children who may not otherwise have gifts under the tree it's her way of making holiday wishes come true while honoring her late father. >> i'm lilly buonacasa, and i'm 9 years old. i want to help people, because my daddy was killed in action in afghanistan. >> it was just days before christmas when lily lost her dad staff sergeant was serving in the air force in afghanistan when he was killed by a suicide bomber lily had just celebrated her 5th birthday >> he inspired me to make a difference in people's lives i want to make him proud because he sacrificed his life for others >> to honor her father, she

created lily's toy house to get christmas presents into the hands of children whose parents couldn't otherwise afford them >> lily, i heard it started with a visit to santa when you were just 8 years old >> yes so i sat on santa's lap and i said that i wanted to give toys to children who didn't have any. >> i heard you whispered in his ear. >> yes, i did, and after that, he started to cry. >> most kids go and sit on santa's lap and have a long list of things they want for themselves but you were thinking about other kids >> in my heart, it just told me, you get christmas and you have a nice christmas and look at these other kids they're not having any so i wanted to just give back. >> when you heard what lily had said to santa, what went through your mind? >> i was just happy and just proud that she was able to think of other kids. she's a lot like her dad >> you lost your dad whether you were just 5 years old.

were you thinking of your dad when you started thinking about giving to others >> yes it was just that feeling in my heart that was just like, come on, you have to do something about this so i just wanted to do anything to keep his name alive he was a great father. i really love him so much and miss him he was always there for me >> raquel, lewis is your brother. >> yes and it's very inspiring as an aunt to see her do that. to really show how she feels about people and how her dad affected her, how he was giving for his country, fighting and everything i think she wants to follow in his footsteps. >> he was one of our heroes. he gave his life serving this country. what do you remember about him, lily >> i remember him coming home and he would just hug me and pick me up and just toss me in

the air saying, like, i love you. and i would say, i love you back and hug him. >> sorry. >> i know. oh, honey. he would have been so proud of you, lily. i think that's love. that's just love pouring out that's how much you loved him. now in the second year, lily's toy house collects toy donations and has raised more than $10,000. >> this is cool, too, because it is two-plus. >> money lily uses to buy more toys for the needy, the filling the christmas wish lists of little ones in her area. >> good morning! welcome to fao schwartz. >> good morning. >> that's a good one >> so soft. >> okay. let's go >> we got to tag along with lily at fao schwartz as she picked up toys for preschoolers. >> this, right here. >> oh, yes >> lily intended to use money from her nonprofit >> i have a little surprise for you. fao schwartz is giving you all these toys

>> thank you >> fao schwartz donated all the toys she selected to lily's toy house. so now you have even more to spend for more toys. do you ever think about the kids opening those toys and how they will feel? >> i could already just picture it right now them just smiling oh, my god, i wanted this for christmas. so i think they'll be really happy. >> after wrapping the toys it was time for the big delivery to her local head start, a preschool program for low income families >> whoa! >> lily's nonprofit donates toys to local charities including churches and hospitals >> yes >> and many are seeing a greater need since the pandemic. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas >> do you see him in her >> oh, yeah. she is daddy's girl. >> exact smile, everything >> and the goodness and the heart? >> oh, yeah. >> take the doggy.

>> i want to do it every year so that every child gets a gift on christmas. >> merry christmas >> are you kidding me? >> this little girl lives in my heart. she's a wonderful little girl. she turns 10 tomorrow. we want to say happy birthday, lily you're a wonderful girl. if you want to find out more about her charity, lily's toy house go, to today.com i hope you will. walking around that store with lily, i fell in love this is a girl who has a huge heart and has so much joy. and loved to pick out those toys thinking about other kids. i have never seen anything like it. >> the little girl that got that big teddy bear >> i want to curl up under the covers with a box of twinkies and reflect on what you just did there. the most beautiful child and when she talked about her dad, i was wondering, does she remember >> yeah. >> she remembers >> yeah. and now everyone will remember

and that is one of the reasons why she does what she does >> that was beautiful. i hope everyone gives to lily's toy house. and now that we're all feeling inspired, let's go to do some more good, shall we? jenna is standing by she's in brooklyn at toys for tots, at the warehouse there a lot of hard work is being done giving gifts to kids this christmas. jenna, take it away. >> yes, guys this is a huge operation of love that nypd partners with the marines to collect toys and sort them all by age and gender and they get them to local charities within 24 hours. i'm going to introduce you to some awesome folks corporal majors, what is your favorite part of this mission? >> my favorite part has to be being able to see the kids' expressions when they get the perfect gift. you get to see like the light up in their eyes and their faces. it's beautiful >> yeah.

>> i understand because, you know, growing up, i watched my family struggle. i watched a lot of people close to me struggle and during christmas time is always the hardest i enjoy the fact that i can give back to people just like the way i would have wanted as a kid >> and i bet it's a lot of relief for the parents as well right? >> absolutely. >> thank you so much for your service and, guys, the need this year is greater than ever. as savannah mentioned, a lot of offices are closed which means toy drives are not happening the way they used to to put it in perspective, last year in new york city area alone, there were 100 toy drives for toys for tots. this year, there are only a dozen. and so the need is there i'm going to introduce you, please meet somebody that i have come to really respect this is staff sergeant robert bakus. he worked for this organization for ten years. staff sergeant, this year is different though right? >> it is completely different. covid has changed the way that

we have done all of our operations it is a double-edged sword where many people in the community no longer have a job, and the need is greater than it has ever been since vi tai have taken part in for tots and also many organizations that have had to shutdown because of covid so we have seen an overall reduction in the toys coming in. >> staff sergeant, we have a surprise for you we have to tell you something. we know that the demand for toys is huge. so thanks to hasbro, they're donating 200,000 toys from donation drives around the country. >> and that's perfect. this is the time we need it. >> wow >> that's an amazing donation. >> i hope it can do some good. >> that's amazing. >> savannah -- we should also mention they already donated one million toys this year >> yeah. and that helps that will go to a million children around the country. >> wow >> what it is like giving a toy

to those kids? >> i mean, it's an amazing experience many times -- i mean the children are happy to get a toy. but just to see the families, the parents who, you know, break down in tears to see their kid get a gift for the holiday season, more often than not, they have to choose whether they're going to pay for rent, you know, or put food on the table or get their child a gift. and because the toys for tots, we're able to take that burden off of them and give them that happy, fulfilling, you know, christmas morning where the child can open a gift. >> yeah. savannah and hoda? >> thank you so much, jenna. sergeant bakus, you are doing god's work and putting smiles on the faces of the kids and the families that must feel such relief that their child well a happy christmas. so thank you >> thank you and guys -- >> yes and we all want your help! >> we do that's right, jenna. you see on the bottom of the screen right there that qr code, folks. put your phone up to it. know that you can support toys for tots or head to our website

today.com/toysfortots. >> thank you so much >> nice job, jenna >> all right, al, we got to get to you man, the weather is the story this morning >> it is as we take a look quickly across the country, again, heavy snow in the northeast, new england, out west, we have another storm coming into northern california, pacific northwest. sunshine from texas into the southwest. but high surf advisories along the southern and central good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. take a look at rain well off the coast and to the north of the bay area but will start in the north bay later this afternoon and we'll see rain rolling through the rest of the bay area. and as we go into tomorrow morning, most of it starting to move out. a quick wave of rain passing by, and as we go into the weekend, we'll see some sunshine, temperatures in the upper 50s. maybe tracking rain early next week. savannah?

>> thanks. we had a number of celebrities helping you out with the food drives yesterday. one of the big savannah >> thanks. we had a number of celebrities helping you out with the food drives yesterday one of the biggest stars around is helping us out this morning >> good morning "today." hi, hoda, savannah, al i'm so happy to play a part in toy drive for toys for tots. since beginning of the program, toys for tots has supported 265 million children if there is ever a time to give back and spread hope, it's this year, right now. there are still so many kids that need your help. do your part and scan that qr code at the bottom of your screen or head to today.com/toysfortots to donate. it's been a tough year for everybody. let's make sure no kid goes without toys love you guys. >> love you back, shaq listen to shaq speaking of giving, harry smith will be back in just a bit to share inspiration. people are stepping up this holiday season and giving back but first, a look at your local

news good morning to you. it's 8:26. i'm marcus washington. happening today ashes stn updat this handout video you see, now close to empty. being drained for massive earthquake retrofit. during the last update, hopes that water level could sit below 5% by mid-december. ret retrofit will take more than a decade to complete. more rain coming our way?

>> rain coming in tonight quickly moving out by early tomorrow morning. expect temperatures in the upper 50s and once the rain clears we're heading into a dry weekend with highs in the upper 50s. maybe watching out for a new storm system coming in on the first school day of winter. of course, san francisco expect those showers possibly by late this afternoon. once again, clearing by early tomorrow morning, and then the rest of the forecast drying out for the weekend, with highs that will reach into the upper 50s and morning temperatures start out here in the mid-40s. marcus? >> all right. thanks, kari. another local news update coming up in 30 minutes. i'll see you back here then. in a land not so far away,

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welcome back to "today." 8:30, wednesday morning, 16th day of december, 2020. >> our thoughts and prayers have been with craig and his family after the passing his of older brother lawrence he died last week of colon cancer he was just 43 years old craig has been with his family in south carolina. he is now back home and joining us from home, actually and, craig, we just -- we love you so much and we just are so glad to see your face this morning. how you doing? >> hi, craig

>> hey, ladies, al sheinelle, so good to see you and so good to be back. you know, i'm doing better i was just telling our co-executive producer that, you know, our family is relieved, as you know, you've been along -- you've been along from the beginning of the journey he was suffering at the end. and when you have someone that you love and that you cherish, you don't want them to suffer anymore. so his suffering is over and, you know, our family, we're in a pretty good spot. but i didn't want to just thank on behalf of our families. i want to thank, you know, the friends and the strangers and those who sent texts and cards and all the families who helped us up over the last few weeks and the generosity and i wanted

to from the bottom of my heart to thank you for our family. >> these are our favorite pictures thank you guys >> we want to get back in the studio with you. >> we love you we know that you'll be back in the third hour and to chat with the gang we miss you. we'll see you soon. >> see you in a little while we know that you will be back in the third hour to chat with the gang and we will see you soon. >> thank you. >> shifting gear ds and al has a eye on the big storm that is coming. >> that's right. we want to take a look as we go in to the weekend. so by friday, it's over. that is the good news. plenty of sunshine

but cold from new england all the way down to the gulf snow developing with another system back through the rockies. then on saturday, some rain down south. some snow showers around the great lakes. it's going to be rainy in the pacific northwest. then sunday, sunday we're expecting still chilly weather to hang in there in the eastern third of the country mountain snows and more wet weather into the pacific northwest getting a little more mild down through the southern good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. you can see the rain now moving into far northern california, and that starts to move in to the bay area as we go into this afternoon and into the evening. most of us won't see rain until later tonight and it clears before sunrise tomorrow. then the rest of the forecast is mainly dry after that cold front moves through. our temperatures will reach into the upper 50s. we'll have some cold mornings dropping down into the upper 30s and may have more rain moving in early next week. and that's your late effort >> and that's your latest

weather. guys >> and on to the series "with you. >> there is a saying that medicine heals the body but music heals the soul this time of year, a lot of souls need healing. >> we found this talents jazz musician to set out to fill that void by doing pop-up concerts in new york city just right there on the sidewalks we wanted to surprise him with one of the greatest jazz musicians of our time. ♪ >> i've been playing in new york since i was 13 years old it was always something that i would do just to escape. >> 27-year-old jazz drummer evan sherman has been addicted to playing live music since he got his first drum set when he was 5 years old. >> i think that in choosing what i do in playing the drums, i realize that, that is one of my best chances in making people feel good. >> back in march, his ability to make people feel good was about to go global he and his band were getting

ready to embark on a world tour. and then the pandemic hit and his dream was put on hold. evan kept playing alone in his apartment for months until he realized that wasn't what jazz is all about >> i know that this music heals me and if it heals me, i think it could heal other people as well. >> jazz great wynton marsalis agrees. >> we play music to minister to people but, you know, there is also a need that we have as musicians to feel valued in and by our culture and our community. ♪ >> so one day evan grabbed his drum kit and headed out to a community that he needed as much as he needed them. >> i never imagined that would be dragging my drums up and down columbus avenue picking a band and a store front or street corners to play. some of the great musicians, i have a quote, they say, take

care of the music and the music will take care of you. ♪ >> and soon with the help of some fellow musicians, the music did just that. began to take care of people >> i definitely felt i've improved as a musician just being in that opportunity to play and try to help people it's been amazing. very heart warming and they have shown us a lot of love >> and on this day, we wanted to be the ones to show evan a lot of love. and i needed to experience this magic firsthand. this is awesome! so this is where you play your gig? how does it feel have a gig? you got yourself an audience it may not be the biggest, but it's certainly exciting one. what does it feel like playing on the street? >> it's the same as every time we play. >> is it >> yes >> a little cooler. >> yeah. the hands are a little -- takes some time to warm up >> and things were about to warm up significantly >> who do you think the top jazz

musicians are in the country any that aren't here on this stage? >> wynton mar sell lus -- wynton marsalis, of course. >> what you think of wynton being right here with you? >> it's amazing. it is like i always say, it is like getting to play basketball with michael jordan or something. when the pandemic started, i was watching wynton's videos online and now eight months and here we are, and it is unbelievable. >> wynton, that was real. >> i'm honored to come out here. i love you everybody loves you. >> what a beautiful moment on the streets of new york, huh >> yes >> and beautiful music we all desperately need >> music is the art of the invisible. it's that song on the prairie, it's that song in church, the song around the dinner table minimal fuss and makes us feel less alone

that is the power. and it is deep inside of us. ♪ >> yeah! >> that was amazing. >> they will never forget that. >> he was just stunned. >> he was stunned. here's a legend and now you're going to play with him >> evan said, my heart -- i get -- my heart, my heart, my heart. he couldn't believe that he was there. the audience went crazy. i have to say, you know when something is true and right, the emotion is like on the surface that's what it felt like in that moment like you felt it with the crowd, with him >> you said even winton was getting choked up. >> yes, he was getting misty and he walked up and it is like jumping rope. he knew when to get in, and when to start and when to stop. it was like they were playing forever. >> he said this is why i play. this moment why i play. >> bisea

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we are back. 8:40 before we get to pop start, we are still going with the toy drive. use that qr code. sheinelle explained the code and you can go there and help support toys for tots. you can still go to website and do it the old fashioned way, too. today.com/toysfortots. >> we have a lot of stuff. first up, tom cruise audio of the actor apparently erupting at workers on the set of the new "mission impossible" movie has gone viral

cruise furious at them for breaking covid-19 protocols. we have the story. >> i don't ever [ bleep ] want to see you do it again ever. if i see you do it again, you are [ bleep ]ing fired. >> tom cruise yells at workers on the set of the latest "mission impossible" movie the sound of his fury reported he saw two crew members breaching protocols. >> we're creating thousands of jobs you [ beep i don't want to ever see it again. ever and if you don't do it, you're fired! that's what i sleep with every night. if you [ beep >> nbc has not independently verified the audio but "the new york times" says two sources close to the film have confirmed it's authentic. "mission impossible 7" has been hit with delays across europe. 12 people on set were set to have tested positive in italy. now they have filmed in the uk where a tough new restrictions are imposed from today in london including restaurants and bars

closed again in august, tom cruise attended a screening in london and emphasizing coronavirus safety. >> good to be back in a movie theater, everybody >> now this audio recording underscoring just how strongly he feels >> no apologies. you can tell it to the people that are losing their. [ bleep ] >> nbc news, london, keir simmons. >> a stressful time. we reached out to cruise's reps. we have yet to hear back it's getting a lot of attention. the pressure is on, you know he is worried about saving lives. >> the message is wrong. it's perhaps a little -- >> obviously, he was angry he got hot maybe too hot. but the larger issue is the things he is saying is he's got it on the line he said he is on the phone every night with the movie executives saying it's safe we can do this he's trying to keep the industry going. keep people in their jobs. and he obviously got mad when people were blowing off the rules. maybe not delivered in the right way. >> the message was on point. >> all right well, a few more items of "pop start. next up, "the voice" crowned a new winner after a season full of talent, the last two contestants standing were jim ranger from team blake and 15-year-old

carter rubin from team gwen. it was fiance versus fiancee, and when it came down big moment, this is how america voted. >> the winner of "the voice" is -- >> oh, my god! >> carter rubin! you did it congratulations! >> you did it! >> that's exciting this will give gwen the first win as a coach carter is the youngest male winner in the show's history earlier in the episode, gwen and carter teamed up for a duet of "you make it feel like christmas. ♪ hallelujah shining on us too ♪ i want to thank you, baby ♪ you make it feel like christmas ♪ >> wow >> there you go. a little salt in the wound for blake there. >> congratulations. all right. next up, matthew mcconaughey,

and we certainly love him. the actor release his first book "green lights. and turns out he was not much of a reader. he sits down with jenna and explained it takes him a very long time to finish reading something. >> i'm a very slow reader. i love reading, like, i picked up emerson's essays. i got turned on to that on self reliance it's like 23 pages long. that took me six months to read because i would read like two sentences and go, whoa i got to put the book down i have to take that into life and see if i can apply that. so i read very slowly. >> i can relate to that. >> you know what i mean? he's into it, and so there you go. and now we have round two of the big cookie bracket. and tens of thousands of people voted on today.com. there was a big surprise. >> i bet i know, gingerbread. >> oh, yeah. >> it is controversial

not everyone likes it. >> it garnered 52% of the vote but a christmas upset. sugar cookies, you all said this, crumbled biscotti with 89%. >> biscotti had no chance. shortbread easily beat out linzer and chocolate peppermint, 60% to 40%. >> the thumbprint cookie in the covid era, maybe not. >> the whole team would pick the biscotti >> a york peppermint patty would beat a biscotti. >> and now shortbread versus chocolate peppermint. >> sugar versus shortbread >> you're so sure? >> chocolate though. >> no, you may get an upset. vote for the next round on today.com/food our website is busy today. >> go shortbread just ahead, harry smith joins to highlight people that have gone the extra mile to help neighbors this year. >> he was voting

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welcome back what a morning all morning we've been highlighting the good people who are doing part for their community, especially during a time when there is so much need. >> and who better to capture what this movement has meant to so many than harry smith. good morning, harry. >> yeah. i want to pick up on something that al was talking about earlier today. surveys show that 3/4 of americans live paycheck to paycheck and one-third of adults in this country have no financial safety net, so when we are seeing the long lines and when we see the need, you can almost reach out and touch it. >> reporter: there but for the grace of god go i. most of now know someone who has contracted covid, and too many of us know someone who has lost

their battle with the disease. we would be forgiven if we all climbed into our pods and said, enough already but something quite the contrary is happening across the land >> we're all people. we're all in this together >> reporter: we are pushing back by pitching in people in ways both big and small are making a difference. our neighbors need our help. and friends and strangers are stepping up. the collateral damage from the war on covid has been jobs lost, businesses shut down, folks who never before needed help with their bills or their groceries are in line now. sometimes the trip to the food pantry is a way to make ends meet many times, it's the only thing keeping the family fed. >> it's hard. sometimes they do go to sleep hungry. >> reporter: these are hard times for many in this covid christmas. there is stress and shame in the loneliness of want, a free meal,

a package to open on christmas morning. it behooves us to act. not seeking thanks or praise, we find that the act of giving is reward in itself, for to be able to do for others what you would have them do for you have to acknowledge how arbitrary life can be, how fortunate we are. >> i feel honored. i feel blessed that i'm able to give back to them. >> the smiles, the tears, to share them connects us for we are not so different after all. >> spread an act of kindness to make the world a better place. >> and to be able to help for that we are grateful indeed. >> hope is the key hope is not canceled. >> you know, i'll tell you since that, we all would like to do this giant group hug, right and i kept thinking this morning when i got up of the diana ross song remember "reach out and touch somebody's hand make the world a better place if you can. we can do that financially if we

can't do it physically >> and every little bit can make a difference when you add it all up. >> that is beautiful >> you said it perfectly, my friend >> we're standing up for gingerbread out here, folks. >> all right >> that's where we have to part ways. >> you're by yourself. >> shortbread is coming for you gingerbread. it's not easy now with this pandemic. second harvest makes me really really happy. meatballs, mexican rice, chicken enchiladas, and mole. for almost twenty years. *speaking in spanish today's ways of working may work differently tomorrow.

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welcome back. don't forget, we're on a m welcome back don't forget, we're on a mission to get toys in the hands of kids in need. so today you can give. be sure that you scan that qr code right by al on your screen or head to today.com/toysfortots. >> let's keep the good feelings going and we have some birthdays to celebrate. >> all right we're going to scan smucker's jars you don't have to put the phones up for this one. >> martha loves spending time with her six great grandkids dorothy allison is from philadelphia, pennsylvania

she is 100 i love that hat. she served as a deaconess at her church for 75 years. happy 100th to bill jones, a world war ii veteran from temple, texas. served our country for 30 years. we salute you for your service, sir. and next we have claire wachtel, who is 100 and married to the love of her life for over 70 years. charles peart from michigan. 100. jaunty cap there. secret to life, laughing and happy 105th birthday to lillian sinen, gram, a active lady from coconut creek, florida. she excited to celebrate the day with blueberry pie, her favorite. >> and a little ice cream, too. >> and we want to give a big thank you to wynton mar salless, and if you want to see more of

him, it is a holiday concert saturday night called "jazz at lincoln center" and to know more you can go to holiday.com. >> yes. >> for more, go to today.com >> i love it next on our season of giving toy drive, it's rolling on in the third hour wait until you meet this teacher that is making a difference in the lives of her students outside of school. >> plus, we'll spread even more cheer on hoda and jenna including gifts you can give that give back >> but first, your local news. thank you. good morning to you. it's 8:56. i'm marcus washington. marin the first count toy run out of icu beds to treat covid patients. the bed shortage, no better in some parts of the bay area. how close other counties are to

a critical stage. santa clara also below the 15% threshold. san mateo county teetering at the edge. region sitting at 15% as well meaning another surge would trigger a region-wide stay-at-home order. most counties already enacted their own orders. our team monitors the situation in the north bay and how health leaders are responding. at midday an update.

a second covid-19 could be around the corner. breaking down everything you need to know ahead of the fda's next big meeting. if you have to fly, how to do so safely during the pandemic.

is . live 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 chanel and dylan. it is good to have you back. >> certainly is. we love you. >> so good to be back. thank you. thank you. >> it's day two of today's season of giving. yesterday we teamed up with feeding america. and we just have to say to all of you in america, thank you for pif pitching n we were live at food drives across the country highlighting the food insecuri