it's wednesday, march 17th, 2021. this is the "cbs morning news." >> we just heard numerous gunshots coming from across the street. >> deadly spa shootings. at least eight people killed at three different locations near atlanta. the latest on the investigation. crisis at the border. a historic number of migrant children are coming to the u.s. how many are in custody right now. out of the hospital. golf legend tiger woods says he's back home after a crash he's back home after a crash that could have taken his life. captioning funded by cbs good morning, everyone. good to be with you. i'm anne-marie green. we're going to begin this morning with three shootings in the atlanta area that killed at

least eight people. police say six of the dead were asian, raising fears the murders may have been racially motivated. the suspected gunman, 21-year-old robert long, was arrested last night. they believe based on video evidence he is behind the shootings at three spas. naomi ruchim is following the latest developments on this case from new york. what do we know about him? >> reporter: well, police do believe that long is the same suspect in all three of these shootings. he was taken into custody after troopers were able to stop his car on the interstate. this morning the 21-year-old is in a county jail being questioned as police try to figure out what sparked this violence. eight people are dead after three atlanta area spas came under gunfire tuesday evening. >> the suspect was identified as robert aaron long, but he is currently in custody. >> reporter: the cherokee county sheriff's office believes 21-year-old long shot five

people, killing four, at young's asian massage parlor in georgia. >> devastated. >> reporter: this woman's uncle is the sole gunshot survivor. >> we never know when we're at the wrong place at the wrong time because this was so all of a sudden. it was just a lot of things racing through my head. >> reporter: 30 miles south, atlanta police say it is extremely likely that long is also the suspect who then killed four more people at two other spas. >> we heard numerous gunshots coming from across the street. >> reporter: long was taken into custody after a manhunt that ended 150 miles south of atlanta. >> georgia state patrol troopers performed the pit maneuver which caused the vehicle to spin out of control. >> reporter: six of the eight dead are asian. investigators have not said if the attacks were racially motivated. >> nothing's going to be ruled out. we're conducting a multiple homicide investigation. wherever the evidence leads, that's where the investigators will go.

>> reporter: the advocacy group stop asian american pacific islander group has recorded 3,000 incidents directed at asian americans since the start of the pandemic. and police have now been dispatched in the atlanta area to similar businesses just to check in and see how they're doing and also offer some protection. in the meantime they've stepped up patrols while long is doing some questioning this morning with authorities as so many families are grieving today. >> indeed. naomi ruchim in new york. thank you. the number of migrants illegally crossing into the u.s. continues to grow. cbs news has learned that more than 13,000 unaccompanied migrant children are now in u.s. custody. some of them may end up at the kay bailey hutchison convention center in dallas. it could open today to temporarily house thousands of migrants. mireya villarreal tagged along with the u.s. border patrol in texas. they encountered numerous groups of undocumented immigrants who

are sent to a staging area. some are processed outside under a bridge and given foil blankets while they wait. >> children that are unaccompanied usually range from 7 to 13. the smallest one is about 7. he was by himself. >> as of right now, president biden says he has no plans to visit the border. after two months in office, the white house says president biden will hold his first formal press conference next thursday. meantime, his administration is moving along with vaccinating people against covid. so far at least 72 million people have received at least one dose. >> of those, 39 million are fully vaccinated. today cdc's director and infectious disease expert dr. anthony fauci will testify in the house about the federal pandemic response. and as ed o'keefe explains, president biden is on the road selling his covid relief plan and trying to convince americans

to get their vaccine shots. >> reporter: president biden visited hard-hit chester, pennsylvania, touting his covid relief bill as a lifeline. >> 100,000 people are going to be getting -- not a joke -- a check for $1,400 that changes their live. >> reporter: in addition the american rescue plan provides billions to fund vaccination centers in underfunded communities. >> we're going to get 100 million shots in people's arms within the first 60 days of my administration. >> reporter: at a vaccination site just four blocks from where the president spoke, officials say demand is outpacing supply. >> we can't give you a vaccine if we don't have a vaccine to give. >> reporter: there's also reluctance among some in the african-american community to take the vaccine. a growing concern for the administration. pastor aaron donnelly told us he has an easy answer for vaccine skeptics in his congregation -- >> i tell people do you want to cough or you want a coffin? side effects don't mean nothing if you're dead. >> reporter: ed o'keefe, cbs news.

former president donald trump is also encouraging americans to get the covid vaccine. he called in to fox news last night to make his case. >> i would recommend it, and i would recommend it to a lot of people that don't want to get it and a lot of those people voted for me, frankly. but you know, again, we have our freedoms, and we have to live by that. and i agree with that also. it's a great vaccine. it's a safe vaccine, and it's something that works. >> mr. trump and the former first lady got vaccinated in january before leaving the white house. his comments come after a recent poll found that about half of u.s. men who identify themselves as republicans don't plan on getting the shot. the world health organization is set to release a much-anticipated report on the origins of the coronavirus next week. it was supposed to be issued this week. the report is based on a four-week mission in wuhan, china, this year, by

international health experts. tiger woods is back home in florida recovering from his car crash last month. the golf legend took to twitter thanking fans for their support, and he praised the medical staff that cared for him and said he'll work on getting stronger every day. the 45-year-old suffered serious leg injuries when his suv ran off the road and flipped over last month in california. woods underwent emergency surgery and spent three weeks in the hospital. coming up, caught on video. a deadly fireworks explosion at a home in southern california. and reigning pooch. the most popular dog breed in the u.s., but it's getting competition. this is the "cbs morning news." competition. this is the "cbs morning news." are you ready to join the duers? those who du more with less asthma. thanks to dupixent. the add-on treatment for specific types of moderate-to-severe asthma. dupixent isn't for sudden breathing problems.

it can improve lung function for better breathing in as little as 2 weeks and help prevent severe asthma attacks. it's not a steroid but can help reduce or eliminate oral steroids. dupixent can cause serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. get help right away if you have rash, shortness of breath, chest pain, tingling or numbness in your limbs. tell your doctor if you have a parasitic infection and don't change or stop your asthma treatments, including steroids, without talking to your doctor. du more with less asthma. talk to your asthma specialist about dupixent. if your financial situation has changed, we may be able to help. if your financial situation has changed, active and bold courageous or dull emotions that flow it all starts in your gut naughty with pride probiotics inside xciting yummy zing from a to z, your gut is where it all begins start with activia with billions of probiotics

still your best friend. and now your co-pilot. still a father. but now a friend. still an electric car. just more electrifying. still a night out. but everything fits in. still hard work. just a little easier. still a legend. just more legendary. chevrolet. making life's journey, just better. i'm made to move. chevrolet. but these days, i'm not getting out as much as i'd like to. that's why i take osteo bi-flex. it helps with occasional joint stiffness, while it nourishes and strengthens my joints for the long term. osteo bi-flex. because i'm made to move. california governor gavin newsom could soon be facing a recall election. today is the deadline for organizers of a petition to submit nearly 1.5 million signatures to get the proposal

on the ballot. they say they have more than two million signatures. officials will review the signatures, and a special election could be held later on this year. the democratic governor calls the recall effort a political power grab. america's top dog breed has some competition, and a deadly blast is under investigation. those are some of the headlines on the "morning newsstand." the "los angeles times" reports two people were killed when a large stash of commercial-grade fireworks exploded inside a house. yesterday's blast shattered windows throughout the ontario neighborhood about 35 miles east of los angeles. smoke could be seen for miles. explosions from the fireworks continued after the initial blast. fireworks are illegal in ontario, and many parts of california. >> without knowing exactly what was in there, but due to the large explosion, it would be at

minimum investigating a felony or several felonies that would be involved. and depending on what cache of fireworks or explosive material they had in there will direct the investigation where it goes. >> firefighters were able to rescue a horse that was trapped on the property. "the washington post" reports a declassified u.s. intelligence document says russian president vladimir putin authorized an attempt to help former president trump in last year's election. the intelligence report says putin and other russian officials sought to influence the election by spreading misleading information about joe biden through prominent people including some close to mr. trump. the report does not identify the individuals by name, but the "post" says it appears to reference mr. trump's former personal lawyer, rudy giuliani. it also says iran tried to influence the election, but china did not. and "usa today" says french bulldogs are now the number-two most-popular dog in the u.s.

behind the longtime leader, labrador retrievers. labs topped the american kennel club's list for the 30th year in a row. when labradors first topped the chart in 1991, french bulldogs ranked a distant 82nd. frenchys began to rise in the rankings in the late '90s. a kennel club spokesperson says if you want a cute dog that's going to snuggle up with you, the french bulldog is for you. still ahead, a ticket to march madness. super fan sister jean is cleared to cheer loyola in the basketball tournament. ed to cheer loyola in the rnament. mornings were made for better things than rheumatoid arthritis. when considering another treatment, ask about xeljanz... a pill for adults with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis when methotrexate has not helped enough. xeljanz can help relieve joint pain and swelling, stiffness, and helps stop further joint damage, even without methotrexate. xeljanz can lower your ability to fight infections.

before and during treatment, your doctor should check for infections, like tb and do blood tests. tell your doctor if you've had hepatitis b or c, have flu-like symptoms, or are prone to infections. serious, sometimes fatal infections, cancers including lymphoma, and blood clots have happened. taking a higher than recommended dose of xeljanz for ra may increase risk of death. tears in the stomach or intestines and serious allergic reactions have happened. don't let another morning go by without asking your doctor about the pill first prescribed for ra more than seven years ago. xeljanz. hi sabrina! >>hi jen! so this aveeno® moisturizer goes beyond just soothing sensitive skin? exactly jen! calm + restore oat gel is formulated with prebiotic oat. and strengthens skin's moisture barrier. uh! i love it! aveeno® healthy. it's our nature.™ take a piece of chocolate if you're the tallest. (ava and olivia laugh) take a piece of chocolate if you're better at eating your vegetables. (ava and olivia laugh) take a piece of chocolate if you love sharing.

♪ (ava and olivia laugh) ♪ age is just a number. and mine's unlisted. try boost® high protein with 20 grams of protein for muscle health. versus 16 grams in ensure high protein. boost® high protein also has key nutrients for immune support. boost® high protein. here's a look at the forecast in some cities around the country. ♪ and here's the pitch. that ball's hit high in the air,

right center field. hit well -- pull up, and that one apes gone. >> that's bobby dalbec of the boston red sox hitting a home run during a recent spring training game. this morning the team reportedly has a new part owner. the "boston globe" said lebron james joined fenway sports group as a partner. that's the company that owns the red sox. the paper says the deal remains contingent on major league baseball's approval. on the cbs "money watch," stimulus payouts officially begin today, and marvel introduces a gay captain america. diane king hall is in new york with that and more. good morning, diane. >> reporter: good morning, anne-marie. federal reserve officials today will be out with new economic projections after the latest monetary policy meeting. meantime, wall street ended mixed yesterday as it processed a weaker than expected report on retail sales. the dow dropped 127 points. the nasdaq added 11, and the s&p 500 fell 6 points. many americans may notice the $1,400 stimulus checks hitting their bank accounts

today. the first official payment date. additional rounds of payments will be made in the weeks ahead, including for people who receive theirs by mail as a check or debit card. to qualify for the full amount a single person must have an adjusted gross income of up to $75,000 with married couples earning up to $150,000 a year. it's part of the covid relief package signed last week. uber is giving 70,000 of its drivers in the uk minimum wage, pensions, and holiday pay, a first in the company's history. the ride-hailing company made the move in response to a landmark british supreme court decision last month saying uber drivers were entitled to more protections. right now the changes are limited to the uk, but the san francisco-based company faces legal challenges in its home state of california to improve conditions for gig workers. and marvel comics has a new superhero. it's introducing aaron fisher as the first gay character in the "captain america" universe,

marking its 80th anniversary. the economic book publisher says he stands for the oppressed and forgotten. the lgbtq-plus hero is set to make his debut in a new limited series in june, just in time for pride month. anne-marie? >> hey, you know, representation isn't everything, but it is a significant move. >> it matters. >> this is going to make a huge difference for kids who are into comic books, no matter what their sexual orientation is. all about education and so i think it's a great move. >> absolutely. absolutely. >> diane king hall in new york, thank you so much, diane. >> you got it. so up next, actor elliott page speaks out. page shares his emotional journey after coming out as transgender last year. transgender last year. ♪

rich, indulgent chocolate with a luscious caramel filling. with love from san francisco. ghirardelli caramel squares. makes life a bite better. new from crest i've been telling everyone, the secret to great teeth... is having healthy gums. keep yours healthy with new crest advanced gum restore. it's clinically proven to detoxify below the gum line, and it restores by helping heal gums in as little as seven days. because you can't have a healthy smile, without healthy gums. advanced gum restore from crest. the #1 toothpaste brand in america.

i'm made to move. but these days, i'm not getting out as much as i'd like to. that's why i take osteo bi-flex. it helps with occasional joint stiffness, while it nourishes and strengthens my joints for the long term. osteo bi-flex. because i'm made to move.

here's a look at the forecast in some cities around the country. ♪ well, it was a struggle, but firefighters in colombia rescued goats trapped on the roof of a house. video shows several goats walking on the roof sunday. firefighters saved several smaller goats first. the others jumped to the ground. the goats were not hurt. officials do not know how the

animals got on the roof, though. actor elliott page is talking publicly for the very first time since coming out as transgender in december. the 34-year-old appears on the cover of "time" magazine, the first transgender man to be featured on the cover. page told the magazine when he was a child, he felt like and wanted to identify as a boy, but being a professional actor required him to look a certain way. he said he's received both support and criticism and believes he has a privilege and responsibility to be honest and live authentically. the 101-year-old chaplain of loyola chicago men's basketball team is headed back to the ncaa tournament. sister jean was cleared to travel and attend friday's game in indianapolis against georgia tech. the nun received national attention in 2018 during loyola's surprise run to the final four. she's been lobbying for weeks to join the team if they made it to the tournament. it will be her first game in more than a year. >> i'm just going to be so

excited when i get there. i just want to see them and, you know, i've watched their videos and stuff like that. it's just going to be like old home week to me to see them again. >> just so you know, sister jean is fully vaccinated against covid-19. and today's the deadline for someone to claim a $1 million lottery prize in rhode island. the mega millions ticket bought last year at a market in north smithfield matched all five numbers but not the mega ball number. the winning numbers were drawn one year ago today. if the ticket is not claimed today, it expires. in 2011 it a ticket worth $77 million went unclaimed in georgia. so go through your jean pockets and your coats and stuff like that. you left it somewhere. coming up on "cbs this morning," actor matthew mcconaughey tells us about a benefit concert he's organized to help people hit hard by last month's storm in texas. i'm anne-marie green. this is the "cbs morning news." "

[♪] when you have diabetes, managing your blood sugar is crucial. try boost glucose control. the patented blend is clinically shown to help manage blood sugar levels. boost glucose control products contain high quality protein and key nutrients to support immune health. try boost. never run dry of... killer attitude. or hydration.

neutrogena® hydro boost. the #1 hyaluronic acid moisturizer delivers 2x the hydration for supple, bouncy skin. neutrogena®.

our top stories this morning -- three separate shootings at spas in the atlanta area have left at least eight people dead. a suspected gunman is in custody. six of the dead were asian. it's unclear if the attacks were racially motivated. and a historic number of migrants are illegally crossing the u.s./mexico border. cbs news has learned more than 13,000 unaccompanied migrant children are in u.s. custody. the biden administration is opening additional facilities in texas and arizona to temporarily house them.

there's a new restaurant in south carolina in a building with a painful legacy. instead of covering up the past, the owner hopes people will learn from it. mark strassmann explains. >> reporter: chef rob massone named the new restaurant counter because this one set the stage for a moment in american history. >> we've brought people to tears just by telling the history of the counter. people are definitely moved by it. >> reporter: january, 1961, rockhill, south carolina. nine black protesters wanted to right a wrong at the old mccrory's five and dime, including 18-year-old david williamson. >> we came here and sat down at the counter to be served. >> reporter: did they say something? >> we don't serve so and so. and before they could get it all the way out, they have you up and out of the seat and taking you back. >> reporter: instead of posting bail, the friendship nine sat in jail for a month. a new tactic for civil rights protesters.

>> we turned it around on the state, city, and county. they had to take care of you. >> reporter: massone leased the space without a plan for the counter until he met williamson. >> he was just talking to me and rubbing his hand on the counter. >> reporter: meeting him was a game changer? >> game changer. we're going to showcase it in the raw form. >> reporter: with the original pink formica top stained by coffee, honored by courage. the restaurant's first customer last december -- david williamson. >> i like to sit over there -- sit back and watch the people. you know, see them enjoy themselves, anything -- wow. it really happened. this is real. >> reporter: so real, rockhill's motto today -- no room for racism. mark strassmann, cbs news, rockhill, south carolina. coming up on "cbs this morning," we're going to take you to italy as a third wave of coronavirus infections hits

europe, and dr. david agus has an update on vaccine development. plus, the latest on the cbs daytime show "the talk" which is on extended hiatus after allegations against co-host sharon osborne. and matthew mcconaughey and a concert for those hit hard in texas by the winter storm. that's the "cbs morning news" for this wednesday. thanks for watching. i'm anne-marie green. have a great day.