Killed in action earlier this month in an ambush in niger. The florida native, his body arrived at Miami International airport yesterday, the casket draped with an american flag. Johnsons widow was there, overcome with emotion, sobbing. Shes the mother of two with a third on the way. According to floridas democratic congresswoman frederica wilson, she heard President Trump speak with johnsons widow on the phone and he told her, he knew what he signed up for. But when it happens, it hurts anyway. The congresswoman expressed her outrage, phoning in to cnn. This is a young, young woman, who has two children, who is six months pregnant with her third child. She has just lost her husband. She was just told that he cannot have an open casket funeral, which gives her all kinds of nightmares how his body must look, how his face must look. And this is what the president of the United States says to her . The white house is declining to address the phone call, but an Administration Official says the president s conversations with the families of american heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice are private. Nbcs Edward Lawrence is in the Nations Capital this morning for us. How is d. C. Reacting to the controversy over President Trump and the families of the Fallen Soldiers . Reporter some members of congress are shocked quite frankly the president would bring in grieving family members into a political battle. Some veterans that i talked to have said that this is not about phone calls and he shouldnt have compared phone calls with unfounded accusations from other president s. This is about the pictures, the pictures of the grieving widow hanging over the casket there, crying, the widow of la david johnson, she has one baby on the way, two other children that he has left behind. The veterans i talk to say this is not about politics. Its not about the four soldiers or its about the four soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for this country. We need to remember and see their names, these veterans say. Remember who they are. They are four men ambushed in africa, la david johnson, also Staff Sergeant brian black, Sergeant Jeremiah johnson and Staff Sergeant dustin wright. The president said he will call and write letters to all of the family members who lost their loved ones there. Members hereof Congress Hope that the president in the future will be more sensitive when he makes those phone calls. Frances, philip . Everyone feeling for the families, edward, thank you. The communist party of china opened its 19th National Congress today kicking off a week long meeting that takes place every five years and includes a vote for the partys leadership. President xi jinping who is expected to remain in power spoke to over 2000 delegates mapping out his agenda for the next term. Nbcs Janice Mackie frayer is live for us in beijing. Janice, good morning. What did president xi speak about . Reporter good morning, frances. The Party Congress is a big deal for several reasons. And for chinas president xi jinping who is also leader of the communist party, it is a confirmation of his power. He told the 2300 delegates in the great hall of the people that chinese socialism is entering a new era and in doing so, under xi jinping which is significant. Some say that he is has the tight est hold on power in decades here. Some argue the most powerful leader since mao tsetung. In the last five years he has consolidated that power. Within the party, removing rivals from its ranks, but also outside of the party in chinese society, he has imposed a crackdown on activists. He has boosted the state surveillance powers, and also restricted Internet Access even further. Some analysts think he may in the next five years head closer to a strong man status. He has clout is undeniable. Not only here but also abroad. There are billions of dollars of chinese money that is being invested on pretty much every continent. Why its all significant is because of the importance of the u. S. china relationship. And, of course, with the upcoming visit by President Trump, he will be here in china on november 8th. Frances, philip, back to you. All right, janice, thank you. The fight against isis is making major progress with the terrorist groups de facto capital falling into American Allies hands. After a month of painstaking block by block battle, u. S. Backed fighters have recap toured raqqa and syria. Nbcs chief Foreign CorrespondentRichard Engel has the latest details on the military victory. Reporter the black isis flag was replaced by the banner of u. S. Backed forces in the city of raqqa. Where isis filmed itself celebrating when it rolled into raqqa three years ago, the table was turned. U. S. Backed forces in the same spot. There was some public cheering, too, but most people in this battered city are long gone. This was perhaps the most feared place on earth with frequent public executions. And it was a base for isis to plot terrorist attacks including Intelligence Services say on the theater in paris. The istanbul airport as well as to hold and murder hostages, including american james foley. This city was freed by mostly Kurdish Forces helped by u. S. Special ops and coalition airstrikes. Now with the loss of raqqa and the iraqi city of mosul this summer, isis territory has shrunk from the size of virginia to a few scattered areas. Isis still maintains an ability to launch smallerscale terrorist attacks. But i think their future as a large scale fighting force will largely end with the fall of raqqa. Thanks to nbcs Richard Engel. The stock market is reaching new heights again with the dow briefly surpassing the 23,000 mark for the first time ever. Thats just six weeks after crossing the 22,000 mark. The dow is now up 28 since President Trumps election. The new high comes on the same day President Trump spoke about another market influencer, tax reform at the heritage foundation. At the heart of our plan is a tax cut for everyday working americans. The first 12,000 for a single individual and the first 24,000 for a married couple will be tax free. We are nearly doubling the zero bracket. Turning to baseball now, game four of the alcs is sure to go down as a yankees classic. After five scoreless innings on both sides, Houston Astros hit a base clearing double putting them at 30. They would have one more in the rthat is when the yankees bat came alive. They scored two in the bottom of the seventh, including this solo by aaron judge. It would put up four more runs in the eighth inning. The yankees have won 64 and evened the series two games apiece. In chicago, Los Angeles Dodgers now have a commanding 30 lead in the nlcs after they beat the cubs at Wrigley Field 61. A lot to watch, especially at yankee stadium. You were there, i know, youre reiting for the astros. I was reiting for the astros. It was looking for themt to go up 30, 40, it is a good series already. Cant wait for the finish. Lets turn now to bill karins. I dont want to hear. Commercial breaks these guys are back and forth. I know. He was bold going in his houston gear to yankee stadium. Ill give him credit. You may be a good luck charm for the yankees. Go again. We are looking at another chilly morning over areas especially in the mountainous areas, the appalachians. Many areas are above freezing but we have frost advisory for about 13 Million People. Once the sun is up, it is quickly going to turn into an absolutely gorgeous day. Another top 10 type day from texas all the way through the great lakes, southeast, areas of new england. We have a storm system coming into the northwest and also into florida. So, for that the only travel out there, even that is just plain old rain. It is aut as nice as itbo 86 degrees. This is about as picturesque as it gets in the northern plains. Great lakes enjoy. You heard of walk being the dog. One pet owner has an odd tradition with her pet. Meet loretta. Yeah, thats the chicken that goes paddle boarding. The one year old chicken has no fear of the watter and likes to ride at the front of the board. Her owner says loretta is very curious so it seemed natural to bring her out there on the water. What choice does the chicken have . You either stay on the board. Or youre dinner, right . Thanks, bill. Just ahead, its one gruesome injury seen am professional sports in quite a while. Cringe worthy reactions from teammates, really anybody who looked at that. New details on that ahead right here on early today. On your Medicare Part d prescriptions, switch to walgreens. We make it easy to seize the day, so you can get more out of life and Medicare Part d. Just walk right in for savings that will be the highlight of your day. 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Because the things you love the most can stink. And try febreze small spaces to clean away odors for up to 30 days. Breathe happy with febreze. The city of lexington kentucky removed two controversial confederate statues tuesday. They were general John Hunt Morgan and john break enridge. Former vicepresident and secretary of war. They voted in august to remove the statues that stood outside the court over a century. They will be moved to a Storage Facility eventually moved to a cemetery where both men are buried. Alarming internal white house documents link the manufacturing client to socioeconomic costs, including an increase in abortion and fertility, spousal abuse, divorce and drug use was out presenting any data to back up the assertions. The twobeige document obtained by the Washington Post was plea paired and circulated last month by peter navarro, director of the office of trade and manufacturing policy. The two white house officials confirmed the authenticity of the documents which came as the administration crafted its trade policy. In pennsylvania the fbi suspects two women of robbing a bank while dressed as nuns. 19yearold of new haven, connecticut and 23yearold of the Dominican Republic appeared before a judge monday in newark, new jersey. Both women are charged with robbing banks in tea neck and gar field in new jersey while wearing black nuns habits and veils. Two robbers attempted to robb a bank in taners ville, pennsylvania, and they took off without money after an alarm was triggered. The celtics season got off to an ugly start after a gruesome injury. If youre squeamish you may want to turn away from this. Well let you know when its over. Five minutes into the debut of celtics forward, his leg buckled underneath him unnaturally. Players were distraught as trainers tended the gruesome injury. He had a fractured left ankle according to a celtics tweet. The celtics would later lose the game as well to the cleveland cavaliers, 10299, but that is a major blow to their team. You have to feel for him to start off the season like that. Hope he recovers. Just ahead well reveal the list of the rich est people in erk am, plus the Clean Water Crisis in puerto rico is reaching alarming levels. Youre watching early today. cheering a triangle solo . Surprising. Whats not surprising . How much money sam and yohanna saved by switching to geico. Fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more. 40 million americans are waking up to a gillette shave. And at our factory in boston, 1,200 workers are starting their day building on over a hundred years of heritage, craftsmanship and innovation. Today were bringing you americas number one shave at lower prices every day. Putting money back in the pockets of millions of americans. 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Even though there is a clearly marked dangerous sign, people were willing to risk it, ripping off this fence. This man from chicago helping with relief efforts comes here at night to find water. Were drenched, its wet. We need to cool off some kind of way. Theres no electricity. Reporter luis ortiz is filling up at a well the epa has deemed safe. This is the water that i drink for me and my wife and my kids. Water is life. I make sure that Public Health is protected. Reporter adding to the frustration, an investigation is underway in another town, where puerto ricos secretary of state says the plants were wasted left out in heavy rain. Pulling rats out, i got angry. Reporter only 17 of the island has power, making it hard to pump and treat water as this crisis deepens. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news, durado, puerto rico. Just ahead, knee man marcus is out with its annual christmas book. Well tell you whats on this extravagant wish list. 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For skin that looks younger than it should. Fact check this ad in good housekeeping. Olay regenerist. Ageless. Now, boost your regimen with Olay Regenerist concentrate. Forbes released its annual 400 list ranking the rich est people in america. Number one is bill gates with an estimated 89 billion despite giving billions to charities every year. This is the 24th year the rich est person on the list. In the second place with a net worth of 81. 5 billion is amazon founder jeff bezos. Number three went to businessman warren buffett. Mark zuckerberg came in fourth. Rounding out the five is larry ellison. President trump dropped on the list drinking by 600 million. Thank you for being here. Im so excited to be here. Its so good to see famous people again. [ laughter ] just to be out of the house, ladies and gentlemen. And, paul, you didnt tell me you work here now. I was afraid to tell you. I didnt want to tell you. Thank you. Thats britney, he goes by britney now. I understand. Under the beard you know that guy, david letter man the first time on late night since he retired in 2015. Now 70 years old hes mostly stayed out of the spotlight after leaving cbss late show. Clearly he can still have some fun in the limelight. Hell be coming out with a new show on netflix next year. It will feature long form interviews with a variety of guests. Good to see him back with all that facial hair. He looks like a mall santa at this point. He needs to pack on a few pounds to pull it off. Great to see him. A lot of stress free living in montana i think these days. Thats where hes hanging out. All right, the Holiday Shopping season begins now at least for knee man marcus. The retailer has unveiled the 91s edition of its christmas cal catalog. The fantasy gifts for 1. 6 million and a years worth of madam alexander dolls for 8,000. Dont worry, you can find gifts under 100. The full catalog is available right now on its website. You know who can afford everything in that cat lock and then some . Lebron james because hes made over 200 million in his nba career. But he wouldnt buy anything, i guarantee you. The things he still refuses to spend money on. Im not turned on data romance. Im not buying no apps. I still got pandora with commercials. You know youre rich, right . Im not paying for it. Im not paying. Its the principle, right, lebron . Im with him right there. Pro basketball player sat down with Rachel Nichols with teammate duane wade. He dubbed him the cheapest guy in the nba. He agreed. He really is like his character in the movie train wreck. He was playing a really frugal guy. Thats how you stay rich. He uses pandora without commercials, well worth it. Heard that, lebron. Coming up super heroes in colorado and players meet face to face. Mustve been hot out there today, huh . Yeah. Yeah. Why dont you go put that stuff in the laundry room right now . Ok. Do your athletes bring home big odors . Tide sport is super concentrated to beat even. The toughest stains and odors. Hey, buddy hey. Woo somebody ran laps. Yup the new tide sport collection. Its got to be tide. Bob jimmy dean Day Breakfast sandwich. The real eggs, sausage, and cheese fill him up with goodness, so he gives his umbrella to nancy, which makes hank smile, which makes everyones ride better. With jimmy dean, good mornings lead to great days. For the First Time Since the nfl protests began during the national anthem, team owners and players are meeting in new york city this week to deal with the contentious issue. On tuesday both sides called the meeting productive, yet no new rules were instituted. Nbcs jay gray brings us up to speed. Reporter nfl owners, players, League Officials and Union Representatives all huddling up in new york right now, trying to come up with a game plan. To deal with a controversy thats become the focus of their season. Todays discussion with our players was very productive and very important. It reflected i think our commitment to Work Together with our players on issues of social justice. Reporter the pregame protest which started last season ramped up after an allout blitz last month from President Trump. Wouldnt you love to see one of these nfl owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, get that son of a bench off the field right now . Reporter and the president has continued to target the demonstrations online and monday while answering questions at the white house. It is very disrespectful to our country when they take a knee during our national anthem. Reporter players say the original message that started with 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick taking a knee tosb jay gray, nbc news, new york. All right. Time to get a quick check of our wednesday weather with bill karins. Bill, good morning. Near perfection is how well call it. Another gorgeous fall day is going to be underway. When the sun comes up and warms us up, 130 Million People will see above average temperatures today. Thats a good majority of the country from phoenix to denver, oklahoma city, boston and everywhere in between. The temperatures will be in the 70s in some cases the 80s, even into thursday everyone stays above average. Look at areas even in montana, north dakota, south dakota, temperatures near 80 degrees this time of year is pretty rare. By the time we get to friday, 70s continue through the great lakes. 73 in philadelphia. This is a long duration, break from what should be a cool time of year, guys. Enjoy the warmth while it lasts. Its a good point. We dont always get it so summer lasting a little longer. Well take it. Thats right, thanks, bill. Thanks for being with us on this wednesday. Im phillip mena. Im frances rivera. I want to share the heart warming video from colorado. Members of the Aurora Police department bringing joy to sick kids. The news continues right here. Hundreds of People Living in the Santa Cruz Mountains are breaking news this morning. Hundreds of People Living in the Santa Cruz Mountains are out of their homes. The wildfire forcing mandatory evacuations. Good morning and thank you for joining us. Im marcus washington. Im kris sanchez in for laura garcia. Weather has been critical for the fire as we enter the second day. Lets talk to meteorologist, kari hall. We start with cooler temperatures around the bay area. Look at where we are now, 54 degrees in san jose, 49 in santa cruz. We mostly have upper 40s. San francisco is much cooler. Look how much cooler it is this morning compared to yesterday at this time. 12 degrees in San Francisco and