a winter blast, whipping winds and relentless rain. tens of thousands without power this morning after a wave of wicked weather swept across much of the country michelle is monitoring the system an explosive report as the war in ukraine stretches into its second year. the u.s. says china is considering arming russia with artillery and ammo the response from beijing this morning. a toxic trade-off. the growing controversy over what to do with the remains of the fiery train derailment that sparked outrage in ohio.

the stars shine bright at the screen actors guild awards the biggest moments and historic wins setting the stage for the oscars and diving into the history books. howard university's all black swim team pulls off a huge win at the conference championship it's monday, february 27th "early today" starts right now >> good morning. i'm vinita nair. >> and i'm phillip mena. a dangerous storm system racing east this morning. overnight, strong winds tore through the southern plains. the national weather service reported multiple tornadoes in oklahoma officials saidthere were no reports of injuries, but there was damage to homes, gas, and power lines north of interstate 40 some 54,000 households are without power throughout the state this morning and california is still reeling from heavy rain and snow that fell this weekend. around 51,000 remain without power there. the mudslide damaged homes in

los angeles county on sunday afternoon. and the san bernardino fire department is warning residents in the mountains not to travel as roadways there remain closed due to heavy snow. big bear lake saw the snowiest three-day stretch on record with 57 inches. snowplows are working 12 to 14-hour shifts to get the roads back open. meanwhile, michigan is still recovering from an ice storm that knocked power out to hundreds of thousands. more thanl 136,000 are still in the dark there now let's bring in nbc meteorologist michelle grossman who is tracking the storms for us what a mess. good morning to you, michelle. >> good morning, guys. yeah, what a mess. we're going see this all moving east we're going to see the severe weather threat decreasing. but still there is going to be a severe weather threat. we're watching for the chance of snow even new york city could see some snow tonight into tomorrow. we're looking at ice accumulation as well as we wake up on this monday morning, 42 million americans under a winter alert we have a system in the west throughout the upper midwest,

the great lakes, into portions of the northeast where you see the blue is the winter storm watch winter storm warnings in the pink and the white is weather advisory even a blizzard warning out west windy in many spots. 71 million people impacted where you see the blue, that's your wind advisory, and a high wind warning is in the purposeful this system is moving off to the east as we go throughout the day, we're going track that and snow too portions of the northeast when i come back in just a bit >> all right we'll see you in a few, michelle thank you. breaking news. nasa was forced to scrub a mission to the space station this morning four crewmembers were on board the spacex dragon capsule when the launch had to be aborted with just over two minutes to liftoff. nasa reported a problem with the ground systems they're expected to try again early tomorrow morning the epa is shipping toxic waste out of the disaster area in east palestine, ohio, in an attempt to clean up the state and investigate the town

derailment but the towns and counties where the contaminated material is headed are not happy about it. we have the latest from east palestine. >> reporter: the residents of east palestine, ohio, again left swimming in a sea of doubt >> who can you really believe, you know >> reporter: health and safety concerns still rampant, more than three weeks after the norfolk southern toxic train derailment >> we had eyes that were burning. i couldn't stop sneezing for half an hour >> reporter: federal authorities announcing the shipment of contaminated waste from the site would resume tomorrow to two new locations in ohio >> all of this is great news for the people of east palestine and the surrounding community. because it means that the cleanup can continue at a rapid pace >> reporter: this latest development comes after officials announced they were halting shipments of the toxic train waste to two epa-approve disposal sites in michigan and one in texas will that continue in any capacity is that material being vetted? >> that material was already vetted they are not currently accepting anymore.

>> reporter: still, wayne county michigan executive warren evans saying he felt blindsided by last week's arrival of tons of contaminated soil and water. >> the outward effect of it looks like that we're being sandbagged >> reporter: back in ohio today, east palestine residents stocked up on cases of free bottled water. caravans rolling into town with other giveaways, including air filters. >> how many in your household? >> there's four of us. >> reporter: meanwhile, federal agencies say outreach efforts to address residents' concerns will continue, but some here left wondering if their town will ever recover >> i have mixed emotions about all of the publicity, but by the same token, if we don't have the publicity, who's going to hold norfolk's feet to the iron >> the ohio epa says they'll be installing a number of water monitoring wells a the train derailment site to see if there is contamination meanwhile, there are 11 railcars that remain on-site. those cars that remain are part of the ongoing ntsb investigation. back to you.

>> all right, george, thank you. breaking news. dozens are dead after a migrant boat went down in the mediterranean. the death toll is currently at 59, but that number is expected to rise. among the dead found off the coast of italy, a baby and two young twins. the boat had set off from turkey >> the u.n. says the passengers were mostly from afghanistan, pakistan, and somalia. the suspected human trafficker, who was also on board, is now under arrest according to human rights watch, since 2014, 25,000 migrants have died in the mediterranean just trying to reach the eu let's turn now to russia's invasion of ukraine. as the fighting continues into its second year, there are new concerns that china is considering supplying russian forces with weapons and ammunition erin mclaughlin has the latest from kyiv. >> reporter: in the frontline down of vol dar, ukraine troops are defiant.

"ukrainians don't have another option but to win, lowe this soldier says this haunting video released by the russians shows what remains of the area around bakhmut, a chilling sign that neither side is backing down. in an interview that aired sunday, president putin telling russian state tv, "the west has one goal, to disband the former soviet union and its fundamental part, the russian federation as the u.s. ramps up its warnings on china, three u.s. officials familiar with the matter telling nbc news china is considering sending artillery and ammunition to russia allegations that china denies. >> well, we're confident that the chinese leadership is considering the provision of lethal equipment >> president zelenskyy vowing to liberate russian-occupied crimea and return the ukrainian flag to every corner of ukraine. while the u.s. reiterated its support >> it's for the united states to support ukraine on the battlefield, so that they can achieve the victory that they

define that's what we are determined to do >> ukrainian officials insist crimea can be freed. >> is it realistic, though, for ukraine to take back crimea, given that the russians are thoroughly entrenched in crimea? >> it didn't look realistic in that year, russia wouldn't issue a military resolve and lose dozens of thousands of its troops that's why when i asked whether something was realistic, i said, undoubtedly. >> reporter: determination that's echoed on the ukrainian front line "this is war some retreat, some advance," this soldier says. "but i have no worries i believe in our victory to the last." the director of the cia says that so far they have seen no evidence that china has given lethal aid to russia, and no evidence that china has made a final decision back to you. >> all right, erin, thank you. nearly three years since covid-19 was declared a pandemic, two sources with direct knowledge told nbc news a

classified report by the u.s. department of energy concluded with low confidence that the virus likely originated from a lab leak accident in wuhan, china. details on the report as well as briefings on the issue were first reported by "the wall street journal." agencies that make up the intelligence community are still not in complete agreement over the origins of this pandemic china has repeatedly denied that the virus originated from a lab leak let's bring back nbc meteorologist michelle grossman with a look at our monday forecast hello again, michelle. >> and it's going to be a monday monday forecast. we're looking at kind of everyone seeing some active weather today. really none of us seeing quiet weather. we're looking at a storm system. it's powerful. we saw some wind gusting, some hail, even tornado reports in oklahoma, texas, kansas. this is moving off to the east even seeing lightning in portions of the midwest. the lower mississippi valley is on radar as we go throughout the day, we're going to watch this storm system, bringing in a chance future severe weather in parts of the ohio valley, indiana, also ohio. and we could see some tornadoes

there as well. and we're going to see the chance future so portions of the planes after the wicked weather we had overnight. 77 in dallas all right, guys. we're going to talk about the week ahead since it is monday, and see what we have in store. back to you. >> all right sounds good. see you in a bit thank you. howard university continues to dive into the history books the only all black college swim team went into the northeastern championships with high hopes, and they lived up to them. the men's swimming and dive team took home their first conference title in 34 years. howard's coaches were named nec coaching staff of the year for the second straight season such an inspirational story. >> great follow-up we're back with the winners'

roundup from the.a. s.gawards >> and dwyane wade's powerful message to his daughter at the image awards bye, bye cough. later chest congestion. hello 12 hours of relief. 12 hours!! hmmm, ok. not coughing at yoga? antiquing not coughing? not coughing at the movies?! hashtag still not coughing?! aaah. oww! mucinex dm gives you 12 hours of relief from chest congestion and any type of cough, day or night. it's not cough season. it's always comeback season. meet febreze's miracle spray. febreze fabric refresher. i literally use this every day, to make my house smell amazing. after i make the bed, after i catch my dog on the couch. so i can wear my jacket or jeans one more time, before i wash them again. it even makes shoes smell fresh. it doesn't cover up odors with scent but actually fights them and freshens. over one thousand uses. febreze fabric refresher.

award season is in full swing as hollywood's biggest stars gathered at the 29th screen actors guild awards bob odenkirk, niecy nash and more opening up with the sharing stories about why they became actors from the multiverse to multiple awards, everything everywhere all at once" was the evening's biggest winner the film was dubbed best ensemble cast with michelle yeoh and jamie lee curtis taking best actors and supporting actors for their performances >> recently i was told that if i were to win tonight, i would become the very first asian actor to win in this category. >> and for his role in the film,

ke huy quan earned a groundbreaking title as the first asian actor to win best male supporting actor in that category >> fresh off their recent emmy sweep, the cast of "abbott elementary" accepted the award for best comedy series meanwhile, brendan fraser took home a best actor trophy for his performance in the drama "the whale. and adding to her accolades for her role in "white lotus," jennifer coolidge scored an outstanding actress in a drama series i always love seeing what they're wearing. >> that's part of the reason why people tune in, right? the s.a.g. awards came hot on the heels of the naacp image awards angela bassett was named entertainer of the year. >> gratitude is the universe's way of saying that we are not existing in this world alone we have each other i love you thank you. >> bassett's film "walk "wakanda

forever" took home the award >> as my father, my job isn't to create a version of myself or direct your future my role is to be a facilitator to your hopes, your wishes, your dreams >> he and wife gabrielle union received the president's award for their work helping the black trance community all right. still to come on this busy monday, box office blowout moviegoers go mad for a film about a bear that accidentally snorts cocaine plus, what you need to watch out for to avoid getting your gift card hacked at the end of a long day, it's the last thing i want to do. well, i switched to swiffer wetjet, and it's awesome. it's an all-in-one, so it's ready to go when i am. the cleaning solution actually breaks down dirt and grime. and the pad absorbs it deep inside, so it prevents streaks and haze better than my old mop. plus, it's safe to use on all my floors, even wood.

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a lot of cocaine was lost. >> i need you to go and get it >> no, no, no, don't heat that, don't eat that let's see what kind of effect that has on him. >> box office blowout. "cocaine bear" snorting $23

million this opening weekend in theaters the new movie from our sister company universal pictures landed in second place behind "ant-man and the wasp: quantumania," and third place was "jesus revolution". if you have a? pile of gift cards, a troubling trend. gift cards hacked into and drained before you get to use them tips to save you money and a lot of stress. >> pretty exciting. >> reporter: that was sydney pollack's reaction after receiving a $100 gift card from her grandparents last year tracking every penny, she used it a few times, until she went to a san francisco bookstore to spend her remaining balance. >> i knew there was money left on it. and it was declined. i have no idea what happened to it >> reporter: where did sydney's money go there is a good chance someone stole it >> if this is happening to me, i'm not the only person. >> reporter: she is right. >> i checked it, and it said the balance was zero.

>> reporter: nbc responds and respond teams across the country have heard from many. >> the lady tried it a couple of times, swiping it. >> reporter: like nancy out of elgin, who told us after buying a gift card this past holiday season, someone swindled me and stole $499.50. a lot of money in fact, the federal trade commission estimates gift card losses amounts to 10s of millions of dollars each month retailers are seeing it too. there are groups out there that this is all they do. >> reporter: the national retail federation, a trade group that represents the country's stores says gift card fraud is rising >> i've seen investigations that we've had amateurs all the way to large scale criminal organizations. >> reporter: normally we don't show you criminals' methods, but here we feel like we have to help you protect yourself. here is how it works crooks grab gift cards off the rack they write down the numbers and pins, and then put the cards back using computer bots, they wait

to see if money has been loaded on to the car. and if it happens -- >> they now have access to that card and that pin with a value that they can use online. >> reporter: another method, johnsson johnston says thieves tampering with cards using stickers, they'll replace the bar codes with pin labels with their own when you load money on to the card in your hand, the money goes into a card in the crook's hand scammers in canada tried that very method, but picked the wrong target >> well, i'm an ex-police chief. >> reporter: michelle law spotted some tampered gift cards in the store. >> you can feel the sticker. it has a little ridge on it. >> reporter: and posted this video on social media to warn consumers, garnering millions of view. >> it went viral for the right reasons. >> reporter: stores and gift companies are responding some retailers are putting cards behind the counters. gift companies are improving packaging like sealing gift cards to prevent tampering either way, advocate says it pays to take the time to inspect a car before purchasing, or

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that's right. with your medicare plan you get low-cost copays. thank you. let's talk about making things easier. walgreens is here. ♪♪ welcome back on this monday. we are looking at two separate storm systems, one out west and one in the east. we're looking for a chance of rain, ice, snow. could see snow some spots in upstate new york gusty winds. severe storms in the ohio valley that includes the chance for some tornadoes but the main threat would be damaging winds really warm. record warmth in the southeast as we near wednesday, we're going to look at the west staying wet with snow in the four corners chilly there too spotty showers in the tennessee valley into the gulf coast states warm in the northeast. and friday is going to be a mess once again snow showers and rain in the midatlantic in two parts of new england. back to you guys >> all right thanks, michelle still ahead, milwaukee's

dancing grannies take their moves to mardi gras. stay with us er. i literally use this every day, to make my house smell amazing. after i make the bed, after i catch my dog on the couch. so i can wear my jacket or jeans one more time, before i wash them again. it even makes shoes smell fresh. it doesn't cover up odors with scent but actually fights them and freshens. over one thousand uses. febreze fabric refresher. aah, it's a good day to cough. oh, no! bye, bye cough. later chest congestion. hello 12 hours of relief. 12 hours!! hmmm, ok. not coughing at yoga? antiquing not coughing? not coughing at the movies?! hashtag still not coughing?! aaah. oww! mucinex dm gives you 12 hours of relief from chest congestion and any type of cough, day or night. it's not cough season.

it's always comeback season. the grand return of milwaukee's dancing grannies the group performed at mardi gras in new orleans, showing how love and friendship can help heal pain. here is jose diaz-balart ♪ we are family ♪ >> reporter: for the famous milwaukee dancing grannies, this visit to new orleans was the trip of a lifetime >> ladies and gentlemen, the milwaukee dancing grannies >> reporter: a chance to perform in one of the city's mardi gras parades. >> oh, they were amazing ♪ i got all my sisters with me. >> reporter: but for jan and the rest of the group, it was about

so much more >> jan, what was it like to be in new orleans for mardi gras? >> it was probably the most absolute amazing profound, exciting life-giving thing that not only myself, but all of us have done. ♪ >> reporter: she says the celebration was also a time of healing. that's because in november 2021, three of their members and a dancer's husband were killed with two other people during the waukesha christmas parade when a man driving an suv intentionally plowed through the crowds. >> and that senseless, horrible tragedy. how do you -- how do you all as a group go forward >> the reality is you don't heal unless you're healing in community. ♪ that's the way i like it ♪ >> reporter: community they found in the new orleans dance group called the 610 stompers. they call themselves

extraordinary men with extraordinary moves. and they invited the grannies to mardi gras as a sign of solidarity >> i cannot begin to tell you how much that means to all of us [ cheering ] >> why can't we just come together and try to heal. >> reporter: stompers chris and bet patron knew their city would welcome them with open arms. >> i'm going to item you right now, they're hard to handle. >> but they were so much fun. >> one, two, three >> reporter: the two dance groups now forever friends with joyful memories they'll never forget >> it was such a tangible way of saying you're not alone. that meant a lot i can't even put into words. i'm going try now, how much that meant. >> our thanks to jose for that story. i mean, coy not imagine. after going through something like that, wanting to get together because i think the memories would be too painful

but like they said, that grief is best helped through community. >> i think perspective is everything in life how you choose to deal with the situation. >> yeah, yeah, you're right. and there they are still bringing joy and love through that thanks for starting your week with us i'm phillip mena. >> and i'm vinita nair are you planni a summeng

millions in the path of a wicked winter blast. the storm knocking out power to tens of thousands and leaving parts of the country buried in snow michelle is tracking the storm for us did covid leak from a lab? the bombshell new report from the energy department about the origins of the pandemic. a long-running comic stripped from newspapers the controversial comments from the creator of "dilbert" that got the cartoon pulled from hundreds of publicatio