Ring in the new year. The new video coming in. Caught on camera, the High Altitude rescue after a teenager falls 500 feet down the side of a mountain. Plus, the shocking moment a sinkhole suddenly opens up swallowing this suv. And as more americans go online looking for love, what would you do if a celebrity reached out to you for a date . The surprise encounter involving a world famous actress. Good morning, everyone. We begin with breaking news on this new years eve. An urgent situation at the u. S. Embassy in baghdad where protesters are trying to storm the embassy furious over recent u. S. Air strikes that targeted militant fighters backed by iran. There is word that some of the protesters got through the gate of the embassy. Lets bring in abcs Julia Macfarlane standing by monitoring the situation. Julia, what have you learned . Reporter kenneth, there is a huge amount of unconfirmed information flying about. What we know and what we have seen coming in this morning from baghdad is that there is a sizable crowd right outside the American Embassy in baghdad in the green zone in that fortified compound where a number of foreign embassies are located. What we know so far is that a funeral where hundreds of mourners were walking, they managed to walk into the green zone. Were not entirely clear as to how they gained access into this secure embassy zone. They have managed to reach outside the American Embassy in baghdad. Many of them waving flags of kataeb hezbollah, the iran backed shia militia. The u. S. Carried out air strikes against them on sunday and they have been heard shouting down, down usa. Thank you. We will have much more on this developing situation in baghdad as soon as it becomes available. Preparations are under way from coast to coast for tonights new years eve celebration. Authorities here in new york are promising that times square will be just about the safest place on earth tonight. Even at this early hour you can see the work being done there. Soon traffic will be stopped and the side streets will be blocked off. Security screening will begin 13 hours before the ball drops. It all comes just hours after heavy winds sent this wind turbine crashing down onto the street in another part of the city crushing a car. No one was injured. That storm is finally moving out to sea after causing problems across the northeast. But other parts of the country arent so lucky when it comes to the weather today. Abcs ines de la cuetara joins us with more on the celebrations that will ring in 2020 and what we can expect. Ines, good morning. Reporter good morning, kenneth and andrea. The good news is that the weather for tonight is looking much better than it has been for the past few days for most of the country as police from coast to coast ramp up their presence to ensure partygoers stay safe. As millions prepare to celebrate the start of a new decade, a major winter storm threatening the fun across more than a dozen states. In recent days shutting down highways causing hundreds of accidents and taking at least two lives. Drivers needing a tow in humboldt, south dakota. Black ice triggering an accident in iowa and freezing rain from upstate new york to new england making for slick driving for much of the i95 corridor. Water, snow, ice. Roads are very slick, very hard to manage. Reporter but the weather now looking better for tonights celebrations. Everywhere except the Pacific Northwest looking okay to ring in the new year. Reporter this as security preps around the nation kick into high gear. Police are deploying an additional 1,300 officers across the city. They will also be on the lookout for drunk drivers. During the new years day holiday 40 of individuals who are killed died in crashes where at least one driver was under the influence of alcohol. Reporter in new york police rolling out every kind of security for the times square ball drop. Well have Intelligence Officers out there as well as patrol officers, Emergency Service units and then as well with our federal and state and local partners. Reporter the nypd will be working in conjunction with the fbi and homeland security, and this year for the first time drones will also be used for surveillance purposes. The most well policed protected event that will be on earth. Reporter the festivities in times square will begin just after 11 00 p. M. Eastern tonight but people will start to line up this morning at 11 00 a. M. So more than 13 hours before the ball drop. Andrea and kenneth. And we are hoping that everyone has a safe new years eve celebration. Ines, thank you. We turn now to disturbing new evidence as authorities investigate that antisemitic attack in new york. Authorities have filed hate crime charges against the man accused of stabbing five people celebrating hanukkah at a rabbis home. And now theyre trying to determine if hes connected to the unsolved stabbing of another rabbi. The Jewish Community coming together holding a rally in response to a heinous attack outside new york city. It comes as the man accused of stabbing five people during a hanukkah celebration is now facing federal hate crime charges. Officials say this surveillance image shows Grafton Thomas entering a rabbis home in monsey saturday before slashing several people with a machete the size of a broomstick. Swinging a sword, knife, i dont know what it was, back and forth hitting people. Reporter Thomas Family and attorney say he has a history of Mental Illness but no known history of antisemitism. My impression from speaking with him is that he needs serious psychiatric evaluation. Whether those manifested in antisemitism at a moment, i cant tell you. Reporter but this morning a criminal complaint is detailing information uncovered by investigators including that thomas internet history included searches for germanjewish temples near me and why did hitler hate the jews. And overnight sources telling abc news that authorities are now investigating whether thomas is connected to the unsolved stabbing in the same town back in november when a rabbi was found badly bleeding. He survived after being rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The criminal complaint also claims thomas has shown an interest in the black hebrew israelite movement, a movement followed by the suspected killers in a shootout earlier this month in new jersey in which six people died including the gunman. Both attacks are part of 13 in the last month targeting people of the jewish faith in the new york city area. Lets call it what it is, these people are domestic terrorists. We have increased security in this state. I think its time to step up the law enforcement. And Authorities Say they found another large knife at thomas house different from the one used in saturdays attack. One victim is still in critical condition. Thomas has pleaded not guilty. Nearly three dozen cadets training to be Prison Guards have been fired in West Virginia after a photo appeared to show them making a nazi salute. The move comes weeks after the picture was first released. Three current officers have also been fired. Cadets claim they made the gesture to show respect for their instructor. Breaking news overseas, were seeing dramatic images from australia as thousands of people try to escape raging wildfires. People in the seaside town of mallacoota are racing to the beaches and even a local river to find safety. Temperatures in the 90s and strong winds are fueling the fires. About 4,000 terrified residents have been trying to flee, some getting onto boats. The thick smoke has left the town in complete darkness even during the day. This is its 1 00 in the morning and have a look at what its like outside. Its black. Its like its [ bleep ] midnight. A firefighter died when strong winds flipped over his truck. He is the third firefighter killed in recent days. Back in this country crews overnight fought this fire at a strip mall in anaheim, california. It appeared to be coming from a massage parlor. Firefighters were reportedly ordered out of the building because of concern about a roof collapse. Coming up, a new poll on the most admired man in the united states. Its a tie between two men. First a surprising comment from former Vice President joe biden about the person he may choose to be his running mate if he wins the democratic primary. And what were learning about the mysterious nighttime drone sightings in the west and the big question, who is flying them . But first a look at the weather radar. But first a look at the for me, it was heartwrenching. Bea it takes a toll on everyone. I mean, its a depressing disease to watch unfold before your eyes. You just dont see the persons soul is, like, gone. Lisa this disease just ravages a family. It changes your life. The magnitude of it is indescribable. Art now is the moment. If we work together, we can stop this epidemic. Grace contact brightfocus and learn more. We are back with video of a close call for this driver in pennsylvania. A sinkhole suddenly opened up and swallowed the back half of his suv, and it appears with no warning. Officials blame a nearby water main break. The driver was not hurt. Former Vice President joe biden is not ruling out the idea of a bipartisan ticket if he wins the democratic nomination. A New Hampshire voter asked biden if he would consider a republican running mate. Biden said he would and he called on republicans to step up. Authorities in colorado and nebraska are trying to solve a growing mystery in the sky. Theyve reached out to Government Agencies and companies and all of them deny flying groups of drones over the region at night. Abcs Clayton Sandell has more. Reporter these specks of light tiny and hard to see but the speculation behind a fleet of mystery drones is enough to fill an episode of the xfiles. Its a little frightening. Im more worried about what theyre doing and why they wont tell us than them actually flying around. Reporter last week local sheriffs started hearing from residents about dozens of drones crisscrossing the night sky. They observed anywhere from five to ten drones over about a 25mile square radius. Reporter the first sightings in northeastern colorado and nebraska. Now officials in three more counties are getting calls from baffled residents. As recent as last night it started with the Lincoln CountySheriffs Office observed four to six drones flying in formation in an east to west pattern, and they were flying at an unusually high rate of speed. Reporter the drones are flying at night. That requires faa approval so the agency can warn other pilots avoiding collisions like the one that recently damaged an l. A. Tv news helicopter. And then there was this close call over las vegas last year. A drone narrowly missing a packed passenger plane. Drone experts tell us most likely the craft belonged to a private Company Mapping power or pipelines. The air force tells us these drones are not theirs. As for the faa theyre now proposing a new rule that would allow them to track drones in realtime, but for now the drones here in colorado still a mystery. All right, thank you, clayton. As we prepare to ring in the new year, a new poll is out on the people americans admire the most. And when it comes to the men, theres a tie. For the first time President Trump and former president obama tied for the title of most admired man. They each got 18 of the vote. No other man got more than 2 . Former First Lady Michelle Obama easily won the honor among most admired women getting 10 . First Lady Melania Trump finished second with 5 . Well, coming up, a celebrity sighting on the slopes. The two famous men spotted skiing together. But first the High Altitude rescue after a teenager falls 500 feet down this mountain. Plus, we hear from the hero who opened fire stopping a gunman inside a texas church, and youll hear some powerful words from the grandson of one of the victims. Delicious. Aste fresh, juicd quiet frankly, eating them plain in their own seasoning really hits the spot, and it tastes like grilling chicken in your backyard. They definitely got it right. Hey im colin. I like chickfilas mac cheese because it reminds me of my nanas mac cheese. But this is a little bit better because it has the perfect amount of smoothness and creaminess. But i still love you, nana. Mornings were made for Better Things than Rheumatoid Arthritis or Psoriatic Arthritis. When considering another treatment, ask about xeljanz xr, a oncedaily pill for adults with moderate to severe Rheumatoid Arthritis or active Psoriatic Arthritis for whom methotrexate did not work well enough. It can reduce pain, swelling, and significantly improve physical function. Xeljanz can lower your ability to fight infections like tb; dont start xeljanz if you have an infection. Taking a higher than recommended dose of xeljanz for ra can increase risk of death. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, cancers including lymphoma, and blood clots have happened. As have tears in the stomach or intestines, serious allergic reactions, and changes in lab results. Tell your doctor if youve been somewhere fungal infections are common, or if youve had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Dont let another morning go by without asking your doctor about xeljanz xr. Without asking your doctor about xeljanz xr. A lot of folks ask me why their dishwasher doesnt get everything clean. I tell them, it may be your detergent. Thats why more dishwasher brands recommend cascade platinum. With the soaking, scrubbing and rinsing built right in. For sparklingclean dishes, the first time. Cascade platinum. Liz, you nerd, cough if youre in here shhhh. I took mucinex dm for my phlegmy cough. What about robs dry cough . Works on that too. And last 12 hours. 12 hours . Who studies that long . mucinex dm relieves wet and dry coughs for 12 hours with 2 medicines in 1 pill. This is a mountain. Its a technical mountain. This isnt a sunday stroll. Its inherently dangerous. That sheriff from oregon is talking about mt. Hood where a 16yearold had to be rescued after falling 500 feet down the mountain. It took four hours for rescue crews to bring him to safety. The boy suffered only a leg injury. Hes expected to be okay. Well, we have new details about that Deadly Church shooting in texas. A pastor tells a local newspaper the shooter was given food at the church on several occasions but was angry when he wasnt given cash. Meanwhile, were now hearing from the hero who stopped sundays attack. Oh lord my god reporter a vigil for the lives lost in the texas church shooting. Then sings my soul reporter that sunday Service Interrupted by gunshots when a shooter opened fire. At least six armed parishioners fought back. Churchgoer jack wilson firing a single shot killing the gunman before he could harm anyone else. I dont feel like im a hero. I was doing what i needed to do to protect the people of the congregation. Reporter two worshippers, 67yearold Richard White and 64yearold tony wallace, were killed in the attack. Wallaces grandson was in the sanctuary at the time. The gunman stood up and turned around to him so probably like three feet away from my poppop. Its kind of like heartbreaking but sometimes you got to be strong about it and just keep on going. Reporter the states attorney general calling this church a model praising a new state law that affirms the right of licensed handgun holders to carry a weapon in a place of worship. We cant prevent every crazy person from pulling a gun, but we can be prepared like this church was. Reporter now a community mourning. I lost two great men, friends, men that i consider putting above myself who did the same for me. The gunmans sister confirmed to abc news she believes her brother went on a Suicide Mission because sunday was the birthday of their brother who died ten years ago. Police in kansas say a case involving a vulgar insult on a mcdonalds coffee cup given to a Police Officer was a hoax. Images show the words expletive pig on the cup. The officer who has now been or resigned claimed the mcdonalds worker gave him the cup. Officials now say the officer admitted doing it as a joke. He is not expected to face charges. The police chief in mobile, alabama, is apologizing for this photo posted online. Officers are holding up what they call a homeless quilt. Those are cardboard signs confiscated from Homeless People in the city. The chief called the photo insensitive. No word on if the officers will be disciplined. In sports this week monday night football meant the college variety. Florida and virginia met in the orange bowl. The gators came away with a 3628 win. Five more bowl games are on the schedule today. He went all the way. Nice. Well, two hollywood icons hit the slopes for the holidays. Arnold schwarzenegger posted a photo of himself and Clint Eastwood at this undisclosed ski resort. Schwarzenegger is 72. Eastwood is 89. Imagine seeing the two of them skiing right next to you. Undisclosed. Pricey, ritzy. Up next in the pulse, the drink to cure all hangovers. Also ahead, the mystery surrounding actress sharon stones Online Dating profile. Plus, the boy who got a magnifying glass for christmas and what he did with it. You want to wear always seem to need an iron . Next time try bounce wrinkle guard dryer sheets. Just toss it in the dryer to bounce out wrinkles. We dried these shorts with bounce wrinkle guard, and a pair without. The bounce wrinkle guard shorts have fewer wrinkles and static, and more softness. Its the worlds first mega sheet that does the job of three dryer sheets. It also comes in unscented. If you dont love bounce wrinkle guard, well give you your money back. [coughs] kim is now demonstrating her congestion. Save it, slimeball. 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We caught up with hosts Ryan Seacrest and lucy hale to ask them about tonights show and what theyre most excited for. Its truly hard to pick a favorite. You know, weve got bts who is going to be performing with their incredible global fan base. I think that will rock times square in a crazy way. We have post malone who will be with us right before midnight. Who else . Yeah. Im really excited to see alanis morissette. Jagged little pill was like the first album i was ever truly obsessed with, so im really excited to see that. Paula abdul will do a little straight up and coldhearted snake and then the Jonas Brothers in miami. Dick clarks new years rockin eve with Ryan Seacrest marks its 48th year in times square. It starts at 8 00 p. M. Eastern and its going to be a good time. Always. Dating websites report this is the busiest time of the year for people to look for love. And that includes actress sharon stone. Who knew . She was recently kicked off the dating site bumble because other users didnt believe it was really her. They thought it was a fake profile, but they were wrong. The 61yearold actress who divorced her second husband in 2004 really is on bumble. She tweeted somusers reported that it couldnt possibly be me. Hey, bumble, dont shut me out of the hive. Getting lots of swipes im sure. Now to a 12yearold boy in texas who got just what he wanted for christmas. Caden parsons mom thought he wanted a magnifying glass to read. But he had Something Else in mind. Caden and his brothers used the magnifying glass to burn a hole in a piece of paper but they set their entire lawn on fire. Whoops. The whole family had to help put out the flames in their holiday pajamas. Mom took it in stride though saying this is christmas with boys. Oh, lord. Lots of work for them to do. Finally in addition to being new years day, tomorrow is actually National Hangover day. And red lobster says it has the perfect drink to help with your hangover. Its called the lobster claw bloody mary. In addition to the lobster claw it also includes a cheddar biscuit. Our favorite. I made my own cheddar biscuits from red lobster last night. You can take them home. Good. Save them for tomorrow. You can take them home. Good. Save them for tomorrow. Night. Save them for tomorrow. Xeljanz xr, a oncedaily pill for adults with moderate to severe ra for whom methotrexate did not work well enough. Xeljanz xr can reduce pain, swelling and further joint damage, even without methotrexate. Xeljanz can lower your ability to fight infections like tb; dont start xeljanz if you have an infection. Taking a higher than recommended dose of xeljanz for ra can increase risk of death. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, cancers including lymphoma, and blood clots have happened. As have tears in the stomach or intestines, serious allergic reactions, and changes in lab results. Tell your doctor if youve been somewhere fungal infections are common, or if youve had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Needles. Fine for some. But for you, one pill a day may provide symptom relief. Ask your doctor about xeljanz xr. An unjection™. Does scrubbing grease feel like a workout . Scrub less with dawn ultra. Its superior greasecleaning formula gets to work faster. Making easy work of tough messes. Dawn takes care of tough grease, wherever it shows up. Scrub less, save more. With dawn. Beds get sick too protection. Lysol laundry sanitizer kills 99. 9 of illness causing bacteria detergent leaves behind. Lysol. What it takes to protect. Making news now at 4 27. Happy new year from the land down under. A premidnight fireworks in australia leads us into 2020. Here at home we are getting you ready for the celebration from the extra security in place to the fireworks set up over San Francisco. Hooded criminals caught on camera and each time they left behind the same set of clues. What police say you need to look out for this morning. And youve heard of lending a hand but what about a whole kitchen . Bay area spot thats letting you rent entire appliances for free. Interesting. Good morning. I think we are ringing in the new year in sydney right now right . I believe its at 5 00. 5 00. Almost there. Were almost there. Were about to be there. Happy new years eve, everyone. Yes. Im excited. Its going to be a good night because were not going to be too cool but a lot of sunshine which is nice because it felt great out there yesterday. A Beautiful Day and starting out with no fog to speak of right now. Live doppler 7 where were looking at clear conditions, maybe some patchy fog in our valleys later. 48 in San Francisco. 42 in santa rosa. Livermore as well as concord with gilroy at 39. So we are chillier this morning due to the clear skies, seven to nine degrees cooler, so bundle up if europe headed out early. As you look at the next several hours youll notice that weve got a lot of sunshine. Look at the sunset, 5 00 tonight. So getting a little bit longer. And well talk about new years day. Well bring in some clouds. Liz, kumasi . Thanks, lisa. The countdown is on for the new year and thousands will be bringing it in tonight in San Francisco. Final preparations are under way for the annual new years eve Fireworks Show on the embarcadero. Abc 7 News ReporterJulian Glover is there with everything you need to know. Good morning, julian. Reporter good morning to you both and happy new years eve to you. We are live here in downtown San Francisco where thousands of people will be packing the embarcadero in just a matter of hours ready to ring in the new year. We saw the delivered a minute ago. They are making sure nothing goes wrong. A team of First Responders firemen, Police Officers, and also folks from the Emergency Management department. They will be on hand ready to handle pretty much anything keeping you and your family safe so you can focus on the big Fireworks Show. We got a chance to talk to the team of producers putting on the show and they tell us get ready for surprises this year. Theyre trying several new effects for the first time, some displays launching 1,800 feet into the air, others will feet like theyre right on top of you. Were also using some equipment that we havent used on this display before. We have more angles and can get more intricate with the way we display each segment of the show. Reporter this is the first year this team of producers is putting on the show after jeff thomas passed on the torch. Even if youre not coming downtown to the embarcadero, youre probably wondering about Public Transit on this big night. We know that the last train will be leaving San Francisco at 2 00 a. M. Well talk more about the preps and security measures coming up in a little bit later here. Reporting live downtown this morning, im Julian Glover, abc 7 news. Fun times, thanks, julian. Times square will be, quote, the safest place on the