Celebrate the arrival of a new year. Today, thursday, december 31st, 2015. Announcer from nbc news, this is today, with matt lauer and Savannah Guthrie, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. Good morning, everybody. Its new years eve morning. Im Savannah Guthrie alongside craig melvin, alongside matt. This is the night we fear the most. We have to stay up until midnight. Im going try. I cant believe that 2015 flew by like that. Later in the show, well tell you how to say goodbye to 2015 in style. Our top story is a breaking one. The criminal case against bill cosby after the legendary actor and comedian was arraigned on a sex assault charge. His attorney calls the charge unjustifies. Well talk to her and the cosby accusers. First, lets get the latest from Stephanie Gosk in pennsylvania. Good morning, savannah. The prosecutor was racing against the clock to beat an expiring statute of limitations. He said it was cosbys own words from a 2005 deposition that triggered the reopening of this case and led to a stunning announcement. Reporter 78yearold bill cosby cosby, carrying a cane and stumbling his way into a small pennsylvania courthouse, to face assault. Clearing a bail to return to his nearby home where the came began in 2004. Prosecutors say thats where former Temple UniversityAndrea Constand agreed to take pills and drink wine, and became paralyzed as cosby performed sexual acts against her wishes. While no charges were filed at the time, constand filed a civil it was excerpts from a deposition from that suit that triggered the new criminal case. Constands attorney asking cosby about his purchase of quaaludes in the 70s, a now banned drug. Was it in your mind that you were going to use these drugs with young women you wanted to have sex with . Cosby answered, yes. Opening thereopening the case was not a question. A former d. A. Who refused to prosecutor bill cosby. We examined all the evidence that we had available to us. Made this determination because it was the right thing to do. Reporter in a statement to nbc news, cosbys attorney suggested the charges were motivated by local politics, and came as no surprise. We intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge, and we expect mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law. Forward in the 2005 civil suit said she doesnt believe cosby will admit any wrongdoing at trial. I have not ever known him to be a person who tells the truth. So, no, i dont have a particular desire to hear him testify. Cosbys legal team has denied these allegations from the very beginning. In fact, filing nine defamation lawsuits in recent weeks against accusers. Cosby is expected back in court on january 14th. If hes found guilty, he could face up to ten years in prison. Stephanie gosk, thank you. Mo Monique Pressley represents mr. Cosby. Thank you for being here. Good morning. What is his state of mind . How is he viewing the charges . I cant testify really about his state of mind personally. Hes been accused unjustly of a upsetting, but hes in good spirits and he knows he has a legal team that is intent on defending him until he is exonerated. As we mentioned, this is a charge, a set of charges, that could carry up to ten years in prison. Does he fear jail . Well, its a charge, and any person who is charged with a crime, the threat of little bit bitter liberty interests being lost is there. Were going to get to the facts of this old case that was once decided, such that the former d. A. Said there was no need to go further and it belonged in the civil courts. Now, through a game of political football, at which my clients life is the center, were back again. Given your dealings so far with this prosecution, do you think there will be discussions about a plea agreement . Would you be open to that, or will this case go to trial . I have no idea what the Prosecutors Office is going to do and what the inner workings would you be open to it . My client is not guilty, and there will be no consideration on our part of any sort of arrangement. You said in your statement yesterday that you are expecting he will be exonerated. What is the source of that confidence . Do you think that this is a weak set of allegations . Well, its that, but its also the fact that a court of law doesnt run like the media does, for example. In that, any person who has a picture or a story or something that theyd like to say, if theyre saying it about the right person, and bill cosby is the right person to Say Something about, then they can air that grievance and have been doing so for the past year. In a court of law, theres a system of laws and rules that judges follow. And i have confidence in that system of justice. As ive said in any number of interviews on this network and court of law from what has been allowed to happen in the fictional court of public opinion, you will get an outcome to justice requires. One possibility is if a judge were to allow it in a pretrial hearing, that other accusers could come forward. Its not certain they would be permitted to testify, but is that a key consideration in your mind, that you could see a set of other accusers be allowed to testify, to try to establish some kind of pattern . We expect the d. A. , who is highly motivated, fulfilling a campaign promise, not necessarily interested in e getting justice, but in the ad you played, it was the promise itself. Where he said, bruce castor doesnt care about the victims, isnt tough on crime. These are the things that campaigns are made of. Now, backed into a corner, it seems like the almost new d. A. Has had to fulfill that promise. Im sure that they will do to convince the judge to consider all types of evidence that doesnt belong in a court. Again, we will defend against it, and i have confidence in the judicial system. Pardon and judges will make the right decision. Part of the reason this case was brought was because of a look at the deposition taken in connection with the civil litigation in this case. Is this a situation where mr. Cosbys own words have come back and come back to bite him . No. I think this is a situation where the District Attorneys Office has come back to bite it, and thats what we will see happen. It was that d. A. s office that chose to end the investigation, publicly saying there was not sufficient evidence to go forward. It was that d. A. s office who had my client participate in a civil process. Now, its the same d. A. s office communicating and participating that would have never happened and, frankly, was illegally released through a Court Reporter theyre trying to use that and say it was a basis for these charges. Also, if you look at the deposition itself, which now is out there, wasnt supposed to be, but is, then youll see there is no admission of criminal wrongdoing with respect to mr. Cosby. There is detailed testimony about this incident and others. A lot of people will say, if hes not guilty, why would he have settled a case with her . Obviously, theres a difference between a civil case and a criminal case, but a person just watching at home thinks, if you think someone is lying, why do you pay them money . Why do you settle . I dont really think that thats what people at home think. I think the people at home are much more savvy than that, and they have to deal with situations in their own lives where they have people who are threatening them. Who are threatening to come after their homes or their reputation or their career, decades of whatever it is theyve done in their own capacities. They know there are times its wise to settle claims rather than fight them, especially if its something where you believe everything youre working for will be lost. This may have been one of those times. Im bound right now, oddly enough, i cant even believe it myself, my client is still bound by a confidentiality agreement in this case. Even though the direct Attorneys Office pressed charges. Even the person who brought the civil suit is apparently voluntarily cooperating. We have to toe the line until a court tells us were free to speak. Im sure in the Court Documents for this case, once we are allowed to say what needs to be said, everything will be made clear. Monique pressley, good to have you. Its a long road just beginning. Hope to speak to you again. Thank you for having me. Allred, representing 29 people who claim they suffered at the hands of bill cosby. Good morning, craig. What has been the reaction by your clients to the news of the suit filed yesterday . Very happy. Andrea constand, the alleged victim, is going to have her day in court. That the Justice System is going to permit her to be able to testify and have a jury decide on the allegations that she has made. Thats so important. For most of the many, many alleged victims that i represent, if not all, they are barred by the statute of limitations, by the arbitrary time limit set by law, from having their cases prosecuted, even if there were a District Attorney who believed that case could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But andrea is within that statute of limitations in prosecution is going to go forward. Very, very happy about that. I want to pick up on something ms. Pressley just said. A lot of what ms. Constand alleges, the details are early lyeerily similar to what dozens of other women said happened to them. How real of a possibility is it that these other women could be called to testify . Montgomery county indicated in the press release if there are other alleged victims, they should contact detectives. Law enforcement is well aware of the many clients that i have represented and i do represent and what they allege, that mr. Cosby did to them. Its all on my website. Gloria allred. Com. Weve done news conferences. Theyre aware of it. If, in fact, the prosecutor descriptions by my clients are of same or similar acts, as alleged in the charges against mr. Cosby, many of my clients have already indicated that they will be prepared to testify in the criminal case if their testimony would be considered rel vabtevant and admissible. Are there women that have contacted you who have not come forward yet, who have made similar accusations against bill cosby . The answer is yes, yes and yes. Even before the charges yesterday, some of whom said they would be prepared to testify, but didnt want to go public before that time. Since yesterday, ive had even more contacts from even more women. Gloria allred, thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Another story were following, this historic flooding wreaking havoc in several states. The waters rising across missouri, illinois and other monitor the levies in danger of breech ing breaching. Miguel almaguer has more. The river has risen to 30 feet above flood stage. There is good news. It appears this river crested a few hours ago. The bad news, there are several levies that are in jeopardy here, and the threat is far from over. Reporter this morning, the mississippi, the missouri and the marimack rivers are raging. Homes have washed away. Neighborhoods have been torn apart. At least 21 in the area are dead. A death toll many fear will rise with the water. Ive never seen that before, and its a historic flood. Parts of i44 shut down. The coast guard and the National Guard have been dpeeployed. All hands on deck ready for rescue. Outside st. Louis, flood records have been shattered. In eureka, theyve never been four feet high here, because im six feet tall. Reporter with hundreds of homes now islands, thousands more are in danger. Nearly two dozen levyies are at risk. Power plants, water facileityies are down. Rising river cresting around valley park, where nearly 900 have been forced to pack up and get out. Its devastating to think about everything. Our own home going under with everything in it. Reporter with the Missouri River in st. Louis expecting to crest today, the flood stage sits at 30 feet. The water here expected to reach 13 feet above that. Theyre packing tens of thousands of sandbags to fortify cities big and small. The next 24 hours, critical, as the water rises. Any sense of comfort vanishes. I pray everything goes good and were safe. Overnight, another major its never happened in this area before. The u. S. Army core of engineers is worried. The question now, will the riverbanks hold back all the water . Savannah and craig, back to you. Thank you. Believe it or not, we are hours away from the start of a new year, and people are getting ready to celebrate at home and around the world. Police are tightening security in the wake of recent terror attacks and foiled plots. Nbcs ron mott is a few blocks away in times square. Good morning to you, sir. Hey, craig, good morning to you. The big day, finally here. Officials in new york city say they are ready to stop any threats that might emerge tonight. Around the world, as you mentioned, even more severe security precautions go into place. One city is going so far as to cancel its new years eve celebration. Happy new year reporter this morning, americans are getting ready to Law Enforcement is preparing, too. On the lookout for any suspicious activity in cities throughout the country. In new york, police are deploying up to 6,000 officers in times square. Nearly 1 Million People will gather to watch the ball drop at midnight tonight. We strategically deploy our offices to areas where there will be large crowds. Reporter earlier this month, the nypd conducted a demonstration of its new Strategic Response group, a unit designed for Critical Incidents and major events like new years eve. In los angeles, officials are dpeer gearing up for tomorrows rose parade. In chicago, security preparations are underway for their new years eve preparations. Officials say there is no credible terror threat. Major events are scheduled to go on as planned. Overseas, authorities are taking in paris, there will be no fireworks show. The city still reeling from novembers terror attack, is mobilizing 11,000 police and military officers, 2,000 more than last year. And belgium officials cancelled festivityies over fear of a terror threat. Three, two, one, happy new year reporter at home, spirits remain high. Law enforcement, training for weeks, hoping to ensure that americans have a safe and happy start to 2016. Considering the high level of security that will be in place tonight, one nypd official said, new york city and times square in particular, might be the safest place in the world today. Back to you. Ron mott in times square. Thanks. New developments in the San Bernardino terror attack. A federal grand jury on wednesday indicted a friend of one of the shooters. Enrique marquez is accused of commit terror attacks in 2011 and 2012. Hes accused of making false statements when buying the guns used in the shootings. 14 people were killed when farook and his wife opened fire december 2 thats your latest forecast. Dylan, thank you. Coming up, the mother of the socalled affluenza teen, brought back to the u. S. Overnight as her son fights extradition from mexico. The decision that could drag out this case for weeks or months. Also ahead, a year in the life of the president through the lens of his official photographer. Nbc. Coming up, which ones were your favorites . Commer to the couple wondering what a good deal looks like. No. Seriously . Well give it a 6 for composition. Scary. Wow, what about just putting a fair, no haggle price on the window . Not zany enough . Sometimes the best deals feel a cold coming on . New zicam cold remedy nasal swabs shorten colds with a snap, and reduce symptom severity by 45 . Shorten your cold with a snap, with zicam. Why let someone else have all the fun . The sometimes haphazard, never boring fun. The why cant it smell like this all the time fun. The learning the virtue of sharing fun. Why let someone else have all the fun . Thats no fun. Unleash the power of dough. The flood watch remains in effect through thursday morning with several strong storms and the possibility of flash flooding throughout the midlands. On thursday the rain chance falls to 50 during the day and then down to 30 that night. High 70 new years day will be mostly slight chance of showers and a touch cooler temperatures. High 60. The first weekend in january will be dry and partly cloudy. The National Weather service has issued a flood watch for the midlands this morning, with some more rain in the forecast. This morning at 4 30 sce g opened one spill gate on the Lake Murray Dam to keep the lake from going over capacity in the coming days. They do say People Living downstream on the saluda should not be concerned. You may need to find another route to work if youre headed downtown. Columbia is getting ready for its annual famously hot new years celebration. Parts of gervais and main streets will be closed until tomorrow morning. Lauryn hill is the headline performer tonight. There is also a free childrens carnival from 6 to 11. Keep it tuned right here to wis news 10 for more of the today show. And get breaking news first at 7 30 now, thursday morning, the last day of 2015. Goodbye, 2015. Cant believe it. Theres times square getting ready, all dolled up. One Million People will come to ring in the new year later tonight. Back in studio 1a, lets look at some of the news thats happening right now. Bill cosbys free on a 1 million bond following his arrest on a sex assault charge in pennsylvania. It involves a former Temple University employee who cosby invited to his home in 2004. In our last half hour, cosbys attorney told savannah that shes confident her client will be exonerated. The midwest dealing with historic flooding today. The mississippi is expected to flood in st. Louis. Later today, itll be 13 feet above flood stage. Heavy turbulence is blamed an air canada flight. It was going from toronto to shanghai. It made an emergency landing. The mother of socalled affluenza teen ethan couch is back in the u. S. She was flown from mexico to the u. S. Overnight where she was handed over to u. S. Marshals. Her son won a temporary delay in his extradition. Lets get to Gabe Gutierrez for the latest. Good morning. There were a lot of fast moving developments overnight. Ethan couchs mother is expected back here in texas to face a judge at some point. The question is when. Her son is still in mexico. For how long . Rep