the weather channel's mike seidel reports from the mountains of western north a grueling figh.involving fire crews from 5 states who have descended on the mountains of western carolina just a sampling of the more than ?5-thousand? firefighters and support crews... battling ?dozens? of wildfires raging across the southeast. "we just keep patrolling, walking, hunting for the hotspots. logs that are smoking. they'll cut 'em with dirt. and then try to snuff that out in that area to where we don't have to worry about, hopefully, no re-burns // that than get out and get to the structures just down the hill. relentless drought and record heat in the southeast have made conditions for fire. unbelievable. nat:in all, tens of thousands of acres have burned in north carolina, tennessee, kentucky, georgia and alabam with ?arson? being the suspected cause in the majority of the blazes.a blanket of smoke stretching for miles and mile affecting air quality in atlanta, chattanooga and charlotte. nat: aerialsdespite support from the air in the form of water drops, much of the fight here is being done wi

i'm weather channel meteorologist mike seidel in grand rapids, minnesota for nbc news. just in time before our first shot of winter...racine firefighters are warming the hears of racine children. through a partnership with operation warm... the 18 firefighters handed out 188 winter coats to students at fratt elementary. every jacket was personalized for each student with their size, favorite color, and name inside. jacket and a warm way to school everyday is essential to them and their learning environment. i think it helps the teachers as much as it helps the kids so were very proud to help out just a small percentage of the kids every year"operation warm is a non- profit organization that's provided new coats to more than two million children in need. the 10th annual holiday drive is underway to help area veterans. this year's holiday drive is supporting the veterans receiving care at the items from the veterans' wish list that will suit their needs. you can make a donation at "m-k-e holiday drive donate" website. hundreds of workers at chicago o'hare international ai

i'm weather channel meteorologist mike seidel in grand rapids, minnesota, for nbc news. >> right now at 5:00, deputies say a father takes the lives of his wife and two little girls. and how the community is reacting to this devastating loss. >> donald trump's administration becoming much more clear today. the president-elect naming three people to top level positions. the impact these picks could have on our region. >> and this evening, a class of 5-year-olds is coping with the tragedy of a murder-suicide. stafford county schools are facing today. >> it comes as investigators release the names of the family of four killed in their home. >> our northern virginia bureau reporter is in stafford with just how this community is processing this loss. david. >> wendy and jim, what happened here in this home behind me is impacting not only neighbors in this community but several others here in stafford county. as we have been in the neighborhood throughout the day, periodically, we have seen folks give to the extended buckley family. >> amy buckley's facebook page shows a life of doting pare

mike seidel from the weather channel. thank you very much. that is too much reality for me. you know what i mean? >> you don't have to go all the way to minnesota to see the snow. it will be snowing in the mountains of west virginia. the oklahoma, west virginia game, this will be my first shocking taste of winter in awhile. if you'll be up there for the game, it will be way, super cold. do what i do when you need to be out of town and tracking the i'll be keeping ahead of the weather and the changings as will doug and everyone else. stay weather ready as big changes come our way for the weekend. clear skies, a beautiful friday morning. back down into the chilly 30s in the suburbs, 28 manassas, 28 warrenton. afternoon temperatures, upper 60s and low 70s. pure sunshine today. great weather for the high school football games tonight. not even cold for high school football tonight. 50s. there is the front that is bringing you the snow. mike is up there in grand rapids minnesota, northern minnesota. that is the cold front that arrives here during the day tomorrow. likely to reach

i'm mike seidel in north carolina for nbc news. zpl if you didn't get a chance to see the super moon last night or this morning, we got you covered. live view after 6:00 this morning. look at that. this is when the moon was at peak making its way down. the brightest moon in almost 70 years. super moons happening once about every 14 months, but it was more super because it was closer to the earth than it normally is. >>> happening now, more changes for septa riders. monique braxton has more. good morning. >> some people are calling it the ways of the future. three new features debuting today that will phase out the need for tokens or cash. remember these key cards that debuted in june? now, you can add toup a $250 credit. or in the sales office. that's called your travel wallet. the key cards may not be used on regional rails just yet. another new u future that launches today is the senior photo id card. now, senior rides are free. soon they will have a transit id with photo on the id card. we stopped by to talk the to seniors about

. >> >>[cermonial honoring] >> paramedic michelle seidel >> >>[cermonial honoring] >> paramedic rebecca law >> >>[cermonial honoring] >> firefighter mike horta. >> >>[cermonial honoring] >> firefighter matt adams. matt is not here. okay. and capt. clyde christoph. >> >>[cermonial honoring] >> from the event are dormant thank you to mayor lee and thank you to the members behind me and all the members the work so diligently that they would all the partners. >>[applause] >> just real fast, this is a first responder worst nightmare to look and see this many potential victims but all the folks stating the honey stepped up to the plate went immediately into action. that's what we trained for things just like this. our marine units have the obligation of obviously handing handling things in the water is why you see them out all the time to deal with issues just like this and i promised them i would also give a huge shout out to the kos guard who actually got 20 people out to safety. they wanted to make sure that they ignored the us coast guard for their efforts and for what they've done. this is a huge collaboration between as the mayor said