kicking off a new week with dangerous weather stretching from texas to maine. janessa is tracking the storms in the wake and aftermath of impeachment, donald trump charts his course as gibraltar takes on gun control with a powerful new plan covid shots are up new cases are down we ask vaccinated doctors just how soon we can get back to a sense of normal, and their answers are very personal. stars under fire apologies. stepping away and managing dicey controversies. our blayne alexander reports a new week begins and "early today" starts right now.

good morning to you. i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip mena. 150 million americans are in the path of another coast-to-coast winter storm the deep south is getting a rare blast of extreme cold. this video was taken in san antonio, texas where these kids had never experienced snow like this before. but the harsh conditions are also causing chaos on the roads. nbc's kathy park is following the storm for us good morning, kathy. >> reporter: hey, phillip, good morning to you here we go again winter weather is back and it's packing a powerful punch all across the country, shattering records for snowfall totals and brutal cold temperatures punishing winter weather stretching across the country from oregon to mississippi this fiery scene in jackson being blamed on freezing rain on an icy interstate. in oklahoma, dangerous roads cause a chain reaction crash widespread snow and ice making a mess in texas as the state braces for an historic blow.

>> all of texas is facing an extremely dangerous winter storm in the coming days >> slow down, slow down. >> reporter: bleak conditions sent 18-wheelers off the freeway, and wrecks began piling up the state reporting at least one thousand accidents and ten deaths the damaging ice storm coating cars, sidewalks, and this entire basket court backyards frozen over too. the extreme weather also taking aim at arizona the heavy snow no match for motorists. oklahoma, kansas, arkansas, and tennessee all under winter weather alerts record-breaking snow in parts of the pacific northwest buried streets. seattle hit with nearly 9 inches of snow. >> it's bad. don't come out >> reporter: a big cleanup for crews, but perfect conditions for winter sports. the storm now advancing,

threatening 44 states with even more ice and arctic air. it's so cold in new york's lake erie, a thick layer of ice coats everything in sight. temperatures are falling so fast, some cities haven't been this cold in 100 years the storm will also have a big impact on the northeast as well as it advances and heads into the area monday night into tuesday, ice willing be a big concern. some spots could see up to half an inch of ice which could lead to widespread power outages. phillip? >> kathy, thank you. >> i remember when there were back to back to back storms like this here is meteorologist janessa webb who is tracking all of them good morning >> good morning, everyone. you know, you saw that forward movement of the storm system headed to the midwest, but we still have banding that's happening across texas right now. we are on track for record snowfall in that area.

you can see new orleans to baton rouge currently dealing with that dividing line of freezing rain and snow. it's going to quickly make its way up to the midwest and then almost stall out across ohio valley where they could see up to 10 toe tracking into the northeast. ish windchills, advisories and warnings across sections of the northeast. this advisory zone stretches about 2,000 miles. so you're seeing the snow really across the midwest today 2 to 4 inches and then we talk about the glaze that's going to happen across the deep south into new york city we'll talk more about that coming up. guys >> all right winter is really flexing these days, janessa. thank you. former president trump's second impeachment acquittal is further cementing his role in the republican party he claims he will retain his position atop the gop, but his legal troubles, those are far from over.

here is geoff bennett. >> reporter: former president donald trump emboldened after escaping senate conviction his allies arguing his acquittal only cements his central role within the gop the trump movement is alive and well all i can say is the most potent force in the republican party is president trump. >> reporter: trump hinting on what's on the horizon. in the months ahead, have i much to share with you, and i look forward to continuing our incredible journey together. he is sitting on a roughly $30 million war chest, according to federal campaign filing, which he could use to back primary challenges by candidates he supports as the republican party spirals into an internal fight over its future direction but uncertainty looms over nearly aspect of trump's post impeachment life, from his political future to the possibility he could face criminal charges now without the legal protections afforded a sitting president. prosecutors in georgia announcing a new investigation into his attempts to overturn

the state's 2020 election results. >> something occurred here within my jurisdiction that may be criminal. and if that is the case, it needed to be investigated. >> reporter: in new york, prosecutors are probing financial dealings around some of trump's best known manhattan pro according to "the wall street journal," cruit nicing loans he took out on trump tower and trump international hotel among others the trump organization did not respond for comment. then there is the possibility trump could still face consequences for inciting the deadly capitol insurrection, as suggested by republican party leader mitch mcconnell. >> we have a criminal justice system in this country we have civil litigation and former presidents are not immune from being accountable by either one >> reporter: and republican senator lindsey graham says he plans to travel to florida to encourage trump to work with republicans to ensure they win back the house and senate in 2022

phillip? >> geoff, thank you. the los angeles police department has launched an internal allegation after allegations that officers shared a valentine's day image knocking the death of george floyd. the photo is reportedly a attached with the caption "you take my breath away. according to the los angeles time, an officer filed a complaint about the image and will be interviewed by officials today. the department will also look into whether the image was created by a police employee the police chief told "the times" if the allegations are substantiated, quote, people will find my wrath in a tweet, the department said it will have zero tolerance for this type of behavior. president biden is paying tribute toictims of the parkland shooting with a renewed call for stronger gun laws sunday marked three years since a former student opened fire at marjory stoneman douglas high school killing 14 students and three staff members. the president released a statement saying his administration will not wait for the next masked shooting to heed

the call, vowing to take action. traci, what is the president asking for here? >> phillip, he is asking for some things that we have seen congress grapple with before, but the white house says these are things that the president wants them to take on. on top of covid relief and some of the infrastructure and some of the other issues that they have as a priority this year, the anniversary of the parkland shooting prompted the president to put out this statement outlining some of those proposals that he wants congress to take a look at. universal background checks and an assault weapons ban among them we heard the white house press secretary say president biden is ready to take these issues on again. >> the president addressing gun violence in thd putting in place additional safety measures is snag the president has a personal commitment to in his history on this issue is evidence of that he has obviously taken on the

nra twice and won, handy is happy and eager to do that in the future >> reporter: the president also asking for to get rid of immunity for gun manufacturers he says the time to act on these issues is now. phillip? >> all right, tracy potts with the latest from washington more on today's dangerous weather stretching from texas to maine. hi, janessa. >> hi, good morning. we have this ice storm that's going start to form tonight. i think around dinnertime, you'll start to notice a big-time change across sections of the northeast pink equals freezing rain. and you only need a little bit for to it cause an issue right now forecasting about a tenth of an inch from d.c. to new york city. the brighter bands here for ohio valley could see up to 10 to 12 inches of snow this is going to quickly race across the northeast and b the e

of this storm system from d.c. to new york. we're in the mid-30s today and then another element, the cold weather we'll talk about that coming up. >> no mercy. >> none at all >> janessa, thank you. throughout black history month, we're honoring change makers today we recognize duane wickham, a long-time usa today columnist who launched the journalism school at the historically black morgan state university in baltimore in 2018. he became its first dean all in the period of one year he is founding member and past president of the national association of black journalists. he plans to step down from his role as dean this summer the growing backlash against the host of "the bachelor. >> and a shot of life. how doctors plan to behavior after they get vaccinated. that's next.

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there is some good news in the fight against coronavirus, which has infected more than 27 million americans so far and claimed the lives of more than 486,000. the united states is seeing a dramatic drop in new cases, which dipped below 100,000 in recent days. vaccinations have also increased. and on friday, the u.s. hit a single day record of more than two million shots. >> this as a new study is shedding light on the virus's mutation as researchers have identified seven u.s. virus variants but for those vaccinated, you go back to normal our dr. john torres asked experts. >> reporter: the covid vaccine has long been touted as the key to returning to normal one question on everyone's mind, if you do get the vaccine, what can you do safely? we surveyed experts across the country on what they plan on doing post vaccination on travel, the answers were mixed.

>> will you get on an airplane >> not immediately. >> yes, he will. >> now that i've been vaccinated, if i had to travel either for a family emergency or work, i would. i would not travel for pleasure or leisure yet. >> reporter: the same for heading to a restaurant. >> will you eat indoors? >> yes, i would eat indoors because i'm so protected and i would mask to protect others during ordering. >> i do not plan to dine indoors until community rates are lower. >> reporter: their hesitation? while your chance of getting sick when vaccinated is very low, you could carry it. >> i don't want to catch the virus and bring it home to my loved ones who haven't been vaccinated yet. >> reporter: what about hugging grandkids again? if the grandparent has been vaccinated by the child hasn't some of our experts say no. >> we know children can become infected, and if they're infected they can spread the virus and they can do so without having many symptoms. >> but other says it should be okay. >> there is a very theoretical

slight chance that could still have some virus in their nose and pass it on to the grandchild >> it's not completely without risk, but risk is very low >> reporter: while they all say they would avoid max gatherings indoors, like concerts and sportin sporting events, they're split with small friends. >> only with vaccinated friends. >> nope. i would be happy to continue hosting my backyard for small get togethers. >> reporter: even returning to the gym, some more cautious than others would you go to the gym? >> i would go to the gym indoors. >> in a few months. >> if it were partially opened with social distancing and masking and goodies infection, probably >> reporter: something many are looking forward to, a haircut while masked >> i would love to get a haircut. if you look at this, this hair was cut by my 11-year-old daughter >> reporter: and one thing they all agree on, will you stop wearing a mask

no. >> no. >> absolutely not. >> i would not stop wear mask. >> reporter: if only all the answers were so simple on the road back to normal. dr. john torres, nbc news. still to come, bachelor backlash the center of a thorny issue after his controversial comment. heartburn happens when stomach acid refluxes into the esophagus. prilosec otc uses a unique delayed-release formula that helps it pass through the tough stomach acid. it then works to turn down acid production, blocking heartburn at the source. with just one pill a day, you get 24-hour heartburn protection. prilosec otc. one pill a day, 24 hours, zero heartburn. finally moved in. it's a great old house. good bones, wraparound porch. the pipes are... making strange noises.

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of a beauty product, and they deserve compensation. >> we all do you should not have to go through life with hair like a lego man because the one time you used gorilla glue. >> "snl" with regina king spoofing last week's gorilla glue hair incident next week it will be "bridgerton" start who will host along with bad bunny >> one definitely to google, but fascinating. glad the woman involved is on the mend now controversy over "the bachelor." the host is taking the leave after an uproar over a contestant's comments over race. here is blayne alexander. >> reporter: from some of entertainment's biggest names, a series of big apologies. chris harrison, host of "the bachelor" has announced he is stepping away, under fire for

defending current "the bachelor" contestant rachel connell in a recent interview she is facing scrutiny for past photos, including these, attending an all south themed college party. >> we all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion. >> the picture was from 2018 at an old south antebellum mansion. >> rachel, is it a good look in 2018 or not good like in 2021? >> it's not a good look ever. >> for harrison, soon after the backlash, the apology. i'm so sorry my words were harmful. i apologize for my ignorance and any pain it cause you'd. it comes amid a similar shake-up on show the mandalorian. the star fired after a post comparing persecution of jews during nazi germany to today's political climate. >> a loft folks like to lump everything in one basket and

call it cancel culture in the case of chris harrison and gina, this is consequence culture. he's are folks who on social media offended a lot of fans and there are consequences to your language. >> all of it coming on the heels of justin timberlake's apology to janet spears and justin jackson, both taking career and image hits involving timberlake nearly 20 years ago while he merged largely unscathed >> what impact does this on v? >> when you're a public speaker, you is a responsibility. you need to think twice before you tweet that comment or say something that might offend a group of people. >> reporter: a reminder to celebrities their words and actions are always in the spotlight. blayne alexander, nbc news still to come, britain's royal family prepares for a new arrival. >> the amazing gift that brought this college basketball player and his coach to tears the air,

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and i'm a kid so if i like it... mmmm. morning star farms, america's favorites made from plants. and try incogmeato. , everyone. you know what's really keeping this storm system together is the deep freeze that we're seeing across the central u.s. we have windchill warnings that expand from texas all the way to the upper midwest. and right now one million people just across texas alone without power. so do whatever you can to try to conserve that heat you can see windchills, the feel-like temperature down to 24 below in kansas city guys >> brutal and dangerous. janessa, thanks. up next, a valentine's day

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here is proof that hard work really does pay off. a college basketball player struggling to pay tuition got the surprise of a lifetime our jose diaz-balart has the story. >> reporter: oklahoma state university basketball player dee mitchell thought he was taking a break from his shift at walmart last month to attend an online team meeting >> we've got the entire team standing by here >> reporter: but head coach mike boynton had another idea >> i thought today was a great opportunity to let them know he is going to be on scholarship. [ applause ]

>> reporter: the scholarship surprise an emotional moment for dee. >> you work your butt off. you never complain you show up early you. stay late. >> let me take you back to that moment we've all seen, right what was that like >> definitely one of the biggest moments in my life i was very excited and caught me offguard something i was always dreaming. >> reporter: a dream because he came so close to leaving the team he loves. during the pandemic, dee, the oldest of seven siblings thought about quitting the game the make more money for tuition >> when he said he was going have to work, i felt disappointed because i know how much basketball means to him he may not be able to play, but certainly something i wanted to avoid at all costs >> reporter: so coach boynton arranged a scholarship for dee, covering tuition, books and housing. a well-deserved reward, coach says, for the example dee sets

on and off the court give me an idea of a typical day for you? >> i usually get up around 5:00 or 6:00. i shoot and i lift about an hour, then i'll have class until 12:00. and then guy to work from 1:00 to 10:00 >> what are your dreams? >> i just want to be the best version of me, honestly. >> a goal now in reach for an aspiring student athlete coach mike, this is a pretty usual young man? >> very much so he is an american success story. >> he shire. our thanks to jose diaz-balart for that student athletes, a lot of them have to be providers before their time >> well deserving. now to meghan markle and prince harry who will soon become a family of four. the duke and duchess of sussex share the news of baby number two. the announcement made on the same day princess diana announced that shewas pregnant with harry 37 years ago. a spokesperson said the royal couple is overjoyed.

baby archie, who turns 2 in may will now be a big brother. this will be very interesting to watch now that they're on this side of the pond too >> still not out of the public eye, though. >> no, not at all. thanks for kicking off your monday with us i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip men

♪ from the deep south to the northeast, dangerous snow and ice are putting 150 million in the path of a winter weather alert. authorities urging people not to travel plenty of reaction from both siesd of the aisle in the wake of saturday's impeachment vote as former president trump charges course forward on the eve of the parkland shooting, joe biden calls for congress to pass stricter gun laws our tracie potts has the details. ground breakers, making history at san