This morning we lead with a story that has rocked hollywood, capitol hill and now the halls here at nbc. Allegations of Sexual Misconduct involving powerful figures. The stunning news, our today show colleague matt lauer was fired over allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior made by another one of our colleagues. It was a development that left millions of morning tv viewers and certainly many in this building shocked after lauers two decades in the today anchor chair. Theres been no comment so far from lauer about the accusation thats go back years. Even as variety reports on what it calls a pattern of Sexual Misconduct on lauers part. An nbc news spokesperson now says two more accusers have come forward since news of lauers firing broke. Nbcs Stephanie Gosk has the latest. Reporter the allegation of inappropriate Sexual Conduct was made monday night, roughly 24 hours later matt lauer, anchor of nbcs today show for 20 years, was fired. In a statement, nbc news chairman andy lack shared few specifics about the accusation but wrote, it represented after serious review a clear violation of our. Standards. While it is the first complaint about his behavior in the over 20 years hes been at nbc news, we were also presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident. This is a sad morning here at today and at nbc news. Reporter on the today show lauers coanchors reacted to the news. For the moment all we can say is we are heartbroken. Im heartbroken for matt. He is my dear, dear friend and my partner, and he is beloved by many, many people here. And im heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell. Im matt lauer in olympic park in sochi. Reporter the alleged misconduct began at the 2014 Olympic Games in sochi and continued after, according to an nbc spokesperson. The lawyer for the accuser had this to say. In part, i am in awe by the kornlg my client showed to be the first to raise a complaint and making no demands other than that the company do the right thing. Variety magazine laying out a pattern of alleged Sexual Misconduct by lauer, including exposing himself to an employee in his office and inviting women employed by nbc late at night to his hotel room while covering the olympics. Three unnamed women tell variety they were sexually harassed. Their accounts, variety says, corroborated by friends or colleagues. The magazine also reports that several women made complaints to executives at nbc which were ignored. An nbc news spokesperson responded to that claim. We can say unequivocally that prior to monday night current nbc news management was never made aware of any complaints about matt lauers conduct. In September Lauer interviewed bill oreilly, who had just been fired from fox news over allegations of Sexual Misconduct. So doesnt it seem safe to assume that the people at fox news were given a piece of information or given . Evidence that simply made it impossible for you to stay on at fox news . Thats a false assumption. But you dont let your number one guy go sure, you do. Unless you have information that you think makes him thats not true. Reporter for nbc news the star anchors departure is an enormous loss. Lauer has been the face of the network during pivotal news events, interviewing the worlds most influential people. Our thanks to Stephanie Gosk for that report. Now to capitol hill where the house just passed a resolution mandating antiharassment, antidiscrimination training for members of congress and their staff. Pressure sin tenseifying on longtime congressman john conyers to resign after four separate women accused him of Sexual Misconduct. Nbc capitol hill correspondent kasie hunt reports. Reporter congressman john conyers in selfimposed exile at home in michigan but still refusing to resign from congress. He is at home with his family. They are discussing the allegations. Reporter after a fourth former staffer came forward with allegations of harassment. This time three separate incidents of alleged Sexual Misconduct almost 20 years ago. He just sat there. He didnt say anything. And he just took off his clothes. Down to his naked down to his skivvies. Like you would do in your bedroom. Reporter conyers has denied the allegations. His familys standing by him. You all just want to kill this man whos dedicated 53 years of his life to community service. Its very unfortunate to see him fight so long for so many people and to automatically have the allegations assumed true. Reporter but at least four House Democrats now say he should resign his seat. If we really are going to change things here in washington we have to do things differently. Reporter as congress grapples with how to change a reporting system critics say is stacked against victims of harassment and that leaders in both parties now say needs to change. No matter how great the legacy, it is not a license to harass or abuse. Sexual harassment has no place in any workplace, let alone in the United States congress. Reporter john conyers Attorney Says the longestserving congressman in the u. S. House has no plans to accept down. And Late Wednesday a Bipartisan Group of lawmakers with a push for legislation that would reveal the names of members of congress whove settled harassment claims with taxpayer money, that could become part of a broader push to reform harassment policy thats havent been updated in over 20 years. Frances . All right, kasie, thank you. On the senate side of the capitol the president s 1. 2r58 tax cut plan just got one step closer to passage after the bill got enough support from Senate Republicans to pass a procedural hurdle, taking it to the final sprint. And while democrats are bashing the plan as one they say would benefit the rich and hit lower income americans with a tax hike, President Trump took his tax proposal to missouri to promote the bill and get republicans on his side. For more on this we go to nbcs edward lawrence. Edward, good morning. Reporter well, good morning, phillip. Yeah, debate on this bill starts today. Now, just because the bill made the full senate is no guarantee it will pass. Theres no democratic support, as you mentioned, and some republicans are on the fence. For example, senator bob corker is concerned it could add to the deficit over ten years. Other republicans are worried that independent projections show that americans making 75,000 a year or less could actually pay more in taxes. Now, this week the president had meetings at the white house with senators. He went to capitol hill to try to get votes. And last night he took his message directly to the american people. The Senate Must Pass those tax cuts, bring main street roaring back. Thats whats going to happen. In all fairness this is going to cost me a fortune, this thing. Believe me. Believe me. This is not good for me. Me its not so i have some very healthy friends. Not so happy with me. But thats okay. Reporter well, however, an nbc News Analysis shows actually President Donald Trump and his family would save about a billion dollars on their taxes under the house plan thats already been passed. Theyre working on the senate plan now. There have been protests over all of this inside the halls of congress as well as at some universities with students protesting over some deductions that are going to be removed. Right now the bill is in 20 hours of debate. Thats where amendments can be added and voted up or down. The final bill could be passed either late tonight or tomorrow. Phillip, frances . All right. Lets see if he can sell it. Edward, thank you. In a major victory for gun rights advocates, a House Committee advanced a republican concealed carry reciprocity act. Backed by the nra, it would allow gun owners to carry their concealed weapons across Straight Lines with a permit. The panel also advanced a bipartisan bill to improve federal background checks for gun buyers. The Washington Post reports the two bills are the first gunrelated legislation to move forward since the Mass Shootings in las vegas and texas. They are now headed to the house floor. Enjoy those mild temperatures while they last. Theyre certainly nice around here. But lets see the rest of the country how theyre going to be doing. Bill karins joining us. November just the way most of the month has been. Very mild. Its very quiet across the country. Very little if any travel issues. A little bit of fog along the gulf coast but we stay pretty mild denver and indianapolis much of the country the jet stream is staying to the north. What were looking at and this is the only big thing thats going to happen is a big temperature change as we head toward next week, especially toward tuesday, wednesday, thats when the temperatures will take a big dive. Minneapolis, warm weekend for you. By tuesday back to reality, what youd expect for the beginning of december. And it looks like this cold pattern will stay with us for well into the middle of december too. Thats what youd expect to happen t miss from buffalo to pittsburgh late toyed into Northern New England this evening. And thats your thursday forecast. All right, bill, thank you, sir. In todays quick hits the search for a 3yearold in North Carolina is entering its fourth day. Mariah k. Woods mother says she hasnt seen her child since she put her to death sunday night. Investigators believe it was a, quote, focused incident. Selena gomez has been named billboards 2017 woman of the year. Her successful hits and courage going through a kidney transplant and bat well lupus are reasons pop star will be honored later today. A new trailer for the movie all the money in the world is out. It now includes Christopher Plummer who replaced kevin spacey following multiple allegations of Sexual Misconduct. The film will hit theaters december 22nd. Stay with us. Youre watching early today. And all you wanted to do was surround them in comfort and protection thats why only pampers swaddlers is the 1 choice of hospitals to wrap your baby in blanketlike softness and premium protection mom oh hi baby so all they feel is love wishing you love, sleep and play. 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Enjoy smoother skin and now try new Oil Infused Lotions moisturize with indulging scents a restaurant employee helped Police Capture a handcuffed suspect in West Virginia after the man attempted to run away. Surveillance footage shows the still handcuffed suspect running straight toward Robert Redman and then redman slamming him to the ground as Police Arrived just seconds later. The suspect was arrested and charged with having drug paraphernalia. Just 12 days until voters in alabama head to the polls to decide their special election race. Senate candidate roy moore has been accused of Sexual Misconduct by nine separate woman is back on the campaign trail this time taking aim at those women and their stories calling it all a conspiracy. They have one individual who is a drug dealer that i held in contempt whos at the heart of this conspiracy. Theyve done everything. When i say they, who are they . Theyre liberals. They dont want conservative values. Theyre the lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender who want to change our culture. Theyre socialists who want to change our way of life. Putting man above god and that government is our god. Theyre the washington establishment. And it seems those denials could be helping moore in his senate bid. After three new polls out this week have him leading his democratic opponent doug jones by 5 to 6 percentage points. President trumps soninlaw Jared Kushner has been questioned by special Counsel Robert Mueller about former National Security adviser michael flynn. A source tells the Associated Press the interview with kushner happened earlier this month and lasted about 90 minutes. It was aimed in part to see if kushner had any information that could possibly clear flynn of charges. The revelation comes as special counsel mueller postponed grand jury testimony linked to his investigation of flynn and after flynns lawyers cut ties with President Trumps legal team. A spokesperson for mueller declined to comment and flynns attorney did not return messages from the Associated Press. An attorney for kushner said that kushner has voluntarily cooperated with relevant inquiries and will continue to do so. Thousands were rocking around a Christmas Tree on a mild night for the 8 5 16 annual rockefeller Christmas Tree lighting in new york city. Mayor bill de blasio flipped a switch illuminating that p 5foottall 12ton norway spruce. It has more than 50,000 l. E. D. Lights and crown with that swarovski star. It included a night of starstudded performance including gwen stephen ji, she performed her edition of let it snow. Pentatonix performed an a capella remix of their christmas classic god rest ye merry gentlemen. And all another performances out there. Look how beautiful it is. We come stumbling into work after a nights sleep this morning and theyre breaking everything down the lights are off. Were waiting for the morning when they pop that back up before the sun comes up. It is a little like stumbling into a party when theyre picking up all the solo cups. We miss td. We have a lot of time to enjoy it, though. Coming up a stern warning for north korea. But will they behave . Plus you can now add ivy leaguer to l. L. Cool js latest list of accolades. Well explain, next. Or giving thanks for giving lien the strength to outrun her brother thanks for giving victor the energy to be the rowdiest fan. And joseph,the ability to see monsters. When you choose walgreens,you choose to make a difference. Like how every vitamin and flu shot you get at walgreens helps give lifechanging vitamins and vaccines to children in need around the world and here at home. So,really. Happy thanks for giving walgreens. At the corner of happy and healthy. 40 million americans are waking up to a gillette shave. 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The multitalented actor and rapper whose real name is todd smith, bet you didnt know that, just completed the business of Entertainment Media and Sports Program at harvard university. Ll described the program as lifealtering and he said that learning is cool. While praising his professor, anita elbers, in the process. Congrats to ll. That is awesome. Closer to war. Thats how the u. N. Ambassador to the United Nations responded to north koreas latest Ballistic Missile test speaking at an emergency u. N. Security council meeting. Ambassador nikki haley said the u. S. Is not seeking war with north korea but issued this dire warning should the regimes aggressions continue. If war comes, make no mistake. The north korean regime will be utterly destroyed. Nbc chief global correspondent bill neely joins us from seoul with more. Bill, good morning. Reporter yeah, good morning. Typically tough talk from nikki haley there, but also reinforcing the words of President Trump at the u. N. In september when he too spoke of destroying north korea. But she added in a few words of secretary of state Rex Tillerson