>> downtown san jose, san pedro square. can't wait to see you tomorrow, an update at 7:25 but until then, have a great morning and the "today" show is next. good morning. good morning breaking overnight, criminal case a crit good morning breaking overnight, criminal case a critical turn in the investigation of donald trump's business empire. new york's attorney general announcing it is now a criminal inquiry. this morning, what prosecutors are focusing on, the timing behind the move, and the potential legal trouble facing the former president and members of his family. hope on the horizon? reports that israel and hamas could be on the cusp of a cease-fire, despite new violence from both sides overnight. the death toll and humanitarian crisis growing richard engel is live in the

region with the very latest. turning point. >> we are winning the war on the virus. >> covid cases from coast to coast falling to the lowest point in nearly a year new york ready to roar back to life, lifting most restrictions this morning inside the newest chapter in america's reopening straight ahead. weather woes mounting flood threats and dramatic, new rescues across the south. >> i looked outside, and the next thing i know, my car was going underwater >> with days of heavy rain still ahead, we're live in louisiana, and al is tracking the storm those stories, plus "today" exclusive. the founder of hillsong church, one of the most influential in the world and rocked by recent scandals, opening up for the first time >> should you have known earlier? should you have done something earlier about the leadership of hillsong >> there's a lot of things i should have known earlier. >> our candid conversation just ahead.

and remembering charles grodin tributes pour in for the beloved, multi-talented star who shined on the stage and screen for six decades. >> it's too big! it's too big >> we'll celebrate the life and career of the heartbreak kid today, wednesday, may 19th, 2021 >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza hi, everybody. welcome to "today. it is wednesday morning. we're glad to have you with us it is a busy one let's get started. we're covering breaking news on several fronts this morning. we will start with the middle east overnight, the israeli military widened its air strikes on militant targets, even as pressure and hope for a cease-fire is growing. richard engel is on the ground again for us live with the latest. meantime, in north carolina

overnight, protesters took to the streets after the district attorney cleared officers involved in the death of andrew brown, calling that police sh breaking overnight that new york's attorney general is now pursuing a criminal investigation into the trump organization what does that mean? who is being investigated? nbc's chief white house correspondent peter alexander leads us off good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. this is a dramatic development we first learned about overnight, and it means that former president trump's potential legal troubles just got much bigger. while the manhattan d.a. and the new york attorney general had been conducting these two separate but parallel investigations, those powerful offices are now working together on a criminal investigation into the trump organization's business dealings. overnight, new legal pressure on former president trump and his family, as an investigation into his organization's finances adds a criminal element the new york attorney general's

office informing the trump organization that its investigation into the company is no longer purely civil in nature saying in a statement, we are now actively investigating thece manhattan d.a. while a civil probe can result in lawsuits or fines, a criminal one can mean potential charges the added muscle in his home state bringing extra pressure on the former president the already sweeping criminal probe by cyrus vance, the new york d.a. has looked into whether the trump organization misled leaders and insurance companies, whether it paid appropriate taxes. the d.a. examining documents including trump's tax returns. the increased scrutiny coming at a time when mr. trump is already back in the public eye at the center of a fierce gop debate over the january 6th capitol riots. the house's top republican kevin mccarthy announcing his opposition to a proposal for a bipartisan commission on the capitol attacks. ahead of a key vote today, though it got several key

concessions republicans wanted other republicans argue the proposed commission should also examine the involvement of the black lives matter and antifa in protests last year ousted party leader liz cheney told savannah last week, the commission should not be watered down. >> i think that that kind of intense, narrow focus threatens people in my party who may have been playing a role they should not have been playing. >> reporter: again, the house vote is expected later today for a commission that would be modelled after the panel that investigated the 9/11 attacks. the former president, president trump, overnight calling on republicans to reject the proposal, attacking it as what he said was a democrat trap. but it would be evenly divided between democrats and republicans, and republicans would have veto power over witness subpoenas. those are the key concessions they wanted. speaker pelosi accusing republicans of cowardice for not wanting to find out the truth. >> can we go back to the attorney general's announcement about that investigation turning into a criminal one?

>> reporter: yeah. >> what do you expect to happen next what timeline do you expect? >> reporter: yeah, the manhattan d.a. said the statute of limitations for bringing charges against the trump organization could expire soon. his term, by the way, vance's term ends the end of this year so if either or both of the prosecutors in this case find enough evidence that they think they can charge mr. trump or members of his family or his associates or the company itself, that would likely happen before the end of this year. for his part, the former president in the past has called these investigations politically motivated and a witch hunt savannah >> peter alexander on capitol hill thank you, peter. also breaking overnight, new developments on the crisis in the middle east. while fighting between israeli forces and hamas raged on overnight, there are now new reports of progress toward a cease-fire nbc's chief foreign correspondent richard engel joins us now with the very latest richard, good morning. >> reporter: good morning. it is not solid. it is not confirmed, but at least now there is talk of a

cease-fire there are multiple reports in israeli media that international mediation could produce a cease-fire as early as tomorrow or friday. so far, we are not seeing signs that the conflict is slowing down israeli air strikes are reducing gaza to rubble israel says a week and a half of this has decimated hamas' tunnel network. prime minister benjamin netanyahu says the military infrastructure has been set back years. but the infrastructure the people of gaza depend on is also in ruins lines destroyed. electricity only works one to two hours a day now. in many areas, fresh water is cut off completely hamas is still firing rockets toward israel, but they've slowed down significantly. the israeli city of ashkelon, 5

miles from gaza, has born the brunt of the rockets so much so, at the main hospital, they've moved all the patients underground for safety. the entire emergency ward here is built like a bunker to enter it, you have to pass through this giant metal door, which can seal off the entire area under thick, reinforced concrete, the hospital is now crowded and busy they've treated 350 here wounded from rockets on top of the normal workload. all now crammed into one small space. what is it like to be operating in what is effectively a bunker? >> actually, this is the best way to feel, like, safe during all the bombs. i counted like a few days ago more than eighty, eight-zero, alarms in 24 hours all the hospitals is in the bunker. >> reporter: it is so deep down here, you can't hear the air-raid sirens above.

by design. they don't want patients to be more stressed as they receive d. so the children can only hear the clowns keeping their spirits up while the conflict continues overhead israel is defending its military campaign netanyahu telling foreign ambassadors today that even the most precise military strikes risk collateral damage hoda >> richard engel for us in the region, thank you. also breaking overnight, peaceful protests in north carolina, where a district attorney announced the sheriff's deputies involved in the shooting death of andrew brown jr. will not face criminal charges. he released body camera footage he says shows what really happened sam brock is in elizabeth city with the latest on the decision. good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning. tragic but justified, that is how the d.a. described the killing of andrew brown. i'm standing right now in a parking lot that was filled with protesters yesterday, empty right now.

when asked how brown posed a threat to deputies, the d.a. said he wielded his car as a deadly weapon and failed to follow commands. >> mr. brown's death, while tragic, was justified. >> reporter: those words from the district attorney all but ensuring deputies involved in brown's death will not face charges. a decision immediately prompting protests in elizabeth city and grief from residents, who say they're overwhelmed by tragic outcomes >> they do not have a right to kill our black men. >> reporter: after weeks of calls to release police body camera video of the incident -- >> go, go, go, go. >> reporter: -- revealing an edited 40 second sequence of clips from different angles, showing a team of deputies surrounding brown's car on april 21st from all sides, trying toe warrant for drugs. one deputy grabbing the door handle before he is jolted away,

as the car backs up and accelerates forward. then an opening shot fired through the front window, followed by a volley of bullets from the side and rear one striking brown in the back of the head, according to an autopsy report. >> the simple act of starting the car in violation of an officer's command puts -- makes the car a dangerous, deadly weapon that can be used at that point, and officers can shoot. >> reporter: that explanation not sufficient for civil rights attorneys representing brown's family >> why is it in america that it seems to be the most dangerous thing to police officers, are black men running away from them >> reporter: the family now asking the justice department to intervene. overnight, demonstrators frustrated by the process and the outcome. some carrying signs, others blocking an intersection >> let's not make this an issue of black and white because you see people all different type of races and

everything out here. this is not a black and white issue. brown was wrong. >> reporter: the sheriff here filed another petition calling for the full release of body camera that requires the sign-off from a judge to happen. as for the three deputies who fired their weapons, they've kept their job, guys, but are currently undergoing retraining. savannah, back to you. >> sam brock in elizabeth city for us thank you. we turn now to yet another milestone in the reopening of america. today, new york, the epicenter of the pandemic 14 months ago, well, it's ready to officially drop most of its remaining covid restrictions nbc's gabe gutierrez is in times square this morning. hey, gabe. good day around here. >> reporter: hoda, good morning. it's hard to believe, but it's been more than a year since we stood right here in an eerie, desolate times square. today, most capacity limits here in new york are a thing of the past this morning, new york, the one-time covid epicenter in the

u.s., is officially lifting its mask and social distancing mandates for fully vaccinated people >> i think we've all waited long enough, and i think it's time for people to live and be happy again. >> we're back but stronger than ever. >> reporter: many large events including broadway and the new york city marathon are planning to roar back later this year >> i think what you're seeing is extraordinary. this comeback is ahead of schedule >> reporter: but across the country, mass confusion. while many major retailers announce ditching the face covering requirements, in texas, the governor issued an executive order banning mask mandates. violators face a possible $1,000 fine far cry from california, where the indoor mask mandate remains until mid-june >> to be safe, i keep my mask on, to keep others safe. >> reporter: seven states topped the president's fourth of july vaccination goals. 70% of adults with at least one shot nationwide, the number is 60%. >> we're winning the war on the virus.

>> reporter: the cdc is reporting less than 18,000 new daily covid cases, the lowest in almost a year. >> the past week has been a big week, with progress and milestones that set us on a path out of this pandemic. >> reporter: that path has been long in manhattan, we first met james malleos as he agonized over laying off workers >> deciding is the hardest part. >> reporter: now his restaurant and so many others here have a literal shot in the arm. how good does it feel to be back in business full swing in business full swing. >> when we spoke last time, i did not ever think we would be having this conversation it's pretty great. it's pretty great to be here >> reporter: one question that keeps coming up is how restaurants and businesses will be able to check who is fully vaccinated and who is not. another unanswered question is whether schools here in new york, the largest school district in the nation, will fully reopen this fall, hoda >> all right wait and see

gabe, thank you. now to the ongoing threat of severe weather in the south. craig joins us with more on that good morning. >> savannah, hoda, good morning. good morning to you, as well for days now, historic rainfall has led to flooding emergencies and hundreds of rescues in texas and louisiana, and even more heavy rain is on the way this morning. al is standing by with the forecast first, nbc's senior national correspondent tom llamas joins us from baton rouge. tom, good morning. >> reporter: craig, good morning to you there are hundreds of homes flooded out in louisiana, and this is just one of them we wanted to bring you in so you could see some of the damage the water came in through the front door as you look at the floor, you can see the type of damage that was done here. everything was turned upside down the family says the water came everything went floating, almost out of nowhere. before they flew it, there was three feet of water in this newly renovated home everything went floating, including the refrigerator this as rescues continued over night. this time, in arkansas

overnight, parts of the gulf coast on high alert, from texas which saw an outbreak of powerful twisters to southern louisiana, where flash flooding devastated homes and killed up to five people baton rouge resident hela smith came back from her nursing shift to find her home filled with knee-deep water. you have to move now >> yeah, i'll have to move i'm getting the most important stuff right now. trying to relocate >> reporter: many residents telling us the powerful storms caught them by surprise. >> started raining, and the rain got heavier and heavier. i looked outside, and the next thing i know, my car was going underwater >> reporter: the baton rouge fire department responding to hundreds of emergency calls as the storm pummelled the region. >> it came up, and it was relentless it just wouldn't go away >> reporter: in lake charles, this baby was rescued by first responders as the rain poured down the western part of the state

saw close to 17 inches of rain in just six hours. so much rain, parents did what they could some even picking up their kids from school in kayaks. following back-to-back hurricanes last summer, lake charles' mayor says his community has hit a breaking point with the flooding. >> absolutely catastrophic and historic we are starting to lose words in the english language to describe what has happened to lake charles over the last nine or ten months >> reporter: now, the mayor of lake charles, nick hunter, also tells me he hopes this latest natural disaster motivates president biden and congress to pass a relief package they've been waiting on since the last two hurricanes that's been delayed. craig? >> tom llamas for us in baton rouge, thanks. let's bring in al. we want to know what's happening with the storm. >> bad news. it is not going to get much

better over the next 24 hours. you can see 28 million people under some sort of flood watch, flood warnings for corpus christie we have severe weather watches to the south as we put the radar into motion, we are looking at more heavy rain pushing through southern texas on into louisiana. it's just going to continue to come in fact, if you look at what they've gotten so far for the month of may already, 4.5 inches in dallas. 6.5 inches in houston. 16 inches of rain in lake charles. in fact, due to climate change, since the 1950s, we've seen an increase in the two-plus inch of rain days. dallas had three more days houston, six lake charles, seven days more on average of two inches or more. baton rouge with seven days. here's what we're looking at also moderate risk of flooding. corpus christi, brownsville, houston, lake charles, on into new orleans. here's what we're looking at today. drenching rains from southern texas on into louisiana. these rivers and streams are running above their banks, and it is just going to continue with this moisture streaming up from the north, from the gulf of

mexico these downpours are going to continue locally has already fallen, another six we'll be watching those pockets, but again, flooding is going to be a big problem over the next 24 hours we're going to get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds [truck horn blares] (vo) the subaru forester. dog tested. dog approved. good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we have a wind advisory beginning later this evening, and it's for all t reach 50

miles per hour or greater. mid-70s. the clear weather continues, but we will be warming up by the end of the weekend. while san francisco will see some temperatures staying mostly in the 60s. >> that's your latest weather. savannah >> al, thank you just ahead, our exclusive conversation with the founder of hillsong church. it's one of the world's most influential mega churches, attracting a big following but also controversy in recent months for the first time, the man behind it is opening up about those issues, how they've been handled, and the future of his church. plus, we'll celebrate the life and career of beloved icon charles grodin from his scene-stealing roles to his books to his own talk show, grodin's lasting impac [ sfx:t bzzz bzzz bzzz ] [ sfx: ping ping beep beep bloop bloop ]

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good morning. it's 7:26. i'm marcus washington. a new reward in oakland after the deadly party bus shooting. >> reporter: law enforcement are looking for two suspects in yesterday morning's shooting of a party bus in oakland on board that bus, a group of young women celebrating their friend's 21st birthday. two teenagers were killed, several more people injured including one person who is still in the hospital in critical condition. oakland police and crimestoppers are offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the suspects in this case. i'm kris sanchez, in santa

clara county we're starting today, your boss may ask you vaccine status. the county is requiring all employers public and private to determine the status of all employees within the next 14 days. workers can decline to say but they have to follow the same rules of unvaccinated people regarding to masking, social distancing and quarantining. some of the other yellow tier restrictions allow gyms to reopen at 50%, restaurants, too. time to get a look at the forecast for you. meteorologist kari hall is working hard getting the temperatures for us. how is it looking out there? >> it's going to be a really nice day, but also very windy, as those winds continue to increase going into this evening. we can see some gusts reaching over 50 miles per hour. temperatures stay on the cool side, higher humidity and we'll reach into the low 70s for some of our warmest spots in the inland valleys and concord as we go into the next few days. as we go into the weekend, just a little bit warmer, while san francisco also picking up on the

gusty winds especially this evening, so watch out for that, marcus. >> thanks, kari. we'll have another local news update coming up in 30 minutes. i'll see you back here then.

♪♪ you couldn't even deliver a bottle of milk >> back now, 7:30, with one of charles grodin's most beloved roles, starring in "midnight run" alongside robert de niro. robert is among the stars speaking out this morning to honor grodin's life and career roker, i know you watched that movie.

>> i just watched it on sunday. >> just watched it on sunday he was the master of deadpan understatements. just simmering rage underneath from that to "beethoven. >> one of my absolute favorite movies if it is ever on, i always watch it we love charles grodin we're going to look back in a minute let's get a check of the weather first. >> i have two words for you. anyway -- >> we actually got that one. it was good. anyway we're looking today at what's happening mountain snows in the pacific northwest. a fire risk continues through the southwest, unfortunately more flooding will continue through the gulf coast we're watching that. it is a big problem, but here in the east, we are talking about summertime highs from the tip of florida all the way to new england. we've got gorgeous sunshine, and temperatures that are anywhere from 5 to 15 degrees or more above average. that's what's going on a >> good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we will have a wind advisory beginning 5:00 this evening.

watch out for wind gusts especially near the coast and the hills. we could see them reaching over 50 miles per hour, as the storm system passes to the east. here we're staying dry and our temperatures will be fairly mild for the next several days. our inland temperatures reaching into the low 70s, staying a little bit cooler than normal, while san francisco will be in the low 60s, and warming up to the upper 60s this weekend. >> and that's your latest weather. guys >> al, thank you. now to those tributes pouring in after the loss of a legendary figure in hollywood and beyond of course, we're speaking about charles grodin >> the 86-year-old was a multi-talented star, perhaps best known for his movie roles including the classic "midnight run. >> nbc news now anchor joe fryer with more now on his life and his work and already i don't like you >> that's too bad. i really like you. >> reporter: charles grodin's

memorable roles include the cranky father with a slobbering st. bernard in "beethoven. his breakout role came in 1972's "the heartbreak kid," starring as a newlywed who abandoned his pride to pursue cybill shepherd. >> i didn't know they allowed teddy bears on the beach >> reporter: in 1975, he had a hit on broadway in "same time next year," and helped him land a series of roles in the late '70s and '80s, including "kevin can wait." he was a favorite guest of late-night hosts like johnny carson. >> you don't really care what i have to say, do you? honestly >> no. >> reporter: grodin's improv skills and grouchy persona made him a frequent and beloved sparring partner for david letterman. >> see me as an old friend >> well, in the show biz sense of the term. >> reporter: 1990s, he moved to

the other side of the desk, hosting his own talk show on cnbc grodin's passing unleashed a flood of tributes from admirers and peers, including de niro, who wrote in a statement, chuck was as good a person as he was an actor i'm very, very sad to hear of his passing. ben stiller who starred in a remake of "the heartbreak kid" tweeted so incredibly funny. he knew how to do so little so brilliantly. >> grodin was also a writer, activist, a columnist for "60 minutes. survived by his wife and his sonic las and daughter marion, who is a kbheed yan and writer in his own right. you were colleagues. >> mid '90s, his talk show aired on cnbc. we were stablemates. we'd be on each other's show the alleged feud between him and johnny carson was stuff of legend he would come on constantly and he and carson would go back and forth. i mean, he was really brilliant.

i think because he was so understated, i think underappreciated >> yeah. >> sounds like he was a good person, too. >> appreciated at this table, too. we loved him. up next, our interview with the founder of the influential hillsong church. the first time he is speaking out on recent controversies. first, these messages. ♪ a-hey, a-hey-hey ♪ ♪ ♪ love like yours will surely come my way ♪

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very influential megachurch. >> with church membership declining, some churches are trying to attract a younger audience hillsong appeared to be succeeding, building a global brand, before a dramatic unraveling its popularity here in the u.s. soared thanks in part to its new york lead pastor carl lentz, who ties to justin bieber and celebrity in his own right after he was fired last fall, admitting to an affair, the church was finding itself facing controversie senior global pastor brian houston is speaking publicly for the first time about failures in the church and his pledge to make it right. ♪ i woke up to see the light ♪ >> reporter: a grammy-winning music empire, along with highly produced podcasts and a tv channel. >> you're still a carrier of god's spirit >> reporter: charismatic, young, and fashionable leaders, and celebrity attendees from justin bieber to vanessa hudgens to

chris pratt. not what you might expect from church on a sunday, but it is why hillsong has grown into one of the most influential mega churches in the world, and one of the most controversial. >> you know who's going to give you peace? it's going to be the expert, and his name is jesus. >> reporter: its popularity exploded in the u.s. with the high profile, quote, celebrity pastor, carl lentz, whose recent downfall triggered a wave of scandals for the church, brian houston created in australia 30 years ago. what has this season in the church been like for you >> i think it's been difficult, clearly, because of all the disappointment and some of the things that have emerged >> get your mind right there's hope for you yet >> reporter: lentz founded the east coast branch of hillsong in 2010, drawing in stars like justin bieber, who was baptized in an nba player's bathtub but it all came crashing down

last fall when lentz was fired admitting to an affair, writing on social media, i am deeply sorry for breaking the trust of many people. a woman who says she was his mistress speaking soon after. >> he kept saying, i travel with celebrities. he didn't want to say what he does. >> reporter: more allegations of unusual behavior for a pastor followed. >> people described carl lentz as somewhat aloof and removed from the actual ministry they say he would come in in a chauffeured car, wait in a green room come do a sermon and depart. does that bother you >> it does to a degree, for sure carl is carl he is a unique character there's a lot of things i miss about carl iues that i believe included lying, included what i would call narcissistic behavior. >> reporter: should you have known earlier? should you have done something earlier about the leadership of hillsong >> there's a lot of things i

should have known earlier, and hopefully moving forward, we'll make sure we have far better systems in place and better accountability. >> reporter: you see this pastor with the vip rope, paling around celebrities, how come you didn't come down harder and say not in my church. no way how does this reflect the message i'm trying to preach >> there is another side to it one person who is obviously well reported is justin bieber. think about several years now when he was wrecking hotel rooms and basically on the edge of getting deported to canada there was certainly talk about that living an out of control life. abuse of drugs and so on and look at justin bieber today. anyone who's been fair could see a radical change and so not everything about it is bad >> reporter: i guess the question is whether the celebrities got better

treatment, more attention. >> i do think that we did allow a culture to develop where there was one rule for celebrities and a different rule for other people >> reporter: i'll give you the cynical view that as long as carl was attracting press, bringing more members into hillsong, that you were okay with that. you knew what was going on, but you were okay with that. what do you say to those who believe that >> i find it annoying that people thought that it was important to me and my wife to attract famous people to church. >> reporter: let me ask you to respond to one idea that has been out in the press a lot. one former staffer said carl was a mini you, a mini brian houston. what do you say? >> i mean, plenty of people said carl was like me i'd see it as a compliment incredibly gifted guy. but on another level, i don't think carl is really anything like me.

>> reporter: what about the notion of you as the head of the church and the pastor of the church, but being a rarefied presence and waiting in the green room before the sermon or not really being terribly approachable, does any of that ring true to you >> well, to a degree, yes. i'll give perspective to it. mostly before you speak, you're preparing and you have to keep your heart right you don't want distractions. i am ultimately responsible. i am ultimately accountable. >> reporter: the firing of lentz in new york opened the floodgates for hillsong. in the months that followed, a senior staffer in new jersey resigned over what a church spokesperson says was an inappropriate message on social media. hillsong announced its pastors in dallas resigned the church there closed. a letter to new york leadership in 2018 surfaced, alleging abusive behavior by church leaders. other former congregants from australia to the u.s. told "today" some volunteers were

overworked. >> in my mind, if one person is treated badly, that's one too many if it's true that people have been treated badly or thatmitteo people have been bullied, i am 100% committed to moving that out of our church. >> reporter: does it make you look inward and say, whoa, i'm a pastor, what happened here >> i have reflected many, many times, and i'm acknowledging that mistakes have been made there are things where we need to get far better, much better i'm not shrinking back from that. >> reporter: have you thought about maybe this church is too big? the problems reflect that. it's time to downsize or take a different approach >> i'm not sure a church can be too big. i think we have to grow into ourselves. >> and god is on your side.

>> reporter: beyond the scandals, hillsong is facing the cultural tensions of a rapidly expanding evangelical christian church in a society where norms are changing quickly. >> gay members of hillsong have had difficult experiences. some who have said they've even felt suicidal after their experiences. why do you think that has happened >> look, i want us to get better at the way we communicate and embrace and work with people who are gay. i don't have any personal bias at all against gay or lesbian people unfortunately, as a pastor, you don't represent what you think you represent what the bible says and so at this point, we still are conservative on the subject of active gay relationship, et cetera but it's a journey everyone is welcome. many, many people who are gay come to hillsong church. >> reporter: now, for the church itself, it's a season of finding

redemption churches can come in all kinds of sizes and shapes and flavors, but you see the lights, you see the music. you do see the pretty people do you ever think about what jesus would have felt like sitting in hillsong church >> honest answer >> reporter: yeah. >> i think he would like it. because i think we're focusing on glorifying him. >> reporter: i spoke to quite a few parishioners what is your message to those who love this church and are heartbroken about what's happened >> those are the things that keep me awake at night i think the church is everywhere and needing to scramble to put the things in place for a 21st century mind-set that will enable us to be stronger but, savannah, i'll tell you, i genuinely believe in my heart that hillsong is a good church. >> really interesting conversation we covered a lot of ground

they have changed the leadership of hillsong new york, and so, you know, the hope for the church is that they've addressed the issues that were starting there and that they can move forward. >> it was fascinating to hear him talk to your point, hillsong is emblematic of a lot of churches in this country right now. but his response to whether a church can be too large, no, no. >> well, it is interesting >> yeah. >> it's just a question that one ponders. he talked a lot about how, you know, you need to have those structures in place. you need to have the accountability and all these measures it almost sounds like you're talking about a big corporation. a large church is a large institution, and he said many times, he felt these were growing pains. the church, though, is three decades old. we'll continue to follow it. you know, candid conversation. >> indeed. still ahead, major security concerns for anyone who uses venmo after reporters say they uncovered the president's account. >> why that should raise flags for everyone on venmo, and what you can do to protect yourself

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i'm marcus washington. here's what's happening now. >> reporter: i'm cierra johnson. b.a.r.t. police looking for a suspect accused of attacking and robbing an asian woman on a b.a.r.t. train headed toward 16th and mission. b.a.r.t. police do not believe the attack is racially motivated but many in the aapi community demanding for the crimes to stop. if anyone has any information about the attack, you're urged to contact b.a.r.t. police. good morning, everyone. i'm scott mcgrew. the new york attorney general says a civil case look the into the trump organization has turned to a criminal case. this is over potential fraud over the price and value of trump buildings around the united states. the manhattan d.a. had already

launched a criminal case that was very similar. time to get a look at that forecast for you, meteorologist kari hall. >> we are going to have a wind advisory today, starting this evening, especially for the coast in the hills, we could see these winds gusting today. make sure you're ready and the possibility of downed trees and power outages and the fire danger is so dry. temperatures on the cool side and humidity levels stay up. we're looking fairly good in that department as we go into the weekend, though, it will start to warm up as the kids calm down. marcus? >> another local news update in 30 minutes. meet you back there then.

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it's 8:00 on "today. coming up, under pressure. overnight, the new york attorney general office opens a criminal probe into the trump organization so what does it mean for the former president we're live with everything you need to know then cash app issues our closer look at the popular payment app venmo, after president biden's secret account was discovered. >> it took us less than, i think, ten minutes of looking to actually locate him. >> just ahead, the important security risks all users need to know about plus, helping to heal. we'll bring you inside a special

program in ohio designed to help kids struggling with mental health issues. >> we can actually have kids really come out and experience fresh air, even though they're on the secure, safe unit there's no way you're getting through it. >> how the doctors here are hoping to break the stigma around asking for help and the one where it finally happens. the "friends" reunion is on, and we've got a first look at one of hollywood's best-kept secrets. >> the show is going to be a combination of them reminiscing, and one by one, the cast comes on it's really emotional. >> today, wednesday, may 19th, 2021 ♪ i will follow you way down ♪ >> celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. >> coming from bethlehem, pennsylvania, steel stacks. >> cally is turning 1. >> we're so excited to be celebrating with you all in studio 1a. whoo-hoo

>> we're the peacock family, so you know we belong on nbc. >> and we're thrilled for our son who is graduating with the class of 2021. congrats jalen >> fantastic >> the peacock family, they only have one network to choose from. >> i've never met a peacock. >> they belong to peacock, our online streaming channel. >> we should give it to them free. >> i agree. welcome back today thanks for watching the peacock. let's get to your news at 8:00 prosecutors in new york now actively investigating former president trump's business empire for possible criminal activity that move announced overnight. nbc's chief white house correspondent and weekend "today" co-anchor peter alexander joins us with the latest good morning. estigating the trp organization in what was a purely civil case. the headline here is it's informed the former president's company it is joining then

manhattan d.a.'s criminal inquiry into the trump organization here's why that matters. a civil probe can end in lawsuits or fines, but a criminal one, of course, could result in charges. the d.a.'s office has been focused on potential financial crimes in the trump organization, like tax and bank-related fraud, examining mr. trump's tax returns. the former president in the past blasted the investigations as politically motivated. all of this, by the way, coming as mr. trump is at the center of another debate with the house today expected to vote on a bipartisan commission to investigate the january 6th capitol riot the top house republican kevin mccarthy saying that republicans should reject it, arguing that focusing only on the attack itself but the proposal was creating the leading republican's input here it would be evenly divided between republicans and democrats and republicans would also have veto power over subpoenas. >> all right

peter alexander, thank you now to a high level security concern that millions of americans can relate to, especially the younger ones. president biden's secret venmo account might not be so secret after all. nbc's senior washington correspondent hallie jackson has the details on this one. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. it's the app you might use to split a pizza or pay the babysitter it is easy, and it's everywhere, even apparently the white house. with a new report uncovering what they say is president biden's venmo account. that could have national security implications, but experts say it goes beyond the president with a warning to all of us. sending or spending money with the swipe of a finger on venmo takes almost no time at all, and that's apparently about how long it took for buzzfeed to find president biden's secret account on the app >> it took us less than, i think, ten minutes of looking to actually locate him. >> reporter: ryan mack is one of the reporters who discovered the accounts of nearly a dozen biden family members, not just the president and first lady a social web including children,

grandchildren, senior white house officials, and all of their contacts on venmo. the presidential presence on the payment app a punch line in late night. >> this is like finding out the pope wears vr goggles. >> i didn't know they had venmo on rotary phones. >> reporter: experts don't find it so funny, since it could present a security and privacy risk to the president and those around him it highlights the exposure of venmo's friends feature. >> i could go in and access your whole friends list because it's wide open. venmo leaves it wide open. >> reporter: is there a way to make that not wide open? >> no, there is no way it is permanently public >> reporter: although you can hide your transactions on venmo, you can't do the same with your friends list so why does that matter? knowing who other people associate with could raise a red flag for someone who really needs security teresa peyton was the chief information officer in the george w. bush white house and warns this affects more than just people who work in the west wing >> it could be people who are

going through a divorce. people who have been in stalking situations people who live alone. people are worried about the physical security. >> reporter: the safety and privacy of all venmo users and their information is always a top priority adding, they're consistently evolving and strengthening the privacy measures to continue to provide a safe, secure place to send and spend money while you can't make your friend list private, you can get rid of your list altogether if you want to, by heading to your account, tapping on your list, selecting each person and unfriending one by one a few minutes' effort that might pay off. in a new statement just this morning, a white house official tells nbc news the "buzzfeed" venmo saga reveals a too common situation. the default on tech platforms is an over sharing of private information that is difficult to change, adding that the biden administration intends to strengthen privacy protections so it's easier for people to

keep their personal information to themselves. "buzzfeed," by the way, says the account tied to the president is no longer online craig? >> excuse me, hallie jackson, while i start unfriending people thanks. 8:06 got the news covered i have a little boost for you. so a young mom in utah went back to school a couple of years ago. she was determined to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. when it was time to find out if she got accepted into the nursing program, she got her family together for the big moment. >> okay. here we go cross your fingers oh, i'm shaking. i'm shaking. ahh! i got in [ applause ] >> oh, my gosh

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matters series may is mental health awareness month, and this morning, we're taking a look at one of the challenges that covid has really exposed and made worse. >> that's right. we're talking about the troubling increase in mental health issues for young people across this country. and while the challenges have grown, many resources are shrinking. >> nbc's senior investigative correspondent cynthia almcfadden is back with more. cynthia, good morning. >> good morning, everyone. that's right when it comes to the hospitals and psychiatrists who deal specifically with kids with mental health challenges, the number is tragically low one hospital in columbus made a bold move. last march, just days before the governor shut the state of ohio down, they opened a new facility they think could make a big difference ♪ >> reporter: there's something remarkable going on in columbus, ohio this man is a big part of it. >> thank you. >> reporter: he is the lead

nurse. >> good morning. >> reporter: behavioral health pavilion, part of nationwide children's hospital. around here, they think they just might be a model for the nation this is the first time cameras have been permitted inside, in part, to help break the stigma so as hard as this job is, you love it? >> oh, of course of course. >> reporter: the hospital has in-patient psychiatric beds, staff for 56 kids, with space to expand to 92. >> we try to make this as much like home as possible. >> reporter: masters at drawing kids out. >> we have this to use for ice-breaker conversations. >> reporter: let's do it let's go out mere here and do it i love games where my thumb lands, i have to answer. >> exactly that, boom. >> reporter: okay. what is the best gift you've ever received? oh, my son >> beautiful >> reporter: therapy here is

intense. to protect the kids's privacy, we aren't showing those sessions this is not a typical child and adolescent unit. >> correct >> reporter: but what we can show is how the building was designed, with input from staff to encourage the hard work but it's still a hospital. the doors on the units are locked to protect them >> i would say the most common theme we see are kids that are just going through like a maybe suicidal ideation. >> reporter: that means they're thinking about it. >> they're thinking about it they haven't yet acted on it. >> reporter: suicide is the second leading cause of death for kids 10 to 19. over 50% of mental health conditions start by the age of 14 many of those kids will never get any help >> that's correct. we have our main eating area. >> reporter: dr. david axleton is medical director at this unique facility, where there is even a fresh air who porch.

>> i was a little nervous, i'll be honest, but having this porch where we can actually have kids really come out and experience fresh air, even though they're on the secure, safe unit there's no way you're getting through it. >> reporter: the need for more hospitals like this is acute of the nation's 6,090 hospitals, only about 10% offer psychiatric services for kids. an nbc news analysis shows when it comes to in-patient care, it is only 7% many psychiatric units have been closed, as insurance doesn't reimburse the cost of the actual services so the finances of this place are sort of a mystery to me. how are you paying for it? >> reporter: we have tremendous leaders that recognize that we make big margins on some things, but then we need to invest in other important things where there isn't margins, like behavioral health. >> reporter: call it robin hood funding, supplemented by big, local donations. can other communities do it? >> you need leaders who have wisdom to say, take from here

and put in here. so the whole child can be treated, and families can be supported. >> have a good day >> bye, mom. >> reporter: like bridget robeck and her family, a senior in high school, she's on the way to college in the fall. we talked with her and her mother mandy take me back in time to when you first thought maybe something was wrong. >> definitely seventh grade was when red flags started going up. >> reporter: what were the red flags? >> i started self-harming. >> reporter: secretly cutting herself on her upper thigh >> not from a place of me trying to end my life from it, just that this makes me feel good, this makes me feel like i'm in control. >> reporter: is that what it is, control? >> 100%. >> reporter: did she know? >> she found out pretty quickly. >> reporter: mandy is an elementary schoolteacher with two older daughters. >> i remember one night sitting outside her bedroom thinking, she shouldn't be this upset.

i really didn't know who to call like, do i call my pediatrician? >> reporter: it's a question parents commonly face, where to turn especially as the number of child and adolescent psychiatrists is at a breaking point. 8,300 for the whole country. that means one in five kids live in a county with no child psychiatrist at all. for bridget, things got worse and worse. finally, in desperation three years ago, she asked to be taken to the hospital. >> my mom was like, let's wait until the morning. i can't wait until the morning >> reporter: both she and her parents credit nationwide children's with helping her heal. >> then i came to children's that changed my life i didn't think i'd get so emotional already. >> reporter: i mean, you're dealing with big things. >> yeah. i am by far the best i've ever been it's not even comparable. >> reporter: ever? >> ever. even when i was a child, by far.

out of all my memories, i've never been happier than i am right now. >> it's night and day. >> reporter: back on 8a -- >> i would say the average length of stay is about five to seven days. >> reporter: it's 3:30 after more than eight hours on the job, we never saw kuazi sit down, not once i'm exhausted, just trying to keep up with you i was reading some of the notes that the kids write to staff several of them are to you >> it makes your heart warm, so they appreciate the work you do. >> reporter: he'll be back tomorrow to do it all again. >> people helping. the hospital is also reaching out to the community they've launched a program where pediatricians in central ohio can call a psychiatrist on their staff for help with individual young patients they're also working wit state of ohio to help provide resources to a mobile response and stabilization service to meet the needs of kids in crisis

where they are now, among other things, that gives families alternatives to calling the police for help. they are real masters at deescalation, and helping people stabilize. >> so many parents who are going to be helped by that story >> for sure. >> thank you, cynthia. >> thank you >> we should mention here, for more on kids and mental health, carson is actually hosting a mind matters special he's going to do it on our streaming channel today all day, with insight from teens, experts, on how to spot those warning signs and also ways to cope for every age we encourage you to check it out today at 11:00 a.m. eastern. and 8:00 p.m. eastern, today all day. >> thank you. mr. roker, let's get the weather. >> this is e it was this gorgeous arch in the galapagos islands that folks would take a look at this is the way it looked before, but then time and

erosion eventually collapsed it, and boom, that's what happened are you guys ready to play a weather game >> yeah. >> we like to call it who's warmer today, dallas or boston? >> boston. >> boston! >> all right let's take a look. dallas or boston oh >> trying to trick us. >> roker >> five degrees below normal boston is eight degrees above normal at 75 okay let's try another one >> houston or new york, who do you think is warmer? >> new york. >> houston. >> new york. >> craig says houston. let's take a look. 81 in houston. 88 in new york city. >> today >> that's right, today >> gosh. >> 16 degrees above average. all right. our last one for you to give it a try. new orleans or buffalo >> tie. >> it's a tie, that's right. this way you guys don't have to worry about that, okay so who won i think it was craig or anybody you won. you won at home. >> what do i get, al >> you get --

♪ 70s in the eastern half of the country. 70s into the plains. 80s and 90s into the southwest as far as our weather today, summer highs here in the east. it's going to be gorgeous. more flooding, unfortunately, down through the gulf. we're going to be watching that very closely, and with all that sunshine and heat out west, fire risk continues good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. we are going to see our temperatures staying on the cool side with some of the warmest spots inland only reaching into the low 70s, but we'll keep an eye on the gusty winds that we'll continue to pick up today. in the mountains, some of our gusts will reach 50 miles per hour especially this evening into early tomorrow morning. we will gradually warm up as we get to the forecast into the weekend low to mid-80s and in san francisco, temperatures will

stay in the 60s. st time of the >> hit it, sheinelle. >> ready for "pop start" >> yes. >> the highly anticipated "friends" reunion is set to air later this month it's been one of hollywood's best kept secrets, with so little known about it. some, aka carson daly, not convinced it'd happen. this morning, "people" magazine is out with an exclusive look at the reunion and an interview with the full cast full of reminiscing, re-creations, and yes, romancing. >> did she get off the plane did she get off the plane? >> i got off the plane >> 17 years after rachel got off the plane and all six friends said their final good-byes, they're finally back together for the highly anticipated "friends" reunion. until this point, the friends not saying much. >> it's unscripted it is basically a really fun interview.

>> it is an unscripted reunion. >> unscripted reunion special in celebration of the show. >> reporter: now, "people" magazine giving us a look at the secretive special shot on meticulously re-created sets >> the show is going to be a combination of them reminiscing, coming onto the set together one by one the cast comes on. it's really emotional. >> reporter: the cast even revisiting iconic episodes, sitting down for a table read of the one with the jelly fish. >> there's really only one thing you can do >> what? what is it >> you're going to have to pee on it. >> reporter: and re-creating the battle for monica's apartment. >> girls and boys are super competitive. jennifer aniston was dominating in this game. >> taped appearances from famous

stars with the cast sitting on ka's apartment and central perk. take a look at this, we have the lego version >> no, they do not have it. >> o-m-g. >> we have the crew out there. they're still trying to put it together >> oh, my gosh >> you'll be able to see the "friends" reunion on hbo max >> good morning to you. it is 8:26. i'm marcus washington. just into our newsroom, firefighters say one person has died in a house fire this morning in san francisco's coal valley. this is video posted to the citizens app. you can see right there those flames shooting through the roof of a three-level home. this is shrader street. so far there's no word on a cause. new overnight, two people were rescued from a house fire in san lorenza tweeted by alameda firefighters, it happened around 2:30 a.m.. the cause of that fire still under investigation.

well, it is time to get a look at that forecast for you on this wednesday. meteorologist kari hall is standing by. >> we are going to have gusty winds so we're watching out for those areas that have downed trees especially near the coast and for some of the hills reaching over 50 miles per hour especially later on tonight. as we go through the forecast, at least our temperatures stay cool, and we do have some higher humidity for the next several days so our temperatures will stay very comfortable and actually a little cooler than normal for this time of year. marcus? >> thanks, kari. we'll have another local news update for you coming up in half an hour. i'll meet you back here then.

♪ feeling good like i should ♪ ♪ feeling good like i should ♪ back now at 8:30, y'all. it's wednesday guess what we have something to report. >> what's that >> we're outside >> it feels good >> little field trip.

>> maryland. >> mask mandates for new york lifted we thought we'd step out. >> we have some folks here. >> we have a crowd. >> where y'all from? >> maryland. >> all right >> we got a little baby there. we have the baby here. >> the baby. >> get there. >> you know what they're a little far away. >> that's right. >> we feel them. >> we have to see the baby >> this is it, just like our first plaza hello in a while. >> by the way, savannah smells fantastic. >> oh, al. >> i'll report that from this side, as well. >> now that we're close, we can smell each other which sounds super weird. coming up, best-selling beauty products that are a hit with those who matter the most, people who actually use them we'll reveal winners from "allure" readers' choice awards. then we have hollywood royalty with us. oscar winner dame helen mirren, so good to see her hi, helen. she's going to tell us about her new show have a fantastic cast and the big wish that finally came true for her. plus, i can't wait to introduce you to some remarkable female chefs who opened restaurants during the pandemic. not the best timing. you'll be inspired by how far they've gone to chase their

dreams. >> that's a bold move for those chefs. >> mm-hmm. on the third hour, holly robinson peete is going to stop by holly is going to join us live to fill us in on the return of her wildly popular show which is near and dear to mr. roker, "morning show mysteries. >> aren't you the author of that >> i'm the author of the original book, and she's playing my character took a bald black guy and turned it into a lovely woman here's a reason to get excited for tomorrow carson is catching up with an old friend who happens to be pink they will have a good conversation coming up >> doesn't it feel so good to be standing here? >> let's take this in. what weather do we have? >> let's take a look at your weekend because it is so fantastic. we start off in the east on friday it is like summer from the eastern gulf all the way to new england, the great lakes strong storms out west staying soggy down through texas. saturday we're looking at summertime highs for the eastern two-thirds of the country.

unfortunately, the flood risk continues for texas. cool and damp through the western plains sunday, sunday, above average temperatures from the central plains, gulf coast, mid-atlantic states, northeast. wet weather through the northern plains we're looking at sunshine from san diego all the way up to seattle. that's what's going on around good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall, as we take a look at our inland valley forecast for the next seven days. nice and cool, but it is going to be very windy today and we'll have to watch out for the possibility that it could be strong enough to knock out some power and also raise our fire threat, but as we go through the next several days the winds calm down and the temperatures get milder by the end of the weekend and we'll see the warmest spots into the low 80s. san francisco staying in the 60s with those gusty winds later today. t is your latest weather. coming up next, inexpensive solutions for your biggest hair and makeup worries we are revealing winners from

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if you think hunting for the right lipstick or moisturizer out of thousands of options, we know it is overwhelming, you might want to pay attention. >> our friends at "allure" crunched the numbers and put together a great list of best selling products beloved by consumers because it's their annual readers choice awards >> here to walk us through some of the winners is jenny. you can shop along with us by using that qr code, it's right there in the corner. hi, jenny, good morning. >> hi guys, good morning glad to be here. >> we're thrilled to have you with us this morning let's talk skin care i know you have a few things, and they're all under 15 bucks >> they are. yes, so we have three skin care

products here that our readers voted for. actually our readers said they're the skin care products they're really reaching for the most right now here is an exfoliator, sunscreen, and a self-tanner that they love the exfoliator is here you can see it's this blood red liquid it is from the ordinary called their peeling solution it's a chemical exfoliator, so it is using beta and alpha hyd, oxides oh, that's a good shot, like a vampire facial it is revealing the fresh skin this is pretty serious stuff, this is like a professional peel in a bottle for like $7, which is amazing, but if you're sensitive, you know, ease in, maybe rinse off after three to four minutes instead of the full ten just to make sure it's a good fit for your skin

>> you have the baby bum stuff for sunscreen. is that just for kids, or can adults use it, too >> adults can, too it is for baby bums, your bum, your adult cheeks. it is very gentle, which i think is why readers love it it is actually a winner in our clean category you probably know clean is a pretty murky term. in the beauty space. there's no standardized definition "allure" has our own clean standards, so we know what we clean and transparent twwhen we say clean. no chemical sunscreens mineral sunscreen with 20% zinc oxide. >> real quick, we have a lot of products to get to will you tell us about the jurgens glow one of my favorites. >> editors and readers have been no splotches, no streaks it's a great choice. >> let's get to hair care. frizz is the buzzword. how do we get rid of it? these products are all under 10 bucks. >> yes they are

since you mentioned frizz, we'll start with the ogx, their extra penetrating oil. so this is a blend of argan oil and silicone it's really going to lock up that moisture from the air that ca causes frizz it'll smooth down the cuticles of the hair to make it look sleek. it is really made for thick and coarse hair. i use it on my hair, which is pretty fine. i put a couple drops in the hands, rub them together, skim it over the top. you have a frizz-free finish. >> what about dry shampoo? a lot of people worry you'll get that residue, especially if you have darker hair >> this has been around a long time, since the '70s batiste used to have american hairstylists smuggle it in their suitcases. now, you can get it in the drugstore. it does not leave that white residue. it has a really simple, easy, it's really easy to control. you can just kind of zero in on those greasy spots, get it right at the roots and it won't leave a stickiness behind.

>> how about the hair oil? >> she just did that. >> no, that was the dry shampoo. did you? sorry. >> hoda said frizz, so i went right to frizz this dry shampoo is not going to help your frizz, guys. >> the hair oil, okay. where are we >> we on makeup? >> nobody knows. >> makeup. >> sorry, jenny. >> no, it's okay i'm sorry. we are on makeup should i go into makeup? >> yes >> good idea. >> okay. our readers have a lot of makeup loves. these are two of the favorites this ilia multistick is another winner in our clean category i had never tried it before our readers told me to i'm glad they did. it is a summer makeup routine in a stick. you can put it on your lips, blend it on your cheeks. u i put it on my eyelids, it

gives you color, and a nice shine. build it up. throw it in the bag this summer for a clean choice. >> i think jenny wants to say right now, bye. >> we ran out of time. we have to go. >> it's all on the website. >> i was about to say, if you want to snag the winners, go to >> right there. right there on the bottom of your screen. >> jenny, you were great. >> sorry. >> thanks, guys. the brow pen is amazing. >> all right we'll check it out. >> jenny never giving up. up next, dame helen mirren has won just about under award under the sun. she's trying something new in her latest role. wn't wait to catch up

we are we are back, 8:43 with hollywood royalty, dame helen mirren for more than 50 years she has never been one to shy away from a challenge. >> in the new amazon series, it's called "solos," helen stars as peg, a senior citizen who decides to take a one-way ticket to the farthest reaches of the universe

and along the way she raeealize what led her here. take a look. >> i felt like the kind of person that if you gave everyone on earth a number at the deli counter, every single person, there wouldn't be one left for me and i thought that maybe somewhere in the farthest reaches of the universe i would finally have a spot. >> dame helen mirren good morning what an interesting, interesting project, and it just struck me about peg, like she never takes chances. i felt like she's like the total opposite of you. you're always the one who's out there taking a risk? >> yes, she is different from me you're absolutely right, but i think that it's very familiar quality for a lot of women i think a lot of women can recognize this themselves in peg. it's someone who has always sort of allowed everyone else to go before them, you know, has

always sort of put themselves in the background and not stepped forward, and finally, she steps forward on this metaphorical ride because, actually, we're all hurdling into space without really knowing where we're going to end up. so you know, it is a metaphor the whole thing, for life itself but it's a beautifully written piece by a young man i was blown away by the fact he was a young man who wrote it i was sure it had to be a woman because it was such a deep understanding of women in the piece. >> and i mean, you have a lot of, we talked about guts and not being afraid of a challenge. i mean, it's a monologue, and that to me, there's no crutches. there's nowhere to hide. it's just you. >> no, absolutely, which sometimes is an advantage, actually but it is a monologue. i mean, we shot it in the midst of covid, and i just have to say quickly how great it is to see

you deguys out on the street our beloved new york coming back to life. that's actually kind of making me cry it's so exciting to see that but yes, and now i've completely forgotten. >> us too, because we feel the same way, we can't wait until you are back here with us. by the way, speaking of the streets of new york, we heard that you were just dying to do a car chase in your career you got booked for "fast and furious," but then it wasn't a car chase scene, but now your dreams have finally come true? >> oh, absolutely. and really, you're driving a do car -- i mean, driving down -- instead of -- driving a car very, very fast towards buckingham palace. it's absolutely great. i love that. >> pull the brake from you, i love your line there too, darling. you know what, helen, i have to

tell you, we were just kind of doing a quick google search before we went on, and i came across an old interview you did back in 1975, and i watched this interview, helen, i was enraged. i was so angry at your interviewer, i almost wanted to pop him in the nose. his name is michael parkinson, right? >> parky they used to call him in england i want to roll just a tiny clip and get a reflection. >> do you find that your figure, your physical attributes which people always go on about, hinder you in your pursuit of the ambition of being a successful actress >> i'm a serious actress serious actresses can't have big bosoms, is that what you mean? >> i think they might sort of detract from the performance, if you know what i mean >> really? i can't think that can necessarily be true. i would hope that the performance in the play and the living relationship between all

the people on stage and all the people in the audience overcomes such boring questions. >> boom. >> did you punch him after what happened? >> oh, no, what happened after was that i got the blame for being sort of argumentative and i was the one who was criticized, not him. because, you know, as we say, different times. and my awful little voice, i found my princess diana. >> do you think hollywood has changed a lot, helen, since that interview? >> oh, my god, i mean, unbelievably when you look at the landscape of movies nowadays, it's so different. i think the '70s were, you know, a dreadful time for women in general, for actresses in particular the '60s and the '70s and then into the '80s and really late

'90s is when it started changing the landscape is completely different now and so exciting. so much more interesting >> it is it is and your project is an example of that. >> yes dame helen mirren. it is always a pleasure. >> we adore you. >> remember we talked about tattoos last time you were here, i was like i want to get one you have one have you gotten any others during the pandemic? >> i love it >> please. >> thank you so much >> we adore you. thank you so much. >> you can catch "solos" on amazon prime video this friday and hits theaters june 25th: just ahead, female chefs in seattle getting by in the pandemic with little help from their friends. their friends. shi'm morgan, and there's more to me than hiv.

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"restaurant restart" as the industry starts to bounce back. we're highlighting three female chefs from seattle who refused to let their dreams go down. >> absolutely. such an inspiring story. seattle was one of the first areas hit hard by the pandemic last year. these three women still moved forward with their plans of opening restaurants, and while they certainly had to pivot, they realized there was a bigger purpose. >> reporter: it's an unspoken sisterhood of strength and survival. >> we kind of kicked into gear and kept going. >> reporter: seattle chefs and restaurateurs followed their dreams and opened their own places last year at the most unlikely time. >> i started here in beacon hill in seattle as a pop-up we're a restaurant focused on the education of our cuisine, our culture. >> the name of our restaurant is communion restaurant and bar, and we serve what we call seattle soul >> the restaurant name is micha, i just wanted to change how

people think about indian food. >> reporter: as me restaurants in seattle closed doors, these women found a by to keep their opened. >> we opened in january of 2020, and the first three months, they were at a three-hour wait. full capacity every night. >> we were supposed to open in july we didn't open until december, you know, we had a great reception. we had lines it was just a little scary. >> reporter: when i started in june, we were only open for two days, for takeout, and again for some time we shut down, you know, because we were going back and forth with the lockdown. >> reporter: it wasn't easy juggling the uncertainty of lockdowns and the constant threat of a covid outbreak resilience got them through and food became the conduit for serving their community. melissa knew she had to pivot early on as seattle was one of the first states hit hard by the virus. >> because the community for us has always been the most important aspect to how we operate this space, we converted

our restaurant into a community kitchen. two days after we closed >> kristy joined in too, both realizing there was a bigger purpose to serving the community. >> melissa called a meeting where we got together and talked about the effects of this and what we were going to do because one of the things about food people is we love what we do, and we don't do it for the pay it was like, okay, we got this food, and people are hungry. what are we going to do. and so we got together and started the community kitchen collective where we had been feeding people out of our businesses for free. >> reporter: takeout became a way of survival. >> so we were cooking like for eight, ten hours we started getting the hoorders and it was overwhelming. we were not even prepared so we were getting sold out every day. >> reporter: through it all, women were the backbone to the daily grind. >> how many of you have females working in your back kitchen behind the scenes? all three of you

how and why is that important? >> giving women opportunities in kitchens is extremely important, in an industry that's so male driven, being able to have other sister chefs doing the same thing, that is also like so empowering. >> a silver lining from the hardships of owning a restaurant last year, community kept them going, and they looked forward to serving at full capacity with precautions in place >> i want it you want it, we want to be safe while doing it. >> yes, we want to get to 100% for our businesses, and i think i can speak for all three of us. there is still so much work to do and like i'm here for it i know we're here for it we'll get there. >> and covid has taught us just how to keep going during this time covid made us much more stronger and i think we can do this we are not going anywhere. we'll be here. >> talk about sisterhood, seattle is still under a mask mandate with restaurants operating at 50% capacity indoors. however, all three women say business has been amazing.

the community, they're really coming out to support them in fact, they're booked until june and have all had to hire more employees people in the community were so thankful for what they did on the front end that now they're supporting them. >> and the way they pivoted during the pandemic was so smart. >> and the food looks amazing too. >> good story. coming up on hoda and jenna na, we've got the scoop on one of the most anticipated films, dear evan hanson. >> first, busy third hour, including holly robinson peete after your local news. good morning. it's 8:56. i'm marcus washington. the investigation comes from the allegations of trump's former attorney michael cohen. he testified to congress that

trump provided incorrect evaluations of assets and federal tax document. so far, no comment. the president has called the investigation politically motivated. happening now our scott mcgrew is following those developments and he'll have a complete report at midday and you can link at the top of the home page. some face new restrictions as santa clara county moves into the yellow tier and a twist with a new mandate for businesses and on the home page is the full story. we'll have another update in a half hour. woman: it's been a year like no other. man: yet, for educators across california, the care, compassion, and teaching has never stopped. woman: addressing their unique needs... man: ...and providing a safe learning environment students could count on. woman: join us in honoring the work of educators. together, we will build a better california for all of us.

live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the "3rd hour of today." >> happy hump day. welcome to the "3rd hour of today." >> sitting this close to me feels weird. >> you have done this all week, right? >> now you're here. >> al is here. dylan is here. look who is back, sheinelle. >> i can touch you guys. are we not allowed to touch in. >> i mean, hr is going to -- >> there we go. >> fair enough. i think this is safe. >> don't we have a lot to get to? >> we have a whole heck of a lot