breaking overnight, could former president trump face charges in the wake of the capitol riot the january 6th investigation shifts into high gear laying out a potential criminal conspiracy case for the first time. russia's violent siege on ukraine enters week two with an amplified assault on key cities. this as a second round of peace talks begin in belarus russia's war in ukraine is forcing global oil prices to surge causing more pain at the pump here in america florida governor ron desantis calls out students for wearing masks, saying it's ridiculous as he seems to scold

them a collision course with moon space junk is traveling at close to 6,000 miles per hour, and is set to smash into our moon on friday "early today" starts right now good morning and thanks for being with us. i'm vinita mair. >> i'm frances rivera. breaking overnight a seismic shift in the capitol riot investigation. former president trump and his allies were involved in a criminal conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election. nbc's brie jackson is in d.c. with the latest. brie, good morning this is major change for this investigation. >> reporter: good morning, frances. that's absolutely right. this is the first time that the committee has suggested there may be evidence to conclude that mr. trump committed crimes to stay in office the sprawling new court document largely focuses on trump aligned lawyer john eastman who wrote memos arguing then vice president mike pence could

overturn the election. eastman has claimed attorney-client privilege. this brief argues for a court review of eastman's documents saying the committee has reason to believe the material could show mr. trump engaged in a crime, specifically obstruction of an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the united states and common law fraud. trump and eastman have not been charged with a crime, but as former u.s. attorney barbara mcquade said last night on msnbc it lays out a potential case >> i think it's a very significant filing because it's the first time the committee has said out loud what the crimes have been and pulled together the evidence of what that crime may have look like i think that any prosecutor who looked at that evidence in the way i did, in the way that the former prosecutors who are leading this investigation for the january 6th committee are doing, it really jumps out at fairly obvious potential crimes. >> an attorney for eastman said in part dr. eastman has a responsibility to protect client

confidences. the select committee has responded to dr. eastman's efforts to discharge the responsibility by accusing him of criminal activity # we look forward to responding in due course the january 6th committee is investigating last year's capitol riots and the inevents that led to it they've interviewed more than 550 witnesses and gathered hundreds of pages of evidence. a spokesperson for mr. trump has not responded to a request for comment in this latest development. back to you. >> all the major headlines being made out there, the former president still included in them brie, thank you. >> an accused member of the far right militia the oath keepers has pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy joshua james of arab, alabama, admitted to discussing plans to stop the electoral vote count for president on january 6th prosecutors say james led a line of rioters in a military-style single file formation into the

capitol building that day. those high profile indictments handed out so far in connection with the riot. seeking a reduced sentence james also pleaded guilty to obstructing an official proceeding now to the latest in the effort to protect ukraine from the russian invasion nbc news has learned that the united states has delivered hundreds of stinger missiles to ukraine, weapons that are even capable of taking out russian planes and in an effort to avoid escalating tensions the u.s. has declayed the planned test of an intercontinental ballistic missile. also prices are surging as the conflict enters its second week both numbers are the highest in years and more than when they both closed at the end of day trading. on the ground in ukraine russia's offensive is growing more intense and more destructivech there are more reports of residential buildings being hit, putting civilians in grave danger a new report from the united

nations estimates over 1 million refugees have left ukraine since this invasion dpan nbc's tom yoenis has more on the russian to escape. >> reporter: that long journey out of ukraine becoming tortuous, refugees standing, waiting, telling us the russians have left them shell-shocked >> my whole city is just dust. >> reporter: she told our cal perry how she fled kharkiv, that bombs killed her loved ones, so she boarded a train that turned into a trip through hell >> our train stopped in the middle of kyiv, and they were -- you were they were shooting, and we heard bombs flying all over and planes, and i thought this particular moment i can die. >> reporter: refugees are still sweeping from the east where the fighting is intensifying to the west where there's a battle to get out. refugee camps are popping up across the border in poland,

ledova and romania, many leaving everything behind. >> high husband, my home, my dog, my cats, my life. >> reporter: the u.n. estimates up to 4 million ukrainians will leave. help is arriving this baptist seminary in lviv in western ukraine is housing dozens of families >> you hear some knocking, some boom, some car engine and you wake up because you don't know what's going on. >> reporter: tonia is grateful to be in a shelter with her partner and their children, but she says ukraine needs so much more what do you want from america? what do you want for president joe biden? >> now we want you to close our sky, not let him bomb because today -- they have bombed my city, destroyed many houses. and they didn't launch rockets

they dropped bombs, destroyed many houses. >> it's heart wrenching. after monday's failed attempt a second round of peace talks between russia and ukraine are expected to take place in belarus today. back in russia citizens facing chaos as western sanctions intended to cripple the country's economy are already wreaking havoc nbc's raf sanchez on the ground in moskow. so what's it like there? >> reporter: we are seeing economic life for ordinary people in this country turned upside-down by these sanctions as the value of the ruble, the russian currency collapses prices are just skyrocketing, and that's on everything from car parts to toys to just groceries in the super market. they're looking to get out of the country, but that is not ams

international airport, you look at the departures board, you are seeing just a sea of cancellations because north american and european airspace are both closed to russian aircraft right now we are expecting a second round of these peace talks to go ahead in belarus today i'll tell you the ukrainians are not optimistic that this will lead to a break through given that russian forces are besieging multiple cities as negotiators sit down at the table. but president zelenskyy has said he has no other choice but to at least try to enter into talks with the russian side. here in russia a crack down on the independent media is continuing russian media outlets are banned from referring to what's going on in ukraine as a war, as an invasion a very pupler independent radio station here in russia that splits its time between music and news, one of its anchors went on-air yesterday and said

we're going to stop reporting the news because we don't want to feed you lies that are bein y so that is a major blow to a small and dwindling ecosystem of independent russian media outlets. >> response has been really interesting. a new plan announced to tackle covid-19. plus florida governor ron desantis scolded students over wearing masks at a school function here's nbc's miguel almaguer >> reporter: transitioning from pandemic endemic the white house covid task force briefing in person for the first time in more than a year said americans must learn to live with the virus, laying out a new plan to

move forward >> we are clearly going in the right direction. >> reporter: unveiling a 96-page document with four main goals, the white house will still focus on vaccines. it's also investing in jugnomic sequencing as it braces for new variants and in an effort to prevent economic and school shutdowns starting next week americans can order additional free at-home testing kits and if someone tests positive at a pharmacy or clinic anti-rierl medications could be available on the spot. the initiative called test to treat. >> so we can effectively stay ahead of this virus and protecm. >> reporter: the new message, it for america to get back to work and fill our great down towns again with people >> the president seems to be signaling we're entering a new normal is that right to interpret it that way >> i think we're in a new good place. the level of transmission is way down it gives us time to pause and reflect and really construct a

good road map for where we're heading. >> reporter: but that road may be bumpy with a country still guided florida's governor with high school students. >> you do not have to wear those mask please take them off honestly it's not doing anything and we've got to stop with this covid theater. if you want to wear it fine, but this is ridiculous >> reporter: a nation exhausted navigating an evolving pandemic. miguel almaguer, nbc news. now to your weather and record heat clashing with a stshot of arctic cold nbc's bill karins watching it all. >> never a dull moment all this cold canadian air still sitting there and making a run over the border. many areas brutally cold, almost dangerously cold for the beginning of march fargo at negative 15, and some of that cold airheading down into the northeast today, too. so be prepare as warm as

yesterday. but there's other areas of the country still holding onto near record warmth from colorado to new mexico all the way down through the gulf coast areas temperatures in the 70s, widespread 81 today in savannah. and as we head to tomorrow that warmth returns yesterday was near 80, 71 tomorrow amrillo could have two days in a row of 80s in early march. and how about this weekend atlanta 77, d.c. should be 75 degrees on sunday. talk about spring fever. it's going to take hold in the0s compare that to the south where highs are widespread 70s to 80s. weekend forecast is coming up, and we're going to talk about

snow for some people no one wants to shovel in march, but it happens >> all right, bill, thank you. apple is expected to unveil a new low cost iphone and ipad in the coming days the event peek performance will be streamed march 8th on apple's website and on youtube it'll be the company's first product launch of the year since they unveiled their new mac book pro laptops in 2021. it comes one day after apple said it would halt all product sales in russia due the invasion of ukraine >> we're back in 60 seconds with details of an alarming increase in deadly road rage. plus russia'war s in ukraine is pushing up the price of oil even higher this morning stay with us clean freak begins deep cleaning on contact with 3x the cleaning power to break down tough messes in seconds so, it's perfect for stovetops, tough bathroom soap scum, and even stainless steel. mr. clean clean freak want more restful sleep? nature's bounty gives you more with sleep3. the first ever triple action sleep supplement

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family nbc's isa gutierrez has the details, a warning the video may be too hard to watch >> reporter: video of a traffic dispute turned deadly in a chicago suburb the video appears to show a man approaching a car and moments later getting shot through the window police say it was a teenager at the wheel. now charged with murder. >> he took somebody away from us, just obviously a senseless act. hopefully just will be served. >> reporter: the alleged victim 46-year-old scott madison, a father of two daughters who lived in streamwood, illinois. in a statement police said he died at a nearby hospital after first responders tried to save his life at the scene on sunday. his ex-girlfriend telling us he was a beloved member of the community. >> everybody that knows him knows him, his character and knows that he was a hardworking man and would do anything and

has done anything for anybody. >> reporter: 18-year-old jonathan maehi also from the area facing first degree murder and unlawful weapon use charges. a gofundme created by madison's coworkers has raised thousands of dollars for his family. and in california another road rage shooting killing a man while his family was in the car. the family of marco lara, 24, telling nbc l.a. he was delivering food with his wife and two small children when a car in front of them started brake checking his suv lara tried to confront the other driver on the side of the freeway. >> he thought he could resolve what was going on with the other car. >> reporter: the family saying the driver then shot him moments later and left the scene lara's family saying his 4-year-old daughter witnessed it all. >> last night when she started crying all i could do was hug

her and tell her that he's taking care of her from heaven >> reporter: these incidents as the country sees a spike in auto fatalities overall and more aggressiveness on the road according to a government data report released by aaa this week even as there were fewer drivers on the road. as of monday police said the gunman in lara's case is still at large according to nbc l.a. >> so stupid so -- i mean it happens every day. you never expect for someone's life to be taken over road rage. >> our thanks to isa gutierrez for that report. coming up, the market is on the rebound after two days in the red. and keir simmons has the latest on u.s. sanctions hitting russian oligarchs. s or abdomina? taking align can help. align contains a quality probiotic to naturally help soothe digestive upsets 24/7. try align, the pros in digestive health. and join the align healthy gut team up

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wall street rebounding from two days in the red.

the dow jumped nearly 600 points yesterday after fed chief jerome powell said he's still committed to rate hikes to tame inflation despite the crisis in ukraine. futures are muted ahead of toda today's open >> new sanctions are going after russia's super rich. the justice department has launched a new task force targeting russia's oligarchs nbc's keir simmons is following the latest >> reporter: yachts, mansions, private planes russia's super rich are in the cross hairs according to president biden. >> we're coming for your ill begotten gains. >> reporter:. >> reporter: the justice department announcing task force clepto capture though not announcing any targets by name just last week president putin gathering 13 oligarchs at the kremlin. the message, don't stop supporting me. but the loyalty of the rich is being tested like never before when putin became president he was determined to control

russia's bill ionairesch now ami his war in ukraine some are making unprecedented public statements oleg deripaska worth $4 billion and once called putin's favorite industrialest said last week peace is very important. mikhail freedman told one of his big investors the war was a tragedy. but none criticized putin directy. another high profile russian billionaire worth an estimated $13 billion announcing he's selling dhelsy football club and advocating for peace talks with ukraine. meanwhile president putin himself now sanctioned his mansion and wealth exposed in a repeat opposition video he's been called the richest man in europe. his yacht set to have been moved from germany last month. and now three russian officials tell us they are seeing oligarchs trying to move their assets to escape sanctions >> keir, thank you

well, i don't know about you but we are ready for the weekend. and bill will have an early look at the forecast next and we'll go live to the ukrainian border where the number of refugees skyrocket past the million mark. pain with it's so good to see you guys. hon, out here! are we on yet? oh... i thought we were doing a zoom thing. no. ordinary tissues burn when theo blows. so puffs plus lotion rescued his nose. with up to 50% more lotion, puffs bring soothing relief. a nose in need deserves puffs indeed. america's #1 lotion tissue. pain hits fast. so get relief fast. only tylenol rapid release gels have laser drilled holes.

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judges are wheeling and dealing this morning, deciding which mozzarella maestro will share the competition and be crowned the big cheese the world championship cheese contest is under way right now in wisconsin we'll find out this afternoon when gold, silver and bronze winners are announced. >> i don't want to make a cheesy joke but i'm tempted as we check back in with bill for a preview of your weekend weather. >> let's talk about this snow. i teased it and i said some people were going to have to do some shoveling that snow is breaking out moving up saturday, and then light snow sunday into the northern great lakes, but then we get another storm coming in throughout salt lake city back towards denver. if you're in the purple colors that's the higher elevations of the rockies, heavy snow. moderate snow in the blue spreads all the way up into areas of the northern plains that's a lot of snow for this weekend. all right, we're back with

jay gray in poland we are back now with more on the refugees fleeing ukraine amidst the crisis there. so far a million refugees have fled the country with the fighting let's check in now with jay gray who's at the border in poland. jay, good morning. >> reporter: hey, good morning, ladies and look, we are at the border crossing we continue to see families moving into poland rushing to safety but something's changed dramatically here. you've got a line of vehicles, cars, vans and trucks filled with supplies.

they're moving into ukraine delivering humanitarian aid. the images say more than words ever could tiny faces pressed against a train window, toddlers and teenagers stepping from rail cars into the arms of stranges, part of what the polish army calls a special mission. 2,000 children, many orphans rushed from the escalating violence in ukraine to poland overnight. russian forces seemingly tightening their grip, the scar from a full week of war now evident from kharkiv and capital city of kyiv >> we are hoping this is a nightmare and we're going to wake up. this is impossible, bombing of kyiv, invading from russia >> reporter: but it is all too real still the relentless attacks can't break the resolve of those fighting to protect their homeland civilians joining soldiers on the front lines.

others making molotov cocktails to stop advancing russian troops >> we want to be angry when we die, not scared. >> reporter: bravery effect and barriers on the battlefield and children in a train station so far from home. yeah, and at this point as the violence escalates so does the flow of people into the border countries here more than a million have rushed to safety. back to you, frances >> thank you very much and with the numbers growing by the day and fighting intensifying officials on both sides of the conflict have agreed to meet for a second round of talks to try to reach a cease-fire so many of those stories of the families separated and there at the border trying to find some sense but the uncertainty there still so difficult >> there aren't high hopes for the second round of peace talks but at least they're happening we're pushing towards

deescalation and getting people to a table, and heard from zelenskyy no matter what happens he's willing to talk >> all right, thank you for watching "early today. >> hope you have a great thursday we'll see you right back here we'll see you right back here torrow to start off yourmo 5-hour energy... 'cause it's time to hit the gym and work up a sweat. and you're going to need some energy. lots of energy. 5-hour energy...for every workout. ♪♪

right now at 4:30, fleeing from the war and looking for safety. the first refugees from ukraine arriving in the bay area, this as the russian troops continue to advance on ukraine's capital. the way you can help those left behind. plus -- >> this is exciting. >> going maskless. the excitement at concert-goers at concert for concert-goers were able to ditch the face coverings for the first time in the south bay. >> meteorologist kari hall is tracking that incoming rain and how long it will stick