stay inside on the couch, popcorn, watch the game right here on nbc bay area. >> right there in your living room. where are the peanuts. thanks for joining us for "today in the bay." the "today" show is coming up next. good morning bracing for impact henri heading for the east coast this weekend the historic threat facing millions, straight ahead as the east coast picks up the pieces from fred's devastating blow >> there was water coming in om every room. >> we've got everything you need to know. fleeing afghanistan, tens of thousands still in need of rescue this morning and growing more desperate by the day. this video appearing to show a baby being passed to a soldier at the kabul airport

president biden set to address the crisis today we will have the latest. and richard engle's firsthand account of americans facing to get out. breaking point, hospitals being pushed to the brink and running low on staff with covid cases rising fast. this morning, the new cry for help with some doctors now refusing to treat the unvaccinated and the breakthrough cases now gripping washington three senators testing positive. tense standoff, a north carolina man now in custody after driving to capitol hill and making a bomb threat that led to hours of uncertainty. streets shut down, congressional offices evacuated. all while he went live on social media. >> looks to me like i'm getting ready to make a phone call >> coming up, the dramatic moment the suspect finally surrendered and what police discovered inside his truck. those stories, plus host of issues the intense firestorm surrounding the new face of

"jeopardy" over his selection and disparaging comments in his past as filming on a new season begins can the host, mike richards, survive? and jaws of life, the dramatic rise in shark sightings up and down the east coast and why some say they're a good thing for beaches. today, friday, august 20th, 2021 >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza hi, everybody. good morning welcome to "today. we got there, hoda it's friday. we're so glad to have you along with us. i'm working from home. hoda is holding it down in the studio good morning >> good morning. i love to hear the sound of the weekend knocking on the door we are going to begin with that extreme weather you were just talking about from coast to

coast. wildfires out west wreakin new havoc across states and firefighters out there struggle to keep up >> in the meantime, residents in the south and mid-atlantic still recovering and cleaning up from fred the remnants of that deadly tropical storm spawning tornados and flash floodings. at least 20 people still missing in north carolina. >> and now all eyes are on henri. hurricane watches are up along the new england coast as the region prepares for heavy rain and powerful winds dylan is in for al this morning. she's busy tracking all of that. but before we get to that, but first, kathy park is live in boston for us this morning hi, kathy, good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning to you it is a cloudy and drizzling start to the morning, but things could take a dramatic turn later on this weekend all courtesy of tropical storm henri and as we brace for the potential impacts of heavy rain and wind gusts, out west the problem is wildfires and they're not letting up

the threat of tropical storm henri is looming over new england as the remnants of another storm system moves out to sea tropical storm fre leaving a path of destruction for days across the southern and mid-atlantic states before soaking the northeast. >> all of a sudden, the water started coming through every spot >> at least two tornados confirmed in pennsylvania. >> we were like ah, and we decided we bette head to the basement >> it was covered in mud and water and i was like, oh, we need to get out of here because this car is going to sink. >> in north carolina, two are dead and at least 20 still missing after fred dumped nearly a foot of rain causing widespread flooding. >> we're going to always lean on that side of hope that we may find somebody that is still alive that needs our help. >> as communities are trying to recover from fred, parts of the

northeast are preparing for tropical storm henri, strengthening in the atlantic and poised to become a hurricane this weekend the storm's impact could stretch from long island to cape cod and maine. >> i am very concerned about this hurricane that is heading our way. >> and more extreme weather out west with at least 100 active fires burning across 13 states just outside sacramento, the counterfire exploding two times its size in two days and forcing many to evacuate firefighters struggling to control the flames >> it's resilient. it's spub stubborn and won't go away >> an unrelenting fire season, now on pace to set new records and while the path of henri can, now on pace to set new records and while the path of henri can shift in the next two days, folks are being urged, especially those living in coastal communities, they are being urged to prepare now for whatever the storm may bring

savannah >> kathy park leading us off in boston, thank you, kathy >> which brings us to dylan dreyer who is here with more on what we can expect today and over the weekend you have a lot to cover. >> especially with henri as it approaches new england we will see the hurricane effects soon enough. this is the first time hurricane watches have been issued since hurricane irene since 2011 you can see it extends all the way from long island out to southern new england here is the storm right now. still a tropical storm, winds at 65 miles per hour. here is the problem. as it moves to the west-northwest at 9 miles per hour running into some very, very warm ocean waters so it will likely strengthen to a category 1 hurricane saturday afternoon with winds up to 80 miles per hour it will likely maintain that strength, but look at this cone of uncertainty yes, while it could travel farther to the east, the trend has been for it to push farther and farther to the west. so it is likely going to impact central and eastern long island.

connecticut, rhode island, massachusetts, before it weakens to a tropical storm once it makes its way on shore on monday so we are likely going to see at least a 2 to 4-foot storm surge across long island 1 to 3 foot storm surge into new jersey south eastern massachusetts, that 3 to 5 foot surge that's that push of water that comes on shore as that hurricane comes across the ocean as for rain, this will lead to stream flooding, urban flooding, as well. we'll likely see 2 to 5 inches, but some areas could end up with as much as 8 inches of rain. >> dylan, a lot on your plate there. we'll get to the rest of the forecast in a moment but now to the ongoing chaos in afghanistan with tens of thousands of americans and afghans still trapped there. u.s. officials are struggling to speed up evacuations later today, we expect to hear from president biden on those efforts, but right now, let's go to nbc's chief foreign correspondent richard engle giving us a firsthand look at what it takes to get out of afghanistan. he was in kabul all week and has

now made its way to qatar by one of those crowded emergency flights. richard, good morning. >> good morning, savannah. we are now in doha, qatar. we took one of those evacuation flights out of the airport it is the only way out of the country. the commercial airport is closed all of the external borders are controlled by the taliban. this is the only safe way out and for many people, it's life changing this is what you have to face to get into the last remaining u.s. base at kabul airport. shooting, violence, taliban whips and desperate crowds it's so chaotic, american troops worry if they open the gates, people will flood in one video appears to show a soldier lifting a baby up over the walls. inside the base, afghans are processed for departure and moved to the flight line that is where we met gina aboui, an afghan american from

virginia she moved back to afghanistan to teach six years ago when it was much safer >> it was a dream come true for me i found a little house by the mountains. i just can't imagine leaving, but, unfortunately, it's time to go >> you left obviously the house -- >> everything. everything everything a small suitcase with my laptop and that's it. >> she's bringing 25 members of her ex tended family she doesn't want to leave. >> you were just looking up at the afghan flag. >> i don't know how much longer it's going be there, but it's really sad i don't know if i'll ever be back i'm hoping, but i don't know if i'll ever be back. >> eventually, the c-17 arrives and taxis into position for boarding for gina, it sinks in. this is it these are moments that change the trajectories of families for generations. troops keep arriving

there are more troops here now to oversee the evacuation than were here stabilizing the government gina's relatives give final hugs they don't want to be leaving, either but they don't want to live under the taliban. finally, it's boarding time. for gina, it's a painful good-bye for most of the afghans on board, this is the start of their new lives. as refugees. the chaotic nature of this withdrawal is also changing the composition of who is leaving. this was supposed to be an organized process with applicants applying through a state department website it was supposed to be for foreign nationals, for afghans who worked for u.s. troops but now the process has broken down and there are a lot more refugees u.s. officials i spoke to at the state department are trying to process people say that now they're dealing with unaccompanied children, families, people who have no documentation, all those who just managed to get on to that base and get on to a plane

savannah >> richard engle, thank you. let's turn now to the covid crisis and the ongoing surge driven by the delta variant that shows no signs of slowing. hospitals in several states now running out of space on capitol hill, three senators have tested positive in high profile breakthrough cases nbc's sam brock is in hollywood, florida, with the latest on where things stand hey, sam, morning. >> hoda, good morning. florida's health care systems right now are bursting at the seams. there are 7,000 more patients in the hospital with covid right now than during the previous peak last summer of course, the ticket out is getting vaccinated, but the u.s. booster plan is coming under fire this morning, the hundreds of thousands of covid breakthrough cases that have america on edge have burst into the halls of congress three vaccinated u.s. senators, roger wicker of mississippi, john hickenlooper of colorado and angus king of maine

revealing they've all tested positive king noting in a statement, while i'm not feeling great, i'm definitely feeling much better than i would have without the vaccine. hospitals nationwide reeling from new covid cases with 9 out of 10 of those patients unvaccinated >> mommy she left her husband and three little kids. >> the florida hospital association putting out this sobering psa after reporting roughly 3 out of 4 hospitals in the state expect to reach critical staffing levels in the next 7 days. >> what does that actually mean, critical staffing shortage >> it means they are not able to accept any additional patients that is what we're worried about right now. >> some doctors say they're quickly losing patience for patients who refuse to get vaccinated in alabama, one doctor is now refusing to see patients who are unvaccinated according to the birmingham news. dr. jason valentine reportedly writing if they asked why, i told them covid is a miserable

way to die and i can't watch them die like that in an op-ed for the "l.a. times," one physician describes a dieing man under 50 with a wife and two young children who chose not to get vaccinated. writing last year a case like this would have flattened me this year, i struggle to find sympathy yet as the white house looks to turn the tide by recommending booster shots -- >> if the two vaccine dosage is still work to go prevent severe disease, hospitalization and death, why is this third booster shot necessary >> we're starting to see in other countries that they're starting to see waning infection against more severe outcomes and we're planning for it so we can be ahead of this virus >> and the u.s. is receiving criticism across the world right now for rolling out a booster plan while a good portion of the globe hasn't received one dose now to that effect, president biden says we will have some half a billion doses distributed across the world by the middle of next year and we're doing our part

hoda, back to you. >> sam, have a good weekend. thank you. we have a lot more to get to, including new details on yesterday's tense standoff at the nation's capital tom is in for craig this morning. >> good morning. a north carolina man kept d.c. police at bay for hours after he drove a truck on to the sidewalk by the library of congress, claimed to have explosives and threatened to detonate them. this morning, he is in custody as the officials in washington deal with the specter of political violence garrett haake has the latest for us good morning >> good morning. from the moment that first alert about a bomb threat went off on our cell phones, it set off a wave anxiety here on capitol hill this is a community very much traumatized by wha happened on january 6th. but thankfully, what happened yesterday ended peacefully >> after five tense hours parked

outside the library of congress, floyd ray roseberry climbed out of his pickup truck and crawled to police. >> he gave up, did not resist and our folks were able to take him into custody without incident >> the 49-year-old captured on video, a peaceful end to a day-long stand off that rattled washington and a capital community still rocked by the events of january 6th. roseberry parked his truck on the sidewalk live streaming on facebook as he reported himself to 911 >> looks to me like i'm getting ready to make a phone call >> he made rambling anti-government statements and said he had a bomb in the truck's toolbox, showing a device that appeared to be a detonator. facebook soon cut off his live stream and law enforcement surged in setting up a perimeter and evacuating nearby buildings, kin including a supreme cour and a house office building. roseberry communicated with police at first using a dry

erase board at one point writing don't shoot me police eventually sent in a robot with a phone to communicate more clearly, but he never used it. >> right now we have no indication that he was acting with anyone else, but that, again, is part of the ongoing investigation. >> police said they found possible bomb making materials inside the truck, but not a working bomb the standoff marks the third major security incident on capitol hill this year, following the deadly january 6th insurrection and a good friday incident in which a man rammed a security barrier killing a capitol police officer the standoff drew an outpouring of support online from lawmakers, including hawaii brian schottz writing they've been through hell in 2021 and deserve our gratitude and support. >> no word on charges just yet the u.s. attorney in washington is still reviewing the case. we expect to hear much more from lawmakers who were thankfully out of town as part of their

august recess but should be back on monday. we expect to hear more about this incident and the security situation here on capitol hill >> garrett haake for us this morning, thank you 7:16 let's get back to our top story and get to dylan's forecast. >> there is so much going on not a lot of it good across the country. heavy rain down through th mid-atlantic into virginia and the carolinas. that has nothing to do with henri. that's the heavy rain we'll see to start off the day scattered thunderstorms down south. severe storms possible across the northern plains. upper 80s and low 90s to the east of it, but dropping into the 60s behind it. that's a relief for some of the areas through idaho, montana, and you go further to the west and we're still dealing with pretty warm conditions, but very hot and dry conditions, as well. so that's going to continue to elevate that fire risk that's a look at the weather across the country we'll get to your local forecast in the next 30 seconds

ok! and that's a yeah. uh huh. i'm a dancer now. good friday morning. 7:18. look at the hazy conditions, live look over walnut creek. a spare the air alert remains in effect for today. your forecasted highs will be in the 80s for the interior valley including the south bay like concord. 70s for oakland. upper 60s in san francisco. that smoke will linger through this evening hopefully getting some clearing with breezy winds by saturday moving out east. >> and that's your latest forecast hoda >> dylan, thank you.

coming up, as filling in for "jeopardy's" first season without alex trebek, a growing firestorm now surrounds the show's new host and executive producer this morning, the calls for an investigation and his new apology over past incidents and comments during a podcast. plus, just ahead, the unusual number of shark sightings at beaches up and down the east coast forcing communities to take drastic measures to keep people safe kerry sanders is on the case but first,

still ahead, tom, you have an exclusive conversation with sprinter sha'carri richardson. >> we had a great conversation she returns to the track for the first time since her suspension and missing the olympics she has a lot to say no question was off the table. all of that coming up after your local news

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costa county schools are not only having to deal with covid protocols but also air quality protocols. after the fires in 2018, the state put out air safety guidelines when the air quality index hits level four, meaning the aqi is roughly between 150 and 200, all activities should be moved indoors as much as possible. the pandemic protocols advise schools to circulate air as much as possible and maximize outdoor activity. that's the challenge today. >> we are tracking that smoke over the bay area. vianey, when will we get relief. >> we could see some relief, you know, into saturday afternoon because we've got an onshore wind. look at this, that's a live look over walnut creek. your daytime highs for this afternoon that smoke is expected to linger especially for portions of the north bay through the interior inland east area as well. the reason for that as that onshore flow increases into the weekend it's going to push a lot of smoke hopefully east, if not

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7:30 now it's a friday morning, august the 20th, 2021 god, how gorgeous is that? that is sunny isles beach, florida. just take a deep breath. we have a lot to talk about when it comes to our beaches. not to be a debbie downer, but shark sightings are on the rise. we're going to talk about henri's potential impact we have a lot to get to. >> but imagine for a moment your toes in that warm sand let's get to your 7:30 headlines. if you are looking to buy a car

or a truck anytime soon, be prepared for shock on sticker price. many u.s. dealers are selling cars for over the listed price on popular models. it's because of a shortage in microchips used in today's high tech vehicles. it's caused automakers to slash production so with inventory lower, the dealers have little incentive to bargain. and now prices of previously owned vehicles have hit record levels higher prices are expected to stretch into next year passengers on american airlines will have to wait a little longer to drink alcohol the airline announced yesterday it's expanding its ban on alcohol sales for another six months american saying it's doing, quote, all we can to create a safe environment for customers and crew members meantime, the faa reported yesterday that fines for unruly passengers has topped $1 million this year. coming up in our next hour, tom costello has a look at what some flight attendants are taking to stay safe.

a volcano creates a new island off the coast of japan. take a look at it there. about 750 miles south of tokyo as the lava hardened, it you formed a small island about half a mile across. it could grow larger since the eruption appears to be ongoing volcanos have created three other islands in the area since 1900, but they've all been washed away. now to the bitter and growing backlash facing one of america's favorite game shows. "jeopardy" started yesterday with its new permanent host, mike richards. but many are still furious about the process that landed him that role and now past comments of his that have surfaced >> joe fryer joins us now. >> good morning to you guys. so mike richards is back on defense this morning, this time apologizing for a number o offensive comments he reportedly made on his podcast seven years ago. one high profile group is

calling for an investigation for "jeopardy" fans who were critical of his replacing alex trebek, this newest controversy is adding fuel to the fire >> with filming of the new season kicking off thursday, some are wondering if the show's big wager on mike richards is paying off an indepth report unearthe comments made by richards in 2013 and 2014. >> she is not attractive and she does not have the good body. >> the original recordings were pulled off line this week, but according to clips and apparent archived recordings, the archives included sexist comments about women's bodies and disparaging remarks about little people. people from haiti and jewish people richards reportedly mocks a co-host for giving money to an unhoused person. >> everyone is going to wear one

pieces and look frumpy and overweight >> the backlash has been swift the anti-defamation league calls it no laughing matter saying it requires an investigation. richards says it is humbling to confront a misjudgment of thoughtlessness and insensitivity from nearly a decade ago looking back, there is no excuse for the comments i made on this podcast and i am deeply sorry. richards was already fending off criticisms regarding allegations during the "price is right" and his tenure there denying any wrongdoing and the cases were eventually settled. as for fans, a new poll taken this week asking who should succeed trebek after watching rotating guest hosts richards, also the show's executive producer, got 3% of the vote while levar burton topped the list with 14% followed by mayim

bialik ken jennings pulled third after he filled in for six weeks and posted the best ratings of any guest host jennings told the ringer in his statement, obviously, i'm disappointed with how this process played out, but i'd rather look ahead. >> this whole thing could be answered if we knew who alex trebek would have wanted >> in 2018, he did an interview and mentioned a couple of possible replacements. one was laura coats, alex faust. some fans have expressed anger that neither of them filled in as guest hosts this year these new episodes airing now are scheduled to air on september 13th coming up, a late summer concern if you're heading to the beach this weekend the startling rise in shark sightings close to shore, but could they actually be a good thing for the planet kerry sanders has everything you need to know, right after this whooping cough,

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but marine biologists tell us there's another side to the story. it's a hopeful sign of the health of our ocean. >> from new york to maine, the eastern seaboard teeming wit sharks lately. >> there have been 26 confirmed shark sightings this year here in nassau county >> you saw a fin swimming 2 to 3 seconds forward. you could not mistake it >> lifeguards extra vigilant trying to keep swimmers safe with those purple and white warning flags, now a much more common sight >> it's scary. i would not go into the water at all. >> there have been more than 30 shark attacks this year. most recently a young girl was bitten in maryland on the island of nantucket off the coast of cape cod, multiple beaches closed this week after sharks were sighted as close as 15 feet from shore >> i'm glad that they have the patrols in the water now >> ocean explorer chris fisher says all of this is actually a good thing his team conducting shark research off the coast of new

england. >> there's a lot more fish in the ocean now off the east coast of the united states than there was when our great-grandparents were alive so with that, people talk about the increase in shark sightings, but for some reason, they don't connect the two. wow, look at how much more bait there is >> bait, like these giant schools of bunker fish that sharks love to eat. fisher says conservation efforts that started in the late 1980s have helped the ocean and its ecosystem come back from the brink. >> what's really going on in the big picture is we're turning the east coast back into a great wild ocean >> even close encounters wit great whites like this, fisher says, are positive since the large shark populations dwindled to about 9% after the movie "jaws. long island native and marine expert chris papareau.

>> it's thought to be this is a problem. actually, this isn't a problem it's an inconvenience for some, but a healthy ecosystem has sharks >> many species of sharks, guys, are like us humans. they like warmer water so we've seen the waters rising in temperature off of new england and so we've seen more sharks coming closer to shore. interestingly, a study by connecticut shows just in the long island sound, the water is warmer now than it's been in 29 years. guys >> kerry sanders for us this morning, kerry, thank you for that >> all right let's go over to dylan we want to know if we have any beach weather in the forecast. >> well, it depends where you are. if you're down through the carolinas and virginia going into saturday and sunday, you might see some beach water but watch for the rip currents in the water because of tropical storm henri out over the atlantic the rain we're seeing right now through the mid-atlantic has nothing to do with henri but notice it's very humid and feels tropical outside that's why the atmosphere holds so much moisture

we could see rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour. flood watches are in effect. especially down through maryland, into delaware, southern new jersey and the coastline of virginia and also into northeastern north carolina now, we have very dry conditions the flip side of that out west where we have that fire weather watch in effect for parts of idaho, parts of oregon and also down into wyoming, as well, where we could end up with dry thunderstorms that produce the lightning without the rain and that could lead to more fire danger that's especially for tomorrow we have a chance of severe storms today across the northern plains with heavier downpours. but it is a cool front that will help cool things down to the >> now here's a peek out your window. >> good morning, bay area. hazy skies, mixed with the clouds this morning. this is a live look in san jose. once again we're dealing with the spare the air alert that will remain in effect for the remainder of the day as the

smoke lingers. temperatures not going to be too hot out there but warm enough to climb into the mid 80s through the interior valleys. a couple 70s along the peninsula. 60s for the city. san francisco seven-day forecast 60s into saturday. forecast hoda coming up, prince harry's surprise appearance at a polo match, his first public outing since the birth of his little girl and the royal made big news with something he announced we'll have a live report from london, right after this or same day if you need it sooner but at a time like this, aren't you glad you can also just swing by to pick it up? and get your questions answered. because peace of mind is something you just can't get in a cardboard box. that's healthier made easier. at cvs.

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♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ and we are back with royal news prince harry is ready to ste

back into the spotlight with his highly anticipated memoir. >> he made an appearance at a polo match yesterday molly hunter has the latest for us good morning >> good morning from buckingham palace meghan and harry are getting back out there, back to the work that they so love doing. and it sounds like we're going to see a lot more of them very soon take a look. this week, prince harry is back doing what he loves. according to the coauthor of "finding freedom," it's a sign of things to come. the duke and duchesses were gearing up for a busy winter entering what they call a new era of visibility in the updated version of his book, telling "people" magazine they seem to be existing in a different place and that place is much healthier. yesterday, for the first time ie years, the duke of sussex got back into the saddle hosting a surprise polo match in aspen,

colorado, alongside his friend and professional polo player nacho vegeras. the event raising money for children in south africa impacted by poverty and hi aids harry donating $1.5 million from his upcoming memoir. they plan to step back into that new era of visibility, far away from the palace and the uk tabloids >> so i want clarity was the move about getting away from the uk press because the press is everywhere or was the move because you weren't getting enough support from "the firm. >> it was both >> both. >> hey, melissa, do you have a second >> but seeming more comfortable in the american media spotlight. >> it's my 40th birthday and i've got an idea >> i know what it is >> really? >> my first guess, is it another photo shoot under a tree where you're looking very peaceful >> the duchess marking his 40th birthday on august 4th with a

video announcing a mentorship program and along with his new book and their deals with spotify and netflix, it's fueling their return as the royal family still deals with the constant spotlight, including the new hbo animated comedy about the prince the royals >> sorry we are late >> we don't know >> that show's creator saying this month that harry seemed to have a sense of humor about it >> and, guys, this week, they are also reacting to international events putting a statement on their foundation website about afghanistan. harry served there, saying the are speechless and heart broken. >> thank you, molly. still ahead on popstart, we have your weekend entertainment covered. we also have new details on stand up to cancer's star-studded lineup and how you can watch. but first, your local news and weather.

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good morning to you. i'm kris sanchez. here's what's happening now. >> i'm sharon katsuda in contra costa county. schools are not only having to deal with covid protocols, but also air quality protocols. after the fires in 2018, the state put out air safety guidelines when the air quality index hits level 4, meaning the aqi is roughly between 150 and 200, all activities should be moved indoors as much as possible. but pandemic protocols advise schools to circulate air as much as possible and maximize outdoor activities. that's the challenge today. how long is that challenge going to last, vianey? >> definitely for the remainder of your friday, but it might get a little better into the evening into saturday. here's a live look in san jose. now it looks hazy but also in

part it's mixing in with the cloud cover which is why it looks ominous at the same time. microclimate forecast highs as the smoke lingers, temperatures are not going to be too hot but pretty warm in spots like concord, 84, check out livermore 85, through san jose 80, morgan hill 82, in through san francisco in the upper 60s. as far as when we're going to get some clearing from that smoke, well, we get an onshore breeze that moves in tomorrow pushing in of the smoke away from the region east out of the area to help us get a little bit of a break. kris? >> we have more local news coming up for you in just a half hour. the "today" show continues right now.

woman: from our classrooms... man: ...to the playing fields. maybe more than ever before, we are ready for this school year. i'm so excited to see all of my students. we're doing all we can to make sure our schools are safe... woman: ...to make sure our schools are safe. i want to thank parents and families for working with us.

and continuing to be our partners. thank you so much. we can't do it without you. we can't do it without you. woman: because we know quality public schools make a better california... man: ...for all of us. it's 8:00 on "today. coming up, on the move henri is expected to strengthen into a hurricane and take aim at the northeast. this morning, millions bracing for impact as residents are still picking up the pieces from fred >> all of a sudden, it got windier and windier and we thought, oh, this isn't good >> dylan has your full forecast. then, flight or fight? with the surge in unruly airline passengers we'll take you into self-defense training for

flight attendants. >> i want to protect myself. >> how crews are learning to protect everyone on board. plus, on her mark. our exclusive conversation with sha'carri richardson as she heads back to the track after being suspend the from the tokyo games. >> at the end of the day, i did make a mistake, but that doesn't take away from my talent that doesn't take away from who i am >> just ahead, what she says she has learned and her new message to fans. and we'll catch up with cynthia erivo ahead of the release of her debut album then she will treat us to a special performance to help kick off your weekend right today, august 20th, 2021 >> happy birthday. >> today they are celebrating one year of amara's life on the "today" show >> good morning. my name is molly

i just moved to the big apple and i cannot wait to start my day with the "today" show. cheers >> hi, "today" show. >> we're soaking in the end of summer >> in new jersey >> happy friday! >> wow we have a great crowd out in the virtual world and right on our plaza, too it's friday morning. i'm doing the work from home thing. hoda and tom are there craig has the morning off and will be back next week we want to tell you about something we have for you next week we have a special two-part investigation into the growing problems, the high tech ways scammers are using social media and text messages to target your money. vicky wynn is going to show you what to look out for and how to get your money back if you happen to become a victim. let's get to your news at 8:00 on this friday. tropical storm henri is growing stronger as it heads towards new england. other parts of the east coast are recovering from the deadly remnants of tropical storm fred. dylan has the latest on what looks to be a challenging

weather weekend. good morning >> it certainly does, especially as tropical storm henri develops into a potential hurricane we have hurricane watches in effect for long island the southern coast of connecticut into rhode island, also into southeastern massachusetts. again, the first time a hurricane watch has been issued since hurricane irene in 2011 so here it is. it's a tropical storm still with winds up to 65 miles per hour. but it is running into some very warm water water temperatures in the atlantic are about 80 to 85 degrees. that is perfect fuel for a tropical system. now, as it likely strengthens to a category 1 storm on saturday, it will maintain that strength on sunday. right in through here, the temperature of the water drops down to about 70 to 75 degrees that could be just enough time to weaken it a bit so it's not as strong as it makes its way on shore somewhere across southern new england. but look at the track. it could still go to the west or the east, although the trend has been a little farther to the west so we'll likely see those gusty

winds. we'll see that storm surge, especially in long island of about 2 to 4 feet, 3 to 5 feet of storm surge is possible as that water makes its way on shore. we have the potential for river flooding, urban flooding, street flooding because of about 2 to 5 inches of rain locally up to eight inches of rain possible this is something we'll be watching very closely all weekend, savannah. >> dylan, thank you very much. we've been reporting for months about the dramatic surge in bad, even dangerous behavior aboard passenger flights this year it's gotten so bad, listen to this, air marshals are now offering self-defense courses to flight attendants and the classes are full tom costello was at one of them in chicago yesterday he's at o'hare for us and, tom, they're not messing around here. >> no, they're not messing around the flight attendants are taking this seriously 85% say they have witnessed or experienced unruly behavior just this year.

some of them have been injured now they're learning to fight back it's gotten so bad in the nation's skies, it's come to this flight attendants volunteering for an 8:00 a.m. self-defense course >> so from here, i can strike. i promise you, that's going to hurt >> trainers, air marshals who are not always on board a flight, teaching flight true crews to target an attacker's face and groin 3900 plus cases have been reported just this year. passengers, often drunk or angry about the now extended mask mandate attacking and injuring crew members and facing fines of up to $45,000 each totalling $1 million already this year. >> this is pervasive this is really an epidemic at this point and something that we have to take very seriously and use every single tool to tamp it down >> d.c.-based flight attendant linda bomstead came for the training

>> most people who sign up to be flight attendants don't sign up to go to the police academy. are you surprised you're in this situation? >> i mean, the world has gone a little crazy i am not absolutely surprised, but like i said, i want to be able to protect myself >> the course, taught since 9/11, but suspend since the ai pandemic now in high demand. the air marshal in charge helps teach the class. >> what if you have a passenger who is literally coming at you >> certainly we teach block techniques, very simple block techniques to protect face and vital organs of the body >> so hands and self-defense step, pivot, bring it back turn making sure you're bringing the heads back into your face. 30,000 feet. >> yeah. the tsa is offering this training to any flight attendant who wants it free of charge. they are coming on their own time and on their own dime

the union wants airline toes send any flight attendant who wants to attend, to send them to this training. send any flight attendant who wants to attend, to send them to this t send any flight attendant who wants to attend, to send them to this ts to send any flight attendant who wants to attend, to send them to this training. but right now, most airlines are not buying that. flight attendants are coming on their own. this training is being offered in cities nationwide if you're a flight attendant, go on to the tsa website and look for where you can get this training >> we can't stop talking about this story it's so unbelievable i know you've covered aviation for years, but this story is really shocking. >> yeah. and i've got to tell you, you know, the flight attendants are saying they need passenger help and they are getting it, right if they experience an unruly or dangerous passenger, they're asking other passengers please help them and passengers since 9/11 are jumping in and doing just that. >> the new era of travel, tom costello for us this morning, thank you. we have a heart-warming update on a story we brought you yesterday about americans awaiting loved ones from afghanistan. a florida couple's adoption of a 10-year-old afghan boy was in

limbo amid that chaos. but now the boy, with his name was noman, a distant cousin of his adopted father could soon be sleeping in his new bedroom right here in the u.s. the adoption agency says he was on one of those emergency flights out of kabul airport yesterday. we needed one happy ending >> yeah. >> and i think we just got one >> maybe the best story of the week >> oh, my gosh that's a boost and i know you have a bonus for us today. >> i do. i have one i think will make you smile. two fourth grade teachers in atlanta wanted their kids to start the school year with a positive note. so once a week, this is what they did they lined the kids up in front of a big mirror and the kids took turns building up their self-confidence. take a look. >> i am smart. >> go. >> i am a good person. >> love it >> i am awesome. >> louder. >> i am smart. >> yes louder >> i am a good sports player

>> good sports player. >> oh, come on let's hear it for miss acker and miss broadway. they say those affirmations remind students no matter how hard life gets, somebody believes in you, but you also have to believe in yourself. love that. >> we all need a mirror like that sometimes that's pretty cool coming up next, tom, really looking forward to your conversation with sha'carri richardson she, of course, is the track star who missed out on the tokyo olympics >> what she's saying now about her suspension and what it's taught her plus sha'carri's message to fans as she gets back to step back on the track this weekend but first, these messages. trackd but first these messages for as little as $25 a month. and the best part? it's powered by verizon. but it gets crazier. bring a friend every month, and get every month for $5. which is why i brought them. two $5-a-months right here. (both) hey. plus the players in my squad. hey. what's up? then finally, my whole livestream. boom! 12 months of $5 wireless.

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rashida: wait, was this the right wall? or last minute gift shopping rashida rashida: i'm putting a bow on it! wow. even sneaking away for a vacay rashida. rashida: shhh! i've earned this? from home improvement, drugstores, select travel and more earn 5% cash back that automatically adjusts to your top eligible spend category, up to $500 spent each billing cycle. we are back with the track sensation who made a time of headlines in the lead up to the olympics sha'carri richardson >> she returns to racing tomorrow and get this, she's going up against the 1700 meter medal winner she almost faced in tokyo. tom, you had a chance to speak with sha'carri exclusively >> she's the fastest woman in america who couldn't run in tokyo. she won the 100 meter race in spectacular fashion, but after testing positive for thc, she

was suspended and left off team usa. now she's back on the scene and ready to compete >> first question, how are you feeling? >> i am feeling excited. i'm feeling overjoyed to get back to doing what it is that i love to do >> sha'carri richardson says she's back and ready to run. set to hit the same track where her dreams came true and where they just as quickly slipped away >> how was it to watch the tokyo games? >> it was a moment of bitterness, but at the same time it was sweet because it just gives me more. it gives me more time, it gives me more to show the world that i'm here to stay and just guarantees that i'm going to be here just a little bit longer in the game but definitely watching it made me want to push forward and just grow from that >> just weeks after triumphantly winning the 100 meters and punching her ticket to tokyo, sha'carri failed a drug test,

testing positive for thc violating anti-doping rules. she used marijuana after the sudden loss of her biological mother days before the trials. >> right now, i'm just putting all of my time and energy into dealing with what i need to deal with to heal myself. don't judge me because i am human. i just happen to run a little faster >> you took responsibility why? >> i know what i did i know i'm responsible and i'm here to take what it is that i have to take. from the choices that i decided to make. you can't run from reality it's still going to be there, no matter how long you choose to ignore it, no matter how long you choose to think it's going to go away >> there's been a discussion now about the use of marijuana and about the rules of marijuana and rules and laws that may or may not change will that impact in any way anything for you going forward

>> no, not at all. if those rules do change, honestly, i'm just blessed that and proud of the fact that i could do that for other athletes >> and now sha'carri says she's taking steps to better her mental health, growing a chorus of elite athletes reminding fans we're human, too >> i'm doing a whole lot better. i'm proud to continue on this journey. we want to perform for you guys and put on the best performance, and at the same time we're here just like you are. when we step off the track, when we step off the football field, when we step off the court, we go live life just like you do. it's just for a certain amount of time, we look like superheroes. >> she is 100% sha'carri richardson >> tomorrow, all eyes will be back on sha'carri at the pre-fontaine classic in oregon where she'll face off against the trio of jamaican women who swept the 100 meters in tokyo, including a first-time matchup

with elaine thompson herah >> at the end of the day, i did make a mistake, but that doesn't take quay from my talent that doesn't take away from who i am >> so true and she is so honest and brave. peacock. coverage begins at 4:00 p.m. this is the race we did >> sha'carri will run alongside allyson felix from team usa. you can watch the pre-fontaine classic here on nbc and peacock. coverage begins at 4:00 p.m. this is the race we didn't get to see in tokyo but could be so much fun tomorrow. >> tokyo 2.0 sthoo olympics withdrawal. we're watching that. it's going be good we have 16 minutes past the hour time for a check of the weather. hey, dylan been. >> good morning again, everybody. we have a lot going on this weekend watching henri as it continues to strengthen over the atlantic in the meantime, we have heavy rain to start off the day through the mid-atlantic severe storms possible across the northern plains up through north and south dakota and still continuing with that fire risk but the dry conditions out west. going into saturday, we are

going to most likely see that hurricane continue to approach new england, especially the eastern part of long island and up across southeastern massachusetts where we could see the flooding associated with that good morning. we are seeing a mix of hazy skies and cloud cover. this is a live look over san jose. spare the air alert remains in effect because of smoky skies. temperatures today will be hot, in the 80s. mid-80s in the tri-valley, but as we get into the weekend, we could see some of that smoke begin to push east thanks to an onshore flow bringing breezy conditions around the bay area. >> and that's your latest forecast >> all right, dylan, put on your popstart hat double duty for you today. switching gears today, we have a lot of music to get to. let's start with keith urban

the country singer dropped a new single this week it's titled wild hearts. the track about chasing dreams is cowritten by keith along with jennifer wayne and eric taslay take a listen. ♪ ♪ >> got the hook. >> come on, keith. >> come on >> and a little pop rock, right? >> keith urban is doing it his next stop, back to vegas to resume his residency there so you can see him live next up, ed sheeran, the grammy winner officially announced his next album it's titled equals and the new project is set to be released in october and to get fans ready for it, sheeran has dropped the first track off the album along with a special performance. the song is called visiting

hours and it's a tribute to ed's late friend and mentor michael dubinski here is a look ♪ i'll tell you that again ♪ el ♪♪ ♪ >> okay. dylan, he sang that song live at the memorial and i remember it because he couldn't get through it that is one of the most beautiful songs and a great tribute to his friend. >> and the notes he hit, classic ed sheeran equals is out october 29th and if you don't want to wait that long, ed will perform live from the 2021 nfl kickoff on september 9th right here on nbc. >> wow next up, ryan reynolds, the actor who stars in the new action comedy "free guy" hopped on social media this week to thank his many friends who

made cameos in the film. reynolds writing this movie is about friendship and friendship is at its simplest, just showing up here is to all the incredible pals who showed up for this film that's nice, right seeing this note, there was one friend who felt that maybe he would have shown up had he gotten the call. chris hensworth commenting, no worries, mate, least i could do. bff. to which reynolds replied, chris evans said you weren't camera ready, whatever that meant i hear it has already been picked up for a sequel >> is he the funniest person, ryan reynolds? >> and the banter, getting to sit in on the banter, i love it. next up, stand up to cancer. the televised fund-raising special for cancer research is back this saturday the program is set to feature appearances by some of the biggest names in entertainment, including our very own craig melvin >> oh.

>> and it was just announced that late actor chadwick boseman will be honored during this show with a special tribute to his wife, simone boast bosman who lost his battle with colon cancer at only age 43 is remembered for films. he died from colorectal cancer to learn how you can help, tune in to stand up to cancer tomorrow at 8:00 p.m. eastern right here on nbc. and finally, sean penn, our buddy, willie geist sat down with the oscar winning actor to talk about his latest film called "flag day." for the first time in his career, penn both stars and directs the film about notorious counterfeiter john vogel making the project more special, sean's daughter in the film is played business hi real life daughter >> when the idea came across your desk, direct this film based on a true story, but also direct your daughter, what was

your first reaction? >> i had been sent the script and i got to about page 30 and that's when my daughter's face got imprinted on that character in a way that occasionally had happened with other actors, but not to the point where it could now only be that face for me >> dylan was not obviously an experienced actor at that point. what was it that told you she can do the this? >> it wasn't until the first day of shooting, the first scene we shot together when she just nailed the -- and a long scene and i remember immediately being thrilled, admiring, moved, but mostly relieved. >> what a guy to impress, sean penn, dad, i just love that her name is dylan. there are so few female dylans out there. this is the first time sean has

ever directed one of his children so that is cool. to catch sean and willie's first conversation, tune in this weekend to "sunday today." straight ahead, grammy, tony and emmy winner cynthia erivo, she's here to tell us about her debut album and she's got some special performances just for us but first, a look at your local news and weather

it could be easier if you drive through contra costa county, but at a price. a new hov lane on 680 in contra costa county. and the express lane between martinez and walnut creek will connect to san ramon. you have to have a fast track transponder even if car pooling. hopefully, you can keep the windows up. the smoke is still a factor. >> indeed. spare the air alert in effect

for today. a live look at san jose. it is a mix of hazy skies and also cloud cover, but expect lingering smoke through the afternoon. temperatures top out in the 70s and 80s. by tonight into tomorrow, we start to see increase in on shore flow. some wind will help push smoke further east out of the area, help clear out some of the smoke into saturday with hopefully better conditions heading into sunday. as far as the seven-day forecast, this is what to expect. things start to warmup by next week, keep that in mind. >> thank you. tracking for changes, and those are coming up in the midday news at 11:00. have a great morning.

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come on, y'all, it is friday look at our cool crowd we've got outside. we want to say good morning to each and every smiling face. it is a friday morning, the 20th day of august. y'all look good outside. >> oh, yeah. i see you. we see you >> look at lsu represented we go who dat. >> people from louisiana we want to say thank you to every single person who came out this morning we're proud of you thanks for coming out. coming up, who needs a sugar rush not this crowd coming up, why the hottest thing

across the pond is american candy. >> wow and then, guys, we cannot wait to chat with the award winning singer and actress, cynthia erivo. she is a powerhouse. she's going to perform a couple of her songs for us. she has her upcoming debut album. and you know it's going to be good because you know the last time she was here on the "today" show singing, she won an emmy for her performance on the color purple so lucky us. and we're going to talk to cynthia in just a bit. and coming up on the third hour, we are at home today with jill martin. she's lined up products to make her life easier from tech for the whole family to game changing help with your cleaning and outside on a live concert from jay balvin. he is rapping columbia and so many others. we're going to be looking forward to that. i am a big fan >> i can tell. >> this is the most excited i've seen you

>> i was out there for coldplay and the crowd. >> you know how it goes. >> yeah. >> but a lot of people want to know how to get there. go online and get requested passes to today.com. miss dryer, you got a check of the weather >> yes busy weekend ahead of us we are going to keep an eye on tropical storm henri likely to become a hurricane tomorrow as it approaches the northeast and new england. it could be the first hurricane to hit new england in about 30 years. so this is certainly worth watching it is sunny and nice on saturday, right through the middle of the country. one of the only spots that wil see good weather it will be hot and humid down south and hot and dry out west with some of those dry thunderstorms possible across idaho. severe storms likely through the northern plains on sunday. we are looking at the potential for coastal flooding, wind, rain, it's all coming with this hurricane saturday into sunday for the northeast and eventually on up into new england and it is 8:32. a spare the air alert remains in effect. look at this live cam in san jose. we have a mix of haze and smoke

and marine layer on the coastline. temperatures, it is not getting too hot, comfortable in the 70s for a lot of the nins. we have mid-80s in interior valleys. smoke expected to linger through the rest of today, clearing out, moving east a little bit by saturday. >> and that's your latest weather. savannah >> dylan, thank you so much. coming up next, a sweet treat live from london why folks in britain are sadly -- sudnly going wild forde homelessness, housing, taxes, water, electricity, crime, wildfires. [sfx: bear roar] gavin, you've failed. we have to immediately cut taxes twenty-five percent. fix housing and homelessness.

and make life in california affordable again. i'm a businessman, the only cpa running. shouldn't we choose ability this time? we must have a competent governor with management experience and outsider integrity. [sfx: bear roar] that describes only john cox. california, did you know our homes share power? but when we try to stay cool in a heat wave our supply is pushed to the limit. but you have the power to keep us up and running!

“i do?” yup, we all do! with flex alerts. they notify us when to shift our energy use if our power supply is stretched. so from pre-cooling our homes, to using less energy from 4-9pm, together, let's flex our power to save our power. sign up for flex alerts today. a surprising trend that is taking over the streets of london >> it's a sweet one. the summer stores are filling up with sweets that will look very familiar to any american nbc's molly hunter in london to explain that one hi, molly. >> hey, guys, good morning

kids here are telling me that youtube and tiktok are driving this obsession for american candy we took one for the team we took to the streets take a look. there's a sweet american invasion a sugar rush taking london by storm. american candy, the stuff we all grew up with is having a moment. in less than one city square mile, there are nine mega candy stores including creatively named american candy world, american candy, american candyland and kingdom of sweets which claims to be the first. and on one of london's busiest shopping streets, there are so many candy shops like this popping up, this one is even pumping the scent of bubblegum out into the street to entice customers to get inside. according to the experts like 8-year-old chelsea anne, the american offerings are bigger and brighter >> i like this candy more than british candy because it has

more flavor and it boosts my energy more. >> that's code for more sugar. and to be honest, british candy is starting to look a bit boring in comparison to this. it's like halloween almost but what i'm looking for are almond joys. they were my favorite, favorite candy 20 years ago i have not been able to find them in the uk and here they are. >> and there's also this borrowed nostalgia at play a cult american classic making a comeback all thanks to social media. >> why is american candy more attractive to these guys what is it about it? >> youtube >> challenges on tiktok and youtube fueling this gooey chewy trend. and it's not just central london getting to sugar coat it it's small stores like hollywood candy nestled in the impossibly hip east london neighborhood >> welcome to hollywood candy. >> how do people react when they come in?

junior mints >> just the way you reacted when you walked in. >> they just can't believe you have all this? >> yeah. >> he says customers drive for hours to get the latest youtube craze and lockdown was a boone for sales. >> people at home, you know, they needed something to eat and we thought for that. >> this country has a lot of junk food. this country does a lot of sugary stuff what is it about american candy, do you think, that's gotten people excited >> i think when it comes to sugar, i think american products have more sugar. >> of course >> the day we were there, some very happy customers >> mike & ike. >> why is it better? >> because it always tastes more like -- lively >> and i think lively might also be playing for a lot more made in america sugar

okay, guys, so that panel of experts, a lot of the kid customers that we spoke with say tootsie rolls are a real favorite and apparently nerds. and even though there are nerds over here in this country, the flavors made in america are totally nuts and then i tried to get some kids excited about almond joy. this has been in my pocket since the shoot. no one was into it they didn't like it. >> real shocker there, molly you had all that candy to choose from there were whatachamacallit. reese's, m & ms. you're going for almond joy? >> i love it >> i'd kill for an almond joy right now. sounds amazing >> i guess you feel like a nut thank you. coming up, the super talented cynthia erivo she's getting ready to release her debut album.

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>> announcer: >> announcer: the citi music series on "today" is proudly presented to you by citi >> our next guest is the true definition of a triple threat. cynthia erivo has a grammy, a tony, she took home an emmy for a performance she did right here off the music of "the color purple" on "today. we never forgot that day now cynthia is gearing up for the release of her debut album it's called chapter 1 verse 1. she's here to tell us all about it and lend her sultry voice to our citi music series. what a pleasure it is to see you. we were teasing you to all the local affiliates around the country and they were all like, we know that voice, she's different from everybody else. how does it feel putting out a debut album? it's kind of like giving birth, i would imagine. >> it's a huge dream come true it's taken a long time to get to this point the songs are my own

they're like my kids i wrote them with some amazing people and i'm so excited to be able to share the journey, the stories, the music and i hope people enjoy it it's been a ride for me and i'm pleased with it. >> i thought i misread debut album. >> no, no. >> because we know all of your music. why did you feel that now was the time to release an album >> i think this was the first time i was given a real chance to create it it's been a dream for a very long time to get an album done, but the opportunity never really presented itself i've been writing for a long time, but to create something that was for me by me, i needed a chance and this was it, yeah. >> can it you, one of the days we'll never forget around here, and i remember it like it was yesterday. it was when you were standing right here, like 5 feet away from me and you sang the title song off "the color purple" with the incredible cast.

here is a little bit of it ♪ ♪♪ ♪ >> oh, my god. wait, cynthia, i have tears in my eyes and chill bumps all over my arms. that was beautiful you won an emmy for that performance and we won't forget that but selecting songs for this album, i mean, your bar is so high how were you able to pick the ones you wanted on this album? >> i used my heart and i tried to tell the stories that meant the most to me for this first album because i felt like it's a real introduction to who i am and my life and the things i have experienced, the people i have experienced. so i wanted to be as truthful to that as i possibly could so that's what i used.

i try to work from my heart first. >> what a perfect barometer for choosing what is right for you we're going to hear some of that music. here is cynthia erivo singing "the good. >> hello and good morning to the "today" show thank you for having me today. ♪ gone is the way we used to smile my dear hope doesn't spring from anywhere ♪ ♪ watching the world forget to breathe

wish we can stop and feel the breeze ♪ ♪ but i know there's no point i waiting for what i can't see ♪ ♪ holding my chest as all my tears fall out ♪ ♪ my mind's in a spin as all th pain pours down ♪ ♪ what can i do to make these days go by ♪ ♪ i haven't the strength to mak the rainfall die ♪ ♪ i just wanna remember the goo good, good, good, good wanna remember the good ♪ ♪ good, good, good, good what can i do to make these days go by ♪ ♪ when darkness surrounds me bu i see the light ♪ ♪ just wanna remember the good yeah ♪ ♪ gone are the lies we used to

tell ourselves ♪ ♪ there's only so long we can live a fairytale ♪ ♪ innocent children stolen youth, eh-eh ♪ it's all fun and games until you lose ♪ ♪ but i know there's no growing up if you can't face the truth ♪ ♪ holding my chest as all my tears fall out my mind's in a spin as all the pain pours down ♪ ♪ what can i do to make these days go by ♪ ♪ i haven't the strength to mak the rainfall die ♪ ♪ just wanna remember the good good, good, good, good ♪ ♪ wanna remember the good, good

good, good, good ♪ ♪ what can i do to make these days go by when darkness surrounds me but i see the light ♪ ♪ just wanna remember the good ♪ ♪ oh-oh mm oh, oh-oh, oh ♪ ♪ oh, oh-oh-oh ♪ ♪ just wanna remember the good, good, good, good, good ♪ ♪ wanna remember the good, good good, good ♪ ♪ what can i do to make these days go by ♪ ♪ when darkness surrounds me bu i see the light ♪ ♪ just wanna remember the good yeah ♪ >> come on, cynthia erivo. come on, cynthia erivo

remember the good. it's my new man cart hold on. don't go anywhere. we have another peormance byrf i'm morgan, and there's more to me than hiv. more love, more adventure, more community. but with my hiv treatment, there's not more medicines in my pill. i talked to my doctor and switched to fewer medicines with dovato. dovato is for some adults who are starting hiv-1 treatment or replacing their current hiv-1 regimen. with just 2 medicines in 1 pill, dovato is as effective as a 3-drug regimen... to help you reach and stay undetectable. research shows people who take hiv treatment as prescribed and get to and stay undetectable can no longer transmit hiv through sex. don't take dovato if you're allergic to its ingredients or if you take dofetilide. taking dovato with dofetilide can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

hepatitis b can become harder to treat while on dovato. don't stop dovato without talking to your doctor, as your hepatitis b may worsen or become life-threatening. serious or life-threatening side effects can occur, including allergic reactions, lactic acid buildup, and liver problems. if you have a rash and other symptoms of an allergic reaction, stop dovato and get medical help right away. tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, or if you are, may be, or plan to be pregnant. dovato may harm your unborn baby. use effective birth control while on dovato. do not breastfeed while taking dovato. most common side effects are headache, nausea, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, tiredness, and anxiety. so much goes into who i am. hiv medicine is one part of it. ask your doctor about dovato-i did. ♪♪

>> cynthia e >> cynthia erivo, chapter 1 verse 1. hopefully there's more chapters coming right now, her performance of "growing up. ♪ staring to see a picture of m but it's too hard to look in my eyes ♪ eyes ♪ ♪ i know ♪ i know i'm ashamed i might find what i left behin what i worked for so long to hide ♪ ♪ but in the end i know what's incredible is the chance to change myself ♪ ♪ cause diamonds don't shine

till they been buried alive, oh ♪ but i've been in the rough for long enough tonight i'm glowing up ♪ ♪ and diamonds can't sparkle till they find light they can follow ♪ ♪ the pressure gets tough for just long enough ♪ ♪ tonight i'm glowing up, glowing up, glowing up ♪ recoile ♪ scared at the sight of the sun's dying light ♪ ♪ we recoil at the cold of the night ♪ ♪ and though we forget that the moon and the stars will come soon ♪ ♪ and we'll bathe in the warmth of their light ♪ ♪ i still remember the time whe each day was for crying ♪

♪ oh, i truly hold them dear ♪ ♪ they're the storm that got me here ♪ cause diamonds don't shine ♪ ♪ till they been buried alive, oh ♪ ♪ but i've been in the rough fo long enough ♪ ♪ tonight i'm glowing up ♪ ♪ and diamonds can't sparkle till they find light they can follow ♪ ♪ the pressure gets tough for just long enough tonight i'm glowing up, glowing up, glowing up ♪ ♪ might not escape all the awa i'll got too much left to

pressure, the pain but i'll sh diamonds can't never fade away i've got too much left to say ♪ ♪ cause diamonds don't shine diamonds can't sparkle ♪ ♪ the pressure gets tough for just long enough tonight i'm ♪ the pressure gets tough for just long enough ♪ ♪ tonight i'm glowing up, glowing up, glowing up ♪ ♪ tonight i'm glowing up, glowing up ♪ >> come on come on, cynthia >> nailed it >> you got an audience in our studio and savannah, too, we're all pumped up about that i was just thinking we love hearing you sing, but we love you on broadway. any chance you might be heading to broadway anytime soon >> if something comes up, i will

absolutely do that i love being on broadway i love being on stage. i love performing live i was spoiled with "the color purple" because it was such a beautiful story. if something comes along with just the same amount of umph, i'm right there. >> i heard yes >> cynthia, you are a marvel thank you so much for gracing us once again and congrats on this debut album. it's out on september 17th and so you can check it out. we have more music coming up from cynthia in our third hour and you guys are going to love this. on hoda and jenna, country superstar trace adkins comes in and surprises someone who he loves very dearly. joanne lemarka is leaving our show and he has a song just for her. it's worth stick around for. >> we look forward to that today is also a podcast. you can take us anywhere you go and hear all that great music. subscribe and listen to us

wherever you get your podcast. >> we are back after your local news and weather >> have a great weekend, guys. >> bye-bye if you heads to san francisco this weekend, pack your proof of vaccination. starting today, a new mandate takes effect requiring anyone going indoors, restaurants,

bars, gyms to show proof. you have to show your card, photo of your card or the state qr code. they hope the new rule keeps workers and customers healthy as cases of the delta variant rise. happening now, cierra johnson is talking with people about the change. she will tell us what they have to say in midday news. link to more details on the home page. coming up at 11, another day of poor air quality forecast for much of the bay area because of wildfire smoke. we are tracking the conditions.

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california, did you know our homes share power? but when we try to stay cool in a heat wave our supply is pushed to the limit. but you have the power to keep us up and running! “i do?” yup, we all do! with flex alerts. they notify us when to shift our energy use if our power supply is stretched. so from pre-cooling our homes, to using less energy from 4-9pm, together, let's flex our power to save our power. sign up for flex alerts today.

live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza, this is the third hour of "today." >> good morning and welcome to the third hour of "today." it's friday, august 20th. we told you at the beginning of the week we were going to have a rotang cast of characters, all the people you know and love. so excited to drop in this morning. >> just in time for the tropical storm hurricane. >> tom llamas is here. sheinelle and craig are off. al is off because it is his births day. >> happy birthday, al. >> we did all the celebrating yesterday. so he's good t