the fate of 2,000-year-old sequoia trees hangs in the balance. fire crews work to protect the national treasures as the yosemite fire grows. the january 6th hearings just got a whole lot more interestinnow that steve bannon's claims of executive privilege have been waived by former president trump caught on camera a carjacking in progress as a mom does all she can to save her kids who were inside the car in wake of so many shootings, one company taking an active shooter training to the

next level and then the happy accident that brought perfect strangers living thousands of miles apart together for a joyous outcome. "early today" starts right now >> germany on this monday. i'm cori coffin. >> and i'm phillip mena. we begin in yosemite national park, where the washburn fire is raging out of control. hundreds of firefighters are trying to keep the flames at bay, but persistently hot and dry conditions are making that very difficult rangers are taking preventative measures to protect the park's iconic sequoia trees, many of them thousands of years old. cal perry starts us off this morning from california. >> reporter: tonight, a look inside the intense fight to save the treasured sequoias of yosemite national park hot and dry conditions making it difficult for crews to put the fire down. at least 360 firefighters working around the clock in a desperate attempt to keep ahead of the flames. >> there's a lot of wood on the ground and that wood is going up in smoke >> reporter: making its way across rough terrain, the fire

has scorched nearly 1,600 acres and forced evacuations in nearby communities. >> by the time we got down in yosemite valley, ash was raining down on us there it will stick with me a long time to see how quickly the smoke took over. >> reporter: and endangering historic buildings like the galen clark cabin, now protected in fire suppression foil crews today setting up sprinklers around the grizzly giant, the most renowned sequoia in the entire park, more than 200 feet tall. we're less than a mile from the busiest entrances to the park. normally this area is a tourist hot spot today it's a literal hot spot. the state of california in a must-win situation >> they're among the oldest living things on earth they are iconic for the national park system. they're in a very limited range here in the sierra you only find them right here on the planet >> reporter: the reality is this is the hottest climate these trees have seen in their 3,000-year lifetime. >> they're really threatened by climate change and wildfire. in the last two or three years

we lost 20% of the population of giant sequoias you can bet we're doing everything we can to protect them >> our thanks to cal for that report all right. let's turn now to the developments in the january 6th investigation, which is expected to enter its final stretch this week long-time adviser to former president trump steve bannon is reversing course and offering to testify, just days before jury selection is set to begin in his criminal contempt trial. nbc's brie jackson is following these developments for us from d.c. brie, good morning bannon actually got the green light to testify from mr. trump himself? >> good morning. that's right steve bannon had been adamant that he could not comply with the subpoena because of executive privilege. but former president trump has waived his executive privilege claims, even though it's unclear if those protections applied in this case to begin with. now in a letter to bannon, mr. trump called the committee political thugs and hacks who have allowed no cross-examine or real republican witnesses.

according to his lawyer, bannon is willing to testify and prefers to do so as part of the live public hearsings, but committee members say that's unlikely and there is question about how much useful information bannon will provide >> i've interviewed steve bannon before i was one of the lead investigators for the russia prosecution for bannon's interview. i would expect zero, absolutely nothing. this guy was like interviewing the joker. he is maniacal he is insane and it was a frustrating hours' long interview where we did not learn very much. >> this cooperation from bannon comes white house lawyer pat cipollone was deposed for nearly eight hours on friday. some of that testimony is expected to be use in hearings this week. a source familiar with the planning tells nbc news a former spokesperson for the far right group the oath keepers will be a witness at the seventh public hearing, which is now scheduled

for 1:00 p.m. on tuesday and willfocus on the formation of the mob that attacked the capitol, and another prime-time hearing is expected on thursday night. and that could be when the committee ties all of its evidence together and wraps up with its closing arguments cori >> okay, brie, thank you in the eastern ukraine, the search for survivors is under way after a russian rocket attacked an apartment complex. you can see the piles of bricks and rubble this is just one of three buildings destroyed in that area at least 15 people are dead and another 20 are missing teams are bringing in cranes and excavators to help clear the debris and help find anyone who might still be alive healing after tragedy. the community of highland park, illinois is showing small signs of returning to normalcy after last july 4th shooting that left over seven dead. the site of the shoot manage the downtown area reopened as police tape and barricades came down. some businesses opening their doors again for the first time

since the shooting as well local residents also honored the victims by visiting a makeshift memorial it comes as the recent surge of active shooters is leading to an increase of people looking for gun safety training. dukare carter has the details. >> reporter: this group is participating in an active shooter drill. >> get out, get out, get out >> reporter: the goal is to make sure the target is eliminate and the client is safe chris is the trainer of the session. he is the owner of executive security concepts, a bodyguard company. >> and we move as fast as we can. >> reporter: he says he has gotten an increase of interest from churches seeking protection. >> what i have done is put in trained agents who are licensed security professionals in the state of virginia who are trained to go to the sound of gunfire. >> you're moving you're moving. >> reporter: the group is called active shooter elimination team,

or asset for short the group is learning a new weapons system for a new client to keep them safe, as women as using a unique type of bulletproof vest and how to of course eliminate a threat. >> communication and tactics. >> reporter: while this group is training to keep people safe, he feels the public should also take extra precautions since there has been an increase in shootings recently. >> i would recommend some type of training. pepper spray, stun guns, taser, all the way up to firearms but what i don't recommend is people buy a firearm, throw it in their purse, or stick it in your glove box, or take one conceal carry course and that's all they do. >> reporter: something a personal protection agent feels it is important to keep people you love safe. >> you're going to go out and purchase a firearm, that's your right. but make sure you go out and get the proper training with it. there is no point in just buying a handgun or a rifle or a shotgun and not knowing how to use it >> active shooter, active

shooter! >> reporter: to make sure you and your family are protected. >> thanks for that report. terrifying moments for a mother in new mexico check out this video here. that is melody maldonado she is clinging to the hood of her suv. she's trying to stop a carjacker from driving away with their kids inside. priscilla thompson has her story. >> i have two babies in there are. >> reporter: it looks like a stunt only seen in movies but for melody maldonado, this was very real. new video shows her clinging to the hood of her suv as her hijacked car barrels through an intersection, a daring rescue attempt to save her 11-month-old son and her 6-year-old autistic daughter the 33-year-old mother tells "the daily mail" she banged on the windshield and yelled for the suspect to stop. she was eventually thrown off the hood and broke her foot. still, she ran to a convenience store to call 911. >> she was going that way and she was going all crazy. >> reporter: the incident happened at a gas station in hobbs, new mexico, on the fourth

of july. maldonado stopped in to buy a baby bottle, with her children waiting in the car police say when she returned, a woman pushed her out of the way and tried to take off. >> in all the years that i've been working, i don't remember anything quite like this >> reporter: the suspect, 29-year-old regina castillo, allegedly dumped the 6-year-old at an intersection before abandoning the car with the 11-month-old still inside. castillo, who had three active warrants at the time of her arrest, now facing a trio of felony charges including unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and two counts of child abuse. within half an hour, the family was reunited >> i think we have officers that found the vehicle. >> reporter: the children, who were treated by ems, returned safely to the arms of their mom, after a harrowing ride priscilla thompson, nbc news

>> that's one brave mama bear there. a scary sight on the tarmac in atlanta a spirit airlines airplane broke into fire, smoke billowing from one of the tires a spokesperson said that the brakes overheated, sparking the fire thankfully, no one was hurt. now to your weather and some trouble brewing in the gulf. nbc meteorologist michelle grossman is here to tell us more morning, michelle. >> good morning, guys. we're looking at heavy rain over the next few days. we have a very slow-moving system that could pick up some tropical characteristics either way it's going to bring tropical moisture into the gulf coast. and we could see up to 5 inches in some spots. so here is the setup here. there is that area of low pressure it's going to bring the threat of strong winds gusting, damaging winds, and also the chance of some really heavy rain in spots it's going to last for days and days then tomorrow scattered rain from texas to the carolinas as we can see 2 inches per hour that's going to bring the chance for flash flooding, and it's still around on wednesday.

the saturated and it's a nice day in the northeast. we're looking at partly sunny skies. temperatures in the mid-80s. low dew points in philadelphia; d.c., and richmond all right, guys. we're going the talk more about that dangerous heat. we're looking at heat indices in the south central states at 110. >> thanks. we'll be checking in soon. listen, if it is hot for you, oh thank heavens on the 7-eleven it is time for a sweet treat it is slurpee day, bringing back the beloved tradition in honor of its 95th birthday you grab the free slurpee and add a snack. to take advantage download the

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...for up to 45 days. febreze. ♪la la la♪ leading the news, wnba superstar brittney griner is due back in a russian court this week as pressure grows here at home for her release over the weekend, her teammates at the all-star game used the spotlight to make sure that griner is not forgotten. they showed a video honoring her and her wife cherelle spoke to the crowd, telling fans she is grateful for their support it has been more than two weeks since the supreme court overturned federal abortion rights and yesterday president biden said he is considering declaring a public health emergency to protect reproductive freedom the move could free up federal resources to expand abortion access >> because keep making your point. it's critically important. we can do a lot of things to accommodate the rights of women.

in the meantime, fundamentally, the only thing that's going change this is if we have a national law of united states roe v. wade. >> he urged those on the front lines to keep up the fight more protests are planned for today in front of the supreme court. a pregnant woman in texas is telling her story after she got a ticket for driving alone in an hov lane even though she told the officer her unborn child was her second passenger. the woman, identified as brandy patone told nbc dallas-fort worth that the incident happened last month when she was stopped at a sheriff's checkpoint. she was 34 weeks' pregnant at the time she says the officer discredited her argument saying that her unborn child did not count as an additional passenger the officer wrote her a $275 ticket which she plans to fight during her next court date on july 20th. all right. it was known as america's stonehenge a mysterious and popular roadside attraction in georgia

but last week the guide stones were bombed, much of it caught on camera. and as investigators search for the suspect online, conspiracy theories are growing by the day. here is gadi schwartz. >> reporter: for decades, massive granite slabs towered over a georgia field part astrological calendar, part doomsday instruction guide but today the mystifying monument a pile of rubble. georgia investigators releasing video of someone blowing up the stones and quickly digging into the bizarre history of america's stonehenge the guide stones were commissioned by a stranger in the late 70s with what appeared to be critic messages for society after an apocalyptic event, calling things like keeping the population under 500 million, uniting humanity under a new lidge and guiding reproduction through fitness and diversity. around the small town of

elverton >> two weeks ago it was a cook di ki roadside attraction. someone felt they could change our community with that in mind. it's an attack on everybody that believes in free speech. >> reporter: the mention of eugenics, population control and government fueled conspiracies recently the guide stones have become the target of far right political campaigns. >> people view the guide stones as being satanic and as being evil, that there could possibly be somebody out there who would have been willing to take matters into their own hands >> reporter: georgia asking the public for help in identifying the bomber, while the mayor said there is a chance the guide stones could stand again. >> if it's one thing we know how to do, it's put up a monument. >> gadi schwartz, nbc news coming up on "early today," ciara is back with a sizzling summer track that will make you jump. singer shawn mendes hits a

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♪ the dance party early on a monday morning r&b singer ciara has released a new single for her video jump. the 36-year-old shot this video in los angeles it featured the winston-salem state powerhouse of cheerleaders. >> just in case you aren't awake yet. >> there it is shawn mendes has made the decision to postpone his tour to focus on mental health it was meant to run through october in the united states before picking up in the uk through may of 2023. he shared a statement saying i've been touring since i was 15, and to be honest, it's always been difficult to be on the road and away from friends

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real world tested by you. and particularly kind... to your wallet. welcome back op this monday. we are stuck in the summer-like pattern with really hot temperatures in the south central states and southern plains with temperatures into the upper 90, into the triple digits in some spots really holt through the west as well and also looking at rain along the gulf coast states into the southeast. we could see a flooding risk this week. more rain in the upper midwest today into the great lakes that's going to slide to the northeast tomorrow then by wednesday, we're dry or hot from the northern plains, central plains, southern plains as well. stormy and humid in the southeast. and that will continue into friday it's going to be a wet one of flooding risks through parts of georgia, south carolina, into parts of the southeast, even into alabama and also parts of florida. back to you guys >> now we have the heads up. michelle, thanks the happy accident that led

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febreze fabric refresher. he's reclaimed his title as the one and only thor. oh, spoke too soon >> jane? >> the latest thor movie left fans thunderstruck, swinging in at number one, "thor: love and thunder" took in $143 million domestic opening weekend bringing its global box office total to over 300 million. and now to a very happy accident jose diaz-balart has the story of how one woman turned a simple

mistake into a special surprise for a brand-new family >> oh, yeah. >> reporter: when candace and david found out they were expecting their first baby, they couldn't wait to start celebrating. so earlier this year, the southern california couple sent out eveits for a baby shower but one invite accidentally went to the wrong person, a stranger named angela white living 2,000 miles away in indiana. >> you ignored it, but not for long >> not for long. it kind of this gut feeling i was having there is a reason why i received that text message. >> reporter: angela, a busy mom of four with a husband in the army simply couldn't put it out of her mind. so guided by her faith and joy for the young family, she spent weeks hand-knitting a cozy baby blanket similar to this one for little luna. >> we have been on the receiving end of kindness before from strangers and other people kind of paying it forward

and i just wanted to do the same thing. >> reporter: the unexpected gift overwhelming the new parents >> candace, what kind of touched you about all this >> it just was amazing she could have just ignored the text message. >> reporter: the special package came with a note too, reading in part, i'm sure you're wondering who the heck i am. i received a eveit text message to attend your baby shower angela added i did feel a tugging in my heart to send you something for your new arrival. >> candace and i are both in tears as we're reading the card. but it was super sweet. >> reporter: connected by this new little life, both families are now friends and believe this was much more than just a coincidence. >> i'm excited also to share this story with luna when she is old enough to know about it and know, you know, hey, auntie angela sent you a blanket. >> what do you want luna to know >> i think really it's just

putting other people first is a good thing and i think that's one thing that we're going to build off of is just caring and kindness. and sleep. >> thanks to jose for sharing that story >> i like that they added the slee

the race against time is on to save the sequoias, some 2,000 years old, in yosemite national park where a wildfire is raging. >> president biden says he's considering declaring a public health emergency for abortion access, but would it be legal. they're about to go in another direction where steve bannon is saying he's about to testify since donald trump has waved executive iv