white house docudrama. president biden staying silent for days, amid a growing chorus of questions from both signs of the aisle about his handling of classified documents the debt ceiling showdown as lawmakers dig in, despite warnings of dire consequences. a dramatic development in the case of a missing massachusetts mother why her husband is now facing murder charges this morning. it looks like college students will be reeling on

instagram. a reunion a lifetime in the making how two twins separated at birth finally found each other decades later. it's wednesday, january 18 "early today" starts right now >> good morning, i'm phillip mena >> i'm frances rivera. it has been nearly a week since a special counsel was appointed to investigate president biden's handling of classified documents, but president biden has stayed silent in recent days and there have been more call focalls for transparency from both sides of the aisle >> reporter: president biden refusing to answer questions around his handling of classified documents for the fifth day in a row, no comment as he faces a special counsel investigation and intensifying bipartisan criticism for a lack of transparency and the ongoing drip, drip, drip of new information. days after announcing the search for classified documents was

complete, just this weekend the white house revealed five more pages of classified materials were among those discovered at the president's delaware home. >> we want simple questions to simple answers and this administration fights us every step of the way >> reporter: the first batch of classified materials, including at least one top secret document was found in the president's former office, and more documents at the biden's delaware home, including inside the garage republicans are accusing the president of hypocrisy since he blasted former president trump for keeping hundreds of classified documents at his mar-a-lago home. >> how that could possibly happen how anyone could be that irresponsible. >> reporter: but the white house is firing back, arguing unlike mr. trump's case, president biden's lawyers handed back all classified documents as soon as they were found, accusing republicans of faking outrage. >> the white house says republicans are faking outrage on this issue. why shouldn't americans be outraged about classified

documents being found in a garage >> look, and i think i've been very clear about this. we have answered questions on this, at this podium he said that he didn't know. right? he said that he was surprised. and he said that he takes classified information and documents very, very seriously >> reporter: the white house is leaving many questions unanswered among then exactly how many classified documents have biden lawyers recovered? who had access to them, and why wasn't the public told for more than two months that lawyers had found classified documents before the midterms. >> the most important question that we've asked for over a week is why did they keep it from the american people, when they knew about it before the election >> reporter: explaining their silence, white house officials today said they're trying to balance cooperating with the investigation while providing information to the public. but a law enforcement official tells nbc news the justice department has not told the white house that it cannot talk about the facts of the case. back to you. >> peter thank you there's another showdown

over the economy looming in congress this morning. the u.s. is set to hit the debt limit tomorrow meaning the clock is ticking to avoid defaulting on our debts in early june, which experts warn would have dire consequences brie jackson joins us now from d.c. good morning this debt ceiling showdown is different than the fight over government funding that we just saw happen, right? >> reporter: that's right it is. the debt ceiling has nothing do with the future debts but paying debts that we already owe. it began in 1917 right now it stands at about $31.4 trillion when we hit the ceiling, the government cannot borrow money to pay its debts, and the country could be forced to default. congress has raised the limit 78 times. now treasury secretary january the yellen says extraordinary measures will be taken so the u.s. can keep up with its obligation, but those measures

will likely only last until june experts warn of financial chaos if the u.s. were to default on its debts. possible impacts include a stock market crash, a recession, rising interest rates, and a stop to benefits like social security neither major party wants to pay the political price of a government default >> interest rates would go up. mortgage rates would go up cr credit card rates would go up. it may take a few months in the house and senate the mainstream republicans are going to come to their senses and work with us, and we welcome that >> we're six months away approximately, and what i'd like to do is i'd like to sit down with all the leaders, especially the president and start having a discussion >> reporter: democrats have signaled they want to raise the debt ceiling with no strings attached, while republican whose now control the house want to negotiate major spending cuts. but they haven't given any specific demands yet

phillip? >> pre >> thank you a defeated republican candidate in new mexico has been arrested they say pena targeted democratic officials, hiring men to shoot up offices and hopes. u.s. capitol police investigated 7500 threats last year for the latest on the new mexico attacks, here's hallie jackson >> reporter: new details on an escalation of extremism, with nbc news learning the alleged ringleader of a plot to shoot at democratic officials confronted some of them weeks before. tracking them down in person after losing a state election. >> he was pretty aggressive. >> reporter: then in december, county commissioner adrian barboa came home to this >> four shots through the front door, two shots through my partner's vehicle. so yeah, it was shocking and

scary. >> reporter: you said you were with your grand daughter just hours before >> that was the most terrifying is i kept thinking this is through our front door you could see the direct path where it went out my back door and i have literally been there playing with my granddaughter, just two hours before. >> reporter: at another official's home, one bullet landed in her daughter's bedroom wall, so close to the sleeping 10-year-old that sheetrock dust was blown onto the girl's face, according to newly-released arrest documents the suspect, solomon pena accused of paying four men to shoot the homes of four state and local democratic officials over the past month in what authorities described as an orchestrated plot. >> the attack on elected official is an attack on democracy. whether or not it's a democrat or republican it does not matter >> reporter: no one was hurt, but pena was a donald trump supporter and like the president

an election denier even though no fraud was found in new mexico, he was adamant he should have won a race he lohse in a landslide his campaign has not responded to a request for comment the attacks coming at a time of growing concern over politically-motivated violence and threats to members of congress spiking ten fold since 2016 >> we're seeing threats and intimidation and actual violence skyrocketing on the right. >> reporter: dangerous divisions and a community on edge. >> our thanks to hallie for that report brian walshe is due in court today after massachusetts prosecutors charged him with killing his wife ana the 47-year-old husband is already in custody on suspicion of misleading police for which he has pleaded not guilty. the district attorney did not disclose details about what led to the issuing of the murder warrant.

after his wife disappeared, brian walshe bought $450 worth of goods, including cleaning supplies, mops and tape. blood and a blood-stained knife were also found in the basement of the couple's home now to california where many residents can finally breathe a sigh of relief the storms appear to be over, but while the severe weather has moved on, the problems continue in the golden state. the near-constant >> has left the northern part of the state buried in snow while further south many are still facing the threat of floodwaters. the saturated ground has led to landslides and crumbled roadways, and many now are without a safe place to live storms are now moving across the country. michelle grossmann is here tracking all of it for us. >> good morning, guys. the big storm, the threat for snow, wind, rain on the backside, really cold air. that's going to bring snow to the central plains and upper

midwest. we could see quite a bit of snow in the central plains, especially through nebraska. on the warm side, we're looking at a flood risk, severe storms possible from the mississippi valley into the ohio valley. this is going to move off to the northeast as we go throughout thursday for today, 17 million people impacted from the southwest to the central plains, these are l whetalhet warm air extends to the north east and really chilly in the northern plains and midwest. temperatures below freezing. all right, we're track ago little bit of light snow, little bit of light rain in the west. we'll talk more about that coming up. "early today's" back in a minute with all the action from the strael australian open

why universities are banning tiktok why universities are banng tiktok it's specially made for wood floors with a microfiber-like pad that's really soft. and it sprays with a light mist that dries in half the time. that dirt and grime gets absorbed and locked away. the coolest part... it prevents streaks and haze better than my old mop. yeah, this is definitely the way to go. wetjet wood with a money-back guarantee. also try new sweeper wood cloths. does your vitamin c last 24 hours? only nature's bounty does. with immune 24 hour plus you get longer-lasting vitamin c plus herbal and other immune superstars. get more with nature's bounty. suffering from sinus congestion, especially at night? plutry vicks sinexher immune superstars. for instant relief that lasts up to 12 hours. vicks sinex targets congestion at the source, relieving nasal congestion and sinus pressure by reducing swelling in the sinuses. try vicks sinex.

some breaking news to bring you out of ukraine where a helicopter crash has injured 20. accord together head of national police in ukraine, the country's interior minister is among the dead as well as three children an investigation is under way, and it comes after russia's deadliest single attack on civilians. the a.p. reports that 45 are dead in a missile strike on an apartment building in dnipro the count is likely final according to authorities, contradicting earlier claims that dozens more were still presumed dead. the university of texas at austin has blocked students and staff from using tiktok on wi-fi. they announced the bans on tuesday, that they couldn't use the app while connected to

campus' networks several other universities have followed suit after governor abbott's ban on government devices. auburn university has taken similar measures president biden was all smiles, welcoming the golden state warriors to the white house. >> struggled in 2020, missed the playoffs in '21 and critics wondered if this team was gone for good as a championship team, but fellas, i know what it feels like i've been there >> the president and first lady kamala harris also received jerseys from the defending nba champions. it is summertime down under, and that means the action is heating up in the australian open top-ranked swiatek had no trouble. she cruised to her second-round

victory 6-2, 6-3 and a major upset moments ago on the men's side, rafael nadal is out in the second round after a defeat to mackenzie mcdonald avenger. a major milestone after a snowplow accident. and the end of an era at nbc. we say good-bye to one of our favorite reporters, kerry sanders is signing off after 32 years. s is signing off after 32 years. fo rmula repairs hair. as well as the leading luxury bonding treatment. for softness and resilience, without the price tag. if you know... you know it's pantene. ♪ for softness and resilience, sure there's food at home, but is there a mcdouble with extra pickles, a side of fries and a hi-c at home? don't be ridiculous. ♪ pain hits fast. so get relief fast.

only tylenol rapid release gels have laser drilled holes. they release medicine fast for fast pain relief. and now get relief without a pill with tylenol dissolve packs. relief without the water. ♪♪ ♪♪ brave the cold. grab kleenex. ♪♪ wondering what actually goes into your multivitamin?

at new chapter, its' innovation, organic ingredients, and fermentation. fermentation? yes. formulated to help you body really truly absorb the natural goodness. new chapter. wellness, well done. ♪♪ look at you looking for the good stuff. two full servings of veggies and an excellent source of vitamins and a whole lot of flavor all before lunch time. find veggies. find a better start. find it in v8. and now please welcome ana montoya.

♪ hello there, fellow students... next on behind the series... let me tell you about the greatest roster ever assembled. the monster, the outlaw... and you can't forget about the boss. it wasn't just a roster. it was a menu. the subway series. the greatest menu of all time. actor jeremy renner is out of the hospital and back at home after he was run over by a snowplow earlier this month and sustained serious injuries the 52-year-old has been updating his fans since the new year's day incident. he was run over and suffered

serious injuries today we are saying good-bye to one of our favorites. kerry sanders is retiring after 30 years in the field. he's covered everything from hurricanes to the war in iraq and everything in between. lester holt looks back at his incredible career. >> the fighting has been fierce for two days >> the only thing left now are about 200 absentee ballots >> you really get a full idea of how widespread the damage is >> reporter: he's reported for nbc news for over three decades. >> kerry sanders, nbc news, port-au-prince >> naz rea >> where in the australian outback. >> reporter: kerry sanders, on the ground, around the world covering the big stories >> it's about 19 hours into the rescue, and it's remarkable. each one has gone on without a hitch. >> reporter: from breaking news. >> not exactly sure, but the officers started yelling get down, get down >> reporter: to natural disasters. >> let me take you out the window here.

this is the date land trailer park here or what once was the date land trailer park what you're looking at is what remains. >> reporter: if there was a hurricane, chances are kerry sanders was there. the florida-based correspondent, right in the thick of it >> ooh-hoo, hoo, hoo >> reporter: from nature's fury to human fury. kerry embedded with u.s. marines on the front lines of the war in iraq in 2003 >> a lot like a knife fight in a phone booth. it's just that difficult >> reporter: his work as a journalist often guided by his compassion, as we saw when he handed a wounded marine a satellite phone to call home >> i'm okay. i got shot in the hand >> reporter: sanders' incredible range and humanity always shining through g when people call you a hero, what do you say? >> oh, we done our job we aren't no hero. >> reporter: his tenacity and

sometimes kid-like enthusiasm for the story was hard to match. >> i guess only somebody from florida would be silly to jump in, but we'll give it a shot >> ooh >> reporter: how many of us can say we saved dolphins? >> i know. i know we're getting the tangles off you. >> i think there's going to be a happy ending here. r . >> reporter: a master storyteller whose work often left us smiling. >> i am going to get into position and join them and in a minute we're going to release these turtles out into the wild. >> reporter: and that's how we feel as we say a fond farewell to a reporter who always gave his all, taking us to new heights, and as always, leaving us wanting more. >> kerry sanders, nbc news, miami. >> what can we say so going to miss him and those reports >> versatile, fun-loving,

fearless, just one of a kind guy. still to come, an incredible reunion bettween twins separates babies tween twins separated as babies ralph, that's the chewy pharmacy box with our flea and tick meds. it's not peanut butter. i know, i know. but every time the box comes, we get the peanut butter. yes, because mom takes the meds out of the box and puts them in the peanut butter. sounds like we're getting peanut butter. yes, but that is the chewy pharmacy box. ♪ the peanut butter box is here. ♪ ♪ the peanut butter box is here ♪ alright, i'm out. pet prescriptions delivered to your door. chewy. ♪ ♪ sure, mcdonald's breakfast is good, but getting that mcdonald's breakfast two minutes before it stops being served? that tastes even better. ♪ ♪ ♪ma ma ma ma♪ [clears throut] for fast sore throat relief, try vicks vapocool drops with two times more menthol per drop*,

and the powerful rush of vicks vapors for fast-acting relief you can feel. vicks vapocool drops. fast relief you can feel. ♪♪ ♪♪ brave the cold. grab kleenex. ♪♪

my moderate to severe plaque psoriasis... the burning, itching. the pain. emerge tremfyant®. with tremfya®, most people saw 90% clearer skin at 16 weeks. the majority of people saw 90% clearer skin even at 5 years. serious allergic reactions may occur. tremfya® may increase your risk of infections and lower your ability to fight them. tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms or if you had a vaccine or plan to. emerge tremfyant®. with tremfya®... ask your doctor about tremfya® today. just between us, you know what's better than mopping? anything! ugh. well, i switched to swiffer wetjet, and it's awesome. it's an all-in-one,

that absorbs dirt and grime deep inside. and it helps prevent streaks and haze. wetjet is so worth it. love it, or your money back. welcome back on their wednesday. we're watching some rain mountain snow in the higher elevations from washington to california, also light to moderate rain in the valleys and bay region this is going to move off to the east into thursday we're going to keep mainly dry conditions for southern california that's the good news, then snow and slick travel in the great basin. how much rain are we talking not a whole lot, but still we don't need any there some pockets of heavy rain where you see the yellow and orange. back to you guys >> all right, michelle, thank you. we're back in just over a minute with a reunion between

twins, a whole lifetime in the making e in the making suffering from sinus congestion, especially at night? try vicks sinex for instant relief that lasts up to 12 hours. vicks sinex targets congestion at the source, relieving nasal congestion and sinus pressure by reducing swelling in the sinuses. try vicks sinex. do you like... ...chocolate bars? ♪♪ ♪♪ hate it when a car freshener hits you with an overwhelming blast of perfume? febreze car vent clips work differently. febreze gives you consistent freshness that starts just right and stays just right for 40 days.

upgrade to febreze car. just days before her 77th birthday, country legend dolly parton announced the next step in her collaboration with duncan hines. they include cornbread, biscuit and two brownie mixes. they hit shelves this month, and you can always spring for the baking collection. that set as well is available. now to the virginia woman who has been searching for her brother her entire life. she was able to track down her long-lost twin after decades apart. from our hampton rhodes,

virginia affiliate >> reporter: she was adopted after her mother got sick. she was attorntorn from her bro who had cerebral palsy. >> you never know how much time you have at that point, i had went into like a deep depression but as i'm coming out of it, i'm like, i have to find my brother. >> reporter: resolved to find her brother, she took to social media with nothing but the first names of his adoptive parents and the one photo she had of him, a defining feature. he was born with a clenched hand >> over the years i've definitely tried to look for him. but being that both of our names got changed it came up to a dead end. >> reporter: and her plea for help went viral.

thousands of strangers pitched in to solve the mystery, and one woman connected the dots, finding a family in texas. she finally had a name, moses cordova. >> as i'm scrolling i see a picture, and he's taking a selfie, and i see his arm, and his hand was clenched, and i lost it. i started crying and thanking god in that moment because i said, this is him. and i could not believe, it's been 34 years. >> reporter: she tracked down a phone number and fired a text, the photo of the two of them >> i said i've been looking for you my whole life. and i was like, wow. and he says can you call me? >> reporter: and she says the holidays this year were like no other, being able to crall her brother and wish him a merry christmas. >> when i find him and actually face time him and i'm looking at this man that was created with me, we shared a womb for nine

months it was amazing >> all right, our thanks to haley for that incredible story. how exhilarating, a satisfying moment for her >> i need a part two i need a reunion i need a reunion >> thanks for king up wawi i work hard, and i want my money to work hard too. so, i use my freedom unlimited card. earning on my favorite soup. aaaaaah. got it. earning on that éclair. don't touch it, don't touch it yet. let me get the big one. nope. - this one? - nope. - this one? - yes. - no. - what? - the big one. - they're all the same size. wait! lemme get 'em all. i'm gonna get 'em all! earn big with chase freedom unlimited. how do you cashback? chase. make more of what's yours.

right now at 4:30, tracking incoming rain. don't put that umbrella away just yet. meteorologist kari hall breaks down a time line of when that wet weather is expected to start. plus -- [ inaudible ] >> frustrated and tired, residents in san francisco pleading for action after a recent crime spree terrorizes one neighborhood. the actions city leaders say need to be take tone combat growing crime rates. this is "today in the bay" streaming live on roku, amazon fire, apple tv and online.