making news in america this morning -- winner, winner, chicken dinner. more than one lucky ticketholder will make home the near record mega millions jackpot. new details on where they were sold. deadly crash. a plane goes one in a neighborhood, while residents look on. >> it looked like it was headed straight towards my house. >> how the pilot's actions

likely saved a lot more people on the ground. high drama. a worker perched on the end of a construction crane with raging fire behind him. the harrowing rescue, all caught on camera. also this morning, immaculate reception. a security agent is in the right place at exactly the right time. and good wednesday morning, everybody. i'm rob nelson, in, today, for john muller. >> i'm diana perez. we have some winners to tell you about. two tickets matched all of the numbers in the massive mega millions jackpot. >> less than an hour after that big drawing, lottery officials in california confirmed that a ticket was sold in that state, in the city of san jose. then, news broke that at another store, this one in atlanta, georgia, also sold a winning ticket. >> the winners will share a near-record $636 million. abc's tahman bradley has all of

the details. >> reporter: the people who hold mega millions tickets with these numbers -- >> 8, 20, 14, 17, 39 and the megaball, 7. >> reporter: are about to get the best christmas gift ever. overnight, lottery officials confirmed that winning tickets were sold in atlanta, georgia, and san jose, california. >> hopefully somebody will be rich. >> reporter: oh,, they willbe. the jackpot, more than $636 million. the second-biggest in lottery history. the odds were about 1 in 259 million. but that didn't stop the frenzy. in 43 states, the district of columbia, and the virgin islands, americans dreamed big. >> i feel that i'm going to win. >> i bought a new lamborghini. >> going to buy an island. >> reporter: on tuesday morning, 30 million tickets an hour during peek times. >> could be my lucky day.

>> what do i have to lose? it's a dollar. so, i took a chance. >> reporter: the jackpot swelled past $500 million after 21-straight drawings failed to produce a winner. this morning, there's at least two new multimillionaires. 20 ticketholders won $1 million. there's good news for all of the people who didn't win. the mega millions jackpot resets to $15 million for the next drawing on friday. tahman bradley, abc news, washington. >> my ticket was not lucky. yours was not, either. >> i'm here. >> right. >> i would have been long gone. our thanks to tahman there. it seems someone working on the mega millions website was a little quick when it came to posting the next jackpot. >> briefly overnight, the lottery's website indicated no winners. and that friday's jackpot would be worth an astonishing $950 million. we of course know that is not the case. another big story from georgia this morning. investigators will be on the

scene of a deadly plane crash in northwest atlanta. both people onboard were killed when the aircraft went down just after takeoff. terrified residents watched as the plane came straight towards their homes. but they credit the pilot for making a sudden right turn into the woods. >> looks like it was headed straight towards my house. i thought for sure, he hit a neighbor's house. and he -- he did it on purpose. i mean, he banked it on purpose so he wouldn't hit any houses. >> they ran toward the plane, hoping for survivors. but explosions were intense -- with intense fire kept them away. the aircraft was registered to an atlanta area business. nevada police say they simply don't know why a gunman opened fire inside a hospital in reno. one person was killed and two others critically wounded before the shooter turned the gun on himself. investigators say they don't think the victims were chosen at random. a doctor was one of the two people who were hurt. subfreezing temperatures are a big concern across the midwest and the northeast.

icy roadways here in new york, last night, led to this 30-car pileup in brooklyn. drivers described the expressway as a sheet of ice as they lost control and plowed into the car ahead of them. >> there were no serious injuries. but traffic was snarled for hours. and parts of the expressway were closed because of black ice. further north, in boston, massachusetts, a few inches of snow made the trip home a nightmare. the city of boston put 400 pieces of equipment on the roads to get them clear. matters were made worse because blustery winds that were blowing all that snow around. and that impacted visibility on the roads. there is no more snow in the northeast for now anyway. but there could be a little towards the great lakes. the south will be dry. but not the west coast, where there's a storm moving in. >> teens and 20s in new england and upstate new york, and the northern plains, as well. the gulf coast will see 60s and 70s today. and 70s and 80s across southern california and southern arizona. sounds nice.

fire crews are reporting some progress in their fight against a wildfire in california's picturesque big sur area. the flames have scorched just over a square-mile and have destroyed more than 20 buildings, most of them homes. one of the homes that was lost was owned by big sur's fire chief. she stood by helplessly as the fire was just getting started. >> when i walked out the front door, the embers and ashes were coming by my front door. to stand there and watch your home burn is not what you want to do. >> the extremely dry conditions and rugged terrain make fighting the fire all the more difficult. they have the fire about 20% contained right now. another developing story on this wednesday morning. the u.s. military is looking into the deadly crash of a blackhawk helicopter in afghanistan. it went down yesterday, killing six americans. the military says there was no enemy activity in the area at the time of the crash. the troops onboard may have been attacked after the chopper went down. it's unclear if any casualties

were the result of enemy fire. in civil war-torn syria, people in aleppo are overwhelmed with casualties. more than 100 people have been killed. dozens of them, children. president bashar al assad's forces may be trying to destroy the opposition before a peace conference can begin. and that's next month. there's some emergency repairs scheduled for the international space station. the two american astronauts will try to fix the station's cooling system in spacewalks that have been set for saturday, monday and even christmas day itself. with only half the cooling system now functioning, the six-person crew has shut down all nonessential functions. still ahead, a blockbuster drug deal will create a cheaper version of a very popular pill. and weapons at the airport. exclusive details released to abc news about the staggering number of guns confiscated by the tsa. plus, a remarkable story of

survival involving a blind man, his guide dog and good samaritans on a subway station.

and welcome back, everybody. well, today would be a very good day to order online. it is free shipping day. hundreds of retailers are taking part. they're also guarantee deliver by christmas eve. that's good. many brick and mortar stores have extended hours, starting today. it's been a record year for those folks shopping online. >> business is doing all of his

shopping today. >> really? online? >> no. at the store. >> oh, he's brave. >> extended hours, that's what he needs. all eyes on wall street will be on the federal reserve today. the central bank may announce to continue propping up the economy and holding down interest rates. with uncertainty, investors were reluctant to make big beds. generic viagra will go on sale sooner than expected. all right. a federal lawsuit, pfizer, the company that developed viagra, is allowing an israel drugmaker to sell its version in four years. other companies will have to wait, though. viagra sales, get this, total more than $2 billion last year. sales definitely not limp. wendy's first restaurant with new features is open right across the street from corporate headquarters. it looks forward with its digital menu boards, a wi-fi bar and flat-screen tvs to boot.

and it looks back at the burger chain's 44-year history. and its founder, the iconic dave thomas. while we're waiting to hear who is going to share last night's megamillions jackpot, much more than that goes unclaimed every, single year. >> how people don't get their money, i'll never understand. officials say, get this, about 800 million bucks in winnings are not collected. not collected, every year. often it's because players hear they didn't win the jackpot and they don't realize they won lesser prizes, though. some of the lesser prizes can be worth up to $1 million. not a bad deal. >> not bad at all. you're not a millionaire. but if you invest right, you could be one day. >> exactly. that will buy you a lot of viagra. >> certainly true. when we come back, a harvard student under arrest. accused of calling in a bomb threat. the possible motive had people talking online overnight. and a security guard is at the right place when a baby takes a tumble.

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>> not so subtle message from our country to russia. that's for sure. and time for sports news. a wild finish in cleveland, between the cavaliers and the trail blazers. plus, a controversial call during a college basketball game. here's neil and stan and espn news. >> welcome to our "sportscenter" studios. >> hi. >> got right there. >> let's get to the highlights. >> there's two, young guys with nice heads of hair. portland, the best record in the league, at cleveland. match-up of two of the great, young point guards. kyrie irving, finds anderson varejao. cold-blooded, damian lillard. big sky, hello. portland is going to win it. 36 points, 8 rebounds, 10 assists for lillard. portland, 119-116. here's an interesting ending.

south florida, florida gulf coast. 0.3 seconds left in double-overtime. the guy guarding him is 7'3". but he manages to do that and he connects with a teammate all the way down the court, who throws it up and in. wait a minute. he clearly released the ball before the backboard lights up. it looks like it's good. but there's a problem. you see, the rule book says there has to be at least 0.4 seconds remaining for a catchch and shoot play you can tip it in with 0.3. but officials rule that's not a tip-in. that's catch and shoot. florida hangs on to win, 68-66. i've heard of that rule. but i've never seen it work that way. you'll be okay. >> i need hair. >> rogaine. >> i like those two. that was a bad call in that game. oh, man. >> okay.

you're good, too. it's a big morning at abc news, with special coverage of this morning coming up from the vatican. >> one big reason, pope francis proved to be the people's pope as he chose to celebrate his 77th birthday with three homeless men on the streets of rome. they went to mass together and had breakfast. >> this pope is something different and special. and later on "good morning america," robin roberts and josh elliott will broadcast live from st. peter's square. they'll join thousands of folks attending the general audiences, as millions of catholics, worldwide, prepare for christmas next week. >> and we'd like to know what you're thankful for this christmas. so, tweet us and let us know, using the hash tag grateful. "the pulse." breaking hearts across the globe. the biebs makes an unexpected announcement about his future. i'm all choked up. and spreading christmas cheer. a kind gesture by a football team is a must-see "play of the these day iving with a higher risk of stroke

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safe to say, we have way too much fun. >> the real show's during the commercials. here's "the pulse," this morning. we're going to start with a life-saving dog here in the big apple. >> it starts with 61 steele williams. as he falls on the track of the subway station. his black lab was barking and getting everyone's attention. witnesses say it happened so fast, there was no time to prevent williams' fall. >> i saw a man, wobbling. he was too close to the edge. i tried to get forward. the dog was pulling him to come forward. and it was too late. he rocked forward and went backwards into the track. >> a train rolled over them at very slow speed. but williams and orlando survived by laying in a trench between the rails.

what an incredibly smart dog to know to do that. next up this morning, justin bieber, your favorite. he is getting a lot of attention online overnight, because of something he said on the radio last night in l.a. >> the 19-year-old superstar shocked his legions of fans, insisting this new album, "complete my journal" will be his last. >> what's up with the new album. give me names and dates? >> the new album, i'm actually retiring, man. >> no. >> i'm retiring. yeah. >> don't get too crazy here just yet, folks. bieber's camp is already suggesting that it was all a joke. a publicity stunt. i'm shocked. >> uh-huh. hollywood is once again turning to '60s tv for new ideas. warner brothers is getting ready to bring "gilligan's island" to

the big screen. >> there's no release date yet for the new film. love that show. good to see it coming back. and our "play of the day" happened at a children's hospital where indianapolis colts players and cheerleaders, serenaded young patients with christmas carols. they also included gifts, unclooding a signed poster for each room. >> it's an annual tradition for the colts. [ 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?

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but for everything we do, we know you do so much more. tylenol cold®. so you think santa will like these... red and green m&m's? i don't know! i never met the guy! whaaaaa! he does exist! they do exist! uhm... santa? checking our top stories -- two winning ticket will be -- will split that mega millions jackpot of at least $363 million. one ticket was sold in san jose, california. the other at a newsstand in atlanta. two people are dead in a crash of a small plane in northwest atlanta. the pilot made a last-second maneuver that kept the doomed plane from hitting houses. investigators are searching for a motive at a shooting at a

reno, nevada, hospital. a quick look at weather now. very cold in new england, across to the northern plains. also snow flurries in the great lakes. and warm and dry along the gulf coast. finally this morning, after mentioning those winning tickets in the mega millions lottery, the waiting game is officially under way. >> where it gets interesting here. who is it? we are awaiting word on the actual winners here. and for friday's jackpot, now, a mere $15 million. abc's linsey davis takes a look at mega millions mania. >> reporter: from florida. to texas. >> i hope i become the winner. the next millionaire. >> reporter: to illinois. >> all it takes is one ticket. and your lucky day. >> reporter: to california. >> a dollar says a lot, right? >> reporter: to new jersey. >> i hope for luck. >> reporter: sea to shining sea, mega millions has united the country in a mad scramble for tickets. everyone hoping for a christmas

miracle. >> we're trying. we got $120. >> reporter: half a million tickets were being sold per minute. driving the prize to at least $636 million. what could all that money buy? an nba team? even the world champion miami heat. or a hawaiian island, like the one bought by oracle ceo, larry ellison. or a trip into space, on the soyuz rocket, with ten of your closest friends. familiarly, the odds are astronomical. 1 in 258 million. you'd be more likely to be hit by an asteroid. still, people keep buying because, after all, eventually, somebody's bound to win. just ask retired police officer, steven ontel, who has betten the odds before. ontel has won three times. a surprising 70% of people will receive a windfall like the lottery, end up losing it within a few years. a chicago man who won $1 million