Our friend, Elizabeth Vargas, returning to abc, revealing her very brave and personal battle that could help so many. Good evening on this friday night. Diane is on assignment. And just when you thought it couldnt get colder, today it is. Tonight, that unrelenting deep freeze making the ride home dangerous for millions. Look at this as far south as houston, a city bus giving up, couldnt go any further on the sheet of ice, the passengers simply had to give you off. All of the way to the north, this firefighter in new jersey everything frozen behind him, and the accidents across more than two dozen states. The license plate there saying it all, impossible driving in texas. Heres why this evening, a surge of arctic air, new orleans normally 62 degrees. Tonight, 32. Meteorologist ginger zee right here, will it really be super bowl sunday this year or a different day because of the cold . But first, Abcs Steve Osunsami on the urgent call for drivers to stay home. Exit ramp to 45 is closed. Reporter authorities today warning people to stay off the roads and so many people arent listening. Two people died in traffic accidents in louisiana. Police near austin, texas, tell us theyve responded to more than 250 crashes and houston had double that. Are you okay . Are you crying . Amy alexander went out for a run to the Grocery Store and got into a wreck along the way. You cant control it. You hit a patch of ice and youre gone, thats it. Reporter and heres what happened to a Houston Police officer helping back up this bus that got stuck on the ice hopefully, that didnt hurt. Outside chicago, they reopened i94 this morning after this terrible pileup, three people died. Witnesses say it looked like a war zone. The collision was a war zone. It was like boom. Louder than a gunshot. Reporter it was heartbreaking work for firefighters in quebec, canada, so cold, theyre having to use steam to melt the ice at the scene of this deadly fire at a seniors home. At least eight people were killed, dozens are unaccounted for, and theyre worried there are still victims inside behind the ice. Every person thats involved in this operation every partner thats here people are working very hard. Reporter at this burning apartment complex in nicholasville, kentucky i was out there with my jacket half on. Reporter the shivering firefighters worked in shifts moving families to warming shelters. And all of this cold comes as many families are already spending more on fuel to heat their homes. Nearly 6 million americans who use propane are now paying nearly a dollar more a gallon than they did just last week. This is first time that in five years, that families in houston have seen any measurable amount of snow or ice. That threat moves to louisiana. I want to bring in meteorologist ginger zee. Ginger, you were just telling me snow and colder next week. Can you believe it . Colder next week. Its really unbelievable for many folks who have been in this frozen tundra of most of the u. S. I want to show you the snow first, because this weekend will be relatively mild, i hate using that word when its still going to be in the teens. But, look at that, 1 to 3 inches overall. Lakeeffect snow, could see 6 to 10. Thats first of three shots in the next five days. And then, that cold. This is the intense injection of monday night, we go into early Tuesday Morning that Navy Blue Color 20 below zero. Look at new york city, by tuesday into early wednesday morning, were hardly at that white color which could be zero. Another week of this. We have been talking about this since Good Morning America this morning. Super bowl sunday or super bowl a different day . Super bowl sunday. I believe it will be on sunday. It looks a little bit milder. In the 20s with snow or rain in the 40s . The models are all over the place right now. Well have a much better idea by monday. Ginger, thank you. Now, to breaking news at this hour, those incredible pictures from ukraine. This is kiev. This is the scene moments ago. The capital city on fire. Whos in control, why has it suddenly become a tinderbox and why is america watching so closely . Abcs International CorrespondentHamish Macdonald on the scene tonight. H hamish . Reporter thousands and thousands of protesters are lined up, banging, screaming, forcing Security Forces to respond. The only thing that separates them is thin piece of ice. Tonight, kiev is burning. Through flames and thick smoke it is clear to see, there is no ceasefire in this deadly standoff. What happens here is they light a molotov cocktail, throw in the direction of the police, and then scurry back for protection. Projectiles fire one after another. So far, the police are showing restraint, confronting extreme cold and a government they reject, protesters warm themselves with passion and burning rubber tires. Pitchforks are held high. Metal bats, anything that makes noise. Their president wants to move closer to vladimir putin, who is flexing russian power. The protesters are led by a former boxing hero, who gave up defending his title. Hes had some ambitions. But hes fighting for stronger ties with europe. Its a direct challenge to putin, as the eyes of the world are on him and his olympics, and these divisions are spreading. As messy and as chaotic as this battleground looks, the choice for this country is clear. Does it look east towards russia or towards the west for a very different kind of future . David . Hamish, just incredible the picture behind you. And a new concern this evening for american athletes on their way to the winter games. The state department now confirming u. S. Olympic officials now telling members of our team not to wear their uniforms outside the security zone in sochi. And tonight, weve learned that security agents will accompany athletes to all events. Back here at home tonight, baby boomers likely checking their 401 k s this evening. With stocks in a freefall tonight. The dow down more than 300 points this week. The worst week for 401 k s in over two years. So, what does this mean for your money . Abcs chief Business CorrespondentRebecca Jarvis tonight. Reporter a dramatic reversal on wall street, stocks dropping as fast as the thermometer this week. Taking investors like bill and Kathy Wolters of illinois on a rollercoaster ride they thought was over. Now that you have stayed the course, how do you feel . Its more than tripled. Been very good. Its been a great year. Reporter tonight, theyre not quite so optimistic. That was a really bad day today. Reporter the average American Family 401 k started last year around 77,000. By years end, it was above 100 grand. But just this week, its fallen more than 3,000. Why is this happening . Fears of china slowing, American Consumers spending less and worries about just how much the Federal Reserve will keep helping the markets. And rebecca is here with us now. The advice so often is ride it out. But riding it on wall street last year is feeling a lot different than it is today. Dave, i have been talking to some of the top minds on wall street, they said this year, we could be in for some more bumps. For those who are closer to retirement, a few years away, its time to talk to your adviser and consider taking away some of that risk. Likier a bumpier ride this year. All right, rebecca, thank you. Another headline about a wellknown American Family living beyond their means. A former politician and his wife and a very lavish lifestyle. Trading political favors for the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Here tonight is abcs jeff zeleny. Reporter he was once a rising political star, seen as a white house contender. Good evening, my fellow republicans reporter she was a former Washington Redskins cheerleader. But, today, former Virginia GovernorBob Mcdonnell and his wife maureen are accused partners in crime. Charged with using the power of the Governors Office to advance a diet supplement company. Maureen mcdonnell allegedly received Oscar De La Renta ball gowns, armani dresses, handbags form louis vitton, golf clubs, iphones, and a rolex watch inscribed 71st governor of virginia. And thats not even counting the loans, prosecutors say, the grand total was at least 165,000. The governor even allegedly drove the Company Owners ferrari. In an email, she once told an aide we are broke, have an unconscionable amount in Credit Card Debt already and this inaugural is killing us. In court today, they pleaded not guilty to fraud. I will use every available resource to fight and prevail against these false allegations. And the unjust overreach of the federal government. Reporter the couple could face decades in prison. Jeff zeleny, abc news, washington. Jeff, thank you. And now, an abc news exclusive tonight. Oneonone with apple ceo tim cook. I asked him whats coming next and this evening, a major victory for made in america, and what tim cook now wants every american to know about this countrys Controversial Surveillance Program and your computer. It got our attention. Headquarters in silicon valley, where steve jobs own words still loom large. Few get time oneonone with apple ceo tim cook. So, this is the most powerful mac you have now. It is. Reporter thats not what got our attention. Listen to this, its made in america . Its made in america. Reporter tim cook announced in a tweet just a few weeks ago, we have begun manufacturing the mac pro in austin, texas. Thats right, austin, texas. We also announced a Huge Investment in arizona. We havent said what it is for. Reporter is it the sapphire glass . When does that glass come off the line . I cant tell you that. Reporter bigger iphone screens . I cant tell you that either. Reporter iwatch . You heard it here first. That same secrecy still alive 30 years later, after all of america, on a super bowl sunday, was alerted that something was coming. On january 24th. Reporter thensteve jobs and his trademark unveiling. Id like to show you macintosh in person. Reporter we wanted to know about those stories about the next inventions cloaked in secrecy. Secrecy is part of the culture of apple . It is. We believe fundamentally that people love surprises. Reporter there are stories about black drapes over products in development, true . Theres black drapes and numerous locked doors and many other things. Reporter and employees who cant even tell their families at home what theyre working on . Yes, thats true. Reporter even his team cant tell their families. For the viewers, who are saying, david, you got to find out what their next thing is . Your badge probably wouldnt work in those rooms. Reporter secrecy here is part of the excitement. But secrecy elsewhere even has tim cook concerned. Case in point, the countrys controversial and sweeping Surveillance Program, what is your biggest concern with the Surveillance Program here in this country . From my point of view, number one, we need to be significantly more transparent. We need to say, what data is being given, how many people it affects, how many accounts are affected. We need to be clear. And we have a gag order on us right now, and so we cant say those things. Reporter sitting across from the president , tim cook pushing for more transparency. Much of what has been said isnt true. There is no back door. The government doesnt have access to our servers. They would have to cart us out in a box for that and that just will not happen. We feel that strongly about it. Reporter do you think americans, tim, would be more at ease if you could tell them more . I do. Reporter are you going to press congress for more transparency . Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. Reporter in the meantime, hes pressing his team for the next big thing. Among them, one of the original members of that mac team. You played the piano, you were going to medical school and then you helped invent the mac. Welcome to apple. Steve jobs said to you, i never want you to ask what i would have done, just do what is right. By saying what he said for me, it relieved, i believe, a huge burden that would have existed had he not said it. And so, i think it was incredible for him to do that. Oneonone with a very candid tim cook. But we move on tonight, now, and to a spectacular scene playing out off of california, a powerful storm churning up 40foot waves. Abcs nick watt with the pictures tonight. Reporter this is the super bowl of surfing. Catching 40foot waves half a mile off the california coast. Just 48 hours ago, word went out the Mavericks International was on, the last of the worlds best big wave surfers stumbled off redeye flights early this morning. Storm battering the pacific kicking up onceinadecade waves over in hawaii had reached mavericks. Its one of the most dangerous waves in the world. Reporter big wave surfing is now huge, with riders travelling catching monster waves up to 100 feet high. And the Mavericks Invitational is their blue ribbon event. And the winner, a 40yearold South African nicknamed twiggy. Nick watt, abc news, los angeles. Our thanks to nick tonight. Theres still much more ahead on world news this friday night. Coming home. Our friend Elizabeth Vargas returning to the air waves here on abc news, revealing her very personal struggle, her story is next and the viewers tonight who have been tweeting all day today, her story already helping others. Were back in two minutes. Dont miss a step. Nothings missed with tena twist. Dont miss a beat. 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And imagine finally taking control of your symptoms with the oxytrol for women patch. Now fda approved as otc. Its safe and effective when used as directed. And it reduces frequency, urgency, and accidents. Just imagine how your life could change for the better. Take control with oxytrol for women. Available in the feminine care aisle. The day building a play set begins with a surprise twinge of back pain. And a choice. Take up to 4 advil in a day or 2 aleve for all day relief. [ male announcer ] thats handy. [ ding ] i sense youve overpacked, your stomach. Try pepto togo. Its peptobismol that fits in your pocket. Relief can be yours, but your peanuts. Are mine. [ squirrel ] its pepto togo. Were going to turn, next, tonight here to a headline thats personal for the team here at abc news, Elizabeth Vargas returning to work tonight on 20 20. She has bravely chosen a path that didnt come easily. Now breaking her silence, viewers tweeting their support all day. One tweeting elizabeth, thank you so much for your honesty, and being courageous, you will inspire thousands. Our friend and colleague elizabeth making her return this morning. We are thrilled to be welcoming back Elizabeth Vargas. Reporter showing extraordinary bravery and honesty across from george. It must have taken so much effort to keep that secret . The amount of energy i expended keeping that secret and keeping this problem hidden from view, hidden from my family, hidden from friends, from colleagues, was exhausting. Reporter and when elizabeth took time off to get help, her private battle, suddenly became a public one. I didnt choose to go public with this. Somebody else made that decision for me. But, in hindsight and in retrospect, maybe its a blessing, because it it relieves me of that secrecy and that burden of Walking Around through life living behind a facade. Which is what you do. Reporter she says the alcoholism stems in part from another struggle, one that has shadowed her since her childhood growing up in a military family, severe, crippling anxiety that set in the day her father was called to duty in a faraway war. My dad went to vietnam when i was 6 years old, and i had panic attacks every single day when my mom would leave for work. Reporter her mother told me, she remembers that panicked little girl. Did you see the anxiety attacks as a little girl . Yes, i clearly saw them. And every morning when i would leave to go to work, she would cry and beg me not to go. Reporter and all of these years, even with her steady hand at the anchor desk, elizabeth revealing the anxiety and panic were always close behind. I should have realized it was a problem way back when zachary, my oldest son, was born, and he used to call my nightly glass of wine mommys juice, you know, and i thought that was hysterical. It didnt occur to me that that was a problem. And it didnt really get to be a huge problem until the last few years. Reporter and later tonight, on 20 20, she takes the viewers through her very personal struggle. Hoping it will now help others. Its always embarrassing to have the entire world know your deepest, darkest secret, and yet i think in the long term it will be ultimately a blessing because i can be free about it. And i hope youll join me in welcoming elizabeth back just a little later here on abcs 20 20. More of her journey, very brave, elizabeth. When we come back here on world news take a look at this. Watch very closely. If you were leaving for work, for the day, would you notice a little bear following behind you . You wont believe what this couple turned around and did not see. Eezes ] [ coughs ] ive got a big date, but my sinuses are acting up. Its time for advil cold and sinus. [ male announcer ] truth is that wont relieve all your symptoms. Hmm . 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Campbells healthy request soup lets you hear it in your heart. [ basketball bouncing ] heart healthy. [ mm. ] great taste. [ tapping ] sounds good. Campbells healthy request. Mm mm good. ® we loved this, our instant index on a friday night, and a Close Encounter with a baby bear in southern california. Watch the righthand side of your screen there. The couple on a porch, unaware, they only notice when the bear follows them to the car. And, by the way, were told the bear is still on the loose. And did you see this, the championship game between the broncos and the patriots, but the scene from above, a team of sky divers descending into the stadium. And as we count down to the super bowl, a new study revealing 1 in 3 football fans asking god to let their team win. Lot of prayers going out between now and the big game. And when we come back here on friday night, if you have ever seen extreme home makeover, you got to see this before the weekend starts. Really . 25 grams of protein. 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Talk to your doctor. Over the pizza place on Chestnut Street the modest first floor bedroom in tallinn, estonia and the southbound bus barreling down i95. This magic moment it is the story of where every great idea begins. And of those who believed they had the power to do more. Dell is honored to be part of some of the worlds great stories. That began much the same way ours did. In a little dorm room 2713. This magic moment this magic moment when jake and i first set out on we ate anything. But in time you realize the better you eat, the better you feel. These days we both eat smarter. And i give jake purina cat chow naturals. Made with real chicken and salmon, its high in protein like a cats natural diet. And no added artificial flavors. Weve come a long way. And whatevers ahead, well be there for each other. Naturally. Purina cat chow naturals. Imagine not beinge near this so often. , imagine not getting out of bed again and again. And imagine finally taking control of your symptoms with the oxytrol for women patch. Now fda approved as otc. Its safe and effective when used as directed. And it reduces frequency, urgency, and accidents. Just imagine how your life could change for the better. Take control with oxytrol for women. Available in the feminine care aisle. Finally tonight here, our persons of the week. Imagine a place where christmas comes once a week, a place where they make wishes come true. That place exists. And tonight, here, the story of the young girl, the miracle and the dream come true no one saw coming. She looks like your typical 15yearold but Alyssa Pietruszka is anything but. She has defied the odds. Im here 12 years later its a miracle. Reporter at just 3 years old, alyssa was ravaged by kidney cancer. Doctors told her parents it would not be long. Her family asked her a simple question, what was her wish . It was to be a princess. That wish was granted in kissimmee, florida, at a special place called give kids the world. Where, for five days children with lifethreatening illnesses, can just be kids. Theres christmas every thursday and theres a 24 7 ice cream palace. And theres a carousel that you can ride every day and any day that you want. Reporter with more than 15,000 volunteers, theyve hosted more than 127,000 families from all 50 states, 74 countries. I was laughing, and i was smiling, anything that i could possibly imagine i did. Reporter but, she could hardly imagine what doctors would tell her parents next. When i came home and they said that i was better and that my tumor was shrinking, it was a miracle that i am alive because of give kids the world. Reporter tonight, now a 15yearold alyssa is cancer free, and a volunteer there herself. Once they open the gates you see children running to their parents arms with tears of happiness, not sadness. Reporter and this morning, alyssa was right there as our Good Morning AmericaTeam Revealed an extraordinary surprise the 25yearold complex given a wish itself a complete makeover where they make wishes come true. In all the hope and in all the happiness theres no words that describe it. So we choose alyssa all of the volunteers at give kids the world. I hope to see you on 20 20 with Elizabeth Vargas back by my side. Tonight political pressure that went into completing the new bathe bridge. Hunt for a teenaged murder snekt a sibling rivalry that turned violent. Plus, state Health Officials ish youlling a new report on the virus that continues to spread. The mavericks surf competition giving giant waves to the local economy. Youre looking at a live picture of the new bay bridge weve been driving on it for months. Tonight, questions about the construction work that was done. Good evening, everybody, im larry beil. And im carolyn johnson. Officials found themselves on the defensive today before lawmakers having to answer tough questions about ignoring, trying to cover up, construction problems with the new eastern span of the bay bridge. Laura anthony is here live with the story. Laura . Well the goal today was supposed to be to learn from past mistakes and move on. What weve heard today was some alarming testimony about a culture of denial, and seek krensy around the bay bridge, an effort to cover up some serious problems. Oof any issue that came up was vetted. Caltrans director strongly denies the mostdamaging findings of a report looking back at the construction of the new bay bridge, including allegations of a cover up. I have no evidence or no reason to believe that there was any co yergs or anything like that. And bullying. In a Committee Hearing the Bridge Program manager was mentioned often, as being the one that told staffers not to document any potential problems with the bridge. At least not in writing. Is that unusual . In your experience . Not about ish dwluz concern the quality of the project. I did try to regularly remind staff, please, when youre communicating in whatever fashion, please make sure that you are accurate. That is my message. Not dont write things down. Mike morgan was on the Foundation Team he tried to call