good morning. the plot thickens. a woman, taken into custody in alabama in connection with the murders of that florida couple who were parents to 17 children. what did she do? this as detectives uncover the safe stolen during the home invasion. the accident. frightening never before seen video emerges of the pepsi commercial shoot that some say led to michael jackson's addiction to prescription drugs. and how old is too old? at 66 she was the oldest woman ever to give birth. a single mom. now at 69, she's dead. leaving behind 2-year-old twins, and a lot of ethical questions today, thursday, july 16th, and a lot of ethical questions today, thursday, july 16th, 2009. captions paid for by nbc-universal television

and good morning, everyone. welcome to "today" on a thursday morning. i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm erin burnett. good to be with you. meredith vieira is on assignment this morning. and today an eighth person, this time a woman, is under arrest in connection with that murder investigation in florida. >> that's right. we know her name is pamela longwiggen. she's a married real estate agent. authorities say she rented a home to one of the men charged with murder in this case, the alleged ringleader, and an suv believed to have been used in the deadly home invasion has also been located along with the safe that was taken from melanie and byrd billings' home. sheriff david morgan will give us the latest on this investigation coming up live in just a couple of minutes. >> and also ahead this morning, more on that frightening video of the 1984 pepsi commercial. we've all seen it from some angles. but this is the commercial that sent michael jackson to the hospital after his hair caught

fire. it may have led time down the path of prescription drug addiction. "us weekly" magazine was able to obtain never before seen footage of the accident and we're going to show you much more coming up. >> it's horrible to watch because it's clear he had no idea his hair was on fire for a very long time until everybody rushed to him. later on a much lighter can do tricks. but have you ever seen a mule that can do just about anything? paint. play basketball. you name it. her name is grace. she's live on the plaza to show us what she can do. >> she can do almost anything. i'm so excited when i found out she'd be here today. >> see, yesterday a beautiful wedding of nick and leigh on the plaza. today a mule that gets the mail. welcome to the world of morning television. strange juxtaposition. >> i think she even has a nice toothy smile she can do on cue. >> we want to begin on a much more serious note. arrest, another arrest tied to the murder of the parents of those 17 children in florida.

nbc's mark potter is in pensacola with the latest. mark, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt. it was another busy night here at the sheriff's office, with another arrest and the recovery of some key evidence, as investigators now look at the periphery of the case. authorities arrested 48-year-old pamela longwiggins, a realtor, found wednesday on a 45-foot yacht in an alabama marina. she was charged for alleged activities after the home invasion robbery. in which others are accused of killing byrd and melanie billings, the parents of 17. >> miss wiggins is currently at the escambia county sheriff's office and she will be charged with accessory after the fact for felony murder. >> reporter: investigators say she was the landlord of leonard patrick gonzalez jr. who is charged with murder in the case, along with his father, who was in court wednesday. >> charged with two counts of homicide. >> reporter: for the last few

days court officials have been holding hearings for the seven men who are charged with murder, and for being directly involved in the home invasion that claimed the lives of the billings couple, who had adopted numerous special needs children. >> i thought it was appropriate to establish bond on all the defendants and we have now accomplished that and i'm pleased. >> reporter: investigators say four of the accused men worked at this auto detailing shop in fort walton beach, and that three others worked in landscaping. officials say two of them actually worked for a short time on the billings' property. meanwhile, investigators say they have always wondered why the attackers, who seemed so careful in planning the raid, didn't first turn off the billings' security cameras, which recorded the home invasion, and led to their arrests. >> they entered the compound with the belief that they were not under surveillance. >> reporter: detectives say they now believe someone was supposed to turn off the cameras by remote control. but failed to do so. late wednesday night, authorities recovered two pieces of critical evidence, including

the suv, which they say was the second vehicle used in the home invasion robbery. they also recovered the safe, officials say, was stolen from the billings' home. and as investigators continue to piece together this troubling crime, the billings family vows to continue the couple's legacy of adopting special needs children. >> we have lost two people who were truly trying to make the world a better place, one person at a time. >> reporter: and here in pensacola, plans are under way for the billings family funeral tomorrow morning at a local church. matt? >> all right, mark, thank you very much. mark potter in pensacola for us. for more on the investigation now, and the alleged role pamela long wiggins may have played in all this, let's bring in the sheriff of escambia county david morgan. good to see you again. thanks for joining us. >> good morning, sir. >> so we've got pamela long wiggins, arrested in alabama aboard a yacht. she's said to have possibly rented a property, the alleged ringleader in this case.

can you just shed some more light, sir, on what role she may have played? >> well, we know, matt, that she's had a long association both professionally and through mr. gonzalez's family, once again one of our prime suspects. she's been observed transporting his wife and his children to many locations, and she's been alone in a vehicle with him many times. so again, during this investigation, it's almost like concentric circles. we begin to work the circles outward, and we found that she was with him on the day of the murder. and so, again, she became a person of interest. and that's why we pursued her, trying to find miss wiggins. through tips we found out that she had gone to alabama, and we were concerned because we had not had any contact with her for over 48 hours. we had a tip come in from the media, by the way, you folks helping us out with this case, and that tip went to one of our hotlines and after the hotline tip, the orange county -- or excuse me orange beach police department arrested her in

alabama, detained her for us, and then our folks from escambia county went over and brought her back to our location. we're very sure that -- >> just because she was seen with one of the alleged ringleaders of this case doesn't make her accessory to a crime -- to a felony. so was she found to be in possession of anything that was taken from that home during this time invasion? >> we are releasing this morning at 10:00 a.m., matt, during our press conference with all the members of the media, and at this time i've been asked by the state attorney's office to not speak to that issue. but i will confirm that we have obtained a lot of physical evidence as a result of the arrest of miss wiggins. >> i have a feeling you're not going to answer this, sheriff, and i respect you for it. but, if the safe that was taken from that home has now been recovered, was that safe in the possession or any contents of that safe in the possession of pamela long wiggins? >> her asiance in this case led to the recovery of evidence in this case. how about that?

>> i'll buy that for now. are there more people or persons of interest out there, sheriff morgan? >> we believe so, matt. we are looking into potentially two more persons of interest at this time. interviews hopefully will be conducted within the next couple of days. again, they're at this point persons of interest. we're trying to fill that gap in this investigation with the alarm system and the video surveillance. that's just really gnawing at all of us because in an otherwise perfectly executed crime, if you will, that shouldn't have gone down the way it did. and we are of the belief that someone's off the ball on their team. >> i want to go back to the subject and i've asked you this several times now on several different days, about why this, what was supposed to be appears, a home invasion robbery, ended with murder. and i've been trying to avoid rumors, especially with you, sheriff morgan, in this case. but there has been some talk that perhaps this was more than a robbery, that there could have been some hit ordered on the billings. and would you comment on that?

>> there -- the primary motive, matt, was robbery. i will confirm that for you this morning. that was the primary motive. there are other motives that we know will come out, especially during this prosecutorial phase when you get cover the trial.

natalie, good morning. >> good morning, aaron and matt. good morning to you. a frightening scene outside of trite where a huge explosion of a gasoline tanker shut down part of interstate 75 near detroit after a highway overpass collapsed. last night's explosion sent flames hundreds of feet in the air and injured three drivers. nasa's looking carefully at wednesday's launch of "endeavour" after pieces of foam insulation broke off the fuel tank and hit the shuttle. astronauts will use the robot arm to look for damage. supreme court nominee sonia sotomayor is back for more testimony as he nears the end of

confirmation hearings. nbc's justice correspondent pete williams joins us for more. >> with the questions almost over now, those who support and oppose here will get their turn and among them are firefighters from one of her most controversial court decisions. hispanic firefighters from new haven, connecticut, will speak against judge sotomayor's confirmation after watching the testimony in the hearing room. she ruled against them when they sued the city for throwing out a promotion exam that failed to qualify african-american firefighters. >> it was wrong and we feel that everybody should know our story. >> reporter: on abortion, judge sotomayor said she never discussed it with president obama. >> i was asked no question by anyone, including the president, about my views on any specific legal issue. >> reporter: and she said an inspiration for her as a young girl was that television lawyer perry mason. >> perry said to the prosecutor, it must cause you some pain,

having expended all that effort in your case, to have the charges dismissed. and the prosecutor looked up and said, no, my job as a prosecutor is to do justice. and justice is served when a guilty man is convicted and when an innocent man is not. >> reporter: one republican senator said she'd be confirmed unless she displayed a meltdown, and there's been nothing like that. natalie? >> all right, pete williams outside the supreme court for us this morning. thanks, pete. officials in iran have recovered the black boxes from wednesday's plane crash that killed all 168 people on board. the cause of the caspian airlines crash is still unknown. three people were killed wednesday near los angeles when their plane crashed into a parking lot at the hawthorne municipal airport narrowly missing several buildings. over seas markets are mostly higher after wednesday's 256-point gain for the dow. cnbc's melissa francis is at the

new york stock exchange. melissa, what are you watching there this morning? >> good morning, natalie. we've already seen blockbuster earnings out of jpmorgan this morning. we're waiting for google and ibm coming up after the bell today. so a pretty positive day already. but there could be a pothole in the works. small business lender cit for file for bankruptcy in the next 24 to 48 hours. they keep thousands of small and medium-sized businesses running. and also despite $50 billion in subsidies from the obama administration, foreclosures are on the rise, up 33% in june, compared to this time last year. natalie, back to you. >> all right, melissa francis at the new york stock exchange, thank you. a big change today for the tallest building in the u.s. chicago's sears tower is officially becoming the willis tower after a london-based company got naming rights. and 45 years after he and the rest of the beatles made their u.s. debut at the ed sullivan theater, paul mccourtney put on a show there wednesday on top of the theater's marquee. a lot of people twisting and shouting out there.

he played seven songs, matt and erin, about a half hour's worth. surprised a lot of people outside. >> including the people trying to drive down broadway. >> were you there? >> i wasn't. but i was hearing the traffic reports all afternoon. it was just basically shut down. but anyway, that's a cool site, isn't it? natalie, thanks very much. mr. roker. you look great today. >> thanknk >> summary here today as well, with a lot more heat in the mid- atlantic. we will surge to 90 degrees before it is all over. slight chance of thunderstorms

today. chances of morning showers and that's your latest weather. erin? >> al, thank you. now to the fight brewing in washington over president obama's plan to revamp our country's health care system. on wednesday, with no republican support, a key senate committee approved a $600 billion reform plan. nbc's chief medical editor dr. nancy synderman sat down with the president on wednesday, talked to him about some of these issues, and good morning. >> hi, erin. he's made health care reform a top priority. as you know, president obama just got back from his overseas trip, and with that, he jumped in to health care reform re-energized and promising change. he began with a ceremony in the rose garden, and then sat down with me.

>> the american people have to recognize that there's no such thing as a free lunch, right? so we can't just provide care to everybody. that has no cost whatsoever. you don't end up having to make any decisions. >> the reality is the average american wants to order a la carte but wants to pay for the blue plate special. we like what we like. >> yes, i think it's true. but partly it's because of a lack of information. >> really? >> self-responsibility is going to be critical. every business out there is going to be looking at their health care bottom line. i was opposed to the idea of an individual mandate, that each person had to get health insurance like car insurance. >> but why? >> i changed my mind on this. because what i was persuaded of was that if we can phase this in so that we know there's affordable insurance out there, and, in fact, a lot of the uninsured are relatively young people who can be in short fairly cheaply, that that actually will drive down the costs for everybody. >> would you consider changing

your mind on taxing health care benefits so that everyone ponies up a little bit? >> i'm very worried about people who are reliant on existing insurance plans suddenly being told, you know what, you are going to have to change your insurance plan. even though you may have negotiated with your employer for that higher benefit. that's an out-of-pocket cost for you. >> and budget neutral. >> i think the best way to do it is to lower the itemized deductions for people who make a lot of money. like me. and if we do that, we can pay for it, and ultimately this will pay for itself. >> mr. president, i know you hate this, but it's the battle of the cigarettes going okay? i'd be remiss as a cancer surgeon not to ask how you're doing. >> i'm doing quite well, thank you. >> he hates that question. the white house is very aware that the clock is ticking. president obama has asked for legislation to be on his desk by the time of the august recess. that's just three weeks away,

and then, erin, as you know, when congress comes back for the fall, i think that's when you're going to start to see the battle over the specific. >> and one crucial question here, how they're going to pay for it. >> right. >> they said they're going to do that by taxing people who make over $350,000. they're going to pay a tax just for health care. >> 1% up to 5.4% for people who make over a million. >> what do you think about that? >> i have one issue with it. the issue is, i think if we talk about personal responsibility, and we all really have to sort of give somewhere, i think we have to talk about the fact that behavior is change. when we all have a invested interest. i have been, you know, out there saying that taxing health care benefits, to me, is more egalitarian. a lot of people say no. other things still on the table. taxing cigarettes higher. taxing sugary drinks. i think these are the specifics now we're going to start to figure out, because the money has to come from somewhere. if the president is really talking about a budget neutral plan over ten years, the money has to come from somewhere. that's going to be where the battle lines will be drawn.

>> someone has to pay for it, and i think we all know it will be a battle. >> you can't have everything for nothing. >> that's right. all right, now here's matt. >> all right, erin, thanks very much. now to president obama's secretary of state, hillary clinton. on wednesday, she delivered a wide-ranging address on foreign policy as political insiders raised questions about her role in the obama administration. nbc's chief foreign affairs correspondent andrea mitchell is at the state department with more on that. hi, andrea. >> hi, matt. clinton warned iran, in particular, that there's only so much time for it to accept the diplomatic offer that's on the table. this as part of that wide-ranging foreign policy, just as some observers were asking, where has she been? the secretary of state taking center stage, as her aides try to knock down talk that she's taken a back seat to the president's other foreign policy advisers. >> thank you. met with our inner agency team about what's happening in the camp. >> reporter: sidelined with the

staff, an observer while the president is in the rose garden with foreign leaders. tied up in latin america when the president is cementing his personal relationship with the king of saudi arabia. for the past month, clinton has also been nursing a broken elbow. >> i'll shake with my other hand. >> reporter: enduring painful surgery and rehabilitation. aides say that's why she was missing from the president's big trip to russia. white house and state department officials insist no one has a stronger voice than clinton in white house policy debate. and clinton strengthens her bond with the president by being a team player. still there are moments of obvious irritation with the white house, over the pace of presidential appointments to her team. maddeningly slow. >> the process, the clearance and vetting process is a nightmare. and it takes far longer than any of us would -- would want to see. it is frustrating beyond words. >> reporter: and sometimes she gets overruled. the president named one of his

big fund-raisers, john ruth to be ambassador to japan, instead of her choice of a foreign policy expert. and the white house refused to name longtime clinton confidant sidney blumenthal to a state department post. >> in spite of everyone being a team, in that team, people know who is an obama person, who is a clinton person. they're branded with an identity that is hard to shake off. so the loyalty question lingers, and there have been behind-the-scenes battles about is clinton getting all the clinton people? are obama people being foisted on her? >> now we are learning clinton leaves today for india. it will be her first foreign trip in more than a month. and at each stop she will make it very clear that she is carrying the president's foreign policy. not her own. matt? >> all right, andrea, thanks very much. andrea mitchell at the state department for us this morning. still ahead, some never-before-seen video of michael jackson's pepsi commercial accident that some say led him along the path to

prescription drug addiction. but first, this is "today" on nbc.

still ahead, a rash of crank calls are scaring hotelgoers. >> and the death of the world's oldest new mom. a single woman raising ethical questions about her decision to have children in the first place.

>> triple l. this is the bba ltv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. i am stand stovall. baltimore county police believe that someone on board a light rail train that struck two teenage boys may have witnessed the accident. they hope that footage will someone provide them with the witnesses information on. baltimore county police to go for the investigation of week it -- took over the investigation a week ago. he is described as a brown- skinned male in his elite teens and 20s.

-- late teens and early 20s. >> not too bad out there. dealing with some typical delays out of the white marsh area. also, the outer the west side, as you make were way from 795 towards liberty. if you are going to be heading out in the area of the mount royal cultural district, the disclosures in effect this weekend and will be throughout the weekend. you'll find closures along lombard because of the resurfacing project. watch for delays on the kfx southbound as you make your approach downtown into the area of fayette. 30 minutes on out of west side. -- 13 minutes on the outer loop west side. a live review switching over to the west side, it is a bit heavier.

>> it is a little hazy out there with a mix of sunshine and clouds. more she met and warm conditions today. 75 will be the warmest locations. in baltimore, calling for a high of 90 degrees with southwest winds. on the shores of ocean city, it looks like 83. seven-day forecast keep showers through saturday. >> ourú

we're back at 7:30 on a thursday morning, july 16th, 2009. you are looking at perhaps one of the most talked about moments in pop culture history. this is michael jackson's pepsi commercial shoot where something went terribly wrong and his hair caught fire. he suffered second and third degree burns to his face and scalp. i'm matt lauer alongside erin burnett, filling in while meredith is on assignment. that incident happened on january 27th, 1984 and a lot of people say that was the day that changed michael jackson's life forever. the never-before-seen video that you're looking at right now was obtained by "us weekly" magazine. we're going to have much more on that coming up in just a couple of minutes. it's frightening to watch. >> it is.

how he just kept going. also ahead a 66-year-old single woman shocked the world when she gave birth to twins nearly three years ago. now, the world's single -- the world's oldest new mother at the time raised questions about how old was too old to actually become a parent. she did die this weekend but her two young boys, now sadly orphans. so what happens to them? and was she wrong to have children at such an advanced age in the first place? that's a question a lot of people are asking. >> and that debate is going to heat up again because of her early death, no question about it. plus the crank calls that are terrifying hotel guests all across the country, coming in the middle of the night. >> but we want to begin with the video matt was talking about. newly released pictures of michael jackson, burned during a commercial shoot more than 25 years ago. nbc's jeff rossen has more. good morning, jeff. >> hi, erin, good morning to you. this may be the most stunning video ever taken of michael jackson. that infamous pepsi commercial from 1984. you mentioned we've been talking about it for 25 years. this morning, you'll see for the first time exactly what

happened, from the onset explosion to michael jackson's hair on fire. many say it was this accident that sparked an addiction to painkillers. it was michael jackson's final take of the pepsi commercial that changed everything. ♪ the shoot had been going smoothly, until take six. there was a flash onstage. the pyrotechnics exploded too early, and suddenly the king of pop was on fire, in this never-before-seen video you can see the flames shooting from his hair. >> my stark reaction when i saw this video is just the absolute shock. his hair is actually on fire for about eight seconds before anybody steps in to put it out. so he continues dancing, oblivious to the fact that his hair is alight. >> reporter: jackson kept performing for the cameras and the 3,000 fans there to watch. he was still smoking as people rushed to help. >> when he suddenly realizes that there is a fire, he puts

his sequinned white glove on top of his head and tries to put it out and people crowd around him. >> reporter: he looked shock, who wouldn't be, and if you slow the video down you can see his scalp, the hair singed off. it was january, 1984. michael jackson was at the height of his career. but this would become the watershed moment of his life. >> the fact that the pepsi commercial went wrong is almost -- it pinpoints, really, the beginning of the end, when everything started to go wrong. this is when he first became addicted to painkillers. he was prescribed demerol to get over this injury. >> reporter: "us weekly" magazine obtained the video and posted it online. to this day the jackson family blames the pepsi incident for many of michael's problems. jermaine jackson spoke with matt about it at neverland. >> i heard things about the prescription drugs when he had the pepsi burn. >> reporter: 25 years later, prescription drugs are at the center of his death investigation. jackson's doctors have turned

over medical records, including his dermatologist arnold klein and dr. conrad murray, who was with jackson at the time of his death. dr. murray is now in virtual hiding, though his lawyer denies dr. murray did anything wrong. his spokesperson tells nbc news he met with investigators twice. the final interview on june 27th, two days after jackson died, lasted three hours. they say he hasn't been served with subpoenas or search warrants. and that he's turned over all the documents requested. usc law professor jean rosenbluth said prosecutors have an opportunity here to send a message. >> when the whole world is watching, you've got a high profile victim, you get more bang for your buck if you go after the people who are criminally responsible in a situation like that. >> reporter: this morning perhaps a new sign that the criminal case is progressing. i spoke with the los angeles d.a.'s office, and they now confirm for nbc news prosecutors are in touch with investigators. they're talking. but they say even if there are

criminal charges, don't expect anything, erin, until we see the coroner's report. and that could happen by next week. >> all right, thank you very much. you know, everyone who is waiting avidly for the results of that. let's bring back nbc's chief medical editor dr. nancy synderman. we're going to show this video again, and what's most striking about it, perhaps, is that he keeps going. he doesn't even appear, and you can see, to actually realize his hair is on fire. >> right. >> you think he would be in a lot of pain. >> he wouldn't know his hair was on fire until it really hits his scalp. that's why you see him put his hand to his head. there's that close-up where you can see the scalp is red. that's the second and third degree burns which means it's gone through the real outside layer of the derma. >> so how long would it take for a scalp burn like that to heal? >> well, some of it will just heal, what we call by secondary intention. it will just scar in. but we also have reports that he required skin grafts, and some procedures. and that's where the idea of these medications being introduced comes in.

propofol and diprivan, which is the narcotic sedative that's used for outpatient procedures, that's sort of been implicated in some of these issues it is used for outpatient surgical procedures. it's not a pain medication. so he might have been given it at that time just to go through the procedures to take care of the healing. >> what's amazing when you look at that video is his brother jermaine was there and actually didn't realize this was happening either. matt spoke with jermaine at neverland and he said that's incident when he started to quote unquote hear things about prescription pain medications. if you had an injury like this, you would automatically have a pain medication? >> well it hurts like crazy. absolutely, pain management is any kind of burn treatment. and narcotics are still the best pain management. demerol it turns out is not a great medication to use for pain. but it could have been at the time of this, his doctors turned to demerol first. the problem is you have to give dig-time narcotics, take care of the intense, immediate pain in the first few days, and then

back off those medications gradually to pill form and regular old over-the-counter medications. >> are they always addictive? >> narcotics are always addictive. >> okay. >> so you have to look at the patient who's used them, how much they're gobbling them down, and you have to back off. because that window of oh, my gosh, i like this, it feels good, the pain isn't so bad, but now the medications are taking care of, you know, the emotional issues of my day, or making me not have to deal with reality. that's the gray area of using narcotics. but sometimes, if people we undermedicate them and other times obviously, we let people with money and too much access get too much. but to treat people appropriately with the bigtime medications, and then to dial them back as quickly as possible, that's what good doctors do. >> but, fair in your opinion to say this incident really could have been a turning point for him in his life? >> absolutely. i mean it is, in fact, this is when narcotics were introduced to mikele jackson.

then good doctors had to recognize, perhaps, this is an addictive personality here. prance the narcotics are no longer needed. let's go to simpler, over-the-counter medications. but could this have been a time when the bigger medications were introduced? absolutely. >> dr. nancy, thank you very much. >> you bet, erin. and now let's get another check of the day's weather forecast from mr. al. >> "today's weather" is brought

>> as for our weather, we are going to surge to 90 degrees today. 75 already downtown, 71 at the airport. it is going to be very warm and humid out there. slight chance of seeing the

we've got dueling mr. t. haircuts. what's your name? >> i'm jeremy. >> good to see you, bud. and if you want to check your weather and check your hair weather any time of the day or night go to the weather channel on cable, or weather.com online. mr. lauer? >> all right, mr. roker, thanks very much. now to a story that's raising a lot of questions about how old is too old to become a mom? over the weekend, a 69-year-old woman who at 66 became the world's oldest new mom, died in spain. our national correspondent amy robach has more on this. amy, good morning to you. >> matt, good morning. 2 1/2 years ago, maria busada gave birth to twin boys with the help of fertility treatment. now she has left behind two young orphans, and a lot of questions. maria dell carmen busada became the world's oldest mother after giving birth to twin boys, christian and pao in december 2006 at a hospital in barcelona. she was 67 at the time. to get pregnant, busada flew

from spain to los angeles for fertility treatments at the pacific fertility center. she lied, telling doctors she was only 55 years old. the clinic paid for in vitro fertilization. her specialist at the time. >> she came to see me seeking help to have a child. she filled in all the documents and every proof was that she was 55 years old. and i did not know her age until after she gave birth to the twins. >> reporter: her true age, a concern. >> i would not treat single woman at 67 regardless of the conditions. >> reporter: in an interview last year with news of the world, busada explained that like many women, she always wanted to be a mother. saying often circumstances put you between a rock and a hard place, and maybe things shouldn't have been done in the way they were done. but that was the only way to achieve the thing i had always dreamed of. busada was counting on a long life with christian and pao. her mother lived to be 101 years

old. but it was not to be. she paved the way for two senior moms to push the age limits even further. last year in india, 72-year-old amkara pamwar gave birth to twins and 70-year-old radja deba had a daughter. entering motherhood at a time when most women are grandmothers. begging the question, is there a point when a woman is too old to have a baby? >> i don't think we have a ethics czar to decide what's ethical and what's not about how old someone should or shouldn't be before they have a baby. >> reporter: but many fertility doctors draw the line at age 55. in part because of worries about the children. worries that sadly came true for christian and pao. >> there are a lot of social issues. what about, what if you die, what happens to these babies, and what are your plans? because you need to think about your age as a potential problem. although any woman at any age having a baby, that's a problem that you can't take away. >> reporter: reports indicate that busada died of stomach

cancer and the children are now reportedly with her brother in spain. matt? >> we have to remember, she was 66 at the time, but she told people she was 55. >> 55. >> so a lot of problems there. amy, thank you very much. still ahead, the life-changing surgery, the first person in the u.s. received a double hand transplant. he'll join us live exclusively. but up next, the crank calls that just might turn tragic some day. a warning for anyone who stays in hotels right after this.

back now at 7:45. imagine you and your family are on vacation in a hotel room somewhere. suddenly, a call comes in saying you're in danger. as nbc's kerry sanders will tell us, you can't always believe what you hear, and kerry, this is a really frightening story. >> reporter: it is. imagine, now, this is, well the phone is ringing and you're kind of groggy, you're just waking up, calls seem to come right before you wake up, you answer the phone and on the other end it's somebody who claims to be the manager of the hotel and they tell you a story that there's a gas leak in the building and you have to take action. this is where it really turns ugly. they say get something and begin smashing the window, and so folks are actually smashing the

window. and how convincing is this? well, one of the people who fell for this prank was a deputy. that's right. a law enforcement officer who was on vacation with his family. the trail of damage at hotels runs from florida to arkansas to nebraska, to california. victims say the prank calls seemed so believable. >> we have a major gas leak occurring in the hotel. >> the pranksters are so brazen some have posted their calls on the internet. >> you need to break a window, ma'am. >> reporter: in this fake emergency call the guest is suspicious there's a gas leak but after someone else joins the call, it all seems so real. >> you're serious about this, right? >> we're serious, ma'am. >> i'm the general manager and we're verifying that it is a serious gas leak, and we do at this time need you to break that window so that you can get some air in. >> i'm overlooking the pool. you know that? >> that's fine.

we're not worried about anything but your safety at this time. >> reporter: as the guest tries to smash the window open with an iron, the callers, who don't sound like teenagers, stay on the line. >> get away lady. you don't want to get hurt. >> she's on a mission. >> front desk told me to do it, get away. >> reporter: police say the ringing phone scam usually comes when a guest is asleep, groggy, when street wits seemingly are not sharp. that was the case with the deputy in orlando. >> there's a guy on the second floor of a hotel. hotels can be pretty high up. he breaks the window, being told to throw the mattress out. imagine if he was on the 10th, 15th, 20th floor and that's the only way out. >> reporter: in another variation of the prank, guests were told to pull fire alarms, or smash sprinklers, setting them off. eleanor brown, also a hotel guest, didn't know what was going on. >> i just heard the man in the room next to me where it all happened yell.

>> reporter: hotel managers called police after his hotel was targeted. >> someone called this hotel and convinced one of our guests to bust out the window. >> okay. >> throw the mattresses down stairs. >> we weren't the first hotel targeted. i'm supposedly not going to be the last hotel targeted, you know. >> reporter: police say their biggest fear now is someone is going to get hurt. in the case of the deputy who was here with his family. he smashed the windows, he threw the mattresses out the window, and he was getting ready to toss his children outside, erin. >> oh, wow. that is a horrible story. kerry, at least hopefully a lot of people now will be more aware after seeing it. thank you so much. and still ahead, amazing grace. we are finally going to meet the mule who can literally do almost anything. she doesn't appear to be nervous at all about being here. we'll be right back. but first these messages.

so we've come outside to hang out with a real mule. this is grace. and grace is going to wow and amaze you after these messages and your local news.

>> live, local, latebreaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. i am stan stovall. time for a check of the morning commute with sarah caldwell. >> new problem on the northbound j.f.x. with an accident and heavy delays as a result. watch for the delays to get worse as you get back into the city. southbound j.f.x., still not doing all the bad. artscape closures in the mount royal district. southbound 795, and sat on 95

out of the white marsh area. biggest delay is 13 minutes on the outer loop down to 795. here's a live view of traffic to the white marsh area. just a minor delays heading to the beltway northeast. that is the latest on traffic pulse 11. >> we are looking at the advance of a front on hd doppler. little spotty activity to our north. the storage drums are to our west and memphis, tennessee. strums isolated and nature throughout the day. 90 degrees at b.w.i. marshall. typical july whether infiltrates finally. still pretty humid. another area of pressure it spreads through here in the evening. another reenforcing find it

spenders and gives us another chance of showers and storms. >> you can check the bottom of your screen for updated news and traffic information. our next live update, endicott 25. 25.

we're back now at 8:00 on a thursday morning. it's the 16th day of july, 2009. let's just stop for a second and take a gander at some of the nice people who have joined us on the plaza this morning. a pretty nice day here, although i think it's going to go downhill rather quickly. by the way, these people here stick around for 24 hours, they're in for a great concert tomorrow morning on today. we've got the all-american rejects out in our plaza in the 8:30 half hour putting on a good show. if you're in the area come on down and check it out. meanwhile on the plaza today i'm matt lauer along with erin burnett. erin is nice enough to fill in

while meredith is on assignment. mr. roker joins us, as well. you're about to introduce us to a guy who i think most people are going to find very inspiring. >> truly is. used to talk about liking to hold his wife's hand, his child's hand and then something happened to him. he ended up with a very bad infection. lost his hands and logs his legs. now jeff kepner recently became the first person to get a double hand transplant in the united states. and what's incredible is it's partially because of something that happened here on "today." we're going to be speaking with jeff, his wife and the surgeon in just a couple of moments. >> look forward to that. and also ahead, if you're going to be summering out, don't worry, because, in fact, some people like going out to get the mail on a beautiful day like this, well, don't worry, we've got somebody who can do that for you. >> oh, right, we do. >> somebody? >> someone. a young lady named grace, the mule. >> and a segment right up our alley. that was the barricade there. we're gadget guys. >> yes, we are.

>> we've got some great gadgets for people traveling this summer. we're going to probably own two or three of these things after this segment. >> the disposable instant grill. >> you've got to have two or three of those. before we get to that, ann is also on assignment, natalie is at the news desk. >> good morning, matt, erin and al. an eighth person is now under arrest in the murders of melanie and byrd billings, the florida couple who are parents to 17 children. police say pamela long wiggins is a real estate agent who rented a home to one of the suspects charged in the murders, and this morning on "today," the escambia county sheriff told matt, wiggins helped investigators recover evidence, and they pinned down the main motive. >> the primary motive, matt, was robbery. i will confirm that for you this morning. that was the primary motive. there are other motives that we know will come out, especially during the prosecutorial phase when you get to cover the trial. again, as with most everything in this case, it's going to be a shock and a surprise to just

about anyone that reads this case and follows it. >> and the sheriff also said there are potentially two more persons of interest in this case. at least two house committees are voting today on a $1.5 trillion plan to reform the nation's health care system. president obama touted the legislation at the white house wednesday. the same day a senate health committee gave its approval to a less expensive measure. the president wants congress to pass the bill before the august break. a 35-year-old driver was shot and killed by police outside capitol hill wednesday. police say the man drove away erratically after a routine traffic stop, and then began firing at police. crews worked through the night to contain a fiery explosion last night on a highway near detroit. a gas tanker exploded on interstate 75 sending flames shooting hundreds of feet into the air. the blast caused part of an overpass to collapse. the tanker driver and two others were injured. and a semi trailer truck carrying scrap metal overturned on a portland, oregon, bridge wednesday. causing its load to come

crashing down on the vehicle next to it. police believe the truck driver may have hit a curb. amazingly, everyone is okay. it is now 8:04. you're up to date right now. let's get another check of the weather from mr. roker. >> "today's weather" is brought to you by astrazeneca, learn more about plaque buildup in arteries, visit athero.com today. >> and good morning, got a lot of folks here from the naacp. 100th anniversary. brohm is addressing you guys today. >> correct. we are celebrating our 100th anniversary and we are

>> we are done with our break from the humidity. it is making a comeback and will persist throughout the week ended up to 90 at the airport. another shot of showers tomorrow on l and that's your latest weather. mr. lauer? >> all right, mr. roker. thank you very much. when we come back, we'll reveal this morning's choices for the nominations for the 61st annual

prime-time emmy awards. but up next, the first man to receive a double hand transplant in the united states. he'll join us exclusively here right after these messages. while i was building my life, my high cholesterol was contributing to plaque buildup in my arteries. that's why my doctor prescribed crestor. she said plaque buildup in arteries is a real reason to lower cholesterol. and that along with diet, crestor does more than lower bad cholesterol, it raises good. crestor is also proven to slow the buildup of plaque in arteries. crestor isn't for everyone, like people with liver disease, or women who are nursing, pregnant, or may become pregnant. simple blood tests will check for liver problems. you should tell your doctor about other medicines you are taking, or if you have muscle pain or weakness. that could be a sign of serious side effects. while you've been building your life, plaque may have been building in your arteries. find out more about slowing the buildup of plaque at crestor.com.

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back now at 10 past the hour. jeff kepner loves life. he played softball, took lessons to become a pastry chef, and was always playing with his young daughter and holding his wife's hand. things that seemed rather simple. but then a serious illness struck, and that's where natalie picks up the story. >> that's right, erin. things took a turn for the worse for jeff when a bacterial infection took hold in his limbs, forcing doctors to amputate both his legs and his hands. prosthetics helped but life was a daily struggle. then earlier this year, jeff became the first person to receive a double hand transplant in 9 united states. for much of the past decade, jeff kepner lived without hands and feet. his wife valarie helping him with even the simplest everyday

tasks. but kepner's fate changed when his wife saw a segment on hand transplants last fall here on today. >> how do you qualify? >> we think that hand transplants can greatly improve or even transform a patients life, it's very important that candidates go through a rigorous screening process. >> reporter: valarie was so excited about the possibility of new hands for her husband, she called university of pittsburgh medical center before even telling jeff what she'd seen. >> the thought of him having independence again, not having to rely on me or to be on my schedule. >> reporter: her husband's greatest hope, that he might be able to touch, to feel again. >> hey, what have i got to lose? if this works, if i get my hands and my feeling. feeling is the biggest part. >> reporter: on may 4th, jeff received a double transtransplant, the first ever in the united states. doctors spent nine hours attaching his bones, tendons, nerves and veins to the new hands. >> we also expect he would have movement in his hands, to be

able to do grip and grasp. >> reporter: the hope now, that the nerves in jeff's hands continue to grow, to give him a little of what he lost. >> this would be great. you know. i'll cook again. you know, i'll take my own shower, won't have to wait for her to get me up. i'd sure like to hold my daughter's hand and wife's hand, and vice versa. >> and eight double hand transplants have been performed abroad. and in a study of some of those recipients in france doctors found the nervous system begins to regenerate nerves at the rate of about one millimeter a day and over a period of months control and sensation returns to the patient and the hands begin to act and feel like their own appendages. erin? >> it seems like a miracle. natalie, thank you. and jeff, his wife valarie and dr. andrew lee, chief of plastic surgery at the university of pittsburgh medical center are with us this morning. good morning to all of you. a story that is perhaps inspiring many watching just to watch you, jeff, and what you've gone through.

what -- how do you feel right now? and can you feel? >> well, i feel a little nervous. but no, i cannot feel just yet. can't feel anything yet. >> can you move your hands at all yet? >> yes, i can wiggle my fingers, if you could see that. with both hands. >> we can see it. >> it's getting there. yes. >> and doctor lee, how long will it take for jeff to be able to fully move, to be able to feel his wife's hand, or to feel the sensation of temperature? >> well, nerves regenerate at about a rate of an inch per month. we anticipate it will be nine to twelve months before jeff will get feelings in his hands, and at least one to two years before he will have all the movement in his hands. >> so, jeff, as you think about that, what are some of the things that you want to do first?

>> well, the first thing i want to do, you've mentioned it, was to hold my wife's hand, hold my daughter's hand, and cook again. it sounds silly, but those are some of the things i'm anxious to get back to. >> i guess you don't realize what you don't have -- or you miss what you have until you miss it. valarie, you were actually the one who got this idea to try to do the hand transplant, and you started to look into it. before you even told jeff, right? >> right, that's correct, i did. i had seen a segment on the "today" show with dr. lee, and had just pulled up the information on the upmc website. so i just gave him a call and tried to find out information about it. >> and what are your hopes, valarie? >> i'm just hoping and praying for just independence for jeff again. as we said before, just not having to rely on me, and having to be on his own schedule and to do the things that he wants to

do, and when he wants to do them, on his own timetable. >> doctor lee, where do we go from here? i mean, this seems like a miracle. the first time this has been done in the united states. first hands, then what is next? i mean, we look at jeff and his situation. i mean, could we have legs for people and feet? what is next? >> well, i think a lot of research is still necessary before we do a leg transplant. but that's clearly a possibility for the future. one of the major obstacles for transplant, whether it's a hand or leg, is the amount of anti-rejection medication the patient has to take, which can cause harmful side effects. we have a protocol that we're using on jeff that is designed to minimize the amount of anti-rejection medication. in contrast to the typical triple drug regiment for many transplant recipients, jeff is currently taking just one drug. of course, it's still too early to declare a protocol a success.

>> and jeff, what about your daughter? what does she say? >> she's anxious to get her dad back. and she is -- one of the first things she said was, oh, boy, he can cook again. so she'll be anxious. >> cooking appears to be a wonderful thing. dr. lee, final word to you. many people want to make a difference and not everyone is an organ donor, as an example, but if somebody wanted in their life, or when their life ends, to make a difference like jeff, what can we do to make sure that some part of us could go to somebody who needs it? >> well, just like organ donation, i think people should think about donation of other body parts such as hand or face, because jeff is a good example of how donation of hand can truly change his life and his family's lives. >> jeff, valarie, dr. andrew lee, thanks so much to all of you. inspirational story, i know for me and i'm sure for many people watching. for more information on jeff's

story logon to resources.todayshow.com. and up next, matt and al's segment. they're very excited about this one. the gadgets you can't afford to leave home when you head off on your next road trip. including that disposable grill, and does the dog come, too? but first, these messages. the great taste of cranberries, naturally energizing green tea, and b vitamins. it's a "good for you" kind of energy that helps you get stuff done. and when your days look like this... you need all the help you can... get. hey, your wednesday just opened up. now 40% more cranergy for your money. look for our bigger bottle in the juice aisle. or the worry my pipes might leak... compromise what i like to do... like hunting for bargains, not always bathrooms. i take care with vesicare.

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"today's" travel on the road is brought to you by goodyear. get there on new fuel max tires. ♪ on the road again >> and this morning on "today's travel on the road" don't leave home without them. we're talking travel gadgets here that are going to make life a lot easier during that next summer road trip. the travel reporter for a travel reporter for "usa today," ben, good to see you. good morning. >> good morning. >> you've gathered some great products here. are you looking for anything in particular, are they unique or just convenient, what? >> a combination of things that are both convenient and unique this year. our reporters worldwide are

joining us for a story in tomorrow's paper and she's are some of the gadgets that are new to the market that can help us for travel road trips. >> except for one product we're going to show at the end these are all fairly affordable. which is also nice. >> the price of most things range from $2 to $75, $80. and they're all pretty easy to pack. >> let's start right off the bat. i can't cook but i can grill. i think a lot of guys feel that way. this is, i can't believe somebody hasn't come up with this before. this is everything you need to grill right in this package right here. except the food. >> exactly. and when you're taking a road trip, you don't think to take the grill with you. not something that's easily portable. with this it is. disposable after one-time use. you can set probably about four burgers, two steaks on here. one match to light and will run for about 90 minutes. >> have you guys tested this? does this really work, holds up and things like that? >> it does really work. can be a little messy. make sure you're in a good spot, but it does work. >> don't put this on a blanket or something else that's not resistant to heat. >> exactly.

>> did you mention a price? >> that goes for about $20 for a pack of two. >> okay, pack of two. not bad. >> the next thing is great for kid. this is basically ail picnic in a box. >> exactly. this is great if you're in a car on a road trip. these will help kids, you know, to keep them from getting hungry and grouchy in the car. and they range from $2 to $7 basically. and they're great for people with dietary concerns. >> a variety of them? >> a variety. whether it's gluten free, kosher, peanut free, basically almost any variety you can imagine. >> what's the price? >> they start at $2.99 and go up to $6.99. >> what would the shelf life -- >> they don't need to be refrigerated. everything is sealed or preserved. so i wouldn't keep them in your car for two or three years but over the course of the summer they should hold up pretty well. >> i like that not refrigerated thing. this little device, this is basically a way to never get lost. it's a gps device. >> this is great for people with bad sense of direction. it only works outdoors but of

course it's summer. when you leave your destination, you set it to remember your destination, program the gps coordinates into the bushnell gps back tracker. go off into the park or hiking or the beach and if you can't remember where you parked your car from the beach or how to get back from hiking, you reset it. >> it's always taking you back to the place you left. this is not going to help you find the destination you've never been to. >> think of it has a high-tech compass. >> it's like leaving bread crumbs. >> exactly. >> and what was the price on this? >> that goes for about $73. >> okay, great. this looks like a pillow. it's actually this blanket. this is all part of this hotel chain idea where they're actually offering retail products? >> exactly. it's the westin heavenly bed duvet. they roll this out outside the hotel, it was offered in certain flights in first and business class. westin said this has become so popular they decided to market it. >> it's a full-size duvet. >> believe it or not it folds up into that. there's a little hidden pocket in the back of the blanket.

>> so it's a pillow. >> okay, this is boomer down here. hey, boomer, how are you? this is a pet of joey cole one of our producers. here's here to help us show this. >> right. this is the dog carrying case. it is the dog to go chow pal kit. and you have a bowl here. two stainless steel bowls. one for food, one for water. and there is a spill mat. to keep the mess minimum. underneath here, you have a storage kit for two containers of food, and extra water, and it fits in this case. for example you could have all of your food prepackaged in the thing, ready to go on a moment's notice. >> and finally this is a little more elaborate. this is like a flexible flyer on steroids. what is this. >> it's called the shade wagon. when the umbrella is completely up it's just like a big beach umbrella you would see at the beach. it's a very sturdy wagon. carries 800 pounds. great for cargo, all-terrain tires, go on sand or dirt.

holds down, seating for two, and even a speaker in front for your ipod or emmmp3 player. >> school stuff. great idea. you can read more of these products in tomorrow's edition of "usa today." say hi to a guy now who loves to travel, mr. willard scott. willard, good morning. >> good morning, matt. isn't that mice? >> it is nice. >> and he spoke to you and me and we're together. >> we know him. >> we know him. look at our friend over here. >> grace. >> you are so sweet. what's your ratings going to be for next week? >> i think she likes you. >> uh-oh. >> getting a little frisky there. >> all right. >> you stay away from her. >> okay. >> are we ready? >> let's roll the smucker's jar. >> you fox. margaret kohla of jacksonville beach, florida. 100 years old. taught preschool on live television. >> how cool. >> that was a long time ago back in the '60s. remember ding dong? >> that's right. she was known as manatee marge. >> because she swims like a

manatee. ding dong school was a great tv show on nbc. >> willard hayden. pasadena, california. retired insurance broker, loved lawn bowling and golf, a proud award winning photographer. >> i know why they call them grocers now. and hallie mae barnes. >> 10. loves all types of flowers, especially roses. loves to spend time with the family and friends. >> lloyd mostrom. >> secret to longevity is savoring the moment. 30 steps to get into the house. we've got to get moving here. only 30 seconds. >> okay, tullis hostetter. >> albany, new york, 103. her third try trying to get on. >> and beautiful florence shapiro. >> 101, volunteers at the cancer institute. hit the dance floor recently. all right, uncle willie, thank you so much. guys?

>> good morning. i am mindy basara. baltimore county police believe someone on board a light rail train that struck two teenage boys may have witnessed the accident. the hope that surveillance footage will provide them with the witnesses' information. police are releasing few details as to why the location of for the witnesses were sitting is importantly is described as a brown skin a male in his late teens to early 20s. if you have any information, call baltimore county police. let's get a final check on the morning commute with sarah caldwell. >> we are starting off with problems on a northbound 95. in cecil county, you could see we have an accident in the area

of northeast. only the shoulder is squeezing by. lots of activity as they try to clear several vehicles involved with the accident. switching over to a lot to view of traffic on the west side, not too bad. we have another problem spots to tell you about. and accident blocking t. a bureau right lanes here. the vehicle fire at bel air and frankford. 12 minutes on the northeast outer loop, 30 minutes on the outer loop west side. that is the latest on traffic pulse 11. >> weather-wise, it is going to be a hot one today. we are welcoming back the humidity. 77 downtown, 75 at the airport. 90 degrees at the airport. a slight chance of pop thunderstorms. better chance of more organized storms, scattered friday

tomorrow evening. >> we will have another update at 8:55. g $úi@wú" l d@w@z l@'ú$ú'@s @@@

we're back at 8:30 now on a thursday morning. 15th day of july, 2009. a few showers in our forecast later today in new york city. doesn't seem to bother all these nice people, like the ones from michigan state and other places gathered on the plaza. we're happy they're here. i'm matt lauer, erin burnett is here while meredith is on assignment. natalie is here while ann is on assignment. mr. roker -- >> i'm not on assignment. i just love being here. >> coming up we're going to find out if your favorite stars and shows are on the list. we're talking about the

nominations for the 61st annual prime-time emmy awards. we're going to have full coverage of this morning's announcement coming up in just a couple of minutes. >> plus she has now donned her painting outfit. >> ooh. >> inspire her. great. >> okay. >> look at this. she's painting. >> good girl. >> oh. >> she's getting the brush on. actually that's the scarf ann was wearing the other day. >> good girl. good girl. >> i like that painting that you all did. >> with more talent. >> grace has more talent? >> uh-huh. >> oh. >> i remember that. >> yes. >> what else is happening? >> also coming up a little bit later we're going to have more on that frightening video that has surfaced now, 25 years later after michael jackson was in the pepsi commercial. you see the fire there, on top of his scalp. so we're going to talk to us

weekly on how they got this video and also what it may shed some light on. >> every time you look at it, it almost seems like a stunt. >> yeah. >> a stunt gone wrong. >> let's get a check of the >> we are going to surge to a high of 90 degrees today. winds out of the southwest at 12 miles per hour. the low eighties around the beaches of ocean city. as far as the weekend forecast, as far as the weekend forecast, we are going to

and any time you need your weather 24/7 go to the weather channel on cable or weather.com online. what are you guys doing today? >> we're here for the anniversary. >> from florida? >> from florida. all right, florida. and you've got a graduation present here. what's your name? >> olivia. >> graduated from where? >> westville high school in minnesota. >> where are you going to school? >> miami university in ohio. >> congratulations. >> thank you. >> now let's head over to erin. >> all right, al, thank you. a new movie is out called "the hurt locker." it's in select cities. it takes place in war-torn baghdad and our gene shalit said it is one of the year's best movies. >> good morning and welcome to the critic's corner. memorize this name.

"the hurt locker." boldly written, percussively performed and directed with a stark power. "the hurt locker" is a candidate for film of the year. a drama camaraderie, daring, suspense, at the very highest level. >> welcome to camp vic. >> camp victory. >> i thought this was camp liberty. >> oh, no they changed that about a week ago. victory sounds better. >> flee elite soldiers volunteer as a unit to discover, uncover, and disable bombs. some concealed in cars. >> oh, god. >> others shrouded in the lethal streets of baghdad. or bagday. >> oh, boy. >> we're going on a mission and my job is to keep you safe so we can keep going on missions. >> anthony mackey, sergeant, intelligent, sharp-witted and war wise. >> he's going to get me killed. >> brian garity, special iz,

uneasy. >> you're a wild man. >> jeremy renner, hotshot bomb defuser. wildly fearless. >> what's the best way to go about disarming one of these things? >> the way you and i, sir. >> think about what wire to cut, one slip of the snip, and it's a shortcut to eternity. >> that wasn't so bad first time working to the. >> renner is a fusion of daring and bravado in a prodigious performance. >> this locker is full of stuff that almost killed me. >> what about this one? >> my wedding ring. like i said, stuff that almost killed me. >> and this movie is no view from afar. you're attached to these three. you know them. you're beside them. you're often beside yourself with anxiety. either on a treacherous rooftop, or in the street, or dodging death in the desert. >> got it!

>> we're on the same side, guys. >> "the hurt locker" directed by kathryn bigelow and vividly written by mark bohl, who was there, is a superlative movie. a movie i will remember. and remember. >> that was good. >> and that's the critic's corner of "the hurt locker" for today. >> up next, from a great movie to the best on television. the emmy award nominations are next. first this is "today" on nbc. hmmm... well... naaa... yeah!

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right now get $50 off any blackberry like the all-new blackberry tour. well, the prime-time emmy nominations will be handed out in hollywood in just a moment, honoring the very best in television in the past year. here with a quick preview is ebb tainment weekly's dave parker. david, good morning. got your cheat sheet in hand. what are the trends?

handicap the field for me? >> i think like last year, "mad men" and "30 rock" really dominated the drama and comedy categories respectively. i think it's going to happen again because they both had such great seasons this year. you'll definitely see tina fey and alec baldwin, and because they added a sixth nomination slot to ten of the main races this year i'm curious to see who benefits from that. maybe someone like amy poehler for "parks and recreation." maybe toni collette. some people could get their first nominations because of that extra slot. >> how does it work this year? you know, it used to be that critics would vote. but now everybody gets to vote? >> it used to be panels of academy members that would narrow the field down and then the whole body would vote. this time it was more of a popular vote amongst the tv industry. >> does that make it sound more like the golden globes or something like that? >> i think it makes it sound a little more democratic actually. hopefully it might have some new faces in there. >> all right. six nominees in some of the

major categories. that makes the actual awards show longer, too. >> if they show clips, yes. >> right now to the golden theater located in north hollywood, and we're about to get the nominations, this time prime-time emmys. >> good morning. i'm john chaffer in chairman of the board of the academy of television arts and sciences and it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 61st prime-time emmy awards announcements. joining me this morning to present the nominations are two wonderfully talented actors, chandra wilson who currently stars in the abc series "grey's anatomy" and jim parson who stars in the cbs series "the big bang theory." shand ra, jim, thank you both so much for joining us. you know, i understand that both of your careers started in houston, texas. >> yes. that's true. >> but i want to say we're

really glad that you're here in hollywood. >> well, thank you. >> thank you. >> continue. >> very good. >> all right, thank you, john. >> and good morning, everybody. >> chandra, dadelies first. >> the nominations in the drama series category are -- "big love," "breaking bad " "damages". "dexter." "house." "lost." and "mad men." >> the nominations for lead actress in a drama series are -- sally field, "brothers and sisters." sierra sedgwick "the closer." glenn close "damages." mariska hafrg toy "law and order special victims unit kwthsd. elizabeth moss "mad men" and holly hunter "saving grace." >> the nominees for lead actor in a drama series are -- brian transton "breaking bad." michael c. hall "dexter." hugh laurie "house."

gabriel byrne in "treatment." jan hamm "mad men." and simon baker "the mentalist." >> the made for television movie nominations are -- cocoa chanel. "gray gardens." "into the storm." "prayers for bobby." and "taking chance." >> the nominees for the mini series category are -- "generation kill." "and little dorrit." >> the nominees for lead actress in a mini series or movie are -- shirley mcloin cocoa chanel. drew barrymore gray gardens. jessica lange gray gordons. sigourney weaver prayers for bobby. and chandra wilson, accidental friendship. >> hello! >> that was not on there. that's new. >> okay. going to the party. nominees for lead actor in a mini series or a movie are --

kevin kline, cyrano de bergerac great performances. brendan gleason, into the storm. sir ian mckellen, king lear, great performances. kevin bacon, taking chance. kiefer sutherland, 24 redemption. and kenneth branagh, wallener, one step behind. >> here are this year's nominees for reality competition program. "the amazing race." "american idol," "dancing with the stars," "project runway." and "top chef." >> and here's a category that hasn't been announced on this broadcast before, outstanding variety, music or comedy series. and the nominees are -- "the colbert report." "the daily show with jon stewart." "late show with david letterman." "realtime with bill maher" and "saturday night live." >> the nominees for lead actress in a comedy series are -- julia louis-dreyfus "the new adventures of old christine."

christina apple gate "samantha who." sarah silverman, "the sarah silverman program." tina fey, "30 rock." toni collette, united states of tara. and mary louis parker, weeds. >> for lead actor in a comedy series the nominees are -- jermaine prelim at, flight of the concords. tony shalhoub, "monk." steve carril "the office." alex baldwin, "30 rock." sharely sheen, "two and a half men" and jim parsons "the big bang theory." >> no. >> that was not on there, either. >> they're messing with us. >> this is a trick fest. well, chandra, back to the prompter. let's complete the emmy announcements by bringing back john to announce our final category. >> congratulations. >> thank you. you're a very tricky man. >> look at our hands, shaking. >> hello again. the nominations in the comedy series category are -- "entourage." "family guy." "flight of the concords."

"how i met your mother." "the office." "30 rock." "and weeds." >> chandra, jim, you have been great hosts this morning, and it is completely coincidental that you have both been nominated. chandra i have even more good news for you, you have also been nominated in the supporting actress category for your performance on "grey's anatomy." >> okay. >> so i cannot tell you. i wish i could -- you know, it's inappropriate to say how surprised we were that you were both nominated, but how thrilled we are, too. so thank you very much. >> so much. >> you both deserve that. >> thank you. >> here's a complete list of all the emmy nominees on our website, emmys.com. but be sure to join us on september 20th -- >> that concludes the announcement. first of all, we have like 35 nominees in some of these categories. >> i'm just getting a participation trophy. >> but seven in a couple of the

categories. >> i mean understand maybe wanting to add a sixth slotd, but then to add seven, seems like they're pushing it. >> you said you wanted to talk about comedy series. >> the fact that they did seven. four of which have never been nominated before. "flight of the concords." "weeds," "how i met your mother," and "family guy" which becomes the first animated series to be nominated in this category since the flient stones in 19161. >> a couple people surprised you because they were not included. >> kiefer sutherland i was expecting would get nominated for $24." because he's been nominated every single year that the show has been eligible. and he wasn't nominated this year. you know, in favor of some very strong people like gabriel byrne and the newcomer here was simon baker for "the mentalist" which is a big, popular show. >> on your cheat sheet i give you a grade of about a-minus. >> really? that's charitable. >> i appreciate it. >> good to see you. thanks very much. up next a real bell ringer. amazing grace. the mule that does it all.

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if you think that mules are simple, stubborn animals, you have obviously never met grace. she paints, plays basketball, stars in movies and a lot more. and leave it to our own jill rappaport, a major animal lover, to bring her to us. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> have her give you a little kiss. >> grace? >> how about -- >> here we go. >> give her your hand. >> grace, here. >> come on. >> good girl. >> don't bite the hand that feeds me. okay. anyway, i went deep into the heart of the shand till la valley to find her and all i can say when i discovered this big gal is, amazing!

♪ amazing grace >> reporter: we've all heard the song. but let me introduce you to a truly amazing grace. >> big smile. yeah, good girl. good girl. that's a good girl. in this competition in north carolina called the american idol for horses. so i called the guy up, said i don't have a horse, i have a mule. >> reporter: and check out the unbelievable things this mule can do. ♪ >> she can ring a bell. she can play basketball. and get mail out of a mailbox. she can paint. >> reporter: one painting auctioned off for charity even went to $1,000. which was music to my free loader ears. yes, i love you. yes. they say that mules are exceptionally intelligent ani l animals to begin with. but what you've taught her is truly amazing. >> when i first laid eyes on her, i thought there was something special about her. she got a bond. give me a hug. good job.

♪ baby you are the world >> reporter: and now the world will learn what her owner has always known, that grace is a true star. so, of course, hollywood has come calling. she will soon make her big screen debut, alongside oscar winner robert duvall in an indy film called "get low." >> good girl. give me a kiss. give me a kiss. oh, good girl. good girl. >> reporter: didn't they ever teach your in your career not to work with children or animals, that they'll upstage you? >> but you learn from animals to be more natural. to be more real. >> reporter: you don't mind that she is stealing the movie? >> when you do a western you have to find the right horse. and here we found the right mule. >> reporter: i don't want to say anything. >> oh! >> reporter: she's currently upstaging you right now. >> she did that on cue. and cut! >> reporter: but celebrity aside, grace's owner always has her best interests at heart. especially now, knowing that she could become the next "it" girl. >> her safety and her love is going to come first.

>> reporter: not to say that grace is part of the family is an understatement. don't adjust your tvs. that really is her behind the bar. gracie, i'm a little thirsty. you got any water? >> give it to me. good girl. get the money. get the money. give it to daddy. >> you're a little cheap. a dollar tip, that's it? >> i got it from you. >> reporter: and nothing like a shameful plug for my book. i brought you the perfect book to read. your favorite story, grace. give your co-star a kiss. >> good girl. oh. >> good girl. >> reporter: oh, yes a hug. good girl. give me a hug. give him a hug. >> she's been moving around rather quickly during the piece there. almost took us all out. >> steve, i know you love mules. you've got several of them now. you spent 20 years, 30 years training them. >> yes. >> could she do something? how old is she?

could she tell us? >> how old are you grace? one, two, three, four. that's right. what's two times four. one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. that's right. >> she's fantastic. thank you for bringing grace to the plaza. we really appreciate it. >> you're welcome. >> and beautiful. >> great pedicure. when we come back, scenes from yesterday's wedding.

she told me on the way in what she really wants to do is direct. she wants to direct. she's cool. i like grace. >> there's a spot open here, right? >> oh! >> no! i didn't say that. scenes from yesterday's wedding after these messages and your local news and weather. >> live, local, latebreaking. this is wbal-tv 11 news today in baltimore. >> good morning. i am mindy basara. it was of violent night in

baltimore county as police were called to the scene of two separate shootings that left four people wounded. police were called to investigate the scene of a double shooting. two men were found on the scene, one was shot in the chest and was rushed to shock trauma. an hour earlier, police were looking for suspects in a double shooting in essex. one victim was found in an apartment building in there. the other in a car not far from the the scene.

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will maintain the chance of a shower and storm. low pressure will line up along that and generate a bentley some showers and storms in the evening. more showers and storms and cloudy, partly cloudy by sunday and 81. >> we will have another update at 9:25.