elizabeth edwards, 61 years old, died today. she was a mother, lawyer, author and the wife of a man who tried to be president. but that is not why a nation remembers her tonight. it is the steel she showed when life dealt her so many shattering and very public blows. from the death of a son to her marriage, her dreams, her health. and in the end, the word from her doctors that nothing more could keep her alive, for her three children, the youngest now just 10. she said once, whatever happened, she wanted to spend the remainder of her days really living. ron claiborne reports on this day at her home in north carolina for us tonight. ron? >> reporter: good evening, diane. i am down the road from the estate of the edwards. in the end, she died of liver failure. family and friends say that she was in no pain, even in these final hours. she passed away at 10:15 this morning. but there was no public announcement because the family wanted to wait until the youngest children, age 10 and 12, returned home from school. in her final days,

elizabeth edwards has died at the age of 61. she had more than her share of suffering in her lifetime. she buried a child. she bravely fought breast cancer. and she had to live through her husband's spectacularly public infidelity. all along as recently as last night, she tried to emphasize the positive, emphasize others who admired her as a lifeforce, and as a formidable figure in american politics and in life these past several years. in the end she was surrounded by her family at her home in north carolina. >> i'm elizabeth edwards -- >> she became a role model for thousands of women. >> it's actually good to feel like you can be an inspiration to people. i want to be part of the sisterhood. >> a sisterhood united by her very public battle with cancer. when years earlier the couple had already buried their son, wade, who died in a car accident. >> today the surprise announcement that elizabeth edwards, wife of the vice-presidential democratic nominee, john edwards has been diagnosed with breast cancer. >> elizabeth edwards wa

elizabeth edwards loses her six-year battle with cancer. >>> sea scare. a crippled cruise ship with americans onboard and far from land this morning. >>> and a real-life lassie, yogi, the hero dog. >>> good morning. and thanks for being with us. tributes are pouring in this morning for elizabeth edwards. >> her family now looks, of course, to a new reality. but in their words, quote, she remains the heart of this family. friends say edwards in her final hours was never in my pain. and was conscious until the very end. >> emily schmidt is joining us now with more details. hi, emily. >> reporter: vinita and rob, good morning to you. everyone was surprised, including elizabeth edwards, at the length of her final fight. last week, doctors told her she could expect six to eight weeks to live. now, her funeral is planned for this week. on the presidential campaign trail, it was clear elizabeth edwards knew how to rally. >> my love, and your next vice president, john edwards. edward. >> reporter: but a different road proved she knew how to fight. >> i'm kind of

and they now have elizabeth edwards in their sites. why? terry moran reports. >> reporter: so now this infamous heat group -- ♪ god showed his wrath to thee >> reporter: -- has found what they must think is a new way to offend. a new way to tear at frayed fabric of our common decency by protesting at the funeral of elizabeth edwards. >> do you believe that god gave elizabeth edwards breast cancer as retribution? >> of course that's what he did and then he gave her a whoring husband. don't you understand? you don't get to stomp your feet and flip off god and think it's going to go well for you. >> reporter: that's shirley phelps-roper, the daughter of the founder of westboro, fred phelps, who took to the radio to proclaim the group's twisted theological argument, that the many sorrows of elizabeth edwards' life were all god's punishments for her support of gay rights, abortion rights and other issues. >> she used her money and her standing in this country to defy her creator. >> reporter: do you like doing this? >> oh, i love it. if you kn

the death of elizabeth edwards. the estranged wife of politician john edwards endured scandal but succumbed today to cancer after a valiant six-year fight. and then exclusive, wesley snipes in his only interview before he's due to report to prison. just days away from being locked up. maybe for years. it's the last-minute appeal that was denied. now he's here. is he sorry? is he scared? next on "larry king live." wesley snipes in a little while. sad night. we, like everyone, were very sad to learn of elizabeth edwards' death today. we send our sincere condolences to her family. she died at her home in chapel hill just a day after anoungs on her facebook page that further treatment for cancer would be unproductive. joining us with the latest from north carolina is amanda lamb with wral tv in raleigh. what do we know about her passing? do we have an official cause of death and everything established, amanda? >> well, larry, we know it was late this afternoon. we also know that the cancer had gotten into her vital orga

elizabeth edwards was 61 years old. we will have more on her life and her legacy coming up later in this half hour. >>> a closed-door meeting at the white house last night did nothing to soothe the democrats who are still furious over president obama's tax cut compromise. >> they are so annoyed that the deal could now be in jeopardy. john hendren is joining from us washington with details. good morning, john. >> reporter: good morning, rob and vinita. the president is playing defense on home turf among democrats. in a hastily scheduled news conference at the white house, the president said, because of the deal he struck with republicans, middle-class americans will not go without their tax cuts. >> this country was founded on compromise. i couldn't go through the front door at this country's founding. to my democratic friends, what i suggest is, let's make sure that we understand this is a long game. this is not a short game. >> reporter: the price? giving republicans what they wanted. extending a tax cut for the wealth

. >> mitchell: a final farewell to elizabeth edwards. in north carolina, hundred of family and friends pay tribute to her courage and fortitude. and charged up it's first all-electric nissan leaf is delivered to its owner but will it convince consumers it can go the distance? captioning sponsored by cbs this is the "cbs evening news" with russ mitchell. >> mitchell: good evening, he was once considered a prince of wall street who lived large and was admired by his colleagues. but tonight, 46-year-old mark madoff, the oldest son of jailed financial swindler bernard madoff, is dead of an apparent suicide. it came on the anniversary the day the madoff scandal was first revealed. armen keteyian has more. >> reporter: on the second anniversary of his father's arrest, bernie madoff's oldest son was found dead early this morning can't help you. >> reporter: his attorney called them baseless. mark madoff was said to grow more despondent in recent days disturbed by the fact his two youngest children had been named in a defendant in a civil lawsui

elizabeth edwards succumbed today of cancer and we have her story. >>> the lost interview. beatles legend john lennon was assassinated 30 years ago tomorrow. but days before, he gave one final interview, never heard before, until tonight on "nightline." >>> and, done deal. president obama spokes a rare flash of emotion defending his tax compromise with republicans. >> take a tally. look at what i promised during the campaign. >> but how will it affect your bottom line? we have the details. >> announcer: from the global resources of abc news, with terry moran, cynthia mcfadden and bill weir in new york city, this is "nightline," december 7th, 2010. >> good evening, everyone, i'm bill weir. and today, the nation lost an inspirational figure. a woman who overcame public and private adversity to communicate a gospel of resilience, as her last book was called. the daughter of a navy boot lot, she was born in florida 61-year-olds ago, went to law school and met the younger man who would change her life. tonight, cynthia mcfadden remembers elizabeth edwards. >> reporter: this was

elizabeth edwards is being mourned by many today. president obama personally called kate and john edwards to offer his condolences and sources close to the family say that funeral plans will be announced soon, i'm told that the service will likely be held in the next few days, probably this weekend. >> norah o'donnell in chapel hill for us. we're joined now by four of elizabeth's close friends who were with her in those final days. ellis roberts has been a friend of the edwards family since he was in kindergarten. jennifer and christopher palmeiro. good morning, everybody, my condolences to you. when i first heard this news, my reaction was the same as most people, it was one of sorrow. and the first question i asked was i wonder how the kids are. let me start there, how are the children doing? >> they're pretty strong. you know, elizabeth spent a lot of time preparing the kids for, not for the day of her death, but for being strong people that were able to find joy in life and she did that. they're doing all right, lots of us are ar

we look at what elizabeth edwards left behind to other women who are facing and fighting cancer. >>> 30 years later after that awful night here in new york. unheard until now, john lennon tonight in his own words. >>> and some very bad news tonight ant another music legend, aretha franklin. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> good evening. >>> good evening. it doesn't seem quite real, but the world is in the midst of a >>> good evening. it doesn't seem quite real, but the world is in the midst of a kind of electronic war. the mysterious man who runs wikileaks and keeps his secrets in a military bunker is tonight in a london jail and today forces loyal to him took down the websites of mastercard and visa and there's no real telling where this ends. every day, we learn more previously confidential state secrets on the web for everybody to see. every day there's new diplomatic damage done. and now there's this counterattack going on, hitting big financial interests in the u.s., the same companies behind the credit cards carried every day by milli

new details about elizabeth edwards' final hours. the one hope she clung to. her wish for her family. and john edwards' fight to help her. we talk to those who knew her best. >>> the president comes out swinging taking on critics of his deal and calling republicans hostage-takers. what does it mean for you? we'll ask presidential adviser david axelrod. >>> rough seas. a cruise ship in antarctica. it takes out an engine. the 30-foot waves all caught on tape. >>> and oprah opens up. her candid conversation with barbara walters about her next adventure and what we still don't know about her. >> shoot. i'm going to cry here. tissue, please. now, i need tissue. i've never told her that. >>> okay. barbara walters, oprah winfrey. something is going to happen. >> but you knew she didn't want to go there, oprah, with the tears but it's great to have you back. >> it's great to be back, but coming home to some sad news. >>> we both knew elizabeth edwards. and she is being remembered as a courageous and passionate woman. inspiration to all who knew her. and the funeral is

but up next, elizabeth edwards, her family, and their final hours together. [ female announcer ] with rheumatoid arthritis, there's the life you live... and the life you want to live. fortunately there's enbrel, the #1 most doctor-prescribed biologic medicine for ra. enbrel can help relieve pain, stiffness, fatigue, and stop joint damage. because enbrel suppresses your immune system, it may lower your ability to fight infections. serious, sometimes fatal, events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, and other cancers, and nervous system and blood disorders have occurred. before starting enbrel, your doctor should test you for tuberculosis. ask your doctor if you live or have lived in an area where certain fungal infections are common. don't start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. tell your doctor if you're prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if, while on enbrel, you experience persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. ask your rheumatologist if enbrel is right for you. and help bridge the g

a few thoughts on the passing of elizabeth edwards. she lost her battle with cancer yesterday at the age of 61. and finally, edmund morris is here. his latest text is the final installment of a three part biography of teddy roosevelt, "colonel roosevelt." a look back at our last conversation with elizabeth edwards. >> all i know is his name is james, and he needs extra help with his reading. >> i am james. >> yes. >> to everyone making a difference -- >> thank you. >> you help us all live better. >> nationwide insurance supports tavis smiley. with every question and every answer, nationwide insurance is proud to join tavis in working to improve financial literacy and remove obstacles to economic empowerment, one conversation at a time. >> nationwide is on your side >> and by contributions to your pbs station from viewers like you. thank you. [captioning made possible by kcet public television] captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> i've said before i felt the middle-class tax cuts were being held hostage.

. >>> saying good-bye to elizabeth edwards. friends and family remember. >> she was always a source of strength, a source of wisdom, a source of grace. >>> snowed in. a fierce blast of winter and where it's headed next. >>> and child's play. are parents pushing their kids into sports too hard and too soon? captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> good evening. another stunning and dark chapter to the bernie madoff saga was written today when the oldest son of the disgraced financier who first alerted police to his father's multibillion dollar ponzi scheme committed suicide. the body of mark madoff was found in his new york city apartment this morning exactly two years after his father was arrested in a massive swindle, one that upended the live of thousands of investors and costing them tens of billions of dollars. cnbc's scott cohn has been covering this story. he joins us tonight here in new york. >> reporter: mark madoff always denied any knowledge of his father's scheme but the clouds of rumor and innuendo kept gro

reporter heather childers has more. >> reporter: a celebration of life for elizabeth edwards in raleigh, north carolina. her children accompanied by their father, john edwards. senator john kerry and vicky kennedy, former wife of senator ted kennedy, attending the memorial. >> every single thing she did, she did to the fullest possible extent. >> reporter: edwards entered public live in 1997 when her husband, john, became a u.s. senator. she accompanied helmet on the campaign trail during two failed presidential bids. >> six years later she was diagnosed with bed & breakfast cancer and it returned in 2007. cate read experiments from a letter that her mother left behind for her kids. all i ever really needed was you, your love, your preference to make my live complete. you are a complete joy to me. >> reporter: elizabeth edwards final years were made more complicated with her husband admitted to having an affair and fathering a child. a block away from the service members of controversial group protested the service. westboro protesters were met by a larger group of counterprotesters. >>

joel brown tells us how she's become a symbol of strength. >> reporter: elizabeth edwards died tuesday morning at her home in chapel hill north carolina, surrounded by her three children, friends and her estranged husband john. a statement released by her family reads: edwards family says monday she had weeks to live. she posted a message on her facebook page that said: president obama says he and the first lady are deeply saddened by the passing of edwards. she revealed the kind of fortitude and grace that will long remain a source of inspiration. vice president biden and secretary of state hillary clinton also released statements. biden said edwards fought a brave battle. clinton said she made her mark on america and will not be forgotten. >> reporter: edwards looked well at one of her final appearances. the stand up to cancer benefit in september. it was breast cancer that refused to stop its deadly spread. elizabeth edwards was 61 years old. >> the family asked that donations be made to the wade edwards foundation named in honor of the couple's 16-year-old son who died in 1996. >>>

elizabeth edwards has died. i'm jeff glor. also, the president forcefully defends his tax deal with republicans. >> it's tempting not to negotiate with democrats. >> glor: and tells angry democrats the fight's not over. >> let's make sure we understand this is a long game. >> glor: the founder of wikileaks is in jail but his web site posts more secret u.s. documents. and a barefoot singer on a mission to give shoes to those in need. >> there you go! captioning sponsored by cbs from cbs news world headquarters in new york, this is the "cbs evening news" with katie couric. >> glor: good evening, katie's off tonight. we first came to know elizabeth edwards as the devoted wife of presidential candidate john edwards. but she became something more: an example to so many americans of how to stand up to cancer, a disease that touches virtually every family. today at 61, elizabeth edwards died of complications from breast cancer in her north carolina home surrounded by family and friends. tonight, here's national correspondent dean rey

to attend the funeral of elizabeth edwards. she passed away from cancer earlier this week. in light she insisted that her life's events be made open to the public, at her final farewell was no different. april williams explains. >> or elizabeth. >> a farewell to a friend, a mother, and inspiration. a funeral services were held saturday for a elizabeth edwards, who lost her long battle with breast cancer earlier this week. friends with it tends to of humor remembered edwards who many times were hard on her sleeve. >> she was real, and no pretense, no holding back sometimes though she needed a little holding back. >> edwards was a strange from husbands shot edwards, my 2004 vice presidential nominee who also ran for president in 2008. she announced in late 2004, the cancer diagnosis after a period of permission a returned a few years later. >> cancer was not the only barrier that edward space in her life, she dealt with the death of her son as well as her husband's infidelity. her daughter kate edwards said she was helpless until the end. >> when she could barely speak anymor

edwards. she died tuesday at age 61. her commune recall -- funeral combined mourning with the warm glow of cherished memories. >> reporter: the church where she worshiped opened its doors to elizabeth edwards for the last time. mourners filled the pews. john edwards was there but didn't speak. the beloved friend. >> she truly looked for the angels in all of us. >> the supportive classmates. >> offering comfort and love and telling the truth. >> reporter: above all, words from elizabeth to her three surviving children, emma, jack and cate. >> all i ever really needed was you, your love, your presence to make my life complete. you are complete joy to me. i hope you always know that. le wherever i am, wherever you are. i have my arms wrapped around you. >> reporter: two blocks from the church, a few unwelcome visitors from the church notorious for heckling mourners at. she hoped to reyou night wid wade who was killed in a accident. >> death offers me that which life can't offer me. >> reporter: s

edwards for the last time. mourners, including john kerry and ted kent's widow filled the fews. john was there but didn't speak. her grieving family heard the celebration of a life lost to cancer. the beloved friend: >> she truly looked for the angels in all of us. >> reporter: the supportive classmate. >> offering comfort and love. >> reporter: and words from elizabeth to her three surviving children, emma, jack, and cate. >> ail ever needed was you, your love, your presence to make my life complete. you are complete joy to me. i hope you always know that. for wherever i am, wherever you are, i have my arms wrapped around you. >> reporter: two blocks from the church a few unwelcome visitors from the church notorious for heckling mourners at military services. edwards hoped to reunite with her son wade who died at 16 in a traffic accident. >> i have to believe there's a reunion with wade, so death offers me that which life can't offer me. >> reporter: elizabeth edwards left behind a legacy of courage, determina

her doctors confirmed today elizabeth edwards volunteered for a clinical trial, allowing her tumors to be analyzed, to find out why 80% of women are cured of breast cancer while others like her are not. only through research like this will we finally be able to cure brast cancer. she showed a remarkable desire to use her misfortune to help others. >> elizabeth wouldn't like to say she lost the battle with cancer. she thought the battle was to live a joyful and meaningful life. >> joy was shattered by john edwards' infidelity. their divorce would have been finalized next year, but with no next year possible, elizabeth called the father of her four children to her side and for the last few weeks, the fractured family reunited. >> the mystery of what is ailing singer aretha franklin may have been resolved. news organizations are reporting the queen of soul has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. neither the singer nor her spokeswoman will confirm or deny the report. franklin announced she was taking six months off and underwent what she called a successful surgical procedure. pancreati

elizabeth edwards announced monday her cancer had spread and was no longer treatable. elizabeth edwards was 61 years old. >> top obama administration officials are considering court procedures that could bring the wikileaks founder to this country to face criminal charges. he is currently in jail in london awaiting a hear on his possible extradition to sweden to face sex charges. a u.s. spokesman says assange should face espionage in the use. the department is conducting a criminal investigation. >> you know that santa claus fired by macy's has a new gig this morning. john toomey who's been chris crinkle for 20 years was dumped last week after a couple complained about a joke he says he has used with adults for years. >> they came and sat on my knee. i said have you been good this year? oh, yes, santa. i said, oh, well, that's too bad. >> yesterday owe -- o'dual's offered him a job. >> i was quite touch he wanted to offer an old broken down santa a job. macy's said it won't comment because it's a personnel matter. >> i bet at lefty's he can tell any joke he wants. >> i

. >>> remembering elizabeth edwards. the wife of former presidential candidate john edwards loses a six-year battle with breast cancer. >>> and wrong turn. a spectacular crash at the site of extreme motor racing in chile. captions paid for by nbc-universal television >>> hello and good morning. welcome to our viewers across the nation including the pacific time zone. i'm lynn berry. today, we begin with a tough sell. vice president joe biden heads to capitol hill today to try and convince rebellious democrats to support president obama's tax compromise with republicans. this comes a day after the president himself launched a forceful defense of his concessions he made, including extending tax cuts to the nation's highest earners. nbc's steve handelsman has the report. >> reporter: in trouble with democrats over his compromise on taxes, president obama took his defense public. >> a long political fight that carried over into next year might have been good politics but it would be a bad deal for the economy, and it would b

say farewell to elizabeth edwards in north carolina at a public funeral service in raleigh today. her oldest daughter, kate, and two close friends will each offer eulogies and then she will be buried in a private ceremony. her parting wish was to be laid to rest next to her son, wade, who died in a car accident when he was just 16. >> my daily prayer is that i have enough faith that i will be one day reunited with him. >> reporter: her final years were full of emotional pain, her fight against cancer and her husband john's infidelity. even though she knew her time on earth was short, she never took pity on herself. >> the one memory of elizabeth that i will take with me forever and that is, you know, the power of a positive attitude. >> those who knew her best say elizabeth edwards wouldn't want people to say she lost her battle with cancer. >> she thought the battle was to live a joyful and meaningful life. >> reporter: she is survived by her estranged husband and their three children, cate, emma-claire and jest. >>> the westboro baptist church plans to protest outside elizabeth

remembering elizabeth edwards. thousands of people came out to remember the woman america came to know first in politics and then in her personal life. here's some of the moving eulogies coming up. >>> these are the christmas presents you don't want to find under the tree. screening for toxic materials on the peninsula. we'll have that coming up. >>> and a $25 million san francisco home with an even richer role in history. from a nazi princess to j. edgar hoover. we have an inside look. we'll be right back. >>> a live look outside at a foggy golden gate bridge. we'll have a look at the rest of your weekend forecast coming up. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ [ male announcer ] now everyone can explore the world from home. at&t is making high speed internet more affordable than ever at only $14.95 a month. one-year price guarantee. >>> when she could barely speak any more, my dad and i sat at her bedside and held her hands. she kept looking back and forth at us saying, i'm okay. she was way more worried about us than we were about h

elizabeth edwards, two of the family's long time friends. this is the "early show" on cbs. q , dog: bacon? gotta get that bacon! dog: yummy. crunchy. bacon. bacon. bacon. there, in that bag! mom: who wants a beggin' strip? dog: me! i'd get it myself but i don't have thumbs! yum, yum, yum... it's beggin'! hm... i love you! beggin' strips! there's no time like beggin' time! you won't believe your taste buds. you won't believe it's fiber. benefiber. clear, taste-free, and dissolves completely. what a beautiful way to get fiber everyday. that's the beauty of benefiber. >>> all morning we've been remembering elizabeth edwards to died yesterday after a long battle with cancer. joining us from chappaquiddick, ell ellis. you were with wade, the son who tragically died with the age of 16. you remained close to mr. and mrs. edwards. what was that like for you and what did you notice about why it was so important for mrs. edwards to stay close to her son's friends? >> it was extremely important. their house was the place that we all went to growing up.

also tonight, the family of elizabeth edwards announced today she has stopped all cancer treatment and that loved ones

elizabeth edwards is sixty one years old. she separated from her husband after he had an affair and fathered a child. he and her children are at her side at the home. >>> sending kids to daycare are good for their held when they get older. sandra hughes explains why. >> reporter: like many mothers joanne was torn about her decision to put her baby in daycare and go back to work. >> at one time i thought, okay, you know what? i think it's time maybe i should stay home because i was feeling guilty and she is constantly sick, she is so little. >> reporter: but joanne's anxiety was eased by other moms. >> i people said hang in there because by the time your daughter reaches kindergarten, she is never going to be sick. >> reporter: they were right. and a new report published this month in the archives of pediatrics and adolescent medicine backs up what parents knew. children who attend large group daycare facilities before age 2.5 appear to develop more respiratory and ear infections at that age. but fewer illnesses later. >> thes

how elizabeth edwards was remembered and the controversy outside her memorial service. the 10:00 news continues in 90 seconds. >>> the oakland police department criticized for excessive use of force in a deadly shooting just last month opened its front doors today and unveiled the piece of equipment it calls critical and its training for officers. ktvu reports. >> reporter: officer chris saunders demonstrated the oakland police department's shoot or don't shoot simulator. he killed two suspects on video who had shot at him. the simulator is used the train officers in defensive techniques and also make the life or death decisions. >> the more training you get, the better off and quicker you can make that decision. so -- >> but how quickly? >> split second, maybe a tenth of a second. >> reporter: as part of a use of force seminar hosted by the department, officers put members of the media through the simulator as well. >> drop the knife sir, drop the knife sir. drop the knife sir. drop -- [ sound of gunfire ] >> reporter: i had to kill the suspect, then i debriefed with t

we thank you both for bringing us up to date on elizabeth edwards. if she and her family are watching, our thoughts are with her this morning. >>> we'll be right back with more after this. if you live for performance, upgrade to castrol edge advanced synthetic oil. with eight times better wear protection than mobil 1. castrol edge. it's more than just oil. it's liquid engineering. [ female announcer ] your hands are only as clean as the towel used to dry them. so why use the same hand towel over and over instead of a clean, fresh one every time? kleenex® brand hand towels. a clean, fresh towel every time. this was me, best ribs in nelson county but i wasn't winning any ribbons managing my diabetes. it was so complicated. there was a lot of information out there. but it was frustrating trying to get the answers i needed. then my company partnered with unitedhealthcare. they provided onsite screenings, healthy cooking tips. that's a recipe i'm keeping. ( announcer ) turning complex data into easy tools. we're 78,000 people looking out for 70 million a

through it all, friends say elizabeth edwards hung on to her positive outlook on life. >> elizabeth remained the same wonderfully authentic person, a pro at staying true. [ music ] >> reporter: her funeral took place at the same church where the family mourned their oldest son wade who died in a car accident in 1996 when he was just 16. four of wade's friends served as her pal bearers. after the family said their final good-byes. >> emma, jack and i ended every conversation with our mom by saying i love you more. she always responded no, i love you more. and as you can imagine, none of us ever won that battle. but today i have the honor of being the last to say, mom, i really, really love you more. >> reporter: among the hundreds of mourner where is some who never met elizabeth but said they were touched by the way she lived her life. cbs news. >>> sarah palin is in haiti tonight in a tightly staged managed visit. avoiding the crowds and the media. the former alaskan government and 2008 vice-presidential president visited cholera clinics. it is amid a cholera visit that has killed 200,000 pe

you arrived after elizabeth edwards had passed. tell us, what was the mood like at that point and how was everyone doing and coping? >> you know, it's a hard time, as you know. but i will tell you the home right now, i think, is exactly the way that elizabeth would want it. there is more laughter than there are tears. there's amazing strength there in that home for the children. their sisters are with them, their aunt, uncle, father, friends. there's a lot of love in that family and in that house. >> exactly as she would have wanted it. >> yes. absolutely. >> we just heard some of her words there, she spoke about her children in elaine's piece talking about the most important thing you can give your children was wings. how did she prepare kate and claire and jack for this? >> elizabeth always believed that you lead by example. and i think that's what she did with her children. she led a life of dignity. she led a life that made a real difference. her children saw that. they saw the strength in their mother. they saw the love of the

. >>> elizabeth edwards has lost her six-year battle with breast cancer. the estranged wife of former presidential candidate john edwards passed away at her home in north carolina this morning at the age of 61. nbc bay area's lisa kim is live in the newsroom with more on her life and legacy. >> an inspirational figure through her public and private pain. most americans knew elizabeth edwards through her husband back-to-back campaigns for vice president and president but fight for causes dear to her and her personal but public battle with cancer that earned her her own admirers. she married john edwards back in 1977 with encouragement from her edwards dove into politics eventually winning the vp spot on a 2004 democratic presidential ticket. the same day of john kerry's concession speech, elizabeth edwards started dealing with advanced breast cancer. she wrote a book. >> actually good to feel like you can be an inspiration to people. >> reporter: after treatment that cancer went into remission only to resurface. elizabeth had been told of her husband's affa

. >>> and elizabeth edwards and her family reveal that further cancer treatments won't do any good. >>> good morning everyone. thanks for being with us on this tuesday. a major deal to cut taxes and extend unemployment benefits has been reached between republicans and president obama. >> but now, the white house must sell the compromise to liberal democrats who are accusing the president of selling out. emily schmidt is joining us now with washington with details of the plan. good morning, emily. >> reporter: rob and vinita good morning to you. president obama says the typical american family would pay $3,000 a year in taxes beginning next month, if this deal falls through. but some democrats charge that the compromise comes too early and leaves too much on the table. the bipartisan deal extending bush-era tax cuts for two more years announced by president obama is what he says, not exactly what he wants, but what the country needs. >> it's not perfect. this compromise is an essential step on the road to recovery. >> reporter: the deal means lower tax rates will remain in place for ev

edwards preparó a su familia para la partida le dejo a sus hijos una carta. y incluso en estos sus días finales aseguro que decoraciones estuvieran en su lugar y ella mismo dándole consuelo a quienes rodeaban su cama enferma, sin duda es una mujer excepcional, que descanse en paz. >> regreso con ustedes. >> gracias lourdes y pues va a descansar sus restos al lado de su hijo porcentaje murió hace años. >> y el último mensaje de forma moderna lo hace por facebook. >> y bueno gracias y hasta

elizabeth palmer, cbs news, london. >> smith: the last time most of us saw elizabeth edwards was when she appeared on the stand up to cancer telethon in september. she's been fighting a long, grave, and public battle against the disease and now, at age 61, that battle apparently is coming to an end. here's national correspondent dean reynolds. >> reporter: we got to know elizabeth edwards as the wife of a presidential candidate, her husband john's biggest booster. >> who do you trust to actually get it done? >> reporter: not one to wait in the wings, she shared the stage equally with him. but away from the applause and adulation, mrs. edwards has led a star-crossed and at times painful life. there was the death of her teenaged son, the unfulfilled campaigns for higher office, and then her husband's humiliating affair with a campaign worker-- even as elizabeth repeatedly defended him. yet the strong will that she wrote about in two best-selling books saw her through her public challenges. >> there are parts that were really just primarily pain. but in the end, you know, you reach for t

. >>> and we also have news tonight about elizabeth edwards. word that she has taken a serious turn for the worst. >>> closing in -- wikileaks founder julian assange ready to turn himself in on rape accusations as more leaks hit his website. >>> and "dandy" don -- remembering don meredith, the glamorous quarterback who made us laugh as he put "monday night football" on the map. >>> good evening. we start tonight with taxes and breaking news. those politically charged tax cuts. they have been on the book since george w. bush was president. and there is late word tonight the fight over keeping those tax cuts has ended. president obama has agreed that everyone, including the wealthiest americans, will keep their tax breaks. so, what else was thrown in during the long behind-the-scenes negotiations? jake tapper is at the white house tonight with everything that's happened, right to this hour. jake. >> reporter: president obama came before the cameras this evening after days of deal making and announced that, in fact, a deal was at hand. >> i believ

elizabeth edwards suspends her cancer treatment and is now resting at home with family and friends, including her estranged husband, john. the latest on her condition and the moving message she has sent to her supporters, "today," the moving message she has sent to her supporters, "today," tuesday, december 7, 2010. captions paid for by nbc-universal television 7:00 on this tuesday morning. i'm meredith viera. >> and i'm matt lauer. >> the wikileaks founder surrender to british police hours ago. assange is accused of rape and two counts of sexual molestations after an investigation in sweden. we will have the latest on a live report ahead. >>> also ahead here at home, most of the nation is in a deep freeze, temperatures ranging from single digits in the dakotas to the low 20s in the deep south. it is even below freezing in parts of florida this morning. we will get the latest on that and al's forecast in a minute. >>> plus she is one of the biggest stars on the planet, matt's one-on-one interview with angelina jolie. >>> let's get to the arrest of wikileaks founder julian assange. this is fol

. >> coming up here, elizabeth edwards loses a long-fought battle with cancer with the same grace she accepted it. >> and some shattering results on the safety of glass bake wear. >> shipping company now demands customers show id during busy holiday season. >> there is rain returning to the bay area tomorrow, it's going to affect the morning and evening commute. we'll show you when the first drops will falllllllllllllllllll you can see >> closed captioning brought to you by mancini sleepworld. >>> elizabeth edwards passed away at her home in north carolina. she was diagnosed with breast cancer and it spread to other parts of the her body. he -- she and john edwards separated in january. edwards addressed the issue in her book "resilience". >> take whatever you've got the make the most of that. allowed me to see really clearly, where i want to put my energies. and on the issues that still matter to me. and children who are the center of my life. >> her oldest son, wade died in 1996. she left her legal practice after his death to start a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring young students.

heather childress reports. >> reporter: a celebration of life for elizabeth edwards in raleigh, north carolina. her children filing into the memorial service accompanied by their father, john edwards. family members and high profile democratic politicians. senator john kerry and vicki kennedy attending the memorial. her eldest daughter kate calling her mother a strong ray of light for her family and others. >> every single thing she did, she did to the fullest possible extent. >> reporter: edwards entered public life in 1998. she accompanied him on the campaign trail. six years late, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and it returned in 2007. kate also read excerpts from a letter that her mother left behind for her kids. >> all i ever really needed was you, your love, your presence to make my life complete. you are complete joy to me. >> reporter: elizabeth edwards' final years were made more complicated when her husband admitted to having an affair and fathering the child. members from the west borrow baptist church protested the funeral. the protestors were met by a much larger gr

. >>> then elizabeth edwards gathers her family and makes a drastic decision on her cancer treatment. the latest on her condition released tonight. ♪ i'm gonna get it, i know i'm gonna get it. ♪ ♪ i can't wait ♪ every little step, brings me closer to the gift. can't be late. ♪ ♪ rip it open in a second and it's time to play. ♪ ♪ i was up all night in anticipation feeling electric jewels of jubilation. ♪ ♪ yule tide carols from the local congregation. ♪ ♪ make it tough to hold my patience in check. ♪ ♪ is it time yet, is it time, i can't wait. ♪ ♪ is it time yet, is it time, i can't wait. ♪ >>> aftermath of an explosion. you're looking at a live picture of 87th and douwling in oakland that critically injured one person. we're trying to figure out what happened. we'll have more for you as the night continues. >>> she has been the epitome of courage under fire. the estranged wife of edwards, cancer too far to stop. >> a statement from the edwards household that elizabeth has been told by her doctors where her cancer has reached a point where aggressive t

. >> and still ahead, the facebook posting from elizabeth edwards giving a clearer idea of where she is in the cancer battle. >> remarkable technology preventing yourrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrc [ female announcer ] martinelli's gold medal sparkling cider is the perfect choice for holiday gatherings. martinelli's is non-alcoholic, festive like champagne, and tastes great! martinelli's: since 1868. >>> sad news about the health of elizabeth edwards, she stopped her cancer treatment and say any further treatment would be unproductive. the 61-year-old is now home in north carolina. a family friend says doctors told us she only had weeks to live and her estranged husband is with her along with their three children and other family and friends. edwards posted a statement on her facebook page said very been with my life three saving faces, family, friends and hope. edwards diagnosed with breast cancer in twer, it's spread to her body now. >> and a u.s. airways flight headed from newark, new jersey was forced to make a landing when a dog bit two people. a passenger let a small terrier out of a carrier

. >> elizabeth edwards has died the estranged wife of former democratic presidential candidate john edwards. it should in fighting breast cancer four years monday her family announced that elizabeth had been taken up treatment doctors indicated at that point yet a short time to live. john and elizabeth had split after was revealed that john edwards had a mistress. when she died in her north carolina hall were told she was surrounded by her family, john edwards was there. she wanted him there to be support for the children. elizabeth edwards was 61 years old. new tonight at 5:00 at 5:15 p.m. the future of the web at the new operating system that could change how you use the internet. at 5:45 p.m. the trouble the new rating sfo caught that nobody wants and what it means for you next flight. at 5:40 p.m. santa claus can, when macy's says it no longer work with the san tell us why so many are standing behind him. coming up. [ woman on tv ] if you won't let me in, you can't really love me. i know about gayle. i don't know what you're talking about. if you just tell me what happened... [ ding ] [

. >>> elizabeth edwards, the estranged wife of john edwards has passed. her death comes one day after the family issued a statement saying doctors had advised that further cancer treatment would be unproductive. elizabeth edwards was 61 years old. >>> governor elect jerry brown today announced the first two aappointments to the upcoming administration. brown has asked finance director anna montesantos to stay on. brown says she has what it takes. montesantos says she's honored to stay. duley is currently president of the california children's hospital association and was brown's legislative secretary in his first administration. >>> you probably heard a lot about those things called earmarks. popular with politicians to bring money to local projects. but at the cost of billions of the dollars. now there's a new way to see exactly what your congressional leader wants to spend and where. ktvu's maureen naylor is live in san jose to explain. >> reporter: it's also this new website, with a click of a mouse you can see where leaders want to put your money. and

elizabeth edwards loses her fight from cancer. a look back at her life. >>> private letters from phillip garrido made public what they reveal. >>> remembering pearl harbor. a look at hour world war ii heroes were honored today. , ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, the moment you feel run down or achy nip flu-like symptoms in the bud, with oscillococcinum. get oscillo and feel like yourself again. oscillococcinum, nip it in the bud. elizabeth edwards lost her battle w >>> she was known for her resilience and fortitude. this morning, elizabeth edwards lost her battle with cancer. her family says the estranged wife of former presidential candidate john edwards died at her home in north carolina. sandra hughes has a look back at edwards' often stormy life in the spotlight. >>> reporter: elizabeth edwards was best known as the wife of a famous politician. >> thank you so much. >> reporter: but she was also a lawyer with an impressive resume' and a devoted mother. in the final years of her life, she became most identified with her private battles. first

. >>> bad news about elizabeth edwards. a new development in her battle against cancer. >>> prompt is asking fellow democrats to go along -- p rompt -- president obama is asking democrats to go along with the compromise deal he made with republicans. under this, tax cuts for all americans would be extended two more years. that would save the average worker with a $40,000 salary about $800 this year. the deal will extend u nemployment benefits for 13 more months. it includes a payroll tax and social security tax cut. scott macfarland tells us now, this deal, scott is on shaky ground. good morng. >> reporter: good morning, dave, especially among the democrats. we're still waiting to hear from nancy pelosi who issued no public statement after the agreement was announced. she will make a public appearance at the capitol today to light the capitol christmas tree at 2:00, one of her final ceremonies as outgoing house speaker. one calls the tax deal "surrender." the party wanted to extend those tax cuts to those earning more than

elizabeth edwards was 61. joel brown, cbs news, washington. >>> scattered showers today, let's get another check of weather and traffic before you head out the door. okay, tracy. which city is going to get hit the hardness is. >> you know, santa rosa has been heaviest rainfall since 5 a.m. you can see a little yellow moving through santa rosa. that's pockets of heavy rainfall, downpours in that area. more heavy rainfall outside of san rafael and more heavy rainfall in the concord area. we are going to move in closer because we are seeing some pockets of heavy rainfall and it's all moving off to the northeast a bit. so benicia, you're looking at a pocket of heavier rainfall moving towards your area. concord light rainfall as a batch of heavier -- a line of heavier showers moving into pittsburg and antioch and also headed in toward the brentwood area. this morning, we are expecting cloudy with rainfall, and delays on arrivals at sfo around 2 hours. if you are traveling this morning, call ahead. that's a look at

tonight prayers are coming in for elizabeth edwards who died to of cancer at the age of 61. she spoke frankly about not letting her deadly disease get in the way of her intenses for living. >> trust to get it done -- >> reporter: she was often direct and to the point even about the illness which today took her life. >> you really have two choices here. you either push forward with the things you were doing yesterday or you start dying. that seems to be your only two choices. >> we are very optimistic. >> reporter: she pushed forward for six years through several campaigns for high office, through a recurrence of the illness and through her husband's infidelity. >> there are days when, you know, people have been through what i've been through in my marriage or with this disease and have days when they just pull the covers back up over their heads and stay put. >> reporter: she died this morning at her home in chapel hill north carolina. doctors had told her further treatment would be un- productive but held out the hope she had maybe a few weeks more. it was not to be and in