away. >> what do you expect me to do, feldman? breaking overnight, police in australia say a motorist deliberately drove into a crowd of people, injuring over a dozen. details ahead. ultimately, what does it mean? it means jobs. jobs, jobs, jobs. >> a major campaign promise kept by the president in his first year. >> you're one heck of a leader. >> exquisite presidential leadership. >> thank you, mr. president, for all you're doing. >> officially cements the republican party as the party of the wealthy and the party of big corporations. >> tax reform split right down party lines. but what does it mean for your wallet? today a funeral for cardinal law, who covered for pedophile

olympic gold medalist mckayla maroney said usa gymnastics tried to silence her story. now maroney is fighting back. and what happens when a boy's choir all of the sudden eats spicy hot ghost peppers while singing "oh come all ye faithful"? "early today" starts right now. >> good to be with you this morning. i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip mena. we begin with breaking news out of australia in what police are describing as a deliberate act. at least 14 people including a child have been rushed to the hospital after a car plowed into pedestrians. witnesses describe the bodies flying everywhere after a white suv sped into a busy intersection, mowing down several people. we can report at least two men, the driver included, have been arrested. police are asking witnesses to come forward with any information, videos, or images of the incident. people on the scene have described this horrific scene as a deliberate one, although australian police have not given anysi

washington are in the holiday spirit this morning. a triumphant president and gop taking to the white house to revel in their biggest legislative accomplishment to date. passing that $1.5 trillion tax cut package. >> it will be an incredible christmas gift for hardworking americans. i said i wanted to have it done before christmas. we got it done. i want to thank all of the leaders. >> republicans rushed to get the bill passed in order to meet the president's timetable, and they're now also aiming to fully implement the new law in just a little over a week. >> with just ten days until the start of the new year, payroll companies, quote, brace for confusion as they figure out new withholding rules that will affect millions of american paychecks. and corporate america makes swift changes that could impact millions across the country. for more on this, we go to nbc's tracie potts on capitol hill. tracie, good morning. >> hi there, phillip. now everyone is trying to sort out how quickly this will all happen, how quickly americans will see some of that money i

victory lap says it's going to happen very soon. >> hasn't been done in 34 years, but actually, really hasn't been done because we broke every record. we have companies pouring back into our country, and that means jobs. and it means really the formation of new, young, beautiful, strong companies. so that's going to be very, very important. i guess it's very simple. when you think you haven't heard this expression, but we are making america great again. you haven't heard that, have you? [ cheering ] >> so let's talk about some of those big companies he mentioned. at&t says that they're going to pour a billion dollars, reinvest a billion dollars into the use and off $1,000 employee bonuses. comcast, the parent company of nbcuniversal says many employees will also get a $1,000 bonus. and of course many of those

benefit because their corporate tax rate is dropping from 35 to 21% with this new tax bill. now keep in mind the obamacare mandate to purchase health insurance goes away. and that could mean we are looking at 13 million people without health insurance over the next decade, according to estimates. so while this tax bill rolls out, republicans are claiming a big victory. and we're waiting to see if companies are actually going to reinvest that money and how soon it may show up in americans' paychecks. phillip? >> all right, tracie, thank you. if you're wondering how a 5 hundred-page tax cut bill will affect you, you're not alone. peter alexander explains. >> reporter: president trump has been promising it for months. >> we want to give you, the american people, a giant tax cut for christmas. >> reporter: so what are you getting? lower taxes for eight in ten

>> as someone who is self-employed, this is much needed tax relief for a small business. >> reporter: the individual tax cuts expire after eight years. but the corporate tax cut, from 35 to 21% is permanent. on health care, the individual mandates erased entirely in 2019. without the mandate, 13 million more americans will be uninsured in ten years, according to congressional analysts. ian dixon, whose family is insured through the obamacare exchange fears his premiums will skyrocket. >> my costs are going to more than double what they were last year. >> reporter: for all its advertised benefits doubling the standardized deduction and increasing the child tax credit to $2,000, unwrapping the bill may also bring surprises. the mortgage interest deduction for new home loans will be capped at $750,000. if you're already a homeowner, you can still deduct all of the interest. also new, the bill limits state and local tax deductions to $10,000, hitting taxpayers in high-tax states like california, new jersey, and new york.

prepay next year's taxes. and about that promise the tax code will be so simple you'll be able to file on a form like a postcard? >> i didn't know i was going to be given a prop. >> reporter: many experts say that's unlikely for this 500 page tax bill. the president has repeatedly called the bill a middle class miracle. but independent analysts say in ten years, more than 80% of the benefits will go to the top 1%. the white house says americans will begin seeing more money in their pay checks in february. frances? >> all right, peter alexander for us. peter, thanks. new details in that deadly bus crash in mexico. official news confirming eight americans were among the 12 people killed when a tour bus overturned on a highway. three of them are from the same family. nbc's ron mott has the latest. [ siren ] >> reporter: it was a holiday cruise that ended tragically for the bejar family of virginia. mom anna and 11-year-old son daniel killed in a bus crash in mexico.

also lost. father moises and 15-year-old davy hospitalized. in all eight americans are among the dozens who died. the bus overturned, leaving some victims lying on the road. mexican officials began processing vehicular manslaughter charges against the bus driver who also was injure and detained by authorities. a state prosecutor said preliminary findings indicate excessive speed and the driver's negligence caused the crash. >> my heart goes out to all these people. they lost loved ones. and i could have been on that bus. >> reporter: the bus was part of a fleet transporting visitors from two florida-based cruise ships. according to witnesses, this crash happened on a clear day on a narrow two-lane road with no shoulder or guardrail. cruise passengers often take excursions like this one booked through the cruise ship company, but usually run by independent contractors. no new comment from the bus company

reported cause. their representatives along with royal caribbean say they're doing all they can to help their guests. ron mott, nbc news. united states will be taking names today according to u.s. ambassador nikki haley as she unleashed this shot across the bow at countries who may vote in favor of a u.n. resolution condemning the trump administration for its decision to recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. the president took it a step further, threatening to withhold u.s. funding from those who may vote against it. >> for all of these nations that take our money and then they vote against us at the security council, or they vote against us potentially at the assembly, they take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us. well, we're watching those votes. let them vote against us. we'll save a lot. we don't care. >> further pushing her stern warning, haley sent this new message to 180 countries that will be voting today on that resolution. adding at the

quote, the president will be watching this vote carefully. just earlier this week, the u.s. vetoed a u.n. security council resolution critical of the white house's move on jerusalem. it was nikki haley's first veto. a volcano in far east russia erupted wednesday. the volcano shot ash nine miles into the air. the dramatic eruption was captured on this time lapse video from four miles away. the massive plumes of smoke could be seen from a village some 30 miles away. the volcano was considered dormant until 1955. but this marks its third eruption just this year. all right. let's turn now to nbc meteorologist bill karins. >> i heard that friday is the busiest travel day of the season, especially friday afternoon, if you're hitting on the highways. so the storm system that is now in the rockies, will eventually be spreading across the country. let's look at the snowfall forecast through sunday. so this is mostly going to be over the next two days. notice the mountains of colorado getting heavy snow, montana and here near yellowstone. lighter snow amounts throughout the dw

inches. nothing too significant. northern new england, though, you look like you're going to get a pretty good decent snow out of this as we go throughout friday night and into saturday. especially the northern half up in the mountains getting as much as 4 to 8 inches of snow. notice we really cut it off south of the mass pike. watch out for ice friday night into saturday. this is the ice forecast. near hartford, worcester, all the way back up into areas of new hampshire and maine. keep that in mind for friday night, saturday. that's a look at the big weather story ahead. here is a closer look at the weather ahead. the cold air is coming. now we're watching temperatures plunging. you can see where the dividing line. kansas city in the 50s. but to the north and areas of iowa, only in the 30s. still very warm future at least another two or three days right throughout much of the south. well, one danish boy's choir really spiced up a christmas carol. they took on a youtube challenge to sing after eating -- look at him, he is crying.

some turned bright red and geared up for the unbearable pain. look at the boy on the left there. >> that's hysterical. >> some are better than others that broke out laughing and others were crying. i think we're crying along with them. >> oh, my gosh. these poor kids. you know what they need? some milk. neutralizes everything. >> you sound like an experienced spice eater. >> college days. >> oh, man, that was great video. breaking overnight, another north korean risks his life and limb to defect to the south. we'll tell you more, when we come back. st. jude children's research hospital is leading how the world treats and defeats childhood cancer. we won't stop until no child dies of cancer. and families never receive a bill from st. jude... because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. give thanks for the healthy kids in your life and give to those who are not. visit stjude.org or shop where you see the st. jude logo.

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north korean soldier was shot by his colleagues and his own harrowing defection caught on tape that man survived after several rounds of surgery in a south korean hospital. thursday's defection was the fourth by a north korean soldier this year. a funeral is being held today in vatican city for cardinal bernard law. the former archbishop of boston died in rome at the age of 86. 15 years after he was forced to resign over the sexual abuse scandal that rocked the catholic church. a "boston globe" investigation revealed law had covered for pedophile priests in the boston arc d arc die sis. survivors of clergy sexual abuse are outraged. anne thompson explains. >> reporter: in death as in life, cardinal bernard law challenging the catholic tenet of forgiveness. >> i hope the gates of hell are opened wide to welcome him. >> reporter: little mercy for the man who is seen as the face of thele

scandal in the u.s. dramatized in the movie "spotlight." >> i think you'll find that boston is still a small town too. >> reporter: victims in boston furious that law will be given a funeral at saint peter's basilica in rome with a blessing by pope francis. >> the pope is honoring him and saying it's okay to abuse children. >> i would prefer to see him tied to a cross and burned instead. >> reporter: during his 18 years as archbishop, law knowingly moved abusive priests from parish to parish without warning, giving them the opportunity to abuse again. >> to all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and from my mistakes, i once again apologize. >> reporter: father jim martin of the jesuit run american media says the world will be watching the pope's actions. >> i think they're trying to do the standard procedure, you know, for cardinal law. and in other ways send signals that he is not ases

>> reporter: such as the pope's unusually short two-second statement about law's death. a man with a legacy of wounds that have yet to heal. anne thompson, nbc news, new york. still ahead, 'tis the season for porch pirates. new details on how you can protect those christmas packages. you're watching "early today." i try hard to get a great shape. this i can do, easily. benefiber® healthy shape is a clear, taste-free, 100% natural daily fiber... that's clinically proven to help me feel fuller longer. benefiber® healthy shape.

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president trump had a very good day. he is very proud. republicans finally pass his t

to sign his first major piece of legislation. yep. his chest was puffed out so far his tie was actually at normal length. wow. it's actually at my waist. amazing. >> i always wondered about that too. president trump is 6'2". you got to try to have it that long. good joke, though. all right. now to a consumer alert in the final stretch of the holiday shopping season. with the boom in online shopping, more people are falling prey to thieves. >> porch pirates have hit nearly one in five homeowners. nbc's jo ling kent has the thieves this action and how you can protect your packages. >> reporter: across the country can, more and more porch pirates are striking when they think no one is watching. two young women driving a golf cart to pilfer packages in a florida subdivision. in atlanta, david altman got lucky. he got the suspect on camera. >> at first i really couldn't believe it. i told my girlfriend. come look at this. i think he put my package down his pants. >> reporter: according to the neighborhood social netwo

nextdoor, package complaints are up 500% this year. medium price of a stolen package, $250. now law enforcement is cracking down. boston authorities recovering dozens of stolen amazon packages this week. and one ohio prosecutor posting on facebook that it's placed bait packages throughout the city with a gps inside, warning if you steal, you will be arrested. >> the theft happened right here. >> right behind us. >> reporter: in burbank, california, police arrested a porch pirate just last week. >> it is a growing problem. and we need to devote resources to this problem. and hopefully see a decline in package thefts. >> reporter: to protect your deliveries, consumer experts recommend reroute the package to a secure location, like a grocery store, neighbor, or your office. use smart gadgets like a doorbell with a built-in surveillance camera. require a signature if it's a valuable item, or pick up the package yourself from the delivery service's local office. >> it makes me mad every time i watch it. >> reporter: a warning to prevent this from becoming the season of giving and taking. jo linnt

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in the clear. police say neither was at fault. some exciting news for led zeppelin fans. in a recent interview, guitarist jimmy page hinted the band will unveil, quote, all manner surprises to mark its 50th anniversary next year be. he did not add any more details. fans will just have to wait. and what does one missouri city want for christmas? well, sedalia hopes to smash a record for the largest christmas stocking. it weighs a whopping 820 pounds, and they might just have a chance. it's almost 10 feet longer than the current record. >> just a matter of what's going to be inside the stock. yeah, it's going to be the world's largest, maybe. but always fun if there is something in it. >> i hope it's a new led zeppelin item. >> a lot of people hoping too. still i had, gymnast mckayla maroney wages a shocking allegation against usa gymnastics. and a schoolgirl's wish to santa ends in a public outpouring.

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. good morning. i'm molette green. it's 3:58. thanks for waking up early with us on this thursday. here's what we're working on now. a holiday trip turns deadly. new details about the virginia family killed on an adventure in mexico. i'm storm team 4 meteorologist chuck bell. skies are on the cloudy side for now. we'll get more sunshine back later in the day. temperatures as you step out th

that breaking news just coming in from australia right now. at least 14 people hurt after a crash. a car crashed into pedestrians in melbourne.

police say a driver deliberately crashed into a streetcar. the driver and another man are in custody. police are not saying whether this was an act of terror. it happened around 4:30 local time in the afternoon. we know at least one of the people hurt is a preschool aged child who has a serious head injury. we'll keep monitoring this and let you know the latest as it comes in to the newsroom. good morning everyone. thank you so much for joining us i'm molette green. today is thursday, december 21st. the shortest day of the year. so we start things off with you here, chuck bell and also it's one of the busiest travel days of the year. it's going to get hectic later on today for a lot of people. >> lot of people going to try to scoot out of town early and the shortest day of the year. >> the shortest day of the year? >> you have to look at this the right way. the days start getting longer starting tomorrow. with the march to summertime begins tomorrow.