Raul castro later today. Lester holt is there live. Mr. Trump goes to washington. Donald trump reportedly set to meet with Republican Party leaders today, ahead of a key speech on americas role in the middle east. This as the gop front runner says he doesnt condone the growing violence at his rallies but understands it. And pure madness. A string of fantastic finishes caps a wild weekend at the ncaa mens basketball tournament. From buzzer beaters rises up, and its good its good to lastsecond heroics. No. To a comeback for the ages. Throws it into the hands, and lays it in. The unbelievable ending being called one of the best ever. Today, monday, march 21st, 2016. Announcer from nbc news, and savannah guthrie, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. Welcome to today on a monday morning, everyone. Lets say youre not a College Basketball fan. You dont really care about the game. March madness is special. Its so exciting. It always lives up to its reputation. Its exciting to watch all the teams i pick lose. Its a joy. You dont care about your own bracket because its so exciting to watch the games. Well give you a recap in a couple minutes. Our top story this morning is this spring snowstorm here in the northeast. After what amounted to a really mild winter. Well get als forecast in a moment. First, Miguel Almaguer is in massachusetts. Good morning to you. Good morning. This is an interesting way to kick offspring. Weve had steady snow in cape cod the last few hours and i from our drone flying overhead. It is a bit of a winter wonderland. Ill give you a shot of the coastline because thats where the storm is headed, mostly off coast, but it is clipping this are re jon region. Its been a sloppy commute for many people traveling along the northeast. While were not seeing a dramatic amount of snow, were seeing somewhere from 6 inches to a foot of snow across this region. Itll be steady for the next couple hours. Diminishing by this afternoon. Its enough snow that in boston, they were asking to shut down schools this morning. They did do that across the region. The snow will be light for the next couple hours and diminishing by later this afternoon. Back to our drone, you can see it is loef ly vely. We expect it to be picture perfect the next several hours as the morning commute begins to dissipate. Out here, were expecting to have the sun pop up later on when it comes out later on, we should have fairly dry roads. Its going to be a beautiful day. Matt, just for comparison here, last year at this time here in the boston region, we had more than 100 inches of snow. This year right now, about 25. About 1 4 of the snowfall. A mild winter but we are having a late one here. Back to you. Not too much to complain about. Thank you very much. My kids are happy with the twohour delay on long island. Also, we have dandelions in matts garden daffodils. Were concerned about them. They came up too early. This ended in new york city and is making its way through western massachusetts and down east maine. Well see this continue during the afternoon. It ends in long island by midmorning. Boston, snow till noon. Could be sloppy travel. The worst of it. The heavy snow will be the eastern end of maine. 6 to 8 inches as you get closer to east port. The forecast models, europe versus the american. Thursday, the american model, almost nothing in new york city. 4 inches to new england. Look at the european model. Were giving this to the american model, ladies and gentlemen. Usa usa so far, both models have instituted new and improved computers, new and improved software. This one, the american won. There you go. Thanks for keeping us up to date on that, al. Lets talk about the president now and his historic trip to cuba. The first family arrived last night and took a walking tour through the rain in old havana. On the president s agenda, a meeting with raul castro. Nightly news anchor lester good morning. Good morning. History being made. Cuban soil. He is the First American president to visit here since Calvin Coolidge dropped in in 1928. Fidel castro wasnt even 2 then. The entire first family along for the trip, acting like tourists. Doing what most tourists do, taking a walk through old havana. Reporter sparse crowds line the streets under a steady downpour as the president s motorcade made its way through the city. His first stop, the cathedral in old havana. Mr. Obama took an impromptu detour to shake hands and smiling and waving at a crowd. Inside, the president met with the controversial cardinal, ortega, who some criticized for not being more forceful about human rights. Then on to a museum, where a portrait of president lincoln greeted the first family. In the narrow streets of old havana. The sight see seeing is a preclude to the real business of the trip which begins later this morning when the president meets with cuban president raul castro. Theyll likely discuss lifting the u. S. Trade em bardo bargo and cubas human rights record. Before the president arrived, the ladies in white were arrested, chanting, freedom. One of the highlights of the president s trip is expected to be when he addresses cubans on tuesday. Its a historic opportunity to engage the cuban people and lay out our future thats bright brighter than our past. Reporter i asked about that when i sat down with cubas top man. Did you think the day would come, when the u. S. President would address the people . Im confident this is the day it is right time. The president s trip is already under fire from republican front runner donald trump, who mock td fact that the president was met by cubans foreign minister, not president raul castro. Tweeting that castro greeted the pope and others. No respect. White house says no big deal that raul castro wasnt at the airport. They never anticipated or expected it. It was planned that the official greeting would take place today. There will be a big state dinner later on here in havana. Matt, as i send it back to you, ill point out that i bought this blazer first. Thats okay. I feel like im in good company, lester. Let me remind people that youre going to have much more on the president s trip to havana and cuba on nbc nightly news tonight. All eyes will be on donald trump today. High profile events. Some are Republican Leaders after more violence happened at trumps rallies this weekend. Peter alexander has the latest. Good morning. The latest attack, perhaps the ugliest yet. A u. S. Airman charged with misdemeanor assault that took place at trumps rally. For the billionaire, this is groundhog day. More protests, more critics, yet more likely than not, during the next round of voting tomorrow, he expands its delegate lead. Donald reporter donald enjoying his success with a serenade. And one of the most violent situations yet. Klu klux klan hat on. Reporter a man sucker punched and repeatedly pounded and kicked. Gotten to the point where you may get beat to death inside of a rally. Reporter trump concede ing the beating was tough to watch but saved his harshest words for professional agitators. How come were the bad people all the time . What about the people using horrible profanity, horrible words, and closing up highways, why are they never the bad people . Its an incredible thing. Reporter Trumps Campaign manager grabbed a protesters collar, another man pulling the young man back. I give him credit for having spirit. He wanted them to take down the horrible, profanitylaced signs. Reporter tomorrow, trumps favorite in arizona and ted cruz in utah. The senator winning romneys vote. Trump questioning romneys faith. Are you sure hes a mormon . Reporter trump is mocked on this weeks the new yorker. Still, the billionaire is looking for the last laugh. In washington today, reportedly and tonight, capping off a day of speeches before a pro israel group, where jewish republicans are weary of his neutrality on the conflict. Trump expected to speak later this afternoon. For his meeting in washington, whats striking is almost no republicans will acknowledge whether theyre going to this. House leaders want nothing to do with it and others arent saying a thing either way. Antitrump conservative groups are promising a backlash for any lawmaker spots going in. Peter alexander, thank you. Mark halperin is the managing editor of bloomberg politics. Good to see you. Good morning. The apex speech is a room filled with people who dont want generalities. They want specifics. They want you to prove you understand the complexities of middle east policy. Trump. This is a big week for him and this speech symbolizes it. The room, but also to people who want a serious president to deal with a serious world, that he can be a serious man. Like this in his entire life. Tonight is the night he can show people he understands the difficulties and the complexities of being president. Forgive me if im skeptical. The average trump supporter, do they care if he does well before this group of influential lobbyists in washington . The average trump supporter doesnt, but the average american wants someone who can handle this. He wants the opportunity to say, im a serious person. The trump speck keptics say hell fail. Those who are optimistic about his chance to be president says tonight is a night he can prove hes a serious person. On the campaign trail, another incident of violence at a trump rally over the weekend. About it, donald trump seems to blame the protesters and not his supporters, or even himself, for setting a tone. Is that going to continue to work . He has to take more command of this, both in the mechanics of how things work and the tone. He hasnt done it. But he has the First Amendment right to hold events. He has events disrupted. He has to deal with it and cant blame the protesters, but he has his point, that the protesters has a responsibility to let him and his supporters meet. But hes the candidate. Lets talk about the stop Trump Movement. Its fascinating to me because on one hand, its done something the republicans havent been able to do, which is unite conservatives and the establishment, all united against trump, but its not getting off the ground. They are far from achieving their goal. Run another candidate, bet on ted cruz or john kasich, try to take down trump, try to force a brokered convention. With thousand and one ideas how to stop him. If he keeps winning contests, the stop Trump Movement wont have anything to stop. Mark, always good to have you here. Thank you very much. Now to what investigators in belgium are learning from the captured suspect in the paris terror attacks. The suspect reportedly telling investigators he was planning new operations. Keir simmons on the story in belgium with more. Good morning. Good morning. He is now locked away in this high security prison, admitting his involvement in paris and saying that he was planning more attacks, according to a government minister here. New video this morning of the apprehended. Reporter dramatic new video this morning of the operation that apprehended europes most wanted terrorist. An old woman is led away, interrogated. Then as heavily armed officers approach the door, a suspect makes a run for it. Gunfire. A second man is brought out, wounded in the leg. Limping, he is taken away. Its not clear which of the men in these pictures is salah abdeslam. By the end of the operation, the man wanted for the paris attacks is under arrest, now charged with participating in murder, involvement in the paris massacre. The government minister here says they believe that more than 30 were involved in those paris attacks, in the operation and planning for it. The priority this morning is hunting them down. Meanwhile, the french president will meet with the families of the victims. Thatll be an emotional meeting. Can only imagine. Thank you so much. Speaking of isis, the u. S. Is sending more marines to iraq marine over the weekend. Undisclosed number of troops from the 26 Marine Expeditionary movement will support operations. This announcement comes after the officer died on saturday. His unit was attacked with an isis rocket at an outpost south of mosul. He was the first u. S. Service member killed in iraq since october. A toll collector and Security Guard were killed during a robbery attempt in eastern pennsylvania. The man responsible was a retired state trooper. After the shootings, briggs was loading money into his vehicle when a Pennsylvania State trooper confronted him. Gunfire was exchanged. Briggs was fatally wounded. He had retired from the state police four years ago after 26 years on the job. Now to a stolen cement truck that led to an hourlong police chase in minnesota. Take a look. The truck barrelled downside when it finally stopped, the driver made a run for it but was caught and ready for this he was just 11 years old. Appears in Juvenile Court today. Two police cars were damaged in the chase. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. Thats crazy. March madness underway. Highlighted by a weekend filled with wild finishes, buzzer beaters, bracketbusting upsets. Texas a mNorthern Iowa. The panthers up by 12 with about 35 seconds left to play. Fans getting ready to punch their ticket to the sweet 16. But the aggies had plans on their own. They scored 14 points in the last 31 seconds of the game to tie it, send it into overtime. Texas a m wins it in double overtime. Theyre calling it a historic comeback and crushing loss for Northern Iowa. Check out what happened in the wisconsinxavier game. Rises up, and its good. Its good wisconsin hits the threepointer at the buzzer, sending the badgers to the sweet 16. The party probably still going in madison, wisconsin. They will play notre dame in the why . Because the fighting irish won a nail biter, as well. Listen to this ending. Switch. Jackson off the glass. August, no. Tip. That eilis brought a yelp from savannah. Steven f. Austin comes up short. Notre dame wins it, 7675. This is why its a great tournament. Is your inner sports caster so happy now . Lets go to the highlight reel. I live for this time of year. Its great. You didnt get the snowstorm you hoped for, right . Wow. Sports, your weather, and you were kind of disappointed. I was happy because we predicted it. It worked out okay. Shes hitting me. Well get to your local thats your latest weather. Savannah . Not that you wanted snow. Not at all. Guys, coming up, the ongoing feud between donald trump and fox news anchor megyn kelly. An alarming concern on the roads. Just how safe are the bridges you drive across and under just about every day . A new rossen reports you need to see. First on a monday morning, this is today on nbc. Good just ahead, ben afflecks massive back tattoo, is it real or not . Hes revealing the answer, and i cant believe i just said that. When helicopter parenting is a good thing. Your teen is ready to get behind the wheel. First on a monday morning, so there will be things to keep us up at night. Will they find happiness . Reach their potential. Stay safe. But tonight johnsons can clinically proven to help them fall asleep faster. And stay asleep longer. There will be things to keep us up. But tonight, we sleep. You can help prevent blindness in undernourished children all over the world. When you get your vitamins at walgreens, you help give lifechanging vitamins to kids across the globe. Get vitamins here. Walgreens. At the corner of happy and healthy. Soup and sandwich and cannonballs and clean and real and looking good and sandwich and soup and a new personal best. And a little help and soup and sandwich and study group. Good, clean food pairs well with anything. Try the clean pairings menu. At panera. Food as it should be. Hey siri, whats oh, i dont think that siri can. Right now, switch to at t for an iphone and get one free. Wow, is that right . Yeah, its basically. Yes. That is the okay siri, you dont know everything. To call you the at t hostess with the mostest. Okay, shut her down. Turn it off. Right now, buy an iphone and get another one free when gumdrops on butterflies, the fun can t be beat. With little candy noses, bunnies are so sweet. Rice krispie treats make easter hop how many ways can you. Snap, crackle, pop . Find these treats and more at ricekrispies. Com. To the woman in the mid90s showstopper. Youre right. Its time to set this bird free. Hot blooded, check it and see. Got a fever of 103. Feelin hungry . How bout a donut . Im hot blooded. Im hot blooded whether its 30years old or 30days old, carmax will appraise it in as little as 30 minutes. And then your only concern will be how to spend the cash. Our bacteria familys been on this cushion for generations. Alright kiddos we made it to the ottoman. I like to watch them clean, but theyll never get me on the mattress finally theres a disinfectant mist designed for sofas, mattresses and more. Introducing new lysol max cover. Its innovative cap has a 2x wider spray that kills 99. 9 of bacteria. Max cover is another great way to lysol that. A chilly start. We will warm up again later this week. Your most accurate forecast is just ahead. First. More School Threats on social media. And several schools were targeted. Wlwt newsfives andrew setters has the story. Kyla woods has a news 5 traffic update. Kyla . A winter chill in the air on wind chills in the mid 20s. Plan on sunshine this afternoon and a high near 50. Tomorrow will be windy but warmer. Highs should hit the low 60s. Cant feel my face when im with you but i love it monday morning, march 21st, 2016. Spring is here, everybody. By the way, we have a little bit of snow. What would you call that precipitation that came down . Flurries. Four inches. I know. Little more as you get further up. Anyway, the weather is the top of the headlines. Adjusting here in new york city will see closer to a foot. They cancelled school in boston today. Al will give us the full skinny on that coming up. President obama has a lot on his plate today as he spends his first full day in cuba. The first family touched down sunday afternoon and toured old havana after the president addressed u. S. Embassy staff. Young american children, young cuban children, by the time theyre adults, our hope is that they think its natural that a u. S. President should be visiting cuba. They think its natural that the two peoples are working together. The visit, the first to cuba by a u. S. President in 88 years. Donald trump is spending his day in washington. The republican president ial front runner will meet with gop lawmakers and key leaders. Tonight, he gives a speech at the proisrael lobbying group. Ill give you a programming note now. On today tomorrow morning, the o. J. Simpson murder case, will be here live. Well get her take on the trial of the century two decades later, and also find out how she feels about her portrayal in the tv series the people versus o. J. Simpson. Back to donald trump. His feud with megyn kelly is