coasting into the new year. >> yes, we are, especially one of us who's off tomorrow. we're going to miss you. >> i'll be back. >> you're going to be back. >> i'll be live. the "today" show coming up next. >> have a great wednesday. ♪♪ ♪♪ good morning. topping charts, total covid cases now surpassing million in the u.s. the omicron and delta variants spreading fast. average daily cases reaching a new new record, more than 260,000 including a spike in pediatric including a spike in pediatric hospitalizations any there's new confusion surrounding the we'll speak to the head of the guidance around it all. we'll speak to the head of the cdc live. midweek mess. the travel delays and cdc live. mid-week mess. the travel delays and cancellations that started over the holiday weekend just keep coming. over 700 canceled flights already this morning.

>> i was supposed to have a flight 7:50 and they canceled it, and i'm here for hours. >> airlines working around the clock as severe storms are expected to add weather troubles to the mix we have complete coverage including what you can do can we expect more of the same in 2022? experts tell us what they're predicting for the new year. >> honoring icons. harry reid, the longtime senate majority leader dead at 82. former president barack obama saying he never would have been president without reid's help. president biden also sharing a moving tribute. we'll take a look at his enduring political impact, and john madden. >> let's go, defense! >> who not only left his mark on

the nfl, but changed the game and pop culture forever. we'll talk to his longtime partner in the booth, al michaels. >> he looked at the game like no one has ever looked at the game of football. chris collins joins us live to talk about john madden's towering presence on and off the field, today, wednesday, december 29, 2021. ♪♪ ♪♪ from nbc news, this is "today," with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb. from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> and welcome to "today." thank you so much for joining us on this wednesday morning i'm kristen welker here with my weekend today co-host, peter alexander. our friends savannah and hoda continue to enjoy some time off. peter, boy, it was a busy wednesday. lots to get to overnight with tributes pouring in for two

icons. >> we learned about their losses back-to-back. john madden, depending on your generation you knew him as a hall of fame nfl coach, a hall of fame broadcaster and tv pitchman or the man behind the highly successful video game series still popular today. we'll talk to nbc sunday night football analyst and nfl great chris collinsworth about madden's life and his enormous sports legacy. >> yeah, and in the world of politics, former senate majority leader harry reid passed away after a battle with cancer. known for his deal making abilities being honored on capitol hill and beyond. >> we want to begin with the troubling new milestones concerning the coronavirus. total covid cases right now topping 53 million in the u.s. with omicron as well as the delta variants spreading so rapidly. the u.s. hitting a record seven-day average, more than 260,000 cases. that's 10,000 more than the

previous weekly record set in january of this year. >> those numbers just staggering. we will speak to the head of the cdc in just a moment, but first, nbc's shaquille brewster has the very latest and starts us off. good morning, shaq. >> good morning, kristen. as the data and guidance around covid-19 continues be careful. >> i'll be live. one thing is abundantly clear. more americans are contracting this virus than ever before and it's forcing some major decisions. this morning covid is spreading at a record-setting pace in the u.s. with average daily cases now exceeding a quarter million, and while omicron has quickly become the dominant strain in the country, the cdc is significantly revising its estimate, now saying the variant accounts for roughly 59% of new cases down from the previously estimated 73%. experts say estimates were always subject to change, but may cause confusion. >> i do actually think they

should do a better job communicating the intervals. it comes after the cdc shortened the quarantine guidelines for people that tested positive for five days. cdc recommends masking after ward, but more is needed. dr. jerome adams saying you should try to obtain an antigen test. >> i wish the cdc had added getting a negative test before ending isolation. it is hitting young children especially hard. an nbc news showing hospitalizations increasing twice as fast as adults, more than doubling in ten states. though it's not clear if the impacted children have been vaccinated. still, new york city pushing back on calls to delay returns to the classroom after the holiday break. >> we need to keep schools open. there are really high prices that we pay as a society when children are not in school.

>> instead, the nation's largest school district is increasing access to at-home covid tests and changing its policy to allow asymptomatic students with close covid contact to stay in the classroom with negative tests. >> your children are safer in school. >> but questions over testing remains. a new study finds the antigen tests may be less sensitive to omicron. symptomatic people seek out a pcr test. that jump in pediatric hospital hospitalizations in florida where chicago schools sent out to parents 150,000 test kits >> all right asking them to test their shaquille brewster, thank you. students and return them by tomorrow. kristen? the director for the centers tore disease control and >> shaquille brewster, thank you. prevention dr. rochelle walensky is an

with the centers for disease dr. walensky, good control and prevention. thanks for joining us. we want to start if we can with the cdc's recent decision to cut that isolation period in half. we want to cut the isolation gi period in half.lic officials have acknowledged it given that you other and public wasn't exclusively science but officials have acknowledged that it wasn't exclusively science, but also the possible staffing g shortages that played a role in this decision, should americans feel safe? >> good morning, peter thanks so much for having me we followed numerous areas of science in making this important decision and one, of course, how the virus behave how much virus do you have that you can transmit after five days and we generally know that most of the transmission upon happens in the one to two days before you have symptoms and the two to three days after by the time five days of isolation has occurred you probably have 85% to 90% of your transmission potential behind you while you've been in isolation. importantly also to that decision is where we are in the epidemiology of this disease skyrocketing case numbers as you

noted, we anticipate they could get higher and many people are asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic especially those who have been vaccinated or boosted and they may very well not be able to or willing to comply with ten days' worth of isolation. so this was a way to tell people make sure you isolate in ten days and think, wear a mask for those five days to make sure that you don't spread anything that might be left over to others. >> dr. walensky, let's put this into real terms. say i'm sitting on an airplane and i'm sitting next to someone that is masked, but who tested positive for covid six days earlier. should i be concerned that i could be exposed to covid? >> certainly in those airplane corridors, you are wearing a mask the person next to you is wearing a mask and if both of those are true as they should be in those airplanes then i would say your risk of transmission in that situation is quite low even

if that person has a little bit of a tail end of a virus. >> dr. walensky other health officials have criticized the new guidelines saying they should include a negative test that should be necessary for people to leave the isolation period why is that not included in the new guidelines >> yeah, really important question i'm glad you raised it what we do know is the pcr test after infection can be positive for up to 12 weeks so that is not going to be helpful. you're not going to be transmitting during that period of time and we've seen that in study after study. so the question is why not do an antigen test that's five days. we do know some people in five days will be negative and be able to transmit and we know people will be positive and be able to transmit the antigen test was not authorized for this purpose and the information will not be useful regardless of what the antigen test said. we will say you still need to make your mask for five days

following up on the antigen test, there's new data from the fda which shows that the results may not be as accurate as initially thought. so if people are taking those at-home tests, should they have confidence that they're accurate >> right we do know that the antigen test may not perform as well as it has with the alpha variant and delta variant, but it is still picking up quite a bit of infection. so a helpful tool and what we would reiterate and it is also in our guidance is if you have a negative antigen test and you have symptoms then you should go ahead and get that pcr tests and the antigen tests are helpful for tests to stay in school where we're getting an antigen test every day or every other day or using them in higher education to screen students every several days that's when they perform quite well, as well. >> dr. walensky, the cdc has been criticized for mixed messaging throughout the course

of this pandemic, whether it's on masks or boosters why should americans trust the cdc? >> my job right now is to take all of the science and the information that we have and to deliver guidance and recommendation to the american people with the virus at hand. this pandemic has given us a lot of new and updated science over the last two years, and it is my job to convey that science through those recommendations and that is exactly what we are doing. >> dr. walensky, we always appreciate your time and expertise. thank you very much. covid, of course, looming large over travel troubles this week and the travel surge from the holiday weekend is becoming a week-long problem for airports as staff shortages and the omicron variant create chaos steve paterson at lax where a covid testing site has been set up steve, good morning. what's the latest there? >> kristen, good morning to you.

delays, disruptions and cancellations plaguing u.s. flights at the moment. there were more than 1100 domestic-bound flights canceled yesterday alone and all of this expected to persist well into the new year the holiday travel nightmare that kicked off this weekend now creeping into the middle of the week as airports in seattle and chicago deal with dangerous weather. in new york, denver and l.a. airports continue to see heavy delays >> i was supposed to have a flight out of here at 7:50, and they canceled it, and i'm here for 12 hours. >> on tuesday, over 1100 u.s. flights were canceled with thousands more delayed delta air lines saying employees are working, quote, around the clock to re-route and substitute aircraft and crews, blaming winter weather and omicron for the problems what can you do if you're one of the travelers whose plans are being disrupted. get online and get on the phone. you want to talk to an airline

representative as quickly as possible if you decide not to travel you're entitled to a full refund under federal law. a refund may also be available if the carrier significantly delays your flight amid the travel chaos, one story is more bizarre than any delay. >> it was a crazy experience. >> school teacher marisa fattia was on her way to iceland when she tested positive for covid-19 during her flight. >> started having a severe sore throat, and so i just took my rapid test and i brought it into the bathroom, and within what felt like two seconds there were two lines. >> a flight attendant assisted marisa who opted to stay in a tiny airplane bathroom for four hours. >> there are 150 people on this flight and my biggest fear was giving it to them. during marisa's quarantine at an iceland hotel, a christmas gift from her cool-headed flight attendant.

>> she bought me flowers and a christmas tree with lights and it was so heartfelt and she's just an angel. >> there you have it a nice story amid all of this holiday travel chaos and there is reason to believe that the airlines will catch up to this domestic crush, but still already this morning we're300 fr the u.s. and already were expected to see that persist again through the new year kristen? >> steve, you're right what a remarkable story that woman tested positive, mid-flight stayed in the thank you so much for bringing that us to >> that can make for an interesting ride >> absolutely. >> tough ride for her. boy, four hours. >> we are joined by jacob soboroff good morning. >> good morning to you, and good morning at home. let's go to washington where flags capitol are at half-mast in honor of majority leader harry reid the 82-year-old after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

biden coming in with the and p barack obama among the tributes coming in to their colleague. nbc's chief washington correspondent andrea mitchell has more andrea, good morning >> good morning, jacob today reid is being described as one of a kind a washington power broker hard scrabble roots, humble and compassionate, but tough a a political gambler who took a freshman senator named barack obama to take a chance and run nails when he needed to be he told a freshman senator barack obama a chance and run for the highest office in the land, changing history. harry reid was a kingmaker in washington, the one-time amateur boxer brought fighting spirit to congress where he spent 30 years including a sena. his road to starting in search light, nevada, in nevada where reid was born reid was home into poverty in a home into poverty in a home with no indoor plumbing. >> i didn't make it because of . >> i made it because i worked hard

>> on capitol hill, the flag flying in half-staff in honor of the nevada democrat as tribute from both sides of the aisle reid was closely tied to president obama and was the boe aisle. reid was closely tied to president obama and was the first to suggest the young senato i believe he is going to go down for the oval office. >> senate ever had. he is tough an will go down as one of the best leaders the senate ever had. i could not have accomplished what i accomplished him being at my side >> a message president letter to reid which he made emphasized in a recent letter to reid which he made public overnight writing in part, you are a great senate and early on you were more generous to me tha any right to expect. i wouldn't have been president had it not been for your any right to expect. i wouldn't have been president had it not for your encouragement and support. reid working alongside obama push through his key legislative accomplishment, the care act known as obama baracke passed the healthcare bill that passed the bill that bea

>> president biden also honorins name name it should be called reid care as much as obama joe biden writiny it wasn't power for tower's sake it was about doing relationship with reid said i . mitch mcconnell who had what he deeply felt was right contentious relationship with reid, writing i never doubted that harry was always doing what he earnestly deeply felt was right for nevada and our retire 2016 after an accident left blind in one eye he was diagnosed with pancreatic battle with the disease tuesday the battle with the diseas now the world remembering this titan at the senate, a soft spoken fighter from nevada, th titan of the senate, a fighter a never afraid to mix it in th political arena. harry leaves behind his beloved wife of 62landra

who described him overnight as y loyal fan. just last month the airport las vegas was renamed after him. an honor senator who fought so hard for his state and his people jacob? >> andrea mitchell, thank he windows from poverty and he was a capitol police well >> that's a great detail and you have to when you hear former president barack obama who said one of the people who encouraged him to run for president. >> former amateur boxer who never pulled punches politically. >> hedid, as well. >> time to take a turn and get our first check of the weather with jeff raniere in for al thig >> good morning, you guys. we are tracking the for severe weather today we want to get you right to th it is active over birmingham it's become active over birmingham and now we're seeing those storms approach atlanta. as temperatures heat up through the afternoon it will fuel the

possibility of severe over george a mississippi, tennessee, arkansas. hail, on hail one inch possible wind gusts of 60. inch possible wind gusts of 60 and a few isolated tornadoes and rain, isolated amounts of thre possible that's a look at your national forecast. inches possible that's a look at your national forecast and we'll have your we'll have your local weather in 30 seconds and that's a look at your good morning. we're under a microclimate weather alert. in walnut creek, we'll continue to see on-and-off again showers throughout the day. we have a couple of areas seeing rain. a little break in parts of san

francisco, but richmond seeing some of that rain coming down. also near oakland and parts of 580 near the fremont area. expect to see rain coming down in the south bay at least by the afternoon. dry by thursday. in perfect time for friday/saturday. and that's a look at your national forecast. unfortunately, those storms in the southeast, you guys, it's going to potentially strand more people at the airports just because the storms could get going pretty good there throughout the afternoon >> oh, boy test going pretty good there throughout the afternoon >> oh, boy hall of fame coach, legendary are you going to be able to find that cream cheese? what else is tough to get? but first this is "today" on

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still ahead, harry smith shows us the lessons we can learn from high school field hockey coach's teams who won 1,000 games over the decade. >> the how teaching their athletes to excel beyond the field. that's coming up after your local news

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is very contagious and spreads among not just the unvaccinated be but the vaccinated as well. >> reporter: i'm kriz sanchez at the federal courthouse in san jose. the jury will reconvene once again today. over the last five days, they've o.j. asked one question of the judge. they asked to hear one call between holmes and investors. other than that, they've been quiet. they're awaiting a verdict. you can see bob and kris all bundled up. let's check in with meteorologist vianey arama with the forecast. >> here's a closer look at the radar. you can see it's still pretty active. we're going to continue to see the chance for really all day today and by tomorrow it clears out. mill valley, you see a little bit of rain coming down. you'll have breaks of sunshine.

but over the next seven days, here's a closer look at what to expect over the weekend. >> thanks for joining us. i'll be back with another local news update in just 30 minutes.

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excuse me. i'm not the same crazy coach that used to yell at officials i learned to relax and i drink light beer from miller sure, there are other beers around you can drink any one you want but let me tell you this -- as i was saying, i don't care what anybody else -- >> that was the relaxed john madden we're back at 7:30 on wednesday morning. we're in for our friends savannah and hoda. they take time off john madden, one of the many iconic commercials he d making a name for himself on and off the field.

the most recognizable faces and voice of football. >> that ad makes you smile madden died yesterday at the age of 85. he's also known, of course, for the wildly successful nfl video game series. we're going to talk to nbc "sunday night football" analyst cris collinsworth about his life and legacy first, here is sam brock sam, good morning to you >> good morning. john madden was just a gravitational force pulling people in. he never played a single snap of professional football. a knee injury cost him that opportunity. what we got instead was a broadcaster, coach, and pop culture icon, the likes of which we may never see again >> reporter: on the sidelines as an nfl head coach -- >> come on, defense. let's start off and stay after them the whole game. >> reporter: and for decades as

a broadcaster. >> it's super football i mean, i love these kinds of games. >> reporter: john madden left a larger than life footprint on the nfl. >> he makes a basketball twist there and pivot and, boom, the ball is there. >> reporter: with the winningest record in history with any coach of 100 more games, a super bowl ring with the raiders and remarkably enjoyable maddenisms. >> boom! stay on your feet. that's it. boom, cross him. >> reporter: madden teamed up with pat summerall for more than two decades, the most beloved sports broadcast teams in history. he later shared the booth with al michaels who said the former coach's connection to people that transcended to sport. >> and a lot of it had to do with john traveling for all of those years in a bus couldn't get on a plane. he was claustrophobic. he was across the country that everybody else in this business never sees >> reporter: something with madden just clicked for americans.

whether it was beer commercials. >> light beer tastes great >> snl hosting gigs in the '80s. >> the fight was fair. >> are you kidding me? >> reporter: movie cameos in the 2000s. >> he's going to hit him with the ball in the back >> reporter: or for many younger people >> the blitz starts now. >> reporter: the video game with his name and likeness that kept generation of gamers glued to their screens. the nfl today mourning a once in a lifetime figure with many players including tom brady paying tribute to a legend of the game the raiders, writing, few individuals meant as much to the growth and popularity of professional football as coach madden his impact on the game both on and off the field was immeasurable >> he loved the game like nobody has ever loved the game of football and you knew it. i don't think there will be anybody like that in the history of broadcasting in my lifetime >> reporter: it was clear from the hall of fame speech, madden was always a team first kind of guy.

>> i ride on the shoulders of hundreds of friends, coaches, players, colleagues, family. and i just say this, i thank you all very much. and this has been the sweetest ride of them all >> reporter: and another small detail about madden that al michaels shared with us which is that he never stood on ceremony. when he was given a credentials, john would put it on his belt loop and you could see it flapping during the games. you might be asking why was that there? just in case he needed to show it to get into the oakland coliseum in case the folks there didn't know who he was that's the kind of guy that john madden actually was. peter, back to you >> someone who grew up in oakland, california, i can tell you, everyone knew who john madden was thank you very much. cris collinsworth joins us now they spent years together in the booth.

cris, so good to see you john madden really was football. what was it that made him such a one of a kind figure in the nfl? >> he was just the standard for everything, right? but i think he was sort of the original lol guy you know, no matter what it was that he was talking about, you found yourself with a smile on your face and who can ever forget like the thanksgiving day games when the turducken was introduced and he would do a karate chop and explain what it was and then pull it apart and he would offer his broadcast partner pat summerall or whoever it was a piece you just -- when he was around, you just laughed you enjoyed life you forgot about anything that ever bothered you in your whole life and just had fun and that's what john madden was. >> this is a personal loss for you given all the years you spent together

talk about what his impact was on you >> i think that on everybody, it was just the way he related to people you would see john madden occasionally at the hotel and just sit down in the lobby of the hotel. and a crowd would gather around. and he would start telling stories. a bigger crowd would come around and then he would get a little animated and then his arms would start flailing a little bit. and then people would be laughing hysterically around him. and people literally couldn't believe that john madden was sitting there in lobby of the hotel just holding court whether it was the commissioner or anybody else, you just listened and you took it in you did the best you could to remember every detail of that story because you wanted to tell all your friends that john

madden told you this storey. you wanted to do it with the boom and the thing and the smacking your hands. you wanted to do every detail that john would do it with he was a treasure. he's a national treasure i really feel like that the bus that he drove around in, he couldn't fly, he would drive around the bus, it belongs in the smithsonian institute. people would love to walk through the bus and try to experience who and what john was on that bus. and he came to a dinner one time at my house and he sat down with my two boys who played in the junior football league and everybody waiting in line to meet john madden john madden never moved for an hour and a half. he was breaking down with the salt shaker and pepper shaker and knife and fork and formations and moving them around and explaining to my boys they're locked in. and they were like best friends. they didn't know he was john

madden he was just this cool guy teaching them about football >> cris, i have to ask you, everything i know about the nfl i learned from playing madden's video games and his quality time with my brother, with our friends. i'm not the only one to say this in the wake of his passing what did he say to you about the legacy he created with that franchise? >> one of the funniest stories that he told, this is not true, then i apologize to everybody. but it was one the stories that he would tell. and sometimes with john, you're never sure at the time he was offered that job to put his name on it or whatever, he -- a guy came up and said listen, coach, i know you're great at drawing up plays and everything i have this idea for a video game i think it will be great i want to put your name on it

and the whole thing. and i want to give you half my company to let me put your name on this thing. and john said, if it's not true, apologize. he said, you know, son, if you want to coach, you got to pay the coach. so he got paid some minimal amount of money for putting his name on this thing up front. and what became ea sports. and so you can imagine john, oh, my gosh. i could have owned ea sports but everything was so fantastic. he would tell stories about a guy that came out and he insisted on a tryout he finally walks out to the field with him this guy walks by the goal post and goes bam and knocks down the goal post and knocks it down i have to sign this guy right away so he signs him to a contract and then the head of security came through and said coach, i don't know how to tell you this but last night on videotape, we saw this big huge guy out there with a hacksaw working on our

goal post. and he got it to the point where he could go out and knock it down the next day. i mean the stories were just endless. >> cris, this has been so fun to just remember the coach, hall of famer and so many parts from the turducken to the telestrator thank you for your memories. >> you got it. >> thank you so much >> we want to mention the documentary all madden looking back, john madden's life is available right now on peacock >> it sure is. you can hear the love and how much he's going to miss him in cris' voice. that is great. straight ahead, 2021 supply chain woes and other shortages extend into the new year our kerry sanders takes a look at what's in store for us in 2022 that's right after this.

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ask your rheumatologist about cosentyx. 7:43 taking a look at this year's shortages that had us scrambling for certain goods and oftentimes paying more for them than we're used to. >> what can we expect when it comes to on going supply chain crisis kerry sanders explains why some of these issues go way beyond products we couldn't find on store shelves. >> reporter: guys, as ouree comes to an end in our country of abundance, we learn that sometimes there can be shortages. the supply chain can be strained so we'll talk to the experts in a moment first, let's look back before we look forward to 2022 >> the nation supply chain crisis >> reporter: these are some of shortages we experienced in 2021

>> paper they have seen it spike 60% in value. >> the great catchup shortage of 2021 >> an issue that could put a damper on the plans. >> easy to find folks, drivers who wanted to sit in this seat. >> shortage that's experts say will be with us again in 2022. we've already seen travel troubles in the air heading into the new year if, you're thinking of driving for your next trip be ready for pain at the pump on average, a gallon of gas is a dollar higher than this time last year. with more americans on the road now than at any other point during the pandemic. >> the consumer should get used to paying in excess of $3 a gallon as economies around the world continues. >> shortages in the grocery aisle from meat to cereal and syrup are resolved as production ramped up. some staples like cream cheese have been harder to come by. but in some places, we may have

reason to hope there are shortages as in a shortage of snow why? not enough snow plow drivers and few are lining up for the jobs >> we're not sure why we're not getting people that we used to and why we're not getting the drivers that want to do it >> reporter: economists blame employee shortages from cooks to house staffs to house keeping and on the great resignation of 2021 americans foregoing low paying jobs are finding better positions as well as older americans reassessing what is important to them and retiring early. it hit all segments of society, retiring police leaving some cities like washington, d.c., with officers still on the job exhausted. >> sometimes the days off are canceled and sometimes work being weeks at a time without a day off. this is approaching catastrophic

levels >> reporter: at hospitals, no shortage of covid-19 patients has resulted in a full on shortage of nurses >> many of the nurses have been dealing with this for the last two years. and they have decided to call it quits. >> reporter: one supply chain shortage impacting all others, computer chips that is slowing production of new cars, clothes dryers and electric toothbrushes. >> what i'm hearing from companies is around the midway point of the year this could start easing up. but it will take a while >> reporter: and some shortages are of our own making. the u.s. mint says right now there are plenty of coins in america. but there is still a shortage of coins in circulation why? even though americans are getting back out there, look at

the holiday crowds at airports, experts say the covid-19 effect left many of us reluctant to touch money. if you feel powerless to the shortages, there is one thing you can control and that is kindness and patience. that is sort of fitting, an abundance of that this time of year >> that's for sure kerry sanders, thank you we want to turn to jeff ranieri with the forecast this morning. good to see you. >> good morning. you know, we are tracking, yes, more of that weather across the west storms keep coming here. winter weather alerts from the rockies over to california 25 million impacted. the out of that, 22 million under flood watches. storm system is already starting to move in with some low snow and that rainfall. it moves into southern california later today and tomorrow look at this rainfall. off the charts one to two inches on average we could see up to four inches so we're talking about debris flow in the fire zones and the and it's still raining in some parts of the bay area. we're going to continue to see the chance of showers really all day long. 47 degrees in san jose. take a look at our satellite/radar. as you saw on jeff's maps, yes, we're seeing a really active weather pattern. make sure to check the

conditions on the grapevine. it's still going to remain pretty chilly. temperatures in the mid- to upper 40s. 48 at concord and 50s around the coastline. and that is your national forecast peter, kristen, jacob, the sun is going to come out in the west this weekend people are going to say, sun blue sky it will be a good change >> they'll welcome that. >> skiing temperatures out there for folks. historians finding a treasure-trove in that time capsule from the 1800s that they just unburied in virginia. while find out what's in the box and why the discovery is so exciting that's after this. i'm secretly. inner voice (sneaker shop owner): i'm using hand gestures and pointing... ...so no one can tell i'm unsure about my business finances. inner voice (furniture maker): i'm constantly nodding... ...because i know everything about furniture... ...but with the business side... ...i'm feeling a little lost.

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tell your doctor about all planned medical or dental procedures. what's around the corner could be a different game. ask your doctor about eliquis. what's coming up in pop start? >> we are returning to hogwarts. we have an exclusive look after your local news. arugula, you get an extra... with the new ww personalpoints program, you take an assessment, enter your goals, the foods you love and what fits into your lifestyle. you don't have to eat diet food. i can enjoy the things that i really love like wine, cheese. you can add points for eating vegetables or being active. i lost 26 pounds and i feel incredible. the all new ww personalpoints program. start the new year with three months free. join today at ww.com. hurry, offer ends january 3rd. do you struggle with occasional nerve aches join today at ww.com. in your hands or feet? try nervivenerve relief from the world's #1 selling nerve care company. nervive contains alpha lipoic acid

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prescription. ask your healthcare provider about rybelsus® today. good morning. it's 7:56. i'm kira clacher. here's what's happening now. i'm bob redell. i'm in contra costa. everyone will have to wear masks inside gyms and indoor businesses regardless of vaccination statuses. for many weeks many were allowed to leave their masks off, but the county says the new omicron variant has made that too risky. the health department points out the omicron variant is very contagious and spreads among not just the unvaccinated but the vaccinated as well. >> sri ana arama has a look at a wet wednesday. >> it's going to be a day where

the rain stops and goes and stops and goes, but we will continue to see shower activity really all day long. temperatures will remain pretty much chilly overall in the 40s. a couple low to mid-40s in the interior valley down to the south bay and down along the coastline. the rain moves out tonight. heading into early thursday morning we'll get a break from the rain, but it will be cold. overnight lows expected to dip down into the 40s, 30s. and friday will be dry, which, of course, happens to be new year's eve. >> it's perfect. marcus washington will have another local news update for you in half an hour. until then, back to the "today" show.

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it's 8:00. coming up on "today," major milestones. nationwide concern over record case highs and child hospitalizations. while the cdc speaks out about quarantine confusion. >> many people are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic. so they may very well not be able to or willing to comply with ten days worth of isolation. >> how the developments could affect the return to school and your new year's plans. calls for justice. dramatic body cam footage shows a 14-year-old shot and killed by an officer in a clothing store. >> never should this 14-year-old

little girl ended up as collateral damage. >> her parents now demanding answers from the investigation under way. then fit for a princess. a special tour of diana's childhood home and how it inspired the hit netflix series "bridgerton." >> you walk into that house and it's immediately -- it's immediately a family home. >> how show makers drew from the inside and what the family is saying about the surprise connection. and grand dom. harry smith introduces us to a high school field hockey coach who won 1,000 games and changed as many lives along the way. >> i don't like to lose. in order not to lose, you have to be structured in making sure that we prepare these girls. >> just ahead, the key to her

decades' long success. today, wednesday, december 29th, 2021. ♪♪ >> rise and shine! from springfield, missouri. >> we're celebrating my 9th birthday on "today"! ♪♪ >> hey, mom. >> 44 years working in the health care industry. happy retirement! we love you! ♪♪ >> happy birthday, happy retirement to all of our plaza fans. we're glad you're joining us and glad you're joining us and welcome back to "today". of happy to be with you on this wednesday morning. i'm kristen welker with peter alexander and our friends savannah and hoda and craig are enjoying time off. i look forward to that harry smith piece. that is the great way to start a wednesday. >> they had to squeeze 1,000 on the back of that house. >> yeah. we have a lot of numbers to put back there. >> i never won a thing in high school sports in my entire life.

good for her. >> we're looking forward to that one. it is a busy morning. let's get right to your news at 8:00. the u.s. passed a grim new milestone in the fight against the coronavirus with total cases now topping 53 million. it comes at a time when the virus is spreading at a record pace. and nbc's shaquille brewster joins us with the latest on all of it. shaq, good morning to you. >> good morning. the guidance and data around covid-19 continues to change, one thing is increasingly clear, more americans are contracting the virus than ever before. overnight, the u.s. breaking through average of daily new cases. now exceeding more than a quarter million cases each day. while the omicron variant is the dominant strain around the country, the cdc updating the guidance saying that didn't happen until more recently in that omicron is responsible for now 59% of all new cases. and there's new questions about whether the at home tests are actually catching omicron early

enough. the doctor was on in the last hour and asked about that. listen to what she said. >> we do know that the antigen test may not perform as well as it had for previous variants. but it is still picking up quite a bit of infection. if you have a negative antigen test and have symptoms get that pcr test. >> the spread is hitting kids especially hard. a new analysis showing that kids are getting the virus ending up in the hospital at more than twice the rate as adults. more than doubling in at least ten states. >> all right. shaquille brewster, thank you. now to that fatal officer involved shooting in los angeles. innocent customers caught in the crossfire.

police responder reports of a man attacking shoppers at a department store. police say an investigation is now under way after a bullet fired by one of the officers accidentally killed a teenage girl. emily is in los angeles with the latest on this story. emily, good morning. >> peter, good morning. the victim was just 14 years old and taking cover in a fitting room as officers closed in on the suspect. this morning her family is calling for justice as new video reveals the terrifying moment that's led to the deadly shooting. some of the images are graphic. >> victim down. >> this morning newly released video shows police making their way through a busy department store just two days before

christmas. guns drawn. >> get down! >> reporter: officers rush in, responding to a radio call for assault with a deadly weapon in progress. >> finding the suspect in front of a fitting room before opening fire. at least one round killing the man police say attacked other customers. but another going off the ground and piercing a wall, on the other side, a 14-year-old girl is fatally hit. her mother speaking through tears tuesday. >> she says her teenage daughter died in her arms while drying on a dress for an upcoming christmas party. >> never this 14-year-old little girl ended up as class -- collateral damage at a shopping plaza. >> what is the emergency? >> a man is attacking customers. >> the moments captured on security and body camera footage released by lapd. >> he is break things. >> authorities say the 24-year-old attacked multiple

women in the north hollywood department store. brutally beating someone with a heavy duty bike lock. employees heard on calls trying to warn shoppers inside. >> customers evacuate. >> but not everyone could. the young girl and her mother caught in the crossfire. >> her family now asking for justice amid increased scrutiny surrounding police tactics that led to the deadly accident. they call the incident chaotic. adding he committed toen could ducting a thorough, complete, and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led up to the tragedy. and lapd says the officer who fired those deadly rounds has been placed on administrative leave. the investigation could take up to a year. her parents say they will keep pushing for answers until they get clarity on how things could have gone so wrong insisting something should have been done differently. >> such a devastating loss for that familiarly. thank you very much. >> let's turn now to a followup on a story we told you about

yesterday. a preservation team opened a corner stone box, a time capsule, believed to be from 1887. look at. this crews pulled it from the ground in richmond where a statue of robert e. lee once stood. it is made of copper. this is what they found, confederate money, bullets and buttons and a confederate flag, old newspaper, a bible, letters too. it's going to be weeks before they have a complete understanding of everything that they found in there. it's not clear where the artifacts will ultimately wind up. yesterday morning we talked about whether or not they might find an actual second photo of abraham lincoln. >> that was the drama. >> as a history buff, i'm bummed they didn't. >> they didn't >> the artifacts are incredible. >> yeah. >> archaeologists alike. >> you dream of. >> yeah. >> your hands were shaking as they open the box. >> that's the news now to check for a morning boost. >> i have the boost. yes. it is about a baby named gigi born with severe hearing loss. but at 3 months old, she got

hearing aids here's the beautiful moment when baby gigi could hear her parents clearly for the very first time. >> one, two, three >> hello >> hi. >> hi. hi >> oh, my goodness >> hey >> what do you think >> do you like them? >> yeah. >> that's a good smile >> we have smiles? >> yeah. >> that smile tells you everything you need to know about that moment. >> wow >> the parents say they were initially worried about the challenges they would face but once they saw her daughter's face light up like that, their optimism began to grow what a beautiful moment. >> powerful moment for that familiarly holy cow unbelievable >> we're all happy for all of them coming up next, harry smith sits

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we are back with mr. smith goes to and this morning harry is putting a shining spotlight on the high school field hockey coach in pennsylvania who is shattering sports records and in the process changing lives. >> she is logging a record breaking get this 1,000 wins this year and she is a towering figure to the athletes off the field, too harry, we've been looking forward to this story all morning long good morning >> good morning, kristen and pete eastern jacob good to be with you this morning. this is one of the stories people say how do you come up with this stuff? and my wife andrea joyce was at the u.s. open this past fall somebody comes up to her and

says you should tell your husband about this field hockey coach in pennsylvania. and the next thing you know, we were driving westward to meet this once in a lifetime coach. >> reporter: late fall a cold night and the field hockey team for the high school is in a familiar spot a state semifinal play-off game. >> lexie, drop in and turn you can help >> the game is tight the coach knows moment by moment just what to do. >> now listen to me. we need to play good defense that's most important thing when you go in. >> and just what to say. >> don't be afraid to take the ball yourself and go in and shoot the ball okay yes >> reporter: a good turnout to

another win. and a trip back to the state finals at a school with more than the fair share of athletic accomplishments, the field hockey team stands alone >> 13 state championships. >> and two runners up we've been to the state finals 15 times >> all with her as coach her players are proud. you are the best team in the school >> yes >> by this much or that much >> this much >> reporter: junior abby burnett and senior jenna valnev had field hockey sticks in their hand since first grade, the goal, make varsity >> did you win districts >> yes >> for the play here means to win here and to play here often means to may in college >> so you are a senior >> yes >> and what is your plan for next year? >> so next year i'll be going to

cornell and playing division 1 field hockey there >> field hockey is harder to play than it looks >> you can only use the flat side to stop the ball. >> stick skills are paramount. >> i can't see a turn. >> reporter: but to play for sue boots requires commitment. sophomore emma kerry >> she makes us practice for hours and doesn't let us quit. it's a good thing. >> reporter: she played some field hockey in her younger gays basketball was her first love. but the job opening here was field hockey coach she jumped in 46 seasons ago >> every year your team, the young women on your team get one of these what is this >> they call it the bible. field hockey bible it has the rules very defined what my expectations are so they know and the parents know that we're committed. and if you want to be -- if you come to committed, please join in >> reporter: expectations in

front, in print. it seems so simple. >> i don't like to lose. and in order not to lose, you have to be structured and making sure that everything with your team whether it's fitness, your skill set, your structure, scouting that we prepare these girls. >> reporter: larry beans played for coach sue then starred in college. she is back now as an assistant. i kept going at coach sue trying to find out what the secret sauce was. what is that >> she is very honest. whether you want to hear what she has to say or not, you're going to know where you stand. >> reporter: wow no blowing smoke >> no, there's no the. i think finally got a compliment when i was like 32

i was like, thanks >> reporter: the hornets won the 1,000th game under coach this fall a number no high school field hockey coach anywhere had ever achieved before. >> and about the state high school championship? they won that too. last month, number 16. >> can you imagine just a juggernaut. and one of the really cool things that you hang around the high school and talk to the assistant coaches and the moms who played for her back in the day, they can't wait for their girls to be in high school so they, too, can play for coach sue. which happened time and time again. she is a remarkable, remarkable person >> a remarkable piece, harry thank you for bringing it to us in that moment where she is talking to the player on the sideline and saying you can give that shot by yourself. she is really giving the players confidence >> yes

>> 46 seasons and still get away without the gatorade bath. impressive >> she has all the moves, harry. thank you so much for that gift. we really appreciate it. time now for a check of the weather. jeff ranieri is in for al again this morning what are you watching? >> we're watching a bunch of stuff on the map more heat rolling in today we've been telling you about it all week but check the temperatures out today in texas look at this the we're going up to 85 in corpus christi a new record there baton rouge, 82. let's get you to the national map. we're tracking strong storms in the southeast. the chance of isolated tornadoes and heavy downpours. wind chills in the northern plains of minus 20 to minus 40 bundle up. and this is a live look now in walnut creek. we are under a micro climate weather alert still because we'll see on and off showers. showers through mill valley. a couple in san francisco. danville in through the dublin

area along 680 seeing plenty of activity. temperatures topping out at 49 in heyward, 48 in concorde. low 50s on the coastline, rain moves out tonight leaving dry weather through the weekend. that is your national forecast the wind chills in the upper plains of minus 20 to minus 40, going to get warmer by sunday. we're going to go up to a much warmer 28 degrees. >> great. >> how about that? >> oh, boy a balmy 28 all right. jeff, thank you for that all right. jacob, you have your carson hat on >> you ready for a little "pop start" first off, harry potter. a first look it at the highly anticipated 20th anniversary special headed to hbo max. "return to hogwarts" will reunite cast members from all eight movies to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the first chapter. in this exclusive clip, the iconic trio along with

christopher columbus, one of the biggest challenges during the early years, kids just want to have fun >> it made it harder for themselves by letting us have as much fun as we h it distracted us from the work we were supposed to be doing >> a big problem is, like, throughout a take our attention would, like, wayne and come and go >> they would see a line and smile at the camera. just so happy to be in harry potter film they couldn't contain their excitement long enough to focus on an entire scene. >> what a throwback. that is amazing. you can see more when the 20th anniversary return to hogwarts hits hbo max on new years day. next up, don't look up

the star studded dark comedy may be the latest hollywood project to fall victim to an on screen blunder. i love these first, we have the game of thrones coffee cup there it is. then there was the jeans guy who became so popular. did you know this? he was made into an action figure and now one tiktoker is saying the crew in the movie check this out >> one hour and 20 minutes and 10 seconds it looks like see the whole film crew standing here for like three or four frames. they're like oh, they won't notice that. >> yeah. they notice. it is true for two seconds on screen, you can see around a dozen masks members caught on camera what does he say he wrote on twitter, good eye. we left that crew in on purpose to commemorate the screen

filming experience what do you think? >> i like it i can never spot those moments i'm so impressed by the fans who can. >> just going to say, i appreciate we had our harry potter jacob here. >> this is my harry potter look. >> there you go. it's a good one. all right, jacob, thank you for that coming up next on "today," a treat for bridgerton fans. we're taking a trip to the english country home that inspired the set of the hit tv series >> and it is also princess diana's family home when she lived as a teenager. good morning. it is 8:26. i am marcus washington. this morning, people across the world and bay area are mourning over legendary coach john madden. he died yesterday at the age of 85. the bay area native grew up in daly city. led the oakland raiders to the first super bowl. he had more than 100 wins before he retired in 1979. many in the sports world are posting tributes. the nfl posted pictures of all the madden covers from the videogame. time to look across the bay area weather wise. of course, we're still dealing

with rain, looking across the bay area. storm ranger scanning the san bruno mountains. >> we have periods of on and off rain. good line of showers through san francisco. mill valley, richmond area. oakland taking a break. pretty soon they'll see some rain as well. rain coming down in dublin and through the south bay, we'll see rain move in the first half of the day. cold and breezy at times. temperatures 49 in heyward. 48 in concorde, 50s around the coast. >> thanks. another local update in 30 minutes. meet you back here then.

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we're back on 8:30 the 29th of december the days of the year are winding down just a few days to 2022 one thing that folks are looking forward to in the new jeer a second season of hit show "bridgerton. >> i sure am in anticipation of the march premier, our molly hunter

visited the elegant english country estate which inspired the set of the popular show. it also happens to be the home where the late princess diana >> look at this place. plus, when you think of countries that make fine wine, china probably doesn't come to mind that is changing fast. we go to the napa valley of china where the industry is growing at a record pace. >> speaking of grabbing a drink, will coleman is here with an impressive snack spread and, of course, festive cocktails. about the size of your party, he has us covered >> yeah, making his debut on the "today" show ahead on the third hour, california surf camp that is pushing to bring diverse toy to water sports >> i love this story >> coming up tomorrow, we're going to look at consumer reports best products to improve your health next year in 2022 to head phones to weighted blankets and smart watches. will they'll give the wellness journey a boost. >> the weighted blankets work. my kids lay on top of me i'm out cold quickly jeff ranieri is back with a look at the forecast. >> good morning. of me.

i have to stick around for the drink and the food segment its going to go really well with our forecast here. i have your favorite, it's that new year's outlook you can see as we head into friday's forecast with, he have rain through the southeast the really cold wind chills in the northern plains and heavy snow in the rockies an additional foot of snow. now we know new york city is not going to be exactly how it always has been in the past. but still expected to happen 49 here mostly cloudy in times square if anything, this graphic gets you in the mood here a little bit for new year's eve let's get a look at the national map. you'll see severe storms in the southeast and some snow from the midwest back into the rockies. down in miami, we have the nbc show happening once we hit friday night with miley cyrus and pete davidson. a balmy 73 degrees then as we head through new year's day, check this out we're finally going to get

sunshine, much needed sun back through the west and then potentially moderate snow in chicago and more severe storms back he hey, jeff. talking about sunshine making its return. it will be, but we have to get through stormy conditions for at least one more day today. rain is coming down in mill valley. san francisco, richmond area, showers continue on and off through the day. we have breaks in the rain through 680 and showers will at least linger into the overnight hours. we're going to dip into the 30s. drying out by thursday, just in time for new year's eve heading into friday night. here we go, 2022, almost here i know we dealing with covid and everything else. going to be good at this will we can turn over a new page >> we're all ready >> thanks so much. up next, a special tour of the

country house where princess diana lived as a teenager. >> nowadays the dramatic staircase and luxurious interior are the inspiration for the "bridgerton" family home but first, this is "today" on nbc. rn about covid-19 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. (soft music) hey dad, i'm about to leave. don't forget your hat . good morning. how can i help? i need help connecting with my students. behind every last minute save, ok, that works. and holiday surprise, thank you! a customer service rep is working unseen, making it happen. and at genesys, we're proud to help them help you everyday.

ling and at genesys, 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. diana for generations. and recently the historic house became the inspiration for the set of the popular series "bridgerton. and nbc's molly hunter got the grand tour and the best assignment good morning >> oh, it was, kristen good morning so the creator of "bridgerton" was inspired by where princess diana spent her teenage years. we want to get a look at the real thing so earl spencer invited us in for a very special visit

take a look. ♪ >> reporter: we arrived in bridgerton style in very english weather. to the majestic estate 13,000 acres and at the center the childhood home of princess diana where she spent her teenage years and current home of her younger brother charles spencer. thank you. hello. >> welcome welcome to our home. come on in >> thanks. this is the entrance and, yeah, it's rather dramatic. but it's, i think, beautiful but it's not overpowering. the whole point of this house, i know it is obviously upper scale, but it's not bling. its no the overpowering, i hope not. >> i love it. >> it's an entrance and house fit for a

romance. >> my sincere apologies. >> walk into that house and it's immediately it's immediately parent it's a family home. and there's a warmth there and everything is just so opulent and elegant. i really wanted to capture the spirit of a family and the love that a family hold for each other >> bridgerton creator says he visited it in 2018 unknown to charles spencer only later tweet out the inspiration. >> he will against, opulent and that staircase. what was your reaction >> it's fabulous it's a huge compliment to the designs have been here for very long time. but to my ancestors who were lucky enough to be able to employ great architects to make the interior they're living none a slightly different form

♪ >> reporter: and this is the main staircase with family portraits including one of princess diana keeping watch >> the staircase >> the staircase. >> is so dramatic. much it's the scale of it isn't it just pulls everything together and i can see this would have an appeal to a create you have guy. >> it really allows for kind of grand entrances. >> it does >> when i was writing the script, they wrote that there was this grand central staircase in t portraits. that was in the script >> so, yeah, this is i guess what we have to call "bridgerton" room now. >> many of the rooms stayed with him as he developed the show >> these are all massive paintings. >> among the paintings, earl spencer added a few of his own modern touches >> the show stopper room in the house. >> and here in the picture gallery, surprises snuck into the 500-year-old family collection >> people get whiplash when we have the public walking past they see all the 17th century

and then there is something from 2008 a portrait of modern britain >> all of it in an effort to keep the house alive and kicking for generations to come. now earl spencer says he thinks a lot of that had to preserve this house and also how to modernize it and grow it and certainly the inspiration for "bridgerton" helps a lot what a house i'll tend it back to you. >> what an incredible house. i have to tell you, my mind is blown. you got to interview princess diana's brother. what was he like what was that moment like for you? incredible >> he was extraordinary. and so generous and invited us into his house, showing us where they grew up he spoke us with about childhood traditions and about his family and we did see that beautiful portrait of princess diana above the staircase. incredible.

>> anybody scrolling zillow, we we have you to thank for giving us the private tour. >> all right coming up, we take a scenic trip to china's rapidly growing wine making region for a taste of the goods as it is transforming into a tourist destination. but first, this is "today" on nbc. rink. before that drink turns to drinks, make a plan to get home safe. just call a friend, a cab, and get a rideshare. whatever you do, don't let drunk drive. go safely, california.

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out. hair, done. fit, fantastic! marijuana. not so fast. remember, marijuana and some meds don't mix. a sober driver can cure that. don't let high drive. go safely, california. most of us are familiar with california's napa valley known for the thousands of acres of vineyards and the wine it produces or the famous wines of france. >> yes i'm more familiar with it than others the love of wine is taken home in china they're racing to keep up with skyrocketing demand. nbc's janice fryer took a visit. >> at the age of the gobe desert this is china's wine heartland

the vineyards bursting with cab, chardonnay and other great varieties, picked, crushed, bottled and increasingly enjoyed as boutique wineries here get a reputation and a lot of awards for producing wine that is good. >> interesting >> one of the region's star wine makers is emma gao at her family's vineyard, she studied in france. and is known for bringing sophisticated techniques to an industry that in the 1980s barely existed here. then went straight to bulk production >> china wine region is like a baby so people, tourists try it and to taste it. >> what makes you a good winemaker? >> i think just parents. >> she makes natural wines that are free of additives.

the there is plenty of sunshine. the winters are so cold they need to bury the vines she thinks it's made them stronger >> cheers. >> cheers. >> with a growing middle class that is looking to indulge, china consumes more wine than france and is a big producer only spain devotes more acreage to vineyards this 100 mile long area in the foothills of the mountains is producing a wide variety of grapes the ambition here to be the napa valley of china. nearly 200 wineries, including the occasional ones have cropped up in a sort of gold rush to transform scrub land into a wine making frontier. the challenge for chinese wine makers isn't producing good wine, it's convincing chinese wine drinkers to try them. >> just like most american wine

is drunk by americans. you have to win over your own people before you go abroad and try to persuade other people to drink it >> reporter: for a long time, coal was the big industry here but wine is changing the landscape. most workers are from the muslim minority to have enough labor people were relocated from remote areas government's plan to produce more bottles a year than bordeaux gao is thinking small. she already sells nearly every bottle she makes >> we're proud to show people our region >> reporter: putting china on the world's wine map and keeping her glass half full. >> tasty >> reporter: today, in china >> one billion consumers in china. you can understand why they drink more wine than anybody else there >> looks good. i wish it were easier to get >> can't get it here

a nice change of pace for janice >> coming up, if you're hosting new year's eve, chef will coleman is here with a menu that is certain to impress your party guests even if it's just a party for one. fried chicken bites, delicious bites and a cocktail perfect to kick off the new year. will with a little role getting ready. ready. but first this is "today" on

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but if slow upload speeds turn your goodnight call into an accidental horror movie... can you hear me? shut it down. just remember. you're not a bad mom. you just need better internet. at&t fiber delivers faster upload speeds for more reliable video calls. get at&t fiber, plans starting at $35 a month for a year. limited availability in select areas. call 877.only.att. this morning, food, food writer stylist will coleman is here >> the we're so excited. he's got great recipes for anyone who wants to ring in the new year with delicious finger food and a festive cocktail. >> and the best part is all these snacks can be served at any celebration big or small will, good morning to you. >> good morning. i'm so happy to be here. >> i was going to ask you about that, this is your first time on the "today" show

i know that it's been a long time in the making >> it's been a long time in the making i couldn't be more than grateful to be having my debut with this fantastic wednesday with you all. >> we couldn't be more excited you have three recipes for us. so what are we starting with >> i have three delicious recipes to bring you into the new year it's going to be a great year. the we're starting off with one my favorite recipes, fried chicken. we're making it into small bites to bring it to the new year's eve brunches or dinner, appetizers, whatever you want to bring it to. this recipe is for you just start off, we have our buttermilk brine i love using that when i'm frying chicken simply buttermilk, spices. toss it in a ziploc bag. put it in the fridge for a couple years or overnight. >> what is the benefit of working with air chilled chicken? >> i love using air chilled chicken. simply just better chicken it preserves the juices and crow

creates a nice meal. if you conditioned find air chilled, regular chicken will do >> we're going to fry chicken. we have flour. i'm adding in my favorite seasoning, onion powder, garlic, cayenne, paprika, all in there together mix it up. i have my oil right here heating actually this is the same oil that i use in previous batches because my momma taught me that, you know, the more oil you use and the same oil you use, the more flavor packed in there so i'm using this oil. it's been a couple times a used it more and more flavor is occurring every time i use that oil. >> you cook with hot sauce too how hot is the hot in your hot sauce? >> you know, i like to say i want to enjoy hot sauce. i want to enjoy it i don't want to be burning my mouth so hot i can't enjoy the food but i grew up on frank's hot sauce. i think it is superior

i'm a frank's fan. >> let's talk about something sweet. you got what is it the cherry and goat cheese pies >> yeah. we have cherry and goat cheese pies they're literally delicious. you can enjoy them for dessert or breakfast or all throughout the day. that's what i do and it's basically cherries. i have fresh cherries and also dried cherries and candied ginger i love ginger. and i'm going to spice them up with cinnamon and sugar. i let the frozen cherry's simmer so they can break down then i add the sugar and spices. and a little almond extract. i'm obsessed with almond extract. put that all in a pot. put it on the stove. put it on. guess what leave it on for five, seven minutes and then you're set. >> i feel you on that. let me follow up with you on the flavor what does that add you don't typically put it in a pie, right >> you know, sometimes can you put it in blueberry pie. it is just a little bit. it creates this flavor of mmm. i want people to be like what is that so a little bit takes it a long way. creates an amazing flavor.

>> my family says what's that, it not a good thing. fantastic. >> that can be good or bad try to make it good. >> yeah. no doubt will, most people don't think about salt and pepper with the dessert. i see salt and pepper. how do you use it? >> i like to use savory and sweet ingredients in my baking i add the salt and pepper and sugar in one bowl. then when time to make my pastries, i have goat cheese and i put the pastry on top. i use my fingers and you can use a classic fork to get the crimp. once that's done, i like to do an egg wash on that baby to get the nice golden brown color in the oven. then hit it with salt and pepper and sugar on top it creates this beautiful color. how do you use it? >> i like to use savor and beautiful texture as you can see. the salt and pepper goes one way. can you also use that salt and pepper and sugar on your cocktail glasses for the rinse >> you have got our mouths water. thank you so much. and very, very happy new year to you as well. for everybody at home to get your hands on will's recipes, head over today.com/food.

>> that margarita sure looked good and now we're ready to celebratr cocktailglasses for the rinse. >> you have got our some milestones. your hands on >> shall we? >> let's do it. >> let's spin the smucker's jars >> happy 100th birthday to eddie durham of chicago. he served our country in world

war ii we salute you. alberta mccollum is 100 today. the secret to longevity is staying stress free. amen happy 100th to seymour bagen he has never met a milk shake he didn't like. awesome. yorktown heights was 100 she was a long time volunteer at her local hospital anita frank is from new jersey hi, anita. this lovely grandma is 100 years old. she work as an interior designer for over four decades. last but not least, love is in the air. happy 76th anniversary to fred and frances simpson, cross country travelers from north carolina they eloped a month after turning 18 years old and never looked back. the two say simply loving each other is the secret to a long and happy marriage as always if, you have a loved one celebrating a milestone or an anniversary or turning 10

1, let us know at today.com/celebrate. >> my grandma was on there a couple months ago. she said when do i get the smucker's jar? >> happy birthday to our birthdays. coming up next in our third hour, we're going to visit a massive roof top farm that is high above paris >> and later on hoda and jenna, the military veteran that is a tiktok sensation at 79 we're back after your local

a verdict is expected. deliberations are under way. the judge is available if they have questions. in contra costa county, a surge means a change in mask rules. beginning today, everyone has to wear a mask at all indoor businesses regardless of vaccination status.

countdown to the winter olympics. we introduce you to the medallist bringing his a game.

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later, we got. this the author on a mission, brings some diversity to children's books all that coming up today, wednesday, december 29th, 2021 >> from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." >> good morning, everybody welcome to the third hour of "today." i'm al craig is off ou