And good morning, everybody. Happy Christmas Eve. Im rob nelson. And im brandi hitt sitting in for paula faris today. Last minute shoppers in most of the country will have tranquil weather today with a notable exception. We begin with john schriffen. Reporter its the christmas trip turned travel nightmare for drivers on the east and west coast. In northern california, with more snow expected to blanket the mountains, cars are having trouble staying on the roads. Theres a lot of spinouts. The roads are pretty bad. Theres definitely going to be chain control for the nest two days at least going into christmas. Reporter with warmer temperatures in the bay area, the pounding rain is the hazard. This accident happened after one driver going foo fast skidded across five lanes crashing into the other. No one was hurt. People are still driving fast. You have to watch out for them and try to slow down a little bit and anticipate the worst of what over people may do when they hit puddles or something. Reporter in syracuse, new york, plows are working overtime. This car stuck with no place to go. The weather was bad. The winds were bad. Blowing the cars around. You could see the semis were swerving. Reporter its the citys first snowstorm of the season. Many are bracing for more to come. John schriffen, abc news, new york. All right, thanks, john. One area of Severe Weather to keep an eye on. Accuweather meteorologist Andrew Baglini has the latest. Were tracking a disturbance that will give us bad weather. Eastern texas around the houston area, thunderstorms will pop up. That spreads eastward throughout christmas tuesday. Interstates 10 and 20, large hail, damaging wind gusts, the threat for tornado. A destructive storm system on this tuesday. The highest threat for tornadoes around new orleans, mobile, interstate 10 northward into the panhandle of florida. Good snow across portions of the plains. I hate to see rough weather this time of the year. Lets look at weather from across the country. Lastminute shoppers in boston and chicago could see light know. Also early showers and clearing in l. A. Rain in louisville and cincinnati. Fargo, barely makes it above zero. Honolulu and miami, the hot spots, near 80. Seattle and portland, the 40s. A senator from idaho apologizing today after being arrested for driving drunk. Mike crapo was pulled over after running a red light yesterday. He failed several sobriety tests. He was taken to jail and released on bond. Hes expected to be in court in january. He says he takes total responsibility. Overseas to afghanistan. The death of 42yearold job price is being investigated as suicide. He died of a gunshot wound. He was a member of s. E. A. L. Team 4, a special navy warfare unit. Only one week to go now and there is still no deal preventing the economy from going over that now infam mouse fiscal cliff. Members of congress are still pointing firngs over who is to blame for the lack of progress. Meanwhile, connecticuts independent senator, Joe Lieberman expects congress to work right up until the new years eve deadline. Hes not sure that will be enough. Its first time im more likely that well go over the cliff than not. If we allow that to happen, it will be the most colossal consequential act of congressional irresponsibility in a long time. The president and congress are on short holiday breaks. Theyre due back later in the week. One possibility in all of this mess is a partial deal on taxes while putting off agreement on spending until some time down the road. Former president george h. W. Bush may be spending thanksgiving in the hospital. Hes been there since thanksgiving. Hes battling bronchitis and a lingering cough. South africans are sending warm wishes to former president nelson mandela. Hes been in the hospital f two weeks with a lung infection. Hes said to be in no imminent danger. Hes 94 years old. And Margaret Thatcher is recuperating in the hospital. Shes 87 years old and has faced a number of health dmajs the past decade. We wish all of those leaders well. A speedy recovery. Still ahead this morning, if you didnt know, its National Eggnog day. Rob is happy. Of course appropriate for Christmas Eve. And for the pro contrast narts among us, a lastsecond trip to the mall. It might be worth your while. And the criticism against the nra. Heated debate over guns is ahead. Yo, giv welcome back. Well, so far, its been a quiet Holiday Season at the malls. Analysts say shoppers are worried about the budget stalemate in washington or theyre delayed by Superstorm Sandy or depressed by the Connecticut School shootings. As we hear from nick watt, the Holiday Shopping season is not over yet. Reporter we have just entered the final frantic hours of gift buying. You look stressed. I have a little anxiety. Im not going the lie. Im tripping out. Reporter there are crumbs of comfort. The sign says the delayed gifts might be the best. Number one, frugality i vap rates. You throw money at the problem. Number two, you make a gut instinct decision. You want to buy a sweater for your wife. If you think about it too much, you may outthink yourself and not make a good choice. Reporter you to feel you perform better under pressure . Absolutely. You have to make a good decision. You have to make a decision. Reporter stores stay open for the lastminute larrys. Target until 10 00 p. M. Walgreens is open christmas day. Another advantage of last minute is the sales have already begun. The late bird can catch the best worm. Nick watt, abc news, los angeles. Happy shopping, everybody. Some shoppers may have been waiting for the sales to begin. Others may be proe contrast narts like many of us. Consumer reports says 17 Million People will shop today. More than 60 will slow in the towel and buy gift cards. Thats my plan. Many federal workers have more time to shop. The president gave them the day off. The Financial Markets are closing early, as are most post offices. Express mail packages will be delivered on christmas day. Also in the mail this week, the final print edition of newsweek magazine. They become digitalonly in the the final cover is an old photo of the Manhattan Office building of newsweek. And fantasy beats gritty realism. The hobbit was first for the second straight weekend. The movie took in 37 million, more than double any other movie. The tom cruise action thriller, jack reemp was second. And the come by, this is 40 opened in third. When we come back, stunning words from mitt romneys son about whether his dad ever really wanted to be president. Also, throwing it all way. A misplaced pass leads to playoff hopes dashed. Stay with us. Like a lot of things, trying to find a better job can be frustrating. So at university of phoenix were working with a growing list of almost two thousand Corporate PartnersCompanies Like microsoft, American Red Cross and adobe to create options for you. Not only that, were using what we learn from these partners to shape our curriculum, so that when you find the job you want youll be a perfect fit. Lets get to work. Daisy is 100 pure with nothing else added. Meals are simply better with a dollop of daisy. Do a dollop, do, do a dollop of daisy some pretty heavy snow is making it a Great Holiday week for skiers around lake tahoe. Drivers, not so much. Some resorts got up to three feet over the weekend with another foot or two expected overnight. It goes without saying, theyll be enjoying a White Christmas there on the slopes. Wow. Now for a look at the morning Road Conditions out there. Slippery and louisville and cincinnati with morning rain. Light snow in boston, chicago, detroit, and cleveland. If youre flying today, airport delays possible in los angeles, denver, new orleans, atlanta, and here in new york city. Now to the gun control debate. The nra is refruzing to back down from its call for armed officers in our schools. Connecticut congressman chris murphy, whose district includes newtown, calls the idea toen deaf and revolting. Reporter the nra stuck by its guns, that every American School should have an armed guard. If its crazy to call for putting police and Armed Security in our school to protect our children, then call me crazy. The n rarks has blood on its hands. Reporter amid protesters and refusing to take questions, the head of the nra announced this plan. When they horrible monster tried to shoot his way into sandy hook school, that if a good guy with a gun had been there, he might have been able to stop him. Reporter the murder massacre in newtown has led for some nra supporters to call for control of some guns and clips. Then you saying that the gun control debate shouldnt be part of this at all . Sure, i mean, congress will beba debate this. I dont think its part of the ultimate solution. Reporter one district in new jersey will place armed guards in schools, to the disapproval of the governor. You dont want to make this an armed camp for kids. I dont think thats a positive example. Reporter the majority of americans favor more restrictions on gun ownership. That may be the reason other gun owners are flocking to gun stores. We have never seen anything like this. We have christmas business, the hunting season business, and now the political business. Reporter la pierre was pressed time and again on whether he would agree to one change in gun laws. He refruzed to answer or chanled the subject. He said the gun is a tool, the problem are criminals. David kerley, abc news, washington. In other news this morning, a veteran of capitol hill was laid to rest in his home state of hawaii. In attendance was president obama. A 19cannon salute was fired at senator Daniel Inouyes funeral. He died laths week at the age of 88. New insight into mitt romneys failed president ial run. Tagg romney says his dad never wanted the top job. He wanted to be president less than anyone i have met in my life, says tagg. He said his father is a very private person who simply does not like attention. Interesting field to get into if you dont like attention. Out in space, a unique holiday show going on. Jupiter and the moon will be in con vux in the evening. Theyre already close together in the sky and bright enough to be visible around the world, even if youre in a big city. With a home telescope you can see the moons, the mountains, the krarts. With the naked eye, youll be able to see the show. Enjoy a little, you know, christmas a different kind of christmas gift. Time for sot highlights from week 16 of the nfl. We get them from espn. Cassidy hubbarth with your espn update. The steelers trying to stay in the playoff hunt. 24 seconds left in the game. Ben roet, picked off by reggie nelson. He returns it to the slrs 46. The bengals regain possession. Next play, 14 seconds left. Andy dalton. Hits a. J. Green along the sidelines for gain of 21. Ten catches for 116 yards for green. Josh brown hits the 43yarder for the win. And the bengals punch the ticket to the playoffs. The loss eliminates the steelers. Colts looking to clinch a bayoff berth. Indy up, 103. The andrew luck pass breaks cam newtons rookie passing record. Leading the colts to a field goal. The chiefs stuck around, thanks to this man, jamaal charles. His third 80yard td of the season. In the fourth quarter, were tied up at 1313. Third and goal. And luck finds reggie wayne in the back of the end zone. Luck with his seventh gamewinning drive this season as the colts win, 2013. Im Cassidy Hubbarth with your sportscenter upday. Have great day. Up next, the pulse. Some say the case from iowa turns womens rights back decades. And we all know this guy, psy. Now a historymaker. The pulse is coming up next. Gangnam style this is george. 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 played a round of golf. Id in the last five hours . Then i read a book while teaching myself how to play guitar; ran ten miles while knitting myself a sweater; jumped out of a plane. Finally, i became a ping pong master while recording my debut album. How you ask . With 5hour energy. I get hours of energy now no crash later. Wait to see the next five hours. Because at kenmore appliances you game time racers. We get it. Thats why with 35 more speed, americas number one brand gets clothes cleaner, faster. We put more in, so you get more out. Kenmore. 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. Its finally here. The petsmart countdown to christmas sale. Save up to 50 on all petholiday® products, december 13th through the 24th. And help homeless pets when you purchase chance lucky gift cards at petsmart®. Here comes santa claus here comes santa claus right down santa claus lane time to check the pulse. Dont mind if we do. Not only is today Christmas Eve. Its national boom eggnog day. Its a little messy. Sorry im getting that all over the place. Still cold and delicious. Salute, everybody. Made from milk, spices, sugar and if youre making your own, there are unpasteurized eggs. Before pasteurization, brandy or rum was add. Nobody spikes it. This is good. Now a simply stunning case from iowa. Get this. It centers on a woman, 32 years old, mother of two. Worked in a Dentist Office for ten years. She was fired because her boss said she was too tempting and a threat to his marriage. On friday, iowas all male Supreme Court unanimously agreed with knight saying he was just fied because he saw nelson as quote, an irresistible attraction. Wow. And finally, gangnam style making youtube history. The video of the year is the first ever Youtube Video to be viewed 1 billion times. Billion with a b. It was posted back in july. Been viewed between 7 million and 10 million times every day. One reason for the success, a huge number of gangnam style versions posted on youtube as well. Psy, take us to break, son. Oh. Right. Kay. [ female announcer ] its true, every kiss does begin with kay. Introducing shades of wonder, featuring rare, natural color diamonds from australia. At kay, the numberone Jewelry Store in america. Ohhhh. Right. Every kiss begins with kay ohhhh. Right. Were spreading the word about honey bunches of oats fruit blends and their unique taste combinations. Like peach raspberry. With one flavor in the granola bunch and one on the flake. Two flavors. In harmony. Honey bunches of oats. Make your day bunches better. It just wouldnt go away. My doctor diagnosed it as fibromyalgia, thought to be the result of overactive nerves that cause chronic widespread pain. Lyrica is believed to calm these nerves. I learned lyrica can provide significant relief from fibromyalgia pain. And for some people, it can work in as early as the first week of treatment. So now i can plan my days and accomplish more. Lyrica is not for everyone. Lyrica 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 any swelling or affected breathing or skin, or changes in eyesight, including blurry vision or muscle pain with fever or tired feeling. 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. With less pain, im feeling better now that ive found lyrica. Ask your doctor if lyrica is right for your fibromyalgia pain. Ask your doctor if lyrica is right i can brew my coffee just the way i love it. How do you do that . Inside the brewer, theres this train that makes coffee stronger, bigger, and hotter actually, i just press this button. Brew what you love with the keurig vue. Updating the top stories now. Plenty of snowy roads across the country to do b delt with on Christmas Eve. From Higher Elevations out west to upstate new york, millions of people are slow going. Millions of folks are not finished shopping. Theyll be hitting the stores and websites today. 60 of them will buy gift cards. Idaho senator mike crapo apologizing for a weekend dui arrest. Rain further inland. Fargo barely getting above zero. Early showers in los angeles and after that, lit clear out. And finally this Christmas Eve morning, lets assume no one doing lastminute shopping today is going to be buying gifts youre about to see. Dan harris shows us unique and expensive offers out there. He got the try out one of them. Reporter its called simply enough, the christmas book. An annual catalog put how by neiman marcus. You can find fantasy gifts like a 50,000 personal blimp, a flying car at the bargain price of 3. 5 million. Its fun to go through and say, id love though have this, id love to have that. Its the hard knock life for us its the hard knock life for us reporter this year, you can buy a walkon role in the broadway edition of annie. A sports car. Or this. Reallife jet back, at a price of roughly 100,000, it can take you 30 feet in the air at 30 miles an hour. This guy can do twists, turns, barrel rolls and dive bombs. When i tried it, i inched along about five feet above water. For the more risk averse people, theres a 100,000 hen house. This looks like the french poodle of hens. It is fitted with a living room and a boudoir, all modeled on the palace of versailles. Is Something Like this wasted on the chickens . Is there any evidence they will lay better eggs . No, but you, as the faerm, will be inspired. Hey lay colore eggs. Green and red. I tried one. Its really good. Its really good. I would pay 10,000 for that egg.