good morning. gaining ground. islamic militants capturing more in iraq as they send out a call. this morning, american forces are on the ground in iraq working with the country's military. could the u.s. get drawn in deeper? we are live. how could it happen? top officials for the center of disease control talking about the procedure that exposed more than 80 employees to anthrax. having a ball. fans eagerly anticipating the world cup match up against portugal. could the team of underdogs make it to the next round? we have a preview. eye of the beholder. the top dog is not the fastest,

not the smartest, definitely not the cutest, just the most unattractive. we reveal the ugliest dog competition today, saturday, june 21st, 2014. announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with lester holt and erica hill. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> welcome to "today." i'm erica hill. >> i'm peter alexander filling in for lester holt. big shoes to fill in, i know, because i'm using his office. >> nice to have you with us, though. always nice to have you here. it is the first official day of summer. no one more excited about that than dylan dreyer. >> soak it all in. >> it feels really good, i have to say. just in nine minutes.

>> enjoy every second. >> one way to enjoy them, spend them with us as we talk exclusively to this lady, lucy li who has taken the world by storm. she competed in the u.s. women's open tournament. we are excited to talk to her. she's known not just for her fun outfits and stellar golf, but eating ice cream. >> she's 11. go for it. i fully endorse and encourage it. >> we are going catch up with a 12-year-old on the rold to recover three months after a life saving surgery for a rare disease. right now, we begin with the top stories developing situation in iraq. secretary of state john kerry traveling to the middle east to be face-to-face with other world leaders about solutions to the crisis in iraq. we are seeing new video alleged to be from isis militants where

english speaking men are seen encouraging others to join the igt. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, peter. overnight, militants captured a crossing point between syria and iraq that many fear will be used to bring more weapons into the battlefield. this comes as the united states sets up an engagement in iraq to help the iraqi government sending john kerry to the region. will it be enough? a global call to join the fight in iraq, made by english speaking isis fighters, many with european passports. >> it's part of a video as they make a steady and deadly push into baghdad. iraq's military is getting fresh recruits, thousands of shia men entering the calls to join the fight. the army is also getting outside help in the form of american

soldiers. 300 american special forces advisers are being ployed to work with the army sharing intelligence, advising brigades and calling air strikes. all to help give the iraqi military the upper hand after it lost parts of iraq to isis fighters. even with american help, defeating them might not be enough. calls are growing on nuri al maliki to resign, even from the top shiite cleric. if you had a chance to speak to the prime minister, what would you say? >> it will not be stopped through military, the only solution is political solution. >> reporter: isis' take over of the cities has created a fear over the country. lines to gas stations are long. hundreds of refugees are away from home, too afraid to return because of a fight that looks to

be intensifying. now, kurdish officials tell nbc news they have been warning the u.s. about the presence of isis for months. they are, along with other iraqis too little too late for the u.s. to send futures and not send out more robust activity. >> thank you. general good morning. nice to see you again. >> morning, good to be on the air with you. >> we know that 300 u.s. military advisers, as they are described are on their way to the region, through iraq where they are going to train, consult and share intelligence with iraqi security forces with the officers there right now. they are also facing a growing insurgency. is 300 advisers enough to have a tangible impact or do we need to send more to do that?

>> they can certainly have an impact. what they are going to do is establish themselves in the operational centers. reinforce the chain of command. two things have to happen to make this work. one, there has to be a political solution coming out of parliament about who is in charge in iraq's government. that person has to be acceptable to the sunni side. that is the only way that we are going to have any hope of stopping this, not just the movement, but the pressure of the tectonic plate. >> the u.s., they are not combat troops, but the advisers will be working on the brigade level, breaking up in groups of 12 working alongside iraqis in the country. if they are not combat troops, what real dangers do they face? >> first of all, the special forces trained to the mission.

this is in their primary play book and the type of thing they have to be ready to do in a moments notice. the people there are extremely qualified. to have this work, the headquarters they are going to has to be responsible for their safety. they have to have built into their plan and their operation ways of extracting themselves when necessary. >> i want to get a sense from you since you have overseen combat there in iraq during the golf war, desert storm, bosnia and vietnam war. give us a sense as you analyze this situation taking place in iraq, how does this compare? >> this is more dangerous because of its international implication. >> this is more dangerous? >> it's more dangerous because you are sending people into a situation where everything is sort of out of control. in desert storm and vietnam, we

had much more control over the environment where we were for conventional forces. they have sufficiently robust in their locations. they were attacked, but rarely were they overrun. this is more dangerous because the whole situation is changing so dynamically on a day-to-day basis. >> general montgomery joining us this morning. general, good to see you. we appreciate your time. >> good to be on the air with you. we are learning more about the anthrax scare at the center for disease control in atlanta. more people may have been exposed to the deadly strain than thought. the president briefed on it on friday. government investigators are trying to determine what went wrong. tom costello is covering it for us. good morning. >> hi, erica, good morning. the cdc says more employees than first believed may have been exposed to the anthrax bacteria. the cdc is seeding control of

the investigation to the usda to avoid conflict of interest. at the cdc, an all out investigation under way in a major break down in safety protocols after 80 employees were exposed to deadly anthrax. we talked to the cdc deputy director. this is the cdc, the most respected body we have that deals with these type of pathogens. how could this happen? >> we wish we knew that. we are in the process of finding out how the decisions were made. >> reporter: it happened earlier this month, the rapid response unit was preparing a dangerous strain of anthrax for other cdc labs. they thought they killed the bacteria. rather than waiting 48 hours to be sure, they transferred the samples after 24 hours. the workers in the other labs weren't wearing protective clothing. none of the workers show

symptoms of anthrax, they have been offered antibiotics. experts are not overly concerned. >> the risk is really low to the exposed people and essentially nil to the surrounding community. >> reporter: multiple investigations raised concerns about how well the cdc safeguards deadly substances like anthrax. the cdc has been investigated for years because of safety protocols with the labs, what's happening here? >> any lab has incidents, people cut corners, things malfunction. we have been very diligent and aggressive in identifying what caused those problems. >> reporter: now, with a serious breach involving deadly anthrax, the cdc says disciplinary action is a possibility. no one outside the cdc is at risk, not even family members of those who have been exposed and some of the employees exposed

are electing not to take antibiotics at all. >> tom, thank you. dr. january si snyderman is here. good morning. >> good morning, erica. >> just to clarify, the threat and concern here is because this is the most dangerous type of anthrax. that is the inhaled kind, correct? >> right. i think we also remember back to 2001 when five people died because they inhaled anthrax mailed in letters throughout the united states. we have a recent history of how bad this can be. there are three ways to get it, inject, through your skin or inhale it. the idea the laboratory workers could have inhaled it is a real concern. once you get the bacteria in your body, it can take two weeks for it to release spores. the spores can have toxins. it's the toxins that cause the problems. in this case, it looks like flu with aches and pains and can be

deadly. >> one covered. we are hearing friends and families around the people are not at risk. when you talk about the spores and how long it takes to develop, we know some of them are already on antibiotics. is it enough to stop it and what about the people who are not? >> the cdc know what is strain it is, how toxic it is and how much it was killed of nullified. they know exactly what they are dealing with. whether they take antibiotics for a week, the fkt that it's not considered a threat to the lab workers and not necessarily to the people beyond them is a big thing. anthrax is everywhere, it's in the soil, around livestock, little cases pop up here and there. it's the bioterrorism part that scares everyone. when you have a lab as dignified or smart as the cdc and have an

error like this, you have to go back to the sloppiness, find out what wednesday wrong, who made the mistake and fix it so mistakes like this don't happen in the future. there's a real concern, health concern for the workers and families? no. it's a wake up call for labs everywhere. when you deal with substances like this, you can't be too careful. >> a lot of people waiting for answers. dr. nancy, always nice to have ewe here. thanks. unprecedented rain caused a hill to give way on the mississippi river. anne thompson is here with the latest. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, jenna. they are forecasting a warm, sunny saturday for minneapolis. boy do the people here need it. behind me, you can see the

visual evidence the damage drenching rains can do. on thursday, more than six inches of rain fell within an eight-hour period in the twin cities area. by thursday night, that caused a piece of this block, about a football field long to give way and come crashing down, piling six to eight feet of debris on a road that is popular with joggers and bikers in minneapolis. the two buildings that sit on top of the bluff belong to the university of minnesota medical center. both buildings are said not to be endangered. engineers inspected them and they are said to be structurally sound and not endangered by the mudslide. the mudslide was the most recent of a series of events caused by an extraordinarily rainy june here in minnesota. farmlands, homes and floods or parks have all flooded. in fact, minnesota is within an

inch of having the rainiest june on record. minnesota's governor has declared a state of emergency because of those rains in nearly half of the counties here. jenna? >> anne thompson, thank you very much. a small plane crashed. police say two people aboard the single engine plane were killed. one person was inside the home at the time but was able to escape through a window. one person is dead and at least seven others are recovering from minor injuries after a tractor trailer hauling cars slammed into a restaurant. it caused it to collapse forcing authorities to evacuate the entire block. comedian tracy morgan has been moved from the hospital to a rehab facility. his publicist released a statement saying he's showing signs of improvement and faces a

long road to recovery. he was critically injured when a truck slammed into the limo bus he was riding in. the federal government is pushing to expand warning labels on testosterone products. fda says they need to include a general label about the increased risk of blood clots. patients with abnormal increase in red blood cells. they received reports clots are occurring in patients who don't have this complication. this morning, it is that time of year again. it is time to crown the world's ugliest dog because dogs understand what that's all about. the dog, a 2-year-old mutt named peanut won it at the annual contest. who wouldn't think this dog is hideously adorable? the bulging eyes, protruding teeth. it has everything it takes to win an award like this.

wondering what the other dogs look like? peanuts competition? we'll have more on that later in the show. >> we have ugly dog breeders right now. >> i should school that dog in ug mug. they are trying to breed with that dog. >> that's a hashtag in the making, ug mug. a forecast is ugly in some places. >> in some places, but we are going to see a good amount of sunshine. iowa, you can't catch a break. more showers and storms expected. the showers and storms across nebraska are weakening now. they will redevelop later on this afternoon. further north, we have flood watches. all the yellow spots is where we have the flood warnings. we are looking at the rivers in major flooding states across

northern parts of iowa. we are going to see more severe storms develop later today. a couple areas in the southeast and the midwest, including iowa for hail i am tedd florendo. more clouds today with also cooler temperatures, too. 76 by noon. 78 our high for the day today. there is also a slight chance of some passing showers for the day. more so for those points south in cape may and delaware. nicer for tomorrow. 82 degrees and sunny. it should be nice all the way through tuesday and then midweek we have a chance of showers and storms back in the forecast. that's your latest forecast. peter? >> thank you. it was an incredible site at the start of the world cup, a paralyzed man using bionic legs to make the first official kick of the tournament. in the u.s., researchers are working on helping people with

partial paralysis to stand-up and move their lel legs again. tom costello visited the institute to see how it's changing lives. >> reporter: you might call 26-year-old ryan flanigan a 21st century bionic man. the motorized wind you hear is the sound of hope that one day he'll be able to take his first steps on his own. >> i don't have a lot of sensation back there, but i can feel my hips moving. >> his back, his entire posture, really, is held together with rods and screws. two years ago, an atv accident left him with a severed spinal cord. he was told he would never walk again. >> i spent a lot of time, at first, denying it and hoping it

would all go away. >> paralysis rarely goes away. an avid outdoorsman, he wanted his life back. he was soon driving again using special hand controls for the gas and break. exactly the kind of determination that made him a candidate to strap into new technology. >> and you're up. >> it's called the rewalk. a battery powered walker at the university of maryland he habilitation institute that holds him up straight pushing his hips and legs forward. this is the first chance to start walking again. >> absolutely. >> what's it like? >> it's great. i'm 6'4", so i'm used to looking down on people, staring over the crowd. being in a wheelchair is a lot different looking up to everybody. >> reporter: there are no electrical impulses, nothing connected to his nerves or muscles.

the suit is being tested for use by u.s. disabled war veterans. keeping the body upright is critical to maintaining the health of or gans, gi tract and something else. >> psychologically, to get up again is a big deal. >> reporter: there's no cure for a spinal cord injury, but there is hope. >> trying to keep my torso, my head straight up and looking forward. >> reporter: hope that one day, if there is a cure for spinal cord injuries, brian and others like him will be ready to take those first steps on their own. >> good to see him walking. still to come, honoring a "d" day hero. first, this is "today" on nbc.

this morning, we are remembering a u.s. war hero, a remarkable man you introduced us to earlier this month. you were in france celebrating the anniversary of d-day. >> he was a highly decorated member of the 82nd airborne, a paratrooper. 70 years ago, he was the last man out of the c-47 transport plane before it crashed into flames. he escaped being picked up by the nazi's three times. he took me back to a street named in his honor. >> all my comrades have died and some in action. they are not here to get the same type of honor. it is very honoring for me on behalf of these people. they appreciate what the

americans did. >> we appreciate you. >> thank you. >> we learned this week that jack saved his last energy to make that trip. he died back home in up state new york. he was 90 years old. his daughter tells us, as much as it hurts to lose him, this last d-day celebration in france fulfilled his life and he was at peace. even in the small town, he is a big hero. >> what an amazing man. what an honor to spend time with him. so happy you could bring that story to us. >> it was good saturday morning to you. i am rosemary connors. it's a few minutes before 7:30. let's get a check of the forecast on the first official

day of summer with tedd florendo. >> this morning looks like we are starting out with breaks of sunshine but plenty of clouds this morning, too, for the first day of summer. it will be cooler, too, also. we have mostly cloudy skies at this hour. your temperatures for the day today may just only hit the upper 70s. that's it. mostly cloudy, and there is a slight chance of showers to the day today and your winds for the most part should remain light. this morning a man is dead after he was shot in the chest and now philadelphia police are working to find the gunman. that shooting happened along colgate and rosalie streets before 2:00 this morning. the victim died at the scene and his identity has not yet been released. overnight crews were called out to a duplex fire in northeast philly. everybody made it out safely. it took firefighters about 15 minutes to get this blaze under control. today, men in west oak lane

will have the chance to get free health screenings. it's called know your numbers. medical experts will be at the enon tabernacle baptist church performing blood screenings. the screenings at the church along west cheltenham avenue will take place from 8:00 until 5:00 this afternoon. today the arts festival kicks off a few hours from now. nearly 300 artist will line main street for the two-day event, showcasing their craft in ceramics and other works of art. the festival is expected to draw 200,000 people. it runs from 11:00 in the morning until 7:00 in the evening and then again tomorrow from 11:00 until 6:00. i am rosemary connors. we will send it back to the "today" show. i will see you in 25 minutes for another update. [ mom ] when the nest gets too quiet...

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we are back this saturday morning, june 21st, summer officially arriving early this morning. we are off to a beautiful start in the big apple. no humidity, it's gorgeous outside. >> perfect. i want to say thank you. >> you're welcome. >> hand delivered, appreciate it. coming up in this half hour, we are going update you on a young girl we have been following for months. she had surgery to combat a rare disease that caused her to gain weight. we are going to update you on her progress. >> a digital trend of guilt tipping. it's how often you leave a tip for the barista or waiter. things you think about because

they are staring at you. should you feel forced to tip? we are going to have a tip for tippers. >> i love this story, i have been struggling with it. there's an app now on the starbucks app. it will say would you like to leave a tip. it's like, crazy. >> i heard small, medium and large. >> small, medium, large. she did that on purpose. also ahead, the heart warming story of one woman's rather unique way to honor her late father. we begin with an important story for parents. believe it or not, almost 400 children have died in the last year because they were left unattended in hot cars. it's an unbelievable statistic prompting serious public campaigns to try to change it. here is gabe gutierrez. >> reporter: for sydney's mother, the pain is still raw. >> it was unbearable. i can't describe the emotions.

>> reporter: in august 2010, 6-year-old sydney got into an unlocked car in georgia and died in the sweltering heat. >> i won't have a sweet 16 birthday for her. i won't see her graduate and i'll never be mother of the bride. >> reporter: since then, she's become a tireless safety advocate. >> it can happen to anybody. >> reporter: helping to launch this service campaign weeks ago, one of many throughout the country. this video on youtube by a small utah production company has been viewed more than 6 million times. >> sweetie, what's the matter? somebody help me. >> reporter: other videos are trying to prevent kids from getting in unlocked vehicles, but stop parents from leaving them behind in blistering temperatures that can feel like an oven. >> they are loving and caring parents. aarp an average of 39 children die in hot cars, one every nine

days. this year, 13 deaths from texas to florida to georgia. >> think before you judge because a lot of times, you know, it's just an accident. >> reporter: in south carolina, richey's daughter died in his backseat after he forgot to drop her off at day care last month. he started his own campaign, passing out stickers as reminders to other parents. >> i have a promise to my daughter. my focus is to raise awareness. >> i can't let another parent go through this if i have a way of presenting it. >> reporter: it's her way of making sure sydney did not die in vain. for "today," gabe gutierrez. >> to be clear, almost 400 children have died in the last ten years, not the last year. it's a sta tissic parents of young kids think about.

>> we want to talk to dylan with a check of the weather. >> it is the first day of summer. it feels like it. we are going to see very hot temperatures. they will top out in the 90s. it's the feels like temperature when you factor in the humidity. it's going to feel like it is up around 103 to 108 degrees from georgia and the south carolina coast. it is going to be very uncomfortable that way. stay in the ac or head out to the pool, whatever to stay cool. we are looking at the chance in the carolinas, the slight risk of stronger storms, continuing with that risk through south dakota and delaware, iowa and southern minnesota where the biggest threat is large hail and damaging wind gusts. we are not looking at a threat of tornadoes. elsewhere, it remains hot in the southwest, up around 110 degrees. california is cooling off a bit.

chiarellichiarelli. good saturday morning, everyone. i am meteorologist, tedd florendo. more clouds today with also cooler temperatures, too. 76 by noon, and 78 our high for the day today. there is also a slight chance of some passing showers for the day. more so for those points south into cape may and also into delaware, and even nicer for tomorrow. 82 degrees and sunny. it should be nice all the way through tuesday, and then by midweek we have the chance of showers and storms back in the forecast. and if you haven't heard, it is the first day of summer. what are your plans for summer this year? >> well, there really happy that we are going to another vacation. >> another vacation. but we are happy we are out of school. i think a lot of kids agree with that. erica? >> they do. my kids will agree in five days. thanks. we have an update on a little girl who needed a life

saving surgery because of a rare disease. you may recall the story of 12-year-old alex sis. we have been following her for months since we learned of what made her constantly hungry. we have an update. >> reporter: for 12-year-old, a trip to the doctor brings a welcome report. >> i have great news for you. you know what it is? your weight is down. >> reporter: she could only dream of it a few months ago. >> i'm excited. you know, i have been hoping for this for a long time and so it's good to see a little bit of the old alexis come back. >> reporter: the little girl who suffers from a rare disorder that made it impossible for her to feel full has lost 37 pounds since surgery. >> she can move better now.

her type 2 diabetes is gone. >> she's really got a family support system and a mom that has kept her on track. >> reporter: she was once a typical little girl until surgery to remove a brain tumor that removed part of her brain. >> there was nothing we could do. she kept gaining weight. >> reporter: she skyrocketed to more than 200 pounds. when the insurance company denied the request for surgery, saying she was too young, people around the world chipped in. she had the surgery in march and insurance did eventually cover it. her struggle and strength continue to inspire. >> it's work. she has to change. >> reporter: she has a long road ahead. her doctors say she may need more surgery or medication but alexis doesn't seem to be slowing down. >> you can do fun stuff outside

the hospital. >> reporter: her plans include running a 5k by the end of summer. >> she's a trooper. >> great to see she's doing so well. we are going to celebrate the first day of summer and those extra five seconds of sunshine you get to enjoy. don't waste one. >> make them all count. up next, a big summer sale. a perfect time to saef money if you are planning on doing got fifa world cup fever?

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discounts to get your business. >> what about this? >> now that i like. now that's us. >> summer love means summer sales. when it comes to your dinner ware, now is a time to get a break on chin. >> great time for purchasing dinner ware because it's a big month for weddings. >> whether you are in the market for china or stone ware, here is the dish. >> you want something you can put in the microwave and is dishwasher safe. >> plates with metallic dines are not microwavable. simple and versatile. from the classic white to the white house -- >> every piece we form has to go through here for firing. it's a nine-hour cycle. >> it's hot. >> it's very hot. >> reporter: at the factory in

north carolina, every piece is crafted by artisans. >> once the plate is fired, it comes here to be decorated. >> reporter: if stone ware is more practical, there's plenty of that, too. good housekeeping does tests. >> we found that -- ahh! >> so, after you have made your choice, make it last. don't overload your dishwasher. place your plates toward the center of the machine and use a mild liquid or powder detergent. >> you have to have a steady hand to paint those dishes. >> i was so impressed. it's done and takes years to learn that craft. >> give us a sense.

sets aren't for everybody and the biggest challenge is when you break one. >> buy extra if you love the pattern because they do discontinue patterns. there are places to get replacements, but buy it while you can. the other thing is, you might not need a set. do you use custom saucers and bread and butter plates? buy separates, buy salad plates and larger plates and mugs instead of the cups. >> how many sets do you recommend? >> eight to 12, depending on how you entertain. buy an extra set. a lot of times, if you love beautiful china, you can mix and match. it's eclectic and pretty. if you go to garage sales, ebay, craigslist, people don't know what to do with old china sets. you can pick them up for a steal. >> a lot of naive buyers means

heavier is better or more expensive is better. >> the good housekeeping drop test. >> good gig for somebody. >> right. kind of fun. the heavier platters crack faster than the lighter ones. it doesn't necessarily go hand in hand. >> good advice. thanks. a new way to tip the people who serve you, but is it going a little too far? we are going to help explain. if you're living with chronic migraine, your life is a game of chance. but what if the odds could be in your favor? botox® is an fda-approved treatment that significantly reduces headache days for adults with chronic migraine, 15 or more headache days a month, each lasting 4 hours or more. it's proven to actually prevent headache days. and it's injected by a doctor once every 3 months. the effects of botox® (onabotulinumtoxina) may spread hours to weeks after injection causing serious symptoms. alert your doctor right away, as difficulty swallowing, speaking, breathing, eye problems, or muscle weakness can be a sign of a life-threatening condition.

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in this digital day and age, you may have noticed the act of tipping is not what it used to be. mobile apps are changing the way customers are thinking about gratuities. for some it's turning into more of a digital guilt tip. here is gabe gutierrez. >> reporter: at coffee shops across america, the old tip jar is under attack. more cups, more pay, electronically. >> i'm less likely to have cash on me, truly. it's an easier option. >> reporter: starbucks launched an updated app, making it easier for users to leave tips, 50 cents, a dollar or two distributed weekly and distributed among employees. swear and level up have

exploded. >> a dollar for the drink. >> reporter: in atlanta, this coffee house uses shop keep, allowing customers to pay and tip on an ipad. >> customers are more likely to tip more because all of the calculations are figured out instantly. >> reporter: this barista has noticed. >> it's night and day the way they tip. >> reporter: now that they are asked whether they like it or not, they don't want to be seen as bad tippers. >> they feel like they should. >> reporter: in new york the average tip is around 18%. another mobile pay app says its users tip 22%. >> once they provide a better experience, there's no going back. >> with all the gratuity, is 20% the new 15? what is the appropriate amount to tip? >> i would say 15% unless the service is excellent.

>> reporter: there you have it. no need to feel pressure by digital tip. as far laurie, she might enjoy the better pay off, but -- >> it's nicer to have cash at the end of the day. >> reporter: the old fashioned tip jar won't totally disappear, just yet. for "today," gabe gutierrez, nbc news. as you can imagine, this is a hot topic for "today" viewers. >> hot like the coffee itself. we are heading over to the orange room. jenna, have we reached the tipping point on tipping? >> here is the thing, we have all been there, the coffee shop, cab, salon, gas station attendants. where does it end? you have no idea if you should tip, right? how about if the cashier asks you, awkward? >> are too many people asking for tips these days? asking. the results overwhelmingly say

yes. 87% say yes. only 13% say no. we want to know what you think. a, how did i do with the orange room hits? clearly not well because they gave me one penny. b, one can weigh in using twitter #orange room then peter and peter and peter and also peter and erica. what do you think? have we gone too far with the tipping? >> i think you don't ask for a tip. a tip is if you do good service, i reward you. >> i'm going to get total hate mail. in high school i was a waitress and did counter service. you are doing your job. i'm happy to reward you for good service, but it's so in your face. >> i say drop in the dollar. we'll be right back. still to come on "today," wa day at the spa is essential for rejuvenating your spirit.

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and make today yours. advil. make today yours. good morning. i am rosemary connors. it's a few minutes before 8:00. before you head out the door let's get a check of the

forecast from meteorologist, tedd florendo. a couple showers coming down right now. >> that's right. but in the form of showers, rosemary, nothing too heavy right now. most of the areas, plenty of clouds outside at this hour and winds are remaining light. there is a look at boathouse row where we have few sun breaks over philadelphia. and the showers are stretching from lancaster to northern delaware and some parts of delaware county at this hour. most of it really remaining on the light side at least for now. looks like temperatures for the day today are going to get into the upper 70s, and that's about it. we are looking at highs around 78 degrees, a mix of sun and clouds with a slight chance of showers through the day, rosemary. new from overnight, philadelphia police are looking for the person that pulled the trigger in a deadly shooting. this happened in the lawncrest section of the city. officers say a man died after he was hit once in the chest. this happened near colgate and rosalie streets.

everybody made it out okay after a fire inside the duplex in philadelphia. it was just after 1:00 this morning and crews worked quickly to bring the flames under control. investigators are now looking for the cause. this morning montgomery county bridge is closed because of safety concerns. the greaterford bridge may take years to re-open. the bridge runs over perkiomen creek. penndot determined it was structurally unstable. and pennsylvania leads the nation in structurally poor bridges. and then knowing your numbers, checking your blood pressure and cholesterol and other indicators.

good morning. it is saturday, june 21st, 2014. here is a look at today's top stories. graining ground. militants gaining on militants. this morning, as they capture more territory in iraq. american special forces are on the ground. >> having a ball. world cup fever growing and one day to go until team usa takes on portugal. americans pouring into brazil to cheer for their team in person. we have the latest from brazil. and eye of the beholder. they are not conventionally cute. most of them not cuddly, but they are so loved. for these dogs, it is all about

which one is the most unattractive as they compete for the coveted title of world's ugliest dog. we'll introduce you to a few of them and show you the big winner. we have a great crowd on here on the plaza. are you enjoying the first day of summer? yeah? lester is taking a well deserved weekend off. peter alexander is here with us. nice to have you up from washington. >> nice on days like this. it's a good day to golf outside. 11-year-old sensation, lucy li made a name for herself. she is the youngest person ever to have competed in the u.s. open. she is going to join us live for an exclusive interview in a few moments. we offered her ice cream, but even for her, it's too early. >> maybe by 8:05 she'll be

ready. also ahead, we have an update on actor tracy morgan's condition. you remember the horrific accident on a new jersey highway. we have how he's doing today. a touching tribute from one daughter to her dad. he recently passed away from cancer. this has warmed hearts across the world. how she has chosen to honor his memory. it's a moving story, coming up. >> before that, we want to get you caught up on the top stories. jenna is manning the news desk. >> hey, erica, good morning. we have the latest on the situation in iraq and the obama administration's plan for hundreds of military advisers to the region. secretary of state john kerry is heading to the middle east to consult with allies. kristen welker is live with the latest. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, jenna. he will visit iraq, sometime soon. he has a difficult task when he

visits iraq. the u.s. is not picking sides in the conflict and will press the government to become more inclusive. dozens of forces will help the iraqi army. officials say there will be a few dozen troops. some of them will set up joint operation centers, one in baghdad and one in the north aimed at the security situation on the ground and the strength of the extremist groups. others will provide tactical and strategic advice. they told us friday, iraq has changed. >> some of the force that is have always possibly pulled iraq apart are stronger now. those forces that could keep the country united are weaker. >> reporter: now the president was adamant that u.s. forces don't go back into combat. pentagon officials say the u.s. is keeping written agreement with the iraqi government that

they will have legal protection. >> thank you very much. more than 80 people have been exposed to airborne anthrax back tier yat in atlanta. officials fear that number may rise. dozens of cdc workers are taking antibiotics as a precaution because they may have been exposed to the bacteria. the commissioner of the irs is set to appear monday following an hours long heated congressional hearing on friday. they demanded to know how the irs could lose thousands of e-mails through an ex-official targeting groups seeking tax exemption. >> you ask taxpayers to hang on to seven years of their personal tax information in case they are audited and you can't keep six months worth of employee e-mails? >> now the irs claims the e-mails in question are lost

forever following computer hard drive crash. many members accused the commissioner of being defiant. pope francis weighed in on yet another hot button issue, legalizing marijuana. he says it's a very, very bad idea. he said, quote, drug addiction is an evil. with evil, there's no yielding or compromise. this morning, a shared victory for michael phelps at the grand prix. he notched a first place tie in the 100 meter butterfly and runner up in the 100 meter freestyle. made it look easy. not bad for sitting out for 20 months. itis the first time he swam multiple sessions since the olympics. missy finished second in her only final on friday. we are gearing up quickly. that is the news. now back to peter, erica and

dylan. guys? >> thank you. officially the first day of summer and a gorgeous way to start it. dylan dreyer is here with the forecast. >> it is a beautiful day. not only is it summer, but your birthday. >> yes, it is. >> where are you from? >> wi lee, texas. >> you like the lower humidity? >> yes. >> it feels like 100 degrees in texas. we'll take the nice weather in the northeast. it is unsettled through nebraska. we have storm that is will develop. they are weakening now. a couple areas of severe weather to the carolinas for hail and gusty winds and also this huge area including south dakota, nebraska into iowa, southern minnesota and including chicago. we could see some hail and damaging wind gusts. isolated tornadoes at best. we are not looking for a tornado outbreak. the southeast, we are looking at heat indexes around 108 to 110 degrees. it is goi good saturday morning,

everyone. i am meteorologist, tedd florendo. more clouds today with cooler temperatures, too. 76 by noon. 78 the high for the day today. there is also a slight chance of some passing showers for the day. more so for those points south into cape may and also into delaware, and even nicer for tomorrow. 82 degrees and sunny. it should be nice all the way through tuesday, and then by midweek we have the chance of showers and storms back in the forecast. i don't know if you feel like tweeting, we have a hash dag, we love dylan. just saying. peter? >> can you hashtag the heart? i like that. thank you. the world cup action, team usa is riding high after the big game a couple days back as they head into the second game tomorrow. last week, we asked you if you were going to be watching the world cup. not just watching, but rooting for the u.s. only 35% of you, what's up, america, are rooting for team usa. i guess that number has risen. america preparing to face-off

against portugal. bill is in brazil for us. good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, peter. it is hot and humid here in the amazon. the u.s. players have arrived here at their hotel with a spring in their step and a win under their belts. one more win and they are through to the knock-out stage. they are excited and so are the fans. >> i believe that we will win. >> reporter: spirits are high after a first win against ghana. forch gal are no push overs. >> if we give them as many chances as we gave ghana, we are in trouble. we can hold steady. >> reporter: fans and players came to the heart of the amazon where temperatures in the 90s will affect both teams. >> both sides have to play in the heat and humidity. the americans will be ready for it. >> i don't think it's going to affect the u.s. as much as the european teams. >> reporter: the u.s. team has lost its star striker, altador

injured in the first game. other injuries took heal. >> we are excited by the challenge. we are excited by the moment. we feel like we put ourselves in a good position. >> reporter: captain clint dempsey will play after his nose was broken in game one, earning the fans respect. >> he's a tough guy. he played soccer early on with guys that were tougher than he was. he probably got punched and kicked in the face a lot as a junior player. i think he'll be fine. the question is, can he breathe? >> reporter: red, white and blue are popular colors here. these are french fans celebrating their team's five goals, a tally the u.s. fans dream of. >> they came back from a lost. hopefully it will be a good match. hopefully we get a draw and move on. >> reporter: some things are easier said than done.

portugal's ronaldo and the heat. officially, portugal is ranked the fourth best team in the world with the u.s. ten places below them. that will count for little tomorrow evening in a game portugal mustn't lose and the u.s. believes it can win. from the amazon, back to you. >> i was going to razz bill about the fact britain has been eliminated, but we'll let it pass. >> that's thoughtful. we want to turn to a young woman who captured our hearts this week and likely yours as well. 11-year-old golfer lucy li may not have made the cut, but made history at a lot of memories. she's going to join us in a moment. first, here is her story. >> reporter: she's got everything you might expect from an 11-year-old girl, pigtails, the giggle.

then, there's this. the game that got san francisco sixth grader lucy li into the most elite group of women's golfers becoming the youngest competitor to qualify for the u.s. women's open. she shot a 78 in each of the first two rounds. 16 over par, not enough to make the cut, but not bad for a first time out at the u.s. open, for anyone, at any age. >> i'm really happy. >> reporter: li did better than dozens of more experienced golfers and along the way stole the spotlight. it was the press conference where the 11-year-old couldn't put down her ice cream. >> what are your plans for the rest of the day? >> um, eat more ice cream. >> reporter: li is home schooled. some, including the top ranked players suggested 11 is too young to play in the open, li is winning a lot of fans, including this year's u.s. open leader. she knows what it's like to be a

child fee nom. she played her first open at 13. it can be a lot of pressure, but li seems to be having fun out there. usually wearing a smile along with those sparkly outfits and promising this is just the beginning for her. >> it's been a great week. i had a lot of fun. i learned a lot. >> reporter: incredible start for a girl who can drive the ball 230 yards but won't get her drivers license for another five years. >> we are excited to have lucy li with us this morning. good morning. >> good morning. how are you? >> i'm doing great, thanks. how are you feeling this morning? it's been a good week. >> yeah, i'm playing great, just a little sleepy. >> that's understandable. we appreciate you getting up extra early for us. you did well. so many people fell in love with you because you have this great attitude that comes across. is there a moment that stands

out for you from the open that was one of the best moments for you? >> yeah. i think bouncing back from a triple bogey on 13 is a great -- for me. >> there's been a lot of praise for your golf skills. your partner said she may look 11 but doesn't talk like an 11-year-old. when you hear that, what does that mean for you? >> it means a lot. i want to be 11 years old and have fun, but i want to play golf. it's been a lot of fun. >> there's been a lot of attention on you. is it tough to manage that and stay focused? >> it's been good. i try to shut it out and focus on my golf. i'll deal with that later when i'm done. >> a good way to do it. michelle is leading into the third round. i know you had a chance to meet her at the beginning of the

week. anyone else you were able to meet or get advice from that you want to share with us? >> i met anna, kari, i met a lot of people this week. >> did they give you advice? >> yeah, have fun. >> you seem to be having a lot of fun. you look like you really enjoy yourself out there. we have to ask you about the ice cream. it's been a big topic here at the "today" show. is strawberry your favorite flavor? >> actually, watermelon and cherry. >> how much ice cream did you consume this week, do you think? >> probably four or five. >> four or five. you know what? it's that time of year for it. you are not done at this point. you are not going off to summer vacation. what are you gearing up for next? >> the u.s. amateur public links in a couple weeks. i'm excited about that. it's in washington so i'm going to go up to vancouver. >> great time to be there.

we are glad you joined us. we have enjoyed watching you. thanks lucy. >> thank you. thanks. >> now it's time for ice cream for breakfast, right? >> yeah. ice cream's good. >> breakfast of champions, lucy. we'll talk to you again soon. thanks. still to come this morning on "today," some fun ideas and what you can do with all that extra time on this, the longest day of the year. you have five seconds, do not waste this. ideas on how to use bill have you seen my keys anywhere? i'll help you look. maybe you left them in the bathroom again. it's just the strangest thing... the warning signs of alzheimer's disease, may be right in front of you. it's alright baby. for help and information, call the alzheimer's association or visit alz.org/10signs

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[ barista ] i have two cappuccinos, one coffee with room, one large mocha latte, a medium macchiato, a light hot chocolate hold the whip, and two espressos -- one with a double shot. heh, heh. that's not the coffee talkin'. [ female announcer ] start your day with kellogg's frosted mini wheats cereal. with whole wheat goodness on one side and a hint of sweetness on the other, it's a delicious way to get the nutrition you want. they like to put a.1. on pork but not beans. they also like to sit on the same side of the booth. you don't have to like everything the mctaggarts like. put a.1. on whatever you want. a.1. for almost everything. almost. a long term struggle...needs long term relief.in. eucerin calming creme. used everyday... it's triple ingredient formula is clinically proven to provide 24 hour moisture and to relieve dry, itchy skin, with 92% of people reporting improved overall skin condition overtime. eucerin calming creme. experience the difference that over 100 years of skin science makes.

calm, healthy skin starts with eucerin. how often are you walking down the street when someone says do you have a second? do you have a second? we are giving you five extra seconds for the summer sol stas. >> you have an extra five seconds. dylan can explain it better than the rest of us. >> something wonderful happened, the official jump from spring to summer. why summer arrives at such a specific time and what some of us will do with all those extra seconds. summer is officially here. it came at 6:51. the one day of the year when the sun is furthest north in the

northern hemisphere. >> if we think about the earth, as it rotates around the sun, it's tilted at 23 degrees. it's that tilt that creates the seasons. >> an official mark in the passage of time with the equinox and spring and summer with the solstice. christmas and hanukkah are tied with the position in the sun in the sky. the summer solstice that has most daylight compared to plea days ago, today, we will see five more seconds of sunlight. yep, five whole seconds. >> with five extra seconds of sunshine, take the vitamin d. >> i could work on my tan. >> with my five extra seconds of sunshine, i'm going to go outside and learn about photosynth sis. how long could that take? >> they convert light energy

into energy. as we head to winter, the days will get shorter. >> just when i thought i was done with these for good. >> take a look up and enjoy the sun. in the blink of an eye, we'll be losing it, by the second. a little more sips for you. today might be the longest day of the year with the most daylight. it's not the warmest. imagine turning the heat on in your car. the sun is starting to heat us up. it takes four weeks to warm us up. that puts us at july, if you are counting. that is the warmest month of the year in the northern hemisphere. >> it took longer to explain that than photosynthsis. >> not that we have focused on the cliff notes. still ahead, a woman's tribute to her dad after his death. first, this is "today" on nbc.

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florendo, has been telling us, it's going to be cooler than the past couple days, right, tedd? >> yeah, we are going to cool down big-time for the first day of summer. outside cape may, plenty of clouds this morning. you are starting off in the 60s this hour. we did get light showers throughout some parts of the region and that is starting to diminish, and for the day today, a mix of sun and clouds, and a slight chance of showers for the day today but mainly points south at delaware, but otherwise the day should remain fairly dry. businesses down the shore will be opening their doors for the beginning of the weekend. owners are hoping that their sales will get a boost now that it's officially summer. most say the season is off to a slow start, but the clouds on the boardwalk have been picking up. this morning, philadelphia police are looking for the person who pulled the trigger in a deadly shooting. it happened overnight near go

colgate and rosalie streets. a man died after he was hit once in the chest. from our delaware bureau, a vaccination clinic for cats and dogs today taking place this morning from 10:00 until noon at the shelter and adoption center in wilmington. you can get your pet vaccinated for rabies and other diseases. go to our website, nbc10.com for more. today thousands are expected to turn out for the arts festival. nearly 300 artists will line main street for the two-day event. ceramics and photography and other works of art up for sale. it's expected to draw 200,000 people and it runs today and tomorrow. i am rosemary connors, and tedd and i will see you back here at 9:00 for a full hour of news. [ mom ] when the nest gets too quiet...

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>> i'm tara. >> and i'm karen. we're from florida. >> hi mom and dad. >> she's come a long way from the uk. >> from texas to new york city, hi, dad. >> hi to our family from tennessee. >> i think that's what you call a good crowd on a saturday. >> we have back saturday morning june 21st, 2014. this is a spectacular day in new york city.

just gorgeous. the first day of summer, the summer solstice. lester will be back soon. still to come, a nice story. this is a story of a woman that fell into a deep depression after her dad passed away. the only way to start feeling better was to do something for the man who had done so much for her. she decided to show him the world in her own unique way. you don't want to miss that. also ahead, from real life to broadway, now to the big screen. jersey boys, the musical is an unlikely project, we are hearing for director clint eastwood. we will look at the new movie in hollywood headlines. also ahead, are these dogs so ugly they are actually cute? >> nope. >> that's a matter of opinion. >> we go behind the scenes. believe me, it is not pretty, in a good way. >> they brought the ugly.

>> they did. >> then i'm going to introduce you to a new school held on the beach. it's how getting kids on surf boards can teach them a lot about life. it's an interesting metaphor. it was a fun one as well. >> it's a good day to be on the beach. >> the carolinas to georgia, it is going to be extremely hot today. we are looking at the feels like temperature to 108 to 110 degrees. you could see a couple isolated thunderstorms. keep an eye to the sky in north carolina and south carolina. south dakota and nebraska moving over to the midwest, we could see damaging wind gusts and large hail. tomorrow, scattered showers and storms through the plains states. in iowa, flooding has been a major concern. we will see improvements in the rivers. we are looking at scattered showers and storms in florida and the gulf coast. it remains hot and humid in the

northeast. it's a dry heat, right? good saturday morning, everyone. i am tedd florendo. more clouds today with also cooler temperatures, too. 76 by noon. 78 our high for the day today. there is also a slight chance of some passing showers for the day. more so for those points south into cape may and also into delaware, and nicer for tomorrow. 82 degrees and sunny. should be nice all the way through tuesday, and then by midweek we got the chance of showers and storms back in the forecast. we are heading to pennsylvania for today's top sot. this comes from our affiliate whag. appropriately so, it's the ninth annual solstice arts fest. you will be able to release your inner artist and learn from the best. pottery, painting and skult

ping. there will be a children's tent. it looks like we'll see fantastic weather in pennsylvania for all of that. >> thanks. turning to a heart warming story of a young woman who wanted to honor her late father seeing the world in a way he never could because he was so busy raising a family. here with the story is the managing editor. nice to have you here this morning. >> how are you? nice to be here. get the kleenex ready. this is a story about gina yang whose father raised her almost single handedly. when he died, she did something no one expected. it shows how far a daughter is willing to go. >> reporter: she says her father was her rock. >> he always looked at me as his little girl. he referred to me as his first love, in his cell phone. you know, when ever i called, caller id said first love. >> he immigrated from korea as a

teen sacrificing everything for his family. three years ago, gina chased her dreams in new york, her father was fighting cancer in virginia. within a year, he was gone. >> he never got to travel. he always put everyone else before him. he was taken from this world before he had the chance to do so. >> reporter: gina, spiraling into grief decided it wasn't too late. she quit her job, packed a bag and hit the road with a life size photo of her father under her arm to take a family photo at every stop from iceland to england, italy and france. the trip of a lifetime he never got to take. >> i'm in front of the eiffel tower. he'd never been.

dad, we're here. #formyfather went viral. strangers reached out calling it beautiful and inspiring. >> it got people from australia and spain. >> did you expect that? >> no. absolutely not. >> reporter: the trip, she says brought her father's spirit back to life. the photos brought her family peace. >> i'm so happy that she's going through this experience and in some way able to bring her father into it. i know that he's -- before he passed, he said i'm sorry i couldn't be a better father. that killed me because, in my eyes, he was the best father that anyone could ask for. >> the comments and notes are still pouring in from every corner of the globe. the whole experience has been humbling and feels like her father is looking down on her and smiling. to see more photos go to

nbcnews.com. >> great story. nice to have you with us this morning as well. we have an update on actor tracy morgan's condition. first, these messages. [male vo] inside this bag exists over 150 years of swedish coffee experience. that's 150 years of experience in refining and perfecting the rich, never bitter taste of gevalia. and we do it all for this very experience. this very second. this exact moment. [woman] that's good. i know right? cheers to that. gevalia. 150 years of rich, never bitter coffee. behaves like the surface of your skin. now watch what soap does to it. ♪ soap strips your skin. dove is different. with 1/4 moisturizing cream, dove doesn't strip your skin like soap. seriously? [ male announcer ] that's why we reimagined the refrigerator,

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this morning on today's hollywood headlines, an update on tracy morgan's condition. there's good news about that. clint eastwood is tackling a musical at the movies. >> one i'm anxious to see. we are going through all of this, even the top entertainment stories. nice to see you. >> happy first day of summer. >> a beautiful day. let's talk about jersey boys. a lot of people anticipating this. the fact that clint eastwood is behind it has a lot of people saying clint eastwood, musical? >> what's going on here? literally, clint eastwood took the musical, it's almost exactly the same on the screen.

they break into character as they do on broadway. it stars the tony winning actor john who starred in the role and made it famous. he was a second choice. the studio dropped him and now clint eastwood. >> all right. >> clint eastwood is frankie valley's age. >> and he's known for coming in under budget. a one take and move on. >> we wish that was the case here. >> we want to get an update, too. this is sort of just coming out. we are learning more about tracy morgan's condition and it's good news. >> it's good, good news. he moveed from a hospital to a rehab center. he was in critical condition. he suffered several broken bones, ribs, he broke his legs.

his assistant is moved from critical condition. >> there's another musical legend. a lot of people love tu pack. now, they are revisiting him on broadway. >> you are right. >> give us a sense of why tupac fans aren't the most likely folks to head to broadway. >> it's called "holler if you hear me." his mother is the executive producer. it's not getting a lot of good reviews. he's a young poet. they diced it up and made it different. if you don't know his lyrics by heart, you are watching it ant can't understand what's going on. it's a hard sell. >> tickets are pricey. >> the tickets are $140. broadway is expensive. if you can't understand what's going on, you don't know his music, it's a hard sell. >> fingers crossed for them. >> that's right. >> people may be getting selfie

fatigue. for thelma and louise, you may remember what they are calling the original selfie. this week, they came out with their newest version of the selfie, which we have to sew. >> they posted this for throwback thursday. adventures of the selfie at it again. she and geena davis in 1991. then that's them now. susan is 57 and gina is 58. >> you know, there was another movie that got rave reviews for different reasons, it was "sharknado," right? >> rave reviews from the fans. >> it's out next month. >> people are into it. >> people are into it. there's a total marketing blitz. they didn't know the figs one would take off like it did. this time, they are going with

merchandi merchandising. a slot machine. >> are they going to have flying sharks? >> erica, that could be in the market, too. >> sharks and shots, that could be in the news, too. >> we'll come up with a "sharknado" game for you. always good to see you. >> good to see you both. >> you can watch it weeknights at 7:00 eastern and pacific. dylan is in the orange room with the plaza fan of the day. hello. >> hello, we have lisa here from boston. it's your anniversary, but you are here on a girl's weekend in new york city. now on the "today" show. take it away. >> still to come on "today," a competition like no other. top dogs doing their best to be the ugliest. first, this is "today" on nbc.

back on a saturday morning with a group of people teaching young people about life experiences and how to overcome the unknown. >> a lesson they are taking to the beach. an experience these kids won't forget. >> the teachers are sur ch instructors. for them, teaching means opening their eyes to something they have never seen before. this is 12-year-old je'ney's first time in the ocean, much less on a surf board. she lives and goes to school miles from the beach. like many of these students from los angeles, the water seems much further away. >> these kids live about 12-15 miles away. a lot of them haven't felt sand between their toes. the fact there's salt in the water is a surprise. >> reporter: a program is now bridging that gap. >> this is the wave of the day.

>> reporter: marion clark runs the nonprofit and spends her timesharing that passion with the kids. >> show me how you paddle. >> they have a mission to connection the inner city with l.a. county. take your time. take your time. stand in the middle, yeah. >> reporter: what does it do for the kids at the end of the day. >> motivation goes up, but self-esteem drops. i had an inflated sense of self and now things are in balance. >> reporter: it lawned in 2003. when a team of 30 regular volunteers, it's put more than 10,000 students age 5 to 13 on surf boards. >> you got it! >> reporter: one tv news person. >> what was your reaction? >> i was terrified. now, i'm not terrified of getting out there in the water. >> reporter: tell me what you learned from being out here

today? >> i learned about myself and also -- >> yeah. >> reporter: for a few hours, in the middle of an ordinary school day, a couple of kids who had never been to a beach went surfing. the surf lesson went to towns across the country. they are in talks to open a charter school based on the principles they teach in the ocean. it's an interesting educational process. they walk away more grounded and know what it's about. a lot of them have never seen the beach before. >> a great story. >> thanks. still to come this morning, they are ugly and they know it. the world's [ hair dryer whirring ]

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you may not necessarily use the word cute to describe them, maybe you would call them ugly. if you do, they might say thank you. >> at this party, go ugly or go home. a face-off to see who was the ugliest of them all. no offense, but we sent kerry sanders for a backstage pass. >> reporter: it was a dog show like none other. to be crowned winner is well -- >> it's the ugliest dog contest. >> reporter: these pooches are hideous. >> i'm trying to look through the dread locks. >> this one looks like a tasmanian devil. they competed in the dog eat dog world of best in show. one adorable crowd favorite, a chinese crested from los angeles. >> she's beautiful. >> reporter: you say she's beautiful, but you want her to win the ugliest dog contest? >> yes. >> reporter: most come from

this. >> competition. >> he's fuzzy, ugly adorable. >> i think it's so ugly it's cute. >> reporter: with the paparazzi at the ready. >> the world's ugliest dog is, peanut. >> peanut with a face that could scare other dogs off the back of a meat wagon. his story is touching because he was abused bay previous owner. >> today, she's the prettiest dog in the ugliest contest. >> exactly. exactly. >> this is sweet pea who won in the ugliest dog in the pedigree category. unfortunately, this is not one of those contests where the dog resembles somebody you know, right? >> right. >> reporter: every dog has its day. this year, it was peanut. kerry sanders, nbc news, petaluma, california.

>> all the dogs are smiling. >> this is good. >> is it over? >> that's going to do it for us on this saturday morning. tomorrow on "today," we are getting ready for america's next match at the world cup. >> saddle up, big game against portugal. everything you need to know to sound like a world cup pro before you watch the game with your friends. >> have a great day, everybody.

here is what we have coming up this morning. a murder investigation after a man shot dead in a philadelphia neighborhood. police on the hunt for the person that pulled the trigger. showers pushing through the area right now, but will you need the umbrella for the first official day of summer? we will let you know coming up. that's right, with kids now out of school the jersey shore is hoping to jump-start business following slow weeks since summer. and then why you will feel a jolt to your wallet depending on where you get your cup of joe.

the shore is gearing up to jump-start its busy day on this first day of summer. here is a live look at cape may, new jersey. we are checking in with business owners hoping the crowds will pick up now that the kids are out of school. a mix of sun and clouds. you can probably give the air-conditioning a little bit of a rest today as temperatures will cool down. good morning, and welcome to nbc "10 nbc news today." i am rosemary connors. it's almost 9:00 on this saturday. we will get to the tppforecast just a moment, but first we are following a developing story, a home invasion and rape in britain house square. according to police a woman in her 20s was returning from a night out around 1:30 this morning. investigators say a man followed her and forced his way into her

apartment on spruce street and sexually assaulted her. after the man left the woman called the police. throughout the morning we will continue to update you on this story, and you can check nbc10.com. and now tedd florendo is tracking the conditions on this saturday which includes a chance of showers out there, right, tedd? >> yeah, it's certainly cooler this morning than what we have seen in all areas, and cooler down the shore, rosemary. we are looking at cloudy skies this morning and there are rain drops coming down, but we want to stress that these are not severe storms that are coming, just light rain for the most part. right now, there are areas that are seeing some heavier amounts of rain but in the form of just rain, not really showers, and that's in lancaster at this hour. we are also seeing this move into delaware county and gloucester county as well. as we look down the shore, we are starting t