alison burns is live in our washington, d.c. newsroom with the impact this will have on your paycheck. >> reporter: dave, the house and senate this morning gave final approval to a bill that will extend a tax payroll tax cut, at least through the first two months of next year. >> without objection, the bill is engrossed, read for a third time, and passed and the motion to re-- to reconsider is laid on the table. >> reporter: house democrats celebrated and said the american people's voice was heard. >> they can continue focusing on buying those last-minute presents because we did our work. >> reporter: house republicans were trying to hold out for a year-long extension of the tax cut. but with time running out before it expired next weekend, they succumb to a mountain of political pressure. this is a big win for president obama. we've just learned he will be speaking about it from the white house in about an hour before heading to hawaii for his holiday vacation. reporting live from washington, d.c., alison burns, ktvu channel 2

alison burns is live in our washington, d.c. bureau with the latest details. alison? >> reporter: dave, robert levinson is a retired fbi agent who disappeared in iran years ago and it is still a very big mystery what happened to him. he was in iran as a private investigator working on a cigarette smuggling case. now, here's the website that his family has set up, helpboblevinson.com. on had today, his son and wife have posted a video. they make a plea to his unknown captors and for the first time they show this proof of life video that they received more than a year ago. levinson looks thin and haggard and talks about his health prob -- problems. >> i'm not -- i'll not in very good health. i'm running very quickly out of diabetes medicine. i've been treated well. i need the help of the united states government. >> reporter: investigators reportedly believe the video was sent from pakistan, not iran, so it's unclear where levinson is being held. the family said it released a video now because it just -- it doesn't know what else to do to secure the release of the 63- y

alison burns in our washington, d.c.ewsroom on the new idea democrats have to pay for the tax cut. allison? >> reporter: dave, the 2% payroll tax cut expires at the end of this month, so congress is running out of time to strike a deal, the democrats and republicans are at odd over how to pay for it. now, today, senate majority leader harry reid is expected to introduce a new plan to offset the cost. democrats are hinting they will use saving from winding down the wars in iraq and afghanistan. but that might not be very popular with republicans. as for how much the tax cut will save you, the white house the white house has posted a cal cau lighter on whitehouse.gov. you can enter your income and try out. president obama is calling on all americans to give it a try and then to act. >> tell them to put put money back in the pox -- to put -- to put money pack in the pockets of americans. >> reporter: we'll see how this all plays out in washington, d.c. here this week. reporting live from alison burns, ktvu channel 2 news. >

alison burns is live in our washington, d.c. newsroom on what economists are predicting and the very important senate vote that may effect your paycheck. alison. >> reporter: analysts are expecting modest gains but not enough to lower the unemployment rate. meanwhile here on capitol hill part of president obama's job plan suffered another big set back. the united states senate rejected democrat and republicans to extend a payroll tax cut. >> we think this is a fair thing to ask. for the wealthiest americans who survived well over the last few years to contribute in order to give working families a break. >> bear in mind what they are doing here is quote paying for a temporary payroll tax relief with a permanent tax increase. on job creators. >> reporter: that payroll tax cut expires in a month. if it's not extended the average working family will see their taxes go up by $1,000. will have more on the republican proposals and new job numbers. for now we are live in washington, d.c. alison burns. >>> time now 5:14. new information

as alison burns reports they are also showing us a new heart wrenching video. alison. >> reporter: bob levingson's family is releasing the video now because they don't know what else to do. here's the website the family has set up. helpboblevingson.com. his son and wife make a plea to their unknown captors. they show a proof of life video they received more than a year ago. levingson says he's in poor health. running out of diabetes medicine and references his long career as an fbi as he calls on the u.s. government to try to save him. >> please help me get home. 33 years of service for the united states deserves something. please help me. >> reporter: it's unclear where he is being held. investigators say the video was likely sent from pakistan not iran. back in march she believed levingson was alive. but u.s. officials have no idea who is holding him. why bob levingson was in iran in the first place during my next update in about an hour. alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> 6:17. iranian television aired video of what it claims is a u.s. stealth drone plane

alison burns, kut ku. kut-- ktvu channel 2 news. >>> a scheduled preliminary hearing for jerry sandusky never took place this morning. instead, sandusky told the court he wants to go straight to trial to face molestation charges. stay with us at 8:35, we'll go live to pennsylvania to find out what the prosecution is saying about a possible plea deal. >>> ta, state lawmakers will hear a proposal that could cut some of the costs. darrell steinberg is introducing a bill to create a free online lie brother rif digital textbooks that are used in many lower division college courses. as you know, textbooks cost students hundreds of dollars every academic year. >>> the mount diablo school board may adopt a qualified budget. budget reports of categorized as qualified if the drilt cannot meet their financial obl bags -- if the district cannot meet mr. financial obligations. meet their financial obligations. the man accused in a shooting outside of a san leandro wa mart will be in court faud. an arraignment is schedu

as alison burns reports from our washington, d.c. newsroom another high profile candidate is falling fast. alison. >> reporter: that is right. let's get to the results of this weeks poll of likely iowa caucus goers. 23% say they support mitt romney. 21% for ron paul. 15% for rick santorum. 14% for rick perry. 13% for newt gingrich. and 6% for michele bachmann. it is a dramatic fall for newt gingrich that seems to be move into the lead just last month. here's his campaign stop this morning in wakofda-- in wakonda, iowa. >> if i hadn't been attacked every day and paid for by people that don't care what they do this country. i will ignore that. >> reporter: also happening mitt romney is about to campaign here with popular new jersey governor chris christy. the romney campaign has new momentum. reporting live from washington, d.c. alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> an attorney in virginia has filed a lawsuit to have newt gingrich's name placed on the state's primary ballot. the virginia republican party determined gingrich's campaign f

ktvu alison burns is live in our washington, d.c. newsroom on the one big hurdle that remains. alison. >> reporter: no one can object for the tax cut extension to pass this morning opinion most members of congress have gone home for the holidays. house speaker john boehner will use a procedural move called anonymous consent. house republicans almost derailed the tax break holding out for a yearlong extension instead of a two month extension. speaker boehner changed his mind last night under pressure from senate leaders and the president. >> doing the right thing for the right reasons is always the right thing to do. and while everyone asked for a full year extension of these programs, a lot of people weren't willing to put the effort in as the holidays were approaching to get it done. our members were. >> reporter: the votes today are on just a two month extension of this 2% payroll tax break. so a bigger fight is looming in the new year about a longer term extension and how to pay for it. we'll have live coverage of the vote during my next update in about an hour. for now we ar

alison burns. >>> disturbing news out of egypt today. egyptian security forces raided ten. the interior ministry says the raids are part of an investigation into foreign funding of rights groups. the obama administration is demanding that egyptian authorities halt the raid saying they are inconsistent with long standing u.s. egyptian cooperation. >>> reportedly one man was killed and another wounded in that air strike. the attack blocked a palestinian's attempt to block the rockets. >>> we are learning details about the sexual harassment claims of mark hurd. it obtained a record. according to the newspaper in one part of the letter allred writes it is clear you had designs to make her your lover from the onset using your status and authority as ceo of hp. >>> there are reports on what the latest version of ipads will feature. digitized says apple will unvail two versions sometime late next month. the newest tablets will include nearly ten inch screens and and one will have a five megapixel camera and one will have a an eight megapixel camera. >>> the upcoming new year will

alison burns is in your washington, d.c.sroom with a new way of how they will pay for the tax cut. >> reporter: pam, you know this payroll tax cut expires at the end of the month. time is running out for congress to strike a deal. democrats and republicans have been at odds over how to pay for it. today senate democratic leader harry reid will introduce a new plan to offset the cost. they will use savings from winding down the wars in iraq and afghanistan but that plan may not be pop with republicans -- popular with republicans. the white house has posted a calculator on whitehouse.org. president obama is asking for you to give it a try and act. >> put money back in the pockets of working americans. pass these tax cuts. >> reporter: republican plan to pay for the tax cut with a freeze in federal salaries was rejected in the senate last week. now gop lawmakers are saying they really want to try to pay for it with more federal spending cuts. we'll see how it plays out this week. reporting live from washington, d.c. alison burn

ktvu alison burns in our washington, d.c. newsroom with why the drug maker is saying faster access to this is crucial. >> reporter: that is right. the morning after bill called plan b -- the morning after pill called plan b is effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex. they say any barrier to getting it like waiting for a prescription or having to talk to a pharmacist reduces the chances it will work. they want the fda to eliminate the age restrictions. right now it's only available without a prescription to women 17 and older. younger teens still need a prescription. critics say it's totally inappropriate to have the drug on store shelves next to other over the counter mid sins. the deadline for the fda decision is today. reporting live from washington, d.c. alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> republicans in congress are working on their plan to extend the payroll tax cut. they plan to propose a gradual increase in medcare premiums for high income seniors. and benefits for the long-term unemployed. the bill is

alison burns. >>> our time now 6:15. later on today investigators in new jersey will continue to clear the wreckage from that plane crash yesterday that killed five people. two men, two children, a woman and a dog were on their way to georgia yesterday when this plane crashed right on an interstate. it crash the on to the highway. spread debris about a half mile. surprisingly no one on the ground was hurt. air traffic controllers just talked to the pilot about icy conditions moments before the crash. the cause of the crash is still being investigated. >>> today the defense will make its case in the trial of an army intelligence analyst that is blamed for the biggest leak of national secrets in american history. the prosecution called its final six witnesses yesterday in the case of bradley manning. he's accused of leaking information to the wikileak's website. they have been portraying him as a troubled man. >>> 6:16. wounded bay area soldier is being honored for his military service and the fact he beat the odds given t

alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> iranian tv aired images of what it says is a u.s. stealth drone that crashed in iran last week. military officials say the drone was supposed to be hunting for insurgent activity in western afghanistan and there was no directive to spy on iran. there is concern though iran could gather important surveillance information from the drone. the unmanned aircraft is said to be the same model drone that was used to spy on osama bin laden's compound before he was killed in a may raid. >>> 5:17. efforts to recall oakland mayor jean quan is moving ahead. mayor quan is responding saying major reforms are needed in oakland. >> i think i have done enough leadership in the 11 months. >> right now there are two separate recall drives aimed at the mayor. you're quan's critics picked up petitions. they have to collect 20,000 signatures by the middle of may. the city attorney is reviewing whether it's legal to conduct recall drives. >>> unexpected problem for the commute this morning. definitely slowing down 880. let's check in with sal. >> northbound

but ktvu alison burns reports, that there is still unfinished business before the holidays.llison. >> reporter: dave, despite all the partisan here there is one thing that seems everyone wants. that is to avoid a government shutdown. especially right before the holidays. negotiators have agreed on a $1 trillion spending bill to keep funding of scores of government agencies for the rest of the fiscal year. democrats will drop their push for a millionaire surtax. republicans will extend unemployment benefits that expire in two weeks. it's unclear what will happen to the payroll tax cut that expires at the end of the year. president obama say congress will have to work through christmas if it doesn't reach a deal. congressional leaders are trying to sound optimistic. >> i think there is an easier way to untangle all of this. >> i hoped we could come up with something that would get us out of here at a reasonable time. >> reporter: both are at odds on how to cover the cost of a 2% payroll tax cut. a look at the sticking points. for now we are live in washington, d.c. alison burn

as ktvu alison burns reports although it is a trillion dollar agreement, it is taking a backseat to the fight over the payroll tax cut. allison. >> reporter: that is right. the house just came into session and we do expect votes today on the trillion dollar budget deal that will fund the government most of the government through most of next year. this deal cuts funding for the environmental protection agency, grants for local first responders, and president obama's race to the top program. that is barely making headlines as democrats and republicans remain at odds about how to extend a payroll tax cut and unemployment benefits that expire in two weeks. >> this congress cannot and should not leave for vocation -- for vacation until they have made sure that, that tax increase does not happen. >> the biggest sticking point is how to cover the cost of the payroll tax cut. democrats are dropping their demand for a millionaires surtax and a temporary extension could be in the works. reporting live from washington, d.c. alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> new this morning we have the first

alison burns, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> today a court in thailand sentenced a u.s. citizen to two and a half years in prison for defaming the country's royal family. 55-year-old joe gordon was born in thailand. he's accused of transcribing excerpts of the biography when that was banned. >>> 7:18. in russia, prime minister vladimir putin accused secretary of state hillary clinton of encouraging and supporting election protesters. thousands of drasters filled the streets of moscow -- demonstrators filled the streets of moscow. widespread ballot box stuffing and vote count man inlation has been reported -- manipulation has been reported. >>> back here at home, guards at fulsom prison searching an considers guard for --s exz yard -- exercise yard. nine prisoners were hurt. >>> animal control officers are investigating reports that pets have been poisoned. one family said their cat and dog became sick with seizures. both dogs were rushed to an animal hospital. they died. traces of methadone was found in one of the dogs. meth that you don't is -- meth that you don't is --

ktvu's alison burns is in our washington, d.c.ewsroom with the big campaign push the candidates are making. >> reporter: that's right, michele bachmann, newt gingrich, rick perry are all launching bus tours while mitt romney is kicking off a new ad campaign focusing on his character and economic vision. >> i'm gonna do something to government. i'm gone make it simpler and smaller and smarter. >> reporter: rick perry is trying to breathe new life into his campaign with an ad taking aim at his rival. >> if washington, d.c. is the problem, why trust a congressman to fix it? among them they spent 63 years in congress. >> reporter: but it's ron paul who is ahead in most -- in most polls. he seems to have the most devoted followers. if he comes in near the top, that gives him new mow men mumm -- momentum, heading into the new hampshire primary a week later. back to you. >>> new poll numbers are nixed for president obama. the gallup tracking shows more people approve of president obama's job performance for the first time since july. 47%

ktvu alison burns is in our washington, d.c.room with why the drugs maker cities timely access to it is crucial. >> reporter: i just reached out to the fda. we still don't know when the decision is going to be announced but the decision is supposed to be made today. the morning after pill plan b is most effective in preventing a pregnancy if taken within 24 hours after unprotected sex. any barrier for getting it like waiting for prescription or having to talk to a pharmacist reduces the chances it has to work. right now it's only available without a prescription to women 17 and older. younger teens still need a prescription. critics say it's unappropriate to have the drug on store shelves next to other overthe counter medicines. reporting live from washington, d.c. alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> time now 6:17. republicans in congress now working on their own plan to pay for extending the payroll tax cut. house republicans say they will propose agregeall increase in -- gradual increase in medicare services. to help pay for

alison burns is live in our washington, d.c. newsroom why there won't be many lawmakers voting today. allison. >> reporter: claudine the house and senate have adjourned for the holiday. so this morning house speaker john boehner asked for a dramatic turn around on the tax cut extension will use a procedural move to allow the tax break to pass without any lawmakers being here. the only snag would be if someone shows up and rejects. in that case all of the house members would have to return. the white house is still keeping up the pressure. this is a live look at the countdown clock on the white house website. warning that taxes go up for 160 million americans in eight days and 15 hours. if the house doesn't act it's a 2% tax cut that the obama administration says will save a working family about $40 every two weeks. we're going to have live coverage as the house and senate take up the tax cut extension. for now we are live in washington, d.c. alison burns ktvu channel 2 news. >>> the country's most prominent military burial groun

ktvu's alison burns reports on whether the senate will take up the bill that passed the house last nightf political games right now surrounding this bill. so it's still unclear how this is gonna play off. the u.s. senate came into session earlier this morning and harry reid said hent waked to vote on the republican -- said he wanted to vote on the republican bill last night that involving the oil pipeline. democrats are okay with the pipeline now but the bill will likely fail. reid wants everyone on the record. >> the sooner we put this away from us -- behind us, the sooner we can put something in that protects middle-class workers. >> reporter: and the fight over the payroll tax cut is raising new fears. funding for agencies runs out on friday and they say they won't move on that until the payroll tax cut issue is resolved first. back to you. >>> new numbers show 2.5 million more adults have health insurance since the new healthcare law took effect. under the law, children can remain on their parents' health insurance plans until they turn 26. the government says families have been eage

alison burns is in our washington, d.c.m with whether the senate will take up the bill that passed the house last night. >> reporter: there are certainly a lot of political gains going on now surrounding this bill. so it's really unclear how this is all going to play out today. the u.s. senate came into session earlier today and senate majority leader harry reid said he wanted to vote on the republican bill that passed the house last night. it links the 2% payroll tax cut to approval of a controversial oil pipeline. democrats are against okaying the pipeline now and the bill will likely fail but he wants everybody on the road -- on the same page. >> the sooner we can put this behind us, the sooner we can move on. >> reporter: this is raising new fears as a government shut down, funding of scores for government agencies runs out on friday. senate democrats say they won't move on that until this payroll tax cut is resolved. reporting live from washington, d.c., alison burns, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> partisan politics will pla

for now we're live in washington, d.c., alison burns, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> today arling ton cemetery is reporting to congress on the accuracy of its gravestones and burial sites. this comes after revolutions that people have been buried in the wrong place or misidentified. last week, two top officials resigned because of the mistakes. about 250,000 graves had to be individually checked. >>> 7:17. the death toll now has hit 17 following an oil rig accident off russia. emergency teams say the rescuers found six bodies today from the water but 36 men, they are still missing. the floating oil rig capsized during a fierce storm on sunday. 14 men were rescued from the icy waters. >>> back here at home, the san jose mercury news reports new job protech -- projection for the high-speed rail project have been overstated. it was stated a million jobs would come to california. the newspaper reports it would create 40,000 jobs that support workers. >>> emily schmidt is following the developments for us this morning in the crossing the border in kuwait. >> reporter: good morning. today, one of th

. >>> republican candidates are turning up the heat in iowa this week as ktvu's alison burns reports,e of the toughest it is between front- runners mitt romney and newt gingrich. alison? >> reporter: almost all of the candidates are in iowa again today, and they are stepping up the attacks against each other ahead of next week's iowa caucuses. newt gingrich who said he would not go negative is blasting mitt romney for raising taxes as governor. he's also firing back at anti- gingrich ads run by romney supporters. >> i would say mit is, if you want to run a any tive campaign and attack people, at least be man enough to own it. that's your staff and that's your organization. those are your millionaire friends paying for it. >> reporter: mitt romney is taking digs of his own about gingrich not getting enough signatures to make it on the ballot in virginia. >> i think you compare that to -- hearl harbor -- pearl hare -- hare bore -- like looseil -- lucille ball at the chocolate factory. you gotta get things organized. alison burns, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> the republican candidates have a

alison burns is live in our washington, d.c.ewsroom. >> reporter: the morning-after pill, called plan-b, is most effective if it's taken within 24 hours of unprotected test. so the drug's maker and public health experts say any barrier for getting it, like waiting for a prescription or having to talk to a pharmacist reduces the chance it has to work. they want the fda to eliminate the age restriction. right now it's only available to teens 17 and older. critics say it's totally inappropriate to have this drug on the shelf next to other medicines, like cough medicineses and antacid -- antacids. >>> there's a pill called blowfish. it's for hangover. it's made up of caffeine with a maximum strength painkiller. once dissolved in water, it claims to get over -- get rid of hangover symptoms. >>> republicans and congress now working on their own plan to pay for the text ending the -- extending the payroll tax. democrats they want to increase income taxes on millionaires. however, republicans voted against that. >>> republican president

ktvu alison burns joins us now from our washington, d.c. newsroom with a closer look at the numbers. alison. >> reporter: that is right. analysts expected the unemployment rate to stay the same. this is a good surprise. let's take a closer look at the numbers. employers added 120,000 jobs in the united states last month. the unemployment rate is down to 8.6% from 9% the month before. it's the lowest unemployment rate since march of 2009. meanwhile congress is fighting over how to create more jobs. the u.s. senate rejected democratic and republican plans last night to extend a payroll tax cut. democratic leaders wanted to pay for the break on social security taxes with a new tax on millionaires while republicans wanted to freeze federal pay. some did not like either idea and said the tax break has not created more jobs. >> why would we double down on a policy that didn't work? >> the tax cut expires next month. if it's not extended working families will see their taxes go up about $1,000. a closer look at the november jobs report and who's hi

alison burns is live in our washington, d.c. newsroom. these changes come nearly three years after a deadly crash involving that fatigue pilot and co-pilot; right? >> reporter: that is right. we have been talking to some of the family members of those killed in the air crash nearly three years ago. they have been extremely frustrated the federal government has not done more to make sure pilots get enough rest. 50 people were killed when the commuter plane went down in buffalo. the crash was blamed on pilot error and the investigation revealed the captain has been awake for 15 hours and the co- pilot commuted from seattle to new jersey the day before. we are waiting for specifics about the new rules. the goal is to give pilots a break on scheduling to give them a break. airlines are already complaining about the cost. but for the passengers it's about safety. >> they are putting lives in jeopardy because they are overworking these pilots. >> reporter: a closer look at how many plane crashes are blamed on pilot fatigue. for now we are live

alison burns has that compromise. >> reporter: dave, we are still waiting for details but senate democratic leader harry reid is expected to present a plan later today. democrats are hinting they would like to pay for the tax cut with savings from winding down the wars in iraq and afghanistan. republicans might not like that much more than a new millionaires tax they rejected last week. over the weekend president obama promoted this tax cut calculator on white house.gov. you can enter your income and find out how much the social security payroll tax cut will save you. >> try it out. let members of congress know where you stand. >> more on how republicans want to pay for the tax cut during my next update in an hour. >>> we are now hearing reports that former presidential candidate herman cain will announce today he is endorsing newt gingrich for the republican presidential nomination. cain announced saturday that he was suspending his presidential campaign after several allegations of sexual harassment and an affair. despite the reports that cain will endorse gingrich, other republican presi

alison thank you 8:38 a.m. this tuesday morning looks like many people got money or gift cards burning a hole in their pocket. > photo sent to us from nasa's greg, you can head his blogs on our website it shows the moon and venus if you look closely, his view makes it look like a full moon it is really a crescent moon. >> that is true. >> fox 5 morning news will be right back take the finish challenge. my name is ashley and my blog is not without salt. when i take pictures of my food, you don't want to see spots on the dishes. i was using cascade actionpacs. they just didn't have that spot free look. when i took the finish challenge, i was thrilled. as soon as i opened up the dishwasher, i could tell there was a difference. my dishes had a shine on them. this little guy right here makes my dishes incredibly shiny. i'm moving on to finish quantum. take the finish challenge. get up to half off. >>> welcome back, 8:42 a.m., more people using the internet for shopping, it jumped 14.9% on christmas day this year over last year the number of people using mobile devices increased more than 100% according to the compan

alison. >>> next, chad myers is in the weather center. chad, fall creating havoc in new orleans. people losing their lives. >> visibility down to a quarter mile. your lights are on, this is what happened, the fog burned off. the interstate closed for many hours near new orleans. look at that mess. people couldn't see the cars stopping ahead of them. it almost looks like an icy wreck that you would expect like in michigan or witness witness. >> it does. >> wear people couldn't stop because the brakes didn't work. but when you can't see and you're still driving fast, the brakes didn't work either, because they weren't putting them on. your visibility was up 3 miles down to a quarter mile in less than 100 feet. that's what happened there. what else is happening now? a little bit of light snow in parts of michigan and ohio as well. this snow will get a little more significant on sunday for the midwest. a big rain event. and even snow above 2000 feet. anywhere from northern california right on up to the cascades and the olympics. we're going to see 25 inches of snow above 5,000 feet out west. if you're driving there, that could be the interesting part. there will be a little bit of travel problems today f