Families sue florida to stop the governors mask mandate ban. Many classes there start tomorrow. The battle against californias biggest single wildfire ever. 30,000 people out of their homes. Our exclusive interview with the governor. Taliban forces take over multiple cities in afghanistan just weeks after most u. S. Troops left. The american embassy warning all citizens to get out now. Were on the ground. And a hero welcome. The epic homecoming as americas athletes return home. I just feel so honored and blessed to be able to represent this amazing country. The emotional reunions weeks in the making. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with Kate Snow. Good evening. Im Hallie Jackson in for kate. As we come on the air, the covid cries Sis Deepening in parts of america. Hospitals in some places overwhelmed again. We will get to all of it tonight, but we very least a reason to exhale with the olympics coming to a close today. Athletes from around the world pulling off what at times seemed impossible in the shadow of a global pandemic. The olympians themselves, especially those from team usa, delivering under the most challenging of circumstances. Keir simmons starts us off tonight from tokyo. The Closing Ceremony bursting with Pride And Gratitude for athletes who overcame the odds just to take part. A japanese drummer center stage. Each beat a prayer to remember those no longer with us. The games, organizers said, symbolizing triumph and hope. The Womens Usa Basketball team winning 9075 against japan, their seventh consecutive gold medal, a record, and the u. S. Womens Volleyball Team beat its longtime rival brazil for their first olympic gold. Sprinting Start Alisyn Felix becoming the most decorated american Track And Field athlete in u. S. History after the women won the four Bye 400 Relay relay. How has this differed for this olympic games . Its usually about running and winning and today its about overcoming and women. The Women Red the way, claiming 25 more medals than the men, solidifying the u. S. Lead with 113 medals to chinas 88, and curveball. Japans Baseball Team managed to beat the u. S. At its own game. President biden praising team usa. Beyond the medals and the results, you remind us that were stronger than we ever thought we were. Each and every athlete competing in these challenging games, true olympic champions. Keir joins us now from tokyo. Keir, no major outbreak inside the olympic bunt. Have you to think that the japanese organizers feel pretty relieved at this point. Reporter i think they really are, hallie, and it is impressive. Just think. Of the 50,000 folks involved in staging these games, just 430 positive tests. But hallie as we prepare to leave tokyo infections rising. Worthied attention turning from celebrating human excellence and fighting this virus that threatens us all. Keir simmons live for us in tokyo. Thank you. Here at home were once again breaking record for daily covid cases, and in a disturbing new twist in, some places kids are being hospitalized at a higher rate than at any other time during the pandemic. Kathy park has the latest. Tonight cities across the country sounding the alarm as covid cases explode to dangerous less. Austin Act Vagt its emergency alert system, warning residents the situation is dire. Just six icu beds available. And for the third time this Week Florida broke a record for daily covid cases as doctors say more kids are getting sick. There are more children in the Hospital Today than weve had at any point in the past 18 months. In just four days more than 3,000 kids in louisiana tested positive for the virus and due to the ongoing healTh Emergency, jazzfest in New Orleans is cancelled for the second year in a row. This Weekend Hospitalizations in the u. S. Topped more than 66,000, a grim Milestone Weve crossed twice in just six months. To keep the pandemic Under Control, indoor Mask Mandates are coming back from baltimore. Baltimores new Case Count has risen 374 . To durham, north carolina, where they have declared a State Of Emergency starting monday n. Arkansas an about face from the governor who signed a law in April Banning Mask Mandates. And so it was an error to sign that law. I admit that. The divide is deepening over vaccines, too. In texas a large crowd of Health Care workers protested outside Baylor University medical center where they are requiring staff be vaccinated. As the Pap Deckic presses on the Sturgis Motorcycle Real does, too. Im a realist. If its my turn, its my turn. Im not going to worry about it. Well, im very concerned, chuck, that well see another surge related to that rally. And kathy, whats the latest now on the need for boosters . Reporter well, hallie, dr. Anthony fauci believes that boosters are highly likely for certain populations including those with underlying conditions and the elderly. They believe they will likely be the first in line when the data says its time. Hallie. Kathy park for us in New York, thank you. The rise in hospitalizations for children has many parents worried as school starts tomorrow in some state, but there is a growing divide over what to do about masks in the classroom. Vaughn hillyard reports from florida on families and teachers caught in the middle. Reporter thousands of students are preparing to go back to school this week while covid runs rampant. It really concerns me. It really does. As parents square off with lawmakers and School Officials over masks. Its a parents choice, family choice, physician choice. Reporter texas will not have to contact trace positive cases in their classrooms napped florida governor Ran Desantis Banning School Districts from requiring masks and six other states are doing the same. Let parents make the decisions and let The Kid breathe. Take yourself back to elementary school. Did you want to run around on a playground wearing a mask. Forcing some families to make hard decisions. Ill be home schooling this year because multiple open heart surgeries, currently have a pacemaker. The governor threatening to cut funding to schools that buck his order. I want the School Districts to stand up against the governor and make a stand based on the Health And Wellbeing of our children. Several parents now filing a lawsuit. To what extent are you arguing that a school has a responsibility to stop a communicable disease from spreading . To a very high extent. Let them exercise that oversight and that obligation to ensure schools are safe. Reporter but at least two School Districts are working around the Governors Order requiring masks unless the Students Parent explicitly opts out and teachers elsewhere preparing. We just have to have conversations, rely on the science. Reporter and The Kid caught in the middle in the fight over masks. If i get covid then everybody else would. And then the teachers would have it, too. Reporter but you like wearing your mask, dont you . Yeah. What can you tell us about any court rules on these School Mask mandates . Reporter yeah, hallie. A judge ruled that schools in arkansas can require masks overruling the state. There are several lawsuits slated to be argued on this in the coming weeks. Hallue . Vaughn hilliard, thank you. Now to the historic wildfires burning Out Of Control in northern california where the destruction is staggering. Matched only by the heartache of those who lost their home. More from the states largest Fire Burning outside greenville, california. Reporter overnight the Dixie Fire exploding to almost half A Million acres. Over twice the size of New York city. Driving more than 30,000 people out of their homes, the inferno has destroyed nearly 600 structures threatening another 13,000. Four firefighters injured during a desperate firefight to cut flames. People are displaced and many will never return and thats a tragedy. Youre seeing here not just a loss of homes and housing. Youre seeing entire communities wiped off the map. The Myers Family opened their doors to many fleeing the flames. He comes and hangs out. Sheltering displaced neighbors and offering food and water. Were lucky so far because were still here. Reporter Bob Johns One of the many now homeless. It came through so fast that you just couldnt do anything but run. Just devastation just killed me. Hes grateful for the support. Someone gave you this trailer. Yeah. After you lost yours . Right. Reporter but rebuilding is going to be tough. At my age i think how am i going to start over again . Reporter what do you feel when you see this happening . This is literally about tradition, sensing of play, culture, lifestyles, identity, memories, about kids and families. Reporter and an uncertain future in another relentless fire season tomorrow. Reporter are firefighters getting any kind of help from the weather here . Reporter yes, they are but its a doubleedged sword. With Smoke Lifting Air support can return but they will have to battle higher temperatures and gustier wind. Thank you somme so much. The u. S. Senate here in Washington Meeting in a rare Sunday Session right now. Senators are debating the details of president bidens 1. 2 trillion infrastructure package. The bipartisan Deal Clearing a big Hurdle Yesterday when the senate voted to break a filibuster. That now partially paves the way for the bill to pass later this week before landing in the house. Coming up, the landing in the house. Coming up, the Taliban Takeover With vo while you may not be running an architectural firm, tending hives of honeybees, and mentoring a teenager your life is just as unique. Your Raymond James Financial advisor gets to know you, your passions, and the way you help others. So you can live your life. Thats life well planned. This may look like a regular movie night. But if youre a kid with diabetes, its more. Its the simple act of enjoying time with friends, knowing you understand your glucose levels. Age is just a number. And mines unlisted. Try boost® High Protein with 20 grams of protein for muscle health. Versus 16 grams in ensure High Protein. Boost® High Protein also has key nutrients for immune support. Boost® High Protein. Why hide your skin if dupixent has your Moderatetosevere Eczema or Atopic Dermatitis Under Control . Hide my skin . Not me. By Hitting Eczema where it counts, dupixent helps heal your skin from within, keeping you one step ahead of eczema. 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Reporter chaos on the streets of canned u. N. The bustling city falling to the taliban today. The Police Headquarters shown in this taliban Propaganda Video unverified by Nbc News apparently abandoneded a fleet of trucks left behind. Its yet another blow to the countrys crumbling Security Forces who lost control of at least three cities since friday. Durange in the southeast and a city in the north. The speed of the taliban advance as u. S. Troops withdraw ahead of the September Deadline has shocked the west. The War In Afghanistan has entered a new diddleyer and more destructive phase. Reporter u. S. Forces have provided some Air Cover to struggling afghan troops but no more than that. The president made clear after 20 years at war its time for american troops to come home. Reporter thousands of a gains have fled their homes and they are vows neighbors to the north, Uzbekistan And Tajikistan are now holding Military Drills with russia as fears mount that the instability could spread. The taliban has taken cities before. The key Question Tonight is will they hold them . Regardless, the u. S. Embassy here is urging americans to leave the country immediately. Hallie . Kelly, thank you. Now to china where just six months from now the Winter Olympics are set to begin. Those games coming in a country that faces not just covid challenges but criticism over its human rights record. Janis Mackey Frayer reports from beijing. The countdown is on. Villages are built. Venues have been finetuned. The Water Cube where Michael Phelps swam now the Ice Cube for curling events. The iconic Birds Nest revamped, too. Were ready to go. Reporter but the pandemic looms large here. The ski jump center, the stands can hold 10,000 people. Whether anyone will actually attend will depend on covid. It will mean a Winter Olympics like no other. For nearly 3,000 athletes. Like Figure Skater nathan chan. I would at least like to have my patients there. Safety is the number one concern. The virus isnt the only obstacle. With growing national calls for a boycott over Chinas Crackdown in Hong Kong and alleged Rights Abuses of uighurs and u. S. Lawmakers are demanding a diplomatic boycott, controversy that beijing owes organize committee is reluctant to address, but in a statement to Nbc News chinas Foreign Ministry criticized attempts, to quote, hinder and destroy beijings plans adding the mistake of politicizing sports is bound to fail. At stake janis Mackey Frayer, Nbc News, beijing. Still ahead, terrifying moments for folks stuck in a flooded elevator. Plus, our Kate Snow with the Sto Re now, we all know progressive offers 24 7 protection, but we also bundle outdoor vehicles with Home And Auto to help people save more [ laughs ] [ humming ] [ Door Creaks ] oh. [ soft Music Playing ] what are you all doing in my daydream . Its better than that presentation. A lot better. You know, whether its a fraction or a decimal, its still fun, you know . 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He was 91 years old. Tonight we begin a weeklong series of reports here at Nbc News focusing on our Justice System. To start us off, Kate Snow looks at one prosecutor use the power of her office to not just go after criminals but to right wrongful convictions. Reporter in Detroit Wayne County prosecutor Kim Prison so it sound surprising three years ago she started a Conviction Integrity unit. Letters started pouring in to examine claims of innocence and look for those who were wrongfully imprisoned. This project takes on your own prosecutions. It takes on your own work. It does. These are sometimes investigations that take months and sometimes years to make sure that weve turned over every corner, to make sure that weve done full and fair investigations. Even if it might make your team look bad or the police here look bad. Its not about us. Its about justice. The units had more than 1,700 requests but only has the resources to focus on about 50 investigations at a time. Its one of more than 80 Conviction Integrity units across the country, part of a growing Movement Led by progressive prosecutors. Yet most havent exonerated anyone. Wayne countys efforts stand out. How many people of has your unit been able to give relief to . 29, 29. That includes exxonorees and people weve given new trials to, that their trial was so flawed they didnt get a good shake at justice. Someone was killed right over there. Someone was killed right over there. Most those they have helped is black men. My maximum was life without parole and my minimum was life without parole. Reporter what did that feel like . Its a Crushing Blow for zug didnt do. Reporter Kevin Harrington was a 20yearold College Student was a body was found in inkster, michigan in droid. Where were you . Out of the state of michigan. Reporter not in the state. When he was arrested, he thought hed be released right away. Like they will realize that they got the wrong guy. They will realize they got the wrong day and that day didnt happen until 17 years plus later. Reporter the main witness was coerced. Detectives told her she could lose her children if she didnt cooperate. The top investigator engaged in all sorts of misconduct in that case. The detective . Yes. Reporter last Summer Harrington walked out of prison and began rebuilding his life. Reporter what was it like since you got out . Heaven on earth. Reporter hes sued the city of inkster and detectives in his case and lawyers for the city did not reply to our question for comments. Detectives denied coercing the witness to fabricate a story. What does this say about the criminal Justice System . No one is safe. It doesnt matter what Zip Code you have, how much your paycheck reflects, what is your skin color. Reporter Kim Worthy is confident Kevin Harrington doesnt belong in prison and believes there are likely other Kevin Harringtons in every state. This work is worth it. It must be done. It must be done because we know the criminal Justice System is imperfect. We can never give a Persons Life back but make sure they have one outside Prison Walls if we find Theres Credibility to their claim. Reporter Kate Snow, Nbc News, detroit. When we come back, th when we come back, Th E was that your greatgrandmother, keeping the family together . Was that your grandfather, paving the way for change. Did they brave mother nature. And walk away stronger . Did they face the unknown, with resolve. And triumph. Theres strength in every family story. Learn more about yours. At ancestry. This isnt just a walk up the stairs. When you have an irregular heartbeat, its more. In every family story. Its dignity. The freedom to go where you want, knowing your doctor can watch over your heart. With Voltaren Arthritis Pain gel my husbands got his moves back. An alternative to pain Pills Voltaren is the first full Prescription Strength Gel for powerful arthritis pain relief. 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There is good News Tonight on Coming Home emotional reunions for athletes as they finally get to celebrate after making their olympic dreams come true. After an olympics like no other, athletes Coming Home to people who helped them going. For Gymnast Sewni Lee a reunion on the Today Show heading back to her hometown in minnesota as an olympic medalist. We love you. And as annies operation. Im just so proud of her that she made it to the olympics and got a medal. Im just so proud of her. Today is Crista Palma day. Named in the honor of the bronze diving medalist. Yall are what brought me to the point. The homecoming emotional like in harriman city, utah where fans lined the street for silver medal swimmer ryan white. I appreciate you guys supporting me and watching me swim. And i just feel so honored and blessed to be able to represent such an amazing country and my family so well. Reporter flags, balloons and sirens at that parade, and at this one in spring, texas, signs Simone Biles has already motivated the next generation. From the worlds biggest stage to the worlds biggest Hug Pro Skateboarder Jake with the family who supported him. He wouldnt be here. And Discus Thrower Valerie Almon knows what that is like reuniting with her parents. They were there in spirit but oh, gosh to come home and to have them here, that was so nice. [ applause ] reporter for these athletes the worlds most powerful, its where they find strength. Home once again reminding each olympian how many people were always on their team. When youre at the game and youre in the moment, you know, youre just taking it moment by moment but i think that this is the first times it really hit me and being able to celebrate with the people that mean the most to me is so special. And a big welcome home to all our olympians. Thats it for tonights nightly news. Stay tuned for coverage of Thech Stay tuned for coverage of Thech Closing C you probably think visa is a credit card company, huh . But its actually a network. Connecting just about everyone to just about everyone else. It can open eyes with a cup of Coffee And Change minds on what makes a business, a business. And it is working to connect everyone, everywhere. So, meet visa. A Network Working for everyone. Suni lee, gold medal. Its a world record. What a massi yes, sir. Tokyo, japan, on a scenic sunday night, the 17th and final night of the games of the xxxii olympiad, a games that began surrounded by Uncertainty And Doubt but gave way just as so many more conventional olympics have before to a parade