Frontier announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with Lester Holt good evening, everyone back to school jitters were never quite like this this morning the yellow buses lined up and School Bells rang for A Million children in the nations largest school system, many walking inside a physical classroom for the first time in a very long time their first lesson, as it has been for kids across the country, science. Understanding how to safely resume learning against the persistent backdrop of covid. Tonight with over 243,000 Child Covid19 cases reported last week, the second highest number since the pandemic began, there is growing impatience for Vaccine Approval for younger Children Tonight we ask when. And the answer is encouraging. Also, a new study questions the need for booster shots. The Covid Battle Being waged on new fronts this evening we begin with Stephanie Gosk in new York Reporter with excitement and some fanfare, new York City kicked off a new school year. Despite the masks, it feels like a pretty normal first day of school we even have the Marching Band here today. Kids are a little nervous. Theyre excited. But unlike last year, families do not have the option for remote Learning Today Everyone is back in class on top of a mask mandate, there will be Air Purifiers in every classroom, and social distancing of at least three feet when possible teachers and staff have to be vaccinated. Measures that have put some parents, especially those with unvaccinated little ones, at ease. I trust the school completely theyre ready for this they need this, all the kids do. Reporter nbcs rehema ellis found one thirdgrader who may need some convincing i dont know. Just a little nervous. Reporter are you nervous about what youre going to learn . Are you nervous about having to wear a mask . Reporter in New York today, the opening of schools was timed to the enforcement of tougher vaccine rules. I just need to see your proof of vaccination and a photo id. Reporter everyone who wants to eat inside, go to the Theater Or Gym will have to show proof of vaccination. We try to be prepared as possible, anticipating slowdowns at the front door, but guests seem to be getting used to it. Reporter at this manhattan restaurant, tables are still getting filled people are continuing to be increasingly comfortable with the excess of Safety Reporter nationwide, covid cases have started to dip, but there are hot spots where hospitals are struggling, like in rural idaho, where in some cases patients are waiting in conference rooms. Were in a terrible time of the pandemic right now. I would hate to see it get any worse. Reporter and in pennsylvania, multiple schools have gone to remote learning, One District closing two of its schools, dealing with, quote, a previously unimaginable number of students with covid. Around the country the number of pediatric infections is high, with some parents eager to vaccinate their young children Vaccine Approval for 5 to 11yearolds could come as early as this fall, according to the Cdc Director who shared this advice on the Today Show surround our younger kids by people who are vaccinated, masking in the schools, ventilating, screening, testing those strategies work. Stephanie, The Lancet Medical Journal came out with a new study advising against those third shot boosters what was their take on this well, lester, researchers concluded that the benefits of giving someone who is unvaccinated the shot still outweigh the benefits of giving a healthy adult a booster. They add that these vaccines are still very good at preventing serious illness. Lester Stephanie Gosk in New York tonight, thank you. Much of the Gulf Coast is bracing for even more dangerous Flooding Tonight with Tropical Storm Nicholas about to make landfall Al Roker is here al, whats the latest tracking in this one well, right now, lester, were looking at hurricane watches south of Corpus Christi All The Way near galveston we expect to see this system start to develop. It already has 65mileperhour winds. Its moving northnortheast to 12, already Heavy Rain from houston All The Way to bay city. It makes landfall some time early tomorrow morning, then stretches on in by Thursday Morning into parts of mississippi and alabama. We have a Storm Surge Flood watches right now All The Way from South Padre Island to cameron. 3 to 5 inches the worst, and we also have a high risk of Flooding Today were looking at the high risk from Port Oconnor All The Way near to Lake Charles moderate risk All The Way back to new orleans. Why . Because of Heavy Rain. Were talking about Storm Totals of 6 to 12 inches of rain, lester, but some places could see up to 18 inches, including southwestern louisiana. As you know they do not need any more rain. Thats a lot of rain al, thanks very much also tonight, California Governor Gavin newsom on the eve of a rare Recall Election is turning to the president s support in the final hours before election day, one that could prematurely remove him from office. Nbcs Jacob Soboroff has details. Reporter the president earlier Today Touring Fire damage in Northern California one of the many Crises Governor Newsom has faced during his term, including covid, the nations worst economic inequality and a rise in violent crime. Do you really think this is about a republican recall and only that, that there arent unhappy people in california, unhappy with Governor Gavin Newsom of Course Everybody is upset with everybody in the last 18 month No One is naive about that but lets talk about who is behind this it is a republican recall its backed by the rnc. Reporter every voter in california will get a Mailin Ballot and two questions to vote on should Gavin Newsom be recalled from the office of governor and who should replace him . Across the state, voters have been Casting Ballots for weeks, mostly by mail as we saw at l. A. s processing center. Were talking about millions of ballots from this recall will be passing through this building, because each and every California Voter is getting a Mailin Ballot the leading Gop Challenger Larry elder has raised concerns about the elections integrity, and Today Wouldnt commit to accepting the results. Whether you win or lose will, you accept the results of the Election Tomorrow . I think we all ought to be looking at election integrity, no matter whether youre a democrat, an independent or a republican Reporter Turnout in this election will be key 23yearold long Beach Resident Camilla switched from independent to republican for the vote do you get the sense that the governor understands how hard life is for you and people like you . No. Im sorry. Its upsetting its really upsetting. I dont mean to get emotional, but he has no idea. Reporter the race itself could hinge on struggling voters like camilla who share that sentiment. It sounds like youre going to vote to recall the governor. I am. I am Reporter Newsom understands that campaigning against what he sees as an undemocratic republican recall may not be enough. Inequality is worse in this state, in your state than anywhere else in the united states of america. Do you blame people for wanting a change of leadership . Well, i just got it two and a half years ago. Reporter but democrats have been in power here for over ten years. And for over two decades weve led the nation in terms of some of those challenges so jacob, the president is joining the governor this evening for a Final Push whats that going to look like . Yes, thats right, Lester Campaign officials say the president and the governor here in long Beach Tonight will focus on covid as a Closing Message an keeping californians safe they say Larry Elder is opposed to Vaccine And Mask mandates will put californians in Danger Lester all right, jacob, thank you. U. S. Capitol police have arrested a man armed with knives and driving a truck covered in White Supremacist symbols. This comes days before a planned rally in support of rioters arrested after the January 6 Attack Garrett Haake is at the capitol. Garrett, what do we know about this . Lester, Capitol Police arrested a California Man named Donald Craighead overnight after first spotting a suspicious vehicle outside democratic party headquarters inside they found multiple knives, including a machete and a bayonet. The suspect allegedly telling police that he was on patrol, and talking about white Supremacist Ideology now its not clear if the suspect was in washington to attend that upcoming pro Insurrectionist Rally this coming saturday, but today the Capitol Police chief also briefed lawmakers on Security Preparations for that event, including bringing back that Sevenfoottall Security Fence on a temporary basis. Lester all right, garrett haake, thanks. Tonight a new challenge from North Korea, where State Media reports that Test Firing of that countrys first longrange Cruise Missiles, a clear provocation to the u. S. , South Korea and japan. With more on this, here is andrea mitchell. Reporter pyongyang says the new Cruise Missiles flew 932 miles, landing in North Koreas territorial waters experts say this could be the countrys first such weapon with a nuclear capability there are only a handful of countries in the world that field nuclear Cruise Missiles, and we feel its part of North Koreas overall development of the sophisticated nuclear forces they can try to put together reporter the biden administration has been unable to get kim jongun to agree to nuclear talks. And u. S. And outside experts say he has dramatically expanded his nuclear and Missile Program since his failed summit with former President Trump in 2019. A notably slimmer kim has been seen just last week at an annual military parade, raising questions about his health since North Korea is a country with nuclear weapons run entirely by one man. He has had Health Problems in the past he is young, but he has, you know, not the best habits in terms of in terms of Drinking And Smoking and it looks like he has lost some weight whether this is because he is on a new sort of liquid diet, or whether its because he is on a stairmaster every day, we just dont know the Missile Tests could be timed for talks in Tokyo Tomorrow by the u. S. South korea, and japan to discuss how to stop North Korea from further nuclear Escalation Lester andrea mitchell, thanks in just 60 seconds, apple takes Emergency Action to protect users of iphones, macs and other devices from unprecedented hacking attacks. Well tell you what you need to know back now with an urgent warning from apple. Theyre rolling out an Emergency Update to protect against spyware that can attack through imessaging on iphones, macs and apple watches without a single click. Hackers can use it to control your Camera And Mic and record texts, calls, and Emails Apple users are advised to update their devices immediately. Now to an update on a story you saw right here, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is demanding answers from the company lhi, which oversees parts of a free Health Care Program for 9 11 first responders and survivors. After our report last week found many arent getting the services they say they were promised, lhi said it welcomes the chance to discuss their efforts to serve the Health Needs of those impacted by 9 11 after 20 years after those attacks that sparked americas longest war, Secretary Of State Antony Blinken defended the u. S. Pullout from afghanistan, saying there is no evidence staying longer would have made the Government Or Security forces more resilient. Richard engel is in Kabul Tonight one month after the taliban Takeover Reporter perhaps no single image sums up americas longest war more than the u. S. Embassy in kabul, now painted over with the taliban flag less than a month ago, american helicopters were taking off from here, evacuating diplomats to Kabul Airport as the taliban captured the city. Intelligence agencies did not say collapse was imminent. This unfolded more quickly than we anticipated. Reporter now the embassy is empty taliban flags sold as souvenirs outside. A group of taliban fighters stood guard nearby america never thought we would win, one said, but we had gods support. And now whatever america does, we can never be defeated. The taliban may be confident, but theyre taking a different approach because they know many afghans are afraid of them when kabul fell, Hundreds Of Thousands rushed to the airport, including obeidallah, a young economist who worked for the former government he couldnt get out. We feel very good normal industry. What have they done to make you feel that way . Theyre heavier with people. Reporter the taliban are allowing girls and women to go to school and university, separated by gender, veils required, but no burqas, a big change from when the taliban ruled in the 1990. But have they really changed . Several videos which the taliban say they are investigating appear to show abuses, including one in which fighters seem to be executing an unarmed man. Secretary of State Blinken Today said the taliban need to do more to earn trust the interim government named by the taliban falls very short of the mark that was set by the international community for inclusivity. Reporter the taliban needs foreign allies right now this country was dependent on aid before the old government collapsed the taliban has yet to be recognized internationally. So Money And Aid are largely frozen lester Richard Engel back in afghanistan tonight. You can see more of his reporting on a Special Edition of On Assignment this sunday on msnbc. Next for us, inside a lifesaving program giving hope to kids facing their darkest days the latest numbers from the cdc are startling. They show a dramatic rise in the number of teen girls attempting suicide during the Pandemic Kate Snow now on the unique program working to save lives in our series kids under pressure. Reporter at the e. R. In childrens medical center dallas, the worst stretch was during school standardized testing this spring. We had 24, almost half of all our Emergency Room beds occupied by patients with suiciderelated Complaints Reporter half the beds half the beds. Reporter more girls than boys. Nationwide, the number of teenaged girls who went to the e. R. After a suspected Suicide Attempt rose 50 earlier this year. But at childrens, when a teen shows up in the e. R. , there are special rooms and the option to move to an intensive Outpatient Program called Suicide Prevention and resilience at childrens, or s. P. A. R. C. , run by dr. Betsy kennard. I talk to a lot of teenagers who get stuck in despair and depression, and they cant see a way out. How do you give them a way out . First, we tell them the way they feel is valid, but its temporary. Building a Life Worth Living is really what we work on every time they come in i think s. P. A. R. C. Saved my life. Reporter Lily Allen was 14 when she made her first Suicide Attempt. All of the sudden, it was like i was in this Deep Hole and i couldnt see, like, out of it. There was No Way Out Reporter Couldnt see a way to go on exactly. Reporter after a second attempt, her mom, lisa, signed the Family Up for s. P. A. R. C. I was like we will take all the help we can get. Reporter two or three nights a week, there was individual or Group Therapy and family sessions. Lilly learned to track her moods. When i was feeling sad, i would go deeper into the hole and listen to sad music and watch sad Tv Shows and sit alone in my room. Reporter now shell do a puzzle with her mom or watch a silly youtube video. These are things that give them hope. Reporter dr. Kennard has patients make a Hope Kit filled with positive items. Surfboards, pictures of friends. Reporter there is a path out, right . Yes, there is a path. Reporter lilly gets emotional talking about how grateful she is. You know, where would i be without those people who want to help, you know, young kids like me or like i was a young kid just wanting someone who would notice and help, and they did reporter a lifesaving program she hopes will spread. Kate snow, Nbc News, dallas and tomorrow on today, you can catch another indepth conversation about Mental Health and teens with the cast of dear evan hansen. Next for us tonight, our new series, the new Space Race ill show you how nasa is preparing to go back to the Moon And Beyond were hearing a lot about private companies and Space Tourism these days but as i saw for myself, nasa is aiming much farther it was the summer Space Race between billionaires, virgin galactics Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos Blue Origin this is incredible. Both looking to capitalize on the new frontier of Space Tourism. For the time being, nasa will continue to lead the way when it comes to space exploration. Im at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in pasadena, california here at nasa, they call this at the Center Of The Universe thats because virtually every probe that has visited and explored our Solar System was built in a nasa clean room like this missions that are monitored and controlled from here so the drill went into the rock there. Including the mars perseverance rover, today exploring the red planet, looking for signs of life. Jennifer trosper is the mars 2020 project manager. Lets start with the exciting news. You have mars rock. We got it we got a sample from mars. And now were carrying it along with us missions like this Building Blocks for the future one of our technology demonstrations Extracts Oxygen from the carbon dioxide atmosphere, and that oxygen can be used for astronauts to breathe or for rockets to take off on mars. First nasa has to prove they can return something to earth from millions of miles a way. Another probe will be sent to return those core samples, but that will take a decade. The Sample Return is a real critical component to showing we can bring something back from mars therefore, were on the cusp of sending people and bringing them back. Reporter and before that, a return to where it all started. We are preparing to send humans back to the moon its going to be the first woman on the moon and the first person of color. First, a Mission To circle the moon in 2023, and then targeting a year later to walk on the lunar surface again. Is there any scientific goal to going back to the moon there is water on the moon we want to get there and learn how to harvest that water, turning that water into hydrogen and oxygen, and that will give us the fuels to explore the heavens. Fuels and research nasa believes it needs for a long Duration Mission that would allow astronauts to get to mars. But the program is facing major hurdles a lawsuit brought by Blue Origin accusing nasa of not fairly evaluating their lunar Lander Proposal has led to a slowdown. And a recent Inspector General report says delays in creating the next Generation Space Suit make a return to the moon in 2024 not feasible but nelson is Holding On to that original deadline. Well overcome all of this, and well be well on our way. A goal to once again fulfill the destiny of our space program, leaving the gravity of earth behind to discover, explore, and learn and there is plenty out there to see thats nightly news for this monday. Thank you for watching, everyone im Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night right now on Nbc Bay Area news tonight. His first visit to california as president. President biden here to support Governor Newsom on the eve of this Recall Election. The governors led this state with poise and strong leadership. And theres more to his visit. Were breaking down why theres so much national attention on this race. Plus. Talking about mandates. Im not antivax. More of our Nbc News exclusive. Our interview with leading republican challenger Larry Elder. Also