"d" day for president obama and congressional leaders. automatic tax hikes and smaller paychecks hang in the balance. an american military hero the four star general known as stormin' norman schwarzkopf has died. 16 deaths blamed on the most recent winter storm with another one on the way. a fiscal milk cliff could be looming. thieves clean out a walmart, including guns, and bears over the bruins in the holiday bowl. "early today" starts right now. >> announcer: this is "early today" for friday, december 28th, 2012. good morning, i'm mara schiavocampo. even as the finger pointing continues on capitol hill this morning there is new hope for a

deal to avoid that fiscal cliff. president obama will be meeting with congressional leaders later today. nbc's danielle leigh joins us live with the latest on capitol hill. danielle, what is the datest in terms of what we can expect in the next coming days and the likelihood that they can reach a deal? >> reporter: mara, good morning. well, this meeting that is the last-minute meeting at the white house is going to be integral. they need to see progress in this meeting if they're going to get a deal done before midnight on monday. as you know, the senate came back early from the christmas holiday yesterday. but they didn't seem able to compromise. they continued the bickering. the house wasn't even here. they're not even in play yet. they're now coming back on sunday. so we really need to see congressional leaders see some kind of a plan that can be voted on before that december 31st deadline. lawmakers say it's getting decreasingly unlikely that's going to happen. many have serious doubts about

whether or not they will get a deal before the new year, although it is still possible, many think a deal will more likely come early in the new year, mara. >> and, danielle, what will it mean for all of us in our pocketbooks if we do go over that cliff? >> reporter: well, it could be an effect on every working american. they could see a bite out of their paycheck for all americans. if you're making $40,000 to $50,000 a year, we're talking about $1700 on average a year less than you're going to receive. $50,000 to $70,000, close to $2,300 on average you'll receive. so people will feel this. the good news is that lawmakers could, even if we go over the fiscal cliff, retroactively fix those tax increases and spending cuts. but, mara, the big question is what is even an temporary uncertainty going to do to the stock market. >> a lot to be concerned about, danielle leigh, thank you so much for that report. the nation is mourning the loss of one of the great military leaders of our time. retired four star general norman schwarzkopf died in his home in

tampa, florida. the cause of death is unknown. he was 78. the hard-champing general widely known as "stormin' norman" was most famous for leading the victory in 1991. under schwarzkopf's command he took six weeks to drive saddam hussein's army out of kuwait. he earned two purple hearts. ed white house is calling schwarzkopf an american original. general colin powell said of his friend that he, quote, not only inspired his troops but as inspired the nation. schwarzkopf is survived by his wife brenda and his three children. former president george h.w. bush remains in the hospital in houston recovering from a terrible case of bronchitis which has triggered a series of complications. while mr. bush's condition is serious, in an e-mail yesterday, a spokesman said the former president hasn't lost his sense of humor.

quotes mr. bush, he asked to, quote, please put the harp back in the closet. the family spokesperson joked i'm thinking heaven haven't seen a barrage of prayers like this since "it's a wonderful life." yet another storm could cause some headaches for holiday travelers on the roads and in the air this weekend. this is part of the northeast and midwest be still digging out from the last two winter storms which has left as much as 65% of country covered in snow as of thursday morning. the national weather service said snowfall totals in upstate new york and parts of vermont range from 11 to 15 inches but after a year of almost no snow and a late start this year, folks are trying to make the most of it. snow blowers are out in full force. and out on winter break. kids are enjoying the snow, too but officials are reminding drivers to be careful because roads are slick even if they have been plowed. and now for a look at the weather, here's nbc's meteorologist dylan dreyer with the forecast. good morning. >> good morning, we're talking more snow possible for saturday. last year, we had this year or season where we didn't get a whole lot of snow and we're

certainly making up for it. we are looking at this storm system right now located back through louisiana through arkansas, bringing mostly rain through that region at this point. but we are going to see it working with some colder air to the north. and there is a chance that there's going to be mainly snow all across the northeast. but it's not a strong storm and it's going to stay mostly to the south of new england. so that's going to affect snowfall totals in most areas in the northeast. maybe about 3 inches tops. this is not going to be a major storm here. but we do have this storm on track to move through tennessee and then eventually off the coastline of the mid-atlantic. so that's why it's not looking like it's going to turn into one of those huge storms that barrels into the northeast. we do have some winter weather advisories right now mostly through arkansas basically because of the freezing rain. but most other areas are not seeing much more than rain in southern arkansas and into louisiana. we are looking at that minor

snowstorm to stay to the south. mostly rain across the buzzard's bay area of massachusetts, and rhode island. but the varying purple here, closest to rain or changing over to snow. there is a chance we could be seeing 3 to 5 inches, 5 would be pushing it. i'd say most will see 3 inches. that's a look across the country. now here's a peek out your window. >> new york city, 39 degrees, a little bit of a break before we get more snow tomorrow but again not much. charlotte, 51 degrees. looks good in florida, 70 today. and some of those storms could be strong in new orleans later this afternoon. >> so we are talking another storm, again, it's minor unless the track changes but i'd say about 3 inches would be a good guess. >> a lot of people like snow. thanks so much, dylan. coming up, a million-dollar t-rex smuggling ring. newtown shooter adam lanza's dna will be studied.

and dock workers from maine to texas are threatening a strike. plus who are hollywood's most bankable stars? you're watching "early today." o"

welcome back to "early today." scientists plan to study the dna of adam lanza the 20-year-old who shot and killed 26 people at sandy hook elementary school in newtown, connecticut. on december 14th. they hope to find genetic signs of mutation or abnormality that could predict an inclination towards violence. secretary of state hillary clinton will return to work next week after a stomach flu and concussion sidelined her three weeks. she may testify before congress next month about the report on security failures and the september 11th attack in benghazi, libya, that killed four americans. some good news on law enforcement, the number of police officers killed in 2012 fell by 23%. with just four days left until the end of the year, 127 state

and local offices died as compared to 165 last year. next, to the criminal world of dinosaur smugglers. a fossil dealer from florida admitted to sneaking stolen dinosaur bones to the u.s. and is facing up to 17 years in prison. the bones included a 70-year-old tyrannosaurus that sold at auction for more than $1 million. and finally, from the cute file, we've been tracking the progress of this 5-month-old panda cub from the san diego zoo. who now tips the scales at 15.4 pounds. and zookeepers say he's growing normally. he's got a big plastic ring and chewing on bamboo. glad to see he's doing well. over to wall street for a check on your friday morning markets. the dow lost 18 on thursday closing at 13,096. the s&p was down a point and the nasdaq lost 4. overseas fared slightly better. the nikkei gained 72 points while the hang seng added 46.

as those fiscal cliff worries become more real on main street and wall street, a drastic drop in consumer stocks that sent stocks skidding thursday on news that house members will return to negotiations sunday evening. on investors' radar the latest pending home sales data comes out at 10:00 a.m. meanwhile, the dairy industry is calling it the milk cliff. just like tax raises, if congress doesn't approve a bill by january 1st, the prices could skyrocket from $3.65 a gallon to as much as $ in fact, all dairy products would be affected. to think that wisconsin cheddar could cost more than frenchb bre that's imported. dock workers are threatening to walk out on the job over contracts that are set to expire. strikes could cause a crippling domino effect. the white house is urging an agreement as quickly as possible.

monthly rents are on the rise. as of october the average was $1,044 up 3.7% over last year. well, the tsa says travelers have attempted to carry as much as 1,500 firearms on in u.s. airports and airplanes in 2012. 1,300 of those were loaded. a separate report found most firearms were confiscated at hartsfield-jackson airport. and seaworld is hoping to make a big splash by going public. the company is hoping to pay down debt with its ipo. at $500 million. no word yet on a stock price or investing in shamu. where do you get the best bang for your buck in hollywood, according to "forbes," natalie portman brings in $43 for every dollar the studio spends on her. close behind, kristen stewart who averages $40.

shia labeouf came in at $35, followed by pattinson at 30. and daniel radcliffe, $30 for every dollar earned. a sandy hook scam artist is busted. a buy-back program that rocket launchers, too. and tim tebow gets shoved aside again. plus, police are on the lookout for the crooks over $30 including four guns. and we are looking at the chance of more snow in the northeast. this weekend. i'll have your forecast coming up. you're watching "early today."

welcome back. here are some stories making news across america. we begin with a christmas morning raid on a new mexico walmart where thieves stole over $30,000 worth of merchandise. the smash and grab heist inside the empty store admitted cash, jewelry and four rifles, all while a security guard patrolled outside. next, to connecticut where a scam artist faces charges for a disturbing crime. noel alba alleged closed as the aunt of noah pozner. the buy-back wave recently

hit los angeles. police collected over 5,000 firearms including a rocket launcher photographed by the "l.a. times." bridgeport, connecticut will hold their second buyback program, just 90 miles from newtown. in utah, many flocked to a gun control attendance. in utah one of the few states that permits licensed weapons in schools without exception. and finally, a kentucky state trooper initially had no clue how 22 horse it's turned up in his front yard christmas night. he learned it wasn't the work of santa but instead said the owners came forward and said the horses escaped after a storm hit their home. now to sports, new mexico upset number eight cincinnati. the narrow jumper 55-54 victory.

in the nba, overtime, oklahoma city's russell westbrook gave the thunder the lead as they beat dallas 111-105. and dwyane wade was suspended after an incident in which he hit sessions with a knee to the groin. and tim tebow upset about going back to mark sanchez to start the last game of the season. and now to a few college goal games. mirrors the military bowl, 24th ranked san jose state took lead and the spartans went on to a 29-20 win over bowling green. and the holiday bowl -- i can't read this one. dylan, can you take it away? >> too hard, huh? listen, i went to rutgers, i'm not even used to going to a bowl game, i know how you feel. in the holiday bowl, baylor

jumped tout an early lead over ucla as they scored on the ground and in the air. and the bears crushed, sorry, crushed the bruins 49-26. >> there's always next year. thanks for your help on that. just ahead, the most pirated movies of 2012. the late larry hagman and a new reality show. plus, one lucky dog and his handler have something to be thankful for this holiday season. "early today" returns in just a moment.

good morning and welcome back. we still have all of that cold air, the single difgits, the teens, the 20s. east coast still chilly. boston at 29. new york city at 30 degrees. with all that moisture, it could be icy. with that wind it feels like the teens in most areas. it is going to be dry across the northeast today. you see all that rain that we see in new orleans, and basically the entire gulf coast area. that is all going to move up to the northeast for saturday. and it looks like a few inches of snow possible in the northeast on saturday and top of what wee picked up recently. in entertainment news, the most pirated movie of 2012 is probably one you haven't even seen. high school party film "project x" was illegally yon loaded. runners up include mission impossible and ghost rises.

and the wife of late dick clark dedicated the ball on new york eve thursday. academy awards voting is online for the first time and academy members are reportedly having trouble casting their ballots. a spokesman for the 85-year-old academy say issues are coming up because members keep forgetting their passwords. american soul singer fontella bass has died at the age of 82. and larry hagman will appear posthumously on a show called "i get that a lot." hagman will be playing a costco worker handing out free samples. i had seen promotions for the show. i always feel, would i know if something were going phone a celebrity were serving me at costco. >> i see that, and i think, no,

they can't be. >> it should be fun to watch. and this comes to us from wdiv in detroit, michigan. nearby browns township, a good samaritan risks his life to save a stranded dog. the brave man leaps into action when he sees the dog stuck in lake erie. his rescue floundered when he was not able to rescue the dog. thank goodness rescuers were able to get a boat and get to the dog and the human. >> especially when a human is sitting in the frigid cold water to save the dog. >> i'm mara schiavocampo and this is "early today." just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station.

>> you're watching wbal-tv 11. live, local, late-breaking. this is 11 news today at 5:00 a.m. >> the wind is calming down as high pressure builds into the area. we are watching our next approaching storm system. that is going to be moving back into the mid-atlantic and could come as some snow. we will talk about accumulation coming up. >> 4:56. the countdown to the cliff showdown continues.

>> just four days left to avoid the fiscal cliff. >> possible port strike could paralyze the eastern seaboard. >> we are checking on your morning commute. we do have a problem in annapolis. w=!n

[captioning made possible by constellation energy group] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> you're watching wbal-tv 11. live, local, late-breaking. this is 11 news today at 5:00 a.m. >> good morning. >> thanks for joining us for 11 news today. it is purple friday. but first the weather. >> we are watching another chance for snow on