Trending This Morning
Area's of dense fog this morning. A dense fog advisory is in effect until 8a. Colder air arrives soon. 60% chance of showers today. Hi mid 60s. Tomorrow and Wednesday, mix of sun and clouds. Hi 49. Thursday, sunny. Hi 54. Friday, mostly sunny. Hi 57.Clouds increase Saturday, rain chance Sunday. Highs mid to upper 50s. Lows in the 30s and 40s.
Roanoke City school leaders are holding a community meeting Monday - to discuss expanding Round Hill Elementary School. The meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in the multi-purpose room at Round Hill.
The U.S. Postal Service will collect mail from some collection boxes by 4 p.m.. They did it this past Sunday and will do it again on Sunday, December 16. Roanoke locations include the following boxes:
-101 Church Ave SW, Roanoke, VA 24011
-1515 Courtland Road NE, Roanoke, VA 24012
-2223 Crystal Spring Avenue SW, Roanoke, VA 24014
-4069 Postal Drive, Roanoke, VA 24018
The Cake Boss - Buddy Valastro - was at the Bonsack Kroger in Roanoke yesterday, prior to his show at the Salem Civic Center last night. Check out the story from our media partner, ABC 13.
Good news! The price of gas is coming down. Gas prices have dropped 46 cents in 2 months. One analyst says it could go down another dime.
Today they're going to be busier than elves at FedEx. This is the "busiest shipping" day of the year. They expect to move 19 million packages today.
Redskins say RG III does NOT have any major injury to his knee. Washington beat the Ravens in OT.
NFL Sunday night: Packers 27, Lions 20.
Stagg Bowl is this Friday night at Salem Stadium. 2012 NCAA Division III Championship under the lights.
Lookin' Back
Today is Human Rights Day.
1719 The first recorded sighting of the Aurora Borealis takes place in New England.
1869 Women are granted the right to vote in the Wyoming Territory.
1906 The first U.S. president is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for helping to mediate an end to the Russo-Japanese War.
1915 The one-millionth Model T rolls of the assembly line.
1931 The Nobel Peace Prize goes to an American woman for the first time.
1938 The filming of "Gone With The Wind" begins.
1946 The Toys For Tots campaign is first organized.
1953 Playboy magazine is first published.
1964 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. receives the Nobel Peace Prize.
1990 The FDA approves Norplant birth control.
Cuttin' Cake Today
Gloria Loring (Actress / Composed themes for "Diff’rent Strokes," "Facts of Life," etc…)-66; Susan Dey (L.A. Law: Grace)-60; Rod "Blago" Blagojevich (Ex-Governor of Illinois)-56; Nia Peeples (The Young and the Restless: Karen Winters)-51; Bobby Flay (Food Network chef)-48; Raven-Symone (The Cosby Show: Olivia)-27
Joke of the Day
Which of Santas reindeer has bad manners? - Rude-alph!
Smarter Than Question
This toy's magic ingredient is aluminum powder? What is it? Congrats to Anne she got it. It's been around since 1938. The answer is the "Etch-a-Sketch.
Entertainment Buzz
Five weeks after opening number one with $88 million, the James Bond blockbuster Skyfall is back on top of the U.S. box office. This time, the 23rd film in the 007 franchise claimed the weekend crown with just $11 million. "Rise of the Guardians" is No. 2 with $10.5 million, "Breaking Dawn -- Part 2" is No. 3 with $9.2 million, "Lincoln" is No. 4 with $9.1 million and "Life of Pi" is No. 5 with $8.3 million,
California-born singer Jenni Rivera was killed in a Learjet crash shortly after takeoff Sunday, Mexican authorities said. She was 43. People.com said there were no survivors among the seven people on the plane, which took off early Sunday in Monterrey, Mexico.
Al Roker and Alison Sweeney are to lead NBC's coverage of the 24th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Ca on New Year's Day.
Cheryl Burke will be one of the people picking the next Miss America. Other judges include Mary Hart, Daymond John of "Shark Tank" and Sam Champion, the weather guy from "Good Morning America." Another judge will be gold medalist McKayla Maroney. The new Miss America will be crowned January 12th in Las Vegas. **Good luck to our Miss Virginia, Rosemary Willis.
2 days until the 12.12.12 Concert for Sandy relief from Madison Square Garden. On Friday, it was announced The Rolling Stones would join the artists already booked for the televised Superstorm Sandy benefit show in New York City. You can hear the concert LIVE on our sister station 96.3 WROV.
Singer Toni Braxton said via Twitter she has been hospitalized for complications from lupus. Her doctors expect her to do just fine and recover completely.
The dad of reality television star Honey Boo Boo was checked out by paramedics while playing Santa Clause at the family's Georgia home, sources told E! News. The 40-year-old man known as Sugar Bear said he wasn't feeling well during a Saturday night toy drove at their place in McIntyre, so worried family members called 911. Paramedics checked him out, but he refused a trip to the hospital.
Tonight on TV
ABC: Extreme Makeover is new with two hours tonight followed by a new Castle
CBS: How I Met Your Mother is new followed by a repeat of The Big Bang Theory. Two episodes of Two Broke Girls, both new, and a new Hawaii Five-O wrap up the night.
NBC: The Voice is LIVE followed by the premiere of Take It All and a new Michael Buble: Home For the Holidays special
FOX: The American Country Awards are LIVE
CW: 90210 and Gossip Girl are both new
Christmas Specials: The only special on in primetime on network TV is the Michael Buble: Home for the Holidays special. Otherwise you may want to catch the original Miracle on 34th Street on AMC at 8pm! Get holiday specials for the entire day here
News From Nashville
It's a boy!!!!! One-half of the successful country duo, Sugarland, is a new mom. Jennifer Nettles welcomed her first child with her husband, Justin Miller, on Thursday. Baby Magnus Hamilton Miller, was born at a local Nashville hospital.
More baby news: Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott and husband Chris Tyrrell are expecting their first child, the couple announced Friday (Dec. 7). Which means, Linda Davis is going to be a grandma? Say it isn't so.
Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood were revealed as the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year during Saturday night's premiere of a star-studded CMT special.
Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" lands on Time's Top 10 songs of 2012.
The American Country Awards are on FOX tonight at 8 pm hosted by Kristen Chenoweth and Trace Adkins! S Here are a few of the categories.
Artist of the Year
Jason Aldean, LukeBryan, Lady Antebellum, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean, LukeBryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Toby Keith
Artist of the Year: Female
Sara Evans, MirandaLambert, Martina McBride, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood
Artist of the Year: Group
The Band Perry, EliYoung Band, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band
Artist of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice, ColtFord, Gloriana, Justin Moore, Jake Owen
Artist of the Year: New Artist
Lauren Alaina,Hunter Hayes, Jana Kramer, Kip Moore, Pistol Annies
Album of the Year
Dierks Bentley,"Home" Luke Bryan, "tailgates & tanlines" Eric Church,"Chief" Lady Antebellum, "Own the Night" Blake Shelton,"Red River Blue"
Single of the Year
Jason Aldean,"Tattoos On This Town" Luke Bryan, "I Don’t Want This Night ToEnd" Eric Church, "Drink In My Hand" Chris Young,"You" Zac Brown Band, "Keep Me In Mind"
Single of the Year: Male
Jason Aldean,"Tattoos On This Town" Luke Bryan, "I Don’t Want This Night ToEnd" Kenny Chesney, "Reality" Eric Church, "Drink In MyHand" Chris Young, "You"
Single of the Year: Female
Sara Evans,"My Heart Can’t Tell You No" Miranda Lambert, "Over You"Martina McBride, "I’m Gonna Love You Through It" Taylor Swift,"Ours" Carrie Underwood, "Good Girl"
Single of the Year: Group
Eli Young Band,"Even If It Breaks Your Heart" Lady Antebellum, "We Owned TheNight" Rascal Flatts, "Banjo" The Band Perry, "All YourLife" Zac Brown Band, "Keep Me In Mind"
Single of the Year: New Artist
Hunter Hayes,"Wanted" Jana Kramer, "Why Ya Wanna" Dustin Lynch,"Cowboys and Angels" Kip Moore, "Somethin’ ’Bout A Truck"The Farm, "Home Sweet Home"
Single of the Year: Breakthrough Artist
Lee Brice, "AWoman Like You" Brantley Gilbert, "You Don’t Know Her Like I Do"Gloriana, "(Kissed You) Good Night" David Nail, "Let ItRain" Jake Owen, "Alone With You"
Single of the Year: Vocal Collaboration
Kix Brooksfeaturing Joe Walsh, "New To This Town" Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw,"Feel Like A Rock Star" Brad Paisley featuring Carrie Underwood,"Remind Me" Rascal Flatts featuring Natasha Bedingfield,"Easy" Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett, "Knee Deep"
Blake Shelton performed "Just A Fool" with Voice co-judge Christina Aguilera on Friday's "Ellen" show. Do they have some vocal chemistry or what?
Lady Antebellum and Brad Paisley will perform on the 29th Annual Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade, which airs at 10AM on ABC on Christmas Day.
Did you catch Martina McBride's new video "Please Come Home For Christmas" from "A Very Special Christmas" over the weekend?
Brantley Gilbert brings his "Hell on Wheels" tour to the Roanoke Civic Center on April 26. Tickets on sale this Friday at 10a. Starting at $24.75. Special guest: Kip Moore.
New Country Music Releases 2013:
January 22
Darius Rucker, ‘True Believers’
Randy Houser, ‘How Country Feels’
January 29
Kris Kristofferson, ‘Feeling Mortal’
February 5
Tim McGraw, ‘Two Lanes of Freedom’
April
Brad Paisley
Spring
LeAnn Rimes, ‘Spitfire’
TBD
The Band Perry
Faith Hill, ‘Illusion’
Gary Allan, ‘Set You Free’
George Strait
Scotty McCreery
Thompson Square
Lar's This & That
Only in 2013
What is the hot new car color for 2013? ans - Emerald Green
Tasty For The Holidays or Not
Food companies have really gotten into the spirit of the holiday season and are offering all kinds of seasonally inspired foodstuff. It's not just peppermint flavored coffee and eggnog anymore ... check out these weird holiday food offerings:
Red Velvet Chocolate Flavored Holiday Milk: You can find this festively red beverage at Target – Oh, and it also comes in Chocolate Mint.
Pringles Holiday Flavors: Potato chips in Pumpkin Spice, White Chocolate Peppermint and Cinnamon and Sugar.
Jell-O Gingerbread Pudding: It also comes in peppermint.
Edy's Hot Cocoa Ice Cream: It's a frozen hot chocolate ... in ice cream form.
Jones Holiday Sodas: The specialty soda company has seasonal flavors in Candy Cane, Pear Tree, Gingerbread and Sugar Plum. (hlntv)
What Your Christmas Cards Say About You
With so many holiday card options, it makes sense that the style you choose to send out says a lot about your personality.
Classic Cards: Think Norman Rockwell or Currier and Ives. You love the tradition of the holiday season, and are even sending similar cards to the ones your parents sent out when you were a kid.
Cute cards: Somewhere in between classic and funny lies the cute card. You not only find joy in the season, but you want to please everyone on your Christmas card list by sending a greeting that will bring a smile to all.
Funny card: You are much more casual about the holidays, and aren't concerned with offending anyone on your list.
DIY cards: You are an original and like to put a personal spin on the season.
Photo card: You are excited to share your love of family and the season with your loved ones. (HLNTV)
How to NOT breakup come January... Christmas is so magical. The lights, the music, the gifts...and then it's done. What now? Break up! No, wait, don't break up like so many do in January. Here's how to prevent that courtesy of YourTango:
Plan time now for just the two of you
Plan your conversation around these three themes - Gift giving, family time, and couple time.
Deal with what comes up (take care of problems as they happen)
Keep the conversation open (encourage honesty)
Deal with the dealbreakers (If it can't be saved, start unwinding the relationship early. Don't be blindsided in January)
When it comes to shopping for gifts... men are the worst. Men push the deadline, bargain less, and spend too much. 10% of guys plan to wrap up their Christmas shopping when? Yes, on Christmas Eve. For women it's 3.6% (probably buying something for their guy to take to his mom!). Of course, is this survey telling us something we don't already know?
Top Gift Cards To Give This Christmas
5. Home Depot
4. Amazon
3. McDonald's
2. Target
1. Walmart
Favorite 80's holiday movies... what's your favorite? Here are a few good ones (courtesy: Babble.com.
A Christmas Story
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
A Very Brady Christmas
Ernest Saves Christmas
One Magic Christmas
Scrooged
Oops!!
A woman bought her son an iPad online for Christmas, but Best Buy screwed up the order and sent FIVE iPads instead of one. The family tried to do the right thing and contacted the company to return them . . . but when Best Buy wrote back, they thanked them for being honest and said, "keep the additional iPads and give them to people in need . . . friends, family, a local school or charity." (The Consumerist)
The Top Five Gifts Men and Women Want and Don't Want
In a new survey, women say the present they want MOST for Christmas is . . . designer shoes. The present they want the least are household items. The present men want the most are season tickets to their favorite sports team. And the present they want the least is a tie. (FemaleFirst)
Weighing In On The Holiday Season
Worried about holidays pounds? A new Jenny Craig survey finds 47% of women gain four to five pounds during this time of year. A strategy for cutting back on the treats: Fill up on lower-density foods like a big salad.
But it's not just the treats that pad the waist - it's the stress. 66% of women admit that once the weather gets colder, they get less active. Experts suggest finding a buddy for motivation and take a lunchtime walk.
Holiday Shopping
Have you finished your holiday shopping? According to a recent survey by Rasmussen Reports, only 15% of shoppers have checked off all the gifts on their lists. Despite the holiday shopping hoopla on Black Friday, 59% of shoppers have just started their shopping this week, which is up 49% over last week. The survey also says 37% still haven’t started shopping yet.
Weird, But True News
Last week, a man tried to break out of prison in Brazil but was caught . . . because he was TOO CHUBBY to fit through the hole he'd smashed in the prison wall. The fire department had to come and cut him out of the wall. He's back in the prison now, and facing new charges for trying to escape.
Staying Healthy Today 
"During the two month holiday seasons last year about 14,000 consumers were treated for injuries related to holiday decorating. This includes holiday lights, Christmas trees, candles and ornaments," Inez Tenebaum of the Consumer Product Safety Commission warned. Holiday-related injuries have continued to increase from 12,000 back in 2009 to 14,000 last year. To keep your family as safe as possible:
Check out lights or wiring and replace any damaged electrical ornaments.
Keep a close watch on candles or open flames.
Look for the freshest tree possible if you’re in the market for a real Christmas Tree, and keep them moist and away from any walls that can burn.
Keep young children away from potentially dangerous toys their older brothers or sisters may be getting over the holidays.
Good News Story
Someone in southwest Florida dropped a gold coin from 1907 worth $1,700 in a Salvation Army red kettle bucket in memory of someone named Mimi, officials said.
For the past eight years, someone, likely the same person, has dropped a rare coin into random Salvation Army kettles. The coins are always accompanied by a handwritten note that reads: "In loving memory of Mimi."
This year, Sherman Scott was working the kettle outside the Lehigh Acres Walmart when the coin was dropped off. Scott described the man as a "white male, in his 40s, 5'7-5'8, red hair." He says he hopes he comes back. He'll be watching and so is Santa.
Lar's Thought of the Day
"Cherish your children for what they are, NOT for what you want them to be."
