giving! good morning i'm alyssa deitsch, in for dave hall. and i'm maria silva. the annual 98- point-five kluc toy drive kicks off today, and organizers are hoping for another record breaking year. last year, thanks to your generous na the toy drive shattered records, collecting almost six-thousand bikes and well over 400-thousand dollars in gift cards and cash donations. that's in addition to more than 30 semi-trucks full of toys. the 18th annual toy drive takes place in the n-v energy parking lot on sahara. for 12 straight days 98-point-5's chet buchanan will eat, sleep and live atop that scaffolding, collecting each of your donations personally.

bikes... toys... cash... gift cards..., anything really, just donate what you can. last year they collected more than 30 semi- trucks full of toys, so let's squash that record and brighten the holidays for children in need, right here in our valley. cassandra jones joins us now. cass overnight temps are already dipping into the 30's... is chet going to survive out there? or freeze his

good morning i'm cassandra jones with fox5. it will be another cold morning with lows into the 30's before sunrise. we'll see a few clouds drift across the area, keeping temperatures up just a degree or two compared to last night. skies will be mostly sunny on thursday with a forecast high of 55 degrees in las vegas and afternoon breezes 10-20 mph. another system dives into the area friday, bringing another shot of cool air along with gusty winds out of the north. high temperatures will be in the mid to low 50s with wind gusts around 30 mph. the strongest winds will be east of las vegas along the colorado river. a wind advisory takes effect at 7 am friday for mesquite, moapa, laughlin, and lake havasu city. it stays breezy on saturday with upper 50s before highs rebound back to 60 degrees on sunday. take advantage of the milder day on sunday because even colder air arrives early next week. the days of free

las vegas strip will soon be a distant memory. caesars entertainment and the wynn are the latest properties to announce new parking charges. fox5's faith tanner spoke with locals and tourists about the new pay-to-park locals and tourists about the new pay-to-park trend.

that's for sure" people who work on the strip-- are also worried it will start costing them more "if i didn't have that players card they're gonna charge me so now i have to use a friend's players card just to park for free" m-g-m resorts started the trend back in june... it seems like free parking spots may be few and far between. and while people don't like the idea of shelling out more money-- they realize that times are changing. "we came here 43 years ago where we could stay at a hotel for 19 dollars, so things have changed!" faith tanner fox5 news local las vegas>> most of pay-to- park changes will be implemented by the end of the year. we have some good news though, station casinos

free parking to its guests. there are 16 valley locations under the hotel's umbrella, including red rock casino, green valley ranch, boulder, sunset and palace station. for more specifics on the pay to park program head over to our website-- fox5 vegas dot com today is world aids day. it's a day where people around the world unite in the fight against h-i-v. it's also a chance for people to learn more about h-i-v, the virus that causes aids. the centers for and prevention says about 37- million people worldwide are currently living with h-i-v or aids. today through saturday, "the center" will be offering free h-i-v and s-t-d testing. all day long the center will be bringing awareness to the fight with events, including a silent candlelight vigil set for 7 p-m tonight. the world-famous "welcome to fabulous las vegas" sign is red this morning to support aids awareness.

the bulbs over from yellow to red yesterday. county commissioners will join representative from "aid for aids of nevada" at 10 this morning to flip the switch. the fremont street canopy will also go red today to show support for world aids day. from 8 to 9 tonight, the canopy will shine red to spread awareness for people living with the disease and others who have lost their fight against h-i-v and aids. local first responders joined forces at u-m-c save lives. the annual "heroes challenege blood drive" is nevada's largest blood drive... and as fox5's miguel martinez valle explains... it's an event where officials and everyday people can become heroes. " blood donors, they give me my life, they give me my sons life, because my son is my life" for alyssa aguayo, blood donations are personal... her son callum suffers a rare blood disorder that requires he gets monthly blood transfusions... " there's been

can't find his blood and they have to ship it in because not enough people in the valley donate blood" thats why aguayo is teaming up with local heroes for umc's biggest blood drive of the year... " its a friendly competition between law enforecement, fire, and umc, to see who can generate the most blood donations for the year" they call it the heroes challenge blood drive and year after year the competition helps collect hundreds of units of blood for those who need it... " between police and fire we donated 145 units, now umc did over 200." " we're all dedicated to changing lives but way we can make a difference in out communitites" it's not just officials donating, hundreds of community members also came together at umc. those who donated recieved gifts and prizes, but most improtantly they recieved the chance to save a life... " our community is amazing about coming out and supporting each other" " wether its an emergency situation like in a hospital or a car accident or someone like my son that always has the need for blood the rest of his life he will have the need for blood" miguel martinez valle fox5 news

new this morning, under a new labor agreement, smokeless tobacco will be banned for first- year major league baseball players. the ban will not apply to existing m-l-b players. that's according to a person familiar with the negotiations. the details of the ban have yet to be announced. several u-s cities have banned the use of smokeless tobacco in ballparks. smokeless tobacco has been banned in the minor leagues since 19-93. five counties in nevada, including clark county, will have their votes recounted. the other counties are carson city, douglas, mineral and nye. an independent candidate has paid 14-thousand dollars.. to have recounts done across the state roque de la fuente received the fewest votes in the state. but says he wants to counter balance jill stein. who has requested recounts in three other states. and speaking of

first candidate- driven statewide recount of a presidential election in 16 years will begin today in wisconsin. the green party candidate called for the recount. according to federal law, the deadline to finish all recounts is december 13-th. happening today... the world famous "w" hotel is coming to the s-l-s on the strip. you're looking live at "w" right now. starwood hotels inked a deal with the s-l-s last november to take over it's 289-room lux tower. the "w" las vegas has a separate hotel lobby, reception desk and branded spa. the "w las vegas" marquee atop the sls sign will light up tonight, signifying the new tower's opening. an event is set for 5:30 p.m. at the foxtail pool. the national finals rodeo kicks off today... but it's not just cowboys taking

"well we're looking forward to a really big performance! really big! huge!" more on the top country musicians in town... taking part in the fun! great news for all you snow bunnies out there! our local resort is up and running and full of fresh

resort will officially open for the winter season next friday. the resort will also open the bristlecone bar and grill and guest services. chairlifts will start running at nine a-m. and the resort plans to stay open until four each afternoon. the winter season should last through march... so snow lovers will have plenty of time to head up and enjoy the fresh powder. this will be its 54th season.

good morning i'm cassandra jones with fox5. it will be another cold morning with lows into the 30's before sunrise. we'll see a few clouds drift across the area, keeping temperatures up just a degree or two compared to last night. skies will be mostly sunny on thursday with a forecast high of 55 degrees in las vegas and afternoon breezes 10-20 mph. another system dives into the area friday, bringing another shot of cool air along with gusty winds out of the north. high temperatures will be in the mid to low 50s with wind gusts around 30 mph. the strongest winds will be east of las vegas along the colorado river. a wind advisory takes effect at 7 am friday for mesquite, moapa, laughlin, lake havasu city. it stays breezy on saturday with upper 50s before highs rebound back to 60 degrees on sunday. take advantage of the milder day on sunday because even colder air arrives early next week.

soared past southern utah for their first win on the road this season. fox5's kevin bolinger joins us from cedar city with highlights from last night's matchup. closed captioning will resume shortly closed captioning will resume shortly closed captioning will resume shortly closed captioning

to join kevin and

menzies sunday night for the reb zone. you can catch it following fox5 news at 10 and sports plus. drivers will put the pedal to the metal today for the annual burnout on the strip. there will be burnouts in the intersection of spring mountain and las vegas boulevard and at the harmon starting at 2:30 today. the wynn will host nascar's sprint cup series awards friday night. some of our nation's finest cowboys and cowgirls are back in las vegas for the wrangler national finals rodeo. hundreds will compete at the thomas and mack center in various events like bull riding and barrel racing. the "national finals rodeo" kicks off today. the rodeo will be in town until next saturday, december tenth. nfr brings more

it also brings some all-star country entertainment. more's sean mcallister shows us some of the big names coming to town.

at the cosmopolitan... theses guys are no strangers to performing in vegas. (( sot -- alabama )) "p nfr more 9am" from bitcentral i've been so blessed we've been to still be able to play music, play guitar. sing the songs you wrote. reba and brooks & dunn play this weekend inside their home at the colosseum. (( nats -- reba brooks & dunn )) at the silverton -- sam riddle plays on friday night with another show december 9-th. and you'll be stuck like glue to jennifer nettles as she plays "the foundry" saturday at the s- l-s. (( nats --

one of our nation's gems is getting a makeover... we'll tell you what's replacing 20 year old technology at niagara falls! "i'm dreaming of a white christmas with every christmas card i write." plus... a sure sign of christmas is here! the rockefeller tree is decorated and lit! we'll take you to new york after the break. but first, you're looking inside the bellagio conservatory and botanical gardens, where crews are hard at work ushering in the holidays. the holiday show is expected to open later today, but it looks like

some work to do. the festive display will be up through january

the holidays with an annual tradition, the lighting of the christmas tree at rockefeller center. new york city mayor bill de blasio flipped the switch last night, illuminating the 94-foot tall tree adorned with 50- thousand multicolored lights. the night was also full of a-list performances from some of the biggest names in music. "feliz navidad... i wanna wish you a merry christmas. i wanna wish you a merry christmas." "i'm coming home for christmas. save a place for me." "have yourself a merry little christmas. make the yule tide gay." neil diamond, sarah mclachlan, and tori kelly also took part in the 84th annual ceremony. the radio city rockettes performed their incredible routines last

this holiday tradition started back in 1931. niagara falls is dialing up the wow factor after undergoing a four-million dollar lighting makeover. when this festival of lights is cast over the falls in rainbow hues each night. officials say the 4-million dollar makeover includes energy-efficient l-e-d lighting. the night light show has been taking place for the past 20 ar tonight at 10 p-m, the falls will shine red to show support for world aids day. we'll be right

"im hoping this program can decrease crime in the valley." today police will unveil a new line of defense to protect your home from thiefs. how you can help metro solve a crime if it happens in your own backyard. "you go to a hotel you expect to have at least free parking, you're paying for the hotel" the days of easy, free valet parking will soon be a thing of the past on the strip. what the new pay-to-park rules mean for you. it's time to dig deep into your pockets to brighten the holidays for a local child in need. where you can go today to make sure they have

morning. good morning i'm maria silva. i'm alyssa deitsch. now it's time to get a first look at your fox5 weather 24-7 forcast... cassandra jones joins us now. good morning i'm cassandra jones with fox5. it will be another cold morning th into the 30's before sunrise. we'll see a few clouds drift across the area, keeping temperatures up just a degree or two compared to last night. skies will be mostly sunny on thursday with a forecast high of 55 degrees in las vegas and afternoon breezes 10-20 mph. another system dives into the area friday, bringing another shot of cool air along with gusty winds out of the north. high temperatures will be in the mid to low 50s with wind gusts around 30 mph. the