Happening Today: Tree Lighting, Mitt Romney, Military Draft, Oldest Person

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30 Rock Tree Lighting Tonight

The Rockefeller Center tree is set to be illuminated Wednesday in a festive ceremony. The 83rd annual holiday celebration will feature a 94-foot tall Norway spruce from Oneonta. NBC 4 New York will broadcast “Christmas in Rockefeller Center” from 7 to 9 p.m. Crowds are expected to form in the early afternoon and police say drivers should expect heavy traffic and avoid the vicinity of Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Spectators should expect some security restrictions and prepare for possible rain. Here’s what to know ahead of the tree lighting, whether you plan on heading to the plaza or watching at home.

Romney Meets Trump, Again

Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney offered effusive praise for President-elect Donald Trump's "impressive" transition effort and "message of inclusion" following their dinner together Tuesday night — a striking change of heart by a man who once called Donald Trump "a phony, a fraud." The dinner was Romney's second meeting with Trump as part of the president-elect's interview process for deciding who to nominate as Secretary of State. Romney remains a top contender, along with longtime Trump adviser Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Bob Corker and several others. Meanwhile, Trump was moving forward with nominations, including former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin as secretary of the Treasury. American investor Wilbur Ross is expected to be named as Trump’s pick for Commerce secretary, an announcement also expected Wednesday.

Kellogg Pulls Breitbart Ads

Kellogg has announced that it will no longer advertise on Breitbart.com, the website formerly run by one of Trump's top aides, Steve Bannon. The food manufacturer decided to discontinue advertising on the site as soon as it was alerted by consumers to the presence of its ads, Kellogg Co. spokeswoman Kris Charles said Tuesday. Meanwhile, an organization that tracks extremist movements in the United States is calling on President-elect Trump to more aggressively condemn what it calls "a national outbreak of hate" in the wake of the election.

Women Won’t Have to Register for Draft

House and Senate negotiators reached agreement Tuesday on a sweeping defense policy bill that rejects a plan to force women to register for a military draft, a victory for social conservatives who decried the move as another step toward the blurring of gender lines. The $611 billion bill authorizes spending for military programs.

Thief Steals Bucket of Gold in NYC

A quick-moving crook capitalized on a 20-second window of distraction by armored truck guards in bustling midtown Manhattan to steal a bucket of gold flakes worth nearly $1.6 million, surveillance video obtained exclusively by NBC 4 New York shows. Police believe the man is hiding out in the Orlando or Miami area with the bucket of gold.

Odd Creatures on Trail Cam

Police who placed cameras along a park trail in Kansas to check for a mountain lion ended up spotting some peculiar creatures of the night. The fake animals - people dressed in costumes - included a wolf in high heels, two gorillas and what appeared to be a Rottweiler in a trench coat. Santa Claus, a swamp-like creature and someone in a bathrobe using a walker were spotted too. Check out photos that police shared.

Oldest Living Person Shares Diet

Italy's Emma Morano, the world's oldest living person, marked her 117th birthday Tuesday, blowing out all the candles on her cake. Morano, who is believed to be the last surviving person in the world born in the 1800s, became the oldest living person in May. Bava told Reuters TV that Morano never ate much fruit or vegateables, and that she insists on eating the same things, including this.

Drone Video Captures Apple “Spaceship”

A new drone video released over the Thanksgiving weekend shows that Apple's new "Spaceship" building in Cupertino, California, is nearly completed. An Apple fan boy shot the video of Apple's 176-acre Campus 2. Watch the flyover.

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