Martinez, cbs 2 news. It was a very different reaction to the same threat here in new york. It was business as usual today at nations largest Public School district. Cbs 2s dick brennan is here to explain. Reporter not always easy to explain, but we can tell you, how could two cities respond so differently to a similar close to identical email threat . Mayor de blasio called the email outlandish. Commissioner bratton said l. A. Overreacted. Sources say the email came from someone who claimed he was bullied as a student in schools on both coasts. The email says, 138 comrades would attack new york schools with Pressure Cooker bombs, nerve gas agents, machine pistols and machine guns. The email said, quote, the students at every school in the new York City School district will be massacred, mercilessly, and there is nothing you can do to stop it. We do have an investigation under way but its an investigation into a hoax. Reporter Police Commissioner bratton says the and l. A. Same but bratton says they are not credible and that l. A. Overreacted. We believe that the email originated overseas. The language in the email would lead us to believe that, um, this is not a jihadist initiative. For example, that allah was not spelled with a capital a. That would be incredible to think that any jihadist would not spell it that way. Reporter new yorkers picking up their kids at school said they had faith in local authorities. From what i heard, you know, they said it wasnt a credible threat so i have to, you know, hope that the people that are running the School System are in fact looking out for the best interests of our kids. I believe when they say that its not credible and i had no problem sending my child to school. Reporter los angeles authorities defended the decision by their citys superintendent to shut down the more than 900 schools saying it was a tough decision but the safety of students and employees was the main concern. But authorities are now worried about copycats. I understand the concern they had in los angeles. But the danger is if you give in to a threat like this, it really is unfounded, it can encourage more hoax threats. Reporter now, we should point out that in negotiation the mayor controls the School System. And, of course, his decision was done in conjunction with the police department, the joint Terrorism Task force and the fbi. The los angeles unified schools are run by one man the superintendent. But it includes everyone out there including the mayor, school superintendent, they are having to defend their actions. And the mayor was the new York City Schools chancellor a few decades ago maybe further back than then but this is a very different world we live in now responding to threats when there arent answers. Thank you. Now to a developing story. Police are searching for the robber who held up an armored truck in the bronx. Police say the suspect opened fire on the guard after grabbing two bags full of cash. Cbs 2s Steve Overmyer joins us live now from the scene in soundview. Steve. Reporter a wild shootout here this morning near the corner of westchester and evergreen. That Armored Vehicle over there the target of what quickly turned into a harrowing gun battle here in the streets. Many shots fired. The armored truck picking up money from a checkcashing outlet about 9 30 a. M. When a suspect puts a gun to the neck of the armored truck guard walking out with two bags containing 78,000 in Surveillance Video shows the suspect racing across the street shooting at the armored truck guard, who fires back. Bullets flying in all directions. He shot over that way, he shot that way. Reporter this witness speaking through a translator neither of whom wants to show his face, says the armed robber had an accomplice in a car. [ speaking spanish ] she said that she saw the guy in the cartel the other guy to keep shoot car tell the other guy to keep shooting. Reporter this laundromat across the street a refuge for those fleeing bullets. One lady cried and a baby scared. Me scared, too. A little bit higher and we probably wouldnt be here. Reporter lillian says her husband enrique just missed getting shot when he was standing by his car at the car wash down the street. The bullet hole in his car grim evidence that the wild shootout between the armed robber and the armored truck guard. When he heard the first shot, he looked and he turned and he saw that they were shooting from the brinks car. Reporter though suspect got away fleeing the suspect got away fleeing down colgate avenue. There are no reported casualties. But police are checking local hospitals for the suspect just in case the suspect who tonight remains on the loose. Live in the soundview section of the bronx, steve langford, cbs 2 news. Breaking news on long island. A big scare for more than 1300 students at west babylon high school. Something in the air was described as caustic. 35 students had to be taken to the hospital. Dozens more were treated on the schools front lawn. 60 students complained they were having trouble breathing after first smelling a strong gas or chemical odor. Everybody was coughing. There was a really bad smell and my throat was scratchy, everybodys was. Investigators still dont know what the unidentified odor was. They are trying to figure out where it time why. School officials will decide whether to open the high school tomorrow. Lonnie quinn, will this warm streak continue . Its not going to the real cold stuff but you will be above average tomorrow. Lets talk about when we hit the record high youre talking about. 68 degrees . It was at 2 03. Now, yesterday at 5 00, we were 60 degrees. 6 00 we were 61. 9 00 on our sister station wlny we were 63. 65 at 11 00. Just kept climbing. Even after midnight well, right now outside its the 50s for everybody. 59 in new york city with the exception, look at that monticello at 45 degrees. Overnight tonight monticello will be dropping down into the 30s, mid to upper 30s, around 35, 36 degrees. The city down to 44. Fog could be an issue once again for the earlymorning hours. Vortex satellite and radar shows our northwest suburbs sullivan, ulster and dutchess could get clipped by a sprinkle but this is part of a low pressure system way up into canada thats pushing further away. That becomes less and less of again, 68 degrees. Book. Will we do it again to am . I dont think so. Well will we do it again i dont think so. Back to you guys. Still ahead, this weather creating a lot of confusion in peoples gardens. Sunflowers already blooming. How you can him your plants survive how you can help winter hits. Elderly woman found dead in her apartment may have been murdered. Cbs 2s Janelle Burrell reports from brooklyn. Reporter as neighbors of Myrtle Mckenny struggle to understand why anyone would have wanted to kill the 82 yearold i cant believe it. Everybody is in shock. I have been here 25 years and this is disgusting. Reporter police now say the doctor who signed off on her death certificate ruling the cause of death hypertension and diabetes had no way of knowing she was murdered. Our Family Doctor as far as we can tell in our determination right now, never viewed the body. Reporter police say after mckenny was found dead by a Home Health Aid under the Kitchen Table in her 6th floor apartment of the woodson houses in brownsville on november 9 her body stayed in the morgue. It wasnt until the funeral director began preparing her for burial last weekend that he discovered her death that funeral director discovered a stab wound in her neck. And also some bruising in her face. Reporter the medical examiner found more. Three broken ribs which were not easily determined by initial view. Reporter police have sealed and padlocked the door to mckennys apartment as they continue to sift through evidence as part of this investigation. I dont want to talk about it. [ dog barking ] reporter its that painful. Its very. Reporter alana garcia says mckenny lived alone and kept to herself, often seen walking up and down her hallway. Its something, you know, that you dont want to hear like that. Reporter police wont reveal what leads they have in the case so far. Neighbors simply hoping her killer is caught. In brownsville, brooklyn, Janelle Burrell, cbs 2 news. And we reached out to the office of the doctor who signed the death certificate. So far no one has returned our requests for comment. Defense attorneys in the to another suspect in the case. Lawyers for the defendant want this owner of this store called to the stand. It belonged to a handyman now 78 years old. Miller was seen with etan patz the night before the boy disappeared back in may 1979. The District Attorneys Office and the fbi and the nypd certainly believed it was probable cause to believe that he was involved in the case. Um, if they believed it, the jury should hear the evidence thats against him. The judge will rule on the motion to include evidence about miller on thursday. Pedro hernandezs first trial ended in a mistrial in may. Retrial is scheduled to begin with jury selection on february 22. Developing story in baltimore. Jurors say they are deadlocked in the manslaughter trial of a Police Officer accused of in the death of freddie gray. But the judge told them to go back to work. Prosecutors say officer William Porter failed to properly secure gray in the back of a police van back in april. He is the first of six officers to stand trial in the case. Gray suffered a broken neck in the van and later died. Coming up, its the kind of crime that has people asking who would do that . Now it looks like a thief who hit a toys for tots bin had a change of heart. Well show you the note he left behind when he returned stolen toys. The mild weather could have an effect on our health. How the forecast can delay flu season and whether your flu shot will work. Santa is in sight but Mother Nature is confused what will she do about plants and flowers in bloom . Big question. And thinking outside the toy box. House. When a moment spontaneously turns romantic, why pause to take a pill . And why stop what youre doing to find a bathroom . Cialis for daily use, is the only daily tablet approved to treat erectile dysfunction so you can be Ready Anytime the moment is right. Plus cialis treats the frustrating urinary symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently, day or night. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. Do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Do not drink alcohol in excess. Side effects may include headache, upset stomach, delayed backache or muscle ache. To avoid longterm injury, get medical help right away for an erection lasting more than four hours. If you have any sudden decrease or loss in hearing or vision, or any symptoms of an allergic reaction, ask your doctor about cialis for daily use. Insurance coverage has expanded nationally and you may now be covered. Contact your health plan for the latest information. Tt2watx gt p bt q;c tt2watx gt p a q ol tt2watx gt p bm q d tt4watx gt r dztq. T tt4watx gt r entq p 4 tt4watx gt r gzt il tt4watx gt r hnt y tt4watx gt r iztq 3jx tt4watx gt r jntq 8 tt4watx gt r lzt 9wd new information on the cause of last weeks massive fire in the bronx. The fdny says a discarded cigarette caused this inferno. Flames spread through houses 180th street in the treatment section on thursday. Fire forced 90 people out of their homes. Many people loves everything. Police in south jersey say they have busted up a shoplifting ring. Investigators say two people were the alleged masterminds conspiring with 11 others to steal more than 100,000 from marshals and tj maxx stores. One suspect would steal items another would return them in exchange for gift cards and then they would pawn the cards. If convicted, they face up to 10 years in prison. You could call it a thief with a conscience. New Jersey Police say this 22 yearold is a person from irvington arrested friday night with another man after police say they stole clothes from lord taylor at willowbrook mall. Then as he left Police Headquarters officers say lewis was caught on camera stealing from the toys for tots bin in the lobby two days later on sunday night, police say they were left at the Police Station with a note toys were for my 4 yearold cousin intent wasnt malicious, apologies. Lewis faces charges to the second theft, as well. Picture. Here we are just a few days from the start of winter officially and it appears that spring has sprung. In washington, dc, Cherry Blossoms are in bloom four months early. Weather has confused plants and trees. Carolyn gusoff reports from flushing, queens. Reporter days away from winter with christmas in view, and unseasonable sightings, crocuses, azalea and forsythia blooming. Early blooms that usually heral spring. Its great. Its supposed to be cold and hot chocolate and sweaters and cuddle. No one is doing that. Reporter instead, everything is coming up roses at the queens Botanical Garden there for a rare december show. The warm weather even confusing trees holding on to leaves longer and popping our cherry and magnolia blooms. Some of these trees will test the waters. Like is it spring yet . Reporter the warmth confusing plants and gardeners, too. These are actually crocuses coming up. Reporter he says make use of the mild weather to lightly prune roses. Not too far. They will think spring has rely sprung. They will think its time to get going again and they will start growing. You dont want that. You need them to go to sleep naturally before winter actually sets in. I still believe we are going to have a winter. Reporter bulbs need dormancy so using up stored nutrients now would be sparser flowers. A shorter winter means less damage. Will this be a problem in the spring . I dont think so. I think it will be fine. If we get we get these periodic warm spells every now and again. Reporter but plants take their cues from daylight, the length of the day. So you really cant fool Mother Nature. Santas never bumped into the easter bunny. On long island, Carolyn Gusoff cbs. I know you already know this but crocus, forsythia and azalea usually bloom in march, not december. Im taking notes. [ laughter ] it would be a strange meeting between santa and the easter bunny. Thats for sure. All right. Well, the warm weather and lack of snow creating all kinds of problems for the ski resorts and skiers in the region. Coming up at 6 00 will efforts to make snow save the season . And lack of snow not a problem out west. Look at this. They are getting a whole bunch of it. This sixth greater in salt lake has been riding his unicycle to school on road covered roads. Check these drivers in Colorado Spring sliding down an ice covered street. Not safe but, um, they have all the snow that they need out there. I remember when it used to when i was a kid. We used to walk to school in it. Uphill both ways. [ laughter ] did you notice the kid in shorts on the unicycle . Very impressive. Were dealing with here, the skies outside right now kind of cloudy. Still 59 degrees at this hour. Now, we talked earlier that we set a record today at 68. The old record was 6 7 at the old record was 67 at 2 a. M. Tomorrow well hit 53. The record is 63. No records tomorrow. Average 43 degrees. Your vortex satellite and radar showing top of the newscast i said a couple light showers out there nipping at the northern fringes of some of our viewing areas out there. Heres sullivan county. Heres ulster county. Look, mixed in with sprinkles theres a little bit of sleet, a little snowflake flying around a little bit. Thats just showing you how its getting significantly cooler out there during the overnight hours tonight. If you are north of the city you will drop down into the 30s. Theres your system out around like the salt lake area, now moving into the northern plains. We are going to watch for the chance for some of that precipitation. By the time we get into our day on thursday, that will come in. But people are wondering where is the colder air . It will come this weekend, 41 saturday 44 sunday. For your day tomorrow, we are looking at highs around 53 degrees. Crisp sunshine, definitely going to be clouds that will filter in but for the most part id say its sunny and cooler, 53, still 10 degrees above average. Back to you guys. Thank you. Up next, what does george lucas really think about the new star wars . Im sure they will do a great job. You know, it will be different from what i would have done. Up next want director wants to be remembered for and it is not star wars. Also, a cap to help patients with a deadly form of cancer. How this could help extend their lives. At 6 00 we have been reporting on homelessness for months now. Mayor de blasio has announced well be right back. Moviegoers cannot wait for the 7th installment of the World Premiere was last night in hollywood. This is the first star wars not involving george lucas the createdder. Cbs 2s Jill Nicolini has the story. The force, its all up to you. Reporter the film shut down hollywood boulevard last night for this event with a covered carpet much longer than the oscars. The inside resembled a galaxy far, far away. It was a whos who of hollywood from familiar characters in the original cast, including mark hamill and carrie fisher. Its nice to have a job lined up for my twilight years. [ laughter ] so thats really a nice like a pensioner plan now that im a jedi elder. Reporter also on hand was the creator of the original star wars, george lucas. Although he had nothing to do with this latest film, three years ago he sold his company lucasfilm to disney for 4 billion. I gave up directing in order to become a dad. For 15 years. Im sure it will do magnificent business. Im sure they will do a great job. You know, it will be different from what i would have done. Reporter he was only supposed to make three movies originally but told cbs this mornings charlie rose that he was glad he made more and had the opportunity to use new technology. I was able to create an environment and world that was impossible when i started the first one so to me, getting yoda to do a sword fight which i had always wanted to do but could never do it reporter the new film also has new faces for the next generation of star wars fans and a new director, jj abrams. The feeling of being grateful that everyone is here, friends, family, fans of the movie. Reporter lucas is grateful for his family. What document the first line of your obituary to says. I was a great dad. Reporter the force awakens arrives in theaters friday nationwide. Jill nicolini, cbs 2 news. And the very first star wars had its World Premiere at the same location back in 1977 and this time, a total of 3 theaters had to be used to accommodate everyone. So its safe to say its gained momentum. I love it last night Joseph Gordon levitt was on the red carpet in a yoda costume. Love it. Flu season in full swing by now. Its delayed. Will your flu shot still work when the virus comes around . A different kind of gun debate. What online retailers have agreed to stop selling in new york. Get ready to rumble hours from the last Republican Debate of the year, and this one could be a game changer. Im here serving our troops here in airbase in japan. Id like to send a warm message wishing my dear friends in new jersey and pennsylvania a merry Merry Christmas and a i love you and miss you. Come seek the royal caribbean. Ok, were here. Heres dad. Mom. The twins. Aunt alice. You didnt tell me aunt alice was coming. Of course. Dont forget grandpa. Can the test drive be over now . Maybe just head back to the dealership . Dont you want to meet my family . Yep, totally. Its practically yours, but we still need your signature. The volkswagen sign then drive event. Zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first months payment on a new jetta and otherselect models. Im not a fan of putting my personal info in these Online Shopping forms. Hellloooo . . . I dont have time to be filling out my address, i need to be buying a dress. Thats why i use masterpass. Less typing, more dancing. Sfx tango music como te llamas . Yo soy camarones. Dip me. The easier way to shop online. Masterpass from mastercard and your bank. Its the shortcut to priceless. Im not a fan of putting my personal info in these Online Shopping forms. Hellloooo . . . I dont have time to be filling out my address, i need to be buying a dress. Thats why i use masterpass. Less typing, more dancing. Sfx tango music como te llamas . Yo soy camarones. Dip me. The easier way to shop online. Masterpass from mastercard and your bank. Its the shortcut to priceless. Back at 5 30. This years flu season different than what was expected. Good evening, im alice gainer in for kristine johnson. Welcome back. Im maurice dubois. This aching question tonight about the flu is the season off to a slow start . It could be in part because of the warm weather. Cbs 2s lou young reports from white plains. Reporter theres something missing in the emergency room this holiday season. The flu what a difference a year makes. We were inundated as many hospitals were with flu patients last year. Reporter and this year . This year, so far nothing. Reporter 540 cases of coughs and sniffles in this hospital, but of them only 10 have the flu. Thats a fraction of what they usually see. The common cold is here but very little flu. Ask around. Everyone is having the same experience. Just a cold, asthma, but no flu. None. Reporter you have seen no one with the flu. No. Its summer. Its, um, 60 degrees out right now. Reporter here at white plains hospital, they theorize this influenza lull might be due to the warm weather we have been experiencing. Flu virus apparently travels well in cold, dry air. If i cough or sneeze it forms droplets and they shootout and then if the air is moisture and heavy though droplets are more likely to quickly drop to the ground than keep going in the dry air. Reporter plus were outside more not on top of each other indoors in this warm weather. This early good news comes with a warning. The flu season is absolutely not canceled. It will come. It will get here. Probably in january. But it will be here. Reporter so if you get a flu shot its a good activity for the weeks prior to christmas especially this year. Call it a Second Chance to keep yourself healthy. Were in white plains, lou young, cbs 2 news. Doctors say flu shots are most effective when taken close to flu season but will still help if the season runs late. They emphasize no one should get a second shot in one season to boost protection. That is dangerous Education Teacher is accused of child abuse. 30yearold ashley frebizzio of butler was arrested on saturday. An administrator contacted police on thursday. The Prosecutor Says the charges against frebizzio involve a male and female child at 16th avenue elementary school. She is charged with fourth degree child abuse and simple assault. An audit of the new York City Housing Authority says three years after superstorm sandy, the agency is still not prepared to handle emergencies. The report by the cities comptroller found the Public Housing system does not have a clear chain of command in a disaster. No accurate databases of disabled residents or generators needed in a power failure, either. More than 80,000 Housing Residents lost essential services during superstorm sandy. In a statement, the Housing Authority criticized the record saying, quote, this audit is yet another example of the comptroller cherry picking data and shifting timelines to paint an outdated picture of nycha. If a toy gun is on your harder to find one this holiday. Some of the toys look like real weapons. Attorney general schneiderman now says 30 online retailers have agreed to stop selling them in new york. The settlements come several months after he sent cease and desist letters to the merchants. They were second them through third Party Retailers on amazon. Com. State law requires toy guns sold to be brightly colored or have colored striping down the barrel. Nine republican candidates are set to face off tonight in las vegas for their final prime time debate of the calendar year and with donald trump facing new competition from ted cruz this debate could be a turning point in the race. Cbs reporter Danielle Nottingham has more. Reporter donald trump slammed his republican rivals at a packed rally in las vegas before the last gop debate of the year. This country needs to get away from political correctness. [ applause and cheers ] its killing us debate, the real estate mogul will again be center stage with texas senator ted cruz and ben carson to his left and right. Trump is maintaining a big lead in most of the national polls. Two of three recent polls show cruz beating trump in iowa less than two months before the caucuses. Ted cruz and marco rubio have emerged as the two most likely contenders. Reporter but political Scientists Say gop leaders see cruz as a threat. Because his conservativism is so far outside the political main street. He will lose the general election. Reporter the event here at the hotel in las vegas is the first debate since trump called for a ban on muslims entering the u. S. Temporarily, following recent terror attacks. Standing on a debate stage next to trump and calling him out on this, thats what people look for in their leaders. Well see who has the courage to do it. Reporter National Security and terrorism are expected to be among the main debate topics. In the polls will go head to head in an earlier forum. Danielle nottingham cbs 2 news. The democrats had a full schedule today, as well. Hillary clinton laid out her counterterrorism strategy in a speech in minnesota. And Bernie Sanders and Martin Omalley spoke at an brooklyn. For cars. But for cardboard boxes . The tests that could protect your christmas packages. We are in a luxury home on long islands north shore with backyard. Thats private to this house. A mancave like we have never seen before. Thats coming up in living large. And today in history, in 1939 gone with the wind starring vivian lee and clark gable and others had its World Premiere in atlanta. According to the new york times, if you adjust for inflation the civil war film is still the highest grossing wars. Meet the moores were the moore family, and as you can see, we need an internet that can do more. We do more games, and more streaming. So we need more speed. Thats why we switched to Time Warner Cable. Now we can connect more devices, at the same time. Hi grandma and grandpa ha, look at that [laughs] Time Warner Cable even has an internet plan for us. Get 50 meg internet for 39. 99 per month and ask about free installation. Takes us to one of long islands more desirable zip codes. This is a sprawl 11,000 squarefoot homemade for entertaining. Cbs 2s emily smith is in brookville. Reporter its on a private 5acre oasis. Great to see you again. Youre standing on the most expensive material you can possibly buy. This is honey onyx. Youre talking about probably somewhere around 500 a square foot. Reporter the walls are solid mahogany and you will see mahogany trim throughout the home. As you walk into this living room it has a lot of light. Reporter i feel like were in a showroom or something. And the backdrop . A pond over 100 years old, part of the original estate. One of those two homes, one is a pool house, one a guests house. Reporter wine cellar. Why would you want it in the cellar . Just off the dining room you have this kitchen. Everything is completely hidden. Couple of ovens, refrigerators. Freezer drawers. Cooking right here ventilation and serving six of your closest friends. Reporter and walls of windows providing tranquil views. In this home, you can even take a swim in your indoor pool. The master bedroom is one of five. Paneled doors folding into the walls. Walls of glass overlooking this amazing 5acre property. Could you open this all up. Reporter they all fold into the walls. Reporter the master bathroom is marble with a double steam shower. Something you would find in a spa. In this room, its one of my favorites. Reporter its a lower level dedicated to entertainment. We started with ping pong. Then the mancave. If you notice there are rules on the wall. Its his cave. Just like las vegas, you have slot machines here. Reporter and a fully stocked bar. Cheers. Plus a home theater with eight Custom Leather chairs. Theres not a home theater like this. Reporter to live large in brookville it will cost just under 6 million. Guess i got that guess right. You did. On the pricing. Property taxes on this brookville compound, 76,000 a year. Plus a fully stocked bar. Thats right. Very important. Coming up next here at 5 00, time is running out. The days you need to know in order to get presents sent in time for christmas. Also, how these hightech strips could buy Cancer Patients a little extra time. Then at 6 00 technology making it easier to Say Something if you see something. The new apps that let you take photos and send in tips about terrorism. Plus home for the holidays for a disabled dog in new jersey but its these sisters true. In Health News Brain cancer is one of the most aggressive and deadly types of cancer. Poses patients with a certain type of brain tumor most patients with a certain type of brain tumor die within two years. Dr. Max gomez shows us a cap that helps some live longer. Reporter we know that Magnetic Fields can affect cells in the body. Thats how mris work and depending on the strength and frequency, electric crow Magnetic Fields can stimulate healing, food in a microwave or in this case kill blame tumor cells. The person diagnosed with glioblastoma an aggressive brain cancer more than a year ago. It was a tough time. I am married with two daughters. Reporter after completing standard chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he began using the device in this backpack that powers electrodes which are attached to his head. Sends a low level electrical field across the tumor cells to try to disrupt cell growth and reverse it and cause cell death. Reporter we first reported on early Clinical Trials for the cancer cap four years ago. Now a worldwide trial with 700 patients compared standard chemo and radiation for breen cancer to standard therapy police electrical field treatments for up to two years. The current results in jama journal of the American Medical Association are for the first 315 patients. 14 more patients are alive at two years when they got the device. Reporter when cells divide which is what cancer cells do internal cell machinery divides up the chromosomes into each new creme. ElectroMagnetic Fields at just the right strength and frequency polarizes this machinery so the cell cant divide properly. Here it is under the microscope. And since in the normal brain, cells rarely divide, brain cells are unharmed while the dividing cancer cells die off. He continues to receive therapy with the tumor treating fields. If this helps me, i will continue like this as long as i can. Its far from a cure. But its another step in the right direction. Even though the increased lifespan for patients in the trial was only about 3 months, thats more than most other brain tumor treatments and without serious side effects so the trial results were made public early so that other patients could be offered the electric field treatment. Other than a rash on the head from wearing the cap, no side effects. Thank you. The countdown is on to new years eve in time squares. The numerals one in six arrived this morning. 16 disbefore new years eve. The two giant 7foottall will be part of the new 2016 on display for the next few days making its way atop onetime square tower and light up can you imagine not having to way coast and scarves . Could be. Lonnie, what do you think . Right now we are on track for one of the warmest days ever. We had the warmest september ever. We took a break for october with the warmest november ever and december wait until the numbers. Its 59 degrees. Coldest temperature reading all day. Its been in the 60s all day long. Now we have dropped into the upper 50s. This doesnt happen very often but its happening again today. Its happened quite a few days in a row. Other records, laguardia 64, islip 64, bridgeport 60 all records. To the preceding five decembering, look at this. 2011 we had 3. 2012 we had two. 2013 we had four. Thats a big number. And 2014 we had one on christmas day. The 15th of december, we have already had six 60degree days and you know what . They have all come in a row. Boom, boom, boom, it all started last thursday. Taking a look at whats going on outside in terms of the skies overhead, as we have some clouds pushing through and a little bit of trace moisture just nipping at our upper suburbs isnt going to be a big player in our area. The Bigger Picture shows us what going on. Around rapid city in denver, theres a clockwise spin. Its not going to do that. Its going to push north. Because of that circulation around the low it will be drawing up some moisture thats down around like the coastal areas so watch out how this is going to work out. Heres wednesday 9 00 in the morning. 10 p. M. Tomorrow night clouds have rolled in and im saying theres a slight chance for shower. I think your wet weather day is going to be thursday but it could get here earlier on wednesday night. Then you get into your day on thursday, your morning commute not so much a player with the wet weather could be a little bit out there. Kicks in at lunchtime. Getting ready for the evening commute and some of the heavy showers in the area and i think this is the type of rain bucket. Maybe more than that. By friday morning could still be a little bit of lingering wet weather out there. This front will get pushed through the area because of that big swirling low is going to push and pull the moisture and then pulls cold air in behind it. We are 53 for your day tomorrow. 57 on thursday. Thursday is the likely wet weather day so have an upped ready to go. Get to friday at 51. I she had you how some of the showers could be with us to start off friday but then as the cooler air colder air below saturday will set up saturday and sunday 41 degrees the High Temperature on saturday. Starting off at the freezing mark for new york city. So plenty of you will be starting off in 20s on saturday morning. Typical reading this time of year. Then looking ahead to christmas . Actually, see the warm air coming back. Were on track for the warmest christmas ever. Thank you. And sticking with that packages and billions of cards will be delivered this holiday season. Deadlines for christmas are fast approaching. Ground delivery deadline is wednesday. U. P. S. Gives you a little more leeway, its deadline is friday. The Postal Service guarantees any first class mail you drop off by saturday will arrive before santa. All three carriers will offer lastminute deliveries but, of course, it will cost more. Fedex is thinking outside the box make sure packages are protected during the holidays. If companys Packaging Lab in memphis, engineers are testing the boxes durability. This drop test is used to discover what happens to a box when it falls. There you see it. Theres a compression test to see how much weight it can withstand before the package is crushed. Its to limit the damage. I can stand on the ends of the box and its very secure. A lot of times youre analyzing the interaction of the product with the package. Engineers have designed a better box for online retailers. Thank goodness. Who knew. All right. Anyone knows santas list includes lots of toy requests. But we have a list of nontoy gifts that could make kids happy long after the holidays. We have some options next. And two young girls say this is the only gift they have wanted. Why the bond between these new is so special. Im chris bosh. When i was sidelined with blood clots in my lung, it was serious. Fortunately, my doctor had a game plan. Treatment with xarelto. Hey guys hey, finally, somebody i can look up to. Besides arnie. Xarelto is proven to treat and help reduce the risk of dvt and pe blood clots. Xarelto is also proven to reduce the risk of stroke in people with afib, not caused by a heart valve problem. For people with afib currently well managed on warfarin, theres limited information on how xarelto and warfarin compare in reducing the risk of stroke. You know, i tried warfarin, but the blood testing and dietary restrictions. Dont get me started on that. I didnt have to. We started on xarelto. Nice pass. Safety first. Like all blood thinners, dont stop taking xarelto without talking to your doctor, as this may increase your risk of a blood clot or stroke. While taking, you may bruise more easily and it may take longer for bleeding to stop. Xarelto may increase your sk of bleeding if you take certain medicines. Xarelto can cause serious, and in rare cases, fatal bleeding. Get help right away for unexpected bleeding, unusual bruising, or tingling. If you have had spinal anesthesia while on xarelto , watch for back pain or any nerve or muscle related signs or symptoms. Do not take xarelto if you have an artificial heart valve or abnormal bleeding. Tell your doctor before all planned medical or dental procedures. Before starting xarelto , tell your doctor about any kidney, liver, or bleeding problems. You know xarelto is the 1 prescribed blood thinner in its class. Thats a big win. It is for me. With xarelto there is no regular blood monitoring and no known dietary strictions. Treatment with xarelto. Was the right move for us. Kids look forward to christmas because it means new toys. If you are looking for Something Else to get your child, cbs 2s brian webb shows us a few nontoy gifts that may bring you and your children closer together. Reporter inside new yorks kraft studio kids of all ages paste, paint and put things together all day. Some projects turn into christmas presents like these handpainted picture frames created by Scott Drummond and daughter. The kids get messy and it feels like they can take something home thats not just socks. Reporter toys, games and electronic gadgets may still dominate the under Christmas Tree landscape but there are plenty of nontoy alternatives to consider. For starters, arts and crafts projects parents can do with their children. Anytime you can give an experience where, um, somebody can create a memory with a child and loved one, its just the gift that keeps giving. Reporter here are a few more nontoy gift ideas. You can redecorate your childs bedroom together. Maybe sign them up for classes or lessons to develop a new skill. Plan a trip that the child gets to choose. Or buy them a book or magazine subscription on their favorite subject. Each month thats a gift that keeps on giving and i find kids really like that. Reporter dont forget children love opening their gifts so no matter what it is you give them, be sure to wrap it up so your child can enjoy ripping it open. The goal is to created an experience to spark your childs imagination and get some quality time together as part of the process. What can we get that will please them but also make the least mess in their rooms . [ laughter ] what will they actually play with . Reporter thats one more big perk for parents. Less clutter at christmastime. Brian webb for cbs 2 news. It keeps them busy, right . For more nontoy gift ideas go to cbsnewyork. Com. Thats all for the news at 5 00. The news at 6 00 starts right now. Captions by caption colorado comments captioncolorado. Com developing tonight, three dozen students taken to the hospital on long island. What made them so sick at school . A tale of two cities. A threat to schools in new york and los angeles. But it was handled here very differently. A shootout in the bronx after an armed robber website is thousands of dollars from an ar swipes thousands of dollars from an armored car. And no snow on the slopes. How resorts are trying to save the season. Good evening, im maurice dubois. Dana tyler is off tonight. Well get to those stories in just a moment but first we begin with a make shakeup at the Citys Department of cbs 2 has been reports on the growing problem. We have seen people bathing in fountains and most recently living at Laguardia Airport todays announcement comes as mayor de blasio faces sharp homelessness. Cbs 2s Hazel Sanchez live at hazel. Reporter maurice, mayor de blasio says tackling homelessness in new york city is an urgent priority. And that is why the city is reviewing the department of Homeless Services keeping what works and getting rid of what doesnt. This is a department of Homeless Services commissioner as he steps down. Its a Homeless Service department overhaul mayor de blasio announcing the resignation of the agencys commissioner of only two years Gilbert Taylor and a 90day review of the departments programs and services. We recognize that as the homelessness situation persists, as the challenge persists that we have to evaluate whether the current structures make sense and what kind of changes we can make to streamline and improve the