radar on your phone. we will also send updates on your specific neighborhood. >> enjoy the dry weekend while we have it. a cold start to our morning. thank you for starting your day with us. the "today" show is coming up next. good morning christmas concerns, two covid variants combining to create a perfect storm good morning christmas concerns, two covid variants combining to create a perfect storm here in the u.s. delta staring us right in the face >> hospitals already overwhelmed as the nation braces for cases to skyrocket just one week before holiday gatheris and at a time when vaccines and boosters are even more vital, the cdc warning americans against getting the johnson & johnson shot what you need to know. extreme caution, schools across the country ramping up security this morning. some closing in response to threats of violence made on

tiktok what law enforcement is saying about the disturbing online trend. breaking overnight, new twist. police in new mexico issue a search warrant for alec baldwin's cell phone what they're looking for as the investigation into that fatal shooting moves forward troubling allegations, "sex in the city" star chris noth is accused of sexual assault. overnight, a third coming forward alleging he acted inappropriately on the set of "law & order." just ahead, the fallout facing the actor and his strong denial. those stories, plus roaring back tiger woods ready for his highly anticipated comeback, playing in a tournament alongside his son his first since february's car crash and we're there, live. and thursday night thriller, after a wild back and forth between the chargers and the chiefs and the city pulls out a big win in overtime. >> good night. >> gearing up for a weekend of

action and his first saturday of the season today, friday, december 17th, 2021 >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza >> and good morning, everybody welcome to "today. it is nice to have you with us on a friday morning. one week until christmas eve hoda is getting a jump on the weekend. >> thank you for that public service announcement we want to get to that concerning news about the spread of covid as we head into this final weekend before christmas >> right here in new york city, the percentage of people testing positive has doubled in three days the mayor calls it a whole new animal adding that, for now, the new year's eve celebration in times square is on, but officials will closely monitor that situation meanwhile, the cdc is out with a new vaccine recommendation advising against

johnson & johnson unless the other options are not available. and a new study out of hong kong is raising eyebrows, suggesting this omicron variant infects the body about 70 times faster than previous strains we have it all covered, including how it's impacting the busy holiday travel season miguel almaguer, good morning. >> savannah, good morning. the agency says pfizer and moderna are preferable to j&j citing evidence of a rare but serious blood clot and the mrna's better performance against new variant as the average number of cases now jump toes 120,000. 70% higher than early november as concerns grow over omicron. with just a week before christmas, the white house is warning the new omicron variant may fuel yet another surge of infections and deaths over the coming weeks. >> we are looking at a winter of severe illnesses and can deaths.

>> dr. fauci telling lester omicron is expected to cause more breakthrough infections than delta. >> what we're concentrating on is preventing those infections from leading to serious disease. >> a new study out of hong kong finds omicron replicates in the airways more rapidly than delta, but experts say mrna booster shots seem to prevent serious illness. i think in no way will it rival the number of hospitalizations and deaths we saw last summer. >> in miami, massive lines suddenly appearing at testing and vaccine sites, an indication of the demand for tests that's only expected to increase. meanwhile, in states like colorado, hospitals are struggling with yet another devastating surge. fronts line doctors and nurses say patients with life threatening conditions are suffering because covid patients are taking up so many icu beds. >> we have threatened the ability of health care to deliver health care in the united states. specifically because people are not participating in a societal

responsibility to get vaccinated. >> it feels like we have been clawing through the mud trying to get ourselves out of this impossibly deep hole. and we need your help. >> that help, experts say, comes from getting vaccinated. as americans navigate the holiday season, dr. fauci saying those vaccinated and boosted can still gather. >> but if you do all of those things, you should feel comfortable in having a good, restful, peaceful local day season with your family and your friends. >> some holiday hope on the brink of a frightening new phase. savannah, expected cases are going to climb in mid january because officials say so many families will be gathering, but they say there are way toes

protect yourself, including being fully vaccinated before gathering with family. savannah. >> thank you very much. the crush of new covid case sess happening just as the holiday travel rush heats up. with christmas eve just one week away, millions will be heading to airports from coast to coast over the next few days. and nbc's morgan chesky joins us now from dallas love field with that party of the story. good morning to you. >> reporter: craig, good morning. believe it or not, today is expected to be one of the busiest travel days ahead of christmas. airports reporting higher passenger volume, airlines adding extra flights. experts say we could be seeing prepandemic travel levels which could make for crowded skies and roads in the days ahead. this morning with christmas just around the corner, the holiday travel season is starting to take flight. >> a little bit. the line is a little long. >> from legislation to dallas,

many already on the move hoping to beat the holiday rush. >> i just want to go a little early and have, you know, some fun when it's not too crowded. >> reporter: despite the growing spread of the omicron variant, aaa estimates more than 109 million americans will travel for the holidays, a 34% increase from 2020 and nearing prepandemic levels. the busy holiday season expected to kick into high gear between december 23rd and january 2nd. when airlines will see a 184% increase in travel compared to last year. >> the holiday bookings, particularly for christmas and the new year's holiday are coming in very, very strong. >> united airlines getting ahead of the holidays. flying its largest schedule since the start of the pandemic, adding more than 200 daily domestic flights to meet the increased demands. the company is expecting its biggest crowds in chicago, houston, denver and newark. meanwhile the nation's busiest airport in atlanta, the tsa is preparing for a crush of passengers. more than 80,000 a day heading into the new year. and if you're hitting the roads this holiday season, you're not alone.

more than 100 million americans will be driving to their holiday destinations. prices at the pump starting to ease. gas buddy predicting the national average per gallon will drop to $3.25 on christmas day, down 10 cents from soaring highs during the thanksgiving holiday. but just a penny away from the priciest christmas on report back in 2013. with the real rush expected on the roads, experts say it's crucial to plan ahead and get out early. to make sure you're home just in time for christmas. so with the christmas rush officially on, tsa reminds everyone that the old rules still apply. try to show up at least two hours ahead of your flight and if you are packing a gift, make sure it's unwrapped or you could be in for some frustration. if you're bringing holiday treats, that should be just fine. as long as it's solid food, that should make it through security. craig. >> morgan chesky from a busy dallas love field, thank you.

meanwhile, a growing trend on tiktok has schools across the country preparing for violence today. pete has more on that. good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning. many parents across the country have been receiving these notices from their children's schools informing them about something circulating on social media that is a described as a threat of school violence, although it does not mention any specific schools. these notices say there's no reason to think the threat is real. and schools are staying open today strictly as a precaution. it's unclear exactly how all this got started or even what it says. some school districts say it originated on the tiktok platform, but a spokesman for that social media site says it did not start there. it may have even started as chatter and was something built up through repetition. the fbi put out a statement saying it takes all threats seriously, but says it's unaware of any specific credible threats to schools. these kinds of things sadly are

starting to become routine savannah >> puts you on edge, anyway, pete thank you very much. a federal judge has overturned a multibillion dollar settlement with the maker of oxycontin over protection that it would give to the owners of purdue pharma, the sackler family kate snow has been following this story for years kate, good morning to you. >> reporter: craig, good morning. it has been going on for years now. this summer there was what we thought was a break through. more than a dozen states reached a settlement with purdue pharma. it pays the way for the wealthy sackler family to have to pay

$4.3 billion to states, local governments and individuals who suffered due to oxycontin, but last night, a judge in new york put an end to that deal because it would have shielded the sacklers from future lawsuits. the ruling last night surprising, exposing stark differences of opinions on state on how to hold drugmaker purdue pharma and its wealthy owners, the sackler family accountable for pushing oxycontin and fueling the nation's opioid crisis the subject right now of the popular hulu drama "dope sick. >> some poison >> what's that >> it's poison >> they should be held responsible for their conduct. >> reporter: back in july, 15 states arranged a deal through a court handling purdue's

bankruptcy the sacklers would pay $4.3 billion of what was expected to be an $8 billion settlement, but with caveats they would admit no responsibility for the opioid crisis and would be shielded from any lawsuits moving forward. >> in the course of a negotiation, you get the best you can get. >> i'm confident we've done what we can do. >> reporter: but eight states in washington, d.c. opposed giving the sacklers a legal shield for life and last night, a judge agreed, finding the bankruptcy court had no authority to give the sacklers a free pass the washington state attorney general writing on twitter of the decision, there cannot be two forms of justice, one for ordinary americans and a different one for billionaires connecticut's attorney general calling the ruling a seismic victory for justice and accountability that will reopen the deeply flawed purdue bankruptcy and force the sackler family to confront the pain and devastation they have caused u.s. attorney general merrick garland pleased with the decision purdue says it plans to appeal no response from the sacklers. so the big question now is what happens next it's back to the drawing board

they try to reach a new settlement purdue's chairman of the board said last night the ruling will delay and perhaps end the ability to get billions out to communities who need help with the opioid crisis. the judge herself saying this will not be the last word, craig, nor should it be. >> kate snow for us, thank you we've got sheinelle with us now in an intriguing new twist in the "rust" investigation. >> that's true savannah, craig, good morning. as the investigation moves forward, a search warrant has been issued for the star's cell phone. steve joins us from los angeles forward, a search warrant has with the details >> reporter: according to a new affidavit, police want to review baldwin's text messages, his photos and even the gps data detectives believe the phone may contain key conversations related to their investigations.

>> actor alec baldwin's cell phone, the target of a new search warrant authorities want act sess to his social media accounts, private messages and even deleted files. the sheriff's office saying in an affidavit that it believes there may be evidence on the phone relating to the death of cinematographer haylana hutchins baldwin's legal team saying they proactively requested the warrant to protect some of the actor's family and personal information, writing in part we are confidence that the evidence will show that mr. baldwin is not responsible civilly or criminally for what occurred on october 21st and he continues to operate with authorities, adding that they hope the authorities continue to focus on how the live rounds got on the round in the first place. detectives are giving few hints about what they're looking for, but according to the search warrant, investigators learned of several emails and text messages about the "rust" movie production with interviews with

baldwin and others among them, a conversation with the film's armorer before the shooting in which the actor apparently requested a bigger gun. >> it may be that the evidence sought on alec baldwin's phone is not really about the moment of the crime but, instead, alec baldwin's decisions as a producer and how those might have affected safety on the set. >> reporter: haylana hutchins was skilled and joel souza was injured. in an interview this month, baldwin told abc news he never pulled the trigger and denied responsibility >> i feel that someone is responsible for what happened and i can't say who that is, bu responsible for what happene i know it's not me >> hours before the shooting, members of the film crew had walked off set citing poor safety concerns. >> i did not observe any safety or security issues at all in the time i was there

>> investigators claiming baldwin asked for a bigger gun during the shooting, the actor responding on twist that that is a lie. the fbi details extensive conversations with the armorer and hannah gutierrez reed. so far, no criminal charges have been filed in the case >> steve, thank you. let's get a first check of the weather. al is on the road this morning and he's doing a lot of good in a town that really needs it. al can be lending a hand in mayfield, kentucky al, good morning it warms my heart to see you there and know how much you can help today >> hey, good morning, guys our team, our "today" lend he a hand team is here. they've assembled a really amazing array of help and aid for these folks. we're going to get to that in just a bit these folks are looking at the radar right now because we've got some severe weather that could be firing up and we're going to be watching that, as well

you can see most of the action is in the east right now the west is firing up later on but you can see heavy showers and thunderstorms now from mississippi making their way on into parts of tennessee and just south of kentucky, and, in fact, we do have a risk this afternoon for severe weather and low tornado risks, but damaging winds and hail a possibility what's going on? well, right now, we've got a big area of high pressure off the southeast coast. that's pumping up near record moisture from the gulf through tomorrow morning and there's going to be a stalled front along the system that's going to have rain just piling on, training effective rain continuing along that front. so you can see that flash flood risk through tomorrow morning from dallas right through mayfield on into louisville and just south of st. louis. and the saturated soil increasing the flood threat also because of all the debris that's around storm drains are clogged so that's a problem 3 to 4 inches of rain possible there. and then to the north as that system moves out and into the atlantic, we're going to be looking at anywhere from 2 to 4

inches of snow, interior sections of new york and new england. and in the pacific northwest, we're looking at heavy snow in the cascades, the sierra mountains and also to the north, in those northern plains, a lot of wet weather along the california coast on into the pacific northwest. some places may pick up to 4 inches of rain we're going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds most. now subaru is the largest automotive donor to make-a-wish and meals on wheels. and the largest corporate donor to the aspca and national park foundation. get a new subaru during the share the love event and subaru will donate two hundred and fifty dollars to charity.

good friday morning. i am meteorologist, kari hall. our temperatures are very cold to start out this morning. some spots one degree above freezing. that's what we are seeing in morgan hill, and mid-30s in the bay. cool day but we will have sunshine and that sunshine continues through the weekend. we are expecting some dry weather through sunday and the storm has been moved back, we are expecting it to arrive late on monday into tuesday. >> and that is your latest weather. guys >> we'll check in with you in just a bit thank you, sir coming up, two women coming forward accusing "sex in the city" star chris noth of sexual assault. we'll we're going to have the latest on the troubling allegations and what one of his costars is saying and how noth himself is responsible plus, it is the home stretch of the holiday season. if you've been waiting to buy,

you could be in luck where you'll find the best last-minute deals, including tomorrow's big super saturday sale >> perfect timing. >> now there's a super saturday.

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comes up, for the first time since his car crash, tiger woods ready to make his much-anticipated return to golf. >> we're going to go live to orlando and hear from the superstar as he prepares to step on the course alongside his young son and spitting image, charlie. we'll do that after your local news

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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. good morning. it's 7:26. i am marcus washington. here's today's top stories including a tiktok challenge closing the schools. >> in mill valley, a lot of school districts and not only here in the bay area but across the nation sending e-mails to parents about a tiktok trend that is invoking violence and school shootings inside their schools. so far there have been no credible threats, but gilroy is

closing their high school out of an abundance of caution. this facility alone in the last week alone has processed 2 million pieces of mail and more than 1 million packages. today is the last chance for first class mail, and tomorrow last chance for priority mail service, and after that december 23rd is your priority mail express deadline, and ups and fedex have similar deadlines but will cost you a little bit more. time to look at your microclimate forecasts. kari hall is here to help with that. >> inland valleys freezing tonight, but today sunshine and 50s, and we are going to be chilly on sunday, and we are gearing up for another storm system set to arrive by early next week. highs in the mid-50s, and we

will see mid-50s in san francisco for the weekend, marcus. >> thank you, kari. we will have another live update in 30 minutes. i will see you back here then. (soft music) hey dad, i'm about to leave.

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7:30 now, friday morning. december 17th, 2021. tree is shining bright we've got some important last-minute tips for shoppers, just ahead looking forward to hanging out with that holiday crowd. >> yeah. coming to see the tree, you get two for one shopping here. you come to the "today" show, you get to see the tree. let's start your half hour with 7:30 headlines the fda says it will permanently allow patients to receive the so-called abortion pill by mail. before the pandemic, patients are required to pick up the

medication in person from their health care providers. the new rule announced yesterday could help some women circumvent restriction owes abortions in states such as texas the decision comes as the supreme court struggles with the future of roe versus wade. a bell in osaka, japan, caught on fire the cause of the fire was not immediately known, but police are looking into the possibility of arson turning to the nfl now, and if you didn't stay up late to see the game between the chargers and the chiefs, you missed a good one. patrick mahomes pass to travis kelce. that sends the game into overtime this is what happened next >> shy of otis taylor, here is kelce. still going. still going. kelce, good night, touchdown, chiefs win it. >> oh, travis kelce, being travis kelce

>> i like it >> 34 yards for the touchdown. chiefs win it, 34-28 the chiefs, by the way, now have a two-game lead on the chargers in the afc west. it was a steam that struggled a bit at the beginning of the season, but apparently the chiefs have found their footing. >> yes, they have. we have a lot to get to this morning, including troubling alleges for actor chris noth >> he's now being accused of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior by a third. stephanie gosk is on the story this morning good morning >> good morning, guys. overnight, actor joey lister jones called noth a sexual predator, accusing him of drinking on the set of law & order and making inappropriate comments noth's representatives refused to comment triggered by the reboot of the "sex in the city" franchise.

two women using pseudonym toes keep their identities private separately accused actor chris noth of sexual assault, according to the hollywood reporter allegations noth says are categorically false. a woman going as zoe says she met noth when she was 22 zoe went a friend, according to the article, but while alone inside, noth forced her to have sex, telling the magazine it was very painful and i yelled out stop that same day, she says she went to the hospital and told medical staff and police what happened i had stitches two police officers came i wouldn't say who it was, she said, fearing retaliation. two years later, according to the magazine, zoe sought counseling at the ucla rape at crisis center. the second incident allegedly

took place just over a decade later. lily says noth met her at the nightclub where she worked she was 25 and he was 60 star struck, she said she went out with him one time expended up in his new york city apartment where noth tried kissing her. he kept trying and trying and trying and i should have said no more firmly. she says he forced her to perform oral sex according to the text, he wrote to her a week later. by the way, i have to ask, did you enjoy our night last week? i thought it was a lot of fun, but i wasn't quite sure how you felt lily responding in part that she felt slightly used and avoided his attempts to meet again

nbc news has not verified the text messages and spoking to zoe or lily about their accounts chris noth noting from the allegations, these stories could have been from 3 years ago to 30 years ago. no monies no that is a line i did not cross adding it's difficult not to question the timing of these stories coming out >> thank you for joining me -- >> noth has been in the spotlight for renewing business role in mr. big in "and just like that," his character dieing after riding a peloton bike. >> should we take another ride >> the exercise company released a viral commercial responding, but has now pulled the ad. >> peloton says it was unaware of the allegations when the company featured noth, adding every single sexual assaulted accusation must be taken seriously. >> has the lapd been looking into this? >> we reached into them. they said they did not have a

report, nothing involving chris noth his attorney says no law enforcement has reached out to him. >> stephanie, we'll continue to follow it. thank you. we're going to take a turn just ahead of the friday morning at the holiday shopping rush as we head into your final weekend before christmas >> everything you need to know t? safe drivers can save using snapshot? -what's snapshot? -what the commercial was about. -i tune commercials out. -me too. they're always like blah, blah blah. tell me about it. i'm going to a silent retreat next weekend. my niece got kicked out of one of those. -for talking? -grand larceny. how about we get back to the savings? [ everyone agreeing ] this season is too big for just red and green. how about we get back to the savings? 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! hmm that's great. you're great! i'm here to save you. i'm good. cool. i think we should see other people. you know if you could just let your hair down. a little bit down! no no no no no. no no no!

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joy. fully. ♪♪ >> everything you need to know to find what you need and save some money that's right after this. we're back, 7:40 christmas eve, just a week away. it is the last horrah for christmas shopping >> i'm going td. a lot of retailers are expecting people to spend big. >> jo ling kent joins us with your guide to the final week of deals. jo, we've been anxiously waiting for this all morning what are you got >> turns out a lot of us are procrastinators. more than 40% of consumers are planning to shop tomorrow. it's called super saturday it's the last saturday before christmas and this morning, we're showing what you major

retailers are doing to make its easier to braise the crowd and save a little more money >> it's the final countdown. 7 days until christmas and super saturday expected to be one of the biggest on record. >> final stretch is going to be some tech items. >> we're looking for stocking stuffers for mom >> 148 million shoppers plan to buy gifts online and in store. a lower turnout than last year, but up compared to prepandemic 2019 >> i thought i was done with the checklist, and then it just reappears and it's like, oh, i want this. >> more than half of consumers admits they will still be shopping for presents next week. >> we want to make last minute gifting super easy for our guests >> target tells us 11th hour shoppers will be covered on.

on christmas eve, customers are order gifts online at 6:00 p.m. and pick them up at stores at late as 8:00 p.m or order same-day delivery through shipit >> do you guys have enough product to make sure your customers are happy? >> we started working very early on because we knew, you know, there's supply chain constraints. >> how early >> early part of 2021. in order to secure the inventory that we wanted for this holiday season -- >> to entice last-minute shoppers, many retailers are rolling out even more discounts next week, target pushing up to 50% off toys and video games kohl's offering the same on apparel and jewelry and best buy talking big sales on tvs, laptops and appliances >> with retail down last month, many big retailers are making major changes. they've add 18 thousand in you parking spots with curb side pickup so you can avoid getting out of your car in weather like this and if you bought your gift early and prices have since gone

down, many retailers are offering a holiday price match guarantee, meaning you can still cash in on that additional savings all the way up to christmas eve. retailers including target tell us the sooner you shop -- and i know we've been saying this a lot -- but the easier it will be to find popular items, especially if you're going after a hot gaming console, toys, and in demand beauty products and if you wait until next week, you are definitely going into run into more of those out of stock issues, even for pick up and store especially if you're doing all that shopping online and one more friendly reminder, guys, today is the deadline for sending packages by first class mail at the post office. >> so many useful tips for us, jo i wish we had you do this story perhaps for our five days ago. >> she did do the story four or five days ago. that's why we call you gift card craig. let's go down to al for a check of the forecast. >> and by the way, next year when we do this story, it will

be the same thing for craig. >> you're probably right >> no shame. anyway, it's not feeling like christmas throughout parts of the east, guys we're talking record setting temperatures take a look at some of these temperatures that may set records today. new york city may tie a record at jfk at 59 raleigh, 712 charleston may tie a record. new orleans may break their record, tieing one in birmingham and then as we move on into tomorrow, we're going to look at more records down south. nashville, 66. jacksonville, 80 77 in lake charles charleston could see aee but then, oh, boy, we open the return back to normal. by monday, bn at 32 washington, d.c., 46 on monday 30s all week long as you get on into detroit that's what's going on around the country. here is what's happening in your neck of the woods. guys, coming up in our next whatever hour, we will lend a

good friday morning. i am meteorologist, kari hall. very cold temperatures here. we are starting out at freezing in napa. as you are stepping out the door, we are freezing temperatures across the south bay and again tomorrow morning. we will warm up and head towards the low 50s this afternoon, but we will see sunshine in the weekend forecast. just cold morning with frosty and freezing conditions and highs in the upper 40s to low 50s. rain holds off to early next week and we will keep you updated on that. guys, coming up in our next whatever hour, we will lend a hand today to all the folks here in mayfield, kentucky, and all across kentucky when we come back and see you next. >> can't wait for that >> it's going to be good, al thank you so much. coming up next, we're going to go inside tiger woods's long awaited competitive golf as he

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the very ideas of tiger woods swinging a club again generated headlines last month. now he is returning to competitive golf with his son, 36 holes that are starting to feel a lot more like the masters than a low key holiday event. that is the tiger effect. less than 10 months after that devastating car accident that nearly claimed his life, tiger woods the writing yet another chapter in his surreal storybook career. >> even with tiger's history of comebacks, and the incredible athlete that he's proven to be through the years, i think this has blown everybody's mind. >> the 15-time major winner will tee it up with his 12-year-old son, charlie, for his second straight year at the pnc championship in orlando. the weekend exhibition, which pairs champion golfers with family members getting a big boost just nine days ago. with woods tweeting he and charlie were ready to go. writing in part, i'm playing as a dad and couldn't be more excited and proud. that announcement comes as woods continues to rehab his surgically repaired right leg following a terrifying february car crash.

>> i'm lucky to be alive, but also still have the limb. >> how realistic was amputation? was that -- >> yes, it was on the table. >> last month, woods opening up about his ongoing recovery while admitting his game will never be the same. >> a full practice quell schedule, full professional schedule, no, i don't have any desire to do that. but to ramp up for a few events a year, there's no reason why i can't do that. >> this had the caption making progress generating more than 10 million views combined on twitter and instagram. but this weekend is all about family for team woods. the pga tour releasing this touching video featuring tiger smiling ear on the ear as he and charlie showcase their identical mannerisms from a hand on the hip to a trademark swing and pick up. now the dynamic golfing duo is back again and ready for more. >> i don't think there's any

kind of expectation, although tiger is competitive and you know charlie is, too i know these guys are playing to win because that's the tiger woods way. >> no doubt about it tiger will be playing as part of a pro am the mere fact that he's able to use a golf cart makes a big difference here because it is an exhibition in terms of how much he has left in the tank after a difficult year, mike thomas who won this last year he said i can't believe how well tiger is hitting the ball is it going to be a 300 yard drive that we're accustom to seeing who knows. >> it will be great just to see him back out there by the way, you can watch tiger, charlie and the rest of the field in the pnc championship saturday and sunday here and on the golf channel and streaming on peacock

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good morning. it's 7:56. i am marcus washington. here's a look at what is happening now. >> good morning, everybody. i am scott mcgrew. the consumer financial protbgtion bureau is looking into the buy now and pay later services. the worry is consumers use them too often. some way too often and then discover they are way over their heads in debt. it's time to get a look at the microclimate forecast for you. meteorologist, kari hall, standing by. >> we're taking up to cold temperatures. we are seeing fog in the north bay, and we can see that rolling

across the bay area. freezing temperatures to start and it will be colder tonight with widespread freezing temperatures from san josé to the south county as well as the tri-valley into the north bay. then for our dry weather this weekend, that continues but we will also be watching out for more rain that is set to arrive by monday afternoon into tuesday. we could see several days of rain in the forecast next week, so we will continue to update you on that. san francisco also will see temperatures in the 50s and a dry weekend. marcus? >> thanks, kari. we will have another local news update coming up in 30 minutes. we'll meet you back here, then.

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but first, your local news coming up, on alert. >> what we're concentrating on is preventing those infections from leading to serious disease. experts warning the omicron variant may fuel a surge in covid cases and deaths what new data is telling us about this variant and how you should protect yourself. then, shot of hope the new vaccine trial taking aim at preventing coaton cancer. how it's already helping one man in recovery and what it has in common with some covid vaccines. plus, in plane sight >> how much paint did it take to paint this plane >> 95 gallons.

>> a first look at team usa's new ride nine months in the making our exclusive reveal of the custom designed airbus 330 set to flight the olympic and paralympic team, just ahead. and lending a hand >> right at christmas what we see is this beautiful coming together of hope >> we're on the ground in ken after those devastating storms you'll meet some of the front line heros who saved lives that night during a morning filled with special surprises to help the community. today, friday, december 17th, 2021 spending the holidays in new york from miami, florida >> we're celebrating our girls' birthday today happy birthday, emmy and emmy. >> we're 11. >> from columbus, ohio >> saying hello to both our moms >> we're both turning 70 >> "today. >> and good morning, everybody welcome back to "today." it's friday morning. thank you for being with us. hoda is getting a jump on the

holiday week >> fri-yay >> folks are outside they're excited today. >> it feels good it's one week of christmas eve let's get to your news at 8:00 health officials unfortunately warning that the omicron variants is spreadsing so quickly before the holidays. it will soon be the dominate strain in the u.s. at the same time, the cdc is out with new guidance on the j&j vaccine. nbc national correspondent miguel almaguer has the very latest good morning >> savannah, good morning. just while we brace for the weather, the cdc says phizer and moderna's vaccines are preferable, citing rare but serious blood clots and that the nrnas better fight against new variants it's a setback for j & j, who says it has high confidence in its vaccines especially as we prepare for what is expected to be a dangerous winter surge. omicron cases are expected to proliferate and by the end of this ma or in january become the

most dominant variant in the country. a omicron replicate necessary nasal passages hospitals are overwhelmed across the country. the u.s. is now averaging about 120,000 new cases a day and over 1100 deaths daily. experts say it is safe to gather with family over the holiday if everyone is vaccinated and boosted. of course, masks are still recommended for those large indoor gatherings. savannah >> miguel, thank you president biden almost concreeded yesterday that his nearly $2 trillion climate and social spending bill will not get a senate vote by tend of the year one of key people holding it is west virginia democrat joe manchin. he objects to the overall cost of the build back better act including the continuation of child tax credits. president biden says it takes time to finalize these payments and he is determined to see the bill on the senate floor as

early as possible. the tornados and storms that southwest across the midwest claims at least five lives in minnesota and it damaged buildings and barnes, flipped over trucks and brought down trees and power lines. this was a tractor-trailer that tipped over. meanwhile, in michigan alone, more than 200,000 customers were still without electricity last night. >> that is the news. i get to do the boost today, y'all. a father in peru had not seen his daughter since she moved to florida three years ago to go to school. so when she finally made it home, she decided to have her friend hide her inside that giant gift box and put it right in front of her parents' front door >> uno, dos, tres. >> oh.

[ speaking foreign language >> oh. >> she said she was shaking inside the box because she thought the shock might not too much for her dad, but it looks like it was just right up next, we're going to check in with al lending a hand to storm victim necessary mayfield, kentucky, this morning. >> a firsthand look at the support that is pouring in and what you can do to help. that's right after this. ste gre. they help support your immune defenses, too. because a healthy life. starts with a healthy immune system. with vitamins c and d, and zinc. getting out there has never tasted so good. try centrum multigummies. ♪ your whole team can see your upper thigh ♪ ♪ pour that smooth roast and aim that camera up high ♪

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it's 8:09. al roker is doing something special. >> there is no one more perfect to go down to mayfield, kentucky, send his love and support and help the folks picking up the pieces in the wake of last week's deadly tornadoses it's only been a week. al, we want to get a check of the weather first. >> that's right, guys. let's take a look and show you what we've got and, in fact, the skies have opened up here right now it's raining pretty good you can see the heavy rain now down through the mid mississippi and ohio river valleys, a lot of moisture streaming up. we're going to be looking at record-breaking temperatures as we get into the south. but up to the north, wow, the northern plains, teens, single digits it's chilly in the pacific northwest, as well

for today, we are expecting record warmth in the mid section of the country we're also looking at these strong storms firing up along that front look for snow through the western plains sunshine in the northeast and su solima. braiser. good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. taking a look at our temperatures, we'll be in the upper 30s to start out this morning, even some near freezing temperatures we've seen in our inland valleys. after this cold start we might get into the mid 50s today. still on the cool side but we will have sunshine and that sunshine continues into the weekend. watch out for freezing temperatures tomorrow morning and then early next week we'll see a new storm system arriving that could bring in rain by late monday into tuesday and that rain continues through thursday. >> and that is your latest weather. >> and you're on the road because of our lend a hand series sorry to jump in there, but we're excited for this >> yeah. we are, too, guys. and you can hear that sound in the background that's rain hitting the roof it is coming down in buckets and the big concern here is with all the debris on the ground,

that is going the be causing some flooding problems but in the meantime, folks are still reeling from those devastating tornados from a week ago. not only hitting kentucky, but also all across this region. six states in total. many left dead and homes, countless homes, businesses destroyed. we are trying to shine a little light on that darkest moment and we also want to lend a hand. but not only doing it here, but in communities all across these storm ravaged areas. so that qr code you see, if you put that qr code anywhere -- your phone right there, that is going to low you to help folks all across this region but in the meantime, we are going to talk and meet some of the people who survived and some of the people who were helping, but here is their story, first >> you just try to hold on >> standing in what's left of her family's home, courtney sackston is grateful to be alive

this morning last friday, she and five of her kids huddled together as a tornado tore through mayfield, kentucky, tearing apart everything in its path >> i was scared. i'm not knowing what's going on, but i just kept praying to the kids and i'm like, it's going to be okay, y'all, it's going on be okay >> at one point, courtney losing consciousness, her son quickly jumping in to help >> i tried to give her cpr to see if that would work >> two mile away, courtney's husband, mark, was trapped after the candle factory where he worked was trapped by the storm. >> it's like i'm still numb, like it ain't registered yet that i almost lost everything. >> kiana parsons perez was also working at the candle factory that night >> and then i just remember rocking and then, boom

>> pinned under five feet of rubble, she started to live stream her pleas for help on facebook >> somebody please, send us some help we are trapped >> ours later, help arriving in the form of two kentucky state troopers >> hey, y'all, they got me out >> those are my angels >> troopers nate moore and garrett clark working together to lift giana out from the debris she hasn't seen them since that night. >> i do. i want to give them a big old hug. if they hadn't pushed and pulled on this old girl right here, i wouldn't have got out of there >> pastor steven boykins was one of the first people to arrive at the candle factory after the tornado. he helped keep one woman who was trapped awake as they waited for rescue workers >> i held her hand and just prayed with her. >> now he's working to help others in the community turning hills church into a distribution have for supplies and meals.

>> we had people already within a few hours already getting the relief >> a bright spot for a dark moment in this community >> what we see is this coming together of hope >> and joining us somehow pastor steven boykin from his house ministries here. also we've got mark and courtney sackston and their kids. kiana parsons perez who described herself as this old girl in that piece thank you all for being here pastor boykin, let me start with you. you've been working around the clock. when this hit, you really called on people to call on their faith. >> absolutely. >> and you kind of helped minister that. >> so i was the one that gotting to to the candle factory, was called out so we knew with the devastation that there was going to be a moment where people needed hope. so what we've done is we've been

here for those that are hurting. within a few hours, we had hot meals locally. we've had major partners come in in times like this, we see what matters. right now, we know that our families matter and that our faith matters. so we're trying to embrace people and we're here for them for the long haul to help them and point to them to what we believe is the life. >> we thank you for that >> speaking of families right now joining us, we have mark and courtney sackston and your five kids this had to be -- you both were directly affected by this. mark, you were in the candle factory. courtney, you and your family were trapped those must have been terrifying moments. how did you get through them >> together as a family, prayers. >> and, mark, you were at the scandal factory. what was that like >> it was life changing, you know it was life changing i never seen nothing like that

in my 37 years of living >> were there moments where you thought i might not get out of here >> i thought the whole time that i might not get out of there until the last three minutes >> god bless glad you are altogether and safe and we come to kiana kiana, those two troopers, they were in a send guardians angels for you. >> they definitely were. they kept me calm. even at a time when i couldn't physically climb out myself, one came under me and pushed me up and the other one took my hand and pulled because i -- my legs -- i had been in a position for so long, my foot, my leg was asleep and i couldn't move it. >> so troopers nate moore and garrett clark. what would you want to say to them >> i just want to say --

>> oh, hold on a second. they happen to be here, kentucky state troopers >> oh, my god. >> gentlemen, nice to see you. what do you have to say to them? >> thank you so much thank you so much. i don't know which one was which, but i know -- i think nate was there first >> good to see you >> thank you so much >> we brought you a teddy bear >> oh, thank you >> trooper teddy >> thank you so much thank you for keeping me calm and for not leaving me because everybody else had gotten out and i -- i thought everybody was going to leave me because i was jammed in that corner so thank you for not leaving me >> trooper clark, you look a little emotional right now >> yeah. it's an emotional subject.

very much. >> this is really beautiful and we -- the people coming together in times of need is what this is all about. that's why we're here. so we know you guys and so many in this community, you've lost nearly everything. so we want to try to help out. we've got a few surprises in store. we want to make sure all the families here have something to open up for christmas morning. so we got a tableful of holiday gift bags from our friends at banana grams they're donating 2,000 of these gift bags to the families here so that the kids have something to enjoy and you just saw them. there they are on the table all sets up. we're pretty excited about that. but now, we've got something else let's bring our friends in from lowe's we know a lot of folks were hurting, have lost a lot so the folks at lowe's are donating gift cards. come over here this way. in fact, lowe's is going to be donating $25,000 worth of these gift cards to all those folks. and we're not quite done yet pastor boykin, if you come over here you see this truck right here. our friends at krogers, let's open it up that's right we've got all sorts of stuff in here we've got water, we've got peanut butter, granola bars, canned fruit and if you look up over there, we've got another truck and there's another one on the way that's going to be bringing more >> thank you >> what are you going to be able to do with all of this >> we're going to put this in

the hands of people that are in need both in mayfield and in our region the media has been so kind to us and our community. but we're not just about this. we're going to direct it down the road and make sure those that are hurting have relief there are hands and feet on the ground, troops on the ground trying to go out and love on people and give them this. so this is going to go to those that are in the most need in our community and we're so grateful for this opportunity >> and, guys, we want to make sure again people see that qr code if you scan it with your phone, you will be able to get help to folks not just here in mayfield, but all throughout kentucky and the other states that have been affected how are you guys feeling this morning? feeling a little better about christmas? >> we got to sleep in a cabin last night, so we feel real good >> got some real sleep >> with no worries we got to sleep peacefully >> there you go. merry christmas, kids. thank you very much. troopers, thank you. thanks to all of our friends at lowe's, the nice friends at kroger's and the banana grams. guys, this is what the holidays are all about, this is what lend a hand and our crew who has put together an amazing moment and we're just happy to be.able to bring it to you. guys >> that will go a long way $500 to lowe's, groceries for

the families >> this is great, scan the qr code to give and help. >> every little bit helps. >> al, what are your impressions? you landed there we've all seen the pictures, but now you've seen it firsthand >> yeah it really is -- what you really come away with is obviously the destruction. but also the idea that all of these people have come around. this church, this house, ministry, tv, i don't know if you can see them in here is that door opened? oh, there we go. you can see all these folks in here these are all volunteers in here working and trying to -- there's a whole setup back there of folks distributing food, clothing, water, just very sweet. here is my new best friend other here this rag mop over here, got me a stick, got me a walking stick. so it's -- it really -- that is

the spirit and that's what -- this is what has built america people coming together for total strangers to make things happen. >> you know what, al sheinelle is looking up the church website and their tag line, love god, love people. >> beautiful >> and boy, that faith is in action right there >> that was great. >> thank you thank you, al. >> thanks, guys. and, again, the qr code, we just took it down, but you can go to our website, as well how about some popstart. >> shall we? first up, "the lost city," the first trailer is out for the upcoming action comedy sandra bullock, brad pitt, channing tatum, sounds like a dream team, right? in the movie, bullock plays a romance author kidnapped by daniel radcliff's character who believes she can lead him to the city's treasure. >> i enjoyed your book about the lost city and i believe you're

the one who can help me find its treasurer. >> i have to respectfully decline. >> i'm afraid i must inisn't >> unchain me. >> that's your seat belt >> loretta, i'm getting you out of here. >> why are you so -- >> my dad was a weather man. >> oh, that was good >> all right "the lost city" is set to hit theaters next year next up, dolly parton, the queen of country has always been number one in our books, but now it's official. on thursday, parton was presented with three titles in the guinness book of world records. parton breaking her own record for most decades, decades with a top 20 hit on the u.s. country chart. and she set two new records for female artist, most decades on the hot country songs chart and most number one hits on the u.s. hot country songs chart. so congratulations to dolly. and she's just such a beautiful woman, right

such a beautiful spirit. from one icon to another, betty white. in january, the film and television legend will celebrate her 100th birthday and to mark the occasion, she's hosting an inthoughter movie event. it's titled "betty white 100 years young. she will share stories from her more than seven decades long career and reveal a lost episode from her first sitcom. and take a look at betty's friends stopping by, carl burnett, tina fey, betty white 100 years young will be in theaters for only one day. it will be on her birthday, mark your calendar, january 17th. >> that's cool >> isn't that fantastic? >> i hope we can stream it of that >> even that, she's on social. we'll flood her with happy birthday messages.

next up, good news for "law & order" fans. jack mccoy is coming back. sam waterson set to reprise his role this february the new show will pick up where the original series left off >> yes >> this popstart is just for you, craig, and makes the 81-year-old actor's 17th season as mccoy fans online like craig thrilled to hear the news one user on twitter said it best, the real mccoy is back >> the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups the police who investigate crimes and the district tours who prosecute the offenders. these are their stories. >> that is such a good party trick. i didn't know you were a supper fan. >> man, you just made my day >> you're welcome. >> i'm excited when we come back, an exclusive reveal >> with the help of a few friends, kerry sanders will give us a look at the plane that will fly team usa to the winter olympics it's a nice ride, too, but first, on friday morning, check off your local news, your

weather and these messages good morning. it is 8:26. i'm marcus washington. any time now oakland planners are expected to release the long awaited final environmental impact report for the a's proposed stadium at howard terminal. the layout central areas of concern when it comes to the stadium including traffic and pollution issues and sets up city council hearings next month where planners will break down their conclusions. the report will be posted on the city's website and could make or break the team's future in the east bay. let's get a look at that forecast for you today. meteorologist kari hall standing

by. >> it's going to slowly warm up today, marcus, but we are seeing some sunshine and a clear it start as we take a live look outside in san jose. we're coming out of the upper 30s now to 40 degrees. so chilly. we're going to see those cool temperatures with us today and throughout the weekend. we will be dry for all that's going on this weekend from shopping to holiday lights and then next week watching out for rain coming in, off and on showers starting late monday into tuesday and that will continue through thursday. marcus? >> thanks. going to have another local news update in 30 minutes. see you back here then.

8:30 now on a friday morning. one week until christmas you can feel the excitement with this crowd we've got a heck of a crowd with us on a friday morning >> hi. >> how are y'all doing doing well north dakota >> what a crowd.

i mean, i love the friday before christmas. guys, raise your hand if you've done all your shopping >> a lot 06 of -- >> you didn't raise your hand. it's firmly in my pocket >> sheinelle had to leave a little earlier she will be back with us on if next hour. just ahead, we're going to help build excitement for the winter olympics. we have a look at this sweet ride, the plane that will bring our athletes to the games. this has never been done before. kerry sanders is standing by with some special guests and the final reveal, and craig, you have a personal story about the new fight against colon cancer >> hope, indeed. we're going to el tell you about an experimental treatment. i traveled down to md anderson in houston last week and spent some time with a guy at the forefront of a lot of this new technology and the hopes is thanks to some of the technology that gave us the vaccine so fast, some of that technology now being used

to help -- >> and this is the doctor that treated your brother, warren >> yes >> so it's special >> thank you >> we're still following that. and then also, you're not going to believe this. >> i didn't believe it when you told me about it >> so i have a cooking show. >> true. >> i hear your laugh because i can't cook but it's called starting from scratch. and we are going to give you a little sneak peek coming up. >> okay. >> and i actually cooked and -- >> look at you >> i would say no one got burned, but someone did get burned anyway, you'll have to tune in, but it's going on be fun and if there is somebody out there like me who is a total dope in the kitchen, this show is for you we'll have a preview of that and coming up on the third hour, from last minute booking to dealing with delays and cancellations, the points guys are going to stop by to help us out, take stress out of holiday travel >> and looking ahead, the stars of a highly anticipated movie,

nicole kidman and javier bardem will be here to tell us about the making of "being the ricardos." >> i saw it. >> you did >> it's fantastic. but for now, let's go back to mr. roker for a final check of the weather in mayfield, kentucky is it still raining? >> it is raining by the way, i concur, "being the ricardos" is spectacular i loved it another thing we love, the idea, you see this qr code, the folks at kroger are doing something very special for every dollar, they're going to donate one dollar to feeding america kentucky's heartland up to $10,000 if you scan that code and help feed this region so kroger will donate $1, up to $1,000 to help the folks suffering from this tornado. one of the folks who helped people in this region survive that tornado, mr. trent overson. he's the chief meteorologist at our station here, wpsd, local 6 news you were on the air for almost six hours nonstop. and your motto there is don't

scare, just prepare. >> that's kind of the philosophy that we take, yeah we want folks to be prepared we don't want to scare them. our news director says, what do you do for a living? our answer is we save lives. how do we do that? we track storms. we spent the night tracking the storm across our area. it was just overwhelming to know how bad of a storm this was. and we just had to make sure that we found a way to give folks that sense of urgency, you know, to stay calm, but take action >> and you're from paducah this is your hometown. it must -- you're reporting on it, but yet you know people who are going to be affected by this >> right, right. and, you know, just to have that, you know, that senses of community and to know that folks, you know, their lives are going to be changed that night

and so it was just an overwhelming experience. i actually had a school visit the day before with kids in mayfield >> and you checked with the principal afterwards and the kids were -- were okay >> they're okay. there were a few that lost their homes, but they are okay they were on my mind the whole time that we were on air that night. and just -- i want to give them a shout out and our team, noah berg and caylee bowers, it was a team effort. and our folks at the national weather service in paducah, incredible warning >> all the best. >> good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we are going to have some cold temperatures today and reaching into the mid 50s. we're headed back to some near freezing temperatures tonight in the inland valleys and the dry weather does continue as we'll see more sunshine. next week we'll be watching out

for our next storm system coming in. the timing pushed back more. looks like it will be monday into tuesday and our first day of winter looks to be pretty wet and we'll see more of this rain through at least next thursday. >> time for the best part of the week that's right, it's sunday night, football night in america. the tampa bay buccaneers, they're hosting the new orleans saints at raymond j. stadium. partly cloudy, 72. it's sunday night, football night in america back to you. i bet the people in mayfield are like, get a load of that >> i was a little afraid they might have thought it was another tornado siren.might hav another to sorry. >> no, that's a sweet sound. coming up next, kerry sanders will be along to show us how team usa is getting along to the winter olympics. >> let's just say a lot of work has gone into making sure they have a pretty sweet ride

the exclusive reveal, next but first, this is "today" on nbc. the classic hollywood story. we meet the hero, the all-new nissan frontier hero faces seemingly impossible challenge. tension builds... the plot twist the hero prevails in hollywood, this would be the end. but our here, we are just getting started. introducing the all-new nissan frontier.

we're back with our countdown to the winter olympics just 48 days to go >> wow this morning, an exclusive, a very big reveal tied to team usa. kerry sanders has made his way to delta air lines headquarters there in atlanta oh, and kerry is on the tarmac there. what have we got, kerry? >> that's right, guys. i'm on the tarmac here at hartsford international airport. but we're going to stop just for a moment before we reveal this to show you what it took to get here with more than 4500 flights to more than 270 destinations worldwide every day, delta air lines coordinates aviation on its own olympic scale.

and just like the world's top athlete, down to the 100th of a second >> shaun white takes the gold. >> in a moment, delta will unveil their own gold medal winner, delta's airbus 330 that will fly team usa to beijing to the winter games, the new official airline with the u.s. olympic and paralympic teams so as not to give it away just yet, we're on board the plane. and joining us here is the lead designer, carrie mckay how do you feel? >> super proud it's been really cool to see this all come together there are a ton of moving parts, a ton of people, and we're excited to show it off to the rest of the world. >> and we're ready right now >> we're ready >> delta has had illustrates team of 150 people working on this for nine months >> and then we have our dark blue >> preparing designs and paint schemes.

it takes more than 20 linear miles of masking tape. and, of course, the key, making sure the colors are spot on. >> we have these little cups of paint, but how much paint did it take to paint this plane >> 95 gallons. >> that's a lot of paint >> a lot of paint and a lot of hours. it was 11 days, 16 hour days >> the opportunity to serve others >> tim mate secured delta's olympic status that will continue through the 2028 games in los angeles >> i take it there's a sense of patriotism associated with this. >> there's enormous patriotism here and our pride in getting toss serve these athletes on their way to serve all the different places they train to or compete in is an enormous source of pride for us >> shane edwards artfully blocking the design. >> drum roll, please about to reveal it >> super exciting. >> and so here i am with some of the hundreds of employees from delta air lines that are awfully

excited. ready? three, two, one, boom! >> oh, wow >> what do you guys think? >> so pretty >> so we get moments like this and you all know what it means to an athlete. tell me, it's a plane, but it seems like it's something more >> it feels like it's more i have chills and it's emotional. it's so exciting the olympics around the corner and obviously the partnership with delta feels so magical. and it's here. it's coming. all of these athletes, they're

about to live out their dreams on the biggest stage >> and one of the things that will happen this year is the team will be on this plane it's not like everybody is coming on different planes that unity begins the moment they get on there. >> that is something that is so special about delta's partnership with team usa. is that you get that sense of community right away in an olympic games, during a pandemic when friends and family can't be there live to see the events unfold, you have this team usa family that you're flying over there with and taking on the world. and that's what makes it so, so special. this airplane. i mean, come on. >> as athletes, you guys know the moment is almost here. this is it >> less than 50 days >> goose bumps so ready for it. >> there you hear it from the guys who know best and the ones going very soon. >> sweet ride, kerry thank you for that >> i like that thank you. reminder, the olympics begin here on february 3rd on nbc. >> have you done your shopping yet? >> not yet i'm going to start in late january. up next, a potential game

changer in the fight against colon cancer the experimental vaccine that is now ready to be tested and it's led by the doctor who actually led by the doctor who actually treated my brotherrn about covi9 the more questions and worries we have. calhope can help with free covid-19 emotional support. call 833-317-4673 or live chat at calhope.org today. small businesses like yours make gift-giving possible. c now, comcast business has c an exclusive gift for you. introducing the gift of savings sale. for a limited time, ask how to get a great deal for your business. and get up to a $500 prepaid card with select bundles when you switch to the network that can deliver gig speeds to the most businesses. or get started with internet and voice for $64.99 per month with a 2-year price guarantee. give your business the gift of savings today. comcast business. powering possibilities.

ling anxious about the future, you're not alone.

calhope offers free covid-19 emotional support. call 833-317-4673 or live chat at calhope.org today. we're back now with our series, chasing the cure this morning, what can be a real leap forward in facing the battle of colon cancer >> for years, researchers have been hard at work on similar vaccines to help teach the body's immune system to fight back when cancer returns now, they're ready to put it to the test >> like that >> any day of the week, omar rodriguez' home in texas is a hive of activity the father of eight works full time and home schools his children with his wife, claire

>> the end >> but this past summer, rodriguez had to make time for the fight of his life. the 47-year-old was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. he had surgery to remove his tumor and is now receiving chemotherapy as you sit here right now, how do you feel? >> exhausted exhausted. just walking gets me tired right now. >> when he finishes chemo in february, even if he's cancer free, there's still the worry that his fight isn't over. >> even after my chemotherapy, i think it's 69% after five years that i'll have more cancer, more colon cancer somewhere else. >> so rodriguez volunteered for a clinical trial targeted to prevent colon cancer from recurring. this trial uses an mrna vaccine, the same technology being used to stop the coronavirus, in fact, the company behind this ne immunotherapy, biontech helped develop a covid vaccine with pfizer

the treatment works like this. a tumor sample will be sent to biontech's lab in germany. researchers will will create a personalized vaccine that teaches the patient's immune system to recognize and attack these markers if they ever return the trial is led by dr. scott copec at md anderson we introduced you to dr. copec when he treated my brother, lawrence, for colon cancer sadly he lost his battle >> the experimental drug my brother was going to use, sadly that one didn't use. how is this one different from the one lawrence used? >> we're using an mrna vaccine, which we think may be a better approach to stimulating the immune system to recognize these foreign proteins in the body >> patients in this trial are

being treated much earlier in their disease, before their cancer has the chance to spread. using a new technology called liquid biopsy, researchers can now identify microscopic signs of recurring cancer in a person's bloodstream >> explain why that is so critical >> we've not been able to see cancer in the body until it gets big enough to show up on a ct scan but now, by testing the blood, we can tell with a high degree of certainty whether or not there's microscopic cancer cells remaining in the body. >> new treatments like this one need volunteers like rodriguez who will get his first shot after he finishes chemo in february for him, it's all about helping others >> you know, just the word vaccine has become a bit of a hot button these days. >> that's part of the reason we're here you know, the people at this company that came up with the covid vaccine that we're working on the cancer vaccine, you know, they were it was the fact that they had been working on it for so many years that allowed them

to come up with that covid vaccine so quickly >> how will you know if and when the vaccine is working >> well, i believe there is quite a few treatments and then there's a lot of follow-up, hopefully it's going to do its job, do it well, make sure the cancer doesn't come back >> as part of this treatment, rodriguez will need to get one shot of vaccine every week for six weeks with a few more shots, but dr. copec says we may be a couple of years away from knowing how well this works, but if it weren't for these volunteers, these medical advances would be a lot harder to make. so folks who raise their hand and say, you know, try it on me, thanks god for them. >> absolutely. they're courageous and they're taking something that is so hard for them and trying to do something for someone else it's really quite beautiful. >> yet >> how is lawrence's family doing? >> they're, you know, hanging in it's been a year december 9th, but they're hanging in all things considered, doing

okay >> we're going to keep up this good work. >> yes, we are >> that you are doing. speaking of good work, something new. when we come back -- >> not the same. >> when we come back -- >> well, guys, i have a cooking show it's called starting from scratch and it's really starting from scratch learning the basics to put on a festive feast. and i am going to try this at home 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. ♪ ♪ ♪ find the silver lining in flight delays. vacation starts at the airport with centurion lounge access.

one of the many reasons you're with amex platinum. we're back, 8:53 with something, savannah, i know you're excited to share. >> excited, a little embarrassed, but i'm eager because i decide to finally, really, for sure, roll up my sleeves and actually learn to cook i needed help, of course, so we got our friend, elizabeth highschool, to be my coach and we made a cozy winter meal i found it online. a pan roasted economicen with muss rooms, potato cauliflower

mash and kale. you can do this. it's called starting from scratch 37 it's for you, person who can't cook and we have a sneak peek at the first episode. >> elizabeth, i am so glad you're here. >> oh, some simple things you're going to learn today okay >> i once cut myself on a precut english muffin but how do i get it into the teaspoon thing >> it's going to change everything for your cooking, i promise. >> does it matter if it's hot or cold >> let's pause and look at all of our ingredients >> i just stand myself, but i'm fine >> you understand to brown, that's not black >> i didn't burn it. >> geez, you're going to drizzle the oil. >> oh, geez.

okay do i add all of it or -- maybe not. >> look at you doing it. >> let's eat >> cheers. >> cheers. >> that looks good >> okay. it's fun it's actually really fun and here is what is different because if you've been watching this show a long time, you know that i can't cook and you know that they keep trying to teach me but i said let's do it, but i have to do it. you can't do it for me she was like the butter ball hot line like i was like, is this good, is that too much is that burst? is this that and we did it and i made it. we ate it and i'm going to reproduce it next week at home by myself. >> your family is going to eat this meal? >> my family is coming in. no one believes it but i'm like, i'm cooking dinner >> what is the most useful skill you learned from elizabeth >> she taught me some cutting things that i didn't know. i'm telling you, i don't know how to do anything i barely know how to boil water. i have so many questions that it really is starting from scratch. so if you're someone at home who is like sort of not really interested in cooking but think maybe i'd like to just for once put something on the table, that didn't come from, you know, grubhub -- >> i want to watch this. i want to see this we're going to get multiple episodes of this >> yeah.

this was the pilot episode it was proof of concept. next year i'm going to do six episodes we have all kinds of plans >> it's going to turn into something. >> no one was more fun to do it with than elizabeth haskill. >> i love when you saw the amount of salt she was putting in -- >> i will say, someone got burned and it was me, but it was fun. >> you can catch starting from scratch with savannah guthrie. starting at 11:00 a.m. on today and peacock. >> it's fun. we chat, too, like two ladies in the kitchen. we're back with the third and fourth hours, including a festive pe good morning. it is 8:56. i'm marcus washington. the south bay mother accused of throwing out of control parties for students including her son is due in court to enter a plea. 47-year-old shannon o'connor faces 39 felony and misdemeanor charges including child

endangerment and sexual before the, held without bail. in october authorities arrested her in her new home in idaho where she is facing similar accusations. that hearing scheduled to get under way. kris sanchez will be there monitoring it and have a live report during our midday newscast. the latest tiktok challenge causing a south bay school to cancel classes today. it is part of a national trend authorities insist poses no credible threat. on our home page link to the full story

. >> analysis on closing arguments as the jury decides her fate, monday morning, 4:30 to 7:00.

for people living with h-i-v, keep being you. and ask your doctor about biktarvy. biktarvy is a complete, one-pill, once-a-day treatment used for h-i-v in certain adults. it's not a cure, but with one small pill, biktarvy fights h-i-v to help you get to and stay undetectable. that's when the amount of virus is so low it cannot be measured by a lab test. research shows people who take h-i-v treatment every day and get to and stay undetectable can no longer transmit h-i-v through sex. serious side effects can occur, including kidney problems and kidney failure. rare, life-threatening side effects include a buildup of lactic acid and liver problems. do not take biktarvy if you take dofetilide or rifampin. tell your doctor about all the medicines and supplements you take, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis.

if you have hepatitis b, do not stop taking biktarvy without talking to your doctor. common side effects were diarrhea, nausea, and headache. if you're living with hiv, keep loving who you are. and ask your doctor if biktarvy is right for you. this morning on the third hour of "today," shining a light on those bringing hope and help to a community in need. we're live in mayfield, kentucky, to len a hand today. and later, holiday travel pointers to dealing with packed planes and delays, protecting your purchase, even help if you haven't booked yet. and it's a very kornacki christmas. our buddy, steve kornacki, crunching numbers about cookies, holiday spirit and more. that's all ahead today, friday, december 17th, 2021.