Good morning. Its thursday, december 22nd. Im Halle Jackson alongside louis beurgdorf in new york. The manhunt is intensifying for the suspect in the berlin attack this week. He lived mostly in berlin, but Officials Say he was very mobile. He used aliases. German police labeled him a potential risk. They had monitored him for months. He was set to be deported after his asylum request was denied back in june. That was held up because he didnt have identity papers. Those papers, by the way, arr e arrived from tunisia this week, just days after the attack. A man claiming to be a brother of amris tells nbc news he spoke with him five days and and that he was in germany, but he didnt know what he was doing there. Nbc news correspondent hans nichols is joining us from berlin with the latest. Talk us through this. Are police any closer to tracking this man down . Reporter well, potentially. What we have this morning is there were raids in the city of dortmund, two apartments there. German police, authorities here, the federal prosecuting office is warning us against saying there were any arrests there. Theyre simply confirming there are raids. Heres what we know. Were starting to piece a little more of amris time in berlin. It was in march that he was under surveillance. He started to get under surveillance because he attempted theres suspicion of a burglary to have weapons to take out some sort of attack. Hes under surveillance. Hes here in berlin. Hes associated with basically petty crimes, a bar fight, potentially selling drugs. At a certain point in september, they couldnt even, after an extension, they could not have additional surveillance. The trail went cold in september. They didnt have enough of a case, enough evidence to prosecute him. They worked on trying to deport him. As we know now, tunisian authorities denied he was a cent citizen. He eventually got his passport. It arrived in germany yesterday. Hans, thank you very much. Were going to see you coming up on morning joe. And halle, lawmakers in North Carolina have failed to repeal the controversial legislation known as the bathroom bill signed by governor pat mccrory back in march. The bill requires people to use the public restroom that match the sex listed on their birth certificate regardless of gender identity after months of protest and economic backlash, the governor called a special session to rescind the law. For hours, the effort to overturn the bill was stalemated by partisan bickering. Members of the audience began chanting shame. The failure of the repeal vote led to finger pointing. Governor mccrory claimed democrats sabotaged the repeal and governorelect roy cooper accused the Republicanled Legislature of failing to fulfill their promise. Im disappointed we have yet to remove the stain on the reputation of our great state that is around this country and around the world. Governorelect cooper went on to say he would continue working with Republican Leaders to repeal the law. Now to the latest on the deadly explosion at one of mexicos bestknown fireworks markets. You remember the video. Officials are still trying to figure out what caused that unbelievable series of blasts. It all occurred in the city of tultepec just north of mexico city. 33 people are confirmed dead. One 13yearold boy who had burned to more than 35 of his body was sent to shriners Childrens Hospital here in our country, galveston, texas. They want top send several more kids here as well. This is just the latest in a line of several fireworks disasters in mexico, including two in this same town. One of those even happened at the same market, leaving more than 100 people hurt. Just a terrible story, halle. Shocking video there. All right. President elect donald trump took a quick couple of questions from reporters yesterday, talking about the Terror Threat but not being tight lipped about whether he will institute a registry or travel ban on the members of the muslim religion. Whats going on is terrible. In fact, we have intelligence here right now, whats going on is terrible. Has it caused you to rethink or reevaluate your plans to create a Muslim Registry or ban muslims into the United States. Hey, youve known my plans all along, and its theyve provb to be right, 100 correct. Whats happening is disgraceful. In the wake of San Bernardino attack one year ago, thencandidate trump called for a total and complete shut down of muslims entering the United States. Later in the campaign, trump stopped talking about a muslim ban and said he preferred the term extreme vetting. He also endorsed the idea of creating a database of muslims, which the transition has recently denied. Yesterday, the president elect seemed unfamiliar with the statement the transition put out in his name on monday saying about the truck attack in berlin, quote, isis and other islamist terrorists continually Slaughter Christians in their communities and places of worship as part of their global jihad. Your comments about the truck attack in berlin being against christians, do you think that this might say it again. What . Your, your the attack in berlin being an attack against christians. Well, who said that . When was that said . I think i believe you said it in a press release. So go ahead. So im wondering how this might affect relations thats an attack on humanity. Thats an attack on humanity. Its got to be stopped. President elect trump also said he had spoken with president obama on monday. Donald trump also met at that same location with a couple ceos who hes basically ridiculed in public lately over what hes calling their high price tags in contracts with the federal government. But yesterday, he welcomed the ceos of boeing and lockheed. Trump has criticized the cost of lockheeds new f35 jets. As for boeing, the president elect said costs for air force one were out of control and suggested the order be canceled. After the meeting, both trump and meullenberg seemed optimistic. Were all focused on the same thing here. We want to make sure we give our war fighters the best capability in the world and that we do it in a way thats affordable for air taxpayers. His business headset around that is excellent. We did talk about air force one. The same focus here, on making sure we get the best capability, make sure the president s secure and that we protect National Security and that we do it affordably. We want to get costs down, costs. Primarily the f35, were trying to get the cost down. Its a program that is very, very expensive. Are there security concessions from Lockheed Martin . Were going to see. Its just the beginning. Its a dance. Its a little bit of a dance. But were going to get the costs down, and were going to get it done beautifully. These are great people. These are amazing people. Houston didnt come talk to cameras after her meeting but issued a statement saying she appreciated the opportunity to talk about the f35 program and about cutting costs with the president elect. In a statement yesterday, the Trump Transition Team announced the formation of the White House National trade council with its mission being, quote, to advise the president on Innovative Strategies in trade negotiations, coordinate with other agencies to assess u. S. Manufacturing capabilities, and the Defense Industrial base, and help match unemployed American Workers with new opportunities in the skilled manufacturing sector. Now, the new office will be led by economists and uc irvine professor peter navarro, whose critical views of china have been influential on trump. Navarro is the writer and director of the 2012 documentary death by china, which argues that big corporations and the American Government allow china to get the benefits of global trade and advocates for growing manufacturing in the u. S. More recently, navarro has written about china as a military threat, questioning the countrys build up in his 2015 book crouching tiger. The transition says the knewnew created council will work with the Security Council among others to promote economic strength. During the campaign, donald trump mentioned one persons name dozens, maybe hundreds of times as his ideal negotiator. Within the last 24 hours, its been announced that billionaire investor carl icahn has agreed to an outside role with the trump administration. Hes going to be a special adviser to the president on overhauling federal regulations. Icahn, as you know, is a wall street maverick. Hes known trump a while, dating back to those Atlantic City casino days. The 80yearold has resisted an official role in government until now. I know the toughest guys and the smartest guys in the world. Carl icahn called me. Carl icahns a great guy, very successful. If i put carl icahn in charge of trade with china, believe me, believe me, we do great. Theres also some new reporting about people who are not trumps ideal candidates for administration jobs. You got to read this New Washington post piece. It basically says the president elect wants his Administration Figures to look the part. Its about presentation, about swagger and demeanor, the piece says. Quote, several of trumps socials said they thought john boltons brushlike mustache was one of the factors that handicapped the bombastic candidate for secretary of state. I cant think of anyone thats really close to donald that has a beard that he likes. Got to watch out for that facial hair. All right. Less than ten days from 2017, but its just 1,412 days from the next president ial election. I dont even want to think about that. On the democratic side, the clear front runner is someone youve probably never heard of. Quote, someone entirely new is the candidate that excites most democrats in the race for their next nominee. About twothirds of the democrats agreed. Now, the Usa Today Suffolk University poll finds 44 of democrats are excited about Bernie Sanders or Vice President joe biden running. 34 are excited for elizabeth warren. 23 say another run by Hillary Clinton excites them. The poll also found that 62 of democrats found that clinton should not run again. The government says obamacare enrollment is up over last year, and thats even with higher premiums, fewer options, and those threats of repeal. According to the department of health and human services, 2 million new customers have signed up for coverage under the Affordable Care act. With some 4 million customers returning, the Administration Says more than 6 million americans will be covered come january 1st. But as you know, it is still not clear what the laws future will be. The president elect and republicans in congress have pledged to repeal and replace it. Replace it with what and how soon . Well, republicans are still trying to figure that out. But the president elect said he wanted to keep parts of the bill that covers preexisting conditions and that popular provision that lets young adults, kids up to the age of 26, stay on their parents policies up until then. Yesterday the Democratic Governors Association fired off a letter to House Speaker paul ryan, warning that a repeal would be, quote, a financial and health disaster. The percentage of uninsured americans hit a record low in the First Quarter of this year. Just 8. 6 . That is the first time the uninsured rate has fallen below 9 . Weve got a lot more for you still ahead. Like a dangerous moment caught on a bus surveillance camera in california. Look at this. What investigators are saying about that explosion right behind one of the passengers. Plus, former Cleveland Cavaliers player Matthew Dellavedova gets mobbed by his old teammates, and he gets an early christmas present. Were going to have those stories and a check on the weather when we come right back. Style lets you stand out from the herd. Whats inside sets you apart. The cadillac escalade. Enjoy our best offers of the year. For your pet, to do the best you should know more about the food you choose. With beyond, you have a Natural Pet Food that goes beyond telling ingredients to showing where they come from. Beyond assuming the source is safe. To knowing it is. Beyond asking for trust. To earning it. Because, honestly, our pets deserve it. Beyond. Natural pet food. Welcome back. The u. S. State department is pushing back after the kremlin claimed yesterday that diplomatic dialogue between russia and the u. S. Has frozen. The kremlin spokesman told a statesponsored news agency that the u. S. And russia dont communicate with one another, or if they do, its just minimal. He said the kremlin expects Donald Trumps administration to take a, quote, fresher and more constructive approach, although he did caution against excessive optimism. So the state department very quickly hit back against the kremlins claims, pointing out secretary of state john kerry just talked with the Russian Foreign minister as recently as tuesday. I dont know what to make of his comments. I think you should ask him what he means by his comments. From our perspective, theres no break in the dialogue. Communications are not froze. Thats not the way we would describe it. That doesnt mean that we agree on everything. It doesnt mean there isnt tension between the United States and russia on a range of issues. Thats state Department Spokesman john kirby, who went on to say russia and the u. S. Have an important diplomatic relationship. A california man is recovering this morning after a dangerous moment on board a city bus in fresno. Surveillance video caught the moment a small explosion took place. It doesnt actually look that small. According to investigators, the man had a Battery Powered ecigarette in his pocket, which exploded and caused the blast. First responders say the man escaped with minor burns to his hand and his high. According to the Associated Press, there were roughly 60 people injured by exploding ecigarettes last year. That is scary. You carry around that stuff right in your pocket. Thanks. Lets get a check on your weather with nbc meteorologist bill karins. Spoiler alert, it is cold. Its still a little chilly. Were tracking a little snow this morning, a little coating. The kids will be excited about this. Not fun. Its not enough to Cancel School or anything like that. Youre going to have to dust it off and drive in it across much of upstate new york and areas of southern new hampshire. Weve avoided it for the most part in connecticut. A little bit is now beginning to pop up. Thats one storm. Thats like an inch or less in most areas. This is a bigger deal. A lot of heavy rain this morning. Southern california, phoenix to flagstaff doesnt get a lot of rain like this that often, but its been pouring. In the Higher Elevations in new mexico, thats where a little snow is mixing in. Rainfall amounts throughout the day today from phoenix to flagstaff over here through southern arizona, thats a good half inch to an inch, even an inch and a half, which is a significant rainfall for the desert areas of the southwest. Lets track this storm. Wheres it heading next . Already winter storm warnings in areas of the mountains of colorado. Winter weather advisories in areas of northern new mexico. We have a little bit of wet weather were going to deal with here. By 8 00 p. M. , mountain snow. The rain continues to track across the country. This is going to be a fastmoving system. Its not a big, huge storm. Even by the time we get through Christmas Eve by noon, theres a line of showers through tennessee, up through virginia, right through the midatlantic region, maybe a little bit of wintry mix in areas of new england. Maybe a coating of snow to make things look a little extra pretty. As far as the snow forecast goes, theres two storms. Theres the one were dealing with i just showed you and another one comes on to the west coast. This first storm brings mostly snow to areas of the higher mountains in the central rockies. The second storm is much more widespread. This is the one were going to deal with on saturday, Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas Day. We could have blizzard conditions in this area from rapid city to bismarck. Very dangerous travel is possible on Christmas Day. This would be 9 to 12 inches of snow. Windchills will probably be about negative 15 with winds gusting to 30 miles an hour. If anyone has a chance of getting stuck in their houses on Christmas Day, it would be up there in the dakotas. Everyone else in ski country will be enjoying fresh powder. Dreaming of a White Christmas and good powder. You want a White Christmas, but i dont know if you want a blizzard. Thank you very much, bill. Appreciate it. Still ahead, in college basketball, duke guard Grayson Allen gets fouled for tripping an a potent. Seems it is not the first time. Louis is going to explain next in sports. You got it what do you think . If youre going to wish, wish big at the lexus december to remember sales event get up t