News Information and Media Site: Nightly Rundown: Holiday weekend storm and dangerous cold; Best Black Friday deals; First look inside restored Notre Dame

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By Dan Donahue

Friday, November 29, 2024

Good Friday afternoon. A lake effect snow event is threatening to disrupt holiday travel as millions head home, we're tracking the best Black Friday deals, and we're getting a first look inside the Notre Dame Cathedral more than five years after a devastating fire.

Here is what's in our Nightly Rundown.

Multiday lake effect snowstorm threatens holiday weekend travel

A powerful, multiday lake effect snow event is beginning to hit parts of the Great Lakes region and upstate New York, threatening to deliver several feet of snow through just as millions are heading home from the Thanksgiving holiday.

Lake Effect Snow Warnings are in effect in parts of four states: Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. A state of emergency has been declared in western New York, where 4-5 feet of snow is anticipated along eastern Lake Ontario, and up to 6 feet is possible in the Watertown area, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.

The snowfall rate will be blinding at times, up to 3-4 inches an hour, and could be accompanied by thundersnow. Bad weather conditions are being blamed for a 15-car pileup in Grand Rapids overnight.

The Buffalo Bills are asking for volunteers to shovel snow at Highmark Stadium, which could see 12-18 inches or more, ahead of the "Sunday Night Football" game against the San Francisco 49ers.

We're also tracking an Arctic blast that will expand south and east from the northern Plains through the Midwest and persist into next week, with dangerously cold wind chills in the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, according to the National Weather Service.

Black Friday kicks off record-breaking holiday shopping season

As inflation cools, a record-breaking 183.4 million people are planning to shop in-store and online from Thanksgiving Day through Cyber Monday this year, according to the National Retail Federation's annual survey.

With the days of the doorbuster deals fading, retailers have begun offering discounts even earlier, with Americans spending more than $77.4 billion online between Nov. 1-24, about a 10% increase from last year.

Overall, this holiday shopping season is forecast hit new highs, with as much as $989 billion expected to be spent in November and December, an increase from $955.6 billion last year.

During this busy weekend, Amazon workers in more than 20 countries including the U.S. plan to hold "Make Amazon Pay" protests or go on strike, according to organizers.

NBC Select is tracking the best Black Friday deals on tech, apparel, home goods and more.

First look inside restored Notre Dame Cathedral five years after devastating fire

More than five years after a fire nearly destroyed Paris' Notre Dame Cathedral, the world got its first look today at its beautiful, painstakingly restored interior.

French President Emmanuel Macron visited the cathedral today, hosting a live two-hour televised tour through the transformed building before it finally reopens to the public on Dec. 8.

The cost of rebuilding Notre Dame after the 2019 fire that spread through its ornate wooden spire and roof was an estimated $760 million, according to the public body responsible for the conservation and restoration of the cathedral.

Recalls on cucumbers and eggs due to salmonella concerns

Two major food safety recalls have been announced due to concerns over potential salmonella contamination.

SunFed Produce, an Arizona company, has recalled cucumbers shipped to 26 states and parts of a Canada, because they may be tainted with the bacteria, the FDA said.

And more than 10,000 units of organic 24-count eggs sold under Costco's Kirkland Signature brand are also being recalled due to possible contamination, according to the FDA.

Salmonella bacteria are a leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, and can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, according to the CDC and FDA.

What else we're watching:

A 20-year-old camper who was missing for more than five weeks in Canada's Northern Rockies has been found alive, authorities said.

Five of the Connecticut's seven Democratic lawmakers said they were targeted by bomb threats on Thanksgiving, but no devices were found. It comes after threats were also made against several of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet picks this week.

Trump celebrated Thanksgiving at Mar-a-Lago with his family, as well as other notable figures like Elon Musk and Sylvester Stallone.

The Canyon Crest Fire burning outside Los Angeles has grown to 250 acres with 0% containment, and has forced evacuations in Riverside County.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is threatening to attack Ukraine again after a massive strike on the country's energy grid.

This NFL team has sacked its head coach in a historic fashion, after a disastrous Thanksgiving Day loss.

How long will your Thanksgiving leftovers last?

Watch us this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC, or check your local NBC station listing. After the broadcast, access Nightly News video on NBCNightlyNews.com or the NBC News app.