"jimmy fallon" happening right [ cheers and applause ] this morning on "early today" happy birthday america. across the country fireworks light up the skies in honor of our nation's independence. waiting for a verdict. jurors begin deliberating in the casey anthony murder trial. and a not so great escape. a unique break-out attempt by a and a not so great escape. a unique break-out attempt by a prisoner in mexico. captions paid for by nbc-universal television hello, and good morning. i'm lynn berry. we begin with a day to remember. from coast-to-coast americans celebrated a traditional independence day this year from

fourth of july picnics and parades to incredible pyrotechnics displays. nbc's kurt gregory reports. >> reporter: dazzling fireworks light up the sky in the nation's capital. president obama and the first lady took time on our country's birthday to thank members of the u.s. military. >> together you are standing with all of those around the world who are reaching for the same freedoms and the same liberties that we celebrate today. >> reporter: it was a day of celebration from star-spangled parades in new hampshire to power boat racing in florida. 60,000 runners saw the dawn's early light in atlanta for a 10k race. coney island, the home of the hot dog eating contest, and in california, would you believe

snow-skiing at lake tahoe on july 4th. >> snow, skis, bathing suits. >> reporter: a day of fun and a celebration of freedom from sea to shining sea. curt gregory, nbc news. well, there were no fourth of july celebrations in an orlando courtroom yesterday as jurors in the first degree murder trial of casey anthony began deliberating her fate. nbc's jay gray reports. >> reporter: as the jury gathered dozens gathered at the site where caylee anthony's remains were found. clear signs of two very separate facets to this case. the public response and the now-private deliberations. >> they are going to consider second degree murder, a manslaughter, third degree felony murder, and two types of first degree murder, by the way, premeditated and felony murder, and they don't even have to agree on which one it is, as long as 12 people think it's first degree murder, and there are six other counts. it is complicated. >> reporter: after waiting

through the judge's instructions and waiting for around six hours, the jury will get back to work today reviewing testimony of dozens of witnesses and almost 400 items entered as evidence, and with the emotional closing arguments likely still echoing in their minds. >> the key question as it relates to all manslaughter child abuse and murder charges that you're going to be presented with is how did she die? what happened to her? what is proven beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt? not just some, but every single one. and those questions were never answered. that evidence was never presented to you. >> to say that there is no evidence to connect casey anthony to caylee's death ignores all of this evidence. >> reporter: jay gray, nbc news, orlando. executives at exxonmobil

have acknowledged that an oil spill in the yellowstone area could have spread further than previously thought. at a press conference yesterday, exxonmobil's president vowed to do whatever is necessary to clean up tens of thousands of gallons of spilled crude. earlier the country had downplayed estimates the oil had spread over dozens of miles in the famed waterway, insisting only a ten-mile area had been contaminated. now here's a look at other stories making news early today in america. a pennsylvania collector displayed a rare copy of the declaration of independence that he bought at a flea market for $100. a curator determined it is one of the group of the 19th century copies, the making of which actually damaged the original document. its wooden frame was made from beams from independence hall. a group of california chefs thinks they added sizzle to the guinness world record books with

their creation of a super sized burger. the ten-person crew cooked the sandwich on a mammoth grill, flipping the patty once every hour with the bun and all the fixings. the burger weighed 770 pounds, close to 200 pounds more than the current record holder. finally in utah, summer looked a lot like winter, a flood of bikini-topped and bathing-suited skiers hit the slopes on independence day. the extended ski season is the result of record breaking snowfall that has turned many lake tahoe area resorts a paradise. now for a look at your national and regional weather, here's nbc's meteorologist, bill karins. he has your weather channel forecast. a lot of times they're in mammoth and things like that it can be warm enough not to wear your heavy jacket. no shirt? another story. >> there's the issue of falling. in the bikini top --

interesting. good morning, everyone, hope you had a wonderful fourth of july. we'll show you the high temperatures across the west. it was a warm day yesterday. in many areas, a lot of the red shows the 90s, boise at 95. even portions of oregon are starting to get into the heat and all of the central valley of california. the exceptions along the immediate coast. not a lot has changed out there with the weather pat erp. still looking at isolated showers to continue. they'll die off in the early morning hours and late in the afternoon they'll pop up. the monsoonal flow we'll get in the early summer months. the showers rotate in and dry up as we go throughout the overnight hours. just a few to the east of the grand canyon. as far as the forecast goes today, just like yesterday, very warm, away from the coastal areas, very hot, too. in the desert southwest once

valleys of california definitely in the midst of the heat wave. forecast tomorrow, even warmer in a few spots. >> coming up, back to work on wall street, the next possible distraction for traders. and how's business going at the vatican? the early morning business headlines is straight ahead. plus why in the wake of the break-up of her marriage, maria shriver may be looking at a world-record payday. the captain is back, two bizarre walkoffs and you think you ate a lot of hotdogs yesterday? think again, you're watching "early today."

good morning, and welcome back to "early today." i'm lynn berry, and here are some of your top headlines this

morning. former imf chief dominique strauss-kahn is facing new sexual assault charges. prosecute a french writer. if she files charges, he plans to respond with a slander complaint. he is already facing a sexual assault case in new york, although that case has been jeopardized by questions about the accuser. in mexico officials are searching for seven missing american tourists whose boat capsized during stormy weather. one american has been confirmed dead. 19 other tourists and 16 crewmember were rescued. yesterday in canada prince william and wife kate took part in a dragon boat race while on their first official overseas trip since the wedding. the prince also piloted a helicopter during a military emergency training exercise. in mexico, yes, you are seeing this correctly. police say a woman was caught trying to sneak her common law husband out of a prison in a

suitcase. the unusual break-out attempt came after a conjugal visit. she was arrested. now here is an early look at your health headlines. when it comes to chips and fries, if you can't eat just one, researchers now think they know why. fatty foods trigger the production of chemicals much like those found in marijuana. unlike proteins and sugars, fat releases those marijuana-like chemicals during a cascade that signals to the brain and body, all pushing the same message eat, eat, and eat some more. for more information on this and other health stories, check out the health page at msnbc.com. "early today" health is brought to you by vagisil. now here's an early look at how wall street will kick off the day. the dow opens at 12,582 after gaining 168 points on friday. the s&p added 19 points.

the nasdaq rose 42. taking a look at overseas trading this morning. in tokyo the nikkei was up seven points, but in hong kong the hang seng lost 22. expect light to mid summer volume this week on wall street where the markets will resume business on five-day winning streak. many traders will be vacationing, but working investors seeking incentive need look no further than monday's market results around the rest of the world. on the strength of last week's big wall street rally, world markets hit a four and a half week high on monday led by shanghai. the dollar was broadly steady against most major currencies. the price of crude remains steady at around $95 a barrel, and improved appetite for risk in stocks and the end of the fed's bond buying program has reduced demand for bonds with yields on ten-year notes settling near their highest point in almost two months. after climbing to its highest point nearly a month the

euro tumbled monday after a warning monday from standard & poor's that greece would likely be in default if it follows a rollover plan by french banks. with greek debt appearing to be in check for now, many on wall street are starting to focus on debt ceiling negotiations in washington as a possible market distraction that could take the wind out of the current rally's sails. the longest negotiations stretch, the higher the uncertainty among traders and the higher potential for market volatility. data for the week starts off later this morning with factory orders. and, finally, good news and bad news for the pope. the vatican returned to a profit last year after three years in the red. however, donations from the faithful fell by nearly $15 million, or 18%. well, two losses in baseball that no doubt kept their respective losing managers gritting their teeth all night, and derek jeter returns. plus, it's become the fourth

of july athletic competition. the coney island hot dog eating contest. your early morning sports headlines are straight ahead. and the hot weather continues around the country. if you are lucky, you'll get afternoon showers to cool you off. your forecast is coming up. you're watching "early today."

good morning. if are you just waking up, this is "early today." in sports it's only appropriate that baseball's yankees welcome back their captain, healed from injury, on the fourth of july. here's nbc's bill seward with an early look at all your sports headlines. very good morning to you. after a short stint on the dl, derek jeter resumed his pursuit of 3,000 hits. unfortunately for the captain, no fireworks for him in cleveland. jeter led things off against the indians. the slow roller booted by lottie. jeter safe at first, but it was ruled an error. it was 0-4 remains six hits shy of 3,000. austin kerns has been slumping all season. maybe this will snap him out of his funk. a three-run shot. indians went on to win 6-3. wild finish between the cubs and nats. tied at 4-4 in the tenth. carlos marmel throwing one to the back stop. jason werth comes home on the wild pitch. nationals win 5-4 in ten. from a wild pitch to a game-ending block, royals and white sox tied 4-4 in the ninth.

sacks full when aaron crow steps off the hill and that's a buck. hate to lose like that. chicago won with a 5-4 balk-off. the reds and blue jays. tracking it down, and you'll get nothing and like it. rod bruce of a sure homer, cardinals go on to win it, 1-0. to florida, advance whorley. your average 6-4-3 out. not enough. phillies won 1-0. finally, get ready to rapid forced eating. the 96th annual nathan's hot dog eating contest at coney island. no conned. s condiments need ed just an empty stomach and a large appetite. after ten minutes of inhaling dogs, joey chestnut is the wiener, down 6 2 dogs. the rest of the field couldn't cut the mustard. chestnut is the top dog winning his fifth straight title.

i'm sure he will relish this moment for the rest of his life. that's your early look at sports on "early today." i'm bill seward. >> always tough to watch. a stunning divorce settlement, and which harry potter star has given up alcohol? your early morning entertainment headlines are straight ahead. plus, the fourth is a time to remember our forefathers, but it's also a time to remember those who answered the call and those who still seek a home in the land of the free. you're watching "early today."

welcome back on this tuesday welcome back on this tuesday morning. 107 in phoenix, typical for this time of year. chance of thunderstorms in the the afternoon. salt lake city and in vegas and areas of arizona, it will be a straight shower or two also. the forecast on wednesday, temperatures very warm. especially around boise, 96. if you're watching us on kmtr, news source 16, eugene, oregon, on satellite, kmtx in roseberg. spread some blankets out on the lawn and enjoy some live country music, music on the half shell at stewart park. now here's an early look at this morning's headlines in entertainment. mel gibson hasn't done anything

settle in the last few years, so why should his divorce be different? gibson settled with wife robin for a staggering $450 million. 21-year-old harry potter star daniel radcliffe says he has given up drinking completely. he says he's lucky paparazzi never caught him at his worst. david beckham and his wife may not be american, but the fourth of july is very important for to them. they got married on the 4th and a spokesman announced they will be waiting a bit longer to have their daughter. and finally radar online reports that publishers are prepared to offer arnold schwarzenegger's soon to be ex, maria shriver, a record advance for a tell-all memoir. for a look into her life both as a kennedy and with the terminator, sources say shriver could earn more than the all-time record advance, bill

clinton's $15 million. would you bet she would do it? do you think she would take it? i don't, she's classy, she doesn't air her dirty laundry. >> oh, like the president wasn't classy. >> i'm going to move on, bill. and this comes to us from wvir, nbc 29 in charlottesville, virginia, where some end penicillin day celebrations had nothing to do with fireworks or barbecues. dozens of immigrants made the trek to thomas jefferson's home to mark america's 235th birthday and become u.s. citizens. 77 people from 44 different countries were sworn in at the annual naturalization ceremony, making them america's newest citizens and a welcome addition. i'm lynn berry and this is early today, just your first stop of the day, today, on your nbc station.

do not adjust your television. one animal does kind of look like an optical illusion. take a look at this very rare donkra. a cross between a donkey and a zebra. a zoo in china has a lot of folks scratching their heads by showing off the crossbreed. with its size and head similar to a donkey and legs striped like a zeep zebra. mom is taking him in as one of her own. next is a sing-along that was a true group effort. 20,000 performers belted out some serious notes at a song festival in astonia. the mass choir brought in over 100,000 people, 8% of the small

country's population to watch. everyone was welcomed to join in. the youngest participant was 5 years old. the oldest was 80. here's a man who not only defies the odds, but he defies gravity. the stunt man created a comic book inspired character known as zero g, aka zero gravity. before a crowd he amazed little kids, and, bill, he really was a superhero doing a front flip measuring 19 feet six inches, to attempt a world record, and after a few tries he did manage to surpass the previous record by four inches. >> i didn't know that was possible. >> well, if you are a superhero it is. >> he climbed the wall like spiderman. >> do you believe in imaginary friends? >> needs a mask, though. >> his side kick had one. he turned to a 5-year-old again. time now for an early look at some stories we'll follow throughout the day on nbc. christine lagarde was appointed

as the first female chief of the international monetary fund, appointed after dominique strauss-kahn resigned in the wake of the sexual assault scandal with the hotel maid. same-sex couples in new york state can begin the marriage application on-line. the marriage license will return 30 days later. and the countdown officially begins to nasa's final shuttle launch. "atlantis" is set to lift off friday on a 12-day mission to the international space station. all day long you can stay on top of the latest developments in those stories and others's this break on msnbc, and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc nightly news. here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. go inside the difficult process jurors are going through on day two of deliberations in the casey anthony murder trial, and her royal style is earning rave reviews for the duchess of cambridge on tour in canada with prince william. keep it on this channel for continuing local news and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today" just your first stop of

the day on your nbc station. today" just your first stop of the day on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com