The president theyre no longer sharing information about the special information into russian interference. Is it a sign theyre corporating with Robert Mullers team . You never know about an ally. An ally can turn. Those stories, plus uma thurmans chilling message to Harvey Weinstein. New details on that north korean deflector whose escape was caught on camera. And a homeless veteran who touched so many hearts reaps an astonishing reward for his good deed. Today, friday, november 24th, 2017. From nbc news, this is today, with matt lauer and savannah guthrie. Live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. And welcome to today. Thanks for joining us. Im craig melvin, alongside Kristen Welker. Matt and savannah are having the morning off after a busy thanksgiving. This homeless veteran story that we started following yesterday has become one of our favorites. Talk about the spirit of giving. This is what thanksgiving and the holiday spirit is all about. Well have an update on this one in just a bit. We start with our top story. After the stuffing comes the shopping. Americans are out cashing in on those deals. Jo ling kent is at one of the hottest places to be this morning, apparently. That is best buy. How is it looking so far . Reporter its looking busy so far. Good morning to you. It is black friday. And this line has been growing all morning. And these folks are part of the 115 million shoppers across america who plan to go out and buy something today. Theyre looking for the best deals as retailers look to survive in the age of amazon. On this black friday morning, the mad dash for discounts is on. Black friday is in full swing across the u. S. Were out of that one. We have the one for 949. Reporter with Holiday Shoppers taking advantage of great deals in person and online. I wait all year. I wait until black friday. Its cheaper. Reporter 164 million americans are expected to shop this weekend and cyber monday, shelling out 682 billion. For the first time g is more consumers are buying on the smartphones, too. Nearly half of all Online Shopping is happening on mobile devices. Thats why jcpenney, walmart, target and best buy are dropping prices dramatically. Brick and mortar are trying to bounce back after closing 6,700 Retail Stores this year alone. And this holiday season, some of the best deals are at 30,000 plenty of erature warming up feet. United offering flights from new york to ft. Lauderdale for 80, roundtrip. On delta, you can go from minneapolis to las vegas, for sunshi clear skies throughout 137 roundtrip. The day. Trento in new jersey, 51, 52, and wow airlines to london, dublin, or amsterdam, 99 each d wilm way. Cyber monday is a great day for travel deals. Have a nice day. If youre hoping to go somewhere forecast. Exotic in february, cyber monday dylan, thank you. Is the day you want to buy your were wrapping up our annual airfare. Reporter if youre looking series thanks andgiving for a gift you can wrap, black highlighting work being one friday is still the best day for snagging a deal, especially on. At st. Jude childrens hospital. Tvs discounted 24 . With us is marlo thomas and appliances 18 off. Two patients. If you plan on shopping in this year, in the spirit of giving, the kids of st. Jude and person or online, the race is on their families are giving away gift bags with a little surprise from retailers who support to snag the deepest discounts while they last. St. Jude. The Retail Industry is very wary thank you for being here. Of amazon shopping this particur thrilled to be here. Set the scene. Families do not get a bill from st. Judes. Season. Amazon is expected to scoop up how critical is that to your about half of all sales growth. Mission . Its a matter of life and death. If a child cannot afford, a jo kent for us in new jersey. Thank you. We have breaking news to report on Oscar Pistorius. Parent cannot afford to give their child an operation, the the doubleamputee sprinter who child wont make it. We give it away for free at was convicted of killing his st. Jude. Girlfriend in 2013. We do everything we can to save a childs life. And some Insurance Companies overnight, south Africas Supreme Court of appeal mark these procedures as overturned his sentence. rning,. Unnecessary procedures. We make sure the kids get saved. The thanks and giving program is this legal saga has lasted the way we raise the money for nearly five years now. Fabulous partners that youll but this morning, it took just see scrolling along the bottom minutes for a judge to more than of the screen. Double the jail sentence for all you have to do is go to a Oscar Pistorius. He wasnt even in court to hear the judge say, up until now, hes been treated with shocking store, and look for this logo, the st. Jude logo, and shop lenien there. Theyre going to ask you to give leniency. The verdict was unanimous and a Little Something for the unexpected. Children of st. Jude. Cas Supreme Court and all you have to do is say calling pistorius original jail yes. Or go to stjude. Org and hit sentence inappropriate and donate now. And just know that because we raising it. For the period of 15 years give everything for free, we and 5 months. Have to get 78 of our money reporter pistorius who from the public. Turned 31 on wednesday wasnt this is a big time of year for even in court to hear the judge us. The holiday season, when a lot of kids dont get to go home for say the previous sentence of six the holidays. Years was shockingly lenient. Were taking care of that and pistorius, he says, doesnt giving them a c we met these demonstrate any genuine remorse and has failed to explain why he fired the fatal shots. The week, lizzie and cameron. He shot his girlfriend reeva lizzie, what are you grateful for today on this day of steenkamp four times through a thanksgiving . Im grateful for all of the doctors and nurses at st. Jude. Locked door at his home. Take the time to help us. Her parents watched the verdict on tv. They told nbc news, the trust in and, cameron, i kno the Justice System has been superheros. Im fine. Confirmed. What i want for christmas is there can never be complete coe a bike. A bike. Awesome. Sure. They love her and miss her every do you have a favorite day. Pistorius claimed he shot his superhero, cameron . Girlfriend on valentines day batman. Hes a good one. Because he shot she was an batman has a brain. Thats what he said. Thats a smart answer. Intruder. He was allowed home to serve his sentence. That was changed to a murder you see folks handing out gift conviction. And pistorius now has the minimum sentence for murder. Bags. You may find a gift card from a retailer. Well, many in south africa say a those of you with bags with green ribbons. You are the big winners with poor black defendant would have got this sentence from the very 250 gift cards. Happy spending. Beginning. Background and its so critical. You know, theres stuff from protectedkarl, just posted kmart, too. On saying, shattered, kmart is our largest partner ever. They raised 105 million so far. Heartbrok heartbroken, gutted. Pistorius may be moved to a shop, shop, op. Highsecurity jail to serve the thank you so much for doing rest of his sentence. Gods work. Thank you. It is a trial thats captured lizzie, we have to get you a the attention of the entire jacket. Thank you for being here. Youre welcome. World. Mppent his you for that. And for being here. Theyre cold. First thanksgiving as commander how fantastic is that . In chief at maralago, where he coming up next with thanksgiving out of the way, now got news about Michael Flynn is the best time to shop for christmas gifts. Tied to the russian weve got the new ones worth your money. First, this is today on nbc. Investigation. Kelly odonnell is in palm beach. Reporter all right up early and tweeting, perhaps the president is trying to take a holiday from the investigation led by robert mueller. This new development is seen as a potential turning point. And it involves a former close adviser who had access to government secrets for a brief time inside the white house. As the president and first lady paid a holiday visit to coast guardsmen stationed in florida, mr. Trump quipped about the unpredictable nature of allies. Even if theyre allies, you never know about an ally. An ally can turn. Youre going to find that out. Reporter now, theres new drama surrounding his onetime ally, former National Security adviser Michael Flynn. Hes under scrutiny in Robert Muellers probe into Russian Election interference. As reported by the new york times, according to four people involved in the case, flynns lawyer notified the president s legal Team Wednesday night that the retired generals defense team would no longer share information, which had been the common practice. Severing regular communication is a noteworthy shift. President trumps outside lawyer, jay sekulow, said its not entirely unexpected that flynn may be discussing a plea with the special counsel. He emphasized that no one should draw a conclusion that this is general flynn cooperating against the president. Flynns lawyer declined comment. Earlier this month nbc news reported that federal investigators gathered enough evidence to bring charges against flynn, who is under scrutiny for his foreign lobbying work, involving russia and turkey. Mueller is also looking at his son, michael, who worked in his consulting business. Thursday, the younger flynn tweeted he is thankful for having a strong family. These days, the president rarely speaks of flynn, who served as a top Campaign Adviser and worked in the administration for just 24 days. In my opinion, hes a very good person. Reporter and two other figures in the russian this morning on todays investigation got a bit of a holiday break. A federal judge permitted paul hasslefree holidays. Manafort and rick gates to leave the theys that your kids will be home confinement for the thanksgiving holiday. Both were indicted last month clamoring for. Only a few earn an oppenheim and both pleaded not guilty. Also this morning, the president is tweeting that he plans to portfolio award. Speak to the president of turkey Stephanie Oppenheim is here to today. Craig . Kelly odonnell for us in reveal these years winners. You bring the good stuff. West palm beach. We have a great time. Thank you. Lets bring in john harwood. Weve been testing all year with kids all over the country. And the toy industry is changing ca so much more he is nbcs chief washington correspondent. How big of a deal is this . Techsavvy. The toys that made the top of our list, many of them are what might general flynn be able decidedly lowtech. This is from little tykes. To tell the special counsel . Its very significant. This is the two in one food truck. Right for your older child. I think it spells jeopardy for a great pretend setting. The president of the United States. The underlying issue that bob a bell to call your customers. Mueller is investigating is did this has great play value. Russian interfere with the u. S. But the parents who love this election with the cooperation of toy wanted me to tell everybody, the trump campaign, and if so, its hard to put together. Why . One of the questions, was the you need a power drill. Some Assembly Required there. Trump administration suggesting you know, kids love cardboard they might eliminate sanctions in order in return for help boxes than some of the toys they from the russians . And Michael Flynn lost his job get. And theres are reusable sticker over lying about his conversation with the russian themes. Ambassador. They are reusable. So shg, this gets to the core o 13. 99, not a big investment. This is my favorite. Can we dim the lights . What bob mueller is pursuing. I think we can dim the lights. Paul manafort was indicted for this is max flex rc. Conspire and issues related to it comes with two pieces of money laundering. But the purpose is to go after track and it lights up. This russia connection. If youre the National Security its only 39. 99 from adviser to the president of the United States, you dont get skulduggery. I suggest you get a different much higher than that. I have been talking to controller. That would never get old for sources overnight. Me. The official line from trumps i love crafts for the holidays. Okay, craig. Legal team is this is not a sorry. Surprise. But if you talk to other members i this is swirling charms. Of his inner circle, there is kids love to make things they concern. How much concern is there within can enjoy and give us presents. The west wing right now . It has a growinthedark i think theres a lot of concern. And despite the statements from component to it. You put in the sparkle dust. And theyre lovely gifts to jay sekulow and others, you give. Okay. We have so many dolls on our know, weve seen reports that list. I wanted to show you this. President trump has been comforted by optimistic readings this is budsy. From the attorneys about how a new company. This investigation is going. You send them pictures of your i suspect theyre going to childs art, or your child or a change their tune after this family bet, and they send you a because prosecutors do not plush toy. Give do not accept its 89 and up. Cooperation from defendants but this is going to be a family unless they think theyre going to get something significant. Keepsake. If your kid designs an and so, the idea that michael animal, you send a picture in. Flynn is either actively anything. Its a Great Holiday present. Cooperating or negotiating to cooperate, indicates that hes now, stem toys happily are told them theres something significant that he can help popular this season. Them with. And they look for people higher this is the brick buster. Up the chain, theres only one person higher up the chain than you build the toy up and then, the National Security adviser. Knock one up. Thats the president. Okay. You know when the president , i win. Isnt that fun . When republicans get back, they i could do that all day. Thats the idea. Want to get tax reform passed this is a great toy for mixed before christmas. To what extent does this ages for the holidays. Overshadow the president s agenda and that effort . Theres some strategy involved. Its going to cast a cloud over that issue. I think that republicans have whats the age range of this their own reasons to try to push one . Forward on tax reform. 4 and up. This is rollercoaster i dont know if they can get the challenge from the folks at votes to do it. Think fun. Its a controversial, not very this is really handson popular bill, if you look at engineering. You get cards and you have to build a rollercoaster from point public opinion. If republicans believe theyre own survival depends on passing a to point b. They tell you how many pieces but not how to do it. This bill, thii think they woul you have to use some problem solving skills. Pass up Donald Trumps problems. And when youre done, the little cnbcs analyst, john harwood, rollercoaster will go to the end. This is a good choice for teens, thank you. Tweens and grownups. For the star wars fanatic Senate Franken describes himself as a warm person and says in some encounters he at the house. This is little bits and its crossed a line for some women. Handson circuitry. He says he feels terribly that you dont get r2d2 out of the hes made some women feel badly. The latest apology comes after box, you build him. The app takes you through an two women said that franken adventure that builds r2d2. Touched them inappropriately on the buttocks. And you use the app to use the he says hes regaining the trust remote control. Of the people of his state. Whats the Sticker Price on the u. S. Navy has called off this one . 99. The search for three sailors all of these companies are having black friday sales. Missing since wednesday when a from this point on is a great time to buy some toys. We were talking about transport plane crashed into the chewbacca. Sea. Now, r2d2. Eight sailors were rescued its quite the star wars within 48 minutes of the crash. Themed morning. Thanks for introducing us to all they are listed in good these great toys. Condition. The cause of the crash remains coming up, healthy and tasty under investigation this morning. This is a great one for the vegetarian dishes for anyone who perhaps went overboard on we shared the story of thanksgiving and needs a fresh bobbit jr. ,ho spent his last start day. To 20 top who the road when she ran out that act inspired them to start a gofundme page for bobbit. And what a difference a day has made. We have that much. That changes my life. 1,764. That changes my life. Reporter johnny bob bbit wa down on his luck. But people are pitching to help the veteran with a heart of gold. The gofundme page up to 300,000. The support comes after bobbit helped kate mcclure who was standed outside of philadelphia when she ran out of gas. After calling her girlfriend, she noticed a stranger approaching. It was bobbit, homeless, with just 20 bucks in his pocket. He told her to wait in her car and with the last of his money he bought her gasoline. A marine corps medic, bobbit wanted to be a flight nurse. These pictures from his facebook shows him as a younger man. But recently, hes fallen on hard times. The philadelphia enquirer said the North Carolina natives life took an unfortunate turn because of drugs and money problems but says that he has a good heart. Now, one mans act of kindness has unleashed a tidal wave of goodwill. They set up a gofundme page with a 10,000 goal. Exceeded that goal in four days. 130,000 and counting. Reporter after the donations surged into the hundreds of thousands, the page was taken down because bobbit didnt want to seem like he was taking advantage. Yall did all that . That is awesome. Reporter but people still want to donate. And now, the page is one mansdness inspiring others to find the this morning on today true spirit of giving this food, quick, delicious dinners holiday season. The reason th