in the spotlight this week as president biden prepares to

officially pass the torch. the big moments to watch for as the democratic national convention kicks off today, and the protesters already gathering for demonstrations in chicago. the race for a ceasefire, secretary of state antony blinken arriving in israel overnight to try and strike a deal to end the war in gaza. we're live with the renewed diplomatic push. a shocking confrontation caught on camera at a d.c. shake shack, the video appearing to show a beating outside the restaurant. we will hear from the victim. amazon generating the wrong kind of buzz, why some are sounding off about the company's new drone delivery program taking flight in texas. and not expecting someone like you. keith urban pumps up fans at an alabama gas station with an impromptu concert. it's monday, august 19th. "early today" starts right now. good morning, i'm richard lui. vice president kamala harris takes center stage today as the

democratic national convention kicks off in chicago. the dnc releasing its party platform overnight, which was approved before president biden dropped out of the race. the 90-page document emphasizes the party's top issues including the economy and strengthening democracy. going into this week's big event polls showing vice president harris gaining some ground on former president trump in key swing states. she and her running mate governor tim walz hit the road in their new campaign bus this weekend. crisscrossing battleground pennsylvania to try to build on that momentum. >> when you know what you stand for you know what to fight for. when you stand for working people you fight for working people. when you stand for freedom, whether it be to make decisions about your own body or love who you love, you fight for those things. when you believe in ending child poverty, you fight for that. when you believe in what we need to do to lift up the middle class, you fight for the middle

class. >> tonight harris is set to take the stage with president biden as he delivers his keynote speech to kick off the dnc. monica alba has more. >> reporter: just a month ago this convention hall was supposed to be president biden's big stage for the week, and to show how dramatic how things changed since he left the race. it is meant to be a tribute to president biden's leadership with the first lady speech and then the president will detail why he thinks vice president harris is best positioned to take on donald trump now, and then he will pass the torch to her with the two expected to share that major moment together. the other big speakers this week will include the obamas and the clintons, governor walz are accept the vice presidential nomination on wednesday and vp harris will have her keynote on thursday. >> thank you for that. now to security. it is tight in chicago this morning ahead of the dnc. protesters already taking to the streets last night to try and send a message to politicians,

demanding action on reproductive rights and an end to the israel-hamas war. mara barrett has the details. >> reporter: on the eve of the democratic national convention's kickoff, protesters already on the streets of chicago and even on the river. strategizing for a massive ramp up in the days ahead. tens of thousands of protesters expected to pour into the windy city. >> people coming by cars, planes and trains. >> reporter: they're calling on democratic leaders to take action on issues from the israel-hamas war to reproductive rights and affordable housing. activists like sherry traveling in from across the country. >> how optimistic are you that your voice will be heard this week? >> i'm very optimistic. we have a shot for somebody to hear us and we're going to take that shot. >> reporter: the city says it's

ready, designating protest zones. the streets in blue just blocks from the convention. activists, though, calling for more space to protest. >> we are going to continue to fight up until the step off from the park tomorrow. >> reporter: in downtown chicago bu businesses already boarded up. >> i am hopeful it is not needed, they are overprepared and everyone stays safe. >> reporter: chicago police on high alert, training hundreds of officers to pitch in. security preps well under way. the governor with a warning for protesters. >> if they are troublemakers they're going to get arrested and get convicted. >> our thanks to mara for that report. now, on the other side of the aisle, former president trump is gearing up for the busiest week of his campaign so far. he's planning to barnstorm across battleground states. his first stop in pennsylvania on saturday night where he focused more on personal attacks over policy. a strategy top republicans have

warned against. >> they said, no, her biggest advantage is that she is a beautiful woman. i'm going, huh. i never thought of that. i'm better looking than she is. >> if you have a policy debate for president, he wins. donald trump, the showman, may not win this election. >> trump is expected to make another stop in pennsylvania later this afternoon. former congressman george santos is expected to plead guilty today to multiple charges related to campaign finance fraud, that's according to two sources familiar with the matter. the disgraced republican was set to go on trial in less than one month. he had previously pleaded guilty to all charges. a lawyer for santos did not return our request for comment. secretary of state antony blinken is meeting with israel's prime minister this morning, it comes after two days of talks in qatar trying to end the war in gaza. crucially no representatives from hamas attended. the group put out a statement saying israel is imposing

unacceptable new conditions. in a meeting this morning blinken said this might be the last chance tosecure a ceasefire and get the hostages home. for the latest let's go to claudio lavanga who is following the story for us. good morning. what did hamas object to? >> reporter: good morning, richard. let me start with some updates that just came in literally. a senior political member of hamas just told nbc news that hamas is not going to send a representative also to the next round of consultation that are scheduled this week in cairo. this comes a day after hamas has said in a statement that they posted on telegram that they accused netanyahu of trying to continue to put obstacles to the ceasefire deal in an attempt they say to prolong the war basically. they said that netanyahu is insisting in rejecting their proposal for a complete withdrawal, a permanent ceasefire and also in insisting

that israel continue -- will continue to control even after the war the corridors of a corridor that cuts gaza in two and also the rafah crossing, all conditions that hamas has said that is not -- is not going to accept and is not willing to accept. now, the filadelfi is in the south of it gaza and they say they want to prevent -- coming in from egypt. while another corridor cuts gaza in two, north and south and israel wants to continue to control it because they want to prevent armed men to come from the south and return to the north of gaza. while netanyahu blames hamas for not signing the deal and not sending its representatives as we just found out also they are not sending them for this week's round of consultations. it is a blame game that has been

continuing since the start of the negotiations which of course prolongs also its war. >> thank you so much, claudio. a labor dispute at canada's two largest railroads could impact cross-border trade. canadian pacific kansas city and canadian national are already starting to shut down some services. both companies have extensive networks in the united states. they are threatening to lock out teamsters canada workers if a deal is not reached by thursday. it could severely disrupt supply chains. shocking new video appears to show a beating outside of a shake shack. the victim spoke with our george solis. and a warning here, the video is disturbing. >> reporter: police are investigating this incident caught on video at a shake shack in d.c.'s dupont circle neighborhood saturday. the 28-year-old christian dingus said he believes the violence was thrilled by hate. >> there was a desire to be violent towards me. >> reporter: d.c. metro are reviewing video from inside the

restaurant. christian says it was a kiss with his partner inside the restaurant that prompted a reaction from an employee who said you can't be doing it here as the couple waited for their order. >> the guy didn't want to take any involvement with it. my partner got a little bit more upset. >> reporter: christian says the worker escorted the pair outside and began to berate them vsh bailey. it ends as police appear to arrive on the scene. >> guys, the police are here. >> they all started attacking me at that point, dragging me back, threw me on the floor and continuously punching me in my head. >> reporter: christian says he has a concussion, bruising, and trauma to his leg, head head and face. >> what's justice going to look like for you and your partner after something so harrowing? >> i don't know. i hope that those who did this are held accountable. >> reporter: if a statement to nbc news shake shack says in part they are aware of the incident and suspended the team

members involved pending further review. george solis, nbc news. it was a weekend of dangerous and severe weather across the country. in the east coast beaches were closed as ernesto now a category 1 hurricane again triggering life-threatening rip currents. at least two people drowned in south carolina. in north carolina emergency crews performed nearly 30 ocean rescues, while connecticut kau torrential rain and flash flooding. more than 80 million americans are still at risk for extreme weather, wind, rain, flooding or excessive heat in the case of the southern u.s. let's bring in nbc meteorologist michelle grossman. good morning. >> good morning. we're going to see more of the same today. looking at dangerous beach conditions along the east coast because of ernesto. also a cold front that will continue to bring the threat for flash flooding, we have already seen evacuations throughout connecticut. a lot of rain throughout connecticut, also parts of new jersey last night and into new york. on radar we are looking at heavy rainfall through rhode island,

massachusetts, connecticut into portions of eastern long island as well, especially where you see darker colors, the reds, oranges, yellows, that's where we're seeing torrential downpours because we are looking at that tropical moisture. that's going to be the case throughout the day. a combination this have slow moving cold front tapping into that moisture, it's taking its time so we're going to see the chance of more flash flooding as we go throughout today, also tomorrow. flash flooding threat from new england through the northeast all the way to the mid-atlantic. so places like albany, boston, new york city, salisbury has been on alert for the chance for heavy rainfall. it's soggy in the east, steamy in the south. we are looking at 31 million people waking up to heat alerts, heat advisories in the orange, heat warningin thes e south, hi pressure pumping in that hot

air. 106 in dallas. all right. that's your monday forecast. >> all right. michelle, thank you. coming up, parents, check your frezer. the major chicken nugget recall this morning. and we're back in a minute with why amazon's drone delivery ogisprram generating a negative buzz in texas. that's why you need zevo traps. zevo works 24/7 to attract and trap flying insects. for effortless protection. zevo. people-friendly. bug-deadly. we all need fiber for our digestive health, but less than 10% of us get enough each day. good thing metamucil gummies are an easy way to get prebiotic, plant-based fiber. with the same amount of fiber as 2 cups of broccoli. metamucil gummies. the easy way to get your daily fiber. skincare can start in the laundry room. that's why i always recommend all free clear for sensitive skin. it's free of dyes and perfumes. it's a key part of my self care routine. it's a clean that's gentle on my skin. for an effective clean that's gentle on skin, all you need is all free clear™

i thought i was sleeping ok... but i was waking up so tired. then i tried new zzzquil sleep nasal strips. their four—point lift design opens my nose for maximum air flow. so, i breathe better. and we both sleep better. and stay married. well, there's new buzz in texas this morning and it's not all good where amazon's drone delivery program facing backlash as it tries to get off the ground there. residents saying the drones make too much noise. priscilla thompson has the story. >> reporter: this is the sound that has residents in college station, texas, talking. >> what do these drones sound like? >> well, it's like a chain saw. >> they sound like a swarm of bees or a hundred swarms of bees. >> reporter: that noise from an

amazon delivery drone. this community one of the nation's first to use the company's technology. karen houseman just moved in last year. >> then the launch pad is just back behind our neighborhood so then you have all of them converging so it gets even louder. >> reporter: amazon says they take local feedback into account. they're considering alternate launch sites and a quieter drone. take a listen. this is what the drone they use now sounds like, and here is the quieter one awaiting faa approval. >> they're testing technology. >> reporter: mayor john nichols says there are growing pains but are glad amazon chose their city to try it out. >> what do you think the solution is here? >> well, i think the solution is for them to identify a quieter drone and to find a location in the community that will better insulate the noise that they are going to produce. >> reporter: changes that for some residents can't come soon

enough. >> amazon needs to be a good neighbor and, of course, the customer is always right and we are the customer. >> reporter: the future of home delivery just taking off. priscilla thompson, nbc news, college station, texas. and still to come for you, she'll help you be popular and remind you of your civic responsibilities. how ariana grande is helping get out the vote with an added bonus for "wicked" fans. breath germs for five times more cleaning power than brushing and flossing alone. get a next level clean... ahhhhh with listerine. feel the whoa! why use 10 buckets of water when you can use 1 fire extinguisher. and to fight heartburn, why take 10 antacids throughout the day when you can take 1 prilosec. for easier heartburn relief, one beats ten. prilosec otc. one pill. 24 hours. zero heartburn. hi. i use febreze fade defy plug. and i use this. febreze has a microchip to control scent release

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i came down to this bucky's about a month ago and when i left i went, it would be kind of fun to do a show there. oh, it will be fun, we will set up a little stage and some people will come around and hear us play. i swear to you i thought maybe 100, 200 people. >> country superstar keith urban surprised by what was, what, hundreds or maybe even thousands of folks showing up there at a bucky's super gas station in athens, alabama, friday.

hundreds of fans or more believed to be there for the concert that was announced just hours right before, before taking the parking lot turned stage urban got a taste of life as a bucky's employee. why not? he posted some video to his instagram of him preparing fresh brisket inside this super convenience store. as we were saying a little earlier, michelle, this place is gargantuan, it is a super convenience store, they have everything there. >> everything. what do you have? >> our floor director was just there and this is a bucky's chapstick or something you use, you know, whatever, for your lips. >> what else did you get? and band-aids. >> band-aids. they got everything. >> not a brisket sandwich. >> i have never heard of them until now. >> we need a road trip. >> let's go. now to another star also looking to use her platform to mobilize fans and maybe even give them a once of a kind experience. ariana grande partnered with the

nonprofit head count to encourage fans to check if they are registered to vote via the good to vote initiative. once they do that they will be entered into a contest to attend the u.s. free mere of the new film "wicked" as well as a beauty glam experience. "wicked" is a release of our sister company universal pictures. grande has previously partnered with head count in 2019 registering more than 30,000 fans to vote during her sweetener world tour. i love that she's doing that. taylor swift does the same thing. get these young people on board. >> go vote is what she's saying. up next, check your freezer. the new perdue chicken recall over possible metal contamination. and m and ms is ready for spooky season with its new pumpkin flavor. uh, it's a little early for jokes, but here it goes. this muffin goes on vacation— what's happening? you said “joking” three times, that's why i'm here. uh, anyway, so this muffin— well i was just excited about my new car. -new car? oh, you don't need a joke, you need a jake.

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>> the dogs again this week. >> reporter: he is quite behind one of the sweetest sites on social media. >> we have beacon, one of usa gymnastics busiest volunteers. >> reporter: matt nelson started we rate dogs back in 2015 as a way to celebrate the pups we love. >> when a fire started in the basement her house she beat the smoke detectors in alerting her family. >> reporter: since then the number of his followers have skyrocketed to 22 million. >> did you ever think it would get this huge. >> never. >> reporter: that success sparking a big idea. >> we'd like to give these dogs a chance. >> reporter: putting matt on a mission. he start add nonprofit called 15 out of 10, raising money to help dogs with special needs get adopted into loving homes. >> what's so cool about this is the way that you took your social media following and you turned it into a force for good. >> our mission is to sponsor shelter dogs with medical conditions with the hopes of

making them more adoptable. it was very satisfying to be able to measure success no longer as much on posts but how many we believe able to save. >> so far they have raised more than $3 million, helpingcover medical costs for nearly 600 dogs like orca. >> we were able to sponsor the medical care of rupert. >> and rupert who needs expensive treatment for seizures. that money made all the difference for david tracy and his wife. >> are you ready for a walk? >>. >> reporter: who fell head over heels with the spunky maltese mix. >> without the help of the 15/10 foundation do you think you could have done it on your own? >> probably not. it's just really -- it's pretty pricey. >> reporter: what makes rupert so special? >> he has this thing we call prancing ponies wedge he gets excited. >> reporter: sara works with the austin human society and said the grants helped them find

families for 60 dogs. >> when we can tell them, hey this, dog has this issue, already had a surgery, whatever it may be, that helps inspire them to go ahead and make the decision to adopt. >> reporter: joy like that, priceless. creating connections and memories to last a lifetime. >> they're just such innocent creatures that want only to love us, but, yeah, i think there's a lot you learn from dogs. they live in the moment, they are full of unconditional love and i think that that's something that us as individuals and our society needs more of. >> our thanks to hallie for that report. thank you for starting your week with "early today." i'm richard lui. go and have a great week ahead.

the stage is set for vice president kamala harris' biggest moment o