hoffman's autopsy are expected today. and chris christie takes his case to the airways. cars that communicate with one another and the super bowl set records that defy the blowout going on at metlife. it's tuesday, february 4th, "early today" starts right now. hello everybody. thanks for joining us. i'm betty nguyen. more than 80 million americans are in the path of a winter blast. part one dumping several inches of snow on the east coast and it's the first of what could be one of the worst weather weeks in memory. forecasters saying two more powerful storm systems are on the way. monday's blast snarled the commutes for super bowl fans on their way home from the game and boy did it erase all the memories of the 50 degree game at metlife stadium.

more than 4300 flights were delayed. 1900 cancelled on monday. today more than 450 flights are already cancelled and the snow is piling up. this winter chicago has seen 53 inches, philadelphia 73 plus, boston 33.5 and more than 28 in new york and it's hitting our wallets as well. the polar vortex put a $5 billion chill on the economy and that's not all. 60 million american households will see their heating bills jump 50%. that's a $4.5 billion hit and flight disruptions cost another 2.5 bd in extra charges for passengers. bill karins will join us in a moment with the forecast. but now to the dramatic capture of a killer that escaped from a prison. they caught 40-year-old michael elliott late last night but not before police say he abducted a woman and stole her jeep.

he escaped unharmed when elliott stopped for gas. police say he stole another car and that lead to a police case. >> ic confirmed if he was the michael elliott we heard about throughout the day and he nodded his head that it was him. it was a sense of relief. i'm glad he's in custody and some people sleep better tonight knowing he is off the streets. >> elliott is being charged with car theft and resisting law enforcement but it's still unclear how he escaped from the michigan prison. he snuck past guards and got through two electric fences even equipped with motion sensors to alert guards. that investigation is obviously on going. elliott serving a life sentence for killing four people and setting their home on fire in 1993. autopsy results are expected today for phillip seymour hoffman and there's new information on the hours that lead up to the actor's death.

sources tell nbc news that 49 full bags of heroin were found at his new york apartment. at least 23 of them were empty and four bags of white powder believed to contain cocaine and a massive overdose. he was found sunday morning with needles still in his arm. police searched the apartment finding prescription drugs and syringes but the it's heroin they're zeroing in on. some bags were marcked ace of spades. they're hoping it will help them figure out who sold or gave him the drugs. tomorrow night lights on broadway will be dimmed in his honor. he appeared on broadway three times. each time earning a tony nomination. most recently playing willie noman in death of a salesman. >> there's several new things in the bridgegate scandal with

chris christie. kelly is taking the fifth. she was the author of the infamous e-mail saying time for traffic troubles in ft. lee. this as the deadline to turnover subpoena documents to state investigators has come and gone. meanwhile, governor christie himself is making news confirming his office received subpoenas from the u.s. attorney investigating the case and acknowledging he might have heard of the traffic jam while it was going on yet still reiterating he was unaware of any orders coming from his office. >> i have been very clear about this. before these lanes were closed, i knew nothing about it. i didn't plan it. i didn't authorize it. i didn't approve it. i knew nothing about it. there were press accounts, you know? things could have been mentioned to me about traffic at any point in time. none of it was memorable to me, eric, because i didn't know there was any issue. >> the on going investigation impacting a presidential campaign. a new poll shows christie

trailing hilary clinton by 16 points. two months ago christie held a slight edge. so super bowl xlix in arizona already has a lot to live up to. that's because more than 111 million americans tuned in for sunday's match up between the seattle seahawks and denver broncos. that puts it in the record books, at least for now as the most watched television event in american history. the halftime show headlined with bruno mars also set a new high with $115 million viewers. that beat out last year's performance by beyonce by about 5 million people and takes the top spot from madonna. bill karins has more on the snowy forecast. what a difference it is from super bowl sunday to now. >> the 50s were such a tease. >> so nice while it lasted. >> at least on the east coast. let's talk about this storm. this isn't historic for its

intensity. but it's a large storm. it's starting in areas coming out of colorado and into the central plains and wednesday up into new england. the worst of the weather is starting to break out. moisture and snow from wichita to kansas city. that's where the worst of the travel will be and also in and around oklahoma city. over the two days, the white is the snow from thewest tthe southern great lakes, ohio valley, right through the northeast and icy weather just to the south of the snow and maybe significant icy weather. snowfall accumulations, that's 6 to 10 inches from kansas city. a stripe through central illinois and indiana. and kansas city today, 6 to 10 for you. and watch out in the iowa valley later on tonight. you're going to need the shovel and plow also. that's a look at the national forecast. now here's a look at the weather outside your window. >> the northeast gets a break and the mid-atlantic also.

it looks like about 24 hours from now is when the snow will break out in areas of new england and the mid-atlantic. and betty as has been well advertised still a potential for another storm in the sunday, monday time frame. details coming up. >> it just keeps coming. cars that talk to one another to prevent a crash. we'll tell you about that. and minnesota's metrodome deflated. plus the president fires back at media bias in part of the o'reilly interview that didn't air during the super bowl. i heard about progressive's "name your price" tool? i guess you can tell them how much you want to pay and it gives you a range of options to choose from. huh? i'm looking at it right now. oh, yeah? yeah. what's the... guest room situation? the "name your price" tool, making the world a little more progressive.

wake it up with olay regenerist. formulated with a skin energizing complex, it penetrates 10 layers of the skin's surface. because energized skin is younger looking skin. ♪ [ video game sounds ] whoa! campbell's has super mario soup. m'm. gotcha! [ video game sound ] awww. m'm! m'm! good!

and irresistible aroma of nescafe clasico stir what's inside of you. ♪ [ engine revving ] [ tires screech ] ♪ [ male announcer ] that was bold. real bold. ♪ welcome back, everybody. in an interview that aired last night, president obama and fox news anchor bill o'reilly sparred over various topics including the keystone pipeline, the 2012 benghazi attack and the president's portrayal in the media. >> do you think i'm unfair to you? >> absolutely. of course you are, bill. but i like you anyway, though.

>> give me how i'm unfair. >> look. >> you can't make that accusation without telling me. >> we went through an interview where you talked about health care not working. irs were we wholly corrupt, benghazi. >> but these are unanswered questions. >> but they're defined by you guys in a certain way. here's what you have to figure out is what are you going to do when i'm gone? >> in other news, a small twin engine plane crashed in nashville, tennessee killing all four people on board. it crashed outside a ymca filled with 300 children and parents. they said it was a miracle it didn't hit the building saying the pilot did a good job minimizing damage. >> remember the wife or the former vice president? she died at the age of 83. she was an advocate for cultural arts and worked to increase

funding for public arts programs. in a statement, president obama said the nation will always be thankful for the service of joan of art. >> cars that talk to one another. this is real. the government is in the pcess of one day requiring new cars to come with technology to avoid a crash before it happens. vehicle to vehicle communication would enable cars to constantly transmit a 360 degree status report. i like the sound of that. in minneapolis, the cables holding the metrodome's white roof were severed by a series of explosions. it's making way for the viking's new billion dollar stadium. the big sell off of the 2014 year continue with the dow down 26 points. the nasdaq and s&p also down significantly with asian markets trading down as well today continuing a global sell off. toyota is forecasting a huge profit increase this year. the world's best selling auto

maker expects profits to rise 9% to almost $24 billion. >> the new ceo of general motors is being paid just 48% of what the outgoing ceo was paid. women earn 77 cents for every dollar that a man earns but the most powerful woman in the auto industry isn't even getting that. what's worse is she will still earn more as an outside advisor to gm. >> and one texas furniture store is out $7 million. he is the founder of houston's gallery furniture. he ran a super bowl promotion betting on the broncos to win. customers spending more than 6 grand could each enter this promotion and the seahawks won and now mattress mack will be funding $7 million to customers that will get free furniture. not a bad bet if you're those looking for furniture.

well, the restaurant diner who left three separate $5,000 tips for waitresses. plus all the sports high liligh next. u didn't know that posting your travel plans online may attract burglars? [woman] off to hawaii! what if you didn't know that as the price of gold rises, so should the coverage on your jewelry? [prospector] ahh! what if you didn't know that kitty litter can help you out of a slippery situation? the more you know, the better you can plan for what's ahead. talk to farmers and get smarter about your insurance. ♪ we are farmers bum - pa - dum, bum - bum - bum - bum♪ are you about to spend that on paper towels? mom: well, i use bounty... kerri: ooo! use sparkle®... it's just right for cleaning up everyday little messes without cleaning out your piggy bank. sparkle®. the bright way to clean.

natural energy from tea packed with real juice from delicious fruits and veggies. it's what you need for that extra boost! oh and did we mention it's only 50 calories? need a lift? could've had a v8. in the juice aisle. i've got a big date, but my sinuses are acting up. it's time for advil cold and sinus. [ male announcer ] truth is that won't relieve all your symptoms. new alka seltzer plus-d relieves more symptoms than any other behind the counter liquid gel. oh what a relief it is.

. this morning on today e hear from former snl cast member andy sandberg about his golden globe win and what's next for the brooklyn 99 star. let's get the latest in sports.

good morning. >> what's next for him? probably another award. >> probably. >> good tuesday. the seahawks are back home after winning the super bowl for the first time in franchise history and out the plane window, what do they have? their 12th man flag waved by the seahawks general manager. no f areas were provided. there's a flag to welcome them. there they are. malcolm smith was not with the team, though. he was at disneyworld in florida. smith riding shotgun with who else but of course mickey mouse. the last was the ravens ray lewis in 2001 in terms of defensive players winning that award. remember joe namath during the coin toss. >> how could you forget the coat? >> well, peta didn't like that. they asked him to consider feaux

fur first time. >> they have learning to do. fans waiting for a light before they run into the street and jump and party. they were waiting for the green light. jaywalking would be been the last thing on folks minds. syracuse is number one, undefeated against notre dame. saving syracuse for the career high 33 points and impressive nine three-pointers. orange win 61-55. a big 12 battle in oklahoma to tell you about. three overtime. three of them, 16th ranked iowa state winning for the first time since 1988 against 19th ranked oklahoma state. long drains a three-pointer at the buzzer to send it into triple overtime. iowa state takes it finally 98-97. >> that was a good game. >> an incredible finish by the

bucks over the knicks. seconds left, milwaukee's brandon knight drills the game winning three-pointer. bucks win. >> progolfer bubba watson getting his 1-year-old son caleb on the green. >> that's the cutest. look he has his pacifier in his mouth. >> you can watch that all day. i have to tell you, he looks pretty good. >> oh, yeah. it's in the jeans, right? >> you beat me to it. >> thank you. just ahead, skirting the issue of hem lengths for kate, queen elizabeth lowers the boom. plus seinfeld super bowl commercial was a huge hit. we have those details, next. all this walking i've been doing is that it's given me time to reflect on some of life's biggest questions. like, if you could save hundreds on car insurance by making one simple call, why wouldn't you make that call? see, the only thing i can think of is that you can't get any... bars. ah, that's better. it's a beautiful view.

i wonder if i can see mt. rushmore from here. geico. fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. who feel like there's a brick on their face. who are so congested, it feels like the walls are closing in. ♪ who are so stuffed up, they feel like they're under water. try zyrtec-d® to powerfully clear your blocked nose and relieve your other allergy symptoms... so you can breathe easier all day. zyrtec-d®. find it at the pharmacy counter.

innovative cc cream from nice 'n easy. our advanced treatment helps keep highlights and lowlights shiny and luminous. cc cream, find it in every box of nice 'n easy. the most natural shade of you. chose prego traditional over ragu traditional. prego?! but i buy ragu. [ thinking ] i wonder what other questionable choices i've made. [ pop muzak plays ] [ sigh of relief ] [ male announcer ] choose taste. choose prego. and irresistible aroma of nescafe clasico stir what's inside of you. ♪ [ engine revving ] [ tires screech ] ♪

[ male announcer ] that was bold. real bold. ♪ welcome back. time to discuss what would be the third storm of the week. this is the one that could be the possible nor'easter. these are always a little ify because maybe they don't hit you as hard. that was the trend last night when the new computer data came in was for the storm to be a little bit off the coast. still have an impact but not a huge impact. we're still four days away. it could trend back toward the coast and be more significant. keep it in mind. still in the sunday night to monday time frame. it's a possibility of inclimate weather and travel issues. all eyes will be on the midwest and tonight into the ohio valley. this time tomorrow morning is when the snow begins heading into the northeast. >> all right. we're getting used to it.

>> unfortunately. >> it turns out people really do want a seinfeld reunion. jerry and george's return to tom's restaurant during the super bowl was tivo's most rewatched commercial of the entire game. the second most rewatched ad was that adorable budweiser spot featuring a puppy and a clydesdale. >> miley cyrus and her bleached eyebrows, they are back. this time on the cover of w magazine. miley dives into her style which she says is inspired by madonna, blondie and joan jet. >> kate middleton's skirts are a little too short for the queen's liking. she revised the wardrobe to feature lower hem lines and all tiaras. it's all part of a, quote, regal

make over. >> i bet you wouldn't mind getting pizza with these guys. >> and vanity fair applauded for its movie issue with six black movie stars on the cover. they have been critiqued for featuring white actors in the spread. >> jimmy fallon wrote a special thank you note for jay. >> thank you jay leno for carrying on the tonight show with such humor and class. i will do my best to make you proud every single night, thank you. >> i think you'll do a great job. >> i'm kind of sad to see jay go. i'm looking forward to jimmy but i'm sad to see jay go. >> monday night the headlines, before i was on this morning shift five or six years ago, i

would not miss it. he had his niche and now jimmy will have his. >> absolutely. i'm betty nguyen. this is "early today." we hope it's your first stop of the day right here on nbc. [ male announcer ] walgreens understands being at the corner of "looking for a good deal" and "sheesh, i should've looked some more." ♪ that's why walgreens makes it easy to save even more on your medicare part d prescriptions. ♪ just stop on by and leave all the legwork to us. switch to walgreens today where you could save with copays as low as zero dollars on select medicare part d plans. at the corner of happy and healthy. because an empty pan is a blank canvas. [ woman #2 ] to share a moment. [ woman #3 ] to travel the world without leaving home. [ male announcer ] whatever the reason. whatever the dish.

make it delicious with swanson. are you about to spend that on paper towels? mom: well, i use bounty... kerri: ooo! use sparkle®... it's just right for cleaning up everyday little messes without cleaning out your piggy bank. sparkle®. the bright way to clean. right now on "news4 today," president obama putting prince george's county in the spotlight as he pushes for better technology for our children in the classroom. good morning, everybody. i'm aaron gilchrist. >> and i'm eun yang.

it is february 4, 2014. you are waking up to a clear morning after a round of winter weather left several inches in the north and western suburbs. now we are bracing for round two. several counties will be under a winter storm watch as the new system moves in before the end of the day. >> we have a couple delays in west virginia, grant, hampshire, jefferson, mineral and morgan county schools open two hours late. storm team 4 meteorologist tom kieran is here with the impact this latest winter weather can have on us, tom? right now we are dealing with the aftermath of yesterday where some of that moisture that did not evaporate overnight is frozen up this morning. watch out for patchy ice in the red zone. northern montgomery county, frederick county, northern loudoun, they got the sloppy, wet snow. it is frozen overnight, so watch for slippery spots between now and 8:30 to 9:00 this morning. temperatures there are well below freezing. we are near freezing in washington, nearby suburbs are

in the 20s. so watch out for that patchy ice. that's going to be for the next several hours. and the winter storm warning for tonight, a look at that coming up in a couple minutes. danella, any traffic trouble this morning? not tracking accidents in our area, however a couple incidents to lookout for. first the inner loop of the beltway approaching coalsville road, state police are on the scene because of an earlier deer struck in the roadway. state highway is coming out to remove the deer from the highway, so possibly that's out of the roadway, but i want to give you a heads-up in case. the edgeway beltway is clear with shoulder incidents. back to you. president obama was at a maryland middle school to talk about getting kids connected to the internet. the white house says he plans to talk about the progress being made by his connect-ed initiative. the goal is to have 99% of all students connected to high-speed

broadband and wireless technology in five years. our northern virginia reporter will be in norfolk today to cover arguments in a lawsuit that could decide same sex marriage's future in virginia. that lawsuit bans or calls virginia's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional. this is what we expect to see house the court today. same sex marriage supporters held a rally there last night. and here d.c. courts will vote to legalize american. the city council approved the measure but council members do have concern with part of it. >> the concern as i heard from council members is about whether we tolerate miles per hour smoking in public. >> they think police should still be able to arrest you for smoking or having pot in public places like parks or concerts. another round of nasty

weather is heading to the east coast that could make a mess or an even bigger mess for our neighbors to the north. check out what areas of pennsylvania are dealing with this morning. anywhere from 9 inches to more than a foot of snow fell yesterday. in new york city there is about 8 inches. and tonight freezing rain and ice is headed both here and their way making for an even nastier situation. we'll check back in with tom kieran in less than a minute for more on the forecast. the threat of more winter weather could make it tough for you to get out of town today. you're looking live at reagan international airport right now. we just checked flightaware and they are reporting a handful of cancellations out of there, dulles and bwi marshall. but there are more than 450 cancellations nationwide already. airlines are still dealing with the backlog from yesterday when more than 2,000 flights were scrapped and more than 5,000 were delayed. all right. coming up on 4:31 this tuesday morning, and 32 degrees outside our studios. let's get you caught up on your

forecast. >> storm team 4 meteorologist tom kieran is here with more. tom? good morning. the patchy ice north and west of us, otherwise no travel problems but we do have a winter storm warning just issued. all the counties including howard, montgomery, loudoun, northern faulkier, this is for tonight into wednesday. this morning into this evening we are fine, but mid to late evening we could see a quarter inch of ice possible in this zone. could be a real mess on area roads tomorrow morning. likely we'll have delays tomorrow morning because of that icing coming in tonight. but for today, we'll have just some clouds in and out this morning with patchy fog and ice. watch out for that this morning. we'll be in the upper 20s through mid-30s until noontime. by-a