The judge handing the Pop Star a victory in her Conservatorship Battle Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with Lester Holt good evening. We thought by now the worst was firmly behind us, but Americas Summer of recovery from covid is rapidly becoming a season of Dread And Frustration over americans who remain unvaccinated and highly vulnerable to the Delta Variant, which now more than half of new covid cases in this country. After weeks of growing confidence amid falling infection rates, a dramatic turn about under way tonight. Infections, hospitalizations and deaths climbing again. Crowded Emergency Rooms in some parts of the country fueling a sense of Deja Vu the number of americans 12 and older at least partially vaccinated now over 184 million. But the daily number of vaccinations has plummeted. Miguel almaguer has details. Reporter the Summer Spike is catching experts by surprise who never expected numbers like these. Tonight new infections, hospitalizations, even deaths are increasing when many predicted they would be at alltime lows. In missouri, more covid patients are filling beds than during the deadly Winter Surge hospitals here pleading for more doctors. The Tidal Wave is coming towards our unvaccinated population this variant is spreading quickly, and this variant has the ability to devastate those in its wake. Reporter after accounting for just 0. 1 cases in april, the dangerous highly contagious Delta Variant now makes up nearly 60 of new cases. As infections double, vaccinations are plummeting, down 54 last week. Have you had yours yet . Reporter as more states go Door To door, offering athome vaccinations, tonight a new report says the Tennessee Department of health will stop all adolescent Vaccine Outreach amid pressure from republican lawmakers. The agency says theyre reevaluating their process, and wouldnt comment on former medical director Michelle Fiscus who says she was fired after efforts to get teens vaccinated at school the children that are not going to get vaccinated if theyre not vaccinated at school, and that is the travesty thats here, thats the injustice. Reporter with 60 of children who are eligible for vaccination still not inoculated, many fear with the return to school and after a summer together, a Fall Surge is imminent the Delta Variant is going to move its way through the country over the course of august and september, maybe into october. Unfortunately, the worst is yet to come its going get worse before it gets better in terms of the spread of this infection right now. Miguel, weve been talking about rural communities. Whats happening in larger cities . Well, lester, several big cities are reporting a substantial rise in covid cases after having just a few. Here in l. A. County, covid cases are up 500 over the last month, and with the Delta Variant circulating the a skyrocketed 700 lester its like a bad movie. Miguel, thank you. Lets turn to those raging wildfires in the west. More than A Million acres have burned. The fire is fueled by the most severe drought in years and coming much earlier than usual Nbcs Jake Ward has the latest. Reporter tonight dozens of wildfires raging Out Of Control in the west. I guess weve had what, three, four fires around here in the last month, and its kind of getting scary. Reporter Two Million people under Red Flag warnings across five states, california, idaho, montana, washington, and oregon the Bootleg Fire is the first Official Mega Fire of 2021. Its burned more than 200,000 acres, doubling in size for four straight days now nearly seven times the size of San Francisco. And Drought Conditions in 94 of the west are making it all worse. It has never been this low it really is unprecedented. Reporter lake mead, only a third full is lower than its been since the 1930s. Its one of several depleted reservoirs across the southwest Climate Change has a very strong fingerprint on exactly what were seeing right now at lake mead. Reporter this weekend, authorities plan to close this Boat Ramp on the Nevada Side of lake tahoe, citing low water levels and danger to boaters. Without enough water in lakes and reservoirs, vegetation dries out and becomes ready fuel its like a stocked fireplace, tinderpacked, ready to go up. Reporter symptoms of Climate Change, fuelling the fires this Fire Season is about six weeks ahead of schedule. Outbreaks behaving like they typically would in august or even september jake, are firefighters doing anything differently to prepare for this year . Well, lester, theyre preparing not only to fight fires overnight to avoid Heat Exhaustion in the tripledigit temperatures were already seeing, theyre also grappling with new fire behavior, walls of flame that are moving faster and reaching higher in these conditions lester all right, jacob, Thanks President biden rallying Democrats Tonight to pass another sweeping Spending Proposal, 3. 5 trillion for health care, child care, Climate Change, and other priorities our Peter Alexander has more on it tonight. Reporter President Biden Tonight back on capitol hill, urging senate democrats to unite around a massive 3. 5 trillion Spending Proposal were going get this done. We are getting it done thank you. Reporter focusing on social programs and Climate Change democrats planning to go it alone on this package, but that means they cant afford to lose a single vote. Progressives like Bernie Sanders who wanted even more new spending sounding satisfied. This is i would say the most consequential piece of legislation being proposed since the Great Depression and fdr. Reporter but moderate Democrats Tonight less certain about the steep price tag. Is 3. 5 trillion too high it depends if we can pay for it and still be competitive. Reporter universal prek and paid Family Leave as well as Climate Change initiatives and expansion of medicare to add dental, Vision And Hearing benefits democrats want to pay for it in part with Tax Hikes on the wealthy and corporations republicans slamming it as a Tax And Spending spree that will send Debt And Inflation skyrocketing well, the 3. 5 trillion number is a shocking figure. What were seeing leer the outlines in the democrats radical train, their Freight Train to Socialism And Everybody One Way Or Another in america is going to end up paying for it. Reporter the plan is the second of two separate Proposals President biden is asking congress to support. The other a trillion dollar bipartisan infrastructure deal. But tonight questions remain whether or not republicans will stay on board lester Peter Alexander at the White House tonight, thank you in just 60 seconds, scathing criticism of the fbi for its handling of Sex Abuse allegations against the former doctor for Usa Gymnastics and a Veteran Nfl Star under arrest and in jail tonight. A blistering Report Tonight by Justice Department investigators on the Fbis Handling of sexual abuse allegations against Larry Nassar, the former doctor for usa Gymnastics Stephanie Gosk is here stephanie, what does the Report Say Reporter lester, the Inspector General says the fbi mishandled the accusations against Larry Nassar when they first heard them from gymnasts according to the report, the Indianapolis Field office failed to respond with the utmost Seriousness And Urgency and made numerous and fundamental errors the report points out the fbi did not open an investigation for nearly a year. They also did not alert local officials to the allegations against nassar during that time he continued to see patients at michigan State University and at a michigan Gymnast Club hundreds of women have accused nassar of abuse. He is currently serving a Life Sentence the fbi calling the actions of those involved inexcusable and a discredit to the organization lester, tonight they say they are already taking steps to make sure this doesnt happen again all right, stephanie, thank you he is an nfl star, helped the seahawks win their first super bowl, and played for San Francisco in recent years, but tonight Richard Sherman is under arrest and being held without bail here is Erin Mclaughlin Reporter Tonight Veteran Nfl Cornerback Richard Sherman facing a series of charges, including burglary, domestic violence. Just before 2 00 in the morning, police were called to the home of Shermans Ex inlaws in redmond, washington, responding to a report of a burglary in progress according to the police, sherman was attempting to force entry into a Family Members home. The suspect fought with officers while being taken into custody. Police deployed a K9 Dog to help make the arrest. A minor laceration to the lower Leg And Ankle area as a result of the k9 contact. Reporter police say no Family Members were injured and sherman never entered the home just before the alleged burglary, police say they suspect the superstar of leaving his severely damaged Vehicle And Fleeing on foot after striking a Cement Barrier Washington State Patrol say theyre investigating sherman for a hitandrun and driving under the influence. The 33yearold Free Agent and super Bowl Champ is widely regarded as a leader both on and off the field. He is a Vice President of the nfl players association. Today the association releasing a statement saying theyve activated the domestic Violence Crisis Protocol for the Protection And Support of everyone involved tonight his manager telling Nbc News he is shocked, calling sherman a Family Man Erin mclaughlin, Nbc News the government of iran calls the charges baseless, but tonight the fbi says its all very real, accusing four iranian intelligence operatives of plotting to kidnap an outspoken critic of the regime right here in the u. S. Here is pete williams. Reporter the fbi says it was no Movie Plot a secret twoyear effort by iran to keep close tabs on this woman, Masih Alinejad at her house in brooklyn with the goal of kidnapping her. Im an iranian journalist, activist but to be honest, the government in iran have different names for me. Reporter she is an outspoken critic especially its treatment of women, an author with a big profile on social media. Federal prosecutors say these four men in iran, operatives of its intelligence service, hatched a plot to snatch her off the street, hiring private investigators to watch and photograph her house, falsely telling them she owed money to a client in the Middle East the fbi says it found this Screen Shot showing that one of the iranian men even researched ways to spirit her away by boat u. S. Authorities were so concerned, they moved her to safe houses for eight months a fifth person, a woman in california is charged with helping move nearly half A Million dollars here from iran to finance the plot irans foreign Ministry Tonight calls the charges baseless and ridiculous, but the Justice Department says iran has a history of Dragging Dissidents back home to be jailed or executed lester all right, pete, thank you. Some stunning images coming out of South Africa tonight, where the worst rioting in decades has left at least 72 people dead. One mother was forced to toss her 2yearold off a balcony after looters set the building On Fire incredibly, the child was uninjured. Hundreds of stores have been targeted the rioters are protesting the jailing of a former president in a Corruption Case as well as Poverty And Inequality here at home, the Cdc Today confirmed what many feared, Drug Overdose deaths hitting a record in 2020, exacerbated by the pandemic here is kate snow. Reporter Overdose Deaths have been rising for years, but you can see the increase that coincides with covid preliminary data from the cdc shows from December 2019 to december 2020, Overdose Deaths rose nearly 30 thats 93,331 deaths last year. Turner benoit saw it firsthand. He helps families who lack resources find treatment. The pandemic really created a perfect storm for people in early recovery we had people who were living in halfway houses relying on service and attending 12step meetings every day. All of those things got ripped away. And their link to Recovery Services were taken away as Well Reporter and services shut down absolutely. Reporter he says government stimulus checks played a role too. People used those funds a lot of times to go straight out and get more of the substance that they need reporter an increasing supply of deadly fentanyl also drove overdoses. Deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids were up 54 . Its cheap. Its synthetic, and its easy to make. And its so lucrative. Reporter early their year we toured the Dea Lab in new York Users dependent on opioids are drawn to fentanyl but its also put in counterfeit pills that anyone could buy and the danger is if you get too much of the fentanyl, you can die. You can die. Reporter ed Turnans Son charlie died after buying what he thought was a Prescription Painkiller through a dealer he met on snapchat it contained fentanyl. The Drug Landscape has changed. Its more Line A minefield where their next move could be their last. Reporter the Turnans Foundation helped create social outreach, bringing attention back to an epidemic overshadowed for months by covid. Kate snow, Nbc News. As the u. S. Struggles to get that crisis under control, democrats are launching a new effort to legalize a different drug at the federal level, marijuana. Gabe gutierrez with the exclusive in our series red, white and green. Reporter no longer considered a pipe dream, today top democrats rolled out a draft of their plan to try to legalize marijuana at the federal level. This is a historic day. Reporter first obtained by Nbc News, the Pot Push calls for removing cannabis from the controlled substances act, Expunging Federal Records of nonviolent cannabis offenders, and setting up regulations to tax pot products so do you have the votes . Well, were working on it. Reporter we sat down exclusively with three key senate democrats trying to sway their colleagues. This ought to be a republican states Rights Dream because what we say in our bill is were going to decriminalize at the federal level, but we arent going to force the states to legalize you havent been able to get infrastructure done yet. Why bring this up now . We got to do a lot of things to move america forward. Reporter but Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer faces an uphill battle. Not just getting republicans on board, but also president biden. Ive spoken in the past about the president s views on marijuana. Nothing has changed. There is no new endorsements of legislations to report today. Reporter critics say the Weed Industry is marketing to kids, and some doctors report high Potency Pot being linked to mysterious illnesses, including severe vomiting in young users. I think longterm this is going to show a lot more damage to our children than we are admitting at this point. Reporter still, overall, americans views on cannabis have changed dramatically back in 1969, only 12 backed Marijuana Legalization now 68 do more and more people across the political spectrum are on it. So its going to roll. Its going to roll reporter long odds, but high hopes gabe gutierrez, Nbc News, washington Up Next, how to navigate the confusing Covid Testing rules for travel before your next big trip. Here are the two battling to the Line And Allyson felix. Simone manuels above her trying to fight on, and above simone. Getting an opportunity to show her stuff. Nonstop, displayed at the highest performance level. Finding something and the us takes Gold Dream on Dream On Dream On Dream On yes Ahhhhhhh Dream until your Dreams Come True just in tonight, Britney Spears scoring a win in the battle over her fathers conservatorship. The judge granting Spears Request to choose her own attorney the Pop Star spoke out in court, demanding her father Jamie Spears be charged with conservatorship abuse. He has denied any wrongdoing now to something that is causing a lot of confusion, Covid Testing rules for americans traveling abroad this Summer Tom Costello with what you need to know. Reporter for americans finally taking off for foreign skies, confusing and inconsistent rules some countries do want to see those Cdc Vaccination cards or a european equivalent. Others dont regardless of vaccine status, dozens of countries require a negative Covid Test from a u. S. Pharmacy, Clinic Or Airport Test Site before passengers ever leave the u. S have you ever been diagnosed with covid no. Reporter at Dulles Airport in washington, temperature checks and nasal swabs for passengers of all ages the price varies depending on how quickly you want the results. 75 for a two to threeday results. Up to 250 for results the same day for a family of four, that can run 1,000. Definitely worth it i live in egypt. I need to go back to see my family, my kids, my wife. Reporter but its not cheap. Its not, no. If youre an american heading over to europe right now, france, italy, greece, germany are some of the easiest to get into where you just show your proof of vaccine. But all this is changing by the minute. Reporter regardless of where you travel, everyone returning to the u. S. Must have a negative Covid Test to even board a plane. It was easy it was fast. The results came on my phone via Whatsapp And Everybody accepted it on whatsapp on my phone coming through. Reporter u. S. Airlines constantly updating their Mobile Apps as countries constantly change their requirements, allowing passengers to upload their test results. United partners with Abbott Labs and selling a 25 instant selftest kit, so passengers can test themselves overseas on a Video Call with technicians, then board that return flight it prevents them from having to seek out a test in an international country that they may not be familiar with, and its a really helpful part of the process to help them travel. Reporter not all countries accept the same Covid Test results. Know what the country youre traveling to requires before you spend hundreds of dollars on a Covid Test lester tom costello, thanks Up Next for us tonight, the 3yearold genius inspiring americans. Finally, were going to leave you with some inspiration from a remarkable Little Girl in california as youre about to see, calling her smart only begins to describe it. Hi Reporter Kash Quest is smart new jersey, utah, nevada. Reporter she knows all 50 states. Magnesium. Reporter the elements on the Periodic Table the colors in english and spanish. Verde verde, nice azul. There you go. Morado. Reporter she has an iq of 146 and is the youngest person ever to be admitted into the Mensa Society at just 3 years old. Weve never really sat her down and said lets read well introduce her to something, and if she takes to it, she takes to it. Reporter the quests always thought their daughter was smart. She was counting to 100 well before her second birthday. 100 at around 18 months, we took her to her pediatrician, and she was speaking seven to tenword sentences. Reporter the pediatrician recommended she be tested for mensa, the society for those who score the 98th Iq Percentile or higher Sujit And Devon have big dreams for their daughter. Whatever she wants to do, well be there to support her. Reporter and kash has big dreams for herself. What do you want to be when you grow up . The Vice President. Reporter thats nightly news for this evening thank you for watching, everyone im Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night im raj mathai. Next on Nbc Bay Area news tonight, new information about the vta gunman. We now have a report from Customs Agents detailing the alarming things they found in his suitcase five years before the Mass Shooting in san jose. Its renewing questions about why local authorities were never warned. And we know its expensive to make it here in the bay area. I make a choice of whether i pay my rent or eat. But we havent ever had it laid out like this of about. How much minimum wage would have to be