and it is working to connect everyone, everywhere. so, meet visa. a network working for everyone. ♪ the olympics are over, and "early today" is back. this morning breaking news on the long-awaited and much-debated trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. >> deja vu all over again. more mask mandates more hospitals pushed to the limi as covid cases continue to soar. and today schools around the nation will begin opening their doors. embattled new york governor andrew cuomo's top aide announcing late last night that she is stepping down amid accusations of sexual misconduct directed at cuomo. california's expecting what

might be the worst fire in that state's history. tens of thousands forced from their homes. new details this morning and we've got your olympic roundup with the highs and lows over the past two weeks as we kick off your week "early today" starts right now good morning to you. the olympics are done. that means we are back great to have you with us. i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. the senate is paving the way for a final vote on the long-awaited much-anticipated infrastructure bill ar spending the day hammering out amendments, senators voted 68-29 last night to end a filibuster on the $1 trillion legislation. final passage is expected to happen as soon as tomorrow morning. this bipartisan bill focuses on traditional infrastructure like repairing roads and bridges. democrats are also working on a $3.5 trillion proposal to revamp the education system and expand health care. >> the two-track process is

moving along it's been a process that has been a very good process it's taken a while but it's going to be worth it as hopefully we pass both bills very, very soon. the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the budget resolution with reconciliation instructions >> the reconciliation process would allow democrats to dodge the filibuster and pass that second bill with only 50 votes in the senate. the coronavirus continues to have a strong grip on the nation with cases across the united states only going up and the cdc says most are being caused by the delta variant. they say the other half of america is now fully vaccinated as over half of america is fully vaccinated even though the fda has only granted emergency use approval of three vaccines, but dr. anthony fauci says he is hopeful tht full approval by the agency within

the next few weeks >> ihope it's within the month of august. if that's the case, you're going to see the empowerment of local enterprises giving mandates. that could be colleges, universities, places of business a whole variety. and i strongly support that. >> his comments come as the impact church says that six of their members have died from the virus in less than two weeks the pastor said all were healthy but were not vaccinated. meanwhile, the head of the american federation of teachers, the second largest union in the nation, says it will meet this week to consider a formal policy change regarding a vaccine mandate for teachers in schools. here's nbc's von hilliard. >> good morning, phillip students this week from georgia to florida to arizona, they're slated to head back into the classroom here but at a time in which the country is now seeing a surge of covid among the delta variant, this is a time in which school

teachers as well as students and parents are of concern about what this means for their students' health thousands of students are preparing to go back to school this week while covid runs rampant. >> it really concerns me it really does >> reporter: as parents square off with lawmakers and school officials over masks >> it's parents' choice, family's choice, physician's choice >> reporter: texas now saying schools will not have to contact trace or inform families of positive cases in their kids' classrooms and in florida governor ron desantis banning school districts from requiring masks six other states are now doing the same >> let the parents make the decisions. let the kids breathe i mean, take yourself back to elementary school. did you want to run around on the playground wearing a mask? >> reporter: forcing some families to make hard decisions. >> i'll be home-schooling this year he's had multiple open heart surgeries. currently he has a pacemaker

>> reporter: the governor threatening to cut funding to schools that buck his order. >> i want the school districts to stand up against the governor and make a stand based on the health and well-being of our to arguing that a school has the responsibility to stop a communicable disease from spreading? >> to a very high extent let them exercise that oversight and that obligation to ensure schools are safe >> reporter: but at least two school districts are working aund roh the governor's order, requiring masks unless a student's parent explicitly opts out. teachers elsewhere preparing >> so i think that we just have to have conversations, rely on the science. >> reporter: and the kids caught in the middle of the fight over masks. >> if i bring in covid everybody else would have it too and the teachers would have it too. >> but you like wearing your mask, don't you? yep. >> reporter: these battles over mask mandates now playing out in the courts a judge has now ruled that schools in arkansas can now

require masks, overruling a state decision there are now several lawsuits slated to be argued in courts across the country in the coming weeks. phillip? >> all right, vaughn, thank you. over 100 large wildfires continue to rage across 15 states the largest is the dixie fire which is the second largest fire in california's history. it destroyed 100 homes and businesses in the small town of greenville nbc's guad venegas has this report >> reporter: the dixie fire exploding to almost half a million acres, over twice the size of new york city, driving more than 30,000 people out of their homes. the inferno has destroyed nearly 600 structures, threatening another 13,000 four firefighters injured during a desperate firefight to cut lines. the flames only 21% contained. california's governor surveying the remnants of the town of greenville >> people are displaced and many will never return. and that's a tragedy you're seeing here not just the

loss of homes and housing. you're seeing entire communities wiped off the map. >> reporter: the meyers family opened their doors to many fleeing the flames >> so he comes and hangs out >> reporter: sheltering displaced neighbors and offering food and water >> we're lucky so far because we're still here >> reporter: bob johns is one of the many now homeless. >> it came through so fast you just couldn't do anything but run. just devastation just kill me >> reporter: he's grateful for the support. >> someone gave you this trailer after you lost yours >> right >> reporter: but rebuilding is going to be tough. >> at my age i think how am i going to start over again? >> what do you feel when you see this happening >> this is literally about tradition, place, culture, lifestyles, identity, memories, about kids and families. >> reporter: an uncertain future in another relentless fire season now, as you can see, the cloud of smoke is lifting, which means

air support can come back. but it also means they will have to fight with higher temperatures, gustier winds, which means a more active fire behavior frances? >> tough to hear guad, thank you. let's turn now to greece, which is also facing a wildfire emergency. more than 100 fires are burning across the country, threatening the suburbs of athens and ancient olympia. the scenes are being described as apocalyptic as flames threaten hilltop villages. hundreds of people have been evacuated from the island of evia, making their escape on ferries. at least one firefighter has been killed as crews from ten other nations make their way to greece to help we have come to the end of an olympics many thought would never happen or wouldn't happen at all. records and hearts were broken, ending with gold and glory for team usa our liz mclaughlin has more. >> reporter: a joyful ending for the long journey to tokyo. closing out the 32nd olympiad

with the theme "world we share" joining nations together one last time. >> to carry the flag for the united states. >> reporter: with javelin thrower kara winger carrying the stars and stripes after representing the u.s. in four olympics >> i can't even describe it. >> reporter: the culmination of an emotional games, a final parade of athletes with many familiar faces missing, having left for home early due to pandemic protocols the same rules that kept fans away instead, millions watching from afar as a stunning light display of olympic rings floated above the empty seats and a traditional japanese taiko beat building the anticipation for final goodbye. ioc president thomas bach praising athletes and organizers for giving the world hope in a time of unknowns >> you give to the world the most precious of gifts hope >> reporter: the flame may be extinguished, but the olympic spirit remains

a french fete below the eiffel tower signaling the countdown to the paris olympics, just three years away liz mclaughlin, nbc news, tokyo. >> olympics are over we're getting back into the swing of things. let's welcome back our own nbc meet'll rohogist janessa webb, who's already busy watching more severe weather in the plains hey, janessa, good morning good to see you. >> good morning. good to see you both good morning, everyone hopefully your weekend was fabulous and we are getting off to another hot start across the plains and severe weather across the midwest. so 10 million people going to be impacted by the heat concerns. down to the southern plains it's going to be a hot and humid start to the week. before we start to see another heat wave make its way into the pacific northwest. first let's talk about these temperatures st. louis 91 degrees for today but across the area the heat index near triple digits upd that will continue to warm as w e a a few storms for this

afternoon. daytime highs lower 90s. pacific northwest can't get a break. another heat wave on the way we'll talk about that coming up. >> what a summer it's been for them wow. >> not over yet either >> thank you, janessa. for the first time the pro football hall of fame inducted two classes in a star-studded weekend in canton. peyton manning headlined the class of 2021, enshrined on sunday manning won an nfl record five mvp awards in his career calvin johnson and charles woodson were also among the 2021 class. and on saturday troy polomalu and coach jimmy johnson were honored among the class of 2020, whose induction ceremony was canceled last year due to the pandemic speaking of football, up

next we will remember a legendary college football coach. >> and then a key member of embattled new york governor andrew cuomo's team is calling quits in a late-night announcement those details in two minutes bye dad. bye. [ sings along with music ] have a great first day, dad. when it comes to laundry, everyone thinks their way is the right way. i just stuff everything in. it has to be cold water, it's better for the planet. the secret is, with tide pods it all works. of course, it does. no matter how you wash, it's got to be tide. make fitness routine with pure protein. tastes great! high protein. low sugar. so good.

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pressure created by what's in your air makes the bottle spray. which means freshness everyone will love. leading the news, the top aide to new york governor andrew cuomo has resigned melissa derosa was one of cuomo's most trusted aides and fiercest defenders in a statement derosa said the past two years have been emotionally and mentally trying. her departure comes after the report by the attorney general found the governor allegedly sexually harassed 11 women derosa was mentioned 187 times in that report for her role in trying to contain the scandal. cuomo disputes the allegations and denies any wrongdoing. ten people are dead in at least 63 wounded after weekend shootings in chicago chicago police officer ella french was among those killed after being shot during a traffic stop her death was the first fatal shooting of a chicago officer since 2018, and she was the

first female shot on the job in 33 years french's partner was struck multiple times and is currently in critical condition at the hospital three suspects from that incident are in custody. we're remembering the life of legendary florida state football coach bobby bowden this morning. the hall of famer has died after he was diagnosed with a terminal medical condition in july. he led his teams to more than 350 wins and two national championships. he was 91 years old. still to come, the pursuit of justice meet the detroit prosecutor now working to clear the wrongly convicted. and bedlam and breakfast ter a pickup truck barrels type the side of a waffle house. who refused to wear pants this morning. why, andi? i'm a dinosaur. won't wear pants, will eat eggo waffles. get your wins where you can when you l'eggo with eggo. truthfully, it's frustrating to see how fast dust reappears. but dusting with a cloth is a pain. get your wins where you can and dealing with a bulky vacuum.. . is such a hassle.

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to help keep our state golden. coming up on the"today" show meet the duo who brought home the gold in beach volleyball and made history for team usa at the tokyo olympics this morning we're kicking off a week-long series of reports here at nbc news focusing on our justice system to start us off kate snow looks at one prosecutor using the power of her office not just to go after criminals but to right wrongful convictions >> reporter: in detroit wayne county prosecutor kim worthy has built a reputation sending criminals to prison. so it might sound surprising that three years ago she started a conviction integrity unit. >> letters started pouring in before we even had a staff >> reporter: to examine claims of innocence and look for those who were wrongfully imprisoned

>> this project takes on your own prosecutions it takes on your own work. >> it does these are sometimes exhaustive investigations that take months and sometimes years to make sure we've turned over every corner, to make sure that we've done full and fair investigations >> even if it might make your team look bad or the police here look bad >> it's not about us it's about justice >> reporter: the units had more than 1,700 requests. but only has the resources to focus on about 50 investigations at a time. it's one of more than 80 conviction integrity units across the country part of a growing movement led by progressive prosecutors yet most haven't exonerated anyone wayne county's efforts stand out. >> how many people has your unit been able to give relief to? >> 29. 29 that includes exonerees and people we've given new trials to because the trial was so flawed they did not get a good shake at justice. >> someone was killed right over there? >> someone was killed right over there. >> reporter: most of those

they've helped are black men >> my maximum was life with no parole my minimum was life without parole >> what did that feel like >> it's a crushing blow for something you didn't do. >> reporter: kevin harrington was a 20-year-old college student when a body was found in eastern michigan near detroit. >> where were you that day >> out of the state of michigan. >> not in the state. >> reporter: when he was arrested, he thought he'd be released right away. >> like they'll realize that -- >> yeah, they'll realize like they got the wrong guy and that day didn't happen till 17 years, six months, 25 days later when i was released prp. >> reporter: the conviction integrity unit found the main eyewitness in harrington's case was coerced. detectives had told her she could lose her children if she didn't cooperate >> the top investigator engaged in all sorts of misconduct in that case. >> the detective >> yes >> reporter: last summer harrington walked out of prison and began rebuilding his life. >> what was it like when you got out? >> it was heaven on earth p. >> reporter: he has since sued

the city of inkster and the detectives in his case lawyers for the city did not reply to our request for detectives denied that they threatened and coerced the e eyewitness into fabricating a story. >> what does your story say about the criminal justice system >> it needs work, fast, right now. or no one is safe. it doesn't matter what zip code you have, how much your paycheck reflect, what's your skin color. it's supposed to be justice for all. >> reporter: kim worthy is confident kevin harrington doesn't belong in prison and believes there are likely other kevin harringtons in every state. >> this work is work that must be done. it must be done. because we know the criminal justice system is imperfect. we can never give a person's life back, but at least we can make sure they have one outside prison walls if we find that there's credibility to their claim. >> reporter: kate snow, nbc news, detroit. when we come back, janessa has an air quality alert from those western wildfires. gs and the olympics going to the

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each member chosen for his or her own unique set of abilities. ♪ >> in today's top story, this weekend's box office took an unexpected turn when "suicide squad" underwhelmed in its debut, collecting $26.5 million. that was good for number 1 but still less than the 30 million that was forecast for that film. coming in at number 2 on the charts was disney's "jungle cruise" which also dipped in ticket sales in its second weekend. plus universal's psychological thriller "old" landed next in its third week out, with $4.1

million. and disney and marvel's "black widow" pulled in 4 million last week tech company apple said it would begin scanning iphone photos for child sexual abuse material later this year that announcement is getting some strong pushback from vi individuals and organizations like the freedom of the press foundation and now over 5,000 people have signed an open letter to the company urging them to rethink its rollout of the measure, citing privacy concerns. the letter published by the electronic frontier foundation called the update a back door that could be used to spy on apple users. it's a scene right out of the jackie robinson film 42. the colorado rockies are investigating after a fan was heard directing a racial slur at a miami marlins player >> [ bleep ] [ bleep ]. >> marlins outfielder luis brinson was at bat in the ninth inning when that slur was yelled loud enough to be picked up on the television broadcast of the

game the rockies released a statement condemning that fan's behavior, saying the fan was not identified before the end of the game five people have been hospitalized after a pickup truck crashed into a waffle house in tampa, florida. according to tampa fire rescue units responded to the restaurant after reports of a vehicle colliding into the building one adult and one child were taken to the hospital for traumatic injuries the other three were hospitalized with minor injuries well, the olympic games have come to a close, but some world-class puppies showed off their olympic spirit in virginia barkhouse, the dog-friendly bar in virginia, played host to the dog olympics, pawing out medals to animal athletes for their performances in the dog park dogs of all kinds left it all out there on the field in stunts, tricks, even a costume contest. organizers said a portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the special olympics it's been a couple of weeks since we've been on because of the lolympics here but so many o see there between the simmown biles saga and return, usa

women's basketball and usa finally passing china in gold on the last day >> and glad to have you back with us and glad to be back bringing you the headlines every morning. thanks so much for waking up with us. i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena.be sureo >> and i'm phillip mena.be sureo oneworld welcomes alaska airlines as the bay area's newest global airline, so you can fly to more places around the world. now alaska mileage plan members can easily earn and redeem miles worldwide. that means up to 1,000 worldwide destinations, and elite priority check-in and boarding, and elite international lounge access. that's a big deal for a big world of travel. go global with alaska airlines and oneworld. learn more at alaskaair.com/oneworld.

the olympics are over and "early today" is back. this morning breakingnews surrounding embattled new york governor andrew cuomo as his top deputy calls it quits late last night. new details just ahead the covid surge continues, with new mask mandates, more children testing positive, and possible news the fda could be closer than ever to giving full approval and authorization to vaccination. california's so-called dixie fire is now historically the state's largest single wildfire, and it remains largely o