e, her husband'salling poll numbers -- >> has it been hard to keep your spirits up and his spirits up? >> and what she's doing to try to give sasha and malia a normal life. and pay day. aig, the recipient of the biggest government bailout ever, set to dole out a new round of

bonuses to the tune of $100 million, and a lot of outrage today, wednesday, february 3rd, 2010. captions paid for by nbc-universal television and good morning. welcome to "today" on a wednesday morning. i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm meredith vieira. president obama's national security team set to meet today. you could be certain they will address that warning to expect an attempted terror attack here in the u.s. within the next six months. >> that's right. it it was made at tuesday's meeting of the senate intelligence committee, as director of national intelligence, dennis blair, cia director leon panetta, and other senior intelligence officials outlined the biggest threats to national security, and all agree that an attempted attack in the next three to six months is certain. that's the word they used. much more on that in just a moment. also ahead, a new twist in

connection with the month-old disappearance of 8-month-old gabriel johnson. police have now arrested tammi smith, the arizona woman who had been considered a person of interest in the case for weeks. why the arrest now? and could it possibly lead investigators to that little boy? we'll have the latest on the case, just ahead. also ahead, a potential breakthrough tied to a medical mystery that just about every parent fears. we're talking about sudden infant death syndrome. for years, doctors have struggled to figure out exactly what causes it. this morning, the latest on new research that could point to an answer. but let's begin with that alarming admission from the top u.s. intelligence officials during a hearing on tuesday before the senate intelligence committee. take a listen to what they had to say when asked a question from committee chair dianne feinstein of california. >> the likelihood of another terrorist attempted attack on the u.s. homeland in the next three to six months, high or low? director blair? >> anttempted attack, the

priority is certain, i would say. >> mr. panetta? >> i would agree with that. >> mr. mueller? >> agree. >> general -- >> yes, ma'am, agree. >> mr. dinger? >> yes. >> and let's bring in nbc's justice correspondent pete williams. pete, you just heard the director of the cia, director of the fbi, director of national intelligence, among others, all speak with certainty about this attempted attack within the next six months. what should people make of that? >> well, i think these answers are certainly a sobering reminder that the terror threat isn't receding, but what they said is it's likely someone will attempt another attack in the next six months, and that could mean very serious and well-prepared groups. it could also mean merely committed and unprepared individuals. and we saw several examples of that in just the past year. and it could range from groups overseas to individuals here at home. i think it's fair to say since 9/11 there hasn't been a six-month period without an attempt to stage a terror attack against the u.s., and it's a threat that's going to be with us for years to come.

>> what, if anything, did they say about the possible nature and scope of any future attack? >> well, they did say they believe the u.s. has greatly diminished al qaeda's capacity for planning and directing complicated and highly organized attacks so that future attempts will be less disciplined, more the wo of individuals, and that could range from attempted bombings to even cyber attacks on the computer networks that control critical facilities here in the u.s., and they did say they think the u.s. is not well defended against those attempted computer attacks. >> they ao asked for more flexibility on how they interrogate these terrorist suspects in the future. that word flexibility, what do you think they meant by that? >> well, they mean the ability to adapt to changing circumstances, to not necessarily follow a set script. they think they need a little more flexibility than what they have now. >> finally, umar abdulmutallab, the man accused of trying to bring down that northwest flight on christmas day, he is talking now with investigators. do you have any idea what he might be saying and why he would

be talking now? >> yes, and he has, and this is a very dramatic change in generating valuable intelligence about the al qaeda terrorists in yemen who are considered respsible for his attack. the federal officials say that abdulmutallab has been talking freely to the fbi since last thursday about what led up to that plot to blow up a passenger jet from amsterdam as it came in for a landing in detroit christmas day, and they say that a big factor in his decision to cooperate was a visit with him from members of his family from nigeria. the fbi flew them to the u.s. last month, talked with them here in washington for a while, took them to detroit, and he began cooperating enthusiastically ten days later. and they say what he's telling us is proving to be current and reliable, that it's being aggressively pursued in yemen. he talked, remember, for about an hour after he was arrted on christmas day, then he stopped. now with his renewed cooperation, this case probably will end with a guilty plea and not a trial, meredith. >> finally, before i let you go,

this report about the attempted attack within the next six months is the kind of thing that sends chills down everybody's spine. should we step back a little bit from that? >> frankly, meredith, i think that anyone who thinks it's not likely that a terrorist somewhere in the world, including in the u.s., will attempt an attack against the u.s. in the next six months isn't paying attention. this is a threat that's going to be with us for a long time. >> but likely and certain are two very different things, pete. >> well, certain that they will attempt an attack. that's all they're saying, not that one will succeed, necessarily. just look at this past year we had the guy from denver who was trying to get a bomb formula to work, najibullah zazi. we had people attempting bombings in the southwest. all kinds of ideas ranging from the completely incompetent, totally unprepared to the rather

prepared, none of whom were successful, but all of whom attempted. so, that is the key to the swer. will someone attempt this within the next six months? no question. they have since 9/11. >> nbc's pete williams, thank you so much. it is 7:06 and here's matt. meredith, we're learning more about the ten arrested missionaries in haiti for attempting to take 33 children out of the country. were they warned in advance that what they were doing was illegal? nbc's michelle kosinski is in port-au-prince with the latest. michelle, good morning to you. >> good morning, matt. the haitian constitution says police can hold someone for 48 hours before they see a judge. well, here it's been four days, four nights in jail. a judge only got through seeing some of these americans yesterday. their attorney was not allowed, and now there's still no decision on whether they will be charged with attempted child trafficking. >> that god is going to bring us to a positive closure and we're just waiting for that answer. >> reporter: still behind bars, the leader of the church group is trying to stay strong. while back home in idaho, family

members of the jailed missionaries broke down. >> we are doing everything, everything we can to secure their release. >> reporter: haitian officials accuse the missionaries of child trafficking, questioningheir methods and intentions in trying to take 33 children, including infants, these two sisters, 13-year-old sheznair and his three siblings out of the country to an orphanage the group had been preparing in the dominican republic. they say they had full permission from the children's pastor and from the parents of those children who still have them. >> some of them lost their houses, okay? so, they expect to have a better life. >> reporter: but this human rights activist has told the u.n. that she met group leader laura silsby and warned her ahead of time that her plan, without proper documentation, could be against the law. >> so i said to them, even if you want to do this, even if you feel a calling, there is a process, there is law, and it's going to be applied here, so you need to be very careful.

you could get arrested and you really don't want to end up in jail, in a haitian jail, especially. >> reporter: at this home in port-au-prince, where 9 of those 33 children had been living, caretakers say now their parents are looking for them to get them back, even though here they insist those parents did give explicit permission for their children to go with the americans. an aunt of one boy was too upset to talk about it. some parents are coming here to the tranquil, lush refuge where all of the children are now being cared for, but the parents are not allowed to see them yet. >> it's still unclear why have these children been on the bus, why did the parents give them away. >> reporter: sheznair, doting on his brothers and baby sister, told us he knew he was going away for a long time, even possibly permanently, but that he wanted to go with the nice people to a nice place where he could play. he says he'd like to see his parents again but wants to stay

here at the orphanage. the haitian government says this group was involved in an elicit adoption scheme. the prime minister has said it's now clear that they knew what they were doing was wrong, something this church group denies, and they hope tay they'll be released and will at least know if this case against them is going to move forward. matt? >> all right, michelle, thank you very much. michelle kosinski in port-au-prince for us this morning. now to our exclusive interview with first lady michelle obama. she's been under intense scrutiny ever since her husband decided to run for president, and the spotlight has only grown brighter during president obama's first year inoffice. we sat down with mrs. obama at the white house on tuesday, and i began by asking her what it's like to have everything you do, say and wear make headlines all around the world. could you have imagined the magnitude -- >> no. >> -- of the attention that you've received over these past 12 months? >> no. i don't think i'm that

interesting. i don't think my husband is that interesting. i keep wondering, are they still talking about you? but no. there's no way i could have predicted it, but i can say that i've enjoyed this year. i feel honored and privileged to be this nation's first lady. it's been a wonderful welcome. >> it seems a guessing game going on about you, mrs. obama. people are trying to figure out what kind of first lady you want to be, and do you want to be a first lady in the laura bush mold, a little lower profile and less controversy or maybe in the hillary clinton mold, a little higher profile and maybe with that comes more controversy. have you thought about that? >> every first lady who sat in these shoes or stood in these shoes has brought something very different to the task. that's sort of the beauty of this. we don't have a job description. so, i think every model is one that i learned from, but my goal overall is just to be helpful. i mean, fundamentally, i want to look back on this time and feel

like i affected somebody life because i was here. >> your popularity at the polls, right now they have you at about a 70% approval rating. that is higher than mrs. bush at this stage of her being first lady, higher than hillary clinton when she was first lady, and i should mention that your husband's approval rating -- you're chuckling -- has gone a little bit in the other direction. it came in in the mid-60s, he's now at about 47%. has it been hard for you over this past year to witness some of the things that have been said about him, the criticism that has been leveled at him and the reality of this job? >> it's part of the job. this has been a tough year for the nation, folks out of work, two wars. we have an economy that we pulled from the brink of depression. folks, you know, they're looking for work, they're losing their homes. i mean, so, americans are rightfully frustrated, and the

person in charge is the person folks look to. health insurance reform is the next step, so we're going to need you all. >> you did get out there and push for health care reform, and since the loss of ted kennedy's seat in massachusetts, it's far from certain, and it seems some democrats are willing to maybe let it go to the back burner and let it go with the whimper as opposed to a bang. will it pass? can your husband get it done? >> i hope so. the country needs health care. it's hard, it's scary, it's confusing, but i hope for our country's sake that we can do this now and not wait until things get worse. i mean, i agree with the president when he said that we don't have the option to do nothing. he's right. >> i was here almost a year ago today interviewing your husband on super bowl sunday. it was a heady time for you as a family and for democrats. there was all the talk of hope and change, and here as we sit

here a year later, the mood and the tone have changed dramatically, and i'm just worried if that stings a little bit. >> you know, i think we're all, you know, working. we have to continue to work on how to disagree without being disagreeable. barack warned us about this over the course of the campaign. he talked about hope, but hope, with that, comes compromise and sacrifice, and it's painful and it takes time, and it's true, and we're sort of feeling the pain of that, and it's a natural reaction for -- >> but has it been hard to keep your spirits up and his spirits up? >> i don't want to seem, you know, unrealistically optimistic, but our experiences on the ground are outstanding. >> you mean, when you go out and meet people. >> when we go out and meet people, even people who are struggling. folks are gracious in this

country. they're enthusiastic. they want this country to succeed. i think that they are confident that they have a president who res and who's serious. they may not agree with the direction, but that's what we feel. >> during the campaign, when your husband was running for president, you were out on the campai trail, there was a lot of criticizing of president bush and his policies. i'm just wondering now 12 months later, being the family in the white house, if your perspective on that has changed, in that perhaps maybe it would have been better to be less judgmental now that you know the pressures that the president is under. >> yeah, well, you know, i think that on the campaign trail my husband, his goal was to be truthful and honest about the problems that we face. the truth is, is that this job is hard. >> right. >> it's hard for every person who sits in that office. i think that's one of the sort of unifying things about presidents and former presidents, ithat only they

and their families understand the pressure of this job, and obviously, we have much more respect for those who have held the position, but barack will face others who will follow him who will be critical and should have the right to be critical of things that they don't agree with. >> you just mentioned the pressures of the job, and i'm not sure if your husband was standing here i'd ask this question in the same way, but i'll try it with you privately. you know, if i were to hold a picture ofou husband up from 16 months ago and i were to hold a picture up next to it of today, the obvious truth is, the job has aged him a little. you look at his hair, it's grayer. >> yeah. >> there's little more wear and tear on his face. he still looks good, mind you. >> he's cute! >> i'm not bad-mouthing your husband here -- >> hey. no. >> when you look at him, do you notice the toll that it's taken physically on him? >> you know, probably -- no, because i see him every day. it's the kind of thing, you see your kids every day, you don't

notice that they've grown two inches until you stand up next to them a go what happened to you? you know, i tease barack all the time, because you know, the gray issue is interesting because his mother, his grandfather, they were all completely gray, so he was going that direction anyway. >> let me read you some of the accolades you've received over the past year or so, okay? >> take your time. >> no, okay, i'll go through them slowly. you were named to "forbes" magazine's most powerful women list, "people" magazine's most beautiful list, "time" magazine's most influential list, and you made "maxim" magazine's list of hottest women. >> no, i didn't hear that. e there people laughing about that? >> i didn't even hear a chuckle, not one chuckle. i don't know a lot of people who can live in those two worlds that i've just mentionedhere. >> yeah, i don't know anyone who can, either. it's a good thing i don't know. well, you know, i approach this

position like i approach my life. i try to be as authentically me as i can be. i've said this before. because it's easier to maintain it. so, what people have seen over the course of the year is really michel michelle, and i find a level of comfort in that role. so, i don't think about occupying a list or a title. i still see myself as michelle obama, the girl who grew up on the south side of chicago, marian and frasier's daughter. i've got this husband who does these interesting things and i'm malia and sasha's mother. >> and malia and sasha, by the way, were upstairs doing their homework while we were doing that interview. >> you understand why her approval rating is as high as it is, because she's just a very, very likable person. >> no question about it. by the way, we'll have more with mrs. obama in our next hour, including what a typical conversation around the obama dinner table is like. do you know roses and thorns? you ever heard of that?

>> no. >> i think some people did - it's kind of, not a game, but kind of an exercise they go through at the dinner table. we'll explain that. >> we do nothing at the dinner table. >> we eat and scram, exactly. >> all right, let's get a check of the rest of the morning's top stories from ann curry at the news desk. ann, good morning. >> good morning, meredith and matt. good morning, everybody. in the news this morning, three u.s. soldiers were among the dead in pakistan today in a bombing. a bomb hit their security convoy as they were traveling near a girls school. in all, at least 7 people were killed and about 70 wounded, many of them children from the school. another bombing in iraq this morning targeted shiite pilgrims in karbala. at least 20 people were killed in that bombing. today, iran says it successfully test-fired a new rocket capable of carrying satellites into space. iran's president ahmadinejad said that it showed his country could defeat the west when it comes to technology. this morning, appeals judges in the netherlands ruled that the international criminal court should reconsider its decision not to indict sudan's president on charges of genocide in

darfur. they said the court had made an error oflaw. president omar al bashir is already facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in darfur. overseas markets are higher this morning. as for wall street, cnbc's melissa lee is at the new york stock exchange. and melissa, aig's again under scrutiny. >> that's right, ann. today is big pay day for some aig employees. aig is paying out $100 million in retention bonuses to the financial products unit. that's essentially the group that traded the derivatives that led to the company's collapse. now, the total may sound like a lot. it's actually $20 million less than promised to these employees who contract signed long before the crisis. aig has told them if they don't take the cut bonuses, they won't get any bonuses at all. we should note this was worked out with the government special master on pay to avoid further public outrage. we'll see about that, ann. >> yes, we will. lissa lee, thank you. utility crews in oklahoma are still coping with a huge ice storm that hit last week. it brought down so many trees and power lines that thousands of homes are still without

electricity today and the power may not be back on for days. it is now 20 minutes past the hour. let's go back to matt and meredith. that doesn't look like a happy job. >> not at all. >> that can't be fun. it really can't. ann, thank you very much. we appreciate it. let us get a check of the weather this morning. mr. roker has taken my place at the white house. al, what's going on? yeah, except you were inside. i'm outside. [ laughter ] >> you should go knock on that big door behind you. >> oh, that one right there! i think somebody might stop me before i got there. actually, i am going to get inside. i'm going to be speaking with assistant white house chef sam cass. we're going to be talking about some of the healthy ways to eat that mrs. obama has been talking about in trying to help push this childhood obesity initiative. great stuff. we'll be inside in the next hour. but as we talk about right now, we've got this low pressure system, storm system moving out of the northeast. snow for boston, eastern end of long island. that's getting out. good news coastal new jersey. another storm, though. this is the next big weathermaker, bringing heavy rain to texas and it's going to

be a soaker. we're talking anywhere from brownsville to corpus christi up to eht to ten inches of rain, and this storm is going to be the next big weather-maker through the south and for the a storm moved quickly through overnight, it's been gone now for about four or five hours, it stopped about 2:00 or 3:00 this morning. temperatures in the upper 20s to near 30. tonight freezing back up again, watch out for patchy ice, tomorrow highs in the low 40s. a major winter storm developing friday afternoon and evening through midday saturday. and that's your latest weather. meredith? >> al, thank you very and still ahead, we'll have much more of matt's exclusive interview with the first lady, including what was the best and worst part of her day on tuesday.

still ahead, "today" goes inside the o.r. to watch brain surgery live. dr. nancy snyderman is there. hey, nancy. >> reporter: meredith, today we're at mt. sinai medical center. dr. ron alterman right behind me doing brain surgery today for a gentleman with a tumor. ben is on the table, and the important thing today, meredith, he is awake. we will check back in here with him, patient and the doctor, in just a little while. >> amazing. he's awake. i'm going to pass out cold in about 30 seconds. us, a new arrest in the case of baby gabriel.

7:26 is your time now, 33 degrees, good morning, on this wednesday february 3, 2010. we have breaking news this morning out of soueast washington. three children are in critical condition after an early morning fire in the 1900 block of nailer road. it appears the fire started in the kitchen of the apartment. the mother ran to get help and the door closed behind her and she could not get back in.

good morning, the snow ended about four or five hours ago. highs today in the low 40s, freezing back up again so watch out for watch chi ice. we're still going to be expecting a major winter storm friday afternoon and evening and through midday saturday. >> for the most part we're doing okay, a reminder that there are red line delays, there's been a problem on the tracks, reports of some smoke. elsewhere, quick check, landover, looking pretty good on

the beltway both directions, but be very, very careful. >> tonight on news4 at 5:00 p.m., spice up your life and your meals with a

7:30 now on this wednesday morning, february 3rd, 2010. we've got a few few flakes out the plaza. >> wait a minute. >> i am not talking about our crowd. >> these are our customers! >> you're the flake inside. we had snow overnight, folks. i'm meredith vieira alongside matt lauer. and coming up in this half hour, sudden infant death syndrome. it is a nightmare scenario for parents of a newborn. >> it has long been a mystery as to what, perhaps, caused it, but now new research may have pinpointed a possible factor in sids. coming up, important information that all parents will want to hear. plus, we're going to have more of our special series "today goes inside the o.r." you are looking live as a brain

surgery procedure gets under way at mt. sinai medical center right here in new york city, and if you can believe it, the patient, 81-year-old benjamin, is awake through it all and talking. dr. nancy snyderman is also there, and she's going to fill us in on exactly what is going on in just a bit. plus, we're going to have much more of our exclusive interview with first lady michelle obama, including how she helps her husband keep what happens in the oval office out of the family residence. but let's begin with a new arrest connected to the disappearance of 8-month-old gabriel johnson, now missing for more than a month. nbc's miguel almaguer has the details. >> i am innocent and god is with me. >> reporter: she was a person of interest, but now tammi smith is under arrest. arizona police have charged her with three felonies, including custodial interference in the case of 8-month-old gabriel johnson, the blond, blue-eyed baby hasn't been seen since december 26th, when his mother, elizabeth johnson, says she gave him away to strangers in san

antonio. police don't believe smith was involved in the disappearance but say she did mislead investigators, and they say she was in contact with elizabeth as she drove from her home in arizona to texas, where the baby was last seen. >> tammi was basically working with her in order to provide a place for her potentially to go and some help along the way. >> reporter: police say the relationship between smith and  johnson goes back months, when tammi and her husband first agreed to adopt gabriel, but when logan mcqueary, the baby's father, refused to give up custody, police say tammi smith pressured him as johnson drove to texas with baby gabriel. after johnson was arrested, smith spoke openly to the press. >> i think there's a lot of people to investigate and i haven't heard that they're investigating the few people that need to be investigated as deeply as jack and i have been. >> reporter: her attorney tells nbc news smith never intended to interfere with anyone's

custodial rights and had only tried to convince johnson to bring baby gabriel back. late tuesday night, her husband spoke out. >> she will walk out of that jail. she will be completely exonerated from this. she will be apologized, and this will all be behind us. >> reporter: but now, both smith and johnson are in county jail and police say they're no closer to finding baby gabriel. >> we are less and less optimistic that gabriel's still alive. >> reporter: for "today," miguel almaguer, nbc news. it is now 7:33. once again, here's meredith. >> matt, thank you. it has been 22 days now since that powerful magnitude 7 earthquake rocked haiti. organizations, including the controversial search of scientology, have sent volunteers to the region, but what exactly are they doing there? we had nbc's kerry sanders check it out. kerry, good morning. >> reporter: well, good morning, meredith. look, catholic relief services, the southern baptist convention, they're well known for their work in disasters, but now,

quietly, the church of scientology is helping those in need. and as we discovered, they were at ground zero following 9/11, they were at katrina, and now they're here, often doing the work that no one else wants to. frenetic chaos of this make-shift operating room. doctors found unexpected helping hands. there, peeking out from under their scrubs, those yellow shirts are a tip-off. 150 volunteers from the sometimes controversial church of scientology. like 22-year-old josh hawkins. no medical background, now working with surgeons. >> they were very sketchy when they first saw us. i think just because of scientology, the name has some people associated with, so on and so forth. >> your little baby suffered some fractures -- >> reporter: doctors like rosemary duda, a catholic from boston, didn't even know who

they were. >> i am totally impressed with these young adults from the scientology church. they have just been so effective for us. >> people see the fact that, you know, the amazing work that we've been doing, just the love that we've been giving. they're like, oh, these are actually cool guys. they're not weird, freaky people, things like that, you know? >> reporter: nicole greenwood from los angeles found her role here. scientology teaches there's a connection between the mind and touch. it's called an assist. in 20 minutes, we watched as nicole took the pain from the little girl with frowns to giggles. nicole says scientologists are not here to spread their beliefs. >> we don't even mention religion. we're here to help people. i don't think that cleaning toilets is going to get anyone to join the church. >> reporter: actor and accomplished pilot john travolta flew in tons of medical aid. he's a scientologist, but that never came up. >> when we arrived, we had 50,

100 people, marines and volunteer ministers from our church helping us unload it. >> reporter: scientologists believe members' lives improve when they're highly organized. so, when you arrive here with those teachings, you can -- >> we can organize. we can find out what's needed and wanted and we can deliver those in an organized fashion. >> reporter: and in all the chaos, a sobering moment when josh cut his finger with a used bloody scalpel. he'll now be on preventive aids medication for the next six months. >> i'm still glad i came, beyond belief. >> reporter: even with this? >> oh, yeah, definitely. >> reporter: well, josh and the others say they are here for the long-term, three to five months, and then they'll rotate out and other members of the church of scientology will replace them. meredith? >> kerry sanders, thank you so much. and now let's get a check of the weather from al, who is at the white house for us this morning. >> announcer: "today's weather is brought to you by turbotax software.

turbotax, choose easy. . and good morning, everybody. we'll be inside the white house kitchen coming up in the next hour, talking about healthy cooking alternatives for our children, but right now we are keeping our eye down in texas, where this big storm is getting itself together. the storm track on this storm brings it out wednesday night on into thursday, thorough the gulf bringing heavy rain. and as we move through the day friday, we look for an icy mix and then snow working its way up into the northeast from on into ohio, the upper ohio river valley. snowfall amounts two to six inches from illinois all the way to new york, but as you typically look at west rginia, virginia, maryland, including washington, d.c., and southern new jersey, anywhere from six inches to half a foot -- i should say a foot of snow by sa good morning, we had about four inches overnight around the metro area and throughout the rest of the region. the storm end it about five years ago and the radar is

showing a few flurries around winchester county. temperatures upper 20s to near 30, 24 in washington. highs climbing into the low 40s this afternoon. freezing back up again tonight so we could have some patchy ice. a big winter storm hitting us friday night and into saturday. and meredith, coming up in the next half hour, explain the difference between six inches and half a foot. >> i'm not going anywhere near that, al. thank you very much. such a bright man. up ne doctors solved the mystery of what causes sudden infant death syndrome? we're going to talk to a doctor about a remarkable new finding.

we're back now at 7:42, and this morning on "today's health," a major breakthrough in understanding sudden infant death syndrome. a new study suggests that a chemical in the brain may be linked to an increased risk of sids. dr. darshak sanghavi is chief of pediatric cardiology at the university of massachusetts medical school. dr. sanghavi, good morning. we should point out, you weren't involved in this research. >> that's correct. >> and when i say a certain chemical in the brain, more accurately, it is the lack of a certain chemical in the brain. >> that's right. there's a chemical in the brain, a neurotransmitter, that allows neurons to talk to each other. this is called serotonin. and it turns out that in babies

who have died of sids, the amount of that chemical is reduced, possibly not letting those nerves talk to each other, and as a result, not letting those babies respond to potential life-threatening situations. >> so, these children, these infants are not producing adequate levels of this serotonin? >> that's righ and as a result, maybe they can't wake up or get themselves out of a situation. >> so, why is there a connection between serotonin and this ability? and let's give a good example. if the infant falls asleep face down and finds itself with its mouth or nose against the sheets, gets less oxygen than it should have -- >> yes. >> -- and perhaps more carbon monoxide. other children would wake up and right the situation. why does serotonin or the lack of it cause these infants not to do that? >> all of us have a certain part of the brain in the brain stem. we breathe without really thinking about it. it's a reflex. and so, we rely on these nerves being able to talk to each other with these chemicals. if they don't have that ability to send that message back and forth, then they won't remember

to breathe. >> i want to make sure i understand this. does this research point to this level of serotonin as the sole cause of sids or simply a factor? >> i think it's important to point out this is very preliminary data. it may be a cause or may be a single factor. >> and i can almost hear parents out there right now saying, wait a second, if we think there's a link between serotonin and sids, is there a test? can we find out if my infant is producing adequate levels of serotonin? >> i mean, that's the question we would all really, really love to answer. turns out, we can't do that yet. this study, unfortunately, was done on autopsy specimens, so these babies have already passed away. we can't do these ttsn babies that are still alive. >> what we can do is take preventive measures. as we move to the crib, we have a couple examples. this is the way people should be putting their infants to sleep. >> that's right. >> this is the wrong way. >> that's right. and let me explain why that is. if you look at this infant here, this baby is on a lot of bedding, is also near a bumper and is also face down. now, remember, if this baby is sleeping, that baby's going to be getting all that carbon

dioxide, breathing it right back in. and because this baby may have a problem with serotonin, it's not going to be able to wake up and actually go ahead and continue breathing. >> there are people who worry that if they place their children asleep this way, they're going to get a flat spot on the back of their head, or if that child should vomit in the middle of the night, that they would choke on the vomit. >> yes. these are common concerns people have. it turns out that that flatness that's seen there really isn't something parents should worry about, because the brain actually -- i mean, the skull actually does normalize over time. in addition, even if they vomit, babies can go ahead and clear that out. it's not a problem. >> another thing, you want some tummy time? >> yeah. >> why is that important? >> well, i think it's important to remember that babies all need to develop. they need to learn how to use their arms, develop head control. we don't want them to lay on their back all the time. >> do not share sleeping spaces with children and do not smoke while pregnant or around infants. >> absolutely critical. >> all right. let's move back over here because i want to turn here and talk about something else. the university of pennsylvania conducted some research about

sex education with younger teenagers and the impact on their sexual activity a little later in life. what'd we find? >> yes. well, what they found is that children who were in middle school years, given an abstinence-only curriculum, which is somewhat controversial, had an increased risk of going ahead and engaging in sex. >> a third of the children with abstinence training program engage made it sexual activity over the next two years? >> that's right. >> compared to what level for students who god a different kind of education? >> about half of those students did engage in sex. >> so, obviously, people will draw the conclusion we should move to more abstinence-only training? >> some people will draw that conclusion. i think it's important to caution against that, because it's important with these kinds of educational initiatives to think about, what are we trying to accomplish? are we just trying to reduce the amount of sex that young kids have or are we trying to teach healthy activities that last them a lifetime? and this study actually doesn't really give us a lot of information about that.

does it reduce the risk of teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and those other factors as people get older? >> dr. sanghavi, thank you very much for your time this morning. >> thank you very much. >> appreciate it. still ahead, what's cooking at the white house kitchen this morning. al will take us on a tour, but first, these messages.

we are back at 7:50. al's down in washington. al, pay close attention to this one. i know you probably couldn't stay up to watch "late night with jimmy fallon," but one of

our colleagues, right here, was on and took a few shots at you, literally. take a look. >> meredith and i are about to see who has the olympic gold medal snowball-throwing skills. there's a moving roker that's worth 50 points. i'm going for rokey, man. come on, roker, come on, buddy boy. whoo-hoo! does that count? >> that counts, right? come on, roker. oh! >> pretty good. >> you need to know, al -- al? i love you. [ laughter ] al, put the ball down now, al. actually, in the commercial break i hit him twice. >> did you? >> yeah. >> i was going to say, al, you're safe, don't worry. as long as the snowball's in her hand, you're safe. give it a shot. who's on camera today, al? >> jill. i'm not going -- >> take your best shot, al. >> no, i don't want to miss you and hit him. >> all right -- >> but i'm going to save this.

i'm bringing this back with me. >> oh, goodie. i'ready for you, roker. >> okay. second thought. >> we're going to have more with al from washington at the white house in a little while and -- more on your exclusive interview with michelle obama. what's she going to talk to you about, thorns and roses? >> roses and thorns, actually, something they do at the dinner table. and she'll talk about how her daughters are adjusting to life in the white house and her lofty goal for kids in the united states.

7:56 is your time right now. we have a lot of school closures and delays and they are running at the bottom of your screen. good morning, everyone, in the news this morning, we have breaking news in the southwest d.c. thr three children are in critical condition after an apartment fire. the fire started in the kitchen and the mother ran to get help and the door closed and she could not get back in. the three children are in critical condition in the hospital. metro rail is open right now and operating on a normal schedule. we're going to take a quick break right now, your weather and traffic up next. stay with us.

good morning, the storm end pd and we have had a few lingering snow showers and the clouds are beginning to break up at this hour. the temperatures are in the upper 20s and low 30s. >> conditions pretty good. broken down truck at the 14th street bridge lanes reopened. >> spice up your life and your

8:00 now on a wednesday morning. it's the 3rd day of february 2010, and harry potter fans, take a look. that is your very first look at the much-anticipated wizarding world of harry potter at universal orlando resort. we've got exciting news, if you've ever dreamed of going to its opening, and we'll share that news with you in just a little while. meanwhile, we're stepping out here on the plaza on what is kind of a snowy day here in the northeast. cool temperatures, 30 degrees. we've had some flurries in the air and we' got a nice group of people gathered toay hi to

the folks at home. >> we certainly do. >> meanwhile, i'm matt lauer along with meredith vieira. al is down in washington. >> al is at the white house. he was outside. he's heading inside, into the kitchen, where the chef is actually getting a little help making breakfast. there we go. some very nice looking kids. we're going to check in with all of them in just a bit. all right. also ahead, we're going to have more of our exclusive interview with the first lady, michelle obama. she talks about how sasha and malia areoing in washington. are they the same kids today that they were when they moved into the white house and what does the obama family do and share with each other around the dinner table each night? we'll talk about that. >> all right. so, yesterday, a baby was born on the "today" show. >> yes. >> how do you top that? >> um, you know, it's like we'd have to perform brain surgery or something like that. >> you're right! you're right, mr. roker, you don't have a brain, it's amazing. >> i'm mr. lauer, by the way. >> oh, i'm sorry! >> speaking of who doesn't have a brain. >> oh, that's right. anyway, i'm going to get a brain

or something. we're going to see brain surgery performed live. dr. nancy snyderman is there. i'm so embarrassed. >> it's okay. >> let's go in to ann, right? >> exactly. >> is it ann? >> ann at the news desk. take it away. >> matt, i think you need to give meredith a hug. the nation's top intelligence official is testifying before a house committee today, one day after warning a senate panel that he is certain al qaeda or an affiliate will attempt an attack on american soil within the next six months. today, three u.s. soldiers were killed and one wounded when a roadside bomb went off near a new school for girls in pakistan. officials say that several civilians were also killed and about 70 were wounded, many of them children. iran says it successfully launched an upgraded rocket today that carried live animals into space for scientific research. western nations are concerned that iran's rocket technology could be used for military purposes. iran's president ahmadinejad, meantime, has suggested that a prisoner swap could happen for those three

american hikers who hav been jailed ever since crossing the border into iran several months ago. we have chief correspondent andrea mitchell with more. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, ann. u.s. officials hope this might signal a break in the case, but they are rejecting out of hand any notion that those three innocent american tourists, those hikers, are equivalent in any way to iranians being held in u.s. jails for trying to bust economic sanctions. in an interview with msnbc, i asked vice president joe biden about iran's regime, including its execution of political prisoners. >> but look, when they acted as they did, when the first protest broke out and people were brutalized, they lost their moral credibility in their own country and around the region, and i think they're sewing the seeds for their own destrucon that is the leadership, and you see that response. >> reporter: at the same time, u.s. intelligence officials have warned congress that iran remains capable of developing a

nuclear weapon. as american spy agencies upgrade their concerns about iran's growing nuclear threat. ann? >> andrea mitchell this morning. andrea, thank you for your reporting. today a judge in haiti is expected to finish with those americans accused of smuggling a busload of kids out of haiti. the judge met with the group jailed since frida but has issued no finding so far. the americans' attorney was not allowed in and it is not clear if child trafficking charges will be filed. four workers were hospitalized on tuesday night after a portable stage collapsed outside sun life stadium in miami, the site of sunday's super bowl. the nfl says that the injuries were not life-threatening. and it is the first day of panda school in china. 16 pandas whose mothers survived the 2008 earthquake in sichuan province, started nursery school today. the pandas will learn to socialize and make the transition from mother's milk to solid food and the important step on the road to independence. and it is now four minutes past the hour. let's get another check of the

weather. we've got al in the snow in front of the white house. hey, al. >> and you have pandemonium! unbelievable. sorry, i couldn't resist. as we take a look, our pick city of theay today just happens to be our nation's capital, washington, d.c. wrc, nbc 4, morning clouds. already starting to see some breaks in the clouds. look at the temperature departures, though, as that storm pulls out of texas. anywhere from 15 to 25 degrees below normal. in fact, we can see teens and 20s up through the plains, northern new england as well. 60s and 70s down through florida and along the weather map, heavy rain down in florida -- i last night's storm long gone and we areçó gettingñi breaks ie cloud cover right ñinow. also on radar, still picking um some lingering flurries in western loudoun county and northern western howard county as well. temperatures all around the region in the upper 20s to nearr 30. we'll have a high today into the

low 40s with increasing sunshine, sunny tomorrow after a freezing start. still a possibility of a major storm friday into saturday. and that's your latest weather, meredith. i'm heading inside to the kitchen here at the white house. >> all right, have fun, al. we'll catch up with you in a few moments. but up next, more of matt's exclusive interview with michelle obama, our first lady. what impact will growing up in the white house have on sasha and malia? can start fast...u

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we're back now at 8:08 with more of our exclusive interview with first lady michelle obama. we had the chance to talk to her about a numr of topics, including her new initiative to fight childhood obesity and how her husband juggles the pressures of the presidency with everyday family life. >> he is still an optimistic person at heart. he doesn't bring the problems of the oval office to the residence. >> and you like that. you like the fact that there's a separation between what happens in that office during the day and the family quarters. >> well, i think that's part of the challenge in the lines that you have to draw when you live above the shop, as they say. >> rit. >> we do it mostly for our kids, you know, so that they have a normal family environment. and i think it's also a pressure reducer for us. when you sit around the dinner table, you walk into the door

and everything goes away except for what's right before you -- your kids, their issues, their challenges, their questions. >> you said something recently, and i liked it as the father of three kids, and two of mine are close to the age of malia and sasha. you said one of my greatest accomplishments over the last year is that my kids are sane, and they are the same kids today that they were when they moved to the white house. how much of an effort did that take, or has it taken? >> it's taken a great deal of effort and focus. it's been important to me their entire lives, because you don't just arrive at the presiden. i mean, there's a long pathway of sort of interesting life decisions that go along with it. so, barack and i have always been mindful that we want to make sure that the choices we make as adults, as parents, don't negatively affect our kids' lives, so that's -- >> is it impossible for this choice to not negatively impact

them in some way? >> right now it feels good, you know. little kids, you're just hoping that you're not messing them up, rit? and we only know the outcome when they're 25 and out of the house and living decently, right? >> right. >> so, i, you know, i make no claims this early, but they seem like they're doing great. >> you've just taken on a new initiative, and it's right up your alley not only as first lady, but as a mom, and that is the issue of childhood obesity, which is a real problem in this country. why did you decide that that would be an issue you wanted to get involved with? >> well, there are the shocking statistics that are there. one in threeids are obese in this nation. the most shocking sort of reality that really hits you, that because of these statistics, the youngest generation is on track for the first time in this nation's history of being less healthy, having a shorter lifespan than their parents. you know, when we're talking about the future, we are talking about the health of our kids, but i also know as a mom, i can see how we got there or some of

how we got there. i can see how the burdens and pressures of modern day life just really -- we live differently. >> you mean, as a working mom, feeding your own girls before the white house? >> right, exactly. it is very hard when you're working, you're trying to get kids to activities, you're tired, you're stressed, to come home and even know how to prepare a three-course, healthy meal or have the time or the energy to do it. and slowly, we start making choices, kids stop walking, there's fewer opportunities to play, more computer time -- >> more stops at the fast-food -- >> more ops, and before you know it, you have a problem. so, it's not that parents don't care. it's just that we've got to help them. >> i'm glad to hear you say that you're not pointing the finger of blame, because i think parents feel so guilty. >> oh, gosh. >> you start talking about the health of their kids -- >> that's right. >> -- and those working parents you just talking about, some are working two jobs. >> absolutely. >> they're working overtime to

make ends meet. >> absolutely. >> they're saying i'm doing the best i can and i don't need someone holding me up as an example. >> absolutely right, and i certainly wouldn't have responded well to it because we all love our kids. this is intimately solvable. this isn't going to require new technology. we don't have to put a man on the moon. >> when you say it's solvable, you don't want to just talk about it, you want to see some results. so, at the end of three years, or if you're lucky enough, seven years, if that rate is 33% today of children who are either overweight or obese, what can you knock that down to? what's your goal? >> well, we're still working on benchmarks, because we want to have ambitious goals, but we want to have attainable goals. our broad goal is going to be to change the health status of an entire generation. >> i read that around the family dinner table you go through roses and thorns -- >> yeah. >> okay, so, roses and thorns, for the people out there who don't know, you basically say what good thing happened to me today and what bad thing happened to me today.

so, what's the best thing that happened to you today and what's the worst thing? >> oh, wow. well, the best thing is always dinner time, so it hasn't happened yet. but you know, we had a series of very good conversations around the lunch, meetings with folks who were really ready to roll up their sleeves in a non-partisan way and do something for our kids, and that's a big rose. >> what's a thorn? >> i haven't had a thorn yet. well, i walked upstairs and my daughter had an issue, you know, and it wasn't a big issue, but i'm coming up, changing and -- >> school issue, friend issue? >> right. it's just, you know, and of course, you're like, what is the matter? you're not happy? but you know, if i had to pick a thorn, it would be that, but it really doesn't rise to the level of a thorn. >> a tiny little thorn. >> right. it's a really itty-bitty thorn. >> see, she wasn't being very honest there -- >> you thought the thorn would be my interview? >> right there. >> i know you. what's your rose and thorn so far? >> being here with you, both >> it's not even worth the time.

we're going to have more of our interview with michelle obama tomorrow on "today," including how the presidency has affected the obamas' marriage and how she deals with all those critics or critiques of her wardrobe. still ahead, a big announcement for harry potter fans.

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of walmart's $10 90-day generic prescriptions... ...no matter where you live. plus get free shipping on over 3,000 other prescriptions. call 1-800-2-refill for your free home delivery. save money. live better. walmart. back at 8:18 with more of our special series "today goes inside the o.r." so far this week, dr. nancy snyderman has shown us live heart surgery in cleveland and the birth of a baby boy yesterday in boston. well, this morning, she's here in new york as dr. ron alterman, director of functional and restorative neurosurgery at the mt. sinai medical center, performs brain surgery. dr. nancy, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, meredith. we are at mt. sinai. across this drape, dr. ron al r alterman, neurosgeon, has

placed a probe in our patient's brain. dr. cho, the neurologist, and you're seeing ben struggle with this tremor, the left-side tremor. he is an extraordinary person, an extraordinary man, and we want you to meet him right now. 81-year-old ben culvert suffers from essential tremor or e.t., which can cause trembling in the hands, head or legs. >> the trers started in about 1999-2000. as it progressed, i found that i was having trouble keeping my food on thought. my whole quality of lifeecame hard it was hard to be upbeat when this was with you 24 hours, 7 days a week. that's when i decided to find out. >> after initial surgery on the left side of his brain, ben regained control of his right

hand. >> it went from this to this, completely, no shaking at all. but then i realized how many things you do that you need both hands. like, i wrote out checks with the right hand. i had no problem, but then i couldn't find the envelope with the left hand. >> reporter: he now hopes to put an end to the shaking on his left hand and get his life back. >> i expect to start using a computer again, even play the piano again. one of the things i can't wait to do is to hug mera, my little granddaughter. that will be a good feeling. >> and dr. nancy, let me ask you -- >> reporter: so, to show -- >> go ahead, dr. nancy. >> reporter: to explain what's going on, dr. alterman is standing behind me in a sterile. he has already placed a probe into ben's brain. ben is awake. dr. cho is here from neurology. i want to show you again the tremor, and then dr. cho will go ahead and where this electrode is placed, she'll adjust the

current to hopefully make ben's tremor go away. so, ben, if you would lift up your arm -- >> touch your chin. touch my fingers. touch your chin. okay, here's the cup. bring it to your mouth. return the cup, okay. so, now we're going to try to see what the threshold is. >> and now with the electrode already placed in ben's brain and this contraption around his head important because it keeps his head very, very still. look at how the tremor has disappeared from ben's hand, and that is stimulating that deep probe in the motor area of his brain that now controls the left side. the right side of his brain being the operative side and look at how that's going. now i'll call in dr. alterman for a second, because ron, obviously, the stunning thing here is that you are operating on an awake patient. >> right. >> we don't normally think of brain surgery with a patient awake. why? >> well, if we were to put him

to sleep with the general anesthetic, the tremor would go away, so we wouldn't be able to know that we were reay in the correct place to stop his tremor. fortunately, the brain doesn't have the ability to feel pain itself, so we're able to by simply numbing the scalp perform this entire operation without a general anesthetic at all. >> and the brain has no nerve fibers. the brain doesn't hurt when you operate on it. >> the brain cannot feel any pain for itself, no. >> let's talk about some of the dicey things. you also have him awake because we're talking about microns of safety, not even millimeters of safety. stroke, bleeding, those kinds of things can happen. >> correct, absolutely. we need to monitor the patient's neurological function. we need to have him awake in order to do the recordings to confirm that we're in the correct place. but finally, really, the issue is whether or not we can stop the tremor, or if we were to get any side effects of stimulation. so, if, for instance, we were to get a painful tingling, it would indicate that we were a little tofar back. we could actually adjust our targeting here in the operating room. >> and if he doesn't know where he is or becomes disoriented,

cause for concern and you stop. >> absolutely. >> so, ben, let me sneak over here. how are you feeling? >> i'm feeling great. >> i have to ask you the obvious, because people are not used to seeing human beings with a big metal contraption around their head. is it disconcerting? >> for me? >> yes. >> i don't see it. >> you don't see it. >> no. >> and could you feel anything during this procedure? >> no. well, little bit, but -- >> all right. and can you -- your tremor, does it -- is it stunning to be able to control your hand now where you couldn't a few minutes ago? >> oh, yeah. i have full control now. >> and what does this mean for you then, being able to move this hand? >> a whole different quality of life. >> a whole different quality of life. , there you have it, meredith. i mean, it is extraordinary. and let's just remind everyone, this takes a team from anesthes anesthesia, neurosurgery, neurology, extraordinary scrub techs and nurses. a hospital that is dedicated to doing this kind of thing, and of course, pients who understand that being awake during this kind of surgery is sometimes the safest, smartest way to go. but it's an extraordinary breakthrough in neurosurgical

medicine. >> amazing surgery and life-changing for people like ben, and also people with parkinson's as well -- >> that's exactly ght. >> not just essential tremors. >> yeah, and dystonia. and here's where the cool future is going to be, and we're going to follow up with dr. alterman soon -- >> okay. >> think of depression, ocd, things like that. the future is really quite bright. >> dr. nancy snyderman, thank you so much for your reporting. it is now 8:24 and here's matt. >> meredith, thank you. it's time to check in with our good friend willard scott, who this morning is down in ft. myers, florida. willard, good morning. >> hey, good morning. matt, i'll call you after. i've got some news about that lottery ticket that we bought together. i think you'll be interested. anyway, happy birthday from smucker's, how sweet it is. the best people in the world, orville, ohio. take a look as the jam jar spins around. emma, my grandmother's name. emma mayer of rapid city, south dakota. colon cancer survivor and attributes her longevity to taking garlic every day.

107. cancer survivor. incredible. anna doerfler of glen allen, virginia, is 100 years old and enjoys relaxing in her cabin by the lake with her grandkids. loves to plant flowers, too. happy birthday. how sweet. johanna bergman of ashland, oregon, is 100 years old. get this, a holocaust survivor. stays active with ping pong tournaments and her grandkids. loves to swim. beautiful. what a story, huh? and james presciano of ashtabula -- great name -- ohio. i've begun there. retired cpenter who still is known as the family handyman. you need it fixed, he can handle it. doris lockness of the famous monster group, el dorado hills, california, is 100. got her pilot's license at 99 years old and loves to ride around in her new jaguar. oh!

jason and marjorie baade of lakeland, florida. 79 years married. he's 99, she's 95. they met at a high school carnival and he won her. well, that's the great birthday good morning, you're probably waking up to snow in your neighborhood. very sad breaking news out of southeast washington. three children in critical condition afterñr an early morn% apartment fire in the 1900 block ofñiñi nailer road. firefighters say it appears the fire started in the kitchen. then they say the children's mother ran to get help, then the door closed ñrbehind her, she could not get back in.

two of the children are under 1 year old.

good morning, some sunshine in the region. and then freezing up again tonight, watch out for patchy ice, sunny tomorrow, could get a winter storm friday night into saturday. )qrr"áuz take a look along

395. let's head over and take a look over at the american legion bridge. >> kidsçó

8:30 now on this wednesday morning, february 3rd, 2010. not the best of weather overnight. we had some snow and ice in the area, but these folks, thank goodness, made it safely to our plaza, and we are so happy to have them here this morning. just ahead, fans of the harry potter books and movies, stick around. we have the first live look at the much-anticipated wizarding

world of harry potter at universal orlando resort. we're going to tell you how you will have a chance to be at its opening this spring. >> my goodness, it's impressive looking. >> isn't it cool? also coming up, we'll be talking about the wonderful and sometimes scary relationship between mothers and their daughters. i think a lot of mothers are really tense about wanting to make sure that relationship is terrific. it is a very unique and special relationship. we're going to help you make sure that yours is terrific. >> okay. also ahead, al roker has made his way down to washington. he's at the white house and he's taking us inside the kitch at 1600 pennsylvania avenue. he's going to do a little cooking and talk about healthy eating. al's down there right now, but before we talk about healthy eating, let's talk about the weather, mr. roker. all righty, guys, we will talk about the weather, and we're going to introduce you to our junior white house chefs and our assistant white house chef as well in just a little bit. first of all, let's see what's happening as far as your weather's concerned, and we are talking about that big storm out west. that's going to be an issue, obviously.

but for the weekend, it gets out of here, thankfully. we'll see the snow ending in the mid-atlantic states, windy conditions along the northeast coast, rain out west, sunshine through the gulf coast. then sunday, sunday! sunday's nice along the eastern seaboard, windy conditions in new england, rain in central good morning, a little sunshine breaking çóout, there y be an additional scattered lingering flurry this morning. right now it's in the upper 20s, near 30 to mid 30s in the washington. highs today near 40 degrees. and then tomorrow,çó sunny, col in the morning, no, watch out for patchy ice, afternoon highs should make it into the low 40s. on friday, cloudy, could get a major winter stormñi with snow developing friday afternoon and saturday evening, tapering off saturday afternoon and ending. and in just a little while, we are here in the white house kitchen. there is a new children's

healthy food inittive. sam kass is the food initiative coordinator, and these are our chefs here. they're going to help us show you how to cook healthy, you and your kids. so, we're going to do that in just a little bit live from the white house kitchen. and i've got to tell you, i am thrilled to be in the white house kitchen! this is so cool! guys? >> obamas or anything, are they? >> well, thanks, al. as we count down to vancouver, believe it or not, nine days to go until the opening ceremony, but vancouver just one of the exciting places that we have to visit this year. vancouver 2010. in just nine days, the games begin. we'll give you a front-row seat as all eyes are on american superstars like lindsey vonn. will she own whistler and sweep all five alpine skiing events? and what about bode miller? the skiing superstar seeks redemption after a lackluster performance in torino. speed skater apolo anton ohno is

sharpening his blades to make history. with five olympic medals already in hand, he's hoping to go further and become the most decorated u.s. olympian ever. the tried and true golden girls of the half pipe say it best. >> we can't wait! >> welcome to hogwarts. >> may is huge for harry potter fans the world over. the "today" show offers a first glimpse into the new wizardy world of harry potter attraction at the universal orlando resort. production designers from the hugely popular films worked closely with universal for five years, bringing harry's world to life. the park covers mor than 20 acres. you'll find the legendary hogwarts castle, travel wizard style, and you can pick up your very own magic wand. now muggles the world over can make harry potter's journey their own. and check it out, harry potter fans. there is a live look at hogwarts castle at universal orlando resort, and we're showing it to you because this morning we're

kicking off "today's wizarding world of harry potter" contest. >> we're asking classrooms all across the country to tell us why they are extraordinary. maybe it's a special project you're involved in or an accomplishment you're proud of. if you want to tell us about that, go to our website at todayshow.com. there you're going to find out how your class can enter to win a trip to the opening celebration, which is taking place in the spring. and of course, we're going to be there for all the fun and excitement. >> something to look forward to. that's great! >> my kids would love that. >> absolutely. up next, we're going to meet a remarkable fleet of kids, a remarkable teenager who is out to change the world of medicine. boss: so word's gettin' out that geico customers could save even more on their car insurance

by signing up for other things - like homeowner's or renter's insurance. nice work, everyone. exec: well, it's easy for him. he's a cute little lizard. gecko: ah, gecko, actually - exec: with all due respect, if i was tiny and green and had a british accent i'd have more folks paying attention to me too... i mean - (faux english accent) "save money! pip pip cheerio!" exec 2: british? i thought you were australian. gecko: well, it's funny you should ask. 'cause actually, i'm from - anncr: geico. save even more with our new multi-policy discount. this morning on "the grio's 100 history-makers in the making," a surprising medical

pioneer. "today" contributing correspondent jenna bush hager introduces us to a young man whose fresh approach to things could have a big impact on medicine. >> reporter: prepping for surgery with full scrubs. the equipment is ready. the patient is, well, simulated, and that's a good thing, because the surgeon is only 15 years old. >> he shows very good talent, actually, for a you novice surgeon. >> reporter: tony hansbury is just a high school student, but he got the attention of real doctors when he took a new approach to a surgery technique used in hysterectomies in his school science project. what's extraordinary about him and his work? >> he has, you know, intelligence, motivation and certainly a good degree of eye-hand coordination and surgical skill at a very young age. >> reporter: tony studies medicine at darnell cookman medical arts magnet school in

jacksonville, florida, and his innovative project earned him the honor to study alongside medical residents at the university of florida's college of medicine. >> i like helping people. i like fixing them, fixing problems. >> reporter: his medical school is much like real medical school with specialized classes in anatomy, physiology and latin. the son of a preacher and a nurse, tony wants to be a neurosurgeon, a goal he focuses on every day. >> it's not uncommon for our family to sit around at dinner and to talk about medical issues. we're talking about cancer and the different types of cancer and what the treatment is. >> reporter: tony even sounds like a doctor. >> in the laparoscopic mold, a conventional needle -- suter it up horizontally as well as the endostitch. >> reporter: but, tony says, he's just like any other teenager.

do you ever have to say, tony, go do your homework or clean your room? >> tony is a normal kid who has priorities, and sometimes they're not cleaning his room and sometimes they're not doing his homework. >> reporter: but this normal kid even surprises seasoned doctors. >> it certainly is inspiring, and hopefully, motivating when they see his work, what he can do at his age. >> reporter: tony says it is the attitude of his parents and teachers who taught him he can achieve anything with hard work and steely determination. >> there's not a limit for any child and especially tony. i'm looking for great things from him. >> reporter: and if one doctor in training in the family isn't enough, tony has a twin. tyler wants to be a doctor, too. >> just put your heart and mind to it, and doesn't matter what other people say. just stick to it. >> reporter: a young man setting the bar high, helping people and hoping to save lives, all before he can even drive. coming up next, improving

the mother-daughter relationship. what one doctor has learned after counseling families for decades.

>> announcer: "today's moms" is brought to you by walmart. save money. live better. walmart. back at 8:43, andhis morning on "today's moms," the mother-daughter relationship. while it is tremendously fulfilling, it can also be a powder kegf emotion just waiting to explode. we spoke with three modthers an three daughters who admitted to the occasional breakdown in communication. >> we have our good and bad days, you know. she's willing to listen, she'll listen, but if she's not, she'll just have closed ears. >> we don't really resolve our disagreements. it usually ends just like, all

right, mom, whatever, and i'll just walk away, or i'll just sit there and act like i'm listening and let her say her opinion and let it go in one ear and out the other. >> samantha since an early age has always had like the opposite viewpoint. so, i could saylack and she'll say white. >> when we disagree, it makes me feel like she doesn't understand me and she doesn't see my point of view, which is sometimes visa versa. i don't see her point of view. >> little bit frustrating as a mom. sometimes you don't want her to have such a contrary opinion to what you're saying. >> you know when she's not happy. there's definitely the stomp, there's definitely the eye-rolling. there's definitely the, ugh. >> i don't roll my eyes that often. i have a lot of siblings, so sometimes i feel like they get more privileges than me, since i am the oldest. >> we don't fight as much, you know. >> i just wish we could have better communicating skills. >> i feel like i'm getting a peek into the adult that she'll become. i just love when she has her own opinions. i love watching her mature and i'm just really proud of who she's becoming. >> and dr. charles sophie is a

clinical psychiatrist and author of "side by side: the revolutionary mother-daughter program for conflict-free communication." that's a mouthful. dr. sophy, good morning to you. >> good morning. >> let's get this out of the way. people are going, wait a minute, not a mother, not a daughter, so how can he be so confident on the advice he gives on mother-daughter relationships? >> i understand that, but gender is not the biggest issue here. it's really having experience, and sitting here as a third party watching two people who can go from being best friends to absolute mortal enemies within seconds and then back again is really interesting to me. and then the power in that relationship, so i really want to take a stand on it and help moms shift that for themselves. >> you say there is no more dynamic more fascinating or frightening than the mother-daughte dynamic. why is that? >> it's really frightening to watch all that going on. i can hear it coming down my hallway before it gets to my office. they're leaving, they're hugging, fighting before they get to the car. it vacillates between so many

emotional shifts up and down that it's just something that i felt i was really interested in, i saw a lot of it, rich, poor, it didn't matter. >> but why particular to mothers and daughters? is it a hormonal thing, one woman and another? is there something else going on? >> well, i had found as i had worked over all these years, there's rlly four basic truths to what i see in a mother-daughter relationship. first one is that they really both speak the same language, they want the same thing in that relationship. they want love, they want understanding, they want respect, but they don't always give it, so they don't always get it. they roll their eyes. they have that body language that they know will trigger each other. so, they don't always use that at the right time. the third thing is that they do compete on some level, whether they're aware of it or not, and -- >> or want to admit it or not. >> exactly. and that they're both estrogenic beings, and sometimes estrogen at that intersection where one is going up and one is going down is sometimes not the best intersection to be parked at. >> you say one of the keys to success in the relationship is the mother not being addicted over finding a place where both

can agree, but isn't part of parenting a child teaching them when no means no and setting limits? >> absolutely. all i say to these mothers is please begin early. if you start with no meaning no and yes meaning yes, eliminate the maybes,hen going forward you're not going to have many problems because you're clear and consistent. if you don't get on that path right away, it derails itself and so you have to go back, so there is a place for compromise at some point, but you can still say no in a different way is what i'm saying. >> we have an e-mail from one of our viewers, angie in pennsylvania. we asked people to send in their real-life situations. she writes, "my 14-year-old daughter recently asked to go to the mall. i have been at the mall, seen a lot of kids her age, but some are really not the kind of kids i want her hanging around. of course, she says all the kids go and not all the kids at the mall are bad. am i being too overprotective or apprehensive in saying no?" >> well, she's not being overprotective. she's not -- but she is apprehensive. i understand. it's a mom's fear. so, i would say to mom, please,

take a look at what you're fearful of, discuss it with your daughter, scope it out. go out there, maybe meet some of these kids, or say the first time i'm going to spend an hour there and i'll check on you when i'm there, but i won't follow you. work a compromise so your daughter feels like she's got some freedom but she still is going to get what she wants and you're going to get what you want and your fear will be allayed, but it's really a fear starting. >> when it comes to mother-daughter relationships what doesn't work and what does -- you use sort of this chair analogy. can you explain to viewers what that is? >> yes. it easier for people to understand something simple, to be able to work themselves through. oftentimes, moms and daughters find themselves mired in emotion. so, i gave them three positions to look at where they are with their daughter. they're either back to back in a conflict and they're not getting along, where they can't even see each other. >> so that's not good. >> right. so, that's two chairs back to back. i want to bring them through treatment and talking to them face to face to talk so they can end side by side going through life at the same pace, looking in the right direction. >> thus the title of the book "side by side." >> you got it.

>> for those with an older daughter, maybe they're in their 20s, they've had a relationship that hasn't worked too well, too late to make repairs? >> it's never too late. that's the good news for mothers and daughters. it's never too late to make changes and somebody has to take the high road. as your daughter ages, maybe your daughter can read this book with you and you both get the strategy, better communicating tools and a better relationship. >> dr. sopfy, thank you very much. >> thank you. >> the book again is called "side by side." up next, al prepares breakfas

this morning on "today's kitchen back to basics," breakfast at the white house. >> right now, al'sal's inside t executive mansion's kitchen along with white house assistant chef and food initiative coordinator sam kass. >> and they're joined by a few kids from washington's ben elementary school. hey, al. >> hey, guys. i've got to tell you, i thought the white house kitchen was a huge, expansive thing. they do magic in a fairly small case and we have some small but good-sized assistant chefs to help today. we have marquette, we've got madelyn, susanah, and we have michael all here to help. three from the bancroft school and susannah is home-schooled. sam, you are the food initiative coordinator for mrs. obama. >> that is right. >> what is that? >> that encompassed a number of things. i've been helping her with her

garden and i'm helping her launch her initiative on childhood obesity coming up next week. >> and that involves, you know, helping kids eat well -- >> that's right. >> because if the kids are eating well, they'll probably force their parents to eat well. >> they are powerful actors in this, so we're looking to them to be leaders, absolutely. >> so, we're going to show how kids can get started early in the morning. >> that's right. >> take the reins of healthy eating. >> that's right. >> first of all, an easy-to-go out-the-door breakfast. >> this is for during the week for parents who have to get their kids out the door. we're doing a waffle sandwich. >> so, madelyn and marquette are going to work on that. what do we do? >> we're going to pop in a couple of the waffles. then we have some peanut butter. they can pick a jelly, a strawberry or grape, and then we're going to put some bananas in there, but you want to make one, too, al? >> sure! >> okay. pop in a couple extra waffles for al. >> okay. >> there we go. and then -- so, we'll get those going, and then you want to start cutting a banana some. >> i'll slice one --

>> and make sure we do it with the bear claw so we don't cut any fingers. >> right. don't want any of that. >> just like that. that's very good. then over here, this is one that's more for like a saturday morning, when you have a little more time. we're going to call this eggn the hole. >> egg in the hole! >> my grandfather taught me this when i was a very young kid, so we're excited for this. ready for this? >> yes. >> all right, let's go. let's get to it. starting off with bread. >> and always helpful to use whole grain bread? >> whole wheat bread and whole wheat waffles as well. so, we cut out the circle, just like that, and we put a little butter in there for us. we put a little butter in the pan. >> want to put a little butter in the pan? >> let's get this on, we'll heat it up. >> and sam, while we're getting -- while the kids are cooking this, tell me about this healthy food initiative. >> it's, you know, the initiative is going to encompass a wide range. it has lots of parts. you know, it's going to encompass all different agencies

in the government. we're going to be looking to community groups, private sector, all kinds of people that come together. but really, what this is about is getting simple tools for parents and families to help make better choices. >> right. >> so, right here, this is the essence of it. so, havg kids being able to eat healthy food that tastes great and that they love. >> so, madelyn and marquette, their waffle's out. they're getting ready to put peanut butter and jelly. and then -- >> little more butter in there. yeah, just a little more. and then we're going to crack our egg. >> all right. and the great thing is, the kids are taking part in their own health. >> that's right. and i know, in the garden, we really saw that in this amazing way, that when the kids are in the process of planting the food and then harvesting it, their ability and openness to eat green, leafy vegetables was amazing. >> right. >> i mean, with the bancroft students, they harvested a salad and peas and ate them like they were the best thing on earth,

like they were french fries. >> wow. >> it was really amazing. >> and this is something that is very close to mrs. obama's heart. >> she lives this, she comes at this as a mom. >> she walks the walk. >> absolutely. so, she's been inspired out of her experience as a mom and trying to do the best by her kids. >> and you've got two budding chefs here. i know michael and marquette want to be chefs. >> all right, so you're going to pour in the egg right in there, just up to the top. >> and the finished product looks a little something like -- >> put it right in there. >> -- this. >> there, perfect. >> and that will cook up. >> all right, pop it back . all right, so, now we're going to give it a stir. >> and here we go. egg in the hole. >> egg in the hole. >> and we've got our fabulous waffle. everything looking good, guys. marquette, madelyn -- >> it's grea >> my kids love that. >> they do? >> yeah, it's fun. >> al, way to go, bud. >> we're doing good. >> thank you, guys! >> are you going to be back tomorrow, , to make us breakfast? >> i'll bring some of that back for you. >> should be great by tomorrow.

it's 8:56, school closures and delays running at the bottom of your screen this morning. you can also check them out all out next washington.com. in the news this morning, breaking news out of southeast washington. three small children critically injured in an early morning apartment fire in the 1900 block of nailer road. firefighters say it appears the fire started in the kitchen. then the children's mother ran out to get help when the door closed behind her and she couldn't get back in. the children are 5, 2 and an infant. the children are in stable condition right now and breathing on their own. boss: hey, those gecko ringtones you put on our website are wonderful. people love 'em!

gecko: yeah, thank you sir. turned out nice. boss: got another one for you. anncr: at geico.com, it's easy to get a free rate quote, manage your policy, make payments or even file a claim! boss: now that's a ringtone. gecko: uh yeah...it's interesting.... certainly not the worst ringtone i've ever heard... ♪ ringtone lyrics: a-ringedy- ding-ding-dingy-dong, ringeddong-ding-ding... ♪ gecko (to himself): yeah, that might be the worst. anncr: geico. 15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance.

good morning, temperatures now just beginning to get near the freezing mark around the region. we have had a few breaks in the clouds and the sunshine trying to break through. and as it does, we'llñr haveñix temperatures climb into the low

40s today. so we'll have considerableñr melting of the snow that fell but it will freeze up and highs tomorrow in the low 40s. then it appears we'll get another storm friday into saturday. >> outer loop of thexdñi beltwa the dulles toll road and slow traffic from river road all the way across the american legion bridge. use caution this morning, still alin with slick roadways. >> tonight on news4 at 5:00, spice up your life and your meals with a creative home m

we're back now with more of "today" on a wednesday morning. it's the 3rd of february. it's 2010,nd these are some very hardy folks who have been standing out on our plaza for a couple of hours in some cases, coming up with some tough weather in the northeast, and it's going to get worse over the weekend. so, if you're in this area, bundle up. we thank these people for stopping by. inside the warm, cozy studio, i'm matt lauer along with natalie morales. we're going to check in with al, who's down at the white house, in just a couple of minutes. and speaking of the white house, coming up, we're going to have more of our exclusive interview with the first lady, michelle obama. we'll hear how she views her role as the first lady. >> it was a great interview. she was very candid.

>> an interesting lady. >> yeah, and she was funny. >> yeah, very lighthearted. also ahead, the latest on the investigation into the murder of an aspiring model who was killed while vacationing in miami over new years. a new witness now has come forward, and police are hoping a suspect sketch will bring in more leads. and switching gears to "today's money 911," our weekly effort to help you get your finances in order. today we are tackling debt, credit, and whether some bills are more important to pay off than others if you can't afford to pay everything. that's probably good information. we're going to have some advice from our experts on that. and then later on, celebrity hair on the red carpet. straight-talking hairstylist jonathan anton will tell us what he thinks been the hot trends at the oscars, coming up. before all that, let's swing over to the news desk and we have ann standing by with a look at the headlines. >> good morning, guys. good morning once again, everybody. in the news, president obama is meeting with his national security team following an ominous prediction tuesday on capitol hill, the country's top intelligence official and the heads of the cia and the fbi

told lawmakers that they are certain that al qaeda or an affiliate will attempt a terror attack on u.s. soil within the next six months. the taliban is claiming responsibility for a bombing today in pakistan that killed three u.s. soldiers. u.s. military officials are telling nbc news that the three were special operations forces who are on a mission to train pakistani forces. the bomb hit their convoy as they were traveling near a girls school. about 70 people were wounded, many of them children from the school first lady michelle obama says that she understands why her husband is facing falling job approval numbers and growing criticism. in an interview with matt, the first lady said that it's been a tough economic year for the nation and people are looking to the person who's in charge. she also spoke about how she sees her role as the first lady. >> every first lady who's sat in these shoes or stood in these shoes has brought something very different to the task. that's sort of the beauty of this, we don't have a job description.

so, i think every model is one that i learned from, but my goal overl is just to be helpful. i mean, fundamentally, i want to look back on this time and feel like i affected somebody's life because i was here. >> and on that point, mrs. obama also said that her new initiative to fight childho obesity is an issue that can be solved. police in south florida have a new clue to last month's murder of an aspiring model, and it's a clue they want the public to see. nbc's mark potter reports now. >> reporter: moments after this security video showed 26-year-old paula sladewski being escorted out of a miami nightclub, a new witness claims he saw her walking away with a light-skinned black male. police say that witness just came forward, leading to this detailed composite sketch released by detectives. >> we can't say whether he was inside the club, where they met outside the club or where he

came from. >> reporter: the apirg model was in miami with her boyfriend on vacation and was last seen leaving the club alone a month ago in the early morning. later that night, her body was found miles away, burned beyond recognition in a trash dumpster. her sister has been putting up reward posters, hoping someone will identify the man in the sketch. >> this guy can run and hide, but he can't run and hide forever. >> reporter: police say they are also gathering evidence from two cars now to see if they are linked to the crime, but so far, they say they have not seen anyone resembling the man from the sketch in any of the club security video. mark potter, nbc news, miami. utility crews in oklahoma are still scrambling to catch up after last week's huge ice storm. it brought down so many trees and power lines that homes are still without electricity. and an abandoned house in detroit is on ice on purpose. two artists have been spraying the house with water to create an ice house. their ho is to show that

beauty is possible even in this economic downturn. it is now four minutes past the hour. t's goack to matt now. >> all right, ann, appreciate that very much. let's get a check of the weather now from al, who is, i believe, still inside the white house. al? i actually am. they haven't chased me out yet. we're still in the kitchen. i was calling this young man marquette. it's marquell, right? there you go, and madelyn and susannah and michael. and they're trying the egg in the hole. our audio guy, davy levin, says his dad taught him it's the one-eyed pirate. how are these guys, these waffles to go? good? let me try one. >> it's a good snack for any morning, if you're just rushing out of the house. >> rushing out of the house. >> make a few of them, you're good. >> marquell is going to take my job. let's check your weather, see what's happening, and we've had a big storm move through the east coast. that, of course, dumped about two to three inches of snow here in the northeast, but the next big one we're watching is this monster coming out of texas, dumping a ton of rain, anywhere from five to seven inches of

rain with this thing. but then it keeps moving, brings rain through the gulf coast, heavy rain, and as it starts to interact with colder air coming in from the north, we are talking by friday night here in the mid-atlantictates another possible major snowstorm, anywhere from six inches to a foot of snow from west virginia on into maryland, southern new jersey, including good morning,èiñrñi showin just north of washingtonçó into north and western prince george's county and into howard county this morning. elsewhere,ñr gets a few breaks the clouds. temperatures now 33 in washington.ç-tr(t&háhp &hc% stillñr generally below freezin in washington. later on today, we should see it climb to near 40. freezing back up tonight. could have some patchy ice around. sunny tomorrow, highs of low 40s. it does appear thatr]ujuz coming our way on friday in the form of heavy snow into saturday.

i also want to thank assistant chef sam kass so much. >> thank you. >> and for all the information you gave these great kids. >> it's a pleasure. >> thank you so much. >> we had a great time. thank you so much. >> now let's go to ann. this morning on "today's money 911," lowering your debt and raising your credit. we've got jean chatzky, "today's" financial editor and author of "money 911," we've got david bach, founder of finishrich.com and author of "start over, finish rich." he's got, by the way, a 4-week-old baby, so we welcome him back here after all that. and sharon epperson of cnbc is a personal finance correspondent. and natalie is across the plaza with questions from the crowd. so, let's get started. a lot of questions about this topic, about credit and debt, and we've got our first question comes from jenna, who is on the telephone. jenna, what's your question? >> caller: hi. i was making about $46,000 a year until i was unexpectedly laid off. i'm now getting about $330 a week and i can't pay all my bills. i'm wondering which are the most

important to pay in full and which will accept partial payment? >> she's got to prioritize, jean. >> absolutely, and so many people are going through this right now, so i think it's a terrific question. look, we pay the bills where people have the ability to take things away from us. at a time like this, your credit score is secondary. but really, you have to ask, okay, if i don't pay my mortgage, what happens to my house? if i don't pay my car loan, what happens to my car? if i don't pay my utilities, will they turn off the lights and will i not be able to have heat in the winter? and those are the priorities. what i do want you to do is go to every one of those lenders and go to every one of those companies and explain to them what is going on in your life. utility companies, for example, may be able to put you on some sort of a flat payment plan to lower your monthly payments in the winter, which could ease the burden a little bit until you get that next job. you may also find that there is government assistance out there, state assistance for you if you are unable to pay those sorts of bills, and you want to look into

that as well. >> how do you find that state assistance, because i mean, that's going to be key. paying up all those bills, you need all of those things you just named. >> often, the companies themselves can point you in the right direction. if you talk to a customer service representative or even better, a supervisor, and you say, look, i need help, you can be directed to a place where you can find some help. >> what about the companies, too, waiting for your payment, sharon? >> they understand there are problems here and people are having a hard time. so of them are willing to work with you. and like jean said, these government programs are where you want to go, too, but a lot of times, food of course is a necessity and you're wondering how to cut those bills. a website like angel food ministries can deliver food to you low cost and really healthy meals. they're also working with people who are having problems. >> and reaching out to family is key, too, in this circumstance. >> but definitely reach out to all the creditors. as shan said, they are hearing this. >> yes. >> but unless you tell them that you are having a problem, they're going to assume that you're simply not paying, and that's when you get yourself into a deeper hole. >> okay, jenna, obviously, we

wish you a lot of luck. good luck to you. i hope these answers helped you thisorning. now we're going to skype and a question from maura. >> hi, i've been working with a credit counseling agency to pay down my debt and i have another ten months before i'm doing. i notice it's listed on the credit report that i'm working with a counseling agency. my question is, when i'm done, how will my association with them impact my credit score? will lenders be less likely to lend to me? will my interest rates be higher? what can i do to help my credit score? >> david. >> great question. how old are you? >> i'm 27. >> so, i just want to say this to you, congratulations on the fact that you went and got credit counseling at such a young age, because so often, people wait and a lot of young people are actually declaring bankruptcy. so, congratulations on going and getting counseling. for those who have not, go to a website like debtadvice.org. i reached out to the non-profit consumer counseling group and asked them, will this affect

your credit? and here's the answer across the board, no. working with a non-profit consumer counseling group will not damage your credit score, but here's what happened with you. you used what's probably called the debt management plan. so, the consumer counseling group that you went to set you up on an automatic payment plan. you're paying them, right? >> yes. >> and then they're paying the bills. so, that shows on your credit score, but that's not a negative. here's what's going to really happen. once those bills are paid off, your score's going to go up. what's happened, though, because you have a debt management plan, is they have probably freezed your credit cards. can you use those credit cards now? >> no. >> so, when you pay those bills off, then you go back to the credit card companies and you ask them to unfreeze your account, which is also going to raise your score, because now you're going to have access to those credit cards and they'll be paid down. so, the truth is, once you're done -- and i think you said -- what do you have left, two years to be paid off? >> ten months. >> ten months? congratulations. in ten months, you're going to see your score go up, and my guess is you'll see your score go up 50 to 100 points.

so, i would be actually pulling your credit reports and credit scores right now and going to annualcreditreport.com to do that, and you should be buying a credit score from fico this year to see if your score's improving. i'm sure it will be. >> very, very briefly. just one of the things that you're doing that a lot of people who enter credit counseling don't do, you're going to finish the program. a good portion of people leave the portion in the middle. that will actually hurt your score. so, you're doing the right thing by sticking with it. >> all right. thanks a lot, maura. good luck to you. >> well done. >> now we have laurie in washington. by the way, you made maura feel really good. okay, here's lori in washington. hi, lori. what's your question? >> caller: i have had a platinum credit card for 20 years and now they've started charging me an annual fee of $49. i pay off my balance every month and have never had a late charge, nor do i use any of their benefits. we've had a great credit score, but i'm afraid if i cancel the car, it will ding our credit score. should i just pay the $49 or can i look for a local bank card that does not charge those fees? >> this is happening to a lot of people, sharon.

>> a lot of people, and you know, credit card companies need to recoup some of the money they're losing from the credit card laws somewhere, and this is how they're doing it, but you don't want to get mad and think you're getting even by closing your account, especially if you want to go for a mortgage or car loan in the next 6 to 12 months. it can negatively impact your credit score. >> she's asking whether to go for another company. >> well, what she should do is actually try to open a new credit card with no fee, but do that before closing the old one and try to get -- she says she has a great credit score -- try to get one with a bigger line of credit than she currently has. that way, her debt utilization ratio actually may be a little bit better. so, the points she loses for closing an account that she's had foruch a long time may be made up a little bit here, but it is key to make sure that you don't want to go for something that they're going to be looking at your credit score right now. >> so, no knee-jerk action. >> another thing, too, if you have a platinum card, the reality is they have a gold card and a green card. you can say, look, i want to keep the record open, but i don't want toay the fee. so i want to go to one of your

other cards. you have the standard card but i want to keep that open. they can roll you into a card with no fee, and the truth is, they'll probably waive the fee at least for a year. >> thank you for your question, lo lori. natalie is standing by with a question. >> i have jessica from new york with a great question, which a lot of people have about checking accounts and now fees, right? >> yes. i recently heard they were going to do away with free checking. what can we expect to be charged with in the near future? >> checking is not free. >> right. >> first of all, do away with free checking is a little bit of an exaggeration. what we're seeing is the banks out there testing non-free checking with prices anywhere from about $29 a year to $99 a year. annual fees are coming back because they are losing the fee income on other areas of their business. you should still be able to get a checking account if you maintain a minimum balance of a couple thousand dollars where you won't have to pay a fee month to month, but you may have

to change banks in order to do that. >> and other ways to go around these fees -- if you do automatic deposit of your paycheck, many banks will waive that $9 fee a month. additionally, you're goingo always see free checking, and here's why -- the banks make money on you bouncing a check. so, they'll offer you free checking hoping that you bounce a check. then the bounce fees right now are $30, but they're starting to tier them. a new thing you've got to watch for is the banks are now doing the following. if you bounce a check for $30 and you don't pay it off, pay that bounced check in five days, they'll charge another $30. so, the banks -- you're going to see some banks will charge these fees and then some banks are going to be competitive and say, you know, we're still giving you free checking, but the money -- >> but this is an important point -- >> look at online banks, smaller banks. go to bankrate.com, moneyrate.com, try to figure out credit unions, places you can go where they have free checking and read the fine print. >> hopefully, you've helped jessica. we have many more questions to get to, whether you'd be liable, for example, for a family member's debt if you're an authorized user on their card.

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ladies, raise your spoons. now there's nothing left standing between you and a satisfying breakfast. introducing special k low-fat granola. with 50% less fat than the leading granola... and 5 grams of fiber per serving, it's a satisfying w to help you manage your weight. special k low-fat granola -- a taste of freedom. and we're back with more of "today's money 911," with our experts, and let's get to it. we have a question on videotape from jane in connecticut. go, jane. >> my husband and i have a lot of credit card debt, which we arworking hard at eliminating. we're keeping up with our payments, but we don't feel like we're making much progress. would debt management be something that we could look

into to help us make more headway? >> i can see you nodding your head, jean. >> well, absolutely. david talked a little about debt management before. a debt management program will essentially give you a way to lower your interest rates to a place around 6%, much lower than they probably are now, which enables you to pay off more debt faster. there is a fee for getting into a debt management program, and one of the things that you may want to consider doing is calling all of your credit card companies and seeing at this point if you canet them to not -- to lower the interest rates themselves so that you can pay off that debt. some of them are more willing to do this if you use the words "internal hardship" and you say that you're willing not to use your cards while you're paying off that debt. >> all right. let's get to another question. natalie's found somebody else in the crowd. >> that's right. i have laurie and ricky, and gee, i'm not sure where you're from, exactly, mr. saints. >> go saints! >> you have a question about saving for private school education? >> yes. we have four small children who we're putting through private school, and we're wondering what

advice can you give as far as resources or financial management to help with managing the tuition, cost of tuition? >> look how sad you look. i understand because i have a little boy right now who's 6 and i just got the bill for next year and it's going to be $34,000 for first grade. so, my heart goes out to you with four kids. here's what i can tell you that the school that jack's going to and your school will do it, too -- they actually have a financial aid counselor there. and so, you can go back to your private school and say, one, do i qualify for financial aid? do you have any programs available where you're actually doing not just loans but scholarships? and what a lot of private schools are doing right now is they're combining scholarships for people who need financial aid and special loan programs. the best place to start is your private school, because they recognize that especially with four kids how difficult this is for you, and they are also starting to discount a little bit if you've got multiple children. now, people don't usually ask at the private schools -- hey, i've got four kids, can you knock 10%

off? the reality is, they do do that. private schools are in the business of profit. so, their business is just like any other business and they will work with you, and that's the best place to start. >> and you can go to community organizations and sororities and fraternities and rotary clubs may offer scholarships as well. even college websites like fastweb, you may be able to find some high school or elementary school scholarships listed there. >> we have an e-mail question. she writes "i owe around $3,000 and want to pay off my three credit cards. i want to borrow money from my 401(k) with a low interest rate and the monthly payments will be taken out of my check. is this a wise thing to do?" so, she basically wants to borrow money from herself to pay off these interest rates, and -- >> right, and we're almost out of time. the answer is no. the answer is don't do this. don't do this. just look at your budget, come up with the money. if you have to do something with your 401(k), don't make contributions. use that money for a little while, but do not pull the money out. >> you all agree with this? >> absolutely. >> all right. we finally find agreement. actually, mostly we do. >> mostly. we just give david a hard time.

>> sharon epperson. thank you so much. you all three do a great job and thanks for being here this morning. coming up this morning here on "today," it's awards season and the red carpet i heating up with some hot hairstyles. so, we're going to check out what trends you might see at the oscars. love activia light? sometimes i have no choice but to eat on the run... and to eat whatever happens to be around. heavy greasy food that's hard on my diet... and my digestive system. so i eat activia light every day. activia light, with bifidus regularis is clinically proven to help regulate your digestive system. mmmm. the new taste is better than ever.

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vveeta & rotel. man, that's good! good morning,ñi lots of closings to tell you aboutñi coming up in just a little bit. it is 9:26 right now. it is wednesday, february 3, we're following breaking news out of southeast washington this morning. three small children in critical but stable condition after a building. firefighters sayt appears to have started in the kitchen in an apartment in the 1900 block of nailer road southeast. firefighters say the mother ran out to get help and the door closed behind her and couldn't get back in. firefighters perfo

good morning, still mostly cloudy around the regione'll haveñi sunshine with highsçó reaching near 40. sunny on thursday with highs reaching the low 40s. and we could getçó a major stor on friday. mostly in the form of snow friday afternoon and evening through midday saturday. how's the traffic, jerry? >> tom the accident on the outer loop of the dulles toll road has been cleared. and 95 in virginia has pretty much cleared out all the way to the beltway and not too bad to and across the 14th street

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on several occasions, they would come down to earth and -- >> hook up? >> they would hook up with mortals. the children of these unions were half god, half human. >> who is the voice? that is pierce brosnan, of course, underneath all that hair, but for this movie he plays a sentar, half man and half horse, and he's going to tell us all about that tomorrow here on "today." >> okay. >> intense. anyway, apparently, it's all about hair this morning. >> that's right, because celebrity hairstylist jonathan

anton is getting blunt, showing us what's hot and what's not in hollywood and will show us the trends we might see on the red carpet at the oscars. plus, bill t. jones is called an irreplaceable dance treasure, but i may have ruined him for life when he tried to teach me some moves recently. he's an amazing talent and is the man behind a broadway hit among many other things. we'll introduce youo him coming up just ahead. >> i think you've got some moves. i remember seeing you doing a little hip-hop out there. also, brunch made easy, from the perfect waffle iron to trendy tea kettles. look at that one. >> oh, my goodness. >> that makes things a lot easier. even muffin tops. we're talking about the best part of the muffin, in my opinion, just the top part there. >> i know. they're the most fattening, but the best. >> they are. we'll check out some inexpensive must-haves for your kitchen. before all that, we have al at white house this morning for a check of the weather. hey, al. >> hey, guys, thanks. the snow has ended here in washington, but as we take a

look, we've got another big storm coming. and as you see for the weekend, on saturday we've got sunshine in new england, but it's going to be frigid. we've got a mess along the mid-atlantic coast as another storm system moves off the coast. rain in the pacific northwest, sunny and mild through texas. then sunday, sunday, we're looking at more cold air along the eastern seaboard. plenty of sunshine, though. frigid conditions from the great lakes down into the central mississippi river valley, rain good morning, still below freezing around the region at this hour. we're getting a little bit of sunshine and we may get more as temperatures warm up into the upper 30s to near 40s. tomorrow morning's high in the low 20s. then cloudy on friday, could get some snow developing in the afternoon. could be heavy at times overnight friday into saturday morning.

ann and nat, see you back in new york tomorrow. >> okay. >> sounds great, al. stay warm down there. anyway, coming up next, he's never afraid to tell you exactly what he thinks. we'realking about celebrity hairstylist jonathan anton.he's hair after this. ♪ there's a reason ♪ for the sunshine sky ♪ there's a reason why i'm feeling so high ♪ ♪ must be the season... announcer: you get more power and more space, the world gets fewer smog-forming emissions. the 3rd generationrius. it's harmony between man, nature and machine. ladies, raise your spoons. now there's nothing left standing between you and a satisfying breakfast. introducing special k low-fat granola. with 50% less fat than the leading granola...

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go-gurt is specially made to freeze and thaw by lunch time? so kids can have their favorite yogurt in their lunch box go-gurt. freeze it. thaw it. eat it up. this morning on "today's beauty," high-stakes hair. what do you get when you combine ten hairdressers around the world, a $100,000 prize and a tough-talking stylist? you get season three of bravo's "shear genius," and jonathan antin is the no holds barred

judge. >> you obviously didn't like it couldn't even look at me. >> i see the '40s direction you're going in, but it's kind of nowhere near it. you could have put a little pin in right here and already it's a cleaner look. i wish i could tell you that i was impressed. i'm not. >> ooh, tough judge! jonathan, good morning. >> good morning. >> so, are you kind of like the simon cowell of the hairdressing world? >> that's what i'm hearing. that's what i'm hearing. >> you're channeling that vibe. >> yeah, you know, somebody's got to do it, right? >> you tell it like it is. >> always. >> and you tiell these 12 hairstylists they have to come with their best a-game, which of course, you want them to do, but why are the stakes so high for them? >> with $100,000 on the line, every hairstylist in america wanted to be on this show. it's that important. you bring your a-game and you get ready. otherwise, you're going home. >> what are you looking for, though? are you looking for something different? >> we're looking for everything. we're looking for the way someone uses their hands, the way they work with their

clients, the client's satisfaction. we're looking for -- >> having a vision? >> having a vision, the creative skill se we're looking for everything, you know? >> so, what do you think viewers can take away from season three? >> bottom line is hanging in therand how to make it happen, no matter what and how to find a great hairstylist. >> yeah. okay, well, you're going to take us through a couple different hair styles right now on the red carpet, some hollywood beauties. got the telestrator you're working for us this morning. and of course, we're still in love with sandra bullock. >> always. >> now the oscar-nominated. >> exactly, i know. >> you love this look on the golden globes. >> i did. >> she had this very kind of loose sort of style going on. >> and you can see right here how, you know, it's really pretty and soft, how it outlines her face. >> yeah. >> she's got these soft pieces. it's a great neck line, you know. it shows off her great neck, shows off her lips. it frames her eyes. it's just a reallysoft, pretty, pretty look. >> so, if you were to advise her for her oscar possibility, what

would you say? >> i'd say go down, you know. i'd say sandra go down, penelope go up. you know what i mean? >> right, beautiful, because penelope cruz, who's the next celebrity we're going to look at here, penelope had this beautiful down do. now you're saying it's time to kind of reverse the role here. >> absolutely. penelope, again, outlining her cheekbones -- >> this was fabulous here. >> soft, beautiful waves. you know, this side is all back and clean. you know, again, eyes, lips, neck, gorgeous. i'd say, penelope, maybe go up for the oscars. >> okay. >> you know? >> now, rihanna at the grammys, always very edgy. she's got that very blondish sort of look going now. >> yeah, rock star. >> she's changed her style so much over the last couple of years. how does this work for her? >> she has -- you know, the thing about hanna is i'm a little over the buzz side of the head. >> uh huh. >> i do love this. it's great, you know. it's kind of got that elvisy, you know, sharp rock star look. rihanna can do no wrong, though.

she's great. again, with the eyes and the lips, you know -- >> beautiful. >> you can't get any better than that. >> so, you'd say just maybe grow the sides out just little bit? >> yeah, grow the sides, maybe some extensions. >> change the look up a bit. next, talking about some up dos, and actress amy adams, who we saw here on the golden globes, beautiful look. fresh, right? >> beautiful, fresh, again with the soft bangs across her forehead, these beautiful soft pieces down the side. you can see how it's more of a back do, rather than an up do. that's what i love most about amy's hairstylist. >> somebody who didn't quite hit that mark, though, is jennifer morrison. >> exactly. >> who is from the hit show "house." >> yes, yes. >> and you say this is too much of a do? >> a little bit too much of a do. you can see back here, it's most like giving off radiation. it's got that extraterrestrial thing going on in the back, and it's a bad head shape. it's going this way when it should be going this way. >> uh huh. something to keep in mind if you're thinking about up do's.

>> absolutely. >> not to be so structured. loose and flowy. >> right. you want to be this way, not this way. >> and one more, singer kat perry from the grammys the other night. gorgeous, striking woman. you say the bangs a little much. >> yeah. the bangs are a little heavy. you can see it's kind of like a shelf-like effect, right? it's almost like -- >> but it's kind of the look that she has going for her, right? >> it is a look, you know, it's a rock star thing. i like to see the sides really straight and flat, sort of cleopatra like, and then you do the bang, and that's what gives it that symmetrical, beautiful look, when it has that type of bang. >> what about her hair color? do you like the real dark -- >> yeah, i like the dark. >> on her. >> the dark goes great with her eyes, goes great with her lips. i love dark hair, light eyes. gorgeous. >> jonathan antin, always great to get your takes on people's hairstyles. >> thank you very much. >> thank you. season three of "shear genius" prepurye

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and we're back with "grio's 100 history makers in the making." grio.com in partnership with nbc is the first video center news site devoted to african-american stories and perspectives. and as we celebrate black history month this morning, we've got the story of an ama amazing talent behind a broadway hit. >> one, two, three, four, five.

>> reporter: as a dancer -- >> change it. change it. >> reporter: bill t. jones has never been one to sit still. a celebrated choreograer for the last 20 years in the modern dance world, by now he could easily have taken an artful bow. >> okay, again, from the top, please. >> reporter: but instead, he has leapt to a new stage. >> reinventing the wheel again and again, such as my lot. >> reporter: on broadway in a role few have attained. >> 8:00, 9:00, good! reporter: that of director and choreographer. >> 12 and 6 is going to be the one that probably won't make air. ♪ >> reporter: his show is an african musical but a far cry from "the lion king." mixing the true story of

rebellious political musician with jones' own avant-garde dance line. >> you have to stand up now. >> reporter: somehow spun into the mainstream. >> i see some nice shiny coats out here tonight. >> reporter: i was in this audience, a mostly caucasian audience that was doing the clock. >> that clock -- i like trick people into understanding what it is to do something outlandish and free. >> reporter: that freedom is among many feelings jones layers into his dances from his life, drawing in part from his family. he was 1 of 12 children in upstate new york. >> i don't think i can overstress what it was like to grow up in an african-american family in a german and italian community in the late '50s,

early '60s. they were good people, but there was no blending. so, there was always this question about who am i? >> reporter: creating a safe place to look inward, he founded his dance company in the '80s with his late partner, ari zane, bringing together a diverse set of dancers, even now with a new piece on lincoln. always pushing boundaries to be an original, to be real, now making broadway stretch. >> look at this space. look at these lights. i want you to believe that we're in lagos in nigeria in 1978. wow. how did that happen? >> reporter: one of the mottos or messages of this show is originality, not artificiality. you give the dancers a chance to let them be original in their own work. >> yes. ah, if they could all be that way. we're actually saying to the world, take a solo, go for it.

what you got? >> reporter: teaching a new dance for a new audience -- ♪ -- eager to see more. and to see more of bill t. jones, head to our website at todayshow.com. and coming up next, fun gadgets for your next big

this morning on "today's kitchen," the ultimate brunch. it's easy to impress your guests with a big spread. all you need are a few choice gadgets and you'll be able to whip up a fantastic feast without breaking a sweat. hot chef chris kimble is the author of "cooks illustted" and the host of "america's test kitchen." hi, chris. >> nobody's ever called me hot chef. >> you are a hot chef today! man. >> oh, man. i can't think of what to say. >> we're starting with waffles,

right? >> and mixing bowls, the problem is they move all over the table. this is from pyrex, and it has on the bottom a little rubber bit, which means you can do this with one hand. >> very nice. and i love the design because of the spout. i always find it so messy to pour the batter into the waffle-maker, the pancake batter, too. >> so, speaking of waffle makers, we tested a bunch of them up in boston. >> why do you like this one? >> it's from chef's choice, $69, it's the waffle pro. it has an interesting feature. you can set it for crispy on the outside and moist on the inside or evenly baked. >> oh, we love that. >> it has a high and medium setting. of course, it has six settings in terms of how done you want your waffles. so, let's pour this in here. >> instead of letting it burn like some of us do who like it crispier, this is perfect. >> and when it's ready, it beeps. >> and easy to come off, too, with that teflstify coaflon coa

>> easy to pick off. >> and i pick of the muffin tops and throw away the rest. >> you're looking at the muffins -- >> i'm looking at the muffins and they taste great because i've had someallow. >> chicago metallic. what we love is this has the same amount of batter per muffin top that you use per muffin, so you get a nice -- >> you get like a deep muffin still. >> it's a nice mix and the texture is great. only $14. >> very reasonable. and it pops off easily, too. >> a trick, also. a lot of nonstick cookware you should spray before you use it to make sure it doesn't stick. a little baking spray. >> all right, good, a little baking spray. blenders, you've got to have one, whether it's for a smoothie or salad dressing, you name. >> the problem with blenders -- this is kitchen aid, $110. it does a great job. >> right. >> the problem with most blenders is they don't do a good job. we did three things. we did ice,hich was a great test. >> right. >> we did smoothies and we also

did hummus. and it turns out that this one did by far the best job. >> the best performing? >> yeah. >> okay. >> so, we'll try a little ice in there, put the top on. now, this has a great feature. when you do the ice, you press and it pulses. >> that's great! you can make snow cones with those. >> so you're all set, great texture. >> and this has a great pour spot. >> you can put this in the dishwasher, too. >> and i love that that's plastic. don't have to worry about it blaking. what is this, a coffee maker? >> we can pull this right out. >> see, it's telling us it's crispy on the outside. perfectly done. you were right. >> oh, and they smell so good! >> that's brilliant! >> get everybody up here? how are you? >> great to see you, dear. >> you're showing us the coffee. >> this is actually from the 1800s. they used to brew coffee by letting grounds sit overnight in water. we have 2 1/4 cups of ground coffee here. and we're going to put the water in. >> this is cold water. >> this is cold water, 3 1/2

cups. >> okay. and how fast does it take to make the coffee, because we have 30 seconds. >> it takes three days. >> three days! >> do we have three days, folks? i can stay over, if you like. >> see you later, i'm out of here! >> victor, can you please give us more time? we need more time. >> three days to make the coffee. and over here, quickly. >> this is very nice. you can actually use one part of this stuff, which is the concentrate, three parts water. and this keeps wat

blanket of snow this morning. the chill is in the air, you can see it. it's 9:56 right now on this wednesday, february 3, 2010. following breaking news out of southeast washington. three small children in critical but stable condition this morning after a fire tore through their apartment building. firefighters say it appears to have started in the kitchen of an apartment in the 1900 block of nailer southeast. the children are a 5-year-old, a 2-year-old and a 1-year-old. let's get a check of the weather with meteorologist tom kiron. >> temperatures are just now getting near the freezing mark and we'll get some clouds during the day. highs should make it to near 40. then lit freeze back up again tonight. watch out for patchy ice. then on friday, cloudy, looks

like snow developing, could be heavy at times by late afternoon into friday evening and tapering off on saturday. cold after that. >> time to take a look along i-66, for the most part clearing out rather nicely. in montgomery county, an accident on 270 near montross road. singleñr tracking between medic center and friendship heights. we'll keep you updated. >> remember today is the last day you can say goodbye to washington's favorite panda tai shan. al

captions paid for by nbc-universal television yes, people. you made it to wednesday. middle of the week now. it is february 3rd and we are glad you are with us. >> we don't have any wine. >> we have a long day ahead of us. almost as long as yesterday. we are going to the theater today. i want you on your best behavior. >> yesterday was a marathon day but lots of done it was. >> can i tell you something about the flowers? joan rivers said yesterday at this book party, she said they

are too much. >> i agree. >> that's what she said. i can't see anything through the flowers. what do you think? i don't know. >> how about our facebook friends? >> like or no like? >> we will show them what it looks like without them. let us put them behind us. there you go. >> let's try it without. >> joan rivers has such a good taste, too. >> careful. careful. >> she does. >> she does. >> exquisite taste. you were at her apartment. >> yesterday. her daughter had a party for red carpet ready secrets for making the most of any moment in the spotlight. her place is fab. >> the apartment is unbelievable at least she is wearing clothes. >> bunch of people at the party. you were very busy. you know. >> we had this -- premiere and then did our show then we did an episode of "30 rock" which we are not allowed to talk about. >> but we were so good. weren't we? >> we are --

>> we were awesome. >> we are so -- yeah. i mean -- it is going to be -- it is going to change everybody's life. >> i think it was too much of us. >> too much. anyway. >> i don't think that's possible. >> they can always edit. we went on to spend some really quality time with the hottest woman in the world now. beyonce. we had a fantastic time with her yesterday. she's launching her newperfume. why do i stay in this business? my. look at me next to 2000. >> stop. >> very good reason for women over 50 to retire. true. >> she was such a treat. >> what a delight. >> from the minute she walked in, she was authentic. that was one of those things that jumps out at you. so authentic. when we were asking her all different kinds of questions -- interesting she watches "the jersey shore." >> don't give away everything, hoda. >> it is called teasing. it is interesting that she does. >> she called it real quality show. >> i like that. >> where do you think "the shore" will end up?

do you think they will go to south beach. >> yeah. the hamptons. somewhere. >> it doesn't come on this summer. they have to shoot it now so it air this summer. >> is that how it works. >> they have to go o of towns. the ham tons are chilly right now. >> i guess so. i don't know where they will be. i don't think it matters where the backdrop is with these kids. >> i have never seen this show. i can't watch "the bachelor" it is so embarrassing. i can't watch any of those shows. they are so demeaning to human beings. >> why is everyone watching them then? >> because they are demeaning to human beings. some people like that. >> people like to feel like aren't they crazy? i'm not that nuts. look at those crazies. >> i zblguess. >> i see women making idiots of themselves with this guy that they don't even know. i cannot watch it. >> i know. i know. they do do that. >> have you never done that. >> all right. there is a new study out. >> speaking of hoda. abstinence study. yet again, another abstinence

stud. >> i last week, we did one that said when you teach abstinence kids have more sex. now there is another study out that says if you teach abstinence, kids have less sex. i'm not sure which is true. but -- >> i think it is the way you teach it. >> when do you think? >> i think it is the way you teach it. if you teach a child to truly value themselves as unique individuals made by god for his purposes, they have a reason then to feel great about themselves and not just give it away in the back seat of a chrysler or wherever. not to pick on chrysler. value themselves much more than that and see themselves as a gift to someone? day. >> i think there's a lot of pressure. >> don't do it, don't do it, you will grow a horn. >> i think there is a lot of pressure on kids that age. when i was in high school, the girls who had sex we absoluslut >> that's the reputation they had. >> the girls that didn't were -- mossly, that was the cool in

crowd. it seems like now -- like there's so much more sex around and there's also a lot of pressure. i mean -- >> bombarded with media images from the time they are little kids. i wle cody was 6 there was an 8-year-old girl calling him. i couldn't believe it. she was trying to give him messages like let's -- why don't you ditch your mom ask dad and let's go meet -- she called. i just told her, you know, in no uncertain terms this is slutty behavior and better to learn it at 8 years old than find your snowfall troublesome day. if you continue to call my son i will call your parents. >> what did she do? >> never heard from her again. >> see you later. >> 8 years old calling -- already a cougar at 8. calling a 6-year-old. you know. someone isn't parent progressly. >> some kids -- insome girls, young girls, a lot of young girls, people pleasers. they want to make people happy. i think that's sometimes opens the door for something they are not ready for because they so want to please the guy who they are with and the guy is

pressuring them and pressuring them. girls have to know -- >> which is also bad parenting on the side of the boys 'zblarnts boys do that. boys do pressure when it comes to stuff like that, don't you think? >> i don't think you should make a general statement like that. i think some boys do unless they have been taught to value that young woman. and value their ownselves. >> i think girls with young girls have to figure out what do you do when you are in that situation? you don't have to please your boyfriend. i think some people thought that is how they do things just because someone else thinks they should. >> there is always that. i have that temptation in my own life now. i'm a grown woman. to please, to please, to please. you know. i think you have to teach them early, early on who to please and why you are doing it. then when they are in those situations where they are tempted, that will be the voice on their shoulder. today it is that voice i hear on my shoulder. >> yeah. >> you mo what's sxrit wrong. if you teach your children that, kids are human and will make mistakes. and love them if they do. you know. but i think it is -- it has to start really, really -- >> early.

>> before 8 years old with that little girl. >> right. i can't believe you just said that. jenny sanford has written a book. i think it is coming out this friday. she talks about -- the one that was married to -- what was his name? >> mark sanford. how quickly you forget. >> there are so many people. so much going on with different -- >> yeah. you want a bestseller now, be a politician and have a sex scandal. >> she left her husband. she wasn't standing by him. >> they tried heal it, i think. they went to counsel. >> she was one of the few women, remember, who whenever the man cheats or politician especially, the wife is always standing there. she refused to stand there when he gave his speech. anyway, she says in her book -- this is interesting. she said that her husband insisted on striking the promise to be faithful from their wedding vows. >> i think you can look at that two ways, hoda woman. i mean, it is a definite flag raiser. at the same time, maybe he knew that that was going to be almost impossible for him so he didn't want to vow to something he

couldn't keep. devil's advocate. >> i think if -- i want to know the back story of that. that's a strange thing. if right before marriage my husband said i don't want that in there, i would be completely scared and alarmed about it. i would have been worried. >> i think she said she was. just not enough to back off from the wedding. >> they were married for 27 years. and -- >> was this his first affair? >> i don't know. what's interesting, i thought this about that affair, though. he was -- he loved -- i think he loved that girl. i mean, he sat at that news conference -- >> that was a man in love. does that make it -- do you condone it more? if i wasn't just sleeping around, truly madly in love. >> talk -- >> i am not condoning. >> it here's someone -- we have to bring this up. such a cool story. there a big billboard in -- where is it? >> new jersey. nothing do with the jersey shore. >> this is a man who has been married 60 years to his wife, marna. it reads a wedding anniversary

greeting. 60 years since our start. still at the center of my heart. >> that just makes me cry. >> look at them. look. >> see, that's the kind of love you try to emulate, people. you know. >> he has all kinds of really romantic things. after 60 years, you are driving down the highway and look and there's something about you, m ra n zbla frank and i will not make it 60 years, i will tell you that. hey, we got a late start. all right. sara, darling. >> that's so sweet. we got to remind everyone we have an hour of guys tell all. go to klgandhoda.com. the fans are mixed about the flowers. one or two. not three. c >> it is the style of flower. >> i agree. >> they are there they are. newest face on the nbc drama "mercy." >> he is making a house call.

we also have -- everyone has a story. it is an awesome story. stay with us for the whole show today, people. we will know if your you are leaving.

one on tv. james vanderbeek is the newest face on "mercy. >> 12 years after "dawson creek" turned him into a teenage heartthrob he is taking on edgier roles at mercy hospital. take a look. >> is this going to work? >> hope so. hey, come on. no nagging. you are better than that. she's not but you are. come on, girls. it just got interesting. >> oh, look at you, james. >> what a surprise. >> how do you like play thing type of role, james? >> it is so much fun. i'm having a blast yeah. >> you play a cocky womanizing man i-liesing doctor. >> what's not to love about that? >> is this more fun than the

role you played in "dawe sons creek" when you were more of the nice guy? >> it is. >> got you started. i first met you years ago doing that. now have you grown into this. how much of this doctor is really like you? >> i would like the say the brilliant part. that's probably me. the arrogant part not at all. >> not at all. >> not even slight. >> i what's it like working on this show? an interesting cast have you. >> yeah. taylor schilling is the lead. she's the real deal. really interesting and great. good people. it is a fun time. right in new jersey. >> i had no idea. there's no reason why we can't do a cameo on "mercy. >> it is always about us somehow. >> some sort of ailment. >> just trying to save the network, james. okay? we have to do our part, all of us. >> james, when you get stop order the street, which i'm sure is often, is it always "dawe sons creek"? >> 70%, 80% of the time. >> what do they ask you?

>> do you still talk to katie holmes. >> what do you say when they ask that? >> i say not lately. i haven't heard from her in a little while. >> she has busy. >> why. yeah. she got married or. >> i heard. >> is that true? good for her. >> do you keep up with other members of the cast? >> i do. i talk to michelle quite a bit. i talk to busy. a lot of the -- lot of the cast members. >> you have been doing other things as well. tell bus the movie. >> political thriller. i get to pla an fbi agent. based on true event. >> what's the premise? >> the premise is a taiwanese american professor is murdered. i have to investigate. i go overseas. there is a conspiracy that involves both governments and taiwan and china and the u.s. >> i love those kind of movies. >> it is all true. >> if you don't see it from the beginning, it seems impossible. >> take a few notes. it is a thriller. >> coming out later this month?

>> yeah. late february. >> did you worry you would get typecast in "dawsons creek? ". >> it is always possible when you are lucky to have something that hits as well as it did and identify with it. i think that being -- as young as i was when it happened, it is very helpful. time allowed me to grow into some different roles. >> i wish we had time to talk about your big controversy with rob lowe. just -- did you catch the ball or not? >> i did catch it. yes. >> he says no. rob lowe says you are lying. >> i know. i know. >> let's agree did you really? >> i did. you can see the ball in my glove. >> he said it bounced around. >> there's video foot agile put on my website. >> i think your honor is at stake here. don't you? >> james, great to see you. >> good to see. >> did you we will see you on set of "mercy real soon. you can catch "mercy tonight at 8:00, 7:00 central on nbc. >> coming up next, a timely love story with one ofhollywood's

fast rising stars. actor channing tatum talks about his first romantic leading role. hard to believe. right after this.

you are all that matters to me. i don't have any idea to get there. i need you to tell me. >> all right. that's actor channing tatum. nothing like watching himself apparently playing a special forces officer. falls head over heels in love with this woman. "dear john." >> based on the novel by nicklas sparks. chant sing become fast becoming one of hollywood's it guy. >> why do you cringe when watching yourself? >> the same thing when you leave a voice mail message. you just have to hear it back. just your voice. you know. you are not used to hearing it.

it is weird. >> taken out context, too. we don't know what got you into that feverish pitch. >> my friends are calling me like, i saw that, man. are you going to cry in this mov movie? >> did you always want to be an actor? >> no. i didn't know what i wanted to do. to be totally honest. i think i was part of the huge population of kids this had no idea. go to college, that was about it. did that. >> studied what? what was you your majs or? >> biology. didn't achieve it. >> plan b. >> go to work. >> you and your wife are watching "a nicholas sparks" film and your wife was boo-hooing through. >> it they pass away together in bed and that it is time that she looks up -- >> that's "the notebook." >> prose we will go just like that. i don't know. yeah, i guess so. >> host: go how long have you been married. >> six months now. >> you won't always feel that way. just kidding. are you still alive?

>> do we have to talk about death right now? >> we are happy. we are happy. she is gorgeous. >> sure is. when your wife saw that movie, does she want you to do a nicholas sparks film? >> yeah. she was obviously -- yes, have you do is. >> is she an actress? >> we fell in love on the set. jeanetta. >> she is gorgeous. >> sweet. >> you guys are -- i was hearing from a friend of ours, bobby thomas. she said you are big dance zblers oh yeah. >> what kind of dance do you do? >> free-style dance. i'm not like ballroom or anything like that. >> mario lopez. >> no. definitely no mario lopez. mario lopez. but no. we just dance. that's it. not a lot of places to dance in lay day we have to ask you a very serious question. >> we heard you had an accident recently. we are worried about you. >> very worried about your future and having a family some day. >> yeah, having a family. >> apparently -- what happened to the person who -- there was

somebody who was on a set. tell bus it, what happened. >> on the set shooting in the high lands of scotland, having to lay in a river pretty much all day. mountain water. and we have would wet suits on and we are in it all day, 13 hours. and everybody is tired. raining all day. it rains in scotland. it is what it does. cut on the last take, back to the trucks and there is a guy coming down with a big bottle of water. he is like all right -- warm up before i go up. he powurs it it down. he didn't make to it the water to dilute the boiling water with -- >> scalded your nether regions. how are your nether regions. >> fantastic now. >> no damage done. >> no. >> you know what, that's why actors get paid big buck. >> yes, indeed. >> hazardous work. >> how is married life?

you have been married six month. >> nothing changed for us. we lived together for four years before we actually got married. i mean -- i know some people don't do that because of whatever. you know. religious reasons. >> personal choice. >> sure. >> worked for. >> did you definitely worked for me. >> you are a delight. >> thank you so much. >> very nice to meet you. >> when is the film coming out? >> february 5th. >> good luck with it. >> still to come, see how you score when we put your super bowl knowledge to the test. >> everyone has a story. meet the newest person whose life is being celebrated.

coming up today at midday. >> we're going to have the latest on a fire that left three children critically injured. good morning everyone, welcome, i'm barbara harris and also coming up onñi news4 midday, mo snow in the forecast and today is really the last day to visit tai shan at the national zoo. better dñq

♪ when the saints ♪ when the saints ♪ when the super bowl ♪ when the super bowl ♪ when the saints >> i think we should let the music go a little longer. back on this wednesday with more of "today." just four days before kickoff in miami, we are going to test your super bowl smarts. kathie lee is at the msnbc.com cafe. ready to hand out $100 gift cards to those that answer correctly. to those that don't, they get kathie lee's cd. >> it is darned good. >> betsy the author of "the female's guide to football." i'm partisan on this whole thing. i'm all about new orleans but we

will play faired into. >> am i allowed to mention the other team? >> i don't remember who they are but yes, you can. >> i'm pulling for the other team, indianapolis comments. all right. who knew? this sunday will be super bowl xliv. translate it from roman new mexico raps. it represent which is number? 40, 44, 45, or 48? >> 44. >> you are right. there you go. >> super bowl xliv. >> nfl actually wanted to harken back to the days of the roman gladiators because they wanted to create an atmosphere of pomp and circumstance. it actually helps bridge the gap between having the super bowl played in a diffent year the season is played. >> okay. that makes sense. >> all right. look at this adorable brother and sister from holland. are they the cutest? true or false? more women last year watched the super bowl than the total

audience of the academy awards broadcast? >> true. >> you helped him. but enjoy it. it doesn't get that far in america. believe me. thank you very much. >> by the way, that's ashock. more women watched the super bowl than the academy awards? >> 40 million women will watch the super bowl. only 40 million people total. men and women will watch the academy awards which is amazing. you can say they are just watching the commercials or halftime show. but even so, in that -- that could be true. even so, there is a huge surge of women watching football these days. 40% of the nfl fan base is female. >> i love that. okay. let's go back to kath. >> cute guy from chicago. >> how's it going? >> how mu does a 30-second commercial cost in the super bowl? $200,000? $500,000? $1 million to $1.5 million or $2.6 million to $3 million? >> i will say c. >> you are going to be wrong, mr. chicago. somehow i don't think he will

love this. give it to your mother. >> the correct answer is $2.6 million to $30 million. that's for one 30-second spot. >> for one 30-second spot, advertising home run if it is done right. and granted this is a u.s. audience watching the commercials. to put in perspective, the super bowl is huge. it will be shown in over 220 stations and over a billion people worldwide will be watching. and they are estimating that 58% of the people that actually watch the super bowl will take their bathroom breaks during the game not during the commercial. >> back to kath. >> lovely couple from buffalo. true or false? archie manning, former quarterback for the saints in the 1970s, hometown fan, will be rooting for the saints this sunday? >> that would be false. >> why is that? >> because he will be rootding peyton, indianapolis. >> you know what, that is an

excellent answer and you get th. you get both. >> look. i have a feeling archie will be torn. i do know him and i know that he wants his son do well but i know he loves the zblants i know. i'm sorry to tell you this as a saints fan but he will be rooting for the colts. >> 100? he won't be disappointed if the saints win. >> he has to root for his son, of course. >> we love peyton manning. >> lovely couple from alabama. who is the halfme act for sunday's super bowl? the jonas brothers, bruce springsteen, the who, or my personal favorite person in the world beyonce? >> the who. >> who knew? yes. there you go. >> that's -- halftime acts are always terrific. >> the who, do you know that roger daltrey and pete townsend are 65 years old and 64 years old? that's amazing. so impressive. i bet they do a great job. >> i can't wait to see that. back across to kath. >> all right. these ladies went to college together. she is from new york and she is from new jersey.

who sea tats trophy given to the winning super bowl team? >> tiffany's. >> they are very helpful in this crowd. also known as cheating. m going n a good mood today. here you go. >> tiffany's makes that beautiful trophy. >> estimated to be about $25,000. it is beautiful. >> wow. >> apparently it takes over four months and over 72 manhours to make. the name of the trophy has changed in 1970 to be if vince lombardi trophy, named after the legendary packers coach vince lombard. >> i let's go back to kath. >> all right. getting to know -- anyway. california and arizona. when 'twas last time the new orleans saints made it to the championship game? this is the saints' first time. >> first time. >> you are adorable. i will give you some money.

how is that? >> this is the saints' first time ever going to the championship game. >> 43 years and waiting. yes. especially after hurricane katrina in 2005. the saints didn't have a place to play. it is inspiring they are there. >> they had the bags over their heads, they were auld the aints. those days are gone. we have go. thank you so much. betsy, thank you so much. >> thank you, everybody. >> coming up next, a great segment coming up. everyone has a story. we are going to introduce to you a man that never lost his courage in the face of so much hardship right after this.

♪ everyone has a moment >> today we meet ourveryone has a story winner. christie wrote to tell bus her husband. >> we will meet him in a moment. let's take a listen to what christie wrote to us. >> my husband and i were married at 17 and 18. we had our first child at 18 and 19. we are parents of five chi and now grandparents of five. my husband, ron, was hired at a deputy sheriff at age 22. he spent 12 of his 16 years as a miss officer. deputy in the high schools. one beautiful spring day in 1996, i received a call from the sergeant stating ron had been

involved in an accident. and took off straight to the e.r. i thought he had been involved in a shooting and prayed all the way to the hospital. i arrived to find ron white as a ghost and strap order a backboard in the e.r. sadly ron suffered from a brain injury and just recently had his fifth back surgery. ron has never lost his determination to continue to serve his community and others despite his almost constant unbearable pain. ron was forced to retire from police work but still found a job to serve others. he's a rehabilitation counselor for people with disabilities for the juvenile discuss advertise kids. ron continues to build others. and love and serve while his family and community. i am better because i know and love him. i am proud to be his wife and soul mate. he's my hero, advocate, and

friend. >> all right. christine is here with her husband, ron. welcome. >> welcome. >> we were very touched about your story because so many people do -- it is like what do you want to be, bitter or better from a situation like that? it is easy go to the bitter route. but you didn't do that, ron. why not? >> no. you know, even though i was involved in accident and suffered many physical and mental injuries -- >> side effects. >> yes. figured adversity -- initially made me angry. i thought that doesn't get me anywhere. i decided to take that and make a -- make me a strong person, stronger family. and adversity made me stronger. that's how it should be for society. if we are involved in something with a bad side effect, we should go with the flow. become better people. >> how do you -- where do you find strength? a lot of this -- with your husband who was going through such a difficult time, a lot of the family responsibility was on you. >> you bet.

i found my strength in my children and grandchildren and in our faith in god. great strength in that. >> i love that after you were forced to retire, i love that you found something that could allow you to give back. i thought that was such a great message. tell us again what you are doing. >> i'm a vocational rehabilitation counselor at the state of utah. what we do is help people with disabilities become employed. secure full-time employment through different programs. and keep that employment through their career. >> you can relate to them in way this no one else can because you have been there. personally. >> yes. >> that's so awesome. you never thought when you got married at 17 and 18 that you would be facing these kinds of things together. >> no. i didn't. i didn't. we were committed to the relationship and we felt strong. >> you didn't take out those faithful vows, i will be faithful like some people do. >> right. >> did you think -- i mean, you know your husband well. when he went through this

terrible time, did you know that he was going to rise up the way he did? did you wonder? >> there were times i wondered. but there were times when the glimmer of hope was there and i knew that he would rise above it. above the ashes, literal. >> i what is it about him that allows him do that? >> man. ron is just -- he just gifted and has an ability to help others. and i think he wanted to help others realize that no matter their adversity, they could overcome them. >> well, we have written a song especially for you, very multitalented singer will do for us. "guess what. he is going to sing just for you. we will be right back with a special performance for sxron christine right after this. hey, ricky, i don't know if you know this,

but there are creatures from outer space right here in aruba, and they look just like real people. oh, really, i didn't know this. they're always smiling, relaxed, unnaturally friendly. and they'll do anything to lull you to feeling at home. it's inhuman, it's a trick, ricky. don't fall for it, i've seen it in the movies. let me get you a drink.

oh my god, they got him too.

♪ everyone has a moment ♪ that changes their life >> we are back with ron and christie huber. >> we have a special treat. a song that david friedman and i wrote just for the two of you please welcome broadway legend now, that's right, i said it, howard magillen singing "lion heart." ♪ in a moment ♪ in an instant in a blinking of an eye ♪ ♪ an accident can happen when they live and one may die ♪ ♪ you can know how it may end ♪ but you will be changed forever in ways that are hard to comprehend ♪ ♪ you can't rerace it ♪ but with faith you can find the strength to face it ♪

♪ with love you can find the grace to embrace it ♪ ♪ forgiveness is where your memory meets your heart ♪ ♪ forgiveness can often be the hardest part ♪ ♪ to forgive you must find your lion heart ♪ ♪ each moment of a lifetime you will come to realize ♪ ♪ that peace is always waiting in your own forgiving eyes ♪ ♪ the only way to live when all your dreams are torn apart ♪ ♪ to find the way to give to others from your lion heart ♪ ♪ so when life has hurt you ♪ there's something inside that won't desert you ♪ ♪ it can't be seen but it is your greatest virtue ♪ ♪ forgiveness must always find a place to start ♪

♪ a place is deep within you ♪ it's your strongest part ♪ you must find i inside of your lion heart ♪ ♪ you must find your strength inside your strongest part snow ♪ it's there ♪ ♪ it's always there ♪ inside your lion heart >> beautiful. gorgeous. >> more of "today" on nbc.

we have been honoring a special couple today who were just treated to a beautiful performance by howard who happens to have aabulous new cd out there. >> imagine that. >> hoda has it. >> how do you people order this? >> you can get it at cdbaby.com or go to my website and it will direct you there. >> what did yothink of the song. >> absolutely wonderful. thank you. inspirational. >> beautifully written. >> very inspirational. thank you. >> have you a 350 voice choir you sang back home. we always give the music to our guests of the song. you know, have them -- why don't have you them do it and you were saying -- record it. we will show it to everybody. >> that would be wonderful. >> now, we have a little something for. >> did you yes, we do. >> this is how we roll here. okay. christie, you mentioned if you could give ron anything you

would want to give him a spa treatment so he can take care of himself. >> or a spa. >> so -- our friends at the sky lodge in park city, utah, were inspired by your heartwarming story and wanted to present you with a trip to their rezblort how about that? >> two-night stay includes breakfast, dinner, couples masses. >> yeah, baby. >> spa treatment of your choice. she is bad. do not listen to her. >> they sent along a few goodies just to preview for what's in store. >> thank you. >> thank you. >> you have an anniversary. >> we do. >> how many years? >> 29 years. >> and counting. >> wow. do you have any -- any ailments that are still with you, physical ailments? >> i had my fifth back surgery, diabetes. suffered the brain injury. we are fine. we are -- we are plugging every day. >> terrific. >> have you a, you've got purpose. >> yes, i do. >> we are delighted we could do this for you.

david friedman. what would we do without you guys? >> tomorrow is a big show. we have our guys tell all edition. the whole show. we want your questions. e-ma e-mails. >> have an small day, everybody. bless you.