Pay for Holiday Shipping is going up and she has been on the job over 70 years. The nurse inspiring america. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with Lester Holt good evening, everyone the Fda Tonight appears to be on the verge of approving Covid Booster shots for the first time the third doses would be reserved for certain vulnerable americans, opening a new avenue of defense against the aggressive Delta Variant. Meantime, the challenge of protecting our kids in the face of a growing Covid Wave is frankly all over the map tonight. From the south, where Classroom Mask requirements are being banned, to california, where the governor is Ordering School Employees to show proof of Vaccination Or Face weekly testing. But there is growing urgency to get this right. The daily numbers were watching, new infections now over 108,000. New deaths exceed 750. But the number we desperately need to climb, the fully vaccinated, not moving quickly enough just shy of 167 million. Still barely 50 of us Morgan Chesky starts our Coverage Reporter tonight, as covid Cases Surge yet again, the fda looks to speed up its timeline for booster shots. The agency will authorize a third dose of both Pfizer And Moderna vaccines for the immunocompromised as early as tomorrow, according to two sources familiar with the plan the urgency fuelled by the Delta Variant as the Twofold Covid Fight continues nationwide unvaccinated patients filling up hospitals as schools face pushback over Mask Mandates im not willing to play Russian Roulette with Somebodys Life like that. Im not going to do that. Reporter the deltadriven Surge Setting new records. In pennsylvania, infections up 186 tennessee, 170 . Nationwide, children make up a fraction of covid cases. But in hot spots like memphis, almost one in four new cases are kids under 17. Now were seeing more kids who are symptomatic and more kids being hospitalized due to the Delta Variant. Tonight cities and states are issuing more Mask Mandates, including california and Oregon Hawaiis Governor limiting social gatherings and california asking School Staff to show proof of vaccination or submit to weekly testing. Meanwhile, governors in seven states banning Mask Mandates in schools, including texas and florida. We believe that the parent rather than the government should ultimately be able to make that Decision Reporter in texas, districts fighting the same battle, facing threats of fines our goal really is to keep school open. Reporter susana cordova, Deputy Superintendent of Dallas School District says when it came to the more than 140,000 kids filling classrooms, Masking Up made the most sense. With the governors Executive Order in place, was there any hesitation here . We obviously want to make sure that were following the law. Weve been really clear that the most important consequence that were looking at is how we keep people safe morgan, circling back to that third dose this could come down tomorrow what groups will be included yeah, lester, its still unclear what groups will be covered in this immunocompromised category, but it typically includes Cancer Patients and Organ Transplant recipients and a Johns Hopkins Study found a third dose did increase those antibody levels. Lester all right Morgan Chesky, thank you. Also breaking tonight, the cdc changing its guidance on pregnant women and the vaccine. Dr. John torres joins us now theyre specifically recommending these shots to pregnant women now . Lester, the big difference here is the cdc is shifting from saying they can to they should. Right now about one in every four pregnant woman has received at least one dose of a vaccine. The new regulation is based on data from nearly 2500 women who got at least one dose of Pfizer Or Moderna there was no Increase Risk of miscarriage before 20 weeks, and previous data also did not find any Safety Concerns for those vaccinated late in pregnancy. But getting covid during pregnancy does put women at an increased risk of severe illness or complications, including preterm birth. So the bottom line, lester, the cdc is saying the vaccine is safe for pregnant women. It could help them avoid those covid complications. Dr. John, thank you. In 60 seconds, the dangerous heat and tropics firing up. Plus, were inside afghanistan as the taliban advance. There is a good chance youre feeling it as we speak, this oppressive Heatwave Baking almost the entire country tonight. On top of it, that massive California Wildfire still growing and threatening 14,000 homes. Lets start with Kristen Dahlgren Reporter for the family, it seemed like a good idea to rent bikes today. I im drenched reporter two Ice Cream stops later. Were not going make it back any time soon. Reporter oppressive heat now stretching Coast To coast, with advisories in effect for 146 Million americans. Today just feels hot, looks hot. Reporter in the west temperatures soared portland 98. Spokane 98 and sacramento 103 degrees. In the midwest, Kansas City and st. Louis skyrocketed into the 90s with overnight lows remaining well above 80 in springfield, virginia, a 5yearold died after being left in a car the dome of Heat Making Temperatures dangerous from the midatlantic through new england. We cant stay out for too long because its this hot. Reporter here in New York, its now reached 90 degrees but with the humidity, it feels more like 100, and officials warn tomorrow will be even hotter, potential even a record breaker. An excessive Heat Warning remains in effect through thursday dangerously hot conditions with Heat Index values up to 109 degrees expected in New York a nation now in the grips of multiple heatwaves with days to go before Theres Relief kristen dahlgren, nbc news, New York tonight, the colossal Dixie Fire setting a grim milestone. The nations largest fire has torched more than 500,000 acres its mass has spread, now more than half the size of rhode island, sending clouds of pollutants across the country. That plume now creates its own weather, meaning the winds can go any direction. Reporter the fire decimating small town greenville, destroying nearly every man made structure in sight haunting new Satellite Images showing the scope of the devastation. Historic homes and businesses that stood for generations, leveled. Whole neighborhoods wiped off the map. This is, authorities say, a man bent on causing more pain. 47yearold College Professor Gary Maynard was arrested and charged for serial arson across northern california, accused of starting the nearby Ranch Fire Court filings with allege maynard was in the midst of an arson setting spree, and that he even tried to trap first responders fighting the Dixie Fire by gaining access to an Evacuation Zone and lighting fires behind them. Utility company Pg E admits a Power Line may have been partly responsible for sparking the fire. A federal judge has ordered a report from the company. A representative tells us they will respond on monday. Lester all right, Steve Patterson in california, thank you. Al roker is tracking the dangerous heat for us, and now a potential tropical threat al, it looks like the worst is yet to come lester, the worst of the heat comes Tomorrow Weve got 146 Million people under Heat Advisories through tomorrow, stretching literally from Coast To Coast Look at these temperatures while theyre in the upper 90s to mid90s, you add in the humidity and its going to be tripledigits from st. Louis, cincinnati, New York, washington, Down To Charlotte and were watching Tropical Storm Fred moving westnorthwest at 15 miles per hour current path puts into it the gulf some time Saturday Afternoon but the cone of uncertainty includes miami, tampa, and Jacksonville Rainfall amounts anywhere from 2 to 4 inches, but could see upwards of 8 well continue to track it. Lester all right, al, thanks very much in just 13 days, New York will have a new Governor Today Kathy Hochul distanced herself from Andrew Cuomo and the scandal that drove him out. Anne thompson spoke to her tonight. Reporter Kathy Hochul stepping out from Andrew Cuomos shadow i want people to know that im ready for this. Reporter the Lieutenant Governor will replace the besieged cuomo on august 24th. Hochul today promising shell be a different kind of leader. No one will ever describe my administration as a toxic work environment. Reporter the State Attorney generals Blockbuster Report On Cuomo detailed the allegations of 11 women who say the governor sexually harassed them. In my mind, ive never crossed the line with anyone. Reporter though he faces potential civil and criminal action, cuomo has not been charged with a crime and denies any wrongdoing have you made any deal with Governor Cuomo to pardon him should he be charged criminally . Absolutely not. That did not come up in any conversation. Reporter raised in buffalo, hochul has served at all levels of government, but was never part of cuomos Inner Circle i think its pretty clear, and its no secret that we have not been close. Reporter Cuomos Resignation has not stopped the impeachment process. If convicted, he could be barred from seeking statewide office again. When Kathy Hochul takes over as governor, she will face multiple crises, including covid and its economic impact. And she must also decide if she wants to run in next Years Election Lester anne thompson, thank you. With just weeks until the u. S. Completes its withdrawal from afghanistan, the taliban have seized a ninth city, while concern grows for the capital. Kelly cobiella is there. Reporter tonight the taliban claims hundreds of prisoners in afghanistans second largest City Kandahar are free after they say they overwhelmed the jail holding the insurgents and flung open the gates. This after a devastating setback in the north for afghan officials. Hundreds of afghan soldiers under siege at the Kunduz Airport reportedly surrendered. Taliban video purports to show vehicles, weapons, even an Attack Helicopter now in their hands by some estimates, the taliban now controls 65 of afghanistan more families are fleeing to the Capital Kabul every day. This woman says the taliban are not allowing girls and women to go to the market under the taliban, girls were banned from school and women from work many here are terrified those dark days are about to return do you worry about the Girls Safety Today . Yes, the principal says they tell us you all might die. Reporter it upsets you . Yes, she says. I tried to help the women. Im very sad when i see all these girls, i get really upset now. Today a student at the American University told me her mother bought her a burqa, not because she wants her to cover up, but because they have to be prepared. Lester all right Kelly Cobiella in kabul, thank you tonight a birthday marked in absentia, with just one desperate wish, the Safe Return of Austin Tice, an american journalist who disappeared in syria nine years ago i spoke exclusively with his parents with all my heart, austin, i hope you get this Message Reporter a Mothers Plea on the 40th birthday of her son, Austin Tice the freelance journalist and former marine who disappeared nine years ago while on assignment in syria. August 11th will always be our special day. Im so gteral futo be your mom, and i can hardly wait to hold you again. Tice went missing in August 2012 after being detained at a checkpoint near damascus oh, Jesus Reporter this video posted online a month later shows the last time he was seen. His family, however, focuses on happier memories when was the last time you saw him that you were together . The last time i saw him, i was dropping him off at the airport in january of 2012, thinking about the last time i hugged him, he was 30 and now weve had this milestone that we would have celebrated. This year is really challenging. Despite the heavy emotional toll, Deborah And Mark tice have never given up hope for their sons Safe Return. We last spoke with them in 2019. My expectations are very high right now. Reporter secretary of state Antony Blinken recommitting today we will continue to pursue all avenues to bring Austin Home words are easy. We are really measuring more by action, which is what we dont see and the only thing, lester, that we have asked since 2012, nine years, three administrations is direct diplomatic engagement with the syrian government. And what do you think the obstacle is to seeing that happen . Well, right now what what we need President Biden to do is to tell the national security council, tell the State Department that austins freedom is a Priority Reporter State Department officials say they believe tice is alive, and that syrias President Assad has the power to free him but the syrian government has never publicly acknowledged having information on his whereabouts. You stay strong, son, and were working really hard to bring you home and they will continue to speak on their sons behalf, waiting for the Day Austin can speak for himself. Up next tonight, a potential Holiday Headache in the price you pay. I know it seems early, but the price you pay for Holiday Shipping is going up Stephanie Ruhle explains reporter the holidays just got A Little Bit more expensive. The u. S. Postal Service Planning to add a surcharge to most packages shipped between October 3rd and december 26th. Retailers like amazon and walmart will pay more so will everyone else. With these potential Shipping Costs going up as well, the holidays are going to be a more expensive time of the year. Reporter additional fees will range from 25 cents for small packages and up to 5 for heavier ones the Postal Service says theyre needed to cover extra costs in anticipation of Peak Season Volume surges we know Gas Prices are at an alltime high thats going cost more to transport packages or letters so unfortunately, they do have to pass some of those price increases on to consumers. Reporter months before the holidays, consumers already faced shortages on the shelves and higher prices but there are ways you can save prepare ahead i Cant Stress this enough if you prepare ahead, you dont have to choose that fast delivery method, which always costs more. And that will help you save money. Reporter other advice includes stagger signing up for free shipping trials between now and the holidays and look for free shipping coupons from retailers as december gets closer. Stephanie joins me now. Stephanie, we learned Today Inflation continues to surge. Thats right, lester prices continue to surge from used cars to airfare to bacon. Prices are up largely due to supply shortages that still persist. Until that improves, theyre likely to keep climbing lester Stephanie Ruhle tonight, thank you they are descendants of those victimized by one of the most disturbing medical experiments in american history but theyre raising their voices to combat Vaccine Distrust here is meagan Fitzgerald Reporter the Nation Racing to win over the unvaccinated as covid Cases Surge are you vaccinated not at the moment. Reporter but among some african americans, fear. Whats the Hesitancy Weve been told so many lies so many years. Reporter mistrust in the medical system rooted in history, like the tuskegee study in 1932, a 40year experiment where nearly 400 black men living with syphilis were denied treatment. Public health officials wanting to see the effects of the disease untreated. As a result, more than 100 men died from syphilis or related complications. Knowing that you were denied treatment and that you were lied to would affect anybody. Carmen head Thorntons Grandfather Freddie Lee Tyson was a part of the study. There is a lesson in taking broken pieces and turning it into something that is effective and supportive. Reporter turning the pain of the past into Purpose Carmen and several other descendants are speaking out in a new documentary, encouraging people to get vaccinated if youre using the Syphilis Study as your rationale for not getting the vaccine, to just stop doing that. Reporter out of 195 Million americans who received at least one shot, only 10 are african americans. But black people are two times more likely to die from the disease. It was a shock. Reporter its a reality that hits home for Cornelius Daniel his Aunt And Uncle were too afraid to get vaccinated and died last month, hours apart, from covid19 its traumatizing particularly when you know that there was a possible solution. Reporter trauma fueling the race to change minds before its too late. Meagan fitzgerald, nbc news, washington Up Next for us tonight, honoring americas oldest working nurse. A Milestone Tonight for a woman who has helped so many here is Catie Beck they have a beautiful greenhouse over here. Reporter Seesee Rigney crosses bridges as they come the latest took seven decades to reach, her retirement at 96 years old. Youre in a small category you might have invented it. There might be a few people out there. Reporter until a few weeks ago, she has been americas oldest working nurse. Make sure theyre doing it right reporter We Featured Seesee in 2017, hustling in operating rooms at tacoma general hospital, keeping coworkers on task. You can never have a moment where you go im too tire and then she walks by reporter A Little Bit of a Drill Sergeant almost. Who are you going to boss around now . Ill have to find Somebody Reporter Seesee wasnt quite ready to hang up her scrubs then came covid, a daily risk too large to take. Still, she misses the job. Er. You have to have that compassion. You have to feel that thats what you want to do is to take care of patients. Reporter her formal Resignation Letter difficult to deliver, even now. I have made so many, many friends over the years, and i know i will miss each and every one of them. Its hard. Reporter as soon as its safe, she hopes to volunteer back in the hospital dont ever think you know it all, because youre constantly learning. Reporter even at 96 even at 96. Reporter Catie Beck, nbc news. Terrific advice thats nightly news for this Wednesday Thanks for watching. Im Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night, everyone next on Nbc Bay Area news. Tonight, are we moving closer to a Vakt Passport . Schools, restaurants, now requiring you to prove you have had covid19 shots. And then we just warmest july on record by five degrees. Usual or a sign of things to come . And would you pay 850,000 for this in yeah. Its a burnedout