As millions of Americans get ready to ring in the new year, fresh rounds of snow are pummeling parts of the Midwest and Northeast. In Southern California, heavy rain is beginning to soak the region and raising new fears about landslides. NBC News' Maggie Vespa reports. The Justice Department is scrambling to review roughly 5.2 million documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a source familiar with the operation. That number is much higher than previously known. NBC News' Gabe Gutierrez reports. The Trump administration says it is freezing federal funding for childcare in Minnesota, after a video alleging fraud at daycares in the state, posted by a right wing YouTuber went viral. NBC News' Julia Ainsley reports. The manhunt is on for the thieves in Germany who police say are responsible for stealing money, jewelry and valuables from a bank on Monday. The heist was the work of professionals, according to authorities. NBC News' Daniele Hamamdjian has the latest. With the price of new monthly car payments now over $750, many consumers are extending the length of their loans to get lower payments. But experts warn it may not be as simple as it sounds - and consumers could end up paying more in the long run. NBC News' Christine Romans explains. As more than a million people descend on Times Square for the famous New Year's Eve ball drop, officials are stepping up security. There are additional officers, drones, helicopters, pickpocket patrols, K9s, and more. NBC News' Emilie Ikeda takes a look at what's being done in New York and around the world to ensure safety. In Times Square, hundreds of thousands of people have written their wishes for 2026 on small pieces of confetti that will drop down tonight to ring in the new year. NBC News' Peter Alexander has the story.