>> it's monday, july 25th. scorching temperatures across the nation turn deadly as the record heat fuels a major wildfire in california, forcing thousands to evacuate. breaking overnight, a shooting at a car show leaves at least two dead and five others injured. we have late details this morning. pope francis is apologizing to the native people of canada. a new report on president biden's battle with covid from

his doctor ask, the new urgency to create an omicron-targeted vaccine bit fall. the "n" word leads to the firing of the chief of police of exlexington, mississippi. an expansion of the korean veterans war memorial that includes a new addition many say is long overdue. what did you see in that cloud? >> what do you think >> and make that three in a row for jordan peele as "nope" takes the box office crown a busy monday ahead. "early today" starts right now good morning i'm erin o'hern. >> i'm frances rivera. a fast-moving fire near yosemite national park that began on friday exploded over the weekend. the oak fire burning more than 15,000 acres in california the blaze is now the largest in the state, and the plumes of smoke so large, they can be seen

from the international space station. governor newsom declared a state of emergency and more than 6,000 residents have been forced to evacuate at least ten structures have been destroy asked five others damaged so far nearly 3,000 other buildings are at risk from that fire more than 2,000 firefighters are fighting the flames, but so far the massive fire is 0% contained. in los angeles, two killed and five injured in a shoogt yesterday afternoon. this happened near a car show in san pedro's pet park authorities say there were about 500 people there, including children it began as a fight between two parties. it's not known whether this is gang related police found guns at the scene and believe there may be more than one shooter involved. they are still searching for the suspects. president biden is staying busy despite his recent covid diagnosis. he is expected to give a virtual speech to the national

organization of black law enforcement executives this afternoon. the president's doctor has said his symptoms have improved significantly. maura barrett is in d.c. with the latest. >> reporter: president biden on day three of isolation at the white house. his doctor in a letter says mr. biden continues to improve significantly. the president's main symptom now, a sore throat another doctor says his body is clearing the virus testing showed the president most likely has is omicron subvariant b.a.5 which accounts for nearly 80% of cases nationwide research suggests b.a.5 is four times more resistant to antibodies from vaccines and it's spreading quickly. >> if you live in a zone where you have a high level of viral dynamics and you are in an indoor congregant setting, cdc recommends you should wear a mask. >> reporter: right now, those high transmission rates cover more than 40% of the country >> even if you have previous

vaccine immunity or infection immunity and you're in a high-risk area, you could potentially get infected again. >> reporter: los angeles county is considering reinstating its indoor mask mandate if cases continue to climb. the fda recommended pfizer and moderna push forward with omicron booster shots is as we make improvements that wre you' get an annual covid shot. >> reporter: the biden administration already has an agreement with pfizer to purchase 105 million doses once it's approved. pfizer seth it could be ready by october. >> in the fall, if we do have omicron-specific boosters, i think it would be recommendation to get effective booster even ages under 50. >> we see a spike in cases, will boosters by the fall be enough >> we're all chasing our tail. so any updated omicron booster is going to be more effective than the current boosters. >> reporter: in regards to the president's health, we're only

getting updated via letters from his doctor reporters have not been able to ask his doctor any questions directly, though the white house insists they've been transparent. whose more, we haven't seen any photos or video of the president since friday back to you. >> maura, thank you for that report. two american citizens have died in eastern ukraine. the state department confirms a total of five americans are known to have died in the country since russia invaded five months ago. the u.s. government has repeatedly warned against any travel to ukraine. joining from us kyiv is nbc's josh letterman good morning what do we know about these two americans? >> reporter: frances, they were killed alongside a canadian and a swede fighting in eastern ukraine. apparently killed by a russian tank nbc news has confirmed that one of those americans was 31-year-old luke logan from north carolina 31, father of two, and our nbc

colleague ellison barber spoke to his family, obviously devastated, and said their son did not go to ukraine to try to become a hero but simply to try to help. amid that tragic news, there is deep uncertainty this morning over the future of that delicate t deal to allow ukraine to resume exporting grain amid fears of famine in africa and other parts of the world that rely on grain from ukraine the russians launching a missile attack a day after that delicate deal was struck at the key port of odesa that would be used to export that grain, creating a lot of uncertainty about whether that dealed stands overhearing conversations of russian troops informing their relatives they know they're going to lose this battle. president zelenskyy saying they expect more visits from

high-profile foreign officials in ukraine this week frances? >> josh, a lot of crucial developments our hearts go out to those two american families, thank you pope francis landed safely at edmonton on sunday for the start of his week-long trip across canada. among those on hand to greet the pope were prime minister justin trudeau as well as indigenous governor general mary may simon. the pope is expected to apologize to indigenous groups for abuses made by catholic missionaries at residential schools in canada. leaked audio has led to the firing of a mississippi police chief. the 13-minute recording allegedly reveals the former chief using slurs and bragging about killing 13 people. reporter quentin smith with our jackson affiliate has those details. >> terminate chief sam dobbins

from the position of chief of police with the city of lexington. >> reporter: this is the news many in lexington were hoping to hear. >> today the community of lexington, mississippi, received justice. >> reporter: the board made its decision just days after former lexington police officer robert lee hooker released an audio recording from april he says the conversation is between him and dobbins, who at a time was his police chief. hooker accuses of dobbins of creating a stressful and toxic work environment. >> i just got to the point where you're not doing the people right, you're not doing me right, so therefore, let me expose you for what you are, who you are. that's how it happened. >> reporter: we obtained the audio. you can hear dobbins using the "n" word >> come on, you're not some [ bleep ] in the streets and there's only going to be one man fighting for you that's going to be me, okay? don't ever ruin that, all right?

because these other [ bleep ] -- okay >> reporter: as well as him speaking about people he's shot and killedance officer. >> i've killed 13 men in my career, okay justified. in my career i have shot and killed in the line of duty 13 different people >> you shot many [ bleep ]s? >> yes, sir, justified, bro. ask around they ain't going to tell you no. had a big [ bleep ] shoot-out in the cornfield over there [ bleep ] justified. 119 times. okay i don't give a [ bleep ] i don't give a [ bleep ] if you kill a [ bleep ], [ bleep ] in cold blood do you hear what i'm saying? i will articulate to fix the [ bleep ] problem, and i'm the only man in the business here that's smart enough to do it. >> reporter: that's not all. hooker says dobbins made negative comments towards the lgbtq community. >> i don't talk to [ bleep ] queers, i don't talk to [ bleep ], i ain't got nothing

for you. >> reporter: comments many are calling disgraceful. >> once we heard it, we were just appalled. it's like, how can a chief, an officer, use that kind of rhetoric when you're sworn to protect and serve us >> our thanks to our jackson affiliate for that report. you only have to step outside for a few moments to know the punishing heat continues across the nation. with some cities reaching record highs in the northeast, 235 million americans are braving temperatures above 90 degrees with 40 million battling triple digits two more reported deaths have been tied to the heat wave one in new york city, and one in south dakota now at least five were killed due to the dangerous temperatures officials are urging people to stay hydrated and to use air conditioning when possible. > . >> when's it going to end? any relief from the dangerous heat in sight?

let's turn to michelle grossman who joins us this morning. where are we looking >> good morning to you both. so the good news is we're going to have some relief in the northeast. we're looking at some really high temperatures before that. it's going to come across with strong storms move including this afternoon take a look at what's happening now and what we expect because we're looking at some heat alerts across the country 41 million impacted by heat, whether advisory, watch, warning for the middle of the country, the plains, mid-mississippi valley the pacific northwest now looking at some heat watches and heat warnings. we're looking at the weather story there turning for for a heat wave. boston, philadelphia, you have heat today before that cold front moves through. coast to coast, heat today, once again. 97 in portlandhoomdty.

we're warm in philadelphia, d.c., richmond with sunshine a cold front is going to bring some relief. we have a tornado watch this morning, parts of northwestern pennsylvania we'll talk about that cold front moving through, bringing those severe storms. back to you guys. >> not ready to get rid of those portable fans yet, thanks so much, michelle. all eyes were on cooperstown as david ortiz took his place in the baseball hall of fame. >> i want to thank the baseball writers for making me the first designated hitter in the history of cooperstown to be selected in the first ballot you guys got it going on thanks, guys >> pretty cool ortiz won three world series titles with the red sox during his 20 seasons in the big leagues. he finished his career with 541 home runs and 10 all-star selections

inducted, including twinm kaat olivia and buck o'neil. a bishop robbed at gunpoint in church. some $400,000 worth of jewelry stolen. nascar's chase elliot takes the win without ever ldieang at pocono the bizarre outcome, that's coming up next deep down hygienic clean. magic eraser removes the messes you can see as well as more of the dirt and grime you don't. all you do is wet, squeeze and start erasing dirt and grime all around the house and try magic eraser sheets for a deep clean in hard to reach places that you can toss when your done. mr. clean magic eraser. for a deep down hygienic clean all around the house. ♪ i like to vöost it, vöost it♪ ♪my vitamins can boost it♪ ♪i like to vöost it, vöost it♪ ♪we like to vöost it♪ ♪♪

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homes. there have been no reports of injuries or damage authorities say they are continuing to monitor the situation. a brazen heist in the middle of a sunday church service bishop l'amour whitehead was in the middle of a sermon when masked thieves burst into his church, stealing $400,000 worth of jewelry from him and his wife that robbery caught on the church's livestream. he claims they pointed a gun at his children and that cameras inside and outside the church caught the suspects before they got away whitehead is urging them to come forward. korean war veterans from across the country will come together this week to remember all those lost in a conflict often referred to as the forgotten war. on wednesday, a new exhibit is opening at the national mall in washington, d.c. the remembrance wall honors of americans who died in the korean war. it is just steps away from the 19 stainless steel soldiers that have stood in tribute to the war for nearly 30 years.

both president biden and the president of south korea are expected to attend wednesday's unveiling. chase elliott won nascar's cup series race at pocono without ever leading a lap nascar disqualified denny hamlin and kyle busch after their cars failed a post-race inspection. so elliot, who finished the race in third, was given the victory in the fan appreciation 400. nascar's cup series managing director said the dq was a result of illegal material on the front end of the cars. hamlin and busch are teammates on joe gibbs racing. in a statement the team said it plans to review the situation. a little-known player on a pair of lakers championship teams is giving back to his home country in a major way slava medvedenko who played in los angeles alongside kobe and shaquille o'neal is auctioning off his two championship rings to benefit ukrainian children. the proceeds of the auction are going towards his fly high

foundation which aims to restore gyms and other sports infrastructure throughout ukraine. what a great gesture. >> yes, it is. still to come on "early today," the dc universe has a new anti-hero. an electrifying look at dwayne "the rock" johnson as black adam. plus look fresh and eat fresh for life how you can ink a deal for unlimited subway by getting a tattoo, details next ering theire while driving, they feel like a pretty big deal. ♪♪ steve... steve. did you get the ice? uh... huh. with usaa safepilot. get a quote today. ♪♪ [sfx: stomach gurgling] it's nothing... sounds like something.

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you believe you are not worthy but you have two paths you can be the destroyer of this world. or you can be its savior >> dwayne johnson is ready to "rock" the dc universe

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tough bathroom soap scum, and even stainless steel. mr. clean clean freak what did you see in that cloud? >> it's not what you think >> they took them all. >> jordan peele's "nope" scored number one at the box office, earning $44 million in its first opening. the highly anticipated science fiction/horror is peele's third movie to debut at number one according to "variety," "nope" is currently the highest domestic opening for an original film since 2019's now to a friee

than 50 years in the making. kanow has the story of how vietnam war pen pals finally found each other >> dominic good to see you. >> kathleen. >> reporter: this is a friendship more than 50 years in the making >> it was so exciting to finally meet you and put the face to the name. >> reporter: a connection that almost never happened at all in 1971, kathleen ryan's fourth grade class sent christmas cards to u.s. military fighting in vietnam. >> i didn't know where he was going to be from you know, from the united states i didn't know where. but just that he was serving in vietnam. >> reporter: the 10-year-old from new york's long island got a letter back from 20-year-old army specialist dominic cutello. >> i wanted to let this little girl know, hey, thank you, i appreciate you >> reporter: in it he wrote -- >> the best present anyone can get is a letter from people back home it means a lot to a soldier to

know that people are thinking of him. >> reporter: kathleen treasured that note for 51 years, wondering if dominic ever made it back from the war >> i must have reread his letter several times a year i kept it in m month she set out to solve the mystery, researching his name, astonished to find he'd been participating in veterans events near her own home she took the letter to one of those events and found dominic >> actually, i think i summed it up perfectly with my expression, shock. what how? when where? why? me, do you believe it? >> yes. >> reporter: since then the pair has been swapping stories from the last half century. kathleen is a married mom of two and a retired police officer dominic became an auto mechanic after the war. he and his wife have a son. >> all these years later, to meet dominic, yeah, i feel like it has changed my life. >> reporter: this simple gesture

from the past -- >> i'm so glad we got to meet again. >> reporter: now the link to a brand-new friendship. >> with all what's going on in the world today, this is a little bit of happiness. i can't find anything wrong at all with a little bit of happiness.

♪ breaking overnight, a deadly shooting at a los angeles car show leaves at least two dead and five injured police are searching for multiple suspects. 0% contained thousands forced to evacuate a a new california wildfire triples in size, fueled by a record-high temperature. >> the world health organization raises the danger level of monkeypox to a global health emergency. goos news on the gasoline front. prices dropped 65% per gallon of