breaking overnight. new developments in the wake of james comey firing. his replacement on the hot seat today and comey's biting farewell letter. this as the investigation in russia's role in the presidential election heats up at the same time trump meets with russian leaders. devastating news as the wife of chris berman dies in a horrific car accident. a race against time to save a motorcyclist engulfed in flames. and melissa mccarthy prepares for her return to "saturday night live." good thursday morning, i'm frances rivera. breaking overnight, former fbi

director james comey speaks out for the very first time since his abrupt firing. he released a farewell letter to employees after his stunning ouster writing quote i have long believed that a president can fire an fbi director for any reason or for no reason at all. it is done. and i will be fine. as reports surface the president ordered attorney general jeff sessions and deputy a.g. rod rosenstein to provide in writing the case for firing comey. multiple news outlets from "the new york times" to the associated press report comey had just requested more resources to pursue his investigation in russia's meddling in the 2016 election and possible involvement of trump associates before his termination. it is fueling questions if this is the true motive behind the firing. the white house deputy press secretary says the decision had everything to do with his handling of the clinton case. >> again like i said he lost confidence in director comey, and frankly, he'd been considering letting director

comey go since the day he was elected. i think also having a letter like the one that he received and having that conversation that outlined the basic just atrocities in circumventing the chain of command in the department of justice. >> the president responded to comey's firing when meeting with nixon's former secretary of state henry kissinger. >> why did you fire director comey? >> because he wasn't doing a good job. very simply. he was not doing a good job. >> as he fought off claims the termination centered on the russia investigation, the president had an awkwardly timed meeting with russia's foreign minister and their ambassador to the united states. american news outlets were shut out of the meeting. it was up to russia news outlets for images you see here. in a poll now puts president's approval at 36% with 58%

disapproving. his standing among independents, non-college educated white voters and white men the key constituencies that voted him into office dropping. the reaction from congress to the comey firing has been massive. nbc's kristen welker reports. >> reporter: amid mounting outrage on capitol hill some lawmakers questioning the country's very foundation. >> do you see this as a constitutional crisis? >> absolutely. >> this is a stress test of our constitutional democracy, what we're living in right now. >> reporter: it's not just democrats. increasing number of republicans richard burr chairs the senate intelligence committee. >> the timing and the reasons for this decision made little sense to me. and i don't think i've heard anything since last night that would clarify that in any way. >> the white house's timing was less than impeccable. >> i think a lot of us are puzzled as to the timing. >> reporter: at least seven senate republicans expressed

skepticism and out right anger, the top republican is standing by the president. >> today will no doubt hear calls for a new investigation which could only serve to impede the current work being done to not only discover what the russians may have done. >> house speaker paul ryan also defending mr. trump. >> it is entirely within the president's role and authority to relieve him and that's what he did. >> democrats are demanding the department of justice appoint a special prosecutor to take over the investigation into russia's meddling in the u.s. election, some threatening to try to block trump's pick for the next fbi director until one is appointed. >> i will vote against any confirmation of an fbi director unless there is support for a special prosecutor. >> that was kristen welker reporting. there are further developments from capitol hill to add to the headaches. jason chaffetz calling for the

d.o.j.'s watch dog to investigate the decision that led to comey's firing. we're expected to hear from his replacement, andrew mccabe as he testifies in comey's place. we're joined by nbc's tracie potts in washington. what can we expect from mccabe's testimony today? >> reporter: today's testimony is actually not about russia. it's an annual hearing that the senate intelligence committee has on worldwide threats. comey was supposed to be there with the other intelligence chiefs, but of course he got fired. mccabe is being sent in in his place. we have not heard from comey other than that letter you just talked about since he got back to d.c., but we could see him here soon on capitol hill. lawmakers are asking him to come in and testify next week. no word if, in fact, that's going to happen. plus, we are following the senate intelligence committee's subpoenas. they initially asked for information on the russia investigation, didn't come in. and they said they would start issuing subpoenas.

they started with former national security adviser mike flynn. they think he may have some documents to lend to this investigation. remember flynn wanted immunity to testify. that was turned down. now the committee is demanding more evidence. >> demanding a lot of answers as well. nbc's tracie potts for us. when it comes to those answers, we know who will be asking the questions. lester holt will interview president trump tonight at the white house with highlights on "nbc nightly news" and right here on "early today." a far west area of china is recovering in an earthquake that killed eight people and injured at least 20. the 5.4 magnitude quake hit a remote mountainous region near the border of afghanistan. surveillance footage captured from the jolts of the earthquake which happened in the early morning hours here. over 180 homes were damaged or destroyed. search and rescue effort is under way for additional victims. also in china, tense moments. you see that motorcycle crash into that fuel tank of a dump

truck. it burst into flames. then the motorcyclist also catches on fire. you can see the truck driver and some bystanders trying to help that man. he was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. wife of long time espn broadcaster chris berman has died. police say 67-year-old kathy berman was one of two people killed in a crash in woodbury, connecticut. according to police, her career ended another vehicle, veered off the road and landed in some water. espn president john skipper gave his condolences saying this is a devastati devastating tragedy and difficult to comprehend. our thoughts and prayers are with chris, meredith, doug and the entire family. chris and kathy berman were married for over 33 years. violent clashes and demands for new elections in venezuela showing no signs of letting up. protesters in caracas faced off against the country's national

guard on wednesday. troops fired water cannons and teargas as demonstrators used shields to protect themselves. one man was killed bringing the death toll to 39 since the clashes began six weeks ago. more than 1300 people have been arrested so far. according to the associated press, over 250 civilian detainees have been brought before military courts rather than civilian ones, sparking an outcry from human rights activists. education secretary betsy devos received boos and cat calls while giving the commencement speech at historically black bethune-cookman university in daytona beach, florida. >> i am honored to become a wildcat. >> protesters outside stood for hours and were upset that devos called historically black colleges and universities great examples of school choice. protesters say those schools were created because there was

no other choice. the disruption continued inside the auditorium. at one point the school's president warned graduates if their behavior continued this -- >> your degrees will be mailed to you. >> several people were escorted out of the auditorium by security. it did not appear any of the grad aegts were among them. along the georgia-florida border a major wildfire that began almost a month ago continues to burn forcing an evacuation in charlton county, georgia. more than 144,000 acres have burned. it's only about 12% contained. let's check with nbc meteorologist bill karins. what a bumpy week this is leading into the weekend, too. >> i know. the big storm heading to the east coast for mother's day weekend. yesterday we were okay, nine tornadoes, all in rural areas. that was perfect. we ended our severe weather threats overnight. during the day today, we're going to fire more storms up in

east texas and oklahoma. they'll spread into areas of arkansas and louisiana. we could have isolated windstorms in areas between raleigh and richmond. we're pretty nice from phoenix, l.a., san francisco looks good. a weak storm system coming into the northwest and the rain has returned to a few spots. it's umbrella weatherew storm is moving onshore, northern portions portions. >> i'll let you know who needs the umbrella. >> besides the big issue of the weather, also, this is the big question. what to get mom for mother's day. you might want to avoid breakfast in bed. only 4% of moms surveyed say that's what they want.

53 brs want to dine out with their family and 39% favor brunch. when it comes to picking a restaurant, avoid loud music. moms want to be the ones to have a treat here and there. a new airline survey that may have you spit out your morning coffee. did the russians just pull a fast one on president trump in the oval office? you're watching "early today." why? terrible toilet paper! i'll never get clean! way ahead of you, big daddy. aww. (avo) charmin ultra strong. it's washcloth-like texture helps clean better. it's four times stronger and you can use less. beautiful view. thanks to charmin. and you, honeybear. awwwww. (avo) we all go. why not enjoy the go with charmin? what twisted ankle?ask

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last few weeks. according to jd power overall satisfaction reached 756 points out of possible 1,000, that is the highest ever. it's up 30 from last year and continues steady gains over five years. lower fares, more on time flights and believe it or not, historically low bump rates all contributed to the score. the "washington post" reports former u.s. intelligence officials are alarmed that a photographer for the russian state-owned news agency was allowed into the oval office wednesday during donald trump's meetings with the russian foreign minister and ambassador to the united states. the officials say that person could have brought in a listening device or other surveillance equipment. the white house downplayed the danger saying the photographer and his equipment were screened before they entered the grounds. the richest rappers on the music scene, can you name them? how about this. shawn combs, p diddy is keeping his top spot this year.

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daughter: uh oh. lysol. what it takes to protect. fast forwarding into thursday, u.s. homeland security expected to announce expanding its ban on the use of laptops to u.s.-bound flights from some european countries. the ban is in place on flights from eight countries in the middle east and africa due to fears they could conceal a bomb. members of the international olympic committee in los angeles to evaluate the city as host of the 2024 summer games. the plan calls for the use of existing sports venues and athletes to be housed in dorms at ucla. and more than a dozen works by the british graffiti artest bank see will going up for auction in l.a.

that is umbrella wrap found on a door in berlin. it could go for $100,000. if you can't buy them beat them at their game, facebook's battle for snapchat's 166 million daily users. cnbc's landon dowdy has new details. >> good thursday morning. watch shares of snap today. that's the apparent of snap chalt. it's down more than 20% in pre market trading after posting disappointing results in the first quarterly report since its ipo. snap reporting a $2 billion loss. that's mostly due to costs associated with the ipo. user growth has slowed as facebook as rolled out several copy cat features including instagram stories. meanwhile tesla started taking pre orders for its solar roof tiles. they'll be available for installation sometime this summer. the cost less than $22 per square foot, less than most analysts were expecting. they're key to elon musk's strategy to convince shareholders of the benefits of merging the electric automaker with solar panel maker solar

city. more than half of americans can watch internet videos on their tvs, still watching regular shows most of the time. since 2015, a study shows there's been a 20% rise in adults who get web kwcontent on their tvs. 40% of their time they're using sets to watch live tv. people watching netflix or hulu on tvs are doing so more often. i love it, old-fashioned tv. >> the trick is if you could do all of the above at the same time which i'm sure we've all done at one point or another. landon dowdy, thank you. coming up on "early today," how your credit score can impact your love life? plus, melissa mccarthy gets ready to host "snl." that's next. failure, tomorrow is not a given. but entresto is a medicine that helps make more tomorrows possible. ♪ tomorrow, tomorrow... ♪ i love ya, tomorrow

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thursday morning is here and the cooldown continues. grab a light jacket or sweater as you head out the door. we take a live look outside. beautiful bay bridge there in the distance. today in the bay starts right now. a very good morning to you, i'm laura garcia-cannon. >> i'm sam brock. a dramatic backdrop like paint brush strokes in the sky. very artistic. >> can't wait for sunrise. going to be nice through the day. looking at cooler temperatures, there will be a slight chance of rain in the north bay. we'll watch out far as we monitor the radar but looking all dry as you step out the door right now and looking live at san jose it's also dry there with mostly clear skies. we've seen a few psi