Crunch time for the fiscal cliff. The key players to meet at the white house with just four days left until the deadline. They called him Stormin Norman. America remembering general Norman Schwarzkopf. And have gun, will teach. Hundreds of educators get a handson lesson in firearms. Controversial proposal. Good morning. Welcome to early start. 5 00 a. M. In the east. It is the last friday of 2012. Ive just had that pointed out to us. One final desperate attempt to dodge the fiscal cliff, just four days left before we go over the edge triggers tax hikes, spending cuts that could send the nation back into recession. The president calling for members of the congress the back. A gang of six attending. Vice president biden, harry reid, House Minority leader nancy pelosi, Mitch Mcconnell and john boehner representing the republicans. Brianna keilar is live from washington. Is anybody optimistic that a deal could be done today around a table . I will tell you the optimism is sort of sinking. Senate majority leader harry reid said he doesnt see how it can get done by january 1st. We heard from president obama before he left from his vacation that he was optimistic. Logistically the white house will tell you its possible. When you listen to what youre hearing some of these congressional leaders say, theres a lot of posturing laying blame to the other side if we do go over the cliff. Take a listen. Republicans are not about to write a blank check for anything Senate Democrats put forward because we find ourselves at the edge of the cliff. We are here in washington working while the members of the house of representatives are out watching movies, watching their kids play soccer, basketball, doing all kinds of things. They should be here. Now, House Speaker john boehner is saying the senate needs to just take up a house pass bill that has already passed the house that would extend rates for all americans to either take it up in whole rf to amend it. The senate would take up that bill, amend it. If we do go over the cliff there is this possibility and all sides are preparing for this that there would be a lot of pressure in the days following from the markets, from consumers, American Public opinion, thats part of the reason why theyre posturing. They would still likely be acting come the new year having do cigarette tsomething retroac. There is this concern that even though going over the cliff would allow them to not technically be voting to raise taxes, instead just voting to reinstate a tax cut, that then it sort of president obamas tax cut so he gets credit for that. Do you have any sense of what will happen around that table today . Who called the meeting if theres an agenda or are they going to sit around and stare at each other until one of them blinks . We dont have a sense. Im sure that we will be getting a sense. This is supposed to take place at 3 00 p. M. At the white house. The Vice President , president and four top congressional leaders. We dont know what will be said. I think we will likely hear from some camps afterwards. If you are wondering what a trip down the fiscal cliff might mean for your paycheck, for your 401 k , look no further than yesterdays dow. At the opening bell, a dive of more than 1 . Investors finding little hope for the fiscal cliff compromise on capitol hill. When word came down two sides might be meeting. Reversal of fortune. The dow rebounding for a while before finishing slightly lower. A nation this morning remembering the American General credited with orchestrating one of the most lopsided military victories in military history. General Norman Schwarzkopf died yesterday in florida. He was 78 years old. And remembered by many from briefings like this one here, a media savvy general taking the lead in the first gulf war. The white house saying this about the general last night. Our prayers are with the schwarzkopf family who tonight can know his legacy will endure in a nation that is more secure because of his patriotic service. Senator john mccain on twitter calling the general one of the Great American heroes. We thank him for his service. Stormin norman, as he was called, was a big man who left a big legacy. With us this morning is another general, general james spider marks joining us from virginia via skype. Good morning to you. Good morning. You know, Stormin Norman is what i remember about general Norman Schwarzkopf. A name he earned. A Time Magazine correspondent once called him a man with a john wayne swagger and a growl like a grizzly. Is that how you remember him . This truly was a 20th century American Military hero general schwarzkopf was a bigger than life man. His nickname personified that. It was a label he would protest openly. He was a humble man. What hewhen you think about what he was asked to do, you keep it in context. The army had gone through this incredible turmoil post vietnam. I was a young lieutenant during that period. Our Army Doctrine grew, it emerged. It was validated by general schwarzkopf in the deserts of kuwait when he ousted saddams military. He was the significant man at an incredibly significant time for our military. He did it mag nnificenmagnifice. Stormin norman is not because he was a gentleman, he had a volcanic temper, but the beauty of that was you knew where you stood with this guy. He was a magnificent soldier who truly loved those soldiers that served for him. Its a great loss for our nation. It most certainly is. It was quite a shock when i heard about it last night. It certainly took me back to the first gulf war. We need to remind some viewers who may be too young to remember the first gulf war. Operation desert storm, the first heavily televised war. It was really how cnn was born, right . We all remember general schwarzkopf in those daily briefings. He really changed americas perception of war, didnt he . Well, he did. He truly understood he was a modern commander who understood the power of the media, in that unlike vietnam where we did not have the support of the american population, in desert storm we did. The build up of the forces we were open in terms of our xho n xhoouncatixhoou communications with the population. The nation we serve is made up of hundreds of millions of people, we have to communicate with them, that is our constituency. He did that so well. At the end of the day he delivered. Six weeks of an air campaign and 100 hours remember, it was 100 hours, thats it, for us to oust, defeat, saddams military in kuwait and return right, full governance back to the citizens of kuwait. His father once said told him, he said, the day i was born that boy is going to west point. It was literally a job he was born to do. Boy, did he do it well. The nation is remembering him today. Thank you for helping us do that, general spider marks. Happy holidays to you. You as well. Former president george h. W. Bush has a message for his admirers around the world. Hes not going anywhere. In a message in thursday, his chief of staff said the 41st president s condition is not dire. Becker said mr. Bush has every intention of staying put and that we can put the harps back in the closet. The 88yearold mr. Bush is in the intensive care unit of a houston hospital where hes receiving treatment for an elevated fever. Still has his sense of human. Vladimir putin has signed a continue versional bill banning u. S. Citizens from adopting russian children. The decision raising tensions between the two countries, seen for retaliation for a new law in the u. S. That seeks to punish russians for human rights violations. The ban will take effect on january 1st, thats really right away it would halt all new adoptions and end those already in progress. Incredible. A lot of families in the process of adopting children in russia. Those poor kids. Want to move on to the weather. Lots of snow, wind, hail everywhere across the u. S. The storm that brought snow and spun off tornadoes is still not over. Ten deaths blamed on the storm. More than 2,400 flights have been canceled. It could dump more snow on new england and upstate new york today. Boy, they dont need that. Bonnie schneider with a look at the forecast. Good morning. Good morning. The storm weve been talking about is working its way to extreme northeastern new england. It is hitting canada hard. Quebec is getting more snow. I mentioned yesterday that cold air would come in behind the system. It sure has. Scranton at 26. Below freezing in new york city at 31. Just to let you know, its not over yet. A brand new storm system set up these Winter Weather advisories for pennsylvania and into new york, washington, d. C. , and the mountains of virginia. You can see also ohio slammed again after so much snow from the first system. So the way its going to play out, saturday into sunday, this system is likely going to bring heavier snow to areas of northern pennsylvania in terms of snowfall totals. Its not going to be as big of a snowmaker or a blizzard maker from what we saw last time, but it will produce strong snowfall through central connecticut and rhode island. New england, you know winters can be long. Winter is not officially is officially here, we are looking at a slamming start to the season. Across the southeast, temperatures are also very cold. We have not warmed up in atlanta. Were at 31 degrees. The moisture coming into the south will come in at a time where temperatures are likely to be milder. We are not looking at snow accumulation in the south if that were to happen, it would be a shutdown around here. 31 degrees in atlanta . Unbelievable. Thank you very much. Reading, writing, marksmanship. Coming up, well look inside classrooms where teachers are learning how to handle guns. And dr. Mcdreamy to the rescue . Who . Not in the o. R. Tv dr. Patrick democracy steps in to try to save hundreds of people their jobs. You will be surprised at how hes trying to do this. Because your daughter really wants that pink castle thing. And you really dont want to pay more than you have to. Only citi price rewind automatically searches for the lowest price. And if it finds one, you get refunded the difference. Just use your citi card and register your purchase online. Have a super sparkly day ok. [ male announcer ] now all you need is a magic carriage. Citi price rewind. Start saving at citi. Com pricerewind. Im going to dream about that steak. Im going to dream about that tiramisu. What a night, huh . But, um, can the test drive be over now . Head back to the dealership . [ male announcer ] its practically yours. But we still need your signature. Volkswagen sign then drive is back. And its never been easier to get a passat. Thats the power of german engineering. Get 0 down, 0 due at signing, 0 deposit, and 0 first months payment on any new volkswagen. Visit vwdealer. Com today. On any new volkswagen. for those nights when its more than a bad dream, be ready. For the days when you get a sudden call from the school, be ready. For the times you need to doublecheck the temperature on the thermometer, be ready. When you have childrens motrin on hand, youre ready. For high fever, nothing works faster or lasts longer than childrens motrin. Be ready with childrens motrin. Excuse me, sir im gonna have to ask you to power down your little word game. I think your friends will understand. Oh no, its actually my geico app. See . I just uh paid my bill. Did you really . From the plane . Yeah, i can manage my policy, get roadside assistance, pretty much access geico 24 7. Sounds a little too good to be true sir. Ill believe that when pigs fly. Ok, did she seriously just say that . Geico. Just click away with our free mobile app. Since the newtown massacre teachers across the country have been asking themselves what would i do . Gun advocates in Salt Lake City tried to help teachers there answer that question with free gun training and selfdefense classes during holiday break. Here is alex cabraro. Reporter steven pratt has never had a gun permit, lately hes wanted one. With the recent tragedy in connecticut, i realized its time for me to act on that. Reporter pratt is a third grade teacher. His students are about the same age as those who died in connecticut. I just worried a little bit, what would i do as a teacher . How would i protect myself if fired upon . Reporter is not the only one asking those questions. Hundreds of teachers, administrators, janitors, anyone involved in a school came to the Maverick Center in west valley. This class called the Mass Violence response training class was designed to teach them to fight back. I think its important to have protection. Reporter the class wasnt just about guns and protecting yourself with a gun. But guns were a big part of it. People are tired of being victims. Reporter clark is a wellknown shooting instructor in utah. He helped teach the class providing the basic fore iics fo do and how do it. Were not going to get the guns out of the criminals hands, so lets put guns in the good guys hands. Reporter he says the shootings have changed a lot of perceptio perceptions. Its that agreement that criminals are supposed to have hands off schools. Everywhere else its a freeforall. My gosh, you mess with our school and kids, thats another thing. Reporter the ceo of a Tactical Company that trains Police Officers says guns may not be for everyone, and he doesnt expect every teacher here to get a permit. He says its all about responsibility. We will tell these people, help them understand where their moral code and where their value system is. And until they discover that, theyre not prepared to carry a firearm. Reporter of course some have already decided. I would like to be able to protect my children in case Something Like that happened. Utahs board of education had this to say about the training. We urge caution and thoughtful consideration, schools in utah have developed emergency plans to handle such situations. The board encourages all utah schools to review emergency plans working with Law Enforcement agencies, with the safety of students in all situations as the primary concern. Coming up on starting point ali velshi will talk with the gun trainer you just saw, and a special Education Teacher who took that class. The nra is saying schools should decide for themselves how to protect their children. Heres what nra president david keen told Carol Costello yesterday. When wayne la pierre spoke about a week ago, he suggested that what has to happen and what should happen in every School District administrators, teachers, parents, should sit down and ask what is needed to protect the children in that school. Some of them will want Police Officers there. Others will want private security guards. There may be some places where they want volunteers to do it. Were willing to work with everybody on those questions. Its a much softer stance than just one week ago. Heres what the nras executive vp said back then. I call on Congress Today to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed Police Officers in every Single School in this nation. At the time, Wayne Lapierre said armed officers were the only way to prevent another massacre like the one that happened in newtown. President obama summoning congressional leaders to the white house, 3 00 this afternoon is the date for one final fiscal cliff showdown. Just four days left to get this deal done or massive tax hikes and spending cuts will kick in. The u. S. Embassy clearing out of an african nation this morning. Deteriorating security in the Central African republic has forced the u. S. State department to temporarily suspend operations. There the u. S. Ambassador, his Diplomatic Team and some private american citizens are out of the capital. The countrys president has asked france and the United States for help to stop rebels that threaten rule. Its not clear who will replace lisa jackson as the head of the Environmental Protection agency. Jackson announced yesterday shes stepping down in january after the president s state of the union address. The epa created new standards for air pollution from coal power plants on her watch. Massachusetts congressman ed ma markey throwing his hat into the ring for kerrys senate seat. A special election would be held early this summer. Markey a 66yearold democrat is the first prominent candidate to declare for the race. Mom and pop shops across the country bracing for a labor fight that could cripple businesses. More on the key workers that could walk off the job coming up. Consider this when the unexpected happens, theres one brand of battery more emergency Workers Trust in their maglites duracell. One reason duralock power preserve. It locks in power for up to 10 years in storage. Guaranteed. So, whether its 10 years of lifes sunny days. Or. The occasional stormy one. Trust goes a long way. Duracell with duralock. Trusted everywhere. Your doctor will say get smart about your weight. I tried weight loss plans. But their shakes arent always made for people with diabetes. Thats why theres glucerna hunger smart shakes. They have carb steady, with carbs that digest slowly to help minimize blood sugar spikes. And they have six grams of sugars. With fifteen grams of protein to help manage hunger. Look whos getting smart about her weight. [ male announcer ] glucerna hunger smart. A smart way to help manage hunger and diabetes. Welcome to chevys yearend event. So, the 5. 3liter v8 silverado can tow up to 9,600 pounds . 315 horsepower. Whats that in reindeerpower . [ laughs ] [ pencil scratches ] [ male announcer ] chevys giving more. Get the best offer of the year 0 apr financing for 60 months plus 1,000 Holiday Bonus cash. Plus trade up for an additional 1,000 tradein allowance. Hurry. Bonus cash ends january 2nd. Its lots of things. All waking up. Connecting to the global phenomenon we call the internet of everything. Its going to be amazing. And exciting. And maybe, most remarkably, not that far away. Were going to wake the world up. And watch, with eyes wide, as it gets to work. Cisco. Tomorrow starts here. 24 minutes after the hour. Welcome back to early start for friday morning. Minding your business this morning, the impending fiscal cliff creating plenty of jitters on wall street despite the fact that congressional leaders are meeting with the president today to try to hammer out a lastminute deal. The dow, nasdaq and s p 500 futures all pointing lower this hour signaling a potential selloff at the opening bell. Not just the fiscal cliff with the potential threat to the economy, thousands of dockworkers from maine to texas could go on strike within days if their union cant reach a deal with major shipping companies. These are the workers who move goods from the nations ports to the stores. Everybody from your mom and pop retailer to your farmer, to the Trucking Company who has go in and pick up the containers at the ports. This will be felt not just at the local economy, but nationwide for everybody else who relies on these ports. One port official says east and gulf coast ports handle about 55 billion worth of cargo a month so a strike could have a major effect on the retail business. Land lines not going the way of the vcr just yet. Older americans are slow to get rid of land lines and go mobile. The centers for Disease Control asked 20,000 households about trends throughout the year. The study found about 52 use cell phones for all of their cal calls, thats less than 2 increase from previous years. The older generation is slower to make the switch. Patrick democracy might play a doctor on television but hes doing some economic cpr in real life. The greys anatomy start trying to rescue a coffee shop chain in seattle. Theyre hoping to save about 500 jobs. Democracy said he within as to give back to the city and play a bigger role in the community. How about that. Good for him. A lot of competition in seattle for coffee shops. Thats right. Spy games between americans and North Koreans and how one move caught the u. S. Completely off guard. And the florida teens who took a page out of Bruce Springste springsteens play book, taking the stage to help after Hurricane Sandy. If youre leaving the house, watch us on your desk top or mobile phone, go to cnn. Com tv. You can spot an amateur from a mile away. While going shoeless and metalfree in seconds. And you. Rent from national. Because only national lets you choose any car in the aisle. And go. You can even take a fullsize or above, and still pay the midsize price. Now this. Will work. [ male announcer ] just like you, business pro. Just like you. Go national. Go like a pro. Just like you. We replaced people with a machine. R, what . Customers didnt like it. So why do banks do it . Hello . Hello . if your bank doesnt let you talk to a real person 24 7, you need an ally. Hello . Ally bank. Your money needs an ally. By the armful . By the barrelful . The carful . How about. By the bowlful . Campbells soups give you nutrition, energy, and can help you keep a healthy weight. Campbells. Its amazing what soup can do. I get congested. But now, with zyrtecd®, i have the proven allergy relief of zyrtec®, plus a powerful decongestant. Zyrtecd® lets me breath freer, so i can love the air. [ male announcer ] zyrtecd®. Behind the pharmacy counter. No prescription needed. Fiscal cliffhanger. A white house meeting as we head into the last weekend before the big deadline. Wanted in new york. Police say the woman seen running away there on the right pushed a man to his death in front of a moving subway train. A baseball cap controversy. The braves new retroloe logo raising a few eyebrows. Your takehome pay on the line when the president and congressional leaders meet at the white house this afternoon for an 11th hour fiscal cliff faceoff. In just four days paychecks shrink and spending gets slashed if our elected officials cant figure out how to compromise. It will now be in the hands of these six leaders, the president , Vice President biden, Senate Majority leader harry reid and House Minority leader nancy pelosi on the democratic side. John boehner and Mitch Mcconnell representing the republicans. Brianna keilar live now from washington. Great to see you. House doesnt return to work until sunday. Logistically speaking here, is there still enough time to work out a deal . I will tell you logistically speaking, logistically speaking, yes. Politically speaking, very much unclear, theres a growing amount of pessimism about whether or not that can be done. Weve been talking for days about how eyes are on the senate to see what harry reid cobbles together to try to get republican support in the senate and house. Hes saying its hard to see how this can get done by january 1st. So were seeing a lot of managing of expectations and certainly a lot of posturing on both sides as it appears theyre getting ready to play the blame game should we go over the cliff. Listen to both sides. Republicans are not about to write a blank check for anything Senate Democrats put forward just because we find ourselves at the edge of the cliff. We are here in washington working while the members of house of representatives are out watching movies, watching their kids play soccer and basketball and doing all kinds of things. They should be here. Senate majority leader reid there also said that House Speaker john boehner is just trying to save his job. Alina, as you probably know, the elections for house leadership are on january 3rd after we would go over the fiscal cliff, if there is no deal. John boehner shot back saying that reid needs to talk less and legislate more. But really this comes down to working out, cobbling together something that can get support. President obama wants that tax cut threshold to be at 250,000. Well, Mitch Mcconnell poured some cold water on that yesterday. So they need to come to some sort of agreement on where the threshold would be. We dont know what it would be yet in the senate. 250,000 for the democratic side and republicans couldnt even agree on a million. Thats a 750,000 gap they have to close. Lets hope they do that. Thank you. Commanders in chief past and present paying tribute to retired general Norman Schwarzkopf this morning. The commander of Coalition Forces during the gulf war died yesterday at 78. Schwarzkopf was the face of military briefings during the first cable news war. Former president george h. W. Bush who is hospitalized, said the general was a true american patriot, one of the great military leaders of this generation. New York City Police are looking for a woman who pushed a man off a subway platform to his death. Happened last night. Witnesses say the woman shoved the victim from behind right into the path of a moving 7 train. As that train pulled into the 40th street queens boulevard station. Nypd surveillance should shows the suspect running away from the stati the station. Before the incident, the woman was scene walking back and forth on the platform talking to herself. North korea likely deceived the u. S. And other nations deliberately. According to some, the likely scenario was north korea was lying about reported technical problems days before the launch. Another conclusion, that north korea knows how to counter u. S. Intelligence on what its up to. Nbc apparently received conflicting guidance on use using an empty gun magazine on meet the press. An official with the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives told another nbc reporter it would be legal. A spokeswoman for d. C. Metro police said an nbc representative acquired ahead of sundays broadcast and advised it could not use the magazine. The matter is still under investigation. Whether youre heading home or getting away for the new ye year, it could be another slow go or no go at the airports. The storm that spun off record snow and dangerous tornados is not over yet. Bonnie schneider, say its not true. While one storm is exiting, another storm is coming in. So brand new airport delays this time across the midwest and chicago, minneapolis. But the windy weather will persist in new york city. All the airports that faced delays yesterday, more of that is ahead for today. Also stormy conditions across the south. Heres one storm exiting. It will bring snow to areas of extreme Northern New England where we have almost a foot on the ground already. Temperatures are also brutally cold behind it in the 20s. The south is getting powerful thunderstorms moving into the lake charles, louisiana at this hour and theyre heading eastward. New orleans will be impacted by strong storms later today. Temperatures in atlanta, below freezing. By the time the rain comes in, it will warm up. So were not looking at snow for the south. Heres where we are anticipating snow, from michigan, ohio going towards tomorrow. We will be watching this storm to trek eastward. Two to four inches on top of whats on the ground in pennsylvania. This storm is also going to bring substantial snowfall across new england once again. You can see the legend showing us were anticipating six inches of snow through the mountains into virginia, but then by the time we get to sunday, look at this, another pocket of heavy snow in central connecticut according to computer models as well as rhode island and the northfork of long island. Thats what is interesting about long island, you will get snow in one part, 11 miles to the south it will be rain. Many people are traveling this weekend that took the entire week off, they were on vacation. Anticipating more snowfall for parts of new england. The storm setup for today, heavy rain through the mid south. Snow popping up in the heartland again. Again, this is an area that already saw plenty of snow this week. The colder air is plummeting down with temperatures for highs only in the 20s in kansas city and minneapolis, warming back up along the gulf coast, but not for long with this brand new storm system coming in. Its a onetwo punch. Getting a lot of bad weather. Jab, jab, jab. I want you to stick around and listen to this. You know how chilly it is this time of year in canada. Winnipeg might be in the single digits, but a story from the chilly north that will warm you up. The city might have set a record for paying it forward. 228 customers at a coffee shop drive through paid for the person behind them. Watch this. You would hear this from drive through screaming out random numbers. 147. Everybody was pumped up. Now its such a habit started here. People just come back to this one knowing that its either going to be your day that you will start it. Its just going to come back. Its a huge cycle. Thats great. Cycle of generosity that lasted for three hours. Nobody knows who started the chain or who ended it. You dont want to be the person who ends that chain. Just keep it going. Keep it going. I want to look back and see whos back there. Big guys, a lot of doughnuts. Could be a big bill. Its a blast from the past, but does it have any place in todays pc society . More on the baseball logo causing some controversy this morning. Really, you said that . Of course. Would you guys want to pay for eight guys on a construction crew . Theyre paying for it . Yeah, give me all of them. You got any of those bear claws . Its only going to be 25 bucks. Come on. Look at these kids. You will hear from the teen rockers who pitched in to help complete strangers after Hurricane Sandy in their time of need. Ill pay for those skinny kids. Well talk to them live next. Copd makes it hard to breathe, but with advair, im breathing better. So now i can be in the scene. Advair is clinically proven to help significantly improve lung function. Unlike most copd medications, advair contains both an antiinflammatory and a longacting bronchodilator working together to help improve your lung function all day. Advair wont replace fastacting inhalers for sudden symptoms and should not be used more than twice a day. People with copd taking advair may have a higher chance of pneumonia. Advair may increase your risk of osteoporosis and some eye problems. Tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high Blood Pressure before taking advair. If youre still having difficulty breathing, ask your doctor if including advair could help improve your lung function. Get your first full prescription free and save on refills at advaircopd. Com. for those nights when its more than a bad dream, be ready. For the days when you get a sudden call from the school, be ready. For the times you need to doublecheck the temperature on the thermometer, be ready. When you have childrens motrin on hand, youre ready. For high fever, nothing works faster or lasts longer than childrens motrin. Be ready with childrens motrin. 5 42 a. M. On the east coast. Time for early reads. Your local news making national headlines. The l. A. Times reporting that the citys Gun Buy Back Program that weve been telling you about broke records. Heres the big fish big fish, a rocket launcher. We have no way to know if this is real or a prop. Officials say two rocket launchers were among the more than 2,000 firearms turned in. The times reports police took out 22 pistols from the trunk of one honda. That got the driver 1,000 in grocery gift cards. The Atlanta Braves gave an espn columnist a first look at the batting practice caps. Many teams going retro, this one stood out to some. The braves are bringing back something critics now call the screaming savage. It was part of the braves regular uniform for close to 20 years. Hank aaron had it on his shoulder during most of his playing days. For an expanded look at all of our top stories, head to cnn. Com earlystart. You can also follow us on twitter and facebook, search for early start cnn. Lets get you up to date, congressional leaders will be meeting with the president at the white house this afternoon. They will try to hammer out an 11thhour deal to keep the country from going over the fiscal cliff which could happen four days from now. If they fail, it will mean drastic tax hikes and spending cuts at the start of the new year. A 60foot whale that washed ashore in queens, new york has died. The whale was barely alived when it was found wednesday in the breezy point section of queens, an area hit hard by Hurricane Sandy. National park Service Workers were not able to move the whales carcass on thursday because the equipment they needed was destroyed by the hurricane. Former egyptian president Hosni Mubarak has been transferred to a Military Hospital after doctors discovered rib fractures from a recent fall. The 84yearold is facing life in prison for the death of protesters last year. Mubarak suffered a head injury and a bruised chest when he slipped in a prison hospital bathroom earlier this month. Secretary of state Hillary Clinton sidelined no more. Her Spokesman Says she will be back at work next week after spending the past three weeks fighting off what the state Department Said was a stomach flu and a concussion brought on by a fainting spell. Doctors have grounded her from overseas travel for a few more weeks. Her return means she may soon testify before congress about that attack on the u. S. Diplomatic office in bengahzi. Hopefully bart, the hound dog, wont be sniffing around lake erie any more this winter. He slipped through the ice and his front paws were the only thing that kept him through the surface. His owner tried to help him, but he slipped through, too. I was talking to him. Trying to keep him warm, rub him. Get flood flowing through his body. I kind of looked at it like what if it was my dog . They spent about 90 minutes in the frigid water before rescuers arrived. Bart was cold but otherwise okay. America watched as paul mccartney, bon jovi and Bruce Springsteen took the stage to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Sandy, coming up live here, the boys of the band sticks of fire are here, guitars in hand, to tell us how they putted off their own successful benefit show. Well talk to them next. The boys use capital one venture miles for their annual football trip. Thats double miles you can actually use. Tragically, their buddy got sacked by blackouts. But its our tradition thats roughing the card holder. But with the capital one venture card you get double miles you can actually use. [ cheering ] any flight, anytime. The scoreboard doesnt lie. Whats in your wallet . Hut i have me on my fantasy team. Many musicians jumped in to offer help after super storm sandy hit the northeast. There was an epic concert at Madison Square garden. Take a look. But there were also many smaller benefits across the country, including some put on by two bands from tampa, sticks of fire and circle of four made up of high schoolers. The teens raised nearly 6,000 for a relief fund and did so to help many of those people who were hurt so badly during the super sto sup superstorm sandy. Nicholas mcdonald and george pennington, thank you for coming in to see us. You guys are members of two bands, but you go to the same high school, right . Yes. You live in tampa, florida, more than 1,100 miles away from the destruction here. What is it about what you saw on television and those images that made you want to help . Mainly it was being from florida, we know all the issues that could happen with hurricanes. After seeing people losing their homes, i know how they feel about having all that heavy rain, all the storms going on. Its scary stuff. We were always the ones who get targeted. We wanted to help out this time. So what did you do . You talked to each other . You decided lets put on a concert, george . We knew something had to be done. So we worked together, came up with a plan, how to get it started. Worked with the head master at our school to put up something, put up flyers around the school. Talked to our friends. What was the reaction you got . It went really well. We got a lot of people coming out. Everyone was so willing to help. How many concerts did you put on in the tampa area . We put on one. Just put on one. Yes. And you raised 6,000 . Yes. Where did most of that money come from . Ticket sales, friends, family. Ticket sales. We sold tickets for 10. You are here in new york for a reason, you will put on another concert . We just came here to talk about it. You came here to talk about it . Yeah. Hopefully it will lead to another concert here in new york. I guess from your perspective, where do you hope this money goes . What do you want do with this 6,000 . Are you going to give a check to the red cross or to a relief fund . We are going to present the check to the governors wife. Great. Hopefully we can help you do that. Last night when i was reading in on you two, i was very excited to meet you. I listened to one of your songs. And i know we can take requests now, right . You will sing one of your songs that i watched on youtube last night. Can you give us about a minute of that . Sure. No problem. Okay. No one wants to watch you lay there take a chance and leave me now before you know before it ends remember love it is shattering all of us leave your pointless mess behind no one lives in your lines stop for us home with could much worry just quit now and face our jury stepping over empty bottles cigarettes lit up like models side effects from things to learn no one wants to watch you lay there take a chance and leave me now before it ends remember love is shadowing all of us leave your pointless mess behind no one lives a million lives stop for us you had a chance that you wanted take what you need and leave feel free continue your habits but never come into be thats before you know. Keep playing, guys, sounds great. Nicholas mcdonald, 17, member of sticks of fire, and george pennington, 16, trying to help out those victims of Hurricane Sandy by a benefit concert. We hope you get more attention for doing that. Coming up, taylor swift being mentioned with the beatles . Well tell you why as we listen to these two kids. Take us to break. Were back after this. Make a wish i wish we could lie here forever. I wish this test drive was over, so we could head back to the dealership. [ male announcer ] its practically yours. Test drive but we still need your signature. Volkswen sign then drive is back. And its never been easier to get a jetta. Thats the power of german engineering. Get 0 down, 0 due at signing, 0 deposit, and 0 first months payment on any new volkswagen. Visit vwdealer. Com today. Your doctor will say get smart about your weight. Thats why theres glucerna hunger smart shakes. They have carb steady, with carbs that digest slowly to help minimize blood sugar spikes. [ male announcer ] glucerna hunger smart. A smart way to help manage hunger and diabetes. Just about 59 minutes after the hour. Drew griffin along with alina cho looking at the top cnn trends on the web. Taylor swift now in beatle territory . Oh this time im telling you im telling you thats right, with her album red topping the billboard 200 again this week, she became the first artist since the beatles to log six or more studio albums to achieve the top ten. You ever wonder what would happen if a shark tank exploded in front of you . Here you go. Sharks flying everywhere. Shoppers went running for their lives. At least four people were in front of the tank when it cracked. Nobody was seriously hurt. Three lemon sharks doa. Officials are investigating whether cold are investigating cold temperatures along with shoddy design you think . Could cause that. Check out other top cnn trends. Head to cnn. Com trends. My goodness. Early start continues right now. Crunchtime for the fiscal cliff. Key players to meet at the white house when four days left. And they called him Stormin Norman. He led america to victory in the first gulf war. And have gun, will teach. A hands on lesson on firearms. Im drew griffin. Im alina cho. John and zoraida have the day off. We begin with your paycheck on the fiscal cliff chopping block. Four days left until we go down the cliff. Triggering automatic tax hikes and spending cuts that could send the country back into recession. The president has scheduled a meeting at 3 00 p. M. Eastern time. On hand for todays fiscal cliff faceoff, the president , Vice President biden, Senate Majority leader harry reid and House Minority leader nancy pelosi on the democratic side. John boehner and Senate Minority leader Mitch Mcconnell representing the republicans. Brianna keilar live from washington. You say logistically, a deal can happen. Politically, open question. Thats right. Logistically, its still possible. But it appears right now, the prospects for a deal are dimming. The senate is in yesterday, but not doing a whole lot on the fiscal cliff. Still awaiting the proposal to come out from Senate Democrats and what were seeing is the blame game. Kind of in full swing. Public posturing, ahead of the fiscal cliff. Obviously in case we go over it. Listen to Senate Majority leader harry reid, yesterday. Republicans arent about to write a blank check for anything that Senate Democrats put forward, just because we find ourselves at the edge of the cliff. We are here in washington working while the members of the house of representatives are out watching movies and watching their kids play soccer and basketball and doing all kinds of things. They should be here. House Speaker Boehner sort of fired back on a conference call, alina, saying reid should do less talking and more legislating and the house now is set to return to washington on sunday. But thats cutting pretty close, as you can imagine, because we go over the fiscal cliff as of monday night without a deal. So pretty tight timeline there. What is the thinking at this point, dana bash, that most congressional leaders feel like going over the cliff, whether they will say it publicly is one thing, but going over the cliff might be better, because on the other end of it, you can vote for tax cuts versus raising taxes for a certain number of americans, politically speaking, isnt that a better scenario for them . It may politically be a better secenario for some congresspeople. But it will be a catastrophe because of public opinion, the way markets would respond on january 2nd. I think politically obviously it saves a little face, particularly for some republicans who dont want to vote for tax increases. Taxes increase automatically, but it isnt without consequences and were trying to get a sense today the meeting that you mentioned, 3 00 p. M. At the white house, congressional leaders with the president and Vice President. Coming out of that, i think we may have a better sense of exactly what direction this is going. If there is maybe a little bit of a kumbaya feel or them at odds, which will really set the tone for what were expecting here. You mentioned the markets. The markets will take it hard by all accounts if we go over the cliff and we hit the debt ceiling on monday. Timothy geithner will take extraordinary measures not to do so. Once we lose our Credit Rating as well, that you cant reverse. Prix an bre anna keeler, thank you. And look no further than the dow to see what might happen if we go over the fiscal cliff. Investors sensing little hope for a fiscal cliff compromise. And announcement of a fiscal cliff meeting at the white house, and reversal of fortune. Dow bounced back before finishing slightly lower. The most popular American General since world war ii, and tributes are pouring in for stormin Norman Schwarzkopf. He testeam rolled the Iraqi Military is in 1991 gulf war, liberating kuwait. He may have been the perfect front man for the first war who played out live in your living rooms. Barbara starr live at the pentagon. Barba barbara, a great guy, but really great in front of the camera and able to use visuals of the first war to really explain to the American People what was going on. Well, explain to the American People, and he also knew that Saddam Hussein and his iraqi generals were watching those press briefings. President obama today remembering Norman Schwarzkopf as an american original. A limited mission, get the iraqis out of kuwait, get the war done, go home. And he accomplish thad in des rt storm, commanding more than 700,000 Coalition Forces, more than 500,000 americans and an air and grown campaign that lasted barely 100 hours, and then it was done. His own chief, former president george h. W. Bush, issuing a statement from his hospital bed in houston, saying general norm schwarz cough, to me, epit to mized the duty, service, country creed that has defended our k e freedom and seen this nation through our most trying international crises, and more than that, he was a good and decent man. That from former president george h. W. Bush. He is remembered for his fiery temper, but also from the famous press conferences really that set the tone for a new generation of how the military interacted with the media, interacted with the American Public. Still continues to this day, but im not sure any of the generals who greeted these days could measure up to schwarz schwarzkopf. One thing he was criticized for post war, leaving Saddam Hussein in power and that was george h. W. s decision, but he agreed with that, didnt sne. He did. This was a matter of controversy for years. Was this something that left Saddam Hussein in power able to act against his own people and in a way painting the way for 29003 ground w 29003, ground war, which didnt turn out so well. But if you go to baghdad, that is an invasion and the u. S. Would become bogged down and become responsible for everything in iraq. If you look at the 2003 war, perhaps they were proven to be right. New this morning, russian president Vladmir Putin just signed a controversial bill banning americans from adopting russian children. This move seen as retaliation for a new law in the United States that seeks to punish russians accused of human rights violations. That new adoption ban will take effect on january 1st and halt all new adoptions and end those already in progress. Well bring you leave report ivt hour. This is a report we first told you about on ac 360. This woman used the shootings in newtown, connecticut, as an opportunity to make money. Noelle alva posed as a relative of one of the explain children, an aunt she said and solicited donations on facebook for a fake funeral fund for one of the victims. 6yearold noah ponzer. Instead, money went into a pay pal account she controlled. She let us record her voice, but not her face on camera last week. Here is what happened. Thats not my paypal account. I mean i have a paypal account. Is that your email . Yeah. Thats my gmail account. My personal account. But i never set up any fund for anyone. You should know that the pozner family tells us they are very support b upset by this. I never did anything. She was raising donations for Hurricane Sandy, if convicted she faces up to five years in jail and a 250,000 fine. She went so far to say she was called of the scene of the crime to identify bodies. That the president hugged them, cried with them. Just really out of control. And as have you bereporting, this happens a lot. After the powerful winter storm that brought record breaking snow and spun off ten tornadoes, ten deaths blamed, and 2,400 flights already been canceled. Oh, boy. Bonnie schneider with a look at the forecast. Im afraid to ask, bonnie. Good morning. A brandnew threat happening right now. Driving along i40 and noticing the weather conditions getting worse, there is a reason for that. Freezing rain advisory for areas in little rock, femme physician, springfield and branson in missouri. Watching freezing rain continue throughout the morning. Most of the advisories through 9 00 or 11 00 a. M. Temperatures teetering around the freezing mark. Any moisture that falls will immediately freeze. And keep in mind, this is an area like little rock where they have seen almost 10 inches of snow. This could compromise tree branchs and power lines. More rain coming into memphis. Freezing onto services. Still bringing snow to maine. Doesnt want to let go. In its wake, much colder temperatures filtering in. 31 in new york city. Getting ready for snowy weather on saturday. Getting energy from this storm. Heavy rain and more energy from the west it will develop to low pressure and bring 2 to 4 inches in western new jersey, and western pennsylvania. A little more than that possibly for ohio. 1 to 3 inches for new york city. A fastmoving storm. By sunday, the snow stops, and the computer model, looks like we could get more accumulating snow. Airport delays stretch from the midwest to the northeast. A busy week for travel and weather as well. Please be careful out there, especially in freezing rain. Thats especially dangerous when you have slippery roads like that. Hard to walk too. Bonnie schneider, thank you so much. Reading, writing, marksmanship. Coming up, inside a classroom where teachers are learning how to handle guns. And, later, former president george h. W. Bush with a little message for everyone who has been worried about him. You are my sunshine, my only sunshine you make me happy when skies are gray [ female announcer ] you know exactly what it takes to make them feel better. You make me happy [ female announcer ] thats why you choose childrens tylenol. The same brand your mom trusted for you when you were young. How much i love you [ humming ] [ female announcer ] childrens tylenol, the 1 brand of pain and fever relief recommended by pediatricians and used by moms decade after decade. [ humming ] 16 minutes after the hour. Since the newtown massacre, teachers across the country have been asking nethemselves what would i do . Teachers in a Salt Lake City tried to answer that question with free gun training and selfdefense classes during holiday break. I think its important to have protection, because if you dont have it, i feel like were sitting ducks. Well help these people understand where their moral code and value system really is. And until they discover that, they are not prepared to carry a firearm. Utahs board of education had this to say about the gun training we urge caution and thoughtful consideration. Schools in utah have developed emergency plans to handle such situati situations. The board encourages all utah schools to review their emergency plans, working with local Law Enforcement agencies, with the safety of students in all situations the primary concern. Coming up on starting point, ali velshi will speak with clark aposhian, a utah shooting sports councilman, and a teacher who took that place. Here is what nra ceo david keane told our David Costello yesterday. When wayne la pierre spoke a week ago, he said what has to happen and should happen, every School District, administrators, teachers, and parents, should sit down, ask whats needed to protect students in that school. Some will want Police Officers there. Others will want private security guards. There may be some places where they want volunteers to do it. Were willing to work with everything on those questions. A much softer stance than just a week ago, when the nras ceo said this. I call on Congress Today to act immediately to appropriate whatever is necessary to put armed Police Officers in every Single School in this nation. At the time, wayne la pierre said armed officers were the only way to prevent another massacre like the one in newtown. Former president george h. W. Bush remains in intensive care in a hospital in houston where hes treated for an elevated fever. He appreciates the outgoing support he received, he wants the world to know he has no intention of going anywhere. Miguel marquez with more from houston this morning. Miguel, it seems hour by hour we get updates on whether hes doing bad, worse, better, improving . Any idea how the president is doing . He seems to be doing hes sick, but not critical. His chief of staff, gene becker released a statement, put the harps back in the closet. Not going anywhere. It seems he has a lot of complications, but hes Getting Better by the day. John king spoke to one of his longtime friends who says his spirits are high, he wants to go home. Sick of being in the hospital. Look, hes 88, been in the hospital for over a month before that, he was in for some unrelated physical therapy. Hes tired of it, but doctors want to keep him in the icu, and part of the problem, the information coming in small spurts from a spokesperson and a couple of other sources, but not a will the of information, because the family really doesnt want a ton of information out there. They want to keep his privacy and let him recover on his own. He got over a bron krnccbronchi infection. They want to get him completely over this before they let him go. The family wants him home as soon as possible. But doctors are taking it day by day and will decide when he gets out of icu. He is certainly ready to get home. Been more than a month since hes been here. Drew. I can imagine that. Been relatively healthy despite his whole life, despite the hardship of world war ii. Is a good patient, but anxious to get out and go. Sign himself out, say lets go, bob . We met with jim mcgrath yesterday. He said there is one thing i can assure you, his trademark sense of humor is intact. He is not on a ventilator, giving doctors and nurses hell in there. The guy is 88. 85th birthday three years ago, skydiving. He did it for his 80th, 75th. This guy likes to be active. Loves the thrill of life and excitement. By the way, when he finished his skydiving on the 85th . He said how do you feel . When he said i dont feel a day over 84. My sense is, he is dog well and Getting Better, but it will take time, hes just an older guy. Drew. Miguel, thanks. We certainly wish the president all the best in Getting Better. It is 21 minutes after the hour. Lets get you up to date on the top stories. Congressional leaders on both sides have been summoned by the president to come to the white house today for an 11th hour fiscal cliff showdown. Just four days remain to got a deal done or massive tax hikes and spending cuts kick in on tuesday. The u. S. Embassy clearing out of an african nation this morning. Deteriorating security has forced the u. S. State department to temporarily success spend operations. The countrys president has asked france and the u. S. To help stop rebel advances that thre threaten. The jockeying has begun. Massachusetts congressman ed markey throwing his hat into the ring. Kerrys seat expected to become vacant if he goes on to become secretary of state and that is expected. A special election would be held early this summer. Mom and pop shops across the country are bracing for a labor fight that could cripple their business. More on the key workers that could walk off the job. Plus, dr. Mcdreamy to the rescue. Patrick dempsey steps in to try and save hundreds of jobs. Well tell you how. [ male announcer ] when was the last time something made your jaw drop . Campbells has 24 new soups that will make it drop over, and over again. From jammin jerk chicken, to creamy gouda bisque. See whats new from campbells. Its amazing what soup can do. [ male announcer ] jill and her mouth have lived a great life. But she has some dental issues shes not happy about. So i introduced jill to crest prohealth for life. Selected for people over 50. Prohealth for life is a toothpaste that defends against tender, inflamed gums, sensitivity and weak enamel. Conditions people over 50 experience. Crest prohealth for life. So jill can keep living the good life. Crest. Life opens up when you do. [ male announcer ] icy hot arthritis lotion. Powerful encapsulated menthol gets icy to dull pain, hot to relax it away. Power past pain. Minding your business this morning. The impending fiscal cliff is creating jitters on wall street, despite the fact that congressional leaders are meeting with the president trying to work out a deal. Dow, nasdaq, s p 500, futures all pointing lower this hour. Signaling a potential selloff at the opening bell. The fiscal cliff isnt the only potential cliff. Thousands of dockworkers from maine to texas could go on strike within days if they cant reach a deal with major shipping companies. These workers move all kinds of goods from the nations ports to the stores. From your mom to ppop retail toto Trucking Companies to your farmers. This will be felt nationwide. Everyone relies on these ports to move commerce. One port official says east and gulf coast ports handle about 55 billion worth of cargo are every month. Patrick dempsey is doing his part to necessitate the economy. Is he part of a group that is trying to save about 500 jobs by buying tullys coffee shop chain. Spy games. Americans and north americanme. One move caught the u. S. Completely off guard. Have a good night. Here you go. You, too. Im going to dream about that steak. Im going to dream about that tiramisu. What a night, huh . But, um, can the test drive be over now . Head back to the dealership . [ male announcer ] its practically yours. But we still need your signature. Volkswagen sign then drive is back. And its never been easier to get a passat. Thats the power of german engineering. Get 0 down, 0 due at signing, 0 deposit, and 0 first months payment on any new volkswagen. Visit vwdealer. Com today. Fiscal cliff hanger, a white house meeting as we head into the last weekend before the deadline. Wanted in new york. Take a look. Police say the woman seen running away on the right had just pushed a man to his death in front of a moving subway train. Baseball cap controversy. The braves now retro logo raising a few eyebrows this morning. Welcome back to early start. So glad you are with us on a friday morning. It is friday, isnt it . Im drew griffin. John and zoraida are off. Lawmaker has a long time to avoid the fiscal cliff. Now only four days left and no deal in sight. That could change today, when president obama holds a meeting with all four congressional leader at the white house. Were not saying you should bet on it. Lets bring in Ron Brownstein for the national journal. Good morning. Good morning. Were talking about this whole idea of a fiscal cliff was absolutely not supposed to happen. This was a machine that the two sides built to give guy them more will power to do what they didnt want to do to begin with. Which is compromise. They could not reach a deal to destabilize the federal governments longterm finances so they built this to put more pressure on themselves to reach a deal now. And even this does not seem to be enough to do it, to force them to make the difficult concessions that are required for the two sides to come together this is indignant of a broader problem we face of a Red Coalition and Blue Coalition that reflect very different visions of american and show less and less cooperation. We are looking at a dividing government for the next two years and more likely next four years. If they cant make an agreement on this, how will they make progress on anything else . Divided government that is getting deeper red, deeper blue, right . And there doesnt seem to be any clear leader coming forward to bridge the gap. More polarized top to bottom. When you look at the coalitions of the national level, mitt romney won almost 90 of votes from whites, and president obama won over 40 from nonwhites. Look at the states on issues like gay marriage or the Obama Health Care plan. Blue and red states leading you in very different directions. And you get to congress. The vast majority of leaders are voted in by those who are divided. Have you two cohessive coalitions. Its harder to bridge them what is the alternative . Were all here, none of us are going away. Well find ways to Work Together or find more selfinflicted wounds like the fiscal cliff. The idea, republicans and this is the idea that has been floated, will let us go off the cliff sor they or certain members wont have to raise taxes. They will cut taxes retroactive retroactively. Seems like a bad way to go. Look, this was a machine built to encourage compromise. And it may get easier for some republicans to come back in january if we go over the cliff. The reason, of course, all the bush tax cuts expire with the cliff, when you come back, you would only be voting to cut taxes on some force of the public, up to a certain income level. If you do it now, basically extend push tax cuts, are you effectively raising taxes on some people. Might be easier for republicans, it takes us only a small step of the larger accommodation we need. We need some kind of longterm agreement to stabilize the federal governments finances and automatic spending cut side of this is a really blunt instrument. They have to come together if they are going to deal with this, and the problem as i say, all political incentives are toward polarization and refusing to bend. We had this group of six meting at the white house today. When you you are connected to these people. When you look at that group of people sitting around the table, do you see anybody who can control his or her party and make a deal happen . I think democrats by and large would follow the president. I think that is clear. It is very unclear whether Republican Leaders can control their caucus, especially in the house. And i said for months, really since the election, really only two options here in terms of the fiscal cliff. Either we go over the cliff, which now seems more likely. Or john boehner has to brung a bill to the floor that will be supported primarily by democrats and opposed by a majority of house republicans. I dont think these two diagrams overlap. No bill that would get a majority of support for republicans that would be acceptable to the president. Probably is a majority in the house for a deal. But it may not be with a majority of republicans and that is very difficult for the speaker to overcome. Real quickly, would that be the end of the speakership for boehner . That is the big question. Very rare for a speaker to bring a bill to the floor opposed by a majority of his party this big. We havent seen it since the north American Free trade agreement as best i can tell. That would be a risk. Some think you may want to do this after hes reeleblgted as speaker. Thank you. We appreciate it. 36 minutes past the hour. Commanders in chief, paying tribute to retired general gorgeous unanimous schwarzkopf. He died yesterday, 78 years old. Schwarzko schwarzko schwarzko schwarzkopf, the face of the cable news war. Former president george h. W. Bush says he was a true patriot. New York City Police are looking for a woman who pushed a woman off a subway platform into the path of an oncoming train. The victim was pushed on the tracks from behind, just as the train pulled into the 40th street station. He died after being struck by the number seven train. Surveillance video wshows her running away. Surprise, surprise. North korea deceived the u. S. Deliberately. Catching them offguard before the launch of the longrange rocket earlier this month. The likely scenario is that north korea was lying about reported technical problems days before the launch. Another conclusion . North korea knows how to counter u. S. Intel on what its up to. Nbc received skon flikting guidance on usingan empty magazine. A spokesman for d. C. Metro police said when they inquired ahead, they were advised it could not use that magnificent zone. The matter under investigation. Consumer reports out with the list of best value cars for the 2013 model year. The toyota prius tops the list. The magazine says the preos cost an estimated 49 cents per mile to own. Less than half the estimated cost of the average car. Coming up, the new threat after the powerful winter storm thats brought recordbreaking snow and spun off dangerous tornadoes. Ten deaths blamed on the storm. More than 2,400 flights have already been canceled. Bonnie schneider in the extreme Weather Center with a look at the forecast. Good morning. Good morning. We are tracking freezing rain across tennessee and arkansas right now. This is the last thing the midsouth needs it wasnt too long ago, christmas day, we saw ten inches of snow in little rock. Freezing rain on top of that is likely to compromise trees and power lines. Temperatures are really cold in the region. Look at the difference. West texas in lubbock. Ahead of the system, 63 in houston right now. Warming up. Strong thunderstorms working their way across louisiana right now. You wont see freezing rain that far south. You will see more snow from one exiting storm system. Really been monumental to areas of northern maine and into canada. Toronto at 21 degrees. 31 in new york city. The temperatures colder behind the system. Believe it or not. A bran new one. This is just the beginning, today to tomorrow, notice the snow falling across ohio, pennsylvania, new jersey. Onetwo punch, getting the same sort of snow system, but with less snow this time. New york city, likely to see 1 to 3 inches. Heavier snow through interior sections of pennsylvania. This is something you could have to shovel out. And well be monitoring it for you as we get to tomorrow. Expect snow in weekend in the northeast. Really appreciate that. I know you are just the messenger, bonnie. We love you anyway. A story that will warm you up, from canada, no less. Nothing to do with the weather. 228 customers at a winnipeg coffee shop paid for the person behind them. You could hear the shout from drive thousand. A hear him scream out, 147. Getting everybody pumped up. Now its such a habit. Started here and i think people just come back to this one, knowing that its either going to be your day, that you will start it, and it will come back, its a huge cycle. A lot of fun up there. That cycle of generosity lasted three hours. No one knows who started that chain or who ended it. Looking at the guy who ended it right there. Ill buy you that cup of coffee. Goodbye, godzilla, the intercontinental includinger, sid eke matsui will retire from baseball. He came to the United States way back in 2003. Hit a grand slam in his very first game, and was 2009 world series mvp. Already the biggest star on japans biggest team when he left tokyo. This is a blast from baseballs past, but doesnt have any place in todays pc society . More on the baseball logo causing controversy this morning. Plus, parents and young orphans caught in the middle of an international dispute between the u. S. And russia the new development overnight on adoptions is just ahead. A hybrid . Most are just no fun to drive. Now, heres one that will make you feel alive. Meet the fivepassenger ford cmax hybrid. Cmax says ha. Cmax says wheeee. Which is what you get, dont you see . Cause cmax has lots more horsepower than prius v, a hybrid that cmax also bests in mpg. Say hi to the allnew 47 combined mpg cmax hybrid. Good news, ali veshi is in. Never good news when i spend too much time on tv. It means a financial calamity is coming. Thats not why im here today. A highlevel meeting at the white house. We are talking to Debbie Stabenow and olympia snowe. And ken rogoff, one of the worlds foremost experts on financial crises. A crime reverberated across this country. A woman jogging in central park, brutally assaulted and left for dead. Central park five arrested and after years in prison, all exonerated. A new documentary. Well talk to the director along one of the members of the central park five. And find a dog, and hell write you to his new novel. Dennis lehane pleading for your help to help find tessa. Well talk to him live, that on starting point kicking off at the top of the hour. Ill try and keep the fiscal cliff talk to a minimum. Talking to tessa the dog . Thats incredible. Talking to someone about tessa the dog. We have to find her. Thank you, ali, so much. And critics say that the Atlanta Braves are bringing back a savage logo. And we got the first look at the hats. The native american groups consider the caricature really offensive. The great hank aaron had it on his shoulder during most of his playing days. George h. W. Bush is fighting off a fever in a houston hospital, but hes not planning on going anywhere the former president has every intention of staying put and put the harps back in the closet. At 88 years old, is he the oldest living former president. Americas 41st president should be out of the icu soon. We hope some of. Not clear who will remiss lisa jackson as head of the Environmental Protection agency. She announced she will step down in january after the president s state of the union address. The epa created new standards for air pollution from coal powered plants on her watch. Hosni mubarak has been transferred to the hospital for some fractured ribs. He slipped in a prison hospital bathroom earlier this month. The 80yearold mubarak ruled egypt for three decades. Is he serving a life sentence for his role in the death of protesters during last years uprising. Secretary clinton will be back at work next week, after spending three weeks at home brought on by the flu and a fainting spell. She may soon testify before congress on that attack in benghazi. A story that got a lot of wows in the studio. The l. A. Times says that the Gun Buyback Program broke records. The big fish . A rocket launcher. Two rocket launchers among more than 200 firearms pulled in. 22 pistols were taken from the trunk of one car. It got the driver 1,000 in fwroshry gift cards. A case of mans best friend returning the favor. He fell through the ice in lake erie. His owners kous you know put on waders and tried to save him. He fell through the ice too. But he couldnt leave barts side. I was talking to him, trying to keep him warm, rub him, and try to get some blood flowing through hid body. And i looked, what it was my dog . I would hope somebody would try to do something. Imagine this. They spent 90 minutes in the frigid water before rescuers arrived. Bart was cold, but otherwise okay. Heartache spans two continents as russias president signs that bill will keep American Parents from adopting russian children in need of a family. Dozens of current adoptions stopped in their tracks. A live report, coming up. Eight minutes before the top of the hour. Relations between the u. S. And russia growing more tense. Vladmir putin has just banned american citizens from adopting russian children this is seen as retaliation for a new u. S. Law seeking to punish russian human rights violators. Our Matthew Chance joining us live from london. Good morning, you lived in moscow a very long time. This i understand was not only stop future adoptions, but those already in progress. These families during the process get so attached to these children, what is the reaction been . Yeah, alina, its really a big tragedy for those families, those parents that hoped and have spent i expect many months going through the various legal loopholes in russia, trying to adopt children there. Who have met these children. A big blow for them. That will stop them in their tracks. Dont forget the children themselves. The kremlin issued a statement saying they believe 52 russian children set to be adopted to american families, currently, processed and all of those 52 adoptions will end. And its very unfortunate. A lot of these children have got to know as part of the process the parents that they may have been going to live with and be adopted by that will now change. And they want those 52 children to be adopted by russian families. Very difficult, though. Russian billionaire is offering 50,000 to each of the families in russia that adopt these russian children to try and ease the pain a little bit. Remind us. Because as i said this was retaliation for something else. Why is this happening now . Yes, its very unfortunate. The children have become such a political pawn in this dispute between russia and the United States. But the act was put into force retaliation for a law that was signed by president obama earlier this year, called the u. S. Magniski act, which aims to push russian human rights abusers, particularly those who were associated in the death in 2009 of a russian tax lawyer who uncovered a very large tax fraud in russia that was himself arrested then and died while in custody. This is meant to punish those people, to stop them from traveling to the u. S. And freeze their accounts and caused outrage in official circles in russia and searching for several months to try and find an appropriate response. This is what they came up with. Matthew chance, live in london, thank you very much. Up next, best advice from the grichb w the grinch who stole christmas. And firearms training. Ali velshi speaks to a teacher taking the course right now. [ male announcer ] jill and her mouth have lived a great life. But she has some dental issues shes not happy about. So i introduced jill to crest prohealth for life. Selected for people over 50. Prohealth for life is a toothpaste that defends against tender, inflamed gums, sensitivity and weak enamel. Conditions people over 50 experience. Crest prohealth for life. So jill can keep living the good life. Crest. Life opens up when you do. With odor free aspercreme. Powerful medicine relieves pain fast, with no odor. So all you notice is relief. Aspercreme. Best advice. Today we hear from the notorious holiday character, the grinch who stole christmas. The best advice i have ever received. And i received quite a bit. I would say to cherish your family. Keep them close to you, and dont sweat the small stuff. And also not to take yourself too seriously. Merry christmas. Hes good that grinch. Thats early start for friday morning. Have a great weekend, everybody. Starting point with ali velshi starts right now. And good morning to you. Im ali velshi, starting point starts