arrive soon to lay the wreath at the tomb of of the unknown soldier accompanied by the first lady, vice president kamala harris and also the second gentleman. good morning. holiday highs and lows. americans from coast to coast using their long memorial day weekend to make up for lost time. record crowds for the pandemic at airports and on the roads. >> we can travel and be with family and hug a ltle better without being scared is a great feeling. >> problem is, the weather not cooperating for tens of millions on the east coast. rain and record low temperatures. dylan will have everything you need to know. breaking news. walkout. a dramatic move in texas overnight.

democrats storming out of the statehouse chamber to block the passage of sweeping new voting laws. so what happens now, with republicans vowing the fight is far from over? and similar battles raging in other states. manhunt. the search intensifying for three gunmen who opened fire on a crowd outside a concert in miami, killing two people and wounding at least 20 others. we're live with the very latest on the investigation. tragedy in tennessee. seven people, including a popular diet guru and her actor husband, now presumed dead in a plane crash near nashville. federal investigators on the scene. just ahead, new details on what may have caused the fatal plunge into a lake. the massacre and the movement. >> 10,000 people were displaced at the hands of racial violence. anniversary of the tulsa

massacre. all that, plus, the need for speed. the world's largest crowd for a sporting event in the pandemic. 135,000 strong watching history unfold at the indy 500. >> welcome to the four-time club, helio castroneves. >> helio castroneves cementing his place in history. the driver they call spiderman celebrating with us live, today, monday, may 31st, 2021. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. welcome to "today" on this memorial day monday morning. thank you so much for spending part of your holiday with us. savannah and hoda are off, and we have some guests this morning. >> we do. take a look outside, we have the united states army field band live on the plaza this morning. 12 performers total.

we have 11 brass instruments and 1 drum kit. they drove up from d.c. to be with us today. >> they'll be with us throughout the morning. >> it'll be good. >> we start this memorial day with a look at the pandemic records being set from coast to coast. >> this morning, millions are set to head back home from the long holiday weekend after nearly 2 million travelers hit the nation's airports on friday. meanwhile, at sunday's indy 500, the biggest crowd assembled in the united states since the start of the pandemic. some 135,000 racing fans filling the stands in a sign that things are getting back to the old normal. it hasn't been all good news. many in the northeast have seen plans altered or canceled because of rain. some areas are welcoming in the unofficial start of summer with record low temperatures. >> what does it mean if you're heading to the beach, a barbecue, maybe traveling back home later today? we've got it all covered, starting with nbc's blayne alexander at atlanta's airport, the country's busiest. blayne, good morning. >> reporter: craig, good morning to you. it has been more than a year since we've seen scenes like

these here at the nation's busiest airport, something that was almost unthinkable just a year ago. but over the weekend, the tsa set a new single day record for pandemic travelers. all of this, of course, is coming as americans, by the millions, are getting back to traveling. this morning, it's a long-awaited sight. the chaotic return of holiday travel. >> it's great to see everybody out and about and getting back to normal life and enjoying life. >> reporter: for tsa, a new pandemic record, topping 1.9 million travelers friday. in america's first major holiday weekend since the vaccine. tsa's three-day total for thursday through saturday, more than five times the memorial day traffic in 2020. >> to know that we can travel and be with family and hug a little better without being scared is a great feeling. >> reporter: at the nation's busiest airport, last year, a ghost town. now, long lines are back at atlanta's hartsfield-jackson airport. officials urging everyone to arrive at least two hours before

flight time. we're talking more than a year since we've seen this type of a crowd. >> more than a year since we've seen this crowd, and it is fantastic. we're thrilled to see everybody returning. >> reporter: in many places, those headed for sunny beaches were, instead, met with this, putting a damper on holiday plans. from highways in chicago to a rained out times square, to sea isle city where heavy rains and floods forced part of the jersey shore to close. all in the path of a relentless storm system. >> it'll be nice indoors. we going to make it what it is. we will have fun. we are going to have a good time. >> reporter: it is not all cloudy skies. down in sunny miami, beach-goers enjoyed warm weather and an air show. national parks packed with visitors. >> look at the crowd! >> reporter: 135,000 fans were back in the stands at the indy 500, the biggest crowd at a sporting event since the start

of the pandemic. another sign america is speeding toward recovery. >> reporter: this morning, american airlines has become the latest carrier to extend its ban on alcohol sales in the main cabins joining southwest airlines. and it comes as we're seeing a sharp rise in unruly behavior among passengers. american airlines says the ban is going to last until at least mid-september. craig? >> all right, blayne alexander for us there at hartsfield jackson. dylan, a lot of people want to salvage their holiday weekend. >> we've been talking about record low temperatures, but there were also record low high temperatures. it hit 51 degrees in new york city, right? the coldest it's ever been on yesterday's date was 54 degrees set back in 1884. >> wow. >> i mean, it's never been this cold and miserable -- >> and wet. >> -- and wet. i mean, we saw about three to

five inches of rain across the area. the good news is, this area of low pressure is finally, finally moving away. not good news for new england because we are seeing a lot of the heavier rain across new hampshire and maine. as we go into the afternoon, we see it finally pull away. the winds will ease, it'll be less damp, lose the heavy rain. however, you go back to the plains, and that's where we'll see our heavy rain today. flash flood watches in effect. another three to five inches of rain possible in this part of the country. and there's a good chance we could see some flooding because of that because the ground is totally saturated. oklahoma city, you're about to be inundated with heavy rain, and this will stick around through tuesday, as it slowly moves into the midwest. this will be the next rainmaker for the northeast, as well. again, we are looking at another three to five inches of rain in some areas, so flooding could certainly be an issue, especially down through texas and oklahoma and into parts of the midwest. sheinelle? >> thank you, dylan. she'll be back with a full forecast in a moment. now to the breaking news overnight with texas on the verge of passing a bill that would create some of the strictest voting laws in the

country. democrats held a dramatic walkout to block it. nbc's geoff bennett joins us with details on this. geoff, good morning. >> reporter: craig, good morning. you're right. it was a stunning reversal overnight in texas, which is now at the forefront of the debate over voting rights. republican legislatures there are looking to pass some of the most restrictive rules in the country, including this bill which was rushed through the state legislature over a holiday weekend. it was all but guaranteed to pass. overnight, in a last-minute move, democrats walked out of the chamber, and that left the texas legislature without the required number of lawmakers needed to pass the bill by a midnight deadline, craig. >> geoff, walk us through exactly what's in this bill. why the backlash, not only there in texas but also on a national scale? >> reporter: yeah, the texas bill would end drive-through and 24-hour voting. it'd add i.d. requirements for absentee voting and make it easier for a judge to overturn election results.

now, democrats say this is all aimed at restricting voting for people of color. they were especially outraged by a last-minute addition that would have banned voting on sundays before 1:00 p.m., when they say many black voters head to the polls before church. now, republicans say they want to make voting more secure, even though many gop officials admit the 2020 election was secure, and texas had no reports of mass voter fraud in 2020. this is all part of a nationwide battle with the gop aiming to put tougher restrictions in place driven by former president trump's lies that the 2020 election was stolen. look, in texas, it's not over yet because the governor there says that the bill will be back in a special session, craig. >> geoff bennett from the white house, thank you. now to another story we're following closely. a mass shooting over the weekend in south florida. two people were killed, at least 20 others injured, when multiple gunmen opened fire at a banquet hall that was being used for a concert. nbc's sam brock joins us with the very latest on that investigation.

sam, good morning. >> reporter: sheinelle, good morning. police right now speaking with more than a dozen gunshot victims about what they saw and heard. that, sheinelle, as the three gunmen who perpetrated one of the worst shootings we've seen in recent memory remain at large. the nation's latest mass shooting in miami-dade county described by police as an act of cold-blooded murderers. >> they just started shooting everyone. innocent people were shot. >> reporter: 20 people hospitalized and at least two killed, as three others remain in critical care. >> multiple gunshot wound victims. >> reporter: the gunfire erupting sunday morning during an album release party for a rap artist. any idea why the gunman targeted innocent people? >> i think it was probably targeted on a specific person at that event, and they really didn't care about who was standing around. >> reporter: police say the gunman waited for at least half an hour in the parking lot before jumping out of an suv and unloading dozens of rounds with

assault weapons. piercing parents' sense of he . that it hurts, it hurts, and he loves us. >> reporter: angelica green's son was shot in the stomach, and his condition remains unclear. >> the same is true for chad harrison's 19-year-old daughter who was also caught in the gunfire. >> i'm a trauma nurse in new york. i'm also a 13-year marine corps vet. yeah, man this is -- this is war at home. >> reporter: the shock waves still sinking in for neighbors >> all we can do is pray because this can happen anywhere it's not the neighborhood, it's the way we live. it's society >> reporter: already breaking this morning, news of another shooting at a nightclub in houston, texas, where two peoply sheriffs deputies. as expecting an update in a matter

the atf in miami right now, as the investigation moves forward, is offering a reward of $30,000. cnbc's marcus lemonis offering $100,000 for any information that leads to the capture of these suspects sheinelle, back to you. >> sam, thank you. meanwhile, as americans enjoy the easing of many covid restrictions, there are new concerns on the world stage surrounding a new variant of the virus. the variant was just detected in vietnam. all of this as the debate rages over how the pandemic started. nbc's janis mackey frayer is in beijing for us janis, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, craig. when the virus first spread from china last year, vietnam was one of those countries that was quick to act it had testing, it had quarantines, and it was able to largely avoid any surge in covid cases, until now this morning, a troubling new

coronavirus variant in vietnam that authorities say is a hybrid of variants found in india and the uk, causing vietnam's first real surge of covid cases. the country now in lockdown. health officials warning the new variant spreads quickly by air no cases of it have been reported in the u.s. with covid variants driving new waves of infection especially across asia, there's renewed attention on the origins of the virus. >> there's going to be covid-26 and covid-31 unless we fully understand the origins of covid-19. >> reporter: president biden last week setting a 90-day deadline for u.s. intelligence agencies to get closer to knowing whether the virus spread from a bat through an animal to humans, or if it is possible it leaked from a lab. the world health organization now facing demands for a deeper investigation. health is the >> we would ask that this be

done in a depot -- depoliticized environment where science and health is the objective of this and not blame and politics >> reporter: there is no proof of any scenario is renewing debate around the wuhan institute and the top research lab. when nbc news was given rare access to the lab last year, lab officials, not surprisingly, denied any problem so you're 100% confident there was no leak, no accident >> i'm confident, there's no leak. >> reporter: 100%? >> 100%. >> reporter: recently revealed u.s. intelligence report confirmed by nbc news found three workers at the lab were treated for covid-like symptoms at a hospital before the outbreak in wuhan. pressure is now mounting on china to provide greater transparency and more access to data cuses the u.s. of a smear campaign and what it calls political manipulation in trying to blame china china wants any investigation to look at other countries, even other labs, including in the u.s.

that's been their position from the outset the only real change now is that the lab-leak theory has made it into the mainstream. the u.s. intelligence community will need to lean on international partners to come up with something, though scientists are always quick to remind us, craig, there is the possibility we may never know. >> janis mackey frayer for us in beijing. thank you. we have a lot more to get to as we welcome in tom llamas. good morning. >> good morning to you ceremonies and events are being held throughout the holiday weekend, marking the 100th anniversary of one of the worst acts of racial violence in u.s. history. the 1921 tulsa, oklahoma, massacre a white mob attacking residents' homes and businesses in a black neighborhood, killing hundreds, and destroying a thriving community. a full century later, many are still grappling with the violent and largely hidden history antonia hylton is in tulsa for us

good morning. >> reporter: good morning, tom there have been events here all through the weekend, part of the black wall street legacy festival while people here are hoping that renewed attention brings change, there are tensions throughout the city that is still come lg -- still coming to terms with what happened here. this morning, a solemn anniversary for the city of tulsa, where a new memorial now commemorates the 1921 race massacre residents and supporters marking the moment with a march this weekend. gathering with two of the last known survivors in the place once known as black wall street. exactly 100 years ago, a white mob descended on the affluent black community killing an estimated 300 black tulsaens and destroying almost every home and business in the 3,500 block area, turning entire families into r tiffany's great grandmother was one of them. >> 10,000 people were displaced at the hands of racial terror violence 100 years later, people are

coming back home, descendents from everywhere, so we call this homecoming. >> reporter: that homecoming bringing moments of reflection and sharpening the push for accountability no one has ever been held responsible for the attack >> the way to heal america is the reparations for the tulsa defendants of this massacre. >> can there be healing without repayment? >> i do not believe there can be healing without restitution or reparation. >> reporter: without accountability, many black tulsaens worry this centennial will ring hollow armed demonstrators marched through tulsa saturday, blocking streets as they urged black as countr residents to take advantage of their second amendment rights. the anniversary comes as the country continues to grapple with race and its history. the dream is this weekend becomes a call to action is anything giving you hope? >> the black community in tulsa,

we don't take injustice lying down lightly we are not afraid to stand firm on what we believe and demand better for our community >> reporter: tonight, there will be a candlelight vigil marking the start of the massacre. tomorrow, president biden is expected to travel here. tom? >> a lot of work still to be done antonia hylton this morning, thank you. let's bring dylan back in for the rest of the forecast maybe there's some good news now? >> let's focus on the nice areas, shall we? it is going to be a beautiful memorial day through the southeast. temperatures in the 70s and 80s. lots of sunshine, increasing sunshine across the northeast and back through the great lakes, where highs will be in the 70s. even the northern plains upper 70s. still hot but nice and sunny out west, highs in the 80s and 90s 75 in southern california. again, the middle of the country is the best chance of heavy rain today. that's a look at the weather across the country we'll get to your local forecast in the next 30 seconds

good morning, i'm vianey arana. expect a pretty hot day ahead. we've got a heat advisory that goes into effect starting at noon and excessive heat warning for the sacramento area and interior valleys tomorrow. temperatures expected to reach the triple digits through concord, livermore and antioch, upper 90s for the south bay, 70s and 80s around the bay and the coast. limit outdoor exposure and watch for heat related illnesses. >> that's your latest forecast >> a >> that's your latest forecast >> all right dylan, thank you

when we come back, some new details on a holiday weekend tragedy near nashville a plane crashing into a lake all seven people on board presumed dead, including a best-selling diet guru we are live with the latest on that investigation. plus, the easing of covid restrictions and less than stellar weather combining to shatter weekend box office records. california's choice beauty? pretty boy. or a beast? john cox grew up with nothing; made himself a remarkable success. california's falling off a cliff. high taxes, unaffordable costs! even elon musk left! gavin's mismanagement of california is inexcusable. we need big beastly changes in sacramento.

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rng good morning it's. :26. fire threat as the wildfire threat continues. >> reporter: heat advisory from 11:00 this morning until 8:00 tonight, basically for the east bay and parts of the north bay, as temperatures are forecast to be in the high 90s to 105 degrees. reminder if you're enjoying the memorial day barbecue you want to stay hydrated and cool. pete suratos in daly city,

we take a look at the uptick in travelers this memorial day weekend. according to aaa they expect more than 37 million travelers this weekend. that would be a 60% increase from 2020. happening despite high gas prices which are more than four bucks a gallon in parts of the bay area. despite this increase in travelers this year it's still down 13% compared to 2019. and it is going to be hot as you heard and how hot are we going to get? walnut creek is about 59 degrees, but look at how quickly we jump up into the 90s by about 1:00, 2:00 p.m. and it is expected to be in the triple digits in livermore, concord and antioch this afternoon. at 96 degrees around 2:00, we notice right now the wind speeds are calm but once we start to see that picking up this afternoon, that continues to dry us out lowering the humidity which brings elevated fire danger.

58 degrees in san jose, expect to hit upper 90s this afternoon. >> thank you, vianey. we have more local news coming up in a half hour. stay cool out there today. in business, it's never just another day. it's the big sale, or the big presentation. the day where everything goes right. or the one where nothing does. with comcast business you get the network that can deliver gig speeds to the most businesses and advanced cybersecurity

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♪ welcome to the four-time club helio castroneves awesome! that is awesome! >> back at 7:30 with yesterday's thrilling finish to the indy 500. helio castroneves earning his place in history in front of a massive pandemic crowd just the fourth driver to win the greatest spectacle in racing for a fourth time. >> hadn't won it since 2009. there he is kissing the bricks just saw the traditional drinking of the milk you were there. >> i was there i was going to say the race was

exciting the post celebration - >> i can imagine. >> that was so much fun to watch. he was having a great time loving the fans and fellow racers that was a great moment in sports it was awesome. >> castroneves is a class act and will join us in the next hour right now a check of your 7:30 headlines on this monday morning. benjamin netanyahu, the long running israeli prime minister could be stepping aside. two opposition leaders announcing on sunday they will be joining forces to form a coalition government the move could see netanyahu unseated from israel's top office for the first time in 12 years. the coalition coming days after the cease-fire ending an 11-day war between israel and hamas that left dozens dead. tennis star naomi osaka has been fined $15,000 for skipping a mandatory news conference after yesterday's first round victory at the french open the move drew a stunning warning from all four grand slam tournaments, saying she could face stiffer penalties, including disqualification or

suspension if she continues to avoid the media. osaka announced last week she would not take part in media sessions at roland garros because she often feels people have no regard for athletes' mental health. record-setting climbers returned from mt. everest yesterday. after climbing world's highest mountain in separate expeditions. arthur muir, 75 years old, retired attorney from chicago, is now the oldest american to ever scale mt. everest and the fastest climber from hong kong. she scaled from the base camp to the summit in 25 hours and 50 minutes. also this morning, we're learning more about a plane crash near nashville on saturday all seven people on board presumed dead. >> among the victims, best-selling faith-based diet meagan, good morning. >> reporter: tom, sheinelle, good morning to you. on board that flight, gwen lara, her husband, joe, an actor,

their son-in-law as well as two other couples. they were heading to palm beach when their plane ran into trouble. this morning, the investigation continues. >> we've got a fuel slick just off that point there. >> reporter: after the private plane crashed into a lake near nashville saturday all seven people on board presumed dead. among them, faith-based diet guru gwen lara and her husband, actor joe lara the small business jet heading to palm beach, florida, losing contact with air traffic control shortly after takeoff from smyrna airport diving operations uncovered aircraft parts in a lake a few miles away >> operations continued overnight. watercraft conducted searches along the banks, on the surface of the water >> reporter: on board the plane,

five other members from gwen and joe la raremnant fellowship church, founded by gwen two decades ago. best known to her christian approach to weight loss, lara found success and stirred controversy with her weight down workshop, described by the church as a bible study series to help people stop drinking and lose weight. >> seek him, you will find him as your heart gets full, that's -- the desire goes away for the food it's filled up, instead of chocolate cake, fill it up with god, and you get skinny. >> reporter: her husband, joe, an actor portraying tarzan, on tv's "tarzan, the epic adventure" together starting a youtube channel showcasing their luxurious life now the search for answers >> meagan, we know the plane was heading to palm beach. at this point, we don't know much else on why it went down. investigators are just getting started? >> reporter: tom, that's right we know the ntsb is leading this investigation, sending two of their agents to the scene. they're going to be focusing in on the pilot

the aircraft itself as well as the environment around it. we know that preliminary results could come in about two weeks, but this complete investigation isn't going to be done for about two years. tom. >> meagan fitzgerald on the developing story thank you. inside something we have not been able to say for quite a while. a banner weekend at the box office. >> the records being set as movie theaters bounce back to life in a big way. right after this but when the movements in my hands and feet started throwing me off at work... i finally had to say, 'it's not ok.' it was time to talk to my doctor about austedo. reduce td movements in adults... ...while i continue with most of my mental health medications. (vo) austedo can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, or actions in patients with huntington's disease. pay close attention to and call your doctor if you become depressed, have sudden changes in mood, behaviors, feelings, or have suicidal thoughts.

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i remember just, kinda like a burning smell from the airbags. my pixel detected that we were in a car accident, and prompted me whether i needed to call 911. i don't ever really think about how's my phone going to save me today? we're back on "in-depth today," hollywood's comeback story. >> the long holiday weekend has seen many americans return to

a place a lots of us haven't visited in a while, the movie theater. >> two blockbusters hit the screen, leading to box office sales not seen since before the pandemic nbc's gadi schwartz is in los angeles with more on all of it good news for hollywood. >> reporter: good morning, guys. return to movies is the latest sign that americans are looking for a return to normal while last memorial day weekend saw less than $1 million in movie ticket sales total, this year's early figures have blown that number right out of the water. this morning, more americans are headed back to the big screen. >> it's been a while. >> first one in a long time. >> reporter: with over 70% of movie theaters open, the most since the pandemic forced many to go dark, audiences are eager for everything the theater has to offer. >> i'm excited i'm a big frozen coke fan, so i'm ready to get the concession going. >> reporter: driving the rush? >> run >> reporter: "a quiet place 2," the biggest post-pandemic blockbuster, expected to rake in

nearly $60 million over the long weekend. adding to the box office boom -- >> i'm cruella >> reporter: "cruella," predicted to nab $43 million in ticket sales the early return, a hopeful sign for the movie industry after a dismal 15 months they >> should be fun. >> reporter: the growing crowds coming as theaters say they're dropping mask requirements for those who are fully vaccinated >> almost feels normal. >> reporter: the chains will keep seat blocking and enhanced cleaning procedures in place insiders hoping easing restrictions could help hollywood bounce back. >> this may be the most important memorial weekend since the advent of the summer movie season >> reporter: the three-day weekend could mark the first time box offices break $100 million since march of 2020, and could prove people are still willing to pay for a cinematic experience. >> we like the popcorn, a soda, and just have that experience as

a family again together. >> reporter: as americans and the movies get back in action. it is important to remember that even though some chains have removed the mask mandate, if you go to a theater in a state or city that requires you to wear a mask indoors, you're still going to need one for the movies but pop quiz, do you guys remember the last movie you saw before the pandemic? >> oh. >> in a theater? >> shoot because it was before -- >> i can't either. >> "who framed roger rabbit? i don't know you don't remember >> reporter: i don't remember. you know what, it's going to be really hard to go back to the movies for me. and i know this is sacrilegious to say, especially here in hollywood. but i fast forward through shows and movies now if it gets too boring because my attention span is gone from the pandemic. >> gadi, i would like to point out, the commercials pay your salary >> reporter: not the commercials, just those boring track shots, you know? >> oh, okay.

>> reporter: too much dialogue >> good thinking, gadi. >> may be the last time you see gadi schwartz here on nbc universal. >> good to see you, buddy. >> gosh, i don't remember. >> i have absolutely no idea >> i don't even remember what movie theater i went to. >> i think when it is raining, people head inside now, is it going to get better some areas of the country, it is almost so hot, you'll still want to go to the theater because you want the a/c we are looking at near record temperatures out west, with highs up to 110 degrees through wednesday. dangerous heat up through central california also down through the desert southwest, too, including the las vegas area so it is going to get extremely hot as temperatures will continue to expand up through portland 83 degrees for a high today. billings, montana, 80 degrees. here's where the cold air is sitting. kansas city, 66. 14 degrees below average new york city, finally up to 71 after hitting a high of 51 yesterday. we are looking for the warmer temperatures to stick around through tuesday up through

flint, 78. 75 in bonn atlanta, 85. still chilly but also very rainy back through the plain states and still hot out west we are going to see the highs again come close to records up in the upper 90s to lower 100s we're also looking for that heavy rain today down through >> just as dylan said, you want to seek the ac maybe at the movie theater. we have a heat advisory that goes into effect starting at noon and remains in place for the north bay and the east bay hills and through the tri-valley, as we expect to see 90s to triple digits especially for areas like concord, antioch, up through santa rosa and the napa area, if you are around the bay side, 80s and 90s today highs compared to the records. triple digits in 2001. >> that's your latest forecast >> figure out the movie yet? >> no. >> still no. that's a good one. >> "once upon a time in hollywood.

>> that was not what i saw. >> we'll figure it out dylan, thank you. just ahead on this memorial day, a u.s. navy sailor killed in the attack on pearl harbor finally laid to rest >> our inside look at a project giving answers and possibly a sense of closure to military families who have waited for decades, but first, these messages but i don't have a capital one card. you should get one! but you don't need it for this. just download capital one shopping to your computer. it's free! ooooo, save me some cheddar! so... when's the party? i love fondue. really? i never joke about hot cheese, susan. me neither. capital one shopping. it's kinda genius. what's in your wallet? ♪ every bubble ♪ ♪ every scrub ♪ ♪ every spray ♪ ♪ every day ♪ ♪ dove and degree fund local youth programs. ♪ every day u does good ♪

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[music gently fades out] we are back with we are back with a look at arlington national cemetery on this day to remember and honor the men and women who have died while serving in our military. so important to never forget. >> a major undertaking has been ongoing for years to identify the remains of our nation's fallen military heroes, an effort that tries to provide a sense of comfort and maybe even closure to their families. >> recently, id to a funeral in arlington for a navy sailor killed in the attack on pearl harbor nearly 40 years ago >> he was very patriotic >> reporter: as a young man, eddie griffith wanted to serve.

>> he graduated with honors at school and knew right away he was going to enlist in the military >> reporter: he enlisted in 1939 and became a navy radioman on the battleship "uss oklahoma." then came the day that still lives in infamy, the attack on pearl harbor the oklahoma was hit by japanese torpedos it quickly capsized killing 429 sailors and marines on board including eddie. for years the military could only identify 35 of the men. the others, nearly 400 of them, were buried together as unknowns at a military cemetery in honolulu known as the punch bowl eddie griffith was one of them his name recorded there on the wall of the missing. in 2015, the agency charged with finding and identifying service members disinterred the remains hoping to identify all 388 missing men. >> we spent the last six years sorting through, doing dental

analysis, dna, and today we are up to 336 sailors and marines that now are back with their families >> using dna samples from living relatives and comparing dental records with defense p. p.o.w. m.i.a. accounting agency can spend years identifying one sailor from oklahoma >> it just depends on the type of dna we need to use. >> reporter: now the 88th anniversary of the attack on pearl harbor may mark the end of the u.s.s. oklahoma project. >> by the end of this summer, we will have done as much as we can. >> reporter: but the dpaa mission is far from over >> we estimate to be recoverable are 38,000 americans, predominantly from world war ii. 38,000 >> reporter: men and women gone but not forgotten. >> we like to think every day is memorial day for us.pes the country remembers his sacrifice.

>> he always said that if the flag is not worth fighting for, it's not worth living under. and i remember that. >> reporter: now, a rosette on the wall at punch bowl cemetery signifies eddie griffith has been identified. closure for his family, finally. able to bring eddie home courtney kube, nbc news, arlington national cemetery. >> wow. >> incredible. they have the science to do that. >> all these decades later. >> 38,000. >> wow. still ahead, the tributes that are pouring in for beloved actor and "love boat" captain gavin macleod. coming up on "pop start," the routine part 2 how music star ed sheeran is jumping on board the renewed friends frenzy, because we're all on board, right? >> it happens. >> right after your local news i love that click.

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good morning to you. it's 7:56. i'm kris sanchez and here's what's happening now. >> i'm pete suratos in daly city. we take a look at the uptick in travelers this memorial day weekend. according to aaa, they expect more than 37 million travelers this weekend, that would be a 60% increase from 2020. it's happening despite high gas prices more than four bucks a gallon in parts of the bay area but despite the increase in travelers this year it's down 13% compared to 2019. i'm bob redell in dublin. we have the threat of wildfire today as the natio service issues a heat advisory from 11:00 this morning until 8:00 tonight basically for the east bay and parts of the north bay as temperatures are forecast

to be in the high 90s to 105 degrees. also reminder if you're enjoying the memorial day barbecue, stay hydrated and cool. this is dangerous heat for a lot of folks, vianey. >> it really is. something to keep in mind headed towards the afternoon we see the new record heat for the tri-valley sticking around through tomorrow when it comes to the 90s. it will be windy tonight into tomorrow and that's going to lower the humidity down which elevates that fire concern danger for the north bay and east bay hills where the high advisory is when it comes to the heat. there is heat warning for sacramento and stockton. even in san francisco inching near the 80s, maybe even hitting some mid the bay, it's going to feel like summer out there. keep that in mind. we stay in the 70s through tomorrow, as far as relief from the heat, it looks like that will head more into wednesday and thursday where we start to see the return of low clouds around the bay area but for now

the high pressure system is dominating the forecast. kris? >> thank you. we have more local news coing up in a half hour, if you're a military family, thank you for your sacrifice.

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it's 8:00 on "today. coming up, on the rebound. millions of travelers back at it as the country marks its first major holiday weekend since the vaccine. crowds packing the bars and beaches despite a wet weekend in the east, so what can you expect today? dylan's tracking your latest forecast ♪ we could be heros ♪ paying it forward. how a military family facing tough times during the pandemic is helping other families in need. >> just want other people to know that if you keep trying

and, you know, just persevere, something good will happen to you. >> their incredible message of hope coming up plus, remembering gavin macleo of "the love boat" and the "mary tyler moore show." >> good morning, ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking >> just ahead, the tributes pouring in from his co-stars and fans for the win. we'll catch up with helio castroneves, the four-time winner of the indy 500, after this weekend's fan-filled race. >> helio castroneves that is awesome. >> how the 46-year-old is feeling about his historic victory, today, monday, may 31st, 2021 ♪ hey, uncle sam, put your name at the top of his list ♪ >> i'm erin. >> we're serving in virginia beach, virginia. please join us as we remember

and honor our fallen heroes this memorial day >> celebrating my mom, retired air force vet. >> i'm honoring all those who came before me have a happy and safe memorial day. >> from columbia, south carolina. >> we're thankful for our daddy. >> we'll see you soon! >> we love you ♪ the red white and blue ♪ >> thankful for you, as well, sir. thank you for your service welcome back to "today" on this monday morning of memorial day weekend. thanks for starting the holiday with us. savannah and hoda have the morning off. we're going to go outside in a bit. we have appropriate music for the morning. >> we'll have that in a bit. also, tomorrow on "today," we want to mention carson will share his deeply personal conversation with sinead o'connor, the singer/song writer opening up about traumas that shaped her life, the controversies in her career, managing her mental health, and finding peace. it is a powerful interview you won't want to miss >> carson said he learned a lot talking to sinead. let's get to your news at

8:00 millions of americans who traveled for this memorial day weekend probably hope for better weather, but they did get their main wish, a chance to see people and places that have been off limits for a very long time. nbc's blayne alexander is in atlanta. blayne, good morning >> reporter: craig, good morning to you certainly, a lot of people are taking advantage, getting out and traveling. you know, officials here at the nation's busiest airport here in atlanta tell me the last time they saw crowds this high was december of 2019 we're talking about more than a year that's just a fraction of the number of travelers we saw over this very busy holiday weekend consider this, tsa processed more than 1.9 million travelers on friday alone. that's a new single day record for pandemic travelers the highest we've seen since the start of the pandemic. now, the three-day total between thursday and saturday is more than five times the number we saw in 2020. it's very clear that americans by car or by air are getting back and getting out and traveling, some 37 million

expected to do so. everybody got a warm welcome when they got to their destination. a heavy storm system over the midwest and parts of the northeast drenched people as they were heading to the beaches and had to find other plans. for many people that we spoke to, they said, despite the fact they had to take shelter inside or alter their plans, they were certainly glad to get out and travel again the tsa is expecting more record numbers today as millions of americans head back after the busy season. craig? >> blayne alexander at hartsfield-jackson airport, thank you. fans and former co-stars are paying tribute to gavin macleod who died at his california home this weekend the 90-year-old star was best known for his roles on tv's "the love boat" and the "mary tyler moore show." kristen dahlgren has a look back at his career. ♪ the love boat ♪ >> reporter: it can be rough seas in the world of tv sitcoms, but gavin macleod always sailed through it with class.

whether at the helm of "the love boat" where he played the captain for two years and 250 episodes, or the steady hand behind the typewriter next to mary tyler moore >> excuse me. >> hello, hello. >> hello. >> hello. >> reporter: he was a journeyman actor with dozens of stage, film, and television credits >> you tell 'em. >> reporter: it wasn't until "the mary tyler moore show" that he made it big his co-star tweeting, gavin was my brother, my partner in crime, and food and my co comic conspirator. i will see you in a while, gavin. he was always giving and grateful his sense of humor brought countless smiles. >> did you ever imagine when you were sitting down to do this, when you first started doing it, that we'd still be talking about "the love boat." >> i didn't think i would be here this long, to tell you the truth. i'm so glad we're talking about anything >> reporter: gavin macleod was the longest serving spokesperson for princess cruises and brand ambassador.

♪ love exciting and new ♪ >> reporter: he celebrated their 50th anniversary along with many of his "love boat" co-stars in 2014. >> the captain is not far from me once i put on the hat, i become him. it is easy because he is me. >> reporter: whelan played his daughter vicky on "love boat." >> he was gregarious and interesting and welcoming and loving and one of the most positive people that i've ever encountered in my life >> reporter: macleod became a devout christian later in life appearing more recently on episodes of "touched by an angel" and "king of queens." he's survived by his wife and four children and remembered by his adoring fans and co-stars who enjoyed being part of his remarkable journey. >> i've had a wonderful life, especially with these people here. for "today," kristen dahlgren, nbc news >> i remember when the cast was here and savannah and al interviewed them

they walked into the studio and everybody was sort of star struck or just had a memory of watching it. he will be missed. >> i feel every cruise ship captain is compared to him in the way they look. if you don't look like the captain, you're not a captain. >> it's true. boston celtics played in front of a full crowd for the first time since 2019. after the nets beat the celtics in game four of the playoff series, somebody threw a water bottle at nets guard kyrie irving it just missed his head. the fan who appeared to toss the bottle was arrested and could be banned from the arena for life irving, a former celtic who scored 39 points last night said it is unfortunate sports has come to this crossroads. we had a similar incident at madison square garden. the knicks game, tray young, somebody spit on him during the playoffs >> oh, no. >> it is getting a little -- >> out of control. of control. >> that's not okay. speaking of fans, fans of the hbo max detective series "the mayor of east town," they

got unexpected drama before last night's finale the streaming service crashed just before the hit show starring kate winslet was about to start many fans in the united states had to wait several hours before they could finally watch it. after it did air, top critics praised the finale as a masterpiece. an example of everything that made the show great. >> i have catching up to do. everyone is talking about this. >> you just started it. >> just started it last night randomly, and it's very good it is very intense though. but it is good. >> happened ll of the control rm downstairs, they've been watching it this morning, in fact they've been watching it this morning, in fact. >> exactly, while we're talking. how about a boost? >> i'll try. i won't be able to do it like hoda kotb, but i'll try. two sisters had not seen each other in 18 months because of the pandemic and because they live on opposite sides of the country. so as a birthday surprise, the sister in new york got on a plane and flew all the way to san francisco. when she showed up, her west coast sibling could not believe her eyes

>> oh!knew, i knew! >> come >> i knew, i knew, i knew! >> come here, it's okay. >> that's love >> no love like sisters' love, right? claire, the sister who made the flight, wrote on instagram, the result of her surprise was, well, you can see for yourself >> that is beautiful hoda came up with the idea to show reunion videos, and we can't get enough. >> love it. did not. you can do a whole show of just reunions up next, a military family getting a new start after facing tough times during the pandemic. the powerful message of hope they're now sharing. also here to lift our spirits on this monday, the u.s. army field band performing for us on the plaza. they'll be here throughout the

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we're back at 8:13 on this memorial day with music from the united states army field band. as we turn to one military family's message of hope. >> the past year has been challenging for so many. an estimated 45 million americans experienced food insecurity in 2020 >> nbc's sam brock joins us with a story of resilience and overcoming obstacles, even during a pandemic. it highlights the generosity of others sam, this is a perfect story for this memorial day. >> reporter: so uplifting. guys, good morning we first met rachel zabo back in december when we were reporting on military families who were just struggling to put food on the table. rachel lost her job during the pandemic, was facing tough times, but now her story has moved so many people across the country. we have an update this morning on the record-breaking number of donations and her message of hope rachel zabo is back on the job,

a designer who moved to ft. bragg two years ago when her husband joined the army. like many americans, rachel is working from home. taking care of her 5-month-old son and also giving back, volunteering at a local food pantry the same pantry -- >> is there any specific needs your family has this month >> i would say some canned vegetables and canned fruit. >> reporter: -- she visited weekly only months ago for help. a giant reversal of fortunes from when we met rachel in december, months after she lost her job because of the pandemic. her family down half of its two-parent income. the mother-to-be preparing to care for her son while forced to lean on others for a boost does it hurt you that this is affecting your entire family >> yeah, it doesry. i mean -- sorry. i just need a minute >> reporter: her story touching hearts across the country. what kind of a response did you

receive from that story? >> so many people wanting to help us out, and we were honestly flabbergasted at how much people reached out to us and just wanted to help. >> reporter: did it feel like an outpouring to you? >> it did. >> reporter: not just for rachel's family but for the organization that helped her when times were tough. the armed services ymca. >> we were floored i worked in non-profits for 20 years, and i've never seen a single day of donations like what we saw. >> reporter: $300,000, five times what the organization received in online donations for the previous year. the influx of new money going back to help still reeling pockets of the country, coping not only with empty cupboards but roadblocks finding child care an issue rachel is already confronting. child care is not cheap. >> you have to have a job that pays for day care but can also pay groceries and bills on top of it. >> reporter: it is another

obstacles the armed services ymca is tackling along with the u.s. military. >> our partnership is vitally important. and the military -- we couldn't do what we do without the military leadership here at fort bragg and every base we serve at >> reporter: rachel has been back at work for more than a month, tears replaced by hope, with a regular paycheck, food insecurity is no longer top of mind what have you learned from this experience >> i just want other people to know that if you keep trying and just, you know, persevere, something good will happen to you. >> reporter: today, rachel is paying it forward, volunteering once a week. >> they really became people that i came to trust and depended on, just to kind of keep me sane through this whole thing. >> reporter: is that the message you would want to send to americans, that there is light at the end of the tunnel >> yeah, i just want everybodynr it can be temporary, and i'm proof of that. honestly, it feels like everything is kind of like in color and just like positive and just rainbows and butterflies to

be honest to say the least >> reporter: if you want to feel good about the dna of americans and our generosity, rachel says the people were donating their stimulus checks to the armed services ymca. guys, one food box costs 20 bucks so you can only imagine how far $300,000 will go, how many families that will impact uplifting news here on this memorial day holiday. >> exactly people are genuinely good people. >> resilient now, she's paying it forward great story. >> thank you, sam. thank you for that, sam brock, down in florida. another check of the weather? >> it is improving for most of the folks who had to deal with a pretty miserable past couple of days we do have wet weather and stormy conditions through kansas, oklahoma, and texas. that has been the trend a long time the east is drying out, to the point where people can get back to the beach still a little chilly. long island will hang on to the clouds a little longer

cape cod, not a good beach day outer banks, mid 60s and sunshine myrtle beach, 70s with the sun same were hilton head. jacksonville beach in florida, beautiful. down through florida, you'll see run-of-the-mill pop-up thunderstorms this afternoon, but for the most part look for a mix of sun and clouds. temperatures running a heat advisory will take effect today because we are seeing triple digits for the tri-valley. livermore is 66. it will be quick to warm up. triple digits down to the south bay, upper 90s in san jose. 62 by 1:00, 2:00, already in the upper 80s and we are expecting the heat advisory to remain in effect until tonight. about 9:00 p.m. your record heat. 90s tomorrow. >> that's your latest forecast >> all right thank you, dylan. back to you again. >> getting our money's worth out

of you today. >> should i read the title i'm sitting right here let us get to "pop start." let's start with ed sheeran. we showed the video before as "friends" fever rolls on following the reunion fun. everybody remembers this new year's eve episode where monica and ross do their iconic dance a video revealed ed sheeran has been working on mastering the routine with help from a friend. >> five, six, seven, eight ♪♪ ♪ ♪ >> wow >> that is a lot of practice. >> super fan. >> it takes a bit of work. obviously, that's ed sheeran with "friends" star courteney cox re-creating that iconic dance routine. totally nailed it. that's not the only thing sheeran has been working on.

he sat down with bbc radio one and opened up about staying busy during the pandemic by rehearsing music with his daughter who was born last august sheeran revealed she's not so impressed with dad's grammy winning vocals saying now i'll sing my new song to my daughter, who is not my biggest fan. she just cries we are looking forward to new music from ed, which he says should be on the way it is incredible how humbling kids are they could care less about what we do. >> absolutely. next up, olivia rodrigo is celebrating a pretty big milestone. she is the first female artist to have a debut album enter the billboard charts at number one since 2018 the 18-year-old released her first full album titled "sour" on march 21st and within the first seven days, the album was streamed more than 300 million times. top tracks include "good 4 u," "deja vu," and "driver's license. we had her on the show back when that was becoming a thing.

congratulations to her on her first album. next up, rev run the hip hop legend is going viral for a tiktok that caught him jamming out to his own song at a stoplight here's a look. ♪ my recital is very vital ♪ >> that's fun. >> awesome >> the song, of course, is run-d.m.c.'s hit "it's tricky. off the group's most successful album. revrun clearly excited about the run-in with a fan, he posteds video to instagram with the caption, made his day, may d made my day. >> awesome. >> hard not a dance and sing along. the other day, calvin is walking around the house, like, "it's tricky, tricky." >> how did he hear that? >> brian has it in the mix and we play it in the car. >> old school hip hop. >> what else does he know? that's the problem former president barack obama sat down with conan o'brien for the talk show host's

conan needs a friend podcast he shared a story every parent can relate to, how his kid went into full meltdown moment of all time it was when conan was meeting then-president obama. my son at the time is 7 or 8 years old or 6 years old, and he's having a full-on melt down, and he sits down on the ground, and we're saying you've got to stand up you're going to meet the president and the first lady he said, "i don't want to meet the president! i can see you. you are 15 feet away just then, justin bieber, in front of us in line, intervenes. he turns around and puts his hand on my son's head and he rubs his hair and he goes, hey, chill, little man. and my son turns around and says, stop it, leave me alone! >> i wonder if it changed justin [ laughter ] >> i want to know what kind of line this was.

>> i know, right bi b bieber just happened to be in front of me. >> you said it, kids -- >> could care less obama said, you need to make sure there's food at all times for kids just assume when they're having a meltdown, it is food related finally, blake lively, the actress and mother of three took to instagram to show off a surprising hidden talent ketchup artist >> oh, look at that. >> this condiment creation depicting one of the my little pony characters captioning the photo, when you ask your kid if she wants the ketchup in the shape of a heart she looks and says, "no, fluttershot. pretty impressive work this isn't the first time she's sharing her stunning kitchen artwork. in february, the "gossip girl" actress proved she knows her way around a cake dish with this unicorn cake. >> she made it >> apparently she made it. she's got some artist's talent >> don't show my kids. they'll play with the ketchup. it'll be all over the place. coming up, indy 500 champ helio castroneves is with us live for a huge interview post race

>> i love that plus, chassie post will get you in the mood to shop with a run through of the best memorial day sales. but first, your local news

good morning, it's 8:26. i'm cierra johnson. happening today for this memorial day holiday, veterans and active service members can enjoy some of california's state parks at no costs. some of the locations in the bay area are in half moon bay. to get in, active and reserved military just have to show proof of i.d. and honorable discharge. 282 state parks are participating in this program memorial day. if you're headed out to take advantage of that, it's going to be a warm one.

>> good morning. we have near-record heat. 70s for the bay, 80s and even 90s. but there's a heat advisory in effect starting at noon today, remaining in place through tonight. how hot will it get? livermore is one of those spots we will quickly climb into the 90s but expect triple-digit heat. as far as the south bay, upper 90s. over the next seven days, we will keep the 90s through tomorrow. expect winds to kick up tonight into tomorrow and cooldown makes its arrival in towards the middle of the week on wednesday and thursday. we cool down by as much as 15. >> be sure to drink that water today. i'll have another local news update for you in about a half hour.

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♪♪ ♪ ♪ so good. >> i love it >> we were chilly until they started playing, right >> bopping to the music. >> we are certainly honored on this memorial day morning to have special guests joining us this morning on the plaza. members of the u.s. army field band, the group of active duty

soldiers performs at home and abroad this year marks the band's 75th anniversary. >> wow. >> we'll hear more from them in the next half hour. >> happy anniversary >> thank you, guys. >> so much coming up also, helio castroneves, the driver riding high after drinking milk for the fourth time at the indy 500 can't wait to help him celebrate the historic win. if you're stuck inside with bad weather today, fear not. you might want to take advantage of memorial day sales. chassie post has a round-up of the day's biggest and best deals. plus, the grill dads are here they're throwing a big old steak on the grill and equally tasty chicken. >> tomahawk, right >> big old tomahawk. we've got a chicken option, too, for everyone at your barbecue. on the third hour, a former nfl player who gave up the game to follow an unexpected calling on the farm. lots coming up here. first, before all that, ms. dryer, one more check? >> so nice to see the sky here in new york city it's been a while.

we are going to see pretty nice weather for the east coast it's not going to be as cool either, thanks to the help of some sunshine. down in the southeast, it looks really nice and warm today highs getting into the 80s we do have to watch out for heavy rain back in kansas, oklahoma, and texas where flooding is a possibility. by the middle of the week, we're slowly going to see that storm system move into the midwest that's where the heaviest rain will be. record temperatures out west with sunshine, an area that could use the rain it stays dry on the east coast for the middle of the week by friday, more stormy weather will move in, especially through the southeast, bringing rain up into the northeast it should clear out in time for the weekend. warmer highs build in behind the next storm system. mid to upper 80s, even 90s across the northern plains by a spare the air alert is in place. near-record highs. temperatures in the triple digits. a heat advisory will go into effect starting at noon today. keep that in mind. we are expecting the dwrierj to

remain but quick check of your temperature trends, 66 out the door. but by 1:00, expect upper 90s in the forecast and in the next seven days, dry weather is expected to remain through tuesday, cooling off by wednesday. >> that is your latest forecast. i have to say, you guys have been the best backdrop i've had. in a very long time. it's nice to be out here with you all. back to you inside >> fantastic thank you, dylan. now to yesterday's indianapolis 500 it certainly lived up to its name as the greatest spectacle in racing. >> so true 135,000 fans lined the indianapolis motor speedway with millions more watching here on nbc to see 33 cars compete for the trophy the early favorites, decorated driver out of new zealand and a few young 20-something hot shots. >> as they made the turn to the homestretch, leading the pack was the 46-year-old guy who was

about to make indycar history. >> four-time win on the line for helio castroneves! look at the crowd, they know history is on the line welcome to the four-time club, helio castroneves! >> bring it home >> helio castroneves aka, spider-man. spider-man just became the fourth driver in history to win the indy 500 four times. he is joining us fresh off the big day at the brick yard. good to see you, sir congratulations. >> thank you so much, guys i love the background, by the way. that's perfect what a day it was yesterday. i have to say, right now here at indianapolis motor speedway and seeing the images, i obviously have not had a chance yet to see it we've been kind of nonstop it's still a great moment. no question. >> it was a heck of a race for folks who enjoy racing, you won that thing by, what, a half a second as you mentioned on the

beginning, there were so many young guys out there you know what? we old guys still can teach these young kids a few lessons, you know it was absolutely incredible again, you have to remember, this is a long race. there was a lot going on there was a drafting, as you can see right now. whoever leads always has a little tendency to lose speed. that's why the guys in the back have an opportunity. i'll tell ya what, when i made that pass and saw traffic in front of me, i said, you know what, this is my cue i have to make a pass now because i have to make it happen it's fantastic i mean, being in this amazing group of guys, only three guys were able to do it, and now, this club. it is absolutely incredible. >> how would you describe the energy there we saw you scaling the fence there, aka spider-man. what was the energy like there with so many thousands of people

all together again post-pandemic? >> last year, we didn't have the fans it was sad we were able to make the race, but it was a little bit strange. again, when you have 135,000, and it was only 40%. imagine when this place is about 250,000 or 300,000 people, it's incredible the energy was so amazing. i kind of, like, take the energy from the fans and suck it in, put it into the race car it's absolutely incredible i'll tell ya what, it was amazing, seeing everyone and a lot of people stop by and say, i wanted the number 4 i'm like, i know, but those guys make it hard for me to make it happen >> you definitely did it for all the fans helio >> take us back to the moment behind the wheel we're talking about milliseconds here to make your decision, but how did you ultimately make the move and take the lead because it was so close. >> basically, when i noticed the guy in front of me, i mean, he

was doing an incredible job. his car was really fast, but as soon as i saw an opportunity, i said you know what i got to take it because there was two laps to go i was kind of planning around. when i saw that opportunity, i said, if i don't make it now, i'll finish second again i finished second already three times. this was my fourth time. i said, that is it i'm not going to finish second again in this situation. i went for it. the car was able to accept it, also the car was so, so awesome you know, to do things over 230 miles an hour, you've got to have a car, you have to trust the car, and i had it. >> there's no room for error here's the thing, helio, and you awluded -- alluded to this, this has been quite the year for elder sportsmen. first, we had tom brady who wins the super bowl north of 40 a few weeks ago, guy named phil mickelson wins the pga championship at 50 now, we've got a four-time indy 500 winner what about next year are we going to go for five at 47 years old

>> you know, everybody puts a label on age you know, this day and age, you work hard, you make sure you get yourself prepared, and we're still able to make it happen >> absolutely. >> you have a passion, why not make it happen i love to prove people wrong i guess yesterday was a great day for that. >> sounds like he's going to be back in indy next year, too. >> that was great. congratulations. >> thank you, mr. castroneves. congrats again that's why he is a fan favorite. >> so awesome. >> the energy. >> good guy. up next, chassie post will have you racing to the stores steals -- sales, can i talk? sales and deals, i was about to

this unplugged device is protecting our beautiful coastlines and more. put off chores and use less energy from 4 to 9 pm to help keep our state golden. >> we are back now at 8:40 with a special memorial day edition of today's consumer. >> that's right. today marks the unofficial start of summer, and there are apparently some great deals to

snag to get ready for the warm weather. >> yahoo! contributing editor chassie post knows where you can find the best sales and has a fabulous selection of items. big and small things to show you today. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> let's start with mattresses i hear this is a great time to buy a mattress >> such a great time to buy mattresses there are tons of great sales out there. here are two we're really loving allswell and tuft and needle, up to 20% off guys, at allswell, it is 20% off all mattresses it comes in a box. free shipping. a queen-sized hybrid was $375. get it on sale for just $300 a queen-sized mattress also, tuft and needle has up to 25% off their mattresses probably some of the most comfortable bedding you ever tried. it feels like your most favorite t-shirt. also 20% off it was $60, now $48.

>> you sold it let's talk about home decor. what do you have >> oh, my gosh furniture. mega furniture sales out there, from wayfair to overstock.com. up to 70% off. i love it when i find a sale of something you can use right now. so at wayfair, we found a giant, 9-foot market patio umbrella used to be $189. now, they start at just $56. now, it's a great time to buy rugs we found up to 76% off at overstock from best sellers. this was $42 it used to be $180 >> nice. >> if you want to get organized this summer, do we have a sale for you at the container store up to 25% off closet essentials. ladies, look what i found. a rolling shoe rack. >> i need that. >> please, i couldn't believe it 25% off. it was $59, now $47.

>> nice and tall, too. >> yeah. >> you can fit the extra pairs. >> you're right. >> we know this time of year is always good to buy appliances, big and small. what's on sale >> yes home depot is having a big sale of major appliances for up to 35% off select appliances. you can also find the best sales on small appliances and grilling essentials at macy's these total best sellers, these mini dash appliances like that mini wafflemaker that thousands of people are obsessed with? up to 50% off. $9.99. i've ever seen it is called the x-grill it collapses so you can carry it with you everywhere you go that's something you can use this summer. it's 50% off for $51 >> wow >> i woke up this morning and thought to myself, summer is right around the corner. i need two things, clothing and accessories.

what can you tell us about that? >> we're going to hook you up. gosh, for the fashionistas, men, women, the whole family out there, old navy and macy's has sales up to 50% off. old navy starts at $5 for a really fun, bright -- >> really cute. >> isn't this cute lots of tie-dye there. macy's has sales up to 50% off this is one of my favorites from the macy sale. martha stewart has these huge, adorable beach towels. they were $40. now, just $16.99 you can't beat that. also, zappos, up to 30% off brands you love for the whole family from vans to sam edelman to keds >> let's squeeze in beauty sales, if you have any. >> oh, yes, i sure do. so beauty up to 20% summer favorites.

that will means color to help us combat the frizz and sunday riley. also at nordstrom, they're having their twice yearly sale up to 50% off, so you can find great brands now that the masks are coming off, i mean, we're talking lips. we have bobbie brown and lipsticks and glosses. also, sephora is having an up to 50% off sale we're not going to pay full price today. >> yeah. >> no way! >> hoda swears by the wow hair spray. the mario -- >> is that the one that de-frizzes i'm looking for a de-frizzer. >> the mario face spray, it is really good. i used it a couple weekends ago and lasted all day. >> thank you. >> thanks, guys. >> for more, head to today.com/shop by the way, chassie is bringing you even more deals live on our instagram page go to @shoptoday up next, fire up the grill. >> let's do it. >> ready here we go we always learn something new, by the way, when the grill dads

join us. oh, look at that we learned he can juggle this morning. we'll see what else they have, maybe not. they're going to join us to give when you're born and raised in san francisco, you grow up wanting to make a difference. that's why, at recology, we're proud to be 100% employee owned with local workers as diverse as san francisco. we built the city's recycling system from the ground up, helping to make san francisco the greenest big city in america but we couldn't do it without you. thank you, san francisco. gracias, san francisco. -thank you. -[ speaks native language ] let's keep making a differene together.

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♪ we're back with more music on the plaza from the u.s. army field band so great to have them. thank them for their service we turn now our attention to today food. >> thinking about "when the saints go marching in. i love that tune we're getting a grilling lesson on this memorial day to get you ready for barbecue season. and doing the honors are friends mark anderson and ryan faye, aka, the grill dads. >> thebrg great food and great fun to grilling they're back with us apparently, this is mark's backyard in boise, idaho.

>> nice. >> can't wait to get these guys back on the plaza. for now, we'll settle for the backyard what's up, guys? >> what's up how are you? good morning. >> good morning to you you always give us great tips when it comes to grilling. start us out with like your best grilling tip for a lot of folks as they get ready to do some grilling outside on this memorial day >> i mean, we always say, our best grilling tip, go big and stay home. laugh laugh. >> put a giant tomahawk ribeye on the grill >> i was about to ask what that was. >> giant piece of meat we're going to do a special method called the caveman style. we're going to reverse sear this baby, actually. we're going to start out with just some kosher salt. this is a very bigs piece of meat, so you can be very generous with the salt if you want we're going to season both sides of this as well. you want to let this come up to room temperature before you season this. get a lot of salt on, and quite simply -- mark, can you throw that on the grill for me >> that's it >> wait --

>> he landed it. >> he did. mark has done that before. >> with a big heap of meat -- >> we're going to let this grill until it comes to 120 degrees. take it off, rest for 30 minutes or so, then revere sear it it is basically going to be done when we're ready to sear it. while it is cooked and grilled, we're going to make a compound butter this is fancy butter, maitre d' butter some might call it. this is a fancy summer way of doing it chipotle peppers and adobo sauce. we're going to do some cilantro, we're going to do a little cotija cheese, mexican parmesan. and then we're going to do the zest of a lime the last thing we're going to put in is just a little bit of lime juice itself. >> that'll be good. >> throw that lime back. you were getting hit before. >> what you do, smash this together you'll take a piece of plastic wrap put it down here, roll everything up.

what you get is compound butter. really cool because you finish your steakt and the butter kind of help bring out all this beautiful flavor of your tomahawk ribeyes. put this in the fridge a bit, let it set up. what you get, i'll show you the -- >> caveman. >> caveman it? >> yeah. >> all right we're going to caveman it. this one came to 120 degrees so we're just going to do this right into the coals >> right on top of the coals >> on top. sear it 90 seconds a side or so, you're just looking for color. you're going to build an awesome crust with that. >> any ashiness on the meat? >> not at all. it's all natural lump charcoal is what we're using. >> show-stopper. >> keep your beard away from it. you get a beautiful tomahawk ribeye steak put some of your compound butter on it, lay it out, and good luck keep your hands away from

people, though >> what about the side dish that's also a salad? >> it's a salad, the appetizer, and it's a main. by the way, this isn't the obligatory chicken dish for the one friend that doesn't eat steak. this is the main event this is an awesome dish. what we do is we have garlic powder, oregano, kosher salt mix those together we hit this chicken on all sides. then we put it in the fridge for 24 hours uncovered that dry brines it, dries out the skin, gets the chicken super tender, and you get extra crispy skin. so we cooked this -- >> oh, sorry >> we're going to put this one on the website >> that, i'm not throwing on the grill. >> amazing. >> we'll put this one on the website because it took you guys seven minutes on the steak. >> let me grab it. hold on. >> still going. >> there we go >> the end result here >> mark, thank you, sir.

thank you, ryan. please come to the studio, soon, please, please, please >> all right can't wait to see you guys. >> recipes on the website. today.com/food >> can't wait to eat again on the plaza. up next, we're heading back out to the plaza for a patriotic, live performance from the united states army field band first, this is "today" on nbc.

[ sfx: ding ding ding ] [ phone buzzing ] [ sfx: bing bing bing ] [ sfx: bing bloop ding ding bloop bing ] the day can wait... enter the golden state, with real california dairy.

we step back to the plaza for more patriotic music on this memorial day morning. >> taking us to break with "america the beautiful," once again, the united states army field band

♪♪ ♪ good morning, it's 8:56. i'm cierra johnson. in about three hours, a heat advisory is set to take effect for much of the bear. as temperatures rise, so do concerns about fire danger. they will be in place until 9:00

p.m. for interior valleys and east hills in the diablo range. in some places, temperatures will reach triple digits. and wind speeds will pick up and fire danger too. this fire happened along interstate 680 yesterday afternoon. firefighters quickly knocked down the fire. there's no word yet on how it started. happening now, we're monitoring bay area conditions, not just the weather but also the air quality. the air district has posted a spare-the-air alert for today and everyone is encouraged to avoid driving their cars. check our home page or twitter page. we will be posting updates there. and people are traveling a lot more this holiday weekend. airports are seeing a higher number of flyers since the start of the pandemic. and a lot of people, hitting the road even though gas prices high and have not seen these highs in seven years. go to our home page for more

information.

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every day in business is a big day. we'll keep you ready for what's next. comcast business powering possibiliti. from studio i1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the "3rd hour of today." >> welcome to the "3rd hour of today" for memorial day. i'm here with sheinelle, dylan, craig has the day off. >> fancy seeing you here you weren't earlier. >> this is not the weatherman you're looking for in just a few moments, we'll have one military sacrifice and finding the strength to carry on. then, later, we'll introduce you to a former nfl player who walked away from the playing field to follow a calling on the farm he says he did it because god

gave him