>> we'll be back in half an hour with live local news. >> and we will be back at 11:00. the "today" show is next. with covid on the rise and omicron on the horizon. >> we needed to do something bold quickly and get ahead of all of this.

>> just ahead, the fallout for small business. and will other major cities be next? on the stand. actor jussie smollett testifies in his own defense, denying he staged his own hate crime attack. closing arguments in a closely-watched trial expected to begin as soon as today. we're there live. medina spirit mystery. the champion horse suddenly collapses and dies on a track in california. just months after winning the kentucky derby, and failing a post-race drug test. inside the search for answers straight ahead. those stories plus trouble in paradise. a major storm hammering hawaii prompting a state of emergency and warnings of catastrophic flooding. rescues underway. power knocked out to maui's airport. and thousands of residents and travelers left stranded. >> i guess we're not going anywhere out of here today for a while. >> a live report from honolulu just ahead. and on a roll. >> the first down. >> the patriots win their 7th in

a row, defeating the bills and mother nature in a brutally cold and windy buffalo. >> and it's knocked away! >> new england now the team to beat in the afc's road to the super bowl today. tuesday, december 7, 2021. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb. from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza. >> and good morning, everybody. welcome to "today." 7:00 a.m. on the west coast on this tuesday morning. hoda's got the morning off. >> we have a lot to get to on this tuesday, including that catastrophic storm in hawaii. >> it's hitting on this 80th anniversary of pearl harbor. officials say the heavy rains will not cancel the events planned. we are live. new york city set to start requiring covid vaccines for all private sector workers as the

nation sees an increase in covid cases tied to the omicron and delta variants. we'll have more on that new mandate and the surge just ahead. let's begin with what's at stake today as president biden and vladimir putin meet by video conference. as we speak, that one on one is just getting underway at a time of growing concern, that russia could take military action against ukraine. white house officials insisting the president is going to take a hard line, warning the russian leader of very real costs. let's get started with nbc's peter alexander. peter, good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning to you. the call scheduled to start could be one of the consequential meetings of the biden presidency, expected to confront vladimir putin about the buildup of as many as 100,000 russian troops at the ukrainian border. the president says he hopes to de-escalate the situation with diplomacy, but he is prepared to be direct. warning russia of the toughest economic sanctions yet if it

invades ukraine. with tensions and mounting at the ukraine/russia border, president biden and vladimir putin are set to face-off in a high-stakes video conference call. >> we are aware of russia's actions for a long time. and my expectation is we're going to have a long discussion. we'll see. >> reporter: it comes as new intelligence suggests the krechl lynn may be in the advance stages of planning an invasion of ukraine. new satellite images showing russian troops along the shared border. the c.i.a. chief saying monday that while the u.s. is not sure if putin has made up his mind, russian forces are positioned to act. >> i would never under estimate president putin's risk appetite on ukraine. >> reporter: the alarm reminiscent of the land grab in 2014, taking control of the former ukrainian peninsula of crimea by force. the annexation sparking an international uproar and leading to a violent conflict between ukrainian government forces and

russian-backed separatists. several republicans have argued the white house should send weapons to ukraine to help it defend itself. senior administration officials say president biden will warn russia the u.s. is prepared to impose substantial economic counter measures if russia attacks. >> you can call that a threat. you can call that a fact. you can call that preparation. whatever you want to call it. >> reporter: the kremlin has rejected suggestions it's preparing to invade. its right to have troops in the territory. he talks about nato having exercises while pushing for an agreement that would prevent ukraine from joining the military alliance. >> i don't think putin himself has decided what he wants to do. he's amassing the capabilities for a major invasion. it doesn't mean he's decided to do so. >> reporter: and beyond ukraine there are plenty of other pressing issues for these lead i to discuss today. among them cyber crime on president biden's warning to

putin in june about the rise in russian ransomware attacks on companies and on critical infrastructure here. also on the table iran's nuclear ambitions, and the overall state of the u.s./russian relationship that a kremlin spokesperson recently described as dire. again, savannah, that call getting underway right now. >> peter alexander at the white house on a big day. thank you. we turn now to the fight against covid cases increasing here in the united states. once again, amid concern about the omicron variant. this as new york city rolls out the country's first covid vaccine mandate for all private employers. and other major cities grapple with the virus in ways to stop it from spreading. nbc's sam brock is in miami for us this morning. sam, good morning to you. >> reporter: craig, good morning. look, just when it seemed like we might be turning a corner, the united states right now is seeing more than 100,000 cases of covid a day with concern that the omicron variant might be adding fuel to that fire.

in florida where i am, a cautionary tale because in june, craig, we saw a few cases of delta detected in miami. by early august it was flooding hospitals. this morning the big apple looking to short circuit the new covid variant omicron. >> we in new york city have decided to use a preemptive strike. >> reporter: new york city's mayor issuing a sweeping mandate requiring all in-person private sector employees to be vaccinated by december 27th. the move affecting as many as 184,000 businesses one staten island attorney says he'll sue. >> airlines are packed. restaurants are packed. is this an emergency or is it a problem? >> reporter: stricter and more controversial rules coming as more than a third of states are already reporting the variant with texas just the latest. though delta is still the dominant strain in the u.s., fashioning the possibility omicron could find fertile ground to spread. >> i worry about states that have high vaccination rates,

hydel to exposure. that describes a lot of states in the south right now which i think could be vulnerable to omicron because they're relying a lot of on delta immunity. >> reporter: dr. david andrews leads variant tracking for jackson health in miami. do you worry you're going to see a repeat in the coming weeks? >> yes, that's what we're all concerned about. >> reporter: he stresses unvaccinated adults and children pose the greatest risk. >> we know that a lot of breakthrough infections in individuals who have been vaccinated have come through there children who were unvaccinated. >> reporter: international travel remains the front line focus against omicron spread from a new 24-hour testing requirement for passengers flying into the u.s. that's already creating headaches. >> it's a pain in the neck. >> reporter: to cruise ship curve balls. in louisiana the state says at least 17 passengers and crew members have tested positive on a norwegian cruise line ship. norwegian which requires proof of vaccination and tested all 3200 people on board before disembarking, saying in a statement that one of the cases

was a south african crew member who was in isolation for the entirety of the cruise and is suspected to have the omicron variant. and we mentioned the role that children can play in spreading the virus to family members. the latest figures from the american academy of pediatrics, 133,000 kids infected with covid last week, and that marks, craig, the 17th straight week that that number has topped 100,000. back to you. >> that's a lot of kids. sam brock for us in miami. sam, thank you. also this morning an ongoing battle over voting rights is intensifying. the justice department now suing the state of texas over its new redistricting plan, saying it would discriminate against minority voters. nbc's morgan chesky joins us from dallas with that story. morgan, good morning. >> reporter: yeah, savannah, good morning. at its core the d.o.j. said it is about minority voters and the changing in texas not getting roept asian. the lawsuit has two claims. that texas republicans were

intentionally suppressing the minority vote. number two, that even if they weren't intentionally doing that, the result was still discriminatory. and the d.o.j. can win on either of those claims. this morning a texas-size fight over voting maps. on monday the department of justice filed a lawsuit challenging texas republicans' plan for redrawing congressional and state legislative districts. the suit alleges the state's new maps violating the voting rights act because they discriminate against voters in the booming latino and black populations. >> as the supreme court has observed, a core principle of our democracy, voters should choose the representatives, not the other way around. >> reporter: the states attorney general firing back on twitter calling the suit absurd, adding he is confident the redistricting decisions will be proven lawful and this preposterous attempt to sway democracy will fail. texas has grown by 4 million

people over the last decade, and that 95% of that growth is in black, latino and asian populations. the state was allocated two more congressional seats after the 2020 census, but did not draw a single new district with a majority of black or hispanic voters. instead the two new seats have white voting majorities. >> the newly enacted redistricting plans will not allow minority voters an equal opportunity to elect representatives of their choice. >> reporter: the new redrawn districts were signed into law by governor greg abbott this fall and pave a safer path for the gop's majority to stay in power. democratic state rep ramon ramiro said the maps hit his district hard. once you saw the new districts, what did it do to you? >> i went from a 50% latino surname voter registration to a 38% latino surname voter registration. >> announcer: the part of a national wave of states redrawing voting maps. that could impact next year's midterm elections and those for

years to come. and right now the d.o.j. is asking the courts to not use these recently drawn congressional maps in the upcoming march elections and they are also asking the courts to redraw the maps altogether. savannah, we'll send it back to you. >> all right, morgan chesky, thank you. meanwhile actor jussie smollett is expected back on the witness stand today as his closely-watched trial continues. the former empire star is accused of staging an attack on himself back in 2019, and then lying about it to police. nbc's ron allen is in chicago with the latest. ron, good morning to you, sir. >> reporter: good morning, craig. both sides continue to give widely differing accounts of what they say happened on the night in question. smollett continues to insist he was the victim of a real hate crime. prosecutors continue to say that he staged the episode and then lied to police about it. on the stand on monday, smollett finally gave under oath his account of what he says happened.

jussie smollett taking the stand in his own defense, testifying there was no hoax and pushing back against prosecutors who say he staged a 2019 attack to look like a hate crime to get publicity and then lied to police about it. smollett who is black and openly gaye said he was attacked by two masked men and they used racist slurs, poured a chemical substance on him and had a noose on his neck. >> do you want to take it off? >> reporter: smollett said it felt like looney tunes adventures, someone massive coming up to me. not enough time to think. telling a different story, the osundairo brothers who say smollett paid them $3,500 and orchestrated the attack himself. he testified smollett said he wanted me to beat him up. on the stand monday, smollett insisting he wrote his friend a personal trainer a check for nutrition and workout advice and

nothing else. smollett also testified that he did drugs together and osundairo said he does not recall. police said dozens of security and traffic cameras including video showing the brothers buying supplies for the attack with money they say smollett gave them. smollett has repeatedly denied staging the attack himself and has pleaded not guilty to six disorderly conduct charges. >> this is a case that will come down to the ability and skill of the prosecutor to cross-examine him and then sum up all his inconsistencies. >> reporter: under cross-examination so far, prosecutors questioned why smollett refused to cooperate with investigators and did not turnover cell phone or medical records if he was truly a victim of a crime. smollett saying he was concerned about his privacy. >> he deserves his day in court first, and i can't reiterate enough how badly he was

convicted in the court of public opinion. we are innocent until proven guilty. >> reporter: that cross-examination is expected to continue today. smollett expected to be the final witness, which means we could possibly get to closing arguments today and the jury could get the case soon after. if convicted, smollett faces up to three years in prison. many legal observers doubt he would go to prison because he has a clean record and no one was seriously injured in the incident. craig? >> ron allen for us in chicago. ron, thank you. tom llamas has joined us and a big storm threat in hawaii this morning. >> we were talking about this yesterday. the slow-moving sis tom is walloping the islands with heavy rain and even mountain snow. officials warning of dangerous flash floods while a lot of vacationers are being forced to change their plans. we'll get to al and his forecast. first kerry sanders joins us from honolulu. good morning. >> reporter: tom, good morning. the governor of hawaii has established a state of

emergency. this is not a hurricane, but at times felt like an approaching hurricane. this morning schools are closed. there are some power outages, major highways with restricted driving, but the greatest threat, mudslides. welcome to paradise. hope you packed an umbrella. the nasty storm dumping up to 3 inches of rain per hour at times, turning streets to rivers. >> i guess we're not going anywhere out of here today for a while. >> reporter: the maui airport losing power for several hours monday morning, forcing passengers to deplane in the dark. wind blown trees damaging vehicles and blocking roads. harsher than usual conditions on the big island. this morning hawaii facing another day of a cold and powerful kona storm system with flash flood warnings for the state's major islands. >> there is still potential for what they consider to be catastrophic rainfall. >> reporter: some of the worst

flooding on maui, rain and mud spilling down cliff sides. the force of the water to lift parked cars. >> if you don't have to go out, stay home. stay in your lodging don't be out right now it is dangerous. >> reporter: with bands of heavy rain covering virtually archipelago, waikiki and other s virtually deserted is this what you expected on your honeymoon, this weather >> no. we were hoping to come for the sun. >> reporter: but the weather back home is >> snowing >> reporter: so this is? >> better. >> reporter: this honeymooning couple from wisconsin also trying to make the best of it. >> too much good to be sad about, you know. >> reporter: plus it's a honeymoon. you don't need to be out here. >> that's fair >> reporter: in an unusually powerful winter storm overwhelming hawaii's infrastructure and putting residents and vacationers in jeopardy among those who have traveled here to the island of oahu, the few still living survivors of

the attack on pearl harbor 80 years ago, december 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy as president roosevelt said, those survivors here to pay respects to the 2403 ship mates, friends who died in that surprise japanese attack. the u.s. navy says despite the weather, the ceremonies to honor the dead will go forward guys >> all right, good to know be very careful. keri, thank you for that al is telling us how unique the storm system is. >> al, what are you looking at in >> really crazy stuff. we're looking at the heavy rain begin to taper off from east to west they could see an additional 5 inches of rain, flash flooding and landslides there still are possible an unusual storm for this time of year. we're going to continue to watch it here in the lower 48, cold winds from snow from the great lakes develop. another system will be developing off the southeast coast, bringing some rain there. little light snow into new england. in fact, we expect anywhere from one to 3 inches of snow.

the leeward side of the eastern great lakes and into interior sections of new england. but we've also got a cold winter blast coming in. look at the wind chills right now. it feels like zero in green bay. 14 in chicago. minus 3 in minneapolis right now omaha feels like 15 degrees. these temperatures are going to start to warm up and then drop back down again. but look at this warm up by saturday, rochester at 57 degrees. 75 on saturday richmond, boston, you'll see a high saturday of 59. and mid 50s as you get into cleveland. we're going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds ♪ if there's anything that you want ♪ ♪ if there's anything i can do ♪ ♪ just call on me and i'll send it along ♪ ♪ with love from me to you ♪

good tuesday morning. i am meteorologist, kari hall. still lingering light showers as you are getting ready to head out anywhere south of san francisco to the south bay, but overall rain is tapering off and we will get more sunshine this afternoon. more clouds move in with spotty rain wednesday evening into thursday morning. we have a big storm system set to move in from sunday into early monday morning. and that's your latest weather. guys >> all right, mr. roker. >> thank you >> still ahead here, the mystery surrounding that sudden death of medina spirit. the winner of this year's kentucky derby tainted by a drug test, collapsing after a workout in california. this americamorning new detailsa happened when the investigation

begins one of the last living survivors of the attack on pearl harbor what he saw coming on radar as infamy 80 years ago. that day of infamy 80 years ago. that day of

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right now oakland is at a decade low number of police officers. >> reporter: today is a big day for teachers in the west contra costa school district. today they have to show proof of vaccine, and students will have to show later this month that they received their second dose. and the sap center now requiring kids to show that vaccination, for chase it's children 3 and older, and for sap it's 5 and older. nice shot looking at the golden gate bridge. we will look at mostly sunny skies today. we do have more chilly temperatures in the forecast with spotty rain on thursday. the potential for a big heavy rain maker in the forecast from sunday into monday.

we'll keep you up-to-date on that, kris. >> we like the sound of that. we have more local news coming up for you in just a half hour. have a great morning and be safe out there. financial planning is finding your home away from home. ♪♪ and, it's designing a plan to help get you there. start a relationship with citi and earn a cash bonus when you open a new eligible account and complete required activities. ♪ i see trees of green ♪

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and, it's guiding you along the way. start a relationship with citi and earn a cash bonus when you open a new eligible account and complete required activities. we're back 7:30, a touching scene love was in the air and on the ice at the rock center rink. a couple skating when all of a sudden he gets down on one knee, pulls that ring from the pocket, and pops the question. and when she recovered from the shock, we're happy to report she said yes >> that's a memorable proposal >> they're lucky because it was just a passerby who happened to start rolling on it >> oh, wow >> very nicely done. the passerby was filming the tree >> and noticed it.

>> he noticed it >> the rink was empty. spot on. >> nice. making it hard for fiancees everywhere let's get to your headlines at 7:30 republican congressman devin nunes has announced he's leaving the house at the end of this lead in order to lead donald trump's new social media company. trump technology group announced nunes will serve as the c.e.o. in january he was among the president's most loyal defenders trump's new social media platform is expected to rival twitter which blocked his account in january following the capitol riots. instagram is launching a series of new features aimed at keeping teenagers safer. among them, a take a break tool which reminds people to take a pause from the photo sharing app after using it for a certain amount of time in addition to that, instagram says it will stop users from tagging or mentioning teenagers that do not follow them. and it's going to be stricter about the types of content is

recommends to teenagers. all of this coming one day before instagram's c.e.o. is due to testify at the congressional hearing about protecting children online. to the nfl now, first place up for grabs as the buffalo bills and new england patriots square off on monday night football >> that's your offensive lineman in there on third and 5. pitch for harris has the first down and breaks, it is gone damien harris through everyone up the middle for the touchdown! >> damien harris was 64 yards for the score to give the patriots the early lead. that's the only touchdown new england would score. they would tack on a couple field goals and hold on to win 14-10. new england now owns the best record in the afc at 9 and 4 a lot of people talking about how little they passed the ball last night only three passes, something like that. dolphin fans here at the sanker table don't know what the big deal is. they're okay >> pats are on a roll. >> where have we heard that

before let's turn to the news that shocked the world of horse racing >> medina spirit, this year's kentucky derby winner, died monday after a routine workout at a race track in california. nbc's ann thompson is here with details. this is quite troubling. >> it's really shocking. the experts are calling it a sudden death, saying there was absolutely no way to see this coming the 3-year-old colt trained under bob bafford, who is a legend in the industry and he led the horse to its win this year at the kentucky derby. but that win was tainted with scandal after the horsefaced a post-race drug test. the final results of that race are still up in the air. >> bob bafford does it again medina spirit has won the kentucky derby >> just seven months after his victorious run for the roses at this year's kentucky derby, star race horse medina spirit has died on the track. the thoroughbred suffering an

apparent heart attack monday, collapsing near the finish line after a routine workout at the santa anita race track in southern california. >> you could see the horse almost appear rubber legged, weak legged. came to a walk, then just laid down and expired >> his trainer bob bafford mourning the sudden loss in a statement writing, medina spirit was a great champion, a member of our family who was loved by all the 3-year-old colt won half of his ten career starts his earnings totaling more than $3.5 million but his career was not without controversy. after a big win at church hill downs, which gave bafford a record 7th derby title, medina spirit tested positive for 21 pico grams of the beta methasone. banned on race days. at the time the hall of fame trainer denied treating the horse with the drug.

>> it's the biggest gut punch in my life to lose -- to have a positive kentucky derby. but i did not give that medication so that's where we're trying to figure out how did it get this his system >> despite the positive test, medina spirit was cleared to run in the preakness stakes later that month, earning a third place finish but the horse was barred from running in the final leg of the triple crown, the belmont stakes in a new statement, bafford's lawyer telling nbc news, further testing shows that the beta methasone came from an ointment used to treat a skin condition and not an injection this morning the mystery continuing with questions surrounding the surprising death of the 3-year-old horse, just months after that disputed derby win. >> so, ann, are officials saying at all whether that drug that medina tested positive for may have had any impact on the horse's death at this point?

>> this morning, craig, it's unclear. but we may get answers when the horse undergoes a post-mortem examination which includes toxicology and forensics to determine the exact cause of death. however, that could take up to four months. meanwhile, if medina spirit's derby win is disqualified, his team could potentially lose nearly $2 million in prize money. >> that's so shocking, a horse in its prime >> absolutely. a 3-year-old colt should not just die on the race track >> ann thompson this morning ann, thank you coming up next on this 80th anniversary of pearl harbor, harry smith's visit with one of the last survivors of the attack his remarkable story of what he heard and saw that day after this heard that day o right after this. st innovation; the ultrafresh system™ dishwasher circulating fresh water and air between cycles to keep this dishwasher cleaner.

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>> nothing short of change the course of human history, and this morning some of the last survivors are gathering in hawaii to remember and to reflect, and also to mark that day. a short time ago, this was the scene as president biden and jill biden first lady visit the memorial in washington and laid a wreath for the americans who died there >> a man who was not only there says he knew before anyone else something was coming it sure was, harry >> it was this gigantic surprise attack did the united states know, did they not know? were there people who say, and history will remember, that there was a warning. we talked to someone who was there and has quite the story to tell it takes time to get a dozen or so 90 somethings and 100 somethings off a bus they've just flown in from the mainland they're world war ii veterans in

hawaii for the 80th anniversary of the bombing of pearl harbor each had tags identifying where they had served, an impressive bunch, no question some of the last of the greatest generation >> hi, girls, how are y'all? >> thank you for your service. >> thank you >> reporter: one of the men was here in hawaii december 7th, 1941 part of a radar crew let's talk about the old days a little bit if you don't mind >> i have quite a history, believe me >> reporter: how old were you when you signed up >> 18. >> reporter: richard shemmel enlisted in the army in search of a better life >> you ever see the pictures of people in the food line when you're a little kid? i was one of them. my mother took us out there to get the food we walked. we didn't have a car i remember that. >> reporter: richard and his family were among the millions laid low by the great depression

>> by the time i was 18, i lived in ten, 11 homes i went to eight or nine schools. every time the rent came due, we moved. and then i decided, i wanted to travel and i always wanted to see hawaii, so i figured the best way to go to hawaii is join the service. so i went in, i joined the service. >> reporter: it was for a while an adventure in paradise shemmel part of a crew with a brand-new technology >> we got the radar unit now the idea was putting it together nobody knew what we were doing it was like an erector set >> reporter: radar was brand-new then, right? >> we were the first ones. >> reporter: and this is where his story takes a remarkable turn on december 7, your friend, one of the guys that you were working with, recognizes something is coming. >> yeah. >> reporter: on the radar. didn't know if it was friend or foe, though. >> no, we couldn't tell if it was friend or foe, no.

>> at the time radar was still some of what a new fangled device and needed to be operated >> reporter: dr. rob satino, a senior historian at the world war ii museum in new orleans >> it comes down to expectations, harry. if you have expectations and evidence it's happening, you say that can't be. that's what happened with the radar operators. the people took it and reported it >> when we got the coordinates, we sent it in to him don't forget about it, don't worry about it don't worry about it okay >> reporter: the u.s. military was expecting a group of unarmed b-17 bombers from the mainland, not the attack that soon hit that message about the incoming planes, young richard shemmel saved it >> for some reason i don't know why i ever did this. i copied it down >> reporter: do you remember -- >> i still have it >> reporter: you still have it what did it say?

>> it was the whole thing about seeing planes. where do i have that i think maybe i can find it for you later on >> reporter: shimmel and his crew watched as pearl harbor burned >> where we were hiding, we could see pearl harbor we could see the planes flying boom they knew and we could see the fire. they did a hill of a job, too. they knew what they were doing >> reporter: we realized keeping up with the 99-year-old took effort as we rummaged through the house. you said you wrote down. do you know where that is? >> it's a little book. >> reporter: in the spare room, though, he located the note. >> oh, here it is. >> reporter: laminated so it would last >> can you see it? >> reporter: yeah. when did you write this down >> december 7th. >> reporter: it says at the top, warning. they were traveling fast unbelievable proof that the radar operators had done their job proof that it made no

difference shimmel would serve out the rest of the world war ii in canton, without real consequence what does it mean for you to be here today >> i can't explain it in words, but it's really something. i mean, to be over here to see this >> reporter: like 16 million other americans in world war ii who wore a uniform, who served, who did their bit. you know, a lot of people look up to all of you as heroes. >> well, yeah. we did our job we love our country. that's what matters the most to me >> we did our job, we love our country. that's what matters the most >> richard shemmel was determined to find that scrap of paper. that was amazing >> what a story to tell. for world war ii buffs, this is pretty well known that this event had happened

but then to find the guy who said, oh, no, this really did, in fact, happen. >> they're all such treasures. you know, so vanishingly few left it matters so much >> someone who survives the depression says the military is a better choice for me they go, they do their bit, they come back. he sold heavy appliances at sears for his whole life still collects a pension still alive kicking, happy to be here he's a happy to be here guy. >> we're happy you traveled to hawaii to tell that story. >> pleasure. >> thank you mr. roker, how about another check of the forecast? >> boy, what a great story that was. and we take a look, unfortunately we don't have a great story to tell as far as drought is concerned this is the highest for any week since 2013 take a look at montana they've got a rare december. they had a rare december prairie fire

the fire season usually ends september, october but it's continuing. colorado, they've had the hottest, driest summer, fall ever recorded. they've had no measurable snow for 230 days may see a little coming up thursday and even out east we're looking at some drought. north carolina, south carolina, worst drought since october 2019 more than half of north and south carolina are in drought good morning. i am meteorologist, kari hall. we had early morning very light rain and now that is clearing out. the rest of the day, we will get some sunshine and seasonable temperatures. we are headed for the upper 50s and low 60s today. more of that weather in the forecast with increasing clouds tomorrow and another round of spotty rain on thursday. it will be a chilly weekend with highs in the mid-50s. morning temperatures in the 30s. next week we are awaiting the arrival of a big storm system that could really give a boost to our rainfall.

weather. >> savannah, have you noticed mr. roker has something on his face >> i know. you should see this in november. >> i got a late start. my dad always wore one >> i like it, the little go-t. >> thank you >> edgy. >> he is edgy. coming up, jacob soboroff taking a deep into a tropical rain forest where nature is thriving for a surprising reason the comeback story giving scientists hope for other endangered lands around the world. but first these messages kevin? kevin. oh nice. kevin, where are you? kevin?!?!? hey, what's going on? i'm right here! i was busy cashbacking for the holidays with chase freedom unlimited. i'm gonna cashback on a gingerbread house! oooh, it's got little people inside! and a snowglobe. oh, i wished i lived in there. you know i can't believe you lost another kevin. it's a holiday tradition! that it is! earn big time with chase freedom unlimited. how do you cashback? chase. make more of what's yours.

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all right. we are back saying good morning to chanel who is in for carson today. >> good morning. coming up on pop start, will it become an instant holiday classic? wait until you hear the new song jimmy fallon just debuted with help from stars ariana grande and megan thee stallion. but first your local news. hi, i'm ladonna. i invest in invesco qqq, a fund that gives me access to the nasdaq-100 innovations, like real time cgi. okay... yeah... oh. don't worry i got it! become an agent of innovation with invesco qqq dear ms, from day one you've tried to define me. but i never invited you in. it's my life and this is my journey.

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ms can't own us. ♪ if there's anything that you want ♪ ♪ if there's anything i can do ♪ ♪ just call on me and i'll send it along ♪ ♪ with love from me to you ♪ (drill sergeant) what a pleasant morning. it's warm, but not too warm. (private) why's he so happy? (buzz) he's happy because found out that honey nut cheerios can help lower cholesterol. (drill sergeant) so, i propose a quiet, meditative walk through nature. (privates) yes, drill sergeant! ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪

♪♪ ♪♪ good morning, everyone. it's 7:56. i am scott mcgrew. here is a look at what's happening now. >> good morning. i am cierra johnson in san francisco. today is a big day for the teachers in the west contra costa school district. that's because today is the day they have to show that proof of vaccination, but it's not just teachers. by mid december students will have to show they received at least their second dose. some businesses are tightening their restrictions, the chase centers and the sap center are are requiring kids to show proof of vaccination, and 12 and older for chase and for sap it's children 5 and older. roads could still be wet but we are seeing the clouds linger.

all that clears out as we go throughout today. we are looking at sunshine and seasonable temperatures reaching into the 60s this afternoon. nice day today and clouds tomorrow and a few spotty showers early on thursday. the weekend will be sunny and chilly and highs reaching into the mid-50s. we will be preparing for potentially a big storm coming in from sunday into monday, and that could bring in heavy rain and sierra snow. we will watch that sunday storm and have more updates. scott? >> kari, thank you. we will have more local news updates coming up soon, and you can always check nbcbayarea.com for the very latest. have an absolutely wonderful day.

it's 8 coming up, one on one. >> i would never under estimate president putin's risk appetite etite on ukraine >> president biden speaking with vladimir putin this morning on a major showdown on the russian -- biden deliver. grand gesture. >> seeing a people clapping the signs brought to tears to my eyes >> the dancing grannies making a public appearance after the christmas tragedy.

plus, it's a girl. [ cheers and applause >> bode and morgan miller welcoming the newest addition to their family why they are calling it a dream come true and what they are saying about their new daughter's name. and live in studio 1a, meryl streep and jonah hill here to talk about their new film, "don't look up." and kristen davis joins us with the highly anticipated "sex in the city" series, and just like that as the stars align today, tuesday, december 7, 2021. >> oakland and ohio. we love you. >> 8th graders skipping school to visit the plaza >> mother/daughter trip from cleveland to "today. >> celebrating 44 years of friendship >> together.

>> hartford, connecticut >> i'm 2065. >> for susan's 55th birthday yay! >> good morning, everybody welcome back to today. we have a great crowd out there. it's tuesday morning and we are smack-dab in the middle of december hoda has the morning off look at the nice folks out there. >> going to go outside ever since they put the tree up -- >> it's for the tree it is for you. nbc news now, right, 7:00. >> they're lining up there, i see the fans >> they are there. let's get to your news here at 8:00 with tensions rising between the u.s. and russia. president biden confronting vladimir putin today over the kremlin's military buildup near ukraine. nbc chief foreign correspondent richard engel joins us with the latest richard, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, savannah vladimir putin has the world guessing will he or will he not invade ukraine?

now, we have been in this situation before, including earlier this year. but u.s. officials say this time feels different with more russian troops deployed and a greater risk for escalation. new satellite images show russian forces at the ready near the ukrainian border u.s. intelligence warns russia's vladimir putin may be planning to attack the u.s. ally. u.s. and ukrainian officials estimate there are already 70 to 100,000 russian troops near the border an unclassified u.s. intelligence estimate says another 100,000 could be you called in for an invasion next year president biden has signalled to putin the u.s. will oppose him analysts expect the u.s. would likely confront russia with sanctions and not a full war on its border though in the past sanctions have done little to change

putin's actions. this morning i spoke to ukraine's former defense minister who now works for a think tank that advises the government >> are we going to have a very substantial resistance here? we will see hundreds of thousands of people involved in the war effort we may see tens of thousands of casualties, and billions of lost investments. so the world has to do -- has to be very strong in order to stop russia from even thinking in that direction >> reporter: back in april during another russian troop buildup, we were with ukrainian troops as they carefully monitored russians nearby. what are you looking at through this periscope >> it's enemy. >> reporter: putin didn't invade back in the spring, and may be bluffing this time but he is making it crystal clear he does not want ukraine to join nato, and he does president want nato to put advance weapons systems into the country. ukraine was a close russian ally until 2014 when pro-western demonstrators

overthrew the country's president. putin, who blames the u.s. for orchestrating the revolt, ar in eastern ukraine. now he can vp he could be responded by annexing crimea now he could be eyeing even more territory. kremlin officials, including this morning, say it is ukraine that is trying to provoke russia ukrainian and u.s. officials deny that, and the u.s. is specifically warning ukraine not to engage in any kind of activity near the border that could give russia an excuse to find an excuse to launch an invasion savannah >> tensions so high there. richard, thank you very much back here, president biden's commission on supreme court reforms is not expected to recommend expanding the court. the bipartisan panel votes on its final report today members were divided over whether president biden can add

more justices to counter the court's conservative majority. however, it concluded that congress does have the power to do so. and the report also says it would probably take a constitutional amendment to put limits on how long justices can serve. they can currently remain in office for life. all right. now to a story of resilience in the wake of tragedy. the dancing grannies still healing from that deadly holiday parade crash in wisconsin two weeks ago, getting back to what they do best, spreading love and light. ♪ for decades, the dancing grannies, spinning and twirling their way into the hearts of people across wisconsin. but just two weeks ago the beloved dance troupe making national headlines after an out of control suv crashed right through the waukesha christmas parade >> and it just swerved in the other direction and just hit as

many people as it could. >> three of their members and the husband of another, losing their lives. the survivors sharing their determination to carry on their legacies >> it might take us a year to pull back and get some more people to join but i know in our hearts we're going to continue. >> the dancing grannies making their first appearance since the tragedy at the franklin, wisconsin, christmas parade, the city's first ever. >> the starting of healing >> the women and their families walking arm and arm, sporting custom made blue sweat shirts. on the back of each one, in loving memory of ginny, lee, tamara and bill. and the marching orders, keep ton dancing. on the banner, a symbol of their loss and why they dance. >> i think the other grannies look down smiling. and they'll always be in our heart. >> but even in the face of

profound and personal loss, the grannies with their bravery and resilience still bringing joy to this community >> seeing the people clapping and the signs brought tears to my eyes. it was to me like a granny parade for us. >> and this is pretty incredible sharon who we spoke to there said the dancing grannies have seen a lot of interest from women wanting to join ahead of the spring and summer parade season they say that their walk is also inspiring the waukesha marching band to start practicing again this week. it's pretty, pretty encouraging what's happened there in waukesha with the dancing grannies >> they have a lot of courage. >> a lot of courage, right >> lets hoda is off, so families have a child old enough for college, some young enough for a high chair watch what happens when this big brother has to go back to school after a visit. >> i love you! >> bye-bye >> i love you.

>> i love you. >> i love you. >> i love you. i love you >> i love you. >> i love you. >> i love you. >> oh, i love that >> i love you. >> what a cutie. two decades apart. best friends for life right there. >> i feel for those parents. one in diapers, one in college imagine. >> impressive. coming up next, former olympic skier bode and his wife introduce their family's new addition what they are saying about her arrival after this ♪♪ ♪ libre, the original eau de parfum yves saint laurent happy holidays

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we are back. coming up on 8:15 now with some happy news. >> yeah, we are. bode and morgan miller have welcomed a beautiful baby girl to their family a little more than three years after the heartbreaking loss of their 19 month old daughter emmie. >> that's the caption as they reveal the birth exclusively to people magazine. this is a special birth with added significance for the millers. they say this little girl is an answer to their hopes and dreams these are the first pictures of the millers' newest addition to their family. code tradcradling their new bab girl she was born friday, november 26, at their orange county home,

measuring 22 and a quarter inches bode sharing after her birth, this is the happiest he's ever been their new bundle, their sixth child together, and eight overall. they say a dream come true the couple talking to "today" in 2019 after their twin boys were born do you all have like a christmas wish >> an unrealistic one, another little girl. >> but it wasn't unrealistic, and the couple has taken us along with them on their journey. >> give it to daddy. >> from finding out they were pregnant to wondering what they were having. >> i am so nervous bode and i have no idea. so we'll see >> sharing their gender reveal exclusively on "today" back in may. >> oh, my god! >> their new daughter joins 2-year-old twin boys ascher and

axel, 3-year-old easton, 8-year-old and 13-year-old as their daughter expands, their daughter emmy who tragically drowned in 2018 remains a constant presence. >> she had such a powerful full personality where she did what she wanted >> she was such a bright light and she was determined >> the millers have been open about their heartache, hoping to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies teaching their own babies to survive in waters and encouraging others to do the same >> if your child is crawling, they should be floating. if your child is walking, they should be swimming >> now as they bask in the glow of their new addition, they may honor the present with the past. morgan writing on instagram, it is usually pretty hard for us to pick a name, and oftentimes it takes us three to six weeks after baby is born to decide we have been toying with the idea of incorporating some part of emmy's name

whatever name they choose, the millers' hearts are full they tell "today" it is the perfect final chapter. she's so sweet, and all kids have fallen in love with her by the way, we have more on millers' new bundle of joy at "today".com. >> i'm so happen i for them. morgan got her little girl we send them a lot of love all right, al, let's get a check of the weather >> all right, let's show you what we've got for today we're looking at some sunshine around the northeast a little light snow in the eastern great lakes. sunny skies making their way from the plains all the way to texas. showers in southern california, pacific no good tuesday morning. i'm your meteorologist, kari hall. the sky will gradually clear. we're still seeing these clouds over the south bay, but it is clearing to the north. we're headed for cool temperatures, highs in the low 60s. all of the rain has cleared out. we'll see more clouds tomorrow and spotty showers on thursday

morning. the rest of the forecast for friday and saturday is looking chilly, but dry, and we're getting ready for a big storm system set to arrive in the bay area late on sunday into monday. as you head out the door, take us with you "today" show radio, sirious xm channel today, at 1:00 off the rails. >> back in person. >> back in person, in studio over there, and a guest appearance by one dylan dreyer >> so you're in the fish bowl. >> we're in the fish bowl. people are going to call in. we're going to have viewers on a video screen huge, 1:00 check it out >> thank you, mr. roker. all this week, the platforms of nbc news in partnership with the pulitzer center rain force investigations network are bringing you special coverage from around the world for our rescuing the rain forest series. >> often referred to as the lungs of the earth, rain forests

are under threat worldwide it's not all bad news. >> jacob soboroff has the story of one rain forest roaring back. >> this was a cool assignment. good morning to you guys and good morning to you at home. scientists agree the destruction of tropical rain forests is an urgent threat to life as we know it according to a study published in rain foundation norway, over two-thirds of the planet's tropical rain forests have been destroyed by humans, it exacerbates species loss and climate change in puerto rico there is signs of hope for tropical rain forests, the planet and humanity. tropical rain forests cover only 7% of the earth's surface but they're home to more than half of the planet's biodiversity including on the island of puerto rico where you'll find one of the world's smallest rain forests and the only one managed by the u.s. forest service this part of the forest is closed to the public exactly so, this type of vegetation can grow and thrive

we hiked deep into the rain forest to its highest elevation. more than 3500 feet above sea level with dr. grizel gonzalez, a scientist for the forest service. so this is untouched natural forest >> yes >> reporter: wow you'll find thousands of native plants and hundreds of small animal species, many found nowhere else on earth. they think this is so unbelievably spectacular can we stand here and listen >> yes >> reporter: that's pretty cool. over a century ago, much of puerto rico used to look just like this. almost 70% of the island was covered in forest. but beginning in the 1800s, land was sclecleared to make way for farming. at the high point in 1940s, only 70% of the island was forested today it's as if a miracle has happened was this really some of the only remaining rain forest on the en entire island? >> yes, at the top of the

mountains. >> reporter: now what's the status here? >> if you look at the latest description of the island, we are about 65%. so we are back, full circle. >> reporter: to understand that stunning reversal, we traveled to a mountainous region that used to be known for its coffee that was exported all over the world. but that's changed over several generations, puerto rico's farmers moved to jobs in cities or the mainland u.s today wanda perez of the u.s. department of agriculture helps to support remaining farmers after seeing thousands leave >> they have moved to look for different or better opportunities. >> reporter: that migration gave the forest an opportunity to grow again and four years ago hurricane maria devastated the farms that were left. carmen rujon is a third generation coffee grower is it easy to be a farmer here in puerto rico >> lately it's been very, very hard we can look at that mountain that used to be two things that were grown there coffee and citron.

now you only see it's a forest >> reporter: it survived maria >> yes >> reporter: ricardo gonzalo works with farmers to make sure their crops and rain forest can coexist. it's a method he believes will help other countries affected by deforestation. it seems like when people left generations ago they did so because it didn't seem like there was economic opportunity what you're saying is it's not mutually exclusive >> definitely. it is the combination between agriculture and forest if possible, and it can be lucrative for the family >> reporter: back high in el junke, farmland meets the ancient and untouched rain forest >> where you see the darker line of vegetation, you see now the recovery of the forest >> reporter: in other words, if you want to understand what it looks like to see a rain forest come back, you're looking at it.

>> so, i mean, is this unique to puerto rico, this whole set of events >> the idea is that it shouldn't be and at the climate conference at scotland earlier this year, all the countries that were there pledged to end deforestation by 2030 you have to go country by country and managed existing farmland to allow the forest to come back. it's a matter of policy in each country. >> what was the climate like >> it was really cold up top down below hot and sticky. >> beautiful >> thanks. >> i liked the pause to listen >> they said, why don't we listen for a second? >> good news >> thank you >> we've got a lot more to get to this morning, including two members of the star-studded cast of "don't look up. meryl streep and jacob soboroff's high school counterpart, jonah hill. >> good morning. can't wait to sit down with them look at these two. >> i know. >> you've really bonded, haven't you? >> yes [ laughter ]

>> i really believed you when you said that. >> nice messaging. >> next your local news and weather.

and good morning to you. it is 8:26. i'm scott mcgrew. testimony resumes anytime now in the elizabeth holmes criminal fraud trial, following a one-week hiatus. the defendant and theranos founder expected back on the witness stand, where when we last saw her, she was being cross-examined by prosecutors. the defense expected to wrap up its case as soon as this week. here's the tweet our scott budman posted earlier this morning. already a huge line of people hoping to get in to watch the testimony. you can follow them at scott budman to get the latest updates on the trial. let's check in meantime with

kerri. good morning. >> good morning. it's clearing as we take a live look outside in san francisco. expect more sunshine today after a few brief early morning showers. now the rain is pushing to the south of us, and we will be clearing out for the rest of today. we do have more spotty rain in the forecast, late wednesday into early thursday morning, and chilly temperatures settling in behind that. we'll see temperatures in the mid-50s and we'll be watching out for the potential of a big storm system by the end of the weekend. scott? >> all right, kerri, thank you. we'll have another local news update coming in a half hour. how do i know that you're not a weirdo? ♪ confessing, yeah ♪

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and we are back. it is 8:30 on this tuesday morning. look at this happy crowd look at this huge crowd. lively crowd and perhaps you hear that music playing underneath the screaming crowd. that's alicia keys we're playing alicia keys because the superstar herself is headed right here to our plaza >> what? what are you talking about >> wow >> the alicia keys nice >> that's pretty cool. >> jenna is here >> surprise.

>> love that coat. >> so, one week from today, december 14th, alicia keys >> wow >> alicia keys will be taking over for a live concert. you you can join, go to "today".com. >> and don't forget, we have a huge plaza concert this week ed sheeran here live it's on the plaza. >> ed sheeran, alicia keys >> the winter concert. guys, we have just a bunch of tv and movie stars and just legends here this morning. we're going to sit down with merrill stream and jonah hill. you're a legend, too these two teaming up as mother and son, and president and chief of staff in the new movie "don't look up. >> it keeps coming in studio kristen davis, there she is she's going to tell us what it was like channeling the beloved charlotte, "sex in the city" revival. >> speaking of stars that jenna

joined us, the big reveal, read the jenna title. >> we'll do that in a few minutes in the third hour. grammy winner brandon bridges will be here >> the marvin gaye title, purple snowflake. >> so jealous. he's from texas. incredible >> he channelled some of his texas roots into the song. >> look at you, you know everything >> yes, he does. he'll tell you every chance he gets >> al roker. >> oh, oh, family tension. >> what about the weather? you seem to know that. >> starting off with today, beautiful day in the northeast a little light snow around the great lakes. some showers down through southern california, sunny skies down in jenna and leon's texas then for tomorrow, plenty of sunshine from texas all the way to the northern plains some mountain snows in the rockies. light snow in the northeast should avoid new york city a few showers and thunderstorms,

good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. rain is clearing out. we have sunshine in the forecast for the rest of today. and tomorrow, our temperatures will reach into the upper 50s, as clouds move back. we'll see some rain late tomorrow night into early thursday morning, and it will be a chilly weekend with sunshine. we are gearing up for potentially a big storm headed our way for sunday into monday, with some heavy rain and sierra snow. but our forecast stays chilly in san francisco, with highs remaining in the mid-to-upper 50s. and that's your latest weather. savannah >> all right we are getting to the end of the year here, but we cannot say good-bye without one more december jenna pitch >> you guys, our plaza crowd which is huge, by the way, is here to announce this pick shall we do it, count down 3, 2, 1. and the december -- >> show it

>> it's bright burning by lisa hardy mills. this is an awesome debut book by an irish writer. it tells the journey of sonya, an actress who is used to the life of glamor and she's forced to make the decision to keep her beloved son. it is a book about unconditional love, about the mother's bond. anybody would love it. i hope y'all all read with me. it's a glimpse into the life of addiction. also the beautiful hope that recovery can bring so, you guys, it's a good christmas gift there is a librarian right there from texas who is reading with me a former librarian i hope you all will read along this month it's for you, chanel >> thank you so much i can join this entire crowd how amazing is this? >> sounds like another page turner for more of the book and to join the club, scan the qr code or go to today.com/read with jenna

>> when you say we, are you talking about you? >> the royal we. >> see what i'm saying when we started reading, remember a couple months ago, you turned us onto that one? ever since then -- >> i have trusted jenna for years. >> i know. al has been reading with me for a long time. >> she has a great eye like her mother nancy

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welcome back meryl streep and jonah hill have graced our screens with countless movies and roles they're joining us as superheroes for the comedy "don't look up." it's about a comet hurtling straight toward earth. they play a rather orthodox mother and son duo who happen to be the president of the united states and her chief of staff. take a look. >> so, how certain is this >> there's 100% certainty of impact >> please, don't say 100%.

>> can we just call it a potentially significant event? >> yes >> but it isn't potentially going to happen. it is going to happen. >> exactly, 99.78% to be exact >> oh, good. so it's not 100% >> the scientists never like to say 100% >> call it 70% and let's move on >> good morning, jonah good morning, miss streep. >> good morning. >> it says meryl here, but i can't call a legend, can't do it it's miss streep to me what do you call miss streep >> boss. >> the boss. >> you are the boss in this movie. >> i call her the goat, the greatest of all time >> wait a minute, i heard a story about this he's been calling you the goat, but you didn't know that was a compliment >> i thought, why is he calling me a goat? and i sort of thought, well, you kind of look like a goat >> not true. >> i don't know. i didn't know what that meant, you know >> what happened

you just were like, oh, you're the goat, you're the goat. >>, no, just doing interviews, obviously everyone in the world respects merrill more than anythin -- meryl more than anything in the world, myself included goat, no, it stands like greatest of all time it's a compliment, not a grotesque diss >> it says a lot about your grace. you didn't say, like, hey, stop calling me a farm animal >> no, i just thought it was, i don't know, a cute little thing. >> she's the coolest -- que the scenery. i didn't know what it meant. >> not true. but she's, you know, the best. >> you two have such amazing chemistry in this movie. it's hard to describe this movie because on the one hand it's about the end of the world and on the other hand it's hey la -- hilarious romp toward the

end of the world leonardo dicaprio said you cracked the code how do you make a movie about climate change and looming disaster and make it a really good time? >> yeah, i think it's like in the -- it's like a gallos humor or black joke, a joke that just has really serious intent underneath it. but it's thanks to jonah really, as funny as it is. adam mckay gave us a great script he also gave us complete liberty to -- gave him complete liberty to say whatever he wanted which is great >> jennifer lawrence said they had done an entire day of shooting totally dedicated to jonah hill just riffing, ripping off one liners left and right. saying what came top of mind >> it was the most fun >> it was fun. i don't know adam mckay, legend, so awesome and i think this movie is like

at its best just a tonal achievement, because it is talking about, you know, some deeper metaphors for like larger issues, but done through the lens of like satire and comedy i think that's a massively challenging tight rope to walk, and adam pulled it off you know, i don't know, we had all just been stuck in our houses for covid for me i felt like i was let out of a cage. it was really fun to be around all these people, some of whom are good friends, some are new friends i admire very much getting to be funny and make each other laugh was a really nice respite from what had been going on, you know >> jennifer lawrence is the fr frequent target of your insults. i felt watching it you kind of secretly enjoy insulting her she agreed with me, by the way i asked her about an interview that's going to air. she said, i think he really did enjoy that >> i don't enjoy making fun -- first of all, we're all playing characters

we in particular are playing kind of some evil folks. >> bad news. >> i was playing like fire festival as a human being, and i did not enjoy making fun of jen because i love jen and i did enjoy making fun of leo because he didn't like playing a dork i think he always likes playing like -- he's such a cool guy he plays those types of characters. he was shook that i was in a position to make fun of him on screen for being like a nerd and then we lived together when we made the movie because we were quarantining. we should just live together i could see it was going to be like, you really got a lot of jokes off on me today. i was like, this is awesome, yeah >> but before i let you go, i did hear that you brought -- i guess i can say it, a fart machine to some of the press screeners. that's not true, you know exactly what you did did he do it?

>> he says he brought a fart machine. >> this is going to be a really short recapped version you have to understand, i understand how stupid it is, right. this is not like something i think is funny it's for like 2-year-olds. so julia louie dreyfus us and i were doing something together. how funny with all these iconic movie stars. how stupid is that what we've all been through -- >> this is a serious subject matter >> yes, it's a serious subject matter mer meryl was the only one cool. people from netflix were formally asking me to stop using it but i do think the movie itself was this brilliant like comedy that has this deeper message for me to go out and do press with all these legends and do something so stupid. >> it was meta, right on track >> it is and also say, i don't know anything about how to like fix climate change, it scares me i hear it, it's this big goliath. i asked my girlfriend who works

in this arena. she's like, if you care, you can call your local congress person and talk about hr 794 which is the emergency climate act. that's what i did. and it gave someone like me with no knowledge a small step of something you can actually do. so the fart machine and that, i feel like my job here is done. >> i don't know how you were going to weave back to the machine, but you did >> it was about high -- >> i'm starting to get it. it's the alchemy, the total achievement. thank you very much. >> thanks a lot. >> the goat. >> it's about time you can catch "don't look up" in select theaters this friday, december 24th. was that goat noise? >> maybe it was a sheep. >> it was. we'll talk to kristen davis about stepping back into charlotte's shoes in the highly anticipated "sex in

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we are back. it is 8:46 hard to believe it's been more than 20 years since that hit series "sex in the city" first premiered on hbo introducing the world to four single women navigating the turbulent dating scene here in new york city. >> beloved by generations, the show ran for six seasons along with two movies. now keri, charlotte and miranda are back for a new chapter, and just like that kristen davis stars as charlotte york and one of the show's executive producers. good morning to you. >> hi. you're my first stop and i can't stop smiling >> good. >> it's very exciting to be back >> i think we're more excited than you are >> you're a dorr dorable. we're pretty excited >> i can't believe it, 11 years since the last "sex in the city" movie. >> strange >> we're all anxiously awaiting to see what charlotte york has been up to, where her life will be what can you tell us >> well, charlotte is still

married to harry >> okay. >> i can only say the things that i can say from the trailer. >> fair enough >> the secrecy is like -- >> it's insane >> top notch i'm still married to harry there are my two daughters, they're adorable and with parenthood comes surprises. >> that's it >> kristen >> i'm sorry, it's coming so soon you can see for yourself yeah, it's hard to say any more than that. >> what do you think it is about the series, and charlotte as well, what do you think it is that has kept fans so captivated for so long? >> i mean, honestly it's luck. i thank you, fans. i thank you, fans. i'm always the hopeful one obviously as you know. so for those ten years or whatever it was, i was like, i feel that we're coming back. i just feel that we're not done. and i did. but like it wasn't necessarily from my brain. it was from my heart and i'm just so thrilled

it's like a miracle that we actually are back now in this new time, telling this new version of our story >> i like the fact that you just said new version the show we all know was transformational girlfriends all over the world each picked, somebody was keri i was you. >> yay >> so now it's not a look back it's almost a look forward, isn't it >> definitely, it's very much now in terms of the conversations that we're all having culturally now are different than back then, of course and it's, it's moving forward, you know life is unexpected and things happen to you when you come in contact with new people and they change your life in certain ways you expand hopefully and grow with it, or maybe you don't. you know, life is not over when you turn 50. >> tell me about that because there's a lot of buzz and criticism which i have to tell you i didn't see coming. i guess i should have maybe. not really we all grow. >> i know. i mean, we did see it coming, though i have to say it still hurts sometimes.

>> did you try not to read it? >> yes sarah and i are currently in a media blackout cynthia is tougher and she is not. you tell us later. >> what they're saying >> yes we had paparazzi with us all day long, and we kept thinking, why aren't they going? they've got the shot no offense, guys, don't be mad at me. but they were waiting for a bad shot, you know what i mean so like 12 hours of paparazzi for a bad shot so they could say we look bad, it's frustrating. >> kristen, there is a series, does it explain what happened to samantha >> yes >> okay. >> i mean, yes >> there is an explanation >> we love samantha. samantha is never not going to be a part in some way, right so there is respect for samantha there is -- it's part of the story, yes >> okay, that's quite the tease. >> we never disrespect samantha.

>> kristen, the pride and joy of columbia >> hi, everyone in columbia. >> good to see you again so much continued success. >> thank you, guys >> it starts thursday on hbo max. by the way, tomorrow fellow star cynthia nixon live >> here's the thing, i'm smiling. >> you're so sweet >> can't wait. >> thank you, thank you. up next, on pop start,

we're back, 8:53 chanel, can't wait one more minute for the best part of the day. >> how do we top today the show has been fantastic. first, jimmy fallon, tonight show host, dropped a brand-new holiday single with two greats, ariana grande and megan thee

stallion it was a masked christmas. take a listen. ♪ this christmas ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ but it's christmastime, we'll be in line for a blue star ♪ ♪ hey, ho, somebody wipe rudolph's nose ♪ ♪ hey, ho, i promise we'll be okay ♪ ♪ we're in line for a blue sky ♪ ♪ >> it's catchy he can actually sing >> yes >> all right next up the writers guild of america released the greatest screen plays of the 21st century so far you want do see the top five >> yes >> coming in at number five, "no country for old men. this violent western led by javier bardem, josh brolin took home four oscars in 2008

number 4, parasite bon june -- hanjin about a poor family's relationship with wealthy employers. the first non-english speaking to win that was big number three, the social network. you guys know this one aaron sorokin's award-winning script his harvard friends created facebook the next one, second spot, eternal sunshine this was in 2004 it showed off jim carey's more serious side a couple who wants to medically remove each other from their memories finally, sliding in at number one -- >> all right >> get out >> yes, by jordan peel, daniel kalua. a story about a man visiting his girlfriend's peculiar family for the first time, made it impossible for any of us to see someone stirring a cup of tea the same way ever.

>> was that ever, the top five ever >> no, just -- >> just this century >> so far. >> get 'em grandpa >> coming up in the third hour, we have a special consumer confidential revealing the best and the safest ways to shop this holiday season >> later in the fourth hour, another parade of stars, actress chloe grace moretz singer in grid michaelson, and poet and author and legend, amanda gorman first, a check of your local news and weather good morning to you. it's 8:56. i'm kris sanchez. oakland leaders may be ready to take emergency action to combat a recent spike in crime. they are voting on a measure offering new incentives in order to hire 60 police officers immediately. veteran officers from other

departments would receive a $50,000 signing bonus. $20,000 bonuses would be offered to enroll oakland residents into the police academy. the city is currently short of its required minimum staffing of at least 678 officers and it is on track to record its highest number of homicides in a decade. happening now, our bob redell is following that vote and he will have the latest in our midday news at 11:00. you can find more on our home page. also on the home page, president biden is holding a virtual sit-down with russian leader, vladimir putin. ross has savings on everything you need to get the party started. because who waits for shipping anymore? or guests?! i love saying yes to more merry for less at ross!

mrs. claus the shopping boss here to help you merry savers find the best bargains ever! when you have the world's longest list you go to ross so you can work that budget and get those savings. i love saying yes to more merry for less at ross. back in court, the decision looming for convicted killer scott peterson and the impact it could have on a push for his new trial. >> a live report from inside the courthouse with in-depth analysis from our legal expert, tomorrow 4:30 to 7:00.

this morning on the third hour of "today," our holiday shopping consumer confidential, how to protect ourselves, our presence and avoid scammers. then she made it, the entrepreneur who found success with sprinkles. and grammy winner leon bridges hereive with his take on a marvin gaye classic coming up today, tuesday, december 7th, 2021. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." >> good morning, everybody. welcome to the third hour of "today." i'm al, craig,