A deadly arctic blast is gripping the country from coast to coast. Tens of millions of americans are shivering in record low temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills. Drone video captures growing chunks of ice floating along the Mighty Mississippi river. In georgia the iconic mountain at a complete stand still with ie ice sickles forming there. The bitter cold being blamed for a number of deaths. Nbcs blake mccoy has the latest from chicago. Oh, my gosh reporter 19 degrees and snowing in buffalo. Look at that. Reporter a massive pile up is snarling interstate 90. A forebodeing look with a major snowstorm set to move up the east coast. Look at the truck. Reporter much of the country sits under the brute grip of a deep freeze responsible for 14 deaths. Chicago the below zero temperatures. Its no way around it. I dont think you can prepare. Reporter more than half the u. S. Population, 200 million americans, saw temperatures below freezing. From the north at niagara falls, down south to savannah. 23 people were hurt in bronx, new york, including a firefighter as they battled against the elements, fire and ice. Hoses, helmets and ladders frozen. Frozen pipes a common sight in the midwest. This Illinois House caught fire when the homeowner tried to thaw the pipes with a blow torch. I would not recommend a homeowner trying the torch, i would not recommend that. This is professional use only. Reporter check out this close call near dallas when a Police Officer slipped and fell on an icy highway as a car nearly slid into him. Its not all bad. Ice fishermen are happily dropping their lines. But amber martin isnt looking for silver linings. I couldnt even tell has on it. Reporter shes looking for a way out. Travel is going to get even more difficult starting later this morning with that snowstorm developing off the east coast. Drivers and fliers will be impacted. Some airlines are already offering waivers. Frances . All right, blake mccoy for us. Blake, thanks. Nbcs meteorologist bill karins the request with the coming storm. Its already begun. North florida is going to freezing rain. Jacksonville between tallahassee, it has a chance. Ive never seen an ice storm forecast like this. In north texas all the way through southern georgia, winter storm warnings right along the coast. This is primarily a storm from i95 to the coast, all the way up through new england. But look at this ice storm forecast. This is a half inch to three quarters of an inch of ice possible in southern portions of georgia and north florida. Think of the pine trees, think of all the damage that could do during the day today. And then on top of that well through the carolinas and snow in the south theyre not usually prepared with the trucks and salts like they are in the north. A lot of major impacts even though its only 2 to 4 inches of snow. Wow. Well be ready, hopefully we will. Bill, thank you. Mine is bigger than yours. That is how President Trump is responding to north Korean Leader kim jonguns warning that he stands ready to use his Nuclear Button against the United States. President trump tweeting last night, i, too, have a Nuclear Button, but it is much bigger and more powerful than his. And my button works. Major papers immediately grabbed onto that saber rattling rhetoric which launched criticism from the left and right. California congressman eric salweil tweeting help me put this lunacy in check. This is not normal. The secretary of state condaleeza rice under george w. Bush said spoken like a petulent 10yearold. North korea announcing kim ha crossborder communications with seoul, proposing talks begin on tuesday. But with speculation, kim may be planning another missile test, those talks could quickly be in jeopardy. Nbcs Kelly Cobiella has more from seoul. Reporter u. S. Military sources tell nbc news kim jongun might be about to test another ballistic missile. What would be a dramatic move after his surprising call for talks with south korea, saying he wants to ease tensions. South korean officials now suggesting a meeting tuesday at the most dangerous border on earth, the demilitarized zone. In these buildings known as truce village where guards stare each other down. Not far from where a north korean soldier was shot in november during a desperate escape to south korea. Now talk of north koreas figure skaters gliding across the border for the winter games, with kim jonguns blessing. President trump weighing in. Are beginning to have a big impact on north korea. Rocketman now wants to talk to south korea for the first time. Perhaps that is good news, perhaps not. We will see. Kim jongun already claiming he has a Nuclear Button on his desk, that his missiles, like this one launched in november, can reach all the way to the east coast. Although experts say there are still technical hurdles to cross. I think we have a 10 chance of a fullon war on the korean peninsula. Here is the good news. I think there is still a 70 chance we can resolve this diplomatically. Reporter regardless of any potential talks on the olympics, the Trump Administration says their position hasnt changed. They say they will never accept a nuclear north korea. Phillip, frances, back to you. Kelly, thank you. Congress is officially back in session today, ready to tackle a laundry list of items this month including a quickly approaching deadline to fund the swear in two new democratic memb members from minnesota and alabama just as orrin hatch announced he will retire at the end of this year. Lets bring in tracie potts. Good morning. Reporter there is a long list of things that need to be dealt with immediately like the budget, the january 19th deadline. Also by then congress has to figure out what to do about chip, Childrens Health insurance, a temporary extension was included in that budget. Then there is disaster relief. So, theyve got some immediate things to deal with. The Senate Resumes today and in doing so those two new democrats that you mentioned are coming on board, doug jones of alabama and tina smith of minnesota. They will now be coming in, boosting slightly the democratic majority. But what democrats really want to talk about here is daca, protection for young immigrants brought to this country illegally. It has been a h that protection runs out in march. There are a couple of white house officials coming to capitol hill today, but the white house insists theyre here to talk about the budget, not about daca. President trump, meantime, tweeting about daca, that order that hes rolling back as of march that democrats are doing nothing. Theyre just interested in politics and that activists and hispanics as he says will go hard on dems and start falling in love with republicans and their president , the president says they are about results. But not quick ones when they come to daca. The focus here starting today is that budget. Phillip . All right, tracie, thank you so much. Investigators from the faa and the ntsb arrive in costa rica to help determine what caused a small plane to slam into a mountain tragically killing a dozen people. Coast aric an Authorities SayUnited States aviation officials and the maker of the small plane will Work Together in the accident investigation. And we are now learning more about the victims who perished including ten americans. Nbcs gabe devastating loss. Reporter by all accounts, Amanda Geisler was fearless. 33 years old, she loved her life. She loved with all of her heart and she would do anything for anyone. Sa reporter now her family is heartbroken. Should had this light that nobody else has. Reporter amanda grew up in wisconsin, a College Basketball stand out, loved adventure. She had been working as a trip leader for a travel Company Since may. And that was the magic of the she could do things and move people. Reporter she was among the ten americans plus two local crew members killed sunday when a single engine airplane slammed into a mountain in costa rica. Also gone in an instant the weiss family from near tampa, florida and the steinbergs from suburban, new york. Still trying to digest it. A family goes on vacation and doesnt come back. Crashed in december. He told nbc news he didnt believe a larger safety issue with the airline. But for Amanda Geislers mother amanda, i was so proud to be your mom. I love you to death. Reporter its not why that matters. Its who was lost. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news. All right. Time to check back with nbc meteorologist bill karins who is keeping an eye on a new blizzard warning. Lets talk about the northeast portion of this storm. This is mostly a thursday event. Winter storm warnings now for norfolk, Virginia Beach areas, southern portions of maryland and we are still waiting to see the impacts how badly from d. C. To philly. As of now it looks like a little bit of snow. Maybe something d. C. , nothing philly. It is really i95. And the areas of eastern new england that will be hit the hardest. Possibly a foot of snow. 6 to 12 inches likely from hartford to providence to boston. Again, pretty good cut off line in central new england. Thats a look at the big weather story of the day. Now heres a closer look at your day ahead. Well, in the southeast today, all eyes will be on what happens with that ice storm in southern georgia and north florida. Eventually it will break out into some snow throughout the carolinas. The cold air is in place in southern areas of new england waiting for the storm late tonight. Of course one of the biggest dangers is going to be the high winds with the storm, Power Outages and the cold air behind it. Ill tell you how cold coming up. All right. A lot to watch. Bill, thank you. The nations biggest jackpots have swelled to a whopping 858 million. An eye popping Mega Millions 361 million. Nobody one. It swelled to an estimated grand prize of 418 million the next drawing is on friday. So, if your game is powerball, tonight may be your chance. The next monster jackpot of over 440 million. 2018 is shaping up to have more female candidates for Public Office than ever a devastating bus crash at devils curve. R a quick and convt clean, try Swiffer Wetjet. Theres no heavy bucket, or mop to wring out, because the absorb and Lock Technology traps dirt and liquid inside the pad. Its safe to use on all finished surfaces tile, laminate and hardwood. And it prevents streaks and hazing better than a micro fiber strip mop, giving you a thorough clean the first time. For a convenient clean, try Swiffer Wetjet with a money back guarantee. Brand power. Helping you buy better. 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The gym offers l sessions that include cardioand boxing exercises hitting a punching bag. They challenge each other and go head to head inside the ring. According to gym trainers women are inspiring younger people to get serious about their personal fitness. Those are impressive. 2018 could be a banner year for women in politics with a Record Number showing interest in running for office. Thats according to emilys list, an organization dedicated to getting women elected at all levels of government. Since the 2016 election, emilys list says more than 26,000 women access their website looking for information about candidacy. And the Washington Post reports at least 79 wome running for governor or seriously considering it this year. That is a new high. Experts say the surge seems to be fueled with frustration from President Trump along with women winning key races this past november. Thick dark smoke was visible for miles after a crash in northern italy that killed six people. Italian news agency reported a truckloaded with sand struck the car in president fro of it causing it to slam into a tanker truck that then exploded into flames. Five of the victims including two children were in the car and the 6th was a truck driver. Meanwhile in peru another deadly accident kills at least 48 people injuring at least six after a bus tumbled 262 feet down a cliff. Peruvian police say a truck struck the bus that sent it plunging down the steep slope. The investigation indicates both vehicles were speeding at the time of the crash. Still ahead, a youtube star facing a big backlash for sharing something horrific with his millions of follows, youre watching early today. I love you, basement guest bathroom. Your privacy makes you my number 1 place to go number 2. I love you, but sometimes you stink. Febreze air effects doesnt just mask, it cleans away odors. Because the things you love the most can stink. And try febreze small spaces to clean away odors for up to 30 days. 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And it just it felt right, like, i looked over and i just felt like, yeah. It was like one of those when something its like two puzzle pieces, when it fits, it fits. Its official the 7 00 to 9 00 hours on the today show. Hoda kotb officially named coanchor alongside Savannah Guthrie. She replaces matt lauer who was fired for sexual misconduct. Now to the growing outrage over a shocking video posted online by a youtube star. Logan paul is now apologizing after sharing what appears to be images of a suicide victim with his 15 million followers. Many of them are kids. And its raising new questions about what our children should be able to see on the internet. We get more from nbcs joe fryer. Reporter with more than 15 million followers, most of them millennials and younger youtube star logan paul is known for making daily video blogs that detail his life. Lets jump out of a plane and hopefully not die. Reporter clips that are funny and high energy. Pauls lowest video is a lowkia apology. A made a severe and continuous lapse in my judgment. Reporter paul is facing a strong backlash for him and friends walking through a japanese forest, a place known as a destination for suicides. Do you think thats real . Reporter the video viewed by millions before it was deleted showed a body hanging, an apparent suicide victim. I should have never posted the video. I should have put the cameras down. Reporter forbes ranked paul fourth as highest youtube stars. He made 12 1 2 Million Dollars in a year. Some are looking to push the envelope. Because there is so much competition for that ad money and for the clicks, theyre going out of their way to shock the viewer. In his written apology, paul says, i didnt do it for views. I get views. I did it because i thought i could make a positive ripple on the internet. You never stood next to a dead guy . Reporter Mental Health experts say showing a dead guy doesnt raise awareness about suicide. If somebody sees a harmful image, it could impact the distress they are experiencing. Policies and hopes prevention groups will realize they can reach out for help. Joe fryer, nbc news. Still ahead, the stars of tvs fixer upper reveal they are working on a new addition. Not talking about a renovation here. Well explain on early today. 40 million americans are waking up to a gillette shave. And at our factory in boston, 1,200 workers are starting their day building on over a hundred years of heritage, craftsmanship and innovation. Today were bringing you americas number one shave at lower prices every day. Putting money back in the pockets of millions of americans. As one of those workers, im proud to bring you gillette quality for less, because nobody can beat the men and women of gillette. Gillette the best a man can get. Hey, leggo my eggo. I dont see your name on it. Really . Ba bam know the rules. Keep your eggo. Leggo my eggo. Okay. Psoriasis does that. 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It captured the massive eruption which sent smoke and ash into the air. Lets get another check of the frigid forecast from nbc meteorologist bill karins. For those lucky enough to miss this big ocean storm, youre not going to miss the next arctic blast if youre east of the mississippi river. Negative 20 wind chills to areas like duluth, indianapolis negative 6. By the time we get to friday, its going to be all through the east and right into the weekend in areas like new york city. Early today will be right back. 40 million americans are waking up to a gillette shave. And at our factory in boston, 1,200 workers are starting their day craftsmanship and innovation. Today were bringing you americas number one shave at lower prices every day. Putting money back in the pockets of millions of americans. As one of those workers, im proud to bring you gillette quality for less, because nobody can beat the men and women of gillette. Gillette the best a man can get. Yeeeeaaaahhh uh oh. 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Look at the actual temperatures. 4 degrees dulles, manassas is only at 1 degree so they could news 4 today starts now. Good morning, everybody. Im chris lawrence. Thanks for waking up bright and early for us. Im here with sheena. Probably the third day in a row now of the cold snap chills today, were talking about actual temperatures being below ten degrees. Before we get to that, got some School Delays to tell you about. In northeast d. C. The cold is causing some plumbing issues at archbish archbishop. Page county and Frederick County on a twohour delay. The same goes for berkeley and jefferson counties in west virginia. Lets send it over to sheena to see, boy, what were in for today. I mean, when you walk outside, it actually does feel in many areas colder than yesterday. Take a look as we go through the morning though. For the suburbs well be staying, these are actual temperatures, below 10 degrees until 7 00 a. M. Then rising into the 20s by lunchtime. Look at what its like outside right now. This is the actual temperature because the wind this morning is not really a factor. 16 degrees washington, 9 frederick, 1 degree in manassas. Manassas could drop below zero