and she was given a key to the city, and this is an image of her posing with that key before she took the stage last night. >> she will need a bigger key chain. kris, you did a great job reporting but the full closure with the westbound on 80, and coming home may be an issue if you are coming back from sacramento or tahoe. that's the reroute, another 15 minutes. >> take an extra day off. and then "today in the bay" continues on roku and good thursday morning. idalia causing new devastation across t good thursday morni. idalia causing new devastation across the south overnight >> those high winds and torrential rain not over yet it's august 31st

this is "today." path of destruction. remnants of the powerful storm lashing the carolinas, flooding the historic city of charleston, and spawning tornadoes >> holy [ bleep ]! the car's flying >> after becoming the strongest hurricane to hit florida's big bend in more than a century. >> i don't think anybody expected it to be this bad >> entire neighborhoods wiped out, hundreds of thousands without power. so we're live across the region and al's tracking what's next. breaking overnight, fatal fire flames tearing through an apartment building in johannesburg more than 70 people killed, dozens hurt. one of the worst tragedies there ever we'll have the very latest new health scare senate minority leader mitch mcconnell suddenly freezing up at a public event for the second time in just weeks >> running for re-election -- t.

the growing concerns for his >> oh, that's right. >> the growing concerns for his health and his future in washington, and what the senator's team is saying this morning. "titanic" battle an inside look at the new push to recover a key relic from the wreckage and what the u.s. government is doing to try and stop it. all of that plus, holiday getaway. labor day weekend set to be the busiest ever millions of americans ready to hit the airports and roads so just ahead, everything you need to know about those crowds, and where to score last-minute deals. and spike in attendance. >> and overpass kill >> the university of nebraska fills its football stadium for women's volleyball match more than 92,000 in attendance we'll take you inside the world record-shattering event, today,

thursday, august 31st, 2023. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hoda kotb from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza a good morning to you. welcome to "today. so glad you're with us on thisi. savannah and thursday morning savannah and hoda have the morning off. perhaps they were in nebraska at that volleyball match. >> did you see that crowd? record-breaking crowd? >> volleyball has been big for a while now, especially big in nebraska, but not quite that big. so we're going to show you precisely -- >> kudos to those athletes >> more than 92,000 cheering them on. we'll have that story in just a bit, but we want to start once again with idalia still wreaking havoc. a live look right now, this is kill devil hills, north carolina, right now, as we speak, it is getting pounded by

heavy rain and high winds. >> as for where that storm is heading, here's a look at its path, finally moving offshore later today, after flooding parts of the carolinas >> meanwhile, we are starting to get a clearer picture of just the sheer devastation left behind this morning, more than 300,000 are without power across the southeast. >> and that storm surge record-setting in some areas, flooded countless streets, businesses, and homes. and with many airports shut down by idalia, the airlines are dealing with a backlog of canceled flights >> the cleanup is already underway along florida's big bend that's where the storm made landfall around this time yesterday, as a powerful category 3 hurricane once again, we have it all covered for you, starting in that hard-hit region with nbc's senior national correspondent, tom llamas, once again in perry, florida. tom, good morning to you >> reporter: craig, good morning to you right now, there are flash flood warnings in the carolinas and just behind me, you can see here, utter devastation ine far

from over. as you both mention there are larg florida. the effects of idalia are far from over. as you both mentioned, there are large sections of north florida and the big bend area without power like right here in perry, where the entire county is 100% without power. now, this is still an ongoing situation. the infrastructure here has been crushed. and there are still communities under curfew because of the e ie ongoing emergencies. this morning, the eye of hurricane idalia has moved on from florida, becoming a tropical storm overnight, but still wreaking havoc in the carolinas. in charleston, south carolina, tide levels reached more than 9 feet charleston harbor, overflowing, while nearby, severe winds sent this car flying. the storm surge also flooding the isle of palms, and idalia left behind major flooding in florida as well, turning streets into rivers. >> i've got to take cover! >> reporter: idalia made landfall as a category 3 storm

that spanned more than 350 miles in diameter. drone video showing the aftermath in the town of steinhatchee, where homes and boats were submerged strong winds ripping a roof off of a home, while high tides causing violent waves to slam on to highways. and at one point, in cedar key, the storm surge surpassing 10 feet >> it was the biggest that we've ever seen. >> reporter: maximum winds at landfall were near 125 miles per hour the big bend area has not seen a hurricane of that strength in 127 years. this is a giant pine tree that has crashed into a home here in perry. there was a family inside, with a baby >> it was kind of terrifying, honestly >> we heard one of the trees start to crack and he came and jumped over top of us. >> so your husband put his body over your body to protect you? >> mm-hmm. >> reporter: governor ron desantis saying recovery efforts and cleanup are out in full

force. >> we haven't had a storm take this path at this level since e to floridians stranded right now? >> if you're in harms way and you call emergency there will be a response >> reporter: t the 1890s. >> what's your message to floridians trapped or stranded right now? >> if you are in harm's way or in peril, you call emergency and there will be a response >> reporter: the governor's wife tweeting that their mansion in tallahassee also saw some damage from a 100-year-old oak tree the family uninjured as the family reels through the aftermath of idalia, the storm barreled through parts of georgia, with winds reaching 90 miles per hour >> there's been a heavy impact in south georgia with heavy rainfall and heavy winds >> reporter: before moving to g the carolinas. >> this morning, new concerns over flash flooding along the coast, as the wrath of tropical storm idalia sweeps through the southeast. as with tornadoes, sometimes with hurricanes, a few feet can make a huge difference, we want

to show you why. we have some drone footage this morning from cedar key, florida. i was speaking to one of the community leaders there and she was telling me, there is utter devastation, but they were also surprised how some homes were wiped off the map and a few feet down, other homes looked like they were barely touched it's just unfortunately the reality that sometimes happens with these natural disasters a lot of water came into the big bend area. a lot of that water has receded back, but there are still a lot of communities right now, craig, digging out. >> to your point, just the sheer randomness of mother nature can take some folks by surprise. speaking of that, tom. a lot of folks obviously were prepared, it would seem. it would also seem like a lot of folks heeded those evacuation warnings but it seems like there were still some people taken by surprise >> reporter: yeah, i think that's fair, craig i grew up here in florida. sometimes we floridians can be a little cavalier with storms. but this area, as they got ready for this storm, i could actually see fear in people's eyes, because they have never experienced anything like this

in modern history. but especially people here in perry, a little farther inland, they woke up and saw what happened to their town and could not believe it a lot of people think they will be weeks without power businesses gone, homes are gone, but even throughout all of thise it out alive >> our senior national correspondent tom llamas in florida for us destruction, we see stories of survival that family, two giant trees fell on the roof and that family including that baby somehow made it out alive >> our senior international correspondent, tom llamas live for us in florida. >> let's bring in al for more on the storm's wrath and path as we head into the holiday weekend. >> and guys, kudos to the national hurricane center. because the path and the projected path are pretty much came to be so that allowed people to get ready to prepare for municipalities and the states to get ready. so good news to them 45 miles south-southwest of wilmington right now, idalia's got winds of 60 miles per hour and it is moving quickly and that was the other blessing of this storm.

it was a fast mover. and it has been a fast mover wilmington seeing winds of 40 miles per hour the good news is, it's going to be moving quickly offshore, and by tomorrow this time, it is well offshore. so the damage that whatever happens now is just about done, we're looking at maybe a storm surge, 2 to 4 feet around beaufort, 1 to 3 feet, cape hatteras to kill devil hills cape hatteras' high tide, 9:20 this morning once they get through that, they should be through the worst of it still, rainfall amounts may be another 1 to 3 inches, isolated 6-inch amounts so there is a risk for flooding, especially from cape hatteras. elizabeth city, not so much. the good news is, whatever's happening now can finally start to recede. so the cleanup can begin in earnest. turning to that breaking news from south africa, where more than 70 people have died in a nighttime building fire in johannesburg nbc's kelly cobiella joins us with more. kelly, good morning.

what's the latest? >> reporter: sheinelle, good morning to you that five-storey building is still smoldering this morning and the search and rescue efforts are ongoing as we're learning that more than 70 are dead and dozens injured as well. the fire broke out at 1:30 in the morning, as people were sleeping loca and you can see in this video, the fire engulfing an entire floor with flames shooting out the windows. local officials say about 200 people were living there at the time, including homeless families, who were desperate for housing. one veteran emergency services official said that he's never seen anything like it, that inside, shacks and other makeshift structures had been built, creating a maze of obstructions for firefighters and essentially trapping people as those flames spread neighbors say that they could hear people yelling for help inside some throwing themselves out windows to escape. one witness said the fire escape was closed and some of the gates

were closed as well. and fire officials say it took them three hours to contain that blaze. at least seven of the victims are children, according to emergency services the youngest, just 1 years old investigators aren't yet sure what caused the fire, but it is winter in south africa and one local government officials says it appeared that people had been lighting fires inside to stay warm. sheinelle? >> that is heartbreaking kelly, thank you also this morning, questions are intensifying about the health of the senate's top republican minority leader mitch mcconnell suddenly froze up at an event. it's the second time it's happened to the 81-year-old in recent weeks nbc's capitol hill correspondent ryan nobles is covering this one for us ryan, good morning >> reporter: craig, good morning. and mitch mcconnell had just given a 20-minute speech and taken questions from a group in northern kentucky without any trouble. but it was during a press conference with reporters after the speech where he once again

appeared to freeze for an extended amount of time. for the second time in two months, a health scare for senate republican leader mitch mcconnell. the senator freezing after being asked a question wednesday >> what are my thoughts about what >> running for re-election in 20 -- >> did you hear the question, senator? >> he was unresponsive for more than 30 seconds. >> i'm >> oh, that's, uh -- >> did you hear the question, senator? >> reporter: he was unresponsive for more than 30 seconds a spokesperson saying that the senator felt momentarily lightheaded but felt fine later. in july, mcconnell endured a similar episode, where he froze for more than 20 seconds during a press event on capitol hill. >> there has been good bipartisan cooperation and a string of, uh, uh -- >> reporter: he was led away by fellow senators, but later joked about president biden stumbling

at an event earlier that month >> well, the president called to check on me, i told him, i got sandbagged >> this time it was the president offering mcconnell his support. >> he's a good friend, so i'm going to try to get in touch with him >> reporter: echoed by vermont senator bernie sanders, who at 81 is the same age as mcconnell. >> i hope he makes a full recovery and does what he thinks is best for the people of kentucky and himself >> reporter: mcconnell missed a month of work after suffering a concussion in march and one of many leaders in washington facing questions about their age and health california senator dianne feinstein missed three months worth of votes after a bout of shingles and has at times appeared disoriented during senate hearings. >> just say aye. >> okay, just -- >> aye >> aye >> reporter: a recent poll shows that 77% of voters feel that president biden is too old for the job. a liability the president often jokes about.

>> i know i'm 198 years old. >> reporter: and after the episode, senator mcconnell reached out to several of his fellow senate republicans including john thune, who said that mcconnell sounded like his, quote, usual self. he is expected to see a doctor before his next event. the senate returns from recess next week and they have a packem washington, thank you. north korea launched two agenda, including passing a short-term funding bill to avert a government shutdown at the end of september sheinelle? >> all right i'll take it, ryan thank you so much, ryan nobles from washington. north korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles towards the sea last night the launches came just hours after the u.s. flew long-range bombers in the region during drills with its allies analysts say north korea is trying to again demonstrate it has missiles capable of striking key targets in south korea military officials there called the launches a grave provocation that violates u.n. security council resolutions. a lot more to get to on thursday morning, including the

nebraska cornhuskers with some serious bragging rights. that's because they now own the world record for the largest attendance at a women's sporting event. >> amazing >> take a look at this more than 92,000 people packing memorial stadium last night for a volleyball game against omaha. that is, by the way, the same stadium where the famed cornhusker football team plays their games. but this crowd was even bigger, because fans were also seated on the stadium floor. >> amazing >> and as for the game itself, those fans got what they came for. nebraska beating omaha in a three-game sweep so volleyball has been having a moment for a while now, but that's just -- >> that's huge >> you know, i'm from witchta, kansas, there in the midwest, and i have a lot of friends there in the midwest, and high school volleyball is huge. so i feel like it's, you know, it's a trickle-up effect, if you will these young ladies are phenomenal athletes. >> usually you're talking about football there in the midwest. but, no, volleyball is new football >> volleyball is coming after pickleball >> there you go! >> just getting started.

they're just getting started >> my money is on volleyball let's show you what we've got around the rest of the country again, idalia moving off the coast. more showers and storms from our friends down in florida due to this pesky stationary front down there. we're looking for the heat slowly building from texas all the way up into the upper midwest. it's going to be 82 degrees in minneapolis, getting into the 90s as we get into the weekend some severe storms firing up in the southwest. some showers and cool weather moving into the pacific northwest, but a beautiful day along the southern california coast. that's what's going on we're going to get to your local forecast in the next 30 seconds. ♪ ♪

we don't just have everything... we have your thing. ♪ i am meteorologist, kari hall. it's a hazy start as we take a live look outside in san josé. still issues with air quality. the reason why we are not under a microclimate weather alert. we will see temperatures a little cooler today reaching into the upper 80s with some upper 70s and low 80s for parts of the peninsula as well as the coastline. weather. guys >> all right, mr. roker, thank you. still ahead, an interesting story here there's a new court battle that's erupted over a plan to salvage 111-year-old relics from the wreckage site of the "titanic." tom costello is looking into that for us. hey, tom >> reporter: hey, guys, good morning.

you know it's been 111 years since "titanic" went down, 1,500 people died. the question is this morning, is this hallowed ground a cemetery at sea that should not be disturbed or should an agency go down and retrieve one of the most iconic artifacts yet, the telegraph that sent the s.o.s. the government says, hands off and a travel guide for the busy holiday weekend what you can expect to face on the roads and the weekend. the deals that are still out there. and how idalia could impact your holiday plans. but first this is "today" on nbc.

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first day of a four-day closure on interstate 80, and you can see where on the map. caltrans will close all westbound lanes from 780 in vallejo to highway 4 in hercules, including the carquinez bridge bridge. it will last until tuesday morning. the first day of a four-day closure that will extend through the holiday weekend. and we also have the caltrans that is closing the southbound lanes from vallejo to highway 4 in hercules including the carquinez bridge. let's get the latest on the weather conditions from kari hall. >> we are under a microclimate weather alert. yesterday was a spare the air alert, and today it's a step below that. it's slightly improving but still unhealthy for sensitive

groups. that's a look at the moderate air quality we will see across the bay area. it's such a hazy start to the day. eventually it will improve and be slightly cooler as we get a westerly wind and taking a look at the temperatures, mostly in the 70s and 80s. yesterday we had a lot of 90s. it's continuing to cool off. tomorrow significantly cooler. we're talking about highs in the low 70s as we go into tomorrow afternoon for the tri-valley. it's also going to be mostly cloudy. along the coastline it will be a nice weekend ahead. a full forecast is on nbcbayarea.com.

>> we are back 7:30 with quite the treat for stargazers no, there's no filter on this. a rare blue supermoon lighting up the skies this was the closest full moon of the year. >> and the second one of the month. >> that's right. who told us that a couple of days ago >> me. >> no, we had a physicist -- >> yeah, but i had told you that when the first one showed up >> that was really beautiful >> we get this, about every 17 years when you get two in one month. >> i like that all right, let's start this half hour with a new court battle over the century-old wreck of the "titanic". >> the new issue is whether a salvage company can get anymore

artifacts from the site. >> this is not related to the tragedy in june that took the lives of five tourists a georgia company has the salvage rights to the "titanic," but u.s. law and international agreements limit activity around that site. now the government has gone to court to stop that company from returning to the site to retrieve a key relic the wire that transmitted "titanic's" call for help. for 111 years, "titanic" has rested some 12,500 feet down on the ocean floor. its maiden voyage from england to new york captured on film the terror of hitting an iceberg in the dead of night portrayed in blockbuster movies. >> in an hour or so, all of this will be at the bottom of the atlantic >> reporter: among the artifacts already recovered, shoes, silverware, fine china but now the u.s. government is moving to block the company with the salvage rights, "r.m.s. tit

more, including the wireless that telegraphed the titanic" from recovering even more, including the wireless telegraph of the s.o.s they may recover freestanding objects from inside the wreck, including objects inside the radio room under u.s. law, the wreckage is now a memorial and cannot be disturbed. the government insists the company is not free to disregard this validly federal law, yet that is its stated intent. >> the company's reason to be is they do all of the exhibits that have been the actual artifacts from the "titanic. >> reporter: david gallow is a strategic adviser to rms titanic. we talked to him in june before the government's challenge >> the rules are there can be no more recovery of artifacts >> in 1996, edith told us about the day she recovered her sea. >> i'll never forget it, see all the dead bodies floating in the

sea. it was terrible. >> since 1985, nearly 250 people have visited "titanic. then in june, tragedy. five people died when their submersible imploded >> it is a gravesite 1,500 people died there. >> researcher katie croft bell has dived to the site herself, even as time and the ocean's depths take their toll on the wreckage, she now thinks that it should be treated with the reverence of a cemetery. >> are we actually learning anything new about it? and is that the reason to recover artifacts, or should we just leave it alone. we have a lot of things already. let's just call it a day and leave it with respect. >> we reached out to rms titanic the company for comment, got no response no response from noaa, the government agency that is moving to block this latest move to recover the artifacts. craig? >> it's a fascinating back and forth, for sure, tom do we know how soon the company

actually wants to make that trip back down to the "titanic" >> so they're targeting may, they say, in the court documents. the legal challenges, though, could affect that timeline and meanwhile, think about this. historians say "titanic" has parallels to cemeteries like gettysburg or normandy, but "titanic" is slowly rusting away on the ocean's floor the question is, is this hollowed ground never to be touched, or should they take the artifacts while they can to recover them for all time? >> that's an interesting dilemma. keep us posted coming up, recovery efforts in hawaii getting a star-powered boost this morning we're there live with what oprah winfrey and dwayne "the rock" johnson are now doing to help victims of those historic wildfires. plus, vicky is here and she'll get us ready for a very, very busy holiday travel weekend. >> good morning, everyone. we'll talk about the best times

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oh, sorry! sorry! >> hey >> you should have put a cover on it. >> don't you watch where you're walking? >> you shouldn't be cooking on the beach. it's illegal where's your mother? sandy! >> we are back with the late great john candy speaking of crowded beaches, plenty of crowded beaches over this holiday weekend >> you can say that again. a record number of people are expected to travel for labor day. it's the unofficial end of summer >> here to help us get where we need to go as smoothly as possible, we have nbc's vicky nguyen >> so tsa is expecting the end of the season to have record-high air travel what should people expect in the skies this labor day weekend, especially compared to last year >> sheinelle, expect a lot of company. the tsa is saying they expect

about 14 million travelers travel site hopper says they think 20 million people will be heading to u.s. airports for the weekend, starting today. that's an increase of 14% from last year. so get there early allow yourself that two hours. between mechanical delay, staffing shortage, severe weather, all kinds of things are happening. always download the airlines app. this is a lifesaver. allow it to give you those notifications. pay attention to the weather not just where you are, but where you're heading these are all things that can make your travel a little bit smoother >> if you're not traveling by air, you're going to travel by road gas prices taken up a bit over the last few weeks do we think that will have any impact on people that are driving? >> despite these higher gas prices, aaa saying the national average $3.82. and they think 85% of people who are going to travel this holiday will be hitting the road you should definitely leave ro. early.

there'll be a lot of traffic starting today between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. and tomorrow, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m the key here, make sure you've got air in the car tires, you've checked the oil, your car is road ready and then if you're looking for gas price deals, look on waze, gas buddy, google maps will help you find gas stations along your route and compare prices >> as we cover the impacts of idalia, idalia will have an exact on travel plans over this holiday weekend. florida, south carolina, you name it. should people start to think about maybe canceling some of those plans? >> you want to look specifically at your destination. if you were planning to head to the big bend era of florida, cedar key, perry, not a good idea they're out of power right now trees are down they're going to deal with cleanup and recovery the carolinas will be hit with a lot of water so i would say, call ahead to your hotel, ask the destination what's the recommendation, because even if you can travel, are you going to have a good time other areas that escaped unscathed, gainesville, tallahassee, should be totally

fine water will recede by the fourth. we went on the points guy website, basically all the major airlines are really flexible right now. they're not only waiving change fees, but in some cases, they're even waiving the fair difference >> what about hotels >> ihg, hilton, marriott, they're all waiving that are normal 24-hour cancellation fees, in some cases, they're even allowing people to stay with their pets for free >> it's interesting, i wondered if there would be ripple effects from canceled flights. even if you're not going to those specific areas, is there a domino effect around the country? >> it's a great question it's hard to predict what will happen exactly over the next few days, but flights were canceled out of major places, atlanta, tampa, with charlotte, so you have to imagine there will be a backlog of flyers who are trying to get out keep that in mind. there's a website called flight aware, an app as well. great way to track your incoming plane to know what's going on. here's the thing if you're flying from boise to los angeles, odds are your

flight will be totally fine if you're out of that severe weather area >> so if you are forced to change your plans because of the hurricane or perhaps you're just a procrastinator, any last-minute deals out there to be had and if so, how do we find those? >> we talked to scott ties he said you'll be hard-pressed to find any airfare below $400 he did some digging. let's say you want to go from kansas city to boston, you can go for $308. minneapolis, if you're looking for a weekend getaway to vegas, $318 round-trip. raleigh to new orleans, $292 here's the thing there's a great tool on google flights. if you are flexible, you can go on and enter your departure airport, any of the airports you're willing to go from and enter a state or even the united states as your destination a bunch of destinations will pop up you can sort it by price and see which ones are the lowest. roll the dice and see where it >> if you've got the time

>> nobody's got better hacks >> you would be quite adventurous to do something like that >> if you've got the time and a couple hundred bucks and want to to do it >> speaking of the holiday weekend, let's check in with mr. roker once again on the forecast >> another great john candy travel movie, "planes, trains, and automobiles. >> those aren't pillows. >> those aren't my hands >> gorgeous day in the northeast. mid-atlantic still some showers and storms, down through the gulf a flood risk out as you get into california and the southwest, we're also looking saturday, another beauty, very hot in the mid-plains sunday, sunday, plenty of sunshine in the northeast, the great lakes, the mid-atlantic, down into the southeast, record heat up into the northern plains more storms in the southwest and then as we get into labor day, record highs, plenty of sunshine up and down the eastern seaboard, well above average, great lakes, some showers in the mid-gulf and soggy conditions in

good thursday morning. i am meteorologist, kari hall. still very hazy out there. as we are dealing with smoke from fires up around oregon and far northern california move into the bay area, the worst of the air quality will be this morning. eventually it will start to mix out a little bit. we are under the air quality advisory through the afternoon. then our temperatures will be slightly cooler with mid-70s in san francisco, low to mid-80s weather. >> thank you so much, mr. roker. still ahead, oscar nominee adam driver racing back into theaters as the founder of ferrari. a first look at that new trailer is coming up on pop start. also, we have a fun morning boost to share with you and it's tied to those pilot instructions that we all get before a flight. wait until you see how one adorable passenger reacted to those instructions we'll have that boost for you

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all right. all right. feels like a good time to boost. >> this is a cute one. when you're on an airplane and the flight attendant or a captain makes an announcement on the p.a. system, sometimes it feels like no one is paying attention. that was definitely not the case for this little girl who seems to think that the pilot was talking directly to her. >> like she's looking to god she looked up to the speaker, and she's like, okay, i got my seat belt. >> good to know someone is paying attention, and also following the rules. she's talking back to him.

>> she's actually someone i would trust if there was an emergency on the flight. >> because she listens >> she can put my oxygen mask on >> what a cutie! >> what a cutie. guys, just ahead on pop start, a surprise for one direction fans the never-before-seen performance when they were just starting out and why we'll tell you why it's just coming out right now and the stars of this hilarious tiktok scene millions of times a mom listing back-to-school rules for her son all parents can relate to and this morning we are happy to have both of them here with us live good morning to you guys but first, your local news cadillac's renaissance, is daring to go all electric. (♪♪) so... what's your renaissance? (♪♪)

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good morning. it's 7:56. i am kris sanchez. here's a look at what is happening now. >> i am bob redell in alameda county. an air quality health advisory in place today because of the wildfires burning in the northern parts of california and oregon. this was the scene last night in

downtown napa where the skies were raisy because of the smoke. the air quality management district does not expect the levels of pollutants to go above the 24-hour national level. once again, you can see where the smoke is coming from. the highest concentrations of it in red here on the map. as we go throughout the day, it's going to be drifting in, once again causing the hazy sky. eventually it will start to clear out later this evening and into the day tomorrow as we get a westerly wind, which is also going to bring in cooler temperatures. it's not as hot today, and we're in the upper 80s for parts of the inland east bay as well as the northbound, and santa rosa heading for 88 degrees, and 70s for oakland and san francisco in the mid-70s. for the changes tomorrow, most of the bay area in the 60s and 70s as well as more clouds, and, once again, fresher breezes.

kris? >> looking forward to that. we have more local news coming up for you in just half houanr.

it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, aftermath the remnants of idalia still on the move, leaving a path of

destruction in its wake. >> i've got to get the cover >> this morning, we're life in the region with a firsthand look at the devastation and al has the very latest on where that storm is headed next then, aloha spirit dwayne johnson and oprah joinin. i was forces for an important cause. rebuilding maui after those historic wildfires >> oprah lives here in maui. i was raised >> we've been meeting with community leaders, trying to figure out what we could do. >> details on their generous gift and how the island is recovering, straight ahead plus, parents just don't understand we'll talk to the mom who went viral for her end-of-summer rant >> what we not going to do is act like we can't wake up. you've been getting up at 6:77 every morning. >> she's live to talk about those very relatable back-to-school rules

and pearls of wisdom we're taking you inside an oyster farm helping the in thek community and the environment. >> it comes in the backdoor less than two miles away, to create a real tide-to-table experience. >> tide-to-table >> yeah. >> i've never heard that phrase before >> harry smith comes out of his shell with a story you won't want to miss today, thursday, august 31st, 2023 ♪ >> from odessa, texas -- >> it's our ten-year wedding anniversary! >> visiting from cottonwood, arizona. >> spokane, washington south la. >> and wales, >> texas >> south lakes, wisconsin.colum. >> shout-out >> and wales, united kingdom >> sending love to our husbands and kids -- >> watching in columbus, ohio. >> shout-out to the navajo nation >> in arizona. >> new mexico. >> and utah! >> from michigan -- 50

>> celebrating our anniversary >> married 50 years ago today. >> wow >> look at that wedding picture! >> i love that >> happy 50-years, happy 10-year anniversary there, happy birthday to all of those assembled on tho much for joining us. some call it thursday around here. we like plaza. we'll get outside in just a few minutes. some call it thursday around here we like to call it fri-yay eve savannah and hoda are taking some time off this week. jacob's in, sheinelle is here, and thank you for being here as well we do want to get right to your news at 8:00, because once again, there's a whole lot going on, from florida to the carolinas, americans are now taking stock of the damage caused by hurricane idalia, cleanup efforts are picking up speed. international correspondent tom

llamas joins us once again from perry, florida, with the very latest tom, good morning. >> good morning to you we want to make it very clear, this is still an ongoing situation. folks in the carolinas dealing with flash flood threats and here in the big bend area, they're dealing with the cleanup and making sure everyone who was trapped or stranded has been rescued. i want to start with some drone video over cedar key, florida. this is one of the communities here oceanfront communities that got that historic storm surge. and you can see some of the destruction from the view from above there. homes completely wiped off the map. the strange part, there were other homes that looked like they were completely left in tact. unfortunately, that's the reality of hurricanes in these situations but in georgia and carolinas, there were still some compelling scenes one of the most important pieces of video we've seen so far connected to this storm came out of south carolina. there was a woman driving when a wind gust came in and literally lifted her car off the highway, right into traffic she has survived, from what we understand, but it shows you how powerful the storm system was. we're also getting a new stat

about hurricane idalia it was so big, it was the same size as the state of colorado. it moved in as a category 3. at one point, you'll remember, it was a category 4. it was that historic storm surge, that water that came into the big bend area that has caused all the damage. and that's the concern right now. a lot of that water has receded back, there are communities that are still under curfew up until 12:00 p.m. eastern today, they want to make sure that people can get in there, they can get their stuff and make sure it's safe just to go in, because there's a lot of downed power lines that's really the big story in parts of this area, north florida and the big bend area, massive power outages. we're talking about hundreds of thousands of customers and guys, you know, florida in the summer, no power, lots of bugs, and all types of hazards on the streets now because of all the trees and the power lines. so still a very dangerous situation in parts of florida. that's the latest from perry, back to you guys in the studio >> it's an area you know well, having grown up there in

florida. tom llamas, mr. llamas is back with where idalia is going to have an impact next. where the storm is right now >> and take a look, as far north as norfolk and just to the north of there, we're talking heavy feeder bands, showers and thunderstorms, all the way down to cape hatteras, where high tide is at 9:20 this morning 65 miles southeast of wilmington, north carolina, it's got 60-mile-per-hour winds, moving northeast at 20 miles per hour look at some of these winds. wilmington, 48-mile-per-hour wind gusts same in beaufort, 25-mile-per-hour wind gusts in kill devil hills norfolk seeing gusts of 41 miles per hour the system will move quickly offshore, and by this time tomorrow, well offshore. so the effects of idalia are still going to be felt, but the good news is, this storm surge will come down pretty quickly. we're talking about maybe another 2 to 4 feet of storm surge, especially a rate around the cape but the rainfall again, we could see isolated areas up to 6 inches of rain and so we have a moderate risk of flooding all the way to cape

hatteras elizabeth city has the chance of some flooding as well. the good news is, the worst is over as far as that flooding is concerned. that will be ending within the next 24 hours. and things are getting a chance to get back to normal and get that cleanup going >> good news >> thank you, al it has been more than three weeks since our country's deadliest wildfire in a century tore through the historic hawaiian town of lahaina on the island of maui this morning, two of the world's biggest stars are helping out in a major way with the recovery effort nbc's sam brock joins us live from maui with more. sam? >> reporter: sheinelle, good morning. the help from two hollywood heavyweights, oprah winfrey and the rock much-needed on devastated maui where residents are worried about everything from housing to the high cost of living to how lahaina will be rebuilt. the search and rescue efforts are virtually complete at this point as the fallout continues over how this could happen in

the first place. this morning, some relief for the people of maui from two of hollywood's biggest stars. >> we've been meeting with community leaders for the past couple of weeks just trying to figure out what we could do. >> oprah and the rock coming together, launching a fund of initially $10 million but also asking for more help >> in this time of need, you want to take care of the greatest need of the people, and that's money >> oprah lives here in maui, i was raised on these islands. it's going to take a long time to rebuild we're here, doing what we can do >> all of this as maui is reeling, but working to rebuild, weeks after the fires ripped through the historic town of lahaina. the death toll still officially

stands at 115, with fewer than half of those actually identified residents had no warning of the fast-moving fire >> we see tremendous value in incorporates more tools into our arsenal. this latest briefing, contentious. >> i'm not sure who is in charge he was in charge, he just wasn't present. he was in contact with his team. i guess by phone >> the questions mounting as more relief comes in president biden now pledging $95 million to rebuild infrastructure and to harden hawaii's electric grid >> we're doing everything we can to move heaven and earth to help you recover, rebuild, and return to your lives. >> and the president says that that money is going to be going

to everything from strengthenin. it aged power poles to smart meters, which would be used to it exactly where problems arise. we are under a red flag warning until 6:00 p.m. at night we'll be watching that in the hours to come. florida is recalling nearly 42,000 trucks because of a rear axle shaft that can break and increase the risk of a crash the recall covers certain 2023 f-250 and f-350 super duties it may have been improperly heat treated. the national transportation safety board warns that a broken shaft can result in a loss of drive power or cause the truck to roll away when it's placed in park police in norfolk, nebraska, got a call about a guy driving through town with a cow in the passenger seat so, they figured it's maybe a cute little baby calf.

well, here's what they found >> oh! >> oh -- >> that's a full-sized bull, riding shotgun an officer pulled him over turn's out the bull's name is howdy doody. nebraska. his owner takes him to fairs and parades around the state of nebraska the officer let him off with a warning, but told the owner to leave town and take the bull home >> that's working just fine. ahead on pop start, we have film festival. >> the full story. but first, we'll catch the story behind another animal getting a lot of attention this unlikely star at a major film festival. >> gave me the bull story. but first, we'll catch up with these guys. viral sensations behind a hilarious back-to-school video that hits close to home for a lot of parents their message for all families as a lot of children are returning to class right after

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(rebecca) it wasn't until after they had done the surgery to remove all the toes that it really hit me. you see the commercials. you never put yourself in that person's shoes until you're there. (announcer) you can quit. call 1-800-quit-now for help getting free medication. welcome back so you might be a little sad that summer's winding down, but let's be honest, as parents, it is also quite okay to be a little excited as well, especially for the kids to return to school >> i love the music, too on that note, a story from today.com caught our attention here's the deal, nicole jackson, a 43-year-old single mom went viral for her tiktok, listing rules for what is and is not going to happen as the school year starts up >> what's not going to change is change up our stomach energy

you've been living on a diet of popsicles and hot dogs without one stomachache. you're not going to come to me saying your stomach hurt like you've got the intestinal track of a geriatric crohn's patient this ain't that. you've been getting up at 6:77 every morning asking me about every morning asking me about some brea some breakfast this ain't that. >> i laughed out loud. >> so 2 million views later, nicole is with us, exclusively this morning, along with her 13-year-old son, kai, who apparently spent the entire summer eating hot chips and chicken nuggets. >> he sure did >> we're happy you're here this morning. >> so this video went viral a time ago, but it's timeless, so it's going viral all over again. what do you think it is? >> it's just living in realistic simplicity it's literally relatable >> realistic simplicity.

>> when you watch the video, if you're a parent that's ever sent your grade schooler to school, these are the things we go through, and it's taking the intrusive thoughts and saying it out loud in a way that's receivable we all sit there and look at our kids and think, i'm sorry, poo, and then think, your stomach ain't hurting. it didn't hurt all summer, and all of a sudden it hurts go to the bathroom and then we're going to school. the 6:77 in the morning, it's like it's super early in the morning. and you can't open but one eye that whole thing it is just relatable we're all raising the same children >> yes, we are i was like, this is my house especially the part when you start talking about the permission slips and waiting until the last minute. and you're like, i'm not going to do that because of your lack of -- >> when is it due

today? can you sign it? >> listen, i need to make an igloo by the morning when did you know about this, son? three weeks ago, i forgot to give you the paper now we're in the middle of walmart trying to find these supplies and my blood pressure is up, the igloo gets done, but, you know, it's too much. also h respond but >> kai, let me get you in here i also have an eighth grader but my son is also on social media, his friends are on social media, so what do you think, your friends think? >> uh, i think that they're hilarious. >> you do? >> also, i feel like there's some lies in it. >> oh! >> kai wants to -- you know what, i want to show our viewers at home, this is part of your video response to your -- >> what you're not going to do is wake me up so hard and do it to me on the first day of school i know you're happy summer is

over and all, but i don't want to be at that place. what you're not going to do is interrupt me during my game. you know i can't pause it and i need to decompress this ain't that. what we're not going to do is forgetting that we love each other. you're an awesome mom and i'm an awesome kid. this ain't that. >> wow you guys have a bright future here this is something. >> listen, we just doing our regular -- and that's what -- i think that's the relatable part. we're everyday people. i'm not some big fancy person, i'm a mom at home and everybody can relate to that again, realistic simplicity. the video, while it's funny, is just basically teaching boundaries for you as a parent, standards and expectations for the child, which is what you should be teaching them anyway so you just laugh at the little weeds that grow. >> they need to be able to pause those videos that's very relatable. >> what i love about the two of you, the love is palpable. the dynamic you have with kai, it shines through. i want to go back to what you just said. you said mom lied about

something in the video i want to give you a chance to respond to some factual inaccuracies >> okay, so, i didn't eat chicken nuggets all summer >> i'm going to say, where's the lie? >> not all summer. >> so you're enjoying your time? and the one in times square apparently tastes hopefully in new york city, but i heard you love mcdonald's. is that true and the one in times square apparently tastes yummy. and mom, i heard on the first day of school, you enjoyed a little mimosa. >> we have fresh from the times square mickey d's and our own kitchen, mimosas and bacon egg and cheese on a bagel. >> and you can have another mimosa to celebrate kai's triumphant return to school. >> taste just as good? >> and mom, you are doing a phenomenal job he's an outstanding young man. you are doing a rock star job. i'm so happy we had a chance to

visit. >> here's what i love. he didn't even wait for the commercial break >> he's into it. >> kai's like, y'all can keep talking. >> i'm going to eat my breakfast sandwich >> thank you, guys >> thank you for your services, you're a nurse as well >> i am. >> kai, keep going >> how fast can you eat the whole thing. >> i want to say hi to my family at larchwood, i want to say hi to the job and the virtual cafe and everyone that's been so supportive this has been an awesome and amazing experience and simply speaking my truth and being relatable. >> thank you so much >> you really gonna eat that >> yes, he is. >> by the way, for more of nicole's story, be sure to check out today.com. a fascinating piece. >> i love it >> mr. roker >> nicole, one more for you that al roker sr. used to say, i can't miss you if you don't

leave. >> facts >> anyway, we are looking at some showers and thunderstorms getting their way down through the gulf there's a stationary front there. there's idalia moving off the carolina coast

good thursday morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. take a look at how smokey it is right now. air quality advisory continues, but this is actually a little bit better compared to yesterday and will continue to improve. still, if you are sensitive to wildfire smoke, if you have breathing problems, limit your time outside. our temperatures will be slightly cooler today with some mid 80s in the south bay and upper 80s for the >> i like it kai grabbed another one. >> did he take another >> a young man after my own heart. if you're heading out door, check us out, channel 108, "today" show confidential. >> did you hear what nicole said right before she left the studio she turned to jacob, and she said, that hair of yours, that is the most beautiful coif i've ever seen. >> and i told her, it's all falling out soon >> before it does, best time of the morning.

>> it's time for your pop start. first up, adam driver, the oscar-nominated actor is driving into his next big role, in the first teaser for his upcoming film "ferrari," driver stars as ex-racer enzo ferrari during the summer of 1957 at a time that bankruptcy threatens to shut down his business. joining him on screen, penelope cruz as his wife, laura, shailene woodley playing his lover. lover. take a peek. take a peek. >> you get into one of my cars,

you get in to win. >> what a movie. you know it's going to hit theaters on christmas day. don't miss it. next up, jimmy kimmel, the first episode is out for the late night host's podcast, strike force 5 joining john oliver, stephen colbert, who have forced hiatuses in episode number one, jimmy kimmel is revealing which of his celebrity pals actually offered to open their wallets for his staff during this difficult time check it out >> ben affleck and the despicable matt damon contacted me and offered to pay our staff for two weeks, a week each, they wanted to pay out of their own pockets, our staff >> our staff or your staff >> my staff. not yours. >> did you say "no"? >> i did say "no," i felt that that was not their responsibility >> could it be transferable? >> could you just say "yes" and

give your money to us? >> wow >> interesting that is very interesting >> there'll be some internet debate at that one >> that is nice to hear. >> i'm sure the folks on the staff were probably like -- >> wait, what? come again next, one direction. yesterday the x factor uk released never-before-seen of the superstars when they were just five unknown teens. performing a cover of kelly clarkson's "my life would suck without you. ♪ because we belong together now ♪ ♪ forever united here somehow ♪ ♪ you got a piece of me ♪

♪ and honestly, my life would suck without you ♪ >> wow that's harry styles. >> isn't it nuts they did not end up winning the x factor? >> i think it's meant to be, things turned out okay one more item hot off the press breaking pop start news. taylor swift just announced her eras tour is headed to the big screen she wrote this on instagram. the eras tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and i am overjoyed to tell you it will be coming to the big screen soon, starting october 13th, you will be able to experience the concert film in theaters, in theaters in north america. and guys, tickets are on sale right now. will she break fandango? the answer is probably so. >> i hope fandango's ready for it don't want them to turn into ticketmaster >> that's your pop start

>> a little bacon goodness here. >> you good morning. i'm ginger conejero saab. let's take a look at san jose where you can really see that fog. while we do have improving conditions today, which means there is no longer a bay area spare the air alert, but there is an air quality advisory today because of smoke from wildfires burning elsewhere. this was the scene in downtown napa. you can see the sky was hazy there, impacting also outdoor dining. in theonoma and marin counties have their owned a advisories urging precautions. >> the air quality advisory is basically a step below yesterday's spare the air alert.

we mornings is when we get the worst of that, but that's going to eventually mix out and we're looking at numbers below what we saw yesterday. still, if you're sensitive to wildfire smoke, you might want to element your time outside. san francisco reaching the mid to upper 70s and mid to upper 80s inland. it's going to be cooler with better air quality tomorrow. >> we'll have another update in half an hour.

♪♪ >> we are back it's 8:30, thursday morning, th plaza. we're playing "beers and last day of august, folks. need folks to start their thursday with us here on the plaza. we're playing "beers and sunshine," because what better way to kick off the month of september than with one of our all-time favorites here at the

"today" show, multiple grammy winner, darrius rucker, going to be putting on quite the show tomorrow morning, live concert to get you ready for a long holiday weekend and you're all invited. >> we're going to have fun >> what are you doing tomorrow >> in fact, you can come stay with craig >> meantime, ahead, in this half hour, harry smith is in the house today. harry recently paid a visit to a new york community with a once-thriving oyster industry working hard to rebuild it and the environment. he'll share it with us in just a bit. >> plus, we'll help you get more organized and more efficient when it comes to one of my favorite things, laundry as a bonus, we'll tackle some old-age questions like which pile do you put a blue and white-striped shirt in >> once your laundry's done, it's time to mess it up and cook chef alex is here to share a perfect marinated steak recipe and brought one of the most special treats from his y

restaurant to try. you know, i've always wanted to, so i'm very excited. >> something you haven't tried?! >> yes >> stick around for the third hour, folks. we have a brand-new today's checklist. this morning, the doctor's appointment that you should never put off scheduling, and how to prepare when it's time for those doctor's visits, as well before we do anything else, mr. roker, it feels like the wind picked up. >> it feels like november out here >> those doctor's visits, moon river! >> hey, it's state fair friday it's a supersized edition of state fair friday, although one northwest, salem, oregon. they'll have some showers, temperatures in the 70s. same in washington for their state fair. then we're going to move on over to pueblo and grand isle, day early. let's start off in the pacific northwest, salem, oregon they'll have some showers, temperatures in the 70s. same in washington for their state fair then we're going to move on over to pueblo and grand isle, nebraska temperatures are going to be in the 90s.

it's going to be hot and then we head our way up to huron, south dakota, st. paul, minnesota, for your state fairs, whoo look out you could fry a corn dog on the sidewalk michigan and maryland, temperatures upper 80s to low 90s. and we move into new york state, syracuse, new york, mid-to-upper 80s and hoppington, new hampshire, temperatures start in the 70s and make their way up into the mid-to-upper 80s. pretty nice. enjoy your state fair this weekend! that's what's going on around the country. here's what's happen good morning. i'm meteorologist kari hall. today we're going to still have some hot temperatures for the inland areas. it will be slightly cooler compared to yesterday. it's still very smokey, especially this morning. eventually we are going to have some improving air quality, especially this evening. tomorrow it's going to be much cooler with highs in the upper 70s in the valleys for the east bay as well as the south county. labor day weekend is looking

that's your latest weather. that's your latest weather we also want to give a shout-out to our friends at kobi tv, nbc-5 in medford, oregon it is one of the few tv stations still family owned and operated. this month, they are celebrating 70 years on the air. so to patsy smulen and everybody at kobi, happy birthday. 30 more years and you're on the smuckers jar, guys >> congratulations to them thank you, al. up next, mr. smith takes us on a trip to long island, where one community is giving a boost to both the environment and the oyster industry. but first, this is "today" on

"the doctor will see you now." but do they really? do they see that crick in your neck? that ache in your heart? will they see that funny little thing that wasn't there last year? a new bounce in your step? the way your retinal scan connects to your blood sugar? at kaiser permanente all of us work together to care for all that is you.

climate, long before pizza and hot dogs were the go-to food

here in new york, oysters were the hot commodity. >> but pollution and overharvesting pretty much wiped them out from the area but now in the great south bay off of long island, they're making a bit of a comeback >> harry smith is here with that story. good morning >> we've done a lot of oyster stories. we did the billion oyster project together, all of that stuff. how much water does a single oyster filter in one day >> how much. >> 50 gallons. you know what they love more than anything else algae. they love that algae, right! so you can imagine how clean the water gets after a lot of them get going. they're not just good for the environment, they're good for i long island's great south bay, there is something going on that commerce, too. >> at an old beach club aside long island's great south bay, there is something going on that looks like a cheesy science fiction show from the 1970s. >> and the lights do what? >> they just help them grow. algae grows better with red and blue lights, that's why we have red and blue l.e.d.s,

specifically >> reporter: l.e.d.s to grow algae, explains matt layton. because that's what oysters eat. and here they grow a lot of oysters. and how many oyster larva are in these things >> millions. millions >> you could have a million plus per ton, depending on how well the spawn goes >> really? 1 million plus and how many are there >> there's 32. >> so potentially, 32 million oyster larva in just this room alone. >> when this room is full, yes >> that is crazy >> we're doing everything we can to help bring back the oysters >> reporter: here they grow tiny oyster eggs into mini mollusks, which they sell to farmers >> buy them by the thousands typically an order would be a hundred thousand to 200,000 per year per farmer. >> not messing around. >> these will grow up to be

famous blue point oysters, so good queen victoria would eat no other. >> they can only be called blue points they were grown in the great south bay, just like champagne can only be champagne it's from champagne, france. >> a little trademark on these guys >> a little stamp on each one. >> out on the bay, you see the oyster farms, plots purposely laid out and leased by the town of islip the purpose, to restore a once-thriving industry and to restore the environment. >> so is this your farm? this is your oyster farm >> this is our farm, yeah. >> how big >> a total of six acres. >> reporter: a college professor turned oyster farmer has witnessed the environmental change firsthand oysters popping up well beyond his field. >> because there are natural sets now on pilings, on rocks, jetties, all over. and these oysters were not here beforehand they were here a hundred years ago, but they haven't been here

having the initiative. >> reporte in recent history. >> that's pretty amazing >> absolutely. they're really having an impact. i credit the town of islip for having the initiative. >> reporter: in nearby bayshore, we thought it appropriate to taste the local fair at salt and barrel restaurant, with proprietary ryan flynn what do you think it means to your customers to know that these oysters came from ten minutes that way >> i think we live in a culture that people want to know where their food is sourced from so knowing that it comes in the back door less than two miles away to create a real tide-to-table experience i think is really special. carpenter to us their 125 acres of bay bottom is about leased out, >> tide-to-table >> yeah. >> i've never heard that phrase before >> reporter: islip town supervisor angie carpenter told us their 125 acres of bay bottom is about leased out, so -- >> we got permission from the new york city to do another 1,500 acres. >> do another 1,500. >> do another 1,500 acres out

there in the bay and we have a waiting list of people clamoring to be there so the possibilities are just so exciting >> reporter: queen victoria would be impressed >> and this kind of thing is happening all up and down the east coast and the gulf coast. you've done the story out on the west coast this is really, really happening. here's your quick quiz, oyster, viovalve or mollusk. >> i tmollusk. >> that was really good! >> both. >> trick question! >> the only bad part, you didn't bring any. >> the best part was the slurp at the beginning meanwhile, if you dread the laundry day like most people, stay with us, folks. we are about to answer all of your questions to make that never-ending chore so much easier, dare i say, in some cases, perhaps even fun. but first, this is "today" on nbc.

welcome back. this morning on "today's" consumer, it's laundry welcome back this morning on "today's" consumer, it's laundry day there's just no way around that dreaded household chore, but luckily, we're about to make it a little easier for you. we brought in the editor in chief of real simple she's here to help us take a load off, as mr. roker would say, with a step-by-step guide on the right way to sort, wash, and dry. you're about to blow minds, aren't you strong opinion and i'm here to tell you, yes, >> let's start with the sorting. a lot of folks wonder, myself included, is sorting even actually necessary >> it's a very controversial question everyone has a strong opinion and i'm here to tell you, yes, it's necessary, if you care about your clothes if you want to keep them in the best shape possible, you'll have to sort darks, whites, and lights, and do whites all alone.

and that will keep your whites white longer >> darks, lights, and whites >> and i recommend you do denim by itself. because those colors do run. and because it's very, very heavy fabric it pummels everything. it's got zippers it's tough keep those together. do your activewear together. it's very lightweight. if you put it with heavy things, you'll be overdrying it. bedding and sheets together. always shake them and do them loosely in there so they don't get tangled up here's one you didn't know here's a question, stripes, if it's dark and light, which do you put it in? >> i would do dark >> light >> okay, i was wrong >> i know, sorry you want to keep those lights very white, right? so put it with the lights. grays can go with anything, it's very forgiving >> let's talk about stacking our shelves. you maintain that these five items are essential must-haves >> absolutely, this is your laundry detergent. you can use whatever you like, what's your preference, but a couple recommendations i love these sheets, put them

right in the drum -- that's laundry detergent right here, ecofriendly. >> we featured these earlier this week? do they work >> they absolutely do work, they're brilliant. but a liquid is fine, too, or a powder the liquid, only two tablespoon. more than that, you leave residue on your machines and your clothes and your oxygenated cleanser, great for athleticwear, takes all the scent out. makes your fabrics brighter and cleaner. you also will need your stain remover, either a spray or roll-on, have it handy. have all of these t roll-on, have it handy have all of these things handy, so you'll pretreat, ready to go. >> so al was just in the studio raving about these dryer balls >> everybody loves the dryer balls. >> why do we love the dryer

balls so much? >> i keep them in my dryer and throw the clothes in with them they aerate the fabric, they're amazing. it's a very eco-friendly thing to do. the reason you want to use these instead of -- i know you're going to ask me -- dryer sheets. >> so dryer sheets are not our favorite, because they leave residue on your clothes and make your towels less fluffy. they take the fluff out of the towels and they make clothes stiff. we're not into these >> mesh? >> i love having these around in all different sizes. they're for your delicates they keep your delicates safe from other fabrics in the machine and also tell you, that's something when i take out, i'm not going to throw in the dryer, i'm going to hang >> last question, we have about 30 seconds left. sometimes you throw stuff in the washer, the dryer, and you say random cycle you say that's a terrible idea >> choose your cycle well. use your delicates, you've got to use the delicates for delicate things, otherwise it will get pummeled. rinse and spin, if anything is overwet -- just spin it doesn't use water get that fabric not soaking wet when you put it in the dryer these are for washing your washer did you know you needed to wash

your washer? throw those things in, keep it clean, keep the door open so the gasket doesn't get gunky >> what about these? >> these are essential oils. here are your dryer balls, instead of your fabrics, i know you like having nice-smelling laundry. put some essential oils on your dryer balls, and throw them in there. >> got to put some oil on the dryer balls. great tips thank you. mr. roker! >> always liked those dryer balls. up next, we're getting ready for labor day weekend, with alex dubat, one of the most amazing hot dogs you will ever see but first, this is "today" on

we are back with "today" food labor day weekend almost here. millions of us doing some grilling this morning, we've got a fun

and easy meal for us chef alex tupac is here to share one of his favorite recipes and a favorite treat from his restaurant right here in the heart of manhattan good to see you. >> thanks for having me. >> we'll do a nice little grilled -- >> grilling steak. this is a romanian steak skirt steak with a special marinade >> roasted red bell pepper, paprika, salt, coriander >> oh, okay. >> worcestershire, maple syrup secret ingredient. a little sweet on the meat >> sweet on the meat >> that's a t-shirt! >> you blend that up, process it >> put it in, press play this is some of the marinade already done we'll get that all over our skirt steak. >> how long will you keep that in the marinade? >> i like it at least an hour, but if you can do it overnight, even better. all the better to play ahead >> get it good and smothered >> this is good on everything.

fish, vegetables, you name it. >> you got your skirt steak. you've got grill hot outside or you can use a hot pan cast iron skillet. in it goes sear it away >> how long on each side >> i'll do it about five minutes on this side leave it alone, flip it, two minutes, done. >> that's what you have right over here. this is beautifully rested when you're cutting the skirt steak, you want to go against the grain, nice and tender look how beautiful that is >> oh, wow, look at that >> oh, this is delicious >> wow, wow, wow >> it's an inexpensive cut you get a lot of beefy bang for your buck. >> you're just churning it out >> let's do some coleslaw. >> classic diner side, classic barbecue side. i think people take it for granted. they make a mistake with it. i don't care how you flavor it use kale if you must, but check

this out, cabbage, carrots, celery, onion, the key is when you add your salt and your sugar, do that well in advance, because it's going to get the cabbage water out of it. >> the coleslaw is delicious >> thank you >> you ever have watery coleslaw, though that's why >> you put it in a colander and let it dry up. >> let it sit for at least an hour, or overnight look at all that liquid that's coming out >> and that's only for about 30 or 40 minutes. >> exactly so then, when you go to mix the mayo in, it clings and sticks to it we take this for granted, but it's really an awesome salad >> that's amazing. >> finally, you brought -- what is the coleslaw -- >> it's so good! jacob just said whoa >> not watery. >> one of the things people talk about at your restaurant is this hot dog. >> the hot dog took new york city by storm. we were not expecting this >> it's a $29 hot dog, but tell

us why it's a $29 hot dog. >> people spend $38 for burgers in new york city pick up that thing, feel the gravity. that is a half-pound, 9-inch -- >> oh!chilly. five different condiments on the side. bacon habanero. >> that's amazing! >> chef, thank you so much! >> thank you. >> that was really great. for these recipes, today.com/food. now, let's celebrate some birthdays! we've got some very special people on our smuckers jars this morning, starting with a happy 100th birthday to a we've got some very special people on our smuckers jars this morning, starting with a happy 100th birthday to a line dancer from santa fe, new mexico. way to go! likes to stay active not only by dancing, but also goes for daily walks. we hope you'll join our start today walking club marjory ryehold, knitted over

500 christmas stockings in her lifetime, mailing them to family and friends all across the country. happy 100th birthday to charles cooper senior of ann arbor, michigan served during world war ii and we salute you for your service, sir. cybil is from concord, north carolina a tech-savvy lady celebrating 100 years. she loves using the ipad to text her grandkids. say hi to vera punky of arlington, virginia, celebrating her 108th birthday she loves dressing up, has more than 40 pairs of shoes and happy 100th birthday of edith waterman of sanibel island, just retired this summer, from her role as executive vice president of wbbh, our nbc affiliate in ft. myers, florida that's amazing >> she just retired at 100 that's great >> 108, you said >> she's my idol

>> this hot dog -- >> thank you so much >> it's worth 29 bucks >> so good we're back including the winners of the first-ever wellness awards when it comes to gym essentials, not ironic at all as i'm scarfing down a third hour hot dog >> sheinelle will handle this. >> first your local news how about that >> this is phenomenal. make it at home. >> first your local news. good morning. it's 8:56. i'm ginger conejero saab. a bay area family angry over the reinstatement of a once-fired vallejo police officer is organizing a rally later this morning. the city of vallejo is now in the process of granting employment and benefits back to the officer who shot and killed shawn monterosa outside a walgreens after officers responded to reports of looting.

the officer mistook a partly concealed hammer for a gun. supporters plan to join the family at today's

the labor day weekend is almost here. we are following the record travel expected on the roads and in the air for the unofficial end of summer. plus, after hot and smoky "the doctor will see you now." but do they really? do they see all that you are? at kaiser permanente all of us work together to care for all that is you.

. this morning on the third hour of "today," on the move. idalia hammering the carolinas overnight with pummeling winds and rain, activating a path of destruction across the state of florida, flooding entire neighborhoods and we're tracking all of it. plus, a "titanic" debate. the new battle over the doomed ship. who wants to visit the wreckage now and what they're looking for. and later, what's your tech personality? from gurus to