i think what we are beginning to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice. >> pressure building around president trump surrounding the guilty plea of his former national security advisor michael flynn and the president's comments to james comey. >> today president tru will fly to utah where he will face stiff opposition over a decision to shrink federally protected lands of two national monuments. >> a bombshell in the world of classical music. allegations of sexual misconduct against a superstar conductor who spent most of his career with new york's metropolitan opera. >> behind the scenes training for the last jedi. "early today" starts right now. good to be with you on a monday morning. i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip mena. this morning we lead off with

president trump and the russia investigation. the commander in chief spending the weekend with eyes fixed on the russia probe after his former national security advisor michael flynn pled guilty to lying to the fbi. >> flynn is now cooperating with special counsel mueller's investigation leading the president to seemingly rewrite the narrative of why flynn was fired in the first place. the president tweeted, i had to fire general flynn because he lied to the vice-president and the fbi. he has pled guilty to those lies. it's a shame because his actions during the transition were lawful. there was nothing to hide. well, that seems to suggest the president knew flynn lied to the fbi when he asked then fbi director james comey to drop the flynn investigation. for more we go to nbc's tracie potts in washington. tracie, good morning. >> reporter: hi there, frances, good morning. the president's personal lawyer john dowd says he wrote that tweet but doesn't have an e-mail or any evidence to prove it because he says he dictated the tweet to the white house social director, and that's how it ended upcoming out. meantime the president tweeting

over the weekend a number of things in defense on this russia investigation including saying that he never asked the former fbi director james comey to stop investigating mike flynn, the national security advisor. in other words, the president saying that he never asked comey to back off that investigation, and that is a key issue here. keep in mind back in march, the president tweeted, mike flynn should ask for immunity. of course, we now know that mike flynn, which the president called this whole thing a witch hunt during that tweet in march, now we know that mike flynn has pleaded guilty to this one count of lying to the fbi. lots of people wondering if there may be more behind that. meantime, the president is stepping back from offering flynn, once his confidant, his support. but a senior democrat says this may be leading to an obstruction of justice investigation here in congress. >> i think what we are beginning

to see is the putting together of a case of obstruction of justice. i think we see this in the indictments, the four indictments and pleas that have just taken place, and some of the comments that are being made. i see it most importantly in what happened with the firing of director comey, and it is my belief that that is directly because he did not agree to lift the cloud of the russia investigation. that's obstruction of justice. >> reporter: four people connected to the trump campaign now charged with lawmakers here on capitol hill, fran sense, wondering what's next. >> tracie, thank you. >> with the investigation getting closer to the oval office, the president who plied prided himself on being the law and order president is taking on the law agency. writing the fbi, its reputation is in tatte are, s, worst in

history. we will bring it back to greatness. others say mr. trump is trying to dee legitimatize the probe by attacking the very agents pursuing it. former a.g. eric holder saying you'll find intiger receipt and honesty at fbi headquarters and not at 1600 pen avenue right now. the fbi is in tatters? no, the only thing in tatters is the president. after he sent potentially anti-trump text messages, the president pilloried the agency shortly after learning the news. >> this morning famed metropolitan opera james le vine is off the job after the world reknowned the organization suspended the relationship with the long-time conductor pending an investigation of sexual misconduct against him. the met writing in part, based on these new news report, the met has made the decision to act now following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct

by mr. lavine that took place from the 1960s to the 1980s. including the earlier part of his conducting career at the met. and while mr. lavine is denying the allegations laid against him, we are learning there were claims the met knew of for over a year. nbc's morgan radford has more for us this morning. >> reporter: he is one of the world's most famous conductors. 74-year-old james lavine who led new york's iconic metropolitan opera for more than four decades, now accused of sexual misconduct. on saturday, the country's largest opera house announced it is investigating details from a 2016 illinois police report revealing allegations that lavine abused a teenaged boy. in an anonymous interview with "the new york times," the accuser said the abuse began in 1985 at a summer music festival and continued for years. >> was the metropolitan opera invested in protecting him? that is the question now being investigated. they have known about these allegations for at least a year and are only investigating them

now that they have gone public. >> reporter: in a statement to nbc news, the met's general manager said they found out about the allegations last year. mr. lavine said that the charges were completely false and we relied upon the further investigation of the police. we need to determine if these charges are true, and if they are, take appropriate action. the met's former press representative johanna feedler acknowledging in a book rumors of sexual abuse circulated in the 1970s. his the first high profile claim to rock the classical music scene since a wave of accusations has toppled other famous faces. for media mogul harvey weinstein to cbss harvey rose and nbc's matt lauer. >> the culture of wanting to keep things quiet or not coming forward is not conducive to airing this kind of thing. >> reporter: now a moment of

reflection and reckoning. morgan radford, nbc news, new york. >> a merger between health care giants is moving markets this morning. cvs will buy aetna for about $69 billion. the megadeal is one of the biggest of the year and the move could shake up the health care industry with cvs poised to provide a broad range of health services to aetna's 22 million pharmacy members. leaving competition scrambling. >> the senior palestinian official warning the trump administration to tread carefully. that official says recognizing jerusalem as israel' capital won't promote international anarchy, disrespect global law and sew ethnic conflict. president trump is set to announce policy decisions on the status of jerusalem any day now. and the president may follow through on his promise to move the u.s. embassy from tel aviv to jerusalem while simultaneously declaring jerusalem the capital of israel. that has the palestinian side warning about the potential for violence. and now we are hearing from the man the president tasked with

leading mid east efforts, his son-in-law jared kushner. and here's what he said about an impending decision. >> all the reporters have already called saying they have inside sources that know what the decision is. but what i'm saying say is that the president is going to make his decision -- >> he hasn't made his decision? >> he's still looking at a lot of different facts and when he makes his decision, he'll be the one to want to tell you, not me. >> u.s. officials now confirm american diplomatic posts in the region have been warned about possible unrest in the days ahead. >> alec baldwin's cold open as president trump on saturday night live is number one on youtube's trending videos list. the christmas carol spoof he's visited by the ghost of michael flynn one day after he pleaded guilty to lying to the fbi. >> you've come to get me, i knew it, it's the muslim stuff, no. >> no. >> it's for calling mexicans rainists? >> no. >> pocahontas? >> no. >> making fun of the handicap

reporter like this? >> no, sir! i'm not here for any of that. >> who are you, jacob marly? you have a lot of chains on. >> no, i'm michael flynn, the ghost of witness flipped. mr. president, i came to warn you, it's time for you to come clean for the good of the country. the what,ed good -- >> the good of the country. >> the goo be da come-come? >> so good. >> let's get a check of the weather with bill karins. >> winter, we haven't talked a lot about snow forecast, even blizzard warnings up this morning. it's just starting to break out of rip i had city, we've had snow over need in areas of wyoming. a little around salt lake city. the forecast shows the higher totals in fargo, minnesota, south dakota. it's only 2 to 4 inches. it's going to be windy, too. that's why we have blizzard warnings for this afternoon and this evening. we'll get rain the next couple days from the northeast right

down to the ohio valley. we'll get rain for the etúxioxekfll@@ @s s@a@y@ú  reach for that

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ha ha, derek. downy and it's done. british police have just released dramatic dashcam video from earlier this year showing a speeding semi truck crashing into cars on a highway in england. the 47-year-old driver fella sleep at the wheel and slammed into two stationary cars at 43 miles per hour sending them spinning across the highway. we see that there. both drivers in the cars were treated for nonlife-threatening injuries and the semi truck driver has been jailed for 16 months. >> terrifying to see that video. amazing they didn't get hurt any more. leading the news this morning, they celebrated the 40th kennedy center honors. gloria stephane, norman lear, l.l. cool jay, carmen and lionel richie were honored.

some notable absences, president trump and the first lady melania became the first presidential couple to skip the gala. the white house said they wanted to avoid any political distraction. >> florida teenage girl who went miss ing with her high school soccer coach has been found safe. 17-year-old caitlyn f risin i returned home to her family saturday after police found her with her 27-year-old coach over a thousand miles way in syracuse, new york. the teen had gone missing to air week after allegedly sneaking out of her home and running off with the coach. he is now under arrest and has a court appearance today. nbc's mia rodery guess has more. >> reporter: back home after a week on the run, 17-year-old caitlyn f risin i and her parents returning to florida after the teenager disa peert last saturday night with 27-year-old ryan rodriguez who had been a soccer coach at her school. the family not answering questions, but in a statement saying they were tired and worn

out. in syracuse new york, friday, a trooper spotted caitlyn and rodriguez, taking the soccer coach into custody. the family had an emotional reunion. >> we are so thankful to have her back. >> it's been difficult. i'm glad to have my daughter back where i know i can protect her and keep her safe as a father always wants to do. >> reporter: newly released documents reveal when caitlyn's family reveal she was missing a friend of hers told caitlyn's mom the teen had been in a relationship with a 27-year-old. caitlyn said rodriguez wanted to leave the country. the friend adding caitlyn said she was scared and didn't know what to do. caitlyn's father later using her phone to find splus it snapchat messages between her and rodriguez. the document also citing a school resource officer's august investigation into a rumor that the two were in a relationship. the officer at the time concluding it was not true. >> our work does not stop. there is a lot of investigative things that will still continue

on. >> reporter: ryan rodriguez was arrested and charged as a fugitive of justice in new york. >> do you have any comment? >> do you have any comment? >> reporter: facing an additional felony charge interference with child custody in florida. as caitlyn returns to the life she left behind. mia rodriguez, nbc news. >> there is a growing trend spreading across the u.s. we seem to be coming a cashless society but is that really a good thing? you're watching "early today." he came to st. jude children's research hospital where we developed a new treatment that reduces chemotherapy. and because we freely share our discoveries, we're giving kids like nolan everywhere a chance to beat cancer... and live healthy adult lives. story, done. story, just beginning. give thanks for the healthy kids in your life. visit stjude.org or shop where you see the st. jude logo. you're so cold, come in! what's wrong? it's dry... your scalp? mine gets dry in the winter too.

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> we've heard the mantra before, cash is king. and while that may be true for certain parts of the country, in others it's far from it. as a cashless society where credit cards and mobile payments reign supreme comes closer and closer. >> still while some are celebrating the technology they are finding millions more being left in the dark. nbc's jo ling kent has more. >> reporter: when she gets ready to go in the morning, cash is not in the equation. >> i think the last time i went to an atm was two years ago. >> reporter: she streamlined her wallet to credit cards only. cash she feels is inconvenient and dangerous. >> there's a lot of times i think if i had a lot of carbon me i'd be a little anxious. >> reporter: while cash is still the number one method of payment between 2000 and 2015, noncash payments in the u.s. grew by almost 400%. >> 338 for you. >> reporter: i haven't really

needed cash. it's either my credit card or if i'm out with friends i'll use vin mail. >> reporter: it now processes $2 billion a month. this year apple added similar payment capabilities in i-message. these free services are so popular 30 major banks recently launched a competing product called zelle. it has been a big boom for businesses like the restaurant sunday in brooklyn. >> the transaction at the table is quicker. guests are looking for the cleaner, safer, easier transaction and having a wad of cash in your pocket just isn't convenient. >> reporter: but 7% of americans do not have access to banking or credit cards. that adds up to 9 million households that operate with cash only. >> when a business says we will not be accepting cash here, it also is saying we will not be accepting people who don't have smartphones here, who can't afford them, and people who don't have bank accounts here. you need a line of credit. you need some technology to be

able to live in a cashless society, and that leaves out a large portion of our population. >> reporter: the brooklyn restaurant says it will not discriminate. >> if it did become a concern, i think we would pivot and figure out a solution. maybe take it for select people. >> reporter: cashing in on convenience while accepting the cost of change. jo ling kent, nbc news, san francisco. >> 11 days and counting until the next "star wars" movie debuts, but did you ever wonder what it took to become a real jedi knight? we'll show you what we come back. -- when we come back. time to open the laptop... ...and compare medicare health plans. why? because plans change, so can your health needs. so, be open-minded. look at everything-like prescription drug plans... and medicare advantage plans from private insurers. use the tools at medicare.gov. or call 1-800-medicare. open to something better? start today. ♪ i'm and i'm an emt.erer

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streak snap. the eagles lose their first game in nearly three months. why fans say they're not worrying, and the mistakes players say cost them the game. betting on the court. the battle to allow sports gambling heads to the supreme court, and new jersey is heading the way. the impacts the decision could have. the supermoon lights up the night sky and has people looking up. moon shadows this morning -- >> i think that's what distracted the eagles. something. >> we'll get to that. good morning, this is "nbc10 news today" first look at 4. i'm tracy davidson. >> i'm via sikahema. let's get right to meteorologist bill henley with the most accurate neighborhood weather forecast. tracking some fog? >> yes. you noticed.

this is easton, not everybody is seeing fog like this. stand by, it's still thickening up this morning. as temperatures come down, frosty outside. the fog is thickest in the lehigh valley and berks county. reading, allentown, zero. zero visibility. decreasing visibility. mt. holly, trenton, bluebell. a foggy start and a cold one. temperatures in the 20s and 30s. lots of frost out there. 35 degrees now in philadelphia. 20s for the suburbs to new jersey and the lehigh valley. just a couple of degrees below freezing. delaware has dropped down into the 20s this morning. the fog is going to be slow to clear. not everybody will see the fog. we'll all enjoy sunshine this afternoon. that will warm us into the 50s for new jersey, the suburbs, and for philadelphia. up to 56 degrees in delaware. low 50s, fog gone by late morning in the lehigh valley. i'll break the forecast down hour by hour, show you how quickly the temperatures climb when i'm back in ten minutes. first, jessica boyington has

first alert traffic. thanks, bill. we're starting on the schuylkill expressway this morning. by the way, no construction here. all on the eastbound and westbound side, at least there's no closures moving through 30th street station area. before we had closures on the westbound side. so in between 30th or south street and headed to the vine street expressway. that's open. we're also watching the schuylkill at girard. both directions look good. pretty empty for the most part. roads are dry, too. watching 202. drive times still good. ten minutes both directions. speeds into the 60s. mass transit, everything on or close to schedule so far for the morning for amtrak, septa, new jersey transit, and patco. the winning streak ends in seattle. >> the eagles lose their first game since september under the bright lights of sunday night football on nbc10. the birds missed a few scoring chances. carson wentz overthrowing aguilar on that play there.