democracy, the fight to get two black lawmakers back in the tennessee house heats up today after republicans voted to expel them. china escalates a military strikes against taiwan just days

after the taiwanese president met with house speaker kevin mccarthy. labor market letdown, job openings fall to the lowest in nearly twowo years, the e numbe fuelining recessssion concncern > and ththe susuperstar jude baback on "amerirican idol."." why singers will need more than justst talent to make it through "idol" this season it's monday, april 10th. "early today" starts right now. good morning, i'm phillip mena. >> and i'm cori coffin the fallout is growing following a federal judge's decision to suspend approval for a widely-used abortion medication, a ruling that could send this latest battle in the fight for reproductive rights back to the supreme court. for more on all of this we go to nbc's brie jackson in washington starting us off. brie, how are lawmakers react to go this ruling >> reporter: good morning, well, the sale this have widely-used drug is in dispute after this major ruling in texas. on friday afternoon trump-appointed u.s. district

judge matthew kazmeric suspended the fda's two decade old approval of mifepristone the lawsuit that challenged the approval of the drug was brought back in november by a group of anti-abortion medical organizations and doctors. this decision marked the first major development for the issue of reproductive rights since the supreme court's decision in the dobbs case last june which eliminated the constitutional right to abortion. it is also considered an unprecedented move for a court to overturn the fda approval of a drug in his decision on friday the judge gave the federal government a week to appeal the ruling by the biden administration has already done. it's also expected that this case might find its way to the highest court in the nation after a federal judge in washington state issued an injunction shortly after the decision on friday now, if the staye fda's approval of the drug takes effect, mifepristone will no longer be available in the u.s

here is what health and human services secretary xavier becerra said on cnn on sunday. >> we intend to do everything to make sure it's available to them not just in a week, but moving forward, period. >> reporter: the judge's ruling was met with swift backlash from abortion rights activists as well as congressional democrats on friday who are questioning the decision to ban access to a key drug that has well-established safety record now, several democrats are calling on the biden administration to ignore the judge's ruling, including congresswoman alexandria ocasio-cortez. now, while reaction from republicans lawmakers have mostly been muted texas republican tony gonzalez did push back against efforts to bypass the ruling. gonzalez suggested that congress should consider defunding the fda if the federal government

does not adhere to the judge's decision cori >> brie, thank you for starting us off this morning. it certainly makes the battle for reproductive rights for confusing and contentious. the two tennessee state lawmakers who were expelled by their republican colleagues say they want their seats back democratic tennessee congressman justin jones and justin pierson led a protest with gloria johnson on the house floor last week calling for stricter gun safety measures after the mass shooting at a nashville elementary school that left six people dead. jones and pierson who are black were voted out while the effort to expel johnson who will white failed by one vote. >> today the council will meet to discuss an interim replacement for jones' seat. 23 of the 39 members have confirmed to nbc news or on social media that they plan to vote to reinstate jones and the shelby county board of commissioners released a statement saying it will consider action to reappoint

pierson during a meeting sed for wednesday. the democrats were asked on "meet the press" if they will accept reappointment. >> we will continue to fight for our constituents and one thing i want to say, chuck, is that this attack against us is hurting all people in our state. even though is impacting black and brown communities this is hurting poor white people. their attack on democracy hurts all of us. i don't want it just to be about race. >> yes, i would be honored to accept the appointment of the shelby county commission and to run in a special election and i've already heard that people in the state legislature and in nashville are threatening our shelby county commissioners to not reappoint me or they will take away funding in the government's budget for projects that the mayor and others have asked for. >> meantime, vice president harris praised the lawmakers during a surprise trip to nashville last week. the republican senate primary in west virginia shaping up to be one of the most expensive contests in the state's history.

the two candidates west virginia governor jim justice and congressman alex moony are courting influential backers an anti-tax group has pledged to spend $10 million on moony and a state ag candidate and senate minority leader mitch mcconnell is using his clout to push for governor justice whoever wins the primary will likely face off against joe manchin who faces a tough 2024 reelection campaign. this west virginia race could determine which party controls the narrowly divided senate. heart breaking response after two officers were killed in a traffic stop shooting in a statement yesterday the governor said hearts are heavy for the officers who died in the line of duty on saturday the state's justice department is investigating after gunfire was exchanged between officers and a motorist during a routine traffic stop the two officers were pronounced dead on the scene. the suspect was taken to the hospital and later died.

the names of the officers and suspect have been made public. the pentagon is searching for whoever leaked classified documents that were posted online nbc news got ahold of more than 50 of the documents, many of them labeled top secret. the highest level of classification allie rafa has the details. >> reporter: new concerns over how secure the country's defense secrets really are. >> obviously leaks of -- if that's what this is or a hack that succeeds is extremely dangerous. >> reporter: after a suspected leak of classified u.s. documents about ukraine's war effort and military strength were possibly leaked photos of the allegedly top secret documents posted recently on social media, the leak first reported by "the new york times" includes maps and equipment lists that lay out details about ukraine's military strength, casualty counts and western weapons capabilities the "times" reporting that the documents also reveal u.s. national security secrets about the middle east and china.

>> there are some indications that there are some aspects of the document that have some authenticity to them, but there are also indications that this may be a russian disinformation campaign, which they're very good at. >> reporter: while russian state media largely avoids coverage of the documents, one ukrainian official is calling it a bluff by russia. meanwhile, intelligence analysts say they're confident these documents were also doctored. >> the determination has been tentatively that this is a russian-led effort. >> it's attempt to go target strategic intelligence sharing between the united states and ukraine and try to, you know, create a bad faith relationship there. >> reporter: both the justice and defense departments now trying to get answers. >> it puts ourselves at risk, it puts our allies at risk, puts our sources and methods at risk. >> our thanks to allie for that report. all new this morning, china ramped up their war games for a second straight day of drills,

practicing military exercise against taiwan 11 war ships surrounded the island training for a naval blockade, some facing off against taiwanese coast guard. it comes after an american delegation wrapped up days of meetings in taiwan china says it's a, quote, serious warning about taiwan working with foreign states. the third and last day of the exercise is today. the taiwanese this morning bracing themselves for what could be an even more provocative final act by china. you could call it a holy trinity, this year marked a rare crossover as jews, christians and muslims all celebrated religious holidays this weekend. this only happens about every 30 years. muslims have been observing ramadan all month long while the jewish community began their passover on wednesday. pope francis made a come back this holy week, culminating in easter sunday mass on st. peter's square in his easter message francis prayed for peace in ukraine and

drew a spotlight on other conflicts in jerusalem, lebanon and nicaragua. after a busy weekend let's get to your monday forecast with nbc meteorologist michelle grossman good morning. >> good morning to you both. weather is not that busy to start off the week, we haven't been able to say that in quite a few weeks. a few spots will see wet weather today, the first spot being the pacific northwest, we have an on-shore flow, a front moving through bringing the chance for bringing higher elevation snow, we could see quite a bit of rain in some spots. the winds will be gusty up to 50 miles per hour locally up to 4 inches of rain in washington, also through oregon, especially where you see brighter colors of reds, oranges and yellows. that's one spot. another spot is through the central and southern plains, we have a weak boundary moving through that will spark the chance for storms, some could be stronger to severe throughout the afternoon especially with daytime heating. we will watch that closely the third spot in florida, a frontal boundary is draped there, too, looking for the chance of some rain locally 3 inches or greater. that's something we're watching.

as far as the severe weather goes, wichita, oklahoma e chance for storms in oklahoma city and also san antonio all right. guys, it's monday, we're going to take a look at that week forecast in just a few minutes. >> see you in a few, michelle. thank you. we are back in one minute with a deep dive into the dollar store surge. and later, the los angeles school district has ststruck a al a mononth afterer distrtrict workers hit ththe picket line. ththanks! mymy daughter r has sensititive. same. try using alall™ free e clear as part ofof your famimily's laundry roroutine. it t tackles impmpurities withouout leavingg irritatating resididue for r a clean that's s gentle on n skin. alall™ free e clear. the e number onene doctor recommenended brandd for sensititive skin.. i used t to pre-rinsnse dishes cauause my old d detert didn't a actually geget 'emem. i used t to pre-rinsnse dishes cauause my old d detert but t new cascadade platinumums i used t to pre-rinsnse dishes cauause my old d detert

hahas me doingng didishes...differently.. scrub?b? soak? nope.. i just scrcrape, loadad and i'm d done. only p platinum plplus is bigg. with d double the e dawn greae fighting power and double the scrubbing power. soso you can l load this, and get this. i'm not the type t to break the e dish ruleses...or am i? scscrape, loadad, done. i'm not the type t to break the e dish ruleses...or am i? new cascadade platinumum . i'm not the type t to break the e dish ruleses...or am i? "looook at this s skin, baby. she isis glowing.. she e is 1 of 1.1." with new olay hyayaluronic bobody wash 95% of womomen had vivisibly-betttter skin. "m"my skin iss so mucuch more moioisturized" see ththe differenence with ol. you may have noticed the explosive growth of dollar stores popping up all around neighborhoods, but those cheap prices may be coming at a much larger cost to communities

>> reporter: jean ann thomas has shopped at family food center in toledo, ohio, since she was 4 years old. >> this is the place to be once you find something that you love and treat you with respect. >> reporter: but today the 58-year-old worries dollar stores are now threatening this local staple. >> whether it be a store to help the community but it's taking from the community. >> reporter: at the start of 2022 dollar stores together operated more than 34,000 stores nationwide, that's more than mcdonald's, walmart, target and starbucks combined right here in toledo, ohio, when it comes to dollar stores, there are one, here is another, two, and here is another one, number three. all together over 35 in march advocacy group the institute for local self-reliance published a study on the impact of dollar stores on predominantly rural, low income, black and latino neighborhoods. it's findings -- >> when they come into a community they tend to just pull just enough of the sales away

from that grocery store. >> we have to call the suppliers, ask for prices, ask them for deals and they don't offer us as good deals as the big chains. >> reporter: now a small community in toledo led by senior pastor donald perryman is fighting this effort. >> this was the pride of toledo, it was a community where black dollars circulated, black wealth developed, black professionals were. >> and today what is it like >> deserted and abandoned. >> reporter: perryman hopes toledo will join the more than 50 cities already enacting laws limiting dollar store expansion. the study also fouound that as lolocal grocereries s get squeud out, neieighborhoods are left wh food deserts, areas with limited access to affordable nutritious food. >> even when a dollar general has fresh produce it's not a full supply, correct >> correct so we have about 16 feet typically in most stores of fresh produce. >> do you think your supply of

produce is enough to advocately feed and provide the nutrients communities need >> i think it's really important to remember dollar general is not a grocer, we are here to be able to provide the general necessities that families need on an everyday bases. >> reporter: in a statement to nbc news two other national dollar chains, dollar tree and family dollar said in part our stores complement grocery stores and bring economic development to communities we enter, including helping to alleviate the effects of food deserts in urban communities. as for family general food center, this man says the price right side no match for the people. >> i know half of my customers by name, when they walk in i greet them by name, i don't think they can get that service at a dollar store. >> i get emotional just talking about it because they are a family they are >> reporter: what are you thinking about what are you feeling >> because it's grace in here. it's grace they let you be yourself even if you go on through it. >> reporter: nbc news, toledo,

ohio. los angeles unified school district workers have reached a labor deal following a three-day strike last month. the laboon focused on wages and staffing and halted classes at one of the country's largest school systems the agreement was voted on last week and would increase wages by 30% for workers paid an average of $25,000 a year. it also includes a $1,000 bonus as well as expanded family health care benefits for employees who worked earlier in the covid-19 pandemic risking their health and lives the contract still needs to be approved by the district's board of education the district says that it could meet and vote as early a as apr 18th >> still to c come herere ons mondnday, , an "american idol" shocking series first in the season's final judgment round. and later a tiktok trend is spining op tinirpeleo o give ban snsnoopy stylele notificication] ♪ yoyour prescriription for.r.

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blood donors the popular cartoon brand create this had exclusive t-shirt featuring snoopy for people donating blood after it went viral on tiktok first-time donors are showing up in droves to get their hands on the exclusive merch. it's only available for a little bit longer up until april 23rd do not underestimate the power of merch the red cross says it's up 50% in six-month averages. >> it's the exclusive part, you have to go and donate. >> there you go. whatever it takes to make it happen, it's for a great cause. michelle a keeping track of your monday forecast that's coming up next. still to come a community rallies for a teenager recovering from an accidenent. ststay with usus at the r right time,e, all the e time? not lilike that. like thihis. gettining this beeeer... all l over the w world... right whwhen they neneed it. yeyes, with ibibm consulting, ai-powered software can help automate yourur supply chain—

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in las vegas we're staying cool in the southeast, also looking at some rain and we have a frontal boundary that's draped over florida. a chance for showers, strong thunderstorms in central and southern plains. nice in the northeast, also the mid-atlantic today, temperatures in the 60s with lots of sunshine. >> we will take it for this monday that's pretty good. >> we will. after the break, a specialal lottery ststory to give you u millions o of f reasons toto sme this mononday. action s sleep supplplement.. to d daily digesestive suppop. to m more wellneness solutios evevery day. get more e with naturure's bou. when it t comes to y your hai, ingrededients matttter. ththat's whyhy herbal esesses is packedd wiwith naturalally deriveded t ingredientnts you loveve, and nonone of the e stuff you don't.t. our sulflfate-free c collectis smell l incrediblele... ♪ and leavave your haiair toucuchably softft and smoot.

♪♪ herbal e essences "looook at this s skin, baby. she isis glowing.. she e is 1 of 1.1." with new olay hyayaluronic bobody wash 95% of women had visibly-better skin. "m"my skin iss so mucuch more moioisturized" see ththe differenence with ol. a volleyball star made an emotional return to her tennessee high school after losing both of her legs in a car accident two months ago. her community welcomed her back with open arms offering love and support. our nbc affiliate in nashville

has the story. >> reporter: on a dreary wednesday night this crowd of people outside smyrna high could all use a little light. >> janae is a spunky, driven kid, she is a setter which means we consider that the quarterback of the volleyball team, she was always communicating. >> reporter: her volleyball coaches have been by her side since she lost both her legs in a car crash. >> we're just hoping to give janae a boost of just knowing her community is still behind her. >> reporter: on wednesday that community came dressed in purple to support her. >> you need to hold your ears when she rolls out. >> reporter: they haven't seen janae since the accident until now. janae's life and her family's life changed only a few weeks ago. >> just to see her come out and just be overwhelmed with emotion, i was overwhelmed with emotion. >> friends and coaches shined

their lights they want janae to know her future is bright and they will be right there to watch it all. >> two months ago we were heartbroken and today it is just like a breath of fresh air that she is, you know, out and about with us and, you know, working her way back into day to day life >> our thanks to marissa for that story wow. what janae and her family have been through, the roller coaster in the last few months for that to happen, to get the phone call, you know, to finally be relieved she survived but then she would lose both of her legs and now everybody is there to support her. >> it's so bittersweet i don't know if i would have the bravery to come back that's what it's all about. >> it takes others to lift you up in those moments. >> that's a great point. well, this next story will make you smile she may have won millions but one lottery winner is warming hearts with her story. geraldine from lakeland, florida, got the last crossword ticket from her local gas station and she won $2 million

after finishing the puzzle according to the florida lottery it was her second win of the week because, get this, just the day before her daughter walked out of the hospital after finishing her last cancer treatment. that whole family deserves a standing ovation. >> that's amazing. when we hear these lottery stories you always want to think that it's going to someone who could really need it, to get a leg up in life when it comes to that. >> absolutely. >> geraldine had a week. >> i just heard from our producer that the mom is spending that money on her daughter's treatment fantastic. >> there you go. what better way to start your monday than a heartwarming story like that. like that. thanks for waking up with when a truck hit my car, like that. thankthe insurance company wasn't fair. i didn't know what my case was worth. so i called the barnes firm. i was hit by a car and needed help. i called the barnes firm, that was the best call i could've made. i'm richch barnes. it's hard foror people toto kw howow much theieir accident case i is worth. let ouour injury a attorneys help youou get t the best r result possss. ♪ the bararnes firm injujury attornen♪

♪ call one e eight hundndred, eight t millio♪ . right now at 4:30, a family left grieving after their 5-year-old daughter becomes the latest victim of a freeway shooting. ahead, we're learning about the men police have in custody as bay area highways are once again coming into