it's monday, may 30th. and on this memorial day, the department of justice is opening a rare probe into the response of texas law enforcement to the uvalde school shooting as the president and mrs. biden visit the scene to meet with families and first responders. >> deadly shootings in multiple states this holiday weekend including pennsylvania, oklahoma, tennessee, nevada, and more danger on the water. two boats collide, resulting in multiple fatalities, and a dramatic rescue of one survivor. the fate of johnny depp and

amber heard is now in the hands of the jury as they will decide the high profile defamation case and could the long delayed relief of tom cruise's epic follow-up to "top gun" net the hollywood legend his biggest opening ever "early today" starts right now >> good morning. i'm frances rivera. >> and i'm phillip mena. we begin this morning as grieving families in uvalde, texas are demanding answers after police took nearly an hour to confront the gunman during a mass shooting at robb elementary the justice department is now opening a review into the incident that cost 21 precious lives. nbc's sam brock has the details. >> reporter: president bush paying his respects to the victims of uvalde. laying flowers at this memorial at almost exactly the same time the u.s. justice department noutsed a critical snippet review to the police response to the mass shooting to identify lessons learned and best

practices as this community fumes. >> you are cowards >> reporter: officers waited in a hallway for more than 45 minutes before federal agents overrode guidance to stand by, unlocked the classroom and killed the gunman, according to senior law enforcement officials. do you feel there has been any kind of explanation? >> hell no, no they have not explained themselves at all. no explanation that could change this, nothing. >> reporter: raw emotion everywhere, the long lines to see the memorial in 100-degree heat president biden hugging and consoling those grieving, at one point wiping a tear from his eye. as for governor greg abbott, he was greeted with large jeers and change >> we need change! >> reporter: the head of state has repeatedly defended gun policy and said this situation could have been much worse hollow words for the family of eliahana torres. >> really, to me, eliahana means a lot. she means some part of my body,

they took it away from me. >> she was a star that shined. and now that she's gone, it's just like the star that just dimmed out >> reporter: for families who have had something irreplaceable stolen, it's time for some accountability and answers does it feel to you like police did their job? >> no, no. because the clock is ticking, see. every second counts. it's not minutes it's not an hour seconds. see, and they never did anything watching them, leaning in the car, see like protecting themselves what about those kids? >> kids whose closest cousins share their aspirations. what did eliahana want to be when she grew up >> a lawyer and a nurse. >> reporter: a lawyer and nurse? and now it's their tears does it hurt here too? does it feel like there is

something missing? >> like a part of me just fell off. it feels like i only have one piece of my heart now. >> our thanks to sam for that report as these families face the unfathomable pain of burying a loved one taken by senseless violence, americans are stepping up in my ways to lend a hand the funeral costs for the 21 victims will be covered by an anonymous donor. texas governor greg abbott confirmed in a press conference that the unnamed person donated $175,000 and a custom coffin maker is contributing presidentialized caskets to victims' families freef charge trey ganum along with his son and more than a dozen volunteers are working tirelessly to finish them in time for the funeral services on friday, actor matthew mcconaughey visited his hometown of uvalde to meet with families in that community. his mother taught at that school about a mile from robb elementary and there has been even more

gun violence this holiday weekend, including chaos in downtown chattanooga, tennessee. >> shots fired, shots fired. >> possibly another victim a gunshot wound to the head. >> officials believe two groups of young people got into a fight, and that led to gunfire six teenagers were injured, two in critical condition. no arrests have been made. in oklahoma, a suspect has turned himself in after a woman was killed at a holiday festival seven others were hurt in that shooting, which authorities also say started with an argument in chicago this weekend, police report at least five people have been killed and 21 hurt in multiple shootings across the city and here in new york city, at least seven people have been shot twe incidents. a terrible boating accident in georgia has left five people dead two boats collided in the wilmington river with one of the drivers now under arrest among the dead, four members of the same family. our catie beck reports on the tragedy.

>> reporter: hoisted by helicopter to safety this is one of four survivors in a deadly boat crash in georgia where five others lost their lives. >> we're going to need an additional ambulance >> have i two unconscious victims. no doubt, i'm coming to you. toss me a third in the water. >> reporter: a memorial day weekend tragedy unfolding near savannah, georgia saturday morning when two center console boats traveling in opposite directions collided on the wilmington river authorities confirming savannah history teacher chris leffler, his wife laurie and their sons 23-year-old zack and 17-year-old nate died in the accident, as well as 37-year-old robert chauncey >> there is a lot of people that are hurting right now. >> reporter: chris, known as a passionate caring teacher and football coach. >> we just looked at each other. had tears in our eyes. how this happened and how do you go on? >> reporter: officials charged one driver, not on the leffler's

boat, 45-year-old mark steagall with boating under the influence. the associated press reporting leffler's daughter and her friend were among the survivors. >> the community is going the gather around her because she is going to have a big challenge ahead of her. >> reporter: a weekend expected for celebration ending in devastation, leaving families and communities grappling with grief. catie beck, nbc news nancy pelosi's husband was arrested in california this weekend for a possible dui after a car crash. paul pelosi, a real estate investor, was trying to cross state route 29 in oakville when his car was struck by a jeep neither driver was hurt. his bail was set at $5,000 a spokesman for nancy pelosi said the speak worry not be commenting on what her office is calling a private matter nbc news has not been able to reach mr. pelosi for comment a busy weekend of travel got even more chaotic for thousands of americans nearly 3700 flights were canceled over the weekend, stranding travelers at airports

across the country nbc's emilie ikeda has more. >> reporter: thousands of passengers face flight delays and cancellations amid bad weather and staffing shortages. >> i've never had any remotely close to this. >> reporter: among the frustrated darryl burg who drove more than seven hours. >> i asked the service flight why the flight was canceled and they said we don't have crew >> reporter: are you worried about your trip home >> absolutely. >> reporter: his travel woes a sign of what's to come if demand remains high throughout the summer nearly 7 million takes to the skies this holiday weekend, up 5% from last year and just shy of prepandemic numbers but airlines have thousands fewer employees than they did in 2019, which means even small disruptions can have a rippling effect delta leads in cancellations,

blaming bad weather and congested airspace just days after announcing it's trimming summer flights by about 2%, joining jetblue, spirit and alaska airlines in paring back schedules to reduce disruptions. passengers stuck in atlanta's hartsfield-jackson today >> just want to get home, you know >> reporter: compounding frustrations, the average cost of a ticket, nearly $400 that's a 28% increase from 2019. and the result of the summer season, steep jet fuel prices and surging demand but will that demand hold? >> at what point do people say enough i'm going to change my plans and not go anywhere. that remains to be seen. >> reporter: in the meantime, experts say book early, avoid checking bags and be flexible with your timeline, as summer travel takes off emilie ikeda, nbc news, new york all right. let's talk to nbc meteorologist michelle grossman. good morning, michelle so how is this memorial day shaping up for us? >> good morning, great to see you both we're looking at a dangerous

severe weather setup, especially in the plains and also the upper midwest. we could see long track tornadoes, even baseball-sized hail, really gusty winds, and some flooding rains. let's take a look at radar because we're active already we've been watching this through the overnight hours. we're going to be watching it through tonight as well. this is what it looks like on radar. you can see some blue. that is some higher elevation snow we're looking at heavy snow falling in the rockies today and we're looking at severe weather as we head through the plains in the upper midwest. you can see lots of lightning here some darker colors indicating where that heavy rain is falling. that could lead to flash flooding we do have some watches this morning where we see green that's a flood watch a severe thunderstorm wamp is in yolo pink is your tornado watch that's the trend throughout this memorial day so we are under a moderate risk for fargo, where you see the red, parts of minnesota into north dakota, south dakota, that's where we're seeing that enhanced risk. 11 million people at risk today. and we're not out of the woods tomorrow we're looking at 12 million at risk tomorrow, stretching into

d 90s. it's hot too in the south central states 99 in san angelo all right, guys. we'll talk about that memorial day forecast, including travel weather in just a bit. >> okay. it's important to hear thank you, michelle. with a spot in the nba finals on the line, the celtics and the heat went right down to the wire took them seven games to decide this boston withstood a hot streak in the second half. it was dangerously close for the celtics. but jayson tatum's 26 points, the celtics would finish the job. they win the game 100-96 they advance to their first nba finals game one against the warriors on thursday the multimillion-dollar blockbuster trial on johnny depp and amber heard is coming to a

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'cause even small loads save water. friday concluded testimony in the johnny depp-amber heard trial. the jury begins deliberations tomorrow stephanie gameosk has the latest >> reporter: a star studied trial with more than 100 hours of testimonying. >> the. >> salacious. >> decided to have some lines of cocaine and whiskey for breakfast. >> reporter: with every minute of it streamed live. how much of the trial have you watch your honor phones? >> a lot >> every day >> since the beginning. >> reporter: in closing arguments, johnny depp's team called amber heard a habitual liar >> what we have is a mountain of unproven allegations that are wild

>> reporter: her team accused depp of drug-fueled rages. >> mr. depp knows that he can turn into a monster. he knows that. >> reporter: both actors say they were physically abused. >> it just hit me over and over and over again, and i thought this is how i die. he's going to kill me now. >> reporter: depp described the moment he says heard threw a vodka bottle at him. >> i looked down, and realized that the tip of my finger had been severed. >> reporter: depp is suing heard for defamation over a op-ed in "the washington post." she called herself a public figure representing domestic abuse without mentioning depp by name >> it was defamatory, and it caused irreparable harm. >> reporter: $50 million worth of harm, depp says heard is counter suing for 100 million. the trial turned spectacle outside the courthouse

the crowd here mostly on johnny depp's side. >> i've loved him. i've been a fan of him since i was 13 years old >> reporter: while some are concerned this unique civil case regardless of the outcome may make victims of abuse think twice before coming forward. >> i think it makes a mockery of domestic violence. >> reporter: does that worry you? >> it does worry me, because you have actual victims that maybe they won't be believed in the future because of this >> our thanks to stephanie gosk for that report. coming up here on "early today," "maverick" is a huge hit. the record-setting office debut for "top gun." > pl, >>usthe unbelievable finish at the indy 500 highlights and heartache ahead what goes on it. usually. and in it. mostly. here to meet those high standards is the walgreens health and wellness brand. over 2000 high quality products. rigorously tested by us. real world tested by you.

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marcus ericsson with the spirit of ronnie peterson on board with his helmet joins kenny brack as the only other

swede -- >> you just won the indy 500. >> marcus ericsson wins the indianapolis 500. >> like no one else at the indianapolis 500 the swedish driver capitalized on a rare red flag stoppage to win his first indy 500 in the final laps arksz becomes just the second swede to drink the milk in the winner's circle. "top gun" is flying high at the box office the hollywood blockbuster has the biggest opening weekend of tom cruise's 40-year career. nbc's maggie vespa has more. >> reporter: tonight, a heart-pumping throwback launching an industry comeback >> good morning, aviators. this is your captain speaking. >> reporter: and catapulting an iconic career to new heights >> i just want to manage expectations >> reporter: the highly-anticipated "top gun: maverick" on track to rake in $151 million this weekend. it could even end up being the biggest memorial day weekend opener ever. but is already the highest-grossing debut of tom cruise's 40-year career.

the sequel comes 36 years after the original "top gun," and after years of covid-related delays >> i kept having to push off the premiere and push off the release dates. i was like this film is going to come out mid-spring. >> reporter: cruise's commitment holding strong, even after more hollywood heavyweights turn to streaming. >> here they come. >> reporter: from tom hanks to denzel washington to the rock. for theaters, "top gun: maverick" is rocket fuel it's also poised to kick off the first normal summer movie season since the pandemic began after 2019 summer raked in $4.3 billion, 2020 saw just a meager $176 million 2021 signalled a rebound at $1.8 billion. analysts see that trend continuing, with upcoming releases like "jurassic world dominion" from our sister company.

>> three, two, one >> there's nothing like that magic created in a movie theater. that's why it's coming back in a big way. >> reporter: theaters, summer forecast, all clear and ready for takeoff. maggie vespa, nbc news, hollywood. >> some movies you just got to see in the movie theater that is one of them. coming up, a weather update from michelle grossman for memorial day travelers > d 'lta>>anwel ke a look at how one man is going above and beyond to help our nation's heroes are stopping you in your tracks... choose stelara® from the start... and move toward relief after the first dose... with injections every two months. stelara® may increase your risk of infections, some serious, and cancer. before treatment, get tested for tb. tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, sores, new skin growths, have had cancer, or if you need a vaccine. pres, a rare, potentially fatal brain condition, may be possible. some serious allergic reactions and lung inflammation can occur.

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cascade platinum. a professional mover in california is paying it forward to those who served in a big way. for the last few years, he has helped furnish over 500 homes for veterans who are struggling. nbc's kristen welker has the touching story >> all right, guys >> reporter: inside this massive warehouse south of san francisco, john he'lland is on a mission. >> go ahead and get the coffee table. >> the professor mover pulling from his donature to help make comfortable homes for those who served that are now struggling >> this is so great.

thank you again. thank you. oh my god. >> reporter: since 2018, he's furnished more than 500 houses and departments. >> this is my way of serving our country is helping these veterans >> come on down. the house is right >> reporter: john made a special delivery to navy veteran esperanza fletcher and her kids. >> oh, this is nice. >> reporter: providing what they need to feel safe and settled after living in a shelter for two years. >> he cares from the heart from the heart it's very rare to find people like that. he said children deserve to have exactly what they want so i want to help you out. >> reporter: john's devotion to veterans is inspired by his father frank, who served in the air force. >> go ahead and take this out, guys. >> reporter: but his own call to action came during his recovery from addiction, finding purpose and meaning through faith. >> they asked people, the church if they wanted to help with

their veterans minutery. signed up for it and furnished the first apartment for a veteran. and that day i was hooked. >> reporter: for army veteran roy santos, john's gifts are a chance for a fresh start. >> i brought you a picture. >> reporter: with a couch, kitchen ware. >> dishes are up there it's a full set. >> reporter: and a table, this space is now a point of pride. >> so my rule is i don't take a piece of furniture unless i'd use it in my own home. you want to feel something that they feel proud to own and have and use. >> reporter: and transforming a living space into a better life. >> i always felt lonely inside and today it's gone. i feel full. >> thank you for your service. >> and our thanks to kristen for that inspiring story and how the lives change literally.

before and after shots when it comes the homes, but also their lives. >> we all when you move into a place it doesn't start to feel like a home until we start furnishing it a little. >> and make it your own. >> i'm phillip mena. >> i'm frances rivera. in

the president and first lady spent a highly emotional sunday in uvalde where they met with families, teachers, first responders and others in the reeling community now faced with planning more than 21 funerals our morgan chesky talks withn uvalde teacher who spoke about what she did to keep her class safe when a gunman opened fire. paul pelosi the house speaker of nancy pelosi is booked on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. we will also check in to find out the latest on the baby formula shortage and what led to