Olympic Gold MedalistMckayla Maroney said usa gymnastics tried to silence her story. Now maroney is fighting back. And what happens when a boys choir all of the sudden eats spicy hot ghost peppers while singing oh come all ye faithful . Early today starts right now. Good to be with you this morning. Im frances rivera. And im phillip mena. We begin with breaking news out of australia in what police are describing as a deliberate act. At least 14 people including a child have been rushed to the hospital after a car plowed into pedestrians. Witnesses describe the bodies flying everywhere after a white suv sped into a busy intersection, mowing down several people. We can report at least two men, the driver included, have been arrested. Police are asking witnesses to come forward with any information, videos, or images of the incident. People on the scene have described this horrific scene as a deliberate one, although Australian Police have not given any possible motive. Back at home, republicans in washington are in the holiday spirit this morning. A triumphant president and gop taking to the white house to revel in their biggest legislative accomplishment to date. Passing that 1. 5 trillion tax cut package. It will be an Incredible Christmas gift for hardworking americans. I said i wanted to have it done before christmas. We got it done. I want to thank all of the leaders. Republicans rushed to get the bill passed in order to meet the president s timetable, and theyre now also aiming to fully implement the new law in just a little over a week. With just ten days until the start of the new year, payroll companies, quote, brace for confusion as they figure out new withholding rules that will affect millions of american paychecks. And Corporate America makes swift changes that could impact millions across the country. For more on this, we go to nbcs tracie potts on capitol hill. Tracie, good morning. Hi there, phillip. Now everyone is trying to sort out how quickly this will all happen, how quickly americans will see some of that money in their paychecks. The president taking that victory lap says its going to happen very soon. Hasnt been done in 34 years, but actually, really hasnt been done because we broke every record. We have companies pouring back into our country, and that means jobs. And it means really the formation of new, young, beautiful, strong companies. So thats going to be very, very important. I guess its very simple. When you think you havent heard this expression, but we are making America Great again. You havent heard that, have you . [ cheering ] so lets talk about some of those Big Companies he mentioned. At t says that theyre going to pour a billion dollars, reinvest a billion dollars into the use and off 1,000 employee bonuses. Comcast, the Parent Company of nbcuniversal says many employees will also get a 1,000 bonus. And of course many of those Large Companies get the biggest benefit because their Corporate Tax rate is dropping from 35 to 21 with this new tax bill. Now keep in mind the Obamacare Mandate to Purchase Health insurance goes away. And that could mean we are looking at 13 Million People without Health Insurance over the next decade, according to estimates. So while this tax bill rolls out, republicans are claiming a big victory. And were waiting to see if companies are actually going to reinvest that money and how soon it may show up in americans paychecks. Phillip . All right, tracie, thank you. If youre wondering how a 5 hundredpage tax cut bill will affect you, youre not alone. Peter alexander explains. Reporter President Trump has been promising it for months. We want to give you, the american people, a giant tax cut for christmas. Reporter so what are you getting . Lower taxes for eight in ten americans, including most middle and working class flachlts. As someone who is selfemployed, this is much needed tax relief for a small business. Reporter the individual tax cuts expire after eight years. But the Corporate Tax cut, from 35 to 21 is permanent. On health care, the individual mandates erased entirely in 2019. Without the mandate, 13 million more americans will be uninsured in ten years, according to congressional analysts. Ian dixon, whose family is insured through the Obamacare Exchange fears his premiums will skyrocket. My costs are going to more than double what they were last year. Reporter for all its advertised benefits doubling the standardized deduction and increasing the Child Tax Credit to 2,000, unwrapping the bill may also bring surprises. The mortgage Interest Deduction for new home loans will be capped at 750,000. If youre already a homeowner, you can still deduct all of the interest. Also new, the bill limits state and local Tax Deductions to 10,000, hitting taxpayers in hightax states like california, new jersey, and new york. In chicago, some are rushing to prepay next years taxes. And about that promise the tax code will be so simple youll be able to file on a form like a postcard . I didnt know i was going to be given a prop. Reporter many experts say thats unlikely for this 500 page tax bill. The president has repeatedly called the bill a middle class miracle. But independent analysts say in ten years, more than 80 of the benefits will go to the top 1 . The white house says americans will begin seeing more money in their pay checks in february. Frances . All right, Peter Alexander for us. Peter, thanks. New details in that deadly bus crash in mexico. Official news confirming eight americans were among the 12 People Killed when a tour bus overturned on a highway. Three of them are from the same family. Nbcs ron mott has the latest. [ siren ] reporter it was a holiday cruise that ended tragically for the bejar family of virginia. Mom anna and 11yearold son daniel killed in a bus crash in mexico. 78yearold grandmother fania also lost. Father moises and 15yearold davy hospitalized. In all eight americans are among the dozens who died. The bus overturned, leaving some victims lying on the road. Mexican officials began processing vehicular manslaughter charges against the bus driver who also was injure and detained by authorities. A state prosecutor said preliminary findings indicate excessive speed and the drivers negligence caused the crash. My heart goes out to all these people. They lost loved ones. And i could have been on that bus. Reporter the bus was part of a fleet transporting visitors from two floridabased cruise ships. According to witnesses, this crash happened on a clear day on a narrow twolane road with no shoulder or guardrail. Cruise passengers often take excursions like this one booked through the cruise ship company, but usually run by independent contractors. No new comment from the Bus Company Costa Maya about the reported cause. Their representatives along with Royal Caribbean say theyre doing all they can to help their guests. Ron mott, nbc news. United states will be taking names today according to u. S. Ambassador nikki haley as she unleashed this shot across the bow at countries who may vote in favor of a u. N. Resolution condemning the Trump Administration for its decision to recognize jerusalem as the capital of israel. The president took it a step further, threatening to withhold u. S. Funding from those who may vote against it. For all of these nations that take our money and then they vote against us at the security council, or they vote against us potentially at the assembly, they take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us. Well, were watching those votes. Let them vote against us. Well save a lot. We dont care. Further pushing her stern warning, haley sent this new message to 180 countries that will be voting today on that resolution. Adding at the end of her letter, quote, the president will be watching this vote carefully. Just earlier this week, the u. S. Vetoed a u. N. Security Council Resolution critical of the white houses move on jerusalem. It was nikki haleys first veto. A volcano in far east russia erupted wednesday. The volcano shot ash nine miles into the air. The dramatic eruption was captured on this time lapse video from four miles away. The massive plumes of smoke could be seen from a village some 30 miles away. The volcano was considered dormant until 1955. But this marks its third eruption just this year. All right. Lets turn now to nbc meteorologist bill karins. I heard that friday is the busiest travel day of the season, especially friday afternoon, if youre hitting on the highways. So the storm system that is now in the rockies, will eventually be spreading across the country. Lets look at the Snowfall Forecast through sunday. So this is mostly going to be over the next two days. Notice the mountains of colorado getting heavy snow, montana and here near yellowstone. Lighter snow amounts throughout the midwest. More nuisance types, 1 to 2 inches. Nothing too significant. Northern new england, though, you look like youre going to get a pretty good decent snow out of this as we go throughout friday night and into saturday. Especially the northern half up in the mountains getting as much as 4 to 8 inches of snow. Notice we really cut it off south of the mass pike. Watch out for ice friday night into saturday. This is the ice forecast. Near hartford, worcester, all the way back up into areas of New Hampshire and maine. N risks his life and limb to defect to the south. Well tell you more, when we come back. 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Right, freshness for weeks unstopables by downy. For a fresh too feisty to quit. Breaking news this morn, gunfire erupted across the Demilitarized Zone between north and south korea after another north korean soldier defected to the south. A low ranking northern soldier walked across the dmz. South korean soldiers fired some warning shots. And then some north korean soldiers appeared with their own fire. This latest defection comes about five weeks after another north korean soldier was shot by his colleagues and his own harrowing defection caught on tape that man survived after several rounds of surgery in a south korean hospital. Thursdays defection was the fourth by a north korean soldier this year. A funeral is being held today in vatican city for Cardinal Bernard law. The former archbishop of boston died in rome at the age of 86. 15 years after he was forced to resign over the Sexual Abuse Scandal that rocked the catholic church. A boston globe investigation revealed law had covered for pedophile priests in the boston arc d arc die sis. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse are outraged. Anne thompson explains. Reporter in death as in life, Cardinal Bernard law challenging the catholic tenet of forgiveness. I hope the gates of hell are opened wide to welcome him. Reporter little mercy for the man who is seen as the face of the clergy Sexual Abuse Scandal in the u. S. Dramatized in the movie spotlight. I think youll find that boston is still a small town too. Reporter victims in boston furious that law will be given a funeral at saint peters basilica in rome with a blessing by pope francis. The pope is honoring him and saying its okay to abuse children. I would prefer to see him tied to a cross and burned instead. Reporter during his 18 years as archbishop, law knowingly moved abusive priests from parish to parish without warning, giving them the opportunity to abuse again. To all those who have suffered from my shortcomings and from my mistakes, i once again apologize. Reporter father jim martin of the jesuit run American Media says the world will be watching the popes actions. I think theyre trying to do the standard procedure, you know, for cardinal law. And in other ways send signals that he is not as respected as other cardinals. Reporter such as the popes unusually short twosecond statement about laws death. A man with a legacy of wounds that have yet to heal. Anne thompson, nbc news, new york. Still ahead, tis the season for porch pirates. New details on how you can protect those christmas packages. Youre watching early today. I try hard to get a great shape. This i can do, easily. Benefiber® healthy shape is a clear, tastefree, 100 natural daily fiber. Thats clinically proven to help me feel fuller longer. Benefiber® healthy shape. This i can do pain from chest congestion can make this. When you have a cold,. Feel like this. 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Nbcs jo ling kent has the thieves this action and how you can protect your packages. Reporter across the country can, more and more porch pirates are striking when they think no one is watching. Two young women driving a golf cart to pilfer packages in a florida subdivision. In atlanta, david altman got lucky. He got the suspect on camera. At first i really couldnt believe it. I told my girlfriend. Come look at this. I think he put my package down his pants. Reporter according to the neighborhood social network nextdoor, package complaints are up 500 this year. Medium price of a stolen package, 250. Now Law Enforcement is cracking down. Boston authorities recovering dozens of stolen amazon packages this week. And one ohio prosecutor posting on facebook that its placed bait packages throughout the city with a gps inside, warning if you steal, you will be arrested. The theft happened right here. Right behind us. Reporter in burbank, california, Police Arrested a porch pirate just last week. It is a growing problem. And we need to devote resources to this problem. And hopefully see a decline in package thefts. Reporter to protect your deliveries, consumer experts recommend reroute the package to a secure location, like a grocery store, neighbor, or your office. Use smart gadgets like a doorbell with a builtin surveillance camera. Require a signature if its a valuable item, or pick up the package yourself from the Delivery Services local office. It makes me mad every time i watch it. Reporter a warning to prevent this from becoming the season of giving and taking. Jo ling kent, nbc news, burbank. Just ahead, Venus Williams will not face charges in a deadly car crash. Plus, why hardcore zeppelin fans have reason to celebrate. Youre watching early today. And. I used to have cancer. I beat it. I did. Not alone. I used to have no idea what the American Cancer Society did. Research . Yeah. 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The driver of the other car who tboned the tennis star is also in the clear. Police say neither was at fault. Some exciting news for led zeppelin fans. In a recent interview, guitarist jimmy page hinted the band will unveil, quote, all manner surprises to mark its 50th anniversary next year be. He did not add any more details. Fans will just have to wait. And what does one Missouri City want for christmas . Well, sedalia hopes to smash a record for the Largest Christmas stocking. It weighs a whopping 820 pounds, and they might just have a chance. Its almost 10 feet longer than the current record. Just a matter of whats going to be inside the stock. Yeah, its going to be the worlds largest, maybe. But always fun if there is something in it. I hope its a new led zeppelin item. A lot of people hoping too. Still i had, gymnast Mckayla Maroney wages a shocking allegation against usa gymnastics. And a schoolgirls wish to santa ends in a public outpouring. Any object. Any surface. If youve got a life you gotta swiffer why do people put why does your tummy go grumbily, grumbily, grumbily . No more questions for you ouph, that milk in your cereal was messing with you, wasnt it . Try lactaid, its real milk without that annoying lactose. Good, right . Mmm, yeah. Lactaid. The milk that doesnt mess with you. Low 20s right now in the suburbs. 29s in the Lehigh Valley and a cold start for delaware too. We will see sunshine today and the wind that was strong yesterday has really settled down. 28 degrees at 5 00. The sun will be up and the temperatures start climbing. At 8 00 this morning with a little bit of a breeze out of the north at 5 miles per hour. Its going to be the first day of winter. 42 this afternoon. Ill break the forecast down hour by hour to show you when the temperatures will start to move when im back in ten minutes. And to start were on the Atlantic City expressway. We have a lane still blocked because of an overturned vehicle there which is exit 28. Traffic is getting by though following an earlier closure. Were also watching the closure on the schuylkill expressway. We have that blocked until 5 00 so another hour to watch that. Heres the vine right around 24th street. Back to you. Thanks for the update. 4 00 on this thursday. Were following breaking news out of australia. Thats where a driver collided into a group of pedestrians. The incident was intentional. Police have the drivernd one other person in custody. Authorities have not released information about a motive. Others were treated for injuries at the scene. Were also tracking some breaking news here at home. Flames destroyed the house in west wild hood. Were working to find out if