Transcripts For WRC Today 20100506

but just how long is that going to last? we'll ask her "today," thursday, may 6th, 2010. captions paid for by nbc-universal television and welcome to "today" on this thursday morning. i'm meredith vieira. >> i'm matt lauer. you have to sit here and wonder if we won the lottery, $266 million, would we be here this morning? >> you have to wonder about that? i don't wonder about that. i wouldn't be. >> it would be good morning, i'm lester holt. >> no! >> you'd want to work. you think your life would stay normal for a little while, at least. >> no. she's working for now, anyhow. also ahead, the most abishs attempt yet to try and contain that oil spill from growing even bigger in the gulf gets under way today. a massive 125-ton dome will be lowered into the sea to hopefully capture oil from one of the leaks. we are live with the latest on that delicate operation. we'll meet a remarkable woman with an incredible story. tere dupe row fassbender was just 11 years old while her family was murdered while on a sailing vacation. the killer tried to sink the ship and left her on it to die after four days, adrift and alone at sea, tere survived. this morning near 50 years later, she'll open bup that ordeal for the first time in a live interview. but we begin on this thursday morning with new details on the man accused of that attempted car bombing in times square. nbc's justice correspondent pete williams is here with the latest. pete, good morning. >> matt, good morning. somebody who is arrested is usually brought into court within a day or so to be formally charged in front of a judge. federal officials say faisal shahzad has decided he doesn't need a lawyer, or a court date, and instead wants to keep talking. according to several officials familiar with what faisal shahzad has told his interrogators, he claims he wanted to set off a car bomb in times square because he was angry at the u.s. for its predator drone attacks in pakistan, including one that hit while he was there striking very close to where he was at the time. some attacks he says killed people he knew. they say losing his connecticut house to foreclosure also made his despondent pushing him closer to the edge. as investigators work to build their case against him, they've discovered that he drove another car to times square last friday, the day before the attempted bombing, apparently to be his getaway car. but they say he left the getaway keys hanging in the here hatch door of the bomb-carrying suv and had to take the train home instead. and while police say they're now satisfied that the man seen changing his shirt in a surveillance video released sunday night had nothing do with the bombing attempt, they say they have found video of shahzad himself walking down an alley just after the suv was discovered with smoke coming out the back. shahzad's attempt to flee monday night on an emirates airlines flight to dubai has prompted new calls for tighter restrictions on passengers who book at the last minute paying cash, as authorities say he did. >> if you pay cash, maybe you have the most benign of motivation but you could have a more pernicious motivation. you don't want people to know you're flying. >> reporter: even though shahzad was on the no-fly list he was able to board the plane but was removed from the flight just before it was set to take off monday night and he was not surprised. when customs agents walked up to him on the plane he said, "i've been expecting you." investigators now believe shahzad started working on his makeshift bomb at least seven weeks ago. employees at this pennsylvania fireworks dealer say he bought men 88 firecrackers, the same used in making the times square bomb. one big question for investigators is whether he had help from anyone in the u.s. with help on his plot. officials say he's told them no, and they say there is no evidence to suggest otherwise but say there is a growing suspicion that the taliban in pakistan was involved. meredith? >> we are hearing from some of faisal shah dad's relatives in pakistan. nbc's foreign correspondent richard engel is in islamabad this morning. richard, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, meredith. it came as a shock to pakistanis that shahzad could have links to the taliban. he's from one of pakistan's most elite families and doesn't seem to fit the profile. although western counterterrorism officials say faisal shahzad appears to have ties to the pakistani taliban, few believe that here in shahzad's family village, home to military elite and government officials. "shahzad had no links with any jihadi group, says one family member. he wasn't a member of al qaeda or the taliban." "this is total propaganda," says another man. "his father isn't the type of person who would bring up a son like this." neighbors say shahzad wasn't brought up a radical fighter but he apparently aspired to be one. shahzad's father was one of the top commanders in the pakistani air force. he grew up privileged attending private secular schools and wouldn't known for expressing extremist religious views. but officials here say shahzad returned to pakistan for a visit last year with the goal of becoming a militant. what motivated shahzad? u.s. intelligence and pakistani officials say he was most likely seeking vengeance for america's mostly covert war near the afghan border in waziristan where the cia and special operations forces have intensified drone attacks on al qaeda and the taliban. encouraged by the united states, and in response to relentless bombings in pakistan, the pakistani military has also launched an offensive in waziristan. >> waziristan is really the heartland of insurgency and of anti-americanism. >> reporter: but why would the pakistani taliban train shahzad? because of his reach in the united states, and ability to go unnoticed. he's from a good family, married, kids, and most importantly, is an american citizen, not a usual suspect. many pakistanis now worry because of this attempted bombing, everyone in this country could face increased suspicion and scrutiny when they try to travel. matt? >> richard engel in pakistan for us this morning, richard, thanks very much. nbc news terrorism analyst roger cressy served as a top counterterrorism officials for both the bush and clinton administrations. he wasn't a typical suspect. that's what richard just said. here's a guy who came to this country 12 years ago, not intent on causing damage, and yet he seemed to set off on some kind of a slow burn. is that typical? >> well, what's so disturbing about this is that he wasn't the typical suspect, and i think that's the challenge for law enforcement and the intelligence community going forward. how do you identify people like this who don't fit the typical profile? life of privilege by pakistani standards, assimilated into the united states. he checked all the boxes of a person who shouldn't have been radicalized, and yet something triggered it. either as richard and pete said, his economic situation and what happened in pakistan regarding the predator, or something else. but it is a pretty disturbing picture how somebody can be recruited and come awfully close to conducting a terror attack. >> you say recruited. i was going to say he went there looking for training. i'm curious how that process goes. can an outsider just walk up to people in this area, waziristan, and ask for training? there must be some kind of a test or so they put him through to make sure he's not actually intent on revealing them. >> well, absolutely. there was a case recently of five northern virginia gentlemen who went to pakistan, wanted to fight against the united states inside afghanistan and were rejected by the network because they thought they were cia. so absolutely. he could have volunteered himself. it is a bottom-up process of recruitment instead of the top-down talent spotting that we saw before and leading up to 9/11. but the bottom line is he had to work with people inside pakistan, inside the broader taliban/al qaeda network. so one of the key issues that investigators are going to get at is the who, when and how. who did you work with over there, when did they train you and how did they train you. >> was there follow-up? they don't just train you on making a bomb, i would imagine, then send you on your merry way. do they share instructions, do they share plans once he left the country? >> one possibility, matt, they may not have trusted him enough and did not give him the highest level training, access to the inner circle which could explain why he did such a bad job in building his bomb. the other effect could be that the success of the predator program -- by the way, it is the most important thing we've been doing in the fight against al qaeda since 9/11 -- has so seriously affected the infrastructure out there that the people training him may not be as capable as ones who were there years ago that ultimately we've eliminated. >> it is a bit embarrassing that this guy was actually able to get aboard that emirates airlines flight to dubai before he was arrested as they brought the plane back to the gate. that was clearly a slip-up. the tsa has now changed the rules where airlines have to update the no-fly list every two hours. does that cut it, in your opinion? >> matt, think about it. up to this point we've always talked about trying to prevent people from coming into the united states if they have terrorist intentions and always put in procedures in place to prevent that, the layers of security. here is a case we were trying to prevent someone from leaving the united states and there was a loophole in our policy and procedures right now. that's in the process of being fixed but it is a reminder that threat evolves. how we have to deal with the threat that evolves and we have to be on top of it as a result. >> roger cressey, thanks so much for your time. >> you look at these photos of shahzad, the last place he stayed in connecticut. they're in the newspapers today. had a two-bedroom apartment that he rented. basically nothing in it. it looks like a guy who was ready to leave -- is that exercise equipment there? little weights. he had the mattress, a table, the koran. he also painted and built po popsicle mosque models, according to the landlord. he told the landlord his original home was foreclosed on, he went to pakistan but came back, he told the landlord, because people here are honest. >> after he ran into financial times, his family went back to pakistan. as you can see, he didn't have a lot of roots put down here. >> there's also another picture that has surfaced that's kind of eerie, of him with friends in times square. that was taken about a year-and-a-half ago. but i have been everything that's happened, a little scary to see him standing there like that. a lot more to find out about him and the motive behind this. a 125-ton containment box will start to be lowered into the gulf of mexico today to try and capture some of the thousands of gallons of oil still leaking into the sea. nbc's chief environmental affairs correspondent anne thompson is in venice, louisiana with more on that story. anne, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, meredith. all along the gulf coast this morning, residents, tourists and fishermen are all hoping this latest attempt to send the flow of oil will finally work. this strange looking object is what bp is now betting on to slow the growth of the monster spill, a spill, it admits, could flood the gulf with as much as 60,000 barrels of oil a day, in the worst case scenario. 12 times more than the current rate. to begin to contain the damage well, a 125-ton dome of concrete and steel, untested a mile under sea. >> this hasn't been done before. it is very complex and it will likely have challenges along the way. >> reporter: later today, bp will begin to lower the dome down to the site. it will cover 1 of 2 remaining leaks. by monday, a pipe could carry oil up to a vessel on the surface, if it works. regardless of when the leaks are plugged, insteterior secretary salizar in venice, insists bp will split the final tab. >> they're responsible for everything. they're responsible for all the responses that are going out, millions and millions of dollars, all the environmental damages and they're also responsible for damages they'll cause to the people of the gulf coast and to this country. >> reporter: there is some good news in all of this. so far, only two birds have had to be rescued and the latest, a 1-year-old brown pelican, louisiana's state bird, is all cleaned up and could be returned to his natural habitat next week. later today, more obama administration officials will come to the gulf to reassure people that everything is being done to protect their coastline. most importantly, their way of life. >> anne thompson, thank you very much. let us get a check of the rest of the top stories of the morning now from ann curry over at news desk. good morning, everybody. we begin with a crucial test for a key u.s. ally. prime minister gordon brown, as people in britain go to the polls today, brown's labor party is facing a tough fight from conservatives led by david cameron. the campaign has largely focused on the economy and a big british deficit, and there is this development -- a candidate for a minor party was injured this morning when his plane crashed. the plane was towing a party banner that may have become entangled in the engine. in greece tensions remain high this morning after violent protested on wednesday. three people were killed. nbc's stephanie gosk is in athens this morning for us. stephanie, good morning. >> reporter: good morning. here at the acropolis tourists are still here but in central athens tear gas still lingers in the air as the city prepares for yet another day of protests. the government is set to pass its second sweeping budget cuts. it's the second this year and with each new measure, the anger grows. yesterday that anger turned deadly. outside a bank this morning, stunned colleagues and saddened athenians laid flowers for the killed bank workers. molotov cocktails set the building on fire and trapped people inside. among those killed, a pregnant woman. outside parliament riot police dealt with small groups of anarchists using stun guns and tear gas to drive them away. 41 police officers and more than a dozen others were injured. it was the largest protest since the economic crisis began in october with an estimated 100,000 demonstrators. the greek prime minister vowed a firm response telling parliament demonstrations are one thing, murder is another. even with the violence, the government says it will go forward with cuts that include increasing taxes, raising the retirement age, and cutting salaries. at 6:00 here tonight, the union will be gathering around the parliament. across the board, union leaders have said they condemn the violence yesterday but regardless of that violence, they're going to continue their struggle. ann? >> stephanie gosk this morning, thanks. overseas markets are mostly down this morning especially in asia. cnbc's melissa lee is at the new york stock exchange. are the markets still concerned about greece? >> they are. there is growing concern that the bailout for greece may not be big enough and that other heavily indebted european countries, especially spain and portugal, may need a bailout, too. the big question is, would germany which has the healthiest economy in the euro zone step in and pick up the tab or will the european central bank which is meeting today step in and perhaps buy the bonds most at risk of default. this could be a very critica juncture for the future of the your ona european union and the euro. two people were injured on wednesday when a truck loaded with fuel loaded at a san antonio refinery setting off a chain reaction of other explosions. hundreds of nearby residents had to be evacuated. look at that black smoke. not good. 7:17. let's go back to meredith, matt and al. >> ann, thank you very much. mr. roker, how you doing? we've got big changes temperaturewise throughout the country. down south we've got temperatures anywhere from 10 here we are going to have an above normal day. we should hit the low and mid 80s. we are in the 60s around a partly cloudy sky. there is a slight chance of an isolated shower or thundershower this afternoon. clearing tonight. sun tomorrow morning and in the 50s and clouds up and highs near 80. cloudy friday night and after midnight there could be a shower into saturday morning. drying out saturday with highs in the mid-70s with sunshine >> and that's your latest weather. matt? >> al, thank you very much. nashville's mayor now says the damage from widespread flooding in his city could easily top $1 billion. as evacuated homeowners begin returning to see the devastation firsthand, nbc's ron mott is in nashville this morning. ron, good morning to you. >> reporter: hey, matt, good morning to you. look at the scene behind me, then multiply it by about 50. more than 150 houses in this neighborhood affected. a lot of things these folks own is on the street. floodwaters are gone, mostly a bad memory. but this is the harsh new reality left behind that a lot of people are now facing. along nashville's west side, all the houses here look alike, both inside and out. flood damaged possessions stacked curbside, memories of the past and present piled front and center. >> your whole life. that's 31 years accumulation, gone in a matter of minutes. >> but everything that we own is right here. >> reporter: residents like jeff perry who came back home again wednesday to clean up what's left are thankful to have escaped the fast-rising flood from torrential weekend rains, knowing others died. >> we knocked on some doors, got so many people out. there's two people that they said there's nobody there. we skipped the house and two people died. >> reporter: this woman's husband tried to save their daughter, both were swept away to their deaths as she watched. >> she was screaming for her daddy to help her and then about the time the rescue squad got here, i didn't see them no more. i didn't see them float away. >> reporter: for all the pain and hardships already endured, still more may yet come. many who suffered losses aren't covered by flood insurance. the perries, who are, met with their adjuster wednesday and look forward to starting their recovery. only they don't plan on it being here. matt, as you mentioned, the mayor says when all the property losses are totalled here in this city, it could easily top $1 billion. the emotional toll can't be calculated. >> our thoughts are with the people in nashville. thank you, ron mott. an emotional vigil at the university of virginia for murdered lacrosse player yeardley love and the possible miss just ahead, the woman left adrift at sea for four days as a young girl after her family was killed. we're going to talk to her. plus, the member of the nbc family who just won $266 million in the lottery. we'll talk to her and her husband after your local news. i love this dove creamoil wash. gorgeous lather. it makes my skin really silky and velvety. this is my body wash. what do you mean? this is it? why?! oh, don't do that to me! dove creamoil body wash. now with nutrium moisture. nutrium moisture. i'm a believer. the nourishment in dove creamoil goes somehow deeper. i'm happy about the change. change is good. dove creamoil body wash. parents magazine and edmunds.com called it "one of the best family cars of 2009." the insurance institute for highway safety calls it a "2010 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[ jazz horns blow ] because expressive is never excessive. i guess some women are destined to wear chico's. ♪ chicka boom boom boom, yeah, yeah ♪ good morning. it's may sixth, 2010. a teenager was shot after an argument on a metro bus on mib min avenue in southeast washington. the 17-year-old was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. police have not found the shooter. we will take a break and look at the weather and >> partly cloudy in the 60s and highs in the mid 60s and a slight chance of a shower or thundershower. a sunny start to friday with highs near 80. late friday after midnight through mid-morning saturday, a chance of showers in the afternoon. >> this is the remnants of a car fire near the bw parkway. a couple of lanes closed and all are now open, but look for delays on the outer loop at route 50 towards college park. elsewhere, not so good. 66 is slammed big time from centerville into the sunshine. >> looks rough. get all the news, weather, and traffic. the news now begins at 4:30 7:30 now on a thursday morning, may 6th, 2010. one week to go until sting kicks off our summer concert series right out there on rockefeller plaza. all those folks should make plans to come back next friday, may 14th, in our 8:30 half-hour. we look forward to that. inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer alongside meredith vieira. just ahead, when good things happen to good people. get this -- a woman who was working the graveyard shift at our nbc station in los angeles early wednesday morning realized she and her husband, who recently lost his job, just won $266 million in the lottery. we'll talk to them in a moment. >> good for them. speaking of good news, rocker and "celebrity apprentice" bret michaels has mao been released from the hospital after suffering a near-fatal brain hej hmorrhage. the latest on his recovery and what he's saying about it in his first interview since the scare. plus, the survivor of a tragic ordeal. an 11-year-old girl left to die on a sinking ship after the captain of that ship murdered her entire family. the killer told police there had been an accident on-board and everyone died accidentally. but little did he know that little girl survived, floating alone on a raft for days without food or water. now nearly 50 years later she's speaking out for the very first time. we're going to talk to her coming up. it is an incredible story. >> really interesting. we'll begin this half-hour with an emotional vigil to honor a murdered lacrosse star at the university of virginia and new developments in the investigation. nbc's jeff rossen is on the charlottesville campus with the very latest. jeff, good morning. >> reporter: hey, meredith, good morning. this has been a very tough time here. people have been crying on campus for days. late last night they all got together and cried together. at a moment like this you don't want to look back and say "what if this," "what if that," but that's what a lot of people are doing this morning, including university official themselves. were there missed warning signs here in many friends say this was an abusive relationship that often got physical, especially lately, yet no one reported this to police or the university. in the heart of uva's pristine campus wednesday night, members of the women's lacrosse team broke down in tears honoring their star player, yeardley love. only 22 years old, murdered just weeks before graduation. thousands of students showed up at this candlelight vigil, including one of yeardley's friends who discovered her body that night. even the university president couldn't hide his emotions. >> yeardley love did nothing to deserve to be attacked and beaten, to deserve to suffer the injuries of which we've all read in police reports. to deserve to die. >> reporter: now, evidence is piling up against the fellow uva lacrosse store, george huguely, charged with beating love to death, some say over their recent breakup. investigators have recovered new clues against him. inside huguely's apartment, court documents say they found a la cross shirt with a red stain on it. a letter he wrote addressed to yeardley, a green spiral notebook, two laptop computers and dna samples. this on top of his admission the night of the murder, confessing to police he kicked his right food through the door that leads to love's bedroom. they got into an altercation and he shook love and her head repeatedly hit the wall, leaving her to die, police say, face-down on her pillow in a pool of blood. >> it horrifies and astoundz me. it was a terrible, terrible incident. >> reporter: but now many wonder if key warning signs were missed, if this brutal murder could have been avoided. huguely, friends say, had a turn lent romantic relationship with love and got physical with her, attacking her in public just weeks ago. police sources say he may have sent her death threats over text message. huguely has a criminal record, too. arrested in 2008 for public swearing and intoxication and resisting arrest. school officials defended themselves at a news conference wednesday evening. >> i never heard it. absolutely never heard it. >> speak for myself in saying we wish we had known that. >> reporter: didn't know it because yeardley never reported any of it, and neither did any of her friends, who reportedly saw the abuse firsthand. a missed opportunity, now consuming this campus. >> yes, this event might have been able to be avoided if others had spoken up maybe or if we just had a better support system. >> reporter: college friends say george huguely was especially aggressive when he drank. police sources tell nbc news he was drinking all day sunday in the hours leading up to the murder. like most college campuses, uva teaches students about the dangers of alcohol abuse. >> the reason we do these educational programs are because bad things happen sometimes and it is when people drink too much. >> reporter: here, the worst thing happened, the abrupt end of a young life after suffering in silence. university officials say never again. >> don't hear a scream, don't watch abuse, don't hear stories of abuse from your friends and keep quiet. speak out. find me. i will go with you to the police. choose to honor yeardley love's life. >> reporter: so sad. yeardley love's parents were supposed to be here on campus for a happy occasion, perhaps the happiest occasion of their life when their daughter was to graduate in just a couple of weeks. but instead, meredith, they now have their daughter's body. they brought her back to maryland. funeral services are planned for this weekend. as a parent i know you know, this is difficult to fathom for anybody. >> just awful, a nightmare. jeff rossen, thank you so much. pat brown is a criminal profiler and author of "killing for sport." pat, good morning. as jeff just mentioned, when george huguely met up with the officers the night yeardley love died, they went to his apartment after finding her, he told them that he had indeed broken down her door. at least that's what we're hearing, her bedroom door, he repeatedly smashed her head against the wall, then left taking her laptop with him. his attorney has not denied any of the statements made by his client but he did call the attorney -- the attorney did call love's death an accident with a tragic outcome. given huguely's statement, what do you make of the defense strategy that they seem to be building here? >> well, meredith, i think they better change it really quickly. everybody thinks that's ludicrous. there's no such thing as accidentally smashing somebody's head repeatedly into a wall, then leaving them there to die. and the fact there is premeditation in it when we talk about there's been possibly death threats and that he actually kicked her door in which was locked so he couldn't get into the room. i don't know where the defense attorney can get away with that one. they better work on a slightly different strategy. >> according to friends, they broke up weeks ago and he then attack her in public. there are reports of text messages where he may have threatened her life. what does that tell you about their relationship, the volatility of it? >> oh, it's really scary. i really wish women would take a lot more time getting into relationships. i think i'm starting a new campaign which i call two plus two equals "4 life." get to know a person you go out with, spend time with them in groups to see what their behavior is like. before you get into any kind of sexual relationship, take some time. be sure they respect you. you know? don't just rush into something. this is what happens to girls. they start -- go right out on a date before they get to know the person and before they get to trust the person, they're into a sexual relationship. then it is too late. because a person like this, like huguely, apparently he thinks he can get whatever he wants, thinks he's very entitled to anything. she was his new toy. he wanted his toy and when it was taken away from him he got mad. he didn't respect her as a human being. she was a possession to him. you should never date a person and have a romantic relationship with somebody who considers you a possession. i think women need to slow down. you don't need a guy that badly. respect yourself and take a long time to say, wait a minute, if i don't really, really trust you, i'm not going there with you. >> there's also -- and the president of the university of virginia said this to students last night -- please, if you see abuse or hear about abuse, you must talk to us about it, you must tell someone, a relative of yeardley love's apparently said that last march she described huguely as aggressive, didn't say anything more. he didn't think anything of it. but there was a good example of a warning sign that could have been missed. >> absolutely. nobody should be in a relationship with anybody who's aggressive because you'll become the target of that when they get angry. every friend, every relative should say get away from him. when she started getting these death threats and knowing that he was that angry with her, she should have had 24/7 protection, never left alone so that he could come after her and think he could get away with what he wanted to do to her. you just got to take these red flags so, so seriously. i hope if nothing comes out of this, such a horrible ending for this beautiful girl, if nothing comes out of this, i hope every woman out there and every person out there realizes this is not acceptable behavior in relationships and slow down and protect yourself and protect your friend and protect your relatives. >> that 2008 arrest that jeff rengs mentioned where huguely was arrested and eventually tasered, university of virginia officials say they never knew about it. i don't know what they could have done had they known. but should police in a situation like that notify a campus that we have a student of yours and they were found guilty of such and such or arrested for such and such? >> well, i guess it will be how the whole campus deals with anything. found it interesting a lot of campuses ignore very, very bad behavior from the students. they don't require more. i had a son who went to india. on that campus had you to wear a collared shirt, call everyone "sir" or "madam." if you were caught smoking on that campus, you were expelled. we have students all the time on campus drinking like fish and acting in all kinds of ways and nobody has to act in a certain way. look at the duke situation. all these boys did all these different things. were they thrown off the team? no. there are all kinds of rules of how we should behave ourselves. we must act in a certain way and if we don't we'll be removed as students. unless they go that route, they won't be able to do anything about it. >> pat brown, thank you very it is a summer-like morning. at this hour around the region, temperatures in the 60s from benning to largo, chantilly and wheat on. highs reaching low and mid-arkts and a chance of a shower or thundershower. a sunny start to friday and a cloudy finish with highs near 80. late friday after midnight with mid-morning saturday. a chance of a shower and cooler and dry for the rest of the weekend. >> don't forget, if you want to keep track of your weather all day long, go to the weather channel on cable or weather.com online. meredith? >> al, thank you very much. up next, the winner of the $266 million mega millions lottery and she works at our nbc station. i just adore her! we'll talk to her right after i just adore her! we'll talk to her right after this. lack bean fiesta. but it's perfectly cooked black beans, in a zesty "south of the border" chipotle sauce with red and green peppers, onion, and crisp corn. a bold new taste. i know. but i want people to think i'm a great cook. so hide. delicious! can i have your recipe? your secret is safe with me. hello... new bush's black 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[ female announcer ] when you have kids the phrase good morning takes on a whole new meaning. capri sun sunrise is a good source of calcium and vitamin c so every morning's a good morning. capri sun sunrise, i can respect that. mega millions lotto which is played in about 38 states is 1 in 177 million. >> that's true. imagine the surprise at a staffer at our newsroom if l.a. won the $266 million prize. we'll talk to the couple in a moment, but first here's nbc's george lewis. >> i have 184 e-mails. >> i was trying to remain anonymous. >> reporter: gilbert cisneros can forget about that now. his wife jacki, an overnight assignment editor at the nbc station in los angeles, was on duty wednesday morning and saw that the winning $266 million lottery ticket had been purchased at a hawaiian restaurant gilbert had gone to the previous night. and, yes, had he played the lotto. >> she called her husband at home. he checked his ticket and all of a sudden she just started screaming. she started tearing up. >> i said, yeah, i said i got it. then she started just going hysterical, "oh, my god! oh, my god!" >> my hand was shaking on the phone. my legs felt like they were going to buckle. i just cried and laughed at the same time. >> reporter: though overcome with emotion, jacki kept on working in the newsroom phoning a colleague at 2:30 in the morning. >> she called and said are you sitting down? i said, i'm laying down. i was asleep! i'm like what's up? i thought something was on fire. >> reporter: when jacki got home, gilbert said he figured out the first thing he's going to do. >> i'm going to church, going to thank god. >> reporter: giving thanks while still not quite believing what had happened to them. for "today," george lewis, nbc news, los angeles. >> jacki and gilbert cisneros are with us now this morning. good morning to both of you and congratulations. >> yeah. >> good morning. >> good morning. thank you. >> jacki, jacki, jacki, why are you at work, jacki? >> to be on the "today" show. >> so honestly speaking, you find out you win this money. you stayed throughout your shift last night helping to put the morning news on the air for the people out there in los angeles. no thought of just getting up and heading out the door and saying, "see ya, suckers"? >> well, initially i wanted to go home but i was so nervous and i was shaking and i felt like my legs were going to fall out from underneath me that i probably should just stay there and sort of regroup. and then i thought, what am i going to home for? i'll just sit there and stare at a ticket. can't really do anything until daylight. i just continued working. and i probably will continue working for as long as knbc will allow me. i can't imagine not working. it seems kind of -- it is a foreign concept to me. >> gilbert, you recently lost your job. you were on jury duty, were on your way home. if you had listened to jacki, you wouldn't be sitting here as a multi-million dollar winners at all, would you? >> no, not at all. she said she had a craving for kfc. all i could think about was that double-decker chicken sandwich. i'm like, i don't want that. so she told me, you're on your own for dinner. actually, i was in downtown l.a. so my first thought was, you know what? i think i'm going to go get some mexican food. but driving around looking for parking, the parking there was like $8. i'm like i'm not going to pay that for parking. >> let your chauffeur do it from now on. so you ended up in the barbecue joint and the rest is history. >> yeah. i ended up over there, i ordered my food. and let me have ten lotto tickets, too. >> that worked out. just a few seconds left, what is the first thing you're going to do with the money? >> buy a house. somewhere. we don't know where now. we are like kids in a candy store. >> tahiti is nice this time of year. >> okay. that's an option. >> we're going to make sure we give back to those who need it and i know we talked about contributing to our alma maters, then also to give back to our church. >> that's awfully nice of you guys. >> try and do what's right. >> good for you guys. we're thrilled for you. it is so nice when it happens to people to deserve it. jacki, gilbert, congratulations. >> thank you. >> so nice. nice, nice, nice people. still ahead, what parents need to know about a newel recall of a popular over-the-counter cold medicines for children. but first these messages. in 14 hundred and 92. nice! follow me, the missouri river is this way! lewis and clark expedition of 1804. oh, he'll never get this. magellan, 1520. awww, my 8 layers must've given it away. help keep your kid full and focused with 8 filling layers... of whole grain fiber found in kellogg's frosted mini-wheats cereal. this is one giant leap for mini-kind. keeps 'em full. keeps 'em focused. hoo hooo! keeps 'em full. keeps 'em focused. - good night, honey. - and they could fix... - all better? 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( gasps ) what's in your wallet? wait up! just ahead, a young girl left alone at sea to die by the man who murdered her entire family. >> five decades later, she shares her incredible story in a live interview for the first time after your local news. bye momma. i love you. i love you. bye-bye. you be careful on your way home. -happy mother's day. -okay. bye-bye. ♪ ♪ ♪ [ female announcer ] this mother's day, give her something she can hold on to. a card. it's the biggest little thing you can do. from crystal light. the first fitness drink with no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives. new purefitness... from crystal light. a pure way to water your body. try the first great-tasting, zero-calorie... natural sweetener borne from the leaves of the stevia plant. truvía. honestly sweet. find it at your grocery store. that means thousands of rollbacks throughout the whole store. and i should know that... because i'm mr. rollback. what's my super power? that's rolling back prices. there's a rollback. rollback prices here. these are rollbacks waiting to be rollbacks. that's how many rollbacks we have. we're cutting costs all over, which cuts prices all over, which means thousands of rollbacks. like this one right here. i'm darrell, and they call me mr. rollback. and i save people money so they can live better. 7:56 is the time and hazy sunshine as we look at a beautiful picture of the jefferson memorial here in the nation's capital on this thursday, the sixth day of may. i'm joe krebs. a youth soccer coach in virginia faces charges of assaulting two referees in a game at battlefield middle school. 34-year-old jason atkins was coaching a team of 10-year-old boys and changed out on to the field and grabbed a 16-year-old referee. atkins then assaulted another young referee. neither was injured. d.c. so-called social safeway is open after a year long face-lift and true to its name, they had a reopening extravaganza. they include a sushi bar and fine selection of the gourmet and big cheese departments. we will take a break and look at the weat >> temperatures near 70 and highs in the mid 80s and an isolated shower or thundershower. >> a live look at this hour headed for the key bridge. part of the issue is an accident on the outbound side of the key bridge with inbound detention. 270 very loaded up and german on bound. >> tonight at 5:00, you don't have to go outside to enjoy grilled food. burgers are easy, but what about brownies? we find 8:00 now on this thursday morning, the 6th of may, 2010. al says expect some showers this morning in midtown manhattan, but nothing that these folks on the plaza cannot handle. i'm meredith vieira, along with matt lauer and al roker. really good news for rocker bret michaels. he has been released from the hospital just two weeks after critical condition following a brain hemorrhage. he's speaking out in an exclusive interview. what he's saying about that medical scare and his plans for the future. a lucky man. also ahead, just the sole survival of a tragedy at sea. tere duperrault fassbender's family was on a sailing vacation back in 1961 when the captain of the charter boat murdered her entire family and then left her on the sinking ship to die. amazingly, four days later, she was found alive, floating in a raft. this morning, tere will share what is an unbelievable story for the first time in nearly 50 years. plus, the latest on an alarming recall of a very popular over-the-counter children's cold medicine as the fda now urges parents to use generic alternatives. dr. nancy snyderman will join us with information all parents need to know. first a check of the top stories with ann curry. good morning. a boat carrying a huge containment dome headed this morning to the site of the well that's been leaking oil in the gulf of mexico. british petroleum expects to start lowering that dome today in a dramatic effort to control the oil spill off the louisiana coast. also, homeland security secretary janet napolitano returns to the area today to discuss the spill's impact with local and state officials. officials say new york city car bomb suspect faisal shahzad drove nanother suv to times square the day before his terror attack to use as getaway car, however he left the keys in the door and had to take the train home. there is growing evidence shahzad was trained bit pakistani taliban and the u.s. is asking pakistan for help with the investigation. a three-day siege in dubai targeting a train station and a jewish outreach center claimed more than 160 lives. bank workers in greece are on strike to protest the death of three colleagues wednesday in violent protests. they were trapped in a bank set on fire by demonstrators opposed to tough measures greece is taking amid a growing economic crisis. now here's brian williams on what's coming up tonight on nbc knightly news. >> tonight on "nightly news," part two of a special report on the pill at 50. the possible new role for men, and yes, talk about a pill for men. that's tonight on "nightly news." for now, back to you. we end this little newscast with an awesome sight that's been attracting more tourists than usual to hawaii's big island. lava is creeping toward the ocean. the lava could eventually michamake the island even larger. let's go back outside for the weather with good morning. it feels like summer time in may and we were around 70 degrees and 71 in washington and we will have the afternoon high reach the 80s and a few clouds in and out. a shower or thundershower this afternoon clearing tonight in the 50s tomorrow morning. highs near 80 on friday with increasing showers. friday after midnight through mid-morning saturday, a chance of a shower and cooler after that. sunny in the mid 70s. sunny, blustery and chilly with afternoon hig >> it's a happy birthday to beth. happy birthday! you're got your mom's day card there. i don't think can you get that in the mail. matt? >> thanks very much. singer bret michaels has now been released from the hospital and is speaking out about his life threatening medical scare. what he says in an exclusive interview right after this. who made a cup the next morning for "ladies man" as he was rushing out the back door. he shared it with "blondes have more fun" and "fiery redhead," who, after finding out about each other, shared starbucks via with their new boyfriends, "firemen keep it hot" and "drummers rock," who called his friend "know it all," who said he already knew about it. premium starbucks via ready brew. now available wherever you buy groceries. ♪ wore only what i was wild about. always knew what i loved, and insisted on wearing it. ♪ chicka boom boom boom i guess some women are destined to wear chico's. ♪ [ female announcer ] it's fun to get more! and now, during bonus daat petsmart, get more free with bonus deals on select items throughout the store. pestmart. we love to see healthy, happy pets! we are back at 8:07 with the remarkable recovery of sing of and "celebrity apprentice" star bret michaels. he's now been released from the hospital. today we have the very latest. maria, good morning. >> good morning. i was at the press conference in phoenix on tuesday where for the first time bret michaels' doctor spoke out about his condition. we're also hearing from bret himself for the fir time after he was hospitalized. just two weeks after rock star and "celebrity apprentice" contestant bret michaels was rushed to a phoenix emergency room with a life threat being brain hemorrhage, he's been released from the hospital, is in stable condition and expected to fully recover. >> 15% to 20% of patients die. mr. michaels was indeed a lucky person. a very lucky person. he can walk and he's talking very well. he's mentally aware of everything that's going on. >> reporter: in the upcoming issue of "people" magazine, the 47-year-old rocker-turned-reality show star says, "i'm lucky to be alive." during this exclusive interview, michaels described the excruciating pain he felt in his head and next the night of april 21st. he said, "i thought someone shot me in the head." adding, "it was the most severe instant pain i've ever felt in my life." in recalling the moments after what turned out to be a subarachnoid hemorrhage, michaels said, "i didn't have my entire life flash before my eye wlz it happened. i was just sad. not depressed, but sad thinking of my daughters growing up without me." >> to see somebody that you love in pain and knowing that his family is scared and worried, it was hard. >> reporter: on "celebrity apprentice," taped several months ago, michaels competed against other celebrities, and so far has won $140,000 for the american diabetes association. he was diagnosed with the disease when he was 6 years old. >> i take it we're all fellow d diabetics here? >> reporter: there is speculation whether he'll be allowed to appear on the live broadcast of "celebrity apprentice." >> we'll evaluate him at two-week intervals to determine when he can resume his normal life tile. >> reporter: but michaels says, "my first goal is to get back 100%. i want to continue to rock the world and i want to continue to be a good father." i've interviewed bret many times and have gotten to know him. i am willing to bet he'll be on the finale of "celebrity apprentice." as for his doctor, he said we will wait and see. >> maria, thank you very much. ann marie cruz wrote the cover story on bret michaels for "people" magazine. good morning. you talked to bret by phone. how did he sound? >> he sounded amazingly art clal considering how much pain he is still in. he used words like excoriate. i had to look that up. >> he's going to make a full recovery according to doctors but he's now in rehab. you talk about the pain he's in. what kind of pain is he suffering? >> like massive pain. like having bad back disease. because he has diabetes his doctor can't give him steroids so he has to suffer through it with muscle relaxants and sed ti atives. >> did you tuk his doctor? he had that accident at the tonys last year where his head was hit. did any of those contribute? >> his doctor says, no, it was a completely separate incident and didn't have any actual cause. the tonys didn't have an effect and his life-long fight with diabetes did not have an effect either. >> in the article he says he's very lucky to be alive and will start working on his bucket list. >> he said whether that means helping other people who have the same situation as him, or rocking the world, he wants to make sure that everything he does from here on out is like embraced 100%. >> he also mentioned his long-time girlfriend, christy gibson. together 16 years, have two children. the possibility he might tie the knot. he sort of suggested that's a possibility. >> right. he said it is a positive work in progress. their relationship. and that we'll wait and see. he says, yes, that could be one of the big things on the list. >> did he say to you with any conviction he will be there for the finale? >> he did not. but knowing him, i think maria is right, if he has any shot at being there, he'll do it. his doctor said please don't promise. but it's bret and bret is a fighter and he wants to do -- if he sets his mind to it, he's going to do it. >> it is wonderful to hear him in his own words. ann marie cruz, thank you so much. let's bring in dr. nancy snyderm snyderman. >> how come someone who suffers the kind of hemorrhage bret michaels did cannot only be alive but expected to make a full recovery? >> i think we have to be very careful when we use the terms "full recovery." it depends where that bleed is. after a stroke, there's some kind of neurologic problem, whether slurred speech or weakness in one part of the body. the fact he's mao in a rehab unit means they're working very hard on getting that part of the brain that took the hit back to as normal as it can be. you can see progress sometimes in days, and sometimes it takes weeks. >> how is this hemorrhage different than an aneurism. they said he is fortunate he didn't haveaneurism? >> this is real ly just a weakening of the blood vessel like a ballooning that causes that to pop. what they're saying is the vessel blew, but not because of a weakening that they could see and the bleeding was self-contained. i think the real lesson in all of this is that that kind of excruciating pain is a hemorrhage in the brain until proven otherwise. it is a very narrow window where people have to get to the hospital. many times with stroke patients, we're talking hours, not days. if you have those symptoms, instant pain, some kind of weakness, slurred speech, disorientation, that's an immediate 911 call. then er doctors have to think stroke until proven otherwise. >> let me switch gears here. quickly ask you about the fda recall of those over-the-counter children's medications. how serious is this and what should parents know about this? >> three liquid medications. zyrtec, motrin and children's tylenol, all made by johnson & johnson. they found that there were some inactive ingredients, some ingredients that may have been too high for their safety profiles. some parents reported some kind of contaminated dots or contaminant in some of the fluids. according to the fda, no serious complaints, no concern of injury, but enough that johnson & johnson has done the right thing, telling patients throw it away, they will reimburse people for products used. this is what responsible companies do. if there is a concern about safety or contamination or product that doesn't meet internal standards, that stuff is pulled from the shelves. people are told not to use it. peggy hamburg of the fda has said no concerns right now about anyone being hurt. these products will be back after they can figure out whatever this manufacturing glitch was. >> thank you, dr. nancy. the lone survivor of a tragic murder at sea shares her incredible story 50 years later. right after this. on a second... come on up here where your brothers sit. wow! chevy traverse. a consumers digest best buy, with a 100,000-mile, powertrain warranty. it seats eight comfortably - not that it always has to. now during spring event get 0% apr for 60 months on 2010 traverse with an average finance savings around fifty four hundred. see your local chevy dealer. real chicken and salmon and the goodness of leafy greens. you live well. you eat right. help your cat do the same. naturals from purina cat chow. ♪ [ daughter ] mom. sears knows she's your number one. but what about all the other mothers in your life? like your big sis. she rocks. well, most of the time. or your cool aunts, who share everything with you. plus, mom's best friend, who lets you do "whatever." the sears mother's day sale. presents for mom, and all of your other mothers. ♪ east of piazza navonna, the italian passion for food is alive and well. and the crowds are eating it up. unfortunately, um... rome is like 4,200 miles away and you have work in the morning! but bertolli chicken florentine is just minutes away, in a luscious white wine sauce. authentic italian for two... in the comfort of your own country. bertolli. italy is served. we're back at 8:18 with what started as a family vacation on the high seas and ended in tragedy. the loss of an entire family except for one remarkable little girl. now nearly 50 years later, tere duperrault fassbender is sharing her story. we'll talk to her in a moment, but first here's nbc's kerry sanders. >> reporter: the coast guard chopper arrived at miami's mercy hospital with a barely alive survivor -- an 11-year-old girl who had been floating at sea for 3 1/2 days. she was dehydrated, sunburned with a rapid heartbeat. but tere jo duperrault, the blonde-headed tom boy somehow outlasted the shark infested water after "the blue bell" her family was on sank. >> is there any indication there is somebody else out there? >> there is always a possibility where there is hope. we certainly have hope the search is going to continue. >> reporter: it would turn out every other passenger on-board "the blue bell" died in that november 1961 tragedy near the bahamas. tere jo's mother, father, sister, brother, even the captain's wife. dead. these photos were snapped by a sailor on the greek freighter that found tere jo at sea. had she not been rescued at sea, no one would have been the wiser. the ship's captain julian harvey had made to shore in a dingy and in his version, the ship caught fire and everyone drowned. >> she is in good spirits, the hospital reports. >> reporter: but tere jo was alive and she knew that fire, then sinking story was a lie. so, too, did captain julian harvey. when he heard tere jo was rescued, he went to this hotel and committed suicide. the real suicide, tere jo was asleep. she woke up, found her mother an brother on deck in a pool of blood dead. captain julian harvey clased her bolo decks, pulled the plugs in the hull and left her on-board to drown as he escaped in the dingy. but why the murders? detectives say, greed. >> the fact that he was the seosole beneficiary of his wife's insurance policy and that he was sorely in need of funds must be considered. >> reporter: captain julian harvey, the dashing one-time test pilot who once purposely ditched a b-24 in the river and then came out and combed his hair, was, in death, a suspected sociopath. for "today," kerry sanders, nbc news, miami. >> tere is here along with richard logan who, together, have written a new book, "alone: orphaned on the ocean." good morning to both of you. tere, first of all. i'm trying to look as you watched that footage. >> i've never seen any of that. >> how was it for to you see as an 11-year-old girl? >> it was nice for me to see that. >> 50 years after this happened. why are you coming out now and talking about it? >> i thought i was spared for a reason and that the reason would be to help other people. and so richard and i have been working on a book, and the book is finally come out. i would just hope that i could help someone after they read the book to give them inspiration. >> what happened on that boat is almost unimaginable. how much of the carnage did you actually witness? there was a commotion on-board. after the captain killed his wife, the other members of your family heard the commotion and went down to see what was going on and he, one by one, kill the other members of your family. how much did you witness? >> i didn't witness any killing. i did see my mother and brother dead with blood. i never saw my father. i never saw mrs. harvey and i never saw my sister. that was all that i did see. >> do you to this day understand why that man, mr. harvey, allowed you to live? why he didn't kill you before getting off that boat in the dingy? >> i think he probably thought i would go down with the ship. >> in no way would you ever be able to survive. >> correct. >> so he pulls the plugs on this boat so it begins to take on water and sink. you're in a room, the water starts to rise. and you go find a raft and you go overboard. what was it like? you're 11 years old. you're floating in the middle of the ocean alone. >> i was never frightened. >> no? >> no, i was never frightened. i was an outdoors child and i loved the water. i had strong faith. i believed in god and i prayed for him to help me. and i just went with the flow, i guess. >> you had no other choice, did you? >> right. >> there are a lot of uncanny things about this story. one is the contrasting character of tere with that of the captain. it is like a literary -- it's like your classic literary device of the hero and the antagonist. he was a golden boy in everybody's eyes until this was all discovered about him. but this lady right here turned out to be a person of real substance. >> you talk about certain things that happened that probably made the difference between life and death for tere. at one point the captain, i guess he had already killed your family members at this point, did something like he asked you to hold a rope and tere dropped it. why is that a key to this story? >> i think it was because he realized when he saw her on deck, oh, my god, she might actually -- there is a possibility that she might survive, i better kill her. he went forward to get a knife or something to kill her. but she did not hold on to the line and he -- the dingy started to drift away and had he to dive into the water. then tere had incredible presence of mind in that next moment to untie the lifeboat. >> and got into that raft. four days at sea. it didn't just happen, were you rescued, then your life turned for the better. there were times throughout your life, tere, i think it is fair for me to say, you experienced your share of ups and downs. >> oh, most definitely. >> were there child psychologists at the time that were brought in to assist you? how did you cope with this, the loss of your whole family and what you had seen on that boat? >> well, everybody was told not to speak to me about it. and so i never was able to talk about it. so it was always in my mind. i did see a psychiatrist at one point, but he didn't really get to the meat of what was my problem and that was the loss of my family. it was more teenage heartbreak, that type of thing. and so that never helped and then i saw a psychiatrist later when i was in my 30s, and that's when it started to begin. >> stitting down and finally telling this story with richard, has it helped to kind of finally be able to verbalize this? >> most definitely. most definitely. >> it is an extraordinary, extraordinary story. thank you for being here. the 8:26 is the time and 73 degrees. another beautiful day in the nation's capital and a warm one. tom will have the forecast after the news. in the news for today, d.c.'s social safeway in georgetowna open afr year long face-lift. last night is hosted a reopening extravaganza. the score includes a sushi bar and gourmet cheese department. it will be open 24 hours a day. we will take a break and have weather and traffic when we come we should hit theed a 80 and said a chance of a shower or thundershower. late friday night after midnight and mid-morning saturday, we will have a shower. how is the traffic? >> tough morning. the outer loop of the beltway from route 4 to the bw park wi is crawling. it's all the remnants of the earlier car fire. everything is over to the shoulder. i'm checked up about it. leaving georgetown, the accident in the left lane with the key bridge and rubbernecking delays. >> you need water, jerry. thank you. coming up at 5:00, you don't here's to the believers. the risk-takers. the visionaries. the entrepreneurs... who put it all on the line to build and run their own businesses. at at&t, we know something about that. our company started out in a small lab, with not much more than a dream. and today, we know it's small businesses that can create the jobs america needs. that's why at&t is investing billions to upgrade and build out our wired and wireless networks. making them faster, smarter, and more secure. connecting small businesses to markets across the country, and around the world. we invest now, because we know it will pay off... with new jobs, new growth, from a new generation, putting their belief in the future on the line. now is the time for investment and innovation. the fute is waiting. and the future has always the fute is waiting. and the future has always been our business. at&t. we're back now, 8:30 on a thursday morning, the 6th day of may, 2010. they're already packed into the plaza today in large and loud crowds. we like that. if they come back next week, we have a big summer concert kicking off our season with sting out here on the plaza. that's mr. sting to you. professor sting. meanwhile on the plaza, i'm matt lauer, along with meredith vieira, ann curry and al roker. coming up, our latest installment of "bow to wow." this is where we make over needy pooches, needy in terms of needing a home. then you do your part and hopefully adopt these pooches. jill rappaport will be here with a new group of dogs in just a couple of minutes. also ahead, the challenges of being a caregiver. coming up, best selling author gail shehee shares her personal story of caring for her husband following his cancer diagnosis. we'll talk about what her experience has taught her that everyone can learn from. we're going to school this morning. "today's cooking school." mario batali is going to show us how to make a tomato sauce rather than having to use the tired old one we get out of the jar. sounds yummy. and we will help you change your child's behavior from bad to good in five easy steps. >> come on. >> really. >> five easy steps. before we go any further, can we say hi to joel mccann? nice to see you. congratulations. >> thank you. >> your show's been picked up, another season. you have to be excited about that. how did they break that kind of news to you? >> dan harman brought us into a trailer and threatened that we were all canceled. he said you would all have to work with chevy chase for another year, he was really sorry. he filmed it all and put it on the internet. >> cool. >> right there. that's us. >> was there a moment when you thought you were going to told that were you canceled? >> we knew going into the trailer it was going to be either really good news or bad news. dan, our creator looks like a homeless man. >> he's ready then. >> they didn't capture the drunken brawl that happened afterwards. >> no, they didn't. that happens almost every morning. >> good news for the female fans. tonight there is an episode where you actually remove your shirt. >> there is a lot of that in the show. >> want to give us a preview? >> yes, here we go. but i'm covered in scabies. there's a lot of oiling up there. that's a "diehard" parody we're doing. apparently it looks like i have a horrible back problem. we trashed set. yeah, it is armageddon. it is every man for himself. >> had you ever played paintball before? >> i have. >> if we were to get involved in a paintball competition, the four of us, who do you think would win? >> ann. >> why do you say that so quickly. >> well, she's so pretty. then she would just take you down. >> i don't want to hurt anybody. >> maybe al. i don't know. if willard was in the match -- >> he would take us out. you see the word "willard," you're like huh? and you're shot. >> you and your co-star were involved in a very serious bromance. >> we are. there it is right there. that's in my dressing room. we just spend a lot of time holding each other and he weighs about 90 pounds. >> you're a heavyweight, too. >> yeah. but he -- i don't know if he saw one of the episodes, he was just walking around in his underwear with a helmet which i thought, well we're canceled now. that's the way it is. >> as a matter of fact whe, you not canceled. you'll be back for another season, tonight 8:00, 7:00 central time right here on r>> good morning. we have temperatures climbing into the 70s and will hit the mid 80s. we will have clouds building from time to time and one may produce a shower or passing thundershower. clearing out in the 50s tomorrow morning. sunny start to friday and a cloudy finish with highs near 80. late friday night through mid-morning saturday, a chance of a shower and sun back in the mid 70s and cooler on sunday and sun we a northwest wind. >> and don't forget, check your whether he any time of the day or night on weather channel on cable or weather.com online. >> all right, al. up next, "from bow to wow." our latest and greatest doggy makeovers. we're back now with our popular series "from bow to wow," where we take dogs from the shelter, clean them um, give them a little makeover, then find them wonderful, loving homes. jill rappaport is here now with a new batch of dogs. hi, jill. >> we just celebrated our one-year anniversary and we want to keep up our great track record. today we have another great group, all shapes and sizes, all hoping for that loving home. animal care control in new york city brought us some wonderful mix of fabulous pooches. starting with a golden girl collie mix named foxy. here we have foxy, as in foxy lady. >> her face looks like a fox. >> but a sweet fox. >> very sweet. she's about 6 years old. she was found as a stray. she's going to need tlc. she's a little underweight. she has a little matting going on. some special person will need to give her a little extra care. >> on to a pomeranian mix, wally. >> he was found the street by a law enforcement officer. >> compared to most of the dogs in the shelter, he is in exceptional shape. great weight. his coat is beautiful. >> but he's going to require some attention. whoever adopts him will have to groom him, brush him every day. >> this dog is a major shedder. don't hold it against him. but with the adoption we should give out some lint rolls. now meet marvin who was definitely in need of a serious grooming. >> marvin has eyes underneath there. there you go. >> marvin is a 3-year-old shitzu mix. his owner recently passed away. none of the other family members could take care of him. he's been a real good boy. >> he is a sweetheart. and last, but certainly not least, this big guy named boomer. he has the appropriate name of boomer. >> the ground shakes a little bit when he walks. >> oh, you didn't hear that! >> boomer is a 2-year-old lab mix. >> he was just abandoned. >> found wandering the streets. little weight management and he'll be great. he's very, very healthy otherwise. a wonderful temperament. >> i love his markings. i love the white patch in the front. huh, boomer? you're a beauty. four dogs all longing for a loving home. >> we're joined as always by richard from animal care and control in new york city. welcome back. i like these dogs, i have to say. i think this is a really nice group. let's start with our first dog, wally. let's take a look at the before picture. ann, come on out with wally after. wally is a pomeranian mix. >> he's looking for a candidate to be a therapy dog? he would be a perfect dog. he's really sweet. he'll sit in your lap. i think he'll provide a lot of comfort and joy to somebody. >> the sweetest dog. the ultimate laptop dog. but you need a lint brush. lots of lint brushes. >> all dogs shed. wally sheds a little more than others. >> but he's worth it. >> wally is really cute. ann, thank you very much. now we're going on to marvin. look at the before picture. marvin needed a haircut. there was no question about that. you don't have the grooming, richard, but tell me a little bit about marvin as natalie brings marvin out. what a difference. >> marvin's owner passed away. there was some grooming issues. there was some matting especially around his paws. they really had to shave them all the way down to make him more comfortable. but he loves to play with toys and he's been good with cats so far, too. >> another sweetheart. >> really cute. >> 6 years old. >> marvin, natalie, thank you very much. on to boomer. let's take a look at boomer before. boomer is a cute dog, too. really nice. and now boomer is being brought out by our page, adrian. adrian, come out with boomer. >> now you see why they call him boomer. >> they call him boomer for a reason. he could use a little diet, little exercise. >> can't we all? >> he's active. loves to go to the park. he'll sit on a bench. he waits for people to walk by and pet him. he loves to be petted. he's 2 years old. >> 2 years old? okay, great. adrian, thank you. nice to have you. we appreciate it. and last, but not least, we have foxy. there's foxy before. and it is amazing that meredith would want foxy. she gets to bring him out. hello, foxy. richard, talk about her. >> foxy came in very underweight. she's gaining her weight back. she would do well in a quiet home. she's a little shy and timid but she loves to lay out in the backyard in the sun and relax. >> she's so much better now. when we were there at shelter she was shaking like a leaf. look how much happier. >> she gets comfortable in her new home, she'll be great. >> foxy and foxy, thank you very much. >> oh! >> richard, thank you, as always. jill, thank you. if you'd like information on how to adopt these dogs as we bring them all back out, go to todayshow.com. still ahead, mario batali shares his secrets for making three great pasta sauces. we're back. this is "tod back at 8:45. this morning on "today's family," care giving. author gail shehee is confronting the issue in her new book, "passages in care giving." first her story in her own words. >> i met him when we were both working at the "herald tribune." a big shot editor, "new york" magazine. i was in the women's department, the estrogen zone. but somehow we met, collaborated on many, many stories. then we had a whirlwind courtship. 17 years. we got married in his apartment. i stopped parsing the pages of adult life at 50. well, what happens after 50 that's interesting? then i got to 50. thought this is great! and then i got the call. cancer? my husband has cancer? we don't expect it. no one is prepared for it. we don't know how long it is going to take. i had nine months to prepare for the birth of my child. i had about nine hours to prepare for the dependence of my husband. he told me i had a new role -- caregiver. again. we're all going to have this role. i mean this is a big passage for boomers today. gail sheehy, good morning. it really is the big passage. so many things happen. so many of them emotional. but also when you're faced with something like this, there are so many challenges you have to deal with. how do you begibb n to get organized? >> i think you should have the conversation before the crisis. you know? if you notice that you have a white-knuckle drive with dad or mom is forgetting how to make thanksgiving dinner, there is a creeping crisis, get together with your siblings and talk about how to help keep your parents independent in their own homes as long as possible and start forming that circle of care. you can't do this alone. no one can. >> you need the circle of care. you say the question not whether you'll be called to act as a caregiver, but how you will respond. can you ever really prepare yourself emotionally? >> i tell you, that's why i wrote this book. i wasn't prepared. but if i had known that it is a long journey. it is usually at least five years. in my case it was 17 years but it has many different phases. if you have the idea of how you prepare and change your coping mechanisms for the shock and mobilization, setting up the new normal. then if you get into playing god, you can't play god because you're not god. you can't control it all. take that pressure offourself. moving on to create a circle of care and moving on to coming back yourself. you can use dangerous illness as a way to jumpstart your lives. my husband and i actually did that. we tore up our lives in new york. we moved to california. he started a new life shaping young journalists. i commuted. we felt young and in love all over again. >> there can be something positive that comes out of it is what you're saying. >> absolutely. this is a time when you can become more intimate with your mother or father, reconcile differences, come together with siblings instead of still arguing about what color to paint the bedroom. it really can help. >> i think what happens very often with caregivers, they're so consumed with helping someone else they forget about their own needs and how important they are. >> you know that as well as i do. you cannot do that. i always say if you have a job, hang on to it. even if you'll be exhausted. you have to have someplace to go back to. at one point my husband's doctor actually ordered me to go away for a week. he said, you're a writer. be yourself. go out on a presidential campaign and work. when i came back, i was able to take my husband out for the evening. we had a marvelous evening. we forgot that night that he was sick. i couldn't have done that if i didn't replenish myself. you have to do it over and over -- >> almost on a daily basis. >> absolutely. >> you write even for the most loving and dutiful family members, the financial and emotional burdens of long term care giving can be unbearable. the only way families can afford the shift from institutional care to home care for seniors is if government helps to support family care givers. do you think we'll see more aid from the government? >> there is a beginning in the new health care reform law. there's a way that certain people who can't do so many activities on their own can get $75 a day to pay a family member to help them. it's not much but it is a beginning. >> a start. >> the other thing is, a lot of us are alone. we don't have a nearby family member to take care of us. we don't want to get sick and be alone in a hospital. the book is full of national resources and community organizations people don't know about. there are volunteers that want to help keep people at home, safe and comfortable as long as they can, including with the care towards the end of their lives. >> most of us will end up as a caregiver, as you write in the book. thank you so much. gail sheehy, "passages in care giving." gail sheehy, "passages in care giving." up next, mario batali makes gail sheehy, "passages in care giving."where is it written up nthat the old wayi makes is the right way? where is it written that a traditional education is the only way to get an education? where is it written that classes only take place in a classroom? what if you could get your degree, to develop your talent, no matter who you are, or where you are? what if there was a different kind of university? one that's changing the rules... that comes to you, that fits in your life... even adapts to how you learn. where is it written that you can't change your life? that's just the thing. it isn't written anywhere. "today's cooking school" is brought to you by bertolli frozen skillet meals. a menu of reasons to make tonight a bertolli night. and this morning on "today's cooking school." getting saucy. if you plan to make pasta, an average sauce can make a cook seem like an old pro. mario, nice to see you. good morning. how you doing? you're going to make several different sauces. i'll start with a classic putonesca. puton is the name for -- prostitute. >> lady of the night. >> why would this be called pasta lady of the night? >> she would make something relatively fragrant, delightful and really smelly. so as the workers went home on their way from work, they caught a whiff of this and said, maybe i'll just stop in for a little bowl of spaghetti. and well, as the spaghetti turned into something else, profit was made. >> you did your research on this -- how? >> reading! strictly in the library, my friend. >> what's the basis of this sauce? >> onions, garlic, anchovies. just a couple. we dry them out, soak them in milk, then cut them into pieces. >> if someone simply recoils at the thought of anchovies, can you make it without them? >> of course. you can always take stuff out of a dish if it bothers or offends you. you add just the amount of hot chilies you like. >> this is papalino refers to anything that the pope likes to do. take a little bit of the cheese. al? >> yes, sir! >> we're making a sicilian dish. this looks a little bit like celery. we're going to add the sardines here. these are canned sardines. if you can find fresh ones -- hold on! i'm coming. what would happen is you'd have a beautiful omelet with peas. which isn't a bad thing. you'll toss it carefully. add a little bit extra olive oil. we'll take some of the penne and go into this one here -- >> by the way, why do you like penne with these particular sauces? >> there is kind of a classic understanding in italy about the different shapes that go with the different pastas. penne is one of the greatest things because it is very easy to eat. >> now i dump this? >> now hold on. >> now do i dump this? >> why are you in such a hurry? >> because she's hungry. the trick to this is making sure that after this point it never goes back on the heat. the residual heat of the actual pan will cook that -- you don't want raw eggs or for it to look like scrambled eggs. take just a little bit of parsley. you've got a good toss going on there, meredith. little gratd parmesan on top of that. al, you're looking good! all those years on the food network have paid off! >> finally! >> a little fennel sauce. >> the dog's in here. >> breadcrumbs. there you have it. >> we're back after your local news 8:56 is your time and 74 degrees. another warm day in the nation's capital. we will have the forecast after the news. in the news for today, students will be making up their snow days 10 minutes at a time. elementary schools will end 10 minutes later for the rest of the school year. state law excuses middle and high school students. we will take a break and >> at this hour, temperatures are in the 70s and lots of sunshine. mid 80s by this afternoon and a few clouds coming through from time to time. a slight chance of an isolated shower or thundershower. a sunny start to friday and a cloudy finish. might get another shower late friday through mid-morning saturday. how is the traffic? >> quite busy in some locations. watching very carefully for the construction. they may take away a travel lane. notice the barrels over to the shoulder for now. that could change it so we will keep you updated. making a trip around town. traffic moving along well. >> thank you, jerry. coming up at 5:00, you don't have to go outside to enjoy grilled food according to the makers of the big boss back now with more of "today" on a thursday morning, the 6th of may, 2010. lots of friendly faces out on the plaza this morning. they're enjoying a pretty nice day here, a little breezy, but we love spring in new york city. i'm matt lauer, along with al roker, and natalie morales. we've got a lot to get to in this half-hour, including the suspect in that attempted bombing in times square last weekend. he's now talking to investigators and apparently talking a lot. lot of questions to ask him. did he act alone? was there a connection to the taliban in pakistan? we'll be getting the latest details on that developing story in just a little while. also we're learning new information this morning in the tragic murder of that university of virginia lacrosse player. her teammates held a vigil on campus last night in her memory. her former boyfriend is under arrest but the question is, were there missed warning signs? we'll get a live report in just a little bit. we all have kids, we've all dealt with tantrums, terrible 2s. >> the throwdown on the floor, the fist banging. >> we've got some strategies to help you deal with your little ones in turning that bad behavior into better behavior. >> i've seen a lot of that in my household! >> brings back memories. >> very fresh to me. you got to remember blair from "the facts of life." well, lisa weltzel reveals how she never had close friends growing up and only realized the importance of that later on in life and she's written a book about it. we'll talk to her later. inside, ann curry has a check of the headlines. thanks so much. good morning, everybody. a dramatic effort is under way today to control the flow of that oil gushing from that damaged well in the gulf of mexico. crews began moving a 100-ton containment dome to the site and expect to lower it over the leaking well today. they hope the dome will allow them to siphon off the oil to stop it from spilling into the gulf. even if it works, it is a temporary solution until the leak can be plugged or diverted to a second well which could take months to drill. today pakistan's interior minister says their country will help in the investigation of the man who tried to set off a bomb in times square. he also says he doesn't think faisal shahzad acted alone. we're learning more about the suspect's methods and motives. this story from nbc's justice correspondent pete williams. >> reporter: according to several officials familiar with what faisal shahzad has told his interrogators, he claims he wanted to set off a car bomb in sometimes squa times square because he was angry at the u.s. for its predator drone attacks in pakistan, one while he was there striking very close to where he was at the time. some of the attacks he say killed people he knew. also losing his house in connecticut to foreclosure contributed. he drove another car to times square last friday apparently to be his getaway car but he left the getaway keys hanging in the rear door of the bomb carrying the suv and had to take the train home instead. police say they're now satisfied the man seen changing his shirt in this video released sunday night had nothing to do with the bombing attempt, they say they have found video ofhahzad himself walking down an alleyju discovered with smoke coming out the back. shahzad's attempt to flee monday night on an emirates airlines flight to dubai has prompted new calls for tighter restrictions last minute paying cash as authorities say he did. >> if you pay cash, maybe you have the most benign of motivation but you could have a more pernicious motivation. you don't want people to know you're flying. >> reporter: even show shahzad was on the no-fly list, he was able to board the plane but was removed from the flight just before it took off monday night and apparently was not surprised. officials say when customs and border protection agents walked up to him on the plane, he said, "i've been expecting you." investigators now believe shahzad started working on his ma makeshift bomb seven weeks ago. employees at this pennsylvania fireworks dealer say he bought m-88 firecrackers, the same type used in making the times square bomb. one question for investigators has been whether shahzad had help from anyone in the u.s. who worked with him on his plot. officials say he has told them no and so far, they say there's no evidence to suggest otherwise. but there is a growing suspicion that the taliban in pakistan was involved. pete williams, nbc news, new york. this is election day in britain. a crucial day for prime minister gordon brown. his labor party is facing a tough fight from conservatives led by david cameron. the campaign has largely focused on the economy and a big british deficit. the mayor of nashville says losses from this week's deadly flooding could top $1 billion. people just returning to their homes are throwing out piles of mud-caked furniture and other possessions and many do not have flood insurance. storms and flash flooding have claimed at least 29 lives in tennessee, mississippi and kentucky. those are some of the top stories at five minutes past the hour. back outside to matt. >> thank you, miss curry. we appreciate it. let's do a quick pivot. get a check of the weather from al. >> and that's your latest weather. natalie? al, thank you. it was an emotional evening on the university of virginia campus last night where a vigil was held for murdered lacrosse player yeardley love. her ex-boyfriend is under arrest and there are new questions this morning about their relationship. nbc's jeff rossen is in charlottesville with the latest. jeff, good morning. >> reporter: natalie, good morning. i think everyone here on campus since the murder on sunday and early monday morning has been grieving alone, crying by themselves. last night they decided to get thousands of them all together to do it together. many say it did help. but even with that grief, there are some very serious and tough questions this morning about missed warning signs. many of the friends who knew both the suspect and victim say they were in an abusive relationship that often got physical, especially lately. even with that, no one, no one reported this to police or the university. in the heart of uva's pristine campus wednesday night, members of the women's lacrosse team broke down in tears honoring their star player, yeardley love. only 22 years old, murdered just weeks before graduation. thousands of students showed up at this candlelight vigil, including one of yeardley's friends who discovered her body that night. even the university president couldn't hide his emotions. >> yeardley love did nothing to deserve to be attacked and beaten, to deserve to suffer the injuries of which we've all read in police reports, to deserve to die. >> reporter: now evidence is piling up against a fellow uva lacrosse star, george huguely, charged with beating love to death, some say over their recent break-up. investigators have recovered new clues against him. inside huguely's apartment, court documents say they found a la cross shirt with a red stain on it, a letter he wrote addressed to yeardley, a green spiral notebook, two laptop computers and dna samples. this on top of his admission the night of the murder, confessing to police he kicked his right foot through the door that leads to love's bedroom. they got into an altercation and he shook love and her head repeatedly hit the wall, leaving her to die, police say, face-down on her pillow in a pool of blood. >> it horrifies an astounds me. it was a terrible, terrible incident. >> reporter: but now many wonder if key warning signs were misses, if this brutal murder could have been avoided. huguely had turbulent romantic relationship with love and attacked her in public weeks ago. police sources say he may have sent her death threats over text message. he was arrested in 2008 for public swearing and intoxication and resisting arrest. school officials defended themselves at a news conference wednesday evening. >> i never heard it. absolutely never heard it. >> i speak for myself in saying we wish we had known that. >> reporter: didn't know it because yeardley never reported any of it, and neither did any of her friends who reportedly saw the abuse firsthand. a missed opportunity, now cothcampus >> yes, this event have been to be if we just etter support system. >> reporter: college friends say george huguely was especially aggressive when he drank. police sources tell was drinking all day sunday in the hours leading up to the murder. like most college campuses, uva teaches students about the dangers of alcohol abuse. >> the reason we do these educational programs are because bad things happen sometimes, and it is when people drink too much. >> reporter: here the worst thing happened. the abrupt end of a young life after suffering in silence. university officials say never again. >> don't hear a scream, don't watch abuse, don't hear stories of abuse from your friends, and keep quiet, speak out, find me. i will go with you to the police. choose to honor yle love's was supposed to be here on campus charlotottesville for perhaps the happiest moment of their life, natalie, her graduation in just a few weeks. they've brought her back to baltimore in that area in maryland for the funeral service this weekend. >> such a terribly tragic story, jeff. hopefully though people listen to the university president and they do start to speak up more in cases like this. jeff rossen in charlottesville, virginia, thanks so much. we'll be back with more of "today" right after this. 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[ male announcer ] there's no finer way to travel. the new toyota avalon... comfort is back. ♪ bring me a dream new positively nourishing. fragrant moisturizers from aveeno, the naturals brand dermatologists trust most. active naturals formula's shown to lock in 24-hour moisture. new positively nourishing. only from aveeno. i need to get back on the bike. ♪ [ dog barks ] [ female announcer ] share your goal at walgreens.com and we'll celebrate you in times square. and to help you take the first step, we've lowered prices on more than 100 helpful everyday products like sunscreen. buy one today and get one half off. walgreens. there's a way to stay well. some people will stick with their old way of getting vitamins and minerals. others will try incredible total raisin bran. with 100% of the daily value of 11 essential vitamins and minerals, juicy raisins and crunchy whole grain flakes. guess it's all about what kind of crunch you like. how are you getting 100%? this morning on "parenting today," five ways to give your child a behavior makeover. the terrible 2s to all-out tantrums, most parents just want to pull their hair out. obviously i've been there. "today" contributor and parenting expert michelle borba has five simple solutions for managing your kid's bad behavior. for those parents sitting there going, oh, yeah, right, i've got had little terror, i can change this behavior? >> it is learned, therefore we can change it. step one, choose one or two behaviors only that drive you crazy. you'll put more of your time and energy into it and get the success you want. >> don't try to change everything all at once. >> no. just go for one or two. >> first you say be a model for the behavior you want your child to have. >> yeah. kids are copycats. very often, believe it or not, they copy us. the behaviors they're most likely to copy from us are lying, aggression, impatience. there goes all of our guilt. ask yourself one question every night, if my kid could only copy my behavior, what could be have copped today? be careful. who your kids associate with, even tv characters can make a difference. just watch. >> i remember my oldest girl, she was about 2. i honked the horn, sometimes would say a bad word when i honked the horn. one time i honked the horn and she said the bad word. the other thing you say, positive behavior. the right kind of reinforcement. >> the right kind. what we know is that the fastest way to actually shape behavior is tell the kid what they're doing right the moment they did it. now step one is the right words, always use "because." always be "because" you talk to me nicely without rolling your eyes. always use an explanation point. save the money, you don't need to give your kids a lexus. >> the other thing i like, use selective ignorers. >> certain behaviors like whining and crying and temper tantrums. kids use them because they work. figure out which behaviors aren't the damaging and destructive ones but they use them because they figure out they're attention-getting. pretend your kid is almost talking in a foreign tongue. don't give it any kind of attention at all. it will gradually diminish. >> they'll get tired. >> but you have to be consistent with this one. >> i remember a couple times being in the superintendent. this kid kept going, mom, mom, mom, mom, kept ignoring him. >> deaf is great. >> replacement behavior. >> this is the one we forget. very often kids become repeat offenders because they don't mow what to do differently or the habit becomes so entrenched. when you want to stop one behavior, tell them what to do instead. instead of telling him in the middle of the exorcism," calm down. teach him a new skill. if he's angry or always aggressive, you may need to teach him, tho, we don't hit. but use the dragon breath or take a one plus three plus ten, then you need to practice it until it becomes a habit. it will replace the bad behavior. >> this is not going to happen overnight. >> oh, please. it never happens overnight. new behaviors, number five, take a minimum, if they're entrenched, of at least 21 days. hang in there with it! track it on a calendar. really. because a lot of times we just get so frustrated we don't see the change. you'll see a gradual diminishment of the behavior. if you don't see it, either your plan isn't real enough or you need to get some help. >> you talk about a calendar and positive reinforcement. does it help to maybe put on stars or stickers on the calendar so there is a physical reminder of how well they're doing? >> for some kids it does. but the problem is, very often then when they start relying on it, your goal is to get them finally to develop the internal motivation or give yourself the star every once in a while, but get off of it as soon as you can, whatever you can do to jump-start it. you have one goal only -- get your kid to act right without you. >> there you go. michelle, thanks so much. coming up, she played the popular and rich teen blair on "the facts of life," but lisa weltzel says it was hard making friends growing up. she'll talk about the importance of strong bonds. that's a "fact of life." after these messages. lright kid, let's get ready for this morning's quiz. christopher columbus sailed the ocean blue... in 14 hundred and 92. nice! follow me, the missouri river is this way! lewis and clark expedition of 1804. oh, he'll never get this. magellan, 1520. awww, my 8 layers must've given it away. help keep your kid full and focused with 8 filling layers... of whole grain fiber found in kellogg's frosted mini-wheats cereal. this is one giant leap for mini-kind. keeps 'em full. keeps 'em focused. hoo hooo! blend it. sprinkle it. sweet! 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[ female announcer ] splenda®. we asked real people to film themselves taking the activia 14-day challenge. i'm mary ellen smith. day one of the activia 14-day challenge. my digestive problems are irregularity. so i'm really excited to see if this really works. my husband tried this last night. he loved it. he said it's the best yogurt i've ever brought home, so...mmm. have just started to notice a slight difference in my digestion. help regulate your digestive system. take the activia challenge. it works or it's free. a reminder that today is the last day to cast your vote for "today's top dog." here's a recap of the performance from monday. first jami fetches diaper. then there's jake, the rottweiler who taught us the importance of recycling and cleaned up our studio one water bottle at a time. >> our third finalist, emma, a mixed-breed pooch who showed us dance moves and taught us how to act like a lady. and finally, fluffy who sings acapela. >> pretty good. fluf fluffy! >> now you get to vote two ways. either logon to the todayshow.com or text your vote to 622639. press 1 for jami, 2 for jake, 3 for emma or 4 for fluffy. >> voting ends at noon eastern today. we also want to tell you about tonight's new episode of "the marriage ref." host tom papa and enlists jerry seinfeld to serve on the celebrity panel alongside gwyneth paltrow and greg geraldo. you'll meet a wife whose husband sleeps so loudly, she sleeps on the couch. >> another man wants to use his wife as a target for his magic act. catch tonight's "the marriage ref." >> that did not go down well. >> 10:00, 9:00 central right here on nbc. coming up this morning in "today's kitchen," special treats for mom on mother's day. but first your local news. really see me. look me in the eyes. this is roc® brilliance™ eye-beautifier with e-pulse™. the first anti-aging cream inspired by electro-stimulation. on contact, the micro-currents become activated and puffiness is reduced. in just three days, the look of fine lines will fade. roc®. seeing is believing. save on roc® brilliance™ eye, day, or night at rocskincare.com. save on roc® brilliance™ eye, day, or night why do women like you love activia light? 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>> inbound on new york avenue at first street. an incident ties up the right lane. it's jammed back and a quick check making the trip southbound on 270. i believe the construction barrels migrated. we are looking at the latest. >> thank you. coming up on news 4 midday. wonder woman herself, linda carter will be live in the [ male announcer ] let's take the garden into our own hands. soak our yards in color. get our hands a little busier. our dollars a little stronger. and our thinking a little greener. let's grab all the bags and all the plants and all the latest tools out there. so we can turn all these savings into more colorful shades of doing. more saving. more doing. that's the power of the home depot. right now get colorful 11" premium hanging baskets for just $14.98 each. right now get colorful 11" premium hanging baskets too toothy. oh, this is at the height of my tan. coconut oil. no, this is it. this is it. i'm wearing sizzling pink lip quencher. this is pretty marvelous -- >> who cares! >> a little blast from the past from the popular '80s sitcom "the facts of life" all about friendship among teenage girls. you might be very surprised that the girl who played blair, lisa whelchel, actually had a struggle with having friends as she was growing up. she's written a book about the importance of friendships in the resultant years and how to get them. i think very useful information. >> especially among women. hard times when you get caught up in everything you have to do good morning. it's going to feel like summertime this afternoon. we will climb into the mid 80s and it's 74 in washington with lots of sunshine. we will have a few clouds toerl mid-afternoon as a weak front drifts through. it might trigger a thundershower. a small chance of that and clearing out and cool tomorrow morning into the 50s. high near 80 with increasing clouds. cloudy friday night and after midnight a shower saturday and dry and cooler for the weekend. >> and that's your latest weather. >> thanks, al. got to have friends. coming up next, she grew up in front of our eyes in "the facts of life." lisa whelchel is here to talk about the meaning of grown-up friendships right after this. . my doctor told me i should've been doing more for my high cholesterol. ♪ you should've listened. you're right. now i'm eating healthier and i trust my heart to lipitor. 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[ speaking spanish ] ♪ [ male announcer ] old el paso stand 'n stuff taco shells. old el paso. feed your fiesta. it makes my skin really silky and velvety. this is my body wash. what do you mean? this is it? why?! oh, don't do that to me! dove creamoil body wash. now with nutrium moisture. nutrium moisture. i'm a believer. the nourishment in dove creamoil goes somehow deeper. i'm happy about the change. change is good. dove creamoil body wash. yeah, this trip is way overdue. i just can't wait to see all those crunchy flakes in action. i hope i get a chance to put two scoops!™ of raisins in some boxes. you know what will really get us in the spirit? ♪ 99 boxes of raisin bran crunch ♪ ♪ if you're nice to me i'll share some with you ♪ ♪ you take one down ( and pass it around ) ♪ ♪ 98 boxes of raisin bran crunch ♪ three tasty ingredients, one great combination. ♪ raisin bran crunch! from kellogg! this morning on "today's relationships," lisa whelchel played a boarding school beauty queen in "the facts of life" but in real life she says she didn't have close friends. in her 40s now, she is the author of a new book called "friendship for grown-ups, what i missed and learned along the way." lisa whelchel, good morning. this is so interesting. i think a lot of people would be surprised that you, who looked like such a confident character in your role as blair, a woman surrounded by friends, would have this issue in your own personal life. >> it is kind of ironic. i was on a show about friendships for nine years with these girls. but the truth is, we were working and so when you typically learn about friendships, junior high and high school, i was not really in an environment where you can experiment and learned some of the lessons the hard way. i think learning lessons in your 40s is a bit awkward. >> did you have an epiphany? what was your moment when you suddenly realized the way you were doing things with friends wasn't working for you anymore? >> yeah, i actually did. it was about three years ago and i was away on a retreat with four friends, friends i'd known 20 years. kind of watched them and realized, they're connecting at an emotional level that i don't think -- i don't know that i've ever even experienced that. i thought, what is wrong with me? why can't i let somebody get close enough to my heart like that and really feel with them and feel what they're feeling and share that kind of intimacy and connection? so at that point i realized, you know what? i built this wall around my heart to protect myself from getting hurt, but that same wall has kept people at a distance. i don't want that anymore. >> this wasn't really about being a television star. it was really about your need to be perfect and you thought that being perfect would make people like you. >> i did. i think i always thought, well, if i don't need anything and i'm always giving and if i have it all together then people are going to be attracted to me and want to be my friend. >> i identify with that. i think a lot of women do. >> what i didn't realize is that it's actually kind of the reverse. that very shininess i guess acts like teflon and you can't connect. i think maybe that's the reason velcro connects. you know? it's kind of holey and loopy. >> collects lint. but as i understand it the first time you actually reached out and suddenly became very honest, you were going through a lot of things in your life and you decided to be very vulnerable and let go. that friend did not stick around. >> no. it was one of those things, the thing i feared the most actually happened. i let somebody see on the other side and really realize that i'm not perfect and i have weaknesses and fears and insecurities and actually need somebody, then they pulled away. which was exactly what i thought would happen in the first place. >> then how did you then overcome that devastation and now be a woman who does have close friends? >> well, i'd have to say that even though that was difficult relationship, i tasted enough of what real connection felt like, to let -- everybody wants to know and be known, then accept it. i tasted it enough to know that, you know what? this is hard but my desire for connection was stronger than my desire for protection at that point. >> i think that's true for everyone really but they just don't know how to do it. what you're talking about is really being vulnerable, about being vulnerable about what you're really scared about. right? >> exactly. i've learned there is a difference in being transparent and being vulnerable. i've written like 15 books. they're all very transparent, but that's easy to do when somebody's way out there. it is a whole nother thing to let somebody get close enough to where they can be vulnerable to actually hurt you. the number one thing i learned was how important it is to identify safe people, safe friends, to know who's safe enough to let get close. >> how do you identify those people? >> you know, seems like it would be friendship 101 but i guess since i missed those years i didn't know that telltale saign is to look at how they treat other people. if they're sharing other people's secrets, they're going to share your secrets. i learned that the hard way but it was a good lesson. the number one lesson i learned about safe people is find somebody's who's blown it, who is messed up in life, and they're not perfect. because that person is going to realize nobody's perfect, they're not going to put that pressure on you to be perfect. they know they needed grace and mercy and just -- they're going to give that to you. that's what we need, is to let -- you want to let somebody get close enough to you, somebody that's going to give us grace to be imperfect and have some shadowy sides. >> there is a wisdom there. lisa whelchel, thank you so much for sharing it in your book trying to help other people. the book is called "friendship for grown-ups." next, finding last-minute mother's day gifts right after next, finding last-minute mother's day gifts right after this. it all" shared it with "single and loving it!" who made a cup the next morning for "ladies man" as he was rushing out the back door. he shared it with "blondes have more fun" and "fiery redhead," who, after finding out about each other, shared starbucks via with their new boyfriends, "firemen keep it hot" and "drummers rock," who called his friend "know it all," who said he already knew about it. premium starbucks via ready brew. now available wherever you buy groceries. ♪ announcer: there's an easier way. create your own business site with intuit websites. just choose a style, then customize, publish and get found. sweet. get a 30-day free trial at intuit.com. i want you to see me. this is roc® brilliance™ eye-beautifier with e-pulse™. on contact, puffiness is reduced. the look of fine lines fades in three days. roc®. seeing is believing. hi, jay bush and duke here to introduce new bush's black bean fiesta....whoa... you can't tell everyone about new black bean fiesta. but it's perfectly cooked black beans, in a zesty "south of the border" chipotle sauce with red and green peppers, onion, and crisp corn. a bold new taste. i know. but i want people to think i'm a great cook. so hide. delicious! can i have your recipe? 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[ female announcer ] yoplait's perfect blend of real fruit and the goodness of dairy is just a peel away. explore all the delicious flavors. yoplait. it is so good. this morning, a special edition of "jill's fun finds" for mother's day. mom's big day is just three days away. not too late to find something she's going to love. today, "us weekly" contributor jill martin has a bunch of affordable items sure to please. good morning. we only have three days but you say all of this stuff you'll show us, you can get next day delive delivery. >> all of these companies are overnighting. and they are offering big deals. matching bikinis. starting under $100. the inkacollection.com. mommy and a daughter version here obviously. >> if you want to cover up a little bit more, have you mom me and me sarongs and tops. >> these start at $50. great not only for mother's day but you can wear them throughout the summer. in all sizes. baby, toddler and mommy. >> over here, these are huge! >> look at these babies. >> i have a pair for my sons. these are just the best. >> these are so comfortable. i live in them. >> it is something you can buy and invest in them throughout the summer. $15 to $24. >> the tote bag for the beach. >> you can go shopping again, it is a green bag so you can reuse it. iambeyond.com. >> different messages. really great. all right? >> jennifer miller jewelry. with the sex in the city movie coming out, name plates are back. these can be overnighted. if you want natalie or jill or your name, it may take longer. love or mom can be overnighted under $100. >> great. next, we have great bracelets. >> these are $30 and under. a lot of kids want to save up their money in their piggy bank and buy their mother something. these are available at walmart. what a nice gift for a little girl or boy to give their mother. all $10, watches too, all available at walmart. kids can say, i can get something, too, with my own money. >> great heart headphones? >> this plugs in. . then you can both listen to the music. it is a separator. you and i can plug in and both listen to the songs. >> on a flight together, it is perfect. >> one ipod for two people. today if you logon and put in "today," 30% on all products. >> relaxing body oil. >> this is interesting. there are four different ones. the website is gsms.com. mix and match hem fthem for you mother. just find your scent. it is a beautiful gift. >> what i smell here is just amazing. this is a great speaker system. >> speaker, kitchen timer, radio with a remote to keep in the kitchen. it does dishes and washes windows. it is a great investment to give to your mom. >> okay. the treats for mom, because it is going to be a big day. >> open didntable.com allows yo logon and make mother's day reservations. restaurants all over the country are offering free deals for moms, frames with your family in it. champagne. opentable.com. if you're scrambling for last-minute reservations, that's your answer. >> now we get to the cake. >> these are just a twist on a cake. this is something you can make with your child. a giant doughnut. $19.95. look how much fun this is? a giant cupcake. >> that's great. love these pans. >> i want you to take a bite. it really is delicious. >> you baked it? >> i didn't make it, don't worry. you can actually try it. >> jill martin! wow! >> say thank you to bianca. everybody can get these finds and get them in time. >> great, great stuff here. wonderful. thank you so much. coming up next, more tasty treats for mom that you can make at home. but first, this is "today" on nbc. this morning in "today's kitchen," mother's day desserts. you can do something simple and special, make your mom an irresistible dessert. the author of "the sono company cookbook" is here, john, good to see you. we're making a blueberry nectarine buckle. >> that's a very spot of, spongy cake. when the fruit goes in and it starts to melt, it causes the crisp topping to buckle. it is just play on words but it is an old-fashioned dessert. >> different than a crisp or cobbler. >> because it has a caky -- think of it as a coffee cake with fruit folded in and a crispy top. very simple, strusle topping. a little bit of salt. >> hello, streusel. >> you want it to look like pea-sized pieces. the softer the butter, the quicker it comes together. >> oh, you already had it made. now you tell me! thank you, john. >> you can have the kids do this while the dad does this. >> what goes in there? >> butter and sugar. that's it. butter and sugar so far. a little bit of vanilla, eggs, add one at a time. you want to make sure that you get a nice emulsion. you don't want it to kucurdle o you. >> you can't reach in and get it out of there. >> no. your flour and barracking powder. that's it. you don't want to overmix it here because we'll fold in all the fruit right now. basically just dump in your fruit. >> you don't have nectarines, fresh, is there something -- >> plums, peaches, apricots, whatever moms like. it is her day. this just comes together real quick. again, don't overmix it because there's a little gluten in that flour. it will make your cake without making bread. comes together, 9x13 buttered pan. put your crumb topping all over the top. nice simple, even layer. get it into the corners. 350-degree, maybe 30, 35 minutes. depending on the fruit you might want to go a little bit longer. it is really that simple. it comes together in five to ten minutes. it is something that your dad can do at night with the kids while mom's getting ready for bed, serve it the next morning. now it has all of its buckles and it's got a nice crisp top. yet it's got a cakey with blueberries and nectarines. >> just in time. >> you're killing us out there! >> but wait, there's more! >> whipped cream? >> that would be bad. >> would you like to wake up to this on mother's day? >> i would like to wake up to all of it. >> these are plain cheesecake, new york style, with fresh raspberries and pistachio crust. >> hey, we love it! >> coming up, hoda and kathie lee. >> a special performance for mother's day coming up. 9:56 is your time and 82 degrees already. we hear in for a warm day. good morning, everyone. we are following breaking news right now out of silver spring, maryland. a student has been shot in silver spring. it happened within the past half hour. a school official said a student shot a classmate with a bb gun. the victim is expected to be okay. classes are going on as normal and the school was not placed on lockdown. we have a crew on the way and we will bring you more on midday. let's check now on the forecast with tom in the studio. 80s already? >> it's heating up. that is in the sun, our sensor. in the shade, we are still in the 70s. it will hit the mid 80s in the shade by later this afternoon and we will have clouds moving through. bright and sunny now with a slight chance of a thundershower this afternoon. sunny in the 50s and afternoon highs near 80 with increasing clouds. after midnight into saturday morning, a chance of a shower and otherwise cooler and dry weather for the weekend. >> making the trip in on 66. all the travel lanes appear to be open. if you are heading westbound to gainesville, there is construction in place. inbound new york avenue is jammed. the wilson bridge we have a work zone set up traveling the beltway. things do change. >> thank you, jerry. coming up on midday, wonder woman herself will be live in studio. where you can see "know the species, know the stain." lanolin-free coat, i know it's an alpaca. walks in here, looks says "hey look, it's a llama!" cleaning the stain like he would a llama stain. time he's wasting. ♪ call 1-800-steemer captions paid for by nbc-universal television hey, everybody. thanks for joining us on this thursday. it's may 6th. >> we've had quite a bit of alcohol this week and now we're not. >> people think we do, we never finish these things. frank did finish something yesterday. almost finished his life. >> online yesterday, there was a whole lot of frank drinking that drink all over the place. >> it was cinco de mayo. >> and he was great on the man panel. >> from there yesterday, we went to lunch at a great new restaurant called esca. there's a chardonay we have discovered, it's from -- that lady there on your, what would that be? the far right. you might recognize ray. he's our wine guy around here. so needless to say, it was a fun lunch. >> do you see all the glasses in front? we're only showing three or four. >> they were doing a wine tasting. isn't it fun to eat outside now? >> it's beautiful. in new york, eating outside the funny because you're next to traffic, but you're still outside. >> pretend you're in tuscany. >> okay, let's talk about la cage. this one, i enjoyed the most. it's a traditional book musical in its second revival. it may win the tony's second revival, as the first show ever to win best musical, then best revival then best revival the second time. >> kelsey grammar is in it and he's terrific. >> he enables douglas hodge to give the best performance. >> he's going to win it. >> he makes you weep. he's so real and so beautiful and we love it and it's the first time i felt like, let's go get a little dinner and come back and see it. they have the ork es tra up and you feel like -- >> they kind of work the crowd a little bit. they come out in their dancing outfits and rub the bald heads. >> there are little teeny tables in the front. so many times when they do a revival these days, they try to vulgarize it a little bit and i don't like that. the least vulgar, it's just beautiful. >> but really funny. watching these men dressed up as women dancing, you forget they're men. >> until they go like this and you see the whole story. you do. >> so, bret michaels, we have good news. he actually talked to "people" magazine. the reporter was on the earlier hours. said he sounded great on the phone. worried about slurred speech, but one of the quotes he said was you feel so much love and realize in a moment, in an instant, i know everyone says this, but it's true, you focus on what becomes really important. children, christie, my dad, my sisters, i wanted to call all of them. >> that's when he felt this pain, it's not my life flashed before me. whether you're the president of the united states or you're somebody that is a maintenance worker, who does any other job, we're all at heart, just human beings. we love our loved ones, our families. >> it was so scary, it happens around the brain. it's great news for him. >> think think he's going to make a 100% recovery. >> they think he's going to be on the finle. this mega millions lottery happened. our family, we bought ten tickets last week and didn't win, so we bought again, ten tickets. >> how much does one cost? >> i think it's five bucks a ticket. i can't remember. my sister pays for it, so i don't know. the bottom line -- >> when you can get it for free, baby. >> this woman who works at our nbc affiliate in los angeles. she won 226 million. >> it's her husband who bought the ticket. >> her husband is out of work. he was going to pick up dinner. she wanted kentucky fried chicken. he said no. he said he wanted mexican. he went to the mexican restaurant. it was eight bucks to park. he didn't want to spend the money. he goes to the barbecue joint, bought a bunch of tickets, came home and won. she says she wants to keep working as our nbc affiliate will have her. >> she says that now. wait till she moves into the big house in beverly hills. i know, the pool guy's coming today. >> would you continue working if you hit the lottery? 226 million. would you continue working? >> we have contracts, so of course, you can't walk out on a contract. after that -- >> you wouldn't? >> i have to work for the rest of my life. i want to work. but i would buy myself a theatre. i would put on shows i adore. i would make them free for children in inner cities so they can be transformed by the beauty of theatre. that's what i'd do. >> yeah, but you would do stuff like -- i think people think if i don't have to work, i'll just sit around. you'll be bored. >> you can work, then take a vacation anywhere you want. >> i'm so excited for her. >> i like the family. so cute together. >> i like when you win and need it. some people win and don't need it. >> sounds like they're going to do something with it, give some to their church. >> universities. >> all of that's all, all good. >> we should show this prop. i want to ask you what you would think if someone gave you this gift. you're dating someone and he says, hey, honey, i have to fifty for you. you open it and you see this. wow, he must really love me, until you pull it out of the box -- he is snickering and laughing because it's a mug. >> a mug that when you hold it, exactly, baby. you look like you're engaged. >> who thinks that's funny? i don't see the humor. >> all the guys think it's funny. >> there's not a woman who'd say, boy, that's hilarious. >> everybody's still buying that fairy tale about marriage. you know? look at what these women do with the wedding and they think they're going live happily ever after. i want to get rid of fairy tale books for young girls. i really do. it creates a completely unrealistic goal in life. >> didn't you think when you were younger in your first marriage, wow, i want to do the whole thing and get a pretty white dress. >> no. i've been married twice and neither time was it in a church with a big -- but then i didn't go to my high school graduation either. i'm not into big ceremonial things. >> i bought a dress off the rack, got married at the beach. it wasn't that whole thing. >> you waited a long time. >> let's not bring that up again. thank you. >> might have to wait a long time again. >> stop it. >> if you do -- >> i'm talking to your assistant who understands me. >> would you rather be single for the rest of your life and have the life you have now, which is happy, fulfilled and exciting, or be married again in an unhappy marriage? >> i think you can have a good marriage and still have this. but between a terrible marriage, i wouldn't want a bad marriage. i've already been there. >> any way. >> stop. is it okay to have others hold your umbrella because that's relevant to so many. >> they were looking at pictures of people doing that for people. >> who does that? >> when we answered this question, we didn't know the pictures they were going to use. >> you say, if you've got your hands full, it is appreciated, but if it's a bodyguard, it's ob nogs. >> if it's somebody to hold your umbrella over you -- you said, unless you are physically unable to, i say no. take your cue from mary poppins and you'll really go places. she's crazy. >> this is very important. >> we have to watch. >> we go to. we've been asking people to go on our website, download the kathie lee song, and let's see a kid dance to it. look at jenna. ♪ >> she's getting into it. >> she's moving her swing thing. we need you guys to send in your videos to that song. click it, download it. >> and we didn't congratulate our derby winner who was just adorable. >> to capture the talk of lottery and whether you'd work, deb says i'd be gone so fast, all they would see is dust. most say they'd quit what they have and start another one. >> you've got to have a purpose every day. up next is this guy who dunks us in his talk south. >> the gall to show up here. >> has he been paying attention? >> right after this. thanks. i did it to let the judges know that my dog is the right choice. i got the idea from general mills big g cereals. they put a white check on the top of every box to let people know that their cereals have healthy whole grain, and they're the right choice... just like buttercup. 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"community." >> not exactly on a steam roll, but it is with the critics. you just got picked up for a second season. >> yes, and tonight, we basically shot an action movie. it took us eight days to shoot 23 minutes of footage. >> paint ball. >> yes, the school has been turned over and is is the apock lips and is every man for himself because the prize is early registration. >> shut up. >> were you surprised when you got renewed or were you expecting it? >> i don't ever plan on anything. i was raised catholic, so i assume the worst. no, i could not be more thrilled. with this cast, it's so much fun. that was so much fun to shoot. >> you couldn't tell that from the clip. this was not your best shining hour. this interview here. >> now, who's fault is that? >> it's ours. please come back soon and we will get our act together. >> yes, we should shoot this at a bar. >> you can catch the new episode tonight at 8:00 on nbc. up next, what happens when women go unappreciated -- >> where are you going? sit back down. >> right after this. >> all right, now, i can go. that used to make me sneeze, my eyes water. with new zyrtec® liquid gels, i get allergy relief at liquid speed. that's the fast, powerful relief of zyrtec®, now in a liquid gel. zyrtec® is the fastest 24-hour allergy medicine. it works on my worst symptoms so i'm ready by the time we get to the first hole. new zyrtec® liquid gels work fast, so i can love the air®. new dove intensive repair with fiber actives helps reconstruct hair from the inside and leaves it more beautiful on the outside. new dove intensive repair. keep on doing your favorite things. dove takes care of the damage. [ female announcer ] yoplait's perfect blend of real fruit and the goodness of dairy is just a peel away. explore all the delicious flavors. yoplait. it is so good. it's all that people notice. i didn't even think that was possible. [ woman ] i know, but there it is. [ sniffing ] febreze you plug in to the wall. [ male announcer ] when you plug in a febreze noticeables, it's all that people notice. [ man ] wow. that is amazing. i know. imagine. [ sniffing ] febreze you plug in to the wall. [ chuckles ] [ male announcer ] from febreze comes noticeables. freshness you'll notice or your money back. if you're a woman, you know how tough it can p to juggle your responsibleties. >> in honor of mother's day and all the women out there, we turn to sara haines with a look at woman who go underappreciated. >> a couple of weeks ago, you mentioned your pictures were not in the green room. we did a little investigation and this is what we found. >> you know our picture is not in the green room? our picture is not up in the green room. all these years. >> i've never had a guest come to me and mention it. >> i didn't notice any missing on the wall. >> who's picture from our gorou isn't on the wall? >> oh, kathie lee and hoda. >> are they upset? >> they're kind of fringe players any way. >> kathie lee gifford is making a fuss about something. >> there's a very good explanation for that. >> maybe because of the drinking. >> i'm amazed she's sober long enough to see the picture is not up there. >> nasty drunks. >> if you look up here, all the people here are time tested. >> i'm a sweet drunk. >> who is to blame? >> since 2003. >> i think it probably had something to do that. >> i mean, there's only so much space. >> gene and willard also deserve to be there. >> hoda and yoda. i thought they were muppets. >> you're surely on my wall. >> jim can probably make the call on this. >> oh, yes, who ever is on the wall is up to me. >> you know how long it took me to get up on this wall. >> i will move my head shot over when hell freezes over. >> i don't know if i want them right next to mine. >> maybe we should make everybody else's smaller. >> hard work. >> mine is there, so i'm not worried about it. >> i think i've said everything i need to say. >> so, it took a lot of work, but we were finally able to get your pictures up. >> no way, i don't believe it. oh, my gosh. >> you notice that matt got his way. you're not actually next to him. let's show matt.t? >> brilliant. >> thank you. i guess we know how they all feel about us, right? >> what's going on? >> really getting there? >> you're actually going to be up there for real tomorrow. >> aren't you sweet. we love you, jerry, thank you. >> jerry was so concerned about frank yesterday. sure, sure. >> that is the same. imagine that. >> thank you for putting that out. >> still to come, celebrating in our who knew quiz. then the bond between a wonderful woman and her mothe n mother-in-law. oh, he'll never get this. magellan, 1520. awww, my 8 layers must've given it away. help keep your kid full and focused with 8 filling layers... of whole grain fiber found in kellogg's frosted mini-wheats cereal. this is one giant leap for mini-kind. keeps 'em full. keeps 'em focused. hoo hooo! keeps 'em full. keeps 'em focused. and you'll dump your old broom. but don't worry, he'll find someone else. ♪ who's that lady? ♪ who's that lady? ♪ sexy lady ♪ who's that lady? 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[ slurping ] ♪ we are following break news out of silver spring. a middle school student is shot with a bb gun. good merng. also coming up, 1er woman herself, linda carter is live in studio. where to see her in the nation's capital today at 11:00 right here on news 4. we're back with our who knew quiz game. we thought we'd find out what you know about all things mom related. kathie lee is across the street at the digital cafe, ready to hand out $100 to those who answer correctly. those who don't, well, they get kathie lee's cd. sarah, you ready to play? some are suprising. very surprising. >> and terrifying. >> these are going to be hard. here are the ladies who work at e*trade. the e*trade baby that i love so much. i have a little e*trade we'll give at the end of the show. here's the first question, ladies, in what year was mother's day recognized at the national holiday? it's an hour show. no. it was 1914. stop it. here, fight over it. >> 1914. >> it was signed into a bill in 1914. father's day got the short end of the stick. even though people were campaigning for fathers, they didn't get it until 1972. >> great. >> from indianapolis, here we go. how many mother's day cards are exchanged each year? >> more than 140. >> she said it right. >> that's it. are the most cards exchanged on mother's day? >> i'm actually not sure, it's about 141 million at this point according to hallmark, 1.7 cards for mom. if you haven't gotten a card yet, you're still in good shape. >> moms don't like e-cards. >> they're visiting from orange county, california. approximately how many -- oops. that was last one. the 1973 movie "mr. mom" humorously under mined the growing number of women in the workplace. what actor played mr. mom? >> tom hanks. >> sorry. >> no. >> but you're going to dance your brains off to party animals. >> michael keaton. who can forget him wrestling with the vacuum. any way. the interesting thing is, the latest census report says that 55% of woman with little children in the workplace, in 1976, it was 31%. >> back across. >> what month is the most popular month to have a baby? how many babied did you have? we've had four. >> august. >> that's right. >> i'm an august baby. >> you're part of the majority. august is the biggest month to have a baby and the biggest day is tuesday. >> why is that? >> because mom said so. i don't know. >> i believe it. >> columbus, ohio. what is the highest officially recorded number of children born to one mother? >> one mother. 45. . >> it is 69 children. >> that is terrifying. >> it puts kate gosselin to shame. it was the woman of a russian. she had 27 pregnancies, 16 sets of twins, seven sets of triplets and four sets of quadruplets. >> i cannot believe that. >> and 67 of those children survived through infancy. yeah. >> all righty. >> where are you ladies from? >> north dakota. >> which of the following musicians have not released a song entitled "mother"? what? >> hughy lewis. >> yes. >> you know that was a stab in the dark and she got it. the only one. >> every other group had a mother song come out. they weren't all lovey dovey. john lennon wrote about his abandoned him. >> okay. >> north dakota, which flower is typically associated with mother's day? >> carnation? >> yes. >> he's always right. he is always right. it's kind of surprising. >> anna jarvis was the person who founded mother's day in 1908. she used carnations because that was her mother's favorite. there's also a custom to where you would wear a red one if she's living and a white one if she is deceased. >> thank you so much. kathie lee's going to come back across the street and we have a terrific story coming up next. something lucky women can say, i love my mother-in-law. chef mic. and when i come home from my restaurant, chef mic. i love showing bailey how special she is. yes, you are. i know exactly what you love, don't i? - [ barks ] - mmm. aromas like rotisserie chicken. and filet mignon. yeah, that's what inspired a very special dry dog food. 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( water running, gasp ) soap leaves soap scum. you can't see it on your skin, but you can see it here. dove is different. skin is soft, smooth, soap-scum free. thanks, skyler. let's go to last night's highlights. there's mom and dad cleaning up. and there's the meatloaf. yuck. look what sometimes happens with the ordinary bag. it slips. oh, bingo, falls in. mom was mad. mom should have used glad forceflex with the stretchable drawstring that grips the can and stays in place. plus, it has the stretchable strength of forceflex. that's all today for glad tv. [ both ] don't get mad -- get glad! kids are hungry after school. that's why i always have totino's pizza rolls. big pizza taste. in a bite size roll. kids can't resist their delicious pizza flavor. totino's pizza rolls. the pizza way to snack. it's time now to meet our everyone has a story contest winner. jose wrote in to tell us about a special woman in her life. >> i was a happy child until my parents separated and eventually divorced. i was broken and felt that way for years. even though i looked happy, inside, i was in a tremendous amount of pain and shame. within time, my mother remarried to a wonderful man named harold. i felt unwanted and unappreciated. i wished she would be different and change. i married at age 23 to a fantastic human being and as a bonus, life gave me the most surprising gift. my mother-in-law. with actions and words, she has taught me the biggest lessons in life. uncondition love and the power of the mother's touch. she is my best friend. she is wise, giving, nurturing. she has the power to make positive changes in others simply by believing in them and cheering for them. she is a true angel in a beautiful disguise. even though i am no longer with her son and there have been many challenges, she and i are mother and daughter in heart and spirit. there's nothing stronger or more powerful than pure love. >> and they are both with us. we hear so many mother-in-law jokes. you know, you're usually the butt of all these jokes, so that's what touches david and me and our producers is that this is not your typical mother-in-law. >> not at all. she's an amazing woman and has taught me with such grace, how to be giving and love unconditionally. >> were you surprised when you found out that she had written into our show? >> i was floored. i was amazed. i was so surprised. i said, josie, why did you do this. she says, joanie, i always want to say thank you. you have been so gracious to me and so kind and unselfish and i just love being with you and she says, i wanted to say thank you. >> did you just mother her like you mothered all your kids? >> if she was my daughter, she would have been spoiled rotten. >> you remind me of the story in the bible of ruth and naomi. read it. modern story like that. we're going to take a quick break, but when we come back, there's a song that has been written for you. i just want to explain a little bit about this. usually, david and i, i write the lyrics and david writes the music. because i had a little book coming out, i had no time to write a song and i wanted it to be perfect and david it wrote it this time. and the amazing christina is going to be the featured singer. again, it's written just for you. you ready? >> right after this. 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[ female announcer ] used mops can grow bacteria. swiffer wetjet starts with a clean pad every time. and its antibacterial cleaner kills bacteria mops can spread around. swiffer gives cleaning a whole new meaning. ♪ lovely lady and we are back with everyone has a story and we're celebrating josie jimenez and joanie. >> it's time now for the song that david's written just for you, so please welcome christine andre andreas. the song is taken from one of the things you said in your letter. it's called "a mother's touch." ♪ everyone needs a mother's touch no matter how big or how small ♪ ♪ that one special bond that can mean so much without which we're nothing at all ♪ ♪ sometimes we're blessed with this love from birth but sometimes we search our life through ♪ ♪ to find that one person who sees our worth so this mother's day i just want to say ♪ ♪ i'm glad that person is you ♪ a mother's touch that what you gave me from the very first day that we met ♪ ♪ your smile was there your kindness and care are things that most daughters in law never get ♪ ♪ a mother's love that's what you've shown me a love that i never had ♪ ♪ and through thick and thin it's you who have been a mom i could call my own ♪ ♪ sometimes we think there are things we've missed and never will find them again ♪ ♪ but if you've taught me anything you've taught me this you never know where you never know when ♪ ♪ that love that you've longed for you'll suddenly find sometimes an unusual guise ♪ ♪ i never dreamed i'd leave sorrow behind the moment i looked in your sweet loving eyes ♪ ♪ a mother's touch that's what you gave me from the very first day that we met ♪ ♪ your smile always there your kindness and care are things that most daughters in law never get ♪ ♪ a mother's love that's what you've shown me a love that i've never known ♪ ♪ and through thick and thin it's you that have been a mom i could call my own ♪ ♪ you've made me yours and i've made you mine and i know what's between us will last for all time ♪ ♪ so from deep in my soul i thank you so much for making me whole with your loving mother's touch ♪ >> oh, beautiful. >> wow. >> beautiful, christine. >> we will be back with more of "today" on nbc. we're back honoring a very special woman. >> christine andreas just performed a special song, and my dear friend wants to his his mom a happy mother's day who's watching. >> can i wish my mom, mother-in-law and my son. >> you love your mother-in-law, too. >> i love them all. >> you wanted to say something. >> i just feel that our relationship slowly developed. of course when i first met josie, josie is like when you walk into a room, all the lights go on. she had so much personality and humor -- >> and beauty. >> and beauty and charm. everyone wants to meet her. what is this girl all about. i just felt so special, the way she thinks of me. i just think a mother-in-law is so lucky and it's so special to be a mother-in-law. i have a daughter-in-law, i love her entire family, they're just wonderful people. josie came in, she has a small family and i have a small family and we just attached to each other. >> you're starting to look alike. >> we get to give you guys a little something. your friends at the hybrid hotel heard about your wonderful relationship and wanted to reward you both with a spa experience. you're going to get spa treatments, a wonderful dinner. you can have a little fun. >> little girl's weekend. >> more bonding, like you need more. >> christine, all the best to you. all the tony nominations, 11. give our love to the guys. they were extraordinary. >> dave, love you, thank you for carrying the he have load this past time. >> happy mother's day, everybody. and our moms are here cooking. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

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