my memory has improved and generally just more on point. prevagen. at stores everywhere without a prescription. a spectacular show in the sky. millions gathering across the united states to catch a glimpse of the total solar eclipse. our team was there for some of the biggest moments.

in the race for the white house, president biden and donald trump making their appeals to their voter base. biden announcing a new round of student debt forgiveness, as trump clarifies his stance on abortion, including whether he backs a national ban. after pulling troops out of southern gaza, israel is promising its war is not over. prime minister netanyahu saying he has set a date for an invasion of rafah. we have a live report with the latest. a health alert in the midwest. illinois officials warning fake botox injections could be behind recent hospitalizations. what you need to know. and the huskies are back-to-back champs. uconn defeating purdue. the highlights just ahead. it's tuesday, april 9. "early today" starts right now. glad you're with us this morning. i'm frances rivera. we begin with the solar event that united millions from

coast-to-coast. people across 15 states getting the rare opportunity to see the sun slip completely behind the moon, plunging the afternoon into eerie and unforgettable darkness. nbc's jay gray kicks offer our coverage from the path of totality in texas. >> reporter: millions of americans looking up. >> this is truly a onc once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. >> reporter: people eager for a view of total darkness during the eclipse. the moon passing between the sun and earth, visible from 15 u.s. states. >> big moment for us, definitely. >> reporter: and to make the moment even more memorable, a couple in texas exchanging vows during totality. for scientists like dr. eric christian of nasa. >> gives us an opportunity to share the exciting science of the sun. >> reporter: he's a part of the parker solar probe team, which is moving into the sun's atmosphere, providing remarkable observations and data about the sun and its impact on earth.

>> the earth lives in the atmosphere of the sun. that's the atmosphere that space weather happens as opposed to terrestrial weather. unders understanding that and how it accelerates to a million miles an hour is important. >> reporter: a chance to look, learn and witness a total eclipse. junction, texas. let's turn to the white house. it was a busy day on the campaign trail with dueling messages about student loan debt relief and abortion rights. leer's alice bar with the latest. >> reporter: an issues-driven day on the campaign trail as former president trump zeros in on abortion, and president biden talks student loan debt relief in background wisconsin. >> their relief can be life changing. >> life changing. >> reporter: the announcements paired with the biden administration's past efforts could help 30 million americans lower or erase their student

debt balances, including those who owe more at the start because of interest and those who started paying back their loans at least 20 years ago. >> we're giving people a chance to make it. not a guarantee, just a chance to make it. >> reporter: meanwhile, former president trump releasing a new video, outlining his stance on abortion, arguing it should be left to the states. >> the states will determine by vote or legislation or perhaps both. and whatever they decide must be the law of the land. >> reporter: the anti-abortion group susan b. anthony pro-life america saying it's deeply disappointed in the former president's position, promising to keep pushing for a national ban. close trump ally, senator lindsey graham adding the pro-life movement has always been about the well-being of the unborn child, not geography. mr. trump referenced the politics of abortion. >> always go by your heart. but we must win. >> reporter: while claiming credit for the supreme court overturning roe versus wade. president biden slammed him for

that. his campaign releasing an emotional new ad, featuring a texas woman who's suing the state after she says she nearly died whether doctors delayed gi giving her a medically-necessary abortion. in washington, alice barr, nbc news. and donald trump on monday losing a last-minute bid to delay his hush money trial. trump's team tried to push back monday's scheduled start date arguing an impartial jury cannot be selected because of pre-trial publicity. an appeals judge swiftly rejected the request for delay. trump's team is also seeking a change of venue as well as a stay in the gag order against mr. trump. meanwhile, the judge overseeing the hush money case released the jury questionnaire for next week's selection process. it will be the first of four criminal trials that trump faces. in gaza, displaced palestinians are returning to the town of khan yunis after an israeli troop withdrawal. many finding only rubble where their homes once stood.

this man tells "the associated press," quote, animals can't liver live here, so how is a person supposed to? the destruction is unreal. and the ordeal is not over with in the south. the israeli prime minister says he's set a date for an attack on the city of rafah. let's go live to chapman bell. what did netanyahu say? >> reporter: good morning, frances. yeah. fl netanyahu standing firmg o on h insistence on a ground operation into rafah, and saying it requires the elimination of the terrorist battalions there and it will happen and there is a date. what that date is is not something he's sharing publicly yet. the biden administration has called a full-scale ground operation into rafah a red line. and the israelis have said such an operation would be preceded by a large-scale vacevacuation the more than 1 million people sheltering there. the u.s. has held talks with the

israelis offering alternatives to a full-scale ground assault, as well as expressing their concerns. this, as a push to a cease-fire continues. now prime minister netanyahu did say in his video message that he had received detail, a detailed report on the talks currently under way in cairo and that their goals are first and foremost the release of all hostages in addition to that full-scale victory. and while hamas has said they will look at the most current proposal and respond, there continues to be the main issue that hamas will not release the some 130 hostages, though it's not clear how many of those are still alive, this will there is an agreement for a full cease-fire. israel won't agree to a cease-fire until the hostages are released. so there continues to be a stalemate. and we'll see who can make concessions, frances? >> chapman, thank you. three people are get dedead

nevada. an attorney shot the opposing counsel during a deposition. >> question is, do we know the relationship between the victims, and the answer is, we have a theory at this point. >> as you heard there, investigators are not commenting on a motive but say it is likely a domestic or personal dispute involving the shooter and victims. a premed student at the university of florida is charged with murder after allegedly driving to his mother's house in polk county, knocking on her door and stabbing her to death. stacy desilva reports the 21-year-old turned himself in. >> notice behind his back. there's the knife. >> reporter: sheriff grady judd says once emmanuel espinoza's mother opened the door her son

started stabbing her more than 70 times. >> he said he knew where to stab her for maximum effect because of his biology classes. >> reporter: he had driven to his mother's home from the university of florida, where he is a premed student. he was valedictorian of the frostproof class of 2020. >> he was quoted at his high school graduation by saying high school was just one of the chapters out of the mmany we wil have throughout our lives. >> reporter: in that speech he thanked his mother and father for being perfect role models. his mother was 46-year-old elvia espinoza, a beloved teacher in frostproof. he told detectives he loved his mother and he they had a good relationship. he told detectives she annoyed him when she he was younger. >> he said i wanted to do this for some time but didn't have the nerve to do it.

so i just made up my mind that today was the day. >> reporter: once she died, espinoza called 911. the sheriff says espinoza has no history of drug or alcohol abuse, mental health issues or arrests. several buildings in kansas are now ash after a wildfire burned thousand thousands of acres. thankfully, no injuries have been reported. after days of trying, around 80% of the wildfire is contained. with no more structures or homes threatened. meanwhile, storms are threatening the south. >> another day with some very stormy weather in the south. yesterday we had the same story. we'll see that again tomorrow. several days of seeing really heavy rain. we're seeing this at this hour. where you see the darker colors, the reds, oranges, yellows, we are seeing very heavy rain falling. you see a little purple north of dallas.

that could be indicating some hail. 22 million people at risk for severe weather today. could see very large hail today, three inches or greater. a few tornados are possible. wind gusting up to 60 miles per hour. especially where you see the yel yellow and orange shading. dallas, san angelo, houston, alexandria could see strong storms. 5 million people impacted by flood watches. we do have flash flood warnings. that's where we're seeing the red portions of louisiana. we're looking at shreveport and also monroe. in the northeast, mid atlantic, 77 in philadelphia. 78 in d.c. 77 in richmond.

all right, that's your tuesday forecast. >> okay, michelle, thank you. coming up, uconn goes back to back notice ncaa men's basketball championship. and in 60 seconds, how this season elevated the women's game after another record-setting matchup. another record-setting matchup. is soooo soft and soo . charmin ultra soft smooth tear has wavy perforations that tear so much better for a smooth more enjoyable go. charmin, enjoy the go. head & shoulders bare clinically proven dandruff protection with just 9 essential ingredients no sulfates, no silicones, no dyes. dandruff protection, minimal ingredients. job done. [stomach growling] it's nothing... sounds like something. ♪when you have nausea, heartburn, indigestion♪ ♪upset stomach, diarrhea♪ pepto bismol coats and soothes for fast relief when you need it most. ok, someone just did laundry... no, i add downy light so the freshness really lasts.

yeah, most scented stuff gives me a headache, but this is just right. and i don't like anything. but i like this. get a light scent that lasts with no heavy perfumes or dyes. ( ♪ ♪ ) the ncaa women's basketball championship is changing the game. sunday's showdown between iowa and south carolina was the most-watched basketball game since 2019, according to espn, with 18.7 million people tuning in. so that's across men and women, college or pro games. here's nbc's liz kreutz on the turning point for women's sports. >> perfection with a touch of sweet redemption. >> reporter: it was an incredible end to an unforgettable season. >> south carolina has won its third national championship! >> reporter: south carolina outlasting iowa and super star caitlin clark to win the ncaa

women's basketball championship undefeated. watched by nearly 19 million people, according to espn. head coach dawn staley breaking down on the court. the team arriving home in columbia, capping offer an extraordinary year for women's college basketball. much thanks to iowa's caitlin clark who broke the all-time division one scoring record for women and men. >> i want to personally thank caitlin clark for lifting up our sport. >> yeah, i'm sad we lost this game, but i'm so proud of myself. so proud of my teammates. >> reporter: but as clark hangs up her iowa jersey, the future of women's basketball is just beginning. >> caitlin clark, paige bueckers. angel reese, like everyone. you hear it, and you're like, i know her. i could be like her someday. >> reporter: all eyes now on the wnba, where clark is expected to be the number one pick, alongside other rising stars like angel reese and kamilla

cardoso. tickets tickets for the draft selling out. >> when you talk about the viewership numbers, the excitement, the parity. women's basketball won this season. and that's all we could ask for. >> reporter: a win for the sport and the growing fan base. liz kreutz, nbc news, los angeles. still to come. dread it, run from it, the huskies arrive all the same. the college basketball season comes to an end with uconn as the last team standing. we break down their historic win right after this. r historic win right after this. with just one capsule a day of advanced hair complex. conquer hair thinning... ...and fall in love with your hair all over again. only from nature's bounty. we live our lives on our home's fabrics. and though we come and go, our odors stay. it's called odor transfer. left untreated, those odors get trapped inside fabrics and then release smells into your air. eww. you need febreze fabric refresher.

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the rest of the hurley family. what an amazing run. it is an uconn coronation! the huskies made history. back to back national champions. >> the uconn huskies close out their dominant ncaa tournament run monday with a commanding

75-61 run over purdue. the boilermakers kept things tight. dan hurley's squad managed to should of shut down zach edey before pulling away for their victory in the post season. the huskies cement their college hoops legacy with their sixth title and the first school to win back-to-back championships since florida in 2007. so we get used to say it, uconn and champions, right? they have the chance to be the first team to three-peat since way back, ucla in the '60s and '70s. >> we're just getting used to it by now. this is big news in terms of back. one top tier college coach possibly starting another chapter. kentucky coach john calipari is close to reach ago five-year deal to coach at arkansas. he has been with the wildcats since 2009. he led them to a national championship in 2012 and signed what was called a lifetime contract with the school in

2019. this year the two-seeded wildcats were bounced in the first round everybof the ncaa tournament by oakland. he'll get paid out for this lifetime contract and mover on o arkansas. >> when you talk about lifetime. sticking with college athletics and a huge decision from one governing body. the national association of intercollegiate athletes voted monday to effectively ban transgender women from participating in women's sports. the policy from the naia which oversees mostly smaller colleges only applies to transgender women, while all athletes are still able to compete in male sports. the policy is set to take effect on august 1st. the ncaa allows transgender athletes to compete if they adhere to the guidelines of that sport's governing body. you have the naia's president who says they want to be

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now here's what i neyou nee know "early today." illinois officials are warning emergency rooms to be on the alert for patients with botulism symptoms. they think it could be from counterfeit botox. last month marked the hottest march on record according to the european union's climate monitoring service, it is the tenth consecutive month to set a new temperature record. scientists say to expect more heat as we head into summer. spirit airlines will

furlough 260 pilots starting in september after the company announced it's deferring an order of airbus planes. it will help free up $340 million over the next two years. actor jonathan majors will avoid jail time for assaulting his ex-girlfriend. instead, the former marvel star is on probation and is set to go through a year-long counseling program. "early today" will be right back. "early today" will be righ back. ahhh! my bottom's been saved! with its diamond weave texture, charmin ultra strong cleans better with fewer sheets and less effort. enjoy the go with charmin. head & shoulders is launching something huge. the bare minimum. anti-dandruff shampoo made with only nine ingredients - no sulfates, silicones or dyes and packaged with 45% less plastic - giving you outstanding dandruff protection and leaving hair beautiful and moisturized.

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and sounds from the celestial event. >> i'm a real experience junkie. any time i get to experience something new, i just love it. >> amazing. it makes you want to cry. because it's so beautiful. >> was this worth the drive from phoenix? >> yes! >> the broadcaster in me wants to narrate this play by play. the human in me wants to witness this right alongside family and friends. >> amazing! you can see the stars around it. it's incredible. >> have you ever seen anything like this? what do you think of it? >> and it makes you feel little. >> yeah. >> you know what? it's just unbelievable and overwhelming. >> wow.

whole family here. how much generations here? four generations of the family here. >> right now, we are in full-on totality. let me see if i can show you. look. we are, like about 20,000 feet? 20,000 feet. this is our pilot, jim. this is jim's son right here. this is james. james has given me the best seat in the house. i owe you, man. we've got cities down below. >> little rock. >> and the cities are starting to turn on their lights. the sensors must be set for when it gets dark. it is incredible. it is, it is this wild sunset, sun rise all the way around. and then above us, you've got that perfect, perfect ring. when you're up here and you see,

you see the movement of this shadow, shadow is very dark on this side. very light on this side. and then up above you've got that perfect ring. you are just, you're reminded of how fast the moon and sun are moving. 1600 miles per hour is how fast it is moving. it is wild. >> and our thanks to all our viewers and correspondents across the path of totality for that inside look. and hopefully you were able to make some amazing memories to last you a lifetime. thanks so much for watching "early today." i'm frances rivera. have a great tuesday.

right now at 5:00, coverage chaos. this morning we're getting a clearer picture of which areas will get hit the hardest by the loss of bay area homeowner insurance policies after state farm's decision t