overnight in ferguson, missouri -- >> molotov cocktails were thrown. there were shootings. looting. vandalism. and other acts of violence that clearly appear not to be spontaneous but premeditated criminal acts. >> a private autopsy by the family of michael brown reveals that he was shot at least six times. attorney general eric holder has ordered a federal autopsy and the governor calls in the national guard. president obama returns to the white house as the u.s. steps up military assaults in iraq. plus, a deadly outcome when two trains collide. texas' tough-talking governor speaks out about his indictment. and the little league world series heats up. it's monday august 18th. "early today" starts right now.

good morning, i'm frances i'm dara brown. bringing you breaking news overnight, governor jay nixon has ordered the missouri national guard to restore peace in ferguson, this after what officials are calling deliberate attacks against police officers last night. violence once again erupted in the streets about 3 1/2 hours ahead of the curfew. at a news conference this morning ron johnson confirmed that at least three protesters were shot at the hands of other protesters. he acknowledged that police had to escalate their response because there were people with guns in crowds. also, a number of people throwing molotov cocktails at police as well as looting and vandalizing stores in the area. we also have the results of a private autopsy on 18-year-old michael brown. it shows that he was shot at least six times. the autopsy indicates that all

bullets were fired into the front of his body, including twice in the head and four times into the right arm. michael brown's family and attorneys pathologist michaeal baden who conducted the autopsy will hold a press conference to discuss the findings. and attorney general eric holder is taking the unusual step by having the justice department conduct its own autopsy. nbc's jay gray is in ferguson. jay, what do you see on the ground now? >> good morning, dara. early this morning missouri governor jay nixon did order the national guard to move it. told they were expected on the ground later today after what was another difficult and dangerous night in ferguson. >> reporter: the chaos unfolded hours before the curfew took effect in ferguson. with armored vehicles, officers and n riot gear rushing in.

>> i had no choice but to elevate the level of our response. >> reporter: police used smoke canisters and tear gas to try and gain control of what they described as a very dangerous situation. >> shots being fired on officers. a number of molotov cocktails being hurled, and then the looting or vandalism of businesses. >> reporter: early two or three people in the crowd were injured by gunfire. none of those shootings apparently involving police. at least four businesses were damaged and looted, and for the first time the violence stretched to just outside the police command post here. the call went out to every available officer to rush back to the wrar where dozens of shields and some wore gas masks and others with weapons drawn worked to bring down the compound. a new picture of what happened the day michael brown was shot and killed. attorneys released this sketch

from a private autopsy by a doctor hired by the brown family. it showed the 18-year-old was shot six times, adding to the heartache, frustration, and anger for a family and community already seemingly pushed past its limits. now, the brown family and the doctor who performed the autopsy are expected to talk publicly about the results later this morning. in ferguson, missouri, i'm jay gray. dara, back to you now. take a listen to how one protester described being hit with tear gas hours before last night's curfew went into effect. >> we was marching. everybody was just standing around, so we decided let's march. we will march up to the -- go down on our knees and say don't shoot, and we demand justice. before we could get down to our knees, they started shooting us with tear gas. >> meanwhile, president obama is

taking a short break from his martha's vineyard vacation. he came back to washington last night and is scheduled to meet with advisors. the white house hasn't given much detail about why the president had to return to d.c., but he is expected to be briefed on the latest unrest in missouri and iraq. speaking of iraq, new overnight, iraqi forces along with kurdish troops have retain the mosul dam from isis terrorists. this comes after the u.s. stepped up its air campaign in iraq. nbc's brian moore is live from washington d.c. good morning, brian. what can you tell us about these expanded air strikes? >> reporter: dara, these air strikes were in defense of infrastructure, the biggest hydroelectric dam in iraq. isis terrorists could have used that position to either flood nearby towns or cut off all electricity, including to the u.s. embassy in baghdad. american officials say it had to be retain and it had to be retain with american air

support. >> reporter: this morning president obama returned to washington cutting short a martha's vineyard vacation overthatted wroeed by the escalating military action in iraq. >> what we're watching in iraq and in syria, frankly, is the worst case scenario for the middle east. the cancer that's growing that's consuming all over the place. >> i think that what's going on in iraq is horrific, and it warrants a response. we cannot just put our heads in the sand and pretend it doesn't exist. >> reporter: the president has informed congress he has authorized new air strikes to protect mosul. >> have you to show people of mosul, people of these towns that have been captured that they have -- there's some hope here that folks are going to come and get them out of this mess. >> reporter: republicans and democrats alike are backing the president and want more answers. >> we're missing a critical question here. what is the united states' mission? what are we trying to accomplish here?

>> the question with american forces once again fighting for iraq's future. >> what needs to be done -- >> brian, hanks for the update. when it comes to that indictment tough-talking texas governor rick perry has this to say. >> this indictment amounts to nothing more than abuse of power. >> perry is accused of trying to torpedo millions. the reason? d.a. in charge's dui arrest. critics claim the democrat was targeted because she was ogram tied to perry.er research perry is texas's first governor to be indicted since 1917. it was a violent weekend across two major u.s. cities. 15 people were shot in new york city.

in chicago the number? 32 fatalities. the youngest victim, a 16-year-old girl. she was fatally shot in the head just blocks from her home in a drive-by. in new york city, 15 were shot in just eight hours. police release surveillance from one shooting. a guy is seen gunning down two people bshg ut the most violent in queens, two men fired more than 20 rounds, hitting four people. a killer wreck on the rails in arkansas as two freight trains collided late on sunday. two crewmembers were killed. the other is hurt. the impact caused a huge fire. 500 people in the area had to evacuate. it took seven hours to put it out. no word yet on how both trains ended up on the same track. outside of dallas mother nature one, drivers zero. a downpour left folks soaked and stranded. roads were washed out. one driver was stuck in water up to her thigh. more than three inches of rain fell in that area.

now for our national forecast, i am joined by nbc meteorologist bill karins. what is up with this weather? >> well, in texas they have a lot of wind, a lot of thunderstorms. it's kind of a changing weather pattern across the country, and that could be good for some people in the northwest that actually like it a little cooler. we're still on pace for the hottest summer ever recorded in areas like portland, oregon, and yesterday was no exception. 88 in portland. 97 in medford. very hot in areas of the des either southwest too. there is a change coming. the middle of our country, in the southeast, it's going to get much hotter as we are going to watch cooler temperatures in the west. it's about time the weather pattern gave us at least a temporary switch. temperatures this morning, we're at 63 in moraled. normal is 58. it's still warmer than we should be. that's the thing that's been eye-catching this summer. the overnight lows in the northwest have been exceptionally warmer than they should be, and the daytime highs have also been very warm. right now there's not a lot of weather highlights out out will. there's rain in southern arizona. we did have a little bit of weak

cloud cover and a weak stornl down the oregon coastline. keep it warm for one more day, and then the northwest throw will cool us off throughout the rest of the week. if you like the 90s and the heat, in areas of the northwest, today will be your hottest day you're going to see all weeklo valley in california, looking pretty warm, and you'll be cooling it off the next couple of days also. i would like to hear we're finally going to cool it off a little in the north. not ready for chilly weather yet, but it's been a hot summer. >> i like how you kick it off with hang is acoming. >> change is good. prus, the ice bucket challenge is everywhere, but now there's startling news about the man who inspired it. it's only 5% contained, and it's approaching downtown los

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a fast-moving wildfire caught dry brush. the u.s. forest service said it had grown to 400 acres, and it's only 5% contained. this morning wikileaks founder julian asange said he will be using the ecuadorian embassy. to the unrest in pakistan where protesters call for their prime minister's resignation. it steps from alleged voter fraud. a rally at 1,500 people one politician urged civil disowe bead yenks and to not pay their taxes. a man who inspired the ice

bucket challenge is dead after a diving accident. he jumped from a building into the water off the island of nantucket. just hours beforehand he helped raise nearly $100,000 for an als charity. and the pope's five-day trip to south korea is over. he was focused on outreach, culminating yesterday for a call for improved relations with other countries like china and north korea. he even invited north korea to mass, but they declined. and just ahead, a very telling weekend for a few nfl teams as the season quickly approaches, and much more. an amazing tribute to the captain as "early today" rolls on for a monday. from bank of aa to pitch in for an industrial-sized smoker. before earning 1% cash back everywhere, every time. and 2% back at the grocery store. even before he got 3% back on gas. all with no hoops to jump through. norm used his bankamericard cash rewards credit card to enter the bbq masters invitational.

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new on "today" the dangers of tubing. it's a fun summer pastime that can turn deadly in a split second. jeff rossen hits the water with tips on how to prevent accidents and keep yourself safe. "later on "today." now let's get to some sports with francis rivera. good morning, francis. >> dara, thank you. happy monday to you all. let's start with the nfl preseason. it continues. the 49ers debuted in their new stadium against the denver broncos. peyton manning went 12 for 14 with 102 yards and a touchdown. they dpom natured the home team 34-0. in charlotte the panthers

edged out the chiefs 28-16. quarterback cam newton had a strong game following ankle surgery. he had 65 yards. the ap college football poll was released ranking florida state on top, rounding out the top five, alabama ranked second, oregon, in third, oklahoma, fourth, and ohio state ranked fifth. >> charlie white and merrill davis. >> drivers -- >> start your engines. >> they were followed by some boos in the crowd. the pure michigan 400. to the race we go. heats danica patrick's car turning sideways, causing some collisions. this car goes in flames and smoke. he will have to crawl out. thankfully uninjured. it's pole setter swref gordon that will come out with his third win of the season. to pennsylvania for the it is league world series. pennsylvania takes on texas.

bottom of the first here. mo' ne davis gets her first hit. that will bring in a run. texas comes strong later on way solo homer to fourth and another in the fifth. it will bring in three more runs. tied in the sixth. overthrowing the ball at first gives pennsylvania a run, and the 7-6 win. a farewell tour for derek jeter continues in france. standing o's, and also like this. the five acre tribute in new jersey. jeter etched in with a phrase "thanks captain clutch." amazing. amaze-balls. amaze maze, all of that. whatever your choice of words. back to you. >> always amazing, francis. now, just ahead, ferguson explodes with new violence. now the move that has the whole country watching. plus, kevin spacey prank calls hillary clinton. the very personal decision he almost got out of her.

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welcome back it "early today" on this monday morning. a wonderful weekend. the weather this week, we got some changes. it's going to go from warm to almost kind of coolish in some areas. we're starting with a monday forecast that few of us have to worry about rain, except the desert southwest, and then as we go through tuesday, notice the changes. they drop. they go from the upper 80s to low 80s. seattle down into the 70s.

as we look ahead through this week, just giving you portland, for example, definitely not going to be talking about air conditioning weather. mother nature will take care of that throughout the end of this week. >> thank you for the wruupdate, bill. teenage mutant ninja turtles stayed on top earning an additional $28 million while marvel's "guardians of the galaxy" grossed another $24 million. the expendables 3 made $16 million. after tweeting this picture last week former coach on "the voice" christina aguilera is proud to announce that she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl this saturday. >> hello. >> it's bill. i just want to make sure you don't forget my birthday is coming up. that's right. kevin spacey did this in his best bill clinton to prank phone call hillary this weekend. the swroek is for a birthday

video for former president clinton's -- >> she -- >> i think he could. he sounds really good. >> in preparation for the upcoming movie "dumb and dumber 2" this poster was released spoofing the poster of scarlett johannson's lucy. the average person uses 10% of their brain capacity. imagine what he could do with 1%. >> i bet you they made that before the movie "lucy" tanked. >> 1%. it's going to be funny. sdmrirchlgt remember the water bottle we saw in "downtown abby." the cast responded with this photo. it's the cast of the hit show promoting water aid. i'm dara brown. this is "early today." we hope it's just your first stop of the day today on nbc. you think you take off all your make-up before bed.

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leading the news, ebola patients flee as armed men raid a liberia clinic. 17 patients infected with ebola are now unaccounted for. items were taken from the quarantine center, including blood-stained sheets and mattresses. in tennessee's "daily times" bourbon production reaches highest point since 1970s. kentucky bourbon makers are making a big bet by stashing away their largest stockpiles in more than a generation. they're banking on continued international demand. >> never saw that. >> against china and a culture in the u.s. that currently has a taste for bourbon. the bottles go for big bucks overseas. now to some stories we're following for you right now. the missouri national guard is on its way to ferguson. governor jay nixon signed an

executive order just hours ago demanding more resources be delivered to "help restore peace and order." the clock ticks toward midnight's curfew, wlikt exploded through the streets. missouri highway patrol captain ron johnson had this to say. >> sunday gets started with prayers and messages of unity, peace and justice. it took a very different turn after dark. >> meanwhile, in wisconsin a woman who says she loves giraffes may want to reconsider. she went to a zoo, hopped a fence, and went right up to one. the giraffe licked her face and then kicked her in the head. she's okay, but she'll have to pay an almost $700 fine. >> how do you hop a giraffe fence? they're 18 feet tall. >> exactly. why would you do that? well, this brings new meaning to the saying whatever floats your boat. creative unthinkable homemade boats competed at the annual anything that floats boat

regatta. amateur boat builders paddle their innovative floatation devices to the finish line. it looks like a lot of fun. the team titled most creative was team coke floats. >> obviously they won. there's wilson. >> i love well son. i love that. >> you could use parts of volleyballs. >> we would be baubling around. now it's time for a look ahead and a look back. former microsoft ceo and now owner of the clippers steve ballmer will hold a meet and greet. fans were invited to join him at a festival to thank him and give them a hands to get to know him. 45 years ago today the woodstock festival wound to a close. the three days of peace and music ened with a mid-morning set by jimi hendrix. congratulations to anned where i samburg who is 36, actor robert redford, 78, and former

first lady carter turns 87. this is

from nbc bay area, this is "today in the bay." good monday morning to you, it is 4:30 a.m., i'm sam brock. >> and i'm laura garcia-cannon. we have a live look at san jose this morning. families waking up a little earlier, getting read why toy return to school. headed back to class, 11 different community colleges including city college of san francisco, colleges still fighting to maintain its accreditation. issue weighing on students minds this morning. 17 school districts are returning this morning. among them, campbell union in the south bay, and san francisco unified. let's check in and welcome back meteorologist chris nap loren, she's got a look at the back to school forecast. >> hey, you ow