we begin with dan bowens who introduces us to a new york doctor who says his brush with death changed his life. >> anytime you have a transformative experience like this, it certainly makes you aware that their something else. >> it's the core of her very being. >> i believe something is more than what happens between her birth in her death. >> a believe this life is just the beginning. it doesn't just disappear, it doesn't just vanish into thin air. there's got to be something beyond. >> what we have come to understand first of all is -- i don't think there's a day that goes by that in some way i don't think about her. reporter: dr. anthony zakaria has experienced it. >> i was clinically dead. a lightning strike in 1994. >> lightning and hit the building and exited through the phone and i happen to be in the way. so it hit me in the face and just sent me flying backwards. >> been something unexplainable. >> i was completely separated and i was going someplace else. >> surrounded in a bluish white light. >> in that white light was truly the most amazing feeling. if you can imagine abs

dan bowens, fox 5 news. christina: a bronx precinct is remembering a fallen hero, one of six americans killed by a yesterday. he spent 15 years hunting down criminals in the bronx. the news of his death prompted a show of support where he worked. firefighters say it's a tragedy his wife and two children lost him before christmas. >> this time of year makes it more profoundly sad. christina: he will be in our hearts. commissioner bratton issued a statement saying detective lemm served 15 years, asking for nothing in return. >> army sergeant bowe bergdahl appeared in a fort bragg courtroom today but did not enter a plea. he faces charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. his post in afghanistan in 2009 and was held by the taliban for five years. >> it was later determined bergdahl walked away from the base. he could get life in prison if convicted. >>> mayor de blasio announced today the city will offer six weeks of paid parental leave to non-union employees. approximately 20,000 employees will ge

dan bowens for "fox 5 news". steve: it may be better to give than receive especially when you have to take all of that stuff back. the $2.2 billion of merchandise will be returned after the holidays. the national retail federation says approximately 3.5% of those returns will be fraudulent. that includes people returning items without receipt and at all costs billions. which we then pay for. gillette claims that the online razor blade company has copied some of its design and materials they are seeking financial damages and an injunction to stop the sale of razors that violated patents. they say the company is looking into the allegations. and pandora about to dish out more money than music. they will start to pay 70 cents for every hundred songs played by nonsubscribers. music companies wanted a much bigger price tag last year. >> a lot of frustrated adele fans spent hours trying to buy tickets at the garden. before being told that they were sold out. lindsay said ticketmaster says it was poor customer service.

dan bowens, "fox 5 news." the recent mass shootings to reason the first front page editorial in 95 years. titled in the gun end dem k in america. this is editorial demand, tracker gun control laws that is a mral outrage of national disgrace that billions can legally purchase weapons devenned to kill people with brutal speed and efficiency. times publisher arthur sals burger jr. say they want to deliver a strong and visible statement of frustration and anguish. >> in other news, shortly after midnight, the tolls on many bridges and tunnels that connect new york and new jersey are going up. >> as usual, cash-paying customers will take the biggest hit. fox 5 took a trip to reaction. reporter: it was eight yearsing when drivers were paying $8 now come sunday million they will have to dish out more money and they are angry. >> i am surprised. am upset. you know, commuters have a hard time. >> drivers are trying toking if if you can out the monthly budget since the port you a thistive new york and new jersey is hitt

dan bowens, fox 5 news. steve: got to have the bench involved. got to love it. dari: absolutely. we'll see you back here at 10:00. steve: here's ernie with what's coming up at 6:00. >> thank you very much. for you. what you need to know is next. plus we'll take a closer look. do colleges in america have problems with race on campus? what recent protests show about race relations at our schools. a live guest will join me to talk about that. plus your important weekend i'll be right back. you can see, we need an internet that can do more. we do more games, and more streaming. so we need more speed. that's why we switched to time warner cable. you can too. call now. now we can connect more devices, at the same time. the wifi in this house is amazing. so is my guacamole. hi grandma and grandpa! ha, look at that! [laughs] time warner cable even has an internet plan for us. get the internet speed that's right for you. from 3 megs to ultra fast 300 megs they even made it easy to switch with a one-hour arrival window. get 50 meg internet for $39.99 per month. call now. you could get free

steve: dan bowens has more on why so many of us are cutting our land lines. reporter: for generations, connected as a household fixture that you cannot imagine living without. as most people and you'll get an answer like this. >> i haven't had a landline since 2001. the only reason that i have really had it is because it's included in my cable package. reporter: hanging it up. the downfall of the home phone study. a only 3% of u.s. households were cell phone only come in today that number is closer to 47% according to a new study from the cdc. it found that within a year if the current trends continue, more than half of u.s. households are going to be completely wireless within a year. >> does that surprise you? >> no, it does not. again, they don't answer the phone. reporter: it is a spoiler where these corded phones are probably for sale. >> you know, you want the comfort of knowing that you have a solid phone next few. reporter: there is always going to make a market in need function. phone. down. reporter: dan bowens for "fox 5 news". dari: now, get ready

steve: dan bowen with how they are keeping us safe. reporter: what a party it will be, the crowds are moving in on off this entrance, people are moving in lines are forming, weather is perfect and security is tight. >> a million people come here every year. this is the year, like we knew we had to do it. >> the ball is going to drop, where else would you want to be. >> who wouldn't want to be here on new year's eve. reporter: to get here, front row, they passed through several layers of security checks. >> they check your bag, make sure you don't have weapons or backpacks. reporter: measures in place for celebrate. >> a loot of people, but i know there are a lot of police feel safe. >> we've seen a lot of police so far, i feel safe. reporter: police are everywhere, more than 6,000 officers from new recruits to specially teams. trained to prevent terror incidents, 500 plus officers full time, you see them tonight. reporter: beefed up tactics with cameras, and, can of , k-9s looking for explosionives. >> you think about airport security

from a guardia dan bowens "fox 5 news." christina: the day after christmas post -- pulled -- pope francis addressed people in the square. francis said it was -- the same as the first christian martyr. the pontiff added he believes forgiveness is the key to winning against evil. the weeklong celebration of kwanzaa started today. people gathered to kick up the holiday with overrated festivities. kwanzaa is based on traditional african culture and celebrates family community responsibility commerce and self-improvement. the day comes from a swahili term meaning -- the celebration so the to come on the "fox 5 news" at 10 coming up the race for the white house as a candidate get ready for the holiday break and the big changes mayor de blasio announced that will impact thousands of workers. and a christmas day tantrum goes viral. i can't wait to see this one. with his guests. how else do you think he gets around so fast? take the reins this holiday and get the mercedes-benz you've always wanted during the winter event. christina:

dan bowens is live at the details. report of a spirit airlines flight expected to leave at about 11:00 this morning but moments before takeoff passengers noticed smoke coming from the side of the plane pretty everyone on board had to get off. eventually this was determined mechanical issue that was fixable. it's to create a big problems and major delays for hundreds of passengers this holiday weekend. some people described a chaotic scene, people hopping over seats trying to get off the smoky spirit airlines flight. this video posted on line shows people getting their luggage back once they made it today. one of the 225 passengers onboard tweeted quote we saw smoke and got emergency evacuated from spirit airlines have aborted. no one on board was heard and airlines spokesman telling fox 5 the fire started in the tower unit providing electricity to the plane while it's on the ground. equipment automatically detected the issue and turned itself off. all passengers exited safely. the story does have a bit of a happy endin

fox 5's dan bowens has a follow-up. report of debbie nba content in the comments of the former nba guard saying he thinks a professional female basketball player should show more skin. his remarks clearly affected and some say not only are they out of line they are out of touch. the comets appearing on gilbert arenas instagram page criticizing female basketball players complaining their uniforms aren't skimpy enough to watch. the wnba calling the remarks repugnant adding wnba are determined individuals to give it their all on the court and aspire as role models to millions around the world. the outrage it going across star rating quote tomei smart and beautiful young female dollars no one asks nba players to in a speedo. alain adele add-ons and quote women were not put on this earth just for men to look at. we are people, they have a purpose and we are role models on an athlete first and foremost. tonight is a slap in the face of the women that play in the wnba. reporter: a host on 90.7 espn radio is a slap in the face

reporter: dan bowens "fox 5 news." christina: fiction became reality in midtown today as fans of the dark knight comic book series came face-to-face with this legendary writer. his love no way. savor an egg mcmuffin any time you like. a fresh cracked egg, canadian bacon and an english muffin with real butter. mcdonald's all day christina: christmas came early for fans of the dark knight comments. legendary frank miller signed autographs for very lucky fans at midtown comics on fulton street this afternoon. only 125 people got the chance to meet and have their book signed by miller and his creative -- miller credits the success of the comic series to the characters. >> the characters have such dimensions. there are inexhaustible. the only thing that is slowed them down is unimaginative publishers and talents. christina: the dark knight three officially hits stores on wednesday. this ear fox 5 has partnered with "fox news" latino to bring you stories of immigrants who have made their mark in our world. one man from el sa

dan bowens, "fox 5 news." former glee star out on bail tonight after arrested today on child porn charges in california. he played noah pucker machine on the show. he was taken into custody after he was served with a warrant at the home in los angeles. tmz say police found more than 1,000 images of child sexual exploitation on the come poot earn took tablet and cell phones as evidence as well. >> his attorneys argued he was too rich and spoiled to know right from wrong. that defense helped the affluenza team avoid jail time for deadly drunk driving crash. he may end up behind bars afterall. linda schmidt has the latest. linda. reporter: that is right, good evening, allison. they believe ethan couch and his mother were in mexico. the two ended up using a cell phone to order pizza from domino's, location and that is how they got caught. >> we expected the mother-to-be charged with hindering apprehension and texas law. reporter: you a hrs say tonya couch took off for mexico with ethan so he prison time. ethan was

and dan bowens joins us with more. reporter: that's right, a lot of new information. these killers had some 1400 rounds of ammunition before dying in a shootout with the police. a search of the couples hometown even more weapons and bombs. authorities working under the theory that they were inspired by foreign terrorist organizations. these horrific acts as an act of terrorism. reporter: a critical clue leaving investigators to that conclusion is a facebook post where tashfeen malik pledged allegiance to isis and its leader moments before the massacre. >> i am aware of the facebook post and i saw the same thing you did. we do not know what is there yet. we are continuing to look into that. reporter: authorities say that tashfeen malik and her husband syed farook tried to erase their digital footprint after the attack by damaging personal devices. >> we do hope that the digital fingerprint that was left by these two individuals will take us towards their motivation. >> a motivation to kill from two people whose lives appeared normal. journalists getting a first look in

dan bowen, fox a news. >> the mayor announce today that the city will soon offer six weeks of paid parental leave to nonunion employees approximately 2 thousand am ohees will get the six weeks fully paid which can then increase to 12 weeks which existing paid time off. cover the 15 million-dollar cost and they will have to give back two vacation days and the city will take back a small portion of a planned that i was supposed to happen in 2017. >> i think you go to see it as trend because the city is only catching up to corporate america which many companies have already improved upon their parental leave policies. >> and officials say, it don't affect the city's unionized workers, but they do say that the benefit cap be add to those contracts through gaining. >> diamonds make the perfect gift, of course, pause they never go out of style. our own allison morris takes a look at some rocks that really sparkle and tonight's lap of luxury. >> welcome. we are at the morning palace hotel. the perfect setting to show you a rare blue diamond. we have done the ultimate gift guide. every year it can'

dan bowens is live on first avenue tonight with more on what happened there. good evening, dan. >> reporter: these bricks fell more than 30 stories, crashing down on to the street below. it's a miracle, neighbors say, nobody was hurt. the contractor who was doing work at the building at 63rd and first avenue is being required to make major changes before this stretch of first avenue can be reopened. concerned more bricks might fall several blocks on the upper east side closed off to traffic for >> i was in my apartment about

. >>> dan bowens is here to explain the different responses in new york and los angeles. dan? >> reporter: the nation's largest and second largest school districts with very appears to be a very similar, if not the exact, same threat. officials deemed it a hoax in new york city, but in los angeles, nearly 1,000 schools were shut down. tonight officials there are defending that decision. the e-mail threat to the l.a. unified school district describing an attack with devices. >> we are doing everything possible to make sure children are safe. >> 640,000 students from kindergarten to 12th grade stayed home as law enforcement investigated. >> an abundance of caution is something all of us who have children appreciate. >> reporter: as officials in the nation's second largest school district searched more than 900 schools, new york city also received a similar e-mail, threatening students would be, quote, massacred with pressure cooker bombs, nerve gas and machine guns. >> we have an investigation underway. it's an investigation into a hoax. >> reporter: new york city saying the e-m

dan bowens is in the newsroom with the latest fantasy sports legal battle back and forth. reporter: it certainly was a these two fantasy sports giant are locked into illegal fight earlier today a judge ruled they could no longer operate in new york and then six hours later an appeal allowed them to keep accepting fees from people in moving forward it's clear the reporter: call. reporter: khalid illegal hail companies. hours after being shut down by one court ruling a second judge allowing fanduel and draftkings to stay on line. it could come with consequences since fordham law professor. >> on one hand they are allowed to continue operating. on the other hand if they continue operate and the concept is illegal that would protect them in the state of new york and potentially under federal law criminal liability. reporter: the web site allows users to build virtual teams with real-life place. airwaves with payouts in the thousands and millions of dollars. in attempting to bar them early friday in new york supreme court justice side of the state attorney general eric schneide

dan bowens has more. violated multiple safety related playing rules and today the suspension was upheld by an officer. the former rookie of the year took to twitter to apologize for all of this, saying that he dropped the ball out of sportsmanship. >> a day after being named, he officially lost his appeal at the nfl headquarters in manhattan. it means that he will not practice with the team and will miss what could be a crucial game on sunday night. the wide receiver issuing an apology saying that this isn't about anything that was said or done to me. this is about my behavior. people expect better from me and i expect better from myself. >> another fight breaks out and again it is dumbed down field. reporter: that come had three personal foul penalties including one for a helmet to helmet hit on josh norman. >> what is going on? >> he may have been provoked before the game by another player holding a baseball bat. coach tom coughlin offered this defense. >> to depict this as him being wrong and the only one wrong is not right. it's not fair and it's not just us and it's not the way it

dan bowens talked about an expert about analyzing threats and he's a minister in. reporter: officials in los after the shooting in san bernardino a few weeks ago. faced with the threat this morning at the clock ticking and the potential threat they made a decision to close the schools and don't take chances. here new york the same threat >> based on the past the chance. report of the nation's second-largest school system shutdown, more than 640,000 students from santa monica to el segundo told to stay home. >> i'm not taking the chance of bringing children anyplace into any park -- part of the building until a not safe. report of the threat coming in an e-mail the author claiming to be a muslim extremist and a team of jihad is france ready to strike. >> the specific threat was attacked with assault rifles and machine pistols. reporter: officials that new york city saying they received a similar e-mail but quickly concluded it was a hoax. >> this was a very generic piece of writing sent to a number of different places simultaneously. reporter: police commissioner bi

antwan: dan bowens explains why it's considered to be in major stride. reporter: uniting on a global deal to address climate change plan by nearly 200 nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. >> this agreement represents the best chance we have disabled one planet we have got. i believe this moment could be a turning point for the world. reporter: the paris agreement calling for governments and private industry to keep temperatures from rising by more than two degrees celsius by year 2100 in part by eliminating fossil fuels like crude oil and call worldwide by 2015. >> this puts the fossil fuel industry on the wrong side of history. >> critics including republicans in congress say it will hurt industry and jobs. this was gop is presence of candidate senator ted cruz >> the satellite data demonstrates no significant warming whatsoever for the past 18 years. report of historic agreement does not come without a few hurdles including trying to determine how much wealthier nations like the united states will spend to help developing nations. it's expected

dan bowens, fox 5 news. take a look around our set and everywhere. steve: we're surrounded by them. that's not the only place you may see them. up next, why sales of this holiday staple are slipping. maybe we bought all of them out. jennifer: we might have. first, here's tonight's new york minute. >> reporter: hundreds of families who need extra help for the holidays got it at the interfaith medical center in brooklyn today. >> today we will give out 300 $100 american express gift cards to people who were chosen through organizations, churches, >> reporter: this entire secret santa program was funded by private donations. yep, that's santa and friends rolling up to the nassau university medical center to deliver toys to sick children. >> i heard these children could possibly be in the hospital for the holidays. so me and mother said we have to go see them and make sure know christmas is still going to come, even if they're not home. hello. merry christmas. >> reporter: the visit was made possible by the nassau county police department. >> the police medics from the nassau police dep

dan bowen, "fox 5 news." get a taste of the the brooklyn shop that created flavors to pronot the biggest move in there galaxy. one ups driver is not acting very jol think holiday season. p pens when you were caught throwing and kicking around people's packages. >> plus, disgraced ceo martin shkreli facing a judge in court. the strange bea haivier he has been displaying when we come ba with the help of comfort keepers, i'm keeping my mom healthy! i'm keeping dad on schedule. i'm keeping my mom happy! professional caregivers can provide meal planning and preparation, health and wellness services and personal care services through custom care plans that can change as needs change, so your aging loved ones can stay happy and healthy in their own home. why let someone else have all the fun? the sometimes haphazard, never boring fun. the why can't it smell like this all the time fun. the learning the virtue of sharing fun. why let someone else have all the fun? that's no fun. unleash the power of dough. >> a major

steve: dan bowens joins us from the newsroom to explain how to handle the awkward moments online. >> reporter: there's the saying don't talk politics with your friends if you want to keep your friends. you could make the same argument for your digital relationships. this year's political season certainly testing the limits. >> i'm for free speech. some people take it too far. >> everybody has their own point of view. >> they see a tag line and without knowing about it, they expand on that information. >> reporter: hunter college students say she can't stand it. she's talking about the people who can't stop sharing political views on social media. >> the thing is no one is learning anything new. everyone is just repeating the same information over and over again. >> they voice their opinion. when somebody comments differently on that, they like to delete it. it's a whole issue. >> reporter: michael welcomes the open discussion on his timeline. a lot to talk about this year with the divisive comments of a certain gop frontrunner. >> trump is practices free speech more than anybody else

dan bowens will have more at 6:00. dari: a holiday sparkle to come. the rare jewelry that will take your breath away. >> and the pieces being made for dari: and a sendoff for a golden retriever who spent a decade >> i want to wish my famil cable's out. no friday night rom-com? that's a shame. we at time warner cable need to apologize to you. we no longer offer you an excuse to get out of friday romantic comedy night. we're making a bunch of changes at time warner cable. if you experience an outage, we're committed to getting to your home within 24 hours. and before we leave, we'll do a free whole-home check to make sure that all your connections and equipment are working great. [doorbell] dari: well, how would you like alison: right. we'll take a look at diamonds that dazzle in tonight's lap of luxury. luxury. >> this is the 32nd here we've done the ultimate gift guide. every year i think it can't get bigger or better, but every year and services. we look for the pinnacle of design, technique, manufacturing, one of experiences, a bucket list of gifts

dan bowens brings us up to speed on the investigation. >> reporter: superintendent mccarthy knows a police officer is only as effective as when he has the trust of those he serves. >> reporter: chicago mayor rahm emanuel firing the superintendent garry mccarthy saying the former top cop had become a distraction. >> the public trust in the leadership of the department has been shaken and eroded. >> reporter: the move coming after a wave of protests, demonstrators outraged over how the city responded when a white police officer shot a black >> we're here before this emblem of death, this casket, to bury chicago. >> officer van dyke facing first-degree murder charges was released early tuesday on bond. haul. as i told him, it's going to be a series of various steps. process. >> reporter: the outrage in chicago not unique. in the last 18 months, the black lives matter movement has taken to the streets in new york over the death of eric garner and in ferguson, missouri. and the creation of a task force on police accountability. >> i have a bigger loyalty to the city of chicago, its future and t