welcome to "world news tonight." hitting at this hour -- a massive storm. forecasters say it could be stronger than sandy. 60-foot waves, and plummeting temperatures. all the way down to the south. the breaking news, the president doubling the amount of troops sent to iraq. martha raddatz standing by. and the girl stolen from her home. her parents waking up. and chasing the kidnapper down. >> he took my 5-year-old daughter. developing now, what the coroner has just revealed about robin williams. and we take you backstage, the stars there to witness one amazing moment, and you're there tonight.

good evening, we begin with two breaking stories tonight. first, the monster of a storm, 800 miles wide, which will bring a polar plunge all the way to the gulf. just take a look at the wall tonight. formidable. forecasters say this system is stronger than superstorm sandy. hurricane-force winds already. waves over 50 feet already being felt in alaska. and just listen to its fury. tonight, much of this country preparing, from the midwest to texas. bracing for arctic air. and the map says it all. temperatures 30 degrees below normal in some areas. rob marciano starts us off. >> reporter: the super storm bearing down tonight. the effects already being felt in alaska. roughly 800 miles across and growing. winds clocked at 96 miles an hour.

hurricane wind warnings now posted. seas expected to build giant waves at least 50 feet high. but like superstorm sandy, it's more than just a hurricane. and this one could be even stronger. and right in the crosshairs, the crews on the fishing boats from discovery's "deadliest catch." >> we're trying to get our pots on as fast as we can and get out of here as quick as we can. we don't need anybody hurt, and just get home safe and go home for thanksgiving. >> reporter: tonight, his fellow fishermen are already back in dutch harbor, scrambling to unload their catch. this monster storm will push arctic air all the way down to the gulf coast. in just 24 hours, temps in omaha this weekend will drop from the 60s to the 20s. more than half of the country will feel the big chill. >> millions getting ready for this. and rob is here with a new track. >> well, the story remains the same. heading to the bering sea and intensifying.

as it does that, it will kick off a chain of events. arctic air, heading to the gulf coast this weekend. and through next week. probably no big snowstorms, but some snow will fly. windchills to the 30s to the gulf of mexico. near zero windchills in the northern plains. >> rob, thank you. and now, to the number of u.s. troops being sent to iraq. now being doubled to more than 3,000. late word from president obama, authorizing the deployment of up to 1,500 more troops. let's go straight to martha raddatz. >> this is a significant move that puts u.s. troops at greater risk. despite the administration's insistence that they will not be involved in a combat role. that's because up until now, they have been in the relatively safe areas of baghdad and

they will be where isis doesn't have a significant presence. the new troops will be in much more volatile areas. where we have spent so much time during the war, in the south, north, and anbar province in the west, where isis does have a strong presence. >> and as you know, a lot of americans are going hear these new numbers and say, is this mission creep? are we watching this grow right before our eyes here? >> well, the white house says it is not mission creep. in june, they announced 300 troops. going only to protect embassy personnel in baghdad. that grew to 1,600 troops to advise and train. then in august, we launched air strikes in iraq. in september, they were expanded to syria. now, 1,500 additional trainers, and the white house says there are no ceilings or limits on how many more troops will go. >> no limits. martha, thank you. now to a major development when it comes to the airbags in millions of american cars. was there a coverup? the massive airbag recall.

7.8 million car airbags that safety experts say could explode like an i.e.d. in your front seat. the "new york times" saying that the company hid test results. now, abc news has been pressing for answers for weeks. >> i'm with abc. are they talking to me? >> being sent away there. tonight, lawmakers calling for a criminal investigation as honda issues a new warning on some of its airbags. david kerley has the story. >> reporter: more customers told tonight to urgently replace airbags. and now, fed-up members of congress, calling for a criminal investigation of the manufacturer. this, after a report that takata industries knew some of its bags were exploding too forcefully, even started testing a decade ago according to claims by two insiders. the former unnamed testing engineers tell "the new york times" takata started the secret testing in 2004.

it was after the first death from an airbag inflator fracturing and sending shards of metal through the bag and into a passenger. but after three months, according to the "times," the secret effort was shut down. technicians told to delete data, to dispose of the airbags that were tested. never telling government regulators. >> what's surprising is not the disclosure of the tests, but how long it has taken to get out, because what we've seen is more than a decade of quality control problems at takata's plants. >> reporter: takata says the anonymous allegations are "fundamentally inaccurate." meanwhile, honda is telling more customers to take their cars in now for airbag replacements. as dealers around the country try to keep up. and even with this expansion, you think you will be able to serve your customers? >> yes. they have been incredibly forthcoming with us, and are supplying us with all the parts we need. >> reporter: honda and takata are already subjects of a government investigation. regulators want to know what

they knew and when they knew about the faulty airbags. both companies say they're cooperating, and honda says it's doing an independent review. >> david, thank you. to utah, and a stunning kidnapping case. this little girl, just five years old, in her mother's arms after a harrowing ordeal. police say in the early morning hours, the parents wake up and hear the kidnapper in the house. tonight, the 911 call, and the one parent that chased the kidnapper. here's brandi hitt. >> there was a man in my home, and he took my 5-year-old daughter. >> reporter: it's every parent's nightmare. stephanie holladay edson, calling 911 right after catching a man trying to abduct her daughter. >> this just happened. please hurry. >> reporter: it was 4:30 in the morning. police say the man entered the edsons' sandy, utah, home through an unlocked door. grabbing the little girl as she slept in her basement bedroom. carrying her out the front door. >> as he was exiting, some noises were made.

which awoke the parents. >> we heard the front door open and i heard her talking. >> reporter: the girl's stepfather, rushing outside, confronting the man carrying his daughter across the front lawn. police say the suspect then dropped the child and ran off. >> she looks like she's still dressed and everything. oh, my god! >> reporter: k9 units moving in. finding the man, 48-year-old troy morley, in a neighbor's home. he'd entered that house through the dog door. morley, behind bars tonight, booked on child kidnapping and burglary charges. >> there was a bit of a miracle that occurred this morning. that allowed the mom and the stepfather here to wake up in time to rescue this child. >> reporter: the case, reminding many of elizabeth smart, who was taken from her bedroom 12 years ago, and rescued in the same neighborhood. the edson family, back home tonight, relieved this abduction was stopped in the nick of time. brandi hitt, abc news, los angeles. >> thank you. tonight, the aftermath of a

bruising midterm election for president obama and the democrats. images from a lunch at the white house. after that power shift from the voters this week. tension already over a key issue. stern faces all around as the president sat down with leaders from both parties this afternoon. it didn't take long for the two sides to square off on immigration reform. president obama saying he will act alone if necessary. john boehner saying that would spoil efforts to work together on other issues. and breaking now from the white house, president obama naming loretta lynch as the nominee for attorney general. the first african-american woman to head the justice department if confirmed. another headline out of washington. was a veteran u.s. diplomat really a spy? authorities raiding her home. she was well-known in washington. pierre thomas now. >> reporter: the fbi suddenly appeared at this home in an upscale washington neighborhood.

neighbors were shocked. why was the fbi executing a search warrant at the home of robin raphael? one of the u.s. government's most senior advisors on pakistan and south asian issues. >> we are aware of this law enforcement matter. the state department has been cooperating. >> generally, a counterintelligence investigation involves some kind of allegation of spying or espionage activity. >> reporter: friends describe robin raphael as a patriot, whose husband arnold, a former u.s. ambassador to pakistan, died in a plane crash with that country's leader in 1988. raphael began her career as a cia analyst before spending decades with the foreign service. she had most recently been a consultant for the state department, but her appointment has expired. her family says she is cooperating with the investigation. the exact nature of the investigation is unclear, but her security clearance has been suspended. and authorities not only searched her home but her offices as well.

david? >> thank you. and a developing story in the west tonight, what the coroner has revealed about the actor robin williams. here's ron claiborne. >> reporter: the coroner said he did not have any illegal drugs or alcohol in his system when he took his own life. robin williams was found dead in his home last august 11th. the cause of death, asphyxiation, death by hanging. the report says that his wife went to sleep first. he was restless due to his parkinson's and anxiety issues. and what was called a recent increase in paranoia. earlier that evening, he reportedly placed wristwatches in a sock. and was worried about them and wanted to keep them safe. and he was found the next morning.

next to closed bottles of prescription drugs. the report's conclusion, that robin williams, one of america's most beloved comedians, committed suicide. ron claiborne, abc news, new york. and now to a health alert. any parent or grandparent would want to pay close attention to this experiment. paula faris on how fast germs spread between children in just one hour. >> reporter: a third of the students at this elementary school in the chicago area stayed home this week because of a stomach virus, causing the school to shut down for deep cleaning. and 150 students and 10 staff at this boston school fell ill with norovirus. these viruses spread like wildfire. >> look at that, whoa! >> reporter: to see how quickly we teamed up with this fourth grade new jersey class. >> see anything? >> reporter: we poured a product called glo-germ on just two kids, julia and jonathan.

don't worry, it's harmless. invisible to the eye. but not under black lights. we followed our two volunteers throughout the school day. after just one hour -- look at that. i see fingerprints. you got some right here. the germ had spread to every single child in the classroom. what started here one hour later was everywhere. not just on the kids, but on everything they touched. you touched julia's pencil? look at that, you got a big mark right there. norovirus can live on a surface for 12 days or more and it only takes a droplet to spread but it's easy to prevent. >> we just disinfect every surface. especially the common areas. >> reporter: proper hygiene is key. washing your hands for 20 seconds and most importantly, stay home if you're feeling sick. it's all along your cheek. these kids with a lesson for us all. you rubbed your nose and your eyelid. wow. paula faris, abc news, new

jersey. still much more ahead. is your car really safe in the driveway? watch this man, getting in the car, and driving off. the problem, it's not his car. he didn't even have a key. the new way thieves are stealing cars. and that's ginger zee, dropping from midair, and reporting in live on her way down. and tonight, we take you backstage with bruce springsteen, john stewart, and louie ck, all of us there to witness one amazing moment. woman: everyone in the nicu -- all the nurses wanted to watch him when he was there 118 days. everything that you thought was important to you changes in light of having a child that needs you every moment.

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watch, as they dismantle the gate and roll out. then, just a few doors down, the thieves strike again. watch as they easily make off with another luxury car. keyless ignition systems are convenient for owners, but if you leave them in the car, it's no different than leaving your keys in the car. and that's convenient for thieves. but even if you don't leave your keys, thieves can still break in without breaking anything. watch this thief in chicago as he walks by a car. he's holding something. the lights go on, and he's in. wireless signal experts say it's possible for thieves to mimic the wireless signal that unlocks your car doors. in effect, grabbing the code instead of the keys. >> we believe that this code grabbing technology was utilized and we are looking into it and investigating. >> reporter: car thieves have kept up with technology, and that means a car is stolen every 43 seconds in the u.s. more than a million every year.

matt gutman, abc news, miami. and when we come back here tonight, this is ginger zee dropping at 120 miles per hour and still reporting in live. what she said in a moment. plus, backstage with john stewart there, and bruce springsteen. why we were all together, in a moment. bruce springsteen. why we were all together, in a moment. i have flat feet. i found this out at the free dr.scholl's foot mapping center. in less than two minutes, i got my foot map and my custom number. i'm a 440. i'm a 210. 340. that number matched the dr.scholl's custom fit orthotic inserts with just the right support to help relieve stress on my feet. i'm a believer. go to drscholls.com for locations and save $10 [ telephone rings ] [ shirley ] edward jones. this is shirley speaking. how may i help you?

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taking a leap out of this airplane. traveling at 120 miles per hour. she said we didn't see all the prep time. listen to what they asked her this morning. >> how does it feel? >> feels amazing! i can see all of the ocean here. it's so gorgeous. and i feel very comfortable. oddly. [ laughter ] >> only ginger could be very comfortable up there. telling us the hardest part was the landing. she comes in right there. and the brave little girl, leah still, telling us about her tea party, giving us a fist bump on "world news." and last night at the bengals game, cheering her dad on. and the fans cheering her on in the game. leah's name up there, and the

signs in the crowd, leah strong. when we come back, the stunning moment that brought us all together backstage. back, the stude stunning moment that brought us all together backstage. do solemnly swear that i will support and defend the constitution of the united states against all enemies foreign and domestic... ♪ ♪ imany cold medicines may raisee your blood pressure. that's why there's coricidin hbp

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finally tonight here, our finally tonight here, our persons of the week. it's not often we get to take you backstage with so many. tonight, bruce springsteen, john stewart and louie ck. they would be the first to tell you, they are hardly the headliners here. tonight, the stars helping us honor our heroes, our persons of the week. we arrive at madison square garden. just as everyone else was arriving, too. backstage, bruce springsteen, quietly waiting. we were behind the curtain, too. thank you. i can salute you. we found our friend. >> good to see you. >> there you are. bob, eight years running, his stand up for heroes. injured himself covering the war. we all remember his comeback. never forgetting the veterans coming back, too.

john stewart, who comes back every year. one thing you said is that it's quite moving to perform for people who are so much better than you. >> i stand by that statement. we're good at making veterans, not as good as taking care of them. >> can you give us a window on your material tonight? >> it will be incredibly vulgar, as expected. >> and louie ck, remembering his own visit to walter reed. >> i said i'm sorry for what happened to you. he couldn't really talk. but he said, i'm alive. >> and john oliver, his new hbo show, he calls it "last week tonight." he married an iraq veteran. an army medic. >> i was in afghanistan last year, all they want to know is, are they thinking about us back home?. >> lee, come here. and now, bob woodruff's wife lee. >> i thought he was with "real day tomorrow."

who are you? you're a poser. this is a real newsman. >> no one is denying that. >> but the true star, waiting in his dressing room. captain derek herrera, shot by a sniper in the spine. paralyzed from the chest down. now about to put on a rewalk. exoskeleton technology. about to walk across the stage. he's worn it before, but never in front of his fellow vets. >> i had forgotten what walking was like. >> tonight, you're going to surprise this audience. >> yeah. >> and he does it. [ applause ] >> backstage, his wife laura, a ballet teacher. telling me what it was like the first time she saw him walk again. >> to see him back on his feet again, i always get emotional about it. he's tall, giving him a hug standing up, looking him in the eye. it's one of the moments i won't forget.

>> so many of the wounded warriors gathered in one place. a tribute by the boss. ♪ >> one night, all of us honoring them. a reminder we will never forget. and so we choose our wounded warriors and all of our vets. with veteran's day coming, we want to hear from you. leave us a message on our facebook page. i'll see you right here later tonight on "20/20" and on monday. until then, good night. n our facebook page. i'll see you right here later tonight on "20/20" and on monday. until then, good night. good >> arrest air san francisco man >> have regulators become too cozy with pg and e? >> this was a team effort. >> a south bay congressman

declaring victory. what does his opponent have to say just minutes ago. >> the bay area's biggest health provider provides its first local ebola net. >> watch as police pepper sprayed a pan. >> it started at 4:00 p.m . sky 7 shows you the man falling into the water. >> officers threw him a line. they pulled him out they restrained this man before putting him on a gurney. >> the man had a box cutter as well as iron rod with him. >> police have not told us how he got into the canal in the first place. good evening. owe >> this so called dark net is

darker tonight. shut down hundreds of elicit sites on that secret network. one major arrest made in san francisco. and vic lee has more. >> the dark net is a site that is enkrifted so makes it hard to track users. now, prosecutors say the web site of the san francisco man arrested was raking in $8 million a month. he was arrested on wednesday at his apartment on the 900 block of florida street. neighbors said fbi agents were swarming around the flat in the early afternoon. no one seemed to know why. amy thought they were buying his tesla. >> i just thought they're buying a car. >>