Transcripts For KNTV Today 20240712

Toxic chemical. What you need to watch out for just ahead. Breaking overnight. Federal agents use tear gas on protesters in portland, oregon. Among them, the citys own mayor. While the president announces federal forces are being sent to other cities, like chicago, to deal with the surge in violence. Well have the very latest. Wild weather. Damaging wind and rain up and down the east coast. Thousands without power. The statue of liberty struck by lightning. This morning, a Tropical Storm watch for the texas coast, with another storm in the atlantic poised to become a hurricane today. All that, plus, the boys of summer are back. Didnt miss that one. Watched that one sail over the fence. Baseball fans coast to coast getting set to celebrate opening day. Today, thursday, july 23rd, 2020. Announcer from nbc news, this is today with Savannah Guthrie and hoda kotb, from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. Hey, everybody. Welcome to today. So happy that youre joining us on this thursday morning. Baseball is back. So is savannah. How did it go . Howd the surgery go . Hi. Good. You are a sight for sore eyes, hoda. My surgery went great. Im already seeing better, and i think itll just get better and better. These reading glasses im always looking for, throwing them out. Dont need them anymore. Oh, my gosh. I cant wait to hear all about it. Well talk about it in a bit. We have a busy morning. A lot happening today. Were officially, by the way, one year out from the postponed Tokyo Olympics this morning. Were going to celebrate that occasion. We have olympic legend simone biles for an exclusive, live interview. Well also have a host of other usa athletes with us, as well, savannah. Also ahead, we have our eye on that storm system in the gulf. Its got a large part of the texas coastline under Tropical Storm watch today. Dylan is going to be along. Shell tell us where that storm is headed. We do start this morning with the coronavirus. Cases still surging in several hot spots across the country, but there is some hopeful news when it comes to vaccines and a new relief bill. Our correspondents are spread out, covering all of it. Nbc National Correspondent Miguel Almaguer starts us off from los angeles with a closer look at the numbers. Good morning. Reporter good morning. Los angeles is the epicenter for the Coronavirus Crisis in california, and as many people here get tested, the numbers are certain to climb. This state now in the record books for all the wrong reasons. This morning, as our country surges to a staggering 4 million coronavirus cases, the nations most populous state is grappling to cope with a weeks long surge. A sober reminder of why we are taking things as seriously as we are. Reporter though new york has a death toll more than four times higher, california was one of the first regions to shut down. Yet, its still crippled by covid, with 7,000 people currently hospitalized. I dont really see us eradicating it, but i think we will bring it down to such a low level that we will not be in the position that were in right now. Reporter in neighboring arizona, one border county reporting a 55 positivity rate. While in chandler, an outpouring of emotion for a beloved father, teacher, and coach. Told him how proud we were. Thanked him for being who he was. Reporter crosswhite was surrounded by his family as he slowly slipped away. We were able to have the opportunity to tell him how much we love him. Reporter as a growing number of states implement stricter face mask policies, in a recording recently obtained by the center for public integrity, not verified by nbc news, dr. Deborah birx warns 11 major cities from baltimore to minneapolis to las vegas need to take aggressive steps now to mitigate outbreaks. Were tracking this very closely. Were working with the state officials to make sure were responding together. Reporter meanwhile, there is potential progress on the race for a vaccine. The federal government making the 2 billion deal with pfizer, in hopes of acquiring millions of doses as early as december. [ applause ] reporter in new york, it took larry kelly 51 days on a ventilator to kick covid. He was finally cleared to go home. My wife saved my life. She wouldnt let them pull the plug. Gosh, its nice to end on that there, miguel. Lets go back to the pfizer deal. The government is pumping a lot of money into this. What might that mean for the actual price of the vaccine . Reporter part of that 2 billion agreement with the government means 100 million vaccines would be made available to the public for free. So many details are still being worked out. That price is right. All right, miguel, thank you. Savannah . Also this morning in washington, progress to tell you about when it comes to another round of Economic Relief. White round of Economic Relief White House Correspondent Kristen Welker has the detail on that good morning. Reporter savannah, good morning to you welcome back this is a breakthrough Senate Republicans are expected to unveil their proposal for a trillion dollar Coronavirus Relief bill later on today its going to focus on testing and reopening schools, but not ever republicans and the white house. Democrats have yet to weigh in still, the pressure is on all sides to get something done, and to get it done now, especially with the november election looming. After weeks of tense negotiations between Senate Republicans and the white house, overnight, word of a fundamental agreement on a trillion dollar Coronavirus Relief bill. The proposal includes 16 billion in new funding for coronavirus testing, 70 billion to reopen schools. But the two sides are still divided over whether to include stimulus checks to millions of americans or a payroll tax cut to benefit businesses. Some gop senators warning that to keep the overall cost of the measure down to around 1 trillion, they might have to pick between the two priorities. A difficult choice, potentially pitting them against the president. Mr. Trump eager to get the economy back on track has been pushing for the payroll tax cut. I think its very good. Its been proven to be successful its a big savings for the people it is a tremendous saving, and i think it is an incentive for companies to hire the workers baep their workers. Reporter lawmakers are still trying to determine how to reauthorize unemployment benefits, which are set to run out at the end of the month. Right now, through those benefits, jobless americans are getting 600 every week. With that still up in the air, the big question now, will democrats be on board with the broader plan House Speaker nancy pelosi saying she hopes the parties can resolve their differences and have a bill by the end of the week well, this is washington, so you can expect some lastminute drama. In fact, the republican deal makers could even get a challenge from some fiscal hard moment, kristen. The president has been making an issue of his opponent, j all right lets talk politics for a moment, kristen. Liners in their own party who are already denouncing the cost amid a soaring national debt, savannah all right lets talk politics for a moment, kristen. The president has been making an issue of his opponent, joe bidens, Mental Fitness for office this came up again in a new interview overnight that the president did. Tell us about it reporter it sure did, savannah in that new interview overnight, the president not onlyreviouslye of t questioned bidens cognitive ability again, he also gave new details about a cognitive test he says he took recently hed previously raised the issue of the test to say hed done very well, and to question whether biden would score high points, but during an interview on fox news this weekend, it was pointed out that some of the questions are actually pretty basic in that test the president has insisted, though, the last round of questions are much more difficult. He was asked about that. Heres how he described those questions. , camera, tv so they say, could you repeat that so iions the first questions are very easy the last questions are much more difficult. Like a memory question its, like, youll go person, woman, man, camera, tv so they say, could you repeat that so i said, yeah. Its person, woman, man, camera, tv okay, thats very good if you get it in order, you get extra points okay, now hes asking you other questions, other questions ten minutes, 15, 20 minutes e fn not the first, but the later, they say, remember the first question . Not the first, but the tenth question, give us that again can you give us that again you go, person, woman, man, camera, tv if you get it in order, you get extra points they said, nobody gets it in order. It is actually not that easy for me, it was easy. Reporter now, President Trump has challenged biden to take the test. When biden was asked about this recently, and before that interview, he said he can hardly wait to test his cognitive abilities against President Trump in the debates this fall now, by the way, according to medical experts, that test is often given to detect mild cognitive impairments, like thet measure intelligence or iq, savannah. Kristen welker at the white house, thank you very much hoda now to a new warning on Hand Sanitizer, something many of us relying on during this pandemic. The fda is expanding a list of sanitizers that could potentially be dangerous tom costello has the very latest here morning. Reporter morning we found out the Hand Sanitizer in the newsroom behind me, it has Hand Sanitizer thats on this list. The headline this morning, check the ingredients. The list of Hand Sanitizers that could be harmful, even deadly, is growing this morning, an urgent warning from the food and drug administration, check your Hand Sanitizers the fda is expanding the list of recalled sanitizers to include 75 products. The ingredient in question, methanol, sometimes referred to as wood alcohol. A substance, it says, can be toxic when absorbed through the hand or ingested, and can be lifethreatening when ingested all of the products appear to have been produced in mexico and include brands like blumen, klar and danver instant Hand Sanitizers and vitamin e. Even hello kitty by sanrio Hand Sanitizer. Some on the list sold at National Chains like walmart and costco as the demand for Hand Sanitizers has surged, so, too, has the number of questionable brands according to nbc news data, ten deaths and several hospitalizations in arizona and new mexico are believed to be linked to methanol and Hand Sanitizers, though the brands have not been confirmed. Its believed that some of the Hand Sanitizers may have been adjusted rather than applied to the skin experts say before you buy, take a good look at the ingredients tom, again, people are going to the store maybe everyone is not reading every little ingredient. What should we know before we buy . Reporter make sure to use a product that does not contain methanol it contains at least 60 ethanol. But the fda also recommends that people literally just wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as opposed to using Hand Sanitizer for a full list of recalled sanitizers, go to our website, today. Com. Tom costello, thank you savannah now to some breaking news, hoda, tied to the recent spike in violence and weeks of protest in cities across the country federal officers used tear gas in portland, oregon, to disperse a large crowd that included the citys mayor that was hours after the president announced he will send federal agents into other cities nbcs Gabe Gutierrez now with the latest on all of us. Gabe, good morning reporter savannah, good morning. The Trump Administration says that new surge wont be troops on the ground but, rather, federal investigators helping local police some democratic mayors are calling it a distraction after this driveby shooting outside a funeral left 15 people wounded, chicagos mayor is cautiously accepting federal help to stop the violence, but says it better not look anything like whats been happening in portland. Were not going to hesitate to take the president to court and stop any unconstitutional actions. Reporter in chicago, there have been at least 160 murders in just the last month, a nearly 200 jump over the same period last year. This bloodshed must end this bloodshed will end. Reporter now, President Trump is sending hundreds of federal agents to chicago and albuquerque. These are street agents theyre investigators who will be working to solve murders and to take down the violent gangs reporter its an expansion of operation legend, already taking place in kansas city, named after 4yearold shooting victim legend, whose family visited the white house on wednesday. This operation is personal to us we want justice for our son and different than the tactical others reporter the Administration Says these extra agents will be different than the tactical teams sent to portland to protect federal property overnight, portlands mayor, who was demanding the federal forces leave the city, was teargassed when he joined protesters on the front lines. Local police declaring it a riot opposition to the deployment in portland extending to other democratic mayors, who President Trump slammed on wednesday. You have radical left democrats running cities like chicago and so many others. Reporter mayor Lori Lightfoot hitting back. The president is trying to divert attention from his failed leadership on covid19 he has failed. He has failed. He has failed. Reporter in kansas city, where murders are up 40 from the previous year, the Police Department asked for some federal help investigating crimes and tracking illegal guns what we dont need is what youre seeing on the streets of portland in federal troops that are taking over Core Functions of Law Enforcement in american cities. Reporter the mayor of albuquerque is calling this politics standing in the way of police work. Savannah all right, gabe, thank you very much. All right. It is 7 15 also this morning, we have new information about what led the Trump Administration to shut down the chinese consulate in houston. It comes as relations between the two nations are already strained by issues over trade and the coronavirus that grow even more tense. Nbcs Foreign Affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell is in washington with details hey, andrea. Good morning reporter hi, hoda. Good morning to you. This was unprecedented u. S. Officials say that the consulate had functioned as a hot bed for chinese spying, and President Trump has been kept aware of its activity since he first took office. That means even while he was at first lavishly praising chinas president xi china called the move outrageous, signaling it will retaliate, most likely against u. S. Consulates in china in a dramatic escalation of already tense relations between washington and beijing, the u. S. Is giving china until tomorrow to close its giant consulate in houston, texas nbc news has learned the shutdown follows years of fbi intelligence gathering at the houston outpost. We are setting clear expectations for how the Chinese Communist party is going to behave when they dont, well take actions that protect the american people, our National Security. Reporter National Security officials tell nbc news the consulate that china opened in the u. S. When relations were established in 1979 has long been considered a hub for chinese spying activities. Multiple Officials Say the complex has been used by beijing to steal valuable information from houstons extensive medical research facilities, and tried to infiltrate the oil and natural gas industries, as well as recruit those who will turn over information to the chinese institutions hours after china was told of the shutdown, people could be seen in a courtyard, appearing to burn documents. Houston firefighters who responded were not permitted in. This comes after the Justice Department charged two chinese nationals in an alleged global hacking scheme, including an attempt to break into computers of firms working on a coronavirus vaccine. President trump asked wednesday whether there may be additional action against china. As far as closing additional embassies, it is possible. Reporter lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say china is many of the chinese tech an ongoing threat. Many of the Chinese Tech Companies are, in effect, arms of the Chinese State Companies Need to acknowledge that doing business with a lot of these chinese firms, do it at your own risk. Theres cybertheft putting people in our universities to steal technology the list goes on and on. Reporter National Security Officials Say that the fbi may announce more cases today involving chinese researchers in the u. S. Who have allegedly covered up their ties to the Chinese Military and the u. S. Also wants chinese diplomats to turn over a chinese researcher who is accused of lying when she got a visa here shes taken refuge at a chinese consulate in San Francisco back to you, savannah. Great to see you, savannah welcome back even better to see you, andrea thank you so much. We have a note on the weather now. Dangerous storms brought heavy rain, damaging winds, and intense lightning up and down the east coast look at this, this is video from new york harbor. A dramatic Lightning Strike just behind the statue of liberty wow, the video was taken from a dock on ellis island now, lets go to washington, d. C. Thunderstorms brought heavy rain, powerful winds to the area a number of trees and power lines came down, caused some damage fortunately, no reports of injuries this morning. Staying on the weather front, there is some concern two dangerous tropical systems that dylan has her eye on. Dylan, good morning. Good morning, guys. Nice to see you both yeah, things are getting very active in the Tropical Department we are looking at a tropical depression number eight. It is sitting in the gulf of mexico its very slow moving, so the outer bands are extending across new orleans, into panama city, over to tampa, as well as this moves to the west, northwest, at 9 Miles Per Hour, with winds up to 30 Miles Per Hour, it is likely going to strengthen into a Tropical Storm. It would become Tropical Storm hannah, the earliest h storm on record, if that happens itd happen saturday Morning Saturday afternoon its still along the coast of texas on sunday, it moves inland just a bit. Heavy rain would be our biggest impact also some coastal flooding we could see 5 to 8 inches of rain, so we could have flooding. We have Tropical Storm gonzolo it should stay to the south of puerto rico. Thats a look at the weather across the country well get to your local forecast in the next 30 seconds now is the time to support the places you love. Spend 10 dollars or more at a participating Small Business and get 5 dollars back, up to 10 times with american express. Enroll now at shopsmall. Com. Good morning im meteor also kari hall. As we take a live look outside in San Francisco still drizzling and were looking forward to a very nice day today with our temperature here in the low 60s as you work your way inland it will start to heat up and a high reaching from the upper 60s near the coast to low to mid 90s in the interior valleys. Going into the next few days, a slight cool down for tomorrow and then heating up for the weekend. And thats your latest forecast. Savannah, back t and thats your latest forecast savannah, back to you. All right, dillydilly, thanks so much coming up, let the countdown begin again. Yeah, we are now exactly one year away from the postponed Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics this morning, were going to show you what the city and the worlds best athletes are doing to stay ready. That includes this olympic legend simone biles oh, shes up early we got an exclusive, live interview. Good to see you, simone. First, this is today on nbc. Coming up, a coming up, a look inside one of the first districts to get kids back to school, after your local news ahey, aheyhey music playing love like yours will surely come my way vo make the patio, your new playground. Nature valley crunchy granola bars. Made with whole grains that pack a crunch wherever you are. Downtheredownthere. Ttonelle. cause youre all over your overall wellness so treatyourself with the cleaningripples of cottonelle toilet paper and flushable wipes, the refreshingly clean routine that leaves you feeling. Ahhhh inside and out, care. Downth blended with purpose for dry, from wdamaged hair with lush honey and propolis known to nourish and repair as a whole blend, it helps heal damage to the ends blended makes us better whole blends by garnier, naturally lucky hearts, stars, and horseshoes, gclovers and blue moons,y unicorns, rainbows, and tasty red balloons kid 2 seriously lucky [singing] i love me lucky charms. Theyre magically delicious a very good morning to you. 7 26. Im laura garcia. Here are the top stories were following including a woman the fbi calls as a wanted fugitive now believes to be hiding out in the chinese consulate in San Francisco. Im Cierra Johnson in San Francisco. The fbi today believing that a former u. S. Researcher is seeking refuge in San Francisco. Tang juan was a ruesearcher at c davis until they found photos of her wearing Chinese Military atti attire. She denied and right now she is believed to be at the San Francisco consulate. Good morning, everyone. Im scott mcgrew. Thursday is the day we get firsttime jobless claims. Today we learned 1. 4 million americans applied for unemployment for the first time. That is growth in that number which is bad news. On the other hand, we also let forecast for this thursday morning with meteorologist kari hall. Were starting out with some clouds but were still in for a beautiful day. The sky will start to clear within the next couple of hours in the south bay and our High Temperature a touch warmer than it was yesterday reaching 82 degrees which is still seasonable and highs in the mid 80s through the trivalley and 80 in antioch and oakland 72 and in santa rosa high of 79 degrees. Temperatures cool down slightly tomorrow and then heat up for the weekend. Low 90s in the valleys and that continues into early all right. Summer making a comeback there. Well come back with another local news update for you in half an hour. Hope to see you then. She will become she will become americas first olympic Gold Medalist on this event and there it is she always sticks the landing. Were back at 7 30 that was just one of the routines four years ago that made simone biles an instant olympic legend she left rio with five medals, four of them gold. Oh, my gosh i got the chills just reliving by the way, one year from today, she hopes to be in tokyo once again going for gold first, before all that, shes going to join us live. Cant wait to speak with simone, talk to her about what is ahead. Simone, well talk to you in just a bit, okay okay, sounds good bye. We look forward to that lets start with our 7 30 headlines. The u. S. Surges to a staggering 4 million coronavirus cases. The nations biggest state is grappling to cope with the recent surge california now home to the most coronavirus cases in the country, with 7,000 people currently hospitalized meantime, there is potential progress on the race for a vaccine. The federal government making a 2 billion deal with pfizer in hopes of acquiring millions of doses as early as december of this year. The former Minneapolis Police officer charged with murder in the death of george floyd is facing multiple felony counts of tax evasion. Derek chauvin and his wife are charged with nine counts of tax evasion. They underreported 60,000nderr between 2014 and 2019. Now to heartstopping video that shows two young boys trying to escape a building fire in france the boys were hanging from a third story window, as flames engulfed their apartment one at a time, they jumped and were caught by onlookers below the boys were treated for smoke inhalation guys, otherwise, they were okay. One of the bystanders who helped catch the boys suffered a broken wrist. Wow a lot of courage there courage to jump. Courage to catch so glad it worked out okay we move now, as mentioned, hoda, to the countdown, again, to the Tokyo Olympics. Of course, they had to be postponed because of the pandemic well, today marks one year to go until the Opening Ceremony boy, does the world need something to look forward to. Oh, we do we do. In a moment, we are going to talk to the young woman who is expected to be the star of those games, our pal simone biles. First, today senior interNational Correspondent keir simmons starts us off. Hey, keir. Good morning reporter hey, hoda good morning to you. Incredible to think, isnt it, that you and i and savannah, all of us should be in tokyo right now. Instead, the athletes, the olympic organizers, and all of us at nbc are hoping that this time next year, we will be it is unprecedented. The tokyo 2020 olympics now scheduled for summer 2021. Another victim of the coronavirus. This week, a warning if infections continue at these levels for 12 months, quote, we couldnt hold the games. The president of the organizing Committee Said this, while adding that hes hopeful the venues will be ready theyre ready now. The japanese hosts have already spent 12 billion on tokyo 2020. We are now absolutely, absolutely concentrating on delivering the games next year reporter during the lockdown, athletes around the globe have been forced to train in unique conditions so if it happens, next years games will be a triumph over adversity. It will be a great symbol of a unity and solidarity of humankind. Reporter its also not clear this morning whether there will be survival yeah. It is going to be a symbol of unity and solidarity of humankind. Reporter its also not clear this morning whether there will be spectators or what an Olympic Village will look like organizers preparing to enforce social distancing. What wont change, marquee events there will be a welcome return in swimming with star Katie Ledecky. In tennis, upcoming star coco. And in soccer, Megan Rapinoe and in in gymnastics, all eyes on superstar simone biles shes been called simply the gy. Smashing world records, winning gold after gold in greatest gymnast ever. Smashing world records, winning gold after gold in rio four years ago. The flag bearer in that olympics closing ceremony bitterly disappointed when the olympics were canceled this year. I cried ultimately, it was the right decision reporter and just Getting Better and better. Earlier this month, posting a string of videos showcasing her amazing Skills Including a double tuck that she hasnt performed since she was 13 this month, looking strong on the cover of vogue. Hopefully, this time next year, the games will be getting under way. This American Hero will be showing the world just how high she can fly. Get the gold medal ready again. Reporter one of the symbols of the games was and is renewability and sustainability, hoda Old Computers and phones are being made into medals what better way to symbolize sustainability and renewability than watching simone biles take one of those medals. Hopefully a gold medal. That was a great, great piece. Now the conversation weve been waiting for, looking forward to. Gymnastics superstar simone biles. Hey, honey how are you . Im good. How are you guys okay. Of all, ive been thinking about so, simone, first of all, ive been thinking about rio. I couldnt stop thinking about it the other day i was thinking about the final five, how all those medals you won, and then i was thinking of zac efron. Do you remember when he stepped into your world . Yes. As i was thinking about all these things, i was thinking, like, lets just relive for one second uhhuh oh, my gosh you still feel it i knew it. How do you keep your head in the game as you prepare for all thes hard work but the yeah. Training has been a little bit different. Its been kind of craznowing and hoping that 2021 is on the horizon keeps me going its just we dont know whats going to happen, so we train as it is. I showed a little of the quote, unquote fun youre having as youre training we showed the double tuck that you did, that you said you hadnt done since you were 13. Yeah. In addition to all of this stuff, like, how do you train during a pandemic . Yeah. So right now, we kind of have to stagger our workouts so that the other girls can get in everybody has to wear a mask entering and leaving the facility all of the staff has to wear a mask the entire time theyre in the building after every session, there are times for cleaning, where were cleaning the mats, equipment, making sure the athletes and staff are safe. So beautiful. It just str cool. By the way, the cover of vogue is stunning. Oh, thank you. I mean, the cover of vogue is stunning. What is more beautiful, i have to say, than the outside and all the pictures, is just how you revealed yourself inside i thought it was so beautiful. It just struck me. Simone is grown up, man. Thats what i was thinking. Yes. You talked about everything, and you talked a little bit about the black lives Matter Movement it just struck me, and i wondered if you remember, yourself, what an early brush with racism was for you as a little girl. Yeah. I didnt really experience it whenever i was younger obviously, i went to a predominantly white school, but i didnt really notice racism until 2013 i was on a world scene, and what made the news was another gymnast saying that if we painted our skin black, maybe we would all win, because i had beat her out of a beam medal and she was upset. That was the news, rather than me winning worlds. Other than that, it happens every day, and i feel like every black athlete or colored athlete could say that theyve experienced it through their career but we just have to keep going for those little ones looking up to us. Yeah. What do you hope to teach those little ones looking up to you, wanting to be the next simone . Well, it doesnt matter what you look like. You can strive for greatness, and you can be great well, i do love that. Can i bring up one other thing that kind of broke my heart . I feel protective of you for some reason. Yeah. I cant help it you opened up about your Mental Health during the whole larry nassar scandal, and you said this, at one point, i slept so much for me, it was the closest thing to death without harming myself. It was an escape from all of my thoughts. I thought that was so incredibly brave to say, but why did you feel it was important . Because i feel, as athletes and survivors, everyone goes it. I felt the need to share it, that i feel the same way as you through it i felt the need to share it, that i feel the same way as you do if i can do it, you can do it. Obviously, im going to therapy for all of those reasons, but therapy isnt bad. In the beginning, i thought maybe i had a problem, but now i kind of look forward to therapy because its a safe outlet for me i hope everyone feels comfortable and confident going to therapy and speaking out. I think its super cool by the way, how is mom last time we spoke, you said she left food for you on the curb that you had to kind of go and pick up. Yeah. Have you been able to hang out with your mom now some yes shes still she has a nursing background, so shes still crazy about it wash your hands when we go in the house. If you see somebody, you cant come over. Other than that, we are allowed in the house we spend our weekends at the pool, and then my mom cooks sunday dinner. So we get in the house, and we spend time with the family. Well, i love it congrats i dont know if people know, youre a mom of two adorable dogs yes. Congratulations on everything finally, simone, you call growing up kind of adulting. I just want to say, from meeting you and knowing you early on to this moment, youre doing it beautifully. Oh, well, thank you so much i appreciate it. All right lets go 2021. Come on, we got to get there. Yeah. All right i know, thank you ill surprise you with some other superstar when we get there. All right, simone. Thank you. Okay. Thank you, hoda. I love you. I love you right back our olympic countdown celebration, by the way, is not over even more athletes are joining us in the next hour, along with nbc sports mike tirico. All next week, were going to check out our check today at the olympic games, a series on our new streaming channel, today all day on peacock and dot com. Were everywhere well revisit favorite moments from past olympics. May i recommend watching simone biles on repeat, hoda its good inspiration for your day. She is lovely and amazing. By the way, savannah, real quick, simone, if youre still there, savannah was showing her daughter video of you flipping around her daughter now wants to be a gymnast. How cute. Tell her i said hello. Ill tell you the truth, she said, i want to be like her, and i was like, well wel that is too cute. I said, work hard like simone. I guarantee you she spent hours and days and hours and days in that is too cute. I said, work hard like simone i guarantee you she spent hours and days and hours and days in the gym and worked hard to get to where she is. Definitely. Youre amazing. Thank you so much thank you, honey. Guys, just ahead this morning, we want to tell you about some new help for unemployed americans what some photographers are offering for free to help people find jobs in this environment. First, these messages. Now is the time to support the places you love. Spend 10 dollars or more at a participating Small Business and get 5 dollars back, up to 10 times with american express. 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Lets check in with dylan, in for al has a look at todays weather. Hey, dylan. Good morning again. Earlier, we talked about the storms in new york city. I actually captured video of my own. It seemed like the storm sat over my apartment for a good half hour. I mean, Lightning Strike after Lightning Strike it was so, so intense. Then the rain followed i actually got some good video there. We are going to see some more storms possible across the northeast today. I dont think itll be as widespread as yesterday, but we could still see a lot of that cloudtoground lightning, damaging winds up to 60 Miles Per Hour possible, some small hail, as well. That is an area well be keeping an eye on. In the meantime, it is hot and humid. Washington, d. C. , will feel like 101 today. New york, 95 degrees its the cold front that will trigger the storms behind it, its much more comfortable. Chicago, a comfy 82 with sunshine thats a look at the weather across the country now, heres a peek good morning. Im meteorologist kari hall. We take a live look outside and were seeing this across the bay area, a cloudy start. But it will clear out for most of the bay area and even the clouds that rolled away from San Francisco for a little while. Well see a wide range in temperatures with the highs reaching into the mid 60s in the city to low 70s for oakland and some low 80s for the south bay. If you head over to the east bay, were up to 90 degrees in antioch and as hot as 94 in clear lake. And and thats your latest forecast hoda all right, dylan. Thank you. Just ahead, the long wait finally over for baseball fans it is opening day. We are going to take you live to Nationals Park were going to show you what the league is doing to make things feel as normal as possible but first, these messages. The capital one walmart rewards card puts cash back in your wallet. Earn 5 cash back on everything you buy at walmart. Com. Mom paper towels . Including things for the science fair. 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Well played, jake from state farm. As usual. When you want the real deal like a good neighbor, state farm is there. ® we are we are back. Savannah, look who is here, carson. Morning, friends. Hey, s. G. Carson. You can see me now, i know. Your eyesight has to be better. And you look good, too. Thank you coming up, guys, we have day two of our summer sizzle edition of steals and deals. Great bargains for outdoors. Stick around all we do is hand you the bag. Simple. Done. We adapt and we change. You know, you just figure it out. Weve just been finding a way to keep on pushing. [camera man] actually anyone 50 or over is at increased risk for shingles. The pain, the burning my husband had to do everything for weeks. And the thing is, theres nothing you can do about it [camera man] well, shingles can be prevented. Shingles can be whaaat . [camera man] prevented. You can get vaccinated. Frank they have shingles vaccines whaaat . Thats what i said. Were taking you to the doctor. 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And saw a future of differences celebrated. Every voice heard and advocated. Where everyone can show their pride. cause love should never have to hide. Theres a world of possibility that cant exist with you versus me. It will take work, thats indisputable. But oh man it could be beautiful. This world where we are we. really hold up against 60 of the toughest stains . Absolutely. Seventh generation. Clean clothes, powered by plants. Seventh generation. Give me the rings. I just need the rings. Dont walk away. You selfish, little. Its his cat. Lifes more fun with a dog. And doglife is more fun with milkbone. Everyday its agetting closer going faster than a rollercoaster love like yours will surely come my way ahey, aheyhey music playing love like yours will surely come my way good morning. Its 7 56. Im laura garcia. Heres a look at whats happening now. Im bob redell. Exactly one year away from the start of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Kanak jha is back with his professional club in germany and able to train with his teammates after being on lockdown for two months at his familys home in milpitis. The time off gave him time to strengthen his body through exercise. Tracking to push that bay area students have the technology they need to start distance learninger of a few we. In through a Public Private partnership through oakland undivided work is under way to provide students with Internet Access and tech support. In the south bay, the city of san jose is investing 24 million in infrastructure and county of santa clara is investing more than 7 million to buy devices. Those are just two big districts and a lot more on School Reopenings at in,nbcbayarea. Com day Getting Started for a lot of folks and they want to know the forecast. Heres meteorologist kari hall. Were starting out with some clouds, laura, but clearing out for a beautiful, sunny day. Little warmer compared to yesterday with inland areas reaching the low to mid 80s. Well cool off a couple degrees tomorrow and then come right back up for the weekend as it will definitely feel like summer as we reach into the low 90s. Well see that weather continuing into early next week and San Francisco really no changes here. Well see some 60s throughout the forecast and a little bit more sunshine by the end of the weekend. Laura . All right, thank you very much. Another local news update is coming up in half an hour. Hope you enjoy a great thursday morning. Good morning its its 8 00 on today. Coming up, new epicenter a new surge across the sun belt, as california surpasses new york in total cases a sober reminder of why we are taking things as seriously as we are. And some kids already back to school in the south. What you need to know thisr closeup how a group of photographers is helping people looking for jobs morning. Plus, ready for their closeup how a group of volunteer photographers is helping people looking for jobs look their best providing free head shots to get a leg up online in the digital age. And the countdown is on. Our virtual plaza is packed with yeah we are from we are the outstanding athletes, all pursuing their olympic dreams. As we look ahead to tokyo 2021 today, thursday, july 23rd, 2020 yeah we are from san jose, california happy birthday, mom. Were celebrating my brothers 16th birthday by watching the today show from illinois its my baby sisters first birthday happy, happy birthday welcome back to today. Its thursday morning. Were so happy that youre starting your day with us. Savannah, so good to see you this fine morning. S up you, too. Good morning, everybody. So glad youre up early with us. Guess who else is up early hmm incredible athletes olympians, olympic hopefuls, all with their eyes in one place, tokyo 2021, exactly one year away well chat with them we also have mike tirico from nbc sports, hoda, who will tell us who we should have our eyes on as we countdown to the olympics and cross our fingers they happen. Happy youre back eye surgery was great. Glad youre back in the saddle its good to be seen, and it is good to see lets get you up to date on the headlines this morning heres the very latest on the coronavirus. California now home to the most coronavirus cases in the country, passing new york. There is potential progress to tell you about on the vaccine front. The federal governme more than 7,000 people in the nations biggest state are hospitalized with covid19 this morning. There is potential progress to tell you about on the vaccine front. The federal government has reached a 2 billion deal with the Drug Company Pfizer in hopes of acquiring millions of doses, perhaps as early as december of this year. Overnight, a possible deal on a new round of relief for tens of millions of unemployed americans. Senate republicans have announced they did reach a fundamental agreement, their words, with white house negotiators on a coronavirus Economic Relief bill. All right. Now to the difficult choice facing schools across the country. Return to classes full time, online learning, or a little bit of both, as many districts decide what to do. The school doors are back open in one tennessee city. Nbc blayne alexander got a firsthand look at how theyre doing it blayne, good morning. Reporter hoda, good morning to you for the many teaches here in tennessee, this is day two of school for the new batch of students coming in, this is their first day back in the classroom. Thats because staggered attendance means they only come to school one day a week the rest is done online. All the parents we spoke to said theyre comfortable with the plans the district has put into place, but administrators say theyre watching the number of covid cases and are ready, if necessary, to reverse course immediately. This morning, as students roll back to school, before entering the building, there is a new test to pass 97. 2. Reporter once inside weve had such a fun morning so far reporter small classes, staggered attendance, and masks mark the first day of school for students did they follow the guidelines today . They did. All of them did, and it was easier when you have the smaller classes. Reporter with students only coming one day a week, that means smaller groups, no more than ten together at one time. Its a welcomed change i like the idea of fewer kids at a time. I think its made it a little easier for people who have been a little anxious about coming back reporter just outside of knoxville, this district of 2,000 students now among the first in the country to make an inperson return to the ure to get it right oh, absolutely. Reporter and across the country, others are watching closely. President trump urging a return to normal classes says he is comfortable sending his own son and grandchildren back, while making these comments, that kids are less susceptible. They dont catch it easily. They dont bring it home easy. If they do catch it, they get better fact. Were looking at that fact. Reporter Task Force White house coordinator dr. Birx weighing in on fox news after the president s comments. I think theres open questions there, and thats why the president concluded with, were studying this very hard. Reporter near the nations capital, three districts announced theyll begin the year online in chicago, teachers demand their schools do the same. In florida, where cases are spiking, educators sued the state to stop fulltime reopening. The governor not budging while the risk to students from inperson learning are low, the cost of keeping schools closed are enormous. Reporter ohio art teacher Terry Carruthers is set to go back full time next month. The 57yearold diabetic is scared of contracting covid19 shes written goodbye letters to her family, just in case. I love my students, but i dont want to make my child an orphan. An interesting start to second grade. How are you feeling about the mask not good. It makes me very hot. Were superheros, putting on our masks. Reporter for bradburn, it is an interesting start to second grade. How are you feeling about the mask not good. It makes me very hot. Were superheros, putting on our masks. This may not go away any time soon reporter you know, the superintendent tells me that, at this point, they really are trying to drill home the hygiene lessons. It is almost part of the lesson plans at this point. Now, the director of schools says she is watching those numbers very closely if they start to see an uptick or if a number of teachers or students here contract covid19, she says theyre ready to switch to completely virtual classes. Theyve got the plans in place to do it savannah all right thank you very much. Tonight is the night baseball fans have been waiting for. The Major League Season starts tonight. Although it will have major changes. Garrett haake is outside Nationals Park with a preview this morning good morning reporter hey, savannah good morning yeah, a lot of excitement out here about the start of the shortened baseball season, and also a little concern. Tonight will have your world champion, washington nationals, hosting the new york yankees you can bet players and fans alike will be following the covid19 testing stats just asag those for runs, hits, and errors the boys of summer kicking closely as theyre following those for runs, hits, and errors the boys of summer kicking off their season in late july. Center field and deep and gone reporter the normal 162game season cut to just 60, thanks to the covid19 pandemic. For the first regular season game, the nationals will host the yankees. Our teammates, understanding that one person can screw this up for a lot of different people i think that is a wakeup call for everybody in the clubhouse this year is going to present a whole new, different level of adversities. I feel like we are cut out to handle that. Reporter theyre ready to play, but the game will look different with the stands empty of fans. Crowd noise will be piped in during games some teams are letting fans buy cardboard cutouts of themselves to fill stadium seats. Thats if your team has a home stadium. The bluejays, banned by the canadian government from playing in toronto out of fears of players traveling from the u. S. Becoming infected, are told they can share a stadium with the Pittsburgh Pirates their reasons for caution, the Kansas City Royals announcing they had eight players test positive for the virus. Three seconds left, george, 30footer at the buzzer. Got it to go. Reporter its been a different story for the nba. Preseason games began last night, after none of the players isolated in the leagues bubble in orlando tested positive regular season games start a week from today. Some nfl players are already reporting to training camp, even as the league and Players Union debate safety protocols. The nfl now says if fans are allowed in stadiums, theyll have to wear masks on august 1st, the nhl begins a special knockout tournament to see who gets to lift the stanley cup. Every game will be played in canada back on the baseball diamond, tonights first pitch will be thrown out by one of the nats biggest fans, dr. Anthony fauci, who got a pep talk from ryan zimmerman. Have you thrown out a first pitch before i have not, and im nervouses about it. Dont w about it. Dont worry about it. If you bounce it, nobody is there to boo you youre good to go. Youre fine. Reporter some other changes folks will notice when watching the games on tv, social distancing required in theh fiv. Dugouts. No spitting or seeds no big celebrations allowed after home runs. Not even high fives. I think thats probably a small price to pay, most fans would agree, for getting baseball back this summer. Mmhmm. Yeah, game on. Garrett, thank you so much thats the news. Hoda, you got a boost . Got one right here. An ems worker stayed behind in new york city to battle the coronavirus while his kids and their mom went to stay with family in rhode island well, that was 103 days ago. He decided to make their reunion a surprise daddy dad those 103 days, by the way, those 103 days, by the way, included birthdays, mo included birthdays, mothers day, fathers day. Before that, the family had never been separated for more than a weekend those guys are making up for lost time. Definitely right, savannah . Oh, i love it that is adorable coming up next, hoda, we have an nbc news exclusive this morning. New answers, perhaps, in a mystery that haunted the nation. What really happened to this young woman, an american aid worker, Kayla Mueller . She was kidnapped by isis and killed kaylas family has been fighting for justice. Well tell you what theyve learned, right after this. Re. Do you want to continue or cancel . Capital one knows life doesnt update you about your credit card. So meet eno. 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Spend 10 dollars or more at a participating Small Business and get 5 dollars back, up to 10 times with american express. Enroll now at shopsmall. Com. We are back now. 8 15 nbc news investigates. It has been five years, five years since we learned the heartbreaking story of Kayla Mueller. Shes a Young American aid worker who was kidnapped by isis savannah thats right. Shes believed to have been killed while in captivity in syria. So many questions remain all this time, kaylas family has worked tirelessly to find their daughter and find answers. Nbcs chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel joins us with more on their story. Richard, good morning. Reporter good morning, savannah i think many of us remember these terrible days a few years and the group was holding ago, when isis was at its peak, and the group was holding a number of western aid workers and journalists, and executing them one after another the main isis cell responsible for this was nicknamed the beatles because of their british accent and because there were four of them well, two of them, two alleged members, are in u. S. Custody in an exclusive interview obtained by nbc news, the two members appear to further incriminate themselves, as Kayla Muellers family and other victims families are now calling for justice. I remember saying, i cant just sit and pray for people i need to go and do and help and use my hands yeah. Reporter Kayla Mueller was hoping t reporter Kayla Mueller was hoping to help people when she traveled to a Doctors Without Borders hospital in syria in 2013 she was kidnapped by isis the next day her parents, marsha and carl, opened their home to the today show in 2015 im still in denial i still expect kayla to come through the door. Reporter kayla was held captive for 18 months. During that time, she was moved by isis from location to location, sometimes put in a room with other captive women. We have a few girls that spent short times with kayla, but all of them, i have have to say, everyone we have talked to talked about kaylas strength. Reporter eventually, she was taken by the head of isis and abused repeatedly. She is believed to have been killed in 2015 among her captors, a group of british citizens nicknamed the beatles for their accents. Including a man those as jihadi john who was later killed in a u. S. Drone strike. And these two men, who were captured in syria and are now were there being held in u. S. Custody in of course, theyre not going to tell the dark side of the story. Reporter the muehlers and iraq the families of james foley, steven sotloff, and peter kassig, who was also killed by isis, have been pressing federad in the past, the men pretended to have no idea who kayla was. Did you ever meet Kayla Mueller . Who prosecutors to charge the men. And they need to be brought here they need to be prosecuted reporter but the case has Kayla Mueller. Been held up a British Court ruled in march didnt meet any foreigners. That the United States cant use reporter in an exclusive interview obtained by nbc news, the two men give detailed crucial evidence against the two men gathered by british investigators unless the united got her parents email address states promises they wont to send ransom notes. Receive the death penalty. I took email from her i took email from her myself, i dont think anything should be taken off the table reporter and the muellers say they fear the socalled yeah she was alone. Beatles will get a light sentence if tried in the uk. She was very scared. In a room by herself that no it is a recruiting tool for one would go in. Theyre admitting that they the terroristsling americans, and they walk awa look, these guys did all these terrible things, were part of torturing and killing americans, and they walk away in five years. That cant happen. Were reaching out to President Trump, attorney general barr, and the doj. We dont want this to go away. Reporter a trial in the United States is what kayla would have wanted, they say. And she would want these men tried. If theyre innocent, if somehow they believe theyre innocent, then go for a juryng to have toe us information. Reporter information that would help the family bring kayla prove it and youre going to have to give us information reporter information that would help the family bring kayla home bring her home. And bring there are so many people that have missing people over there thats what kayla would want the family has been through so much, richard now this how likely is it that these two men would be brought to the United States to face charges . Reporter well, savannah,ega. A court in this country, the uk, ruled that if the United States is seeking the death penalty, then british authori there is this legal issue. A court in this country, the uk, ruled that if the United States is seeking the death penalty, then british authorities wont hand over the evidence that they have the brits have been following these men closely. They really have the best evidence if the u. S. Drops the death penalty, pursues life sentences, that legal obstacle would go away so there are some negotiations that still need to take place and to figure out the best way to move forward legally. But the families dont want this case to go away, and thats why the families of the victims today wrote an oped in the washington post, urging the Trump Administration to move this case forward. Astonishing to see those two men talking about Kayla Mueller after all these years. Richard, thank you very much it is now 8 21 were going to switch gears, get a look at the weather. Hey, dylan morning. Hey, good morning again, everyone it is going to be a hot, a humid, and a stormy day for a good portion of the country. It is july though, so this is kind of what you expect. This cold front will trigger some storms again in the northeast. We could see small hail, damaging winds will be the biggest threat, and also pockets of heavier rain in the gulf coast, florida it is hot and dry out west with the fire risk. Temperatures in the 60s and 70s along the coast. Thats a look good morning. Im meteorologist kari hall. A live look outside in san jose. Were getting our usual start to the morning with some clouds that will quickly clear out within the next hour or so and then High Temperatures reaching into the low 80s with sunshine and a touch warmer for the inland east bay with a high of 90 in antioch. Were going to have a slightly warmer day as well in napa. As we look at the sevenday forecast, our temperatures go down and then back up in time for the weekend. And thats your latest forecast hoda dylan, thank you. Now to our ongoing series on the search for solutions in the age of the coronavirus this morning, we are focusing on the millions of americans who have lost jobs as a result of the pandemic nbcs Kerry Sanders found a unique program thats trying to help some of them get back on their feet, one snapshot at a time kerry, tell us more. Good morning reporter good morning, guys. So many people struggling. So many of them now looking for jobs we found a small army of volunteer photographers trying to help them do just that. Lines for food lines for unemployment benefits. Our nation hasnt seen pain, an. That in some cases despair, like this since the Great Depression nearly a century ago and now, in eight days, the cares act runs out that had put an extra 600 a week in americas pockets, on top of state unemployment checks finance is very challenging. Theres, like, no work. Its unprecedented times. We need the work we need help need help. Please. Reporter overall, the Unemployment Rate across the nation is 11. 1 . Even worse in some large cities like la, where it is 19. 5 . In new york city, 20. 4 . On wednesday, from los angeles to new york. Scoot a millimeter that way. Reporter to south florida please reporter overall, the Unemployment Rate across the nation is 11. 1 . Even worse in some large cities like la, where it is 19. 5 in new york city, 20. 4 . On wednesday, from los angeles to new york. Scoot a millimeter that way. Reporter to south florida and every state in between. Tilt your head that way a little bit of a smile. Reporter help coming in a very digital way volunteer photographers, who would normally charge 250 a session, taking 10,000 free head shots of the unemployed. Hint of a smile for me. Reporter for those who may not have looked for a job in a long time, head shots are now expected in the online world of job search. Its been a long time since i looked for a job. Why is the job search its been a long time since i looked for a job why is the photograph so important . Having a head shot, an updated, professional head shot is important its your digital handshake. Reporter 34yearold faith higgins hopes a photo boosts her job prospects. She has a masters in sustainability and was working sustainability and was working for habitat for humanity. The pandemic led to for habitat for humanity the pandemic led to widespread layoffs. Her linkedin page used to have a selfie i tried with the lighting you know, i knew it was time to like this. Right into the lens, harry. Reporter one piece of advice from the experts, when update it. It wasnt reflecting my best self. Reporter her page now looks like this. Right into the lens, harry. Reporter one piece of advice from the experts, when posting a photograph, make sure the one you use is current you may think you look better in the older picture, but its not who you are today. The photographers set their studios as sort of popups, inside businesses that have closed because of the pandemic Brookfield Properties that owns the malls across the country where the photographers set up, the jobs, perhaps the economy can get going, guys. Professional picture and a current picture. We like the old one, too. I like the old kerry. We do. Figure if they help people get the jobs, perhaps the economy can get going, guys. Professional picture and a current picture. We like the old one, too. I like good morning. 8 26. Im marcus washington. The fbi saying that a visiting college researcher from china who lied about her connections with the Chinese Military is now wanted fugitive. They say that shes hiding in the chinese consulate in San Francisco. Last fall, she received a shortterm visa to do research at uc davis. Last month the fbi says it became aware of her connections to the Chinese Military. Theyve charged her with visa fraud. So far, the Chinese Government is not commenting. Lets get a look at the forecast for you outside. Nice and sunny out there as we take a live look out towards meteorologist kari hall with walnut creek in the back. Were starting to see it clearing out here but still clouds in other parts of the bay area along the coast as well. Were going to see some clearing as we head toward late morning and slight warmup as well as we go into the afternoon. Concord will reach 86 degrees. 82 in san jose. Oakland today in the low 70s. 60s in San Francisco while napa reaches 83 degrees. Were still looking at mostly 80s in the forecast until the weekend. More widespread 90s in the forecast, marcuskari, thank you. Well have another local news update coming up for you in 30 minutes. I would do a spit take right now if it wasnt so dangerous. Its 8 30 now on a thurs its 8 30 now on a thursday morning, 23rd of july, 2020. Otherwise known as one year and counting, tminus 365 days, until tokyo 2021 look at that thats the arena that will host volleyball in tokyo. It is all lit up for the occasion coming up, were going to do some celebrating of our own with team usa athletes. Well chat with nbc sports mike tirico about what things could look like in tokyo of course, guys, were all dressed up for the occasion. Weve got our swag on we are. We are ready. Were going to talk more about this in a second. Usa. Jill martin is back with steals and deals to spice up your summer. Were going to talk about all the things we need for Outdoor Dining. Tomorrow on today, Blake Shelton and gwen stefani will join us for our citi music summer series, with the tv debut of blakes new song that features gwen. Looking forward to checking in with them. Were going something unique with the my today plaza crowd. It is extra special. Weve assembled a group of olympians and olympic hopefuls were a year from tokyo, you guys good morning. Water polo player Johnny Hooper sports climbers. To celebrate. Lets go. Were a year from tokyo, you guys good morning. Water polo player Johnny Hooper sports climbers. Table tennis lily is here. The whole gang thank you for waking up. You probably have to train, i imagine. Canoe sprinter. Harrisonplayer, Nevin Harrison rugby player, isles. Javelin, wenger. Rounding out the group, swimmer stars with 14 olympic combined medals, Katie Ledecky and Nathan Adrian good morning adrian, how you doing, honey doing well. Thank you. How are you . Great i remember you sat down here in studio 1a about a year ago you talked about your cancer diagnosis. How are you doing today . Im doing well. Active surveillance, which mea thank you for asking i have about six more months of active surveillance, which means i have some blood tests and some mris left to go. Fortunately, knock on wood, everything has been coming back clear so far nathan, you got a year out until tokyo. Were happy about that nathan, you got a year out until tokyo. How has training been going . How are you training in this world of coviddered it right aw, it took about five weeks to get there. Swimmi training has actually been going pretty well. All things considered. As we went to shelter in place, i went online, ordered waves and got it in my garage. Though it ordered it right away, it took about five weeks to get there. Swimming, our olympic sized pools are still closed, so were training in smaller pools righte now. Were just grateful to be in the water. Were grateful youre here, nathan looking good, buddy. You are. Katie ledecky, good morning you won your first gold at 15. You racked up several since. I guess the question for you, not that you have to answer for everybody, but how do you stay motivated for another year good morning, guys. Great to see you im just focused on my same goals. Igoing to try this use thising year to improve and use it as an opportunity. By the way, switching gears, i read that you reenrolled into class at stanford, one of which was about Infectious Diseases. You were studying the coronavirus. Is that true yup right when the postponement of the olympics occurred, it was right when spring quarter was starting back up at stanford i enrolled in four classes im in another four classes right now this summer. As you said, i took a class on Global Change and emerging Infectious Disease this spring it was incredibly interesting, really great to hear from experts and researchers and really hear whats going on. Really engage in the topic. Itd be amazing if you could manage to bring home gold and also find the vaccine for oh, im not at that level with your extra time. Covid19. Wed like that. Oh, im not at that level with your extra time. I also want to mention that you and nathan both are polo a portion of the proceeds, if people buy the gear were wearing, 25 goes to a good cause. We want to thank you all for ralph lauren spokespeople. Theyre sponsoring the olympics. A portion of the proceeds, if people buy the gear were wearing, 25 goes to a good cause. We want to thank you all for getting up with us were pumped up about the olympics in 2021 we know you are, too we cant wait to see you all in tokyo this time next year. We have more olympic excitement still ahead. First, a quick check of the weather from dylan thanks, guys. Thanks, gang. Thank you thanks, guys. Good morning so exciting to think were at another one year countdown lets take a look at whats going on across the country as we go into the weekend its still hot still humid. Although, for some areas across the northern northeast, we are looking for slightly less humid temperatures as we go into friday tropical downpours along the gulf coast were watching tropical disturbance or tropical depression number eight right now, as that continues to approach the coast of texas. On saturday, drenching rain is likely along the coast of texas. We could see 5 to 8 inches of rain also gusty winds, too. Its sunny and warm in the northeast, the great lakes, strong storms across the upper across southern texas. Thats a look at the weather midwest. Onun good morning. Im meteorologist kari hall. As we take a look at our High Temperatures, were going to see low 60s near the coast and in San Francisco, across the bay, low 70s in oakland and up to 90 in antioch today. Well see our hottest temperature in clearlake. And as we go through the forecast, a touch of a cool down for tomorrow but its going to be a hot weekend with our valleys reaching 90 degrees. Still no major changes for San Francisco. Were keeping it cool in the city. Announcer one year out on today is sponsored by announcer one year out on today is sponsored by xfinity. Proud partner of team usa. Now back to our countdown to the next olympic games, exactlye one year from now. Thousands of athletes will be gathered for the Opening Ceremony in tokyo. Mike tirico is nbcs olympics primetime host you and i had a date for Opening Ceremony, supposed to be this h. You and i had a date for Opening Ceremony, supposed to be this week. Week hopefully next year, well be able to do it. How optimistic are you its going to happen . One more year to get everything right, savannah, right . Its great to see you. Great to have you back, as well. You know what . I think as a sports fan, and somebody who makes a living in sports, this is a day to be optimistic, right . We heard earlier in the hour, its opening day for baseball. Basketball is getting ready to start. The nhl is back on nbc next week as we Start Talking a return to the road, were sports and we look a year down the road, were realistic, we know we dont know anything anymore, but i am optimistic that well all be together a year from now, watching the world come back together in tokyo. Talk about the tokyo. Talk about the logistical challenge that this would be what a feat. It is in any scenario, to bring the world together for this Athletic Competition but right after a pandemic, what do they have to be looking at right now . Well, it was a logistical challenge just to move the dates, savannah, and move it one year the Olympic Village had to be reset. All the venues for all the different sports, 40 plus sports every sports calendar around the world had to be reorganized. It was a logistical, huge endeavor everyone took, the organizing committee and the ioc. Now, its the reality of, where will the virus be . None of us have any idea will there be treatments will there be a vaccine . What will the Olympic Village look like . Here be treatments . Will there be a vaccine . What will the Olympic Village look like . Can they create a bubble like the nba has done in orlando to can they create a bubble like the nba has done in orlando to get restarted . Im sure theyre watching around the globe, as all these things are happening. At some point, theyll have to make some decisions on how theyre going to physically pull off 11,000 athletes competing all around japan and if there will be fans or not. Okay. Lets talk sports. Lets do the fun stuff youve got five athletes to watch this morning who is on your list . Of course, we heard from simone biles in the first hour. Shes right at the top of the list for american fans. Shes favored to win a with hoda. Shes right at the top of the list for american fans shes favored to win as many as five gold medals thatd take her, perhaps, to be someone who is the most decorated female olympian in terms of medals. Katie ledecky is taking classes in stanford. She has a chance to add to her tremendous total caleb dressel. There is no Michael Phelps i spoke to caleb, and he is excited about where his preparation is savannah, the strength of the u. S. , very often, are the teams, especially the womens teams soccer is going to try to put together their backtoback. That would be winning the world cup, as they did last year, and double that up with an olympic gold medal, which would be four in the last five olympics. Then womens basketball. We dont talk about this team enough savannah, theyre going for their seventh straight olympic gold medal they are a remarkable group. Veterans, youth, experience, they have it all it could be the team to watch, that is the biggest guarantee for the u. S. To win gold in tokyo. Well, its one year out i sure hope we reunite and get to host the Opening Ceremony as planned in tokyo itll mean a lot to us and a lot to the world, to see all the athletes together. Thank you, mike. Appreciate it. Of course, you can see all of this action on the networks of. Savannah, good to see you, nbc universal. Carson, to you savannah, good to see you, too. On pop start, prepare yourself for Martha Stewart unfiltered. A sneak peek at her new show hi. Were glad you came in. Whats on your mind . Can you help keep these guys protected online . Easy. Connect to the xfi gateway. What about wireless data options for the family . You can customize and save. What about internet speeds that can keep up with my gaming . Lets hook you up with the Fastest Internet from xfinity. And now with our stores reopening, were putting Healthy Practices in place. Come visit a store today. Stop in or book an appointment online at a time that works for you. Now thats simple, easy, awesome. Ask. Shop. Discover at your local xfinity store today. Its about to get bester baby menutaur make it a double, yeah nice mane try my 5. 99 southwest cheddar cheeseburger combo and make it a double for a buck more. Order now with no contact delivery. Hot pop start today. People are handing me stuff hot off the press. Things are happening. Breaking news. Savannah guthrie undergoes cataract surgery on monday from the looks of it, you are doing well how did it go . I have yet to talk to you about youre leading pop start. This is a moment. Thank you, thank you the surgery went great im better youre sweet to ask. I cant bel. I cried, i see close up really well i cant believe it i cried, actually. It was just so overwhelming and such a relief. Then i think in the next week or two, ill be able to see far away better, as well, once i get a prescription pair of glasses. Describe the moment. It went well. Thank you for asking. When you peeled off that thing, that patch after the surgery, what was that like . Hoda, so there was a bandagea on my eye. Tuesday morning i went and they took it off. She handed me something to read. I could see it, even the tiniest, little print. It was so bright i just started to cry. Im so grateful. Actually, mike and i walked out, and on the street corner, i just started sobbing. Because i was so glad. I think what doctors do is amazing. Im so lucky this is cataract surgery people get it every day. It is not anything super, duper special but, boy, is it special to me. Thanks for asking. Were glad youre doing well. Indeed. Hopefully thats the end of it. Yeah. Good and done. I hope, too. I love the jarjar binks and the train set. Ill move on Martha Stewart shes got a new gardening show on hgtv called martha knows best. It features celebrities and the latest projects shes working on from her New York Farm even life advice educate my celebrity friends. Hey, im doing a pot show. What . Teach me how to grow my own herbs. Gardening is something to be learned. It doesnt come naturally to everybody. Gardens together, stays together, except for me. My husband ran off he didnt like gardening very much well, the show isnt the only thing keeping martha busy. Shes apparently spending some time sending the internet into a frenzy she posted this selfie on instagram with the caption my pool is east hampton is the place to be. A lot of flames in the emoji section. Chelsea handler created it im here to take Martha Stewarts swimming lesson. Martha is joining us live next thursday, so well ask about her sultry selfies and brandnew show, of course. This was hot off the press taylor swift, up bright and early this morning, minutes ago shocking fans, announcing a brandnew album coming out tonight at midnight. Its called folklore, her eighth studio album. It is less than a year after the lover. Not a lot of time there. The new one really coming out of nowhere, actually. Fans are used to sort of getting hints and clues. Taylor is good at that, before she releases a record. She says the 16song album was written in isolation, and that a music video is also debuting tonight, which she wrote and directed and wants everybody to know the whole shoot for the music video was overseen by a medical inspector. Taylor is creative amid the pandemic folklore, her eighth album, tonight at midnight. And the video comes out. Theres the hot take. Surprising us, that taylor. Coming up next, you ready to go bargain hunting hi, everyone, from my backyard, im jill martin. It is day two of Sizzling Summer steals and deals. How to throw the perfect socially distant barbecue. We have everything you need, coming up. First, this is today on nbc. It is morning and we know that you want coffee. But we also know that, when it comes to money you want to. Not spend any. Thats why 7eleven has 7 cups free with 7rewards. You get the drip coffee you want. For the no money you want. Coffee. No money. 7 times. Is that what you want . Oh, we know. Because we are 7eleven. And we might know you better than you know yourself. 7eleven. Always open. And geico loves helping riders get to where theyre going, so to help even more, geico is giving new and current customers a fifteen percent credit on their motorcycle policies with the geico giveback. And because were committed for the long haul, the credit lasts your full policy term. The geico giveback. Helping riders focus on the road ahead. Were back its day two of our summer sizzle edition of steals and deals, carson. Ive been waiting for day two of this whole thing. Its all about Outdoor Dining and entertaining jill martin has pricebusting bargains to get you cooking. By the way, take note, you guys, of the qr code thats at the bottom of your screen. You can use your phones camera. You scan it, and it gets you to the steals and deals carson tried it yesterday, and it works. I bought a pool. Hi there. Good morning welcome to day two of Sizzling Summer steals and deals. Sizzling is the operative word we are going to show you how to throw the perfect socially distant barbecue i have everything, whether youre a master chef or youre like me and can barely make it in the kitchen we will show you how to make it perfect with these six items all right. Lets start with the threepiece barbecue set retail, 55. You get the spatula, which is angled for easy pickup, fork and tongs. Stainless steel, safe up to 660 degrees fahrenheit retail, 55. The deal, 19. 95 off. A lot of you have been asking for knives asking for knives. The original slicer and 6piece knife combo. 5 the original slicer and 6piece knife combo. 52. 98 seven total. Dishwasher safe, which is key. We want easy breezy. Makes slicing, dicing, and chopping effortless. The deal, 21. 60 off. This next one is a great way to fake it. These are unbelievable some ive never seen before. They could really add to any dish the set of four spices gustus vitae, in latin, meaning taste of life. 50 to 55 it started at a Farmers Market and now is available to drinks and mixology sets. I like the everything bagel seasoning. The deal is 20. Up to 64 off. You can see all the sets on today. Com. We all know this company, but theyve come up with a new iteration of their famous flatware 24pack reusable and biodegradable knork set. Theyve launchedom and reusable utensils, biodegradable. It comes in all colors whatever your theme is, youll see what color you get get this, go to the dishwasher up to 450 times. Its a notch up if you dont want to use plastic ware beautiful and sturdy deal, 13 for the set. 57 off. Next up, this is a choice, the indoor outdoor serve ware and glass set. Retail, 99 to 195. It is highgloss three dishes and platters or a set of 8 and 16 ounce glasses. Whats great, it is shatt options are on today. Com themes are summer, sun, relax. Whats great, it is shatter and chip resistant you dont worry if you have kids around 99 to 195 is retail. The deal, 25 to 39 up to 80 off. Now, wed all be chowing down in the studio, but ill hold down the fort for you no worries the omaha steaks summer sizzle pack retails 258. 87. Ill take a deep breath. The greatest grill set four 5 ounce sirloins. Burgers. Eight boneless chicken and pork chops. Chops. Jumbo franks and the seasoning. The deal, 129. 50 off. It comes boxed rig jumbo franks and the seasoning the deal, 129 50 off. It comes boxed right to your door in dry ice. I made this entire dinner party, or morning party, in under an hour lets wrap up the products one the dishware. The 24pack flat more time. The dishware the 24pack flat ware. The original slicer and sixpiece knife set. The 3piece barbecue set the gustus vitae spices. Packs. Today makes a small share of revenue from your purchases. That wraps up the twoday or the omaha steaks summer sizzle packs today makes a small share of revenue from your purchases. That wraps up the twoday extravaganza after steals and deals. Ill send it to you with the pressing question, on a hot dog, ketchup or mustard i go with the ketchup and sauerkraut back to you. Fighting words there. Get people riled up. A little ketchup. What do you do, s. G. . I mean, maybe ketchup or mustard. A good hot dog you can eat plain. I bet carson used the code for the omaha steaks. I just got one of everything. I want the knork, too. Ill give you a couple. Easy access. The qr code is cool. Our olympic countdown rolls in the today on nbc. If you want more, get the qr code our olympic countdown rolls on live, you guys. Ahead on the 3rd hour, two more usa hopefuls join us plus, a fun chat with jim gaffigan. On the fourth hour, dennis quaid. His life as a newlywed and more on the parent trap reunion bye good morning. 8 56. Im marcus washington. A Rapid Testing clinic that opened just yesterday in alameda has suddenly closed its doors this morning. This was in alamedas Research Park at marina village. Its run by city Health Urgent care. They provide results within 15 minutes and its supposed to test 500 people per day. Yesterday there were lines until midnight and Health Care Workers tested more than 1,000 people. The clinic had to shut down temporarily over an issue with liability insurance. But city health says its working to reaching a solution as quickly as possible. Happening now for you, sierra johnson is reaching out to Health Leaders and looking at the impact. Shell have more during our midday newscast. The u. S. His surpassed 4 million confirmed cases and california surpassed new york for the most cases overall. In our twitter feed, link to more, including that new overall involvement potentially toxic with Hand Sanitizers. And one year from today, the rescheduled summer olympics begins in tokyo. Well have that full story on our home page. Menutaur get a load of my southwest cheddar cheeseburger. Let menutaur make it a doubleeee, yeah its beautiful say what . I said its bea. Try my 5. 99 southwest cheddar cheeseburger combo and make it a double for a buck more. Order now with no contact delivery. Good morning. Welcome to the 3rd hour of today on this thursday, july 2 23rd. Im sheinelle. Dylan and i work from home. Al and craig are off on this friday eve, as craig likes to dylan. We have jampacked show for you today. Like weve done every thursday during this pandemic, we want to bring you the latest unemployment numbers, as they are just out. Here we go again. Another 1. 4 Million People filed claims last week. Thats 18 straight weeks that number has remained over 1