we're back next week. if it's sunday, it's "meet the press." good morning. coming up on "early today," iraq is rapidly disintegrating. the al qaeda-linked group of militants continues their string of attacks with baghdad in their sights. the u.s. forces hunker down at the embassy. world cup excitement grows on the feel but in the streets police shoot at protesters. the battalions over economic conditions persists. little victoria, the victim of a vicious dog attack, now a victim of an attack of a whole different kind. plus a massive propane explosion sends dangerous shrapnel flying. the apassing of a radio legend. and the world champ. it's monday, june 16th, "early today" starts right now.

good morning. i'm debra brown. security has been stepped up at the american embassy in baghdad as the conflict in iraq intensifies. several embassy staff have been evacuated and roughly 5,000 workers are stationed there, and 150 marines have been called in to protect them. meanwhile, the islamic militants taking other several iraqi cities have released chilling images that reportedly show them rounding up and executing iraqi soldiers. nbc cannot independently verify the authenticity of these images, and u.s. aircraft carrier and two navy ships have arrived in the persian gulf as the u.s. prepares for a possible escalation of tension. speaking with cbs' "face the nation" senator lindsey graham warned of the implications if the militants are not stopped. >> the seeds of 9/11 are being planted all over iraq and syria. you don't have to believe me, this is what they're telling this is what they're going to do. they're not hiding their agenda they plan to drive in the mideast by attacking us at home. >> tracie potts is in washington with the latest developments. tracie, good morning.

>> reporter: good morning. new this morning, there is word that the u.s. is considering -- hasn't done it yet, but it's considering touching base with iran to try to help out in this situation. also, brand new this morning, a travel warning from the state department telling americans don't go to iraq if you don't have to. it is a fluid situation, one they describe as high risk. >> reporter: this morning dozens of u.s. military personnel are helping secure our embassy in iraq moving state department workers out of baghdad as islamic militants close in on the capitol. >> we need to do something to stop the momentum. we need airpower immediately to stop the advance towards baghdad. >> reporter: with iraqi soldiers abandoning their posts, militias are armed against isis, the laid-linked group that seized part of iraq. a dozen people died in explosions sunday.

pictures unverified show iraqi soldiers and recruits being executed. lawmakers are urging president obama to get involved, fast, to send a message. >> you tend to do harm to america or americans, we're going to come after you. we're going to bring a rain of fire on you that you hope had never happened. >> reporter: three ships have been sent to the persian gulf. john kerry is asking allies in the region for help. republicans blame president obama. >> this administration from secretary clinton to president obama has repeatedly underestimated the threats that are faced by america. >> reporter: a let lawmakers fear could hit home. >> the next 9/11 is coming from here. >> reporter: this morning spain says they've arrested eight people who they believe to be recruiters for this militant islamic group in iraq. one of those we had previously arrested in afghanistan, spent some time at guantanamo bay

before heading to spain. >> tracie, thanks for the update. the family of a 3-year-old attacked by pit bulls wrerl this year is turning to social media after they were asked to leave a kfc restaurant because of the little girl's scars. little victoria was attacked by three pit bulls while she was visiting her grand parents in mississippi. she's undergone several reconstructive surgeries since her attack, with more to come in the future. earlier this month victoria and her family were asked to leave a kfc restaurant in jackson, mississippi because they were told her scars scared other diners. t the news went viral taking to facebook. kfc responded and said "once we have further details, we will immediately investigate this and take action, and we wish nothing but the best for victoria in her recovery." they've donated $30,000 for her medical bills. a boy scout troupe is safe after being rescued in a steep

canyon in arizona. the group of eight teens and four adults were reported missing when they didn't return to the media site as promised. some members were able to climb out of the canyon with a help from the sheriff's office. a 70-year-old man had to be attached to harnesses and lifted out with a helicopter. the 70-year-old was taken to the hospital with cardiac issues. everybody else was just fine. you get to see a lot of interesting things but a trooper got a very unexpected and fiery wake up call over the weekend. they had blocked off roads to preblgt motorists from a blaze, but they didn't know they were the ones needing protection. when the propane tank exploded, it sent shrapnel flying into the air. metal -- that's incredible -- weighing 50 pounds landing next to the trooper car. really a lucky dodge for troopers who were able to show

how close that was. well, redemption in san antonio when the spurs prevented a three-peat for miami and took home this year's nba championship title. miami came out fearless leaving san antonio scoreless. lebron james leading the rally for a strong first quarter, but san antonio didn't take long to play catch-up. they closed the gap in the second before taking the leave before the half. third quarter now, the spurs, they rack up the points knocking down buckets to widen the gap. and big man tim duncan, he makes a big play on defense in the fourth. there was no looking back. spurs claim the victory to win their fifth nba championship. leonard named mvp. one of america's most famous voices is silent today. radio personality casey kasem died sunday at the age of 82. he was a familiar presence in millions of americans' homes as the host of "american top 40." he also graced the air waves as the voice of shaggy on "scooby doo" and of robin on "super friends."

he was born in detroit in 1932 and discovered his love of radio while stationed in korea, becoming a deejay for the armed forces radio network. he created "america's top 40" and hosted it until 2004 signing off with every show from w a takingline "keep your feet on the ground, but keep reaching for the stars." ah, we're going to miss that voice. >> i know. i miss long distance dedications. >> exactly. >> little things that would make it into the show that were fun. >> things you grew up with. >> i haven't listened to any more -- >> it changed the weekend. >> it did. the forecast is looking not as hot. the fire danger was still pretty high in the southwest. that continues today. that's the story. a little bit of water vapor imagery here. we have a decent amount of water vapor, a lot of clouds, moisture in there. that's the white. the storm is also bringing gusty winds to the intermountain west, and that's the problem. we have a high fire danger in effect for all the areas shown in red there, and a good chunk

of northern arizona and northern new mexico, southern portions of utah and salt lake city and reno. low humidity and high wind gusts is a recipe for any big fires if they're able to form. now, underneath the upper level low that storm in the upper level of the atmosphere, we still have a lot of shower activity over washington state, so we'll keep temperatures cool there. we are going to get some shower activity in the next day or two. we'll keep showers in the forecast, umbrella handy. portland to seattle to spokane. the rest of the way we'll cross our fingers. no big fires formed on this windy afternoon. that eugene, oregon, 64. it was about two weeks ago we were very warm and try in the northwest, and now it's kind of back to reality. >> cool weather.

sweater weather. >> june. >> well, it works. good news for type i diabetes sufferers. starbucks is getting ready to take college tuition for thousands. plus, ten kids, nine grandkids, and two great fwrands. this proud papa is celebrating much more this father's day. details in two. you're watching "early today."

welcome back. jetblue is apologizing after a flight crew barred a 3-year-old girl from using the bathroom leaving her to wet her seat. the child's mother said they were waiti on the tar pack mac for 30 minutes when the little girl asked to go. she was told to, no, sit down. very strict regulations. the company has reportedly offered the family a $50 credit. crews in california are racing to slow a fast-moving wildfire. the shirley fire has already

grown to 2,000 acres. 500 homes have been evacuated it's 10% contained. doctors say the so-called bionic pancreas has passed a real world test. it connects to a smartphone and can regulate high and low blood sugar. that's unlike current pumps. the next stage of testing begins today. the number of whooping cough cases in california is now at an epidemic level. officials say as of last week almost 3,500 cases are reported. that's more than last year all combined. >> and atlanta threw a birthday bash for the world's oldest male gorilla yesterday. ozzy just turned 53. all he wanted was a cake made of ice. it was a good father's day for him too. he has ten surviving children, nine grandkids, and ten great grandkids. time to get down to business on the monday morning.

>> investors continue to eye the escalating conflicts in iraq. the markets are coming off a down week with the dow snapping a three-week win streak. oil prices rising 4% last week. they are now $107 a barrel today. meantime, starbucks is offering workers help for getting their college degree. they're teaming up with arizona state to provide discount tuition for on-line classes in everything from business to engineering. any starbucks employee that works more than 20 hours a week will be eligible. target saying that a glitch in its check-out system is not related to any security issue. customers took to social media sunday night to complain about delays in long lines to stores across the country after registers went down and many had to pay in cash. sarah, back to you. russia is up in arms over a school yard insult to vladimir putin. plus, world cup excitement continues as the u.s. team gets ready to take on ghana tonight.

that and the rest of your weekend. highlights up next.

their story is a uniquely all-american rags to riches story. did you identify with that? >> yeah, i identified with that. there's always that starting out where nobody believes in you. you're the only person that

believes you and then something good happens. >> this morning on "today," watch natalie morales with clint eastwood the director of the upcoming "jersey boys" film. now let's the latest in sports from my friend francis rivera. good morning, francis. >> now the world cup. ebbing kwa door 2-1 was beat in the final seconds. lionel mess where i scoring the game-winning goal for argentina. they edge out -- they play their first match at 6:00 p.m. eastern time against ghana to beat the americans during the past two world cups. vice president joe biden will be attending the game to see if the u.s. can get off to a strong start. fitzpatrick at the 9th, zach johnson. this a moment ago with a 7 iron. down the fall line. cannot quite get it high. and that's -- that's it!

>> zach johnson has something to celebrate after sinking that at pine hurst. it's the second time in u.s. open series for an ace in the hole. he knows how to get the crowd going. it was martin kymer who won. he finished with a nine under for his second major championship title. >> the a's and wrainks had a 38 minute game delay because of a circuit breaker. scary moment for kra gentry. nailed in the helmet from an 81-mile-per-hour pitch. luckily he was cleared from concussion tests to play. the a's taking 2 of 3 from the bronx bombers. check out this father making this one-handed catch in the outfield. look at the other hand. he is holding his kid. way to go, dad. happy father's day.

>> announcer: "early today" is brought to you by touch of gray. get the look you want. >> mom was probably nervous with that catch. >> it was a great catch. just ahead, kelly clarkson's favorite new river. "22 jump street" proves wicked hot, and it's want just because of channing tatem. are gwyneth and chris martin back together?

welcome back our friends in boise. we have showers around this morning. pushing to the north. we have more of a patch of light rain. this will be clearing out throughout your mid-morning, though. if you are headed out the next half hour, grab that umbrella. other forecasts in terms of the west. there's want a lot. the fire danger is high. we'll continue to watch areas of southern nevada, northern arizona especially with those gusty winds this afternoon. temperatures went down a little bit. 96 the biggest. 103 today. a good on shore flow continuing in the west. that's monday. as we take a peek at tomorrow, we continue with the showers in the northwest. not a lot of changes in the west. just the fires, the drought. >> sounds like we'll be keeping an eye on that. >> for a month. >> yes, exactly for months to come. thank you, bill. now let's move on to entertainment news. this man just made tv history. correct answer?

who is alex tribek? he appeared on 6,829 episodes of the game show earning him the guinness world record for most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter. he has been the face of "jeopardy" since it relaunched in 1984. he says he has no immediate plans to retire. on the heels of father's day some celeb baby news to report. kelly clarkson has given birth to a baby girl. river rose. >> river rose? >> she was born to kelly larkson, "the american idol" winner and her husband. she tweeted out the big news tweeting "brandon and i are on cloud nine." at the box office "22 jump street" is breaking records earning more than $60 million in its first weekend. the haul makes it the second highest grossing comedy of the decade right behind "the hangover part 2." the actress, activist, and globe trotting mom of six is now an official dame.

queen elizabeth ii named angelina jolie an honor rather dame of the british empire. to honor her work of raising awareness against violence against women. gwyneth and paltrow and chris martin aren't over just yet. together for ten years, the couple announced plans to consciously uncouple back in march, and they've been spotted together, and they still live together. mart sxin paltrow have two small children. >> unconsciously uncouple or consciousdy -- >> i never understood that. you're still living together and you're sharing children. >> be together but mentally we won't. >> and yet -- well, the saga continues. >> just hope the kids are all right. we'll leave it at that. >> we'll leave it at that. this is "early today." we hope it's just your first stop of the day on nbc.

leading the news in the los angeles times. chris christie to gop donors you'll get over it. after being asked about the bridge scandal over the weekend, he told hundreds of dopers you'll get over it. it will be fine. in the washington post ukrainian diplomat uses swear word for putin delighting protesters and angering moscow. the interim foreign minister used a vulgar school yard word that caused an international incident. he said putin sin a d-head. russia has called for his resignation. other stories we're following here. pakistan launches a military offensive against the taliban. fighter jets have hit several hide-outs in the troubled

waziristan region reportedly killing 100 militants. overnight israeli defense forces detained 40 more suspects in the search for three missing teenagers. one of the boys is a 16-year-old american. prime minister netanyahu insists hamas is responsible. menacing monkeys have taken over the indian city of bagra. they've entered homes and have been biting and attacking people. homeowners are putting bars on their windows, and many parents are not letting their children outside. monkeys are worshipped by india's hindu community. the world cup has -- it's not the only soccer tournament this weekend. you got to see this, bill. this is great video. athletes play traditional soccer in big inflatable suits on sunday for the bubble soccer finals. teams played for the title of bubble king in japan's tournament, and in this sport you are likely to knock over your opponent when you are going for the steal. . goalies have a particularly

difficult job because they can't use their hands. i guess they have to dive for the ball to stop it. >> or you can squat. >> i guess you could. >> try to focus on the feet. >> if you see them fall too, the tops are with their knees out. there's an ouch factor. i'm not going to try that sport any time soon. now time for a look ahead and a look back. today could be a big day for obama care with the supreme court slated on decide the controversial hobby lobby case. at issue there, whether the health care law can legally require companies to cover their employees' birth control when it goes against the company's values. on this day 1963 val tina became the first woman in space. the soviet cosmonaut, then just 26, spent three days in space, and orbited the earth 48 times. happy birthday to john cho, 42, golfer phil mickelson, who turns 44, and roberto duran, 43.

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from nbc bay area this is "today in the bay." >> and good monday morning to you, it is 4:30 a.m., i'm seth -- sam brock. >> let's first say good monday morning and check that forecast. >> hey, good morning to you, new workweek, new forecast, i think you're going to like it. i don't think you're going to have to use your ac at all across the bay area, that's because we're getting that beautiful, natural cooling all the way inland this morning. the dool ocean breeze will bring the ocean air in all day lock. temperatures running about 10 degrees below average for this time of year. that means 71 for the suite bay, 74 ie