friday flow of traffic. we are still seeing a little back up. >> a lot of people there. >> make sure you join us for our midday newscast coming up at 11:00. good morning breaking overnight, new treatment. pfizer ready to seek emergency approval for a new covid pill, good morning. breaking overnight, new treatment. pfizer ready to seek emergency approval for a new covid pill, announcing it greatly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death while a fierce battle erupts over newly announced vaccine mandates for private companies. >> don't force someone to do this against their will. >> tens of millions of workers affected. several states already suing to stop it. we'll have complete coverage. finish line? after months of wrangling, house

democrats once again say they're ready to vote on president biden's multi trillion dollar spending plan today. overnight, the president working the phone to lock up support. his economic agenda hanging in the balance. we're live in washington with the latest. moment of panic, tourists at a luxury resort near cancun race for cover as a deadly gang gun fight erupts on a hotel beach. >> dozens and dozens of shots. everyone came running off the beach towards us. just ahead, a look at the frightening scene from american vacationers caught in the crossfire. the bill chill, another day of bitter cold temperatures across the country. will things warm up over the weekend? al has the answer. packers qb aaron rodgers sidelined by covid now facing an nfl investigation. did he lie about being vaccinated and then break league rules? the growing controversy rounding one of the nfl's biggest stars.

and leap of faith, the heart-stopping moment skydivers jump from a plane after it suddenly stalls in midair and spirals out of control. and the pilot and jumpers never happier to have feet planted on solid ground today, friday, november 5th, 2021. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> hi, everybody. good morning. welcome to "today." it's friday morning. sheinelle is here and we're getting an early start on the weekend. we've got our eyes on several stories this morning, including one playing out on capitol hill. the house expected to finally vote today on two key pieces of president biden's economic agenda. it's been scheduled and delayed before, so is this the day? we're going to have the latest live from washington. meantime, today marks 50 days until christmas. shipping companies are already working overnight. just ahead, we'll take you

inside a massive super hub at u.p.s. to see how they're racing to prepare, plus keeping in mind where you need to keep in mind to get those packages where they need to know. but first, promising results on pfizer's new antiviral covid pill and the new sweeping administration rules are breaking backlash and debate this morning. gabe gutierrez has the information on all of it this morning. gabe, good morning. >> reporter: the rush is on to vaccinate younger children ages 5 to 11 at mobile vaccination sites like this one and there are multiple developments on big frontal. more states now say they plan to sue the biden administration over that sweeping covid vaccine mandate involving private employers. now, as you mentioned, some encouraging news on a possible covid treatment. this morning, pfizer says its new anti-viral covid pill taken within three days of symptoms reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in high risk adults compared to a placebo. the company plans to apply for

emergency use authorization as soon as possible. meanwhile, britain has become the first country to approve another covid anti-viral pill developed by merck. the fda will consider that later this month. it all comes as the biden administration is launching a sweeping covid vaccine mandate, affecting 84 million people. two-thirds of the u.s. workforce. it requires companies with 100 or more employees to ensure they're either fully vaccinated against covid by january 4th or tested weekly. marty walsh is the u.s. labor secretary. why is it employers of just over 100 people? >> we thought to ourselves about what employers have the infrastructure to be able to

handle something like that. >> reporter: fines administered by osha could reach nearly $14,000 per violation. several gop-led states are already planning to sue. in houston, this supply chain logistics company is concerned about employees leaving because of the mandate in an already tight labor market. >> what's going on out there, in many ways, is a culture war. and this mandate puts employers, many of whom aren't very well equipped to deal with it right in the middle of that culture war. >> reporter: that debate comes as a rollout of a covid vaccine for kids 5 to 11 years old is ramping up. >> that was not hard at all. >> reporter: in chicago, 6-year-old amelia was one of the first people in the country to test positive for covid last year, spending days on a ventilator. now she's finally vaccinated. >> it's going to benefit you. it's going to benefit your childs. it's going to benefit your neighbor. >> gabe, let's go back to this news this morning, the pfizer

pill. how soon could it become available to the public if the fda approves it? >> reporter: savannah, once again, pfizer says it plans to submit its results to the fda for emergency use authorization as soon as possible. its study involved more than 1,200 adults taking a pill twice a day over five days. but separately, merck is also set to be considering -- the fda advisory panel is set to be considering merck's pill later on this month. so, savannah, it could be weeks before this type of covid treatment similar to tamiflu becomes available. >> that would be a break through, for sure. gabe, thank you. to washington now where the house is finally ready to vote on two bills at the center of president biden's massive spending agenda. in a months' long fight. kristen welker has the very latest. kristen, good morning. >> reporter: hi, sheinelle. good morning to you. today is the day after months of

intraparty fighting, missed deadlines, those disappointing election results, democrats are finally expected to vote on president biden's two big spending bills. the president working the phones overnight to win over last-minute holdouts. for democrats, the stakes could not be higher. in just hours, the house is expected to vote on the president biden's two multi trillion dollar spending bills after president biden called democrats overnight in an effort to get his stalled agenda passed. the president and house speaker nancy pelosi trying to win over moderate holdouts who expressed concerns over the size and some provisions in the build back better social safety net plan. >> we're going to pass both bills, but in order to do so we have to have votes for both bills and that's where we are. >> reporter: pelosi pressed by garrett haake on whether the democrats's stalled agenda was to blame on the election

depackel with the virginians losing a seat. >> do you think democrats were penalized for having not gotten these things done? >> there's no question. the more results we can produce in a way people understand in their lives, the better it is. >> reporter: many senate democrats are pointing to the losses as they push for passage of the bills. >> i think it's given us renewed vigor to get the things done that people need. >> reporter: progressives say the party not only has to deliver results, but go big. backing pelosi's last-minute decision to put four weeks of paid family leave back into the president's social spending plan, but paid family leave is likely to he meet a deadend in the senate. >> the final bill doesn't include paid leave at this point? >> that's a hypothetical so i'm not going to get too far ahead of where we are. >> reporter: manchin confronted by climate activists yesterday

over his opposition to the spending bill. that group surrounding and blocking the senator from driving out of a garage. manchin insists tuesday's results were a warning to democrats to hit the brakes on new spending and shift their focus to those rising prices. >> people are concerned. they're concerned about inflation. they're concerned about the debt. >> kristen, if these bills pass the house today, what's the timeline going forward and how will it play out? >> first, the infrastructure bill has passed the senate. it is possible the president could sign that bill into law in the coming days assuming it passes today. as for that $1.75 trillion social safety net plan, the

senate still has to debate that. so there could still be big changes. democrats say their goal is to have the president sign that second piece of legislation into law by thanksgiving. but look, there will undoubtedly by obstacles along the way and, of course, there are no guarantees that bill will make it to the finish line. >> not over yet. kristen, thank you. now to that terrifying scene at a luxury resort near cancun mexico. tourists racing for cover as a shoot-out suddenly erupted between rival gangs right on the beach. miguel almaguer with the latest on this. miguel, good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning. this scare rattled tourists who were relaxing at a beach front resort when they were told to suddenly run for their lives. witnesses described a frightening scene including reports of gunfire and men with long guns. near cancun, mexico, a desperate search for safety, terrified tourists and hotel workers ducking for cover in corridors and dark rooms after gunfire suddenly broke out. >> dozens and dozens of shots.

everyone came running off the beach towards us. it was rather surreal. >> reporter: the fatal shooting unfolding on a beach just south of the popular resort area. local authorities say two rival gangs opened fire at the hyatt riviera resort thursday afternoon. tourists, including some americans, just feet from the gunfire. a local attorney general saying there was a confrontation between drug dealers, two of them lost their lives at the scene. nbc news learning at least one hotel guest was hospitalized. the hotel team immediately engaged local authorities, adding guest safety is always top priority. >> as soon as we saw people running, we realized this was serious and there was something very wrong happening. >> reporter: with hotel guests receiving notifications of an active shooter on property and

mexico's national guard arriving on scene, many ran to their rooms, barricading themselves inside. >> it's just complete chaos and we're talking hundreds of people all converging at once outs of the area trying to find cover. >> reporter: mexico with its picturesque coastline draws tourists from around the globe, but it's no stranger to violence. these images from 2017 capture the chaotic aftermath of an incident at a nightclub in playa del carmen that left five dead, including one american. after thursday's ordeal, guests huddled in the hotel lobby after the latest violence on mexico's named beach. a spokesperson from the hyatt says local authorities have cleared the resort and it's resumed to normal operations. visitors we spoke to say the most shocking part of this ordeal was going from pure relaxation to absolute panic, something that will linger with many people caught in the crossfire. >> thank you. opening statements are getting under way today at the

murder trial of three men accused of killing ahmaud arbery. but even before testimony, there is controversy surrounding the makeup of the jury that will decide the case. nbc's ron allen is at the courthouse for us. ron, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, sheinelle. jury selection was extremely contentious because so many people have such strong feelings about this case, some calling what happened a modern day lynching while other says the defendants were simply out there protecting their own neighborhood. video of the incident will play a huge role, images that may be disturbing for some viewers. after only a single black juror was selected to help decide a racially charged case, there were protests across the nation. nearly two years ago, family

members say 25-year-old ahmaud arbery was jogging through a mostly white neighborhood when he was allegedly chased, shot and killed by three white men. gregory mcmichael, his son, travis, and a neighbor face nine counts each including murder, aggravated assault and attempted kidnapping. they've all pleaded not guilty. >> i'm very anxious about the trial beginning. i'm very hopeful that we'll get the verdict. >> reporter: arbery's mother insists the verdict should be guilty on all charges and life in prison. >> when you heard about the jury composition, what did you think? >> it was disturbing to find out we have one african-american. >> reporter: do you still think you'll get justice, whatever that means to you? >> i do think that the evidence that the state has that we will get justice for ahmaud. >> reporter: in a county that's about 26% brock, the defense used its legal challenges to dismiss all but one black juror. the judge stunning the court with this statement. >> this court has found that there appears to be intentional discrimination. but he added georgia law

prevents him from taking action because the attorneys gave reasons other than race for the dismissals. like insisting the prospective jurors could not be impartial. >> i think the judge went by the book. and the problem may be the book. >> reporter: the defendants are expected to argue they were making a citizens arrest of a suspected robber. while prosecutors insist arbery was an innocent black man murdered. the judge told the jurors the trial should last two to three weeks ending before thanksgiving, what some considered optimistic because it took more than 2 1/2 weeks just to pick a jury. >> thank you. it is in meantime, it is chilly for millions across the country, but if you can hang on for a little longer, al says a warm-up is on the way. but first, kathy park joins us from the finish line of this year's new york city marathon. >> reporter: the marathon is back and chances are runners will feel a similar chill in the air when they take off sunday

morning. it's a brisk 40 degrees out here in central park. and, yeah, if you check the calendar, we're still in the first week of november, but many of us are getting an early taste of winter. this morning, a blast of cold air gripping much of the country. >> bring it on. bring it on, mother nature. >> reporter: 34 million under frost and freeze alerts stretching from texas to new england. >> i think the writing is on the wall. you can feel it in the air. >> reporter: northern states felt the freeze first and then the chilly temps swept through the plains and the mid-atlantic. >> a little sad that winter is coming. >> reporter: this week, louisville, cleveland, nashville all had temperatures at or below freezing for the first time this

season. it goes so cold in east tennessee, mist turned to snow at the great smoke mountains. a nearby mountain lodge capturing the first flakes posting this is the stuff everyone secretly hopes for. parts of north carolina also getting a preview of winter while snow began piling up at the sugar mountain ski resort. the frigid temperatures hitting new york, too. central park dropping to a low of 39 degrees thursday, marking the coldest morning since april. the chilly pattern expected to stick around as runners get ready for the new york city marathon, which is making a comeback this sunday. and this year's marathon is expecting more than 30,000 runners and, yes, it will be a cool start, but it will be dry. so we're told it's perfect running conditions and those of us not running like myself, it's probably a good idea to wear a bunch of layers and maybe bring out the hand warmers. i think it's time. >> as all those marathoners go by. kathy, thank you so much. before we get to al, i want to say we have a hall of famer in our mist.

sheinelle jones honored last night at the school of journalism in their hall of achievement. >> it was surreal. such an honor. there were a lot of tears yesterday. so thank you. >> congratulations. well, well deserved. >> thank you. >> we'llby outside this weekend cheering on the marathoners. >> it will be breezy. but we'll get to that in a little bit. let's talk about these chilly temperatures. we've got 34 million people from kylie, texas, to new london, connecticut. we're talking about frost and freeze warnings. the good news is, this is the last day of the really chilly stuff. temperatures near freezing from little rock, cleveland, scranton, charlotte, atlanta. 43 degrees. temperatures, though, as you see, will moderate by sunday. st. louis, you're at 69. atlanta, you'll see temperatures in the mid 60s. what we're watching is a potent storm getting itself together through florida today.

a heavy rain, storms acrossing across florida. high rainfall rates, localized flooding and tomorrow, this low pressure system intensifies, tracking up the coast from charleston to cape hatteras. we're looking at heavy rain and strong wind gusts. some of these wind gusts could be hurricane force right off the shore of georgia. these winds will push water up along the coast. we're talking about coastal flood advisories and warnings from florida all the way up to norfolk. rainfall amounts, we're talking about inundated roads, powerful wave action, upwards of 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour, especially as you get into northern florida and up into the carolinas we could see 5 inches of rain or more. we're going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds. >> coming up in the next half d you're here. ♪♪ come on over! oh honey... she just needs some time.

how was school? you ought to be very proud. i'm proud of you. here's another picture of your mommy. she smiled so hard, her front tooth popped out. goodnight grandma. did you call me grandma? ♪♪ good morning, i'm kari hall. let's take a look at our temperatures today. it will be nice headed for the mid to upper 60s, but a lot of clouds. the sun peeking out today. i think we will see more sunshine on sunday as we set our clocks back one hour and we're adjusting to the new time. we'll also be tracking more rain set to move in by early next week. mind to tuesday we could have a decent amount of rain moving in. >> coming up in the next half hour, you do not want to miss this video of the aurora borealis it is one of the most spectacular i have ever seen

>> and you know i take a shot every time you mentioned aurora borealis >> get ready coming up, the positive covid case that has sidelined one of the nfl's biggest stars and the investigation. has aaron rodgers been violating the nfl's rules for months and then exclusive look at preparations for the holiday shipping rush. vicky nguyen goes behind the scenes at a u.p.s. hub to show us our workers are gearing up for unprecedented demand plus what you need to know to make sure your packages arrive in time but first, this is "today" on i'm morgan, and there's more to me than hiv. more love, more adventure, more community. but with my hiv treatment, there's not more medicines in my pill.

i talked to my doctor and switched to fewer medicines with dovato. dovato is for some adults who are starting hiv-1 treatment or replacing their current hiv-1 regimen. with just 2 medicines in 1 pill, dovato is as effective as a 3-drug regimen... to help you reach and stay undetectable. research shows people who take hiv treatment as prescribed and get to and stay undetectable can no longer transmit hiv through sex. don't take dovato if you're allergic to its ingredients or if you take dofetilide. taking dovato with dofetilide can cause serious or life-threatening side effects. hepatitis b can become harder to treat while on dovato. don't stop dovato without talking to your doctor, as your hepatitis b may worsen or become life-threatening. serious or life-threatening side effects can occur, including allergic reactions, lactic acid buildup, and liver problems. if you have a rash and other symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop dovato and get medical help right away. tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, or if you are, may be, or plan to be pregnant.

dovato may harm your unborn baby. use effective birth control while on dovato. do not breastfeed while taking dovato. most common side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, tiredness, and anxiety. so much goes into who i am. hiv medicine is one part of it. ask your doctor about dovato-i did. ♪♪ experimental treatment for ptsd. ecstasy. we'll meet two people who say it saved their lives. join walmart plus today.

spray, lift, skip, step. swipe, lift, spin, dry. slam, pan, still...fresh move, move, move, move aaaaand still fresh. degree. ultimate freshness activated when you move.

♪ ♪ ultimate freshness when the chapstick goes on. it's on. get yours on at chapstick.com (lightning strikes) we took the truck that helped build this country. and made it so it can power our homes. we took the vehicles businesses use to keep the lights on. and made them run on the same thing that turns the lights on. we took the original zero-to-sixty head turner. and gave it zero tailpipe emissions. we took the familiar. and made it revolutionary. discover card i just got my cashback match is this for real? yup! we match all the cash back new card members earn at the end of their first year automatically woo! i got my mo-ney! it's hard to contain yourself isn't it? uh- huh! well let it go! woooo! get a dollar for dollar match at the end of your first year.

only from discover. this season is too big for just red and green. get a dollar for dollar match at the end of your first year. it's the all-idays, and we're bringing alla the color. ooooh, this is lit! what's up snow people! alla the color, alla the gifts. happy all-idays from old navy! good morning, it is 7:26, here is the top stories. right now monitoring breaking news, a deadly crash on a busy east bay freeway. >> we continue to follow this problem out of contra costa county. 680 southbound. you're jammed up for a deadly crash. the southbound lanes are really jammed up. san ramone valley boulevard. this is going over to castro county. lighter traffic will help you out, but this is a problem if you're traveling from walnut creek down to dublin.

i will update you via twitter. >> good morning, i'm sierra johnson. a bizarre story when police responded to a robbery in progress at this rite aid on concord drive. sergeant davin kohl was not on duty when he was arrested. let's get a look at that microclimate forecast for you, kari hall standing by. >> we're going to see the clouds rolling in today. the temperatures reaching into the mid to upper 60s. we'll see more of today. on monday, we're going to be watching a storm system arriving at this point, looks like it could bring a decent amount of rain. temperatures cooler reaching into the low 60s. in san francisco we will enjoy a nice dry weekend. temperatures in the mid 60s for today, but low 60s for the rest

of the weekend and more off and on showers early next week. >> another local news update coming up for you in 30 minutes, see you back here then.

we're back. 7:30. a look at washington's named national cathedral where later today the funeral service for secretary of state colin powell will be held. the president, former president and their wives will be present. >> it' we're back 7:30 a look at washington's named national cathedral where later today the funeral service for secretary of state colin powell will be held the president, former president

and their wives will be present. >> it's a beautiful setting, isn't it now a check of the other headlines. a juror in the kyle rittenhouse trial has been dismissed rittenhouse is accused of killing two men and wound ago third. the juror made the joke earlier this week to a court security officer. the judge dismissed the man saying it was clear the appearance of bias was present and would seriously undermine the outcome of the case. the navy has fired the two senior officers of a submarine that was damaged in an under water collision last month in the south china sea. the navy has not explained how the uss connecticut struck an under water mountain back on october 2nd or revealed the extent of the damage several crew members suffered minor and moderate damages during the collision now to some heart stopping moments for skydivers in south africa take a look at this. newly released video shows the group 16,000 feet in the air beginning their jump but just as they let go, the airplane stalled and spirals toward the ground. moments later, the plane flies

directly under the group, narrowly missing a couple of the skydivers. thankfully, the pilot regained control of the plane and land safely and no one was hurt >> that's incredible >> phenomenal. this morning, a high profile covid case in the nfl. packers quarterback aaron rodgers testing positive for covid. the league starts an investigation and the team prepares to play without their star >> reporter: this are is a big game on sunday going up against the kansas city chiefs it was going be tough even with aaron rodgers under center but heft outer a testing positive for covid now the nfl wants to know if the packers and rodgers himself followed covid rules which are different depending on vaccination status halloween night, an unmasked aaron rodgers in costume at a party. now he's sidelined against sunday's big game against the kansas city chiefs because of a positive covid test. many wondering if the star

quarterback broke the nfl's covid rules. unvaccinated players are not allowed to socialize with more than three of their teammates. rodgers has not publicly said whether or not he's vaccinated, but he did suggest he was with these comments in august >> are you vaccinated? and what's your stance on vaccinations >> yeah, i've been you've been immunized. there's guys on the team that haven't been vaccinated. i think it's a personal decisions. i'm not going the judge those guys >> reporter: rodgers has had no comment since his positive test. he's in quarantine for at least ten days the quarantine only mandatory for unvaccinated players vaccinated players can get out of it with two negative tests a day apart, leading to some withering criticism in the sports talk world. >> aaron rodgers is a liar, period he lied through his teeth. with a smirk on his face >> reporter: the nfl says it will be reviewing what happened with rodgers and the team which has had several positive covid cases.

>> the nfl mandates that every team have cameras in every meeting room and around their practice facilities and stadiums >> reporter: while vaccinated players have few rules, those who opt out of the shot have to follow protocols similar to last year daily tests, masks inside team facilities and travel restrictions among them. rodgers joins a pretty high profile list of players who many suspect have said no to the shot, including quarterbacks kirk cousins, lamar jackson and carson wentz who have been sidelined this year due to covid protocols. players like that change games and seasons when they can't play >> i was like, oh, great, here goes home field advantage at lambeau field. >> on sunday, it will be jordan love at quarterback for the packers. unlike the three-time mvp and super bowl winning rodgers, he has never started an nfl game, let alone one with this much pressure >> well, i mean, what happens

next is there any penalty for breaking nfl covid rules >> there are penalties since the start of the season, there have been hundreds of thousands of penalties levied by the league against coaches, players and the teams themselves so that is a possibility also, the league can suspend players, too that's on the table, as well so it's all out there. >> i see you in that potentially called packers yellow. but then the kansas city chiefs have a little yellow, don't they >> i am a dyed in the cloth patriots fan >> any yellow is purely coincidence. okay >> absolutely. >> stephanie, thank you very much up next, the story you need to see if you're concerned about those holiday packages arriving on time. >> good morning, guys. i'm vicky nguyen take a look around we're at a hub for one of the country's biggest and busiest shippers coming up, we'll give you an exclusive behind the scenes look at what they're doing to prepare for the holiday demand this year, including driverless trucks that's next on "today.

hey google. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (judge) it's delightful. (contestant 1) seriously? but it's a total train-wreck. (judge) it's obvious that you've put a lot of work into it. (buzz) she's probably happy because she found out honey nut cheerios can help lower cholesterol. (judge) does anyone want to go on a bike ride? hello? gordon ramsay? this is a cold call! nfl teams are turning to cold with tide, will you? that will never work! if it works on nfl jerseys it'll work for you. seriously! just perfect! and it'll save up to $150 a year.

and it's cold! so you will turn to cold? fine! i'll turn to cold! that guy needs to chill out! this was a cold call! people today... they could spend half their lives over 50. that's a lot of living. so, it helps to have a wise friend and fierce defender in your corner. a friend like aarp. so, your health lives longer. this is just slow-mo karate? just slow-mo karate. your money lives longer. hey, i just bought that. huh, i just sold that. and your happiness lives longer. that's why the younger you are, the more you need aarp. join today. the more you need aarp. your dog is your best friend.

♪ ♪ ♪ but your dog's best friend is your ex-girlfriend... because she always has irresistible pup-peroni. be your best friend's best friend. pup-peroni. if you have a typical airline credit card, you're not getting double miles on every purchase. you're right! i only get extra miles on some types of purchases! may i? please. with the capital one venture card, you earn unlimited double miles everywhere. yes. everywhere is great. but where can we use them?

you can use them on any travel purchase—not just some travel purchases. venture gets a gold star! what's in your wallet? will is saving big holiday shopping at amazon. venture gets a gold star! so now, he's free to become... wonderland will. deck the halls with printer paper! recycled of course. plaque psoriasis, the burning, itching. the pain.

with tremfya®, adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis... ...can uncover clearer skin and improve symptoms at 16 weeks. serious allergic reactions may occur. tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. tremfya®. emerge tremfyant™. janssen can help you explore cost support options. we're back, 7:40 in-depth today christmas is now just 50 days away and this morning, we're focussing on the race to prepare for a holiday shipping season like no other. last year we called it ship-ageddon >> we need a better word >> correspondent vicky nguyen can come up with something you had an exclusive look behind the scenes >> ship-apocalypse is another word i don't want people to panic >> but >> no, but prepared.

i've been saying it and i'll say it again, you have to shop early. this is an especially bad year for supplies domestic carriers are taking steps to meet the increased demand this morning, we are getten ago inside look at how automation, mass hiring and lessons learned during the pandemic will help get our gifts where they need to go >> the entire supply chain is stretched right now. >> slowing down businesses and sales and our shipping systems shoppers from coast to coast >> the white house looking to relieve a major backlog. >> reporter: add jammed up supply chains to skyrocketing sales and our shipping systems will be tested holiday shipping demand will exceed capacbyit 4 to 5 million packages per day this year the u.s. postal service, fedex and united parcel service will be under pressure to deliver,

like never before. so how will they manage? we got an inside look at u.p.s right now, i'm here in atlanta at what u.p.s. calls a super hub. there are seven of these facilities worldwide that work to process packages 24/7 today we're getting a behind the scenes exclusive look at how u.p.s. is gearing up for unprecedented demand this season with me now is bill stewart. he is the president of worldwide. talk about why this facility is to important during the holidays >> all of our facilities are important. this one is automated. >> 3,400 employees work here it's the size of 21 football fields and on an average day, they process 900,000 packages, a number that rises to 1.4 million a day during the holidays. the packages arrive from all over the world in tractor trailers

they're placed on to these conveyer belts and then the packages zip around the facility on 18 miles of conveyer belts, making their way through these scanning stations, which will eventually direct them down these chutes to be sorted for delivery. for larger things -- >> this is an autonomous vehicle we use to move our challenging shaped packages. >> all of it monitored inside this control room. >> this is the heartbeat of u.p.s.'s operations in the southeast united states. we have over 500 cameras >> because even the robots aren't perfect, you need people. >> can i get a 486, please >> reporter: to dispatch employees to clear package traffic jams next, the packages make it on to one final conveyer belt where

employees load them on to one of these familiar brown trucks where waiting drivers begin with a daily pep talk >> happy tuesday great job yesterday. no injuries, no accidents. >> reporter: finally, they head out to deliver our packages. what did you learn from the pandemic that you're applying to this season? >> one thing we learned is that hiring is important. so over the summer of 2020, we hired 40,000 employees to help us deal with that mass i have surge in e-commerce and we're looking at this peak season hiring another 100 thousand employees. >> reporter: u.p.s. is trying to get it to shop earlier in the season to spread out the shipping demand, the country working with some of the largest retailers to start their big sales sooner >> many of our big customers are running thcaosmpaigns to have customers shop and buy earlier >> reporter: to get your package shipped by christmas, u.p.s. says go to the website and enter the zip code where where your packages are heading both u.p.s. and fedex have set wednesday, december 15th as their deadline for ground shipping bottom line this year, hop shop and ship now many people, mistakenly carson and craig are saying this might be the year of the gift card they're easy to include in a

letter or send electronically and they can boost small businesses if you shop local so that's an idea. >> what about the cost of shipping this year are prices going up? >> yes usually around the holidays, a lot of carriers will impose a holiday surcharge. they do that on the store side the question is will the retailer then pass that cost on to you so, yes, they could add a shipping fee and be transparent about it or they could build it into the price of the product. so this is another reason you want to shop early take advantage of the free standard shipping being offered right now. it takes a few extra days, but it's not bringing your budget up for the holidays >> we still don't have our halloween costumes >> get your money back >> that's what i'm saying. it's just a cautionary tale. >> or you're really prepared for next year.

>> bingo >> vicky, thank you. >> you have to avoid that ship storm. >> he did it >> the ship storm. this is the result of a geomagnetic storm. look at this aurora borealis south dakotaellows, the greens, unbelievable and this has been the most active geomagnetic storm season for the aurora borealis since 2017 so this is really incredible stuff to see let's take a look at another storm that's going to be hitting. unfortunately, it will be hitting the west coast we have a 5,000 mile long pattern of moisture coming in here an unsettled weather pattern, an unbroken band of moisture more than 5,000 miles long. we've got two storms right now, one that's going hit today, another one this weekend and then that third one that is way back that's going to get into the pacific northwest sometime monday into tuesday and cause major problems

today, that front will move east with rain and snow gusty winds will continue tomorrow another system hits the west coast. heavy rain, wind, mountain snows good friday morning, i'm kari hall, we're not going to see rain until early next week. temperatures in the mid to upper 60s in the next couple days. more sunshine on sunday but that is ahead of the rain set to move in on monday. of course this weekend we'll be setting our clocks back one hour. sunday we're adjusting to the new time change and the sun will be setting as we go toward sunset at 5:00. dancing shoes, dancing queens, because after four decades, abba is officially back the legendary group dropping a comeback album overnight 40 years in the making we'll give it a listen, but first, these messages.

welcome back i'm jimmy dean and uh, isn't that sunrise somthin'? i honestly feel that way about jimmy dean sausage. get yourself a large chunk of that good morning feeling. boy, that smells good. mmm.

♪♪ ♪♪ the best things america makes

are the things america makes out here. the history she writes in her clear blue skies. the legends she births on hometown fields. and the future she promises. when we made grand wagoneer, proudly assembled in america, we knew no object would ever rank with the best things in this country. but we believed we could make something worthy of their spirit. instantly clear everyday congestion but we believed we could make with vicks sinex saline. for fast drug free relief vicks sinex. instantly clear everyday congestion. and try vicks sinex children's saline. safe and gentle relief for children's noses. meet stuart bronson and byron shell. owners of sml, an architecture firm specializing in tiny homes. stuart and byron booked flights on amextravel.com from portland of the west to rtpondla of the east for their biggest opportunity yet:

a luxury tiny home compound in the wilderness of maine. stuart and byron were putting the finishing touches on their pitch deck, when they realized something wasn't right with their old 3d-printer. they needed a more modern approach for their pitch. luckily, sml is with american express business platinum, and has access to a business services suite, which offers up to $1000 back on eligible purchases. so they got new laptops and software and created a full augmented reality experience instead. sml won the pitch, and with their membership rewards® points they extended their hotel stay for a few extra days. the main event?s. by american express. don't do business without it. ♪ every moment together is a gift. la vie est belle. lancôme. at macy's, the fragrance destination. good morning!

maria! getting that fiber in. nice! ah, the miller's. rising and shining! that's a bright idea. with high fiber and plump juicy raisins kellogg's raisin bran gives any day a sunny start. welcome back carson, good morning >> good morning, everybody coming up, it is toy palooza on popstart we are revealing the newest members of the national toy of hall fame and the latest gadgets on every kid's wish list >> 3d printer? >> pretty cool

[ crow squawks ] ♪ they're nice but irritating ♪ ♪ their excitement can get grating ♪ ♪ they're dressed for pastry baking ♪ ♪ the progressive family ♪ ♪ they're helpful but annoying ♪ ♪ they always leave us snoring ♪ ♪ accidents are boring with the progressive family ♪ so, when do you all go home? never. we're here for you 24/7. morticia: how terrifying. protection so good, it's scary. "the addams family 2" now playing everywhere. good morning! maria! getting that fiber in. nice! ah, the miller's. rising and shining! that's a bright idea. with high fiber and plump juicy raisins kellogg's raisin bran gives any day a sunny start. ♪

♪ plump juicy raisins kellogg's raisin bran (vo) command hooks are easy to apply and remove cleanly so you can go all out this holiday. command. do. no harm. you know when all you can see is this area here? lines... dark circles... new revitalift eye serum by l'oreal... with hyaluronic acid plus caffeine. apply with the triple bead roller. it visibly replumps eye wrinkles and brightens dark circles. new revitalift eye serum by l'oreal paris.

bye mom. my helpers abound, i'll need you today. our sleigh is now ready, let's get on our way. a mountain of toys to fulfill many wishes. must be carried across all roads and all bridges. and when everyone is smiling and having their fun i can turn my sleigh north because my job here is done. it's not magic that makes more holiday deliveries to homes in the us than anyone else, it's the hardworking people of the united states postal service. i'm so glad we did this. i'm so glad we did this. i'm so glad we did this. i'm so glad we did this. i'm so... ...glad we did this. [kid plays drums] life is for living.

let's partner for all of it. i'm so glad we did this. edward jones good morning, it is 7:57. happening right now, breaking news. a deadly crash in the east bay. >> that is the reasony 680 is still jammed up. in the dublin interchange, three lanes are still blocked. i believe they're moving toward crow canyon. if you're north of there you go to the 24 and you head back down to oakland and everything else looks pretty good. that sig alert continues and i will continue to update folks through twitter. kari, over to you. the visibility looks pretty clear, too, as we get a live

look outside in walnut creek. a mix of sun and clouds today. we will see more cloud cover as yesterday the temperatures reach into the mid to upper 60s today. we'll see more of the same, a high of 64. more sunshine and rain back early next week as we will see a pretty decent storm system coming in. san francisco looking at a weekend temperature of about 62 degrees on sunday. even cooler for early next week. another local news update in half an hour. see you then.

♪ i see trees of green ♪

♪ red roses too ♪ ♪ i see them bloom for me and you ♪ (music) ♪ so i think to myself ♪ ♪ oh what a wonderful world ♪

coming up, medical breakthrough pfizer plans to seek emergency approval for its new covid pill, which it says greatly reduces the risk of hospitalization and. meanwhile, deaths from covid. meanwhile, the white house announcing sweeping new vaccine mandates for private employers in the u.s who will be affected and how it could squeeze the already tight labor market club drug cure >> you don't have ptsd now >> nope, not at all. "coming up, medical break through. pfizer plans to seek emergency approval for its new covid pill, which it says greatly reduces the risk of hospitalization and deaths from covid. meanwhile, the white house announcing sweeping new vaccine mandates for private employers in the u.s who will be affected and how it could squeeze the already tight

club drug cure >> you don't have ptsd now >> nope, not at all. >> do you feel healed? >> absolutely. 100% >> the popular party drug known as ex that city now being used to treat severe depression and ptsd >> this treatment is the reason why my son has a father instead of a folded flag >> the remarkable story of how patients who say the experimental treatment saved their lives. plus, top toys for the holiday. what experts say might be leading your kids' wish list this season from high tech gadgets to new twists on classics a new look at what's rolling out of santa's workshop. and abba is back after a 40-year break. the iconic swedish band out with a brand new album overnight. the music that has fans saying gimme, gimme, gimme today, friday, november 5th, 2021 . >> here from massachusetts >> cincinnati, ohio. >> covington, washington >> and the home of the cowboys, dallas, texas.

>> from richmond, virginia >> because today malcolm turns 18 >> happy friday. >> to our family >> in winston salem, north carolina >> here on a bucket list trip. >> from rochester, new york. because today is mom's birthday. >> hey, nana and papa. we wanted to wish you a happy 55th anniversary on the "today" show >> good morning, everybody wow, lots to celebrate out there on friday morning, including our hall of famer, sheinelle jones >> thank you >> hoda and craig are off so it's nice to have you and now you have even more credentials >> thank you and thank you for all the tweets once you said it this morning, twitter is abuzz >> because we're proud of you. veterans day is coming up and craig will have a special

story on the tomb of the unknown soldier. well get to your news at 8:00 we begin with breaking news in the covid fight. pfizer says its experimental pill for treating covid is so effective it plans to seek approval very soon for emergency use. in the meantime, there's growing pushback over the latest covid vaccine mandate for employers. gabe gutierrez joins us with the latest on all of it. gabe, good morning >> savannah, good morning. the rush is on to vaccinate younger children and mobile vaccination sites like this one. pfizer is out with that encouraging news this morning. the company is saying that a study found that its new antiviral pill that it's developing reduces the risk of hospitalization and death in high risk adults by 89%. the company plans to submit the results to the fda for emergency use authorization before thanksgiving of course, this comes a day after the uk just approved another anti-covid pill, this one developed by merck an fda advisory panel is set to consider that later this month here in the u.s. meanwhile, the biden

administration has just vaccine mandate for employers with more than 100 workers by january 4th, the companies will have to ensure that all of their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly. this affects 84 million employees across the country, about two-thirds of the u.s. workforce and several gop-led states have already said they plan to sue. savannah >> gabe, thank you very much the house finally appears ready to vote today on president biden's stalled spending plans nbc chief white house correspondent and weekend today coanchor kristen welker tells us what got things moving again good mortgage. >> reporter: hi, sheinelle good morning to you. it is a day of high stakes for democrats. they are finally poised to vote on president biden's two spending bills, that infrastructure package and the $1.75 trillion social safety net plan the president was personally working the phones overnight he was calling lawmakers to try

to win over last-minute holdouts two resolve key sticking points. it comes after months of intraparty fighting, missed deadlines and disappointing election results from this past tuesday. what about the timing? first on infrastructure, it's already passed the senate. so it is possible the president could sign that bill into law in the coming days. as for the social safety net spending plan, it's a little bit more complicated the senate still has to debate that so there will be changes along the way. democrats say their goal is to have the president sign that by thanksgiving, but there will undoubtedly be obstacles which could delay that timeline, sheinelle. >> thank you the parents of a kidnapped australian girl who was rescued after 18 days have release add statement to police thanking them and supporters. 4-year-old cleo smith vanished from a tent while camp, her family her parents made emotional appeals while police conducted a massive search and cleo was found safe on wednesday after police raided the home of a 36-year-old suspect.

just minutes away from her own neighborhood the statement from the parents reads in part, we are humbled by the love and support we have received from not only our local community, but the whole of western australia and across the country. we're so thankful that our little girl is back within our arms and our family is whole again. >> all right that's the news. now with hoda off, you have the boost. >> i mean, yes, i do and a philadelphia woman who had not seen her mom in georgia for two years because of the covid pandemic decided to surprise mom on her birthday. while she was unloading groceries from the car take a look. >> oh, god >> hey, mom, can you pass me a bag. >> nope. >> can you pass me a bag >> oh. suffice it to say, mom was shocked. >> that was genuine. >> i love the scream they falls back into the car seat erica tried to visit a couple times before, but each time the pandemic spoiled her plans, but i would say that was worth the wait >> that was special. that was a good one on this

friday up next, an unexpected potential treatment for ptsd >> we're talking about the club drug ecstasy the fda has labeled the drug a break through therapy. just ahead, hue it's working and it's already changing lives as we talk to two patients who took part in the trials, right after this and we're bringing alla the color. ooooh, this is lit! what's up snow people! alla the color, alla the gifts. happy all-idays from old navy! discover card i just got my cashback match is this for real? yup! we match all the cash back new card members earn at the end of their first year automatically woo! i got my mo-ney! it's hard to contain yourself isn't it? uh- huh! well let it go! woooo! get a dollar for dollar match at the end of your first year. only from discover.

spray, lift, skip, step. swipe, lift, spin, dry. slam, pan, still...fresh move, move, move, move aaaaand still fresh. degree. ultimate freshness activated when you move. ♪ (vo) try all cinnamon toast crunch flavors, blasted with cinnadust!

an f-150 isn't an f-150 because of the name on the tailgate. it's an f-150 because it's built ford tough. built to haul more. built to tow more. for the people who count on it. because they know that brawn can get the job done, but it takes brains and brawn to get it done right. tough this smart can only be called f-150. ♪ ♪ tough this smart when the chapstick goes on. it's on.

get yours on at chapstick.com your shipping manager left to “find themself.” leaving you lost. you need to hire. i need indeed. indeed you do. indeed instant match instantly delivers quality candidates matching your job description. visit indeed.com/hire ok everyone, our mission is to provide complete, balanced nutrition for strength and energy. whoo hoo! ensure, with 27 vitamins and minerals, now introducing ensure complete! with 30 grams of protein. ♪ (vo) command hooks are easy to apply and remove cleanly. ensure complete! command. do. no harm. it's walmart's black friday deals for days. join walmart plus now and get early access to the hottest online black friday deals. 4 hours early. only when you become a walmart plus member.

join walmart plus today. we're back with a look at something that could change a lot of lives >> that's right. mdma, or ecstasy is largely known as a club or street drug, but now it's being touted as a treatment for ptsd >> mdma is now being used in conjunction with therapy and it is yielding ground breaking results. the fda have designated it a, quote, break through therapy after early clinical trials. and i had the chance to speak to two patients whose lives were forever transformed by this therapy. and the person leading the charge to legalize its use in therapeutic settings >> i had five suicide attempts my most recent and final suicide attempt was november 4th of 2013 >> when all seemed lost, veteran john lubecki decided to take one last unorthodox chance, a tiny pill ingested in a darkened room buried by blankets surrounded by professionals.

>> sometimes people report a lot of thoughts going very fast. >> a once infamous club drug unexpectedly becoming a final hope for healing methylenedioxymethamphetamine known on the treat as ecstasy or molly. lubecki served in iraq in 2006 as a member of the army national guard. when he returned home, he was diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, the ptsd. >> every single day, no matter how good or bad the drug was, my brain was trying to figure out how to kill myself >> you were suicidal every day >> every day >> in 2014, lubecki volunteered for a clinical trial studying whether mdma could help therapy. it was conducted by maps, the multi disciplinary association for psychedelic studies. >> many studies of ptsd don't work with people who have attempted to kill themselves in the past we felt that we have to work with the people who are suffering the most >> initially used by psychotherapists in the 1970s, mdma became a street dug in the 80s and it was outlawed by the dea in 1985. >> a lot of people still do have that image in their minds,

timothy leary, psychedelic, counterculture, hippies. why is that a false impression >> so it's being administered in a different context under controlled settings with people that are suffering and trying to help them lead a better life and to stay alive, not to committeen a different context under controlled settings with people that are suffering and trying to suicide. >> maps is in phase three trials with the fda studying mdma's effectiveness in treating ptsd, but it's studying how mdma could be used to treat a range of issues from alcoholism to social

anxiety to people cope, life threatening illnesses. >> i just felt awful i just felt like i am not going to be here for my boys >> andy goal, the san francisco-based attorney had just finished treatment for colin cancer in 1985 when he was mistakenly told his cancer had metastasized >> i gradually lost joy in my life >> like lubecki, goal volunteered for mdma therapy, completing three eight-hour therapy sessions under mdma or a placebo. it quickly became clear to andy and john what they received. >> about the 40 minute mark, it kicked in. >> i was just bowled over. it was a different experience from feeling high. i was not frightened. i knew that i was, like, in some other perceptional dimension >> i was able to say talk about

things that i had never brought up before to anyone. >> i wasn't even there but he was one of my guys and -- >> and it was okay my body did not betray me. i didn't get panic attacks i didn't shut down emotionally >> how does it work? >> so one of the things that mdma does is it reduces activity in the fear processing part of the brain, the amidal so that memories that are linked to this fear somehow the fear is calmed. and you can feel safe and there's this release of oxytocin >> the impact of the mdma therapy sessions, transformational >> the delays anticipated. i returned to myself >> you don't have ptsd now >> nope, not at all. >> do you feel healed? >> absolutely. 100% >> in a maps study released this year, 67% of the participants in the mdma group no longer qualified for the diagnosis of ptsd two months after treatment. >> what does this moment mean for psychedelic treatment? >> if we do succeed with our

second phase three study, it means the whole field of psychedelic psycho therapy has been proven in one instance and the path breaker with the fda. >> the fda could approve mdma for ptsd as soon as next year. in the meantime, the treatment remains largely out of reach for the 15 million adults in the u.s. currently struggling with the condition. >> what is your message to fellow veterans who might be watching this and suffering as you once were? >> this treatment is the reason that my son has a father instead of a folded flag i want all of you to be around you can know what your suffering is like. i will tell you it's all gone. >> wow >> wow

>> i should mention, john lubecki now oaks on behalf of that organization, maps, in washington, d.c. psychedelics, by the way, are getting a warmer welcome on both sides of the aisle republican dan chen shaw, and alexandria ocasio-cortez, they proposed separate amendments that support psychedelic research but this veterans community in particular is so in need and the studies so far, as we've seen, have been pretty impressive. mebody who has panic disorder and i literally cannot control fear or worry in my brain, this seems revolutionary. >> it has that potential it's all a matter of study. but, you know, you don't take it every day. >> that's what i wonder. like does it come back >> so the clinical trial, you have three separate sessions, eight hours each with a therapist. >> therapy and -- >> the therapy is at the same time you take a dose of this. it's a therapeutic dose. the therapists are there you talk through and walk through your trauma. >> it's mda assisted therapy somehow when you process these memories, and these traumatic

events without the intended fear, the emotion, the fight or flight, the amygdala part of your brain, the veterans and other patients have said it's transformative and it lasts for years >> the veteran suicide rate in this country is out of control this could be a game changer >> that's the biggest thing for this vernal. that's why he was saying at the end, just hold on because there's potential this could be more widely available. he did this years ago. and today -- >> my son has a father rather than a folded flag >> there's potential implications still being studied. fascinating. let's shift gears now and get a check of the weather let's look ahead and show you what we've got we've got wet weather in the pacific northwest. strong storms firing up in

florida. chilly day in the northwest and the northeast. great lakes, mid-atlantic states, temperatures warming up, though and as we look across the country, some frost this morning throughout the drive. >> good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we're seeing some more clouds that will be moving in today as our temperatures head up for the mid 60s for our inland areas and we'll see more of the same tomorrow, but i think we'll see more sunshine on sunday and, of course, that's when daylight saving time comes to an end. for early next week we'll be watching a new round of rain and looks to bring us some high amounts of rainfall for parts of the bay area and vg we'll be fine tuning the updates on that. san francisco will see temperatures in the low 60 this weekend. >> and that's your latest weather. best time of the day, best time of the week, it's the friday popstart. >> stop it stop it. we have jeff daniels in the

building that will be the best part of this morning coming up but first, we're going to get to abba after a 40-year break, the swedish band is back joe fryer is here with a look at what he can expect from that music. >> the news broke back in september. abba created new music it's something many didn't think ever was going to happen now the whole world is saying here we go again if we play you just a scattering of notes and a mere glimpse of that hair and those outfits, will you instantly recognize the band yeah, we thought so. after all, abba is absolute music royalty. now they're back voyage is the super swedish group's new album in nearly four decades, filled with as long as you likely don't recognize yet the album has ten new tracks including just a notion.

a song first recorded in the 70s, but never released. and for the first time, the band performs an original christmas tune called "little things." >> i wanted to put something in there which, in a way, is a reflection of life during 40 years. >> abba's comeback will feature a revolutionary concert using motion capture technology the band will appear on stage digitally, through avatars or abbatars >> it is not a version or copy of people pretending to be abba. it is actually them. >> another chance for fans to thank them for the music >> it's been 40 years and it was like no time had passed. quite amazing. >> back in 2000, the band turned down an offer of $1 billion to reunite. they joked in an interview they wanted to reunite before they were dead. could there be another album

after this one the band says this is it >> i'm confused on the story the tour -- it's them or not >> abba going to space, that's all i want to know >> they look like they're tron >> basically, that's what it is. and it looks like them in the past >> we should do that on this show, our past versions. >> we actually are >> don't feel too bad if this is it we know someone who is always available to step in for a quick abba performance >> get this party started! >> oh, my goodness ♪ mama mia, here i go again ♪ ♪ my, my, how can i resist ya ♪ >> i forgot about that good old kathie lee.erformance. >> get this party started! >> oh, my goodness. ♪ mama >> she's the best.

>> that was the premier in london a guy that kathy wanted to be there for part of our schtick. what kathy wants, she gets toy hall of fame on thursday, three inductees cemented their place in history. the 12 finalists included battle ship, cabbage patch kids, but this year's hall of famers are american girl dolls, risk, and perhaps most shockingly, sand. >> what? >> oh, come on >> luckily for us, joe here actually voted on the committee to induct this year's toys >> of the three that got inducted, i voted for none of them, not a single one that i voted for got picked

>> why sand? >> i did not jump on the sand i don't get it >> very good >> i don't understand. no one walks to the beach and goes, look at the toys but you can make sand castles. >> how did dirt not make it? >> what about carson -- >> it's air. >> a cardboard box >> cardboard boxes every weekend. >> sand. >> there you go. >> black & decker drill. >> i love that he was on the board. >> on the committee. i did vote for he-man masters of the universe >> robbed. >> that was a little more than we needed to know. finally, you put out the he-man before you walked out to work this morning. he-man i have to remember that. that's how i am with my nbc news id joe, it's his he-man the new york city marathon was canceled last year over 30,000 runners will be participating on sunday, including our very own willie geist. willie, how are you? are you ready for sunday >> yes, but i'm very confused about the sand i guess i don't want to take up my time talking about that we can hit that later.

but i am ready maybe a little too ready i feel like i've been so excited the last couple of days. my wife, christina, wants me out of the house she wants a special waiver for me to run early. these are the photographs that i -- when i started training, the first one is i was so excited that i took a two-mile run. i couldn't believe it. that was last year and yesterday i finished my train, a breezy two-mile run and it was sort of speaks to the progress i've made as a non runner to be so proud of two miles and then now conquering this thing hopefully on sunday, 26.2 of them >> and you're doing it for a really good cause and holding someone very dear to you in your heart as you run willie, tell us about it >> yeah. my dad is has had parkinson's disease for 30 years now and we've been so inspired by michael j. fox and the michael j. fox foundation that i wanted to do something and give. >> purpose to this run so i'm trying to raise as much money as i can for the michael j. fox foundation. go to their website and search

my name under the donate page. 100% of the proceeds will go to parkinson's research so i'm so proud and i'll be thinking of my dad as i run. >> that's great. the daly family donated yesterday. >> i donate and had so did mike. good morning. it is 8:26. i'm marcus washington. we are following breaking news this morning. backups in the eastbound east bay after a deadly crash on 680. the latest from mike right now. >> unfortunately no lane change and we know the sad news that's not going to change either. southbound 680 three lanes blocked and northbound side debris scattered from the center divide and there may be activity, at least a distraction. also clouds and low fog may complicate things. we don't have a time when they will reopen. i do imagine a lot of folks are taking crow canyon road. look at this counter commute

towards the dublin grade are heading back. that is your alter nate. over to you. >> all right. we are seeing some sunshine in the south bay with some clouds mixing in. we'll see a mix of sun and clouds today and temperatures in the mid 50s to start. it's going to be a little bit cooler compared to yesterday as they reach only into the mid 60s and more of the same tomorrow. mostly cloudy skies, set the clocks back one hour on saturday or sunday and we'll see rain back in the forecast by early next week and hopefully brings us some decent amounts of rain, marcus. >> hope so. thanks. >> another local news nupts 30 minutes. see you back here then.

another sign that winter is almost here. in fact, starting tomorrow, the iconic skating rink here in rockefeller center will be back, open 9:00 a.m. >> wow >> amazing >> by the way, the christmas tree, your buddy, al, will

arrive next week >> i love it >> they've already picked it out. >> guys, another sign of the season here in our studios, stephanie oppenheim, she joined us this time every year to reveal the top toys of the season so just ahead, we're going to find out what made the list this year >> where is the pile of sand >> sand. better hurry up and get some sand and a big bag of dirt. >> also ahead, our friend jeff daniels is here with a tv show that is incredible, making his big return to broadway lots to catch one mr. daniels. that is coming up. >> one chef, two football teams and a bunch of game day dishes gabby is repping both the rams and the titans to get you ready for sunday night football feast. >> and later on in the third hour, comedian and former snl start alec quinn will be here. we're going to talk to him about returning to a stage and we've got some of the biggest names on the planet. all of planet earth. >> okay. here we go >> how about ryan reynolds >> i see your ryan reynolds and bring you dwayne "the rock"

johnson, will ferrell, robert rudd all next week on the "today" show next want al roker >> a bit of a dip there. as far as your weekend, rain and coastal flooding for tomorrow along the southeast coast. lots of sunshine from the great lakes down into the gulf coast, northeast, pacific coast storm comes in we fall back this weekend. weekend a little bit more. and the marathon 50th tcs new york city marathon starts off 40 degrees sunshine sustained winds about 15 miles per hour hopefully that doesn't get any worse. for the rest of the day on sunday, sunday, we're looking at a morning chill in the northeast into new england plenty of sunshine mid section of the country, big storms coming into the pacific northwest.

good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we're going to see more clouds rolling in today. temperatures for our inland areas will reach into the mid 60s and we'll see more of the same tomorrow although i do think we'll see more sunshine on sunday but that's ahead of our next storm system set to bring us a decent amount of off and on rain between monday and tuesday and for san francisco, it's going to be a cool weekend with highs in the low 60s. expect the temperatures to continue to stay on the cool side as that rain moves in by monday. >> are you ready for the best night of the week? that's right, because coming up, it's sunday night football night in america the titans come storming into sofi stadium in englewood, partly cloudy, 63 as they take on the rams for sunday night football night in mike tirico land it's going the be huge by the way, we've got -- speaking of huge, we have a big

crowd. >> yes, go, go, go >> let's go. here we go >> let's go! >> i see you there you go >> hey now we're making the rounds. hey now. whew wait, they didn't see all these people over here we missed some right here now you're talking all right. sheinelle. >> our camera crew is out of breath >> up next, if you have no clue what to get the kids on your holiday list, this holiday season, have no fear >> that was your own nyc marathon stephanie is here with the hottest finds to help make you the second best gift giver behind santa but first, this is "today" on

[ sfx: ping ping beep beep bloop bloop ] lisa looks like you've... [ sfx: pop pop pop pop ] lisa, you might be on mute. [ sfx: pop ping bloop ] [ phone buzzing ] the day can wait... enter the golden state with real california dairy. alright, here we go, miller in motion. wha — wait, wait, is that a... baby on the field?? it looks like it, craig. and the defensive linemen are playing peek-a-boo. i've never seen anything like that before. harris now appears to be burping the baby. that's a great moment right there. the ref going to the rule book here. what, wait a minute! harris is off to the races! we don't need any more trick plays. touchdown!! but we could all use more ways to save. are you kidding me?? it's going to be a long bus ride home for the defense. switch to geico for more ways to save.

excited because excited because stephanie oppenheim is here with today's

holiday handbook. christmas now just 50 short days away. >> so if you are looking for the best of the best when it comes to toys, we have you covered this morning. we'll put the qr code up on your screen. scan that and shop away. >> stephanie oppenheim has been a contributor force years. she knows the best of the best. you have a big cart here so we have to get to it. >> there are so many good toys. i don't want people to panic about toy shortages. to start, we're talking about older babies, sitting up babies and toddlers who want to make something happen. this is the four in one bot from fisher-price. there are a lot of things for them to make things happen. once they can do it, they like to do it again and again. >> and it makes noises, it rolls, there's a lot of things for them to explore. >> i love these. talk about the power of imagination. >> absolutely. and i love this new collection. these are play time buddies and they have -- look at them. they're perfect for toddlers

because they're all stitch features. so there's space enough for them to hold. they love to hold a big doll, but look, each comes with a little -- because little kids like to have that handful and a big dog to lug about, but also so notable, lots of diversity here. there are also boy dolls. as a boy mom, it's very important to me. >> so you get the whole set? >> no, they're each sold individually. >> too good to be true. >> but each doll comes with a little doll. so you know, paw -- if you were in the paw patrol universe for preschoolers, this will be the toy of the season. this is the tower. it has lights, it has the command center for chase. and this is for kids who like to pretend in the miniature. of course, this is a pretty big miniature play setting, but it will be a hit for them. >> this is like the barbie dream house of paw patrol. >> and this is a language toy because you want your kids to tell their own adventures and use their stories and tell their own stories.

>> it's like all of these toys are tablet free, use your imagination. >> that was what we heard from a lot of people. they really wanted screen free time. a lot of kids pretend with their whole bodies. this is a great kit from dig it up from mind ware. it comes with the vest so they can be their own paleontologist. they get the tools, they get to bang on things. and what i love about this set is you wet this so there isn't a worry about things flying. >> that's a cute idea. >> it's a great set. okay. this is for early school-age kids. this is moji, the loveable labradoodle. she's super cute. you can make moji do 20 different tricks. she has cards to take us through her paces. she's a little shy sometimes, but you have to take care of her. >> this is great in your kids are asking you for a dog and you're not ready.

>> let me see if we can make her work. sometimes she gets shy. moji, sit. >> is he going to do it? >> i am sitting. >> she's a puppy, and it takes -- she's doing something a little different >> in her own time >> that's what i love about her. she's sweet looking, don't you think? >> she's adorable. so that's moji the next one, crafts i love all year, but especially this time of year. kids love to make things that they can give for the holidays i'm going to turn this on both for of you i don't know about you, but i'm obsessed with spin art this is kind of spin art meets christmas ornaments. so i'm going to give you this one. i'm going to give you -- >> i need pink >> pink marker >> and you're going to put it to that not magical >> this is from pay buddy.

comes with three ornaments you will want to order replacements >> you can add colors and, you know, your kids with sign them >> this is so fun. >> so cool >> i have to show you this next one, which is my favorite s.t.e.m. toy this is the magic kaleidoscope from creativity for kids you make these do you remember these? >> of course >> you make this and then you make a kaleidoscope so you can look in this one check it out >> i see jeff daniels. wow. >> so it's science all of that is there >> this is puzzles were the toy of last year and they continue to be strong with so many of all ages you actually color it and you make it and color it together. >> what is this? >> this is the toy box 3d printer. the future is here i have to say, though, that this is a real piece of equipment this gets hot. this is not for young children >> so you can print toys >> you print all of these. >> how do you do it?

does it come with instructions yes. >> what is the >> i would say this is a great sweet spot toy for tweens. you can do it with younger kids. this requires parental supervision. >> but i'm in that stage >> look at this. >> and it's the way of the future >> it absolutely is. >> that is really cool >> a very special toy. >> home run today. thank you, stephanie >> i love it if you want to check out stephanie's full list and get your hands on these holiday toys before they sell out, scan that qr code. coming up next, jeff daniels on his award winning role on broadway and television. his music and life as a grand pappy. th is "today" on nbc is

welcome to this world. you have some big shoes to fill. people will tell you what to eat. everyone will have an opinion. and, yes, there will be tears. lots of new introductions. sleepless nights. that's normal. okay. so many new toys. it's not going to be easy. but, together, we got this. kaiser permanente. thrive

welcome back jeff daniels has mastered the stage and the screen but he is not done yet >> in fact, he's busier than ever he is helping reopening broadway the most successful american

play in broadway history >> he's also the star and executive producer of the showtime series called "american rust" playing a police chief torn between professional and personal loyalties after his town is rocked by a murder let's go back to broadway. you were atticus finch for the year what is it like to be back >> it's exactly the same and completely different it's very strange. seal ya king and bolger scott is with me. the first week was like being on a pond with -- in street shoes it was literally like -- >> well, you had such a successful run in this role. i saw you. i got to see it. it's incredible. what made you want to come back and do it again? was it your way of supporting broadway

>> that was a big part we would put a lot of people back to work if we came back and those are great people front of house and all that stuff. so that was a big deal it's also -- it's the role of a lifetime you don't get to be atticus finch at the shubert theater on broadway every day and to come back for three months and revisit it especially at this time in the country with what is going on, it has more impact and it's more relevant than ever >> we were there that night supporting the opening what was the first night like for you? because the manager was pretty crazy from where we were >> it was similar. there was@a lot of cheering and oh, my god, we're glad to be back but then, very soon into it, the audience is different now. >> what do you mean? >> before, two years ago, it was

i'm going to come and see a production of my beloved book that has a happy ending. and the audience now is coming, bracing for a play about systemic races and they know what they're about to see now they're in a different place, as we all are and they hang on every word. it's terrific. it's more exact and more precise. and they're on stage with us we don't have to win them over they're already leaning in >> american rust is a great tv show on showtime the season finale is this weekend. sheriff dell harris, and i know you can relate to it being from michigan you grew up a time like these characters but it seems like everybody on

the show is making a bad decision, whether they're a good guy or a bad guy tell us about american rust for those who haven't seen it. >> it's a great well written show they were the guys with me on looming tower. and we took it from a book by phillip meyer, which was his debut novel back in 2009, i think. the writing is there and we -- it's southwest pennsylvania, a small town you know, it's good people who can -- if they aren't at the bottom, they can see it from where they are and it's an examination of good people making bad choices simply

to survive and hang on to their dignity. and it's really -- the acting in it is authentic. everybody that we've cast is right on it. and, yeah, dallas roberts, he's coming to mocking bird this coming week so i get to see dallas again >> you seem to have the midas touch. everything you're doing turns to gold, including, i would say, a long, happy, hollywood marriage. and how many grandkids do you have >> good question they're -- >> i have it in my notes >> they're breeding like rabbits right now. there are three with one on the way. >> and you're grand pappy? is that what they call you >> pappy, yeah >> what did you think when you saw that >> i loved it. there they are with 101

dalmatians, as well. and they're just all in, these kids so hopefully it won't scar them for life >> what is the key for 42 years married to kathleen? how does that work >> understanding that man-splaining is a real thing and that it probably qualifies as a disease and that you should get the suitable medication. >> let me write this down. >> if you understand tha marybel. >> announcer: this is an nbc news special report. remembering colin powell. here is chuck todd. >> and good morning. we are coming on air to bring you live coverage as the nation pauses to pay tribute to a true american patriot. colin powell will be remembered today in a service at the national cathedral here in washington, d.c. the same church that has held funerals of presidents and our celebrated american leaders. president biden and the first

lady are just arriving and they will sit alongside former presidents and first ladies barack and michelle obama, george and laura bush and former secretary of state hillary clinton will be there. today will be a celebration of a life devoted to public service. colin powell was a decorated u.s. army veteran who led soldiers in battle and a distinguished statesman. he was named to senior post by three republican presidents, continued serving as a joint chiefs chairman under bill clinton, served also under jimmy carter. he also broke racial barriers as the first black secretary of state. he died in october of covid complications. he was battling a form of cancer called multiple myeloma. he was fully vaccinated. the disease does compromise your immune system, myeloma does. this is not a state funeral, like we would see for a former president, but we will hear from

friends, family and former colleagues of powell. our chief white house with correspondent kristen welker joins us from outside washington's national cathedral where we have sent off and remembered many a great american patriot. kristen, you've seen folks walk in. this is one of those moments where the best of washington shows up and we're remembering something who arguably exemplified the best of washington. >> absolutely, chuck. this is a crisp day here in washington. and the list of dignitaries is very long who have arrived here today to pay tribute and honor the life of colin powell. he's going to be eulogyized by madeleine albright, by richard armitage and by his son,

michael. he will speak about his father in very personal terms. powell was the immigrant son of jamaicans, went on to be a vietnam war veteran and went on to be distinguished with two presidential medals of freedom. so this is a bipartisan celebration, chuck. you talked about the presidents who are here. republican, democratic presidents here to honor him and pay tribute to him. and i've been talking to people who worked with him, who knew him from the obama administration, the bush administration. and one person said the word character stands out above all else, that he was a man of character. he was a trailblazer. he was a statesman. but that strength of character enabled him to deliver that speech in 2003 before the u.n. when he advocated for the war in iraq based on faulty intelligence and to later say that that was a mistake, that it

was a blotch on his record. and that person said that that is really what guided him, the sense of character, the sense of doing what was right even when no one was looking. now, of course, he is someone who thought about potentially running for president in 1996. he ultimately decided not to. and i spoke with one person from the obama administration who said, look, he did not have an appetite for politics, but he had a brilliant political mind. he understood the importance of timing. and that was underscored by his decision to endorse former president obama two weeks before election day, chuck. it was a significant moment for former president obama, gave him an extra boost, but gave moderate republicans the okay to back him. one person said that when they reached out to powell for advice, he would say not hello, how are you, but how can i be of service? and that was a principle that guided him throughout his life.

he was a family man who put family above all else and that that is how he streeted his staffers. this person said when her father died, he was one of the first phone calls he got. chuck, president biden arriving as we speak. >> i see that, kristen. washington post columnist and contributor eugene robinson is here. he's a first generation american. his family immigrated here. they said we didn't come over here on a boat just to see you drop out of school. >> yeah. >> and this is a -- and he went to the city university of new york. every part of this, when you think about if you're an immigrant today in this country, colin powell is quite the role model. >> he embodied these two huge historical through lines of american history, basically immigration, is the son of immigrants who rose up through a public university in new york, living in harlem to the heights

of american power. and the first black almost everything, the first to be -- >> right. he broke so many barriers. >> he broke so many barriers. he was the first so many things, the first black chairman of the joint chiefs, the first black national security adviser, the first black secretary of state. he was -- and he was also of a breed that you used to see a lot of in washington and you can hardly find it any more. he's a moderate republican who had good relationships on both sides of the aisle. he led a consequential life. in those posts, he was not just the first black. he did consequential things. >> we always hear about kennedy sent the first military advisers to vietnam, you know who one of those advisers were? >> colin powell.

>> go back there, go to the joint chiefs during the first gulf war, became world famous, really, for his briefings he and norman schwarzkopf. look at him as secretary of state and that fateful speech at the united nations which he later regretted, assuring the world that saddam hussein did have a program for weapons of mass destruction, which turned out he did not. it absolutely cleared the path for the iraq war. which was a disaster. it was a geopolitical disaster. and he regretted the rest of his life having, you know, laid the groundwork for that. >> we're also joined by pulitzer prize winning journalist jonathan cape hart. jonathan, there's another moment that sticks out to me. not only did he own the iraq

thing. he went ahead and owned it later. not many other people did that. but when he came out and endorsed obama, and he said, by the way, so what if he was muslim? why would that have made a difference? the endorsement was a powerful moment. that, to me, was almost more powerful. >> right. because he's sort of reminding people to strip away the label, strip away the preconceptions. just focus on the person. focus on the man. colin powell was someone i think kristen used the right word that's being used is character. when you think of colin powell, you think of character. the fact that he made mistakes and errors in judgment when it came to iraq, but he owned up to them in a way that most people in this town have never done, still don't do, and will never do. the other thing about colin powell in terms of him, you know, being -- first being an immigrant and that is the

immigrant story of america. it's the black american story of america. because when you look at colin powell, the first thing you notice is he is black. you might not know the immigrant story. so the fact that he's broken through all of these barriers as the first black everything, as eugene pointed out. but i focus in on -- because i was a young reporter on "the daily news" editorial board when he was thinking of running for president in the republican party. for me, as someone who is philosophically and idealogically on the other side of that, to see a black man being talked about in that way in a serious way. colin powell is someone who folks said he could run for president as a republican and would win. >> you know, bob dole really wanted that nomination. i don't know if bob dole gets the nomination if colin powell runs.

senior white house correspondent kelly o'donnell is with us. kelly, you covered colin powell. and he's not a politician, but that doesn't mean he didn't understand politics and didn't at times participate in politics. and it was interesting, gene described him. he's a moderate republican. in many ways, he has foreshadowed this moment in the republican party we're seeing today. i don't think he changed who he was. and the party moved away from him. he ended up sort of finding himself endorsing democrats, even when he said till the end i don't want to give up being a republican. >> we forget sometimes that you can't become a four star general without political instincts. they're not instincts that are honed at the ballot box, but they are still instincts in how to navigate a very complex organization where you have a constituency of those members of the branch that you serve. and certainly he had that. today we will see him honored as