♪ ♪ i got to think twice before i give my heart away and i know all the games you play ♪ >> this morning remembering a superstar. looking back at the amazing career of pop icon george michael dead at 53. it was a white chrtmas for millions of americans and this morning waking up to an ugly commute. and an update on the actress, carrie fisher. and the match making uberer driver making love connections one ride at a time. "early today" starts right now. good morning everyone and thanks for joining us today. i'm betty nguyen. music fans

pop legend george michael. he died in his home at the age of 53 from heart failure. they have not released an official cause of death but said it was not being classified as suspicious. delivering hits with his band "wam" ♪ wake me up before you go go >> as a solo artist he developed into a more serious singer and song writer and allotted for his tremendous vocal range like in this duet he sang with elton john. ♪ the sun going down on me >> he sold well over 100 million albums globally and numerous awards. celebrities ellen degeneres calling him a brilliant talent. an

tweeted heart broken that loss of my beloved friends. yours only george, the world of music, the world at large forever loved. and elton john saying "i am in deep shock. i have lost a beloved friend. the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. my heart goes out to his family and friends and all of his fans." back here aut home, blizzars and wind closing much of the country. and put one family in harm's way leading to a harrowing survival story. a winter weathtather punch making a mess on the roads. in eastern north dakota blowing snow

coating the roads in a glaze of ice as holiday travellers braved bad conditions. in utah whole neighborhoods buried. calling for up to 36 inches of snow turning to hillsides into a skier's paradise. heather leeber doesn't mind doing a little digging out on a suddenly white christmas. >> it is seriously a christmas miracle. in flagstaff, arizona, car wrecks all over the roads forcing a number of closures with the heaviest snow still on the way. pennsylvania mother karen cline rescued after wandering 26 miles in the snow to get help when the family car got stuck in a forest road. >> she ended up in a very deep snow as much as 3 feet deep snow and was very

bitten. >> reporter: christmas morning mud slides. four families evacuated when water started coming through the walls destroying this home. meanwhile, at the airport, flyers happy with holiday rates and less traffic. hoping to get 30,000 feet above any problems below. >> i'm going to guess we'll just go around them. >> reporter: parts of the country forced to deal with winter's wrath where the weatherer outside is frightful. well today russia has declared a national day of warning for the 92 victims all believed to have been killed in a plane crash christmas day. was enroute to serious. this morning they're sing technical fault or pilot error is the most likely cause. >> reporter: the news sink in at first light. a christmas day

the russian's scrambling helicopters and ships to scour the black sea, instead recovering bodies and debris. piece oofz puzzle which may help explain why the russian military plane crashed, killing all 92 people on board. departing from sochi, it was bound for russia's base in syria but minutes after take off plunged into the sea in near perfect weather. some of russia's best performers lost their lives. the official choir of the russian armed forces were supposed to entertain troops in syria for a new year's celebration. instead there are funerals to plan. this young couple dancers in the choir, were reportedly due to marry soon. nine russian journalists among the victims. >> translator: our whole family

came to mourn says this woman. >> reporter: a disaster that's left russia and the world stunned. nbc news, london. this morning israeli prime minister netanyahu is lashing out and accusing the president of a quote shameful ambush over west bank settlements and netanyahu is looking past the current administration saying he eagerly anticipates working with his friend, president elect, donald trump, while ratcheting up the rhetoric against obama. >> reporter: at a cabinet meeting, prime minister netanyahu made a startling allegation that the u.s. secretly led the united nations counsel. >> friends don't take friends to the security counsel. >> reporter: friday the u.s. declined to block the resolution and chose not

netanyahu says we have no doubt that the obama administration initiated it, stood behind it and demanded it be passed. he vented to ambassadors, calling them in on christmas day and sent a very loud signal, looki looking past the obama presidency. >> he's looking forward to working with the president elect trump and to further strengthen the relationship between israel and the united states. >> reporter: they warned they would seek help from trump who lobbied for the resolution. trump's preoath of office involvement is quite unusual. >> you really haven't seen a situation where a president elect is speaking out on all sorts of issues in a way that is almost drowning out the person who is still president. >> the

ubstaining vote has reached such a high level that top republican lindsey graham is threatening to pull funds. now to the celebrations across the country and throughout the world this christmas. while vacationing in hawaii, president obama and the first lady thanked service members and their family for the their sacrifice. nbc's bryan moore with how the holiday was celebrated around the world. >> reporter: pilgrims and tourists around the world in bethlehem. pope francis offered a prayer of peace for those scarred by war and violence. high above on the international space station a similar viewpoint from the crew of expedition 50. >> that's seeing the planet as a whole and it reinforced, i think, that

>> reporter: on the ground in iraq, american troops did their best to enjoy a peaceful holiday away from home. >> it's kind of a struggle but i have a good support back home and it isn't too bad. we have pretty good family here. >> reporter: but some took time out to share the holiday spirit with those less fortunate at places like the shelter in indiana and rescue mission in charlotte. >> make us really feel what christmas is all about. >> reporter: 500 homeless people from the dallas area were given a gift they'll not soon forget. not just a meal but a room at the omni otell. which teamed up with the local soup kitchen. >> i never in a million years would have thought i'd experience think is like this. i've never felt so good in my whole

>> reporter: holiday cheer on this christmas, 2016. nbc news. >> i love to see stories like that. just ahead the royals celebrate christmas but with one member noticeably absent. first though, a powerful earthquake struck chile. meanwhile, a powerful typhoon hit the philippines leaving at least four dead. leaving 10s of thousands displaced. back at home, nbc meteorologist bonny schneider. good morning. >> reporter: the day after christmas so many people are traveling and if you're in the northern plains dealing with a blizzard. a rough go of it for this morning in bismark and rapid city. parts of the interstates were shut down due to 60 mile-per-hour winds, blowing and drifting snow. light freezing rain with isis accumulating and into pennsylvania. we'll be looking out

snow in new england. that's a look at the big weather story of the day. now a closer look at the day ahead. temperatures are very cold in the 20s across the northern plains. in the 30s in chicago. milder though as you head further east in charleston, west virginia. the cold air is pushing east. so betty, we're dealing with light freezing rain in the northeast. eventually we'll get colder temperatures in new york as well. >> feeling like winter for sure out there. thank you, bonnie. up ahead, the uber driver turned match maker. e america's start by taking care of families for 70 years. earn the trust of 32 nfl teams. be there for america's toughest and help, when help is needed america's #1 isn't a status earned overnight.

tide, america's #1 detergent a silicon valley server farm. the vault to man's greatest wonders... selfies, cat videos and winking emojis. speaking of tech wonders, with the geico app you can get roadside assistance, digital id cards... or even file a claim. do that.. yeah, yeah that should work. it's not happening... just try again. uh, i think i found your problem. thanks. hmm... the award-winning geico app. download it today. breathe easier with your vicks vaporub. soothing cough relief that starts working instantly.

...better than a manual, and my hygienist says it does. but... ...they're not all the same. turns out, they're really... ...different. who knew? i had no idea. so, she said look for... ...one that's shaped like a dental tool with a round... ...brush head. go pro with oral-b. oral-b's rounded brush head surrounds each tooth to... ...gently remove more plaque and... ...oral-b crossaction is clinically proven to... ...remove more plaque than sonicare diamondclean. my mouth feels so clean. i'll only use an oral-b! the #1 brand used by dentists worldwide. oral-b. brush like a pro. the british royal s celebrated christmas dressed to the nines and in good spirits. princess kate and prince

princess charlotte deciding to use her candy cane as a digging tool as queen elizabeth misses the traditional christmas service for the first time in nearly 30 years due to the severe cold. she released a video urging people to focus on small acts of kindness. actress carrie fisher is in stable condition after a heart attack she suffered on a flight. reynolds saying carrie was equote in stable condition. if there is a change, we will share it for all her fans and friends, i thank you for your prayers and good wishes. they left their christmas gis at home as experts work to defuse a world war ii bomb. it was

construction. they chose christmas day to evacuate residents because it was more likely they could stay with relatives. thankfully it was deemed a success and everyone could return home in time for christmas dinner. up ahead a wifi warning for you as you head to the airport, beach or the mall. find out how thieves are trying to snoop through your most private information. dn't want a. she said it's too much work. lulu's hair just floats. uhh help me! (doorbell) mom, check this out. wow. swiffer sweeper, and dusters. this is what i'm talking about. look at that. sticks to this better than it sticks to lulu. that's your hair lulu! mom, can we have another dog? (laughing) trap and lock up to 4x more dirt, dust and hair than the store brand stop cleaning. start swiffering. but...my doctor recommended prilosec otc 7 years ago, 5 years ago, last week.

burn, it's been the number 1 doctor recommended brand for 10 straight years, and it's still recommended today. use as directed i'm good.? i just took new mucinex clear and cool. what's this sudden cooooling thing happening? it's got a menthol burst. you can feel it right away. new mucinex clear & cool. feel the menthol burst. while powerful medicine clears your worst cold symptoms. let's end this. more "doing chores for dad" per roll more "earning something you love" per roll bounty is more absorbent, so the roll can last 50% longer than the leading ordinary brand. so you get more "life" per roll. bounty, the quicker picker upper

♪ welcome back everybody. now toa warning about wifi. so many families are vacationing, traveling or just out shopping, thieves are looking to get access to your private information in very public places. sfwlr >> reporter: at the mall, on the beach and at the airport, free wifi networks and charging ports are everywhere but these are popular targets for hackers. he set up an unauthorized insecure wifi effort at the airport and called it wifi airport. and people logged on not realizing it was an insecure connection. >> you're perching in what you think is a safe user name and passwo

gone and the helpful charging stations are also prime targets. it's called juice jacking. when you plug your phone into a usb port, a prompt comes up asking if you trust the connection. beware. >> this is actually connected to a system where a cyber criminal is looking at your device. >> reporter: jerome phillips was hacked at the st. louis airport. >> you don't know what the bank's response is going to be and your mind races. >> reporter: so how can you protect youryourself? experts say use a plug. be weary of pop-up prompts, and uses a virtual private network. >> slow down, be more cautious. >> reporter: and dare to be disconnected. putting your phone down to keep youref

how you can be hacked so easily. up ahead, u.s.a. today hands out its top honors to the biggest names. i laugh, i sneeze... there goes my sensitive bladder. sound familiar? then you'll love this. incredible protection in a pad this thin. i didn't think it would work, but it does. it's called always discreet watch this. this super absorbent core turns liquid to gel, for incredible protection that's surprisingly thin. so i know i'm wearing it, but no one else will. always discreet for bladder leaks

you got it. just say show me millions of used cars for sale at the all new carfax.com. i don't want one that's had a big wreck just say, show me cars with no accidents reported pretty cool i like it that's the power of carfax® find the cars you want, avoid the ones you don't plus you get a free carfax® report with every listing start your used car search at carfax.com it helps put some distance.. between you and temptation. clinically proven to help reduce hunger between meals. from metamucil, the #1 doctor recommended brand. disinfect with lysol bathroom toilet gtrigger... just stay in the toilet. ... and lysol power foamer. they kill 99.9% of germs. to clean and disinfect your bathroom... ...lysol that. when a cold calls... achoo! ...answer it.

it shortens colds, so you get better, faster. colds are gonna call. answer them with zicam! zicam. get your better back. now in great tasting crystals. more "doing chores for dad" per roll more "earning something you love" per roll bounty is more absorbent, so the roll can last 50% longer than the leading ordinary brand. so you get more "life" per roll. bounty, the quicker picker upper ♪ ♪ hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah hallelujah ♪

u.s.a. today just announced kate mckinnen as entertainer of the year. it's been a banner year. she won a prime time emmy and critics choice award on snl and made a big splash starring in "ghostbusters" and "office christmas party." and dewayne "the rock" johnson has two movies coming out. both are going to be fantastic. and starling k. brown is the tv person of the year. he's nominated for a sag award for work on "this is us" and for his portrayal in "people versus o.j. simpson american crime story." and u.s.a. today named beyonce musician of the year but of course they did. is there anything this woman can't do? >> forbes one of the most powerful list as well. >> her and her husband both.

it is a very merry christmas for 3-year-old michael brown. this boy's story continues to captivate the nation. he celebrated with his new forever family opening a bunch of presents and basking in the love. it was a photograph tweeted by his picture that introduced the world to brown and his family after 832 days in foster care he was adopted by his faiser family. his reaction created a viral sensation. look at that face. it's fantastic that he has this forever family. up next finding mr. right in an uber? the new way some folks are giving their day a jump start. you're watching "early today." more "doing chores for mom" per roll

more "earning something you love" per roll bounty is more absorbent, so the roll can last 50% longer than the leading ordinary brand. so you get more "life" per roll. bounty, the quicker picker upper she pretty much lives in her favorite princess dress. but once a week i let her play sheriff so i can wash it. i use tide to get out those week old stains and downy to get it fresh and soft. you are free to go. tide and downy together.

why d.c. police say they had to open fire. >> piecing together what investigators are now discovering a military plane that crashed into the sea. >> remembering george michael. how music legends and fans are paying tribute to the late 80s music icon. >> good morning, everybody. >> did you have a nice christmas? >> i did. how was yours? >> it was great snoochlt you've got a little one first christmas? >>

she's almost a year. a year in just a few days. >> she enjoyed it? >> she did, i think. >> good to hear. we're at 40 degrees right now outside our studios. not a bad way to start the day after christmas. >> not cold at all today. weather will be fairly cooperative. no real heavy rain coming our way. that being said it is all cloud cover today. rain chances into the first half of the day tomorrow. so far looks like it will start out dry enough. radar shows most of the action is to our north or to our west. there could be a little pocket of drizzle or a few sprinkles around this morning. some light pockets of potentially freezing rain up near the mason dixon line. we'll talk more about all that and the impact the rain drops will have on your tomorrow coming up. >> chuck, good morning to you. hopefully everybody had a great

on the road you're fine. our map is very, very green which we always like to see. we'll see how long that lasts but we're off to a decent start this morning without any kind of issue. we had one problem on 50going ooeb a eastbound. also hearing of a problem in virginia on 95 southbound down near the prince william parkway. more for you in just a minute. >> thank you. this morning we are hearing from a mother who is grieving after her son was shot and killed by a d.c. police officer on christmas day. darcy spencer tells us how that shooting started after a domestic call. >> reporter: i spoke to the mother of the man who was shot and killed by d.c. police. she says she has a lot of questions about how her son ended up dead. angela mccain provided this photo of her son, gerald hall. he was 29 years old. now, police say they were called for domes

street about 11:30 christmas morning. when they got there police say hall had a knife and refused to drop it. that's when at least one officer opened fire. hall's mother said he was shot in the chest. he was taken to the hospital where he died. now, police say they did recover a knife at the scene. hall's mother questioned why police had to use deadly force. >> i feel like that they could have tased him. they could have did a lot of other things than just kill him and shoot him multiple times. >> reporter: the officers involved in the domestic call were wearing body cameras. that footage will be reviewed as part of the internal investigation. the officer who fired the deadly shots has been placed on administrative leave. in northeast, darcy spencer, news 4. terrorism is not believed to be the cause of a plane crash in eastern europe. a russian military plane crashed into the black sea minutes after

this morning russia's transportation minister said pilot error or a technical problem likely caused the crash. 92 people were on board. rescue teams are looking for survivors, but say it's likely everyone died. there was a memorial service at sochi's airport today. russian president vladimir putin declared today a national day of mourning there. people around the world are remembering pop star george michael. he died yesterday at 53 years old. >> his pub lisist says he died of heart failure yesterday at his home. the legacy michael leaves behind. >> reporter: george michael first became a worldwide star with pop duo wham in the early 80s when the british song writer and producer went