a major blow. plus the new steel5 aluminum tariffs taking effect overnight. how the 25% tax on imports could impact the price you pay as we await a key inflation report this morning. the desperate search for a missing student in the dominican republic. the new surveillance footage from before she vanished. a reality star at the nerve a murder plot, straight from a

movie. his wife accused of hiring a hitman to kill him. how police thwarted the alleged plan. and bags fly free no more. why southwest airlines is charging for checked bags for the first time ever. it's wednesday, march 12. "early today" starts right now. good morning. glad you're with me. i'm frances rivera. we begin this morning with an update on those two american astronauts who have been waiting for a ride home from the international space station for with their departure imminent, williams transferred command of the station to a russian astronaut. >> hopefully we did you proud. to next commander, alexei, thank you for your -- [speaking in a global language] >> an exact date for their

return to earth has not yet been announced. the handover period on the iss typically lasts several days. the department of education is the latest target for federal layoffs. the agency is set to slash its workforce nearly in half. at the beginning of the year it had about 4,000 employees. about a thousand are in regional offices outside of d.c. and today about 1300 people will be asked to clean out their desks. around 600 accepted offers to step down. alice barr joins me from d.c. there have been more developments in the president's trade war. >> reporter: good morning, frances. that's right. just a few hours ago at midnight, new tariffs kicked in. the united states enacting a 25% tariff on all steel anu3 aluminm imports from countries around the world. the tariffs could drive up prices for american companies like auto makers and construction firms. but are widely supported by american steelworkers. canada is one of our biggest suppliers of those metals.

and yesterday president trump threatened to double their tariffs to 50%. that was in response to ontario's premier, who placed a 25% surcharge on electricity going to the united states. ontario suspended that surcharge, and president trump backed down on his threat. the president continued to defend the tariffs during a business round table, saying the u.s. has been ripped off for years by other countries. he says the tariffs are having a positive effect. the stock market, though, tells a little bit of a different story. dropping for a second day. the dow closed down nearly 500 points. president trump tried to give tesla sales a boost. ceo elon musk delivered five of the electric vehicles to the white house after the president said he would buy one. while the president looked at the cars, reporters asked about the economic uncertainty. >> do you and your tariff policies right now bear any responsibility for the turmoil -- >> no, biden gave us a horrible

economy, he gave us horrible inflation. >> what is your message, president trump, when you are buying a new car, and there are people at home struggling with retirement accounts down at the moment, uncertainty about work ahead. >> well, i think they're going to do great. our country had to do this. we had to go and do this. bd interview with cbs news, commerce secretary howard lutnick said the tariff policies will be worth it, even if they do lead to a short-term recession. just two days earlier, lutnick told nbc news that americans should absolutely not be bracing for a recession. frances? >> thank you. the other drama on capitol hill is the rush to avoid a government shutdown. last night the house narrowly passed a funding bill that would months. now it goes to the senate where it will need 60 votes. last night democt john fetterman confirmed to msnbc

that he will vote yes. he says even though democrats don't agree with the bill, the goal should be to avoid a shutdown. the government is set to run out of funding late friday if congress does not act. after the air disaster over reagan national where 67 people were killed, authorities are taking big security precautions, including restrictions on helicopter traffic over the capitol. here's tom costello. >> reporter: six weeks since the mid-air crash between an army helicopter anand ameican airlins regional jet, the new transportation secretary announced he is permanently limiting helicopter flights around washington, d.c. and the aa will roll out artificial intelligence to identify close call trends nationwide. >> we're going to make sure we've learned from this air disaster. we're going to pay it forward so there's not other families that have to go through the pain and anguish of losing a loved one. >> reporter: it comes as the ntsb reported a staggering number of close calls at reagan

national, with choppers flying down the potomac river right off runway 33. 15,214 close proximity events between planes and helicopters. 85 were very close. less than 200 feet vertical separation. and, from 2011 to 2024, at least one automated cockpit collision avoidance warning every month. and more than half the helicopter may have been flying above the 200-foot limit. the ntsb chair says the distances allowed betweenen pans and choppers were dangerous. >> they pose an intolerable risk to aviation safety. >> reporter: sam lily was the fir officer on the jet. >> the legacy for sam, we're going to find ways to reduce the possibility of this ever happening. >> reporter: secretaryqoy duffy calling on congress to spend tens of billions now to upgrade

the antiquated air traffic control system. >> our thanks to tom for that report. a possible breakthrough involving the war in ukraine. ukraine announcing it's agreed to president trump's 30-day cease-fireplan. now all eyes aree1 on russia as president trump said this yesterday. >> hopefully president putin will agree to that also. and we can get this show on the road. >> for more, let's bring in matt bodner. good morning, matt. >> reporter: good morning, frances. the outcome of yesterday's talks certainly look like a major turn around for the ukrainians. crucially, theñi white house ha ordered intelligence sharing. they have agreed to a 30-day cease-fire provided russia agrees to it and adheres to it. over the past month or so, trump has very publicly antagonized the ukrainians and every single

u.s. ally in europe to such an extent that it's undermined europe's faith in america as an ally. and on russian more to the point, nearly every single proposal by the trump administration, ukraine or the european allies on how to move forward with this plan has been publicly shot down by russian officials. we've not heard yet from the kremlin, but ukrainians seem to@ russia for now. russia's demands at least publicly have not changed since the start of the war. trump has said in broad terms russia must make concessions too. he's not been specific about what those might look like. if russia refuses these proposals, is president trump prepared to lash out at putin the way he's lashed out at zelenskyy. peace in ukraine may be a long

way off. the shooter in the buffalo supermarket massacre is in federal court for a hearing today. in may of 2022, peyton gendron killed black people in a supermarket in new york. federal charges include a hate crime resulting in death and the use of a firearm to cocommit murder. ) new surveillance video showing what appears to be 20-year-old sudiksha konanki's last-known location at a punta cana resort. the university of pittsburgh student was last seen on the beach with people she met during her trip. there were no signs of violence wherew3 she disappeared. local and u.s. authorities are expanding their search as the search enters a sixth day. the san diego area is facing

a wet week. rain totals tuesday approached an inch in some areas, including san diego international airport, which saw its rainiest day in nearly a year. another storm is set to strike that could bring heavy rain, snow and gusty winds. meteorologist angie lassman who is tracking that for us. good morning, angie. >> it's not just southern california that's going to see some of the impacts from this same system. up and down the coast we have the potential for heavy rain, snow and wind. winter alerts up for a lot of the west. and here's that system we're talking about. notice all the heavy rain stretched across this region. the additional snow for the mountains, and of course that flood threat will be there with all the rain on tap over the next couple days. this works further east as we get into tomorrow. we'll see some of that snow across the great basin and rain for the desert southwest. as we head into fridaay, roding out our workweek we have the potential for stronger storms across the mississippi valley. today we're going to be watching for the flooding concerns across

southern california, santa barbara down to san diego. 21 million people included in that. but we're reallyq looking for te slight risk across california, santa barbara to l.a. significant debris floes will be possible as we lookfor more f memphis and up through nashville. mid-70s for mobile, and 80s back in dallas today. that's a look at your forecast, frances, back to you. >> thanks so much, angie. southwest airlines says it's ending its bags fly free policy beginning may 28. only certain reward members will be able to get their bags checked for free. it's ae/+ major change from wha previously set them ap)2'6■ fro other airlines. after decades of allowing two

free checked bags. up next, what to expect from the big inflation report due out in hours. and why companies are playing a steep price for the trade war. cuz only he brings delicious cadbury crème eggs while others may keep trying.. (animal noises continue) nobunny knows easter better than cadbury for years, one supplement claimed it improved memory. but the truth? it can't support those claims. choose neuriva plus — which supports six brain health indicators, including memory, with clinically tested ingredients. it's time to switch to neuriva. ♪ [feel me flow by naughty by nature] ♪ including memory, with clinically tested ingredients. ♪ here we go ♪ ♪ now holla if you hear me though ♪ ♪ come and feel me flow ♪ ♪ here we go ♪ ♪ now holla if you hear me though ♪ ♪ heyyyyyyyyy ♪ alice loves the scent of gain so much, she wished there was a way to make it last longer. say hello to your fairy godmother alice,

and long-lasting gain scent beads. part of the irresistible scent collection from gain. a critical inflation report is due out in just hours. the consumer price index is expected to show an increase, coming in just a fraction under 3%. that would be lower than january numbers. it's still well above the federal reserve's target of 2%. it will likely mean rates stay thewqj■ápsq after the fed's meeg next week. the report covers the first full month of the trump administration, though the president's tariff policies are not expected to have a big impact quite yet. that could soon change, though, with those 25% tariffs on aluminum and steel imports. kicking in today. it's expected to have an outsized impact on the automotive and manufacturing sector while driving up prices

for small businesses like breweries. then> reporter: already orders have been canceled. >> yeah. we have $115,000 of product sitting. >> reporter: that product is just sitting here in the warehouse with canada-specific labels on these bottles in 3/wq. they don't know what tokb do wi this, and, if nothing changes

they fear the losses will grow. the timing couldn't be worse for whiskey producers. the industry recently saw a nearly 2% drop in revenue. amid the slow down, the ceo of jack daniels parent company called it worse than a tariff, because it's literally taking your sales zñ4ñaway. >> i don't sleep right now. >> reporter: at bro brothers p. distillery, victor yarbrough is in the process of building a tasting room. that expansion banking on a deal to start selling spirits in canada. that deal now dead, he's scrambling to find a plan b. >> maybe they'll take 5% of that. >> reporter: but he worries any ñ in an industry with profits already going down thedrain. >> it could be a country we're speaking with right now, all of a sudden you get hit with tariffs next and then the deal falls through. >> reporter: maggie vespa, louisville, kentucky.

still to come, roberta flak is memorialized by artists who wouldn't be here without her. find out the surprise guests who came tout to honor the legendary singer. mom's gonna love this! alright kids come on. it's time for bed! ( ♪♪ ) good morning, mr. snuggles. make breakfast special with the cocoa and hazelnutty goodness of nutella. ( ♪♪ ) mr. clean magic eraser... wow - where has this been my entire life? and hazelnutty goodness of nutella. having to clean with multiple products is a hassle. with magic eraser... i use it on everyday messes. i even use it on things that i think are impossible to clean.

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i adore mrs. roberta flack. ♪ strumming my pain with his fingers ♪ ♪ one time, y'all ♪ ♪ singin' my life with his words ♪ >> the celebration of the life of roberta flack would not be complete without one of the greatest admirers for her. lauryn hill and wycliffe jean made an appearance for the pioneering singer. the former fugees paid tribute with "the first time i ever saw your face", and of course "killing me softly." and stevie wonder sung "i can laq song he wrote for flack. the music they all make so

beautifully to honor roberta flack. what an honor. the lights are going out for billy joel, at least temporarily. the legendary singer-songwriter announcing he's postponing eight tour dates as he recovers from surgery and undergoes physical therapy for an undisclosed medical condition. the effective dates span from december to july. and while his health comes first, he looks forward to getting back on the stage. and we know how much he loves to perform. i'm sure with a little bit of time and recovery, he will be back out there. >> fans have to be bummed. because they got tickets way in advance, but he is always out there. up next, a health setback for tiger woods ahead of the first major of the season. and how you can snag a free wendy's frosty. that we would create the best pet food we possibly could, made with the finest natural ingredients and none of the things you find in many other pet foods. we call it the true blue promise and it's our commitment to feed your pet just like we would feed blue.

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pepsi, kellogg, general mills and other large companies. his biggestw3 goal, eliminating artificial dyes from the food supply. more than 82 people were sickened on a princess cruise ship. the ship departed los angeles on february 21st on a ship visiting mexico, the panama canal and more before ending in ft. lauderdale. the coral princess saw an outbreak on a cruise in late january. tiger woods underwood #úg&ut achilles tendon while ramping up training at home. his doctors said a full recovery is expected. and, in honor of national girl scout day, wendy's is giving away frosties, customers can claim the offer on the app. good morning, mr. snuggles. make breakfast special with the cocoa and hazelnutty goodness of nutella.

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we are back with a murder for hire plot targeting a popular reality tv star from the paranormal show ghost adventures. who was behind the plot? police say it was his own wife. >> [ bleep ]! >> reporter: ghost adventures star aaron goodwin's wifep&?'ç g charges after police say she tried hiring a hitman to kill him in a murder plot straight out of a tv episode. >> she's definitely afraid of haunted houses. >> reporter: police records show victoria goodwin was arrested and charged last week with solicitation to commit murder and conspiracy to commit murder. the charges stem from an investigation that uncovered the murder for hire plot. the las vegas police did not respond to our request for

comment.@w- >> i was just like, whoa! >> reporter: police said the self-described paranormal investigator was filming when the hit was meant to go down. tmz reporting that the police7t report included some disturbing messages, including one in which victoria told the inmate, am i a bad person because i chose to end his existence, not divorce? the murder never took place. and according to tmz, police said victia admitted that she and goodwin were going through marital problems. >> it does not require them to prove any money changed hands. they have to prove intent. but she could prove this was all a joke or was able to convince a jury that she did not have criminal intent. that would be her best defense.

>> reporter: the public defender representing victoria declined to comment. >> and our thanks to david for that report. now to the ghost ship found off the coast of michigan. the vessel vanished over 130 years ago. it was discovered 600 feet deep on the floor of lake superior. it was one of the first ships made entirely out of steel on the great lakes. coming up on the "today" show, the exciting new discoveries unearthed from the ancient city of pompeii. an exclusive look at the historic dig. and here's dylan drier with what else is ahead. >> this morning on the third hour of "today", we are separating fact from myth when it comes to women's health. and a lesson in love from diego perez. and a performance you do not want to miss from clowe flower and babyface on the third hour of "today". >> thank you for joining me so

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