national security risk russian hackers suspected in the cyber attack that shut down one of america's most important gas pipelines. prices at the pump already on the rise how will america respond there were so many victims health officials say there were more than 50 school girls that were killed. and the reason they were targeted is simply because they were girls trying to go to school >> nbc's richard engel is on the ground where over 50 people were killed, most of them young girls at an afghan school that was bombed

now the defiant message from survivors. the kentucky derby winner medina spirit fails a drug test, and trainer bob baffert is suspended indefinitely what happens to the millions in winnings and losses for betters? a mass shooting at a kids birthday party leaves seven dead, including the shooter. what police are saying this morning. signs of hope over the weekend as we saw many joyous and tearful mother's day reunions plus more graduation ceremonies taking place across the country. this as the biden administration is pushing for at least 70% of americans to get vaccinated. how did elon musk's "snl" hosting gig work out we'll tell you as we kick off a new week "early today" starts right now >> everybody is working for monday good morning, everybody. i'm kendis gibson. >> glad you're with us i'm frances rivera investigators are zeroing in on the hackers behind the biggest cyber attack yet on the nation's infrastructure two sources familiar with the matter told nbc news the russian criminal group known as darkside may be responsible for the

ransomeware strike on the colonial pipeline and the demands for payment. most of the pipeline is still offline this morning the 5500-mile network stretches from texas to new jersey, providing nearly half of the east coast fuel supply nbc's kelly o'donnell has details on the response from the biden administration >> reporter: a complex and sinister mystery >> this is one of my worst nightmares come to light. >> reporter: a crippling cyber attack that forced a major u.s. energy pipeline offline friday cyber intruders inserted ransomeware inside systems of energy giant colonial pipeline making demands for payment >> you're holding a major component of united states infrastructure hostage for ransom >> reporter: colonial pipeline delivers 100 million gallons a day of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and home heating oil through a 5500-mile system on the east coast

this attack alarming many officials. >> the implications for this for national security cannot be overstated. >> reporter: under way this weekend, an emergency response across the u.s. government homeland security, the fbi, department of energy and more. >> it's an all hands on deck effort right now and we are working closely with the company, state and local officials to make sure that they get back up to normal operations. >> reporter: experts say this cyber attack moved to a new level. >> this is the biggest attack that involved vital infrastructure >> reporter: filling your tank, other critical supplies could be at risk. experts say that depends on how severe the damage done and how long it takes to secure the compromised systems. >>p priority for the becoming me

frequent >> the company, colonial pipeline says while its four main lines remain out of service, some smaller parts of it restored. white house officials tell me they've set up an interagency working group to respond, and one step was taken by the department of transportation, easing some work rules so that truckers can step in and deliver some of the fuel in critical states frances? >> all right, kelly, thank you the cyber attack is already driving up gas prices. the gallon costs $3.02 on average now, up nearly six cents from two weeks ago overseas now and afghanistan reeling thismorning, many in shock as they mourn the victims of a powerful explosion. more than 50 people were killed from the deadly blast outside of the school near kabul. the majority of the victims young girls between the ages of 11 and 15 years old. our richard engel is in afghanistan. >> reporter: on a remote hill above kabul, flanked by the high

hindu kush mountains, they came in the hundreds to bury their daughters. with picks and shovels, they dug into the dry ground for the victims of a cowardly attack islamic radicals bombed a girls school just as students were heading home they were laid to rest in a single mass grave. there were so many victims health officials say there were more than 50 school girls that were killed. and the reason they were targeted is simply because they were girls trying to go to school the mourners held tarps to shade the bodies as they prayed for the fallen. many of them under 15. when i asked a group of mourners what they think will happen now as american troops leave, they all predict civil war and an emboldened taliban 21-year-old is a medical student. >> americans should not leave here they're good for afghanistan the government cannot control

the situation. >> reporter: at the bombed school, families cake to look in horror at the bloodstained books, shoes and clothing the girls dropped as they ran from the explosions the taliban denied responsibility for the attack and issued a statement telling afghans they have nothing to fear when they soon take over. the militants believe allowing girls to learn a profession is against islam. but everyone burying their daughters is muslim too. and in chalk by the graves they wrote one defiant word, education. richard engel, nbc news, kabul a scandal at the races this year's kentucky derby winner medina spirit could face disqualification after the horse failed a post race drug test as a result, the horse's hall of fame trainer bob baffert has been suspended baffert called the test results disturbing and a complete injustice, saying he doesn't know why medina spirit tested positive for an

anti-inflammatory. gaud venegas has more. >> reporter: a shocking announcement rocking the world of horse racing. >> bob baffert does it again medina spirit has won the kentucky derby >> reporter: kentucky derby winner medina spirit failed a post race drug test, putting his victory and hall of fame trainer bob baffert's legacy in serious jeopardy. >> we did not give it. my veterinarian, nobody here medina spirit has never been treated with the substance >> reporter: the substance found betamethasone. churchill downs has suspended baffert from the racetrack and said if the tests are confirmed, the second place mandaloon will be declared a winner. >> this is a black eye for the sport that happened in america's greatest race. and basically, its biggest star. >> reporter: but the seven-time derby winner has been riled by doping scandals in the past, though consistently denying any

wrongdoing >> this is his 30th time a horse in his care has tested positive for something. he's had five within the last year now >> reporter: what can you say about these other allegations in the past with substances found in the horses you've trained >> i've had this issue before. last year, and unfortunately, the science isn't there yet. at that level, it has no affect on the horse at all. >> reporter: despite the controversy, baffert's quest for the triple crown continues. >> yes, i'm going run two horses. >> reporter: but the preakness stakes says medina spirit's eligibility to race bets in the kentucky derby are not winning or losing any money. those results are final. bob baffert says even if the second test comes back positive, he would appeal the results. so we don't expect this to end any time soon. we can only wait for the results of the split sample. kendis >> the controversy continues gaud, thank you. the biden administration is

focused on giving a shot of confidence to the vaccine hesitant as demand continues to dwindle. nbc's susan mcginnis joins us right now with the very latest from d.c it could be an uphill battle to president biden's summer vaccination goal. >> good morning. the president wants 70% of americans to at least get one shot by the fourth of july hoping that holiday will mark a turning point for the pandemic there are signs of normal life reemerging we had some emotional mother's day reunions, some graduations taking place in person now and crowded ball games all happening. but despite more creative options for getting vaccinated, walk-in places where you don't need an appointment and ballparks where you don't need a shot if you have a ticket to a baseball game, command for vaccines is falling, and it has with some states turning down dose it's a clear sign a lot of americans are still uneasy about getting their shot and now it has the white house

and health officials worker harder to reassure them. >> we're at 58% today. so we've got a path ahead of us, which will involve getting people even easier access to the vaccine. people making sure that people build their confidence >> if we get 70% of the people vaccinated by the fourth of july, namely one single dose, and even more there after, you may see blips. but if we handle them well, it is unlikely that you'll see the kind of surge that we saw in the late fall and the early winter >> now the white house and dr. fauci say they are going to use trusted messengers, people like clergy and celebrities to try to reassure americans how important it is to get their vaccine also, kendis, th soon to authore vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds. that could offer a dose of hope for herd immunity that it's not that far off. >> thank you authorities in colorado are investigating a shooting at a

birthday party that left seven people dead, including the suspected gunman investigators belief a birthday party was going on when the gunman opened fire he shot and killed six people and then took his own life the suspected gunman is believed to be the boyfriend of one victim children inside the mobile home were not hurt. police are investigating a motive to new york city right now, and police are still searching for the shooter who caused chaos in times square this weekend three bystanders were shot, two women and a little girl who is only 4 years old they're all expected to survive, but the 4-year-old did need surgery. a senior officials tells our nbc station here in new york that the suspect attempted to shoot his brother during an argument no suspects have been taken into custody, but police did release this video of a person of interest who is wanted for questioning. on this monday morning, let's get a check with nbc meteorologist janessa webb at our weather today and how we're starting the week off. good morning, janessa.

>> good morning. good morning, everyone you know, we're off to a damp start and cooler temperatures across most of the east coast. we did havea little severe weather overnight that has expired but still flash flood watches that are currently in place for sections of the deep south into the southeast you can see a band of moisture it's starting to lose its force. but then all eyes are watching the severe weather threat for today, a small section for north carolina, around the across florida upper 80s to lower 90s that severe weather for the carolinas. and then well to the north, we have freeze alerts we'll talk about that coming up. >> we are still not done with that freeze business all right, janessa, thank you.

a run of passengers that came to the halt due to the coronavirus has returned several in person graduation ceremonies american and howard university held their graduations with howard's taking place on the football stadium on sunday university of akron, penn state and northeastern university also held in-person outdoor ceremonies despite some rainy weather. all right, when "early today" returns, why hundreds of ing e nds of ford explorers ar berecalled and could cash make people more willing to get vaccinated how much it might take pour the skeptics faster. even better, dawn antibacterial removes 99% of bacteria from your hands. we're cleaning now more than ever. and that's why we trust dawn. dawn antibacterial. an easy way to clean your dishes... a smart way to wash your hands. enjoy the scents of orange and apple blossom.

lactaid is 100% real milk, just without the lactose. so you can enjoy it even if you're sensitive to dairy. so anyone who says lactaid isn't real milk is also saying mabel here isn't a real cow. and she really hates that. ♪♪ mix up a treat and a little fun with kellogg's rice krispies. our new scented oils give you our best smelling scents. now crafted with more natural ingredients mix up a treat and infused with essential oils that are 100% natural. give us one plug and connect to nature. i feel bad for kicking your seat on purpose. we should have just told you it's a boy. i wish you didn't have to hear all that. i promise i will not eat any more of your friends. really? k, it might happen one more time.

make fitness routine with pure protein. high protein. low sugar. tastes great! high protein. low sugar. so good. high protein. low sugar. mmm, birthday cake. try pure protein shakes. with vitamins and minerals for immune support. we're back now with a consumer alert ford is recalling 661,000 ford explorers in north america the models ranging from 2016 through 2019 vehicles. the explores were tension pins could actually loosen and allow roof rail coffers to detach from the car itself customer notifications will begin the week of june 28th to

check on those affected. maryland governor larry hogan has issued a first of its kind pardon. on saturday hogan posthumously pardoned 34 victims of racial lynching in the state dating between 1854 and 1933. hogan signed the order at a ceremony in townsend, maryland outside a jailhouse where a 15-year-old black boy was dragged and hanged from a tree by a mob of white men in 1885. hogan said the victims were denied legal due process against the allegations they faced he added he hoped the action would help right horrific wrong and perhaps bring a measure of peace to descendants and loved ones after last week's ruling to delay the release of body cam footage in andrew brown jr.'s shooting, the judge has now filed an order to release more of the video to his family it is expected to be reviewed on tuesday. brun was fatally shot by sheriff's deputies in elizabeth city, north carolina last month

during an attempt to serve an arrest warrant only his immediate family and one lawyer will be permitted to see about 19 minutes of the nearly two hours of combined video collected by authorities you may have heard that west virginia is offering savings bonds to young people who get vaccinated for covid but an ongoing study by researchers at ucla is suggesting that cash incentives like that might pay off. over 7000 unvaccinated americans were asked if they would be more willing to get vaccinated if they were offered $100 34% said yes but 15% said the cash offer would make them less likely to get the shot >> can we do it retroactively? i'd do that. still to come, "saturday night live" hits the mother load with a heartfelt tribute to all the moms who make the show possible and the reunion for deported military wife sparking calls for change this morning. windshield.♪ uh - uh, lisa, maybe less heartbroken?

geico lets you file a claim online, over the phone or with their app. ♪ that makes me wanna say... ♪ ♪ stay... ♪ (sniffles) are...are you crying? uhh, there's pollen... geico. great service without all the drama. - oh. - what's going on? - oh, darn! - let me help. here we go. lift and push and push! there... it's up there. oh, boy. hey joshie... wrinkles send the wrong message. help prevent them before they start with downy wrinkleguard. hey! bud. hey, pop pop! so you won't get caught with wrinkles again. [woman laughs] - hi sabrina! - hi jen! hi. so you're the scientist here. i just have to ask. does my aveeno® daily moisturizer really make my dry skin healthier in one day? - it's true jen. - really?!

this nourishing prebiotic oat formula moisturizes to help prevent dry skin. - one day? - for real! wow! aveeno®. healthy. it's our nature.™ and for twice the moisture, try the prebiotic oat body wash, too. i gotta say i'm still impressed. very impressed.

hey, mom, what's on these index cards? >> michael shea gave them to me. he is so nice. he said to read them for the first time on live tv. >> yeah, you shouldn't do that, mom. it's a trap. you're going to get our whole family canceled. >> hi, mom i'm so happy you're here. >> i know. it's been over a year. honey, say the punch line. >> i can't i'm too happy. >> well, if you're not going to say the joke, can i have it?

♪ going to be all right, every day is going to be all right ♪ >> this weekend's "snl" miley cyrus sang dolly parton's light of a clear blue morning during that touching tribute for moms there on mother's day. fitting she chose that song because dolly parton is her god mother the big news is elon musk hosting with all the controversy. >> yes, he did he hit it out of the park. a lot of people were surprised at how well he did, and made news too announcing he is on the autism spectrum with asperger's syndrome too so making waves across the board. >> only the second with that syndrome to host "snl. still to come, the tearful reunion of a military fe awind her family ago ♪ this is a cold call! ♪ hello, my name is ice t. can you spare a few seconds to learn about cold water washing with tide? hi my name is steve.

did you know washing in cold can save you $100 a year on your energy bill. why wouldn't you turn to cold? it helps the environment. what? because stone cold said so. plus, tide cleans great in cold. ♪ this was a cold call! ♪ ♪♪ mix up a treat and a little fun with kellogg's rice krispies. so you want to make the best burger ever? then make it! that means cooking day and night until... [ ding ] success! that means... best burger ever. intuit quickbooks helps small businesses be more successful with payments, payroll, and banking. ♪ pepto bismol coats and soothes your stomach for fast relief and get the same fast relief in a delightful chew with pepto bismol chews.

what's the #1 retinol brand used most by dermatologists? tah-dah, it's neutrogena® with derm-proven retinol, rapid wrinkle repair® smooths the look of fine lines in 1-week, deep wrinkles in 4. so you can kiss wrinkles, and other wrinkle creams goodbye. rapid wrinkle repair® pair with our most concentrated retinol ever for 2x the power. neutrogena® i'm jimmy dean, and, uh, we know, there is no shortcut to quality. and that's why we use nothing but the very best sausage money can buy. paint yourself a beautiful morning! if there was a world championship for this... i'd be a sports legend. i'd be a household name. but there isn't. and i wouldn't do anything different if there was. nutro feed clean™

do you struggle with occasional nerve aches in your hands or feet? try nervivenerve relief from the world's #1 selling nerve care company. nervive contains alpha lipoic acid to relieve occasional nerve aches, weakness and discomfort. try nervivenerve relief. . good morning, everyone but the chill is here to start off your workweek. we can see you across the midwest. we have overnight lows down to about 35 degrees so a chilly start, but things will slowly start to warm up it's going to start the clear out even for the northeast into the ohio valley. cool highs for today watching that rockies snow. and for the pacific northwest, a good dose of sunshine all week long through thursday. we'll be watching that severe weather threat in stormy conditions for the deep south. cool highs making its way into the east coast and then all eyes on friday nice and clear across the board

>> thank you gronk kea mas huge donation to his former team's hometown. a fast walker. thanks, gary. and for unexpected heartburn... frank is a fan of pepcid. it works in minutes. nexium 24 hour and prilosec otc can take one to four days to fully work. pepcid. strong relief for fans of fast. does your vitamin c last twenty-four hours? only nature's bounty does. new immune twenty-four hour plus has longer lasting vitamin c. plus, herbal and other immune superstars. only from nature's bounty. plus, herbal and other immune superstars. did you know prilosec otc can stop frequent heartburn before it begins? prilosec otc uses a unique delayed-release formula that works to turn down acid production, blocking heartburn at the source. with just one pill a day, you get 24-hour heartburn protection. take the prilosec otc two-week challenge. and see the difference for yourself. prilosec otc, 1 pill a day, 24 hours, zero heartburn.

in today's news by the numbers, rob gronkowski returned to new england to give back, donating $1.2 million worth to renovate a boston playground a state lawmaker introduced legislation to rename the playground after the four-time super bowl champion. red hot chili peppers are ready to give it away, according to the billboard the band is selling its song catalog for $140 million the deal would include hits like under the bridge and scar tissue global citizen says the concert to reunite the world

raised more than $300 million and secured more than 26 million covid vaccine doses for the world's most vulnerable. the money will go toward vaccine delivery, testing and personal protective equipment a deported mother and wife of a marine is back in florida they had been separated under donald trump's zero tolerance policy but they were reunited this weekend and efforts to change policy are giving many hope for a quicker path to citizenship. >> reporter: tears of joy for a mother's return home alejandra is not american, but for her, florida is home deported to mexico throw years ago, leaving behind her husband, a combat marine veteran and her two u.s.-born daughters, the youngest calling on president biden for help. >> as president, you will reunite my family by asking the department of homeland security to grant my mom humanitarian parole. >> reporter: with additional support from congressman darren

soto, the parole was granted. >> now she is back this represents long-time american values. >> reporter: as an undocumented immigrant, alejandra spent 20 years living and building a family in orlando. a traffic stop exposed her legal status and in 2018 she was deported under trump's zero tolerance policy today she is back and hopes to stay >> i just want to say that i'm deeply grateful to the current president. thank you, president biden god bless you. >> reporter: congressman soto introduced the bill that would grant permanent resident status to military spouses like alejandra. but president biden wants to take things even further. >> the country supports immigration reform we should act. >> reporter: his proposal would give immigrants residing in the country for more than five years a path to legal residence. according to the migration institute, that would give status to at least 8.6 million undocumented nationwide, including alejandra's family together just in time for mother's day nbc news

>> thank you so much for starting your monday with us here on "early today." i'm frances rivera >> and i'm kendis gibson more news straight ahead

it was a big weekend for moms and families as millions were reunited to celebrate mother's day and the white house continues a big push for vaccinations amid a downward trend in shots given the new head of nasa slams the way china handled their runaway rocket where do chinese officials think it crash landed and how this scenario is all but certain to repeat over and over again thousands of missiles and assault weapons seized by the u.s. navy from a ship at sea where was it headed, and who sent it?