With one kevin hart. Plus the ultimate gift, the nurse, the patient, and a dream come true. Early today starts right now good morning, everyone im dara brown and im phillip mena. Christmas past and no gift in sight from north korea the regime had threatened to deliver something if the u. S. Didnt ease sanctions on them. Washington is now on high alert with the u. S. Reportedly flying four surveillance planes over the Korean Peninsula our chief White House CorrespondentHallie Jackson is in West Palm Beach with the latest reporter u. S. Officials bracing for new aggression after north koreas ominous warning of a Christmas Gift and deploying four american surveillance planes over the Korean Peninsula according to south korean media reports the pentagon has not responded to nbc newss request for comment. It comes as there is increasing concern over what pyongyangs plotting, like perhaps a longrange Missile Launch soon that hasnt happened since 2017 when kim stopped testing those rockets during a window of diplomacy with President Trump hes a very talented man. Reporter the president now publicly playing down concerns over a potential test, but pledging to respond if and when it hachz well find out what the surprise is and well deal with it very successfully lets see what happens reporter the nowimpeached president bracing for a fight on another front as negotiations remain at a stand still over the details of a senate trial considering whether to remove him from office. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she wont send the articles of impeachment to the senate until shes confident there will be a fair trial Top RepublicanMitch Mcconnell calling the delay absurd, and the president railing against democrats and pelosi all week. Shes doing a tremendous disservice to the country. Shes not doing a good job theres no crime. Theres no nothing how do you impeach you had no crime i dont feel like im being impeached because its a hoax. Its a setup. Its a horrible thing they did reporter but on this Christmas Day, a more topical tone and message on behalf of the entire trump family, we wish everyone a joyous and Merry Christmas and a very reporter and, phillip, there is also news now coming out of alaska from senator lisa murkowski, a key republican voice. She now says shes disturbed by senator mcconnells comments promising total coordination between the republicans and the white house in an impeachment trying its a sign of at least some dissent in the gop ranks, but it is still early in the process and ultimately democrats would need more republicans to break rank in order to, for example, determine procedures like whether witnesses can be called. Phillip, back to you wish they could do that hallie, thank you. A fallen soldier has returned home the remains of special forces soldier killed in afghanistan have returned to the u. S a dignified transfer ceremony was held at Dover Air Force base for 33yearold Sergeant First Class michael j. Gobel of washington township, new jersey. The pentagon says he died from injuries he sustained during a combat operation the taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack that killed gobel. Now to the shocking news about the death of a rising star at espn. The 34yearold died on his birthday just weeks after being diagnosed with pneumonia so how did it become so deadly so quickly nbcs Kerry Sanders reports. Our colleague and friend Edward Ashoff died yesterday reporter only 34 years old, Edward Ashoff was a star in the making tough loss on the road. Reporter he made it from espns website to camera work. He covered the michigan game, his cough became worse a colleague says after going to the hospital, doctors determined he had pneumonia posting online, had a virus for two weeks and it morphed into this monster pneumonia causes fluid to collect in the lungs, is triggered by a virus, bacteria, or even a fungus while we dont know his cause of death, doctors say its typically treatable. But in certain cases, the infection just over whelms someones immune system. Reporter tributes pouring in on social media. Espn producer and friend Melinda Adams tells nbc news, ed was a bright light dimmed way too soon while his reporting was superior, its his kindness and joy for life we will miss. Ed ashoff died tuesday on his 34th birthday. He was engaged to be married next year, writing about his fiancee in his final Instagram Post love you, babe thanks for putting up with my 5 00 a. M. Coughing fits. Im Edward Ashoff, espn reporter Kerry Sanders, nbc news as the world celebrated christmas wednesday, we learned startling new information about the Notre Dame Cathedral and its struggle to comeback after the devastating fire in april. Nbcs aaron mclauchlin has more. Reporter around the world, the faithful gather and millions celebrate. At the vatican [ speaking Foreign Language pope francis calling for peace, saying change begins from the heart. But in the heart of paris, there is sadness for the first christmas in over 200 years, the beloved Notre Dame Cathedral is dark sad parisians celebrate next to the louvre notre dame and its entirety might not survive. Cathedral rector says there is maybe a 50 chance it will be saved. Eight months ago, the world watched in horror as the blaze tore through the roof. The iconic gothic spire gone now officials warn the cathedral still vulnerable prior to the fire, hundreds of tons of scaffolding were put in place. Part of a renovation effort. Now there is concern it could come crashing down on the alreadyfragile structure. The governments goal, to reopen by 2024, in time for the Paris Olympics but the rector says until the scaffolding is removed, they wont know if the cathedral can be saved we are french we are going to try to rebuild notre dame as it was before because its a symbol simply reporter in paris, determination and prayer knowing it could be years before they find out if this Christmas Wish can come true erin mclauchlin, nbc news. A Christmas Day tradition in delaware was completed for the first time in three years. Thousands showed up for the annual reenactment of George Washingtons crossing of the Delaware River in 1776 it had to be scrapped in years prior because of bad weather wainwright of our affiliate wcau has more reporter the history and the excitement that our country started here it was our first victory as a nation it was exciting a beautiful day, perfect conditions, the water is great fire gives you goosebumps when you cross the river in a durham boat thats what this is all about, celebrating our history we want to put on a good show for everyone who gave up their afternoon on a Christmas Day to come on out here and watch us. 11 patriot ancestors who served in the revolutionary war. My grandfather nine generations removed, and we have other relatives who served in the battle of paoli. I did cross the river at the dress rehearsal. Doing it on Christmas Day is something special. It means a lot fire. I used to come when i was a kid and you dont really appreciate it until you realize what happened here we really enjoy this great camaraderie. Its a great feeling to be out here our thanks to wayne for that report Winter Weather gets extreme this holiday season. Snow swept through mount laguna in california. Meanwhile, rain drenched the southeast. Snarling traffic for travelers just trying to head home for the holidays and the midwest saw record highs, 70degree weather in kansas heres nbc Steve Patterson reporter in a rare holiday twist, one of the few places across the country primed for a White Christmas this year was california the snow fell steadily in the mountains with up to 2 feet expected in some areas, making for a skiers paradise in fact, much of the mess nationwide was in the usually mild west. Heavy snow in the grand canyon and a Christmas Day rain in phoenix for the first time in ten years. Meanwhile, across the midwest. Good morning. And we are going to be warming up today reporter it was freakishly warm its beautiful. I mean, im a little warm just wearing this reporter in chicago, it came close to the warm est christmas in 147 years bonnie hall says its one of the strangest things shes ever seen i havent seen a christmas like this and im 60 reporter most of the region is blanketed with unseasonable heat with some of the highest christmas temperatures in years. From kansas city to st. Louis to louisville, all at or near 70 degrees. A far cry from Southern California where many are bracing for the worst. Flash flood watches are in place with powerful winds and heavy rain on the way across the region all just a few days after the area was pounded and it is a Holiday Weekend the clouds will clear out barrelling east from minnesota to texas, bringing temps back down to reality for the midwest and potential headachesfor travelers heading home and so the biggest concern for that overnight storm is really exactly what you see behind me. These areas so badly burned and scarred from the recent wildfires weve had here, potentially priming this ground and the hillsides you see here for potentially calamitous mudslides t. All depends on what happens over the next few hours. Phillip . All right, steve, thank you so, how are we looking on this day after christmas meteorologist Michele Grossman is here with her Weather Forecast hi, guys. Were looking really good. Were looking very, very mild for so many of us. The southwest, theyre not doing great. The snow and the rain, but for most of us were looking so mild 15 to 25 degrees above what is typical for this time of year. Not bad for a late december, almost january and look at some of these temperatures were looking at recordbreaking temperatures so not just slightly above normal, but well above normal in many spots milwaukee 56 grand rapids 54. We could break a record of 53. Well watch that throughout the day. South bend 57. Chicago 59 fort wayne 58 degrees. Saginaw 52 and that will hold on until friday and at least saturday in some spots chicago 46 12 deges above typicalre could see freezing rain in some spots especially along the great lakes or upper midwest all right. So now that everyone is warm, most of us are warm and then things are going to change drastically by next week great, michele. Thank you. Youre welcome. Kevin harts court Side Christmas seat at the Staple Center came with more than a good view of the lakers clippers game when laker star Anthony Davis shot a jumper, the Power Forward falls backward right on the lap of the 54 comedian started to laugh and find a more comfortable spot on his lap. Then lebron james joins in, sits on his lap as well santa hart couldnt bring the lakers a win they lose 111106. An act of courage lands one man in the star wars universe. Its never too latege to t back in the saddle how a group of friends helped this air force veterans wish come true. Eeeeeww dead skin cells gross so now, i grab my swiffer sweeper and heavyduty dusters. Duster extends to three feet to get all that gross stuff gotcha and for that nasty dust on my floors, my sweepers on it. The textured cloths grab and hold dirt and hair no matter where dust bunnies hide. No more heebie jeebies. Phew. Glad i stopped cleaning and started swiffering. But in my mind im still 25. 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Thats because your home is filled with soft surfaces that trap odors and release them back into the room. So, try febreze fabric refresher febreze finds odors trapped in fabrics bubbles popping and cleans them away as it dries. Use febreze every time you tidy up to keep your whole house smelling fresh air clean. Fabric refresher even works for clothes you want to wear another day. Make febreze part of your clean routine for whole home freshness. La la la la la. Leading the news, a 91yearold air force veteran is one step closer to completing her bucket list. Her name is winnie hatcher and until recently, she says shes not ridden a horse in nearly 50 years. Well, earlier this week a friend helped make that dream come true and winnie was introduced to duke, a 34yearold horse who had not been saddled in four years. Well, the two took a tenminute ride and created a special bond. Winnie said she grew up on a farm and used to ride horses as a little girl and she plans to visit duke when she can. Go get em, winnie a 21yearold university of North Carolina charlotte student who died trying to take down a shooter on campus last april is being memorialized in a very special way. Riley howell has been named an honorary jedi master and historian in the new book star wars rise of skywalker the visual dictionary. According to his family, howell was a huge star wars fan and when lucas film contacted them asking if they could use his name in an upcoming book, they said yes without knowing any details. The book was released along with the new movie. Santa has made a special trip to indiana to visit 8yearold Tyler Burkhart for Christmas Tyler has autism and was turned away from seeing santa at the mall because he needed to bring his special service dog in when the fire burg territory heard, they rushed in with santa, bringing him toys and lots of holiday joy. Just ahead, we will pay tribute to one of the music industrys most colorful figures who wrote the theme song to friends. Plus, first come the gifts atouees. The return wh y nd to know before your trip to the mall. Introducing a razor that works differently. The gillette skinguard. That helps protect skin. It guards against razor burn on the neck and irritation on the face. Get the shave youve been waiting for. Gillette skinguard. Nyquifor your worst cold andrful relieflu symptoms, on sunday night and every night. Nyquil severe. The nightime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, best sleep with a cold, medicine. Work so hard give it everything you got strength of a lioness tough as a knot rocking the stage and we never gonna stop all strength, no sweat. Just in case you forgot all strength. No sweat secret. All strength. No sweat. Is skincare from around the world better than olay . To find out, olay faced the world. 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Heres nbcs vicky nguyen with what you need to know before you head back to the store reporter after ripping open those perfectly wrapped gifts, 75 of us will be heading to the return line. My mom got us pajamas and theyre so ugly so were going to return them tomorrow. There was like a shirt that i got and i was looking at it. I would never wear this. Reporter but there are things to know before you go oh, you shouldnt have, lester say you get a gift that you absolutely love but maybe it doesnt fit. You need to take it back but theres no gift receipt. So you want those products to be in perfect sellable condition if at all possible reporter that means saving whatever you can tags, packaging, even hangers can help you get back top dollar want to save time and return those gifts by mail . Watch for hidden costs some retailers will give you a return shipping label but still charge you for shipping. And once you ship, confirm the money goes back into your account. And if youre headed to the store in person, make a list to organize your takebacks and Check Store Policies timing your trip could help you avoid long lines and max