City. The families two families in mourning and now all Police Officers are taking extra precautions to protect their lives. This less than 48 hours since the ambush style shooting of two of their own. This mornings cover of the new york daily news, we weep as one. That was certainly the case last night. New yorkers of all backgrounds gathered at the crime scene for a vigil hours before the police chief described this chilling encounter the shooter had with two strangers moments before he carried out this attack. He begins the conversation with them, they start speaking, and he asked them three things. He asked them for their gang affiliation, he asked them to follow him on instagram and says watch what im going to do. Nbcs Stephanie Gosk has more. Reporter investigators now believe 28yearold suspect Ismaaiyl Brinsley was motivated at least in part by rage towards the police. Looking closely at instagram messages they say were likely posted by brinsley in the hours before the shooting. A photo of a silver gun, and references to the deaths of both eric garner and michael brown. They take one of ours, lets take two of theirs. One hash tag reeds shoot the police. Brinsley who killed himself after being chased by police had 15 prior arrests, including a felony charge for weapons possession. Police say 40yearold officer rafael ramos and 32yearold officer wenjian liu didnt even see him coming. They were quite simply assassinated, targeted for the uniform. Reporter ramos 13yearold son posted a message to his father on facebook. Everyone says they hate cops, but they are the people that they call for help. I will always love you. The head of the Police Officers union in new york blamed protesters and weeks of demonstrations against heavyhanded police tactics. Theres blood on many hands tonight. Those that incited violence on this street under the guise of protest. Reporter the union also holds new york mayor bill de blasio responsible. Officers turned their back to him when he visited the families of the officers killed. In a statement, a spokesman for mayor de blasio said it is unfortunate that in a time of great tragedy, some would resort to irresponsible overheated rhetoric. Former new york mayor Rudy Giuliani laid at least part of the blame at the feet of president obama. We had four months of propaganda starting with the president that everybody should hate the police. Reporter brooklyn president eric adams is a former nypd officer. It is time for us to ensure the safety of the public and the police and we do that by toning down our conversation. Reporter adams supports police reform, but is asking that the protests stop until both officers are buried. While eric garners family is making a plea to their supporters. We want you to not use eric garners name for violence, because we are not about that. These two Police Officers lost their lives senselessly. Reporter thats something that most people in this city can agree on. That was nbcs Stephanie Gosk. Support for the fallen Police Officers and the nypd is growing. Lapds police chief tweeted a picture of his badge wrapped in a black band, saying his officers will do the same. Athletes like new York Jets Center nick mangold wore an nypd hat before the game on sunday. Tom coughlin wore a black stripe on his shirt and a pin in the shape of a peace sign. On the basketball court, a moment of silence during a nets home game. A war of words could turn into much more as north korea has its way. It is accusing the u. S. Government of being, quote, deeply involved in the making of the film the interview. Not only that, but theyre threatening action. North korean officials say, quote, the army and people of the dprk are fully ready to stand in confrontation with the u. S. In all war spaces including cyberwarfare space to blow up those citadels. Those citadels include the white house, the pentagon, the whole u. S. Main land, what north korean officials call the cesspool of terrorism. They still deny any involvement in the attack on sony. So what should the u. S. Do . Nbcs Kristen Welker has more. Reporter in an interview, president obama said his administration will review whether the cyberattack attributed to north korea amounts to state sponsored terrorism. We have got very clear criteria as to what it means fo. Reporter the designation would mean even tougher economic and trade sanctions against north korea. Still, president obama was measured in his language. I dont think it was aof war. I think it was an act of cybervandalism that was very costly, very expensive. Reporter words that drew sharp criticism from republicans who have consistently argued mr. Obamas Foreign Policy isnt strong enough. It is more than vandalism. Its a new form of warfare that were involved in and we need to react and react vigorously. Reporter north korea was taken off the terror list back in 2008, by former president george w. Bush, who was trying to strike a Nuclear Weapons deal with the country. That deal fell apart, but would a new terror designation matter to a country already steeped in sanctions . There already are dozens and dozens of sanctions on them going back to the korean war. The Economic Impact is not going to be very large. But the political impact could be. Reporter meanwhile, president obama continues to hit sony, for not reaching out to him before pulling the movie the interview. Had they talked to me directly about this decision, i might have called the Movie Theater chains and distributors and asked them what the story was. Reporter on meet the press, david boyce, sonys lawyer, fired back. In the three weeks where sony fought this issue by itself, none of the second guessers who are now out there saying, oh, what a terrible thing this is, none of them were standing up to help sony then. Reporter sony says it will release the film, and the president is vowing a proportional response. I think we need to be deliberate, look through what the options are, but we absolutely do need to respond and we cannot we have to deter this kind of behavior in the future. That was nbcs Kristen Welker reporting. A memorial was held last night for a Florida Police officer killed in the line of duty. Officer charles condat was responding to a loud noise complaint when he was shot and killed. The alleged shooter was reportedly playing loud music in his car when the officer approached him. Officials say he fired seven rounds at the officer, and then backed over him with his car as he fled the scene. Perria, wanted on a probation violation, is now in Police Custody on one count of first degree murder. Prices at the gas pump continue to head south. The average price per gallon is down another 25 cents per gallon over the past two weeks, that is the lowest in over five years. The reason, value of the u. S. Dollar is rising. Oil supplies are up and crude prices are down. Expect to see u. P. S. Trucks all over the place today. This is expected to be the companys busiest shipping day of the year. U. P. S. Has predicted it will move more than 34 million packages today alone. That is more than double the number of an average day. Two big storms this week could be a real grinch for the millions traveling for christmas. Meteorologist Domenica Davis has more on that. Good morning. What are we about to expect for the holidays . Yes, we have one on west, one on the east. These are storm systems that well be looking at really right into the holiday. Lets go ahead and take a look at what we have going on right now. Thats light shower activity that basically goes from medford to seattle. Now, not as much rain in the forecast today than we had over the weekend, but we will see some on and off showers today and some mountain snow once again. So we will get a little bit of snowfall, but then we get a break by tomorrow. Heres a look at the temperatures. Fairly mild, 49 in seattle, 56 in medford with those showers and snowfall coming in the closer you get to the cascades. Thats a look at your national weather. Now lets take a clo 41 in billings. Boise coming in at 46 for the high today. Thats a look at your local forecast. And your monday forecast for that matter. Still might be a little White Christmas in some areas, right . Looks like the best chances for a White Christmas is through the rockies and parts of the great lakes. For the rest of us, though, just a wet christmas. Oh, thank you, domenica. Ever wonder what santa claus would be paid if he earned a salary like the rest of us . Well, the folks at inch worm dadt com did a wage analysis. Well, santas salary would be 139,9 139,924 a year. A lot of numbers there. That would make santa happy. Just ahead, drivers licenses for dreamers and Hallowed Ground in texas turned to dust. First, millions of people in spain are crossing their fingers this morning as the drawing for the worlds biggest lottery payoff gets under way. It is a 3 billion pot of cash that would be divided among thousands of ticket holders. The top prize known as el gourdo is 490,000. Youre watching early today. Is a really big deal. U with aches, fever and chills theres no such thing as a little flu. So why treat it like its a little cold . Theres something that works differently than overthecounter remedies. Attack the flu virus at its source with prescription tamiflu. And call your doctor right away. Tamiflu is fda approved to treat the flu in people 2 weeks and older whose flu symptoms started within the last two days. Before taking tamiflu tell your doctor if youre pregnant, nursing, have Serious Health conditions, or take other medicines. If you develop an allergic reaction, a severe rash, or signs of unusual behavior, stop taking tamiflu and call your doctor immediately. Children and adolescents in particular may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion or abnormal behavior. The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor about tamiflu and attack the flu virus at its source. Am i forgetting something . No holidays complete without campbells green bean casserole. Wish you were here. [ doorbell ] [ gasps ] [ gong ] [ wisest kid ] mm mm good before the first sneeze, help whenprotect with a spray. Ead. Before the first tissue, help defend with a wipe. And help prevent with lysol. To get ten times more protection and kill 99. 9 of germs around the house. This season, help protect your family with lysol. Start healthing. Stories making news this morning, later today president obama is expected to announce sally gates as his pick for Deputy Attorney general. She currently serves as the u. S. Attorney for the Northern District of georgia and yates is also said to be Close Friends with outgoing attorney general eric holder. Starting today, some 20,000 dreamers can begin applying for drivers licenses in arizona. All part of the president s program for young undocumented immigrants. It had been stalled through legal wrangling, but now governor jan brewer is vowing to take the fight back to the supreme court. And texas a m kyle field out with the old. This implosion kicked off a 450 million renovation project that will allow the stadium to hold more fans than its current capacity of 100,000. In alaska, some wore kos tumz, others didnt, but they all jumped in ice cold water, all in an effort to raise money for the states special olympics. Among them, alaska senator lisa macau ski and senator elect dan sullivan. Check out this heroic monkey in india. Hes trying to rescue his friend who had been knocked out unconscious while walking on high tension wires at a train station. For the next 20 minutes, as dozens of passengers looked on, look at that, amazingly the monkey did revive his buddy. And just ahead, shes making a comeback from a major injury. But lindsey vonn crashed again yesterday. Well tell you how shes doing. Lots of nfl action to go over in the second to last week of the season. The Division Winners and losers. Thats up next in sports. [ shutter clicks ] hi there [ laughs ] im flo i know im going to get you your rental car. This is so ridiculous. Were going to manage your entire repair process from paperwork to pickup, okay, little tiny baby . Your car is ready, and your repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own it. The Progressive Service center a real place, where we really manage your claim from start to finish. Really. Easy as easy can be bye [ male announcer ] the rhythm of life. [ whistle blowing ] where do you hear that beat . 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. ® noicky germs, icky germs. O, no, no, no, no. Campbells healthy request. [bell rings] thats cute. [bell rings] by their second kid, every mom is an expert and more likely to choose luvs than first time moms. Live, learn, and get luvs. Kohls is open 24 hours all day and all night kohls is open 24 hours now through 6pm Christmas Eve get all of your last minute gifts, and save when you want to. Plus, everyone gets kohls cash. Find your yes. Kohls. This morning on today, want to get to your destination without hitting traffic . There is an app for that. Some people arent happy about it. Find out why on today. Sunday night football right here on nbc. Seattle and air er, a blowout i the making. The seahawks pound the cards 356. Wilson and lynch led the hawks offense. That took the nfc west champs at 114. Another blowout, this one in big d. Tony romo almost perfect at 18 for 20, throwing for four of dallas five touchdown passes. Ro romo even broke the record for passing yards. The cowboys return to the playoffs for the First Time Since 2009 as the boys route the colts 327. The steelers are back in post season after a threeyear drought with a win over kansas city. Pittsburgh faces cincinnati next week for the afc north title. The lions face a hungry bears team at soldier field. Bears Jimmy Clawson connects with ail shon jeffrey on this pass to put the bears up. But detroit manages to claw their way back, getting past the bears 2014. The falcons julio jones had seven catches for 107 yards as atlanta eliminates new orleans from the playoffs with a 3014 win. In college football, a former Florida Supreme Court judge cleared Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston of accusations in connection to an alleged Sexual Assault two years ago. The judge found no evidence. In france, american lindsey vonn who has just returned to the circuit after right knee surgery had a runin with a gate. And that took her out of the competition for the day. Luckily her knee is okay, and she will be back. Just ahead, which former boy bander said i do this weekend . Plus, an old familiar face hijacks snl with a surprise appearance. And hear what dr. Evil had to say about kim jongun. Thats when we come back. Is a really big deal. U with aches, fever and chills theres no such thing as a little flu. So why treat it like its a little cold . Theres something that works differently than overthecounter remedies. Attack the flu virus at its source with prescription tamiflu. And call your doctor right away. Tamiflu is fda approved to treat the flu in people 2 weeks and older whose flu symptoms started within the last two days. Before taking tamiflu tell your doctor if youre pregnant, nursing, have Serious Health conditions, or take other medicines. If you develop an allergic reaction, a severe rash, or signs of unusual behavior, stop taking tamiflu and call your doctor immediately. Children and adolescents in particular may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion or abnormal behavior. The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor about tamiflu and attack the flu virus at its source. And discover an exciting combination of tastes. Rich, dark chocolate covering soft centers. Flavored with exotic fruit juices. Its chocolate and fruit flavors like youve never experienced before. Discover brookside. Our hearty allnatural turkey chili is back in season. Slowcooked with turkey raised thout antibiotics, tart tomatillos, chilies, carrots, edamame and more. The savory spice of the chili pairs perfectly with the black bean hummus and the fresh crunch of napa cabbage blend in our southwestern chicken flatbread. And it all comes together in a you pick two made just for you. Only at panera bread. Now for some entertainment news, at the box office this weekend, the hobbit battle of the five armies took first place earning 56 million. The third installment of the night at the museum franchise, that was up next with 17 million. And annie came in third earning 16 million. Exodus, gods and kings, fourth, with 8 million. And the hunger games mocking game part one earned 7 million. And congratulations are in order for music icon elton john and his long time partner david furnish. The couple got married this weekend and they posted these photos on instagram to celebrate the event. A former in sync member said bye, bye, bye to the single life. Lance bass got married and had the whole thing filmed to air on the e network, airing on february 5th. Good news from a member of our nbc family. Tom brokaw announced his cancer is now in remission. Just last month tom was awarded the nations highest civilian honor, the president ial medal of freedom. And check out this pic posted by Kourtney Kardashian that reveals the name of her new son with scott disick, rain astin disick. This, it was a giant sendoff for stephen colbert. 2. 5 million members of the colbert nation tuned in, breaking the series record. And snl this weekend, well, mike myers made a surprise visit as his alter ego dr. Evil. He had some choice words for sony and the hackers that attacked them. Sony, north korea, it is time to get a trapper keeper and some loose leaf because im about to take you to school. Lets start with you, north korea. Youre one of the most evil countries in the world. And your act of war is to kill a movie . Its easy to kill a movie. Just move it to january. But back to the hackers, first of all, the name, when you guys were sitting around and pitching it, was one guy, like, i got an idea, lets call ourselves the guardians of peace, or the gop . Hello . Way to go, aholes. There is already a gop. And theyre already an evil organization. You have to hand it to snl, theyre brilliant and bringing him back to do dr. Evil so great. Everybody was talking about it. It worked. Exactly. It just, you know, shows you how the power of movies. Im dara brown this is early today. We hope it is just your first stop of the day on nbc. And the winner of this years superstar. coughs coughing can really be disruptive. With a record breaking fifty million votes, your superstar is. Thats why theres delsym. Delsym helps silence coughs for a full 12 hours with an advanced time release formula for all day or all night relief. Up to twice as long as other cough liquids. So the only sounds youll hear are the ones you want to hear. Bianca cheering delsym. Silence is relief. And now for a limited time try delsym for free, with mail in rebate. But the fire is so delightful [ male announcer ] nothing melts away the cold like a hot delicious bowl of chicken noodle soup from campbells. Let it snow, let it snow of chicken noodle soup from campbells. Vicks nyquil severe. Helps relieve your ugliest, nastiest, roughest, toughest cold symptoms. Vicks nyquil severe. With maximum symptom fighting ingredients. You could say 2014 was the year of the selfie. The term was mentioned more than 92 million times on twitter this year. 500 more than last year. So as 2014 draws to a close, nbcs rafael seth looks back at some of the years most notable selfies. Reporter when Ellen Degeneres interrupted the oscars to take a quick pic with her alist pals, selfie culture was legitimized everywhere, like the tonight show. Formal visits to the white house, the grave. Posing with the pope may not be this guys stairway to heaven. It might be the year of taking the selfie to the next level. Reporter but to get to that next level you apparently had to take the highway to the danger zone. Spectators at the Tour De France got trucked for their trophy pics and this young passenger felt the need to document her own plane crash. Oh, my god. Oh, my god. Reporter running with the bulls may be macho, running with the bulls with a camera, loco. Thats not to say animals didnt follow the trend. Camel selfie, deer selfie, lion, lemur, sloth, sloth . Ostrich, turtle and i guess maybe zebra . This may not count as a selfie, but if you fly a drone with a camera into hawk territory, vengeance is swift and awesome. Speaking of vengeance, here is what happened when a high schooler took a photo with a docile furry who made him pay the price. To sum up 2014 was not about what you did, but about the picture of you doing it. Selfie indulgence revealed everything we needed to know about mankind, we engaged in odd, inappropriate and mostly questionable behavior, but we produced amazing moments as well. More so the odd, but still. A warning, though, if the selfie satisfaction goes any further, well end up taking selfies of our selfies. Rafael seth, nbc news. The world famous Empire State Building is officially in the holiday spirit. Over 15,000 l. E. D. Lights were synchronized to Christmas Music played on local radio stations this weekend. Viewers can go online to vote for best light theme to be redone on Christmas Eve. There is a beautiful display every night leading up to santas arrival. I love that. I think thats going to be awesome. And 15,000 lights. I cant put up two strings of light. Two strings, oh, boy. It must take them a month. Celebrating birthdays today, all about the bass, singer Meghan Trainor turns 21. Singer and American Idol winner jordan sparks turns 25. And veteran news anchor diane sawyer is 69. Now, keep it right here for more news, weather and sports. Im dara brown. Thanks for watching early today. Have a good one. A good monday, im sam brock. And im vicky nguyen, in for laura garciacannon. Were finally going to see more sunshine than we have in the pas c