. >> i'm amy robach. we're following this breaking news in rome. two separate bombings at two embassies. >> the first happened at the swiss embassy where a staffer was injured when a package exploded as it was opened. then three hours latary similar blast at the chilean embassy. italian police are conducting checks at all embassies in rome. let's get to martin fletcher. martin, what can you tell us? >> reporter: matt, rough beginning to christmas in italy. the first blast was at midday in the embassy of switzerland. it was a bomb inside a package, and the embassy staffer who opened it was seriously wounded in the hands. three hours later in the embassy of chile, another blast and the person there also opened the package and he was injured. there have also been reports of a third suspect package at the embassy of the ukraine. apparently it wasn't opened, isn't really sure if it was even a bomb. all this comes after a fake bomb was discovered under a seat in a railway train on the outskirts of rome earlier. the mayor says of it doesn't appear to be a

inside studio 1a i'm lester holt with amy robach.a week ago anne hathaway was co-hosting the oscars, invited them to appear, p.s. 22. they're going to perform at the oscars. >> i loved all their animated faces, they were just really into it. i felt very much the christmas spirit just watching them. >> like you're an american idol. we're judging them now. we're so happy you're here. christmas morning, what happens typically? >> well, first of all, it usually starts at about 4:00 a.m. because my oldest daughter wakes the entire house up and there's no getting anyone back to sleep. >> is she trying to do it subtly? >> there's nothing subtle about her. we end up opening all the gifts and the sun still hasn't risen. how about you? >> we're kind of an empty nester. one home from college and the other one is working. for the second christmas in a row, kind of a skype moment of virtual, you know, and you're opening the presents. but, it's all the same. it's all good. all good. we're happy you're all here to join us. it is a tradition here at

. >> i'm amy robach. take a look at this live in minneapolis, minnesota, where the snow has been falling. it may bring some 20 inches to the city. we'll have the latest on all the winter weather coming up. >> reminder to what is coming in the weeks ahead. >>> today the funeral of elizabeth edwards. there's the church in raleigh, north carolina, where later today the service will take place. hundreds gathering to remember her life. we'll speak to a family friend. >>> amanda knox is back and forth today. just moments ago she spoke out telling the judge she was innocent. we'll have much more on her emotional statement. we'll speak to her parents about the appeal coming up. >>> plus the fallout continues from this royal attack. student protesters pelted the limo carrying prince charles and his wife camilla. what does it say about the royal security and what impact will it have on the wedding of prince william and kate middleton. we'll take a closer look at that coming up. a lot to get to, but first, we'll sta

i'm amy robach along with lester holt.d that we'll explain why we're in front of a truck there a moment. >> we're going to be talking about casey anthony. she's come back up in the news. >> stunning new details this morning. prosecutors have released new documents, pictures and jailhouse letters. we'll tell you what's in them. >> and if you're looking for the perfect gift in this holiday season, why not try a book? this morning we've got the best tabletop books and the best reads for the holiday season. you can curl up by the fire and have a nice read. >> then look who's cooking in the kitchen this morning. the food network's sunny anderson. we like her food and we like her name. some delicious holiday desserts that you can sink your teeth into. >> and now the explanation. first it's nhl on nbc. shenden shanahan from the nhl is here to tell us all about the 2011 winter classic new year's day game. brendan, obviously hockey is a staple in the wintertime. why is this hockey game different from all the others? >> well, i mean

i'm lester holt along with amy robach.y tree. >> i think that might be the main attraction. >> the main attraction? >> but it is an amazing crowd. it's chilly but everyone seems to be staying warm. >> thanks for coming out, everybody. >> thank you. >> coming up you're going to be talking about hollywood murder mystery. the death of ronni chasen. the mystery gets more intriguing with each day. we have new information on the excon who is wanted in connection with the murder and the victim's brother has his own theory of what may have happened. >> plus a pair of killings in what some consider a perfect town. celebration, florida, was designed and built by disney. violence is rare in that town. but that unfortunately has all changed this week. we'll tell you how and bring you that story. >> then we're going to switch gears and talk about holiday gifts at great prices for the right kind of people. we're talking for $25 or less. that is a good price. from the kids to the techies. and even your pets. wait until you see what we've

. >>> but first we have got amy robach who has a look at what's coming up this weekend on "today." >>the huffington post is trying to lift the stigma of divorce. >>> and you mentioned next year's royal wedding, coming up how prince william's late mother princess diana is playing a big role in the runup to the ceremony. >>> the doctor who underwent that double hand transplant goes home for the holidays. >>> and saturday marks one week until christmas. if you haven't started your shopping yet, ann hasn't bought a tree, some people haven't started shopping yet. don't worry, we have some last minute gift ideas for you. >> now let's get a check of the weekend weather. do we have a snowy white christmas planned for anybody here on the northeast? i'm kind of waiting for it. >> i haven't planned it, but i'll start working on it. here's what we have planned for your weekend, we have a lot of snow in the midwest, cloudy in the northeast. we are looking at a storm developing along the southeastern atlantic coast that by sunday may be causing some major snow in new england and new york if it stay

. >> amy robach joins us li now from new york. good morning, amy. >> good morning. coming up this morning on "the today show" a senate showdown over don't-ask, don't-tell. lawmakers are in sessiontoday and can vote on ending the policy of gays serving in the militar we'll have a live report from the white house. lso wh are these women? dozens of photographs belonging to a suspected grim sleeper cervical killer have been made public and authorities need your help to identify them. then the diana effct from the engagement ring to living in kensington palace. the influence she has on the future queen. and a popular music star that is wowing stars across the world. ho is he? we'll introduce you. those stories and more coming up in just a few minutes right here on "the today show". now back to you. >> he makes that instrument look like it's alive. on fire. >> thank you, amy. >>> i guess i could say that was a violin. itidn't matter. didn't seem to matter what was in his hands. >> 15 now before the top of the hour. chuck bell is here with us looki at some cold, cold, cold

today, national correspondent amy robach found one mother of two who said absolutely. to you. vicki ables did more than talk about it, she picked up a video camera and started asking questions of educators, students and parents and the result, a documentary that has people across the country taking notice. >> i would spend six hours a night, at least, on my homework. >> high school is about learning,pass tests. >> you try to stuff as much information into your brain as possible. >> reporter: these students give voice to a number of the overwhelming concerns faced by teens and their parents. >> i didn't think when i had kids that the only time i would with see them is for 20 minutes at dipper. >> reporter: mother of two, vicki ables saw the strain on her own family and set out to take the pulse of what was happening across the nation in her new documentary, "race to nowhere". >> we are all afraid that our children won't be able to be as successful as we are. >> reporter: it is a pressure that can exact a costly toll. >> i took at ter rill, hard to be the vice president

. >> our thanks to norah o'donnell, janice huff, amy robach, everybody. >> we'll see you next weekend captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com come celebrate exciting cars that are stunning to look at, exhilarating to drive and worry free to own. celebrate this holiday season with the gift of platinum. jaguar platinum coverage: five years or 50,000 miles of complimentary scheduled maintenance, and no cost replacement of wear and tear items.

i'm amy robach along can carl quintanilla.s and local shops. we're going to have the latest on the christmas eve crunch for presents. and also coming up, if your wallet is feeling a little too light this morning, we have the inside scoop on how to save big in the new year. coupons. it's not just about clipping them anymore. we'll show you how to be savvy for printing online and get specific coupons. >> that's right. also, you may not get a white christmas in the northeast. but if you're looking forward to a white christmas but then you want to go away and get somewhere warm, we'll have travel tips for you from hawaii to barbados. a pile of affordable warm weather vacations. you may just want to find them in your stocking. it was 71 in miami today. >> that sounds good. with the holiday cheer slowing this time of year and yes, we're talking egg nog and all the other things we shouldn't be drinking, something stronger, we'll tell you how to be smart, especially if you resolved on to have fun but reduce the awful holiday hangovers

. >>> meanwhile just ahead, "today's" amy robach lands and takes off on the newest aircraft carrier in >> i like the look of a window. >> you know what, take the clock down 30,000, 40,000 feet and it's still great for your skin. >> look at her, she's going to fly out. they might have forgotten that. >> anyway, a treatment of a different sort. a delicious pepperment flavored dessert with the help of sara lee. >> all right and now we're also going to have a beautiful live performance from olympicic gold medalist sarah hughes. >>> but first, let's say hello to matt. hi, guys. >> danny o'donahue, mark sheehan and glen powers. your first album was so well received. does that make you feel better about the second one? >> it makes me a little bit nervous. >> why? >> you just worry that you got so much attention on the first album, that you hope you did a good job. >> when you guys sit down and listen to this new record, how do you think it compares to the sound? >> we're so proud of the work that we have zone. that's all we can do. . >> you have been compared so much to u-2. was that why you

. >>> but first we have got amy robach who has a look at what's coming up this weekend on "today." >>e in the runup to the ceremony. >>> the doctor who underwent that double hand transplant goes home for the holidays. >>> an saturday marks one week until christmas. if you haven't started your shopping yet, ann hasn't bought a tree, some people haven't started shopping yet. don't worry, we have some la minute gift ideas for you. >> now let's get a check of the >>> good morning. it's been so cold this december. the potomac river is frozen over, their earliest in rent memory. it's right near the 14th street bridge. temperatures in in the 20s around the region. we'll climb into the mid-30s. thenomorrow mostly cloudy into the mid-30s. coastal storm system may bring us some snow. looks like light know for washington. maybe an issue or so, but more around the bay a on the eastern shore, ending around sunday afternoon. >>> coming up next, we have the ultimate holiday gift guide. right after this. ♪ would you like me to read you a story? you can't read. [ grandma ] 'twas the night before chris

today amy robach hits the boardwalk in atlantic city and found a great group of women participating inome to the miss america pageant for more than 80 years. the coveted crown, a symbol of youth, beauty and talent. but what you may not know is that just down the boardwalk, for the past 30 years, another pageant has been quietly emerging. ms. senior america, where the age requirement is 60 plus and the contestants are ready to be heard. >> i feel like a queen when i'm walking around doing the poses and i just feel very proud. i'm loving every minute of it. >> that's right, instead of bingo and bridge, those golden girls are singing, dancing, miming, and jamming on the tamborine. they represent 33 states and the u.s. virgin islands. their goal? the founder says to showcase senior confident and inner beauty. >> you know who you are and you feel fulfilled so you can share it with others. >> reporter: even at the age of 86. >> this is the second time i've been on the stage, i have enjoyed it, it's thrilling, exciting, my life has changed. >> reporter: miss senior america is very much like i

. >> reporter: for "today," amy robach in cincinnati. >> still ahead, the problems left behind in theuzzing, indistinct conversations ] [ female announcer ] important events can sneak up on you. oh, i am not ready. can i have a couple weeks? [ female announcer ] but with yoplait light's two week tune up, you could be ready. you could lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks when you replace breakfast and lunch with a fruit, grain, and yoplait light. betsy bets. you haven't changed a bit. oh...neither have you... sean. well, yeah. [ female announcer ] go to yoplait.com to start your two week tune up. >>> back now at 8:45 with this morning's american story with bob dodson. it comes from rushville, illinois where people are celebrating 55 reasons to be thankful this holiday season. that's the number of years the doctor has been looking after his neighbors charging what a lot of folks say a poor cup of coffee. >> reporter: rish vilushville, s is the kind of place where things grow fast, even the squirrels. dr. russell donor has been looking after his neighbors for 55 years. in all that time, he has not t

. >> i nearly took out amy robach with it. >>> coming up next, we have got a swedish spin on hot dogse chef and owner of the new red rooster restaurant. happy new year early. this is a swedish tradition? >> it is. one of my first jobs was working in a hot dog stand and we serve always hot dog with shrimp. so let me walking you through it. >> so we have the corn meal in here? >> and we have the flour. >> we have got the batter. >> and you add the dry ingredients, the eggs, whisk. >> this is a fun recipe you can do with the family. i'm adding some sugar and some salt. >> it's like a corn dog batter. >> definitely a corn dog batter. and we have it already made here. >> so we'll work that into a good, smooth batter like this. these are not your ordinary hot dogs. >> these are like german. >> like a bratwurst? >> yes. and i love these dogs. they are really, really good. and you can take, if you don't want to put in them, you can have any kind of chicken sausage. but you dip it in the corn batter. and you just fry them like that. >> how hot does that oil have to be? >> this is about 320, 33