eyeing the exits and reports that it could cause a massive political slit. paul ryan could be on his way out by had this time next year. >> so shaky grounds. the republicans scramble to lockup votes for the tax plan, as senators in their own party are threatening to derail the bill. and am am-- and omarosa speaks . >> when i can tell my story, it a pro found story that i know the world will want to hear. >> plus, new allegations surfacing against some of the most powerful men in media. >> "star wars" mania spreading.

and how a young actress is getting to play the role of a lifetime in more ways than one. >> with you on a friday morning. this morning, reports are swirling, house speaker may soon leave his job. with political claiming, they are seeing his "journey coming to an end," as he engineers his legislative dream. that dream, tax reform. let's jump in to the $1.25 trillion tax plan. with them hitting more than a few snags as the last minute behind the scenes deal making is going on. we are learning that some last minute republican hold-outs could complicate matters. for more, we good to tracy potts who is in washington, how are you? >> you saw him there, florida's marco rubio may not be backing his party's bill. he said that he wants more of the child tax credit refundable to low income families if they

cannot work it out, he may be a no-vote, listen. >> unless they figure out a way to increase the refundable part, higher than $1100. the way they figured out a way to give corporations an extra year of cuts and they lower the top rate of a family making a million. unless they can figure out a way to add to the 1100 figure, i will not support the bill. >> utah's mike lee is standing with him on that one. he is said to be up decided and bob corker of tennessee has concerns about the deficit and there's two lawmakers, john mccain and mississippi cochran, that makes five republicans up in the air about whether they will be here or support the tax plan. the republican party can only afford to lose two. meantime, that political report that you were just talking about, with paul ryan saying

that he may be out as house speaker next year. that his jaurny may -- that his journey may be coming to an end after he hopes what is the big achievement on tax reform. and asked about it, ryan said that, no confirmation, it's pure speculation. philip in. >> all right, a lot of variables and a lot of movieing parts. >> the real life drama, playing out, questions are running rampant around the former star omarosa knewman, she is saying she voluntarily left her position and was not fired. she is commenting on inner white house scenes that left her uncomfortable. we have that and more. >> president trump bidding farewell to omarosa, who was tasked with out-reach to the

black community. a former reality tv star, she is stirring up a real life drama, announcing her intention for a tell-all. >> i have seen things that made me uncomfortable. that have upset me, that have affected me deeply, and emotionally and affected my community and my people. and when i can tell my story, it a pro found story that i know the world will want to hear. >> one of her problems, the -- >> i think there's blame on both sides. >> she is no stranger to controversy of her own. >> every critic and detract for will have to bow down to president trump. >> omarosa pushed back against reports that she is fired. >> i resigned, john kelly and i sat down in the situation room, which is a secure and quiet room in the white house, we had a

candidate conversation. >> omarosa is one of only three black officials of president's trump's three cabinet members and senior staffers. her departure raising questions at all levels. >> we have a diverse team across the board at the white house. i don't have a number directly in front of me specifically not african-americans. >> there needs to be somebody of color at the table talking with the president and helping the president understand the needs of the african-american community. >> a source close to the white house said that omarosa was escorted off the grounds after trying to appeal her firing and trying to enter the residence. that she said is 100% false. the secret service said they were not involved in removing her but deactive her high level security a pass. >> authorities confirmed a firefighter died while battling the thomas fire flames as it continues to blaze.

we have the report on the wild fire that is headed in to the 11th day and has grown to be one of the largest in the state's history. >> northwest of los angeles, the thomas fire continues to ravage the mountains. the blaze, has now claimed the life of a veteran firefighter. >> cory iverson lost his life while fighting the thomas fire. he is survived by his wife, ashley, his 2-year-old daughter, evie cory and ashley are expecting a second daughter this spring. >> reporter: the circumstances were not immediately available. flags flew at half-staff and firefighters stood at attention as a pro session carried him to the coroner's office, he was a cal fire unit in san diego, the captain knew him well. >> it's a reminder of the danger that we face here. >> the fire began december 4th.

fed by the conditions of to santa anna winds. it drois a quarter of a million acres: firefighters have made progress against the fire, more than a third of it is contained. and the flames are still a threat to many more homes. nbc news. >> the way you access the internet can change as net neutrality rules were scrapped. critics say the roll-back could give the nation's largest internet providers, like verizon and comcast, the ability to charge for faster service or charge consumers more for certain websites. but the fcc chair said that the fears are unfounded and the move will simply revert the internet

to the way it was before 2015. >> everyone in the internet economy is better with a market based approach. before 2015, we had a free and open internet where small companies were global giants. facebook, netflix, google. >> the roll back is facing problems, as a lawsuit is filed to keep the net neutrality rules in place. >> scientists, including stephen hawking thought this cigar shipped astroid could be a alien spacecraft. >> so far, scientists say, that it was not evidence of a alien civilization. if there was evidence, it would have led our news cast.

>> who knows what it would look like. >> the weather though, i don't know how is it doing? are we getting a warm-up for the part that are frigid. >> so, right now, there's not a lot on the weather map out there, it cold throughout the great lakes and the northeast, a bit of snow coming down in the areas of the portions of the great lakes. later we will have a storm moving forward the mid atlantic region. by 3:00, and 5:00. it's over new york city and by evening it's exiting the new england. it could be slippery in the evening commute. just enough snow to make it di analyzes of sexual

misconduct against powerful men in the world of media.

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suspended after he was publically accused of sexual assault. >> he claims that pbs over reacted when it suspended the show after they said there was troubling allegations of sexual misconduct. >> new accusations surfaced about matt lauer. >> on instagram russell simmons was defiant, saying i begin to properly defend myself today. in reports in the l.a. times and new york times, nine more accusers accused him of misconduct, from vulgar language to assault and nine instances of rape. i shut my eyes and waited for it to end, adding simmons said don't fight me.

simmons stepped back from running his business empire after two other women accused him of rape. he is denying the allegations, vowing to share evidence of his innocence. and to contrast the popular #me too, writing #not me. >> it's clear that it's gone too far and i for one, intend to fight back. >> tavis smiley on offense, after they suspended distribution of his show following an investigation. variety reports, witnesses interviewed that they were concerned that their employment status was tied to their relationship status with smiley. >> smiley saying if having consensual relationship with a colleague years ago is the stuff that leads to this kind of of public hu mill consideration and personal destruction, heavy help us. >> we don't want to find that the real offenders here, the really assaulters and rapists

are blurring in to these other guys. >> before she was in the military, she was a production assistant at the today show. when she was about to leave nbc, lauer started to send her messages and invited her to his dressing room, it was a consensual encounter, she was 24 and he was one of the most powerful men in the company. even though it was consensual, i felt like a victim because of the power conflict. he has been fired for inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. >> still ahead, the season for giving to yourself, the rising trend this holiday season, and star wars mania sweeps the globe. you are watching "early today." for 100 years,

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♪ in today's quick hits, "star wars," mania is spreading as "the last jedi" he ones at theater. it's expected to take in 45 million dollars globally. it's the season for giving and people are spreading the joy of giving to themgselves. 24% of those 18-22 self give and 27% of those 23-40 do the same. >> and the white house has released the trump family's

first official christmas portrait with the first couple in black tie attire, the vice president, mike pence and his wife released their official photo. >> the white house is confirming that the president spoke with vladimir putin by phone. putin praised president trump, and was confronted by the woman taking him on in next year's election. >> reporter: president putin, praising president trump's leadership. pointing to wall street gains. calling the russian election medaling investigation spy hysteria and coming face to face with the woman that wants to replace him. once called russia's paris hilton. now putin's unlikely election opponent. >> even in the fake system, there are people who are ready to fight. there are people who are not afraid. >> but the detractors say she is

running with putin's blessing to make it look legitimate. her father, one of putin's mentors. you can see why people are suspicious. >> they can say and will say what ever they like. i think they should judge actions. >> and this man said if he is banned from running, people should not vote, and she disagrees. >> my goal is to not come with a gun and kill putin, my goal is to come and say, that there are millions people who are against the way he rules the country. and that these should be chan d changed. >> just ahead, jimmy fallon has president trump's take on the night before christmas, plus, why that ugly christmas sweater could bring you some little known benefits. you are watching "early today." for a quick and convenient clean, try swiffer wetjet. there's no heavy bucket, or mop to wring out,

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the most serious side effects are angioedema, low blood pressure, kidney problems, or high potassium in your blood. ♪ tomorrow, tomorrow... ♪ when can we do this again, grandpa? well, how about tomorrow? ask your doctor about entresto and help make tomorrow possible. ♪ twas the night before christmas in washington, d.c. and not a perish who is working and especially not me. when all of a sudden, there came a loud bing, bing, bong and i went outside to see what was wrong and there was a nicolas that started to say merry christmas to all and god bless the united states. >> that just made my friday. it made my week. cheers to the editors there. that was incredible. >> so good. in the president's own words. you don't have to wait until

your next holiday party to bust out of the tacky over the top tops and outfits like everyone wears like these, this is national ugly christmas sweater day. the holiday will encourage people to put on the ugliest seasonal wardrobe and share pictures online, and some companies are pledging to donate to charities if employees participate. alaska airlines offered early boarding on flights today for people wearing ugly holiday sweaters. it's become such a thing. they are cool. they are not ugly anymore. >> it used to be the throw-away, what could you get from grandma's closet. >> circa 82 and 83, and now it full on. >> and just ahead, we will tell you about the young star making history on a stage in a beloved classic holiday tale, you are watching "early today." see ya. -take care. ♪

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fraternity's future. today we expect to learn the results of a months' long grand jury investigation into the penn state fraternity culture that follows the death of a pledge. killing spree. two cousins say they are not guilty in a string of murders in bucks county that captured nationwide attention. last chance. time is running out today to sign up for health insurance under obamacare. good morning, this is "nbc10 news today" first look at 4. i'm rosemary connors. >> i'm dray clark. we have issued a first alert for this afternoon as we watch the approach of snow that could impact your ride home later today. let's get right to meteorologist bill henley with his first alert neighborhood forecast. the most accurate neighborhood

weather forecast. good morning, bill. good morning. dry this morning and cold. cold enough all day for snow. and in fact that's what we're going to see develop during the afternoon hours. wee not see any snow this morning. philadelphia, the pennsylvania suburbs, new jersey, and delaware will see snow begin early in the afternoon, until about 7:00, possibly 8:00 at the shore. the evening commute will likely be impacted with some slippery roads. light accumulating snow starts off in the early afternoon. one to three inches by the time this one wraps up during the evening hours. slippery roads and walkways are to be expected later today. right now, all you have to worry about is bundling up. it is cold outside and cloudy, too. clouds are here. no sign of any snow just yet. that changes this afternoon. this morning, you'll have to bundle up. 14 degrees in the suburbs. 25 in philadelphia. low 20s in delaware. teens for the lehigh valley. we'll see the temperatures come up. a high around freezing this afternoon.

that's cold enough for snow for all of philadelphia, the lehigh valley, delaware, too. the exception will be the shore where it will be a mix of some snow and raindrops, too. i'll break it down hour by hour, show you when the snow will pick up over your neighborhood when i'm back in ten minutes. first, katy zachry has your first alert traffic. good morning. to set things off, we have a car fire on 95 southbound near woodhaven road. as you see, it's been moved to the shoulder. there are emergency crews on the scene. traffic is able to get by around the center and left-hand lane. be aware that is slowing up your commute. i checked the drive time, and it's not affecting things too much as you make your way between woodhaven and going south toward center city, philadelphia, the vine street expressway. another early issue, a crash in lower pottsgrove at route 422 eastbound. then the ramp to get off to armand hammer boulevard. try to say that three times