coming up on "early today," president obama getting serious about taking on the terror group isis, this as america marks the 13th anniversary of 9/11. the nfl's new hired gun to investigate the investigation. former fbi director robert mueller. verdict day for blade runner oscar pistorius in the murder of his girlfrien reeva steenkamp. it is thursday, september 11th. "early today" starts right now. good morning. i'm richard lui. reaction is pouring in following president obama's speech last night unveiling his strategy for dealing with isis. the president bound to degrade and destroy the terror group.

his strategy, deploying 475 more military advisers to iraq and authorizing air strikes in syria for the very first time. lawmakers already weighing in on this. senators john mccain and lindsey graham issuing a joint statement saying, in part, he described the correct goal to degrade and ultimately destroy isis. however the president's plan will likely be the insufficient to destroy isis, which is the world's largest, richest terrorist army. now, prior to the president's speech, senator tom harkin dismissed the idea that isis even poses a direct threat to the u.s. saying, quote, it is fearmongering. it is what happened after 9/11. oh, my god, they've got these planes crashing, now they're going to take over america. that's nonsense. now, the isis threat largely has become an international issue as most of you know. ahead of his speech, the president is speaking with leaders in saudi arabia, the country agreeing there to host an anti-isis training program for syrian opposition fighters. meanwhile, a new poll finds 64% of europeans approve of president obama's international

policies. here in the united states, a gallup poll finding 43% of americans trust the federal government to handle international problems. let's go to nbc's tracie potts in washington. good morning to you. and what are some of the other key details of the speech he put out last night? >> one of the big ones we have been waiting to hear in the president laid out last night we will expand air strikes from iraq into syria. there are some skeptical and some supportive of that here on capitol hill, but the president was quickly saying this is not going to turn into a ground war for the u.s. >> we will not get dragged into another ground war in iraq. >> reporter: but we will go after isis in iraq and syria, the president warned. >> if you threaten america, you will find no safe haven. >> reporter: air strikes, but no ground troops is a tricky strategy, critics say. >> we have a thousand boots on the ground right now, it is going to send another 435 boots on the ground. they're in a combat situation. to say they're not is obviously

untrue. >> reporter: even supporters fear that the expanded campaign could spark a major conflict in the middle east. >> people will become angry. maybe we send troops into combat. and then you have a perpetual war decade after decade. >> reporter: president obama made the case that the u.s. must destroy isis to keep america safe. >> our own safety, our own security depends upon our willingness to do what it takes to defend this nation and uphold the values that we stand for. >> reporter: and he's doing it without asking congress for permission first. some lawmakers insist he needs that vote. but could a divided congress agree on a strategy? >> i'm not going to come to congress and say that this is required because i don't know what i'm going to get. >> reporter: his strategy, now public. the war is on. a war on terror, a war against isis. but not a ground war for the u.s. there is also concern here on capitol hill, richard, by some lawmakers about arming the syrian rebels, even though some

lawmakers say they back that idea, there are concerns of some of the opposition groups may actually be working with isis. >> tracie potts in washington, d.c., very latest from the president, what the united states will do there in syria and iraq. thank you very much. 13 years it has been since the 9/11 attacks and millions across the country will stop to reflect on that horrific day. among them, president obama, the first lady, and the vice president. later this morning, they will hold ceremonies on the front lawn of the white house in shanksville, pennsylvania, as well. the ceremony will be held at the pentagon where minutes ago a giant u.s. flag was unfurled over the side of the building where it was struck by american airlines flight 77. this is a live picture of ground zero as the sun rises in lower manhattan on this september 11th, where the names of all of the victims of 9/11 will be read today. nbc's jay gray is there for us.

good morning. >> reporter: good morning, richard. one world trade, the tower that now stands at ground zero, and is just over my shoulder here, it really stands out in the busy new york skyline, a beacon of hope and strength. on this day, also a reminder of one of the darkest, most difficult times in our nation's history. 13 years later, the memory, and emotions have yet to fade. >> sad day, we can never forget, will never forget. but we have to move on. we have to stay strong. >> reporter: ground zero continues to change, evolve. one world trade has replaced the twin towers that once stood here. >> beautiful. >> reporter: reaching to the sky, a monument to our nation's unwavering spirit and resolve. >> pride and power. hold on to our beliefs and keep freedom in this country. >> reporter: the 9/11 museum honors the nearly 3,000 people who died that day. >> even though we didn't know any person, but they're our family, they're our heroes.

>> reporter: in the mirror of this giant reflecting pool for some, the images and emotions come rushing back. >> it was breathtaking. it was just -- it was breathtaking. >> reporter: but with the growing threat and reach of the islamic extremist group isis, this site for many also serves as a reminder. >> with everything that is going on in the world, it is still there, it is still present. >> reporter: which is why on this day, each year so many gather in new york at the pentagon and in shanksville, pennsylvania. ♪ to remember, honor and send a strong message to the rest of the world. >> back on our feet, got to keep moving on. >> reporter: to make sure that it never happens again. now, later this morning there will be a private memorial on the plaza just outside of the 9/11 museum with a reading of the victims, read by many

surviving family members. that same plaza will be open to the public. thousands expected to gather to pay their respects. that is the latest from here in new york, i'm jay gray. back to you. >> thank you so much, jay gray, again in lower manhattan for us. the nfl has the infamous fist swinging video of ray rice in april. at least according to the associated press we're learning. it gets worse though. a 12 second voice mail from an nfl office confirms that. the league is in full damage control using former fbi director robert mueller to investigate this. it comes as rice gets support from a once banned player himself. >> i think he deserves a second chance. it is going to be -- >> reporter: as criticism of the nfl's handling of domestic violence grows, a plea from one team owner. >> i ask that you consider not to be too quick to judge. we have worked extremely hard to

build an organization, integr y integrity. >> members of congress sent a letter to roger goodell. they want to know where -- or rather were the investigation and where the investigation failed. verdict watch in the murder trial of oscar pistorius. the judge is going through all the evidence given by 37 witnesses. so far she's cleared him of all murder charges. that's a development this morning, but he could still face a manslaughter charge. she has also cast doubt on witness testimony and called pistorius a poor witness. pistorius is accused of gunning down his girlfriend reeva steenkamp. prosecutors claim it was intentional. he claims it was accidental. nbc will have the verdict when it comes down right here. no laughing matter for toronto mayor rob ford. he remains in the hospital this morning after doctors found a tumor in his stomach. now they're trying to determine what kind it is and whether --

if it is malignant or not. he had been complaining of stomach pains for three months but was taken to the hospital yesterday after he says they became unbearable. this is not ford's first battle with a tumor in this part of his body. in 2009, he underwent surgery to remove a tomber from his append appendix. sadly in 2006, his father died of colon cancer within a matter of months of diagnosis. missouri has passed one of the longest abortion waiting periods. women will now have to wait 72 hours after talking to a doctor before ending a pregnancy. used to be 24. the decision by missouri's gop led legislature overruled a veto by the state's democratic governor. utah is the only other state with a 72 had-hour wait, but there is an exception for rape. an explosion 93 million miles away is headed toward earth. yesterday, an x class solar flare burst from the sun, that's most powerful kind, and don't worry, the worst of it will skim

above it in our atmosphere protect us from the harmful radiation that is emanated. but you may see satellite or radio disturbance as early as tomorrow. phones may be hiccupping. >> from g-1 to g-5 as most severe solar. they're expecting it to be a g-2. so the aurora may be further south than normal, but shouldn't expect a g-5. >> that would be worse. >> that's your solar flare lesson for the day. >> thank you, bill karins. we'll talk weather. snow in some portions of the country. heat wave for the west. it is cold in the northern plains. it is snowing now in rapid city, south dakota, four inches in the black hills. as a cold air mass drops down from canada, the east side of the rockies on the west side, the ridge and the heat will build. 81 this morning in phoenix. going to be a very warm afternoon. in los angeles, this is a heat wave for you, right through the weekend. no shot of any rain.

temperatures 95 to 100 as we go throughout saturday, sunday, right into monday. should cool off after that. the middle of next week. for today, the heat begins to build. it is very beautiful in many areas. but, of course, still very dry. that's not good. that's your national weat a whi through the upcoming weekend. 78 and sunny in portland, oregon. maybe my pick city in the country today. that's beautiful. >> bill karins with our galactic interstellar weather report today. thank you so much. major drug money laundering ring broken up in l.a. to tell you about. the u.s. is doing everything possible to prevent new french warships from reaching their russian buyers. you're watching "early today."

welcome back. the u.s. is putting pressure on france to permanently cancel the sale of two warships to russia. last week the french delayed the first delivery over the conflict in ukraine. some lawmakers suggest nato should buy the vessels instead. unprecedented crackdown in l.a. fashion district. law enforcement seizing some $90 million yesterday in what they called the epicenter of drug money laundering. a thousand officers searched around 70 locations, arresting nine. and he was the big screen's big man, richard keel, and he has died. 7'2" frame made him stick out in the films like "the longest yard" but his role as a bond villain that elevated his career. and he was in "happy gilmore". >> that's two. >> oh, you can count.

good for you. >> and you can count on me waiting for you in the parking lot. >> hulking and talented and very agreeable if you seesaw some ofs interviews. a leaked photo that will have you wanting a ticket, like right now. first, freaky bragging rights. byron schrenker has the world's widest tongue, over 3 inches wide. good luck sharing an ice cream cone with that dude. it's never been easier to find a dentist.

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this morning on "today," meet the last known 9/11 rescue dog. tom brokaw returns to the site with the dog and her owner as they make their way to ground zero, 13 years later. all right, turning now to sports for you. let's start with the pirates/phillies. watch this. >> toward center, revere back. for the wall, off the wall! mccutchen will get at least three! he's got a shot for an inside the parker! this should be a no doubter. an inside the park home run for andrew mccutchen! he's tied the game! >> they cannot catch that guy. his first in the park homer. the pirates will add three more runs after the fact to top the phillies 6-3.

angels' mike trout joined an elite group after he goes home for his 100th run of the season. he becomes the sixth player ever with three 100-run seasons before the age of 23. the angels topped the rangers 8-1. a battle for tdivision lead between the royals and tigers. tigers, two hits against pitcher james shields and will not score. the royals retake the lead of the division with a 3-0 win. tonight, mlb hosts will host pregame ceremonies including a moment of silence in remembrance of 9/11. and for the first time since the attack, both new york teams, yankees and mets, will be playing at home. the opening ceremony for the invictus games held in london. more than 400 will compete in the athletic competition for wounded servicemen and women from around the world. members of the royal family were in attendance including prince harry, who inspired the creation of the invictus games themselves.

the track and field events begin today. saturday night live has announced their first guest host of the year. and jimmy fallon and hugh jackman get competitive on "the tonight show." those details next.

now for some entertainment news, "snl" has officially announced chris pratt will -- he'll host the premiere episode of the 40th season on september

27th. she'll be there too, ariana grande will be the musical guest. we all remember how zach snyder revealed the newest version of batmobile on twitter at the beginning of summer. now snyder vealed the new ride that viewers will see in the new film "batman versus superman" in 2016. miles per gallon? air conditioning? >> maybe. >> headlights. i don't know. >> doesn't need it. >> backup camera. last night on "the tonight show", hugh jackman came by for a gigantic game of pool using bowling balls. >> is there any strategy to this? >> oh [ bleep ]! >> oh, no! >> oh! >> all right, all right. did i break the bowling ball? >> yeah! >> he did break it. morgan freeman has officially joined the cast of

"ted 2" with mark wahlberg, amanda siegfried and ted, the teddy bear. after the final episode of married with children, the bundies were out in force to support their girl. christina applegate got a star on the hollywood walk of fame. i watched one or two. but 17 years, i watched some of it. did you watch? >> i watched all of it. i thought it was hysterical. >> why would you peg me as not watching that? >> you were doing the star trek thing and the dunkens and dragons. >> are you intimating you're cool and i'm not? >> i would not say that. i love dungeons and dragons. >> bill karins. i'm richard lui. >> we can go play. >> we hope this is your first stop of the day right here on nbc.

leading the news in the new york times, a 9/11 shrine where families mourn now open to others. there is a private sanctuary known as the family room. it is about 20 stories above the world trade center site. and it is going to be open to the public for the first time today. good news about the planet's help from the boston globe. the ozone layer is recovering. this is largely due to the phase out since the 198 s of certain chemicals used in refridge rants and air sole cans. a little bit of good news there, i guess. >> remember in the '80s, we were so scared about that. >> exactly. no denying how much pet owners get a kick out of taking pictures of their furry loved ones. jacob rascon has the story of

how one photographer took this a step further. >> reporter: when you love your pets, you take their picture. >> good girl. >> reporter: when you're seth a seth castile, you love them so much you take them for a living. it was hardly the best paying job. >> my cash flow was a couple hundred bucks. >> reporter: then seth met a dog named buster who didn't like land. >> he started jumping in immediately and the owner was so upset. buster wasn't upset. i said, wait a second, let's see what is happening there. >> reporter: that day, the definition of pet pictures took a plunge. a crazy, cute, playful and sometimes terrifying plunge. >> i just thought this is what i want to do every day. >> reporter: it wasn't easy. 2,000 pictures to get dunking the pug to look like this. but millions of online views later, seth signed a book deal. and a struggling pet photographer became a new york

times best-selling author. >> it was like a -- it wasn't a movie. >> reporter: and now -- >> first time in the water. >> first time in the water for this dachshund puppy. >> reporter: that movie -- >> very gently. >> reporter: will get a prequel. underwater puppies is, well, puppies, under water, learning to swim, dive, grin and just be. a special treat for dog lovers. >> that's another best-seller. >> simple idea done so well. >> done. done, done, done, done. now a look ahead, a man once accused of plotting to kidnap david letterman's young son and his son's nanny from letterman's ranch is set to be released from prison. the 2005 kidnapping related charges were dismissed, but kelly frank was sentenced to ten years in prison for overcharging the late show host in the end for painting work at his ranch. i'm richard lui with bill karins and the entire "early today" team. thanks for watching "early today." have a good one.

good morning. we have a lot to get to this morning but we begin with a look at your weather. >> good morning. temperatures are going to be hot again. this might be our last stretch of summer heat and we're going to carry it into your weekend. that means beach weather is looking fantastic. 90 degrees, a warmer day on the east shore. we'll hit 89 on the peninsula and up to 97 today in the north day. i have your wee