Conversations of u. S. Lawmakers. Good morning from the studio 57 newsroom at cbs news headquarters in new york. Good to be with you. Im annemarie green. The potential foristoric floodidi in the midwest threatens to swamp hundreds of homes and stems froro the massive storm system that killed 65 pepele as it movov across the United States. Days o odownpours in the midwest have causedivers toswell. Flooding threatens about 18 million americans. It is blamed for at least 13 deaths in missouri alone. Rivers, includinghe mimiissippi, could reachch historic levels in the next couple of days. Don champion iss in new york. Don, good morning. R rorter good morning. Ght now, offffials are monitoring 19 levees that are considered vulnerable. The floods have already shut down highways and led to widespread evacuation. Missouri in the midst of a very historic and dangerous flooding event. Repororr missouri governoror guard as the state grapples with deadly flooding. Volunteers throughout st. Louis worked late tuesdayy nightaying out sandbags. The situation was dire at this Water Treatment plant in the town of high ridge. Its reserves only contain enough water up to f frdays. We are all going to get through it and have to Work Together as a community and get through it. Reporter the winterr delugug has left the town of union underer water. Rising water along the mississippi and other major rivers have forced people out. We took everything important out ofurour basememehich is strictly storagege anyone and cleaned the house out of clothes and things that cant be replaced andnd important things, including furniture. We are preparing for the worst by getting things up to higher grounds. Reporter water levels in those not seen since the great flood the 1993 but officials maintain they are prepared. In terms of forecasting river levels we are light y yrs better than 93. Now we are putting in forecast rainfall so that has given us a much more headsup. Reporter more than 20 people in missouri have been killed in the flooding. The Mississippi River in st. Louis is expected to reach nearly 15 feet above flood stage in st. Louis tomorrow, which would be the second worst flood on record. Thats pretty bad. Don champion in new york, thank you, don. Travel delays associated with the weather are not few days. There are nearly 1,200 flights cancelled yesterday nationwide and 6,000 were delayed and already about a hundred flights have been cancelled. Thousands experienced delays and long lines at chicagos ohare airport. Terminal and became emotional. [ screaming ] this is bull [ bleep ], its [ bleep ]. Reporter ohare supplied cots for some passengers and others had to sleep on the floor. The system is linked to the system that brought the deadly tornadoes to the midwest. Six inches fell in parts of new england and ten inches fell in western maine. More snow and ice is expected today. A moderate earthquake rattled Southern California last night. The epi center of the magnitude 4. 4 quake was northwest of san bernardino. Dozens of aftershocks followed. There are no reports of damage or injuries, though. The National Security agency faces new allegations this morning of spying on members of congress. Wall street journal cites sources who say the white house ordered the nsa to eavesdrop on conversations between u. S. Lawmakers and israeli officials. Effort to make sure the nuclear deal with iran was not derailed. A spokesperson for the National SecurityCouncil Tells cbs news we are not going to comment on any specific alleged intelligence activities. We do not conduct any foreign Intelligence Surveillance activities unless there is a specific and validated National Security purpose. The socalled affluenza teenager could return to the United States sometime today. Ethan couch and his mother were found this week in mexico after disappearing from texas. Authorities believe the teen may have violated his probation for killing four people while driving drunk. It was a pizza order on a cell phone that led authorities to couch. Reporter mexican authorities apprehended ethan couch and his the 18yearold apparently tried to disguise himself. The teenagers blond hair was dyed to dark brown. The plan to disappear, at they e en had had something akin a Going Away Party before they left town. Reporter ethan couch was given probation and no jail time two years ago after killing four people in a drunk driving crash. During the trial, a psychologist testified that the teen suffered from affluenza, suggesting his parents wealth left him without a sense of responsibility. Authorities say they will try to adult case. Now that he is in custody, what do you want to happen to ethan couch this time around . Well, id like for him to be held accountable. Reporter they will charge his mother for hindering and apprehension apprehension. Do you want the full tens years for him . I feel she needs to be incarcerated. Cbs news, ft. Worth, texas. Campaign 2016 has turned into an escalating showdown between front runners donald trump and Hillary Clinton. The billionaire is stepping up attacks against the former first lady, including comments about affairs. York. Reporter donald trump touched down in omaha tuesday night and ratcheted up his attacks on democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. Franklin, hillary brought up the whole thing with sexist and all i did was reverse it on her because she has a major problem and it happens to be right in her house. Reporter trump claims trumps extra mayor tall affair with Monica Lewinsky is fair gape. Campaigning in New HampshireHillary Clinton only took a swipe at Trumps Campaign slogan. I think america is great and if we Work Together, we will be reporter clinton sent out a fundraising letter saying we cant make donald trump stop talking but we can make sure he never, ever becomes president. If its got to be a woman, with which im all in favor someday, it shouldnt be hillary. Reporter trump is planning to use savings on ad buys in early voting states. Kenneth craig, cbs news. The republican field of president ial candidates is smaller this morning. George pataki dropped out of the race tuesday. A Campaign Official said the former new york governor struggled to raise money or gain media attention. Overseas now. Coalition air strikes have killed an isis leader linked to last months attack in paris. A u. S. Official confirmed yesterday the death of al mou adan and say he is linked to the paris attacks and planning more violence against the west. Nine other isis leaders have been killed in the past month. Coming up on the morning cold case. The government investigates Blue Bell Ice Cream following a list listeria outbreak earlier this this is the cbs morning news. A former glee star is arrested and new training for chicagos cops. Those are some of the headlines on the morning newsstand. The Chicago Tribune reports chicagos mayor is set to announce major changes today in training for police officers. It will emphasize deskaiting conflicts and including the goal to equip every officer with a taser by summer. The plan comes in the wake of high profile deadly shootings by police. The Hollywood Reporter says police aaggravated former glee arc mark salling on child pornography. He is known as Noah Puckerman on the show. Police took the 33yearold actor in custody on sunday and on a possible data leak affecting millions of california voters. A database of more than as 191 voters nationwide had reportedly been posted publicly online by a thirdparty. It allegedly includes names and addresses and birth dates and whether the person voted in elections since 2000. Twitter cracks down on threats and the fed looks into tainted ice cream. Jill wagner is at the New York Stock Exchange with that and more. The Justice Department is now investigating what management at a texas ice cream maker knew did dangers in a ice cream process. An fda investigation found the bacteria in each of its three plants and a number of safety problems. Blue bell did not responsible to the request for comment. The markets reopen in a few hours fresh off a rally boosted by the tech and health care industries. Yesterday. The s p 500 added 21 and the nasdaq added nearly 67 points. Fears over falling oil and commodity prices. Twitter is clamping down on threats and hate speech on its service. Users who violate the new policy by making violent threats will face suspension or they could be banned. This comes as twitter and other Services Face pressure with extremists using them as recruiting tools. Seaworld is challenging a ruling banning it from breeding its captive killer whales. In october they were prevent from breeding whales at its San Diego Park or trading or transferring the whales elsewhere. Seaworld claims the commission exceeded its authority. 2600 people 1,100 a week. Some spent it on partying, on education, and to expand a small business. I read an article on this experiment. The organizers said, you know, it changed peoples lives in a number of ways but everyone said they were sleeping better at night. I dont think that is surprising. Thanks a lot, jill. Jane didnt like restrictions. Not in life. And not when it came to watching her calories. Why settle on taste . Jane thought. Thats why jane loves light fit greek nonfat yogurt. Bursting with rich creamy awesomeness and 12 grams of protein. All for 80 calories. No settling here. What else does jane love . That you could win a fitbit flex from light fit. Learn more on specially marked packs. Light fit. Heres a look at todays forecast in some cities around the country. Here in new york city, times square will be packed on new years eve as revelers watch the iconic ball drop to welcome in 2016. It poses a major security challenge for the nypd but the city says that it is ready. Don dahler reports. Reporter with over a Million People expected in midtown manhattan and a billion more watching on tv, new york officials are determined to make times square the safest place on earth. Mayor bill de blasio. We are the best prepared city in the country and we know how time and time again. Reporter snipers will be on rooftops and garbage cans removed and Manhole Covers sealed shut and radiation detectors deployed. This year, the nypd established a 500person special Response Unit that holds regular drills. At a new Operation Center in downtown manhattan, officers monitor thousands of camera feeds. On new years eve, the room will be staffed with members of governmental and private agencies. Last month, chief james oneill gave us a tour. Do you think people should feel safe . You know what . Im not going to tell people not to be concerned but im going to tell them to feel safe. I dont think anyone does this work better than the nypd, along with our federal partners. Reporter but memories of the pair paris and california terror attacks a fresh. The pattern this year is terror attacks on small, soft targets what about the thousands of businesses outside this area . Both to capabilities on the threat analysis beforehand, that side of it, as well as the capability to respond, very quickly. We believe we are as prepared as anybody can be. Reporter spectators coming to this area will all be searched. They are required to get to their places early and stay there. They will also not be allowed to bring in large bags, backpacks or alcohol. Don dahler, cbs news, new york. In sports now. The Philadelphia Eagles fired coach chip kelly. Kelly was fired with one game left in his third season falling a pair of 106 seasons. The eagles have won just six games this year. Kelly came to philadelphia with High Expectations following Great Success at the university of oregon. In college hoops, the top ranked Michigan State spartans were handed their first loss of the season. The spartans played iowa in their big ten opener. Hawkeyes never trailed. Iowa state beat michigan 8370. Still ahead, holding out hope. The search for Country Music singer Craig Strickland who is missing after a hunting trip in severe weather. Know that i can put into words how happy i was when i quit. Its like losing some baggage, i dont have to carry it around with me anymore. Chantix made it possible for me to quit smoking. Along with support, Chantix Varenicline is proven to help people quit smoking. Chantix definitely helped reduce my urge to smoke. Some people had changes in behavior, thinking or mood, hostility, agitation, depressed mood and suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping chantix. Some had seizures while taking chantix. If you have any of these, stop chantix and call your doctor right away. Tell your doctor about any history of Mental Health problems, which could get worse or of seizures. Dont take chantix if youve had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it. If you have these, stop chantix and call your doctor right away as some can be lifethreatening. Tell your doctor if you have heart or blood vessel problems, or develop new or worse symptoms. Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a heart attack or stroke. Decrease alcohol use while taking chantix. Most common side effect is nausea. Man, i love being a nonsmoker. Ask your doctor if chantix is right for you. My brother brian was my best friend, but when he went to college and struggled with depression, he felt alone. He thought he was to blame and no one would understand. When he finally told me he was hurting, i didnt know what to do. A few months later, my brother took his life. If someone you know is struggling like brian did, find out how to help. What will you say when someone suffering from depression comes to you . Heres a look at todays forecast in some cities around the country. Here is another look at this mornings stop story. There are flooding concerns in the midwest, as rivers could reach historic levels. It follows days of heavy rain from a massive storm system that began soaking the area last weekend. Floods threaten about 18 million americans. The search in oklahoma for a Country Singer whose boat capsized in severe storms resumes today. Strickland was reported missing on tuesday. In china eight more survivors of a collapsed mine were found. The mine collapsed on Christmas Day killing at least one worker. They waited five days for their rescue and nine are still missing. The sea lion we told you about trying to cross a california highway on monday camped out on tuesday and prompted marine biologists to tranquilize the 900pound elephant sea lion. Its now been relocated to the sea. Sure happy about that. Coming up after your local news on cbs this morning, the biggest lies on the president ial campaign trail. News. Anybody who struggles with their weight and im at the head of that class, knows that its not just about the weight; its about something bigger. Youve been fighting with then wrong tools; youve been looking in the wrong direction. So every time i tried and failed, and every time i tried again has brought me to this most powerful moment. To say, if not now, when . A california woman is enjoying her newfound freedom, thanks to a special christmas gift. 21yearold Brenda Gutierrez biaza got a robotic arm that attaches to her wheel cheer. Her Santa Cruz Community area raised 50,000 to help her buy it. She has a rare disease that limits the use of her arms. The first thing she did with the robotic arm was turn on her computer. Is there a festival trying to change the color of Classical Music. Fewer than 4 of Classical Musicians are africanamerican. But as lee cowan reports, its not for a lack of talent. Reporter mark was seamless south carolina. Remarkable because this was the very first time many of these musicians had ever played together. Reporter maestro Marlon Daniel conducts this festival called the color of music now in its third year. A lot of get pigeon holed into jazz and its a big stereotype. They say there are not any musicians ever color doing Classical Music when there are tons of us. Reporter robert davis says in most symphonies he sticks out as a black classical artist but not here. You usually get to see the same ones. Then i came down here and its a whole other group and where are they coming from . So i was very shocked about that. Reporter the festival also on this night it was adolfus. Historic black church, in june, a white gunman opened fire, killing nine. We are very lucky. Reporter businessman lee pringle who founded the event hopes sights like this will help diversify other orchestras. I think most orchestra want to change. They just dont know how to change. Reporter and how do they change . By having people at the table who look like me. Music should be colorblind and to make it that way, you have to infuse in it all of the colors. Reporter a unique unit that, for a few days, at least, makes an especially powerful sound. Lee cowan, cbs news, charleston, south carolina. Coming up after your local more on allegations that white house spying swept up intelligence on u. S. Lawmakers. We will hear from cbs news National Security analyst. And questions about an old murder case in wisconsin. We talk with an actress from the danish girl. That that is the cbs morning news for this wednesday. Im annemarie green