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California Facing Potentially Life-threatening Flooding, Storms Lead To State Of Emergency Declared In Several Counties; U.S. Launches Deadly Strikes On ISIS Terrorists In Nigeria; Zelenskyy Says He Plans To Meet Trump For Peace Talks On Sunday; Travis Kelce Addresses Retirement Rumors; Jim Beam Pauses Production; $1.8 Billion Powerball Ticket Sold On Christmas Eve; Israel's Approval Of New West Bank Settlements Condemned By 12 European Countries, Along With Canada And Japan. Aired 2-2:30p ET

Aired December 26, 2025 - 14:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[14:00:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: But this is also symbolic of the larger fight over vaccines, especially as the RFK- appointed members of the highly influential Vaccine Advisory Committee to the CDC has pledged to re-examine the entire vaccine schedule, even for shots that have long-established safety records.

DR. PAUL OFFIT, DIRECTOR, VACCINE EDUCATION CENTER AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: The ACIP is full of people who are anti- vaccine activists and science denialists, so you know that the decisions that they're going to be making are not science-based.

GUPTA: As always, we'll continue our reporting and we'll bring you everything you need to know when it comes to your health in 2026. See you next year.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ERICA HILL, CNN CO-ANCHOR OF "CNN NEWS CENTRAL": Millions in California facing potentially life-threatening flooding that could trigger more mudslides and debris flows. And the U.S. launching deadly Christmas Day strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria. We are now seeing the scene on the ground there for the first time.

Plus, someone in Arkansas got what may be the best Christmas gift ever, a winning Powerball ticket worth nearly $2 billion. We'll talk with a previous winner about what that's like. We're following these major developing stories and many more, all coming in right here to "CNN News Central."

Thanks for joining me this hour. I'm Erica Hill in New York. Boris and Brianna are off today.

Well, it's been anything but a holiday for millions of people in California who are bracing now for one more push of rain and potentially life-threatening flooding after storms broke records in several parts of the state, triggering mudslides and debris flows that just buried homes and cars, washed out roads and bridges. Look at some of this. That is all mud right there.

Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders do remain in effect for some of the hardest hit areas, especially in the community of Wrightwood in San Bernardino County. You're looking at pictures from Wrightwood right now. And joining me right now is the Fire Chief of San Bernardino County, Chief Dan Munsey.

Chief, we appreciate you taking the time. I know you guys are really busy there. Can you just bring us up to speed on the situation at this hour and the damage that you've seen?

CHIEF DAN MUNSEY, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT: Thank you, Erica. It's just truly unfortunate this happened on Christmas Eve. We were expecting rain and our Wildland Fire Crews, L.A. County and San Bernardino, have been preparing for it, hardening the communities, cleaning out the flood control channels. San Bernardino, L.A. Department of Public Works have done great job.

But when you get the amount of rain that we had and off-the-bridge fire scar, which was a wildfire this past year, the debris flow is just tremendous. You can see it on this video here that it quickly came into our community of Wrightwood. This is a community located in the beautiful mountains in the Angeles National Forest, right on the border of L.A. and San Bernardino. So we share this community.

As the rain started, the mud quickly started inundating the community, the roadways. It took out Highway 2, which is the major highway into the community. Here on this video, you can see an L.A. County helicopter literally landing on the roof to take a family of five off that roof.

Our crews were out there, swift water crews, our fire engines, on Christmas Eve in evacuated community and literally going house to house, performing rescues to remove civilians from harm's way. San Bernardino County OES, Office of Emergency Services, did a great job. They set up a great area for the community to go to.

And then L.A. County and San Bernardino fire trucks went and visited the kids that were displaced on Christmas Day and gave them presents. Moving in, we're going to have some more water. We're really working on preparing this community, and we hope that there's not going to be more major damage like you see here.

HILL: Yeah, it's clear so much preparation went into doing everything that you could ahead of time, in addition to helping people who were caught in it. When we look at some of these images, I mean, they just -- they really leave you at a loss for words, quite frankly. And then the mud where you see that is just now enveloping houses and cars. Where and how do you even begin that cleanup, so that people can try to get back and even just assess the damage?

MUNSEY: Well, cleanup started already. We've had our heavy equipment moving since the moment the storm started. We have our wildland hand crews that are working in and out of those houses. They're helping homeowners get access to their houses, so they can recover whatever belongings they may have. The recovery that you see from this incident isn't a matter of days. This is going to take months up unto a year to really construct.

We lost 50 houses, major damage. We lost 10 commercial structures, including grocery stores. It's going to take a long time to clean up.

HILL: Yeah, it absolutely is. You mentioned all the people who are pitching in here. I mean, first responders, I know first responders, you often spend your holiday out there helping people. And yet it takes a toll. There is no way to ignore that, especially when it is happening in your own community. Everything you're doing for the kids on Christmas there, there is still a mental toll for all the first responders. How is your -- how is your department? How is the community holding up?

MUNSEY: Thank you for recognizing that. I spent a few hours visiting our fire stations, talking to our firefighters yesterday. And they've had an outpouring from the community of support. Firefighters are used to working on Christmas and Christmas Eve, just what we do.

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But we recalled our firefighters, sent out a text that we need everybody to come to work and we had our firefighters return, staffed up extra units. They missed their Christmas. They'll reschedule but it's very impactful on their families too. It is a service above oneself. It's something that people don't realize that there is a mental toll to our firefighters. We do appreciate that support.

The number one thing the community can do for us, please don't send any more cookies to the fire station. We have more cookies than we need.

(LAUGH)

MUNSEY: But we are -- just wave and say thank you. We really appreciate what you do for this community. That recognition goes a long way.

HILL: Yeah, it certainly does. Chief, really appreciate you taking the time to join us and everything that you are doing for your community. I know there's a long road ahead. We'll stay in touch. Thanks again.

MUNSEY: Thank you.

HILL: We are also closely following developments on these U.S. strikes, deadly strikes against ISIS terrorist targets in Nigeria. President Trump saying he ordered the attacks to stop what he says is the slaughter of Christians there. The U.S. Military reporting multiple ISIS terrorists were killed.

CNN's Senior White House Reporter Kevin Liptak is joining us now from West Palm Beach near Mar-a-Lago where the president is spending the holidays. So, Kevin, we're learning a little bit more, getting some pictures as well. What do we know about these strikes and the targets? KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Yeah, and the president has described them as perfect strikes. I'm told that it was more than a dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles that were fired from a U.S. Navy vessel towards two ISIS camps in the northwest part of Nigeria, so right there, along the border with Niger. And what U.S. Africa Command says is that there were multiple deaths of terrorists who were killed as part of these strikes.

Now, they do appear to have been coordinated with the Nigerian government, which I think is a significant point, because in the past, Nigerian leadership has sort of bristled at President Trump's suggestions that the U.S. could intervene in what he claims is persecution of Christians. And that was what he cited as he was announcing these strikes, saying that he was doing this to prevent further, "slaughter of Christians" in Nigeria.

The security situation in that country is quite complex. You know, violence has been directed towards both Muslims and Christians. The president suggesting that this could potentially not be the last time, saying that there will be many more potentially, if the slaughter of Christians continues. Erica?

HILL: So, as we look to see any further developments there, there is also a lot of attention on the war in Ukraine after Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced earlier today, he is going to be meeting with President Trump on Sunday. What is the White House saying about that meeting?

LIPTAK: Well, they haven't confirmed the meeting just yet, but just the fact that Zelenskyy is out saying that he will be here on Sunday for talks, I think, is an important moment. Because remember, President Trump has said just in the last couple of weeks that he did not think it would be useful to meet with Zelenskyy unless they are coming close to a final peace agreement. And there has been significant efforts underway, including just down here in Florida.

The president's envoys meeting with the delegation from Ukraine, meeting with a delegate from Russia to try and get this deal over the finish line. And what Zelenskyy has said today is that there will be a broad set of topics for the men to discuss, that there are issues that can only be resolved between discussions between the two leaders.

And when he was speaking with Axios earlier today, he said he is ready to put a referendum forward on this peace plan if Russia agrees to a ceasefire and that he hopes there can be some agreements made in this meeting with President Trump. But to be sure, there are some major outstanding issues here.

The biggest one, of course, is the question of land concessions. You know, Moscow has shown no willingness to back off some of their maximalist demands when it comes to the eastern Donbas region. So I think still a lot of work to go, but I think also some signs that there has been some significant progress made.

HILL: All right. We'll be watching for more of that come Sunday. Kevin, really appreciate it. Thank you. Still to come this hour, one lucky person in Arkansas ending their week a billionaire after winning the second largest jackpot in Powerball history. So, what's it like to all of a sudden have all kinds of cash overnight? We're going to ask a past winner for both their advice and their warnings.

Plus, is it the end of an era? Yeah, or the beginning of a new one. Kansas City Chiefs star, Travis Kelce addressing the retirement rumors after what may have been his final game at Arrowhead Stadium. And the holidays are usually a rather profitable time for the liquor industry. So, why is Jim Beam now pausing production for the next year? That and much more ahead on "CNN News Central."

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[14:13:48]

HILL: So I'm sure you've thought about it, just what you would do if you won the $1.8 billion lottery. Well, chances are you're not that lucky player unless you bought the ticket in Cabot, Arkansas, in which case, Erica, nice to meet you. Kidding.

But contemplating that win after the Powerball jackpot on Christmas Eve, that is a life-changing sum of money, as we know. It was sold at a gas station, as I said, in Cabot. That's a suburb of Little Rock.

The before-tax cash-out option, that's $834 million, which makes it the second-largest lottery win in U.S. history. So just how could a winning Lotto ticket change your life? Joining us now is Timothy Schultz. He was a gas station attendant when he won $29 million in Powerball in 1999 and then retired at the ripe old age of 21. He's also the host of the " Lottery, Dreams & Fortune" podcast, where he interviews other lottery winners.

It's great to have you here. I am always so curious about what happens to lottery winners because we hear the horror stories. You do not have a horror story. How are you feeling in this moment when you're watching somebody with $1.8 billion? How quickly would you like to talk to them to help them?

[14:15:00]

TIMOTHY SCHULTZ, 1999 POWERBALL LOTTERY WINNER: Well, it's extremely, extremely life-changing. I mean, that's one of the largest lottery jackpots ever. And someone, literally someone has this ticket, and it has to be extremely exhilarating. It is one of the most, I mean, the level of adrenaline and euphoria has -- it's out of this world. And so, I really hope that they are really trying to focus on a plan with getting a financial advisor and seeking a state attorney. And the lottery office is closed because of the holidays. So hopefully, they are getting things together. But be mindful about that.

HILL: Yeah, and they don't need to rush into it, right? You don't have to go in the next day, obviously, to claim that prize. You held a press conference after you won. Based on your experience, do you think this winner should go public? SCHULTZ: Well, that's a very good question. But, I mean, when I did it, I did not have the choice. So where I won, I did not have the choice. If I had had the choice, maybe I would have considered that. From my experience and from a lot of the other lottery winners I've met over the years, I think it can be positive both ways. But I think you should seriously consider obviously, claiming it anonymously, especially with a jackpot that's the second largest Powerball jackpot in history. That is so much money. And thankfully, in the state of Arkansas, you can remain anonymous for three years. So they have that luxury.

But even with that, I would be mindful about how to maintain my anonymity after those three years pass.

HILL: Yeah, I mean, there are legitimate security concerns when you're talking about that much money. You also noted that somebody could take this time to get sort of their financial house in order, financial advisors. You're going to need to speak with lawyers. The fact that you were able to retire after you won, you worked hard to make sure that you were setting yourself up to be able to do that. How did that -- I mean, how -- was your goal to not become a statistic, I guess, is the question?

SCHULTZ: Yeah, I mean, you hear the statistics and I was terrified of that after I won because I had very educated people, including attorneys, that would tell me 70, 80 percent of lottery winners go broke within five years, and that's just passed around like a myth. I don't know how much truth is in that with the large, large winners with this much money, but it still terrified me. And so --

HILL: Yeah.

SCHULTZ: -- I was very careful to spend wisely.

HILL: I'm sure that you all of a sudden have friends popping out of the woodwork and family as well, and that can be tough. I was reading an interview with you about -- that leads to some challenging conversations with your loved ones.

SCHULTZ: Yeah, I think so. I mean, you have to really -- I think it's wise to have a plan. Once you speak with a financial advisor and know how much you can realistically afford to spend, because if you -- it's quite a bit, obviously, if you win $1.8 billion. But even if you win a million or a few millions, it's important to know how much you can afford to spend and give to other people if you're the giving type, and then to draw a line in the sand with people initially, so that you don't have people that continue to come back asking for money.

HILL: Yeah, those boundaries are going to be key, certainly, moving forward. OK, so that's the really important stuff, but just tell me anything you splurged on just because you could. I mean, do you let yourself enjoy it?

SCHULTZ: Oh, yeah. I mean, that's one of the best things about winning the lottery. People say it's a pipe dream, but it really happens sometimes to real people. You know, play responsibly. But, yeah, the first thing I did was I bought a video game system because -- the latest, greatest video game system because I was 21-years-old, and it was amazing. It was incredible. It's something I couldn't afford working for a little over minimum wage as a gas station clerk, so that's what I did. And then I purchased a new vehicle and some other items.

But for me, it was just, I think, the time. If it can buy time, that's a huge luxury for a lot of people.

HILL: Yeah, it's a great point. Well, Timothy Schultz, it's great to have you with us today, and it's great, too, that you're getting some more of these stories out there. Best of luck and continued success with the podcast. Thanks.

SCHULTZ: Thank you so much. Well, just days away now from a meeting between President Trump and Israel's prime minister, a move by Israel has infuriated Europe. What could it mean for the conflict in Gaza?

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[14:23:45]

HILL: A dozen European countries along with Canada and Japan condemning a decision by Israel's government to approve several new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank. The country's leaders say the move harms the prospects for long-term peace and security in the region. CNN Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Matthew Chance is in Jerusalem. Matthew, these leaders issuing this joint statement, calling these actions a violation of international law. How is Israel now responding?

MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN CHIEF GLOBAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Well, Israel is rejecting that. But you're right, the fact that there are so many countries, 14 countries, 12 European states, Japan, Canada as well, coming out with a joint statement and condemning this establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, just gives you an idea of how isolated Israel is when it comes to this issue. And in that joint statement, the 14 countries said that these kinds of unilateral actions as part of a wider intensification of the settlement policies of the West Bank violate international law, but also crucially risk fueling instability because the issue of settlements in the occupied territories is one that is provoking violence.

[14:25:00]

It's one that means that the Israeli Defense Forces, Israeli Military are often sent in to the West Bank to defend those settlements or to counter Palestinian resistance to those settlements being established. And it sort of eats away as well the territory that's available for a future Palestinian state. And all of those countries that released this joint statement, they all say they want to see a two-state solution in which there's an Israel and a Palestinian state in the future as well.

But the more settlements are built, the less territory there is on which a future Palestinian state can be established. And that's why so many countries are against it and that's why it provokes such anger in the occupied territories as well, Erica.

HILL: There are also, just in terms of other things that are happening in this moment, there have been these two separate very disturbing attacks.

CHANCE: Yeah.

HILL: Can you walk us through what happened?

CHANCE: Yeah, and it's actually all related to that issue of settlement expansion as well, because it's an issue that really fuels hatreds and bloodletting in the entire region. Look, over the past couple of hours, there's been another, what the police are calling a rolling terror attack and it's taking place in the north of Israel where a Palestinian man killed at least two Israelis, injured another one. He rammed his car into a 68-year-old man.

Then he got out and he stabbed a young Israeli woman and she died as well. A 16-year-old boy was also injured. The attacker, who's been identified as a Palestinian man from the West Bank, was eventually stopped by a sort of civilian, a passerby, and he was injured in that process and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

But the response to that latest attack has been pretty profound. First of all, there have been calls politically, especially from the right wing in this country, for much tougher anti-terrorism laws in Israel. It's already got tough terrorism laws, but now they want the death penalty for people who carry out attacks like this.

That's something that's being actively debated in the Israeli parliament. Also, there's been a military order. So in the hours after this attack took place, the Israeli Military has been ordered in to an area of the West Bank, that's believed to be the hometown of the attacker, where they've been given the mission of rooting out terrorists, terrorist sympathizers, terrorist infrastructure. That's how they're characterizing it.

What that will likely actually mean is house demolitions, more invasion of that territory by the military, and I expect more anger and animosity as well. So it is illustrative of that vicious circle of violence and more violence that this region has locked in.

HILL: Yeah, absolutely. Matthew, appreciate it. Thank you.

Still ahead here on "CNN News Central," the latest on the U.S. strikes on ISIS in Nigeria. What we're learning in terms of what comes next, that's ahead.

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