Good friday morning, everybody. Im Brian Shactman. We have new details on that growing and out of control wildfire near los angeles. Flames are burning just miles from the famed hollywood sign. We can tell you three men are now in custody for starting the blaze. We have two reports this morning, beginning with nbcs Miguel Almaguer in the fire zone. Reporter explosive and out of control. The socalled kobe fire sweeping down through tinder dry canyons toward neighborhoods with Million Dollar homes. It is really spreading very, very quickly. Reporter with fire hopscotching through neighborhoods, palm trees turned to blow torches. The days sky, a dark eerie glow as ash rained across the region, closing schools and clogging freeways. The terrain here couldnt be more difficult for firefighters to battle. The san gabriel mountains, feeding this blaze, literally drops into the backyard of hundreds of homes. Firefighters were ready, strike teams were in position before the blaze because conditions were ripe for fire. Reporter this is mike taibbi in los angeles. It is the driest and deepest drought on record in much of the southwest and getting worse fast. In just the past week, one estimate of extreme drought for california more than doubled, from 27 to nearly 63 of the entire state. The reason, a High Pressure ridge beneath the jet stream that has seemed unmoveable. The jet stream is so far to the north, taking the storms up and over that ridge, so thats why were not getting the much needed rain and snow that we so desperately need in california. Reporter among the consequences, reservoirs that feed tens of millions of people and water the farmland that feeds much of the nation at record low levels. Scientists measuring the crucial snow pack we got six reporter are worried as they trudge over bare ground that is usually blanketed by now. Less snow melt means some species of salmon cant get to their spawning grounds. And had this bear crossing a ski slope instead of hibernating. The biggest threats are the public safety. Record temps feeding a drought now covering 11 states and to the agriculturebased economy. Some water use restrictions are now being rolled out. It is so bad that last week catholic bishops asked their parishioners to pray for rain. Those prayers, so far, unanswered. Our thanks to Miguel Almaguer and mike taibbi for those reports. Later today, president obama unveils plans to overhaul the nsa. He is expected to roll back some of those controversial practices that were exposed by edward snowden, but it is expected to be a delicate balance to try and protect the nation and protect your privacy. Nbcs tracie potts live in washington. Tracie, we just learned the president will call for ending the nsas control over americans phone data. Give us details on that. Reporter he will modify the program so that the court, you know, the court would actually have to give an order, brian, first, before those records are searched. He will also say according to a Senior Administration official today that the government should not hold on to those records. Phone calls, emails, texts, today president obama lays out what he thinks the government should and should not do. The National Security agency argues monitoring helps them track down terrorists. We can and should take steps to make the activities we engage in, in order to help keep america safe, and americans safe. Reporter critics say americans should know more. Could have been a lot more candid with the American People up front about this program. Reporter new this week, reports that the nsa has been collecting nearly 200 million Text Messages a day. Thats with phone records and allegations of spying on world leaders, all linked by former nsa contractor edward snowden. Were dealing with an agency that didnt have adequate enough safeguards to keep a subcontractor from stealing millions and millions and millions of files. Reporter the president is expected to back the spying programs, but call for more transparency and oversight, perhaps a public advocate, on the secret foreign Intelligence Surveillance court. He may send privacy protections to foreigners and limit spying on world leaders. But congress would likely have to deal with what information the nsa can collect and keep. And the public has weighed in on this. The public is actually split on this issue. That records, that phone Records Program is set to be reauthorized in march. Brian . Tracie, thank you very much, live for us in washington, d. C. The next chapter in the new jersey bridgegate saga is here. Nearly two dozen subpoenas going out this morning and they hit hard at governor Chris Christies inner circle. Among those targeted, reportedly, christies former Campaign Manager as well as his spokesman, current chief of staff and former deputy chief of staff bridget anne kelly. Kelly, youll remember, is the one who sent that now infamous email saying it was, quote, time for traffic problems in ft. Lee. Governor christie reportedly not included in this latest wave of subpoenas. Hes remaining defiant and now seeming to play down talks of a potential president ial run. I was born here. I was raised here. Im raising my family here. And this is where i intend to spend the rest of my life. And whatever test they put in front of me, i will meet those tests because im doing it on your behalf. It became a very bumpy ride at 30,000 feet for some people. United flight 89 forced to return to newark, new jersey, after it encountered severe turbulence. It happened about 45 minutes into the flight to beijing. The pilot had just told the Flight Attendant it was safe to get up and then tit hit air spae that was so rough, that it tossed some right around the cabin. Some suffered minor injuries. All 189 passengers are said to be okay. Lets get the latest from the Weather Forecast with bill karins. No thank you to be on a flight like that. What is the worst turbulence . I dropped ive dropped. Air pockets make you drop. I havent hit my head i never had the mask fall down. That hasnt happened to me either. Mike taibbi and Miguel Almaguer reports, i mean we could probably do the same story with them probably ten more times in the next ten days. Palm trees up in flames. The drought will continue. If any fires form, theyll blow up in a hurry. These are the numbers released yesterday. The big thing was the extreme number that is in drought in california. It jumped from 27 to 63 . I dont want to leave the rest of the west out. The drought has been growing in much of oregon and nevada. We have got some exceptional drought there. And areas of Southern Idaho even too. It is not just like it is only california. Of course, they get the most attention, the biggest population and biggest water problem trying to get water to the people there. 73 yesterday in San Francisco. That tied for the third day in a row, the warmest january temperature ever recorded at the San Francisco international airport. Thats just a crazy stat. Numbers like that just dont happen. Over the next ten days, very little if any rainfall is expected in this region. Just got to keep beating the drum. This is the rainy season. Just no rain coming, drought gets worse throughout much of the west. Thats your national as far as water woes, the mayor of los angeles said they have enough water until next year. Smaller towns in northern california, one town said they have enough water for 100 days. Two football games, denver at seattle and weather will not be a factor in either game . Should be fine. Patriots, need cold, snow, like a blizzard. Not happening in denver. Thank you, bill. Appreciate it. All right, oklahoma senator tom coburn will not serve the rest of his term. Plus, the uproar over a death row inmates prolonged execution by an untested, twodrug cocktail. Details when early today returns in two minutes. My mother and my grandmother are very old fashioned. I think we both are clean freaks. I used to scrub the floor on my knees. [ daughter ] ive mastered the art of foot cleaning. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. [ carmel ] that drives me nuts. It gives me anxiety just thinking about how crazy they get. [ doorbell rings ] [ daughter ] oh, wow. [ carmel ] swiffer wetjet. You guys should try this. Its so easy. Oh, my. [ gasps ] i just washed this floor. If i didnt see it i wouldnt believe it. [ carmel ] it did my heart good to see you cleaning. [ regina ] yeah, your generation has all the good stuff. [ daughter ] oh, yeah. [ regso, if youre sleepingation in your contact lenses, what you wear to bed is your business. Ask about the air optix® contacts so breathable theyre approved for up to 30 nights of continuous wear. Serious eye problems may occur. Ask your doctor and visit airoptix. Com for Safety Information and a free onemonth trial. [ sneezes ] [ male announcer ] you may be an allergy muddler. Try zyrtec® for powerful allergy relief. And zyrtec® is different than claritin® because it starts working faster on the first day you take it. Zyrtec®. Love the air. [ sneezes ] Natural Energy from tea packed with real juice from delicious fruits and veggies. Its what you need for that extra boost oh and did we mention its only 50 calories . Need a lift . Couldve had a v8. In the juice aisle. Welcome back. The search for a missing wall street journal reporter enters its fifth day. A source close to the family tells nbc news david birds credit card was used in mexico on wednesday. He vanished saturday after leaving his new jersey home for an afternoon walk without his cell phone. Boston police are looking into whether former new england patriot Aaron Hernandez was involved in a 2012 double murder. Police believe hernandez was driving a car used in the crime and may have even been the shooter. The former nfl star has pleaded not guilty in a separate murder case. A condemned ohio man took nearly 25 minutes to die from the time the new and untested twodrug cocktail was administered to the time of his death. Witnesses describe dennis mcguire, convicted of raping and stabbing a pregnant woman to death, as making noises and gasping for air during the process. His family plans to sue the state. Oklahoma senator tom coburn will leave the senate at the end of this congressional term. In a statement the 65yearold republican said his battle with Prostate Cancer is not the reason. Coburn was first elected to the senate in 2004. Construction has officially started on a 175 foot ferris wheel that will give tourists a birdseye view of our nations capitol. The capitol wheel scheduled to be finished by may and will offer views of the white house, the Washington Monument and other d. C. Attractions, just in time for the Summer Vacation schedule. Now to business, beef, never been more expensive if it is what you want for dinner. Cattle futures in the u. S. Scaled all time highs in 2013, predicted to peak early in 2014. It costs more to fly these days. The average domestic round trip ticket last year soared to just over 363. Up more than 7 from the year before. Feels like even more, though. The 2 hike outpaced inflation. Google, doing it again, theyre testing a smart contact lens for diabetics. It is an ultra thin lens that would be equipped with tiny chips and antenna to help them check your blood sugar levels. That would save diabetics from having to patririck their finged test for blood several times a day. 3d printing for chocolate bars . Hershey assigned a multiyear deal with 3d systems to develop ways, thats right, to use the technology to make edible food, including their precious chocolate. And a smart rifle built by Texas Company tracking point says they can make a sharpshooter out of anyone. Kind of scary. The u. S. Military currently testing the weapon. Users tag their target and a computer takes over by working out range, wind, other weather conditions. The weapon costs 27,000 and can even be controlled by an ipad app. Just ahead on early today, getting ready for some nfc and afc championship football. Well have all your sports highlights coming up next. Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance. Everybody knows that parker. Well, did you know auctioneers make bad Grocery Store clerks . Thatll be 23. 50. Now. 75, 23. 75, hold em. Hey now do i hear 23. 75 . 24 hey 24 dollar, 24 and a quarter, quarter, now half, 24 and a half and. 75 25 now a quarter, hey 26 and a quarter, do you wanna pay now, you wanna do it, 25 and a quarter sold to the man in the khaki jacket geico. Fifteen minutes could save you. Well, you know. [ male announcer ] when you feel good, no one is immune. Emergenc has more vitamin c than 10 oranges plus other antioxidants and electrolytes to help you come down with a serious case of healthy. Emergenc. Making healthy contagious. To help you come down with a serious case of healthy. And these Little Angels build in strength. And that little angel says, weeeeeeeee 60 more sheets than charmin. Everything you want and the value you love. Angel soft. Of looking for a good deal and sheesh, i shouldve looked some more. Thats why walgreens makes it easy to save even more on your Medicare Part d prescriptions. Just stop on by and leave all the legwork to us. Switch to walgreens today where you could save with copays as low as zero dollars on select Medicare Part d plans. At the corner of happy and healthy. Now time for some sports. Lets start with tennis at the Australian Open, Serena Williams making history. The scorching heat down under continues and so does her heat. Fivetime champ nailing her 61st match. With that, shes won more matches at the Australian Open than any other woman ever. And she also advances to the fourth round after dominating Daniela Hantuchova 63, 63. French tennis player Jowilfried Tsonga tweeted this photo. Thats right. Thats the classic frying the egg right near court side. And he wrote in the tweet, mate, may i please order a tbone. He advances to the third round. That is hot. This sunday, afc and nfc championships. Some grilling at my house, come on over. Some hot dogs and might even try ribs this weekend. Tom brady, Peyton Manning battling it out for the afc title. Then San Francisco and the seahawks for the nfc title. Over 320 nfl players were surveyed by espn and asked which player do you respect the most. That guy, number 18, broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was first followed by vikings star running back Adrian Peterson and patriots quarterback tom brady, tied for second. Major league baseball, owners and players agree to an expanded instant replay system including each game they have the access to baseball headquarters in new york where umpires will issue their final decisions, really moving in the 21st century. It will go into effect this coming season. Talk about baseball, late night with jimmy fallon. Cc sabathia and mark teixeira, well, they got a little theatrical and reenacted a scene from the oscar nominated film august osage county and got into it. There are a lot of losers out there. Dont think i know that. But just because you got a bad one last time doesnt mean barry wasnt a loser. Barry was an [ bleep ]. Good fake slap. Good fake slap. Nba now and london where the mets blew out the hawks in the second. Dennis schroder, sweet alleyoop. Joe johnson, he will nail the three at the Third Quarter buzzer. The nets win it 127110. Just ahead, is the dynasty done for the duck loving robertsons . Youre watching early today. [bell rings] [prof. Burke] at farmers,we make you smarter about your insurance,because what you dont know can hurt you. What if you didnt know that Home Insurance can keep your stuff covered,even when its not at home . Or that collisions with wildlife on the road may not be covered. And what if you didnt know that you could be liable for any accidents on your property . The more you know,the better you can plan for whats ahead. Talk to farmers and get smarter about your insurance. We are farmers bum pa dum, bum bum bum bum hit the beach in florida. And a reunion in seattle. We can afford to take more trips this year. [man] when hotels have unsold rooms, they use hotwire to fill them. [woman] so we got our 4star hotels. For half price. Hotwire hotwire. Com all the goodness of milk, all the deliciousness of hersheys syrup. Of Nescafe Clasico stir whats inside of you. [ engine revving ] [ tires screech ] but were not staying in the kitchen. Just start the slow cooker, add meat and pour in campbells slow cooker sauce. By the time you get home, dinner is practically done. And absolutely delicious. Everyone is cooking with new campbells slow cooker sauces. So, if youre sleeping in your contact lenses, what you wear to bed is your business. And absolutely delicious. Ask about the air optix® contacts so breathable theyre approved for up to 30 nights of continuous wear. Serious eye problems may occur. Ask your doctor and visit airoptix. Com for Safety Information and a free onemonth trial. For aveeno® positively radiant face moisturizer. [ female announcer ] aveeno® with soy helps reduce the look of brown spots in 4 weeks. For healthy radiant skin. Aveeno®. Naturally beautiful results. Welcome back. Red flag warnings have been extended all the way through friday. And that means if any fires do form, we cant get to the extreme fire behavior. That goes for pretty much all of the areas here outside of san diego, through the mountainous regions there up to Santa Barbara and the northern portions of the valleys too. This could dry out and goes all the way to northern california. Even if fires form there, it wouldnt be good, especially with how warm in july we were. No rain in the forecast. And temperatures pretty much where they have been, a little cooler today than yesterday. Thank you, bill. Im a big i watched the real husbands of hollywood. Dont admit these things. I drove by it on, but kevin hart who is hysterical is teaming up with ice cube and theyre hopefully getting Box Office Gold this weekend with ride along. Mlk day on monday, big movie weekend. Jack ryan shadow recruit, the number job, animated right there. Ride along is expected to finish first with 30 million bucks. Reviews are good. You saw captain phillips, 12 years a slave, gravity getting rereleased. Speaking of the oscars, a number of big names and movies that got snubbed. Tom hanks for captain phillips, Oprah Winfrey for the butler did not get nominations. They say redford deserved it. Hollywood lost two classic tv stars on thursday. Russell johnson best known as the professor on Gilligans Island died. Everyone knew him. I dont know what the age cut off was, but he was why didnt he get romantic with ginger or mary ann. He was a decorated Fighter Pilot in world war ii. He had the purple heart. Dave madden who played the partridge familys manager robin kincaid. And he made the round on classic tv. Appeared on bewitched, happy days and the love boat. He was 82 years old. Following the whirlwind of controversy over homophobic remarks, duck dynasty down 28 from last year. Might have thought the opposite would happen, right . Who knew . Just one of those things where they get still 8. 5 million people, still a ton, but way down from before. Have a good weekend. Im Brian Shactman this is early today. We hope it is first stop of the day on nbc. Before they earned enough cash back from bank of america to help take the show on the road. Before they earned 1 back on all purchases everywhere, every time and 2 back at the Grocery Store. Even before earning 3 back on gas, with no hoops to jump through. Red meg got a bankamericard cash rewards credit card and got the band back together. Thats the sweet sound of rewarding connections. Apply online or at a bank of america near you. Leading the news in the new york times, list of smoking related illnesses grows significantly in u. S. Report. In addition to cancer, researchers say smoking also causes diabetes, colorectal and liver cancers, erectile dysfunction and ectopic pregnancy. In the wall street journal, Sacramento Kings to accept bitcoins. The nba team becomes the first major sports franchise to accept the internet currency known as bitcoin, controversial because it can go to zero at any time. Stories you may have missed. With no drama, the 1. 1 trillion budget bill was passed by a 7226 vote in the senate. It pays for u. S. Government operations through the current fiscal year, which ends september 30th. President obama says he will sign it. Classes resumed at a new Mexico Middle School after the classmate. The governor says doctors are optimistic about the boy shot in the face. The girl wounded in the arm should be released soon. Very, very good news. In iraq, the army has retain a town in the anbar province, not far from fallujah, as the military battles al qaedas branch in iraq. The militants reportedly handed out recruiting pamphlets in fallujah on thursday, urging people to join their fight against the government. Well, this may be true for you guys. Im sure true for my wife. Do you feel like throwing your husband off a cliff . Well, now you can, sort of. Check out these hoisted hubbies. Every january 15th, never knew this, this japanese tradition has husbands hurled into a sixfeet of snow. All supposedly started by men angry about outsiders marrying local girls. I guess they were throwing them teen boys, okay to do stuff like that. Fun. Nothing bad about that. Time for a look ahead and look back. The first lady turns 50 today. She is awesome. Her birthday party, guests have been told, okay if you get the invitation, wear comfortable shoes, practice your dance moves and eat before arriving. Supposedly it is dessert and dancing. And on this day in 1961, president Dwight Eisenhower issued a famous warning in his Farewell Speech as covered by nbc news. In the counsels of government we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. And happy birthday to the greatest of all time, muhammad ali, 72 years old. Two greats. Yeah. James earl jones, 83. Betty. Darth vader. And of course betty white, 92. What a trio. Three of the greats. Keep it here for more news, weather and sports. Im Brian Shactman. Thank you for watching early good friday morning. Its 4 30. Im terry mcsweeney. Im laura garciacannon. The breaking news happening now in San Francisco. Crews are battling a house fire. The fire is burning on apollo street near thornton avenue. Christie smith arrived on the scene. You are hearing a family had to jump from windows to escape the flames. Reporter good morning to you. Thats exactly right. What a night for this family in the home. Flames moved so quickly were told they had to jump out of the window. Two went out of a window, one was able to make it out of the door, this at a home midway up the block. There are firefighters up and down the street blocking it