we have a report of an explosion and some sort of suspicious device. >> the device is based on a pipe bomb. it was affixed to his person with a combination of velcro and zip ties. >> in the name of isis. that's what the suspect told senior law enforcent officials this morning. new details. voting day in alabama. it's anyone's guess who will be the winner of today's senate election as senate candidates bring out the big guns with steve bannon and charles barkley. >> there is a special place in hell for republicans who should know better. >> at some point, we got to stop looking like

nation. three women accuse president trump of sexual misconduct. and today 56 democratic lawmakers want an investigation. lavar ball is taking his young sons to play in a very foreign law. and paws on the hill brings unity. "early today" starts right now. good to be with you on a tuesday. i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip mena. new details this morning on the suspect behind a subway blast in new york city. the mayor called it an attempted terrorist attack. officials say surveillance captured 27-year-old akayed ullah detonating an improvised explosive strapped to his body inside one of new york city's busiest subway corridors during the morning rush. the incident left three people with minor injuries. ullah himself was hospitalized with serious injuries. police search lead residences connected to ullah. according to officials, ullah was inspired by isis, consumed terrorist propaganda and was angry over u.s. bombings

held territory. new york mayor bill de blasio said there are no threats to the city at this time. both he and the governor spoke to the city's resilience. >> we're not going to allow them to disrupt us. that's exactly what they want. >> the terrorists will not win. we're going to keep being new yorkers. let's get back to work. >> official says there is no evidence of any direct connection between ullah and isis. he is an immigrant from bangladesh who came to the u.s. in 2011 and is a legal u.s. resident. the president and his administration now renewing their cars to review the visa process. for more on this we turn to nbc's tracie pottie potts of go morning. >> the president says we have to get rid of chain migration visas that allow people legally into the united states if they have family here. that was the type of visa ullah used to become a legal resident of the united states. the president instead has said he wants merit-based immigration where people get points based on what they can offer the u.s.

skills, if they want to migrate to this country. the president after the attack in new york issued a statement about this. he has spoken on it before. he said america must fix its lax immigration system which allows far too many dangerous, inadequately vetted people to our country. america should always stand firm against terrorism and extremism, insuring that our great institutions can address all evil acts of terror. we also heard from the attorney general talking about that merit-based immigration, saying it's a failure of logic and sound policy not to do it, and it would make america safer. we also heard overnight from the bangladesh embassy here in washington condemning terrorists, saying that they've got -- we must have zero tolerance for terror no matter where the suspect comes from. phillip? >> tracie, thank you. in just hours alabama voters will go to the polls and decide r

attention. the special election senate battle has become a fight for morality in politics. with is rerepublican candidate judge roy moore who has been accused of misconduct over several decades facing off against democrat doug jones. while moore has had the likes of steve bannon stumping for him, jones had help from alabama basketball legend charles barkley. >> there is no way possible this guy should -- number one, be in an election. i mean, there's no way. i mean, it's unbelievable that this guy is still in the race when people in your own party say they won't vote for you or support you. i am begging and urging everybody to get out, call all your friends. we got to at some point we got to stop looking like idiots to the nation. >> let's go to nbc's gabe gutierrez who has all the details surrounding this nail-b o

>> reporter: the closest alabama senate race in a generation is down to the wire. republican roy moore taking no questions from mainstream reporters, but interviewed by a 12-year-old girl in an online video for a pro trump superpac. >> one i think is religious liberty. >> reporter: as he continues to deny allegations of sexual misconduct with teen girls decades ago, one as young as 14. >> i did not date underaged women. i did not molest anyone. >> reporter: potential voters hearing this robocall from president trump -- >> i need alabama to go vote for roy moore. >> reporter: as former president obama and vice president biden recorded automated messages for democrat doug jones. alabama native condoleezza rice urging voters to reject bigotry, sexism, and intolerance. >> it's a referendum not just on the issues that we've got, but it's who we are. >> reporter: a new poll shows moore behind by 10 points, but another shows him ahead by 9. many evangelicals here against abortion and

still supporting the staunch conservative. >> i love his christian values. >> it's not appropriate. >> reporter: but debbie wesson gibson says she met moore in 1981 when she was 17, and the then 34-year-old moore dated her for two and a half months. >> he is unfit for public service at the senate level in this nation. >> our thanks to gabe gutierrez for that report. >> for more on how the race is shaping up on the ground and what we can expect from the candidates today, we go to von hilliard in midland, alabama. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, francis. it's election day in alabama. roy moore looking to push back against the allegations of sexual misconduct that have plagued the campaign for more than month now. doug jones meanwhile, the democrat is looking to overcome what is a substantial number of republicans here in state when you're looking at purely the electorate. a year ago donald trump won this state of alabama by almost a 22-1

horseback beside his wife where they'll cast their ballots. doug jones will cast his ballot in 'tis hometown of birmingham. we'll be with them through the course of the day as they make stops in what is the first senate race here in the year after donald trump's election to the white house. frances? >> vaughn, thank you. as of monday evening, cal fire says the thomas fire which is larger than all of new york city is about 20% contained. flames from the thomas fire, the largest fire of five blazing across southern california continue to light up the night sky across ventura and santa barbara counties. according to fire official, 796 structures have been destroyed so far, and 18,000 structures are still threatened by the traveling inferno. nbc's kristen dahlgren tells us what it's like on the ground. >> reporter: in the hills of santa barbara county, firefighters making a stand. >> it could literally feel like you're trying to put out a blowtorch with

>> reporter: many entering their eighth day on this fire, hot, tired, and still putting everything on the line. firefighter may juarez is a mother of three, married to a firefighter. she just learned she won't be home for christmas. >> we just tell them that mommy and daddy have to be there to help other people. >> reporter: so many lives and homes now in their hands. people like the cooniys waiting for firefighters to tell them to go. >> we are ready to go. >> reporter: flames now getting closer to million mansions, celebrities like oprah and ellen who tweeted about evacuation. >> it's coming. >> reporter: for now jay peterson isn't going anywhere. >> if the wind picks up and really starts charging down out of the canyon, then i'm out of here. >> reporter: the massive plume of smoke can be seen for miles as helicopters fly a constant rotation, dropping water and crews light backfires to try to stop the spread. the idea is to clear a space, to make a break, taking out all of this brush that hasn't

a desperate battle being watched by families, wondering what will be left when they come home. even some families like behamae find themselves on the front lines. >> my house was evacuated. my kids and husband and i have been living out of my vehicle. it's heartbreaking. >> reporter: and finally, firefighters say they feel like all of that hard work is beginning to pay off, and that they're beginning to get ahead of this fire. and as the winds stay calm and visibility clears, they were also able to get those fixed wing aircraft that drop that red fire retardant up in the air flying, and that could make a huge difference in this fight, phillip. >> we'll take all the good news we can get, kristen. thank you. now to nbc's scott cohn at carpenteria high school where the thomas fire rage right there behind him. scott, good morning. >> good morning, frances. they did indeed make progress, as krist w

but progress is relative when you have a fire that is 360 square miles. that's the amount that it's burned in the space of a week. and that continues. so the winds did die down, and they were able to get more aircraft into the air. but dying down winds is a bit of a mixed blessing. as you can see behind me, that fire is smoky there is no wind blowing the smoke away. and that hampers some of the issues with the aircraft. but not only that, this terrain, regardless of the wind, is some of the worst, most difficult firefighting terrain imaginable. and that's what they're dealing with. so you have that. you have the smoke. you have a fuel that is more than 40 years old. this is still a monster, even though it is now 20% contained. frances? >> all right, scott cohn for us. scott, thank you. nbc meteorologist bill karins is joining us now with the latest on these conditions and the weather in general. >> total opposite there is no rain in sight for the next 10 to 14 days in southern california, which is ridiculous

december. it's their rainy season. it's usually one of their rainiest months. let's bring to it the east. a lot of kids and teachers wondering if they're going to have school or snow delays today. snowing in pennsylvania and western portions of new york. well take that during the daylight hours to northern new england. wintry mess. rain and snow mixture. behind the system, cold and windy. and the next storm comes right back behind it through the great lakes. so we have a pretty decent little snowfall map here with the highest totals that are going to be the lake-effect. someone could get 20 inches of snow out of this. and how about that gold for the ski resorts. vermont, new hampshire, maine, that's perfect. that's a look at the big weather story of the day. sheer closer look at your day ahead. well, the cold blast coming down green bay, chicago, indianapolis. get ready for the windchills that are frigid. how about colorado? in the 60s today. so really, this cold blast is pretty isolated to the great lakes ohio valley going into the northeast tomorrow. we'll talk more than cold blast for new england and the gusty winds with it. we'rot

>> all right, bill, thank you. in today's quick hits, beyonce has issued a cease and desist letter to a brooklyn letter because of their queen b enspired brew. cans feature design inspired by her 2012 album. an anonymous donor dropped a gold coin worth $1300 in a kettle in north carolina. a note was attached that said use this gift to publicize giving. at the mayo children's center. a local grocery chain sent them after collecting donations from customers. be right back. 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.

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than a leading heart failure medicine. women who are pregnant must not take entresto. it can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. don't take entresto with an ace inhibitor or aliskiren. if you've had angioedema while taking an ace or arb medicine, don't take entresto. the most serious side effects are angioedema, low blood pressure, kidney problems, or high potassium in your blood. ♪ tomorrow, tomorrow... ♪ when can we do this again, grandpa? well, how about tomorrow? ask your doctor about entresto and help make tomorrow possible. i am jimmy. this is billy. i was out last week because this guy had a heart surgery. we also want to thank the very bright and talented doctors and nurses at children's hospital who treated billy, and not just billy, but many kids with so much caring and compassion. children from every

threatened right now because of something you probably never heard of. it's called chip. about two million chip kids have serious chronic conditions. i don't know about you. i've had enough of this. jam the house and senate phones tonight, tomorrow, as long as it takes. tell them to take a break from tax cuts for a minute and fully fund chip immediately. call your representatives. >> a serious message there from jimmy kimmel after his son bounced back. it's been a week for him probably in tubes sitting in a hospital bed connected to the tubes and looking nice and healthy today. >> he always gets emotional, understandably when he is talking about health care, especially involving his kid. but he says he cries on tv while his little son did not. the nfl network tells our sister station cnbc it has suspended marshall clark, evans, as first reported, a former wardrobe stylist filed an amended complaint as well as the

network's executive producer and eric weinberger. alleging specific acts of sexual harassment, including groping and sending lewd photos. none of the accused have spoken out. in a statement to nbc news, weinberger has been placed on leave indefinitely until we have a better understanding of what transpired during his time at the nfl. and we will conduct our own internal investigation. thing into says it will begin accepting transgender troops beginning january 1 in compliance with a court order. this after a federal judge monday rejected a request from the trump administration to delay that in august, president trump signed a ban on transgender troops. but two federal judges blocked key provisions of it. late last night the justice department filed for an emergency stay to the january 1 deadline, arguing the pentagon needs more time to review the president's policy. and now to a big upset in the nfl. it was a tough night in miami for tom's 10-2 patriots as a quarterback was intercepted twice by dolin

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manatees in florida flock to warmer waters to beat the winter blues. they defrost in the waters by the big ben power station in ol

tampa bay reaches 68 degrees or less. people crowded a viewing center to see those stream of sea cows. >> like a hot tub for those manatees. if you're getting ready to travel for the holidays but haven't yet booked your flight, there is still time to find great deals, but the key is avoiding peak travel days. dan scheinman has the details. >> reporter: while everyone is trying to get their christmas shopping done, it's a good time to shop for airfares there are two words to keep in mind. >> book now is really the key. with just being a couple of weeks out from the holiday season. >> reporter: there are also a few days you should avoid. >> when you look at airfare, the best thing that you can do now is really avoid the peak travel days which are going to be december 23rd and the 26th. traveling on the holiday can really help you out for savings. >> reporter: many travelers hope to enjoy the winter weather. >> for ski destination, it's all about colorado and utah. >> reporter: while others want to escape it. >> when we look at beach

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welcome back on this tuesday morning. we talked about the snow. let's talk about the cold behind it. windchill today at 7:00 a.m. milwaukee at 2. that's one of the lowest values we've seen so far this winter season. alpena at minus 10. that's mid winter type stuff. this comes into the northeast as we go into wednesday. windchills single digits from d.c. to new york. we're also going to be watching behind this, some pretty gusty winds. it's not only going to be cold, it's going to be windy along with it. not too bad, but it's behind the storm system, it's not like damage or anything. but this the 20, 30-mile-per-hour range. you'll feel it come wednesday evening. >> all right, thank you. still ahead, this year's top earning youtubers. no surprise lavar is taking his boys pro. but it's where he is taking them that may surprise you. we'll tell you where, when "early today" comes back. well, here's to first dates! you look amazing.

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a late night shooting on a metro platform shuts down the entire station. we're working on the details and whether or not it could impact your commute. there's a storm team 4 weather alert day. not too bad now. but the arctic blast is coming along with howling winds later in the day. brace for impact. forecast coming up in just a minute.

good morning everybody. i'm chris lawrence. we're here with chuck. you see all the red behind us. i walked out the door.

i was trying to just -- i was enjoying the high 30s. >> it wasn't bad. not anything to write home to mom about. it is december. in case you were wondering, december is a winter month. it can actually be cold in december. we've had snow even. brace for impact. a big-time shot of cold air is coming on a howling northwest wind later on in the day. northwest winds well over 30 miles per hour by mid to late afternoon today. our high temperature will be near 50 today around lunchtime. temperatures will plummet thereafter. a couple of snowflakes in the thursday and friday time frame. it's not bad this morning. temperatures in the upper 30s and low 40s. as you plan out your day today, the winds increase around lunchtime. thereafter, a much colder stretch of weather. windchills down in the t