Christmas in places like oklahoma city, little rock, and up into southeastern portions of st. Louis. Then the storm on wednesday and thursday moves into the ohio valley, great lakes, and inland portions of the northeast. Some places will pick up around two feet of snow. Most folks around a foot with wind gusts to around 40 and 50 miles per hour, making for a travel nightmare as we head through the week. Really for tuesday and especially wednesday and thursday. Reporting for cbs news, miami. Authorities in western new york still dont know what prompted an excon to gun down a group of firefighters. The gunman lured them to his neighborhood in the town of webster by setting a fire to a car and house. Two firefighters were killed in the ambush. This morning, officials are looking for more victims. We have more from webster, new york. Good morning. Reporter duarte, as investigators work to find out why two firefighters were killed, the whole town of webster is grieving this christmas. Its a day that should be about celebration. Candles are burning for two firefighters killed in an ambush the day before christmas. Our men are hurt, and theyre not going to be home with their families now. Reporter Police Believe 62yearold William Spengler intentionally set fire to a house and car in order to lure First Responders to his neighborhood. Im sorry. I just reporter thats okay. Its christmas. I mean, who targets people on reporter Authorities Say spengler injured two volunteer firefighters and killed two more before killing himself. 19yearold Michael Chiapperini was filling in for another so they could spend christmas with their families. Tomasz kaczowka was just named firefighter of the year two weeks ago. Its very a very difficult situation. Reporter condolences have been pouring in to this fire station from around the world. And now two families are spending their christmas making funeral arrangements. Right now were recognizing what we need to do to bury two of our members. Reporter and the death toll could grow higher. Spenglers sister is unaccounted for. Police believe she and others might have been trapped in the fire that consumed seven houses. Until we can get into those homes and see god, im hoping that everyone was able to escape from the inferno. Reporter police hope the rubble has cooled down enough to allow them to begin investigating today. William spengler is an excon who spent 18 years in prison for killing his grandmother with a hammer. Duarte . So sad. Thank you. Its a subdued Christmas Day in newtown, connecticut. Its been less than two weeks since a gunman shot and killed 20 children and six adults at sandy hook elementary school. Yesterday a bus carrying hundreds of homemade cards collected from around the state arrived in town. Organizers said they want the victims families to know they are not alone. Christmas celebrations are underway around the world this morning. Here in new york, thousands packed st. Patricks cathedral for a Midnight Mass. Overseas, a similar scene in bethlehem where the faithful gathered in the town where tradition says jesus was born. Manger square was packed with lights and decorations. At the vatican, Pope Benedict delivers his annual Christmas Day message. Earlier he presided over a mass at st. Peters basilica, prayed for peace in the middle east, and talked about the need for god in a technologydriven world. We have this report. Reporter thousands of faithful packed st. Peters basilica as Pope Benedict celebrated Christmas Eve mass. A childrens choir sang the traditional hymns, and bells tolled to mark the birthday of jesus. The pope urged followers to find room for god in a modern world filled with technological gadgets. Hopefully people listen to him and take his words in a spiritual and meaningful way. Reporter in his homily, the 85yearold pope also asked for a solution to the arab israeli conflict of interest and an end to the civil war in syria. For many tourists, spending christmas here in vatican city and hearing Pope Benedict speak is a once in a lifetime experience. Amazing to see so many people here. Probably of all faiths. And just wonderful to be a part of it. Its bigger than we are. Its something that encourages me to believe even more. Reporter before the mass, the pope lit a peace candle outside his window as a larger than life nativity scene was unveiled in st. Peters square below. The traditional Midnight Mass was moved up to 10 00 years ago to let the pontiff rest before his important Christmas Day speech. Cbs news, the vatican. President obama is in hawaii for christmas. The president is expected to spend a quiet day with his family. With the president and congress on a short holiday break, theres been no movement on fiscal cliff negotiations. Before he left washington, the president said he believes a deal could be made before the december 31 deadline. U. S. Troops celebrated their 12th consecutive christmas in afghanistan. Service men and women attended a service at the nato base in kabul, sang some carols, then enjoyed a holiday dinner. And coming up on the morning news, he may be messy funny, jack klugman from the odd couple has died. A look back at his remarkable career. [ female announcer ] introducing u the latest coffee machine from nespresso. Modular. Intuitive. Combines espresso and fresh milk. The new u. Nespresso. What else . Available at these fine retailers. Firefighters in california battled a raging river yesterday to rescue a homeless man. He was living on an island in the Los Angeles River and got into trouble after a fastmoving storm tore through the area. Rescuers used an inflatable boat to reach the island and tossed ropes to the man which he tied around a tree. The man was taken to the hospital and treated for hypothermia. Former president george h. W. Bush is spending christmas in a houston hospital. The 88yearold was admitted last month after developing a cough. Hes now being treated for weakness and fever. Doctors say they are cautiously optimistic about his recovery. Nelson mandela will also spend christmas in the hospital where hes being treated for a lung infection and gallstones. People in capetown gathered to pray for the former South African president. Other Prayer Services took place across the country. The socalled king of the character actors has died. Charles durning played everything from a nazi officer to the pope. He earned two Oscar Nominations including one for the musical the best little whorehouse in texas. He was also a world war ii vet who survived the dday invasion of normandy and battle of the bulge. He was 89 years old. The actor best known as oscar for his role in the 1970s sitcom the odd couple has passed away. John finolio takes a look at Jack Klugmans life, career, and challenges he overcame. Reporter jack klugman was best known as the lovable, sloppy, cigarloving Sports WriterOscar Madison in the odd couple. I cant believe this poker game. You with him, you with your tie. Reporter klugman won two emmys for the role playing opposite the late tony randall who played felix unger, his obsessively clean roommate. Look, what do you see . Mayonnaise. Reporter klugman started acting when he returned home from world war ii. He quickly landed major tv and film roles. In 1953, he married actress brett somers, and the couple had two sons. They separated after 21 years but remained married until somers died at age 83. He would later marry peggy crosby. A medical term for guts. Reporter following the odd couple, klugman starred as a crimesolving medical examiner in quincy m. E. Having won habit with Oscar Madison, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. Practically voiceless he continued working. He continued to work with randall, appearing on broadway in the sunshine boys. Say that again. Why . Say it again. I feel great. Reporter the two teamed up in 1983 for an odd couple reunion show. Klugman continued to act into his 80s. He passed away at his home on monday. He was 90 years old. Cbs news, los angeles. Straight ahead, your Christmas Day forecast. Plus, the perfect christmas gift. Parents joy. Their baby boy who survived so much finally home. Their baby boy who survived so much finally home. From kabul, afghanistan, id like to say hi to my family in spokane, washington. Hi to my family in spokane, washington. But hed wait for her forever, for any reason, and would always be there with the biggest welcome home. For a love this strong, dawn only feeds him iams. Compared to other leading brands, it has 50 more animal protein. To help keep rockys body as strong as a love that never fades. If he ever lets her leave again. Iams. Keep love strong. If he ever lets her leave again. He is a good Little Monkey and always very curious. One day george got an important letter. Hes built a rocket ship to travel into space. Google, how far is earth to the moon . The moon is 238,900 miles. The great moment had come. 3, 2, 1. [ giggling ] i need all the help i can get. Thats why i like nutella. Mom, whats the capital of West Virginia . Charleston. Nutella is a delicious hazelnut spread my whole family loves. Mom, have you seen my backpack . Nutella goes great on wholewheat toast or wholegrain waffles. And its great taste comes from a unique combination of simple ingredients like hazelnuts, skim milk and a hint of cocoa. Yeah, bye. Have you seen my yes. And. Thank you. [ male announcer ] nutella. Breakfast never tasted this good. Heres a look at todays forecast in some cities around the country. New york, morning rain, 43. Miami, some sun, 80. Chicago, snow showers, 36. Dallas, rain and snow, 51. Los angeles, partly sunny, 65. Time now for a check of the national forecast. A major storm is bringing a White Christmas to much of the country. The plains and midwest could see blizzard conditions. Up to an inch of snow could fall in parts of the northeast. More Severe Weather in the south could bring damaging winds and tornadoes. And as much as two feet of snow is expected in parts of the rocky and sierra mountains. This is a christmas full of special meaning for a young family here in new york. Theyre spending a quiet holiday with their baby boy who endured so much before he could finally go home. Vinita nair with their story. Reporter Andrew Blanca was born 15 weeks early, weigh ing just one pound, ten ounces. His whole life has been a struggle beginning the night his mom went into early labor. Colleen was pregnant with twins when doctors told her she had a rare condition. One baby was growing, but the other was not. They told us that there was a good chance that we would lose both of them. Reporter after an emergency csection, andrew arrived at the neonatal intensive care unit, attached to monitors to help him breathe, eat, even pump his own blood. His brother, william, didnt make it. Two days after he was born, he he passed away. Reporter for three months, andrew stayed in the nicu. He had eye surgery, battled breathing problems, and nearly died after a bout of sepsis. That was very touch and go. That was a very difficult time. Reporter then Superstorm Sandy struck, and the hospital had to evacuate. Andrew was one of six babies relocated here to Montifiore Medical Center in the bronx. Dr. Christy bruno was in charge of andrews care. We worked to wean him off the oxygen as he tolerated it. And he did beautifully and began to grow. Reporter after another month in intensive care, andrew weighed nine pounds and was finally able to go home. Chubby cheeks. Having gone through what weve gone through with him, it just makes it so much more special. So were really very excited for this christmas. Reporter he still has weekly visits with the pediatrician and will see specialists throughout his childhood. But his parents say he is the best gift they ever received. Vinita nair, cbs news, new york. Indianapolis colts coach chuck pagano has rejoined the Team Three Months after being diagnosed with leukemia. He was welcomed back monday by jim irsay after doctors cleared him to return. The coach underwent three rounds of chemotherapy to put his cancer in remission. During an emotional news conference, pagano thanked the interim coach who led during his absence. When i asked bruce to take over, i said, now, you got to kick some you know what, and you got to do great. Bruce, you had to go and win nine games . He guided the team to a playoff spot. The colts go for their 11th win of the year on sunday. When we return, its got to be the best gift ever. The winners of spains massive lottery split a jackpot worth more than 3 billion. Hi, im Staff Sergeant massey here in kabul, afghanistan. I would like to say happy holidays to all my family in fayetteville, north carolina. Happy holidays. My family in fayetteville, north carolina. Happy holidays. for those nights when its more than a bad dream, be ready. For the days when you get a sudden call from the school, be ready. For the times you need to doublecheck the temperature on the thermometer, be ready. When you have childrens motrin on hand, youre ready. For high fever, nothing works faster or lasts longer than childrens motrin. Be ready with childrens motrin. When an army of volunteers serve up a holiday feast for thousands of diners. And preparing a stormy White Christmas around the countr where people will be shovelg out driveways. And packing scrapers. I think it will just signal that they cant get it toger that probably leads to even worse decisions in the futu and bay area leaders sound f on the fiscal cliff stalema. Join us for cbs 5 Eyewitness News this morning. Beginn, heres a look at todays forecast in some cities across the country. Waernds, pbs, washington, d. C. , partly sunny, 48. Atlanta, rain, 60s. St. Louis, mostly cloudy, 38. Denver, morning snow, 25. Seattle, rain, 40. Shoppers hitting the stores after christmas could find some amazing bargains. Experts say postchristmas sales will likely have steeper discounts than in the past. The uncertain economy led Holiday Shoppers to spend less than usual. So some stores could cut prices by as much as 80 . In celebrations across spain this christmas after a jackpotbusting 3. 3 billion lottery. As Barry Peterson reports, unlike lotteries in the united states, spain spreads the wealth. Reporter they won it in the lottery called el gordo. Translation, the fat one. Numbers tumbled in machines that look a lot like some sort of imaginary rocket ship. [ cheers ] reporter there was plenty of imagining by people in the audience looking for an extra christmas present. It represents hope and luck, says this man. It will help us to breathe a bit so our finances improve. And lady luck had a sweet sound. [ speaking spanish ] Reporter School kids singing out the winning numbers. And millions waiting to see if they would share in the 3. 3 billion in prizes. Unlike lotteries in the u. S. Where a few winners get a big jackpot, el gordo is spread among thousands. Good news for a country where the hungry hunt food in the garbage and anger has spawned violence for people lost in the desperation of a crashing economy. So the champagne flowed across the country. The biggest winners walked away with up to half a million dollars. This unemployed electrician had to borrow money from his girlfriends father to pay for part of his ticket and won 265,000. It will be for the house, he said, i dont know what to say. So much happiness. Happiness far and wide as people often pooled their money to buy multiple tickets. And that meant multiple chances to win. Thats what these supermarket workers did. The dancing and hugging pretty much tell it all. [ speaking spanish ] reporter and in this economically ravaged country, a different kind of tears, tears of joy. That was great news for them. That was Barry Peterson reporting. Coming up after your local news on cbs this morning, celebrating 60 years of mr. And mrs. Potato head. Im duarte geraldino. This is the cbs morning news. This is the cbs morning news. [ female announcer ] introducing u the latest coffee machine from nespresso. Modular. Intuitive. Combines espresso and fresh milk. The new u. Nespresso. What else . Available at these fine retailers. But the acidic levels in some foods can cause acid erosion. The enamel starts to wear down, and you cant grow your enamel back. My dentist recommended that i use pronamel, because it helps to strengthen the enamel. And i believe its doing a good job. Time for citi price rewind. Because your daughter really wants that pink castle thing. And you really dont want to pay more than you have to. Only citi price rewind automatically searches for the lowest price. And if it finds one, you get refunded the difference. Just use your citi card and register your purchase online. Have a super sparkly day ok. [ male announcer ] now all you need is a magic carriage. Citi price rewind. Start saving at citi. Com pricerewind. Now to a story about the magic of christmas. Theres a little town in indiana where its christmas all year long. The place is called santa claus, and every day they get letters from true believers. As byron pitts tells us, the good people of santa claus try to answer everyone. Dear santa, are you getting ready and fattening up . How are things at the north pole . Thank you, aidan north. Reporter call it one of the wonders of the christmas season. Children who dont simply believe in santa claus but also believe he answers his mail. Very good. Reporter and then there are those who believe in answering santas mail. They live in a place where christmas is a yearlong celebration. About 82 years ago, santa claus, indiana, a rural town on the kentucky border, started the tradition of answering letters in santa. In 1930, a local businessman with a big heart and belt to match was in charge.