breaking news this morning on "world news now," the attorney general of the united states under fire for talking with the russian ambassador during the trump campaign and then denying any communication during his confirmation hearing. members of congress are now calling for sessions to resign, but overnight, sessions said the story is false. we're going to dig into this soon. >> and that deadly storm system that wrought deadly tornadoes continues its march efficient ever eastward with millions taking shelter as the high winds leave a trail of destruction. we'll tell you where it heads next. dumpster diving for your financial info. >> that's not what one man was trying to do, but when he went looking for something else, he found stacks of personal info instuding bank account numbers and

how could that happen? and oprah for president? the media mogul is asked once again about possibly running for the white house. she said one time, she thought she was unqualified but not anymore. what she's saying ahead in "the skinny." it is thursday, march 2nd. >> announcer: from abc news, this is "world news now." >> kind of think they've already started a political action committee for oprah. not yet. >> i think that a lot of people would say, they would welcome a president oprah winfrey. >> a lot of people would welcome it. i don't think she'll need a political action committee or go fund me because she will be able to fund it herself. >> she has other things she wants to fund. that's the thing. >> we will delve into the oprah 2020 prospects later on in "the skinny" but let's delve into the realities of the trump administration 2017. and the breaking news coming from attorney general jeff sessions to step down as we learn that he spoke twice with the russian ambassador to the u.s., all of this of course,

>> the justice department says the conversations took place in july and september during the height of russia's alleged hacking campaign aimed at what they call influencing the presidential race but sessions had flatly denied it during his confirmation hearing. abc's serena marshall has more. soar reen serena, good morning. >> good morning. that's the big question here. that flat denial during his hearing. the justice department is saying there was nothing misleading about jeff sessions' testimony. sessions met with russian ambassador sergei kislyak both privately and in a group setting. the justice department says sessions meetings were in his capacity as a member of the senate armed services committee. sessions wa as a top adviser to president trump during the campaign and as attorney general. he's now overseeing the allegations that trump campaign staffers were in contact with the russians. this is what he had to say under oath during his confirmation hearing. > if t

nina affiliated with the trump campaign communicated with the russian government in the course of this campaign, what you do? >> senator franken, i'm not aware of any of those activities. i have been called a surrogate at a time or two in that campaign and i did not have communications with the russians. and i'm unable to comment on it. >> overnight, sessions released this statement, "i have never met with any russian officials to discuss issues of the campaign. i have no idea what this allegation is about. it is false." but democrats aren't buying it ran some of them are now calling for his resignation. >> it sounds to me there is a difference of opinion here, one saying listen, specifically sessions saying, i did not contact the russians regarding the trump campaign. >> the key words being regarding the campaign. >> the campaign, exactly. >> it has to do with that campaign versus his ability as part of the senate armed forces committee. "the washington post" contacted 20 of th

senate armed forces committee and none of them met with anyone from russia. so then there becomes that question on why did he. >> in his defense, i can see them pointing out he also met with dozens of ambassadors from different countries. >> he did. >> i saw the lis including hungary. many other countries. so you know, it is part of his role as a senator, as well. >> especially as a senior member of the armed services committee >> of course, definitely part of his role. but he also at that time was part of the campaign. he was out campaigning with trump. he was part of that entity that is being investigated and that his agency as attorney general would be responsible for conducting any further or bringing any charges that result from that fbi investigation. so the senators are saying and the democratic senators especially are calling for him to step down saying he can't oversee this investigation given he had those contacts. and their big thing is

under oath about contacts with russia, especially after that whole fallout with former national security adviser michael flynn. >> those are accusations that it was perjury. the other side is that he was specific about not contributing to the campaign. thank you so much. >> does appear he might have to recuse himself just to make sure. >> it's not going away. >> absolutely, thank you. moving on now, some powerful rallies in the stock market. it has rolled around the world with major markets across asia posting gains overnight. >> those advances follow wall street's surge to record highs. the dow opens this morning above the 21,000 mark for the first time ever. and the other major averages start at record highs, as well. abc's rebecca jarvis with the reasons for the rally. >> reporter: optimism is a powerful force when it comes to stocks and investors right now are optimistic about change coming from washington in the form of lower taxes and fewer regulations. they are heartened after president trump's address and that has sent stocks up, the dow

election day, the typical 401(k) adding as much as $11,000 since then. what happened ahead? well, we're in the midst of the longest-running bull market in the history of time. since march of 2009, stocks have tripled and the biggest risk ahead is washington not delivering on wall street's expectations. if that were the case, you might see stocks tumble. rebecca jarvis, abc news, new york. >> our thanks to rebecca. >> turning now to the weather, the midwest recovering from more than two dozen tornados there week. >> at least three people died from the severe storms with hundreds of homes and businesses can destroyed or damaged. strong winds at social security headquarters near baltimore, this is in maryland, tore off a section of the roof and a satellite dish injuring one person. >> but illinois was hit hardest with at least three category 3 tornados, two people were killed when an uprooted

them in a backyard in at ta wa, illinois. residents will be looking for treasured possessions and cleaning up along that rubble. >> so that storm system is moving east as they do, bringing with it a big change in the weather. >> let's get the forecast from accuweather's justin povick. good morning, justin. >> adrienne, kendis, thanks and good morning to you. that very intense storm system now is off the eastern seaboard. we are still concerned about some some howling winds throughout the day that could also potentially be damaging. as we venture into the afternoon, colder air pouring its way off to the south and to the east. definitely talking about coat weather at this point. and that chill will be fell all the way down into the southeast. this is a big change here especially in to the sunshine state of florida. talking about some chilly breezes here, as well along interstate 10. meanwhile the northwest drying out at least here into california. further northbound though, there

towards seattle and portland. >> adrienne, kendis. >> thank you so much, justin. oklahoma's risk of earthquakes is now about the same as the san francisco bay area according to usgs. sizologists say oklahoma's risk is manmade triggered by fracking. this has been a story for years. the underground injections of huge volumes of wastewater from oil and gas drilling. instead they say san francisco bay area's problem stems from its proximity to the active san andreas fault. california facing a tab of about $50 billion for flood control. officials are asking for federal assistance. after nearly six years of drought, the state has been swamped by torrential rain and near record snowfall. much needed but of course, it's caused widespread flooding. and than severely damaged oroville damage last month causes massive evacuations. the damage has decimated roadways and the daniels are estimated at nearly $600 million so far.

the rain and snow has virtually ended california's drought. new figures show it's definitely over for 83% of the state. and for the first time in four years, not one area in california is considered to be under extreme drought xwnz. a big celebration for california. >> yes. all right. we can water our lawns again. >> right. >> without the guilt. we mentioned stocks moments ago. anyone with investments may receive lots of statements in the mail. this is comes from orlando where a man found a huge hall of documents in a dutch sister that are included names, social security numbers and lots of other sensitive financial information. no word how it all got there. to avoid a similar fate, consider investing in a shredder. >> my aunt would pour hot water on her bills. >> is that what she did? >> she didn't want to invest in a shredder. she would make them wet so you couldn't read the ink. >> i put mine out there. i'

please. anyone who has taken a walk on a beach found something buried in the sand. the questions that follow are usually what is this? is it worth anything? >> some folks strolling on the beach in freeport, texas, found this 8x8 unidentified object. it was a piece from a european rocket called the arian 5. instead of burning up, it broke off over the atlantic and made its way onto the gulf of mexico beach. so it's a good thing to ask those questions. i would have thought it was a big rusty piece of metal. coming up, a fight at walmart, a stolen vehicle and a very muddy suspect. the hi-tech police work that used a thermocam to nab the one who got away. the new celebrity contestants of "dancing with the stars" they've been unveiled. they're ready to dance. now we're hearing who the sports betters are putting their money on. you're watching "world news now." >>announcer: "world news now"

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your worst cold symptoms. let's end this. about a half mile south of the accident, i got somebody crawling in the ditch on the shoulder. >> come on, crawl, crawl. you don't see this often. heat sensor video of an alleged crook crawling, trying to get away. he didn't. he was wanted in connection with a fight at a walmart in north daytona beach area. he fled the scene. in an allegedly stolen vehicle, then apparently got in the an accident and then the helicopter guided some officers to where the suspect was hiding along a road. they took the suspect into custody. >> pretty nice to see that thermo video. >> yeah, it is.

mcdonald's, speaking of heating things up, looking to beef up their sales with mobile ordering and curbside pickup. it will offer both plus mobile payment at all restaurants by the end of the year and start expanding its deliver service services so you can get mickey d's at your home. the kiosks will be able to pull up customer profiles and their favorite meals. >> a big day at the george w. bush's presidential library in dallas where an exhibit of the former president's art is opening to the public. the exhibit is called "portraits of courage, a commander in chief's tribute to american warriors" featuring 66 full color portraits and the four-panel mural all painted by former president 43. look at that one. all of those in the paintings are members of the military who served the nation since the 9/11 attacks. >> this is a chance to honor and to help heal, help bridge the divide between the m

civilians. >> the portraits will be on display at bush's museum through october. they are also featured in a new hard cover book. >> very cool. >> yeah, love that he's taking that up. if he's bridging that divide, we need him back in washington to do some painting. >> he's been painting for a while. >> yeah. all right. when we come back -- and not paint by numbers. >> no. >> no. oprah winfrey's new response about whether she may run for president. >> the odds-on favorites for the new season of "dancing with the stars." no, kendis will not be on this season. darn. "the skinny" is next. darn. "the skinny" is next. sick, huh? i'm good. i just took new mucinex clear and cool. what's this sudden cooooling thing happening? it's got a menthol burst. you can feel it right away. new mucinex clear & cool.

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♪ skinny, so skinny >> and can't you just imagine what the dnc or the campaign would sound like if oprah ran

in 2020 and the speech the nomination speech? you get a car, you get a car. or oh. >> you sound just like her. >> yes. you know, people are like we need to feed the hungry. she's like yes, i love bread. >> she doesn't say that. >> yes, she does. she loves bread. >> oh, does she. >> okay, well so do i. in an interview with bloomberg television, she said before president trump won the election she thought she was unqualified. >> i actually never thought that that was -- i never considered the question even a possibility. i just thought, oh. oh. >> right, because it's clear that you don't need government experience to be elected president of the united states. >> that's what i thought. i thought, gee, i don't have the experience. i don't know enough. now i'm thinking oh. oh. >> that response got a lot of reaction. but then we heard the rest of

oprah's statement. >> no, that won't be happening. but i mean i did used to think gee, you have to know so much more than i thought you had to know. but anyway -- >> despite her phenomenal run on tv and her hollywood stripes, winfrey says her proudest achievement remains the founding of her girl's school in africa. regardless of your party affiliation, it's pretty amazing to see somebody who is a reality star become president of the united states. you go from like one mode of life to the next. take that and put it in your personal life. here's your oprah moment. be inspired by that. >> by oprah doing it or donald trump doing it? >> by donald trump doing it. who would have thought? next the big news from the upcoming of dancing of the stars. >> the contestants include some pretty big names. >> simone biles, bachelor nick viall, former olympic figure skater nancy kerrigan and tv legends like charo and mr. t. wow. already, the sports betters have

putting biles at the very stop followed by "glee" star heather morris and nancy kerrigan. >> in the middle of the betting range is nick, charo and rashard jennings. >> and the long shots mr. t and former cubs catcher david ross. season 24 of "dancing with the stars" premieres monday, march 23. i'm hoping mr. t gets in the top three. >> i pity the others. >> next to our first peek at brad pitt in his latest role looking all anderson cooper and stuff. >> the 53-year-old slowing a lot of gray. a new teaser for "the war machine." >> will get the job done. >> may i help you? >> no, finish your phone call. the war can wait. ♪ >> "war machine" is a new black comedy from netflix about the war in afghanistan. he plays the real life soldier general stanley mcchrystal who commanded nato forces before his very public fall.

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so i know how important that is. mthat stuff only lasts a few hours. or, take mucinex. one pill fights congestion for 12 hours. guess i won't be seeing you for a while. why take medicines that only last 4 hours, when just one mucinex lasts 12 hours? let's end this. ialmost everything. you know, ke 1 i n 10 houses could get hit by an expensive septic disaster. but for only $7 a month, rid-x helps break down waste. avoid a septic disaster with rid-x. i'm good.? i just took new mucinex clear and cool. what's this sudden cooooling thing happening? it's got a menthol burst. you can feel it right away. new mucinex clear & cool.

while powerful medicine clears your worst cold symptoms. let's end this. ♪ >> that's not new york. >> new york new york. >> all right. there are a few of us these days who cannot say that we aren't often distracted even at work by of course, where's my cell phone. i'm looking for it. >> two high profile accountants got a little distracted at the wrong time at the wrong place right there at hollywood and highlanded in hollywood. now they won't ever be back there at least not for the big eve here's abc's nick watt. >> this is not a joke. "moonlight" has won best picture. >> reporter: sunday night's best picture debacle just claimed its first scalps. the academy confirming brian cullinan who gave the wrong card

back, neither will his colleague martha ruse. 8:53:00 p.m., cullinan is snapped backstage building with two cards in his hand. presumably he's holding the best actress backup card and the best picture card. 90 okay 4 warren beatty introduces best picture. cullinan is snapped backstage on his phone. 0905 he tweets a pic of emma stone. 90, 08.40, the "la la land" producers are giving thanks. >> matt plouffe, you kicked this off. two minutes one second later we see cullinan. >> i'm sorry, no, there's a mistake. "moonlight," you guys won best picture. >> "moonlight" won. >> i opened the envelope and it said emma stone "la la land." >> pricewaterhousecoopers telling us once the error occurred, protocols for correcting it were not followed through quickly enough. by mr. cullinan or his partner. the a.p.

president cheryl boone isaacs says cullinan's distraction caused the error. they walk the red carpet every year. cullinan called out for his matnate idol mug. >> has anyone told you how much you look like matt damon? >> the academy award. >> reporter: in charge of the most important moment in the movies. i'm nick watt -- >> for best picture. >> reporter: in los angeles. >> it's why i've gone only to h & r block for my accounting needs. you can't go wrong with h&r block. >> you know, everybody makes mistakes though, right? >> they do but not on the biggest night of the year with millions and millions of people watching. >> i guess not. don't miss our updates on facebook at wnnfans.com. coming up, more news from abc. >> i got to send a tweet. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now," informing insomniacs for two decades. abc. >> announcer: this is abc's "world news now," informing insomniacs for two decades.

making news in america this morning, breaking overnight, the attorney general facing a firestorm despite his denial during confirmation hearings jeff sessions did have meetings with the russian ambassador during the campaign. the calls for his resignation growing overnight. what the white house is now saying this morning. record run. the stock market hits another milestone. the outlook for today, what's behind the surge and why it hinders on the government following through on promises. >> severe storms on the move. warm weather fueling strong winds and heavy rains. you can see and hear it there. where it's heading right now. officially a couple, the widow of joe biden's son now dating the former vice president's other son. what the family is saying overnight about the romance.