e way. a while scene outside court in new york city. actor robert de niro clashing with trump supporters.

while inside, jurors listened to over seven hours in closing arguments in the former president's hush money case. deliberations are expected to begin later today. our team has the latest. an explosion in youngstown, ohio. a gas leak blowing out the bottom floor of a building and destroying a bank. at least search people are hurt and two remain unaccounted for at this hour. overseas, israel accused of launch. launching a new attack on tents outside the city. nearly 1 million palestinians now fleeing and the desperate search for safety. a mosquito-borne disease once mainly a concern in the tropics now threatening to become a bigger problem. how you can protect yourself from dengue fever as summer comes into full swing. a full-circle love story in more ways than one. a lost wedding ring recovered

after the couple themselves experience a rekindling. it's wednesday, may 29. "early today" starts right now. good morning. thanks for being with me. i'm frances rivera. donald trump's fate in his criminal hush money case will soon be in the hands of the jury. closing arguments lasted until about 8:00 p.m. last night. in just a few hours, the judge will give the jury their instructions and deliberations will begin. nbc's jay gray has more from the courthouse. >> reporter: a dynamic day, both inside and outside of the criminal courthouse here in lower manhattan. the defense and prosecution getting one last chance with the jury in this historic case. former president donald trump charged with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection to hush money payments made to adult film star stormy daniels in an effort to hide an alleged affair from voters. the former president once again blasting the proceedings as he

entered the courthouse. >> but this is all election interfering. it's going after joe biden's political opponent, because he can't do it himself. and they're helping out. and we have a judge who's highly conflicted. he happens to be corrupt. >> reporter: his defense team began the closing arguments, attacking the credibility of the key witness in the case. former trump attorney and confidante, michael cohen, at one point calling him, quote, the mvp of lying and the human embodiment of reasonable doubt. going on to tell jurors there was no reason to try to hide the allegations that they had already been reported. and that with no solid evidence, the only decision in this case is a quote, quick and easy "not guilty." the prosecutors getting their turn after a lunch break here, and they started with that controversial witness as well. michael cohen, saying that look, they didn't get the chance to pick the witness that they wanted. that cohen was the one involved with what they say is a crime

here. and that that's the person they had to use to work through this case. they went on to say that cohen did trump's bidding for years. and when it was bad, the defendant cut him loose. they have made it a point to not use the former president's name at all, continuing to call him the defendant in front of the jurors here. and they are working through all of the evidence. summarizing what they presented over the length of this trial, saying that everything, this mountain, they call it, of evidence points to clear guilt in this case. when this goes to that jury, they'll make a decision on whether the former president will become a felon as a result of what's happened here. that's the latest from here in new york. i'm jay gray. now back to you. >> jay, thank you. while that drama unfolded in the courtroom, there was also a chaotic scene outside. for the first time, the biden campaign chose to hold an event

outside the trial. gabe gutierrez has more. >> yelling and intimidating. you're not going to intimidate. >> reporter: outside the manhattan courthouse the drama took another tumultuous twist. that's actor robert de niro in a different role, surrogate for the biden campaign. >> [ bleep ]. >> reporter: clashing with protesters. >> you are gangsters. you are gangsters! >> [ bleep ]. >> reporter: also on hand, first responders who were at the capitol on january 6. >> donald trump is the greatest threat to our democracy. >> reporter: this event, a sharp change for the biden campaign which has largely avoided the trial since it began six weeks ago. >> if trump returns to the white house, you can kiss these freedoms good-bye that we all take for granted. >> reporter: with many democrats nervous about the state of the race less than a month before the first presidential debate, nbc news was first to report the biden campaign is deploying a

more aggressive strategy, defining mr. trump to voters as a threat to democracy and the architect of repealing roe versus wade. the trump family firing back. >> right across the street. tells us exactly what we all knew all along. that it is a political persecution. it is a witch-hunt. >> reporter: the white house is considering whether the president would speak publicly here after the trial ends. sources familiar with the discussions tell nbc news that has yet to be decided. back to you. >> all right. thank you, gabe, for that. the gaza health ministry says at least 21 palestinians were killed in an israeli airstrike on tents outside rafah. the hamas-run agency says the attack happened in a humanitarian safe zone, something israel denies. it comes just days after scores were killed in an attack on another tent city. meanwhile, israeli tanks charged into rafah. the biden administration says

that israel has not yet crossed a red line on rafah. for the latest, let's go to claudio lavanga. what's the latest? >> reporter: good morning, frances. well, a spokesperson for the idf said that contrary to the reports, israel did not attack the humanitarian area. but witnesses who spoke to a nbc news crew that arrived on the scene after, in the aftermath of that event confirmed the attack took place and the victims included women and children. this comes after another 45 people died in a similar attack in rafah. despite all this, the united states is saying israel hasn't crossed a red line yet, and john kirby explained why. take a listen. >> we're going based on what the israelis are telling us and what they're saying publicly and what we're able to discern as best we can. as best we can. as you and i speak here today,

we have not seen a major ground operation. >> reporter: despite john kirby saying there is no major ground operation going on, a nbc news crew on the ground said for the first time they saw israeli forces pushing through the heart of rafah. now the state department says they don't know anything about that. they haven't seen it. they have no way of verifying it. so essentially, they are believing the line of israel that says the military operation for now is limited to the outskirts of rafah. frances? >> okay, claudio, thank you. the vatican has issued an apology after pope francis was quoted using a slur for gay men in a private discussion with bishops last week. he was discussing whether gay men should be admitted into seminaries. when he refay affirmed the cath church's position, he then used

a slur for gay men in italian. at least seven people are injured after an explosion at a building in youngstown, ohio. authorities believe a gas leak sparked the blast. residents were evacuated from the apartments on the higher floors of the building. two people are still unaccounted for, and one of the injured is in critical condition. turning to the lonestar state that was once again the target of wicked weather tuesday. a severe system bringing golf ball-sized hail, hurricane-force winds and flash flooding. a 16-year-old boy was killed in magnolia after a building under construction collapsed on top of him. authorities say lightning potentially set a church and multiple homes outside of dallas on fire. at dfw international airport, nearly 80 miles per hour wind gusts appeared to push this plane from its gate. and the storm leaving more than

1 million texans without power at one point. this comes on the heaels of a deadly weekend with more than 60 tornados reported across 14 states, including texas. today there may be a break in the action, although the potential for severe weather is still possible across parts of the united states. angie lassman has the latest. any word of a break from all of this? we will take it, angie. >> that's exactly what folks are looking for, a break. we do have a chance for severe weather across the plains. notice this system across parts of canada stretching into the united states, that's going to bring us showers. this is the area we're watching as this front works through, pushes into parts of nthe north plains today. this will start to erupt by the evening time. and notice we're mostly looking for the strong winds and large hail.

the tornado risk is much lower today. as we get into tomorrow, unfortunately, another day of severe weather. it returns to parts of texas, specifically parts of the south that we've her seenalready seent over the last couple days. meanwhile, there's that chill. temperatures running 5 to 10 degrees below normal across the great lakes. 70ins . a high of 66 degrees in green bay today with full sunshine. and that's a look at your forecast, frances, back to you. >> all right, angie. thanks so much. "early today" is back in a minute with a new health alert for the summer. and the new developments expected today involving the arrest of the world's top-ranked golfer, scottie scheffler. hele goersctiscffr. inez, let me ask,

you're using head and shoulders, right? only when i see flakes. then i switch back to my regular shampoo. you should use it every wash, otherwise the flakes will come back. tiny troy: he's right, you know. is that tiny troy? the ingredients in head and shoulders keep the microbes that cause flakes at bay. microbes, really? they're always on your scalp... little rascals... but good news, there's no itchiness, dryness or flakes down here! i love tiny troy. and his tiny gorgeous hair. he's the best. - make every wash count! - little help please. skincare can start in the laundry room. that's why i always recommend all free clear for sensitive skin. it's free of dyes and perfumes. it's a key part of my self care routine. it's a clean that's gentle on my skin. for an effective clean that's gentle on skin, all you need is all free clear™ this charmin ultra soft smooth tear is soooo soft and soo smooth. charmin ultra soft smooth tear has wavy perforations that tear so much better for a smooth more enjoyable go. charmin, enjoy the go.

summer is right around the corner, and with it comes a growing risk for millions of americans. a tiny threat, potentially buzzing outside your home right now. anne thompson has the new mosquito health alert. >> reporter: a quarter inch long and alive up to a mere 25 days, mosquitos carrying dengue can inflict enormous pain. >> the severe pain started in the evening. and then soon after that, the high fever started. >> reporter: dr. debra hany got dengue fever vacationing on the caribbean island of curacao. >> initially, i thought that i had broken my ribs. >> reporter: she had all the symptoms, including the hallmark pain. why dengue is also called "break-bone fever." it just sounds like your whole body was breaking down. >> it was. >> reporter: this year, dengue

is breaking records in the americas. 7.8 million suspected cases reported so far. up more than 230% from last year, with severe outbreaks in brazil, argentina and puerto rico. this scientist tracks the bugs' global reach at the university of florida. how is dengue transmitted? >> through the bite of a feme f aedis mosquito. >> if you have a shorter winter season, peak mosquito activity is going to be much longer. the longer they're biting the longer you're going to have that exposure event. >> reporter: we're on the hunt for those dengue-carrying mosquitos. and one of the weapons? this bug-zooka. scientists say their motto is know thy enemy.

is this something they prefer? >> yes, they do really well in non-biodegradable trash. l as long as they can hold enough water. >> reporter: to fight, the city of gainesville uses mosquito-eating fish and insecticides. dr. hany wants to arm the medical profession with knowledge. >> the second time you get dengue, it can be much more serious. you have a higher risk of getting hemorrhagic fever or septic shock syndrome. >> reporter: information and science. weapons to stop a deadly disease. anne thompson, nbc news, gainesville, florida. new developments are coming today in the arrest of pro golfer scottie scheffler. the top-ranked golfer was arrested after alleged ly injuring an officer with his car. he will address the court about the case. and an attorney for scheffler says he will hold a press conference afterward.

scheffler as arraignment is not scheduled until next week. the county attorney's office declined to say if the charges are being dropped or if a settlement will be announced. still to come, you can finally hear one of ththe most coveted albums. hear how the wu-tang clan is making its debut. tang clan is making its debut. aya... quick, the quicker picker upper! bounty absorbs spills like a sponge. and is 2x more absorbent so you can use less. when your gut is the q out of balance,per. your body gives you signs. so if you're frustrated with occasional bloating... ♪♪ [stomach noises] gas... or abdominal discomfort... help stop the frustration and start taking align every day. align probiotic was specifically designed by gastroenterologists to help relieve your occasional digestive upsets. so you can enjoy life.

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the wu-tang album set him back $17 million, though you wouldn't guess it. it's in an embossed case in his living room. are people ever going to be able to hear this album? >> other than right now, i think, um, it depends. >> all right, the world will finally be able to enter the wu-tang for a limited time. the only copy of the album will be exhibited for a ten-day period at the museum of old and new art in australia. the sole pressing of the record

was indfamously bought by the pharma bro. that was martin shkreli. it was sized by the u.s. government after the pharma executive was imprisoned on fraud charges. >> an art collective got it. now the museum is playing the whole thing. not playing the whole thing, i should say, just a curated 30-minute selection. >> people will be flocking to see that. saundra glen went to see coldplay. she stopped and a black mercedes stopped and asked if she needed a ride to the show. inside was chris martin. she revealed the story on x and called him a decent bloke. a decent bloke indeed. what a legend. just strolling into the festival

and asked if you need help? >> usually musicians when they're like that, they want to be furthest away from the fans. in this case, hey, plus points for chris martin. >> what a guy. when we come back, a new study may have a way to avoid peanut allergies in kids. and walgreen's is adding another viral peelable candy, will this make social media go bananas again? social media go bananas again? [announcer] introducing allison's plaque psoriasis. she thinks her flaky gray patches are all people see. otezla is the #1 prescribed pill to treat plaque psoriasis. allison! over here! otezla can help you get clearer skin and reduce itching and flaking. with no routine blood tests required. doctors have been prescribing otezla for over a decade. otezla is also approved to treat psoriatic arthritis. don't use otezla if you're allergic to it.

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now all has a detergent that's gentle on skin and leaves our laundry smelling breezy. all sensitive fresh, with a hypoallergenic scent my family loves. feeling sluggish or weighed down? could be a sign that your digestive system isn't at its best. but a little metamucil everyday can help. metamucil's psyllium fiber gels to trap and remove the waste that weighs you down... so you can lighten every day the metamucil way. [dog whimpers] [thinking] why always the couch? does he need to go to puppy school? get his little puppy diploma? how much have i been spending on this little guy? when your questions about life turn into questions about money... there's erica. the virtual financial assistant to help you spend, save, and plan smarter. only from bank of america. looking for a smarter way to mop? try the swiffer powermop. ♪♪

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texas. malelinda french gates is leaving the gates foundation. she plans to donate toorganto organizations supporting women and reproductive rights. >> walgreen's is introducing a new peelable candy. roducing a new peelable candy. only when i see flakes. then i switch back to my regular shampoo. you should use it every wash, otherwise the flakes will come back. tiny troy: he's right, you know. is that tiny troy? the ingredients in head and shoulders keep the microbes that cause flakes at bay. microbes, really? they're always on your scalp... little rascals... but good news, there's no itchiness, dryness or flakes down here! i love tiny troy. and his tiny gorgeous hair. he's the best. - make every wash count! - little help please.

skincare can start in the laundry room. that's why i always recommend all free clear for sensitive skin. it's free of dyes and perfumes. it's a key part of my self care routine. it's a clean that's gentle on my skin. for an effective clean that's gentle on skin, all you need is all free clear™ this charmin ultra soft smooth tear is soooo soft and soo smooth. charmin ultra soft smooth tear has wavy perforations that tear so much better for a smooth more enjoyable go. charmin, enjoy the go. we are back with a terrifying story out of florida. a group of graduating high school seniors were taking a charter bus to daytona beach water park when their driver

started driving erratically, blowing through red lights. parents on board said they asked him to stop multiple times but were ignored. two parents traveling separately got a frantic call from their daughters and jumped into action. pulling their cars in front of the bus until it stopped. >> we could hear the kids screaming in the background. so we took off. >> if something would have happened, i couldn't even forgive myself. i don't know what i would have done. >> the bus driver was arrested and charged with dui and cruelty towards children. he has also been fired. it's a reunion 25 years in the making. a story of love lost and found, along with something else that went missing a quarter century ago. here's stephanie gosk. >> reporter: david allen's wedding ring slipped off his finger 25 years ago, right on his brother's dock in georgia. >> it bounced off the dock and fell in the water.

>> reporter: but back then, rescuing it was just not a priority. he and his wife lisa were getting a divorce. the college sweethearts couldn't make it work. david had to get a handle on his drinking. losing his family was the kind of shock he needed. >> it was like somebody pulled the rug out from under my life. >> reporter: two decades later, lisa noticed something new. >> we just start slow dancing, and i just saw a different person. at that moment. >> reporter: a changed man with a second chance. david wanted that ring. so the lake hartwell divers went looking. they help reunite owners with missing belongings. four days sifting through the mud. >> it naemeant a lot to us to h him get it back. >> reporter: sure enough,s the ring was still there. >> i got your ring. >> reporter: now lisa and david have a love story with a happy

ending and the ring to prove it. stephanie gosk, nbc news. spacex sent a falcon 9 rocket tuesday launching its earth care mission. according to the european space agency, it will examine the role clouds and aerosols play. this marks the seventh flight for the booster supporting this mission. thanks so much for waking up with "early today." i'm frances rivera. have a great wednesday. hope your week's been going well. see you right back here tomorrow morn. tomorrow morn.

good morning. i'm laura garcia, and i'm marcus washington. we begin this morning with breaking