nbcbayarea.com. today in the bay continues right now. wherever you stream live at 8:00 disney on ice coming to the bay area. we're going to talk to organizers ahead of that big show. and up next on the today show, the big question that siblings love to ask, do parents really have a favorite child? well, they'll dive into the fascinating results of a new study that will have families talking throughout the weekend. maybe elevated talking. so tell me, mom, don't bring it up at thanksgiving. but i'm a dad's favorite because i know my sisters aren't watching, so i hope they're not like, hey, the one day i decided to. have a great weekend. good friday morning. good friday morning. thousands of federal workers bracing for a new round of layoffs. >> and lawmakers are starting to hear about it. it's february 21st.

this is "today." chain reaction. growing fall-out over mass firings across the federal government. elon musk hoisting a chainsaw to represent the cuts. voters making their voices heard at republican-led town halls overnight. >> why is this being jammed down the pipes? >> but president trump undeterred. >> press forward. think big, people. >> a live report from washington straight ahead. > breaking overnight, stunning twists. tensions mounting in the middle east after israel claims hamas lied about returning the body of a young mother who died while in hostage. prime minister benjamin netanyahu expressing outrage and vowing revenge. what happens next? can the shaky cease-fire hold? we'll have the very latest from a region back on edge. day in court.

luigi mangione set to face a judge for the first time in months. the high-profile case still making headlines. we are there live. speaking out. the menendez brothers opening up about their push for freedom. >> i'm beginning to like myself, be proud of myself. >> what they're saying about their decades behind bars ahead of their highly anticipapated n sentencing. all that, plus live and let prime. >> mr.? >> bond. james bond. >> one of hollywood's most iconic franchises now in the hands of amazon. just ahead, what the future could hold for the beloved films those stories, plus stamp of approval. and the potential stars in line to become the next 007. those stories, plus stamp of approval. >> i'm not one tblow my own horn. >> celebrating the life and career of betty white, coming

soon to an envelope near you. and border battle. >> they scored! >> the u.s. and canada face-off on the ice. the intense rivalry noat an all-time high. >> mcdavid scores! connor mcdavid wins it for canada! >> we have all the highlights from the overtime thriller today, friday, february 21st, 2025. from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie . live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. and craig melvin. from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. good friday morning and welcome to "today." glad with you are us. i'm willie geist along with savannah jarett. my gosh, that game last night. our neighbors to the north becoming one of the greaeat rivalries in sports. >> there is a rivalry in our house. my husband is from canada, so i

have to lose this one. we has dragging rights. >> the gloves came off in your house. >> we want to begin with morning with new layoffs coming to the federal government. >> the department of housing and human development could lose up to half its employees to widespread cuts. it comes as the tsa terminated 200,000 employees this week and thousands of layoffs at the irs in the middle of a busy tax season. and then there's this. elon musk driving the point home last night by yielding a chain saw on stage at a conference of conservatives. >> peter alexander is covering it all for us. peter, good morning. >> reporter: willie, good morning. constituents giving their republican representatives an

earful, lashing out at them for supporting the cuts by the trump administration and doge, elon musk's outside agency. as you just saw, musk is celebrating his team's work. president trump's top lieutenant driving home his rapid shredding of the federal government. >> this is the chain saw of bureaucracy. >> elon musk boasting about his government of government efficiency's work, cutting jobs and spending. >> but some republicans are now facing constituent pushback over the president and musk's issue. >> what's not reasonable is taking this chain saw approach. why is this being jammed down the pipes rushed and sloppily? >> reporter: taking questions about doge's work this week. >> we are looking into that now to find out. i don't know the answer.

>> the fraud and abuse that has been discovered already -- >> reporter: last night tensions boiled over at a republican congressman's town hall in georgia over the president's executive orders and budget cuts. >> the people would like to know what you the congressmen and your fellow congressmen are going to do to rein the megalomania at the white house. >> reporter: the irs saying the number of cuts could exceed 3,500. the democrats have warned could have a catastrophic impact on the irs season. with some veteran irs workers saying it could affect how quickly you could your refund. >> the public will be like the irs is not doing their job. it is because we're getting hallowed out. >> reporter: the white house defending all the layoffs across vernment. >> we're studying every agency

in deciding who to let go and why. we're doing so very rationally. >> reporter: all of it as a new washington poll finds present trump has a 45% approval rating with a majority 53% disapproving of his job as president. 57% say he has exceeded his authority. while just 34% approve of elon job. and his handling of the the president getting his best marks on immigration, with 50% approving, while 48% disapprove. as we keep that running tally, the tsa confirms more than 240 probational employees there, workers hired or promoted within the last year have now been terminated. and there are more to come after a federal judge ruled a judge can move ahead with these vast layoffs, rejecting a suit from labor unions. the judge said that president trump's executive orders have caused disruptions and chaos in widespread orders of american society, but added the federal court was not the appropriate venue for the lawsuit.

>> peter alexander at the white house. peter, thanks so much. a note the federal job cuts across the country will be a major focus this sunday on "meet the press." also this morning new tension between israel and hamas is threatening the future of an already fragile cease-fire in the middle east as israeli officials revealing overnight that one of the bodies of a hostage handed over yesterday was not the young mother that the military claimed her to be. meantime, israel's military launched new strikes overnight in the wake of a suspected terror attack in tel aviv. keir simmons joins us with the very latest. keir, good morning. >> reporter: laura, good morning to you. the family thought they would get closure this week. instead, they woke up with more painful uncertainty over what happened to a mother in her 30s, taken hostage with her children on october 7th. it's once again changing the

cease-fire. this morning, devastating news for the family of ariel and kfir bibas. the israeli military revealing hamas did not hand over their mother's body. and israel says available intelligence and forensic evidence not released indicates the two boys who were just four years and not even nine months when they were captured were murdered in captivity. hamas staging a ceremony thursday. four caskets paraded in front of crowds in gaza. while in hostage square, an emotional crowd gathering. it was the first time bodies have been sent back. >> they could have been brought back alive, and now they're not. there is no way. >> reporter: and then hours after the remains were returned thursday, the israeli military sayi in a statement that while three were hostages, no match was found for the fourth body, describing it as anonymous and unidentified. prime minister benjamin

netanyahu reacting overnight, adding the body in the fourth casket was that of a gazan woman. hamas said without evidence, the bibas children died from an israeli air strike, and the group saying this morning their mother's remains were mixed with others in the rubble of a bombing, but israel says the children were killed by the group islamic jihad in 2023. a video of the family's capture came to symbolize the cruelty of october 7th. shiri take within her children in her arms, the boys, the youngest hostages held. their father was released earlier this month and learned that his wife and children were likely dead. already on thursday, three parked busses exploded south of tel aviv in what israel, police said, was a suspected terror

attack. unemployed exploded devices were found in two other buses. there were no injuries. >> reporter: here in the gulf, where i am, to try to find an alternative to president trump's proposal to, quote, clean out gaza. and while hamas released the names of six hostages set to be released tomorrow there is no agreement on phase two of the cease-fire. >> thank you. turning now to the rift between the trump administration and ukraine over russia's war and how to end it. it's now led to face-to-face meetings between a white house envoy and ukrainian president volodymyr zelenskyy. richard engel is in ukraine for us. richard, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, willie. once again, we are on the out skirts of kharkiv. these were all destroyed russian vehicles used to attack this city. there are still russian positions not far from the edge of the city of kharkiv. right now ukrainians are finding themselves caught between a rock

and a hard place. do they give in to president trump's demands? and he is asking for natural resources from this country. or do they face the possibility of having to fight the russians without american help. president volodymyr zelenskyy is changing his tune, suggesting overnight he's now open to discussing a deal. president trump is demanding for ukraine to hand over 50% of its mineral rights in exchange for continued american support. after meeting with trump's envoy, retired general keith kellogg, president volodymyr zelenskyy gave his nightly address saying economy and security must always go hand in hand. and the details of the agreements matter. volodymyr zelenskyy also laid out what he expects in return, calling for a reliable and clear system of security guarantees that ensure long-term protection from russia. american and ukrainian officials tell nbc news the trump administration presented volodymyr zelenskyy with the

proposed deal last week,iving him an hour to sign it. zelenskyy refused saying it didn't make security guarantees explicit. he was told trump would be angry. and president trump did respond angrily, falsely accusing volodymyr zelenskyy of being a dictator and now making it clear he wants that deal signed. >> i think i'm going to resurrect it. or, you know, we'll see what happens. but i'm going to resurrect it or things will not make him too happy. >> reporter: in ukraine this morning at a rehabilitation center for soldiers just back from the front lines, some say they feel like they're being squeezed by the united states. after what he has seen in combat over the last three years. some critics said that president trump is exploiting ukraine, is taking advantage of its position right now in order to extract resources.

you, as someone who has fought for this country so much, what do you think about that? >> between two evils, you have to pick the better one, he says. if i have to choose between the united states and the possibility that russia will take over our country, i pick the united states. >> reporter: the trump administration, willie, is also declining to endorse an international proposal that will specifically name russia as the aggressor in this conflict. back to you. >> richard engel on the ground in ukraine. thanks so much. now to a major shake-up on capitol hill. mitch mcconnell, who spend more than four decades in the senate announcing on his 83rd birthday that he will not seek re-election. garrett haake has the details and the reaction. >> reporter: good morning to you. mcconnell has had some health scares recently. last year he gave up his leadership post after an unprecedented 18 years as the top senate republican. this announcement wasn't exactly

a surprise. after a career reshaping the federal courts, his departure will mark a major pivot point for the gop, toward donald trump's. a changing of the guard for the gop with former senate republican leader mitch mcconnell announcing his retirement next year, after representing kentucky for seven terms. >> representing r commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime. i will not seek this honor an eighth time. >> reporter: mcconnell says his faith in the senate has not wavered. his speech drawing applause on the floor. mcconnell's leagues praising his leadership. >> he's been a great american patriot and lawmaker. >> the guy is tough as a boot. >> reporter: the 83-year-old has

experienced a series of falls in recent months and two public freezing episodes in 2023, leaving him briefly unable to speak. in 2016, he stone walled president obama's nomination of merrick garland to the supreme court, ultimately allowing president trump to fill that vacancy and then ensuring the confirmation of two more republican justices. mcconnell blamed the president for the attack on the capitol, even though he later voted to acquit him in his second impeachment. president trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day. >> reporter: recently on "60 minutes," mcconnell was asked about comments he made disparaging the president. >> you said he's nasty. you said he's not very smart. you said he was a sleaze ball. >> well, those were private comments. >> but they're in your biography. >> yes.

>> reporter: he has voted against three of his cabinet picks, including robert kennedy jr. over his vaccine skepticism. mcconnell, of course, survived a battle with childhood polio and has long been a vaccine advocate. he spent much of the last year criticizing russia and fighting for funding for ukraine, another stress point with the modern gop. his retirement will set up a competitive primary for a coveted open senate seat. laura? >> garrett haake, thank you. a lot more to get to, including the brazen murder of a top healthcare ceo here in new york. luigi mangione making his first court appearance. stephanie gosk is at the courthouse for us. >> reporter: good morning. the police have already been up here putting up barricades for the hearing later today. the last time luigi mangione was seen in public was a few days after he was extradited from pennsylvania to new york on state and federal charges.

this hearing today is on the state charges, which include a count of terrorism. this morning, luigi mangione expected back in new york state court. the hearing is set to be procedural and likely brief. >> this whole situation here, it doesn't make sense. >> reporter: happening just days after the release of the latest documentary on the brazen murder of brian thompson. >> he could have done a lot of good in this world and he was taken way too soon. >> reporter: the ivy league grad pleaded not guilty to running down thompson, a father of two in new york city for his company's annual investor meeting. the murder triggered a manhunt for a killer that first appeared elusive. five days after the shooting, police arrested mangione at a pennsylvania mcdonald's, eating breakfast by himself. he was found with a gun that matched cases from the crime scene, together with writings denouncing the health care scene.

>> it was targeted and premeditated. >> reporter: in some cases support for mangione himself, including donations to a defense fund which to date has raised more than half a million dollars. in a statement, mangione thanked his supporters writing i am overwhelmed by and grateful for everyone that has written me. he is now being held in the metropolitan correction center, a notorious prison in brooklyn. it is where sean “diddy” combs also awaits trial. the legal process will likely take years. the scheduled appearances in courtrooms are only just beginning. the hearing is set to take place at 2:15 this afternoon. there are already people lined

up outside of this courthouse, and it is very cold here. the expectation, according to someone with direct knowledge, is that the judge will tell both sides the information they have to share and likely going to check on the prosecution's progress with turning over evidence in the case. willie. >> steph, thank you very much. all right. after parade of winter storms and record cold, it looks like a warm-up is finally on the way. mr. roker, who is getting lucky? >> oh, we're all getting lucky. 80% of the country is going to be getting lucky. good morning, everybody. we would like to send you off with some good news. we still have 73 million people under cold advisories and warnings. from omaha all the way down to florida, norfolk, virginia as well. right now we have windchills. feels like minus 3. houston, you feel like 36 degrees. feels like minus 3 in wichita. but the good news is we're going

to see a change. so this is what we have been looking at. this high pressure today has been just pushing all this cold air down 10 to 30 degrees below avere. but the good news is tomorrow, sunday, monday, tuesday that system moves off the coast and the flow flips. it is going to bring warmer air spreading across the country. look at these temperatures. as we start the weekend, temperatures in the 50s in st. louis, near 60 by tuesday. 71 on tuesday in birmingham. new york city will be up to 50. and baton rouge, you will get to 70 degrees. we will get to your local forecast in the next 30 seconds. i mean — gablah! this is... (dramatic sigh) ...the saddest day of my life! mmm-hmmm... it's so hard to walk away... really, really hard. but i'm gonna stay strong! instant online offers. carmax.

but look at the afternoon. back to seeing some of the same temperatures we had yesterday, with mid to upper 60s and even warmer in some spots. low 70 for gilroy today and we'll see more 70 across the south bay and east bay for tomorrow. while much of the rest of the bay area stays in the upper 60s. it's going to be a nice and springlike weekend, which continues into sunday and that's your latest weather. >> al, thank you. just ahead, the menendez speaking out in a rare interview, revealing more about their decades behind bars and their new push for freedom. liz kreutz has that story. >> hey, laura. this interview is with tmz and their own attorney. they talk about life in prison, their reaction to the netflix series about them and how

they're feeling heading into their critical resentencing hearing next month. we will have it all. >> liz, thanks. plus, a new era for a series. amazon set to take over james bond. and jeff bezos is asking who do you want to see as the next 007? first, this is "today" on nbc.

coming up, a new study that is going to spark a big conversation around dinner tables tonight. >> it reveals parents really do have a favorite child. and exactly who it is, we'll talk about it after your local news and weather. season to season, ultomiris is continuous symptom control, with improvement in activities of daily living and reduced muscle weakness.

and ultomiris is the only long-acting gmg treatment with the freedom of just 6 to 7 infusions per year, for a predictable routine i can count on. ultomiris may lower your immune system's ability to fight infections, increasing your chance of serious meningococcal and other infections which may become life-threatening or fatal. complete or update meningococcal vaccines at least 2 weeks before you start. if treatment is urgent, and you're not vaccinated, you should receive antibiotics with your vaccines. don't start if you have a meningococcal infection. infusion reactions may include back, belly, limb, or chest pain, muscle spasms, blood pressure changes, tiredness, shaking chills, bad taste, breathing problems, or face, tongue, or throat swelling. ultomiris is continuous symptom control. ask your neurologist about starting ultomiris. (♪♪) good friday morning to you. it is 726 i'm laura garcia. here's

a look at our top stories. vallejo police announcing a new joint effort with federal agents to reduce gun violence. it comes in the wake of a recent string of shootings in vallejo. one week ago, the city recorded its second homicide of the year. police say officers will work with the atf to try to reduce the number of guns. it's not clear yet how the partnership will work. vallejo pd says more details will be unveiled over the coming weeks. today marks eight years since coyote creek's devastating flooding in san jose that caused more than $100 million in damage. it also launched a flood control project that recently hit a major milestone. valley water says crews have now completed 8500ft of flood wall along low lying areas near william street. the wall averages ten feet high. a second phase is now in the works for coyote creek, between tully and montague expressway. that effort still needs final funding. let's get a look at the forecast for this friday morning. looking good. kari. yes, and we've had some beautiful sunrises, and we're

still looking at clear ski as we go throughout the day. temperatures are back to the mid to upper 60s for the coastline. upper 60s for napa as well as oakland and 68 degrees for morgan hill and dublin. tomorrow a little bit warmer and some of our interior valleys, up to 71 in concord and 75 in gilroy. and it's stillooks great and springlike on sunday, so make some plans to get outside. laura, that sounds great. thanks, kari. don't forget to join us for our live streaming newscast at 8 a.m. if you're looking for some family fun in the days ahead, how about seeing frozen come to life? we're going to talk with a disney on ice performer about some of these upcoming bay area shows. join us wherever you stream, including

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three, four. ♪ snenlen? wow! ♪ wow! >> come on! back at 7:30 with the late comedy legend betty white, who made us laugh so many times as rose on "the golden girls." white is getting her own stamp, and we can now tell you it will be available starting on march 7th. the u.s. postal service set to reveal it with a special ceremony next month. >> i need to send more things in the mail. >> exactly. >> you will brighten somebody's day with that. >> kaylee hartung is here.

>> good morning, guys. we have a lot to get to this morning, starting with a push for freedom from the menendez brothers. >> they're serving life without parole for the murder of their parents. now they're speaking out in a new interview from prison. nbc's liz kreutz has been following the story closely and joins us with more on what they have been saying now. good morning. >> good morning to you. yeah, erik and lyle menendez joined a podcast cohosted by their own attorney. they are getting their story out ahead of that resentencing hearing. in the interview, the brothers opened up about the challenges they face and how they believe they have become new men decades after being behind bars. ahead of their critical resentencing hearing next month, lyle and erik are speaking out. the brothers, who are currently serving life sentences without

parole for the 1989 murder of their parents in their beverly hills mansion joined "the two angry men" podcast. the interview highlighting their side of the story, with erik describing the hardships he discovered when he entered prison. >> i was picked on, bullied violently. and it was traumatic, and it was continual, and i had no one really to turn to for help, and i was separated from lyle, and i remember the day that i was told lyle just got assaulted and got his jaw broken. >> reporter: after 21 years apart, they were moved to the same prison in 2018 where they say they helped create a prison green space and rehabilitation program for inmates. >> i grew up in a good home. i was a spoiled brat. who i have evolved into, who i see lyle evolve into, i'm beginning to find it okay to

like myself. >> reporter: despite prosecutors arguing the brothers acted out of greed, they say they murdered their parents in self-defense after years of abuse by their father. something that's been documented in their series, thrusting their story back at the zeitgeist. >> i wish i could take it back. >> including in ryan murphy's "monsters," which the brothers say they have seen parts of. >> it did actually move a lot of people to understand the childhood trauma that erik and i suffered. >> decades after their murder trial, they say it's also given them renewed push for freedom. >> we're here with our family, and we're hopeful and trying not to go crazy in the interim. >> liz, it is possible we could actually see them at that hearing next month. >> yeah, it is, laura. that's the big question. are they going to appear in person or at least will they join virtually from prison? that's when a judge will hear

about their resentencing effort. a judge needs to make his own recommendation on what he believes should happen. a previous da supported that release. he did recently tell nbc news that he is treating each case separately. ultimately, though, it will be up to the judge presiding over that hearing to make the final decision over their fate. >> watching that closely. liz, thank you for all your reporting. guys, i will bring some welcome news. the sign that the end of winter is near. the first spring training games are getting underway. we will take you live to florida for a look at the excitement and the ground-breaking debut of so-called robot umpires. >> can't wait to see how that works. >> i've got some questions. but, first, a major change for james bond, set to shake up the future of that iconic franchise. the details and that all-important question, who should be the next 007? we have some thoughts. >> many.

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joe, a lot of people talking about this today. >> absolutely. good morning. a little background first. so one family has firmly grasped the creative reins of this franchise for 26 years. that era is now ending after the family reached a deal. they will remain co-owners of the franchise, but they're giving creative control to amazon, which already has distribution rights. amazon says it is looking forward to ushering in the next phase of 007. >> the name is bond. >> bond. >> bond. >> bond. >> james bond. >> the news has hollywood shaken and stirred. >> perfect. >> the martini loving spy thrilled generations with 25 films of epic intrigue is getting a new creative custodian. passing the torch to amazon mgm studios which says we are honored to continue this treasured heritage.

amazon founder jeff bezos quickly turned to social media asking who do you pick as the next bond. many fans suggesting henry cavill trade his superman cape for a tux. >> we all have secrets. >> the last bond, daniel craig, stepped away after "no time to die" in 2021. among the replacements, tom hardy, and james norton asked about the possibility sunday at the bafta awards. >> whoever is deciding on these odds needs to get a new job. yet again, it is based on pure speculation. >> how about another james, theo james? >> they need to go with a reinvention of it. that would be me. >> in the whirlwind of conversations around me playing james bond, i have always said, look, wait until we see john luther in a movie. >> or maybe the first female bond. >> i've not had a conversation.

so, yeah, it's in their hands. it's in the franchise's bonds. >> iced on the spy novels premiered in 1962 with "dr. no" starring sean connery. >> that's funny. i thought you would turn up sooner or later. >> the film rights later handed over control in the '90s. now with amazon taking charge. >> it is the end of james bond as we know it. >> some fans worry the company will dilute the franchise, creating streaming spin-offs like this recent reality show, 007 "road to a million". >> i put real people into a james bond adventure. >> do not make a james bond streaming universe. >> but those hungry for the next installment are thrilled with the news. bond means tomorrow never dies. so as for the next bond film, keep in mind, it takes a while

to write and cast a new movie. we might be a few years away. who do you think might be the next bond? highlight theo james. after watching the gentleman on netflix i said, yeah, i think he's the guy. >> i still think like edris has to pull through on this. does he have to be british? >> if it's not british, you would say -- >> we were just saying michael b. jordan. >> i like that. i did get the impression that idris elba was annoyed. >> always a bridesmaid gets tiring after a while. >> he would be amazing. >> thank you, joe. appreciate it. all right, al. how about a look at the weather? >> who is going to replace that job? so we have a couple areas of heavy rain over the next couple of days. weekend rain texas, louisiana. steadier rain for southern louisiana, makes its way toward the panhandle of florida. umbrellas for new orleans in baton rouge.

we're talking about an inch from houston to lake charles. and in the pacific northwest, bringing in snow showers for the rockies. rain slamming the coast there. localized flooding possible right along the coast. and we're talking about anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of rain. some places could pick up to 10 inches from seattle all the way going to continue with some mild weather and a mix of sunnd clouds. temperatures warming up a little bit more each day through sunday into the low 70s for highs for some of our inland areas, and a few more clouds on monday as we could see some spotty rain in the north bay. but other than that, it's dry and we continue with some spring like weather at lst through

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then you have something in common with this little cutie. a possum is going viral after showing up on a family's porch and devouring their entire costco-size chocolate cake. she found the sugar-loving surprise guest in her backyard with a trail of tiny chocolate footprints covering her new cream colored deck furniture. okay, i would be mad. the possum was taken to the nebraska wildlife rehab where she's being restored to perfect shape. they received a flood of love, obviously, celebrating the possum's whole vibe. one user on facebook writing, i feel this possum in my soul. another adding, we have all been there girl. >> just to take a step back. they left a chocolate cake on their deck? they left it outside to stay cool maybe? >> maybe. can they be blamed? >> you know, the crazy thing is this happened last week to our

producer. >> just out on the porch. >> just out on the porch. his wife found him toes up. chocolate all over him. >> at some point we will get it together over here. coming up on "popstart," we will learn why some snl icons missed the big anniversary special. i don't know why anybody would want to miss it. that and more on "popstart". what makes a favorite child and why every parent does have one, whether admit it or not. but, first, your local news. and in clinical trials, movement disororders and weight gain were not common. caplyta can cause serious side effects.

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the rest of us, there are budget friendly options, and there are also new offerings from 16 different makers. and that includes a lot of new ev options. it runs today through sunday. there are discounts for military folks and seniors, and kids under 12 are free. looks like fun. yes it is. and you know what? it's so much fun that we should take everything outside kari because the weather is just perfect for it is looking really nice out there. we're seeing a lot of sunshine as we take a live look outside in dublin. it's in the low 40s now, but we'll warm up into the mid 60s for the afternoon and we'll see mid to upper 60s all around the bay area with slightly warmer temperatures tomorrow. we're talking 70 in the forecast for the first time in quite a while, so that nice spring like weather continues into next week. our overnight lows in the upper 40s, while san francisco will see highs in the mid 60s throughout the weekend. do expect more clouds on sunday and a slight chance of rain sunday night into monday morning in the north bay. otherwise, it's dry throughout the rest of the forecast and looking at low 70s on wednesday. all right,

kari, thank you. and make sure you tune in to our today in the bay live streaming newscast starting in minutes at 8 a.m. disney on ice. back in the bay area, we're going to talk live to one of

it is 8:00 on "today." coming up, front and center. >> this is the chainsaw for

bureaucracy. >> elon musk hoisting a chain saw to emphasize federal job cuts as thousands of federal workers brace for a new round of layoffs. lawmakers beginning to get blowback from voters. >> why is this being jammed down the pipes so rushed and sloppily? >> we are live at the white house. plus, play ball. spring training officially underway. this year, with the major tech upgrade, the automated ball/strike system. >> i like it because you want to get the call right. >> we'll break it all down straight ahead. then, picking favorites? >> she's the one who's being cheeky. >> because she's my favorite. >> inside the new study that shows parents do have a so-called golden child. a look at the traits that influence a parent's preference. plus, nobody wants this, back for more. "saturday night live" legends on

why they missed the big show. >> i had lingering effects from the flu, so i was told not to travel. and selena gomez drops a new tune. it is all ahead in "popstart" today, february 21, 2025. >> it's our first time in new york. >> from louisiana. >> representing the great call to journalism. >> at the university of georgia. >> today is my mom's birthday. >> we love you, papa! >> happy friday from massachusetts. >> fort washington, new york. >> california. >> and grand rapids, michigan! >> celebrating kimberly's 60th. >> from texas.

>> from illinois. >> hi to our girls in san jose, california. >> we love you! nice big crowd out on the plaza, despite the cold out today. welcome back to "today." thank you for starting your friday morning with us. savannah and craig will be back next week. >> yeah. selena gomez dropping a new what? >> song. or tune or banger. depends on your generation. right now we want to get to your news at 8:00. new layoffs hitting the federal government. sources tell nbc news the department of housing and human development could lose up to half of its employees. peter alexander is at the white house with the very latest. peter, good morning again. >> reporter: good friday morning to you. elon musk who is of course leading the department of government efficiency is boosting about his team's work. check out this moment at the conservative cpac conference where musk was waiving around a chain shaw given to him

represent doge's slashing jobs and spending. but constituents are giving their representatives. one man questioned what he called the chain saw approach and asking why it's been so rushed and in his words, so sloppy. the president's top adviser arguing they are made rationally with support. the administration has tried to re-hire employees that it accidentalally fired these cuts aren't just in washington, but at cities across the country. of course, on multiple occasions the administration has now had to try to rehire employees that it accidentally fired. as for those cuts, they are now under way at the irs as well as we head into tax season, and these cuts aren't just in washington, but in cities around the country. one veteran irs worker warning that the layoffs could affect how quickly you americans get i

240 your tax refunds, and there are now probationary employees. workers hired within the last year have also been terminated. willie? >> peter, thanks. several people were injured yesterday after an explosion at a resort in maui. take a look to the right of your screen here. you can see debris and smoke shooting out from that building. it happened in kanapali. that explosion is believed to have come from a gas grill. 7 people hurt. the exact cause of the blast still under investigation. all 21 passengers injured in that delta airlines plane crash last week released from the hospital. the final passenger has been discharged. the plane was carrying 76 passengers and 4 crew members when it burst into flames and flipped upside down. miraculously everyone survived. the cause of that crash still under investigation. it probably still feels like winter for most of you out

there. it is cold out there but we have a sure sign that weather is right around the corner. spring training games are underway now. jesse kirsch is in tampa with the return of baseball. hey, jesse. >> reporter: hey, laura. good morning. i know it is a lot colder in new york right now, but it is 40 degrees in tampa, which means i'm wearing this glove to stay warm out there. want to give a shout out to cody for lending me his mitt so we can talk baseball once again. the yankees and the rays have their first spring training game here this afternoon. all of it during a preseason warmup bringing changes to major league baseball that fans have never seen before. >> you feel drawn into the pitch. this one high and deep to left field. going back, he looks up. it is a three-run home run. >> reporter: this morning major leaguers are once again swinging for the fences. the defending world series champion los angeles dodgers leading off the spring training schedule, coming up short against the chicago cubs in a game that made mlb history.

>> well, good. we have seen it in the first inning. >> reporter: for the first time ever, an mlb player challenged an umpire's pitch call. this was called a ball. then cubs pitcher appealed, and the call was overturned to a strike. the automated ball-strike system or abs is already being used in the minors. now it is stepping up to the major league plate. teams get two challenges and keep them if successful. only the pitcher, catcher or batter can challenge the umpire's call, and they have to major league plate. teams get two challenges do so immediately. >> i like it because especially in a big spot you want to get the call right. >> reporter: thursday's game did not feature shohei ohtani. the dodgers' two-way superstar wasn't in the lineup as a hitter, and he's still working his way back to the pitcher's mound after undergoing elbow surgery over a year ago. still, ohtani speaking through his translator, already has his

sights set on a repeat in the fall classic. >> the reason why i signed with the dodgers is to win the world series every single year for the next nine years. >> reporter: but the competition will be fierce. this season juan soto moved across town, joining the mets for a jaw-dropping $765 million over 13 years, the largest contract in the history of team sports. >> i want to keep winning. i want to keep feeling that, the same way i have been feeling since day one. >> reporter: as hope springs eternal for every club with world series dreams, fans are ready, too. >> i just love baseball. there is something magical about being in the park. >> reporter: lots of action ahead including right here at george steinbrenner field. this is known as the home of the yankees during spring training, but this year for the regular season, this will be the home of the tampa bay rays, whose usual ballpark tropicana field was badly damaged during hurricane milton in the fall.

for now this relatively small ballpark is joining the big leagues. it is so good to hear that sound once again. >> looking good out there, jesse. thank you. how about the money being spent? holy cow. a little hockey. did you see the game last night? you probably did if you are a fan. team usa taking on canada in the four nation's faceoff. the teams settling things in overtime. >> got a shot off. mcdavid scores! connor mcdavid wins it for canada! >> connor mcdavid, widely considered to be the best player in the nhl with that game winner for canada. the final in overtime 3-2. members of team usa saying afterwards they're disappointed but motivated for the olympic games in italy. a lot of these guys are teammates in the nhl. united states and canada, the two powers in hockey going at it. the united states s beat thelast

week. canada coming back in dramatic fashion coming back last night. so the olympics will be fun. all right. "popstart" is on the fun. >> i will have to brush up on my hockey knowledge before we get to the olympics. we have a lot to get to, including what steve martin is revealing about the snl celebration that has him saying the show's so-called curse is real. plus, it is a question that siblings love to ask. do parents have a favorite child? the fascinating results of a new study that will have families talking right after this. and are at high risk for fracture, evenity® can help you rapidly build new bone in just 12 months. evenity® is the only bone builder that also helps slow bone loss. and it's proven to significantly reduce spine fracture risk. she said the evenity® she's taking builds new bone. builds new bone! (squeak) so...yeah...we still bike, babysit,

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♪♪ ♪ hit it! ♪ ♪♪ one child to another. especially twins. >> anyone as a parent. >> any honest parent will admit to having a favorite. >> who's our favorite in. >> my favorite or your favorite? >> is it different? >> i would say it is. >> we are back with that spot-on clip from "the crown". for our next story, do parents have a favorite? >> it is a question that has been debated at one point or another by siblings in every family. now a new study is revealing the answer is yes, whether moms or dads know it or not. >> vicky nguyen is here for it. >> i think deep down inside, every parent sort of knows there is some truth to this. most of us will say we try to avoid playing favorites. but this study focused on dozens

of previous studies and even unpublished data. it found birth order, even personality traits can influence parents to treat their children differently. for parents with more than one child, it's a question that's often asked but rarely answered in the open. who would you say is your favorite? >> i know you have heard your kids argue, but she got more, but he got more, but he got this, but she got that. >> according to a recent study published by the american psychological association, birth order, gender, even a child's temperament may determine a parent's preferential treatment. >> see it? >> see what? >> alexa seems to think you like me more. >> don't be ridiculous. that's exactly the kind of paranoia that makes me wary of spending time for you. >> researchers found on average that younger siblings received favorable treatment to a slight degree. >> it doesn't make any sense!

>> another study found parents tend to give older siblings more freedom. which means the lower favored children could have lower self-worth. and when it comes to sons and daughters. >> i'm his favorite. >> his favorite what? >> his favorite child. i'm his little girl. i thought it was obvious. >> girls tend to receive the sweet treatment with a study finding daughters may be easier to parent. for that same reason, children who are seen as more agreeable and conscientious were more likely to receive favored status. >> but what we also see later on with those kids is sometimes they grow up internalizing the message that love is conditional. so there are other drawbacks to that type of relationships. >> users are poking fun at it on social media. but the study finds more serious effects for children not favored by their parent, including struggling with behavior, mental health, academic success and family relationships, especially

among other siblings. >> if you feel like your sibling has been favored, that may create animosity between you and your sibling. later on, that can be seen in adult relationships as well. >> that's something we want to avoid, of course. the study's coauthor saying he hopes the study prompts parents to have a really honest discussion in their family and to consider their children's feelings and he says parents shouldn't feel guilty if they find themselves favoring one child over the other, but rather recognize it's happening and be open to improving, and i think that's really at the end of the day, being honest about it. >> that's fair, but how do we find that balance? that's really at the end of the day being honest about it. we are human, right? we're not robots. but being open to the idea that

you are getting more favorable treatment at times and takg a step back and saying why is this? what can i do differently? asking your spouse or your partner, hey, do you notice i'm really getting it into more with one child or another and then having a look, really an honest assessment here and just keeping the lines of communication open. because it is about treating your kids fairly. you might be able to treat them equally all the time. but are you being fair? >> i think it also depends on different times. one is a little more favorable than the other. >> yeah. >> do your kids ask you who is the favorite? >> no. i have been thinking about this as i was watching. i love different things about my kids. never would it cross my mind to say i like this one better than the other. y i love them both in different ways. >> i want them to vie for my love and attention. >> just to keep them motivated, yeah. smart, smart. >> i have a blended family of six kids. i'm the only one who hasn't given my parents grandkids. so i think i have fallen in the rankings because of that. >> no. absolutely not. >> al says yes.

i knew it. >> vicky, we really appreciate it. >> thank you, vicky. how about a check of the weather? >> let's see what your favorite weather is. for today, if you like freezing cold, it is your lucky day. plenty of sunshine for the eastern two-thirds of the country. in fact, we have sunny skies into the rockies. rain moves into the pacific

"popstart". >> what do you got? >> what a pleasure to get to do this. first up, mr. roker, we are looking at you. al was up late last night hanging out with stephen colbert. but it wasn't all laughs and smiles. while talking about your cookbook, al, stephen reignited this debate. >> take a look at this. look at those shrimp. look at that. >> yeah. >> they still have the tails on the shrimp. what the hell, al roker? am i supposed to roll up my sleeves, put on a poncho and detail the shrimp myself? they're like toenail clippings, al. would you leave a hoof on a burger? why would you do that? >> shrimp tails or no shrimp tails. >> in that especially. >> you know, there is a little

more flavor in the tail. you take your fork and cut it off and, boom, you eat it. >> he's got a big hangup on this. >> he really does. >> he wants those tails off. >> i'm sorry i have fallen to stephen's side here. >> well, because the late show host said he would come here to do the weather, al. "saturday night live." we can't stop talking about sunday's show packed with guests from five decades of snl. >> kind of feels like this whole question and answer thing is just a way for you guys to get some air time to celebrities who aren't in other parts of the show? >> oh, man. really? it doesn't seem that way to me? what do you think reverend al sharpton and ray romano? >> it seems -- it seems very natural to us. >> really? don't be so cynical, seth. we're having a nice time here. >> there you go. >> such a nice time for them. what about the stars that

weren't spotted in 8h. dana carvey sharing he was getting over a case of the flu and advised not to travel. meanwhile, without revealing why he missed the show, dan aykroyd tweeted this message, celebrating the anniversary. advantage of not attending, got to see every second of concert and show on tv and, quote from my children, look at daddy's smile. had it from start to finish. and it turns out mr. martin short, who was indeed at the big show, is currently out of commission because of it. his buddy steve martin sharing this post on social media. maya had covid. marty has covid. sharing the curse is real. martin explaining the duo has to reschedule some of their upcoming shows. better luck at the next reunion. willie, how are you feeling? >> i was there sunday night.

i feel okay. >> you kissed martin short? >> well, that's why i'm worries, yeah. it was a red carpet moment we shared, and i paid for it. >> i will sit farther over here. nobody wants this, big news for season 2. they just landed their next big costar, and we think she will fit in just fine with this tv family. joining the series is adam brodie's wife, leighton meester. kristin bell was the voice of internet trolling gossip girl. i was a big fan of season 1. can't wait for this. next up, selena gomez and benny blanco working on a new single, a collaboration with gracie abrams. take a listen. ♪

♪ i'll make it worth it ♪ >> oh, you picked up. ♪ call me when you break up ♪ >> i'm going to put that in the ba banger category. big fan already. that track is called "call me when you break up." . and finally, renee is the latest hollywood icon sitting down with willie ♪ and renee zellweger is sitting down with willie this morning. she opened up about stepping into the shoes of her beloved character and ours, bridget jones. >> what brought you back this time? >> oh, i say it all the time. it is the best job in the world. you know? i love this character. since i was introduced to her with everybody else in the mid-'90s, that's a reunion with my friends. you know, friendships forged over 25 5 years. you know, how do you say no?

>> i always forget she has a southern accent. >> she is katy, texas through and through. this new movie, i don't know if you guys have seen it. it is great. and fans of bridget jones will love it. she is the best. she is the best. great conversation talking about whether this could be the last bridget jones. we'll see. >> the drama. oh, the drama. and you can catch more of your conversation with her, right, on "sunday today" and bridget jones "mad about the boy" coming up on peacock. just ahead, we have the ultimate foodie in the house grilling up an italian take on the classic steak sandwich. we can already smell it, right, guys?

back now at 8:30 on this friday morning, february 21st, 2025. and we are rolling into the weekend with a great crowd here on the plaza. so many people to see the one and only willie geist. >> it's warming up out here. what a great crowd. coming up this hour, our conversation with the legendary jane fonda, opening about a special honor that's been a long time coming. and melissa garcia is here with favorite products from our hot list to make travel a lot easier. we love that. and then our buddy adam richmond is here exploring the history of america's favorite foods on our hit show. this morning he will combine two of them, pizza and steak sandwiches. >> love that, al. >> oh, my gosh!

take a bite of that, adam! ah! ah! >> i'm very hungry. >> get ready! >> okay. we need a check of the weather, al. >> is he still eating that in there? i don't know. anyway, on saturday, we're looking at a lot of sunshine around much of the country, raining in the pacific northwest. sunday, sunday we're looking at gulf rain, but sunshine around much of the rest of the country. sunny in the southwest. a flood risk working its way into the pacific northwest. oh!y morning, i'm meteorologist kari hall. we have some nice weather coming our way for the weekend. we'll see temperatures inhe upper 60s for today and mostly sunny and slightly warmer tomorrow in the low 70s for a lot of the inland valleys. and then we will see some clouds

increasing on sunday. a slight chance of rain in the north bay between sunday night and monday morning. other than that, it's dry in the forecast and we continue with some above normal high temperatures. our mornings will weather. >> coming up, a one-on-one conversation with the legendary jane fonda, reflecting on her one-of-a-kind career and now being honored by her peers in hollywood. but, first, this is "today" on nbc.

welcome back. jane fonda has been a fixture and a star in hollywood for nearly seven decades. from tv to films to her activism. she has remained a constant force and a powerful advocate. >> at this weekend's sag awards, fonda will get the lifetime achievement award. but, first, she sat down with

jacob soboroff. >> there are not many people that ascended to icon status, but that is exactly who jane fonda is, an icon. the lasting impact she's had on movies and television, even home movies and the issues she remains passionate about are hard to quantify. at the age of 87, she is showing no sign of slowing down. >> for the better part of six decades, jane fonda has been a force to be reckoned with. >> we could be better friends than that. >> in 1960 to her turn as uptight grace in "grace and frankie" some 60 years later, she's remained a hollywood powerhouse. this is an industry that, i think it's fair to say, has been derided for ageism and sexism. how do you continue to buck that trend? >> i stay healthy. i stay fit.

i mean, i'm still young in my head. i feel way younger than i did when i was 20, i'll tell you. >> after multiple battles with cancer, at age 87, that youthful spirit still shows. >> it's fonda. >> she's still having fun and she's still speaking out about issues she cares about. >> it's gonna be another hot girl summer. did you know last year was the hottest year on record. >> fonda has always been all-in on what she's done. there has been so many honors and careers over your career. two oscars, seven golden globes, a prime time emmy, honorary golden lion. but the sag lifetime achievement award is of and by and from your peers. what does that mean to you? >> it means the world to me. you know, i haven't always been so popularar in thisown. and, so, getting this award means a lot. >> i got it. >> as an actor, jane fonda has cut a wide swath.

>> is there a particular role that's the most meaningful to you? >> so "doll maker" is one and "kloot" is the other. >> listen, when an actor has to play a character, and you have to enter a hole different reality and a different world, it expands your heart. >> and that's part of the journey fonda says she's been on her entire career, a quest to find her authentic self. >> i think that people want to feel their life has meaning. and people want to be able to answer the question, why am i here? when i became an activist, i was 34. it was 1970. >> from that point o it's been activism through art. the china syndrome, about the dangers of nuclear energy. coming home, a love story about the parables of returning home

from war. >> are you ready to do the workout? >> or a workout video that launched a vhs video revolution with the proceeds going to fund economic equality. when was the last time that you have seen one of these or held one of them? they're vhses. do you still use it? >> i work out every day. i do many of the same moves but slowly. it is like sex. >> wait. say it again. >> no. if jane fonda i'm sitting across from today met 30-year-old or 20-year-old jane fonda, would you have advice to give her? >> honey, it will get better. don't give up. and no is a complete sentence. >> no is a complete sentence. >> i would have benefitted from having that as a mantra. >> when you look back at everything you have done, what stands out to you?over.

you can keep being feisty. you can keep sliding >> that i'm still changing, and i'm still learning and studying and trying to be better. it is not over until it's over. you can keep being feisty. you can keep sliding and standing up and being brave. and we should because what the hell do we older women have to lose? >> i had so much fun with jane fonda. still feisty indeed. she will be presented the sag life achievement award at the 31st annual screen actor builds awards. it will stream live on netflix here this sunday. >> thank you. who knew jane fonda could make jacob blush like that.

hot list. and it doesn't feel like it across much of the country this morning. but trust us, warmer weather is

right around the corner. with it, the spring travel season is on the way. so here to help you, yeah, smarter and lighter style expert melissa garcia. be sure to scan that qr code below to shop along with us. let's jump right in. not your average eye patch here. >> no, and these are great. i love eye patches. >> who doesn't need a little help? >> use them once for ten minutes and then you throw them out. they're silicone and reusable, yes. so you pop them in the fridge. so you can just wash them off with a little cold water and a little soap. reuse them as many times as you want. these are cryotherapy inspired. they get nice and chilly, and then you put them on your eyes. the brand says it helps to reduce puffiness, which when you travel is great. >> and it is more ecofriendly than the ones we're tossing in the trash. >> okay. a two-in-one here. >> okay. it is so hard to find a

sunscreen that's not greasy and it's lightweight. this was incredible. the producers are going crazy over this, too. this is from cerave. >> so give us the appearance of a little bit of sun, like i haven't been under these fluorescent lights for months. >> it blends into thisorgeous glow, spf 30. it is packed with ceramides. there is no parabins in it, which is great. and it is convenient enough that you can pop it into your travel bag. it is the right size. it is not too big. then you don't have to bring a ton of makeup with you when you are on vacation. this is really good. this one, i think, was $12.99. >> this is obviously great for travel here. >> so good. want to try it out? >> yes, i do. anyone that suffers from back pain when u are sitting for a

long time, which is probably everybody. >> yes. it is in the right spot. >> yeah. so this is an inflatable lumbar support pillow. to blow it up, all you do is squeeze it. you can customize how fluffy or firm you want it. inside is memory foam. it is not air like usual. it is great. you can use it on your lower back. it helps correct the spine, which is amazing. >> if you have a long flight. >> long flight, at work at the office, sitting in your desk chair and nice and conveniently packs that. >> okay. walk me through these. >> okay. everyone is looking for a comfortable travel sneaker. these are incredible. these are from dr. scholl's. feel how light these are. the inside is cushiony and foamy. the brand says it is anti-odor and anti-microbe. >> does not look like dr. scholl's. the brand even calls these their airport shoes because everyone loves these for travel. comes in a ton of colors and

sizes. and wear these on vacation, too. doesn't have to be just for travel. >> okay. what's next? >> so this is from downy. you have to see their before and afters. i was skeptical. but i tried it. so cool. so when you pack your luggage, even if you use packing cubes or roll it, everything gets creased. this is great. you spray it on, pull it taut and let it dry. >> no steamer or iron? >> no. it has a nice smell so it refreshes your clothes, too. it is a pack of two here you are getting. and you travel on it. yeah. >> carry on, good size. >> grab these. they are amazing. >> okay. perfect for travel here. who doesn't love a jumper, a one-piece jump suit. >> yes. and so many women don't know what to wear when th're traveling. >> but not be in pajamas, but feel like you are in pajamas. it is incredible.

it is so soft. no zippers, no snaps, no buttons. jump suits are one and done. you don't have to think too much. usually the most annoying part is going to the bathroom. but this is great because it has a nice wide neck so you can literally slip it on and off. >> oh, you're right! >> you can dress this up and down. fits women of all shapes and sizes. >> add some necklaces and you are done. thank you so much. this is great. scan that qr code or head to today.com/shop. over to you. we are in for a treat because adam richmond is in the house for the ultimate steak sandwich, packed with the flavors of pizza. i don't know how he's going to do it. but he's about to. but, first, this is "today" on

would you like some drinks while you wait? i will put it on the end. >> yes. i'll have a bloody mary and a steak sandwich and a steak sandwich, please. >> in the 1985 classic "fletch," he knows nothing beats a steak sandwich. today we have author and tv host adam richmond showing us his take on the steak sandwich. he has a deep passion, as you know, for food and flavor which he shows off on his new show. before we dig in, which i can't wait to do, what can we look forward to in season 6? >> it will be the type of situation where you are not going to look through the super market aisle ever the same way again. it is the human stories behind the iconic brands and some pretty surprising facts along the way. so today's recipe is kind of reflective of that. we will make an italian recipe.

i will add coffee to a red sauce. now, in england, they have spaghetti bolognese. the story of coffee in america involves a sock, the gold rush and joe dimaggio. >> got to watch the show to figure out what that means. >> no, i will break it down for you. if you could start combining that. >> sure. >> i will start roasting garlic. have issue your oven preheated to about 400 degrees. we will just cut to expose the top of the clove. >> okay. >> we will put it in foil. you can do parchment if you want. and then just drizzle on olive oil. i like to go really liberal with it. people forget, you can infuse flavor into your garlic bowl. put some flavor with it and i will make a little bit of a bundle. put it on the top rack. last ten minutes open it up and then you will get this beautiful caramelized garlic, which you

can then squeeze in. that's right. >> you are welcome, america. >> oh, my gosh. wow! wow! >> all right. now, what kind of meat do you want to use for this recipe? >> stupendous question. the cool thing about this recipe, you can go -- if you want to go more upscale, you can use new york strip. but this works with top round and chuck. pound it down to about -- can you pound it to about a half inch? >> yes, sir. >> oh, that was awkward. >> yeah. sorry, hr. wow, it's been a long week. >> left out a few things, yeah. >> that's okay. oh, my goodness, gracious. >> sorry to see that. >> no. he's been doing politics all week. so we will cut it to roughly the shape of a domino or a tile. we will cut this steak up. we have a whole lot more recipe to go through. so we will do that and add some kosher salt.

hit me with some black pepper in there. so sock, people forget back in the day that coffee is usually sold to people whole. they would grind it themselves. you would get a gritty brew that you would often have to filter through a sock. there were recipes to add fish skin or egg shells to try to keep the grit out. okay. make sure that these brown on all sides. you will leave it alone. don't press on it, whatever else we want. >> is that all right? >> yeah, relatively. we will remove them but keep every brown bit in the pan. that's a little bit of magic. we will add three to four more tablespoons. we will add mushroom or bell pepper. now, we talked about the gold rush. >> yes. >> people forget there was a guy named jim folger. sounds a little familiar? so jim folger worked for a man

making spices and roasting spices. we saw the prospectors relied on coffee. he said, i have a roasting apparatus. why don't i give people their beans and ground so it's ready to go. so we go through there. but now we have to move on to jolted joe. once that's soft, could you add in some garlic for me? >> why not. >> all the garlic. and then once the garlic gets golden, we will throw in some chilis. if you don't have that, red pepper flake perfect, perfect. >> these guys, too? >> that's the coffee right there. so we will mix that in. no, no, no. >> once you get that coffee. >> i want that coffee. >> absolutely. then we will add some beef stock, dry white wine. again, if you wouldn't drink it, don't cook with it. once we have the liquid, we would raise it all the way up to a boil and add the coffee. it will help with a little bit

of earthiness and umami. it will bring that roasted flavor. >> and what kind of coffee are we using there? >> just an instant coffee. it will liquify when you add the water. a guy on my internet, you got to get tomatoes and crush them by hand. don't buy them crushed. you got to crush them yourself. >> i love that you get yourself from the cable guy. >> you have two different accents, british and the cable guy. >> snl's 50th, it was my one chance. once it cooks down for a little bit, we will simmer and add fresh oregano. and then you could add salt and pepper to taste. >> my friend here? >> absolutely. the cool thing is you can prep the butter ahead of time. because the butter and the garlic and bread are all 400 degrees, you are good to go. once we have it, we reintroduce

the meat to that sauce once we get it there. exactly. we will cook that meat down. the longer you cook it, the more tender it's going to be. >> it's incredible. >> mozzarella. >> finally, jolting joe dimaggio was basically the first food influencer. found out the yankee clipper loved coffee, stalked him. >> little basil here? >> exactly. found out where he lived and said, listen, i know you love coffee. would you enjoy this with me. he said, i have an ulcer, so i don't drink coffee anymore. he said, listen, let me pitch you. let me try it. let me try it. is that good? basically he went from the coffee percolator that we all know and hate to beautiful drip coffee all because of joe dimaggio. >> think joe dimaggio and food. >> incredible. making joe proud. you can get that recipe on our website today.com/food.

thanks, bud. good to see you. >> thank y good morning. it is 856. i'm marcus washington. two more major insurers are getting the greelight from state regulators to raise rates for more than a half million homeowners. mercury. general mercy. general rates will increase by an average of 12% starting one month from now. condo and rental policies will increase by smaller amounts. and the chronicle reports safeco policies will go up by 7% starting in may. each company submitted their request last summer, long before the latest devastating wildfires down in southern california. happening now, our consumer team is keeping a close eye on the insurance crisis. chris chmura recently did a story including recently did a story including tips on how to sa

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this morning on the 3rd hour of "today," james bond entering his prime? >> bond.