It is thursday, january 23rd. Early today starts right now. Good morning, im richard lui. We start with a controversial execution, despite pleas for a stay from mexicos government, and the u. S. State department, texas has put a Mexican National to death. 46yearold edgar tamayo was given a lethal injection for killing a Houston Police officer in 1994. Just an hour before his death, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal to stay that execution. Attorneys argued tamayo was mentally impaired, which would have made him ineligible to be executed. And that he was not informed under law he could get help from the mexican consulate. Officials say he mumbled no and shook his head when asked if he had a final statement. His attorneys say the execution, quote, violates the United States treaty commitments, threatens the nations Foreign Policy interests, and undermines the safety of all americans abroad. But a spokesperson for Texas Governor rick perry responded by saying if you commit a despicable crime like this in texas, youre subject to our state laws, including a fair trial by jury and the ultimate penalty. The threats are growing ahead of the Olympic Games in sochi, russia. At least five european olympic committees along with the United States received disturbing emails on wednesday while they contained a threat written in russian, Officials Say it does not pose any danger. But the fear among americans is very real. There is a new quinnipiac poll finding half fear a terror attack. 12 think it is very likely. 38 think it is somewhat likely. Nbcs chief correspondent Richard Engel reports. Reporter in public, russian officials have expressed nothing but confidence. But they may be more concerned than they let on. Otherwise, why the discussions at high level u. S. russia meetings about lending moscow high tech American Equipment to thwart remotely detonated bombs. But it is too late for that. U. S. Military officials tell nbc news, they dont have enough time to install the antibomb technology before the games. The olympic venues are spread out over two main sections. There is the coastal cluster on the black sea, built around a tight circle are the stadiums for the opening ceremony, ice skating and hockey. Nearby is the athletes village. The area is connected to a train station and airport. 30 miles away up a winding road is the mountain cluster, where the skiing and sledding events are spread out over slopes and valleys. All the talk about security threats has some american athletes and their families concerned. Freestyle skier Carrie Hermans mother diana is still coming. But shes almost canceled twice. I dont get a lot of confidence from the u. S. Government. They seem like they question whether the russians have a handle on this or not. Reporter family members of other athletes say they are canceling in part because of security. Richard engel, nbc news, sochi. Later today, nsa leaker Edward Snowden will speak out in a live q a on his website, one week after president obamas speech on nsa reforms. This is a new cbs poll that finds most americans think snowden should stand trial in the u. S. For his actions. 23 think he should be granted amnesty. That brings us to nbcs tracie potts live in washington. Good morning to you. The poll, that poll question brings into question, if you will, would he ever come back to the United States . Reporter well, russia has said he can stay there indefinitely. Certainly the u. S. Government wants him to come back and face charges but snowden has given no indication whatsoever that he wants to come back. And deal with all of this. We may hear more about that today when he speaks out about those secret surveillance programs he made public. This is the website where former nsa contractor Edward Snowden will answer questions live this afternoon about the government secrets he leaked to the world. It is our Firm Position that he ought to return to the United States, and face the charges against him. Reporter the spying Program Snowden exposed are now under heavy scrutiny. In a report due out today, a Government Task force is expected to recommend that the National Security agency stop collecting americans phone records. In a split decision, 32, the privacy and Civil LibertiesOversight Board will also say the government should purge its database. In a speech last week, president obama laid out reforms, but stopped short of getting rid of those programs. We cannot unilaterally disarm our intelligence agencies. The review group turned up no indication that this database has been intentionally abused. Reporter verizon reports it received more than a thousand requests from the government for customers information. That was just last year. And now the top attorney for microsoft is also saying they think their foreign clients records should be kept in storage outside the u. S. Tracie potts in washington, thank you so much. Breaking overnight now, Justin Bieber has been arrested in miami beach early this morning. Just a week after his los angeles mansion was raided by police. Police saying the 19yearold pop star was taken into custody for drag racing and driving under the influence. Details of the incident are still coming in to nbc news. Well keep you updated right here. Just released video shows the dramatic rescue of a new mexico woman from a burning car early sunday morning. The car bursting into flames after crashing into a pole. The driver was unconscious, but quick action by three Albuquerque Police officers is credited with saving her life. An officers lapel camera showing them struggling to rescue the woman. Got her . No. She stuck . Yeah. Hang on. Hang on. Her arm is caught. Shes stuck on the seat. Hang on. And then they finally pulled 23yearold kelly to safety. Shes hospitalized in stable condition. The three hero officers were largely unheard, except for one who had some minor burns. A volunteer Evacuation Order is in effect for about 50 homes near a burning plant in mississippi. A fuel tank exploded causing a fire at a north mississippi biodiesel facility that uses chicken fat to produce the diesel fuel that burned and destroyed the plant. The cause is under investigation. The evacuation was started because of shifting winds carrying heavy smoke. The fire is so hot, officials plan to let it burn out. Just how severe is the drought problem on the west coast . Well, we have got some images here taken from space showing the stunning effect on california. On the left for you, how much snow california had one year ago. On the right, you can guess it, how much snow is on the ground right now. While visiting a dusty field in southern california, House Speaker john boehner saying hell support emergency drought relief for farmers there. Yeah, bakersfield, an important part there, bill karins, nbc meteorologist, those pictures showing us what youve been telling us. Bakersfield, there is a blowing dust advisory today. Windy and so dry there is going to be dust blowing around. In the next 8 to 14 days, there is nothing. Burbank, like 08 degr80 degrees days in a row. Well continue the stats and numbers, keep compiling and get a new drought lookout in an hour and a half, two hours here on the west coast. Wouldnt doubt it if we see a lot more of california going up one category in the drought, you know, to make it even worse. We havent seen any rain this week and it has been warm. So it has to. Yesterday, 77 in l. A. Now, just the discussion from the National Weather service in los angeles, they say next week, monday, tuesday, wednesday, even warmer. A possibility of some areas hitting 90 degrees next week. Like no end in sight. Of course, with the windy conditions today, the fire danger will be higher. Current conditions, nothing too bad out there. Nothing really to brag about or nothing to complain about. Just a lack of rain and the temperatures are continuing to be very warm. Look at this map, just nothing out there. Highs today 69 in l. A. , slightly cooler. Only gets warmer from here. Thats your nat no end. Now were starting to talk this drought and it is going to last to the beginning of february at least. And we havent heard the words of all time necessarily by facts yet. The drought of 77 was the one for the record books. Thats the one, the benchmark. And if this continues, were going to be talking about comparisons. Bill karins, thank you for all of that. A cowboy faces 20 years in prison. No cash. No credit cards accepted yet. Activity abounds at the lava lake at hawaiis overlook crater. Details on that too. Iabetic ner, of course i had no idea what it was. I felt like my feet were going to sleep. It progressed from there to burning. To like 1,000 bees that were just stinging my feet. [ female announcer ] its known that diabetes damages nerves. Lyrica is fda approved to treat diabetic nerve pain. Lyrica is not for everyone. It may cause serious allergic reactions or suicidal thoughts or actions. Tell your doctor right away if you have these, new or worsening depression, or unusual changes in mood or behavior. Or swelling, trouble breathing, rash, hives, blisters, changes in eyesight including blurry vision, muscle pain with fever, tired feeling, or skin sores from diabetes. Common side effects are dizziness, sleepiness, weight gain and swelling of hands, legs and feet. Dont drink alcohol while taking lyrica. Dont drive or use machinery until you know how lyrica affects you. Those who have had a drug or alcohol problem may be more likely to misuse lyrica. Having less pain is its a wonderful feeling. [ female announcer ] ask your doctor about lyrica today. Its specific treatment for diabetic nerve pain. Starts with a good nights sleep in pampers. While ordinary diapers have only 2 layers, pampers has 3 absorbent layers, to stay up to 3 times drier. For bright tomorrows. Pampers. [ male announcer ] the rhythm of life. [ whistle blowing ] where do you hear that beat . Campbells healthy request soup lets you hear it in your heart. [ basketball bouncing ] heart healthy. [ mm. ] great taste. [ tapping ] sounds good. Campbells healthy request. Mm mm good. ® welcome back. Nbc news has learned the fbi is in new jersey questioning witnesses. It is part of the investigation into whether governor Chris Christies aides threatened to cut off Hurricane Sandy funding to the city of hoboken. Federal agents have been speaking with mayor dawn zimmers chief of staff and communications director. Theyre said to have knowledge regarding an alleged conversation with new jerseys Lieutenant Governor in which sandy funds were linked to a development project. President obama is serious about preventing Sexual Assault on college campuses. Hes created a special task force aimed at changing the latest statistics. The white house releasing a report showing one in five women are sexually assaulted while in college. But only 12 of them report those attacks. Former Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman josh brent was found guilty of intoxicated manslaughter. He was accused of killing friend and teammate jerry brown in a car crash in 2012. He faces up to 20 years in prison. Orange and red lava lighting up the overlook crater in hawaiis kilauea, beautiful. Kill yauea is the most active o the five volcanos that make up the island. Sheryl sandberg one of the worlds youngest billionaires, all thanks to her generous Facebook Stock and her bestselling book lean in. Treasury secretary jack lew urging congress to raise the debt limit. He said otherwise the u. S. Could default on debt by late february. According to forbes, the New York Knicks topped the list of most valuable nba franchises followed by the los angeles lakers, chicago bulls, boston celtics, brooklyn nets. Sears closing its Flagship Store in chicago in april because of huge operating losses. 160 people will lose their jobs. Marijuana is a huge cash crop because american express, mastercard and visa officially forbid the use of their credit cards to purchase pot in states where it is legal. Only cash. And just in time for the super bowl, 10,000 boxes of pizza were packed up and ready for shipment to u. S. Military personnel deployed overseas. All part of the nonprofit pizza for patriots program. Along with the help of dhl express, the chicago style deep dish pizzas will arrive in time for kickoff. To all of those abroad, enjoy the game and thank you for your service and enjoy the pizza. New this morning, chinas pcmaker len novo agreeing to buy part of ibms server business. They purchased the lap pop business back in 2005. Sports just ahead, including the yankees new secret weapon. Plus, nascars Danica Patrick gets pumped up for her new super bowl ad. [bell rings] [prof. Burke] at farmers,we make you smarter about your insurance,because what you dont know can hurt you. What if you didnt know that Home Insurance can keep your stuff covered,even when its not at home . Or that collisions with wildlife on the road may not be covered. And what if you didnt know that you could be liable for any accidents on your property . The more you know,the better you can plan for whats ahead. Talk to farmers and get smarter about your insurance. We are farmers bum pa dum, bum bum bum bum so, if youre what ysleeping in your is youcontact lenses, ask about the air optix® contacts so breathable theyre approved for up to 30 nights of continuous wear. Ask your doctor about Safety Information as serious eye problems may occur. Visit airoptix. Com for a free onemonth trial. Still running in the morning . Yeah. Getting your vegetables every day . When i can. [ bop ] [ male announcer ] couldve had a v8. Two full servings of vegetables for only 50 delicious calories. You need a bunch of those to clean this mess. Then ill use a bunch of them. Then how is that a bargain . [ sighs ] no, thats too many its not gonna fit whoa cascade kitchen and math counselor. Heres a solution. One pac of cascade complete cleans tough food better than six pacs of the bargain brand combined. So you can tackle tough messes the first time. That is more like it. How are you with taxes . [ laughs ] [ counselor ] and for even more cleaning power, try cascade platinum. This morning on today, the rise of a new drug made from common household products. An investigative look at the dangerous new way young people are getting high. Taking you to sports now. He becomes the fifth highest paid pitcher in major league baseball. And he comes all the way from japan, my friends. Masahi Masahiro Tanaka signed with the yankees. He had a 1. 27 e. R. A. Last year. The celtics think two in the paint, celtics 113111. The pacers can lose. Winners of five straight. The top team in the Central Division get scorched by the suns. Phoenix ahead by 13 at the half. Former pacers gerald green led all stars with 18. Phoenix wins 124100. College hoops. Number nine ranked Wisconsin Badgers lose their third straight. Unranked minnesotas Austin Hollins delivers this onearmed dunk right there. Minnesota 8168. Number 21 michigan, looking good versus number ten iowa, leading at the half. Final minutes, iowas aaron white keeps it close with a dunk there. The wolverines answer with this three. Michigan goes on to win 7567. Blue looking good. Vince young, the former titans quarterback, filed for bankruptcy. Eight years ago his contract guaranteed 26 million. The Houston Chronicle says 2. 5 million loan balance started or made his troubles worse. He becomes part of the 78 of former nfl players that go bankrupt within two years of retirement, according to sports illustrated. Metlife stadium getting snow practice ahead of the super bowl. Part of that, cold weather door prizes. Why not . Fans will get lip balm, tissues, hand warmers, a seat cushion, earmuffs, gloves and a wool hat. They might need it. Well see. No stripteases or makeout sessions for go daddy super bowl ads this year. Instead, Danica Patrick in a muscle body suit. In this ad, the nascar driver and body builder see a tanning salon on a website hosted by go daddy. They run like the digg dickens t their bronze on. Bill crosby prepares for primetime and an 8yearold is being hailed as a hero this morning. Details next. Before he could easily transfer funds between the two in real time. Before he could even think about planning for his daughters future. Mike opened a merrill edge investment account and linked it to his bank of america bank account to help free up plenty of time for the here and now. Thats the wonder of streamlined connections. Thats merrill edge and bank of america. With freshly bakedeve in whole grain bread. Right then we add allnatural eggs. Lean antibioticfree ham. And vermont white cheddar. Get 16 grams of protein and 23 grams of whole grain in the breakfast power sandwich. When you dont have the time, theres crest 3d white 1 hour express whitestrips. Removes years of stains in just 1 hour. Whitening without the wait. Crest 3d white 1 hour express whitestrips. Chose prego homestyle alfredo over ragu classic alfredo. 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