♪ ♪ ♪ >> ♪ >> ♪ >> happy thursday. you know, i'm trying to figure out what day it is. >> don't cheat a day out of us. >> definitely not. it's thursday. thanks for joining us tonight. the future seems bright for democrats but they're still facing a tough task of taking back the senate. >> as you can see from the run down one of the many things we're talking about on five at 6:30. democrats have to defend more than 20's seats to take over the senate, republicans only have to defend eight. >> let's bring in

connolly from roll call and thanks for joining us. >> glad to be here after a crazy week in politics. >> you got that right. no surprise. alabama -- well, it was a surprise but alabama huge victory but is this victory for the democrats about the party and the democrats or was this about the rejection of an accused pedophile? >> you know, it's -- it's -- that's an interest, question. we've talked to a bunch of political operatives on the democratic side and the republican side and they said it's a mixture of both. you know, it's sort of the democrats it's been said needed a perfect storm to pull off this victory in alabama with doug jones. they thought they had a quality candidate, a clean candidate who wanted to present himself as some sort of an alabama man through and through and focus on what he called kitchen table issues and then you had doug jones who is sort of an insurgent republican candidate and of course the allegations of sexual misconduct against doug jones played a tremendous factor in the

the fact that steve bannon said he was going the play this active role especially in the 2018 mid terps. midterms. the voters aren't buying what bannon is figure. is there going to be a push to move him out of the way. >> i have not talked to steve bannon personally but i think you will see that he is very interested in continuing what he has termed a civil in the gop much to the chagrin of sort of more establishment republicans who are sort of embodied by senate majority leader mitch mcconnell. democrats, many of them seem to be excited about the prospect of steve bannon staying involved because if -- if steve bannon is able to successfully have a couple of republican candidates win the primaries, it's been shown that sometimes those are generally less electable in the general elections

will definitely and interesting to see how that plays out in the gop. >> the democrats will say, okay, we did a good job in alabama, also they'll say we did a good job in virginia and in new jersey. are those wins big enough, though, as we start moving forward for them to actually flip some seats in the senate? >> yeah, that's an interesting question. something that was huge in virginia that i actually wrote about this week was the turnout among millennial voters and that's something the democrats are definitely trying to key into as we head into 2018 especially in statewide raises like the senate. at roll call our elections guru nathan gonzalez showed us that there are what he classified as six tossup seats four are democratic and two are republican. in addition there are two other democratic senate seats that are -- that nathan has as tilt democratic. it's going to be interesting to see what hpe

>> griffon we're almost out of time. let's say the republicans had nominated luther strange. would we be having this discussion about doug jones winning because it seems like from many perspectives any other republican would have had a much easier go of it than roy moore did. >> i think you've seen a lot of frustration among republican operatives. one of my colleagues, simone path had a story today that came out about how excited democrats should be looking into the future and a lot of of the republican operatives show quoted in that story express a good deal of frustration with steve bannon and sort of the insurgent gop side and, you know, seemed to indicate that, you know, if they'd run luther strange or even in representative mo brooks had won the republican primary then things could have been different. >> uh-huh. >> all right, griffin conley thanks for your perspective. we appreciate you coming in tonight. >> thank you. >> well, for her first

since her resignation omarosa manigault newman set the record straight. >> she sat down for what was billed as a tell all to abc's "good morning america" take a look. >> there were a lot of things that i observed during the last year that i was very unhappy with. that i was very uncomfortable with. things that i observed that i heard. >> such as? >> i can't expand upon it because i have to still go back and worth with these individuals but when i have a chance to tell my story, michael, quite the story to tell as the only african-american woman in this white house as a seen i don't are staff and assistant to the president i have seen things that have made me uncomfortable that have upset me that affected me deeply and emotionally that have affected my community. it is a profound story that i know the world will want to hear. >> all right. let's bring in gop strategist oliver mcgee. oliver thanks so much for joining us. >> thank you for having me tonight. >> let me ask you off the bat, what do you make of omarosa's

for -- for republicans, black republicans or the voice of black republicans even though she's not. we should say she's a democrat but she still was as she put it the only black woman that was a top aide in that position in the west wing. >> well, one of the things i want to open is the president has three powers, the power to appoint the power to sign and power to persuade and today he was using his appointment powers. this is very normal in the early part of an administration the first year that there's going to be shifts and changes in the staff but with regards to blacks, and particularly black republicans, we're all just basically people. we're not monolith thick. we have socially and fiscally conservative ideals but at the same time we have a heart. we are also about forgiveness and we're not too judgmental. when we have to look at certain situations like your previous guest talked about in the alabama race, we really want to take care of our children its about african-american men and boys, it's about african-american women and girls. >> i get that but i'm just curious is the loss of having omarosa there, will that

the -- she's supposed to be the liaison with the black community to the west wing. do you think that will create a problem because she's no longer in that position? >> i believe that president trump and vice president pence is going to raise the level of conversation above blacks involved in his administration. he's looking into that now and it's all going to be about technology. it's going to be about science with technology. we have a very, very fast economy right now that's moving at lightning speed. we need fast technology to keep up with it. reagan was the great communicator. trump is the great media innovator and so he's really lolooking forward to be able to engage in technology to keep up with this economy particularly with tax reform that's coming christmas. >> let's talk about the issue of diversity. this came up with sarah huckabee sanders at the white house. let's listen. >> we have a really diverse team across-the-board at the white house. we always want to continue to grow the diversity here. we're going to continue to do that. and continue to work hard.

>> african-americans. >> i don't have a number directly in front of me specifically not african-american but i can say again we have a very diverse team at the white house. certainly very diverse team in the press office and something that we strive for every day is to add and grow to be more diverse and more representative of the country at large. >> when you look at the makeup of the cabinet that the president put together and he was very, very diligent in bringing in people from the business community, something he is quite a bit of experience in doing, oliver do you believe though that should there be -- does it matter to have a diversity of faces in that cabinet moving forward because right now there aren't any. >> yes. this is about meeting america's needs for the scientific and technological challenges of the 21st century but also meeting the economic challenges of the 21st sentry and also it's about looking at the future of diversity in science and technology. the national academy

engineering has biotech micro tech elder tech. >> a lot of tech. >> a lot of tech. oliver mcgee thanks so much for joining us tonight. we certainly appreciate it. no doubt the conversation about diversity in the west wing as it relates to politics and no doubt we have not heard the latest from omarosa because she implied her story will be told and she will most likely write a book. >> and i'll say there is a moment today and it's made the rounds robin roberts said she's going to write a book and said bye felicia. found in quite disingenuous because again in the grand scheme of things robin roberts is a journalist. she's written books before. >> sure. >> different stories to tell. but i think in the grand scheme of things as you mentioned omarosa was one of the few people that president trump brought in who had experience in government settings before. >> she used to work in the clinton administration for al gore. >> she was not just a reality star although that's really what she established herself as in recent years but nonetheless. >> and i must say on that not

surprised by the way she did her interview today. >> not at all. >> that's what she does. so she came out as a reality star, she's still a reality star and -- >> well then -- and i will say this. we may have had different answers had you had somebody else doing the interview, it was michael strayhan doing the interview not george stephanopoulos. is paul ryan's career coming to an end. is he reportedly considering retiring. this is according to politico. they did an interview with ryan. he has told people his current term as speaker will be his last. ryan is disputing that part of the report. he smiled when reporters asked him about that. >> thank you very much everybody. appreciate it. >> ryan first entered congress in 1999 and was elected speaker in 2015. >> interesting. i'm not surprised that was his reaction today. >> yeah and again, he did not want the job. when john boehner left they pr

as soon as i got here and it was fascinating to see that play out. paul ryan is a young guy. he has kids that are young. he will be in demand. if he wants to leave he will be in demand for. >> a lot of different things. and that position again is a very tough position to be in. >> it's a thankless position. >> absolutely it is. let's talk about the weather now. it is still cold outside, a little windy. sue palka. >> those winds have been relentless haven't they shawn and jim. they kicked up after that clipper went by. the wind chill will be noticeable if you head out. once the winds are down we're really cold overnight. quite a chilly start to your friday morning. you'll find a lot of places down in the low 20's and guess what, for the third time in one week the chance of a few snow showers around tomorrow afternoon and early evening. maybe enough to cause some slick spots east of 95, more likely on the delmarva peninsula tomorrow. the weekend is looking like it will be not quite as cold as today and tomorrow have been. and next

more of a mild pattern change. we may see a couple of days next week including monday and tuesday getting close to 60 degrees before things start to settle back down into the 40's again. so, that's a look at your weather headlines. i'll send it back over to shawn and jim. >> all right, breaking the internet. not sue palka. we're going to break it down for you. the net neutrality law when we come back after the break. >> ♪ >> ♪♪

>> ♪ >> hi welcome back. republicans are one step closer at passing a tax deal before the christmas holiday. a top tax bracket drops to 37 percent. the corporate tax rate drops to 21 percent. >> standard deduction for most taxpayers will just about double and state and local tax deductions will be included on your federal form but limited to $10,000. as for the obamacare insurance mandate that would be eliminated. now democrats want to delay a vote until january after they pick up another democratic seat thanks to the doug jones win in

>> another interesting note i was going to say republican marco rubio said he's not going to vote for it unless they expand the child tax credit. it's going to be interesting to see. we still got deals going on behind the scenes. >> two senators ill right now. john mccain is in the hospital having ill effects from his cancer treatment. they say it's routine. >> routine yeah. >> senator thad cochran of mississippi has been ill for awhile. he's been away from that washington. but you know, you got to keep in mind remember what are we talking two years ago merit garland they didn't want to take a vote up on him because they said another election was coming up. so, are there parallels here? who knows. >> we'll see. >> major change though to how you get your internet service. >> you probably heard the term net neutrality especially today. it's a rule that's been in place that forces your internet company to treat all web sites you use equally. today the fcc voted to end net neutrality and it's been the subject of a big fight. >> fox5's tom fitzgerald live at fcc headquarters with what happened and what this all means. fitz you have three

explain everything you know about net neutrality. go! >> reporter: wow. i don't know if i can do that. >> clock is ticking. >> reporter: what this -- what they were saying today, the protesters were that they think the internet is dead. they even had a funeral for it with flowers out in front of the fcc today. the internet is not dead. but what happened today was the fcc voted to kill net neutrality. now, what net neutrality is, this is a law that went in under the obama administration that basically said if you're an internet service provider like at&t, like comcast, like any of these other people that you get your internet from, you can't pick and choose the content providers. you can't allow some content providers like facebook or netflix to come under your service faster because you like them. likewise, you can't slow down other services because either you don't like them or don't like what they stand for or you don't get any money from them for it. so, this vote

by a vote of three to two. and the commissioners went at each other during that session. >> it is not the job of the government to be in the business of picking winners and losers in the internet economy. we should have a level playing field and let consumers decide. >> this decision puts the federal communications commission on the wrong side of history, the wrong side of the law and the wrong side of the american public. >> reporter: okay. so, in the middle of all of this little bit of drama had nothing to do with net neutrality. they had to clear the room at one point because security came in and told us that they had to sweep the room. this went on for a few minutes. we were allowed to wait in the hall. went back in. they held their vote three to two net neutrality was going to end. now, this is not the end of this, though. people were outside protesting and they were soon joined in by folks who say that they are going to file suit on this, the protesters say they wan

internet service providers to decide what you watch and when you watch it and how you watch it on your computer. >> we have no reason to trust them. they have the private companies' interests in mind. >> i'm incredibly upset about this. i feel like this is incredibly undemocratic. >> i think everything is at stake for the whole world, the whole internet community. >> reporter: this is not over. tonight the attorney generals of d.c., maryland, virginia, they've joined in with 18 other attorney generals from across the united states. they say they will be filing a federal lawsuit, jim and shawn, to block the fcc move tonight and you can fully expect this is going to wind up in the courts and could go quite far. >> the fight is coming. thank you fitz. and fitz by the way, you hit your mark we must tell you. >> you did. >> at three minutes. good job. >> d

chunk of 21st century fox. the 52 billion-dollar deal brings together the company's film and television studios cable and national tv businesses. twenty-first century fox will separate the fox news channel fox sports and news affiliates into a newly listed company. >> and we should point out that we are currently part of 21st century fox. >> that is right. >> all right. >> well, it is an annual holiday tradition recognizing the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice by serving our country but for some this labor of love can be very difficult. we'll talk a little bit more about this when 5 at 6:30 continues. >> ♪

>> ♪ >> it happens every year in mid-december an army of volunteers places holiday wreaths on the tens of thousands of grave sites at arlington national cemetery. for some it helps them cope with the loss of losing a loved one during the holidays. for others it is

reminder of that loss. >> bonnie farrell is the founder of taps. grieving the loss of a military loved one. bonnie thanks for coming in tonight. >> thank you so much. >> i've heard about this cause for years and years and it really is fascinating. it's a big undertaking. >> it is. taps is a national organization for all those grieving the death of a military loved one. >> so, we've been showing video here of the wreaths across america where these wreaths are placed all over. we know this is going to be going on at arlington national cemetery. you guys are going to be a part of that. explain your role in all of this. >> well, taps is the family of all those who have lost a loved one. so, many of our families that work with taps will be out there providing support to the thousands of volunteers because it isn't just the families coming to honor their heroes but it's many battle buddies. it's many volunteers who have lost friends who will be there tomorrow. so we're very, very grateful to be part of it. >> offering that sort

year round process. does it -- is it harder around this time of year. >> the holidays are a very tough time. you know, it's a time when we were steeped into inn in tradits with our loved ones. for families we offer this advice to be kind with yourself, to be patient, to go where your heart creates you, maybe create new traditions or honor traditions that you've had. you know, one of our families loves to fill the house with smells of the foods that were special to their loved one and it kind of brings them back. it brings back that memory. >> you have more than just a regular connection to taps. you have a personal connection. explain that. >> my husband was killed in an army plane crash along with seven other soldiers, so there will be a wreath at his -- at his headstone on saturday as well. >> when you guys are out there, well, no the just there, jim was talking about your service you provide year round, what are the kinds of things t

that you do or that you -- you -- for families watching right now who maybe weren't aware of taps, what services do you provide for them. >> absolutely. taps is a national family and we have over 70,000 families who are a part of this national network of support and hope and healing. we have tremendous resources. a 24/7 help line. we have casework assistance, peer based emotional support. it is just a way for americans to come together and honor their hero and know that they're not alone. know that they're part of a national legacy of service and sacrifice in this country. >> real quick what's the number, the number that folks can call for more information. >> it's 800-959-taps. >> if you would like to volunteer this weekend there's information on your screen right now for our wreaths across america, wreaths across thank you bonnie. >> thanks so much. >> merry christmas. >> same to you. >> we're back after this. >> ♪ >> ♪♪

>> ♪ red carpet rolled out in d.c. for the premiere of "the post." >> steven spielberg directed. tom hanks takes on the role of editor ben bradlee. >> it looks fascinating and certainly a lot of folks that live in this area and around the country, too, that are, you know, know the history i'm sure will be very interested to see this play out on the big screen. >> to see when spotlight came out which highlighted the boston globe exposing the catholic church sex scandals its fascinating that we're seeing movies based on newspapers but it's, you know, sometimes truth is more fascinating than fiction. >> it goes back to highlighting the media and the great job, the great reporting that is going on for years and continues to happen right now. >> exactly.

that's proof of it. >> most of it isn't we should say. >> thanks for joining us tonight on 5 at 6:30. >> we're back at 8 o'clock on fox5 plus. we'll see you on the final five at 11:30. >> ♪

announcer: today on "tmz" -- charles: i think conor mcgregor's girlfriend owes rita ora a huge thank you, because she got a ton of louis vuitton it looks like and maybe it's because all of those photos of rita ora. >> so if you're conor mcgregor and the entire world thinks you're trying to bang rita ora, what do you do? >> bang rita ora! [laughter] >> you can do that. >> cardi b celebrated offset's 26th birthday. she bought him a rolls-royce wraith. >> a brand-new car. >> super ecstatic. charles: this was a surprise. so they kwuk -- walkd out?