it's affecting us all. the map serves a dual purpose, i guess. >> yes, now moving across the country as well. thanks for joining us this morning. >> we'll see you back here tomorrow. the "today" show is next. ♪ we're back now at 7:30 ♪ it's tuesday morning, 25th of good morning august 2020. fiery start. the republican national convention kicks off with what you're looking at right passionate speeches from now, the first step towards president trump's inner circle >> they want to steal your outdoor classroom as we head liberty, your freedom. into this unconventional school year question is, would you want your they want to control what you kids learning there? see and think and believe so coming up in our next half hour, that they can control how you we'll look at how schools are ve >> defending him and taking aim scrambling to make socially at joe biden >> joe biden is basically the distanced learning possible. even with space heaters. >> i think it might work >> certain parts of the country could do it easier than others loch ness monster of the swamp >> painting an urgent picture of what's at stake in this now to the 7:30 headlines on the tuesday morning. anger of a police shooting of a election black man by police spills over we'll talk to senator tim scott, the final speaker of the night, into kenosha, wisconsin, for a

as he urges all americans to get on board second night chaos in wisconsin police fired tear gas at police and protesters clash for a second night of protests in the wake of that shooting of a black man in front of his protesters who defied a curfew children and shot fireworks at police 125 members of the national new video of the confrontation guard were activated there on sunday police shot emerging with growing calls for 29-year-old jacob blake in the charges against the officers involved back as his children watched one-two punch. blake's family has said he is in after marco makes landfall along serious but stable condition the gulf, all eyes now on laura california firefighters are set to strengthen into a major making some progress this morning against dozens of hurricane later today. wildfires burning across that millions of americans in its path state. forecasters yesterday canceled a al is tracking it. red flag warning about dry lightning and strong winds that coronavirus concern. new questions this morning after could have sparked more fires. 1.4 million acres have burned in health officials reveal the about a week first known case of re-infection so what does that mean for more than 1200 homes and other buildings have been destroyed. immunity and what we're facing this fall? the deadliest and most destructive of the fires is now 25% contained. downfall the week got off to a rough a stunning turn of events for start for schools and businesses one of america's most conservativeamdynasties. across the country after video conferencing service zoom abruptly went dead resigning from liberty for roughly 2.5 hours monday university after allegations of morning many users were unable an affair involving his wife and to load the website. a miami pool boy the timing was less than ideal

we'll have the very latest those stories plus school's out. since schools, many of them across the country were just literally. starting online instruction due we'll take you inside the new to the coronavirus pandemic. remember plans to bring classrooms outside for a school year unlike know what zoom was now we're upset it was shut down >> exactly any other. we need our zoom "today," tuesday, august 25th, turning now to a sex scandal rocking one of america's most 2020 >> announcer: from nbc news, powerful religious dynasties the falwells this morning new back and forth this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb live from over jerry falwell jr.'s future studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. hey, everybody as president of liberty university stephanie gosk is on this one for us this morning. welcome to "today. good morning >> reporter: good morning. so happy you're joining us on liberty university was founded this tuesday morning i can picture our kids in coats sitting outside learning by jerry falwell sr., one of the might be a way to do it. most influential tv evangelist of all time. >> yeah, absolutely. anything to get them back in school now his son has apparently wait, did i say that outloud resigned as president after going public about a >> yes, you did. a lot is happening today including those gulf coast storms after marco blew through monday, all eyes now on laura this morning which is expected to extramarital affair and alleged become a major hurricane we're going to get to al's blackmail. morning jerry falwell jr.'s time as president of liberty university may be coming to an end. falwell telling "the wall street forecast in a minute journal" overnight he submitted plus today marks the second day of the republican national convention after last night's his resignation letter after the

kickoff. tonight we expect to hear from university said the embattled secretary of state mike pompeo evangelist had withdrawn his earlier offer on monday to step and first lady melania trump down >> thank you i couldn't do it without you >> reporter: it comes after falwell gave a lengthy statement to the washington examiner and this morning, one of the key saying his wife becky had an extramarital affair and they speakers from the first night, were the victims of blackmail. senator tim scott will join us he says his wife had a fatal with more on his message attraction type situation with let's get started with peter alexander who joins us from the white house. an ambitious young man who was >> reporter: good morning. heading into this convention, working at a miami hotel the president and his allies promised four days of hope and according to reuters, that man is giancarlo granda. optimism falwell says he was aware of the becky's inappropriate personal but many on night one painted a relationship but says he was not grim picture of joe biden being involved a threat much of the night on the he told reuters he had an eight-year sexual relationship president himself painting the with becky and says her husband jerry not only knew about it but handling of the pandemic in rosy often watched them together. terms on an evening largely he gave reuters text messages ad focussed on motivating his base. the opening night where the message was part praise of the republican national convention - >> trump is the bodyguard of western civilization this 2018 audio conversation of >> donald trump like all builders is a visionary. >> you have used your strength the couple >> every time he hooks up with to make america strong again >> reporter: and part end of people like i don't have feelings or something. days >> reporter: nbc news has not seen the messages or photos

>> they want to enslave you to the weak, dependent liberal shared with reuters. victim ideology to the point that you will not recognize this in 2019 granda says the relationship grew contentious. granda writing to jerry, since country or yourself. you're okay with ruining my life >> reporter: with a lineup of i'm going to take the kamikaze speakers many delivering an route. apocalyptic portrait of america if joe biden wins the election i wanted to reach a peaceful resolution, but if conflict is >> this is an election between a party that wants to burn down what you want, then so be it falwell says granda tried using the affair to extort him the foundations of our country something granda denies contending he was trying to end a business relationship with the to the ground and a party that wants to rebuild and protect our couple great nation >> reporter: including the st. louis couple that brandished guns as black lives matter >> president donald j. trump protesters passed their home in a gated community blaming democrats. >> reporter: the falwell's are some of president trump's most prominent religious supporters >> they're not satiseds and vioe last year becky spoke with eric trump's wife, laura >> we are so proud of our into our communities students here at liberty they want to abolish the suburbs altogether it's such an honor to be able to >> reporter: the gop convention serve alongside them also including a parade of we try to teach good family values and good morals supporters lavishing praise on >> reporter: falwell is president trump. currently on a leave of absence with his re-election in jeopardy from liberty after posting and then deleting this photo with a woman who is not his wife on and majority of americans disapproving of the handling of instagram. telling a radio show it was the pandemic, the party's goal to portray his response to the pandemic as decisive and strong. this video featuring president taken at a costume party in good fun.oged to everybody trump thanking front line workers.

>> we just have to make this china virus go away and it's and i promisedki happening. to try to be better -- be a good >> reporter: the president's eldest son donald trump jr. boy from here on out attacking his father's opponent. >> so steph, besides that >> joe biden is basically the statement to the newspaper in loch ness monster of the swamp washington, with all of this new he sticks his head up every now information coming to light, has anyone actually talked directly and then to run for president. then he disappears and doesn't to falwell >> reporter: well, craig, we reached out to granda and do much in between >> reporter: the night also highlighting diversity in an falwell. attempt to appeal to critical minority voters. neither responded to our request for comment. but it appears "the wall street former united nations ambassador journal" had an interview with him. nikki haley sharing her personal story. at first his tone was angry. he was upset that the >> i was a brown girl in a black institution would get rid of him and white world. over in his words just that instagram photo. in much of the demmic party, he later acknowledged that he it's now fashionable to say that had embarrassed the university america is racist. and he didn't want to do any further damage to it that is a lie. guys, back to you. >> stephanie gosk for us, thanks coming up, one of the america is not a racist country. >> reporter: and tim scott, the biggest questions about the coronavirus. only black republican in the are you immune after you recover senate, taking jabs at biden from it? while highlighting his uplifting there's a concerning development this morning after the first biography. reinfection. what does it mean for how we >> our family went from cotton fight the disease in the coming months to congress in one lifetime. we'll get into it right after this

and that's why i believe the next american century can be better than the last but can it help keep me asleep? >> reporter: on tap tonight, two more of the president's children absolutely, it intelligently senses your movements and eric and tiffany trump, melania automatically adjusts to keep you both effortlessly comfortable. trump will speak in front of an will it help me keep up with mom? you got this. audience of roughly 50 people in so you can really promise better sleep? not promise... prove. the newly renovated rose garden. and secretary of state, mike and now, all beds are on sale. pompeo, his address is already save 50% on the sleep number 360 limited edition smart bed. only for a limited time. igniting ethical questions diplomats have long steered to learn more, go to sleepnumber.com. clear of conventions in fear of mixing government work and politics contactless delivery trright to your car,et. pompeo is not only speaking but designed for your day. your moves. using a stop in jerusalem as the backdrop aides say he is speaking in his your style. personal capacity and no taxpayer money was used for the your taste. so quick and easy. address. savannah and hoda? just download the target app today. >> peter, thank you very much. south carolina senator tim scott gave the final speech of the evening and joins us this right now, switch to t-mobile and get four lines of unlimited morning from washington. senator, good morning. for just $25 bucks a line. with access to america's largest 5g included. thanks for waking up early >> good morning. that's right. hope you're doing well >> let's talk about the state of unlimited and nationwide 5g for the whole family for just $25 bucks a line. the race this morning. you could pick your poll, but if only at t-mobile. you average them out, most polls show vice president biden about isn't like yesterday. seven points ahead of president (grrrr...put down that rake...) tr

is this an uphill battle for re-election in your mind for the president? (and pick up that pb and j.) or do you think the polls are daddy? off the mark silence your growl. >> well, i mean, the polls were with kellogg's frosted mini-wheats. off in 2016. made to help fill you up. i would not be surprised if the polls are off now. but more importantly we need to use the next 70 days to sell our case i think we're going to do so i think october is a month to remember in my opinion elections don't really start until after labor day. with kellogg's (announcer) you can quit. so where we are right now in for free help, call 1-800-quit now. this election cycle is less important than where we'll be in october. so i'm looking forward to my 9:12 no-days-off migraine medicine. actually seeing this race sharpen and then the debates it's ubrelvy. will be the determining factor in my opinion of how this the migraine medicine i can take anytime, election turns out anywhere migraine strikes without worrying >> the republicans last week if it's too late, or where i am. ripped the democrats' convention one dose of ubrelvy works fast. for being dark and promised that theirs would be more optimistic it can quickly stop my migraine in its tracks and hopeful. let me play a sampling of some within two hours-relieving pain and debili of the unlike older medicines, >> it's almost like this ubrelvy is a pill that directly blocks cgrp protein, election is shaping up to be believed to be a cause of migraine. church, work, and school versus do not take with strong cyp3a4 inhibitors. rioting, looting, and vandalism. >> they'll disarm you, empty the few people had side effects. most common were nausea and tiredness.

prisons, lock you in your home, and invite ms-13 to live next migraine hits hard. hit back with ubrelvy. door the anytime, anywhere migraine medicine. >> your family will not be safe in the radical democrats' ♪ america. >> far left democrats in our school district made this shooting possible. >> they want to control what you see and think and believe so that they can control how you live >> now, your speech was pretty upbeat although you did land some punches, i'll grant you do you like that message that the convention sent last night, or do you wish that rhetoric would be ratcheted down a little bit? >> well, this is a political process and drawing contrast very important what i like to think about is what i spoke about because important to me is that my grandfather's 99th birthday is today and the fact that america's changed so much, we've evolved into a better nation and we continue to move towards that more perfect union so while there were certainly some fire and brimstone last week and we certainly created a stark contrast this week, the

importance of the messages that i'm trying to provide to the american people is that we are better together and this election cycle will have a chance to decide the fate of this nation and direction of the anytime, anywhere migraine medicine. where's mommy? oh, oh hey sweetie. this nation. mother nature is at work, but father nature is here. and i'm actually very optimistic and excited about where we're i'm hungry. going. >> last night featured many let's see. black speakers (seal noise) you were the closer, the oh, how about some smucker's natural? yess. headliner. there was a concerted effort, it first ingredient, real strawberries. seemed, to reach black voters in (wind blowing) mommy's home! particular ♪ ♪ as you well know in the polls, about 8% of black voters support the president. i think it's 88% for vice president biden. how much of an uphill climb is this to try to win back some of those black voters >> well, it's always been a challenge for the last two or three decades for republicans to do well in african-american communities. i think our policy positions have been far better than that of the democrats we are going to continue to go where we're not invited to be able to talk to voters in a way that says we care about the issues that are important to

those voters from hbcus to opportunity zones to unemployment issues to workforce participation rate we've addressed some of the major issues that have been sticking points in the past. i'm certainly hopeful the way we've addressed these issues will resonate with the voters and drive those numbers up i'm encouraged i will see -- we will see an increase in the number of african-americans voting for the president and the republican ticket. we'll see what happens in november, but today i'm pretty optimistic about increasing those numbers. >> the president went to north carolina yesterday to open up we are back taking in an the convention and spent several depth look this morning at the minutes railing again against latest on the coronavirus and mail-in voting saying the troubling news out of hong kong this morning. >> yeah. democrats are trying to steal the election, that there will be we have learned that a man there widespread fraud he's predicting who already had the virus once and, quote, the only way we lose the election is if it is a rigged election. has been reinfected. nbc's tom costello has the latest on this for us. hey, tom. good morning. do you agree with that >> reporter: good morning. >> i have a lot of confidence in researchers at the university of hong kong say this man our electoral process. contracted the virus back in i'm very confident that we will march, recovered, traveled have fair elections throughout this country abroad, came back to hong kong, and most of the issues that got it a second time.

he is said to be young and remain are going to be local issues, having served in local healthy. government i have a lot of confidence in how we will take so what does this say for anybody else, for you or for me, care of this election cycle. >> you know, the president has not missed an opportunity to if we contract covid? from hong kong this morning, the talk about this mail-in voting these are just his remarks first confirmed case of a yesterday. patient contracting the it's two and a half pages single coronavirus a second time. spaced just yesterday on this doctors report the patient a 33-year-old man was first issue trying to say that the election is going to be rigged diagnosed with covid in late or fraudulent. march. so you said you have confidence his condition then required hospitalization, though the case was mild. in this voting process do you think the president needs to send that message more then four months later reportedly after returning to clearly? >> well, savannah, you'll have an opportunity i hope to hong kong from spain, via the interview the president. i'll just tell you how i feel about it and what i think most americans believe and that is this process of mail-in ballots will prove to work out just united kings d d kingdom, he t fine i think every single american should have the right to vote. positive. how we do so is important. on august 15th and was that we do so is more important. hospitalized but is asymptomatic. i'm going to have confidence all the findings suggest that some patient who is recover from covid may have only short-lived the moving pieces will actually immunity from reinfection. but experts say there is no cause for panic and the fit together and will have a reinfection is common with other coronaviruses. very strong integrity-driven, >> i'm not surprised. i think some people will get reinfected. i don't think everybody's going

to get reinfected. we know that people develop certain level of immunity against the virus. character-driven election. how long that level of immunity lasts, we don't know. >> reporter: with more than 23 >> senator tim scott, the lastk million confirmed cases worldwide, doctors insist that you for your time this morning, sir. this discovered case of we really appreciate it. >> yes, ma'am. reinfection should not derail you have a great day. >> you too. and a reminder nbc's live coverage of the republican the push for a vaccine. national convention begins at >> this tells me that even for 10:00 eastern tonight. my patients who have recovered and craig joins us now with from a natural infection, i would still offer them a vaccine more on the violent night of protests in the wake of that because i don't know if they've police shooting in wisconsin. had a high enough immune >> hey, hoda. good morning. response and i don't want them that's right. the outrage and the protests are at risk for becoming reinfected. only growing in the city of >> reporter: the news comes kenosha where police shot a after the fda's announcement black father in the back several sunday on the eve of the times in front of his children who were in the car on sunday. republican national convention nbc's gabe gutierrez is following this story. he joins us live from the scene. that it had approved emergency use of convalescent plasma to gabe, good morning. treat covid-19. plasma which has been used to >> reporter: craig, good morning. treat ot this is still a very active scene. firefighters are right now promises in treating covid. trying to put out hot spots. and the national guard was the fda commission reports a 35% improvement in survival. deployed overnight, but it obviously couldn't prevent this. mayo clinic researchers said it was most effective when administered early. much of this city block was burned and looted. and with high doses of this community has now become a antibodyings. flash point the latest flash n icu dr. vin gupta cautions

plasma is not a cure-all for everyone. >> i've been using it for patients since march and we think it might have some protesters and police in benefit. it's not large. kenosha, wisconsin. it's not a breakthrough. it's not a miracle cure. >> we're encouraging people to protest peacefully, not to be but it's been around for other infectious diseases for a millennia. destructive. >> reporter: after officers shot >> reporter: by the way, the fda 29-year-old jacob blake in the commissioner is now clarifying back sunday as his children his remarks saying there are a watched. lot of caveats to that 35% >> this wasn't bad police work. improvement. improvement. kong. it now appears he had a second strain of the coronavirus. this felt like some sort of not the initial strain. vendetta being taken out on a and that's how they determine that, in fact, he was member of our community. reinfected. >> reporter: this new video because if he had the same shows the shooting from a strain, they would have thought different angle though it's maybe the virus just kind of still not clear exactly what was said between police and blake. laid low for a while. in fact, it's a second strain. at least two officers with their and this morning we're now guns drawn followed him as he hearing there are two cases one in the netherlands, one in walked around the front of his belgium of people being reinfected with coronavirus. gray suv. guys, back to you. hoda? we've paused the video after he >> all right, tom. thank you. opened the door with his back to an officer. [ gunshots ] joining us now is dr. ashish jha then at least seven shots. director of the harvard global health institute. dr. jha, good morning. tom just said something interesting. he said that patient got a rayshawn white recorded that angle was the eyewitness. slightly different strain. so does that mean you can get infected with the coronavirus,

he asked us to protect his get over it, survive it, and then there's a second strain privacy by not showing his face, that comes? but said he saw blake trying to break up an or is the worry that the argument between two women at antibodies, your antibodies are the scene. >> i was shocked. i had no idea they was going to shoot him. going to wear off? >> reporter: he heard the officers tell blake to drop the >> good morning and thank you knife. but he never saw a weapon. the department of justice is for having me on. even though it is a second investigating and says the strain, it's really functionally officers are fully cooperating the same virus. and are now on administrative leave. and the way i look at this is the kenosha police union asked you withhold prejudgment about the incident and please let the this is not surprising. process take place. we've expected some people to but video of the shooting ricochetted across social media get reinfected. and the good news here is it drawing outrage from lebron looks like it happens pretty infrequently. james to joe biden. and the person who was reinfected in hong kong at least there is profound outrage here. blake's shooting comes exactly seemed to have a mild case. three months after the death of so i put all that together and i george floyd. bernadette prince told me she say this is pretty much in line has three sons. with our expectations. >> i'm angry [ bleep ]. certainly it's not a cause for alarm or concern. >> okay. so if you do have the antibodies i'm supposed to be angry. and let's pretend they do wear off over a four-month period. because this needs to stop. what's that going to mean when our black men are not something that you can go out and hunt and kill just because you feel like it comes to a vaccine? >> yeah. so i think my hope is that with it. a vaccine, we'll be able to get even more durable immunity. >> reporter: firefighters have we don't know. now blocked off the scene. what i have always assumed is

you can see the heavy smoke still in the air. that a vaccine isn't going to bring the pandemic completely to that building burned to the ground. now blake, we understand is in serious but stable condition. his father just confirming to us that he's been paralyzed from the waist down but doctors aren't sure if it's permanent. an end this community meanwhile now it will make a big difference, wondering what's next. >> gabe gutierrez for us there but it may be the kind of thing where we need to get a vaccine in kenosha, wisconsin. every year as a booster to make gabe, thank you. let's move now to that sure our immune system is double storm threat on the gulf adequately ready for any encounter with the virus coast. all eyes trained on laura this so this is not -- as i said, this is not majorly concerning morning after marco made most people who get infected landfall on monday. seem to have pretty durable immunity but we don't know about as officials warn people to be long-term because the virus has on high alert for what is on the only been around as far as we way. know six, seven months this is a one-two punch. >> so be a little bit cautious nbc's sam brock is in new orleans with the very latest. if uf had it and think, wow, i'm hey, sam, good morning. >> reporter: hoda, good morning. immune, because a lot of people feel i'm immune. but be cautious then laura now projecting as a >> absolutely. one of the key things coming out of this and something many of us category 3 hurricane which means that roughly a 300-mile stretch have been saying for a while is along the coast from louisiana to texas is under hurricane just because you think you have watch. had the infection and know you the governor of this state you've had the infection and saying residents caught a break when marco started to crumble a recovered, doesn't mean you're bit before making landfall 80 immune forever from getting it again. doesn't mean you couldn't miles south of where i'm reinfect yourself and other standing at the mouth of the people mississippi river. so we have to remain careful

during this time until we learn do not expect the same kind of more about the durability of the fortune, he says, with laura. immunity from this virus. >> reporter: this morning, >> all right tropical storm marco bringing heavy rains, flooding and a few dr. jha, we appreciate your time with us this morning thank you so much. >> thank you feet of storm surge across the all right. it's 7:45. gulf coast. let's get a check of the compared to what's coming, it weather. mr. roker on duty this morning hi, al could just be the calm before >> hey, guys the storm. good morning >> unlike marco, laura is a very we've got more severe weather to talk about not just worrying about laura but here in the large storm, very, very powerful storm. northeast. and so this is an entirely you can see we've got a strong different experience that we're area of showers and anticipating now based on the thunderstorms pushing across current forecast. western new york >> reporter: tropical storm laura slamming through cuba sla this part of a system as we've got a severe storm threat for 69 dumping heavy rain on the million people from bangor to cleveland down to d.c. and norfolk. hail, damaging winds, low risk caribbean island the final obstacle before gulf waters act as jet fuel propelling the rapidly for tornadoes. strengthening system on a then for tomorrow stretching collision course with the texas and louisiana coastlines from the upper great lakes back into the northeast again for 15 possibly as a category 2 or 3 million people with pretty much hurricane. the same risks >> i've been through katrina and but then thursday from the da koe toes, chicago, cleveland, buffalo into the northeast i don't want to ride out another 82 million people at risk. damaging winds, hail, and we can't rule out tornadoes as well one if it could be hell. that's what's going on around th >> reporter: in other parts of louisiana, the prep work grinds on.

>> from this point out, i'd like to be surprised it's not as bad as i thought than be surprised it's worse than i got ready for. good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. >> reporter: while in coastal areas of texas, health care let's take a live look outside facilities preparing to move in the south bay. we're starting out with some residents. clouds this morning and still >> this is a major hurricane some smoky conditions that will that could threaten our texas continue today. as we look at our high coast and we're doing everything we possibly can to prepare for temperatures, we'll reach into it >> reporter: cities haunted by the mid-80s in the south bay and previous natural disasters know low 80s for palo alto. the threat all too well. for the east bay we're mostly new orleans' famed french looking at upper 80s and low 90s with livermore today reaching 90 quarter streets virtually empty. degrees. we have some low 80s for santa >> it's just one thing after rosa while ukiah today will another, and it's kind of like, reach 95 degrees. well, what more can they throw at us? but we'll do it. we'll adjust and we'll make it from the national hurricane center on laura coming up. guys work >> all right, al thank you. >> reporter: texas and louisiana coming up, a new twist in the case that captured the attention of the nation 15 years declarations from fee that murdering his pregnant wife just had his death sentence national guards men on standby with water vehicles ready just overturned by a court. in case they're needed for the very latest on that development and what it means emergency response after these messages ♪ hoda, back to you. >> sam brock for us in the great city of new orleans. thank you, sam that brings us to al who's been tracking the storm all morning. hi, al

good morning >> hey, guys good morning so here's the latest right now we've got hurricane watches from galveston onto central louisiana, tropical storm watches further east and west laura's 85 miles northwest of the western tip of cuba. moving west/northwest at 17. vented where you want it. it will strengthen to a cool when you need it. hurricane today. it's going to grow in size and coolzone™fly. from fruit of the loom®. intensity. category 2 by wednesday afternoon. ...to soccer practices... rain and wind will increase from corpus christi to new orleans ...and new adventures. and then thursday, late you hope the more you give the less they'll miss. thursday, wednesday night into thursday morning it becomes a category 3 but even if your teen was vaccinated against meningitis landfall with 115 mile-per-hour winds. in the past... dangerous rain, wind gusts, they may be missing vaccination for meningitis b. storm surge and it keeps moving north up into arkansas let's help protect them together. the risk for flooding and tornados cannot be ruled out because missing menb vaccination could mean missing out on a whole lot more. ask your doctor if your teen why are we looking for rapid intensification? is missing meningitis b vaccination. it's got a 750 mile journey over warm gulf waters averaging 86 ask your doctor if your teen degrees. ♪ ♪ and that means the conditions are favorable for an increase of chit, chit. jif peanut butter. 35 miles per hour in 24 hours. chit, chit. it's that jif-ing good,

these storm surge values were you'd dress up like a squirrel for it. based on a category 2 landfall want another jif'ing good way to jif? check out new jif squeeze. so we expect those numbers to come up anywhere from 4 to 11 foot of storm surge. and rainfall upwards of 12 inches of rain from lake charles all the way into little rock we are going to be tracking this, but that rapid intensification is the thing we're worried about bringing it up to a 3. make no mistake. whether it's a 2 or a 3, it is balanced nutrition for strength and energy. going to do a lot of damage. we're going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds who demanded to be seen. whoo-hoo! great tasting ensure with 9 grams of protein, 27 vitamins and minerals, and nutrients to support immune health. to be heard. to be counted. learning about her courage and grit... ...can inspire you to pass it on... ...to the women who are next. find your family's connection to this moment in history. at ancestry. help youutrients to track your pizza... come on cody, where are you buddy? ...then your bank should have the technology

to help you track your spending. good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. virtual wallet® is so much more than a checking account. let's take a look at you'our fo easily see what's free to spend. and see where your money is going so you can budget even better. okay, he's got to be close. shot in san francisco. this is helping to improve with he's six blocks... in the other direction. a change in wind direction. we're going to have more smoke make a left, make a left make a left... today and our temperatures slightly cooler reaching into he made a right again. virtual wallet® for digital banking from pnc. the upper 80s. a few low 90s. we'll see san jose reaching up it's time to get more from your bank. to 85 degrees while oakland will be in the upper 70s and upper introducing new best foods drizzle sauce 60s in san francisco over the crave-worthy flavors you can drizzle, next few days our inland valleys will still have some warm dip and dress temperatures. to make home the best restaurant around >> guys, coming up, 70 million new drizzle sauces from best foods of us under some sort of severe weather watch. we're on the side of food. we'll tell you about that when we come back new drizzle sauces from best foods i'm a verizon engineer, and i'm part of theng the most >> all right powerful 5g experience for america. al, thank you so much. it's 5g ultra wideband, and it's already coming up, a pool boy, an available in parts of select cities. like los angeles and in new york city. affair, and a resignation. the stunning turn of events that and it's rolling out in cities around the country. with massive capacity, rocked the falwell family and the liberty university it's like an eight lane highway we'll have the very latest on a scandal that is still playing compared to a two lane dirt road. out this morning 25x faster than today's 4g networks. also ahead this morning, a in fact, it's the fastest 5g in the world. person infected with coronavirus a few months ago has caught it

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i feel really proud of the impact that has on the environment. we have two daughters and i want to do everything i can to protect the environment a very good morning to you. so hopefully they can have a great future. it is 7:56. i'm laura garcia. breaking and happening now firefighters making headway on the bay area fires. >> reporter: i'm kris sanchez in santa cruz county where it is a misty and cooler morning, and a very good morning to you. that's the kind of weather that 7:26. i'm laura garcia. gives firefighters a break. we continue to follow breaking they did make some advancements news and firefighters actually on the czu complex fire. gaining some ground on these massive fires in the bay area. it is 79,000 acres burned. >> reporter: i'm kris sanchez in 17% containment an improvement santa cruz county where it is a over yesterday and we know there misty and cooler morning, and are 330 homes, businesses, and that's the kind of weather that other structures that are gets firefighters the break confirmed destroyed. we expect that number will go overnight. they did make some advancements on the czu fire. up. there are more fire personnel it is now almost 79,000 acres coming. more equipment. but really the weather is the key. burned. 17% containment which is an improvement over yesterday, and >> reporter: i'm bob redell in we now know there are 330 homes, livermore outside the helibase. we expect their operations to businesses, and other structures resume later this morning in the that are confirmed destroyed. we expect that number will go up. there are more fire personnel coming and more equipment. scu fire complex.

really the weather is the key. the scu fire has burned 360,000 >> reporter: i'm cierra johnson acres roughly and is 15% in healdsburg right now, the lnu contained, a 5% improvement from yesterday. fire is gaining ground when it comes to containing it. let's talk about the weather this fire is at 25% containment this morning as well because the having already burned about smoky skies are still prevailing. 350,000 acres. absolutely. unfortunately 1,000 structures we will see that throughout the have been destroyed or damaged day. unfortunately, that qlity will. in the process. as we look at our temperatures, we're making some improvements in the meantime the smoky there coming down just slightly skies continue over the bay with our south bay high area. kari has a look at our forecast. temperature up to 85 degrees and 88 today in concord. for napa today we're reaching up laura, we've seen unhealthy to 85 degrees while san air quality the past few days. francisco for the most part will that continues today with the exception of san francisco. stay in the 60s. so as we look at our seven-day it looks better there as the fog forecast, some 90s on the way. returns but inland areas will for some of our warmest spots in the inland valleys, it gets still have unhealthy air quality slightly warmer as we head to continuing. you do need to limit your time the end of the week with a outside. inland our temperatures will mostly sunny sky. reach into the 90s over the next hopefully we do see some few days. improvements in the air quality by the end of the week. laura? all right, thank you very much. san francisco will be in the we'll be back with another local 60s. news update in half an hour. hope to see you then. laura? all right, thank you very much. and thank you for joining us as well. another local news update in half an hour.

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♪ it's 8:00 on "today. coming up, night one the republican convention kicks off with some high praise. >> trump is the bodyguard of western civilization >> and some dire warnings. >> they want to steal your liberty, your freedom. they want to control what you see and think and believe so live they can control how you >> we'll have a full recap straight ahead plus, overturned the surprising reversal in the scott peterson case. why a judge is moving him off death row nearly 20 years after he was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife lacey. and paving the way our important conversation with the descendants of suffrage

park i feel like it has everything. but something is missing >> well, after 160 years of existence, real women statues are missing. >> how they're making their own mark "today," tuesday, august 25th, 2020 ♪ >> good morning from st. augustine, florida >> morning my name is ethan i'm turning 7 today. ♪ >> from silver spring, maryland, it's our 44th birthday on "today" show! ♪ >> twinsies. >> twins rock, man welcome back to "today." we're happy you're with us on this tuesday morning for those of you that just wiped your sleepies out of your eyes, as my mom used to call it.

set the dvr for the first hour was pretty good. >> solid hour. >> reviews are in by us, any way. yeah, also happy to see folks from our my "today" plaza crowd are up we'll check in with them in a few moments. coming up tomorrow on "today," we'll take a closer look at the covid-19 test that is being used by the pro sports leagues like the nba and nhl as well as dozens of schools and colleges across the country. >> the spit test, the saliva test it can be done in the comfort of your own home. but how accurate is it you can see vicky nguyen is testing it out she will tell us what she found tomorrow morning on "today." for the moment, let's get to the news at 8:00 republicans opened their national convention with praise for the president and dark warnings about america's future if he is not re-elected. nbc white house correspondent peter alexander is back with three things to watch in politics today peter, good morning. >> reporter: good morning. a fiery night last night heading into the convention, the president and his allies promised a week of hope and optimism

on this opening night, many speakers did paint the dark picture of the country if trump loses. they warn that joe biden and the democrats will destroy america as we know it. repeatedly distorting the democrat's platform. president trump was featured heavily, a parade of praise. one supporter calling him the bodyguard of western civilization and capping off the night, south carolina's tim scott the only black republican senator. this morning on "today" scott expressed confidence about mail-in balloting without fraud despite the president's unfounded claims that the election will be rigged. >> this process of mail-in ballots will prove to work out just fine. i think every single american should have the right to vote. how we do so is important. that we do so is more important actually fit together and we'll haves tim scott earlier this morning on tap tonight, first lady melania trump will speak in

front of an audience of about 50 people in the newly-renovated rose garden. and the secretary of state, mike pompeo, his address is already igniting ethical questions diplomats by law are not to mix work and politics. really to isolate america's foreign policy from foreign battles at home. pompeo is not only speaking but is using a stop in jerusalem during an official overseas trip as his backdrop. aides say he is speaking in his personal capacity and that no taxpayer money was used for the address. savannah >> all right peter, thank you very much anger over the police shooting of a black man spilled into the streets of kenosha, wisconsin, for a second night. police fired tear gas at hundreds of protesters who defied curfew. nbc's gabe gutierrez is in kenosha with the very latest on this gabe, good morning >> reporter: good morning. multiple fires were also set here overnight that building burned to the ground and much of this city block was looted and burned. firefighters are still putting out hot spots right over here.

now, this comes two days after 29 eyewitness video showed it all and it sparked widespread anger not just here but also across the country. this started out as peaceful protests last night, but it obviously escalated. now the wisconsin department of justice is investigating and says the officers involved are fully cooperating and have been placed on administrative leave but there are many questions here from the community. also the wisconsin national guard was deployed here overnight. but it did little to prevent this hoda >> all right gabe gutierrez for us in wisconsin. gabe, thank you. the california supreme court on monday overturned the death sentence for scott peterson in the 2002 murders of his wife lacey and their unborn son but the guilty verdict still stands nbc's miguel almaguer now with more on what led to that reversal >> matter of people versus scott lee peterson >> reporter: his conviction and sentencing brought to an end one of the most high-profile cases

in u.s. history. but now in a new ruling, the california supreme court says scott peterson must come off death row overturning his penalty but not the guilty verdict. >> if you did personally inflict injuries. >> reporter: citing errors made by the trial judge for excusing jurors who expressed opposition to capital punishment, the state's highest court writes, a juror may not be dismissed merely because he or she has expressed opposition to the death penalty as a general matter >> i thought we made a good decision >> reporter: greg beraltis was on the jury in 2004 that recommended the death penalty to the judge. >> this wasn't just a spur of the moment it wasn't an act of rage or emotion, this was actually thought out and planned. >> reporter: convicted of killing his wife lacey, pregnant with their unborn son connor, jurors found that prosecutors established peterson dumped her body in the san francisco bay on christmas eve four months before

both bodies washed ashore. the salacious trial which included an affair with amber frye captivated the nation >> i'm against the death penalty, but i do think that he's exactly where he should be. you know, i lost my sister-in-law lacey and my unborn nephew connor and i believe that he should remain in prison for the rest of his life without parole. >> reporter: peterson's trial lasted six months. he was convicted in nine days.k >> i thought it was a miscarriage of justice i thought i knew that evidence and i still think that the fact he's in there with a guilty verdict is still a miscarriage >> reporter: for some 15 years, peterson has been on san quentin's death row, but the state has put a moratorium on executions and this morning it's unclear if the district attorney who has not commented will pursue the death penalty again. for "today," miguel almaguer, nbc news, los angeles.

>> meanwhile a spokesperson for the district attorney's office says they are reviewing the decision and will talk about it with lacey peterson's family before deciding how to proceed all right. 8:08 got the news need a boost >> okay. got a boost for you. when a couple brought their newborn baby girl home for the first time, there was no one more excited than the baby's big brother. the toddler wasted no time welcoming his little sister to the family take a look. >> hey, baby hi, baby hi, baby hi, baby >> all right what a happy kid that adorable baby girl got an instant friend and someone to look after for years to come >> you know what i think you'll probably agree with me. save that video. later when the two are squabbling remember how much you loved each other? >> hi, baby. >> that'll be good for two

years. bye, baby. coming up next, learning on the job. schools are going to great lengths to get kids back in the classroom safely one solution is not being inside much at all. we'll tell you about it right after this w is that we're running out of time. amazon now has a goal to be net zero carbon by 2040. we don't really know exactly how we are going to get there. it's going to be pretty hard. but one way or another we're going to reduce our carbon footprint to net zero. i want my son to know that i tried my hardest to make things better for his generation. and eating the small bits of cheese stuck to a mcdonald's wrapper... is the right way... to start-a-morning. ♪ ba da ba ba ba (brian) i've had to start-a-a hcopd...tack, a heart transplant...

lung cancer... and part of my lung removed. my tip is: if smoking doesn't get you one way, it'll get you another. (announcer) you can quit. for free help, call 1-800-quit-now. ♪ cheerios can help to feed the good inside of you. ♪ ♪ in the morning if you think your whole day's a flop, ♪ ♪ feed the good inside of you 'cause it never stops. ♪ ♪ mmm cheerios ♪ everyday it's a-getting closer ♪ ♪ going faster than a rollercoaster ♪ ♪ love like yours will surely come my way ♪ ♪ a-hey, a-hey-hey ♪ (music playing) ♪ love like yours will surely come my way ♪ i'm a verizon engineer, and i'm part of the team building the most powerful 5g experience for america.

it's 5g ultra wideband, and it's already available in parts of select cities. like los angeles and in new york city. and it's rolling out in cities around the country. with massive capacity, it's like an eight lane highway compared to a two lane dirt road. 25x faster than today's 4g networks. in fact, it's the fastest 5g in the world. from the network more people rely on. this is 5g built right. only on verizon. ♪ 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. -my grandma. -my cousin. my great-great grandmother. she was all of 4'11" but very tenacious. a very independent woman. driven, passionate. embodied grit, perseverance. she marched. -she wrote. -she demanded. she was proud to pass on a legacy of civic mindedness to her descendants.

i'm very proud to carry on her story. all: her story -find their stories. -make them count. at ancestry. now i have end-stage copd. my tip is, if you keep smoking, your freedom may only go as far as your oxygen tube. (announcer) you can quit. for free help, call 1-800-quit now. ♪ this morning on "coronavirus in the classroom," we're looking at the big effort to get kids back in school new york city announcing plans to teach some children outdoors this fall. a lot of other school districts have already committed to similar plans. >> kristen dahlgren is in vermont this morning following this story kristen, good morning. >> reporter: hey, good morning, guys here in vermont there is no shortage of the great outdoors so a lot of school districts are embracing that moving their classrooms outside

but as you said, it's not just these rural areas. to adopt a similar plan. the nation's biggest city thinking outside the box when it comes to reopening schools new york mayor bill de blasio announcing plans to bring some classrooms outside, into schoolyards, empty streets and public parks when schools reopen next month >> starting today we empower our principals to determine the maximum amount they can do outdoors >> reporter: the city is prioritizing schools in neighborhoods hardest hit by covid-19 principals being asked to submit plans by this friday >> they're very resourceful. i think they'll be able to do a lot. >> reporter: as ps-8 in brooklyn, karen gandelman hopes to put tents outside >> we are hoping to close down the adjoining streets around our school as well as hoping to use parts of brooklyn bridge park as much as possible >> reporter: mike meade and his children are relieved the city listened to their calls for outdoor classrooms

>> it's about our kids and about their education, but it's really about the safety and the health of our entire city so the ability for schools to have the space to learn is really the difference, perhaps, between life and death >> reporter: transmission rates for coronavirus are thought to be much lower outside. and more space can mean more physical distance. so districts across the country have been embracing outdoor classrooms at this private school near nashville, tennessee, they are building eight new shelters to hold fall classes. >> it means windowless it means wallless. it means just with a roof and some shade protection on the sides. >> reporter: in vermont, teachers at lake champlain waldorf school will use an amphitheater to keep kids

distanced. >> i think it's going to be exciting >> reporter: benches convert to desks. their plan is to use portable heaters and warming pads when temperatures drop. >> this is not what any of us expected but we're trying to use all of our creativity and ingenuity. they added tents for in-person and remote learning. they had to boost wi-fi strength to reach the new outdoor classrooms >> it's a challenge, but trying to think about this as every challenge as an opportunity. >> reporter: one of the big criticisms, though, is that this may further divide schools that can afford it from those who can't. new york city, hoda, still hasn't laid out exactly how they are going to fund their outdoor classrooms >> all right kristen, thank you so much nbc investigative and consumer correspondent vicky nguyen joins us with more on this whole outside schooling thing. so there have got to be a lot of benefits to have kids learn outside. >> yeah. i think one of the biggest benefits is really clear it's air ventilation we've been talking about what a problem that is with older indoor classrooms. the more circulation you have,

the less likely the virus is going to linger in the air and get someone sick what parents need to think about when preparing their kids to go to an outdoor learning environment. think camp you want sunscreen, hats, water. we have to remember 440,000 kids in this country have tested positive for covid-19. so it is possible for kids to get the virus. being outside reduces the risk dramatically for students as well as teachers >> unfortunately unless you live, like, southern california or something, the weather's going to be an issue whether it's too hot in the southwest where i grew up or too cold in the wintertime in the northeast. what's the plan for something like that? >> so i think trying to take advantage of the good weather as long as you can. you saw the schools in kristen's package. they're taking advantage of tents, portable heaters. i think this is the year that all participants have to really invest and get involved. it's not just about money. it's about brain power and will

power. we're hearing about event planning companies they have tables, chairs, tents. they're not planning a bunch of events right now so they're coordinating with schools. >> and they need business too. >> exactly these are partnerships we should have and parents are architects, builders, contractors. we all have resources we can bring. we're seeing the most successful school districts are the ones that have the most buy in from their teachers and the communities. they're all looking for ways to get everyone back in school. no one disagrees that is the best environment for kids but how do you do it safely and make everyone feel good about it. >> smart >> vicky, thank you so muc vicky will be back on the third hour of "today" telling us about the best face masks for every situation. tomorrow you're doing the saliva test right? >> yeah. okay let's get a check of the weather from mr. roker hi, al >> well, guys, i just got the -- laura is now officially a hurricane. marco makes for the sixth landfall of 2020

that ties 1886 for most by september 1st. and it's probably going to be the first major hurricane. it is now hurricane laura 75 mile-per-hour winds. that just came in in the last minute west/northwest at 17 miles per hour it continues its track as we move through the day wednesday just before landfall early thursday morning, it's a category 3 storm 115 mile-per-hour winds.here ars strongest winds arrive early wednesday evening. severe wind damage along a narrow corridor. the storm surge, a life threatening storm surge. and these storm surges are based on a category 2, not a 3 large and destructive waves. crashing on shore. and heavy rain, urban flooding, minor to moderate river flooding and you can see, it's not just along the coast but goes all the way inland up into arkansas. that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happening in your >> good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we take a live look outside in

dublin. still very smokey as you get ready to head out the door this morning. we're still looking at unhealthy air quality today but slightly cooler temperatures this afternoon. in concord, expect a high of 88 degrees. 85 in san jose. for oakland, upper 70s. while san francisco will be in the upper 60s. as we go through the next seven days, our inland temperatures will stay in the 90s. >> that's your latest weather. guys >> announcer: women's vote today. is sponsored by ancestry learn your ancestor's stories. celebrate their strength make them count. we are super excited about this it's a new series "women vote today. tomorrow is women's equality day. it's honoring the moment 100 years ago when the 19th amendment became law and guaranteed women the right to vote so to mark the occasion, hoda, you sat down with the descend t descendants of the suffragists who paved the way.

>> books have the tales of our forefathers. but the women beside them were often at best just a footnote. well, thankfully our view of how this nation came to be and who helped us get here is now changing >> this is for all women ♪ >> reporter: today, there is cause to celebrate from parties in the sky - >> today belongs to the suffragists of tennessee >> reporter: -- to impassioned re-enactment, stamps, and other tributes and signs americans are honoring the passing of the 19th amendment that gave women vote a turning point in our nation's history. and here in new york city, a change in the landscape brings women into view. so here we sit we're in this iconic central park i feel like it has everything. but something is missing

>> well, after 160 years of existence, real women statues are missing. the only figures are alice in wonderland, mother goose, a witch. they're all fiction and we wanted real women. >> reporter: colleen jenkins is a board member for monumental women, the group determined to change the face of central park. >> we are dedicating in honor of the 19th amendment of the u.s. constitution a statue of women rights pioneers. sorjourner truth, elizabeth cady stanton, susan b. anthony, who were leaders that actually made a ripple effect to a mass movement >> reporter: some call it the great bloodless revolution the battle for suffrage lasted a staggering 72 years. women won the right to vote, but the struggle continues it took seven years for monumental women to overcome the

naysayers and red tape here in central park for colleen and daughter elizabeth, the fight is personal tell me a little bit about what elizabeth cady stanton means to you. >> well, first of all, she's my great, great grandmother, so with that, there's a passage of values and ideas of how to act in life. >> reporter: and how to champion a cause. elizabeth cady stanton led the suffrage movement. organizing the first women's rights convention in 1848. when you were little, what were the kind of stories you heard about elizabeth cady stanton >> the one i remember most is the story of elizabeth around the age of 8 years old overhearing some of what was happening in her father's law office so women were coming in seeking legal counsel and apparently leaving in tears because of the realization that they really weren't protected under the law. >> reporter: as the story goes, young elizabeth planned to tear out any pages from her father's

law book that oppressed women. so it began a journey to ensure that all men and women are created and treated equal. ♪ >> can you picture she's standing in front of these crowds, these people they're unruly they're hurling insults towards her. and she stands and she begins to speak. and her words just penetrate she is my great grandmother. >> reporter: she knows all the stories of her ancestor sorjourner truth who followed a divine call to spread the gospel of freedom and justi >> and this one unruly crowd soon becomes captivated by her they're receiving what she's saying >> reporter: truth's message now flows through marika who is also practiced as a minister. what do you think she would think in this moment >> i think she would be like,

after all of this work you guys have gotten complacent yes, we've accomplished some things, but it's not finished. ♪ >> reporter: pam elam, pam is the woman who worked tirelessly for seven years to make this moment happen. what's it feel like for you this morning? >> it's thrilling. and i'm so excited that you're here and you can see where monumental women broke the bronze ceiling >> reporter: ladies? coleen, elizabeth and i are lucky enough to get a sneak peek before the official unveiling. all right. one, two, three, peek under. >> oh, my goodness >> talk about monumental women this is larger than life >> wow >> i recognize that table. it's in my living room that's the table on which they wrote all of those important documents. >> i would above to hear what the conversation is about, but i

guess that's for us to imagine >> reporter: by the way, how cool is that on a personal note for you, what is it like to look at your flesh and blood kind of up there in that big statue? >> well, the flesh and blood has transformed to bronze. and i like the fact that my great great grandmother and the other women in this statue are standing shoulder to shoulder with men that's an important message. i just love the fact that she didn't die in 1902 she lives. ♪ >> okay. that is a tease. are you going to show us what's under that tarp? are we going to see the statue >> by the way, it is spectacular. i would describe it to you, but i think we'll do it tomorrow we'll do a big reveal tomorrow where we're going to show the statue and by the way, the fact that there are no women statues in all of central park and if you google statues of women around the country, there are so few. but anyway, it's going to be fun tomorrow and what remarkable women they are >> great story

>> thanks, hoda. we're going to talk to the woman behind that viral quarantine hit "in the f good morning to you. 8:26. i'm marcus washington. breaking news. improving conditions are giving a big boost to firefighters trying to knock down the three massive fire systems burning across the bay area. the firefighters did a great job overnight halting advancements of the czu fire. this is in santa cruz mountains. as of this morning, containment levels are at 17% and the fire has burned close to 80,000 acres. the firefighters in alameda county are telling us the things that have mostly been steady overnight for the scu fires. containment there is 15%. and tens of thousands of people still evacuated bay area wide including many in the north bay. the lnu fire has destroyed hundreds of homes since last week, but it is now 25% contained. let's get a look at our

forecast. kari, how is it looking out there for us? >> we're still going to have some unhealthy air quality today, as well as temperatures that will reach into the low 90s. 77 today in oakland. and for the north bay, up to 80 in santa rosa. ukiah will reach 95 degrees. for san francisco, in the upper 60s, but watching out for the smoke once again that will continue through today, marcus. >> kari, thank you. we'll have another local news update coming up in 30 minutes. so you're a small business,

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♪ we're back it's 8:30. it's tuesday morning it's 25th of august, 2020. did you know that? then you passed the test we're glad you're with us this morning. coming up, the latest ut about s coronavirus battle, kevin hart but of course leave it to him to find the humor in the situation. we'll tell you what he had to say. also ahead, party on, dudes. three decades after their won our hearts as bill and ted, we sat down with keanu reeves and alex winter for a preview of that >> how did i not get that assignment

i love bill and ted. and you're going to love this one, a follow-up on our morning boost from yesterday how many times a day do you open up your fridge if your numbers have gone up, you're not alone remember that awesome gospel singer she struck a note with us. kd is with us. we're going to speak with her. we're with her >> we love her she's like, i'm at the fridge again as the song goes we are, too. >> she spoke to our stomachs yesterday. coming up in a few minutes on the third hour, by the way, we're going to look at the future of theater and how one company is really changing the way they perform in this age of coronavirus. al's going to have that story. then tomorrow on "today," in honor of women's equality, a original hamilton star renee elise will join us with a message from the past that still res oe nates today can't wait for that. first we want to welcome our cool folks on my "today" plaza good morning, good morning all right.

we have a beautiful board. i am looking for ryan and eyo. in tacoma park, maryland where are you? >> right here. good morning, hoda >> good morning. >> we see 10-month-old duke here now, ryan, nobody in this frame is celebrating, but you wrote to celebrate your dad charles what is he celebrating >> yeah. so my dad is celebrating his 70th birthday. and of course we can't be with him because of covid restrictions and all of that so we just wanted to honor him, have balloons, have him see his grandson and celebrate his big day. >> well, your dad has been a hero in the community for decades. you were talking about how for nearly 40 years he served as a firefighter. tell us a little bit about him >> yeah. so he has dedicated his life to the columbus fire department he lives in columbus, ohio he has just, tirelessly served the community and been such a great father, a great

grandfather. i'm getting emotional speaking about it, but he's really been a rock of our family and it's really an honor to be able to celebrate him and celebrate 70 years. >> it is our honor to help you celebrate your dad charles we just want to say happy birthday and thank you for your service. and thank you, all thank you for joining us on his big day. we appreciate it give him a kiss for us >> happy birthday, dad we love you! >> we love you >> happy birthday, charles by the way, let's pull it up full here to see everyone. we've got bob and jane's 30th anniversary. happy anniversary. there they are the burlich family there twins troy and roy happy birthday to you. happy 44th the huesen family there. i see a superhero down here. hey, spider-man. thanks for waking up early you, too, captain america. your family can get in on the fun as well.

all you have to do to sign up just go to today.com/mytodayplaza you, too, could wear a superhero costume on the "today" show. >> what a fun group. all right, guys. let's switch and check in with al for the forecast >> hey, guys good morning let's look at today. we're looking at heavy local rain in the southeast. record highs in the southwest. and then tomorrow we're watching laura make the approach to the gulf coast monsoonal moisture makes it wait into the southwest severe storms in the upper great lakes and back through the western plains look for sunshine in the northeast and new >> good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. let's take a look at our high temperatures for today. we'll reach into the upper 60s in san francisco and upper 70s in oakland while the south bay will be in the mid-80s. for inland valleys. for the east bairx reaching into the low 90s in a few spots. as we go through this forecast, it's going to be a slight cooldown compared to what we've had recently, but it will warm

up by the end of the week back into the mid-90s while our coastal temperatures will stay in the 60s. >> and that's your latest weather. guys >> all right, al thank you. sheinelle is in for carson this morning she's got a preview of what is coming up on "pop start. what's in store, sheinelle >> good morning to you guys. just ahead, you know that feeling you get when you finish bingeing a show you love and don't want it to end jennifer garner understands your pain we'll see what got her this emotional. but first this is "today" on

we are back with "pop start. sheinelle is in for carson this morning. good morning, sunshine >> good morning to you we have good stuff for you this morning. first up, jennifer garner, the actress has been doing a lot of -- what a lot of us have been doing the past few months. catching up on a ton of tv garner revealing she and her kids finished watching all nine seasons of "the office" for the first time she says they watched one episode a day.

after finishing the series, the whole group got emotional. look at this garner decided to record her candid reaction to the finale. but in her clearly emotional state, she accidentally set the camera to slow-mo. so here she is narrating in slow motion >> we finished it. guess what, it gave me some really big feelings. >> it gave me really big feelings oh, bless your heart oh, my goodness. look who needed a big cry and maybe a shower would have been helpful. but it's just nice to know you can still just feel so much passion about something, right so thank you if you've ever heard of the show "the office," you should try it. it's wonderful >> you know when you're the last one to see it, the slow mo crying sounds make the video >> was it a tear jerker? >> the thing is she didn't have to do that as she captioned, she said when i realized i'd shot my farewell testimony in slow mo, i realized your monday might need this too. you're welcome next up, chrissy teigen has

been doing some back to school shopping, the model and author but not just for her own kids. she took to twitter for the offer for teachers getting ready for whatever their classrooms look like this year. quote, if you are a teacher in need of supplies for the upcoming school year, please drop your amazon wish list here. i will do as many as i can that obviously led to a flood of people responding to the tweet and less than 24 hours later, teigen tweeted, look at this today i cleared 50 entire lists and countless extra items were purchased from lovely people just passing through we'll do more this week and would love to focus on struggling districts and special needs. teigen also shared some images of what her kids' home classroom looks like with the caption, everyone get ready for miss chrissy i have always wanted to be a teacher, she said. teigen won't be doing all the teaching she ended by writing, quote, we are absolutely bringing in a professional, but i've got cooking, john's got music, grandma has a great school year. a lot of us will have an adventure.

kevin hart, the actor has had quite a roller coaster of a year back in september he was injured in that scary car accident which left him with major back injuries but then months later, he and wife announced they're expecting a baby girl. and now hart revealed another bombshell. he tested for coronavirus earlier this year when the pandemic was getting pretty bad. he revealed the diagnosis during a standup set at dave chapelle's socially distant comedy show why did he wait until now to share the news well, hart, said, quote, the problem is i had it around the same time as tom hanks i couldn't say anything because he's more famous than i am he wanted tom to have a little bit of love. there you go >> love it thank you so much. just ahead, a most excellent interview. more than 30 years after they became an iconic and highly quotable duo, we'll catch up with keanu reaves and alex winter about the remarkable bill and ted face the music reboot. but fit, this is "today" on rs

it's been three decades since we were first introduced to bill and ted played by keanu reeves and alex winter two teens who took us on a most excellent adventure. >> well said >> i've seen it a couple times >> they are back now with a new quest. and nbc's joe fryer chatted with the film stars he joins us with more. how cool was this, joe >> reporter: it's most excellent, guys. first of all, let's give you a quick recap for those who forgot bill and ted are the guys who jumped in a time traveling phone booth meeting historic figures like abe lincoln, billy the kid, and socrates helping them put together the ultimate high school presentation. their original movie hit theaters back in 1989 with a sequel two years later finally after all this time, you could say it's now a trilogy with this latest film "bill & ted face the music."

let's be honest, these days who wouldn't want to hop in a phone booth and bounce to another year thankfully our time traveling tour guides bill and ted have timed this adventure just right. >> they have a wonderful heart and they make you feel good, they make you laugh. and we always need that. >> you know, it's been a crazy year for everyone. it's challenging for everyone. so we hope we can bring people some joy >> i have a feeling we're about to embark upon a most unprecedented expedition >> reporter: nearly 30 years have passed since they last embodied this bodacious duo. >> excellent >> reporter: aspiring rock stars known for their triumphant catch phrases. >> party on, dudes >> reporter: was it easy to get that back or did you have to go back and watch the old movies over and over and over again >> i felt like those were kind of burned into my soul >> strange things are afoot at the circle k

>> reporter: after all these years, do people still recognize you and scream their favorite lines at you from the movies >> all day every day all day every day. >> reporter: what are the lines people tend to repeat to you >> party on, be excellent, excellent, strange things are afoot at the circle k. >> reporter: now the year is 2020 bill and ted are married, middle aged dudes >> when your wives suggested couples therapy, do you think that this is what they had in mind >> definitely. i mean, we're a couple of couples, right >> reporter: they must now fulfill their destiny about writing a song that saves the world. which means it's time for a new adventure with their doppelganger daughters >> dude, our dads are totally in trouble. >> reporter: and new foes including future versions ofpron >> how's it going, bill and ted? >> reporter: of course they're still squeezing into that old

phone booth to leap from year to year >> it was fun because the movies have never been super high budget and the first one we really were cramming like 15 people into an actual phone book in phoenix in the heat of summer and it got pretty gnarly in there >> reporter: missing from this movie -- >> greetings my excellent friends. >> reporter: the late, great george carlin who played rufus, a messenger from the future. >> no way. >> yes way >> reporter: for keanu reeves, the original movies were a launching pad. since then his films have grossed billions at the global box office he's currently filming "the matrix 4" though he can't say much about it. >> it's really great to be playing thomas neo i'm saying a lot of things that aren't telling you anything about it but there's a bit of a love story. >> they totally love us in the future, dude >> reporter: as for bill and ted, a story about saving the world seems especially fitting right now.

>> the message of this film is sincerely about the whole planet needing to come together to heal itself and all of us being one big community. ♪ >> reporter: "bill & ted face the music" is out this friday. like a lot of new movies, it will be available on demand but it also show in some movie theaters with more of them now reopening in some parts of the country. back to you guys >> all right >> thank you, joe. >> most excellent, buddy thank you. coming up next, the anthem of the moment. taking over the internet we're going to talk to -- there she is -- the woman behind that song that went viral during the pandemic pandemic but first this is "today" on

great day on the lake! it is. lunch is cookin'! and i saved a bunch of money on my boat insurance with geico. fellas, can it get any better than this? whoa! my old hairstyle grew back. so did mine. [80's music] what? i was an 80's kid. it only gets better when you.

we're going to end this hour on a high note this morning. it was one of our -- i think our favorite morning boosts in a while. yesterday we introduced you to

this wonderful woman remember her name. it is kd french. she's a gospel singer from atlanta. she went viral after her quarantine song "the fridge again" rang true for oh, so many of us. ♪ i'm at the fridge again ♪ she's at the fridge again ♪ i need a little help from you ♪ ♪ please come get her ♪ at the fridge again ♪ she's at the fridge again ♪ she's at the fridge again ♪ what about the chickens ♪ chickens ♪ collard greens ♪ oh chickens >> come on you make us so happy, kd french. is this crazy? >> how are youm sweating in cre didn't know i had. >> tell us what it feels like to put something out in the universe -- i'm sure you put it out there saying oh this is kind of funny and then 10 million people or whatever the number has seen it.

>> it is overwhelming. i am hysterical like i said across the board i can't believe it but i am just overwhelmed with joy. >> you know, just saying, you're also extremely talented. you did all the parts of the choir. you're in perfect harmony. and i know you sing at church. what does everybody at church think about this did this get played at your service on sunday? >> yes, it did >> of course of course. hey, kd. >> it was funny. >> as a kid who grew up singing in his church choir, we were talking yesterday that the song you're singing is based on a off of. real gospel song but i could not remember which gospel song it's based off of can you tell me? >> i have no idea. >> so you made it up >> i just ran with it. i was at the fridge again for the 20th time within an hour, seriously. and i just ran with it a beat started coming.

see, there is rhythm in everything we do, i feel so me and my girls, we could be walking around the house acting silly and a song will come out of the moment. you know so it just sounds like church because that's the foundation. >> yes, indeed you just said your girls, your family what do they think about the fact that -- i mean, you hit it way big yesterday. >> yes everybody's excited for me my husband, you go girl. he is just -- look he's the recorder. he's just getting every moment captured i am so thankful for my family but they are super excited >> kd, i can imagine a couple of follow-up hits okay "in the pantry again." and for me, "at the bar again. so if you want to do a couple of follow-up hits, let us know. >> yes, ma'am. >> what's next, kd are you planning another one >> i'm just like, go god wherever he leads, that's where i follow i don't have a limit beyond the sky is the limit.

so whatever it is, i want it because it's what god wants for me so i'm excited >> giving us the smile and something to laugh about you're taking us to church it's heavenly. thank you. >> thank you bye, kd. >> thank you. >> all right, sweetie. let's celebrate some birthdays. al, do you have your smuckers jars ready >> i'm at the smuckers jar again. first up, happy 100th birthday to ann robinson of north carolina i could get an amen from kd. she says the secret to longevity is having a sense of humor millie paetteron is from california celebrating 100 years.erniece cross, a one of her many special skills, cake decorating. happy 105th birthday to berniece cross, a fisherman from idaho. berniece is always the first one to catch one fish and she always

catches the most henry parish sr. of illinois, a super man celebrating 100 years served our country during world war ii we salute you for your service, sir. dr. odra bradley also 100. a retired administrator from st. joe, missouri, he and his wife volunteered with red cross all over the world for decades and happy 100th birthday to jewel wells. she makes the best country fried steak you will ever try. ooh, i'm at the skillet again. back to you guys >> al, thank you >> kd's still with us. can i get an amen? >> amen! >> that was awesome. kd, thank you. al, thank you. that was the best ending of the show in a long time. all right. a little later on hoda & jenna, we're going to catch up with emmy winner colin taylor she'll talk about her latest

emmy nomination for her netflix hit "hollywood." plus a powerful performance from some of our favorites. chris tomlin, thomas rhett, florida georgia line up next on the third hour, more emmy mom nations. we'll catch up with actor bradley whitford for his nod on "the hand maid's tale. and the scoop on the "west wing" reboot >> and coming up, a nap. >> going to the fridge again

good morning to you. 8:56. i'm marcus washington. breaking news. improving conditions are giving a big boost to firefighters trying to knock down the three massive fire systems burning across the bay area. firefighters did a great job overnight halting advancements from the czu fire. this is in santa cruz mountains. as of this morning, the containment levels are now at 17%, and the fire has burned close to 80,000 acres. firefighters in alameda county telling us things held mostly

steady overnight for the scu fires. as of last night, containment was at 15%. and tens of thousands of people are still evacuated bay area wide, including many in the north bay. the lnu fire has destroyed homes, hundreds of them, since last week. but it's now 25% contained. happening now, the wildfire combined have burned some 800,000 acres. we have crews in each of those fire zones covering all of the developments. meteorologist kari hall is also covering all of that. we're also posting the latest updates on our twitter feed. the gop gearing up for day two of the national convention. speakers last night clearly took aim at the democrats. from our home page, you can get the complete link.

live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." >> good morning and welcome to the third hour of "today." i'm sheinelle here with dylan and craig in studio 1a. our buddy al is joining us from home. and we have a great show for you today. starting with a consumer confidential you do not wan to miss. we have dr. john torres and vicky nguyen. they have more on that case of a man who was reinfected with coronavirus overseas and they'll help break down the best face mask to keep you all safe. al, that's always a good one.