a tip of our giant hat to the first female ring master of the ringling brothers circus. but first the "nightline" five. >>> number one ♪ >> good evening, thank you for joining us. reports of russian hackers attempting to influence the election have some members of the electoral college rethinking their votes. at least one is paying a price for it, receiving hate mail and threats. but he says the anger of his fellow americans will not deter him from putting principle over party. here's abc's david wright. >> i like that putin called me brilliant. >> reporter: from russia with love. or at least with strong admiration. >> i think it's great of russif and the united states can get together. >> reporter: donald trump has said he'd like to improve u.s. relations with moscow. >> wouldn't it be great if we got along with russia? is that a bad thing? >> reporter: all the more alarming then that 17 u.s. intelligence agencies say russia tried to interfere in the pleakz. tonight as the russian president arrived in japan, his spokesperson laughed off any suggestion that vladimir pu

. >> time for the morning buzz, take a look at this, 146 year history, the ringling brothers and barnu has a new woman ring master. >>> stars wars rogue one is expected to open huge at the box office, early critical reviews having raves, rogue one was produced by disney the parent company of 6abc. >> matt. oh no. oh no. i hate this belt. man oh man. mom, we have a situation. life's bleachable moments need clorox bleach. >> happening right now on "action news," brace yourself a deep freeze sets in sending tumbling after overnight snow. >> an after school fight breaks out at a septa station leaving a teenager with stab wounds. >> the flyers have the longest winning streak in decades. >> david murphy is here, and karen rogers has traffic. the question i have is who invited jack frost to the party? >> reporter: temperatures are in the process of plunging that will be the story in the next couple of hours. we have snow up north of philadelphia. if you're down in south jersey you have active snow showers for another half-hour to an hour, slow it down if you see that, because temperatures are

life really like for one of the world's greatest lion and tiger trainers traveling with the famous ringling brothers and barnum bailey circus? this chilly morning in denver, colorado -- >> good boy. good boy. are you done? are you done? off you go. good boy. that's how he takes his vitamins. we will give him the other leg, mom. >> you will understand why she is here in a minute. >> they eat up to 16 pounds of meat every day. >> that must cost a lot of money. >> 5,000 a week. >> the lions, tigers and lionesses, feline family. >> the lionesses get jealous, which may sound silly but they . when they come in to heat, they rub themselves all over me. they expect me to do business because i'm the top cat. >> reporter: the cats hang here when they are not eating, sleeping, performing. it is clean and spacious but captivity. on the move they must be caged for everyone but alex's safety. >> stick your fingers in. that's my girly. good job. >> reporter: on to the stage, he's in. >> people are coming. here, here, here. good boy. here, here, here. all right. good boy. i remember the first time i was in

>> well the ringling brothers and barnum & bailey circus has been around for 146 years. which makes me the 39th ringmaster. >> 39th? >> almost like being a president. yes, indeed. i am a member of a very exclusive club of ringmasters and i'm so honored to join this incredible tradition. i have just been so excited to learn everything that i can about this incredible history and it's really exciting to travel the country, get to meet all of the amazing people out there, hello, america. and show you all of the amazing things that human beings can do. >> oh that's great. well president wilson we love you. >> yeah yeah. >> yes, we do. [ applause ] >> ringmaster wilson. >> how much do you want to now go to the circus because of her? look at everybody behind her. they do not break character. >> no. >> watching them juggle that much. >> you're the best all the best. >> yes, congratulations. >> first female. first female. >> breaking that glass ceiling. >> obviously you can see why she got the job. >> yeah. >> very infectious personality. that is awesome. >>> you know a lot of p

. >> reporter: ringling bros. and barnum & bailey - - >> reporter: brianna plans to have more fundraisers in the city. susie will make a dedicated spot in the corner called the brianna corner. >> i busted down and started crying. >> a local veteran spoke of the first time he saw his brand new arms. tonight how he will use them with a brand new career. >>> and the very first cold blast of the season delivering the harsh dose of reality. topper is back with an update. >>> plus, every stitch a >>> only on 9 tonight the astonishing story of a man wounded in war and recently became one of the world's recent double arm transplant patients. andrea mckaren spoke to him via skype from boston where he is recovering from his surgery. >> reporter: john peck was wounded twice serving our country in iraq and in 2010 he sketched on an i.e.d., and he lost both of his arms and both legs, but not his determination or his sense of humor. >> reporter: just hours ago marine corps veteran john peck gained control of his donor arm. it's

. >> and the police come and ringling lawyers, they want to take the brothers to the next stop. and the mother wants them home. the manager says they're my children and had paper work that had their last name as his last name. and somehow she got them-- she got the-- she talked the police into letting her bring them home, not going back to the circus. and then not only that, a couple of days later, she hired a really young ambitious lawyer and she filed a lawsuit against the greatest show on earth. i mean, that was moxie. >> and she kept at it. >> she kept at it because whenever they could, because they could get away with, they would not pay them. so the manager would switch them to another show. ringling was paying them and he would switch them to some other show and he would pocket the money and then she-- she and another-- she found another lawyer and through this very clever, but kind of awful sounding legal arrangement. she had them declared incompetent. so the court was in charge, if the checks bounced they would go and find them and they might be in canada, in oregon. th

the 39th ring master in the history of the ringling brothers and barnum and bailey circus will be a first. her name is michelle wilson and she will be the first woman in job in the history. she will start next month in orlando. larry: very cool. coming up at "abc7 news at 5:00" -- a local do finish line to his personal 3,000-mile race. how long it took. and why he did alison: tan is always working. today he brought smiles to kids who really need it at it the inov children's hospital. we go on his sleigh ride. cheryl: santa dropped off gifts at inova children home. >> i hope you feel better. cheryl: the 11-year-old dealt with asthma since he was born. >> it helps me get better when somebody makes he happy. >> his mom says the visit from santa is an extra dose of head sin. >> -- of medicine. >> i haven't seen a smile that big. i've been watching him work to breathe. >> santa got an escort. he has an in at the department. mrs. claus, snowmen, police officers joined him going from room to room. the big man took off his gloves and washed his i.c.u. but some kids were too sick for a close visit

and good morning, america. [ cheers and applause ] >> the first in the history of the ringling brothers and barnum & bailey circus. we're going talk to her live. >> her name is kristen michelle wilson. good morning, kristen. congratulations. >> thank you so much and good morning to all of you, good morning, america. >> so how was last night? your second night as ringmaster? >> yes, it was absolutely thrilling. i am so honored and excited to be the first female ringmaster of the ringling brothers and barnum & bailey circus and that is just a thrill to even say it. >> you never break character, do you, kristen. this is something you dreamed about for a real long time, huh? >> absolutely. ever since i was a child, i have loved performing and entertaining. >> ah. >> so to join the greatest show on ear biggest thrill of my life. it's a bucket list level opportunity i never even imagined and to find myself here surrounded by these amazing people. >> we're sighing pictures of you as a little one and that smile, so infectious and just this is a moment that you wanted. i wish you could come out

in the world of entertainment, after years of pressure from animal rights groups, ringling brothers retired their elephants, ending more than a century of performances with the world's largest land mammals. on the radio, garrison keeler left prairie home companion after more than 32 years. >> saturdays will never be the same. ♪ >> on broadway, the performance that had people standing in line for tickets like no other, "hamilton." >> can a brother get some tickets from somebody? i need a hookup from somebody. >> online, the best "mash-up," "hamilton" and bence. the worst break-in, the naked rglar who lost his pants crawling through the roof of a pizza place and didn't find any money, either. some of the political peoples were hilarious and all the t-rex costumes had a smiling, especially the one on american ninja warrior. we really liked that traditional good-bye to a teacher in new zealand. but in the end, the best viral preoccupation, the mannequin challenge. >> everybody's trying it. i've tried myself with my friends. it didn't go as viral, but it was still amazing. >> reporter: we're a

. >> in the world of entertainment, ringling brothers retired their elephants, ending more than a censutury of elephas of the world's largest land mammals. on the radio -- >> saturdays will never be the same.. ♪ i'm past patiently wasting i'm waiting every expectation ♪ >> i broadway, "hamilton".. >> can a brother bet some tickets or somebody? i need a hookup with somebody. >> online, the best mash up, hamilton and beyonce. the worst break-in, the naked burglar who lost his pants crawling through the roof of a pizza place and didn't find any money, either. some of the political memes were hilarious and all the t-rex costumes had us smiling, especially the one on american ninja warrior. we really likes that traditional good-bye to a teacher in new zealand. but in the end, the best viral p preoccupation, the mannequin challenge. >> everybody is trying it. i've tried illustrate myself with my friends. it didn't go as viral, but it was still amazing. >> we're about to ride buy off into the sunset, but we have just enough time left for our traditional wishes for the 12 months ahead. so stay

♪ ♪ just hear those sleigh bells ring, tinge ringling, too ♪ >>> welcome back to our special christmas edition of "good morning america." we hope you're enjoying this day with your family. >> it is lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you. >> oh. >> it's a song. >> it is a song. and everybody, we do work for disney. it's a family friendly company. we want to let you know most of us are home this christmas morning. this show, most of it has been taped so that we could be home with our friends and family. >> we're on a sleigh ride. >> we are. not together. maybe we are. we'll live that up to you. coming up, we know you're opening up some of idea how to use them. becky worley is going to tell you about those brand new electronics and toys and how to get them up and running. >> news you can use. on a christmas morning. first impressive young students who worked super hard this year to get on santa's good list. >> the founder of dillon's candy bar treated them to a willy wonka style tour of her store. i was right there with them. ♪ >> our mission is merging fashion, art and pop

in the world of entertainment after years of pressure from animal rights groups ringling brothers retired their elephants, ending more than a century of performances with the world's largest land mammals. on the radio garrison keillor left "prairie home companion" after 42 years. >> saturdays will never be the same. ♪ i'm past patiently waiting ♪ i'm passionately smashing every expectation ♪ >> on broadway the performance that had people standing in line for tickets like no other -- "hamilton." >> can a brother get some tickets for somebody? i need a hookup or somebody. ♪ >> online, the best mashup, hamilton and beyonce. the worst break-in, the naked burglar who lost his pants crawling through the roof of a pizza place, but didn't find any money either. some of the political memes were hilariou hilarious, and all the t-rex costumes had us smiling, especially the one on "american ninja warrior." we really like that traditional good-bye to a teacher in new zealand. but in the end the best viral preoccupati preoccupation, the mannequin challenge. >> he everybody's trying it. i've tri

>> ringling brothers. >> you've got it. >> go to the side. i've got the ringling brothers, to the circus. >> come on. >> announcer: this is a "news4 today" news break. >> it's 8:26 on this thursday, december 8th, i am aaron gilchrist. let's get a check on your commute. >> the ramp to 495 a disabled and we are seeing a four-mile backup southbound because of that. northbound b.w parkway, broken vehicle down on the south side. 66 here, you can see looking pretty good, and the beltway, no major issues. >>> we will have a check on your forecast when we come back. storm team 4 radar, and tracking sprepb kulz east of i-95, and it's really dry out there but only getting reports of light rain around camp springs area having a low-impact on your day with a high of 48. >>> you can get the latest news and weather anytime, just open the nbc washington app. did you know slow internet can actually hold your business back? say goodbye to slow downloads, slow backups, slow everything. comcast business offers blazing fast and reliable internet that's 10 times

>> ringling brothers. >> you've got it. >> go to the side. i've got the ringling brothers, i'm going in the bailey circus, to the circus. >> come on. >>> good morning. i'm rosemary connors. it's 8:26 on this thursday. it's not wintry yet but definitely starting to feel like it. let's go to erika martin. >> we have a cold front in the forecast. temperatures dipping into the 20s and we'll stay below average, mainly in the mid-to low 40s. you'll see your local neighborhood forecast at the bottom of the screen. potential flurries for lehigh valley. >>> jessica is keeping an eye on the traffic. it's bumper to bumper? >> yes. 27 minutes right now to center city and completely at a crawl westbound and eastbound. but this is the eastbound side.d delays on the p.a. turnpike, we're dealing with debris. you can see 35 minutes right now from route 1 up to valley forge. >>> we have an update for a story we've been following at wilmington. a man dies at the hospital after being shot and it's now a homicide investigation. sky force 10 flew over the scene. p

>> ringling brothers. >> you've got it. >> go to the side. i've got the ringling brothers, i'm going in the bailey circus, to the circus. >> come i'm ... ==cam== a live look at downtown san jose h >>> a very good thursday morning to you. 8:26. i'm laura garcia-cannon. a live look at downtown san jose this morning. people waking up to a pretty wet morning. more in store today. let's check in with meteorologist kari hall with an update. >> good morning. we are seeing breaks as we get another view of san jose as you head out on roadways, but in san francisco, it is still pouring. we are seeing rain drops hitting the camera lens. all depends where you are. it's also cool. 50 degrees. here's a look at the radar. once again, we're seeing more breaks in the rain. it looks like there is a plethora of moisture moving inland as we go into the next 30 to 40 minutes. we'll be tracking that. otherwise, we are once again seeing drying conditions can where we had some heavy rain overnight. there will be more rain throughout the day. let's head over to mike

>> ringling brothers. >> you've got it. >> go to the side. i'm going in the bailey circus, to the circus. >> come on. >> there you go. oh, life-sized dragon hand back scratcher. if only it came in a luffa. it does! oh, a raisin re-hydrator. it turns them back into grapes. good call. thank you... and thank you, lady blue. with the blue cash everyday card from american express, you get cash back on purchases with no annual fee. oh, look at this. disposable microphone for my uncle bob's 75th! a one and done. yes. find your voice and then dispose of it. it's more than cash back. it's backed by the service and security of american express. i'm...vince alongside brian lets get a check of the two teenagers accused of assembling a hit list... with students from their school... ...and planning to carry it out. the teens are from burlington... and go to them is a 15 year old girl. she's accused of putting together a list of people she wanted dead... five students at the school... and her own father. her 14-year-old boyfriend was expected to actually do

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. ♪ silent night holy snnight alls hot all is not ♪ ♪ all is calm all is bright ringling jing jing jingling too ♪ >> ♪ on a sleigh ride together with you ♪ ♪ when you're dry and ready a bagel we will slay ♪ ♪ ♪ han hanukah ♪ >> no. >> i will play. ♪ and dradle i will play i'm going to give it to you. >> 3-1. >> it is a competition. >> i'm going to be much cleaner about my scoring. ♪ chestnuts roasting on an open fire ♪ ♪ jack frost nipping at your nose ♪ ♪ yuletide carols being sung by a choir ♪ and this next line that no knows ♪ >> i can't concentrate with you two. oh. >> she got it. 3-2. ♪ i have no gift to bring pa-rum-pa-pum ♪ ♪ then why did you even come yes, tamron. >> no, it's a line. it rhymes with "i have no gift to bring." >> to you. ♪ to give a king >> that is it. three points, al roker. not the cleanest. but look what you get? >> you're getting some gifts. . >>> up next, eric mccormack he's laughin right when you feel a cold sore, abreva can heal it he's laughin in as few as two and a half days when used at the first sign.