we get our report tonight from nbc's joe fryer. >> reporter: psychotherapist valerie goss didn't know what to think when she couldn't access any files on her computer, patient information, tax documents. everything was encrypted, locked up and held for ransom. >> i was really scared. and not sure what was the right thing to do. i felt violated. >> reporter: to unlock the files, cyber criminals demanded $500 paid in bitcoin, an online currency. they gave her 24 hours with a clock counting down on her computer. >> pressure. lots of pressure. >> reporter: goss' computer was infected with a virus called ransomware. >> the most common way they get on your machine is they send you an e-mail. and that e-mail has an attachment. and they do something to trick you into clicking on that attachment. >> reporter: one strain of ransomware called cryptowall has struck at least 1 million victims, including several police agencies. in dickson county, tennessee, the sheriff's department paid a $600 ransom after computers with important case files were paralyzed. >> you don't want to contribute to a cri

nbc's joe fryer tonight out on the water at the port of los angeles tonight. joe, good evening. >> reporter: lester, good evening. this is the scene on the water at the port of los angeles. cargo is moving once again after a temporary shutdown over the long holiday weekend. but as you can see, the backlog is huge. we count more than 30 ships on the water still waiting to unload. as the port gridlock continues, it's business owners like joe loboo who are feeling lost at sea. >> in the 40 years i've been doing this, it's the most unusual and devastating problem we've had with export shipping. >> reporter: this is peak period, yet his citrus packing house is sending about half as much fruit as normal overseas. at issue, a long-simmering labor dispute between dock workers and shipping companies. >> it goes on for a few months, then all of a sudden you're talking about a significant hit to the economy. >> reporter: today president obama's labor secretary arrived in california to meet with both sides hoping to avoid a total shutdown of 29 west coast ports. >> no walk

we will do everything we can short of providing an incentive for future americans to -- >> nbc's joe fryer has more. >> reporter: emotions are strong in mueller's home town where relatives say they received a message from captors confirming her death. >> kayla has touched the heart of the world. the world grieves with us the world mourns with us. the world wants to be more like kayla, and if that is her legacy and the footprint she leaves on the world, a that is a wonderful thing. >> reporter: u.s. officials tell nbc news the family received a photograph of mueller that appeared to show her dead with trauma injuries but it's difficult to determine the cause of death. in a statement mueller's parents say our hearts are breaking for our only daughter but we will continue on in peace, dig any and love for her. her family also released a letter handwritten by mueller last spring while she was in captivity. i have a lot of fight left inside of me she wrote. i am not breaking down and i will not give in no matter how long it takes. >> i am in solidarity with the syrian people. >> reporter: 26-ye

what's unclear tonight is exactly how she died and when. >> joe fryer, thanks. kayla mueller's death follows months of shear horror, journalists and aid workers beheaded, a jordanian military pilot burned alive. each atrocity bringing new resolve to the fight. president obama is expected to ask congress this week to formally authorize the use of force against isis, though there's a good deal of force being applied already. our chief foreign correspondent richard engel has more for us. richard, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, lester. in many ways, the international coalition against isis has never been stronger. and critically arab allies are now fighting with a renewed enthusiasm. the air strikes are coming harder and faster now, bombing runs by the u.s. jordan and the united arab emirates flying new missions against isis targets in iraq and flying them from jordan showing solidarity after the brutal killing of a jordanian pilot. but isis said the air strikes are not slowing it down and claims they cost american hostage kayla mueller her life. isis says

joe fryer, nbc news, los angeles. >>> that's going to do it for us on this monday night. lester holt. for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. nbc bay area news begins with breaking news. >> that breaking news on the peninsula during this evening commute, a caltrain slam flooz a car. you see the car right there. it's a mangled mess. the driver a woman, rushed to the hospital. the train also significantly damaged. good evening, thanks for being with us. i'm raj and alma street. that tow truck is picking up what's left of the wreckage of the car. it's almost impossible to what kind of car it even is. witnesses say the driver stopped directly on the tracks and the woman appeared to be looking down at something in her car. that's when the train struck the car. the woman was rushed to the hospital. now, a baby seat has been found in the car. at this point it's unclear if there was a baby in the car. it doesn't appear though firefighters say they've been combing through the wreckage for signs of a baby but nothing has been found. the woman rushed to the

lester. >> joe fryer tonight. joe, thanks. >>> in europe this weekend some of the world's top leaders have gathered trying to find a solution to the growing crisis in ukraine, but those involved are very much at odds with how to move forward. and with the war raging in ukraine, the prospect of peace is far from certain. nbc's bill neely has our report from kiev. >> reporter: they've had enough. they don't flinch as the shells fire, but they're now fleeing the fighting in eastern ukraine that's killed hundreds in recent weeks. other civilians hide underground. it's a cold war bunker, never used then but filled today. they've been here for months. even a breath of fresh air could be a risk too far. it's a crisis some leaders are trying to end. russia's president putin backs ukraine's rebels in the war. he's being pressured to pull them back. >> we do not believe russia has the right to do what they're doing. >> reporter: the vice president said today the u.s. will help ukraine defend itself against russia if necessa

joe fryer, nbc news los angeles. >>> that's going to do it for us on this monday night.m lester holt. for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good nigh >>> jen and justin partying with j. lo and belon say our exclusive can kids inside inside the "vanity fair" oscar bash and the rain dissaser on the red carpet. right now on "extra", at the oscars. >> hollywood's biggest night, "extra" style. >> you call me picturele? >> the dimples. >> oh, dimples. >> jen and justin with mario, laid gaga's first interview about her engagement. >> drop to the one knee and whole deal? >> this did she collapse after her "sound of music" show stopper? carissa's one-on-ones at the governor's ball. >> don't say i didn't get an oscar. >> oprah on john legend and common's tear jerking performance and what made

joe fryer, nbc news, los angeles. >>> that's going to do it for us on this monday night.m lester holt. for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. i know grandma's house isn't the most exciting, but it's only for a few hours. look what i've got. when you get verizon fios, you get beautiful hd picture quality, super fast internet, and america's most reliable network. so you won't miss a second of that movie, that game they love, or those moments with family. can we sleep over? please! come on! make your house the house when you get more from verizon fios the tv service rated #1 in hd picture quality and signal reliability based on customer satisfaction studies plus america's fastest, most reliable internet. and for peace of mind, get a price quote in writing and professional installation from a highly trained verizon technician. hurry now to get this deal that can't be beat. get a fios triple play online for just 79.99 a month - a price guaranteed for two full years. and when you sign a two year agreement, get an incredible $300 bonus. this great deal

. >> nbc's joe fryer has more. >> reporter: emotions are strong in kayla mueller's hometown a year and a half after she was taken captive by isis. relatives say they received a message from her captors, confirming her death. >> kayla has touched the heart of the world. the world grieves with us. the world mourns with us. the world wants to be more like kayla. and if that is her legacy and the footprint that she leaves on the world, then that is a wonderful thing. >> reporter: u.s. officials tell nbc news the family received a photograph of mueller that appeared to show her dead with trauma injuries but it's difficult to determine the cause of death. in a statement, mueller's parents say, "our hearts are breaking for our only daughter but we will continue on in peace, dignity and love for her." her family also released a letter, handwritten by mueller last spring while she was in captivity. "i have a lot of fight left inside of me," she wrote, "i am not breaking down and i will not give in no matter how long it takes." >> i am in solidarity with the syrian people. >> reporter: 26-year-o

nbc's joe fryer joins us with a free view what to expect. >> reporter: big stars, bright lights bolds. there are so many ways to describe the oscars but this year's show might be summed up by just two words. "boyhood" and "birdman." >> perfect dream actor is not going to knock on that door and go hey, fellas when do i start? >> reporter: both films have one-word titles beginning with b and both battling for best picture. >> "boyhood" looked to have sewn it up. in the past week "birdman," resurgence. >> reporte grabbing top award, two other nominees grabbing headlines. >> those that have gone before us say, no more -- >> reporter: the civil rights movie "selma" some feel snubbed in a couple major categories. >> i want to get the bad guys. >> reporter: and "american sniper" a story tied to a real-life trial and the only box office blockbuster up for best picture. >> thank you. >> reporter: another race too close to call, lead actor. >> the question is what will the academy want to hon jer will it be the performance that tugs at heartstring, eddie redmayne. >> of course we can do that.

joe fryer, nbc news mountainview california. >>> and we're looking at some chilly weather here today, and what's coming tomorrow. >> tomorrow we'll lose the winds but it's still going to be chilly for our friday. this afternoon, though talking about windchill temperatures in the teens and even single digits as we get into evening hours. with the winds, feeling about 22 degrees in washington. 18 in leesburg and 17 for those in canton springs. kids coming home from school today it is going to be frigid outside. at least we will have plenty of sunshine. for tomorrow high of 39. again, winds not an issue. temperatures still about five degrees below average. saturday rebound. high of 48. plenty of clouds around on sunday. i'm going to say saturday's the better weekend day. 40% of rain sunday holds off mainly until after sunset. of course veronica in at 4:00 with the latest updates to that storm system sunday into monday and then on monday looking like we'll start off with showers and that could end as a bit of rain snow and sleet. otherwise, colder on monday. high temperature of 37. mostly

joining me from arizona, nbc's joe fryer. joe, what are you hearing there in kayla's hometown today? >> well ronan, as you just heard, this has been very emotional for those who new kayla mueller well. you might be able to see the flags behind me here are at half staff. this is a county building but the governor has ordered all flags at state building at half staff in honor of kayla mueller. also, we're seeing more signs popping up around town that ask people to keep kayla's family and friends in their thoughts and prayers. when her name finally surfaced last friday, a lot of people here in her hometown were surprised to hear that someone from their town had been taken captive by isis. now, a lot of people have been hit really hard by that letter which her family released yesterday. it was a letter handwritten by kayla. little by little, paragraph by paragraph, and smuggled out by some of her cell mates. at the time it was written last spring, she said she was in good condition and being treated with respect. one quote from th

joe fryer is in mueller's hometown of prescott, arizona. his? >> reporter: there are still a lot of unanswered questions here in kayla mueller's hometown. her family's now released a couple of statements in the past 24 hours or so. one of those statements providing a lot more information about this young woman who was kidnapped a year and a half ago. someone who was passionate about helping syrian refugees. there are no visible signs mentioning kayla mueller in prescott, arizona. this community has long honored her family's request to keep her name quiet. in fact, some here are just now learning that someone from their own town is an isis hostage. >> totally sad. a young person like that trying to do good and then this happens. >> reporter: a humanitarian aid worker mueller was captured by isis in august of 2013 after leaving a hospital near aleppo, syria. isis says she was killed in an air strike by the jordanian air force. but u.s. officials say right now, there's no evidence corroborating those claims. skepticism is also high on the stree

joe fryer, nbc news. >> so sad to see them all skinny. they're supposed to be chunky. >> they were very slender. adorable still. >> yes, that's true. >>> well a winter storm is hitting the northeast today, creating headaches for commuters across the area and air passengers across the country, including here. >> nbc's dylan dreyer reports. >> reporter: just weeks after a series of winter storms dumped record-breaking snow across the northeast, residents, some still digging out, are bracing for yet another blast of winter. >> not again. not again. >> reporter: some areas will see up to a foot or more of snow with up to two feet possible in the boston area where it's been snowing 12 of the past 16 days leaving many residents feeling hopeless. >> feeling crazy here. it's been a long winter for everyone. i think everyone's just done with it. >> reporter: boston's mayor calling it unprecedented. >> we've never seen this type of snow here in the city of boston any other time in the history of our city. >> reporter: the four-day-long storm began

joe fryer, nbc news. >>> up next, our "newsnation" gut check. >> that is 100% not okay. >> i just thinkh over a new admissions policy at university of massachusetts amherst. it bans iranian nationals from studying certain courses. the school says it is following the law. we will tell you what the courses are and we will ask you if it is fair to the students. >>> and the question is that scene, biden being biden as some described it. the vp raising eyebrows while swearing in the new defense secretary. one of the things we thought you should know. there's a gap out there. that's keeping you from the healthcare you deserve. at humana, we believe the gap will close when healthcare changes. when frustration and paperwork decrease. when healthcare becomes simpler. so let's do it. let's simplify healthcare. let's close the gap between people and care. meet the world's newest energy superpower. surprised? in fact, america is now the world's number one natural gas producer... and we could soon become number one in oil. because hydraulic fracturing technology is safely recovering lots more oil an

. >> joe fryer. >> katie tur be nbc news, hollywood. >> london. >> no, hollywood. >> that is nbc "nightlyews" for this sunday. lester holt will be here tomorrow. for all of us here at nbc news, good night. >>> he was like too strong so he gets it. >> right now at 6:00, a thief find an easy target. girl scouts selling cookies in the east bay but that little girl fought back. when it's all said and done please bring the thief to justice. we'll show you. good evening p. >> give that little girl a new girl scout badge. only on nbc. this 10-year-old trying to raise money for her girl scout troops. that's when a thief robs the cookie jar, the cookie jar cash that

joe fryer is working the story for us tonight. >> reporter: the thunderous explosion at the exxon mobil refinery was so strong. >> my house shook. >> reporter: many thought they were in an earthquake. >> you could just feel the vibration. it literally felt like just a pulse going through your body. a sonic boom going. >> reporter: the blast ripped apart buildings and damaged cars on refinery grounds. four workers received minor injuries. >> it was a gasoline processing unit where the explosion occurred. >> reporter: but it's unclear why it happened. exxon mobil says we will conduct a thorough investigation of the cause of this event. >> it's pretty good size flare-up there. >> reporter: after the explosion a giant flame burned atop the refinery's flare stack. it's like a safety valve releasing pressure when there's a problem. neighbors see the flares on occasion but say this was bigger than normal. >> i just saw the flames going up in the refinery. and i saw some ash starting to drop. >> reporter: many noticed the ash falling from the sky. this car coated in soot was 2 1/2 miles from th

let's begin with nbc's joe fryer. he is in her hometown of prescott. >> reporter: her parents say she are hopeful she is still alive. they are releasing information on the woman kidnapped a year and a half ago. someone passionate about helping refugees. no visible signs of mentioning kayla mueller in prescott arizona. we have helped to keep her name quiet. someone from their hometown became an isis hostage. >> it is sad. a young person like that trying to do good and this happens. >> reporter: a humanitarian aide worker she was captured in 2013 after leaving a hospital near aleppo syria. isis said she was killed in an air strike by the jordan and air force. officials say there is no evidence corroborating those claims. skepticism is high on the streets of prescott. >> i think it might be just a ploy on their part. you never know. >> i feel very saddened for the family that they have to wonder whether their child is alive or dead. >> reporter: mueller's passion is no secret for humanitarian work. documented in the high

nbc's joe fryer has more from her hometown of press cot, arizona. >> reporter: here in press cot there'spticism over claims by isis that kay lar mueller was killed in a jordanian air strikes. officials say they've seen no proof. >> i just hope that it could be possible that she's still alive. >> reporter: mueller's parents say this news leaves us concerned, yet we are still hopeful kayla is alive. in a statement directed to her captors they said we have sent you a private message and ask that you respond to us privately adding you told us that you treated kayla as your guestment as your guest, her safety and well-being remains your responsibility. >> i'm sure that the family is reeling for answers and the community as well. >> reporter: mueller was kidnapped in august 2013. according to the aid group doctors without borders she just left one of its hospitals in syria and was headed to a bus station in aleppo to travel brack to turkey when she was captured. her college professor remembers her. >> she was not naive. she was a fully informed scholar and activist and walked in and let me say

for "today," joe fryer, nbc news. >> communication. >> who knew?d to our web site at today.com. >>> still to come there is no question here this could be one of the best speed dates ever. but first this is "today" on nbc. >>> move over dating sites. a new match maker in town and this one has a need for speed. >> pulling a prank on unsuspecting men. sheinelle is in the orange room with more. >> this is all for the new mustang commercial. here is how it happened. ford set up a group of unsuspecting guys on blind dates with a beautiful woman and gave them a ride they will never forget. take a look. >> you want me to drive it? >> no. >> let me drive it. i'll show what you this thing can do. >> i'll go turned around. >> oh, yeah. >> whoa! >> why are we going so fast? >> whoa! >> i'm a professional stunt driver. and you just found ford mustang speed dating. what did you think? >> i guess you are showing me how to drive this thing, aren't >> that is hillarious. >> by the way, she is a professional stunt driver. this is the part where we say don't try that

and that was joe fryer reporting. >>> virginia is considering expanding its offender dna database. state lawmakers are considering three bills that would require offenders with certain miss meade norse zu submit a dna sample. the county sheriff supports the legislation saying quote n the hannah graham case, if jesse meyer is found -- virginia became the first state to establish a dna data back in 1989. new york became the first state to expand its data bank to include all misdemeanors in 2012. >>> two cos ins are in jail after police say they went on a two-week shooting spree. austin kerr and his 18-year-old cousin christopher face ag string of vandalism and gun charges. the stafford county sheriff's office says last month they randomly shot at eight homes. tips helped track them to a hotel in north stafford county yesterday. >>> in the week ahead, virginia governor terry mcauliffe is expected to make a major economic development announcement. this w tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. at inova fairfax hospital. >>> the proposed bell time changes could be voted on at tuesday's evening, letting h

for "today," joe fryer, nbc news. >> communication. >> who knew?r web site at today.com. >>> still to come there is no question here this could be one of the best speed dates ever. but first this is "today" on nbc. what's happened to snacking? how did it become absent-mindedly eating one after the next, after the next? so predictable and so unsatisfying? what about pulling up a chair, a stool, a beanbag, and actually tasting our food. we are a creamy cheese that still believes in the beauty of a knife, in the elegant swipe of a . . . swipe. of course, that doesn't mean you can't dunk us or scoop us up. enjoy every single sol-i-tar-y bite. the laughing cow. reinvent snacking. >>> move over dating sites. a new match maker in town and this one has a need for speed. >> pulling a prank on unsuspecting men. sheinelle is in the orange room with more. >> this is all for the new mustang commercial. here is how it happened. ford set up a group of unsuspecting guys on blind dates with a beautiful woman and gave them a ride they will never forget. take a look.

nbc's joe fryer has the latest details. >> reporter: at a candlelight vigil tammy myers is rememberedchildren. the mother of four killed last week in a road rage attack. >> i miss my mom a lot. i think about her all the time. she didn't deserve this. >> she did everything she possibly could to protect me and i love her so much. >> reporter: las vegas police are releasing new information about that night based on conversations with myers' family. it was around 11:00 p.m. they say myers was behind the wheel giving driving lessons to her 15-year-old daughter. the suspect's vehicle, a silver sedan rapidly approached. her daughter reached over honking the horn. then the suspect pulled in front of them and stopped. >> that suspect approached mrs. myers car with her daughter in it and words were said by the suspect. this frightened mrs. myers and her daughter. >> reporter: police say myers raced home dropping often her daughter and picking up her 22-year-old son who had a gun. >> they left the house in search of that person. they were -- that mrs. myers was involved in an incident with. >> r

. >> nbc's joe fryer joins us live from kayla's hometown of prescott arizona. joe, do we know more about plans to pay tribute and remember what sounds like a remarkable young woman? >> reporter: truly remarkable. from friends and relatives, how deep an impact she had. we are waiting for more details, plans are under way to find different ways to honor her, includes at her college, at her alma-mater, northern arizona university an hour and a half from here a lot of people are talking about that letter that she wrote. it has touched so many hearts. in that letter which she apparently wrote last spring while in captivity, said she was in safe location healthy, and treated with respect. and one quote that stands out, she was talking to her parents. she said the thought of your pain is the source of my own, simultaneously, the hope of our reunion is the source of my strength. we are hearing from local politicians, including congressmen from kayla's hometown senator john mccain, about efforts taking place the last year and a half to find a way to secure her release. w

nbc's joe fryer is in los angeles with more. property memorabilia, where the lines may cross. >> reporter: that's right. robin williams passed away six months ago now. six months later all of this is coming to light. more information documents from the legal dispute. a lot centers around memorabilia that williams collected over the course of some 40 years during his long career in film tv and on stage. court documents filed in december and january outline a dispute over property between robin williams' widow and his children from two previous marriages. according to documents, williams who committed suicide in his california home left a trust granting his children memorabilia and awards, including an oscar for his performance in "goodwill hunting." susan williams acknowledged she has no rights to the items, but should be entitled to other items, like the tuxedo worn at their wedding and nick naks and other items not associated with his famous persona. >> it is a difficult case only because there's a lot of nuance and interpretat

>> joe fryer, thank you. good to see you. bring in e! correspondent.to see you. >> nice to see you. >> comments sean penn made announcing big picture winner. focus better on what the director that won said. >> okay. >> oh, my god, they want me to talk i am the worst english speaking guy here. maybe next year the government will inflict some immigration rules to the academy. >> alicia what are some of the reactions the comments are getting? >> immediately when sean penn said they gave this guy a green card they said it in jest but twitter went wild. we have that kind of friendship been friends forever since i directed him in 21 grams, always making jokes. the public didn't see it that way. maybe they have that inside joke. when you have a platform going worldwide, immigration is a hot button issue, it didn't come off well for sean penn or the academy. no people of color were nominated foray wards. didn't bode well for anyone. >> some were in tears for the musical performance of glory. and the acceptance speech focused on serious issues as well. take a l

deeply touched this community, which is why today so many are praying for kayla. >> that's nbc's joe fryeragain, we expect a statement from a mueller family spokesperson sometime this afternoon. >>> israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu is facing new calls to cancel his planned speech before congress next month. the latest to join the national director of the antihf-defamation league. according to the huffington post, the group's director says the controversy surrounding the speech isn't helpful, saying quote, it has been hijacked by politics, now it is a time to recalibrate, restart, and find a new platform, a new timing to take away the distractions. this comes as a growing number of democrats say they'll skip the speech. and as vice president joe booid listen now be traveling abroad when netanyahu addresses congress. let's bring in lauren fox, who covers congress for "the national journal" and "washington post" political reporter philip. how much of a dilemma are democrats -- you know what it comes to attending the speech how much of a dilemma are democrats facing? >> foreign policy

. >> joe fryer, thanks so much. answer to the age-old question can you catch bubonic plague in a new york city subway station. the last part, yeah we added that one. alarming finds on that. before we go it's not just a kids toy anymore. >> to what do you owe your success? >> i exercise control of all things, ms. steel. >> that must be really boring. ♪ >> yep. that's right. the man who brought us star wars and captain america in lego form entered a new genre, with the steamy can trailer from "fifty shades of grey". they topped it off with a clever title, "50 shades of bricks." the movie opens in theaters on friday. hi, this is jennifer i will be out of the office until monday, and won't be checking voicemail during this time. i'll reply just as soon as i get back to work. sail with princess cruises the number one cruise line in alaska. save up to $500 during our 50th anniversary sale. call your travel consultant or 1-800-princess. princess cruises. come back new. that detergent was like half the price! and we'll have

nbc's joe fryi fryer is in kayla mueller's home and live at the white house. thank you all for being with me. joe, start with you. how are people coping with this horrible news? >> reporter: you know friends and family here in her hometown of prescott arizona, are really trying to focus on her life her humanitarian work, saying her her she accomplished in 26 years more than many accomplish their entire life. yesterday the family received proof kayla had in fact died and rees leaserelease add letter. she said at the time treated well telling her parents, thought of your pain is the source of my own. simultaneously the hope of our reunion is the source of my strength. yesterday a few emotional relatives spoke out and shared some stories about kayla. >> at a very young age kaihla knew her passion, knew her calling. a lot of people never have the opportunity to say that. kayla's calling was to help those who were suffering whether in her hometown of prescott or on the other side of the world. she has done more in her incredible 26 years than many people could ever

we have joe fryer with the latest. good morning, joe. >> good morning, matt.d comedian died last august and new details about a battle over his wealth including memorability collected over 40 years during his career in film, television, and on stage. court documents filed in december and january outlined a dispute over property between robin williams's widow and zack, zelda and cody williams, his children from two previous marriages. according to the documents williams who committed suicide in his california home left a trust granting children awards including an oscar for his performance in "good will hunting." susan said she has no rights to those items, but should have his tuxedo and other items from their wedding and knick knacks and other items not associated with his famous persona. >> it's a difficult case because there is a lot of nuance and interpretation like what did memorability mean. is it entertainment memorability or family. >> reporter: susan started gathering items within days of the death and she was not given time to grieve her loss free fro

for "today," joe fryer, nbc news, los angeles. >> we'll continue to watch that one.ntime, al, i came over to the weather map because all these cold temperatures are really coming from the south. what's that about? >> all these storms, combine them with the cold temperatures, we've had a lot of winter weather in places we don't normally get it. take a look. here we go again. one more time we're looking at the subtropical jet stream. we got that. plus you got the polar jet pushing in. then between the two, we've got moisture developing. this moisture coming in off the pacific. so now you get this combo of the two pushing in. you end up with all this frozen precipitatio for example, atlanta earlier, roads a mess, schools closed, big crashes along i-20. now this blue line is the 32-degree line. north of the line, it's freezing or at 32. below the line, you can start to see a mix of precipitation. in fact, here's what's happening between columbia and charleston. we have freezing rain then sleet and then snow. we're watching this line push through. as we continue, we've go

nbc's joe fryer is there. joe, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt. in prescott, arizona mueller is remembered for how she lived through stories shared by her family and through her own words. byy every account kayla's death could never shadow her life. >> she has done more in her 26 years than any can imagine doing. >> reporter: the news is resonating from her hometown across the country people are touched by her letter written last spring while in captivity and smuggled out by cellmates. please know that i am in a safe location, completely unharmed and healthy, she wrote, i've been treated with the utmost respect and kindness. she told her parents, the thought of your pain is the source of my own, simultaneously the hope of our reunion is the source of my strength. >> she had a quiet calming presence, she was a free spirit, always standing up for those who were suffering and wanting to be their voice. >> reporter: u.s. officials tell nbc news relatives appeared a photo where she appeared to be dead but the cause of death is unclear. isis claimed mue

here's joe fryer. >> reporter: the federal case asks if "blurred lines" song of the summer in 2013 copiedit happens. >> reporter: gay's family argues the songs are substantially similar pointing to a mashup that combines both tunes. pharrell will pharrell williams says he was influenced by a genera. >> you can't copyright a sound. you can only copyright musical nation. >> pharrell williams does not like to be called flagj rism and felt any settlement would be himmed a my mitting he copied. >> they declined to comment on the trial. both sides will use analysts to look at the songs. >> what are they looking for with. >> they are going to be showing similarities or differences of melody. >> reporter: they will only hear a stripped down because gay's family owns just the sheet music, not the entire original recording. copyright cases are often settled without lawsuits. take the hit "stay with me", sam smith agreed to give co-writing credits to tom petty. but with "blurred lines" both sides are digging in for a public legal battle. >> that's the $64,000 question. many other conflicts of this n