hotel lobby in oklahoma. two women diving for their lives. the man behind the wheel reportedly seeking revenge after a dispute about his bill. the original cast of "star wars" reunites on the red carpet of the world premiere of the most anticipated film in decades. >> pinch me time. >> can the film live up to the stellar? and 65 years with nbc. 35 with "today." he celebrated thousands of birthdays and now it is time to honor him. willard scott's time for retirement. today, tuesday, december 15th, 2015.

this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie. >> welcome to tuesday morning. matt and al said bring the tissues for the last half hour as we say good-bye to willard. >> it will be nostalgic for us on the show. he has been a constant for us and several generations of americans. we will pay tribute to willard. to the top story. the next republican presidential debate is hours away in las vegas where donald trump was met by a contentious crowd. we will start this afternoon with our correspondent peter alexander out in las vegas. >> reporter: good morning, savannah. keeping with the las vegas theme. the donald trump lead is not a mirage. the poll showing him out with the biggest advantage yet. expanding the lead 28 points. in second place is ted cruz.

leaning independents largely supporting trump in their words as the strongest leader. the man likeliest to bring change to washington and best chance of winning the general election. along the vegas trip, high stakes ahead of the last republican debate of the year. >> the other candidates should be thankful. i'm giving them a chance to make fools of themselves. >> reporter: donald trump now looking to stave off ted cruz. surging in iowa and trailing trump nationwide. >> you know the bottom line, i think we will win iowa. i think we will win new hampshire big. >> reporter: trump interrupted by protesters escorted out by security. support supporters at the rally and one man yelling a nazi salute. a battle over the republican

the feud is simmering with senators cruz and rubio. as cruz looks to consolidate conservatives and tea party loyalists and rubio is dismissing cruz as weak on national security. now in the wake of paris and san bernardino, americans top concern. monday night, he led the sharpest attacks on president obama. >> this is why the american people have zero confidence on how the government has a way to keep the country safe. >> reporter: for jeb bush, once the establishment favorite, is vegas his last stand? despite the campaign and super pac spending millions in tv ads, bush has single digit support across the board. he is still exacerbated by trump. >> he cannot being commander in chief. he doesn't have plans.

this is to provoke anger. >> reporter: back on the main stage, chris christie. he has had 50 visits since june. and sarah palin defended donald trump's proposed muslim ban. she believes it is not islamaphobic, but just trying to keep the nation safe. she added the republican party needs not marginalize donald trump. savannah. >> thank you, peter. >> we have nicolle wallace who served as the national advisor in previous campaigns. we are coming out of the biggest two-week period in the campaign. guys in the control room, put the numbers back up. he is strengthening his grip. are you surprised? >> i'm a little disheartened.

on muslims coming into the country and more importantly, those comments and reaction to them, the universal criticism from the republican party of republican leaders distracted from the conversation. a conversation would have helped marco rubio who would have had a debate in the party and country about the best way to keep america safe. the best way to get out of the war after paris. and bringing the technology into the fold or new package of laws after the patriot act of 9/11, we are talking about the muslim ban. >> after the poll, the monmouth poll has trump at 41%. you are talking about monumental with his lead. let's talk about other

ted cruz has the momentum right now. >> he is the only example in the field of 14 left for whom organization, planning and discipline has mattered. he is disciplined. the piece in "the wall street journal" says no one should doubt his intelligence. we should have questions about his character. >> do you think in any way that ted cruz is the current version of carly fiorina and ben carson? each one of them rose quickly and fell sharply. is ted cruz that type of a candidate or does he have staying power? >> i think ted cruz has staying power. something happened yesterday. the fight for trump and cruz, rush limbaugh, mark levine,

right, both defended cruz in the trump/cruz cage match. >> that is interesting. the way trump chose to take on cruz on the issue of temperament and he doesn't get along with anybody fed right into what a lot of conservative media like about ted cruz. >> exactly. they finally found the breaking point. whether the far right has broken up with trump, they always doubted his true conservative credentials. whether they broken up with him and putting that force of the conservative talk radio and grassroots is a question mark. >> this is a last debate of the year. 48 days to go until iowa. is this the last stand for any candidate or will this pack move forward until iowa? >> i think they can get another look for themselves in iowa. i think what happens is most people with kids and kids are out of school on friday and they have time to follow this. like a jell-o mold, it firms in place on friday. i don't think people pull it out and take another look at it

>> you think all of them stay and they are on the stage in january? >> i was wrong to think it would shrink after a couple debates. i don't think the debates are whittling the field. the big chunk of the guys are way down in the polls. >> and the money dries up. >> that will run a few people out. >> nicolle, thank you. we are watching. one more note on donald trump. his physician cut from the same cloth of the frontrunner. you have to hear the statement released by his doctor. dr. harold bornstein. i can state unequivocally will be the healthiest elected to office. his recent lab test results were as astonishingly excellent. >> i have to get a new doctor.

on the other side of the aisle, front runner hillary clinton is planning a preemptive strike over the criticism she is expecting from republican rivals on the stage tonight. today, she will make her case on how she will take on the isis threat. nbc's kristen welker is in minneapolis with that part of the story. hi, kristen. >> reporter: matt, good morning. secretary clinton will not be on the debate stage, but she will try to rebut the republican candidate and paint herself with the national security. a top issue for voters. you may remember that secretary clinton rolled out her strategy to defeat isis. here she will detail the final part of the plan. how to defend the country here at home. she will point to minnesota's robust plan to counter violent extremism which plagued the area.

like san bernardino from recruitment to training to planning to execution while staying true to values. she is laying a sharp contrast of the republican field, especially donald trump who called for a ban on all muslims. clinton called that rhetoric dangerous to the national security. clinton leads donald trump and ted cruz in a general election match up in our poll. she has a strong lead in her own primary. the democrats face-off in their debate in new hampshire. matt, back to you. kristen, thanks. >> now an about face of the most controversial figures in the military. bowe bergdahl is facing a court martial and potential in life in prison.

guantanamo bay detainees. we have andrea mitchell following this for us. >> reporter: it was last summer that bowe bergdahl was welcomed home. insisting that america never leaves a soldier behind. now with mounting pressure from republicans, if the military has its way, the last prisoner of war could soon be headed to jail. in the tense 2014 handover, bowe bergdahl got his freedom. now in a twist of fate, perhaps only to trade his taliban captivity, for a prison. bowe bergdahl is mounting his defense on the serial podcast. he will soon have to make his case in the military court as it becomes an issue for donald trump monday night. >> i hear there will not be yale time. incredible. 50 years ago, what would happen? >> reporter: bowe bergdahl is

desertion and endangering the safety of the soldiers after walking off the post in afghanistan. claimed a misguided effort to challenge himself and commanders. >> i was trying to prove to the world. >> reporter: the desertion charges are more severe than the army recommended. >> we traded senior terrorist leaders for someone who is right now being tried for effectively deserting his troops. that makes no sense. >> reporter: the obama administration is left defending a deal that fell apart from the start. >> bowe is coming home. >> reporter: congressional republicans were furious about a trade that released five taliban prisoners from guantanamo bay. now the last american prisoner of war could spend the rest of his life behind bars. >> let's fly him over and dump him over the middle. should we give him a parachute or not? i say no.

is on active duty in north carolina where he will be arraigned at a later date. as for the taliban prisoners, the white house says they are closely tracked supposedly in the country of qatar. savannah. >> andrea, thank you. a lot of eyes on washington as the federal reserve begins the last meeting of the year. the fed expected to raise the benchmark interest rate for the first time in almost a decade when that meeting wraps up tomorrow. the key short-term interest rate has been close to zero since december of 2008. that is when the country slid into the recession. rate hike would significant the confidence in the economy, but some worry it may slow growth. and government policy that goes into effect next week is causing turbulence with drone owners. starting next week, you have to register with the faa and pay a

failing to do that, you could face thousands of dollars in fines. this is a danger to commercial aircraft. one drone group says the $5 fee may deter you from registers. i want to update you on a story we have been following since last september. a former assistant high school football coach ordering his players to hit the referee during the game pleaded guilty to assault. mack breed sentenced to 18 months probation and ordered 180 hours of community service. he has to pay restitution to the referee targeted by two player from the san antonio high school this past season. officials say breed also has to forfeit his texas teaching certificate permanently and attend anger management. and the frenzy of "star wars the force awakens."

was held in hollywood last night with storm troopers androids droids. we have nbc's joe fryer with more. >> reporter: good morning, savannah. people have been camping out at the mann's chinese theater. after being able to see it, they are raving of the premiere. it was the force on display at the premiere. >> john williams crescendo was the greatest. >> reporter: sharing the red carpet with harrison ford and carrie fisher and mark hamil. analysts predict it could

million shattering the box office record. when the seventh installment is done, it could earn $1.5 billion to $2 billion or more worldwide. >> no movie has ever made $3 billion worldwide. "the force awakens." could it achieve the monumental landmark? we have to wait and see. >> reporter: this is the first "star wars" film made without george lucas. a big investment putting pressure on j.j. abrams. speaking with "60 minutes." >> a lot of moments of abject terror. >> reporter: the buzz is louder than the light sabre. merchandise is expected to bring in billions from high heels to humidifiers hitting the shelves.

decor is inspired by "star wars." >> i was like whoa, i need to get tickets. >> reporter: in the line outside the chinese theater, caroline and andrew plan to wed before they see the movie. >> it's got three important things here. "star wars," caroline and friends. >> reporter: wait. don't you mean caroline and then "star wars?" >> of course. >> i'm more excited for the movie. >> reporter: keep in mind in addition to this movie, there will be two more chapters in the "star wars" saga and spinoff films. analysts say the franchise will be paying dividends for decades to come. back to you. >> joe, thank you so much. my nerd meter is piquing into the red. >> tamron is in the orange room with the premiere.

>> we say epic all the time. this is truly epic. i almost e-mailed you at 2:00 in the morning with pictures from the red carpet. look what we found. joseph gordon-levitt as yoda. >> not as good as hoda's yoda. >> any yoda's not bad. there were some secrets shared. rainn wilson tweeted first review, it was epic and awesome and perfect. j.j. killed it. and patton oswalt said j.j. did it. one person, one living creature not motivated in the "star wars" thing. wrangler, may the force be with you. my fingers. we will dress him up in the next hour. >> try a liver tweet. >> i had the liver treat and the force. he will get in on the excitement this morning.

>> all right, tamron, thank you very much. dylan, a check of the weather. you remember what snow looks like? >> no. >> let's look at holiday utah. sitting to the north of holiday is salt lake city. they picked up 8.3 inches of snow yesterday. that's a specially made bike for the snow. they need it out there. this is the biggest snow storm they have seen in a while. last year, they saw 6 inches all season. snow in denver. temperatures around 21 degrees. the windchill is around 5 degrees right now. winds are gusting. we have winter storm warnings and advisories through the rockies. this system will make its way to the northeast and produce more snow.

in 30 seconds.the next several days along with slowly cooling temperatures this week. stormtrack7 live weather network cameras will keep us mainly cloudy this morning, although we may have a couple of hours of sun breaking through in between systems. we are in the mid 30s this morning with low 30s to the northwest... still mild for this time of the year.... winds are light from the north, but will turn to the east and become gusty for the afternoon and be even stronger from the southwest tomorrow. clouds are holding >> and that's your latest forecast. >> all right, dylan, thank you so much. coming up, caught on camera, a disgruntled guest makes good on a threat to plow his truck

what set that man off. and mr. roker is down in virginia to help us say a huge thank you to willard scott for 35 unforgettable years on "today" and 65 at the network. but, first, this is "today" on nb heart disease. asthma. diabetes. 7 out of 10 americans take prescription drugs. but in the last 7 years drugs prices have doubled. hillary's going to take on the drug companies.

lower drug prices. let people buy their prescription drugs from countries like canada at half the price. and cap monthly prescription costs for every american. the drug companies have been over charging long enough. it's time to fight back. i'm hillary clinton

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this is video from ridgeway and greyhound this morning. it's not far from highway 63. barricades are up. a few streets in waterloo had to flooding. remember, when you see flooded roadways... turn around, don't drown. changes coming to an iowa school district. the nursery at muscatine high school is closing. that's because there's been a dramatic decline in the number of pregnant teens. in 2001...97 teens in the county had babies. last year...that number was down to 40. teens who still might need childcare are being connected to resources. now, let's go to eileen with a look at weather. patchy fog today with gusty easterly winds this afternoon. becoming windy tomorrow with some showers tonight/wednesday and then breezy and cooler for the rest

we'll be back in 30 minutes, be sure to check kwwl dot com for the

i'm dreaming of a white christmas 7:30 now on a tuesday morning, the 15th of december, 2015. ten days to go until christmas, but with record warm temperatures across the east, it feels a little bit like we're counting down to easter. we're going to go outside and say hi to those nice people without coats for about the fifth day in a row. >> back inside studio 1a where we can cool off, stories making headlines, the new found friction between donald trump and ted cruz likely will be in

republican presidential debate in las vegas. trump will once again take center stage and cruz will be standing this time directly to his left. the texas senator leads in iowa and is a close second nationwide. deliberations now under way at the trial of baltimore police officer william porter charged with manslaughter in the death of freddie gray. prosecutors say porter abused his power by failing to save gray's life after he was injured in the back of a police van. the defense says the case is based on pure speculation, not evidence. you may remember this story. the former texas assistant high school football coach accused of ordering players to hit a referee during a game has now pled guilty to assault charges. mack proceed was sentenced to 1 months probation and was ordered to perform 120 hours of

texas teaching certificate. also this morning we're saying good-bye to a legendary wonderful figure here on nbc. after 65 years on the air on nbc, 35 here on "today" willard scott is retire. a special tribute is planned next hour and al is down in virginia with willard for the festivities. guys, good morning. >> hey, good morning, guys. we are here on willard's farm, and we're just watching the sun coming up. why now? why did you decide after 65 years this was it? >> well, donald trump wrote me in his will and i said i don't need to work anymore and this is crazy so i told nbc to take this job. >> and enjoy it. >> and try it. >> we'll be chatting with willard a little bit more. >> that's the interview. >> we've got more coming. >> you drove 400 miles and i got out of bed at 1:00 for this? >> that's right, willard. >> i love this man. this is my guru.

we know where you got it from. >> hey, guys in the control room, are we on a delay this morning? >> might wanted to think about it. >> yeah, exactly. >> all right, guys. check in with you a little bit later and a great tribute to willard and he'll like it. shocking video that we've been telling you about and showing you. a guy intentionally plowing his truck into the front desk of a hotel in oklahoma. natalie's got more on this story. >> it is crazy and that's an understatement, but the man was reportedly upset about his bill. the hotel clerk thought he was bluffing when he threatened to crash through the lobby. shocking new video released monday shows the heart stopping moments for two employees at an oklahoma hotel after a disgruntled guest trashed his truck into the front desk. the driver identified by police as john edward parsley can at first be seen talking with the police officer last thursday outside the alva comfort inn and suites about 110 miles northwest of oklahoma city.

parsley crashing his 2006 sierra gmc through the hotel entrance and into the front desk as two women frantically dive for safety. parsley backs up the truck, stops and then pulls back into the lobby. he says something to the women, gets out of truck and calmly walks back to the entrance with his hands raised. the 62-year-old man was reportedly upset that the his credit card had been declined twice. according to a local newspaper parsley told police he drove into the hotel because hotel staff thought he was bluffing and he proved he wasn't. no one was injured, but the lobby of the alva comfort inn and suites was severely damaged. parsley from gonzalez, texas, was held on $1 million bond monday night on two felony counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of malicious injury to property. who does something like that? but now he's facing felony

>> wow. >> what in the world is happening? >> i don't know. >> stories where you just can't react. there's nothing to say. let's get check of the weather from dylan. well, it's warmer in the northeast than the southwest today. we've got record high temperatures likely across the eastern half of the country. in fact, in new york city we hit 68 degrees in new york city this morning at 1:00 this morning. we are looking for temperatures to once again remain about 15 to 20 degrees above average. atlanta 70 degrees. indianapolis 49, but that's still ten degrees above average. richmond, virginia, about 67 degrees today. as we go into wednesday. it starts to cool off a touch in chicago and still warmer than normal for this time of year. new york will be around 54 and thursday temperatures still in the 50s and 60s up and down the east coast and then we'll see a dip in the jet stream. temperatures will drop down into the 40s and 50s through the weekend and we'll even head 40s in new york city. on friday in cincinnati we'll

going into next week we'll start to see temperatures once again get back into the upper 50s and lower 60s. that's christmas, week. too.mainly breezy to windy the next several days along with slowly cooling temperatures this week. stormtrack7 live weather network cameras will keep us mainly cloudy this morning, although we may have a couple of hours of sun breaking through in between systems. we are in the mid 30s this morning with low 30s to the northwest... still mild for this time of the year.... winds are light from the north, but will turn to the east and become gusty for the afternoon and be even stronger from the southwest tomorrow. clouds are holding tight as the firs >> and that's your latest forecast. >> dylan, thank you very much. coming up, the most talked about magazine covers of the year as we get ready to turn the page on 2015. coming up next, wintertime warning, jeff rossen takes the plunge to show us how to get out alive if you happen to fall through thin ice, right after

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ice is everywhere, breaking without warning. kids playing on ponds, falling in, people chasing their pets on to the ice and crashing down, and once you're trapped under water under that ice the clock is ticking. this morning i'm going in to show you how to get out alive. just weeks ago frantic moments on a frozen lake in utah. >> the ice is crashing right here. >> reporter: this woman clinging to the ice after falling in trying to save her two dogs. rescuers pulling her to safety just in time. >> no way you should have survived that. >> reporter: another rescue caught on camera this year. this teenage girl falling through the ice in new jersey. rescuers finally pulling her to safety. this dangerous scene playing out every winter. >> give me the rope. >> reporter: people plunging through the ice. others falling in trying to save them.

we teamed up with certified rescuers to show you how to save a life, maybe even your own. with an ambulance on standby i walk out on to this frozen pond and in an instant i'm under. >> oh, that is cold. >> survival tip number one, put your hand over your mouth and nose the moment you hit your water. if you take a breath of cold water, it's going to shut down your airway and you're going to stop breathing. >> if i want wearing this suit right now what would be happening. >> if you had regular clothing they would become very heavy very quickly and it will sick you right under the ice. >> and once you're trapped under the ice your chance. survival plum sglets trying to get out. >> all this as your arms and legs go numb. >> i'm a good swimmer and this is harder than i thought. i can't get a grip on the ice. survival tip number two carry ice picks if you're working on a

the metal picks dig in so it can help pull you out. cost a few dollars at outdoor shores. >> short, choppy strokes and once you're out roll away from the hole, roll away because we're distributing away from the hole. >> what if your friend or relative falls in? >> tip number three, stay on shore and try a rescue from there. >> i take a represent and can throw a rope to the victims. >> jumper cables, anything, and have them wrap it around the wrist and now you're safe and i'm safe too. >> that's correct. i'm not putting myself in danger. >> reportete saving a life and staying alive when the ice breaks right under you. we were just watching that here soent, and here is the problem. lakes and ponds freeze in patches. everyone thinks that all is equal. it is no. you may have thick ice here, a few feet away dangerous thin ice. you just can't tell and experts

off the ice entirely, but if you have to go out bring some kind whistle so you know if you need help. >> a lot of ponds and kids always skating in the winter and always made me nervous. always. >> scary, and as you know there's no warning. when you walk you can hear the crackling a little bit but then it's too late. >> good information. coming up, a force to be reckoned with. more from last night's big "star wars" premiere. >> and next your tributes to uncle willard as we say thank you for a remarkable time here at "today" and a remarkable career, burks first, these with ingredients like roasted hazelnuts and cocoa, there's a whole lot of happy in every jar of nutella.

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on the gift of the week. before we go to break i want to say congratulationses to willard scott. retiring after 35 years on the "today" show. he is irreplaceable. yep. it's hard to be on tv. it's hard to do the weather. it's hard to just stay focused. thereto are people that are trying to replace him, but they will not. for instance, this woman will not replace him. >> from carmel, using u.s. 31 southbound -- >> and she keeps talking, on the ground. >> that's our good friend ellen degeneres helping us celebrate willard scott day as our good friend heads off into retirement after 35 years at "today." >> al is lucky spending time with willard down in virginia

letting us know how they feel about him online. >> they are. wonderful hashtags coming in filled with wonderful memories and wishes for willard. let's take a look at them. nbc's andrea mitchell sent out a bit sweet and where the legend started and weatherman dave price, that same warmth that jumps through the tv screen greets you in person so thanks willard for being so great for so many years at being you. and emily one of our viewers wrote this. so many of his great lines are a part of my life. you have made a mark and most certainly a difference in the world. so we ask that you keep the well wishes coming to us and use the hashtag that we put up and use the #thankyouwillard and a look of all of willard's amazing look and the thing that stands out most, that smile. we'll be talking about it.

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flfllike symptoms or sores. don't start humira if you have an infection. talk to your doctor and visit humira.com this is humira at work. it's that night of the year you come here. looking for gifts so there won't be tears. eleventh hour shopper...that's you. it's ok because they know you. they're loaded up with gear. an xbox for the children. and a mixer for your dear. no need to shop around for present you've missed it's all here. you're off the naughty list! eleventh hour shopper... that's you! see you next year, buddy! gegelow prices on all your last-minute g gts.

an iowa state student is killed blocks from campus. emmalee jacobs was an eastern iowa native -- froro urbana. she graduated from center point- urbana high school earlier this year. university police believe she's the victim of a hit and run -- behind the wheel. josie chesmore says she can't remember a time when she didn't know emmalee.... she says emmalee was a shy math whiz.... a pre- business major at i-s-u.... she hopes whoever did this will out there and that this was caught on camera and its just nothing that you could ever imagine.' 'somebody needs to just step up and own up to what they did.' poice ask anyone with information to call. now, let's go to eileen with a look at weather. patchy fog todayith gusty easterly winds this afternoon. becoming windy tomorrow with friday in the mid 20s will climb back to the mid to upper 30s sure to check kwwl dot com for

you're watching k- w-w-l, we've praised as one of america's best mayors who governed as a pragmatist. bernie sanders passed more amendments in a republican congress than any other member. cracked the gridlock with john mccain to strengthen veterans' healthcare. bernie sanders. a consistent, principled, and effective leader. building a future to believe in.

it's 8:00 on it's 8:00 on today. coming up, delivery dilemma. with more shopping online than ever before, shipping companies struggling to meet their holiday deadline. what you need to know to make sure your presents make it under the tree. then, paying it forward. >> oh, this is so cool. >> one, two, three, smile. >> how we helped one deserving family kick off the holidays

plus, thank you, willard. >> this is the best. thank you. how about that? i have been kissed by the best. >> we'll tribute to a living legend, willard scott, as he prepares to say good-bye after 35 years here at "today." >> he's a mentor, a friend. he is literally my second dad. >> today, tuesday, december 15, 2015. [ cheers and applause ] >> thank you, willard! >> hey, willard, i'm retiring too. >> love you, willard. >> good morning, "today" show! >> we love the "today" show. >> it is 8:00 on a tuesday

15th of december, 2015. what a crowd. what a day. it's absolutely gorgeous outside. we're so happy to haha everybody here. feeling like the holidays. >> it really is. it's exciting. by the way a lot of people still talk about the "star wars" world premiere last night. i have a gift for you. >> oh. >> oh, my. >> may the force be with you. >oh, my gogo. does it work? >> from my own personal light saber collection. >> awesome. >> you're not giving it -- >> yes,`i'm giving it to you becae you're a big "star wars" fan. >> i'm a huge fan. i love it. >> i said it's a real light saber. >> so awesome. thank you. i don't know. >> that's how you turur it on and off. it does make a sound. i don't know how. >> oh, you make the sound. >> i love . >> let's go inside, get a check

morales. >> may the force be with you, savannah. well, the republican presidential candidates face off tonight for the first time since the attacks in paris and san bernardino focus new attention on terrorism. and donald trump will have to defend himself on muslims. he saw conflicts break out among members of the crowd on monday. on stage tonight he will face texas senator ted cruz who has surged into first place in iowa and chris christie is making gains in new hampshire. hillary clinton is unveiling her terrorism plan. she is speaking in minneapolis where she says local officials have already made a strong effort to combat home grown radicals. secretary of state john kerry is taking the fight against isis to moscow where he

president vladimir putin. the u.s. and russia are still at odds over how to end the civil war in syria. the chaos resulting from that war has helped isis establish a power base in the region. a new study has linked the use of a certain type of antidepressant to dramatic increase in the risk for autism. explain what this means for women. we know that taking antidepressanters during pregnancy can be harmful to the baby, but most harm for autism. >> right, the conclusions from the study, natalie, are that the use of ssris, those are like prozac, zolofof paxal, particularly in the third and the third trimester can increase the risk of having autism disorder in your children.

caution. the relative risk number is frighten, 85%. the risk was actually quite low, less thaha 1% risk. secondly, this is really important, we have talked about this many times. an association between two things does not prove causation. finally, the issue of maternal depression. that is the women who are taking antidepressanters have more severe depression an depression alone can be a risk factor for autism. please, we urge the patients to discuss with their doctor before stopping their medicine. there might be alternatives. but this agaga opens up the discussion about this very important issue. >> very important to talk to the doctors. a big announcement for howard stern fans. he revealed live on his show that he's agreed to a new five year excluluve deal with sirius xm satellite radio. his contract was about to expire at the end of the year. he's been the cornerstone of

the king of sirius right there. well, santa helper's enjoyed one last spring before the busiest week of f e year. the surfing santas hit the waves in australia today. they shattered the guinness record for the biggest lesson. it doesn't matter if they had any trouble staying upright since it was a lesson. congrats to howard. >> great news. >> you're buying dinner. >> for all of us. natalie, thank you. if you have holiday packages to mail, expect a big crowd at the post office today. >> this is the last day to ship it with basic delivery and guarantee it arrivesesefore chchstmas. if you think you can push it, think again. olivia sterns has more. >> good morning. that is do not push it because there have been delays. you can thank the surge in online sales and thank this unseasonably warm weather. big factors in new fears that santa may not make it to

might be getting all of those presents under the tree ininime. online shopping is far outpacing shipping this holiday season. with nearly one in ten u.p.s. customers not getting their cyber monday orders on time. the average delivery date -- 20% slower than last year. with an estimated 1.2 billion packages expected to be delivered across the country this season that could turn a lot of would-be santas into scrooges. >> consumers are frustrated that their packages are not arriving when promised. >> fedex said in part as online shopping patterns continue to shift, we are experiencing volume surges earlier than ever before a lot of that volume comes frfr black friday and cyber monday breaking sales records but insiders say its ordinary orders that are adding to the hassle. >> this is the tipping point for online shshping. people caught on to the fact

supplies to their groceries to their dog food. >> reporr: and the wild weather some making it worse from west coast snow to an east coast holiday heat wave. >> both of those things prevent people from going to the stores. you want to be outside or don't want to leave your house. people shop ononne. >> r rorter: so if you want to avoid a christmas crisis, mark your calendar. today is the deadline for orders with basic delivery from the post office. the 19th is the priority deadline. and the 22nd is the last chance for paying a premium and shipping your items express. but experts say your safest bet is ditching the online orders and going oldldchool. >> if you don't have to ship a package across the country, i would absolutely go to the store, pick it out. bring it home with you. wrap it yourself and hand it over. >> another wayio you can play it safe is with click and collect. buy online, but pick it up yourself in your store. walmart and best buy and macy's

the best parar -- it's always free. it's o oen the fastest option. >> true. put your name on it. >> dangerously easy. >> thank you. thank you, olivia. next up, how the stars celebrated the world premiere of "the "the "the force awakenen" and we'll p p it forward as we help a family deal with the loss of a loved ones.

we're back after this. nivea in-shower body lotion. first i wash... then i apply it to my wet skin. it moisturizes with no sticky feel. i quickly rinse off. and i'm ready to go. nivea in-shower body lotion -- in the body lotion aisle. thank you. thank you, again. pat yourself upon your back. your shopping is done. you ain't no slack. rest at ease it's all ok. yoordered online and got them in the same day. navigate the app at will with incredible digital ninja skills. the holidays could not be better. maybe you have time to knit him a sweater. i don't know maybe a snowman. i could do that. let's get out of here. i'm just thinking. order gifts online and pick them up the same day.

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8:12. it's trending time. >> let's first recognize the work of fred shapiro. do you know who he is? >> no. >> he's a librarian and he compares the list of memorable quotes and he sparks discussion and they're published in the yale book of quotations. here's p ptf the list. first, look at the face, would anyone vote for that? remember that? >> yeah. >> donald trump talking aut carly fiorina back in september. makes the list. >> this made the list too. the american people are sick and tired of hearing about your damn e-mails. bernie sanders. member that in october. >> not all of the quotes are from politicians. you're not going to believe this one. this comes from the nobel laureate in medicine. he was talking about female scientists and he said this. three things happen when they are in the lab.

fall in love with yoyo and when you criticize them they cry. tim hunt -- tim hunt said that at the world conference of science journalist in june. guess what? the next day mr. hunt was forced to resign from university college london. >> so it wasn't the nobel peace prize that he won? >> no. >> wow. that's crazy. >> wow. >> we have to buy the yale book of quotations. >> speaking of memorable lines one guy in chicago definitely had one. 15 minutes of fame, he was stopped by the news reporter coveng the city's rainfall and unseasonably warm weather. take a look. >> dude, where is your shirir man? >> yeah, it's great day for a run, it's too wet to wear a shirt. i love running in the rain. and i'm also sing. so -- [ laughter ] >> oh, my goodness. broadcasting that loud and clear. he's 24. >> he is single, people.

>> let me ask you this question. do you think ethan going to be taken soon or single for a long time? >> i don't know. >> enjoy the single life. >> yeah. >> sure got everybody's attention. >> took advavaage of the moment. >> take up running. yeah. >> he'll be popular. >> take a look at this video. one of my worst nightmares. a man in arizona captured when a urinal exploded with water. >> oh! >> this happened at the mall gym where the water comes oututf the bathroom, hits the mirror, floods the whole space. chris said a coworker broke the handle off the urinal and chchs couldndn turn off the water because it would have shut off water to the whole mall. he got it under control after an hour and a half. i thought that water is spraying everything, on every surface of that public restroom,,nto the air. i would not be videoing that with my phone. >> yeah.

you think it's spreading germs. i think it's washing the bathroom. >> getting the floor cleaning. >> it's kicking up everything that was on the floor. >> going down the drain. >> there's gnarly back wash coming off the floor and everywhere. >> and not at the "star wars" show, the best selling magazine of the year. >> we'll try to recover. we cannot get enough of star wars so here are more highlights indeed from the red carpet premiere. fans went wild for the reunion of the franchise's biggest stars. there they are. harrison ford, mark hamill and carrie fisher. there's sofia vergara and joe man janelle what.

star jokok she brought the whole galaxy with her in the dress. the best selling magazines of the year, here we go, no surprise, "vanity fair's" most popular issue. it featured caitlyn jenner introducing herself to the world. the average is about a third of it. blake and miranda moved magazines for people withh the announcement of their divorce. that sold over 800,000 copies. and here's one you didn't expect. stevie nicks on the cov of "rolling stone" back in january. the legend,, i'd buy it over and over. looking back on her career. proved she's a hit selling 64,000 copies. a beautiful cover there. finally, bear grylls, i have been among the fortunate people to hang out with him on one of his survival journeys. finally president obama, we get to see his turn at it. he asks t t p psident for a special favor. >> how you doing? >> good. >> i promised my wife, i said,

the only thing i could find in the airport -- >> oh, this is a classic. this is a classic. obama -- >> it's amazing. >> a bottltlopener. >> you look ripped. >> i am pretty ripped, actually. >> you couldn't do that with winston churchill. >> no. i'm fairly cut, but it's possible that that bottle opener is a little dated. i notice for example there was no gray haha on the obama figurine and clearly, the presidency has taken a little bit of a toll. >> a a right. so the full episode of "running wild" featuring president obama airs thursday. 10:00. 9:00 central. the president says he's ripped, not as ripped as that chicago jogger. going back to that moment in time. >> he needs a bottle opener. >> thank you. get a check of the weather now from ms. dylan.

you by jared the galleria of jewelry. come in today for the one piece of jewelry that will take her breath away. >> thanks, guys. it's been very stormy on the west coast. here we are watching the next storm system as it moves over e pacific and eventutuly will ke its way on shore e we go go into the next couple of days. five to seven inches of rain along the coast of oregon. that could lead to some flooding of the river because they are tting very much close to flood stage. we are looking for also some mountain snow. this is very much needed in this part of the country and we could see up to a foot or more especially through the cascades. this is high elevation snow. most of the lower elevations all rain. we are looking at anotherthe next several days along with slowly cooling temperatures this week. stormtrack7 live weather network cameras will keep us

although we may have a couple of hours of sun breaking through in between systems. we are in the mid 30s this morning with low 30s to the northwest... still mild for this time of the year.... winds are light from the north, but will turn to the east and become gusty for the afternoon and be even stronger from the southwest tomorrow. clouds are holding season of kindness on "today" is brought to you by subaru. love. 's what makes a subaba a subaru. >> this morning on "make your today," more of our pay it forward series. savannah, your turn. >> this is one of the best times of tpe year, filled with excitement and joy, but for some though it's sadness. you know my father died suddenly

never forget how hard that first vis christmas was. with that in mind, i wanted to brighten up the holidays a little bit and create some new memories. for me one ofhe biggest eventnt in my life was losing my dad when i was 16 years old. i really have a heart for people who've lost someone or somebody who's grieving. you wish you could hug those people. you wish you could say, i understand. when you lose somebody, the holidays take on this whole new significance. >> this is the first christmas for the hoeben family without their beloved mother. wife jen, mother to megan, katie and tj lost her battle with pancreatic cancer earlier this year. how has this year before? how is this kind of adjustment been? >> it's definitely rough, but we have a lot of family members and

and you know, we know she's still with us.# >> how about for you? >> i feel different like. everybody else has a parent. i only have one. you get through it. >> you get used to a new routine without her. >> i remember when my dad passed away the first c cistmas was really hard because he did love christmas so much. and his birthday was on christmas. and are you looking forward to christs or is there a partf you that's a little bit hard -- >> it's going to be a little rough because we always open up the family presents with -- in the morning with mom and she's not going t tbe there. >> jen would want us to laugh and have fun and not -- just remember and not be sad. >> tom turned to the comfort zone camp, a nonprofit thaha provides support nationwide to children who have lost a parent or sibling. >> so what with we'll do is just

say a one word pulse check for how we're feeling. >> connected. >> fantastic. >> happy. >> loved. >> eager. >> peaceful. >> blessed. >> honored. >> i thohoht it was really helpful. you're not the only one going through all this. there's other people there too. >> what are your some of your favorite christmas many -- memories that you have? >> cooking with my mom. we'd make the mashed potatoes for christmas. and it's our momgs favorite holiday. >> i wanted to reach out and connect with this family and i hope give them some happy memories on what's going to be a hard year. so i invited the kids to hang out behind the scenes in an exclusive tour. >> roll 71. >> cool. >> to get a view, most people don't get to see. this is awesome. >> thank you. >> you're here on a good day. >> what they didn't know is that

adele. >> we're going to be hearing from adele in just a little while. >> right over there. you'll get a good -- right here. she'll walk right through there. >> oh, my gosh. >> we brought them in and they got to see adele perform. >> after the show, we decided to go across the street to the top of the rock. >> this is so cool. >> i think there's something really exhilarating about taking in a view like that. >> oka one, two, three, smile. you guys want to be me guest next week when we do the rockefeller christmas tree lighting? >> yes. >> yeah. >> one weekater they returned

>> does it look smaller or bigger than you thought? >> i think it's -- >> it's smaller, but it's fatter than i thought it would be. >> arizzly evening did n n dampen their excite. >> i never thought i'd see even skating on the rink and now i'll be there. >> 45,000 lights. yeah. and if one goes out, they all go out. no, i'm kidding. >> it gets you in the christmas spirit instantaneoeoly. evererody singing "joy to the world." >> to see the lights come up on the tree and it's just an awesome moment. >> five, four, three, two, one. >> i hope it becomes, you know, one of their new favoriteamily memories. >> thanks, savannah! >> i love that. >> so sweet.

>> theids are darlingngnd a testament to their father and mother who raised them so well. it's so neat to be with them. >> and the camp too. the group where they get together. >> it's so great. the kids were really honest. they weren't sure if they wanted to do it and then they were happy that they did.

>> yeah, i'll introduce youas republicans get ready for a big debate tonight, we're learning about a rally happening this weekend. a few different sources say donald trump will hold aarally in cedar rapids on saturday. we expect to learn more information about that stop later today. other candidates will be making swings through iowa this week after tonight's debate in las vegas. carly fiorina in dubuque on friday, governor kasich with a town hall meeting in waterloo thursday night and possibly an eastern iowa stop or two from senator rubio. flooding in december. it's harr to believe, bbt it's an issue this morning in parts of iowa. the town of luther in boone county is a mess. basements are flooded.. 4he city park is undeb water.. city hall has also taken on water. now, let's go to eileen with a look at weather. patchy fog today with gusty

this afternoon. becoming windy tomorrow with some showers tonight/wednesday and then breezy and cooler for the rest we'll be back in 30 minutes, be sure to check kwwl dot com for the latest news youue watching k- w-w-l, we've anncr: when the attacks come here... ...the person behind this desk will have to protect your family. will he be impulsive and reckless, like donald trump? will he have voted to dramatically weaken counter-terrorism surveillance, like ted cruz? will he have skipped crucial national security hearings and votes just to campaign, like marco rubio? 27 generals and admirals support jeb bush. because jeb has the experience and knowledge to protect your family. right to rise usa is responsib

these are a few of my favorite things. >> we're back at 8:30 on this tuesday morning, the 15th of december, 2015. a couple of notable moments.

jet their sleeveless dresses. >> yes. >> on the 15th of december, and another notable look mome. that is cam, rising star in the world of country music. our elf this morning on the plaza collecting toys as part of our annual toy drive. >> very nice. >> and she will step inside and perform in our next hour. >> looking forward to that. >> also ahead, we'll celebrate the man who has been the heart of this show for 35 years, mr. willard scott. he is irreplace able. we're all wearing red carnations in his honor, as you can see. our crowd is holding red carnations for willard as well, and some smuckers swag, and we are going to check in with willard in a bit. >> after section decades in the business willard will enjoy retirement and we'll te back a look at his remarkable career and lined up a few surprises for him as well. let us get to the weather and for that we've got dylan here. >> the eastern half the country still enjoying some very wm

we do have some snow but it's all out west. looking for thehe rockies and up to the northern plains and upper midwest to see some of the snow showers today, and we're also looking for some snow in denver causing delays at airport. eastern lf, enjoy the temperatures in the 60s and 70s once again today. tomorrow the rain inches closer to the northeast. it will set up shop through the gulf coast and scattered showers and evenn a thunderstmainly breezy to windy the next several days along with slowly cooling temperatures this week. stormtrack7 live weather network cameras will keep us mainly cloudy this morning, although we may have a couple of hours of sun breaking through in between systems. we are in the mid 30s this morning with low 30s to the northwest... still mild for this time f the year.... winds are light from the north, but will turn to the east and become gusty for the afternoon and be& even stronger from the southwest tomorrow. clouds are holding tight as the

>> and that's your latest forecast. >> all right, dylan, thank you ry much. up next we, ear going to say a big thank you to our dear friend

is "today" on nbc. pack now at 8:35, and we're ready to honor and celebrare our beloved uncle willard as he retires after an incredible 65 years at nbc. >> started out as an nbc page back in 1950 and was connected with this show from the very beginning. >> i love the "today"how and

>> willard is the heart and soul of the "today" show. >> let's see what's happening in your world. >> i always try to get your goat. just people laugh by making them feel good and that's important. >> he was first bozo the clown. >> ronald mcdonald. >> i don't think a lot of people realized. he created the clown character ronald mcdonald. >> he'sn the marroro and the dna of this show. when i think of willard scott, i just think of joy. >> funny. >> real. >> born showman. >>8he's entertaining and warm, and he's endearing. he cares. he represents the tradition of the show all in one lovable package. >> to me -- >> uncle willard. how are you? >> he is mentor. he's a friend, and he is literally my second dad. >> from the inception of the "today" sw willard scott was part of the weather and part of the " "day" show. >> l l me get the weather bureau here. >> dave garrowway would stand in front of a giant chalkboard map

u.s. weather bureau in washington, d.c. telling dave where all the weather systems were and the nbc page who connected the very first phone call was willard scott. >> washington's loss is the nation's gain. willard scott, joining the "today" family this morning for the first time. >> a nice shot in the my little career. >> and of course, he became the beloved uncle willard across this country. >> i think that shook them up a little bit. >> and, boom, willardcomes. >> willard is such a character. of course, you never knew what to expect. >> we all remember when he dressed up as boy george. >> they asked me who my favorite rock star was and that's what i did. you m mt remember this. a kiss is just a kiss >> with will armed there are no boundaries and that's usually a good thing. >> i love you. >> boom. here's carmen miranda. >> what a privilege to have been there. they are still talking about it. >> that was one of tho moments phenomenon.

you are crazy. >> he loved introducing america to america. >> willard was america in a lot of ways. >> 100,000 people on the parade route. >> during the augural. >> got barbara bush to come over and kissed him. >> thanks. i've been kissed by the best. >> raced back to george and he said i didn't know you knew willard scott, and i said i don't know willard scott. i just love that face. i remember smiling from ear to e e for willard at that moment. >> willard. >> he is magnetic. you are drawn to him. >> can you believe thisis >> willard was doing the weather from washington, d.c., and the cherry blossoms were out, and -- and suddenly bill clinton jogs by. >> i came out to see if you wanted to jog with me today. >> i'm ready. >> willard made it cool to age. >> happy birthday. >> happy birthday. >> 103 years old today. >> 100 years old today.

>> it made you feel like he was celebrating your grandparents. >> i just love how much affection he has for the people celebrating birthdays. happy trails to you until we meet again >> congratulations, i love you, pal. >> congratulations on a wonderful career. >> best of luck, pal. >> i love you, willard. >> love you and wish you the best. >> nothing but best and good health to you, so much so t tt i get to announce your birthday on a smuckers jar. >> that is a sentiment repeat the. we love you, willard, by so many millions of americans right now. folks, all around the world. there are fewew other people who wanted to say how much they love you. first, as a young lady you may know, i think first lady barbara sh.

my friend. >> willard. >> i love her. >> you can't retire. i'm only 90, and who is going to announce when i get to be 100? george and i send you our very best wishes and truthfully i love that happy face. >> what lovely pple i sgleet when shehe came over toiss you during the inaugural, what did you think? >> i just passed out. the rest of the show was on automatic. >> they are such lovely people, they really are. here's the moment. i -- i remember seeing this with the rest america and i went, yes! >> i've been kissed by the best. >> i've got a seven-year contract out of that kiss. >> mr. president. >> another person that wanted to say hello is another 90-year-old, 90 years young. mr. gene shallat. >> you can't retire.

years old. 65 years ago at nbc you started as a page, and now you'ree closing the book after some 12,000 more days on "today." that's a lot of mornings. anyhow, happy retirement, willard. we love you. >> i don't know where all this retirement. i said i'm expiring, not retiring. i'm going -- you better change the locks on that door. i've retired twice before, you know. >> it hasn't taken yet. and as mate said you made aging cool and the folks at smuckers gave you that platfm and tim smuckers wanted to say happy retirement. >> what a lovely -- >> willard, for more than 0 years you've been a cherished member move our schmucker family. we have gatly appreciated you being the voice of smuckers and all you have done to buildled birthday and anniversary segment into such an iconic part of the "today" show, and we look forward to continuing this great

so from the entire schmucker family we wish you the very best. thanks, willard. >> thank you, willard. >> wow. >> that's prettynice. >> they are the nicest people you could ever rock for and our first sponsor was hallmark cards. i remember goioi out t t kansas city and disney sponsored it had for one year. >> did you ever think the birthdays would be as big as they became? >> are you kidding. happy bibihday. >> the well, over i think 40,000 birth days, a heck of a legacy, my friend, and speaking of legacy. smait back in the plaza with a little honor weanted to bestow. >> willard, take a look at this. we do the show at the studio here between 48th and 49th street on rockefeller pla. no longer, cause we are, thanks to the mayor of this

rockefeller plaza on this particular block this morning willard s stt way. >> willard scott way. >> that's very nice. >> that's very nice. >> congratulations, pal. >> i love that smuch. had more fun up there with the police, beautiful police department, the macy's parade, all the good things that we did. it's terrific. >> it's a heck of a legacy and you guys have -- have a little cake down there? >> yeah, we've got cake and got some champagne. willard, you know, i think you can count on one hand the number of people in the history of broadcasting who touched as many people of as many diffefent generations as you have. you've shared your warmth and kindness with an entire nation. i know it's with great appreciation. people all across this country are wishing you the best today. on a p psonal note though, willard, i want to say thanks for caring so much about all of us. thanks for being the first one who has welcomed all of us to this show on our first days and also for being therere with a hug

were good or bad. willard, every time we've seen each other over the past 20 years plus i've been here, we'veve greeted each other with a h h and a kiss, and while i'm not thereto today, as i raise a glass to you, i'm going ask al to be my surrogate hugger and kisser and say it is with a huge hug and kiss thaha we all say willard, thank you and good bless you. >> cheers, willard. >> god bless. >> thank you and god bless you. >> we love. >> just a coupleef people, nanette, our field producer. she passed away. we loved her so much and nancy fields. >> your nancy. >> dear nancy, was myy assistant producer, officer manager, and she was fantastic, and my old friend eddie walker, my partner on radio and he just pass the away three weeks ago. >> i wanted to bring this to you, willard, it's something i found in an antique shop, and i

it's a radio -- a radio i.d. >> this is nbc, the national broadcasting company. >> this is for you, my friend. i lovee you. >> oh, thank you. >> you have been my second dad, and i could not -- i would not be here without you. i love you so much. >> well, i appreciate that. are you going to buy me dinner? >> i'm goioi to buy you dinner. >> and we've got -- we've got special cupcakes for you. >> oh, boy. >> with your face on them. >> oh, my lord. >> that will be delicious. >> we'll try those a little later. >> what do you mean a little later? >> the svn came out. >> the sun will come out tomorrow. >h. what's your favorite song and what's the song that you always do? >> my song. happy trails >> wait a minute. >> are we off the air? >> no, we'reot off yet. >> well, forget.

into the sunset after 130 years at nbc and i'm going over yonder. >> all right. where's b bonder? >ver yonder. >> are you ready? >> ready. happy trailss to youu until we meet again happy trails to you keep smiling until then >> here's to willard scott. >> cheers, willard. >> cheers. >> we love you. we love that face.. >> and we wish willard and his whole familiar lit very best.

this is "today" on nbc. paris: there's a lot to do on a dairy farm. nobody's gonna do it for you. you have to get out there and do it yourself. bernie sanders is a well-known friend of family farms. bernie cannot be bought out by big money. bernie's opinion cannot be purchased. it's time for our next president to get in there, roll up his sleeves, take off the gloves, and take on wall street, take on big business, take on big money, and get the working class back to where they should be. he's a rock.

on "today food" a new critic criticizing some of thth biggest chefs. >> the sam, good morning, good to see you. >> good morning. >> her name is julep molton, only 7 but when itt comes to food she knows what she likes. everything is on the line at new york city's famed star. one of the most revered kitchens in the countries i i preparing to be critiqued by one of the food scene's youngest and most sophisticated pal sglaet tonight we have our sheep's milk ravioli with black truffle butter. >> are you nervous? >> i am a little nervous, not going to lie. >> although she's not the most feared food critic. >> i love this. >> i like the tuna and it's really soft. >> good, right? >> she'sertainly the tiniest. thth is 7-year-old julep,

>> it has a lot of flavor to it. >> but big in opinions. >> not versglookd this has truffle butter, see all the little pieces of truffle. what do you think? smells pretty great, huh? >> i don't know what truffle butters are. >> julien is the daughr of "bon petite" deputy editor andrew knowlton. >> where did the ideaome to bring her into the restaurant review process. >> parted of my job is eating out and basically reviewing restaurants and i wanted julep to see what i do. i think people who eat and enjoy food are happy people. >> the oysters with daniel ballew. >> this is from in. >> ooh, la, la, superb. >> tasted just how i wanted. just in the middle. perfect. >> and i always try to get her to use her words, but mosos important at the end of the day is to make her feel good and does it get her excited?

away from the perience. >> when i see julep there's a whole generation of eaters not raised on fast food and eating salad. >> interesting t(at keeps the kiddie menu at bay, huh? >> tasty, flavory, salty. >> i see we like a lot of flavor. >> mm-hmm. >> and it' crunchy. >> mm-hmm. >> a little salty, and really healthy for you. >> food is a window into every single culture and i think julep respects that and can respect the world through food. >> cheers. >> cheers. >> puts my kids to shame. >> she was really great. >ries everything. >> got to be expensive having a 7-year-old food critic. >> i've never seen so many oysters like that. >> a a in love with her name, julep. >> does her dad have tips for other parents who might want to -- maybe not oysters but to be more exploretive. >> she eats whatever they eve. there's no kids food and when

beginning that's what becomes normal for them. >> didn't work with my kids. >> what can you do?

this is "today" on nbc. 15 days from new year's eve and we'll check it out.

here on the plaza. >> the final stop before it makes its wayo times square. these numbers are seven feet tall right there. >> phillips, by the way, sponsored the more than 200 bright lights on them and the ball in times square. >> over here. >> this is the wishing wall right here. >> times square and people write their wishehe on a piece of confetti and this comes down in times square. that's cool. >> we've got a job to do. we'll write our wishes. >> i knkn. >> get reaea to blow away and tweet your new year's wish that will get to the celebration as well. >oping for a white christmas. >> that's not going to happen. >> didn't you say it will be in the 50s christmas week here. >> yes. it's not going to be cold on christmas. >> what do you guys have coming up? >> i have myyay it forward, our series, of course. we highlighted.

forward to a woman who impacted my life after meeting for just a few minutes. >> and grammy nominatedountry star cam will be performing for us. >> she was our elf a couple minutes ago and now will be performing as we say, meaning us, good-bye on this tuesday morning. let's take one more shot at our dear friend or of our dear friend willard scott and the

the day after the iowa caucuses -- voters ii waterloo will have another big decision to make. last night, the waterloo school board decided to put a multi-million dollar refeendum on the ballot for february second. the bond would is for a new career and technology center, which would offer 30 career choices for students. supporters believe the career center will help reduce drop-out rates. the proposed plan also includes renovations to east and west caucus-goers is lining up with

-- showing ted cruz surging in iowa. the new quinnipiac university poll still has donald trump in first, with 28-percent support, but senator cruz is just one point behind. and a change since last month -- terrorism now the most important issue to voters, replacing the economy. now, let's go to eileen witt a look at weather. patchy fog today with gusty easterly winds this afternoon. becoming windy tomorrow with some showers tonight/wednesday and then breezy and cooler for the rest of the week. highs on friday in mid to upper 30s for sunday. wewell be back in 30 minutes, be sure to check kwwl dot com for

this morning on "today's take," this morning, the "star wars" premiere. the frenzy in a fevered pitch as hollywood rolls out the red carpet. then the country singer with a little name and a big voice. cam is here. and we have delicious drinks and you're invited, coming up now. >>rom nbc news, this is

natalie morales, willie guest and tamron hall, live from rockefeller center. welcome. bittersweet morning as we say good-bye and celebrate the legacy of willard scott. look at that, a special honor with the help of mayor de blasio here in new york city. we have renamed our plaza between 48th and 49th street willard scott way. >> such a touching tribute this morning. and al got to spend some time in virginia with our good friend, willard scott. this is somebody who is your second father? to all of us he's's uncle willie. he means so much after 35 years. we love him and we miss him already. >>he's not going anywhere yet. >> i know. i know. >> but we'll catch up with you two in just a few minutes. we were just talking too about what a great legacy.

your life as you made people happy and made people smile. >> no better job or reason to live. i think. >> all the quotes from maya angelou on, they say people remember how you treat them. we can talk about willard scott's career and his terrific smile and all the peoplplaround re who remember how -- he'd treat you. just love that face. i think that's how the whole country feelsls abobo willard. the "star wars" premiere, the movie is three days away, but they had the premiere last night. "star wars: the force awakens" out in hollywood. wow! >> that was not animation. >> that was our little knockoff j.j. abrams.

that was the question on the red carpet. you have mark hamill, and all the others. this is 38 years after the original. some of the opening forecast they're saying it could generate between 150 to $20million domemeically. and eventually -- >> i think more than that. >> and eventually between almost $2 billion worldwide. going to push avatar and all the records toox office history. i don't think we'll be surprised if this is the biggest grossing movie of alltime. >> i can't wait to see it. my kids are waiting to see it. >> are they -- >no, we'll be away on vacation. maybe in a smaller theater. >> good luck with that. >> so basically your kids -- >> they'll see it during spring break. >> no. >> oh, man, the red carpet premiere, i was following twitter last night from the people who were there.

never seen red carpet like it. but it was the longest they have ever seen. one star after the other and then the droids. erything about it. >> have your kids caught up on it? we have watched the three originals and then we watched the jar jar binks one. i stopped there. i saw george's face go -- >> no, the rest are really good. >> but i think you need to see the bad to truly appreciate the good. if you have the time. it's compare and contrast when you see this, you'll be jumping out of the seat. >> and everybody basically came out of -- saying that j.j. did it. that says it right there. >> can you imagine, see his interview on "60 minutes." he talked about the pressure and, you know, just knowing that the expectations are so high. >> yeah. >> but, you know, stepping up to that challenge. because we're all so protective

>> reinvigorated the "star trek" franchise. i love what he did. >> 38 years generated this excitement and the same level not more four decades later. the power of that brand through generations. >> to know our kids are watching this and it's -- it still stands through the test of time. >> look at this picture on the screen at's iconic. >> do you remember where you were? >> i was on ca bowie where the church group went to see it. 1977. '77. i remember the marquee. that's what an imprint it made >> yeah. hot one. >> yeah. >> i was -- but my dad did take me to "empire strikes back." that one i remember. >> and also tonight, it's the

the last of the year and appropriately in las vegas because this is turning into a brawl. the person whoho going to lead our country, but the aesthetics and the theatrics around this, certainly getting interesting. in fact, new polling out, wall street post/abc poll shows nald trump with the largest lead over the republican rivals. 38% right now, saying they would support trump. ted cruz at 15%. and at an event last night, donald trump apparently heckled by protesters and they were escorted out by security. this aired this during the news. got very ugly. there was some -- >> yeah. >> some hateful rhetoric being yelled oututy people there. we don't know, you know, obviously who these people were. but it got ugly. which is the concern so many have with some of what trump is saying on the campaign trail. not only been criticized by democrats but his fellow

yesterday, trump also released his personal physician's -- i guess statement on his health. if you could call it that. it was released by the campaign. the letterertarts off with quote, to whom my concern. it went viral on social media. the doctor identified as howard boorstin, if elected, i can state donald trump would be the healthiest ever elected to the presidency. this sounds so much likeehe rhetoric that we hear from donald trump, where, you know, i'll be the best, the best president ever. the doctor says physical strength and stamina are extraordinary and the recent lab tests were astonishing excellent. >> okay, i see an "snl" sketch.

>> okay, donald, bend over and cough. >> whoa! >> that's one powerful cough. >> i didn't see that coming. >> i didn't know you were going that way. >> you're like the doctor who gave them the exam. >> full proctologist. >> for the record -- they'll have one with that one. for the record, the lennox hospital they reacted to the doctor -- at least they did on twitter saying that, you know, those are thedoctors' words, not a statement from the hospital. >> right. well, a little distance between them -- >> wow. ;> oh, my goodness. all righgh well, it the holiday season we're talking about gifts now. sometimes it's hard to figure out what to get your co-workers, right? >> no. >> it can be. because you want to get something that -- >> you know, you don't want to splurge too much, because it will look like y're buying them, if you go too cheap you're going to look too cheap.

roll of duct tape? >> how do i feel about it? terrible. >> a giant heart shaped box of candy for valentine's day. >> that's inappropriate for many reasons. >> it's old. from valentine's day. a picture of a bear, a bowling ba. homemama sausage. >> what are youing talking about? >> this is from career build ore, they did a survey and some of the most unusual gifts. >> someone -- >> i can see homemade sausage. if you were goooo friends. >> i can see a bowling ball. >> i want to know what goes into the sausage. >> i mean, we like to munch on cookies. >> that's a different story. >> i think you'd enjoy boboing, that's a great gift. >> true. >> i enjoy bowling. >> if you have a bowling league or club. >> you bowl? >> i like -- >> we'll get you that. let's go back to willard

>> retiring after more than 40,000 birthday announcements and al is down there with him. take it away. >> we are here with a guy who as i said is my second dad. at 65 years with nbc. i mean, are you kind of -- it's really flown by. >> unbelievable. for you i is flown by. for me it's dragged on forever. no. i'm not unhappy with it. i started with rca, you know that dog? >> yeah. nipper. >> nipper, not hitler. oh, nipper. hitler is not a dog. i don't hear. anywyw -- i love my job and the people i work with. i always have. >> you were a big star here in washington, wrc. >> yeah. very wealthy man too. >> that's right. bobo the clown, ronald mcdonald.

you were president of the united states? and then you came to the "today" show and people weren't ready. the nation -- nobody -- they had never seen -- the sun has come out for us. >> it's on your beautiful head. >> thank you very much. you passed that on to me. i really appreciate that. but really, i mean, you made such an impact. it's got to be a pretty good feeling. >> i don't know how much time we've got, but i love this story. i was going down the nbc elevator and an engineer was with me and it was just the two of you. you know, i was in the studio the first day you were on the air. i thought they had lost their minds. [ laughter ] i said, well, thank you very much. he said, you know, my mother in brooklyn is crazy about you. i said that's it. i don't care about engineers. i care about the mothers in brooklyn. i went out and bought a house the next day. >> y/u made such an impact@and a difference in people's lives. i loveou. >> we do all right, don't we? >> yeah. >> one day i'll be actually

i can't wait for that moment. >> willard scott. >> who loves you, baby? >> oh, man. >> my matt lauer hair cut. [ laughter ] >> that's the best. >> how sweet. >> guys, back to you. >> all right, thank you so much. i think i speak for the whole country when i say we're going to miss willard scott. >> yeah. >> dylan is in this morning for al as he spends time with willard. >> how do you follow two weathermen like that, right? cheers to willard. we'll miss you. here's a look at what's going on across the country. record high temperatures across the easternrnalf of the country and in central park we already hit 68 degrees. we hit that at 1:00 in the morning. and records through delalare and inin new jersey. we're looking at highs 15 to 20 degrees above average. tomorrow still on the warm side. thursday we're on the warm side. we'll start the cool off a bit

weekend as temperatures go from the 60s into the 40s and somthe next several days along with slowly coooing temperaaures this week. stormtrack7 live weather network cameras will keep us mainly cloudy this morning, although we may have a cuple of hours of sun breaking through in betwn systems. we are in thh mid 30s this morning with low 30s to the northwest... still mild for this time of the year.... winds are light from the north, but will turn to the east and become gusty for thth afternoon and be even stronger from the southwest tomorrow. clouds are holding tight as the first >> andhat's your latest >> and that's your latest forecast. guys? >> dylan, thanks. coming up next in the spirit of the holidays, tamron pays it

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so if you're not going to make the minestrone yourself tonight, make it progresso. mamy people clean their dentures with toothpaste or plain water. and even thohoh their dentures look clean, in reality they're not. if a denture were to be put under a microscope, we can see all the bacteria that still exists on the denture, and that bacteria multiplies very rapidly. that's why dentists recommend cleaning w wh polident everyday. polident's unique micro clean formula works in just 3 minutes, killing 99.99% of odor causing bacteria. for a cleaner, freshsh, brighter denture every day. eat up, buddy. you'll get it this time. yeah ok not too quick don't let go until i say so. i got you... start strong with the lasting energy of 100% you're doing it! whole grain quak oats. and off you go. (politely) w wt, wait, wait! you can't put it in likekehat, you have to rinse it first. that's baked-on alfredo. baked-on? it's never gonna work. dish issues?

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holiday season, we're all getting a chance to honor some people that we think deserve some extra special recognition. >> a way to do a little something special for someone who touched our lives and inspire us and today it's tamron's turn. >> today i met philadelphia native karen hudson earlier this year at an awards ceremony for the lutheran settlement house, a nonprofit that dedicated its whole existence to families who are facing you have to situations from homelessness to domestic violence. when i heard karen's story i mediately knew i wanand to pay it forward to karen in the biggest brightest way possible. >> i'm always here to support you and help you. >> the rochelle pryor and her five children have been living in a shelter for the last eight months but her kid are happy and healthy thanks to a program called the homeless health initiative. >> good job. >> run by the children's hospital of philadelphia. >> when people think about homelessness, what they

chronically y l homeless men ying on the streets. most people don't think about this invisible population which are families and children. the program provides free medical care, even yoga to thousands of those families living in emergency housing. >> we know that there are so many little ones in the shelter that have medical issues tha won't be addressed if we don't pay attention to the health kar care. >> karen hudson has led the program for the last 15 years bringing high quality health care to those who need it most. >> this is your life's work, your life's passion. what drew you to this. >> when i took over leading the program it became my passion because it's families and children. who wants to see them experiencing homelessness. who wants to see them having the difficult time that they are having. >> karen recently endured a tragic loss of her own. her 26-year-old son, a police

fatally shot earlier this ar. >> i know that you are were and are incredibly proud of your son and as you walk into shelters to help is he right there in spirit with you? >> he is, my dear son. he was so community-minded and he just -- he garnered that spirit for giving back to commmmities and i just think that life is really about this dash. what are we doing during the time we're here. >> karen's courage is contagious. it's her strength and compassion that inspired me to pay it forward. without her knowing i enlisted the help of the mural art organization to create a mural in honor of karen and her son mark inside the lutheran settlement house where karen's team works. >> artist ericcpent over 70

this masterpiece. >> bring it over to the right more. >> with the help of mark's fellow police officers and firefighters firefighters. >> hoerks my gosh. >> it's to pay it forward because you have paid so much forward to everyone. >>&i wanted to honor you and pay it forward, so eric's art sift here and i want to show you something. one, two, three. >> and i was terrified. wouldn't to pay it forward.

life, and i'm just overjoyed seeing him living forever. >> sweet. >> karen hudson continues to be a source of strength in her community. she even created an award in her mother's name to honor homeless women who are striving to keep their families safe and healthy. if you would like to know more about the homeless health initiative and the lutheran settlement house logon to today.com. she is so amazing. and sheept telling us she didn't want to be surprised and i said it's not a a surprise, it's a pay it forward, but what you can't see in the shot, all the way up, several floors, there were police officers and firefighters that had come out snd lined that building to support mark and karen. >> iove what she said, too, about we only have so much time on the earth, what do you do with it. >> makeour mark. >> talking about that with willard this morning and this time of the year, but blessings to you, miss hudson. you are brilliant, and thank you to all of those officers and fire fighters who showed up.

we'rback after this. if you struggle with type 2 diabetes, you're certainly not alone. fortunately, many have found a different kind of medicine that lowers blood sugar. imagine what it would be like to love your numbers. discover once-daily invokana . it's the #1 prescribed in the newest class of medicines that work with the kidneys to lower a1c. invokana is used along with dt and exercise to significantly lower blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. it's a once-daily pill that works around the clock. here's how: the kidneys allow sugar to be absorbed back into the body. invokana reduces the amount of sugar allowed back in and sends some sugar out through the process of urination. and while it's not for weight loss, it may help you lose weight. invokana can cause important side effects, including dehydration, which may cause you to feel dizzy,aint, lightheaded,

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for a short time,, only one place will have thiss season's best deal. it's applebee's. introducing the taste the change menu for $10. with dishes like crispy chicken, brisket enchiladas, and steak in stout gravy. t a taste before it's gone. the taste the changege for $10 menu. ly at applebee's. there is a place where the sky is always blue. and the kids always eat their vegetables because the salad there is always serveve

cominin up. look who we found in the original room. country music sensation cam who will be performing her breakout hit burning use. >> and i'm throwing the host cocktail party at 9:00 in the morning. signature coughing...sniffling... and wishing you could stay in bed all day. when your cold is this bad... ...you need new theraflu expressmax. theraflu expressmax combines... maximum strength medicines available without a prescription... ...to fight your worst cold and flu symptoms... ...so you can feel better fast and get back to the job at hand. new theraflu expressmax. the power to feel better.tm olive garden's all-new flavorfilled pastas, with raviolis so nice we filled them twice. bursting with indulgent flavors like chicken marsala ravioli,

plus unlimited salad and breadsticks. for a limited time. at olive garden. starting thursday at kohl's buy more save more take an extra 15 or 20% off already great savings! like fine jewelry 60 to 70% off 15% off fragrance gift sets and 40 to 50% off star wars apparel, home and games! kohl's flooding continues to be an issue this morning. this is video from ridgeway and greyhound this morning. it's not far from highway 63. barrcades are up. a few streets in waterloo had to close yesterday bececse of flooding. remember, when you see flooded roadways... turn around, don't drown. changes coming to an iowa school

the nursery at muscatine hig school is closing. that's because there's bben a dramatic decline in the n nmber of pregnant teens. in 2001...97 teens in the county had babies. last year...that number was down to 40. teens who still might need childcare are e eing connecced to resources. now, let's go to eileen with a look at weather. patchy fog today with gusty easterly winds this afternoon. becoming windy tomorrow with some showers tonight//ednesday and then bbezy and cooler for sunday. we'll be back in 30 minutes, be sure to check kwwl dot com for the

taking a look at headlines. the federal reserve begins its last meeting of the year today, and it is a big one. the fed is expected to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first tame in almost a decade when the meeting wraps up tomorrow. the key short-term interest rate has been close too zero since december of 2008 when the country slid into a recession. a rate hike would signal confidence in the u.s. economy. expected to be one of the holiday's hottest g gts with you

drones with the faa and pay $5 fee. penalties for failing to register could reach more than $27,000. the new rules are designed to help curb the growing dangers that drones pose to commercial aircraft, and can you soon find a link to the drone registry on the faa's website. a new stud frecanada provides more information on the link between anti-depressants and autism. the risk is doubled if they take the class of anti-depressants including zoloft and paxil dung the second and third trimester of pregnancy and no impact was found during the first trimester. women taking anti-depressants during pregnancy, researchers found they have a one-half of 1% increase in having an autistiti child. f you haven't mailed off your holiday packages just yet and you want it to get there before christmas, you're running out of time. according to a report in "the wall street journal" took an

than last year for orders placed on cyber monday to arrive. free shipping is at least partially to blame as retailers tend to choose slower and cheaper ways to ship those packages. call it the calm before the storm. santa's helpers are having a little fun before their busiest week of the year. more than 300 surfing santas hit the waves in australia today, and they say they shattered the guinness record for the world's biggest surfing lesson. since it is only a lesson, didn't matter if santa had any trouble staying upright on the bobod. hang 10, santa. a check of the weather now from dylan. >> feel like they could have done that up and down the east coast. doesn't feel like christmas around here with temperatures running 15 to 20 degrees above average. where it is going to be snowy, that's in denver where visibility has been reduced. lots of delays at denver airport. northern plains in the upper midwest will see that snow eventually start to move in and tomorrow north dakota and north

a few inches ofmainly breezy to windy the next seseeral days along with slowly cooling temperatures this week. stormtrack7 live weather network cameras will keep us mainly cloudy this morning, although we may have a couple of hours of sun breaking through in betten systems. w w are in the mid 30s this morning with low 30s to the northwest... still mild for this time of the year.... winds are light from the north, but will turn to the east and become gusty for the afternoon and be even stronger from the southwest tomorrow. clouds are holding tight as the first system tracks away and and that's youou latest forecast. tamron? >> hey, dylan, how are you. come up to my party. it's my tuesday trend, and you know what i call this area my -- what's going on, everybody? willie, you at my club? hey. we're celebrating. willie doesn't know how to kwan but natalie knows how to whip andnae-nae.

now my cocktail party so come on in and i have with me some awesome people. kate, my assistant, alex morgan, but most important you need a goododhef and i have with me the chef and owner of my favorite res trarngts one of them, pig and cow, and we also have a bartender that's very hand some with the brookokn beard, ben, baroosh, the restaurant manager and leah's fiance. we've got couples. thanks for coming to my party. youu look like you're having fun. >> alex is at the bar. >> always one guest who never leaves the bar. >> okay. and so i asked leah a ben to help us out. do aittle cocktail party, 12 or fewer people, maybe some co-workers and maybe your neighbors, the people you carpool and help shuttle kids around this is for you. so you've got some ideas for us. >> yes. >> okay. what do we havee here? >> this is some easy, fun, party appetizers. >> okay.

in advance so you can party with your friends. >> because that's key. you don't want to be cooking and preparing things. you want to party. >> right. you want to have time to spend. >> you've got chicken here. >> and what's that. >> coconut milk. >> useanned coconut milk. >> some fish sauce. a little tumeric boweder. >> and the key is it looks like you did a lot of work but because of the flavor and leah is good with exotic spices that you can find at any grocery store but you're not just hanging over the oven. >> and can you find everything in the grocery store.e. >> marinate is for how long? >> overnight if you w wt the flavors to come in and we put them on secures and the secures are soaking for at least 30 minutes because you don't want them to burn. >> all of that is prepping and you do other things. put that on the grill, grill them in the pan and put them there and three to four minutes on each side and you're done. >> this will all be on today.com. what's the sauce? >> peanut sauce, and it's very mple and can you headache it in advance.

>> perfect. >> and the night before. >> again on our website. >> a shrimp cocktail, my version of the shrimp cocktail. the shrimp is marinated in garlic, cilantro and/. do it the night before, marinate it, and then we'll make the cocktail sauce and put the shrimp on. >> shrimp on the barbie. >> and the time it takes to cook the shrimp you can make the sauce. >> what's in the sauce, sricha and sweet chilli sauce. >> natatie turned around. >> i like using the canned tomato paste because it has a very strong tomato flavor which is important in a cocktail sauce. >> i like this. i don't like when you have to bite three and four times at a cocktail party, got my handbag and drink. i want to hit it and go, hit it and go. >> and then you have the sliders. >> pork, little sricha mayo. >> and i asked ben to make us a drink. you should really do a couple of wines and one good cocktail so

what's in this one, ben is >> we made a batch cocktail so you don't have to mix drinks all night, with begin.n. festive party occasion, top it off with prosecco and keep it afford whabl you're topping it off. >> like under 10 bucks. >> easily. >> simple cocktail party. you know what, the people in your neighbhbhood, maybe not do the progressive dinner do, this and i vite them over. i'm going to fire my deejay because i was expecting hip-hop because i was going to hit that kwon and next party, today.com, what do we have? going to have country's next big superstar and we'll catch up with the singing sensation right after this. ( ) just head aroundnd the corner to walgreens when you're searching for that perfect little something. walgreens has great gifts

and it's all just a hop, skip, and a bark away. right now, save 50% on the gift of the week. just fifteen minutes and a little imagination are all you need to make holiday magic. (microwave) ding! chex party mix. it's what the holidays are made of. so what's your news? i got a job! i'll be programming at ge. oh i got a job too, at zazzies. (friends gasp) the app where you put fruit hats on animals? i love that! guys, i'll be writing code that helps machines communicate. (interrupting) i just zazzied you. (phone vibrates) look at it! (friends giggle) i can dodoogs, hamsters, guinea pigs... you name it. i'm going to transform the way the world works. (proudly) i programmed that hat. and i can do casaba melons. i'll be helping turbines power cities. i put a turbine on a cat. (friends ooh and ahh) i can mama hospitals run more efficiently...

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why is philips sonicare the most loved electric toothbrush brand by americans and their dentists? because it leaves your mouth with a level of clean like you've never felt before. get hethier gums in 2 week innovation and you. philips sonicare country singer cam has a lot to celebrate this holiday season. the release of her debut album, grammy nomination and she was recently named one of the 13 test test testoard." >> a busy woman. about to head into cam country with a live performance, but first let's take a look at her journey to our stage. no matter where i go there's

>> her name is as bold as her singing. california-born country newcomer cam, art burst on to the music scene in 2013 with aittle help from a kick starter campaign. i think i'm crazy >> that same year she caught the attention of miley cyrus, co-writing the break-up anthem "maybe you're right" for cyrus' album "bangers." since then she's released her own "welcome to cam country." cam's first single "my miss take" was teached by "billboard" earlier this year as one of tomorrow's hits. i've been sleepwalking >> and her chart-topping second single "burning house" has climbed all the way to number four on billboard's hot country song. cam was even selected as one of cmt's next women of country. now, she's joining brad paisley on the road for his crushing it

as she continues to crush it hersrsf with the release of her debut album and a grammy nomination. >> cam is with us now. cam, good morning. >> good morning. that was really nice watching all that. >> well, it's got to be a little bit crazy for you. not long ago you were making that plea on kick starter. i think it's a good measure of how far you've come. a few yeaea ago youttended the grammys, a friend of yours got tickets and you sat in the back of the house and here you are nominated this year. >> yeah. it's like slowly sinking in. it's actually sinking in. even more, you guys doing it to me. >> "burning house" i love that song. you actuauay caught on fire, your dress. >> well, we were very safe and did flame retardant everything and had a flaming cocktail moment. >> sgloempt where it kivon exploded. the girl's hand was okay but it dropopd on the train of the dress. >> and was like on fire.

run and if i run the fire comes with me, so don't run, and like the fireman, stampout training exercise for all the guys kind of working with the city fire department so it was really cool. >> glad you survived the video shoot. great video and want you to be safe first. 2010, thinking about going to graduate school for psychology, was it? >> yes. >> but then you decided to go to nashville instead. >> yeah. >> tell me about that decision. why did you do it? >> well, i talked with my professor at the time, and i -- i said i'm considering going into music. it's been a hobby for a long time but i kind of feel like i should go into that. what do you think i should do? doing pretty well at psychology and she said picture yourself 80 years old looking back on your lile and what would you regret no having done,, music or psychology, and i was like, okay, i'm going to go with music. >> you took your shot and it's paying off. >> absolutely. >> well, boy, is it ever paying off because come on in here,

"burning house" now is certified platinum platinum. there you go. >> am i allowed to swear on tv. >> yellow roses because yellow is your favorite color. >> holol smokes. i'm always wearing yellow. >> what does this mean? >> this means i don't have to explain myself at christmas. everybody is like we know what you do for a living. >> all have you to do is care they around with you. >> i'll just carry with it me everywhere i go. hard work from so many people. makes me so happy and so proud. >> we're happy for you. >> thanknkyou.

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i had a dream about a burning house you were stuck inside i couldn't get you out i lay beside you and pulled you close and the two of us went up in smoke love isn't all that it seems i did you wrong i'll stay here with you until this dream is gone i've been sleepwalking, been wondering all night trying to take what's lost and broke and make it right i've will be sleepwalking too close to the fire

can hold you tight in this burning house i see you at a party, and you look the same i could take you back but people don't really change i wish that we could go back in time and i'd be the one you thought you'd find ove isn't all that it seems i did you wrong i'll stay here with you until this dream is gone i've been sleepwalking, been wondering all night trying to take what's lost and

i've been sleepwalking too close to the fire but it's the only place that i can hold you tight in this b bning house flames are getting bigger now in this burning house i can hold on to you somehow in thiss burning house oh, and i don't wanna wake up in this burning house i've been sleepwalking, been wandering all night trying to take what's lost and broke and make it right i've been sleepwalking too close to the fire

can hold you tight in this burning house >> the platinum single is "burning house" and the album is "untame." cam, thank you.

this is "today" on nbc. >> back now with one of our generous . back now witit one of our generous contributors from cocogra. we talk so much about toys but the focus should also be on those who around this time don't have a meal and you're focused on that for us. >> we are giving $500,000 worth

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blocks from ampus. emmalee jacobs was an eastern iowa native -- from urbana. she graduated from center point- urbana high school earlier this year. university police believe she's the victim of a hit and run -- and are looking for help finding the person behind the wheel. josie cheeore says she caca't remmmber a time wwen she didn't know emmalee.... she says emmalee was a shy math whiz.... a pre- business major at i-s-u.... she hopes whoever did this willbe found.... 'and hope that cameras were nothing that you ould ever imagine.' 'somebody needs to just step up and own up to what they did.' police ask anyone with information to call. now, let's go to eileen with a look at weather. patchy fog today with gusty easterly winds this afternoon. becoming windy tomorrow with friday in the mid 20s wiil climb back to t t mid to upper 30s for sunday. we'll be back in 30 minutes, be sure to check kwwl dot com for the latest news

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>> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with kathie lee gifford and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. i don't know. >> oh. have yourself a merry little christmas >> this is a good version.