. making news in america this morning -- breaking overnight. more pieces to the puzzle in the airasia plane crash. the significant find floating in the sea overnight. what clue does it hold? extreme weather, driving snow trapping drivers in california overnight. bitter cold over most of the country just in time for the new year's celebrations. sleeping on the job. an accused burglar gets busted because he decided to get some zs. and new year's eve, the security concerns the big performances and the preparations under way to ring in 2015. and we say good wednesday morning to you, everybody, i'm

kendis gibson sitting in for t.j. holmes. >> i'm reena ninan. we begin with the slow recovery efforts after the airasia crash. >> the search aircraft are grounded. only a few bodies and pieces of wreckage have been found so far. and one of the plane's emergency slides was hauled aboard a navy ship. it's unclear if it was deployed. but not knowing agonizing for relatives. elizabeth hur has the story. >> reporter: grief and devastation for family and friends. some sobbing after their worst fears are concern with this debris field over the java sea and this official announcement. the chief of search and rescue declaring and confirmed that the area is where the plane crashed and the debris came from the missing plane that we have been

searching for. >> i'm still hopeful for a miracle. sorry, i cannot continue. >> reporter: the remains found about six miles from the last point of contact with the pilots about 100 feet deep where divers continue to search for more bodies. back at airport, items retrooefd, including a blue suitcase and oxygen tank carefully gathered by investigators. >> we are saddened by the news. >> reporter: so far the bodies recovered did not have life vests, meaning there was no time for passengers or the crew to sound the alarm. and the metal wreckage with burn marks could suggest an explosion or even a fire. >> once you have the debris, look at it all. fire stands out, explosion stands out. was it ripped apart or something else? >> reporter: u.s. navy ships are on location equipped with sonar scans to map the ocean floor and find the most critical piece of

evidence, the plane's black boxes. elizabeth hur. >> they are ready to scan with the high-tech sonar equipment. >> and family members are giving dna samples to match with body bodies. judy cho just filed this report. >> reporter: massive search for bodies and debris under way right now. families have been informed by navy officials that the exact location of the aircraft is still not found. they do have a suspected area but nothing more than that. this man lost his sister and niece. he said officials told him yesterday that the plane had been found and it was only a matter of time. but the sudden back step he says, is extremely disappointing. malaysia navy helping with the search tweeted this evacuation slide from the arab asia jet. it's not clear if it was

automatic on impact or activated before. now it's the debris and the condition of the bodies recovered. but the answer to the question what caused that plane to call will have to wait for black boxes to come in. >> and once the black boxes are recovered, the investigation into the causes of the crash can begin. but there's speculation. >> the pilot's last communication was to ask permission to climb above stormy weather. but he was an experienced pilot and even through the storm shouldn't have been a problem. instead, something may have destroyed the plane in midair. >> this might explain why we lost contact with this aircraft at 32,000 feet and no further communication or radar hits. the question is is what would have caused that? a bomb? structural failure? >> while supporting the theory this was more than just weather, the victims recovered so far were wearing no clothing.

that would indicate they fell a long way after the cabin broke up. and stay with abc news for the latest on the airasia recovery effort. now to the big chill closing out 2014. >> america will ring in the new year with plunging temperatures. most of the u.s. below freezing. only florida will escape the freezing temperatures ss as 2015 begins. the cold weather causing problems. an icy blast moving across the country. 130 drivers rescued overnight in southern california after getting trapped on a snowy highway. and another nearby interstate shut down. this picture popping on twitter this morning. you can see the blinding snow. one driver writing on social media, i've been stopped on the highway and have been for hours on i-15. thanks to snow. the same system bringing a rare new year's eve snowstorm to las vegas. the high winds creating

dangerous conditions in northern california. falling trees killing two people. and this large limb taking out power lines, laying across an interstate in the bay area. in past key that last minute preparations for the coldest rose parade in over 60 years, with temperatures hovering over the freezeingeing mark. officials are warning people along the parade route. >> we want them to be prepared and safe and warm. >> allegedly, this is record-breaking cold. bring plenty of patience. >> the deep freeze hitting as far south as texas. nearly a hundred accidents near lubbock. and in new york city 100,000 people will ring in the new year in times square with windchills in the teens. >> and people have to bundle up before they go out. it'll be cold long before midnight in most of the country today. >> and get the full forecast from accuweather's justin

povick. good morning. >> thank you and the concern is for heavy snows wednesday into wednesday night. and produce major travel delays along interstate 40 and interstate 10. with heavy snows towards flagstaff. and snow showers around las vegas. a coating to an inch or two. heavy snows along interstate 40. and major travel delays along interstate 15. back to you. >> thank you. new year's eve is no holiday for police. crowds drinking and driving are a toxic brew. but there are concerns in south florida, efforts to discourage people from shooting off guns to celebrate. in many cities there could be protests like we have seen for weeks. and here in new york they are taking extra precautions. >> in addition to officers asigned to traffic and security posts, bomb detecting k-9s, heavily armed counterterrorism

teams in many locations. >> 1 million people are expected to be in the times square to see the new year arrive. but police say it's the safest place to be tonight. and good news former president george h.w. bush is resting at home this morning after a week in a houston hospital following shortness of breath. bush 41 released yesterday. a spokesman said he wanted to pass on thanks from the 90-year-old to the hospital staff for what he called superb care. >> well still ahead on this cold morning, a myth delaware bunked. do you need to warm up your car? >> plus tragedy in a walmart. a 2-year-old pulls out a handgun, shooting his mother. new details on the investigation. and an emotional reunion for one family after a father and son are finally found after being stuck in the snow for 24 hours.

okay. so it's the last day of trading in 2014. and, of course it was a record year on wall street. so what does 2015 have in store for your 401k? the market increased 12.5% this year. experts agree no one can say for sure what will happen in the new year. but the market increases about 7% in a typical year. and set to catch a thief -- if you set a thief to catch a thief, what about hackers? the fbi is looking for experienced in ethical hacking. it's now part of

counterterrorism and criminal activities. there are courses you can take to become a certified ethical hacker. you can apply online until january 20th. >> if you're heading out to start your car early, don't bother. there's no need to warm up your car before you drive. older cars did need to warm up but newer cars the engine will warm up faster. and excessive idling it bad for vehicles. it wastes gas and causes buildup on the park plugs. fast food are looking at healthier, trendier menus in australia. the burgers and fries replaced with tofu lentils and chipotle pulled pork. it's called the corner and you have to look carefully. the fast food giant is testing gourmet premium fare.

and white castle has the veggie slider. made from carrots, zucchini and peas. but it has just as many calories as the beef versions but not quite as much fat. and of the sauces sweet thai has far fewer calories and fat than honey mustard and ranch. >> just go the full way. >> don't compromise. >> exactly. and coming up, outrunning the avalanche within of an escape caught on camera. and a massive wave of salt crashing through a building, burying cars. right when you feel a cold sore, abreva can heal it in as few as two and a half days when used at the first sign. without it the virus spreads from cell to cell. only abreva penetrates deep and starts to work immediately to block the virus and protect healthy cells. you could heal your cold sore, fast, as fast as two and a half days when used at the first sign. learn how abreva starts to work immediately at abreva.com

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great grains cereal starts whole and stays whole. more processed flakes look nothing like natural grains. let's get real. new york's times square looks peaceful right now. but by midnight as many as a million people are expected to pack it. security will be tight and bathroom and food breaks restricted. the event will be broadcast live on abc. dick clark's new year's rocken eve, hosted by ryan seacrest. the acts include taylor swift. and no driving across times square but elsewhere roads are slippery in the southwest and wet along the mexican border. there will be icy patches in texas and snow around the great lakes. if you're flying airport delays likeliest in las vegas and phoenix. in idaho, a heartbreaking and deadly accident at a

walmart. >> young mother shot and killed by her 2-year-old son while shopping with her children. the boy in a shopping cart pulled the loaded handgun from his mother's purse, pulled the trigger. detectives say the family was visiting from out of town. >> especially here it is around the holidays just after christmas, right before the new year tragic. tragic accident. >> tragic indeed. the sheriff's office says surveillance video confirms the details. walmart closed the store and brought in grief kouns counsellors. and an emotional reunion in washington state. a father and son home after spending a night stranded in the wilderness. he and his 9-year-old son were out hunting when they got stuck in snow drifts. they couldn't dig out and were out of cell phone range, so spent the night in the truck. >> i told aaron, i was exhausted, there's not much more i can do.

and we realized we were going to have to wait. >> they dug themselves out of the snow yesterday, got back into cell phone range and texted family members that they were okay. dad calling his son a real trouper during the whole ordeal. a washington state hacker captures what happens as a walk in the snow turns into a nightmare. he and his girlfriend ignored warning signs in a restricted area. they saw a massive cloud of dust following them. an avalanche. >> it was closer and closer and closer. and all i can was look the opposite direction and started to run. >> and both of them made it out alive. he calls it a jaw-dropping experience and knows they were lucky. last year 35 people died in u.s. avalanches. and check this out in chicago. an avalanche of salt. that's what came spilling out of a salt storage facility dealership

next door most to service customers. only three or four were new. the fire department excepts that the storage facility exceeded capacity causing the accident. and dumb criminals, near pittsburgh 29-year-old eric fry handed a cash year a note give me $300. the cops arrived while he was inside. in his home they found a roll of toilet paper with the imprint of the note on it. he is now in jail. and a burglary suspect caught sleeping in a guest bedroom by a houston homeowner. he was in a drunken stuper. plenty of the homeowner's things were found at his house a block away with a half-emptily corbottle. he is behind bars.

and a big day in sports. peach and fee ses and orange bowls today. >> we get the highlights from espn. >> happy new year. college football, they celebrate this time of year with bowl games. lsu and notre dame, franklin american mortgage music city bowl. lsu, make it sing stanley. 89 yards for the touchdown. he had a kickoff return for a touchdown from a hundred yards out. true freshman doing his thing. goulson didn't start, but helped notre dame finish it. picks up 16 yards. and then finishing the job for the irish. they win it 31-28 on the field goal. >> happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear lebron. i'll catch you after the show. my dude. lebron james 30th birthday didn't play kyrie irving did.

but the hawks celebrated more. milsap teague lebron james, tiger woods, same birth date? >> i think so. >> i think so. >> that's correct. steve just told me. >> and my friend spencer, his daughter's birthday the same day. >> that's all we have. have fun, but be safe. happy new year. >> we have a lot more. buts in all you get. >> and you will like it. well, up next in the pulse, who will be ringing in the new year 16 different times later today? and oh baby oh baby. a zoo showing off the newest and cutest resident. before fibromyalgia, i was on the go. i kept on top of things. i was a doer. then the chronic, widespread pain slowed me down. my doctor and i agreed that moving more helps ease fibromyalgia pain.

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but ended up nowhere. now...i use this. the nicoderm cq patch with unique extended release technology helps prevent the urge to smoke all day. i want this time to be my last time. that's why i choose nicoderm cq. time now to check "the pulse." stories you'll be talking about today, starting with new year's eve. >> the first nation in the world, is kurabati a small island in the pacific ocean with a population of 100,000. >> the first new year's celebration dates back to 4,000 years in rome with julius ceasar declaring a national holiday. >> and americans will drink 360

million glasses of champagne. >> and americans make resolutions. >> and they have have hangovering tomorrow. taylor swift is making new year's resolutions. she's been named the most charitable celebrity by the advocacy group, do something.org. >> she announced that the proceeds from her album welcome to new york would go to public schools. she will perform right here on new year's rockin' eve on abc. but she only gets to celebrate once. the astronauts pass over locations celebrating the start of the year 16 times. >> and they recorded a video message saying they'll celebrate each and every one of those times. but there's no danger of them flying a space station under the influence. there's no champagne just fruit juice. >> where's the fun.

>> can't they have tang champagne? >> that's right, tang. there's a new star at the san diego zoo. he's not good but cute and bringing in the crowds. >> he's the zoo's new baby gorilla, born last friday. he has been hanging out with his mom, a 34-year-old named jessica. they have been together 24/7 since being born. >> and jessica has been bringing him to a glassed in viewing area where they can see her cradling and nursing the youngster. it's lined with heaters, and they will have access to it as long as weather permits. >> i push out a baby, i don't want people peering at me. >> i'm sure your babies are as cute as that one. >> pretty adorable. he's number six. mama gave birth to five other boys before him. >> mama been busy. so have the daddies been. for some of you the local news is next. >> and for the rest of you, the

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>> ♪♪ >> hey, everyone, i'm matt o'donnell. 4:27. hey, it's the last day in 2014. we're following breaking new details in the search for air asia flight 8501. crews believe they have found where it plunged into the java sea. we're tracking icy conditions on the roadways. police believe that caused a newspaper truck to overturn in delaware. 2015 begins at midnight. crews in philadelphia are preparing for two celebrations. an oil company is working on a new way to pay at the pump. it involves an iphone. also the mummers forecast. all on "action news" next. >> ♪♪ and finally on this new year's eve morning, a chance to look back at the past year. this time through a very specific camera lens. >> that's right it's the lens

of the official white house photographer who's just released a collection of his favorite 2014 photos. abc's devin dwyer reports. >> reporter: they're hidden moments, behind the history in 2014. inside the corridors of power. an ebola meeting on the white house patio. weekend casual with jeans, even feet on the table in the oval office. this mob scene in the east room as democrats grab the president for attention. it was a tumultuous year for barack obama. challenges evident even behind the scenes. crisis in ukraine, iraq and syria. ferguson president border. ebola. and a political bout that left republicans in power. pensive moments like these captured by a man who lurks in mr. obama's shadow. a paparazzo for the president, catching the moments that others are not allowed to see. eruptions of laughter between friends and the first family. this climb against air force

one, ins traigs prags for house of cards. and rare glimpses of the obamas as parents. a father a mother and a private moment with honest abe. and capturing the humor too. the most famous ears in washington. or mr. obama getting bunny ears of a different kind. but for all the political battles, a reminder that the president is a human being. a kiss under the mistletoe. a hunger for those moments of peace and quiet. which in 2015 will certainly be a rare find. devin dwyer, abc news traveling with the president in honolulu. >> and there are about a hundred of those photos on the white house website. very nice. >> i'd love to trade jobs with pete souza for a week. just to be a fly on the wall. my pictures would not be that good. >> stay with us for "good morning america." >> and a happy, happy new year

>> ♪♪ >> "action news." delaware valley's leading news program. with matt o'donnell, tamala edwards, karen rogers and meteorologist, david murphy. >> ♪♪ >> good morning. we're following breaking details over. and the search for air asia 8501. what reports say they have located overnight. >> an armed man holds up a local convenience store making off with some loot. >> police plan extra patrols to keep people safe as they ring in the new year. >> good morning it is wednesday, december 31st. >> happy new year's everyone. as we barrel toward our big holiday evening w