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terror at a georgia high school, and a community in mourning. two teachers and two teenagers shot to death by a fellow student. nine others hurt. authorities say the 14-year-old suspect will be charged as an adult, as students describe the horror they experienced. kamala harris makes her economic pitch to americans. how some small business owners are reacting. plus the rules both campaigns have now agreed to for next week's debate. more protests in israel add to pressure on benjamin netanyahu to reach a cease-fire deal. but the israeli leader remained defiant in his latest press conference. we've got a live report. the fw2024 nfl season kicks off. and history at the u.s. open. the competitors and friends set to face off in the first all-american men's semifinal in two decades. it's thursday, september 5th.

"early today" starts right now. good morning. i'm frances rivera. the end of summer should mark the return of routine. early wakeups, breakfast and back to school for students. but, for families in the small georgia community of winder, the small start of the new year was shattered by tragedy and grief. a senseless shooting claimed the life of two teenagers and two teachers. the friends and families came together for vigil last night to mourn the lives lost. overnight, investigators released their names. two young students, 14-year-old mason schermerhorn and 14-year-old christian angulo. richard aspinwall. and christina irmie. the lone shooter was a 14-year-old student. he will be charged as an adult.

the georgia bureau of investigation says he was investigated last year for online threats to commit school shootings. >> they conduct thed the investigation at that time and there was no reason for arrest or to take action. this is not recent. this is in the past. >> the gunman used a ar-style weapon, but we don't know yet how he obtained the firearm. georgia's governor offering his condolences overnight. >> this is everybody's worst nightmare. and i want to offer my sincere condolences and our thoughts and prayers to the families that have lost loved ones. >> nbc's dan shcheneman has mor as the horror unfolded. >> reporter: the school day had just started near atlanta when shots were fired. >> it was just like a loud boom as if a locker had slammed. so my teacher thought it was some kid acting foolish. she took a peek outside.

and we heard repeatedly, the bangingbegin. that's when we could identify it was a gun. >> reporter: law enforcement swarmed to the scene, while students sheltered in their classrooms. >> the hard lockdown was placed. then we ran to the back of the classroom, turned offer the lights. i was shaking. >> reporter: there are 200four dead, two students, two teachers. >> he is a 14-year-old student here at the high school. again, he has been taken into custody. he will be charged with murder, and he will be tried as adult. >> reporter: after a lockdown was lifted, students were released. parents and guardians arrived to take students home. shirley powers was worried about her grandson. >> sorry for the kids that they've had to experience such evil. >> reporter: kathryn hardrick checked on her neighbor, a senior. >> he actually heard the shooting. he's like, they're shooting,

sh they're shooting across from my classroom. >> reporter: now a school and a community wait for an answer. dan scheneman, nbc news. now to israel where thousands are protesting on the streets demanding a cease-fire and hostage deal, but prime minister benjamin netanyahu is offering no concessions. in a new press conference, the hard-liner insisted on putting troops at the egypt-gaza border, a non-starter for hamas in gaza. what else did netanyahu have to say to journalists? >> reporter: good morning, frances. well, netanyahu, at that press conference said he wanted israel to keep controlling the philadelphi corridor and after the war, because it doesn't want to give hamas a lifeline through there. he said he's against the temporary withdrawal, as it is included in the first part of the deal from the philadelphi corridor, because the israeli army will not be able to go back

there because of international pressure. raf sanchez, our own rauf sanchz was there at the conference and asked why did it take so many months for the israeli army to seize it. this is what netanyahu responded. >> well, it was critical, also, to destroy hamas, to kill about 20,000 of their, of their operatives. this was the military plan that the military and the political echelon agreed upon. >> reporter: now netanyahu has been under increased pressure from the families of the hostages to change his mind and just sign the deal. one mother of the hostage even accused him of sacrificing their relatives on the altar of the philadelphi corridor. this is what he replied to that accusation. >> i can understand the internal, the great torment that the mother of this murdered

hostage feels. and i understand her rage. i can understand her sorrow. i'm committed to getting all of them out. >> reporter: now, according to five people who are familiar with the discussion, the american families of the hostages have asked the u.s. administration to consider seriously the opportunity to strike or cut a unilateral deal with hamas, that the u.s. administration said every option is open, but the one where israel is included in it is, of course, preferable. frances? >> claudio, thank you. former president trump will speak here in new york soon, delivering remarks about the state of the economy. vice president harris will be back in pennsylvania today to start preparing for next week's debate. yesterday at a rally in new hampshire, she shared her own thoughts on growing american businesses. here's gabe gutierrez. >> reporter: riding a wave of democratic enthusiasm, but under pressure to detail her policies,

vice president harris unveiling new proposals on a top issue for voters, the economy. >> it's essentially a tax cut for starting a small business. >> reporter: harris proposing a series of new benefits for small business owners, including up to a $50,000 tax deduction for startup expenses, ten times what's currently allowed. and she wants a smaller increase to the capital gains tax. >> compare that to what donald trump plans. he plans to give billionaires massive tax cuts and to cut corporate taxes. >> reporter: but her plans would need congressional approval. that's partly why harris is in blue new hampshire, where her campaign hopes are surging candidacy will run ofb off on candidates for congress. >> this is the lie at the heart of kamala kamala hharris' kpab.

thharris'campai campaign. >> reporter: for voters here, the differences are stark. we met brad smith who thinks harris brings home. do you think that your small business is better offer now toff now than it was during the trump administration? >> oh, without a doubt. and it's the optimism. >> reporter: chad thinks otherwise. >> i don't trust her. >> reporter: he owns a barbershop and says he will vote for trump. >> i think he did a pretty good job. harris is going to be four more years of misery. >> reporter: meanwhile, two harris campaign sources say they just agreed to the final rules for next week's debate, including muting the mics when it's not a candidate's turn to speak. vice president harris has won the support of another prominent republican. former congresswoman liz cheney saying overnight that she will vote for harris in november.

chane cheney said she made the decision because of the danger she feels trump poses. mr. trump's running mate, jd vance responded by saying people like cheney will be laughed out of the oval office instead of rewarded. they are are new developments in the fatal shooting case against alec baldwin. the case was dismissed in july. but now prosecutors are asking the judge to reconsider the decision. baldwin was on the western set "rust" when a gun he was holding went off, killing cinematographer halyna hutchins. baldwin has always denied pulling the trigger. let's turn to angie lassman who is tracking record temperatures. >> we've got a whole lot of folks under heat alerts with temperatures quite impressive across much of the west.

52 million people under the heat advisories and heat warnings with temperatures once again expected to head to the triple digits in a lot of spots. las vegas and phoenix are just couple locations. portland, 102 degrees for the actual temperature. this afternoon, we've got san jose nearing triple digits and los angeles expected to hit 99 degrees. not much improvement, 15 in las vegas. 90s stretching out towards salt lake city. look what happens this weekend. temperatures maintain 100-plus across parts of southern california. tu tucson expected to hang out in the hundreds. those are the spots that we're watching for the heat. and the gulf coast is where we're watching for plenty of rain. 5 million people under flood 78.

a hill little cooler for boston. and showers in the forecast for green bay. that's a look at your forecast, frances frances, back to you. coming up, the chip off the old block. a first look at the minecraft movie. and the new helmets protecting players as the nfl season kicks offer tonight. (♪♪) nothing is proven more effective for 24-hour, non-drowsy allergy relief in 1 pill. live claritin clear. (♪♪) i'm adding downy unstopables to my wash. now i'll be smelling fresh all day long. [sniff] still fresh. still fresh! ♪♪ with downy unstopables, you just toss, wash, wow. for all-day freshness. if you're frustrated with occasional bloating... [stomach noises] or gas... your body is giving you signs. it's time to try align. align probiotic was designed

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helmets. >> reporter: football, it's america's game. with the biggest crowds, the biggest plays and the biggest hits. but this season, the nfl is taking additional steps to protect its players from the impact of all those blows. allowing them to wear guardian caps during regular season games. it slips over a helmet and softens the impact by up to 33%, according to the manufacturer. the question now, will the players actually wear them? >> this is a guardian cap. >> reporter: the colts tight end plans to. >> all this is, is a little extra padding. >> reporter: and he hopes his stance rubs off on others. >> prioritize your safety, because, you know, it's a hard game. hard on the body. and there's life after football. >> reporter: but some other players in the rough and tumble world of the nfl have scoffed at the idea of extra protection. one writing these caps make no difference. another simply saying ew. you think the primary push back is it looks weird? >> some of it definitely is.

it looks silly to them. my health takes precedence over looks. >> reporter: they first appeared on the practice scene in 2022. but there was no option to wear one in a game until now. the nfl says it wants to lower the frequency of major blows to the head, as medical experts fear the long-term impacts of all those hits, like cte. >> it starts while someone's an active athlete. >> reporter: the progressive condition can cause a long list of symptoms from depression and anxiety, memory loss and dementia. it's not just concussions but cumulative hits over the course of a career. >> we think the guardian cap's doing two things. one, the additional padding is limiting the amount of force going into the brain. and number two, they slide on the surface of the helmet,

disbursing some of that energy. >> reporter: the nfl reports a 52% drop in concussions during practices on players wearing the caps. the nfl has also been funding the development of new helmets with extra protection, which have tested so well according to the league, they can be worn instead of guardian caps in practice. but experts still warn, there is no silver bullet. >> there is always the risk that the better equipment gets the more players feel invincible. >> reporter: for now, the decision is a no-brainer. >> i think it's definitely important for safety, starting early. >> and our thanks to sam for that report. still to come, a huge dub for team edward. the latest news on "twilight." listen to me, the hot dog diet got me shredded. it's time we listen to science. one a day is formulated with key nutrients

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thousand years, but at long last, twilight is returning to screens. on thursday, netflix announced they were officially sinking their teeth into the animated series adaptation of 2020's midnight sun. that's the retelling of the first retelling. the twilight animated series had been confirmed by lion's gate earlier this year, though the premise was not known until now. no word yet on whether edward and bella's live action counterpart will reprise their roles. but fans have got to be just over the top when it comes to this, because you know how just, i mean, they love it. they love it, and they know which team that they're on. >> oh -- >> where the loyalties run. >> where their loyalties lie. it's just another indication that all old things become new again. and we find new ways to do them. and i'm sure people will be thrilled about them. >> and when it comes to the book a whole new generation will turn to that as well. when we come back on "early

today," why safety regulators want to regulate popular sights like temu. and you could take home a piece of the seven kingdoms. hey guys. how we feeling? you ready? hey! adams elementary, go rams! i think he needs one too. what do you think? this is not just flu protection. you guys ready to fight some crime? yeah! okay, well you go get 'em, alright? this is a neighbor looking out for you. schedule flu and covid-19 vaccines for you and your family today. walgreens. it ain't my dad's razor, dad. ay watch it! it's from gillettelabs. this green bar releases trapped hairs from my face... gamechanga! ...while the flexdisc contours to it. so the five blades can get virtually every hair in one stroke. for the ultimate gillette shaving experience. the best a man can get is gillettelabs. (background noises) come on, let's go! get off your— (donkey hee-haws) citrusy. ahhhhhhhh!

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ford is recalling vehicles over faulty intake valves. impacted models include some 2021 and 2022 f-150s, broncos, explorers and edge vehicles. some lincoln aviators and nautilus models are also affected. more than 2,000 pieces of "game of thrones" memorabilia are heading to action in dallas this october. some of those pieces include the iconic iron thrown and dragon eggs. we'll be right back. gon gon with claritin, relieving your allergies is a walk in the park. get fast, all-day relief of your worst allergy symptoms like nasal congestion. (♪♪) live claritin clear. that grimy film on your teeth? dr. g? ♪♪ it's actually the buildup of plaque bacteria which can cause cavities. most toothpastes quit working in minutes. but crest pro-health's antibacterial

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serve a historic moment. for the first time in nearly two decades, there's an all-american men's semi-final. anne thompson has the preview. >> reporter: the u.s. open is one of new york's most colorful events. >> it's hiklike my christmas, o of my favorite times of year. >> reporter: and this week, one half of the men's semi-finals will be all red, white and blue. taylor fritz antd tiafoe will take center stage in an all-american match. >> friday's going to be one hell of a day. >> reporter: the last time that happened? 2005. tiafoe and fritz were just 7 years old. >> that's going to be a lot of fun. and that's just going to be electric. >> reporter: at least one american woman is through to the semi-finals, too.

23-year-old emily navarro. >> crazy. u.s. open, baby! >> reporter: fritz and tiafoe play friday. so, are we seeing pizzazz versus poison friday night? >> yes, and, on the court, you have an extremely creative player in francis tiafoe and a meat and poetatoes player in fritz. >> reporter: the winner will then try to duplicate the speed of 20203, the last time an american man won the title, something these two competitors hope to change this weekend. anne thompson, nbc news. woman with a diploma, 80 years in the making. she should have graduated with the class of 1944 but had to drop out of school to work and help her family during world war ii. she is grateful that her friends

and family were there and that she was finally granted her wish to graduate. >> it means an awful lot, because that's been a long time ago, 1944. >> the school superintendent said it was an honor and privilege to grant her the diploma. in just few months, she will turn 100, and she'll keep the celebrations going. coming up on "today." let the hype begin. the ceo of the kansas city chiefs, clark hunt, is live from arrowhead stadium to talk about the kickoff game between his super bowl champs and the baltimore ravens. you won't want to miss it. keep it on nbc for that. and keep it on nbc for "early today" afterwards, too. love to have you. thanks for watching "early today." i'm frances rivera. have a great thursday. e e you back her