>> all right. so much going on. reinforcements coming so if thank you so much, mike. thank you for joining us. you're asked to leave, leave so >> here's a live look at san firefighters can focus on fighting the fire and not francisco. very hazy morning out there as evacuations. poor air quality and a lot the fires continue to burn in the bay area. updates in the of heat coming our way, as well. kari? >> yeah. cut ins laura, earlier this monthirning watched two cameras get good morning destroyed and this one at atlas it's official. peak now starting to approach >> delaware is proud to ca that camera, as well. good morning it's official. hills in the north bay, santa >> delaware is proud to cast its 32 votes for our favorite son cruz mountains and inland bay and our next president >> democrats nominate joe biden on night two of their convention burning right now with unhealthy air quality and wear your mask throughout the day and limit your time outside as the temperatures will climb into the upper 90s and triple digits today. excessive heat warnings with an unprecedented virtual o. continue. >> thank you very much. and dr. jill biden takes to an another update coming up in half empty classroom to make the case for her husband. an hour. >> his strength of will is unstoppable. and his faith is unshakable. live reports at midday. >> this morning she joins us for a live interview mail call. under pressure, the postmaster

general suspends those controversial cutbacks until after the election and congress calls him to capitol hill demanding answers college crisis notre dame, the latest university to suspend in-person classes just one week into the semester >> the spike in cases is very serious and we must take serious steps to address it. >> an entire sorority house in oklahoma now quarantining. just ahead what schools are trying to do to keep covid off campus state of emergency the national guard mobilized in california with dozens of wildfires raging across the state. evacuations underway overnight and a searing heat wave making everything worse all that plus just desserts. the surprising new girl scout cookie that's already the toast of the town. "today," wednesday, august 19th, 2020 >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah

guthrie and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. morning, everybody welcome to "today. nice to have you with us couldn't you go for a french toast cookie got to wait though now to this news the university of notre dame's decision to shift to online classes. forced to make changes because of the surge in coronavirus cases. and this comes as the world health organization warns that young people are emerging as the main spreaders of covid-19 we'll have the latest in just a few minutes. it's night three of the democratic convention. we'll hear from joe biden's running mate kamala harris and barack obama and then we'll talk to dr. jill biden. >> first kristen welker joins us with a look at night two of the

it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, it's official. >> thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart. it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, it's official >> thank you very, very much from the bottom of my heart. convention hey, kristen, good morning >> reporter: hey good morning to both of you. it was yet another unprecedented night here at the democratic national convention. joe biden officially becoming the democratic nominee for president after that remarkable roll call that you mentioned take a look at this. delegates in 57 states and territories all casting their >> democrats formally nominate votes for joe biden. joe biden as their candidate the night also brought speeches from all across the political the vice president's wife jill talking to us earlier today. >> joe is going to heal this country just like he healed our spectrum but perhaps the most poignant moment came from his closest confidant. an emotional and personal appeal family >> the three things you need to from his wife dr. jill biden know this morning. overnight former vice president plus, deep dive. >> we see more trash bags than we see sharks and that's really concerning >> are sharks becoming functionally extinct how the predators are disappearing from reefs around the democratic presidential nomination joe biden officially securing the democratic presidential nomination following a roll call vote of delegates nationwide well, thank you very, very much the world and what humans can do from the bottom of my heart. to protect them. and 100 songs in ten minutes. luke bryan takes us on a country tune challenge the focus turned to making the

case for biden ♪ that don't impress me much >> did he impress us much or achy breaky our hearts the results are in his closest confidant, dr. jill "today," august 19th, 2020 ♪ >> shoutout to the "today" show. biden, serving as a character witness for her husband. >> the heart of this nation with courage. that's the soul of america joe biden is fieghting for now >> reporter: speaking in personal terms, dr. biden praised her husband's resilience >> i'm noah and i'm waking up with "today" to celebrate by after the deaths of his first 12th birthday. wife and daughter in 1972 and ♪ >> hi. we're from maryland and i will be celebrating my 13th birthday on the "today" show. >> she's a teenager! eldest son beau five years ago >> there are times when i couldn't even imagine how he did it >> watch out how he put one foot in front of 13 we the other and kept goingng he ie right leader for a country in good morning >> you were up late last night how you feeling? feel good. >> by the way, if you're sleeping in a little later these days and we know a lot of you are, you can still catch our first hour, by the way >> how crisis >> i know that if we entrust this nation to joe, he will do for your family what he did for >> dvr

you can always set that dvr, come back and watch us later of course we're always happy ours when our my "today" plaza crowd joins us >> reporter: the former vice there they are from all over president briefly choking up after her remarks. >> i'm jill biden's husband. as you heard tonight -- excuse me america. >> we're going to party with them in a bit. you can see why she's the love of my life, the rock of our by the way coming up for you tomorrow on "today," we are taking a deep dive on masks. family for all of you out there across they're required in most schools the country, just think of your and most offices but with so many options, favorite educator who gave you there's cloth, disposal, bandannas, gaiters the confidence to believe in yourself that's the kind of first lady vicky nguyen will look into a lady, lady, lady this jill biden will be. hack >> looking forward to that kamala harris will be in the spotlight tonight at the democratic national convention >> reporter: the night also highlighting his national night three.he officially becams security record with bipartisan praise from colin powell who served as secretary of state under republican president george w. bush and democrat john kerry. >> our troops can't get out of harm's way by hiding in the white house bunker they need a president who will stand up for them and president biden will >> reporter: the most scathing criticism of president trump coming from one of his predecessors former president bill clinton.

>> if you want a president who watches tv and zaps people on social media, he's your man. a t collapses like a house of cards. denying, distracting, and demeaning works great if you're trying to entertain or inflame but in a real crisis, it collapses like a house of cards. >> reporter: now, tonight will be historic as well when senator kamala harris becomes the first woman of color to accept her party's nomination for vice president and we will hear from former president barack obama who is expected to argue that democracy itself is on the line. >> all right kristen welker, thank you so much joining us now fresh off that speech last night is dr. jill biden. good morning you're nice to get up early because i know it was a late night. you've given -- >> yes good morning good morning >> good morning. but we're in the same boat here. you've given many convention speeches after all these years, but never like this. never in an empty classroom.

do you feel you got your message across >> yes, i do feel i got my message across th >> good morning. but we're in the same boat here. you've given many convention speeches after all these years, but never like this. never in an empty classroom. our family. i wanted americans to see that he's strong and that he's resilient and he's ready to take on the job >> i'm sure you're following the news you've seen the postmaster general has decided to suspend those cutbacks that have left him open to a lot of criticism do you worry about the election, the fairness of the election, voting >> you know, i think that all americans really take their right to vote as sacred. and i think we have to do everything possible to ensure that every american has the right to vote. whether it's by mail or in person every american should have that

right. >> are you concerned by what you've seen with the recent activity at the post office? >> well, i think that nancy pelosi is calling congress back. >> let's talk about schools. as we well know, you are an educator you are a community college professor yourself we've seen what's happened at notre dame just announcing they have to suspend in-person classes after a week we saw it at other schools so far. do you think it was a mistake to have college campuses open just given what we know about college kids, frankly? >> well, you know, i think we have to listen to the experts and the doctors and the back mf so i think educators just cannot i know that i'm looking forward to going back myself so i think educators just cannot wait to get back into their classrooms but we have to do it safely. >> tonight is, of course, kamala harris' big moment you were definitely a part of that process, that selection process.

tell us about why she was chosen why did your husband choose her as his running mate? >> you know, during the campaign, we saw kamala as a strong, fierce woman and she stood up for what she believed joe wanted a strong woman on the ticket and there were lots of candidates that brought all different strengths to the ticket, but kamala i think is perfect. and we've loved getting to know her and doug her husband i've campaigned with him a lot, so i think it's going to be a lot of fun campaigning together. >> well, fierce is a word that could be described for you you are said to be fiercely loyal. we all know and remember that democratic debate back in june of last year kamala harris really took it to your husband in a pretty personal way on the issue of

race and segregation was that a tough hurdle for you personally to overcome >> you know, it was a debate and we moved on from there we've come together and we've united we hope to unite the country so i think it's really turned into something quite positive. >> politics are tough. your husband has been in politics since the '70s. you know it well you know how hard it can be. got to have a thick skin the president's campaign this week released an ad really attacking your husband's few years. is that a fair attack? is that something that should be cognitive capabilities saying he lost a step or two in the last few years. is that a fair attack? is that something that should be debated as part of a campaign? >> no. it's ridiculous. joe's on the phone every single minute of the day talking to governors who are calling him and nancy pelosi, he's on om 9:e

morning until 11:00 at night so, you know, that's ridiculous. >> let's talk about the campaign i mean, polls have your husband ahead. a tightening race though do you worry about over-confidence on the part of democrats? >> we're not going to take any vote for granted joe and i are working as hard as we can every single day and we're talking to thousands of americans on zoom whether it's on the east coast or the west coast. we're traveling to several states, talking to thousands of people all different communities. so i think we have 80-something days left. >> but who's counting, right thank you so much. up late, up early. we really appreciate your time thank you. >> thanks, savannah. >> all right and as mentioned, senator harris and former president obama are tonight's featured speakers at the democratic national convention we will have live coverage

starts at 10:00 eastern, 7:00 pacific right here on nbc. let's turn back to that new development at the post office craig joins us with more on that >> hey, hoda, savannah good morning to you. savannah just mentioned the postmaster general announcing that he will be suspending all changes to mail service until after the election but concerns over mail-in voting still remain geoff bennett joins us with more >> reporter: good morning. after public outrage, postmaster general louis dejoy now says he's putting on hold some of his policy changes that have caused service slowdowns and raised fears that he was hindering the agency's ability to handle voting by mail his announcement coming the same day that president trump continued to falsely claim that mail-in voting leads to fraud. president trump's week-long campaign tour in battleground states stopping in yuma.

encouraging voters to vote in person despite the pandemic. >> november 3rd is one of the biggest dates in your life, in many cases it's the most important date of your life. >> reporter: ahead of his visit, president trump again attacking universal mail-in voting where some states proactively send mail-in ballots to all registered voters. for the first time, the president floating the false notion that fraud will lead to an election do-over which cannot happen >> universal is going to be a disaster the likes of which our country has never seen it'll end up being a rigged election or they will never come out with an outcome. they'll have to do it again. and nobody wants that. and i don't want that. >> reporter: president trump oming the same day postmaster general louis dejoy announced the postal service is

until after the november election to avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail. the move following accusations the trump administration has been intentionally trying to undermine an expected surge in mail-in voting top democrats quickly claiming credit >> they felt the heat. and that's what we were trying to do is to make it too hot for them to handle >> reporter: dejoy's cost cutting measures including the removal of sorting machines and the slashing of overtime have been blamed for severe service slowdowns and delivery delays. this photo provided to nbc news by a postal employee shows packages the employee says have been sitting at a distribution center in new york for nine days dejoy, a trump ally and republican megadonor, now says mail processes equipment and blue collection boxes will remain where they are. it's unclear if what's already been removed will be restored. he also says workers' overtime hours will continue to be

approved as needed now, dejoy says the postal service is ready to handle all the election mail it gets this fall we expect to hear more from him in person soon because dejoy agreed to testify at a pair of emergency congressional hearings one this friday and then a democratic controlled panel on monday >> all right geoff bennett from the white house, thank you california governor gavin newsom declared a statewide emergency tuesday night due to those ongoing wildfires and the extreme heat wave across california evacuations underway this morning near the city of vacaville which is about an hour northeast of san francisco flames just a road there and are now threatening dozens of homes usual summers. take a look at this. a summer of extremes we're talking the warmest summer

to date or top five warmest in the area. more than 30 wildfires are burning out of control across the state of california. all right. let's get our first check of the weather. for that we say good morning to al al, good morning the heat wave out there not making anything better >> from the west to the east we're all looking at warmer than usual summers. take we're talking the warmest summer to date or top five warmest summers from reading to austin, tucson, and head into the northeast in parts of the midwest and new england. all the way from cape hatteras warmest summers or top five warmest summers to date. out west, heat advisories, heat warnings for 45 million people triple digit heat today. sacramento, boise, albuquerque, l.a. to phoenix. numerous record highs likely as we move into the latter part of the week, it is scorching from tucson to bakersfield down to yuma, we're talking triple digits into the weekend. we're going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds ♪

all we do is hand you the bag. simple. done. we adapt and we change. you know, you just figure it out. we've just been finding a way to keep on pushing. ♪ good morning. i'll meteorologist kari hall. a lot of smoke over the bay area blocking our view of the sun rise and smoke and wildfires continue across the bay area. we'll also going to have some hot temperatures and excessive heat warning from the south county to east bay. highs in the upper 90s in the north bay and our temperatures will come down just slightly but still a lot of fires around the bay area and we heat back up again early next week. >> tropics are very active we're going to take a look at that coming up in the next half hour >> wait. no shoulder sling? what happened?

you said good-bye to it? >> no. it's -- my doctor told me i can start working out of it. but i still have to keep the arm kind of anchored on my side. so it's -- there's plenty of side anchorage here. >> mr. roker, all right. >> you started it. >> i know. >> and we finished it. coming up, notre dame switching to online classes to control the coronavirus. have campuses become the new breeding ground? we'll discuss it and to the front lines of the debate surrounding a controversial drilling plan in alaska the 11th hour push getting some surprising push to stop the project from moving forward. but first this is "today" on nbc. floor and decor is now open for safe shopping and curbside pickup! whether you're looking for tile, wood, stone or laminate, with our incredible selection and everyday low prices, you'll find the perfect floor at the perfect price. come explore in person or online.

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still ahead, the latest on the college admissions scandal ahead of lori loughlin and her

>> new details what they told their daughter not to do before graduation >> after a check of your local news and weather ♪ (music playing) ♪ love like yours will surely come my way ♪ ♪ new school year, whatever that means ♪ ♪ from the sporty chic to the stem star ♪ ♪ go show off your 'fit, let's raise the bar ♪ whatever this year looks like, get fresh looks at old navy and oldnavy.com. essential for sewing, but maybe not needles. for people with certain inflammatory conditions. because there are options. like an "unjection™". xeljanz. the first and only pill of its kind that treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or moderate to severe ulcerative colitis

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extra cheese, extra pepperoni right to the edge and the biggest slices in papa john's history. but it's bigger than pizza because $1 from each sale is donated to support communities. still a very serious situation. this intersection is blocked off to prevent anyone from law enforcement and first responders from getting up the road behind me. the fire is burning for hours. you don't get much of that glow as earlier today but you can see that heavy presence of smoke. we spoke with some folks who were injured in that burn.

right now folks evacuating from this area. >> i'm kris sanchez where we know now that the fire grew overnight and that the number is not going to be better than right now which is 10,000 acres. 6,000 structures are now under evacuation order and that is more than what it was last night as a lot of folks were ordered out of the homes in northern santa cruz county. bottom line firefighters are stretched thin, no reinforcements coming and if asked to leave, leave so the firefighters can focus on the fire and focus on evacuations. it would be nice if firefighters get a little relief from the hot weather but it's going to continue, right, kari? >> yeah. we are still looking at some hot weather for the afternoon and the early morning hours quite warm, too. we can see the smoke moving through spots like walnut creek as we look at the air quality it is going to be very unhealthy,

may want to wear a mask throughout the day as we see more of this smoke coming in and our temperatures heading back into the upper 90s and triple digits. laura? >> all right. another local news update coming up in half an hour. pass pass

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♪ >> come on, recognize that ♪ come on. recognize that couple? that's tim mcgraw and faith hill they are celebrating just probably a random tuesday, but also tim's new album carson is going to have more on that in "pop start." and also, kids, friday guess who's going to be on our show >> oh, tim >> tim mcgraw. yeah he'll be our special guest virtually. >> well, yeah. still great. >> exciting. let's get to the headlines it's 7:30 on a wednesday morning.

russia launched an aggressive effort to interfere in the 2016 election on behalf of donald trump. that is the conclusion of a republican-led committee it released its fifth and final report yesterday its investigation into election interference and that report says interactions between the trump campaign and russian intelligence services posed a grave intelligence threat. the report does not come to a final conclusion about whether the campaign colluded with russia, but it says interference in the election on behalf of trump is indisputable. the food and drug administration is warning health care providers about the risk of false positive coronavirus tests there are problems with the equipment and outdated software that could lead to false positive tests this morning specifically the widely used test kit used by thermo fisher scientific there are problems with the equipment and outdated software that could lead to false positive tests thermo fisher says it's working with the fda to address the

issues now we've got good news courtesy of the girl scouts. they've got a new cookie to tell you about. introducing the toast-yay. french toast inspired cookie the cookie will be available in select markets starting in january. you guys may remember the organization suspended door to door sales because of the coronavirus, but good news you can buy those online and through virtual cookie booths on social media >> i just gained five pounds looking at it. >> what was your all-time favorite before that >> i'm a thin mint person. what about you >> the delight >> we could. but how about more news? a growing number of colleges i know they changed the name >> i like the tagalong >> we could play this game all day. >> we could. but how about more news? a growing number of colleges across the country, so many parents are dealing with this as well these colleges are scrambling to

cope with coronavirus. >> clusters have broken out on college campuses in some cases within days of starting in-person classes. and this morning the world health organization is warning that young people are now driving the pandemic spread. morgan chesky joins us now from oklahoma state university. good morning >> reporter: good morning to you. that word from the world health organization just reinforcing the fact that young people can be a real risk in spreading this virus. we spoke to students here at oklahoma state they're excited to get back to class albeit wearing masks and trying to social distance. but even they acknowledge that in this day and age, things could still change in an instant. another day, another college cancellation notre dame announcing it'll suspend classes for two weeks after 147 people out of 927 tested positive. >> all of us want to stay here on campus, but the university has failed to keep us safe >> reporter: the university mo connected to off-campus parties. it comes as unc chapel hill switched to online learning this

week campus newspaper editor brandon stanley says the university should have seen this coming >> a complete failure and a fallout on unc's part. >> reporter: thousands of students had already returned to college housing both on and off campus >> they have said you have to leave. people have started to move out already. >> reporter: since monday at least four colleges and universities have abruptly switched to remote learning. it's a start of a semester like none other >> i don't know if it's going to last, so i'm trying to enjoy it while i'm here >> reporter: but the optimism at oklahoma state is already being tested a cluster of 23 covid cases at one sorority house the entire house new under quarantine >> we expected something to happen eventually. unfortunately it happened super soon it gave us opportunity to kind of push the guidelines more and

try and get our members to understand how real this is right now. >> reporter: meanwhile, students lawsuits >> i can't see why you would be taking these measures if what you were really interested in was the well being of the students on campus >> reporter: and this morning another reminder that this is a problem from coast to coast. at the university of connecticut, several students have been evicted from on-campus housing after video was shared on social media of dozens at a party with no masks and no social distancing. >> all right we know classes are moving online at least for a couple of weeks at notre dame. a lot of people are wondering what is going to happen to the school's football team do you know? >> reporter: right now football still on the books the team making the unorthodox decision to temporarily join the acc but just for this 2020 season of course this coming after the big ten and the pac-12 have decided to postpone their seasons all together back to you. >> all right morgan at oklahoma state thanks

the college admissions scandal is back in the headlines as well this morning prosecutors now weighing in ahead of this week's sentencing hearings for lori loughlin and her husband. here's miguel almaguer >> reporter: a marquee moment in the college admissions scandal set for this week. actress lori loughlin and her husband mossimo giannulli appearing before a judge to find how much time, if any, they'll spend behind bars. prosecutors filing a memo ahead of the court date saying loughlin serve two months in prison and her husband five months back in may, the couple each pleaded guilty to one count to submit conspiracy admitting they rigged the system. falsely portraying their daughters as elite crew athletes to get into the university of southern california. >> i don't really care about school >> reporter: prosecutors now arguing giannulli was more

active also recommends a $250,000 fine and 250 hours of community service for giannulli. plus a $150,000 fine and a hundred hours of community service for loughlin it also included advice the two parents gave their daughter to avoid raises suspicion from her high school guidance counselor who giannulli called nosy and loughlin called a weasel loughlin telling her, don't say too much to that man that counter later advising an admissions official he highly doubted she was involved in crew giannulli confronted him aggressively asking why he was

trying to ruin or get in the way of their opportunities a long way from the red carpet, on friday the couple will appear in separate sentencing hearings via zoom loughlin and giannulli among a number of wealthy and privileged parents who've admitted to cheating the college admissions system including felicity huff man who spent 11 days in prison last year. for "today," miguel almaguer, nbc news >> we should point out the final sentencing decision solely up to the judge. we should also point out we reached out to their legal team and got no comment so far. 7:38 just ahead, take a look. beautiful bristol bay, alaska. we'll give you the look at the battle at the proposed gold and copper mine there with the decision expected in the coming weeks. right after this joint pain, swelling, tenderness much better. my psoriasis, clearer... cosentyx works on all of this. four years and counting. so watch out. i got this! watch me. real people with active psoriatic arthritis are feeling real relief with cosentyx.

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this morning on "in depth today" the debate over drilling in alaska now reaching a boiling point. today" the debate over drilling in alaska now reaching a boiling point. >> absolutely. just this week the trump administration finalized plans to open that wildlife refuge to oil and gas drilling >> anne thompson has the very latest on thisst on this. mornig >> reporter: good morning, guys. there are new developments in these highly controversial projects up in america's last frontier alaska. one involves a gold and copper

mine the other, drilling in a wildlife refuge that could be sitting on as much as 12 billion barrels of oil it is vast, wild, and spectacularly picturesque. the coastal plain of the wildlife refuge on alaska's nu bears. 1.5 million acres that the trump administration intends to open to oil and gas drilling for the very first time. north shore. birthing grounds for porcupine caribou, a nursery for polar bears. 1.5 million acres that the trump administration intends to open to oil and gas drilling for the very first time. >> this is a carefully tailored piece of legislation developed to mandate energy production of significant national importance. >> reporter: give me a sense of how big is 1.5 million acres >> well, it's about the size of the state of delaware. >> reporter: environmentalists fear drilling could harm the refuge first established by president dwight eisenhower, destroying wildlife including polar bears. now they promise to protect this last frontier in court what will be the basis of your legal challenge? >> this was a reckless rush to

drill. this was jammed in the 2017 tax bill as a way to circumvent a full, fair, and open debate. >> reporter: the pro-drilling supporters point to promises to jobs in thousands and revenues in the billions. but some wonder if they'll ever come oil demand is sinking and banks have cold feet about arctic drilling jpmorgan chase, citi group, wells fargo are all refusing to finance such projects. then there is the issue of climate change meanwhile in southwest alaska, the controversial pebble mine project revived under the trump administration getting unexpected criticism as it approaches final approval. >> you are seeing a number of republicans including some prominent ones saying hold on a moment maybe pebble mine is not a good idea >> reporter: donald trump jr. and the vice president's former chief of staff nick ayers joining online

it would sit at the large of the salmon run donald trump jr. saying the waters are too fragile to take any chances with do you think your project is in trouble because of their opposition >> no. i would have preferred we not have their opposition, but i do not think this project is in trouble. i think this project is just weeks away from getting its final approval >> so anne, with this opposition now and the legal battles looming, any ideas when these projects would even start? >> reporter: they are still years away from reality. if the pebble mine project is approved by the army corps of engineers in the next couple of weeks, it still needs to get 60 state permits. that could take two to three years. and as far as drilling in the wildlife refuge, those could happen by the end of the year. but it could be another decade before anything is actually drilled, craig >> all right our chief environmental correspondent.

anne, thank you. 7:46 time for another check of the weather from mr. al roker. hey, al. >> hey, guys good morning we continue to track what's going on out in the tropics. we've got invest area 98-l that's a 90% chance of formation. 97-l on the caribbean sea. an 80% chance. laura could be a tropical depression expected in the next day or two marco would not see development until this weekend but take a look at the spaghetti plots, we call them. the forecast models. laura with a possible track to the bahamas by the late weekend and florida. and marco could move into the gulf of mexico next week we're going to be watching that as well. heavy rain along the southeastern atlantic coast. record highs continue out through the southwest. gorgeous day in the mississippi river valleys into the northern . good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall.

we are waking up to smoke across the bay area and everything coated with ash as wildfires continue to rage across the bay area. we'll see unhealthy air quality as the temperatures reach into the upper 90s and triple digits inland today. and our inland valleys will continue to be hot but temperatures will come down just a few degrees as we go toward the end of the week but then heat back up again for the weekend and early next week. >> that's your latest weather. guys? >> all right, al. thank you. just ahead, shark watch. >> that's your latest weather. guys >> all right, al thank you. just ahead, shark watch. kerry sanders is live where we always find kerry. at a beach in florida. he's got a look at a massive project to uncover why some sharks are disappearing, where they're going, and why it all matters for our ocean. but first these messages and bring color home.

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just ahead, between working from home and just ahead, between working from home and in many cases homeschooling too. is your living room a hot mess >> yes >> the home edit team is going to help us declutter a also carson's got a jam-packed "pop start" from l.a. we'll see which of the daly children he can rouse to provide some graphics. but first your local news. ♪ capital one knows life doesn't update you about your credit card. so meet eno...the capital one assistant that looks out for charges that might surprise you

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ask your rheumatologist about humira citrate-free. if you can't afford your medicine, abbvie may be able to help. good morning to you. i'm laura garcia. happening now and breaking this morning, erks pandixpanding fir

>> i'm cierra johnson in vacaville. that fire is burning and the fires were started by the lightening striking dry brush in the last couple of days. we have chp guarding the road so only law enforcement and first responders have access to it. there were some reports of injuries, burns related to folks to escape the scene. right now 5,000 people according to pg&e without power. >> i'm kris sanchez where we know now that the fire grew overnight and that the number is not going to be any better than right now which is 10,000 acres, 6,000 structures under evacuation order and that is more than it was last night as a lot of folks were ordered out of the homes

nominee for president. kristen welker has the three things to watch in politics today. good morning >> reporter: hi, savannah. good morning to you. as you know, it is now official. joe biden overnight accepting his party's nomination for president after a virtual roll call delegates in all 57 states and territories. the night also featured speeches from across the political spectrum perhaps the most poignant moment of the night came from his closest confidant, his wife after over 40 years. jill biden who made a case in terms of why he should be the next president

she was on "today" earlier take a listen. >> joe is going to heal this country just like he healed our family and i wanted americans to see that he's strong and that he's resilient and he's ready to take on the job >> reporter: and finally we are watching the intensifying controversy over those mail-in ballots. on tuesday, president trump encouraging people to vote in person despite the pandemic saying that if that doesn't happen, it could lead to fraud and there could need to be an election do-over something that cannot happen meanwhile, also tuesday the postmaster general louis dejoy announcing that he's suspending the recent policy changes that have led to delays dejoy is also a big megadonor. he will be on capitol hill friday and monday for urgent hearings about this matter savannah, back to you. >> thank you very much and as mentioned, senator harris and former president obama are tonight's speakers at the democratic national convention nbc will have coverage starting

at 10:00 eastern, 7:00 pacific now to the election crisis in europe. a president who's accused of rigging last week's vote to stay in power is refusing to step down richard engel is in the capital of belarus with the latest on this one good morning >> reporter: good morning. there have been demonstrations like this all over minsk many broken up by police but these demonstrators say they will take this all the way until they bring political change to this country the president of belarus calls it an attempted coup this is what happens when voters feel their election was stolen by a strongman for ten days, unprecedented demonstrations in belarus have been calling on president alexander lukashenko to step

down in power 26 years. lukashenko was often described as the last soviet-style dictator in europe but lukashenko is not going quietly. his riot police have detained thousands. many demonstrators say they were beaten and threatened with death for days the iron fist so far hasn't worked when lukashenko visited a factory expecting to greet his base and declared he'd rather die than have a new vote, he was booed. with shouts of leave lukashenko claims he won 80% of the election nearly two weeks ago. but there were no independent observers. a popular opposition candidate was arrested and barred from running, so his wife stood in for him. but fearing arrest herself, the former teacher fled to lithuania. other women still in the country are leading this movement. maria is one of three women standing in for male candidates blocked from running and now pushing for a peaceful transition of power. what does it say to you that

three women are now leading this movement >> it's a good example everyone can change everything. >> reporter: so it's an example for the world? >> for world and for belarusians. just do it and show must go on >> reporter: but lukashenko has a powerful patron. vladimir putin who says he's ready to ensure the count's security demonstrators claim russians have been deployed to advise lukashenko on how to stop them both putin and his ally lukashenko say this movement is being driven by outside agitators and foreign influence. people here say it is because of 26 years of corruption and misrule. >> our chief foreign correspondent richard engel for us there in belarus.

thank you. 8:07, guys how about a morning boost o'clock, we call it. let's take it to pittsburgh where a couple had an unforgettable day in more ways than one mike went to the hospital for his final chemo treatment. that's his longtime girlfriend lindsey with him as usual. when it was all said and done, mike walks over to ring the bell that's the celebration bell. then he had a surprise for his sweetheart take a look. >> will you marry me [ cheers and applause >> that's perfect timing there mike had hoped for a romantic proposal on the beach. when that couldn't happen, one of the nurses worked out his little plan. two celebrations boom and boom. >> great proposal. good boost thank you so much for that up next, where are the sharks turns out an eye-opening new project has discovered many are

now disappearing our shark expert kerry sanders joins us live from florida with a look at why that could be a very bad thing for all of us that's right after this. have you ever thought about polishing your skin? dove exfoliating body polish. let's do this! wow, it's very creamy. it feels like you're really polishing your skin.

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we are back. 8:11 now with more of our we are back. 8:11 now with more of our ongoing shark watch series exploring how sharks live and how we interact with them. >> our resident shark guy kerry sanders joins us from lauderdale-by-the-sea, florida in case you were wondering yes, that is a shark mask. kerry, good morning. >> reporter: you challenged me last week so here you go savannah, you know, our oceans all around us are surrounded actually just below by coral reefs. and sharks love those reefs because that's where the food is but researchers monitoring reefs all around the world have discovered fewer and in some cases no sharks at all and they're calling it with a new term functional extinction. sharks, more than 500 species of the undersea world, the top predator of the ocean's ecosystems but this morning troubling news. the most extensive worldwide reef study ever reveals shark

populations on a steep decline scientists saying in many cases sharks are functionally extinct. >> functionally extinct means there may be some animals out there, but not enough to fill their ecological role. the sharks that live way off shore have been in real trouble but we didn't know how sharks on coral reefs were doing so we wanted to figure out where are those sharks in trouble, where are they doing well, and how can we help them >> reporter: biologists started on the sharks attracting to thin reefs. if reefs are like a smorgasbord for sharks, what did you uncover? >> in 20% of the places we went to study, there were no sharks at all >> reporter: getting the data was a monumental undertaking cameras placed on the coral

reefs around the world collectively more than two years of continuous non-stop footage of what was there and most importantly what they found was not showing up what's the technology to do this it seems it must be pretty challenging to look at reefs around the world underwater. >> yeah. people thought we were crazy when we started this five years ago. but the technology for underwater cameras got small enough and cheap enough we could put together a network of more than a hundred scientists to work in 58 nations and collect 15,000 hours of video with bait in front of it so we could count how many sharks were in each place. >> reporter: the worst cases reefs in the french west indies, vietnam, and qatar where not one shark was detected >> 20% of the places we go, we didn't see any sharks at all and at a bunch more we saw far fewer sharks than we should have hundreds and hundreds of hours

of video and we see more trash bags than we see sharks and that's really concerning because, you know, these predators are probably important to having healthy oceans >> reporter: the study's findings a warning that scientists believe is now a challenge for mankind. what do you think is causing the decline in sharks and what role does man have to bring them back >> yeah, so it's all about over-fishing we're just catching too many sharks and that's -- >> reporter: so it's our fault >> yeah. it's people's fault. we're catching too many because we want their fins or we want the meat >> reporter: can fishermen use a different method that won't necessarily wipe out sharks. >> some of the methods being used in particular areas catch kind of anything out there they don't target the fish that the fisher's want. just a change in the gear they use could make a big difference for sharks >> reporter: but good news too sharks are abundant in countries where sharks are protected notably off the united states, australia, the bahamas, french

polynesia, and the maldives. >> reporter: there are still places with healthy shark population they can protect their sharks and have healthy reefs you can have both. you can have fishing and healthy reefs. now we developed a tool to help governments do that. >> reporter: researchers believe with the indisputable video evidence, governments and the fishing industry can now work to protect reefs and rebuild shark populations. for the health of the ocean, this is important because? >> if you're going to have healthy oceans, part of the mix is having a healthy amount of top predators like sharks. it's not just about sharks it's about the whole ecosystem we need all of those if we are going to have thriving ecosystems >> kerry, how will countries benefit from this study? >> reporter: well, now that they have the evidence and the understanding of the proof of

this, countries like the dominican republic is starting to look at regulation on fishing which will help bring the populations back >> really quickly, a hundred scientists, nearly 68 countries. i have to make a note that mike's wife also made this mask for me. including professor mike house's mother she sat there watching the video, counting the sharks so it's all in an entire family effort. i have to make a note that mike's wife also made this mask for me >> of course she did >> sogpehetas s, makes masks. >> a mother's love thank you, kerry from our shark expert to our weather expert mr. roker, how's the weather looking? >> as they're logging that video. ♪ baby shark do do do do do sorry. couldn't help it

we're looking at some heavy showers and thunderstorms down along the southeastern coast clear skies along the west coast. sizzling temperatures from the western plains where we've got 90s, 100s into the rockies 110s into the southwest. for today, heavy rain from florida into the southeast and into the mid-atlantic coast. record highs in the southwest. really beautiful day today in the mississippi river valleys. there is a fire risk in the northwest. that's what's going on around good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we have a lot of smoke over the bay area. you can see how hazy it looks as we look over toward san francisco. limit your time outside and wear a mask. you may even have to wear it at home, as we'll see very unhealthy air quality for parts of the peninsula, toward the

east bay as well as the south county. we're seeing particulate matter that's really high. and 90s and triple digits will be the highs today. >> and that is your latest weather. gang? >> all thanks time for "pop start. it wasn't the same without carson we want to know whose arms are though ♪ baby shark do do do do >> we've got the graphics p. they can literally do it in their sleep. no smiles here we're going to go to hugh jack man. he's been in so many memorable movies over the years, but the one he's most famous for is his take on wolverine in the "x-men"

series he first played for the film 20 years ago that would jump the craze. and appearing on "the tonight show" with jimmy fallon, jimmy had a surprise for jackman he played him his original audition tape for that first movie. check it out >> i'm not like you. the only thing you've done is to get me into a fight. so listen to me. shut up. >> did that human know that you'd be playing that role for the next 17 years? >> no. when i walked into that room, i was pretty sure that i wasn't playing the role it was like a -- it was a weird audition scott had the role and then he got caught up on "mission impossible 2." they thought that would get sorted we need a backup just in case. i think the entire audition was

20 seconds it wasn't much long per. >> wow >> that's pretty crazy a 20-second audition he thought he was going to be the backup. of course that would go on to change his life and make him a bona fide global star. so even in those backup positions, they're pretty important. never know what can happen next up is luke bryan. one of the biggest country stars around his new song is a big hit. but how does he fair when it comes to other country songs luke in a new video for the youtube channel is challenged with singing 100 country hits in under ten minutes. while he does stumble a little bit here and there, he does pretty well. even getting in a decent carrie underwood impression ♪ when i taste tequila ♪ fire away >> hold on why am i -- why -- i don't even attempt to sing this the older i get, why don't i

know that? i don't know it. ♪ i'm calling dibs on your hands, on your heart ♪ ♪ that don't impress me much ♪ don't tell me heart ♪ my achy breaky heart >> we got that one >> hoda, you would have this >> come on, man. that would be so fun >> i think he got 50 -- >> what's fbe? i got to get on that channel i'd be in. >> fun >> i don't know. but you would do really well by the way, the score to beat is a member of pentatonix 95 out of 100 in less than ten minutes pretty good. next up, we'll keep the country vibe going with faith hill and tim mcgraw. fans know tim has a new album coming out this week it's called "here on earth" and it's his 15th studio album usually when they put out an album like this, there's a big release party. but what does one look like in the age of coronavirus faith hill took to instagram and

shared a little clip of the >> faith and tim have three daughters. faith writing, the girls and i surprised tim with our first-ever family album rele family's intimate celebration. ♪ >> faith and tim have three daughters. faith writing, the girls and i surprised tim with our first-ever family album release party. we've never listened to one of our new albums with just the girls. ever faith went on to call the little party a, quote, special evening celebrating the man we all adore in the mccraw house of women and tim, by the way, will be here with us on friday so we can talk to him more about that little intimate dance and that release party from his family. that was pretty cool one quick story and then we'll get back to the show serena williams, the tennis star has been living her best mom life with 2-year-old daughter

olympia sharing videos on instagram doing all sorts of stuff. her latest post i think is going to be relatable to any mom who shares clothes with their daughter or at least in theory let's take a look at olympia wearing a white and red star shirt that mom serena apparently >> well, this is what happens in quarantine. savannah, have you raided vail's closet yet? >> no. wanted to borrow >> me and my daughter would be wearing the same size. this is her top. >> well, this is what happens in quarantine savannah, have you raided vail's closet yet >> no. but i think serena wears it well, actually she looks good >> she wears everything well though >> yes, she does it was funny caroline wozniacki also commented on that post already borrowing her clothes.

which i thought was cute i don't think olympia is going to appreciate the shirt being stretched out. but it's okay. >> that's cute thank you, carson. >> thanks, jack. >> jack or whoever's arms those were can we get a smile all right. it's early there in california >> he's back >> guys, thanks. coming up straight ahead, organization tips from the home edit team. they're going to show some creative ways to get ready there they are with some quick and easy dinner and dessert recipes. can't wait to talk to her. but first your local news.

good morning to you. it is 8:6. i'm marcus washington. breaking news this morning as new fires erupt overnight. in vacaville those flames blew into neighborhoods west of interstate 80. we do know that homes were destroyed but there are no definitive number as to how many just yet.

some people, they had to be treated for those burns suffered while they were evacuating. and this, as a fire that blew into the santa cruz mountains overnight. they're adding to a string of fires stretching crews to the limit right now. let's get to that forecas today. meteorologist kari hall is tracking that. still some high temps out there for today. >> yeah. we're going to have another hot day with our highs reaching into the upper 90s in the south bay and some triple digits from the south county. north bay high temperatures will reach into the 90s. another hot day. of course, it's been so smoky and we have unhealthy air quality that will continue. at least our temperatures will come down a few degrees, but relief for us is 92 grease and it's going to get hot as we go to the end of the weekend and early next week once again. marcus? >> thanks, kari. another local news update coming up for you in 30 minutes.

8:30 now. it's a wednesday morning. 19th day of august 2020. welcome back to the "today" 8:30 now it's a wednesday morning 19th day of august 2020. welcome back to the "today" show >> it's the "today" show as mentioned, the popular home edit team is here.e've also got

show exclusive coming up on the third hour. tiktok pushing back responding fo they've got some ideas to declutter your home. boy, do we need it plus pioneer woman ree drummond is going to share some recipes one savory, one sweet. we've also got a "today" show exclusive coming up on the third hour tiktok pushing back responding for the first time in the white house's claim that the app poses a national security threat jo ling kent actually talked with the woman in charge of its u.s. operations who shares what she believes is the real reason behind that accusation that's coming up in just a few minutes on the third hour. and get excited, everybody tomorrow hoda is bringing back our summer on "today" series >> yes we've been celebrating milestones a lot of us missed because of the coronavirus we've done some graduations. remember we did a wedding. >> you officiated a wedding. >> that's right. this time we're throwing a baby shower we surprised three women who gave birth while battling covid. they had a difficult go of it. they've since recovered. they're incredible moms. they deserve tons of celebration. we did a little something for them but you're going to love meeting

them tomorrow. before we go further, should we say hey to the friends on my "today" plaza. hello, big board >> morning >> how are you >> everybody looks so cute why don't we bring up full melissa and ted in florida i want you to meet these two lovely people. they both dedicated their life to service ted is a high school teacher and a pastor melissa runs a program delivering meals to families in need around the community. and y'all are celebrating. what are we celebrating at your house? >> we're celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. >> melissa, what's the secret to making it to 25 years? >> making sure that he knows that i'm right all the time. and he practices it. >> i like that and melissa, your mom is around too. is she with you guys >> she's not she's actually with my

grandmother. grandma wasn't having a good morning this morning so she's not happy at all. she asked if we could come to her house. >> we're going to say hey to gardena and we want to wish you all a happy 25th thank you for hanging with us today. >> thank you very much >> thank you for saying hi to my mom. she's, like, probably -- >> we love you, gardena! >> you are our bouquet we miss you. come back, okay? you'll have to do it again let's put everybody up again because we want to give a good shoutout kendall has a 12th birthday. brooks and debbie with us. the whittaker twins are turning 4. 4-year-olds times two. look at those sweeties we got the neighbors in nashville. the garner family in maryland with a little baby happy 12th birthday to kendall is that a new puppy? how wonderful? i hope we got everybody in there. we'd love to have you in our plaza.

al foro to a check of the weather hey, al. >> announcer: "today's" weather is brought to you by the makers of nondrowsy 24-hour claritin. live claritin clear. >> never too early to get started with the weekend friday showers through the southeast. record highs through the west. saturday record highs continue out west very hot in the plains showers and storms continue in the mid-mississippi river valleys. also wet weather through the southeast. and then sunday, sunday! that wet weather moves into the northeast in new england hot and humid through the gulf record highs continue out west good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we have multiple fires burn iin around the bay area, creating some very unhealthy air quality, where we see the red and the purple sensor shows that we should definitely limit our time

as we go out and about today. and our temperatures are still going to be hot. we still have the excessive heat warning in effect for the inland areas as highs reach into the upper 90s and up to about 100 degrees. we are going to see our temperatures gradually cool iin off over the next few days. >> guys? >> thank you, al. still ahead, should baseball borrow a formula that seems to be working for other sports leagues in the pandemic? >> the plan that's now being considered to create a playoff bubble in baseball. but is there time? bubble i

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bubble system to crown this year's world series champion sam brock joins us from marlins park in miami with all of this hey, sam >> reporter: craig, hoda, good morning. rainy marlins park this morning. major league baseball right now confirming they are doing contingency plans for the program but wouldn't go beyond that a bubble scenario could make sense especially with the tremendous success the nhl has already had. >> shot taken and they score >> reporter: as the nhl post season goes along, hockey has kept covid off the ice >> it is a well oiled machine as far as how you get tested and the amount of time that it takes to get tested. it is remarkable >> reporter: inside, two canadian hubs. toronto and edmonton the sport unlocking its magic formula of daily testing,

temperature checks, and bubble amenities from racket sports to restaurants. but no contact with the public >> the bubble is pretty safe so far. we're happy to be in here. >> reporter: and so far no positive tests major league baseball -- >> there it goes see ya >> reporter: now potentially looking to borrow that blueprint. reporting baseball is in the early stages of drafting an operating manual for its own playoff bubble competing in two regions with two sites each officially baseball only telling nbc news they're looking at contingency planning for the post season. is the nhl a good model for nhl -- major league baseball? >> i think it's good you can't do what the nba does can't have everyone under one roof >> reporter: cities with ballparks and plenty of hotels could create a space for the rosters. protections that may be needed after managers like don mattingly have already had to sink or swim through covid

outbreaks. there could be a post-season bubble for major league baseball do you think that would be a good thing >> it makes sense to me. room f6 less travel is the safest. >> reporter: with once-infected marlins players preparing to return to the diamond -- >> man, that was hard. you know, being locked down in the room for 16 days, you know >> reporter: -- baseball trying to play its cards right and learn valuable lessons from the nhl. >> the fact we are playing hockey and everybody is safe to this point really is a testament to the hard work that they've put in and the commitment to the players as well. >> reporter: brian boucher has been broadcasting for nbc sports from inside the toronto bubble he said it is so strict, one em to do it. you get a person missed one daily test everybody got an email they got to do it you get a warning and then are out of the bubble.

so far it's working. >> thank you working in the nhl and working in the nba as well they haven't had a positive test in the nba in close to six weeks now. >> and the wnba. >> yeah. >> all right well, don't jinx it. just keep going. coming up next, get ready to feel productive and accomplished and organized. look who's with us the home edit team the ladies have advice for tackling the most disorganized areas especially the rooms doubling as a home office and the classroom.

welcome back. well, it's welcome back well, it's time. time to face those areas of our homes that could be areas of joy and dread. yes, that messy play room, a cluttered desk don't get me started about the refrigerator and with the new school year getting underway, no better time to just get organized. so we have brought in the best of the best.

here they are. the women behind the home edit you probably have seen them on instagram. their makeovers are incredible always in rainbow colors as well and they just announced the release of their own netflix show which if you're looking for a candidate, hoda and i are both willing. good morning >> so good to be with you. >> morning. >> you make us happy every day and make us happier when you organize our stuff i still remember crying when you organized the play area in my apartment here in the city so, you know, a lot of us have let the clutter just take over okay we need an intervention. what are the three things you guys would recommend when you really kind of are overwhelmed by a space >> i think that the most important thing is to not get too specific when organizing you really want to think broad categories >> exactly large groupings of blocks and doll accessories and all those things not too tiny

>> right >> just thinking bigger. bring the umbrella up a little bit higher i think the other thing that's super important that we always preach, label everything everything >> everything. >> nothing gets excluded from labeling and it doesn't have to be a word for kids, sometimes they can't even read. you can organize by colors of the rainbow. which is what we strongly believe in >> clearly, behind us. >> but it really works for everything for books, supplies. >> pretend food. >> it's great honestly for kids or adults. do ahead >> what about those combo spaces you know, where you've got work and you've got play. >> absolutely. >> a lot of us, you're stuck under one roof it's all in the same place >> that's right. >> i think that really what you want to think about is contain zones. even if you're sharing a dining room table for both eating and working from home and doing homeschool, if you think about having even a cart that you can just roll away and back up to the tablplies in one

space, keeping it contained keeps things from just free floating all over the house. >> you have a cart for all your homework, you can bring it over when it's time for homework and remove it when it's time for dinner >> exactly >> containment and zones is key. >> what about the desk because a lot of times people share the desk as well >> yes oh, it is a common fight in this household. and again, i think setting up zones for every specific person who uses the space so that you're not fighting over, you know, my supplies are here, yours are there. it's like everyone has their own space, their own setup that they can pull out of a drawer, pull out of the cart and that way it's just -- everyone has their own dedicated items. >> you guys are moms and so i know you must have a tip for me. because you organized my play room and i have really tried to keep it the way you made it but trying to get the kids to,

like, put stuff back in their categories is like sisifis rolling that boulder back up the hill and it rolls back and crushes you and your soul. immediately pick up the so we suggest a setup of drop zones. even if they don't know how to put it back in the exact space that we know it needs to be in, at least they could put it in one designated basket and you can go ahead and resort it and categorize it with them. >> we'll be sitting on the floor with things all huddled together >> that's a perfect segue because i wanted to give y'all a challenge. i didn't want it to be easy. so i want to show you a hallway. this is in my house, okay? used to be normal. used to just be an empty space

this is what it looks like now it is full of -- can we say crap on tv? that's what it looks like. and it looks like romper room. and i don't know what -- i mean, it was just a normal hallway but i've kind of made it the toy area and then put those little desks. see how it used to be pretty and it's not now so what should i do? >> first of all, you've done that to yourself >> true. >> the kids didn't bring those desks in you did. >> true. >> you want to get the toys off the ground you want to think vertical space and work up along the wall so you can clear the walkway. >> i think as long as it's clear and organized and not stuff on the floor, you will feel a lot better and honestly the kids don't know the difference they're just happy to have the things to play with. >> intentional zones along the wall and we offer, like a -- i'm sorry. go ahead >> i was just going to say or i could move that was my other option >> or that or you could have your kids move >> or i could have you two move in so there are many options. >> i would do that >> you are such a delight. thank you. hoda says your closet you fixed

for her -- >> it's back to being a disaster there was a landfill okay >> as soon as y'all can travel, we're your first stop. by the way, you can find out more about the home edit products on today.com/shop up next ree drummond with some recipes that maybe you can do tonight but first this is "today" on

we're back with "today" food. this morning's guest, you know her, you love her. ree drummond. she is known as the pioneer woman. today she's showing us two easy and welcome back we're back with "today" food this morning's guest, you know her, you love her. ree drummond she is known as the pioneer woman. today she's showing us two easy recipes for a family feast but first, what life has been like for her on the ranch for ree and her family since the quarantine started >> the energy is rolling i feel it. >> reporter: ree drummond is no stranger to working from home. in fact, home has always been where the drummond family life flourishes

this picturesque oklahoma ranch has been the back drop for ree's hit television show "the pioneer woman" for nearly a decade >> you guys ready for this >> reporter: and when quarantine became a reality, ree looked no further than her very own family to take on the role of backup oo crew her kids stepped in behind the camera to assist their pioneer mom. when not cooking for this brood including hungy hubby ladd, she focuses on recipes for her website which gets more than 20 million views a month. and live from her ranch, there she is the pioneer woman herself ree drummond hi, ree. how are you? >> i am great. how are you? >> girl, it is so good to see you. savannah was like, who has ree >> i love it >> everybody does. >> hi, savannah. wish we could be with you. >> we are team real the way. but you got to walk us through what happened. your crew has to exit stage left

and you got your kids. you have four children and they become your crew is that how it went down >> my son loves having all the extra ranch hands, but this is the first time i've gotten to use them as my own special kind of ranch hands so yes, my tv crew is actually in the uk. so we knew it would be a while before they were able to come back so we just jumped in, used our cell phones and started filming our show we've done probably 25 episodes and we're getting ready to film one later today with my older daughter alex. just like everybody else, we're taking the most from this situation. >> we're going to get to your recipes in a minute.

but ree, i heard like us you have pandemic pants. we are for it. we are here for it can you tell us about it >> my pandemic pants are so friendly they don't judge me. they try their best to make me look good. it doesn't really matter what i look like because it's below the counter. weeks ago on twitter somebody called jeans hard pants. i've been avoiding my hard pants ever since >> hard pass on the hard pants >> and i need the home edit girls to come live with me, too, by the way >> don't we all. >> we want to get to the recipe because you got a couple of great ones you've got a simple easy pasta recipe what are we cooking? >> yeah. so i am so into shortcut homemade ravioli and what makes it shortcut is that i use wonton wrappers these are just in the store and i made a little mixture of ricotta, parmesan, lemon zest and i put a little -- i can't get too close to you guys. put a little dollop in the middle of the wonton wrapper

i take my second wonton wrapper and put it on top, line up the edges. and then you want to press it together oops, i grabbed three. that's okay. i'm doing this on the fly. and then just force all the air out and honestly, if you can't make homemade pasta dough or don't have time, this is such a great shortcut >> i like that >> and then you can get an assembly line with your kids make as many of these as you want drop them into salted water one by one and look >>ur in butter toast the crumbs and then the cake that's left, you slice the cake into three slices lengthwise. i already

blackberries and lemon juice. >> yum >> it's so fun to use a frozen pound cake because then you cut -- >> it looks delicious. >> something savannah and i could make we're happy. >> you just layer it kind of like lasagna cake, jam, cream >> ree, we love you. we love you. we can't wait for your book to come out thank you for cooking for us >> thank you, girls. >> check out her recip good morning to you. it's 8:56. i'm marcus washington. breaking news as fires explode overnight, destroying homes and triggering new evacuations. scary situation for people in vacaville, burning in napa county, blew into neighborhoods west of interstate 80 in solano

county. those homes have been destroyed, some of them. there are no hard numbers just yet. treated for burn as they suffered injuries trying to evacuate. meanwhile, a fire burning in the santa cruz mountains, triggering evacuations for more than 20,000 people in san mateo and santa cruz counties. firefighters say that that fire has grown more than 10,000 acres. there are at least -- really a string of these fires are happening right now, leaving crews stretched thin across the bay area. unfortunately in many of those cases there isr no plans for reinforcement. happening now, teams at the front lines near vacaville and the santa cruz mountains. meteorologist kari hall is tracking the weather conditions. already turning into a blazing hot day. we'll have live team coverage for you during our midday newscast.

live from studio 1-a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." and good morning, everybody. welcome to the third hour of "today." i'm al. sheinelle and are working from home. craig and dylan, burning that midnight oil back in the studio 1-a. we have a -- that's right, we have a busy show. cristiane slater, ben mckenzie are going to be here telling us about working together on a new project, but they have never met. but we will bring them together today