count your blessings if you are not traveling today. if you are... good luck to you. we are live at sky harbor...all morning on the busiest travel day of the yea just in time for the holidays, amazon is giving customers the power of x-ray vision. and when the white house says... bring your i-d... they aren't kidding. the story behind why ellen was denied entry... on the day she received the medal of freedom. from the 12 news studios in

phoenix, here's what's coming your way on 12 today... adlib welcome toss weather adlib weather

thanksgiving is a time for togetherness. thanksgiving is a

and millions of people will be packed together on airplanes and in cars along the highway, the thanksgiving travel rush has now begun. thanksgiving is a time for togetherness. and millions of people will be packed together on airplanes and in cars along the highway, the thanksgiving team 12's bryan west is staying in town... but he's live right now checking out the

here is your 12 today poll here is your 12

question of the morning. will you be traveling or staying home this thanksgiving weekend? your choices: - traveling by plane who murdered dinya farmer on state route 51 last september... is now up to 21- thousand

made that announcement yesterday. farmer was followed, shot and killed a few months ago. farmer was headed from westbound interstate 10 to sr 51 when police said she called 911 and described a truck following her. the 911 operator heard shots and the call ended. officers found farmer's car crashed into the center median. she later died at a hospital. a federal appeals court has refused to issue an emergency order to stop construction of a new phoenix- freeway. the 9th circuit u.s. circuit court of appeal's action means construction of the south mountain freeway can proceed while the appeals court considers an appeal. the new freeway will connect with intert phoenix, providing an alternative to driving on i-10 through central phoenix. hard to believe... but today the phoenix zoo kicks off 25 years of zoo lights. team 12's brandon hamilton is live to show us what you can expect to see.

the skittles tree was the first one? >> yes it was. >> reporter: a lot of people might think why do you take them down after the holidays? >> because all the trees grow. so we would lose lights and it would hurte >> for the most part. 90%. >> reporter: you guys set up new displays every year. you're always working to create something new. we will talk more about that at 6 o'clock. a lot of the creations are fascinating. the tree lighting ceremony is tonight.

it is fun to see the excitement on all their faces. >> reporter: that is confidence right there. you are doing great work. this is the 25th annual phoenix zoo lights. the gates open a little early tonight, at 5:20 you can start coming into the zoo. the ceremony starts at 5:45. there will be a marching band out here. go to the zoo website to buy your tickets. back to you guys. let's get the morning juice now. >> a big day at the white house for president obama. he gave out 21 medals of freedom. it was quite a list of who is to. everyone from kareem abdul- jabbar and michael jordan to tom hanks and robert deniro. also bruce springsteen, ellen degeneres .

at each other and thought we have been really fortunate. >> the celebrities also joined in on a social media craze, the mannequin challenge. apparently diane ross his daughter came up with the idea. they all look great. ellen degeneres almost did not make it to the ceremony. she hto after she forgot her id. could you imagine that? >> when they say you need an id to get into the white house, they are serious. >> it does not matter who you are. it is time for your morning question. the average woman has about seven of these will -- but will only use one. most women say men are terrible at choosing these. what our men terrible at

>> on facebook they were saying shoes, pens. >> i am not too sure. >> purse. >> with they choose that? >> i guess is a gift. -- >> do you really have a choice in the matter. >> i am stumped. father's attitude about parenting will have a big impact on a teenagers life down the road. find out how in 10 minutes.

welcome back. on this week's wednesday's child we meet a young lady who has it all. bright, charming and a creative soul. >> my name is justice, and i love art. today i am at the scottsdale are the school where i had a one-on-one session. >> reporter: instructor linda was impressed for art. >> i learned sketching, watercolor. i enjoy pottery. >> reporter: she is also a gifted writer who plans to write an autobiography one day. >> it is going to be from when i was first put into the system and everything i accomplished and all my goals. >> reporter: she is 14 years old, but she is confident and knows herself very well.

i am very talkative. i love talking. i have a fun side and a business side. you can trust me. just not with your food. >> reporter: she is more than ready for her for every family. >> i wanted to be funny and fun and outgoing as well. and very supportive and loving. i/o we see families walking around -- i always see families walking around and say it will be me tomorrow or next year. >> reporter: you can be certain justice will bring a family a lot of joy. >> i hope i can inspire them. make them glad that they chose me. >> if you would like to learn more about helping a child in foster care, call 602-930-4900.

relationships and change lives through adoption. for more information, you can also visit their website. let's get a check of your on the road traffic. >> good morning. not so bad so far. we are on 10 is bound heading to the airport. roads are nice and clear. but we do have some crashes around the valle 202 at williams field a multi- vehicle crash. 60 westbound single vehicle crash blocking the left lane. that has been cleared and reopened as well. we're taking you out to sky harbor. nice and clear. we are going to see how traffic is looking at the airport. also important to note this

construction closures on valley freeways throughout the entire weekend. that is today through sunday. they really want to focus on safe drivers and making sure that no one gets hurt. we will let you know how the airport is looking coming up. brian is at the airport on the inside talking to travelers. first we want to go out to scottsdale quarter. for the past two years that is where i take my kids for their santa pictures. they have one of the best in the valley. >> reporter: yes. he is here right now. he is making a special appearance. coffee shops, restaurants. look at santa. how about a good laugh. >> merry christmas.>> reporter: beautiful. what is better than poppies

holidays. arizona animal where failed week. -- welfare league. >> this is a big guy at 85 pounds already. he is available for adoption at the arizona animal welfare league. you can go to our website.>> reporter: who is this? >> he is a two-month-old shepherd mix. he is up for adoption. anyone ready to handle puppy behavior, he lost to chew his little santa hat. puppy teeth. >> reporter: he is a great dog. let's go over here. we have carolers. this is happening all weekend long. great music playing.

it will feel a little frosty this morning. then temperatures move out. high pressure is in the forecast. that is what is going to keep us high and dry and beautiful right through thanksgiving. it will be very festive for our forecast. high temperatures for today looking absolutely beautiful at about 73 degrees. a little chilly towards the north. get a good jacket if you're heading to the high country. today lots of sunshine. thanksgiving a great forecast. lots of turkey and gravy and festivity. if you are playing the turkey bowl outside, the weather will be spectacular. the weekend is great. sunday and monday is slight chance of showers. we are at scottsdale quarter. they are kicking off their holiday celebration.

even if you do not have a lot of money, you can come out here and go for a walk. the festivities are just beautiful. lots to see. i love this place. >> one of those dogs, the shepherd mix, that is the same one that matt was looking at on their website. >> get some details for me. >> just give it to him for christmas. >> gorgeous. if you have x-ray vision. we will explain why coming up.

welcome back. a live look at a very empty sky harbor airport. but this afternoon when people are flying into town this area will be packed. we will track it for you all day long. a new report from the cdc confirms fears that even if the zika affected normal at birth, they could have hidden brain abnormalities. some babies who were infected in utero have obvious problems at birth like extremely small schools. -- brains. it can even exist when born with a normal had side. watching the olympics may inspire young people to get moving. researchers surveyed

over half of them were inspired to try new sports or activities. but unfortunately it did not translate to higher levels of physical fitness. did you know the number of kitchen fires triples on thanksgiving day? >> according to the consumer product safety commission, there is an average of 1300 day compared to about 400 on other days of the year. cooker dinner safely. avoid loose clothing, cook in a fire outside, not on the porch or in the garage. yesterday down joe's closed at its highest level ever yesterday. above night -- dow jones closed at its highest level after yesterday at 1900.

won the election a few weeks ago. donald trump is naming names and filling out his cabinet. one of the sharpest critics has an important new job under him. coming up.

it is the one thing you do not want to do on a day like today, but if you are stuck at the airport, we are sorry. it will not get any better as the busiest travel day of the year is just getting started. prop 205 to legalize marijuana in arizona went up in smoke a few weeks ago, but is it about to make a comeback? if you thought you were going to escape christmas without an ugly sweater, think again. good morning. hope you're off to a great start this morning. jimmy is out at scottsdale quarter. >> reporter: singing jingle bells. a lot of festivities happening at scottsdale quarter. great music and a lot of fun. this is just a preview of what is coming this weekend. they have more lights coming in, believe it or not. a great atmosphere.