on this final day of 2020, covid cases continue to soar the second case. washington is stuck and the vaccine isn't moving fast enough to satisfy anyone. people are receiving $600, but it might likely be up to the biden administration to deliver the $2,000 check. >> we'll take a look back at the lives and legacies of some people we lost in 2020.

mother nature has wicked weather in store for millions on new year's eve. >> if you're looking for love in the new year, you're in luck we'll help you start 2021 just right. "early today" starts right now. >> good morning. i'm phillip mena. >> i'm. >> they're keeping one eye on the clock and another on the bank accounts waiting for another stimulus check to hit. let's bring in chris pollone chris, it seems even more far feched now to expect those payments to go up to $2,000. >> that's right, paul. senate majority leader mitch mcconnell said there's no likely path to increase the stimulus checks, which means the idea is likely dead. even with the support of some democrats, they're cautious

about sending out that much money. they maintain that would be ineffective because it would go to some people who have not suffered any loss during the pandemic it simply calls for the payments to be raised for $2,000. instead he's offered a bill that lumps the increase in with two other priorities which aren't related to covid relief. it set up bitter exchanges with democrats who accuse republicans of long lines at food banks and other things stemmed by the pandemic. >> it will end up in the hands of rich people who don't need the help. >> let me make it clear for the majority leader that ten out of the poorest 25 counties in the united states of america are located in kentucky. >> reporter: another interesting development on the hill, in most years there will be a formality,

but this is not a normal year. missouri republican senator josh holy said he'll challenge the certification of joe biden's win next wednesday it will slow down the process and go on the record whether they support president trump's claim of widespread election fraud. it's likely to fail. >> we'll see what happens in 2021. the coronavirus is spreading like wildfire. we're rapidly approached 20 million confirmed infections and it's likely not up to date due to the holidays. >> we can put another face to the nearly 322,000 lives lost to covid. that's dawn wells who played mary ann on "gilligan's island." she was 82.

meanwhile dr. drew pinsky revealed he has covid. an internal review found that someone intentionally left doses out at room temperature. this comes as "operation warp speed" is criticized for a slower than expected rollout >> reporter: president trump on defense blaming states for dropping the ball on covid-19 vaccinations the federal government has distributed the vaccines to the states now it is up to the states to administ administer, get moving the presidential finger-pointing comes as only about 2 million people have been vaccinated across the u.s., a far cry from the 20 million promised by the end of the year. what accounts for the slow rollout. the military leader explains it this way. >> there's been three major

snowstorms there is everybody working through, you know, how to do the notification, how to make sure we're administering it it the right way. >> reporter: but health expert say more. >> the federal government doesn't invade texas or montana and provide shots to people. >> it's not an invasion. like it's helpful. the federal government should be helping states >> this is the federal government abdicating instead of leaving it up to the states. >> reporter: the country's war against coronavirus waged with 50 separate battles. in ft. myers, florida, seniors spent a chilly night in a line stretching for blocks, waiting for vaccinations offered on a first come, first serve basis. with many states feeling thin and cash-strapped, maryland's republican governor now calling for more federal help.

>> there really wasn't a lot of help there's a lot of moving parts, and i think nobody is quite performing at the top capacity, and we've all got to work together to ramp it up. >> our thanks to geoff bennett nr that report i know it's going to be 70 and dry. i know we're supposed to be celebrating inside you're not invited to my place we're not stepping out janessa webb has the forecast. >> hey, guys don't do it. all of the east coast dealing th two brutal storms that i've been talking about all week and they won't let up. right now, new york city, you're seeing a band of moisture that's about to enter, and that's going to mix in with rain and snow all eyes on the secondary storm that will flow across texas right now. we're seeing forecasts in agreement of at least a foot of

snow for the foothills into the higher elevation so the south is going to be dealing with a good dose of snow, but this will be a big-time ice maker for the midwest to the northeast for your new year's day. also the winds are going to be starting to pick up to at least 30 to 40 miles an hour you're going to feel that across the east coast that's why winter weather alerts are in place i'm excelling this to be expandedo be even though it's on the chilly side, a lot of sunshine from omaha all the way into ohio. we'll take a look at your new year's day forecast coming up. >> all right sounds like a plan. one of america ee most prolific serial killers has died in prison. and the mi ofalyf dpee bree

on na tailor speaks out. what her mother is saying about new vumts next andrew: we had to stay in the hospital for 10 weeks, 1000s of miles from family. our driver kristin came along in our most desperate hour. suzanne: bringing us home-cooked meals and gifts. andrew: day after day. we wanted to show you something. kristin: oh my god! andrew: kristin is the most uncommonly kind person that we've met. suzanne: thank you so much. we like clockwork.ht. do it! run your dishwasher with cascade platinum. and save water. did you know certified dishwashers... ...use less than four gallons per cycle, while a running sink uses that, every two minutes. so, do it with cascade. the surprising way to save water. to fight wrinkles? it's what i use! neutrogena®. the #1 retinol brand used most by dermatologists. rapid wrinkle repair® visibly smooths fine lines in 1 week. deep wrinkles in 4.

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leading the news, the family of preon na taylor who has called for the offers involved in her death not tonal be fired but face charges may soon get one of their wishes. on tuesday two officers were informed that the louisville police department tendinto fire them and now brieeonna's mother is speak out about that decision. >> breonna's favorite thing would be to apply pressure or heard another, pressure's applied. >> pre-termination hearings for the two officers are set for next week. samuel little has died officials say the 80-year-old died wednesday at a hospital in california an official cause of death was not released, but foul play is not suspected.

a corrections official said he had been ill for some time little was serving three life sentences for killing three women in los angeles county back in the 1980s he'd also confessed to strangling 93 women across the country between 1970 and 2005. you're going to want to stick around for our next segment. we're going to look at the lives we lost last year and the incredible legacies they leave behind so get relief fast. only tylenol rapid release gels have laser-drilled holes. they release medicine fast for fast pain relief. tylenol rapid release gels. say hello to a drug-free way to ease stress. stress comfort. a gummy supplement with lemon balm plus saffron,

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in today ee quick h"today's lebron james added to his accomplishment he's the first nba player to score at least ten points in 1,000 straight games. >> in that same game, lubecky hammon took over for gregg popovich in the second quarter after he was tossed. governor andrew cuomo is allowing about 6,700 fans to attend the first bills home playoff game in 25 years ticket holders will have to pass a covid-19 test to get in the game. as we round out the year, this morning we're paying tribute to some of the towering figures we lost in 2020, people who made an impact on our culture and our lives. ♪ >> bond.

james bond >> who are you >> my name is pussy galore ♪ i can still come and make the girls swoon but now it's time to say what i forgot to say ♪ ♪ don't it make you want to pas on shine on, shine on, shine honor ♪ ♪ darling i love you, but give me park avenue ♪ ♪ good times >> leave it to beaver.

♪ they're going to make their dreams come true ♪ >> hello ♪ >> so forget about the camera and give the folks at home a real big treat ♪ sherry, cherry baby. >> sherry, can you come out tonig tonight. >> live forever whether you want to or not. >> nobody will every find me, but i will always be around. just like the sounds i leave

behind me i'm going to leave forever now ♪ ♪ you're going to administrativ me when i'm gone >> tonight you're in for a real treat. >> it's a bouquet of paper from the ""tv guide." >> that's my ""tv guide" ripped to shreds". >> ladies and gentlemen. ♪ ♪ jump go ahead and jump go ahead andup ♪ >> you've been absolutely beautiful, you guys.

i can't believe it's come to an end. what can i say mamba out. ♪ you've got to know when to hold them know when tow fold them know when to walk away and know when to run ♪ ♪ you never count your money when you're sitting at the table there'll be time enough to countin' when the dealin''s done ♪ >> i like you so much better without your -- >> hair, hair. >> there's nothing better than something that makes everybody happy. ♪ i can see clearly now the rain is gone i can see all obstacles in my way ♪ ♪ going for dark clouds

that had me blind it's going to be a bright bright sunshiny day ♪ >> let's take a look at your response what is -- that's very kind. thank you. ♪ ♪ lean on me when you're not strong and i'll be your friend i'll help you carry on ♪ ♪ for it won't be long till i'm going to need somebody tolean on ♪ ♪ ♪ whoa, yes, i am wise

but it's eased up all the pain yes, i paid the price but look how much i gained ♪ ♪ if i had to i can do anything i am strong i am invincible i am woman ♪ >> i'm spartacus. >> i'm spartacus ♪ we meet again don't know when

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joo scotland is ushering in the new year with a drone using artificial intelligence. it soared through the air in near perfect formation producing those shapes scott land's emblem of the aerial display is all part of the new year's celebrations. >> that looks pretty cool. >> one of the coolest things i've seen. nbc meteorologist janessa webb has her eye in the sky on the forecast hi, janessa. >> hi, guys. i wish i had better news we're going to just smile about it we could see a few tornados this afternoon with damaging wind gusts for your new year's forecast. when the ball drops storms will be in place, but we're looking forward to brighter days happy new year. >> wsue re are

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is it that time of year already. dating sunday is this weekend. have you ever heard of it? >> no, i haven't. >> me neither. the pandemic has further encouraging us to meet someone the new normal for dating. >> reporter: more hopeful matches are looking for love online as we approach days sunday, typically the busiest day of the year for dating apps. >> there's a mix of new year's resolutions, maybe post-holiday breakups valentine's day is around the

corner. >> reporter: an annual boost to an already record-setting year for the online dating industry which has seen a growth since the start of the pandemic. >> i'm nervous. >> reporter: match-up alone has seen a growth across its family of apps including hinge and tinder. >> this year we're excelling dating sunday to be maybe the biggest day dating apps have ever seen. >> reporter: beyond more users and messages, the latest data points to a shift in how users are connecting according to popular dating app bumb bumble, video calls on its app have increased by 70% since march. >> our users are adopting something called slow dating. >> reporter: more users getting creative, to build trust online before meeting irl in the busy seen between christmas and valentine's, new tips on how to navigate the

covid situation. despite the challenges of pairing up during a pandemic, bumble says daters are optimistic. >> nearly half of them believe 2021 is the year to find love. >> i don't envy those out there trying to do that right now. >> just swiping away, dining outside, teeth chattering. >> dating sunday who knew. accidents happen the badgers, they were celebrating in the locker room after their victory in the duke's mayoral bowl. the trophy slipped out of the quarterback's hand he didn't fumble the ball the entire game but dropped it there while he was dancing he guaranteed that would be the only time he would ever drop the

trophy the team's twitter account called it an accident. >> it's the last time he gets to touch a trophy. >> that was bad. sorry, duke. happy new year, everybody. i'm phillip mena. >>

right now at 4:30, a new year's eve unlike any other. live look in times square where people are being asked to stay away and enjoy events from home. the steps bay area cities are taking to try to keep covid from spreading as many look to ring in 2021. plus. >> we believe this is not an isolated case in san diego county. a confirmed case of the contagious strain of the virus found in california. now the big question, can people who already had covid get the new strain? the radar lighting up as we start out with light weather