Good morning. Robin is off today. Natasha Curry’s driving the sleigh.

It looks like many of us are traveling for the holidays. But weather’s a big concern, and lots of folks have decided not to fly. What you need to know today.

There’s finally a payroll tax cut deal. And it’s being done in a way that allows Republicans to pass it, even if many of them have already gone home for the holidays.

Look for some serious fallout after the biggest electronics retailer in the country tells some customers it can’t fill their orders. We’ll explain.

And if you’re still in the mood for shopping, stores are dropping prices in a big way. But is that good news in the long run?

It’s a huge movie weekend. We’re going to give you a taste of what’s out there, and which flicks are the best.

Also…

Discouraging news in the search for missing Arizona 5-year-old Jhessye Shockley… a former president lines up behind Mitt Romney… more drug violence in Mexico leads to a travel alert for Americans … and this is amazing: an 8-year-old girl who was swept away in the 2004 Indonesian tsunami has been found.

Filed under: Extras

First day of winter and I’m following spring-like storms roaring out of the Gulf Of Mexico. A big shot of energy and a surface storm are combing to draw up the moisture and crank it over into severe storms from LA to MS early this morning, with a tornado watch for them that lasts until 1 pm CST. The lines of rain and storms are flowing into an unstable air mass with high dew points (fuel for the storms) and some wind sheer (twisting force for the storms) to create an atmosphere that is conducive for tornadoes the fist part of the day. I’ll have the forecast for you. Ahead of the storm is where you’ll find the warm air today. Yesterday Central Park NYC tied a record from 1923 when they reached up to 62 degrees. The mild to warm air is all the way down to S FL today, so watch for unseasonably high temps.

The rocking storm over CO is still spitting out the snow in Denver, looking at a grand total of around 6-12” for them by tonight. That weather is reaching into NM with the same strength, I’ll have the warnings for you. The Santa Ana winds ramp up today in Southern CA too, there are high wind warnings for the LA and San Diego regions. Tough go for travelers, but it should calm down a bit for the weekend travelers. Later!

*Follow Bob Van Dillen on Twitter: @BobVanDillen

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Weather

Morning... cool last-minute gift idea for the organized person in your life who lives by lists: The boogie board.
It’s a $40 LCD screen scribble pad. Saves a few trees. I got it for someone on my list who lists what outfits to wear for each day on a vacation. No joke!
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On the show this morning:
*Wal-Mart is taking some infant formula off its shelves after a baby died. Nobody is saying there’s a direct link, but tune in for more on what "Enfamil" is being tested for.
Here's what you need to know now: The lot number of the formula is: ZP1K7G.
If you still have questions, call Enfamil directly at 1-800-BABY-123 (800-222-9123).
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Hear from the dude who had to help a mom give birth in the back seat of a pickup truck in the middle of a snowstorm.
(Better yet, let's hear from the mom!)
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*France is *paying* for tens of thousands of women to have their breast implants *removed.* It’s because of a cancer risk with a certain type of implant.
We ask if they were used in the U.S.
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*This is such a waste!
A guy won a $350,000 Lamborghini… and promptly crashed it!
Everyone is okay, but geeeez.
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If you haven't sent your Christmas gifts, get a move on! You'll see what "busy" means to one of the big shipping companies on its busiest day of the year!
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They're pulling a Cover Girl ad featuring Taylor Swift, all under the umbrella of "truth in advertising".
Check out what pointy heads felt was misleading.
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How do you feel about the payroll tax cut fight in Washington? Sound off on our facebook page, send us an email, or tweet me directly: @RobinMeade
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Talk with you soon.

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras • Uncategorized

Today will probably be the worst travel day leading up to Christmas, here’s why: that strong storm that created blizzard conditions in the SW/Plains is now a strong storm in the MD producing heavy rain and plenty of low clouds. Almost everybody east of the MS river is socked in with overcast conditions or heavy downpours and storms. I’ll show you the radar and satellite on the big broadcast. Safe to say hour or more delays are possible in the NYC metro area, Philly, DC, and ATL too. Shorter delays around the rest of the East, so heads up.

The cold air that is trapped in the valleys of N NH and W ME won’t get dislodged until around mid afternoon, creating a freezing rain situation. The warm air hits that cold air at ground level, cant move it (b/c cold air is more dense than warm air), so it rises above it and rains through. The rain freezes on contact with the stuff on the surface, creating ice and tough driving conditions. Be safe!

Another round of wintry weather is slicing down the Northern Rockies towards NM by tomorrow. Winter storm warnings/advisories are up for MT, WY, and parts of CO. Denver is in a winter storm watch for tonight through tomorrow with around 4-8” snow expected. NM gets in on that action tomorrow with about the same amount, the northern part of the state is under a winter storm watch right now. Good luck everybody!

*Follow HLN Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen on Twitter: @BobVanDillen

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Weather

Last-minute gift idea for the guitar buff?
One of your fellow viewers informed me about the unique amps they make.. out of anything! Toaster amp? Check. Chair amp? Probably. Garden gnome amp? They've probably beaten me to the idea already!
Here ya go for a look-see. ArtisticAmplification.com
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In the news today:
Have we been left in a lurch here with our paycheck about to shrink?
Maybe.
Lawmakers headed home for the holidays WITHOUT a deal to extend that payroll tax cut.
The thing expires Dec. 31.
And it looks like it’s a contest of who will blink first: President Obama or House Republicans.

Check out how the president and John Boehner held competing press conferences... one wasn't even on the schedule... calling each other out.
Man oh man.
So can anything be done now?
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We are not done with snow yet:
A nasty storm could dump more than a foot of snow in places... Bob’s got the details.
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Somehow our thumbs aren't so honest when they text:
Why is it we are apparently more prone to fib when we text than if we were communicating another way?
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A Santa Claus rally on Wall Street! Will it keep going or will we get a lump of coal?
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The higher the score, the lower the grades.
Check out the link between the team a guy cheers for... and his classroom success!
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Somebody hacked into Lady Gaga’s Twitter account and sent a bogus promise to all umpteen-million of her followers.
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See you soon, you rock star you.
BTW–Check out my Twitter feed...and how I commandeered a Bobcat earthmover yesterday. High heels and all. I'm @robinmeade on Twitter. You can take the girl out of Ohio....

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

Blizzard conditions are fading quicker than the chances my wife will find a car in the driveway Christmas morning with an over-sized red bow on the roof (who does that in real life?) Snow this morning from NM/CO/TX/OK is shifting to mainly KS. The snow will blanket that state with an additional 4-7” this afternoon, but the winds are falling below that 35 mph criteria for a blizzard. I’ll show you the latest radar and warnings on the show. A 1-2’ swath of snow is covering NE NM to KS this morning making driving difficult once again.

The rain ahead of the main storm is heavy this morning from PA to TX/LA with a few strong storms nearing Lake Charles and New Orleans for the day.

Clouds reach way into the NE and Mid Atlantic today too. This means travel delays with the poor visibility in NYC, Philly, Atlanta, back to Chicago, and even St. Louis with the rain. I’ll update those.

An upper-level storm is rolling south out of the San Diego area now dragging clouds and rain into the Pacific. I don’t think any problems will linger for southern CA’s commute.

Later!

*Follow HLN Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen on Twitter: @BobVanDillen

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Blizzard • Weather

I got my nephew one of those soda makers for Christmas. He's already opened it, and LOVES it. Stuff tastes fresh and there's a good variety of flavors. Thought you'd appreciate the input if you're still stumped for gifts this late in the game.
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On the show today:
Several states are facing blizzard or near blizzard conditions… just in time for the holiday travel rush.
Is your destination next?
Bob’s got the helpful info.
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Did you catch Monday Night Football?
The LIGHTS WENT OUT. TWICE. At the place so apply-named Candlestick Park.
See how the fans, players and announcers handled it, and what the pointy-heads now think was the culprit.
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Another layaway angel:
This time it’s a child using allowance money to pay off strangers accounts.
You gotta see how employees at the store react.
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As North Korea goes through a transition of power, what should we be worried about?
More on that subject.
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Certain airports DO have more healthy food options for you this holiday travel season (as opposed to the burger-slingin' counter only).
If you're watching from the airport, this one’s for you.
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One of the nation’s biggest toy stores is opening its doors at 6am ET this morning. And they’re not closing until Christmas Eve. Mamma mia!
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Bon Jovi fans…
Despite what you may have seen on the internet yesterday, Jon Mr.-Livin’-on-a-Prayer Bon Jovi, is fine.
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See you!

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

The first power-house snow storm of the season is dropping into NM, CO, KS, and the TX/OK Panhandles this morning. It’s a potent round of energy driving Southward around a large-scale trough over the Western half of the US, and it’s carving a strong storm at ground level. The wind will continue to increase, and all the rain will turn over to snow later this morning bringing down visibilities. A Blizzard warring is in effect for them from 9am this morning until noon tomorrow to account for the Heavy snow (12-15”), fast winds and poor visibility.

The rain will be heavy in front of the real cold air, so 1-2” of rain for the Central Plains today along with a slight chance of severe storms in Central TX. Flights will be disrupted headed to Dallas this afternoon.

Another storm is located over Hudson’s Bay with a cold front swinging through the Great Lakes. Winds will peak around 20-35 mph for the MW and NE, so a bumpy ride in the air and a few delays are possible there. I’ll update you on the show. See you out there!

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Weather

That NE bound flight today will bounce you faster than Howard Stern judging a juggling clown act on America's Got Talent. The wind is starting to increase for New England now as yesterday’s storm rolls away and high pressure builds in. The gusts should spike this afternoon around 45 mph. That means a bumpy plane ride, travel delays and wind advisories, all of which I’ll update for you on the show.

The cold front is still draped across the MW and Mid South this morning, with a new wave of low pressure riding north. Plenty of rain is pouring down from KY/TN back to the Gulf Coast this morning, and it should stretch out across the Mid Atlantic states later. I’ll have the forecast. Temperatures behind the front are much cooler. Low to mid 40s in AR as opposed to low 70s in GA!

High pressure is still controlling the weather out west, but with a weak low S of AZ, the wind is tightening up in CA. Santa Ana winds will howl to around 60 mph in the CA mountains today, I’ll have that forecast for you as well.

Getting ready for our HLN end-of-year party tomorrow. It’s always a blast, hope to get some pics for you guys for Monday.

Have a great weekend.

*Follow HLN meteorologist Bob Van Dillen on Twitter: @BobVanDillen

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Weather

Good morning. Robin is off today. Weekend Express anchor Natasha Curry is in. And we have a huge news day working.

The Penn State sex-abuse scandal could take a dramatic turn today. The star witness is expected to testify in a hearing for two university officials accused of lying about the case. Also, Jerry Sandusky’s lawyer is saying his comments about teaching boys how to take a shower were taken out of context.

Finally, we may have a breakthrough in Washington. Congressional leaders are working through final details on a deal to keep the government running. As for that payroll tax cut? Stay tuned.

Things were very different at last night’s Republican presidential debate. The candidates knew it was the last time before the Iowa caucuses and they wanted to make the most of it.

A huge shocker in Arizona. Federal investigators are going after Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his deputies.

“Cold shutdown”… it sounds bad, but actually it’s a good thing. We’ll get you caught up on the developments at Japan’s crippled nuclear reactors.

Seriously? You need to be sitting down for this. Watch some kayakers go over a 90-foot waterfall, on purpose.

Outrageous… hilarious… dangerous… brilliant. It’s Howard Stern. And he’s a got a surprising new gig.

Barry Bonds gets sentenced today. Could baseball’s all-time, home run leader go to prison?

We’ve been telling you about this new feel-good practice. Someone walks into a store to pay off a stranger’s Christmas layaway charges. But a woman in Indianapolis took it to a whole new level.

Also today… this may be your last free shipping day before Christmas… your jaw may hit the floor when you hear what’s going on with mortgage rates… Bradley Manning, the guy who allegedly fed all those top-secret military documents to Wikileaks, is in court… more fallout from a Florida A&M University drum major’s suspected hazing death.

See you 6am to Noon Eastern time – only on HLN.

Filed under: Extras • Morning Express crew