hi. i'm richard lui in for tamron hall. "news nation" is following that deep freeze across the country. a deadly arctic blast brings historically low temperatures, schools and roads remain closed, massive travel delays grow even worse. residents in major cities across the midwest, northeast and into the south are being warned to stay indoors. the weather is being blamed for at least 11 deaths. all but one of 50 states, hawaii, are seeing temperatures at or below freezing or below normal. it's all part of the so-called polar vortex. a massive air from the north pole has pushed unusually far south. this nasa image captures how far down it reaches. as many as 187 million people are feeling the effect of this system. >> stay home. don't come out. it's very, very, very cold. >> probably got on six or seven

shirts, two jackets, and two tour thror three pairs of pants. >> around noon today, the temperature in atlanta was 14 degrees. that's 12 degrees lower than in anchorage, alaska. chicago, it was negative 2 degrees. in siberia's largest city, it was 5. in new york city central park, the temperature was 5 degrees this morning breaking a 118-year record. the upper midwest and northern plains are seeing coldest temperatures on top of record snowfall. it's forced authorities to close many roadways including indiana's major interstate. schools remain closed throughout the midwest and parts of the south. meanwhile, the biggest headache appears to be travel. about 2,500 flights have been canceled today and another 4,400 delayed. that's on top of the more than 4,000 canceled yesterday. now, after hundreds of passengers were left stranded for hours due to frozen tracks yesterday, today amtrak saying it's operating on a modified

schedule leaving many passengers frustrated. >> this is our fourth day trying to get back home. we have had cancellation africans lags afte after cancellation of plane and buses. >> i'm guessing you have hand warmers inside those gloves and inside those boots right now. >> reporter: it's supposed to be hotlanta, right? we've now cracked double digits after temperatures plunged to 6 degrees overnight. that's 6 degrees. lowest temperature here in about 18 years. now, the city of atlanta opened temporary warming shelters overnight to try to help people out and atlanta public schools are shut down today as are other school districts throughout the south. many businesses have closed in other parts of the south including a zoo in albany, georgia. when it comes to farmers, they watch this very closely. it appears that farmers in citrus groves in florida have

dodged the worst of this. others in louisiana were picking their crop yesterday ahead of the polar plunge. we just spoke with an onion farmer in southern georgia. he's worried tonight as another night with low temperatures. the impact on his crop, he won't be able to see that for another few weeks. now, this is also affecting travelers throughout the south and it's also affecting just people aren't used to these types of temperatures in parts of the south and power outages, we've seen a lot of them both yesterday and today. tens of thousands of power outages in south carolina. we're told that the blackouts happening there have just been suspended by the energy company. things are starting to get back to normal. in atlanta, we're expecting to see temperatures rising to the 20s this afternoon but we won't crack the freezing mark until tomorrow afternoon. so can't really complain here. the midwest is getting hit a lot harder than we are and that's

where my colleague, ron allen, is standing by in chicago. >> reporter: you certainly can't complain. we may have some huge breaking news to report here soon because the temperature is actually perhaps soon going to get above zero. we have a number of thermometers here. we have a couple readings that put it at 2. i think officially it's still below zero. negative 1 or 2. that's an improvement because yesterday it was minus 15. we still have really intense windchill and one measure of that is the flags over there whipping around. today in chicago, things are still very deserted. there are not a lot of people out because it's still brutal conditions here. more people trying to get to their offices this morning. that was noticeable. there were many more problems on the roadways and with mass transit because of that. one of the worst problems here facing people in chicago is an amtrak problem. several trains from as far away as los angeles and san francisco were stranded in a snow bank and the passengers, hundreds of them, had to spend the night in

the train overnight. they all have been bussed back to chicago or to chicago by now and they are in good shape, some of -- most people are going with it and realizing this is an act of god and nothing that the train managers could go. that happened and it seems to be for the most part resolved. other travel problems here, o'hare airport has already canceled more than 1,000 flights. midway also canceled a number of flights. it's still very difficult to travel here and sadly we can report that there are at least four storm related deaths here in chicago. i think the number is up to about a dozen in the midwest including other states nearby. so still a very dangerous situation. people are being urged to stay inside. again, some people coming out because they have things to do but again still the deep freeze here continues. we hope to get into the single digits today. double digits by tomorrow. and maybe even by friday up to about 30 degrees. back to you, richard. >> ron, i can appreciate that.

just getting above zero is certainly going to be an accomplishment. with the wind, hopefully tamping down, that will get better as the hours go by. ron, thank you so much there in chicago. we look at this and the key is that wind along with moisture and then there's the temperature on top of that. >> right. the windchills are the story here, richard. you saw ron getting excited about getting above zero. that's the trend. chicago and the midwest will improve as core of arctic air pulls away from that polar vortex. this is where the polar vortex is spilling down. it's moving out of the midwest but locked in firmly in the northeast and that's why we see record low temperatures today in places like new york city and across the east. let's set that into motion. polar vortex returns to where it normally is trapped. coldest air trapped around the poles by the weekend. is it stays away from us. temperatures will get warmer day by day. look at the records we broke

over the last couple of days. these are records from around the country. 16 below in chicago. new york hit 4 degrees this morning in central park. that record goes back to 1896 to give you an idea of the type of cold we're dealing with. record low in atlanta and philadelphia. all in single digits. 9 below was a record in pittsburgh. richard mentioned windchills. that's what's going on right now. windchills around 8 below in new york city. 19 below in pittsburgh. 23 below in chicago is a big improvement over yesterday when it was 42 below. things are better there. in atlanta, windchills around 9 degrees. winds blustery all day. winds gusting to 35 miles an hour. wind advisory in effect for new york city. things get better as we head throughout the next few days. starting on friday into the weekend, jet stream pulls to the north. milder air makes a comeback. those temperatures that ron allen was looking forward to in chicago, we're also looking forward to here in new york. yesterday we started out in the 50s. it felt like spring. that's coming back to the big

apple. hard to believe with windchills so far below zero. by the end of the week, 40s on friday. 50s with rain on saturday. so it's a short but painful punch of cold air here in the northeast. richard? >> so it's that mixed blessing, isn't it, really? we don't have a lot of moisture. that made things more botheraea if you will. >> not dealing with a massive snowstorm. we can enjoy the dry weather. >> we'll take that. so will those in chicago and atlanta. thank you very much. developing right now, the house of representatives convened just a few minutes ago and then quickquick ly recessed until 6:30 p.m. after two weeks away for the holidays, it's front and center in the latest battle. long-term unemployment benefits that expire december 28th for 1.3 million americans. just a few hours ago, a bill extending those benefits survived a key vote in the senate. the measure surprisingly got the 60 votes needed to advance.

most republicans say they do not object to extending the benefits but they want to offset the costs related to it. six republican senators voted for the measure including its gop co-sponsor senator dean hiller of nevada. the others kelly ayotte, coats, collins, portman and murkowski had president obama pressing for approval including appearing with some that have lost benefits. >> these are not statistics. these are your neighbors, your friends, your family members, it could at some point be any of us. >> joining me right now, nbc news capitol hill correspondent kelly o'donnell. it made it through the senate surprisingly does the future look good though? >> reporter: it's an incremental

step and hill is freezing over if that they got more than expected in terms of republican turnout as you outlined. six republicans. that is a genuine surprise to some of the democrats who have been pushing this forward. what happens now is a complicated process where senators will discuss possibilities of could this be paid for with cuts elsewhere to provide this extension of unemployment benefits? even if it gets through the senate, there's a big question mark about how many days that will take and what steps will be required so we'll be talking about this for the next few days, richard. over on the house side where republicans are in charge, the mood is not very open to this. now, today house speaker john boehner released a statement saying that one month ago he personally told the white house that another extension of temporary emergency unemployment benefits should not only be paid for but the congress should also do something to try to bring people back to work and he says that to date so far the president, the white house, have not come up with an idea on how

to do that and if he were to do that, meaning the president, then john boehner would be open to discussing it. so from republicans point of view, they want to see a way to pay for this and a larger discussion of trying to get some job creating ideas out there. democrats say this is an emergency and these benefits should not be cut short. one of the things we're waiting to learn this afternoon, richard, is will majority leader harry reid in the senate, he's just speaking now to reporters, will he be open to the idea of allowing some changes to the way this temporary bill is structured right now. could there be a way to pay for it that might bring along additional republican support necessary to get it over the finish line. if not, that could mean that this won't go anywhere. democrats say to us that they think there might be ways to do it but their preference, their strong preference is to say this needs to be passed on an emergency basis and give these families 1.3 million americans the relief that they have thought they would be having and it expired december 28th. steps are happening here.

we'll keep you posted, richard. >> nbc news capitol hill correspondent kelly o'donnell. thank you so much. let's bring in democratic congressman sandra levin of michigan. you have been pushing for this extension of benefits for those long-term unemployed here, representative. can you tell me with that ask coming from speaker boehner and that is to pay for that which you are going to give an extension for, how might that happen? >> i don't think it's a wise move. i think the speaker has the same obligation of the rest of us. 1 million lost their benefits as of december 28th. hard working people looking for a job as the president said it's not an abstraction. so what's true in michigan or in nevada or florida is true in ohio. i don't think it's wise to throw the ball to somebody else. we should extend the program for three months without an offset.

it is an emergency. traditionally we have not offset these emergency provisions. we should proceed to pass it and then we can sit down during this three-month or 2.5 month period and talk about longer term. the short-term is a reality for 72,000 plus every week who are out in the cold. that's the reality. >> representative, you are suggesting that it move forward without an offset. why not go for an offset? it seems at least relative to other numbers that 6 billion is not a huge number. >> the reason we should not argue about an offset is i think in part it would delay, it part we have not offset unemployment insurance. it is an emergency. we ought to acknowledge its an emergency. we ought to buckle down and pass this and then sit down and talk about the longer term.

>> got it. i want to talk about your great state of michigan. almost 45,000 people in your state according to what i'm seeing here have lost their benefits and more stand to lose them in the weeks to come. you know the numbers quite well. you say they are actively looking for work but can't find any. does that tell you something about the economy? what's your view on the economy? if they're out there trying to get these jobs and unable to obtain them over what is up to 72 weeks now, what does that tell you? >> that the economy is growing better but for a 1.3 million plus many more several many million more there is not a job available. so we have more work to do and they should not essentially be punished as we make the economy stronger. it's getting better. it isn't good enough so everybody who wants to work can work. that's the reality of this. >> quickly before i leave you, i want to know if you were

surprised at the six republican senators that voted along in the senate to move it forward there in that house. were you surprised and are you hopeful based on the six republican senators saying let's do something together? >> let me tell you why i wasn't surprised and why i'm hopeful. it's because as more and more stories of 1.3 million plus 72,000 more each week, the more these stories are known, as long as we get to know the people by their stories, the more this institution will act. that really is the best of the american way when people are out in the cold we just don't leave them there. we put a helping hand as they look for work. i wasn't really surprised. i hope in the house there will be the same reaction to human needs. this is a very human kind of circumstance as well as an economic circumstance because

when people receive unemployment insurance, they buy things and it helps the economy. the estimate is if we don't pass unemployment insurance, it will cost us 200,000 jobs and a couple 0.2 percentage point in terms of gdp, economic growth. there's a national economic growth reason to move but a human dimension to this and we need to react to the human dimension of people in this country. >> congressman sandra levin of michigan, thank you for your time. still ahead, the ring of steel. russia stepping up security ahead of the winter games in sochi. restricting access to certain areas and putting thousands of officers on "combat alert." we'll talk to a former secret service agent who just last week said he's not confident in the security around sochi. plus, convicted child molester jerry sandusky trying to get back the penn state pension he lost the day of his sentencing. >> there was a place that i

love. a place that i coached. it was a place that helped me start second mouth. is this the bacon and cheese diet? this is the creamy chicken corn chowder. i mean, look at it. so indulgent. did i tell you i am on the... [ both ] chicken pot pie diet! me too! [ male announcer ] so indulgent, you'll never believe they're light. 100-calorie progresso light soups.

i'm here to get the lady of the house back on her feet. [ all gasp ] oj, veggies -- you're cool. mayo? corn dogs? you are so outta here! aah! 'cause i'm re-workin' the menu, keeping her healthy and you on your toes. [ female announcer ] the complete balanced nutrition of great-tasting ensure. 24 vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and 9 grams of protein. i see you, cupcake! uh-oh!

[ bottle ] the number one doctor recommended brand. ensure®. nutrition in charge™.

there are less than five weeks to go until the opening ceremonies of the winter olympics. venues are ready but there are big security concerns there. today russian officials launching what is caused the biggest security and surveillance operation in history. the ring of steel. a security zone patrolled by thousands in security forces. every visitor will undergo numerous security checks and under total surveillance. there will be drones watching from the skies. high-speed patrol boats offshore and even ultrasensitive sonar

devices listening from underwater and anti-aircraft missiles. the security precautions were in place before two suicide bombers struck last week killing 34 people and heightening concerns terrorists could target the games. president vladimir putin made a public visit to sochi to test out the venues and to inspect the security measures. putin promised the games will be safe. joining us right now is a former secret service agent who was involved in security at the salt lake olympics. thanks for being with us here, dan. i went through the list of the measures that vladimir putin says will be put in place. does that give you some comfort? >> no, not at all. first of all, richard, the site selection here was terrible. there's nothing terrorist-like more than eye balls. they want eyes on their acts because that inspires terror and it gives them a vehicle to m

magnify their message. they always had trouble getting eye balls on insurgency for a lot of different reasons. difficulty access in the region. russian blackouts on media coverage. this for them is the ideal opportunity to attack and get the world to observe firsthand their cause. >> no doubt given the number of people that will be there and number of people watching around the world. just to go through those items again, we talk about drones. hig high-speed patrol boats. ultrasensitive sonar. even anti-aircraft missiles. might that be somewhat of a discouraging factor for those who might consider acts of terror? >> of course, richard. keep in mind don't confuse money spent on access control with creating a secure environment. what do i mean? i use this analogy all the time. a ticket to an nfl playoff game

is an access control device. it's not a security device. if there's no human deterrence behind that if you don't have a particular and walked in and nobody stopped you, all of the money spent on these ticket screeners and codes don't mean anything. i'm not saying that their hearts into it to create a secure olympics, of course there are. there is expensive access control and security. security requires good intelligence gathering pre-olympics, good investigative techniques, solid behavioral analytics and knowing what to look for. you can spend all the money you want on fencing, it won't matter. >> what would you add to make this work? >> an international audit and international observers right now. >> thank you so much for your perspective on what's happening there in sochi. thanks for your time. we've also learned today that the sochi olympics will not

feature america's biggest star. we're sorry to say. world skiing champ lindsey vonn announcing she won't compete because of a new injury. in a statement she said i did everything i could to get strong enough over having no acl. the reality set in that my knee is too unstable to compete at this level. she'll have another surgery on her knee and will cheer on the united states in sochi and says she wants to be the back for the world championships next year in vail. we hope you're there too. still ahead, what our first read team calls gop empathy gap in its own post-election autopsy. the rnc wrote the republican party must be the champion of those who seek to climb the economic ladder. plus -- >> somebody had to do it.

we just took all of the files. >> 40 years before edward snowden, there was john and bonnie. the couple admits to breaking into an fbi office back in 1971 and stealing secret government documents. why they say they did it. [ male announcer ] what's different at red lobster? new table for two. it brings together everyone's favorite flavors, like savory garlic herb shrimp over wood-fire grilled chicken and chili ginger salmon topped with tangy pineapple salsa. nothing brings you together like table for two. two salads...two entrees... plus an appetizer or dessert to share, all for just $29.99. table for two is too good to miss! so come sea quality, sea variety, sea food differently at red lobster. too small. too soft. too tasty. [ both laugh ] [ male announcer ] introducing progresso's

new creamy alfredo soup. inspired by perfection. [ male announcer ] what kind of energy is so abundant, it can help provide the power for all this? natural gas. ♪ more than ever before, america's electricity is generated by it. exxonmobil uses advanced visualization and drilling technologies to produce natural gas... powering our lives... while reducing emissions by up to 60%.

energy lives here. ♪ wow...look at you. i've always tried to give it my best shot. these days i'm living with a higher risk of stroke due to afib, a type of irregular heartbeat, not caused by a heart valve problem. at first, i took warfarin, but i wondered, "could i up my game?" my doctor told me about eliquis. and three important reasons to take eliquis instead. one, in a clinical trial, eliquis was proven to reduce the risk of stroke better than warfarin. two, eliquis had less major bleeding than warfarin. and three... unlike warfarin, there's no routine blood testing. [ male announcer ] don't stop taking eliquis unless your doctor tells you to, as stopping increases your risk of having a stroke. eliquis can cause serious and in rare cases fatal bleeding. don't take eliquis if you have an artificial heart valve or abnormal bleeding. while taking eliquis, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer than usual for any bleeding to stop.

seek immediate medical care for sudden signs of bleeding, like unusual bruising. eliquis may increase your bleeding risk if you take certain medicines. tell your doctor about all planned medical or dental procedures. i've got three important reasons to up my game with eliquis. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor today if eliquis is right for you. more than 40 years before edward snowden brought into nsa computers, there was another momentous theft of government documents from a small fbi office in pennsylvania just outside of philadelphia. the fbi launched a nationwide manhunt but the burglars were never caught. in a new book and documentary and in an interview with nbc news, two of them are coming forward for the first time telling why they did it and how they got away with it. national investigative correspondent michael isikoff has a never before told story.

>> reporter: a mystery for 43 years. the night the nation was gripped by the fight of the century ali frazier at madison square garden. burglars broke into this fbi office outside of philadelphia and stole 1,000 secret documents. the culprits never found. >> we did it. somebody had to do it. >> reporter: and now a surprise confession. >> we just took all of the files. we didn't sort anything. >> reporter: in an exclusive nbc news interview, the burglars anti-vietnam war activists admit they committed the crime to expose what they believed were illegal activities by the fbi. >> massive illegal surveillance and intimidation. >> reporter: bonnie cased the office posing as a college student leaving no fingerprints. >> i never took my gloves off. >> reporter: her husband, john, a retired religion professor, drove the getaway car. >> i was sitting by myself in the station wagon and i was

getting very, very scared. >> reporter: the documents exposed fbi efforts to spread paranoia among left wing groups and a surveillance program started years earlier by j. edgar hoover. betty was the first reporter to get the documents in her mailbox and now had written documents about the burglary. >> it's safe to say that the fbi was never the same again. >> reporter: the statute of limitation long expired but patrick kelly, the ex-agent that investigated the case back then, says the theft remains inexcusable. >> they rationalize a criminal act. i don't believe such people have the right to take upon themselves and make decisions. >> reporter: they are proud of what they did and have a message for the modern day counterpart, edward snowden. >> from one whistle-blower to another whistle-blower, hi. >> still ahead, another massive

jpmorgan settlement. this time the money is expected to help people who were burned by bernie madoff's ponzi scheme. we'll have the latest for you. in the last 23 years, but i needed help in quitting smoking. [ male announcer ] along with support, chantix varenicline is proven to help people quit smoking. chantix reduced the urge for me to smoke. it actually caught me by surprise. [ male announcer ] some people had changes in behavior, thinking, or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. if you notice any of these, stop chantix and call your doctor right away. tell your doctor about any history of mental-health problems, which could get worse while taking chantix. don't take chantix if you've had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it. if you develop these, stop chantix and see your doctor right away, as some can be life-threatening. tell your doctor if you have a history of heart or blood-vessel problems or if you develop new or worse symptoms. get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. use caution when driving or operating machinery. common side effects include nausea, trouble sleeping, and unusual dreams. i did not know what it was like to be a nonsmoker,

but i do now. [ male announcer ] ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. it's hard to describe, because you have a numbness, but yet you have the pain like thousands of needles sticking in your foot. it was progressively getting worse, and at that point i knew i had to do something. once i started taking the lyrica the pain started subsiding. [ male announcer ] it's known that diabetes damages nerves. lyrica is fda approved to treat diabetic nerve pain. lyrica is not for everyone. it may cause serious allergic reactions or suicidal thoughts or actions. tell your doctor right away if you have these, new or worsening depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. or swelling, trouble breathing, rash, hives, blisters, changes in eyesight including blurry vision, muscle pain with fever, tired feeling, or skin sores from diabetes. common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain and swelling of hands, legs and feet. don't drink alcohol while taking lyrica. don't drive or use machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. those who have had a drug or alcohol problem

may be more likely to misuse lyrica. ask your doctor about lyrica today. it's specific treatment for diabetic nerve pain.

tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of lyndon johnson's war on poverty. he declared that on january 8th, 1964. marking that anniversary republican senator marco rubio will be delivering a speech on income inequality and the american dream. our nbc news first read team says it's an attempt by the gop to close its empathy gap. first read notes in its post-election autopsy, the rnc says "the republican party must be the champion of those who seek to climb the economic ladder of life." how is that message doing? joining us now, mark murray. when you look at this and it's hard to believe the year has already gone by. that being put out coming from rnc, how does a rank and file

react to that suggestion, if you will? >> 2013 wasn't a really good year for the republican party delivering on what that rnc after election autopsy recommended. you see a few things on capitol hill. for example, the farm legislation ended up being separated out from the stance that house republicans wanted. you see republican governors and state legislatures not to expand medicare and you see republicans line up in opposition, not all republicans as we saw a handful voting in favor of the legislation, but that unemployment benefits and it has put republicans on the defensive on this particular issue. >> so is it possible for 2014 and the mid terms and 2016, to get them in line, if you will, so that this message does get through to voters in time for either one of those voting cycles? >> you are seeing republicans like marco rubio as you mention

in intro as well as paul ryan who was 2012 vice presidential running mate wanting to talk about poverty. marco rubio is giving a speech tomorrow. you have paul ryan interview with brian williams later this week. the big question is this lip service in a speech here and there or is this something that's really going to be put into policy and have a lot of meat on the bones and something that these people want to talk about week after week after week month after month and that remains to be seen. >> it might be possible. put this in context for us. in previous eras if you will of the republican party and rnc when such suggestions were made coming from headquarters, how are they handled. we common lly in the '80s would follow a similar sheet of music. this seems to be different this time around. >> it is. one of the goals of a political party is to win elections and

when mitt romney ended up mentioning his famous 47% remark where you say i don't care about this kind of swath of voters, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage in a presidential general election. midterm elections, republicans are looking fine because not as many people turn out to vote. you end up having disproportionate amount of white voters, upscale voters, seniors participating but to win future presidential contests you want votes from everybody. that's the message the rnc had at the beginning of 2013 and it is something you are seeing republicans wanting to address and how do we get low-income voters and people impoverished to vote for us. that's one of the debates throughout the year. >> nbc news senior political reporter mike murray. go to msnbc.com on what we're talking about this segment. to the latest from iraq where government forces have stepped up their offensive

against al qaeda militants taking over two key cities in anbar province. the battle is centered in fallujah. the iraqi government says al qaeda fighters are using civilians as human shields. the government also claims to have regained control of ramadi with the help of local tribal leaders yesterday. the white house announced plans to deliver more missiles and surveillance drones to iraq as well. joining me with the latest is msnbc foreign correspondent. we look at last year and the u.n. said close to 9,000 killed. that's the worst in some six years. how bad is this latest flash point? too weak of a word here? >> it's an important flash point and one that's going to threaten the stability of the iraqi government more than anything we've seen in the last couple years. what's happening in the western part of the country is a fusion of legitimate grievance business people in the western part but also we see erosion of the border between syria and iraq is

bleeding into the conflict in iraq and leading to this fighting. >> is it happening because the united states withdrew its forces or is it because of syria? >> that's a very difficult question to answer. the short answer to that probably is it's not happening as a result of the u.s. withdraw. this is perhaps more because of the violence taking place in neighboring syria but there is an undercurrent of grievances by the sunni part of iraq and the way the prime minister has been handling the situation over the past several years, many critics say he's an exclusionist and he's not trying to reach political reconciliation and as a result of that there is fusing of violence in syria. >> why is syria affecting what is happening there? >> you have people who want to topple the government. they have sided with the assad regime so people see the opportunity along the sectarian

lines. the rebels inside syria particularly al qaeda militants have connections to iraq. many of the fighters that are fighting in syria started in iraq. keep in mind that this group, al qaeda is one organization that is now fighting on both sides of the border. >> big concern about al qaeda related militant activity there? >> very much so. it's now on the doorstep of saudi arabia. one of the world's largest oil producers. one more factor of instability across the middle east. still ahead, jerry sandusky speaking from prison today in a bid to get penn state pension he lost the day he was convicted. and forgiveness. we know it's easier said than done. we'll talk to a bestselling author and inspirational speaker about her new book and why she says you should forgive even if it doesn't make sense. when it comes to good nutrition...i'm no expert. that would be my daughter -- hi dad. she's a dietitian.

and back when i wasn't eating right, she got me drinking boost. it's got a great taste, and it helps give me the nutrition i was missing. helping me stay more like me. [ female announcer ] boost complete nutritional drink has 26 essential vitamins and minerals, including calcium and vitamin d to support strong bones and 10 grams of protein to help maintain muscle. all with a delicious taste. grandpa! [ female announcer ] stay strong, stay active with boost. the day building a play set begins with a surprise twinge of back pain... and a choice. take up to 4 advil in a day or 2 aleve for all day relief. [ male announcer ] that's handy. ♪

and his new boss told him two things -- cook what you love, and save your money. joe doesn't know it yet, but he'll work his way up from busser to waiter to chef before opening a restaurant specializing in fish and game from the great northwest. he'll start investing early, he'll find some good people to help guide him, and he'll set money aside from his first day of work to his last, which isn't rocket science. it's just common sense. from td ameritrade. it's just common sense. i tr ied it's just common sense. depend last weekend. it really made the difference between a morning around the house and getting a little exercise. unlike the bargain brand, depend gives you new fit-flex®, our best protection. it's a smooth and comfortable fit with more lycra strands. get your free sample at depend.com.

convicted former penn state football coach jerry sandusky's fight to get his pension back tops our look at stories around the "news nation" today. he made his case today from prison. sandusky lost his $4,900 a month retirement pension after convicted of child molestation in 2012. sandusky testified about his connection to the university after his retirement in 1999. >> it was my dream to become a head football coach. i had looked at a lot of things. i had started the second mile by that time and this looked like an opportunity for me to become a head football coach. >> the proceedings expected to last several days. jpmorgan chase agreed to pay $1.7 billion to the victims of bernie madoff's multibillion

dollar ponzi scheme. it resolves allegations that the bank failed to provide warnings about madoff's profductivities. things like losing weight and saving money or harder to follow but what about that it can improve the relations with those you love and even yourselves. that's part of the new book "forgiveness." readers are encouraged to embrace a new way of thinking and fueling through the power of forgiveness. you are also the host of "fix my life" on the own network. great to see you. >> thank you. >> 21 days it takes. why 21? >> we want to retrain the mind and really this book isn't so much about doing the work to

forgive them. it's about changing the way you think. it's about forgiving thoughts and judgments and beliefs that keep you stuck in the memory of whatever the experience was that needs to be forgiven. >> what's the first key acceptance, shall we say, in getting to that point that you just described. what do we need to do first? >> become willing to see it differently. to feel differently about it. be willing not to be right. one of the reasons we don't forgive is we want to be right about how wrong they were and we're going to prove to them how wrong they were by staying mad at them. being willing is the biggest first step for most people. >> so if you grew up in christian household and you were taught forgiveness. six ways to sunday. you got to forgive. why is forgiveness important from your perspective in this book. >> if you don't forgive and you stay stuck in whatever the trauma was, negative emotion, you eliminate your capacity to

make powerful choices. that's number one. number two, you stay stuck to the person that wronged you. you are always thinking about it reliving the hurt and giving them your power. you want power to change, to make better choices, and you want to be free of that energy. >> and how does it heal us? >> you know, when you think different, you see different. when you see different, you feel different. when you feel different, you do different. so the thinking, the seeing, feeling, ability to move beyond the hurt. >> what does somebody or what somebody has done we all might be familiar with who has done this quite well. done the 21 days to understand forgiveness. >> i think that what happens for you is you become different. you just become different. as a person that was sexually violated as a child, i wasn't even aware of the depth of my anger, the depth of my upset. but now that i've done the

forgiveness work, who i am today is very different from who i was by holding onto the memory of i was raped and violated and abused as a child. you see it in the person. >> it's great that you wrote that book. i can't thank you enough for coming by. again, the host of "fix my life" and author of "forgiveness." thank you so much. still ahead, brutal cold snap adding fuel to the debate over climate change but are views based on facts or politics? it's our gut check. be sure to like the "news nation" on facebook. we're at facebook.com/newsnation. [ coughs, sneezes ] i have a big meeting when we land, but i am so stuffed up, i can't rest. [ male announcer ] nyquil cold and flu liquid gels don't unstuff your nose. they don't? alka seltzer plus night fights your worst cold symptoms, plus has a decongestant. [ inhales deeply ] oh. what a relief it is.

time for the "news nation" gut check. as we reported earlier in the show, most of the country is seeing historically freezing temperatures with no sign of thawing out until later this

week. there is one thing heating up. that debate over climate change. the conservative "washington times" writing "while the son is on vacation on our side of the planet, it's working hard on the other but global fans insist this isn't supposed to happen." that comes after yesterday's editorial irony alert global warmist get stuck in ice. "this is the kind of cold you don't want to mess around with. as crazy as it sounds, global warming may be at least partly to blame." he goes on to explain why. and a published post titled "winter does not disprove global warming." we have now an msnbc contributor. you were really interested in this debate and it's become political and why weather as we go through this huge arctic blast coming through the united states. it reminds us of how politicized

this issue is. the weather. >> it's true. it's become the latest test for our political polarization. everybody seems to suit up in their usual jersey and oddity is that you look at the other issues that are hot today, whether minimum wage should be increased, whether unemployment benefits should be extended. you can understand how the parties would have differing interpretations. are you a small government person, are you a person who believes in a safety net being e essential to the american way of life but this doesn't fit that mold. similarly everyone conservatives cry hoax and those who are left of center on this say my god there's got to be something to it. i don't get it. i'm questioning how this issue ended up being treated like all of the others. there are a variety of theories about that. the fact of the matter is it's in that category. >> do you think it's economics? >> it could be economics because

the fossil fuel industry i think you could safely say is more supportive of gop causes than it is of democratic or more progressive causes and consequently if we do something like carbon tax credit, if we wean dependence from petroleum products, that's going to impact that industry. it could be that. it would also be -- here's a theory. it could also be that climate change became so synonymous with al gore in its initial station that people on the right side of the aisle said if gore believes in it, i don't. sometime there's that similplisc of an analysis. i'm freezing outside and looking for explanations this all of this. it makes sense to me. you say half of the country is freezing. 190 million people are affected by this. it must be bunk. when you listen to science

climatist and you see a causal connection between why alaska today is warmer than atlanta. they are not contradictory. it all makes sense according to the model. i don't profess to have a ph.d. in it. i think i get it. >> you don't need a ph.d. who see fun poked at this issue. "the daily show" making fun of the fact that different sides are going at each other regardiregard ing global warming and weather. do listeners agree this is just goofy? >> they agree there's something going on out there. you know, they also recognize that all of us collectively are a pebble of sand in the scheme of time. but for what it's worth during the course of our lifetimes, extreme weather is on the rise whether it's drought, whether it's superstorms or the kind of deep freeze that's now affecting one half of the country. something is in the mix and

we're all trying to figure out how does it all fit together. >> i was at that ice house we're showing now. it's cold outside. thank you. what does your gut tell you about the subject? does a person's views on climate change are based on facts or politics? what does your gut tell you. look at what the "news nation" is saying. we asked if "wolf of wall street" condemns or glorifies bad behavior. 67% of you say it glorifies it. that does it for this edition of "news nation." i'm richard lui in for tamron hall. "the cycle" is up next. stick around. i'm here to get the lady of the house back on her feet. [ all gasp ] oj, veggies -- you're cool. mayo? corn dogs? you are so outta here! aah! 'cause i'm re-workin' the menu, keeping her healthy and you on your toes. [ female announcer ] the complete balanced nutrition

of great-tasting ensure. 24 vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and 9 grams of protein. i see you, cupcake! uh-oh! [ bottle ] the number one doctor recommended brand. ensure®. nutrition in charge™. too small. too soft. too tasty. [ both laugh ] [ male announcer ] introducing progresso's new creamy alfredo soup. inspired by perfection.

to prove to you that aleve is the better choice for him, he's agreed to give it up. that's today? [ male announcer ] we'll be with him all day as he goes back to taking tylenol. i was okay, but after lunch my knee started to hurt again. and now i've got to take more pills. ♪ yup. another pill stop. can i get my aleve back yet? ♪ for my pain, i want my aleve. ♪ [ male announcer ] look for the easy-open red arthritis cap. america is shivering and so are we. that is not only the time but also the temperature here in the northeast at this hour. three. america is under an arctic

assault. i'm krystal ball. good news, i predict an end to this nonsense soon. i guess i'll leave the forecast to raphael. >> out in the cold this historic blast of winter weather is hard on the jobless and homeless too. i'm toure. the president is turning up the heat on congress and one senator is spending the day witnessing the struggle of the homeless first hand. we'll talk to him. frozen assets. criminal charges filed against one of the nation's biggest banks. i'm abby huntsman. today an exclusive look at the government's mission to catch a trader. the cold, hard truth about self-help books. i'm jonathan capehart. as you make those new year's resolution, we wanted to know who are you really helping? if you are watching us right now, that likely means you are inside. that's