even in a pandemic, the stars were out at the 93rd academy awards as history was made in many categories. plus, a few snubs too. the johnson & johnson vaccine is back in circulation, but many, including young people, are skeptical. we've gotten new polls on the issue. tragedy in iraq where a fire in a hospital has taken the lives of dozens with many more injured. president biden's busy week ahead as he ramps up towards his first major address to the nation on infrastructure, police reform, immigration, and more. and meet dexter the dog.

his unique style of walking has tourists talking why he inspires so many more as we kick off your monday. "early today" starts right now good monday morning to you i'm frances rivera it was a historic night of firsts in hollywood at the 93rd academy awards actress and director regina king opened up the show, introducing this year's academy award nominees and a special moment from mia neal and jameka wilson who became the first black women to win an oscar for hairstyle and makeup in "ma rainey's black bottom." youn yuh-jung took the win for best supporting actress, becoming the first korean woman to win an academy award. jinah kim has more on some of the biggest wins of the night. >> "nomadland." >> a thoughtful low budget film about life on the road scored big at sunday night's academy awards, including best picture. >> we give this one to our wolf.

[ howling >> reporter: frances rivera made her way back on stage just minutes later, claiming her third career win as best actress. >> i have no words. >> reporter: but "nomadland's" driving force did. chloe zhao just the second woman to win best director >> this is for anyone who has the faith and the courage to hold on to the goodness in themselves. >> reporter: there was a slight upset for best actor >> anthony hopkins. >> reporter: the british legend, who was not on hand, won his second career oscar for his performance in "the father." it's an award many expected to go to the late chadwick boseman from "ma rainey's black bottom." best supporting actor went to daniel kaluuya for "judas and the black messiah. >> celebrate life, man we're breathing. we're walking. it's incredible. >> reporter: and 72-year-old youn yuh-jung won supporting actress for "minori," the first korean to win the award.

>> i like to thanks to my two boys who made me go out and work >> reporter: the awards were handed out in a smaller scale event as a result of the pandemic, with many mindful of recent days' events. >> if things had gone differently this past week in minneapolis, i might have traded any heels for marching boots. >> reporter: words echoed for the winner of "live action short" a film dramatizing police brutality. >> i ask that you please not be indifferent. >> reporter: a call to action to hollywood's best jinah kim, nbc news, los angeles. senator chuck schumer is urging restaurant owners to get ready for more covid relief. the american rescue plan that passed last month includes over $28 billion in help for restaurants. senator schumer says the website to apply will be up within a few weeks. he urged owners to get documents ready that show losses from this year and 2020. the tourism industry may also

soon get a boost the president of the european commission tells "the new york times" that americans who are fully vaccinated will be able to travel to the european union this summer. but an official vaccine certificate needs to be produced fist according to a poll, 56% say they have been vaccinated. 12% say they will not get the shot meanwhile, the focus is on getting more younger americans vaccinated cori coffin is tracking that effort good morning, cori. >> reporter: good morning. vaccinating the younger generation is becoming more and more important as doctors are reporting a rise in cases among children as nationwide righ 0.4% of 16 and 17-year-olds are fully vaccinated across this country, according to the cdc so multiple states are introducing programs now mass vaccination events here on the weekends are going to where they actually go to school and

holding in-school events we've even seen dj's at some of these vaccination sites. we're also told the white house out. now i spoke with the ceo of atlantic health systems, a partner for this mass vaccination site about the importance of this latest effort listen in. >> i think that this younger age group was a bit distanced from the impact of covid. so in many instance, it's just not very real to them. and this is a significant disease. and so if we're able to get to this group using something like a graduation, they could begin to talk through their social media networks, their friends and family and we think that's all part of the goal of getting to vaccinate 70% of the population here in new jersey and throughout the country. >> reporter: and with the demand in vaccinations starting to plateau nationwide, it is largely seen that this younger generation is going to be very important in getting this country up to that herd immunity

of between 70 to 80% of the population fully vaccinated. in addition, pfizer has also sought emergency approval through the fda to start vaccinating those 12 and up. that could take a couple of weeks to get an answer on. frances? >> all right, cori, thanks for the breakdown. now to a massive fire that ripped through a hospital caring for covid patients in baghdad. the inferno killed 82 people and left dozens more injured many were on ventilators and unable to escape the blaze investigators believe it was sparked by an exploding oxygen cylinder in ohio, a weekend of protests calling for justice for 16-year-old ma'khia bryant she was shot and killed by an officer who was responding to a 911 call our chris pollone is in columbus and spoke to protesters there. >> reporter: frances, sunday marked the sixth straight day when people took to the streets of columbus, ohio, protesting the death of 16-year-old ma'khia bryant she was shot to death by a columbus police officer last

tuesday. and since then, people have been coming out, calling for police reform and investigations into the columbus police department sunday afternoon's protest was a little bit different it was build as a family friendly affair. it featured lots of families with young children. they were making signs they were singing songs. they were learning protest chant, a little bit different than the protests we've seen over the course of the week that sometimes got confrontational with police. i asked one of the families out here why they felt it was important to bring their young children to this protest >> i want them to know that we because of our skin color, no matter what's happened, our skin color gives us privileges that people with brown skin, black skin, they don't have. they have a safety that people with darker skin don't have. and i want them to grow up understanding that and using that to fight for those who can't fight for themselvespolice officer has been taken off the streets. his name is nicholas riordan

police say he is the one who fired the four fatal shots that killed ma'khia bryant. the columbus police department no longer has jurisdiction over the investigation. the state has taken it over. the bureau of criminal investigations is looking into it the attorney general who presides over that group said it could take 400 hours of investigation before they come to a determination of whether the shooting was justified but still, the protesters who have been taking to the streets, they say this is a bigger problem than just what happened last tuesday, that this is a long and systemic problem between police and the community. in columbus, ohio, i'm prison pole lone. fran sessi frances, let's go back to you. >> time for a look at the weather with janessa webb. what are we looking at as far as a start to the week? >> frances, man, i am super excited about this week. i haven't said that in a long time, because we have some of the warmest temperatures of the year that are going to invade much of the country. but that does come with an enhanced storm risk across the

deep south right now we're watching this storm is that is still producing snowfall across the upper midwest into the high plains and that will continue for today. then the jet stream starts to dip by tomorrow afternoon. and that will produce that severe weather across central texas to louisiana it will be a stormy week all the way through thursday afternoon we'll watch damaging winds and a possible of a few tornadoes. that's a look at the big weather story of the day here is a closer look at your weather ahead. and then the warmer air starts to make its way into the high plains look at thisa lot to talk about when it comes to that. all right, janessa, thank you. some tense moments at one of the most unpredictable race

tracks the talladega super speedway nascar driver joey logano was calling for change after his car went flipping out of control he says he is angry about the wreck, but happy to be alive as far as the winner, brad keselowski won, his sixth victory at talladega still to come, how the pandemic could forever reshape the office and president debin's first report card. the new polls on his first 100 days in office taking metamucil everyday can help. metamucil psyllium fiber, gels to trap and remove the waste that weighs you down. it also helps lower cholesterol and slows sugar absorption to promote healthy blood sugar levels. so you can feel lighter and more energetic metamucil. support your daily digestive health. and try metamucil fiber thins. a great tasting and easy way to start your day. mommy, i won a medal. that's amazing! ♪ your radiance comes alive ♪

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poll, his approval rating stands at 53%, while 39% disapprove placing president biden ahead of donald trump but behind barack obama at the same 100 day point. of republicans surveyed, just 9% approve of the president's job performance. confronting the pandemic, mr. biden's stewardship earns a 69% approval with the majority of americans at 61% saying they believe the worst is behind us, including tennessee republican scott kerry. >> on the covid response, i certainly think he has taken the leadership role i was hoping up he would. >> reporter: but political discord raw and contentious is reflected in this big number 82% surveyed say the country is divided rather than united >> the only way we come through this is if we come through together as americans >> reporter: turning to

immigration, signs of trouble. just 33% support the job he is doing. among the sharpest critic, progressive democrats, angered by the white house backtracking and then delaying a promise to welcome thousands more vetted refugees from around the world the president says he will increase the refugee cap later democrat austin coker studies immigration. >> i think it was a real shock to the conscience of a lot of people who are following immigration and refugee policy. >> reporter: on the economy, the president's stewardship climbs to 52% on gun policies, just 34% support his actions. >> do i agree with biden 100%? absolutely not. >> reporter: but michigan republican joe farrington says he is satisfied with the president so far >> i think that he just needs to keep politics boring and i think this country's going to fare pretty well. >> reporter: and there is another first for the president linked to this first 100 days

milestone. on wednesday night in primetime, the president will deliver his first joint address to congress. and because of covid restrictions, the house speaker is limiting attendance to about 200 lawmakers of the typically more than 500 who would be there in person. frances? >> kelly, thank you. still to come, a dog with quite the tale meet the internet sensation that learned a seriously cool trick after injuring his front paws. and rk iwot out. how to handle the growing anxiety to a return to the office 's going to be a miracle, baby! uh, mr. vitale? it wouldn't be a miracle because geico gives you a team of experts to help manage your claim. it's going to be a nail-biter. no, the geico team is there for you 24/7. geico is awesome, baby! (shouting) too much? i think we got it. yeah. thanks. thank you. geico. great service without all the drama.

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coming up, an oscar ceremony unlike any before. the "today" show will breck down the big winners and most shock moments from hollywood's biggest night. now to a dog that learned to adapt after an accident. it's fetching internet fame. this is dexter, a good boy who walks like a human from our nbc affiliate station in denver, steve steger has the story. >> reporter: in a state made for a camera roll -- >> it's so super beautiful it's amazing. >> reporter: ouray, colorado stands out this place is too beautiful not to share. >> whichever way you look at this town, it's absolutely gorgeous and fully grammable >> yeah, we just all kind of

play in the mountains here. >> reporter: the beauty was only part of what brought penny larson and her family back to her childhood home >> leaving and coming back, you understand how unique this place is, kentee, her husband and kids live in the house where she grew up with her mom and dad. three generations around the same table and dexter >> he is extremely goofy he is extremely sweet. he is a little mischief. a lot mischievous. >> reporter: dexter is a quick learner. >> he loves the attention. >> reporter: the most famous dog ever and in a town surrounded by beautiful mountains. >> stay. >> reporter: he's got to do something to stand out >> okay. >> reporter: dexter might actually be the most grammable thing here. >> come on >> yeah, insta star. it's pretty funny. they just like a couple walking down the street almost he best and such a quirky dog. >> reporter: this is how dexter

walks -- well, runs, everywhere. >> it's a lot of running and i have to slow him down. >> reporter: kentee and dexter do have to slow down to answer the obvious questions. >> why does the dog walk like a human? >> because he only has two legs that really work well. >> why >> because he was in an accident >> reporter: it can be tough to talk about >> right by the blue sign. i get choked up. i can hardly say that. >> reporter: back in 2016, about a year into his little life, dexter was hit by a truck. >> we didn't think he would make it his front legs got caught underneath the wheel. >> reporter: kentee and her family had already put two dogs down in two years. >> i couldn't put another dog down without giving him another chance. >> reporter: after surgeries and a lot of rehab, dexter started to adapt. >> i knew humans could do it but to see an animal adapt, they

weren't born that way. >> he cracks me up i just can't believe it. he cracks up all of these other people as well. >> reporter: now everyone wants a piece. the sudden fame gave dexter's mom something to do when the pandemic stole her job. >> got me up in the morning to film and the conversations online got me moving again >> want a treat? >> reporter: with dexter, there is plenty to talk about now. >> oh, gosh, that's a huge piece of meat. >> we saw a dog walking with its owner. and i can remember one of my kids saying that dog looks weird. what's wrong with it because this is now our normal. >> reporter: a new normal. >> let's go! let's go >> reporter: where have we heard that before? >> literally, dexter saved us during the pandemic. so it's really interesting that we saved him, but really in the end he saved us. >> he is the treasure of the town all right, janessa is next with a look at your weather ahead and if you're feeling a little bit stressed out about returning to wk,or you not alone our kristen dahlgren has a report you'll want to see.

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i love that. >> cnot waanit, janessa. thanks become to the office stress. are you feeling it that's next. unstopables in-wash scent booster downy unstopables cranky-pated: a bad mood related to a sluggish gut. miralax is different. it works naturally with the water in your body to unblock your gut. free your gut, and your mood will follow. do you struggle with occasional nerve aches, weakness or discomfort in your hands or feet? introducing nervive nerve relief from the world's number 1 selling nerve care company. as we age, natural changes to our nerves occur which can lead to occasional discomfort. nervive contains b complex vitamins that nourish nerves, build nerve insulation and enhance nerve communication. and, alpha-lipoic acid, which relieves occasional nerve aches, weakness and discomfort. live your life with less nerve discomfort

with as more people get vaccinated, a growing number of companies are bringing employees back to the offices. but a year after working from home, some people say they aren't ready for work to go back to the way it used to be here is kristen dahlgren. >> thank you for sending over the agenda >> reporter: for lindsey bennett, a year of working from home -- >> there is a lot i learned during this pandemic that i do love working from home. >> reporter: will soon be coming to an end. is there anything that gives you anxiety about return to work >> i'm really worried about losing a little control of the personal things.

>> reporter: like time with her 6-year-old >> i'm also anxious about just my schedule now. i will have to travel. so i'm anxious about being away from my daughter >> she is not alone. in january, a recent gallup poll showed almost half of u.s. workers preferred to continue remote work. >> nerve-racking it makes me nervous. >> i didn't realize how much i didn't like working in an office until i didn't have to anymore and i don't think i can ever go back. >> reporter: leaving businesses to figure out what a post covid workplace looks like. >> i expect that the future of work is going to be very much a hybrid or distributed workforce. a lot of businesses are moving to a model where their employees have flexible work arrangements. vanessa mccready is associate general counsel and director of human resources. she gets it. working from home has helped her balance life with her kids but she is starting to prepare

them and herself for a return to work she says the first step is talking to your employer about how you're feeling and what you want >> if you don't communicate about what your hopes are and how you're feeling, they're not going to know about it and they might think you're just fine don't forget that all of your colleagues are probably feeling anxious too. >> reporter: lindsey is looking forward to seeing colleagues and returning to many parts of her job in sports marketing, if she can hold on to some of what she's learned over the past year. >> whether it's me saying i'm not omming inming to meeting b want to go to my daughter's gymnastics practice or telling my daughter i'm not coming to practice >> grace to help embrace a new normal kristen dahlgren, nbc news >> oh, we hear you we hear you all too well janessa, i'm sure you too. you haven't even been in the building, at least for us seeing you in what, a year? >> yeah, just over a year.

it's kind of unfathomable to think i'm really excited to give you guys hugs. but i feel the pain. it's definitely going to be a tough transition. >> some of us, i mean, we all hear it. we all know it all right, janessa, thank

we clearly have a situation where the benefits greatly outweigh the risks, even for younger women. >> the j&j pause with the vaccine now back in circulation, many are questioning safety, while others say the benefits far outweigh any negative side effects. just announced, vaccinated americans get the okay to visit europe this summer it is a major change future air travel a decision from a north carolina judge could come as early as today over the release of body cam video from a sheriff's deadly encounter