a powerful earthquake rocks central italy overnight causing widespread devastation. at least 37 people killed as crews dig for survivors out of the rubble. trouble looming. a big storm brewing in the lantic and gaining strength. it could become a hurricane as early as this weekend. florida, louisiana, texas, all potentially in its path. blurred lines. donald trump back on the attack. >> it is now abundantly clear that the clintons set up a business to profit from public office. >> this time over a new report showing more than half of hillary clinton's non-government

charity. this morning, why the clinton campaign is calling that report utterly flawed. and cashing in? a new twist in the controversy surrounding the skyrocketing cost of life saving epipens. the salary of the head of the company that makes them rising from $2 million to nearly $19 million in just eight years. the outrage and the company's explanation "today," wednesday, august 24th, 2016. >> announcer: from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. and good morning, welcome to "today" on a wednesday morning, a morning that we've got breaking news coming out of europe. that strong earthquake striking central italy early this morning. the epicenter, about 100 miles to the northeast of rome. one mayor saying that his town

nbc's lucy cavanaugh is in a hard-hit area with us on the phone. lucy, good morning. >> reporter: morning, matt and savannah. it is a dark day for italy. at least 37 people were killed and we don't know how many injured. for the rescue workers that you might be able to see here behind me, it is a race against the clo clock. the earthquake struck in the dead of night. there was no time to powerful enough to jolt people awake 100 miles away in rome. in this mountainous central region of italy, the earthquake hit several towns, but here in amatrice the devastation was worst. ancient buildings and churches destroyed, cars crushed. the town center now a pile of rubble, rocks and twisted metal blocking these once-idyllic streets. even part of the hospital, now

the rubble this firefighter says. emergency workers and residents use shovels, bulldozers, even bare hands to try to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble. their destroyed homes. >> translator: we need chain sauce," says this firefighter. we need everything. some didn't survive. others are still missing. those who escaped unharmed in shock and disbelief. "the whole ceiling fell on my "i just managed to put a pillow on my head and i wasn't hit. i was lucky." it is a tragedy this country has known before. eight years ago a powerful quake claimed more than 300 lives. that city remains a ghost town. in rome this morning, pope francis prayed for the victims of today's tragedy. "hearing that there are children among the victims," he says, "i am deeply saddened."

rebuilt, but life here has been shattered. the mayor this morning saying this town which survived centuries is effectively gone. they're pleading for anything to help people in this town. >> lucy cavanaugh, we apologize for some of the difficulties in transmission but you can imagine, it is a difficult time. for sure. also in morning, a potential threat is developing in the atlantic. people from florida to texas should be watching it closely. al is watching it right now. >> good morning, guys. we have a couple of systems out there in the atlantic. we have gaston, but we aren't really worried about that. we are watching investigation area 99-l which will most likely become a tropical depression. this is the formation zone over the next five days stretching

southern bahamas and miami. the storm moves across the bahamas, strengthening friday afternoon. but on sunday, the american model kind of keeps it over the bahamas. sunday it comes across as a tropical storm in southern miami and here's where the big difference happens. next week it hangs around as a rainmaker in florida but it comes out into the gulf in the european model as a potential hurricane. you got gulf waters of 80 degrees. this could be a major storm, guys, threatening louisiana, the texas gulf coastline. but either way it is a big, wig rainmaker for florida. but at case it is not good news for our friends in louisiana, on into texas. >> al, thank you. in the race for the white house now, donald trump held a late rally in texas last night blasting hillary clinton over an associated press report that accuses of her of blurring the lines between her role as

family's foundation. we have two reports on this starting with nbc's andrea mitchell. andrea, good morning to you. >> good morning, matt. hillary clinton under fire today from donald trump claiming clinton foundation donors got special access when she was secretary of state. and now it is not just about her e-mails. >> reporter: donald trump throwing a new punch at hillary clinton. his ammunition, a new report from the associated press. >> it is impossible to figure out where the clinton begins. >> reporter: the associated press reviewing clinton's calendars as secretary of state reporting more than half her non-government visitors or callers were clinton foundation donors. >> this is corruption. and this is why i have called for a special prosecutor to look into this mess. >> reporter: but the clinton campaign is pushing back hard. spokesman brian fallon saying

flawed data and cherry-picked a limited subset of clinton's schedule. for example, the list includes philanthropist melinda gates. but authorities are combing through more clinton e-mails and those notes from her fbi interview. >> i think it begs the question was it pay-to-play for the clintons and they've created this mess and this aura of question that still needs definitive answers. >> reporter: even allies argue the republican nominee is in no position to question clinton's ethics. >> donald trump has zero credibility talking about any of these issues until this man releases his taxes. >> reporter: but clinton's e-mail troubles aren't going away. as many as 15,000 could be released before the election, and the pentagon confirms an army unit at ft. leonard wood in missouri put clinton's picture in a training slide show for spotting insider threats, along

manning convicted in the wikileaks case, and general david petraeus who pleaded guilty to sharing classified documents with his biographer with whom he was having an affair. clinton has not been charged with anything. the army says the slide show is no longer being used. all this as hillary clinton is fund-raising again today with the stars in california, raining in millions, even posing in a photo booth with justin timberlake and jessica beal, among her celebrity hosts. but it is going to be harder for clinton to over another kind of fund-raising by the clinton foundation. now under pressure despite all of its good works to close down to avoid any future conflicts if she is elected. matt and savannah? >> andrea mitchell on this story, thank you. also at that texas rally, trump renewed efforts to win over minority voters but some critics say this witch pitch is falling flat. nbc's hallie jackson has that part of the story. hallie, good morning. >> reporter: hey, savannah, good morning. this morning a trump campaign

this new strategy to try to appeal to african-american voters set to reveal an economic empowerment plan taking more trips to urban areas. expect to see trump push this message of outreach when he heads to jackson, mississippi later today, place, of course, with a long civil rights history. trump will also be in battleground florida facing now an uphill battle to chip away at hillary clinton's support with minority communities. >> reporter: a new pitch and a to win over african-americans. >> to the african-american community, give donald trump a chance. we will make your streets safe so when you walk down the street, you don't get shot. >> reporter: critics calling the new outreach condescending as the gop nominee tries to expand beyond his base of white voters. turning to minority communities. but the top aide telling nbc

conversation. among african-american voters, trump trails hillary clinton by a staggering 79 points in our latest nbc news/survey monkey online poll. trump promises if he is elected, he'll end up with way more support. his running mate finding that funny. >> he says by 2020 he's going to have 95% of the african-american support. why are you laughing? >> well, that's donald trump. look. look. he has heart for every american. >> reporter: trump has work to do wit he talks tough on border security in texas where his name was spelled out but his immigration position was not. candidate hinting he's ready to walk back his hardline stance on deportation. >> there certainly can be a softening because we're not looking to hurt peerople. we want people -- we have some great people in this country. >> reporter: still, trump hasn't gotten specific about how he might soften some of his immigration positions. we may find out more in the

campaign tells nbc news the candidate will meet with african-american and hispanic republican activists at trump tower in new york. savannah? >> hallie jackson, thank you. turning to north carolina now where authorities there are urging people not to rush to judgment over that fatal shooting of a deaf man by a state trooper. the death of daniel harris is sending shockwaves through the charlotte community where he lived as his family demands answers. nbc's blake mccoy spoke with them. blake, good morning to >> reporter: matt, good morning. this family is frustrated. they are desperate for answers and they can't help but wonder what role daniel harris' disability played in him being shot. they're speaking out this morning while law enforcement here in north carolina remained tight-lipped. >> he would call me every day. >> reporter: this morning, loved ones are remembering daniel harris as athletic, outgoing, and for his big heart. his brother and sister both deaf like daniel communicating their

"when i wasehonestly, i was just broke. he was the sweetest man on earth. it's impossible that it happened. >> i want to know the full story. i want to know exactly what happened. >> reporter: both believe miscommunication between harris and north carolina state trooper jermaine saunders may have played a role in the traffic stop that turned if they had known the person was deaf, this wouldn't happened. 6:14 thursday the trooper tried to pull over harris' volvo for allegedly speeding on i-485. harris didn't stop leading the trooper on a seven-mile chase ending on a street where harris lives. no one knows why harris didn't stop, but when he got out of his car according to police an encounter took place between the driver and the trooper causing a

>> reporter: harris died just steps from his front door. >> it keeps running through my mind? why did the officer shoot? there's nothing! >> reporter: trooper saunders is on paid leave this morning routine after an officer shooting. state bureau of investigation saying in a statement, "let us refrain from making assumptions or drawing conclusions prior to the internal andnd reviews." authorities are in the process of obtaining all available dash cam and body camera video to help them determine what happened. >> he had no weapon. i've known him since he was born. he was harmless, harmless individual. >> how ironic is that? he's never touched one and yet he's killed by one. >> i know. i know. >> reporter: the family hopes harris' death spurs training for officers on how to communicate with deaf people. they've started a fund with that

might release more information. i'm told that the family knows as much as we do. >> blake mccoy, thank you. growing anger this morning among the millions of people who rely on having an emergency epipen at all times to guard against potentially deadly allergic reactions. the company that makes that drug has hiked the price more than 400% over eight years, while during that same time period its executi nbc's tom costello is on the story this morning. >> reporter: this is the medicine being states require schools to stock. but the company that makes the epipen has a near monopoly and now members of congress are calling on a federal investigation into price gouging. >> reporter: it's called aa lif threatening allergy reaction.

and schools keep epipens close by in case of such an emergency. 9-year-old joshua fernandez is allergic to nuts but over the eight years the price to pharmacies for an epipen two-pack has skyrocketed from $100 to $600. and the pens must be replaced yearly. now nbc news has found that over the same period, mylan pharmaceuticals raised executive pay and compensation by more than 600%. >> i'm struggling to just provide basic life saving medicine for my child medication is go beiing to somebody's paycheck or some crazy profit mar gibb. >> reporter: in congress both republicans and democrats are alleging price gouging calling for an investigation. senator amy cloeb shar's daughter has relied on an epipen. >> how can you complain this very same item made by an american company is hundreds of dollars cheaper in canada.

important product features around the value the product provides and it offers coupons to help customers with high insurance deductibles. but mylan is not talking about ceo heather bresch's total compensation going from $2.4 million to nearly $19 million over eight years. >> it's coming at a time when there's almost never been more scrutiny on the drug industry for its pricing practices. >> there is another version on the markets but reluctant to prescribe it because so many people have now been trained to use the epipen and they don't want people fumbling around to give someone something else during an emergency. al, you were talking about a big storm in the atlantic but now a nice day in the northeast? >> yeah. spectacular weather. low humidity, sunny.

more showers around baton rouge. they don't need that. we'll look at it in detail. could be airport delays today and into tonight for parts of chicago. out west, more gorgeous weather. look at portland, oregon, sunshine, 92 degrees.portland. ? with this level of engineering... it's a performance machine. with this degree of intelligence... it's a supercomputer. with this grade of protection... and with this standard of luxury... it's an oasis. introducing the completely redesigned e-class. it's everything you need it to be... and more. lease the e300 for $549 a month at your local mercedes-benz dealer. mercedes-benz. the best or nothing. >> chris: good wednesday morning, everyone. cool start, but a lot of sunshine and clear skies prevailing through the day. a quick bounce-back temperature-wise.

cooler along the immediate coastline. high pressure slides off east of us. southwesterly wind is stronger tomorrow. dry day again tomorrow. close to 90 degrees. a slight risk of a passing storm or shower here on friday as a cool front slides on through. beautiful weather setting up over the weekend saturday and sunday. mi >> get that weather any time you need it. check out the weather channel on cable. >> all right, al, thank you. coming up, new the lawsuit just file by a former anchor who claims she was sexually harassed at work and then punished for complaining. on "rossen reports," our team goes undercover to investigate the high cost of weddings. are you being overcharged just because it is your big day?

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>> this is 7news now. ism good morning, everybody. happy wednesday. 7:26 as you take a live look over boston. let's send it over the chris lambert now with a check of your forecast.

suburbs. dew point levels in the 50s. low humidity throughout this afternoon. we start to warm it up with all that sunshine in place. temperatures this afternoon bouncing back up into the mid to upper 80s. a little bit cooler along the coastline. some isolated sea breezes kicking on in. localized, especially across cape ann. close to 90 on thursday and friday. >> sarah: a convicted rapist will be back in court after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the sound end. the 31-year-old threatened a woman with a knife a morning. officers used a jps monitor to track him down. boston police officer will begin training with body cameras today. according to the "herald," officer from six units will wear cameras today and tomorrow the full trial period is expected to last for six months. 100 officer were selected. we're back in 25 minutes with we're back in 25 minutes with massachusetts public charter schools are among the best in the country. our charter schools are public,

attention. we have a proven record of helping students in underperforming areas succeed. announcer: question 2 will expand charter school access and result in more funding for public education. every parent should be able to choose the public school that's best for their child. announcer: vote yes on question 2.

we're back at 7:30. it is wednesday morning, 24th of august, 2016. that is the music of dnce, played just in time for the concert they're throwing live on our plaza on friday, part of our citi c get this -- if you cannot actually be here and your regular old tv screen isn't cutting it, we have something special for special fans. for the first time ever we will live stream performance in virtual reality. i don't even know what that means but it will be just like you are on plaza. >> you've played air guitar. >> oh, my goodness. if you want to learn more about lou to get in on that awesome experience, go to today.com. let's get a check of the headlines on this wednesday morning.

central italy early this morning. the 6.2 magnitude quake caused a number of buildings to collapse in several towns north of rome. rescue efforts are under way right now to dig survivors out of the rubble. a new case of zika is raising some concerns in florida that the virus has spread even farther. a person in the tampa area tested positive. this is the first case outside of the miami area. it is unclear how this person developed zika but officials s internationally and sexual transmission has been ruled out as a cause. and, u.s. olympic swimmer jimmy feigen is opening up for the first time about that gas station incident in rio that ryan lochte initially described as an armed robbery. in a statement to nbc news, feigen admits leaving out certain facts when he first spoke to police. he says he was trying to protect lochte because he had pulled a poster off of a wall.

he is thankful the ordeal is over. a new lawsuit emerging against fox news just a month after chairman roger ailes left that organization amid accusations of misconduct. nbc's senior legal and investigative correspondent cynthia mcfadden is here with more. she's been on this story from the start. >> good morning, savannah. well, former fox news anchor, andrea claiming she was not only harassed by retaliated by a number of fox news executives once she complained. the former co-host of fox news shows is taking on what she called in her complaint a sex-fueled playboy mansion like cult steeped in intimidation, indecency and misogyny.

late summer of 2014 her tenure at fox news devolved into a nightmare of sexual harassment by recently ousted ceo roger ailes. the suit says on two occasions ailes asked her to turn around so i can get a good look at you. he is not the only one she says acted inappropriately. even though he is not named as a defendant in a lawsuit, she claims in her complaint that bill o'reilly started sexually harassing her in february of this year. through representatives at o'reilly declined nbc's request for comment. but two guests who appeared on fox are publicly refuting her claims after dean cane who she said in her complaint he inappropriately hugged her in a live webcast but he responds through his attorney that he never acted in an appropriate manner toward her. scott brown accused in a lawsuit of putting his hands around her waist said in a tweet that, as a

or actions as described in fox complaint. according to the suit, tantaros says they are complaints to fox executives fell on ears and that fox's current co-president, fred shine, told her ailes was a very powerful man and that she needed to "let this one go." in a statement to "new york times," shine said andrea never made any complaints to me about roger ailes sexually harassing her. >> regardless of the truth of of public opinion works is the more smoke there is, the more likely people respond to the fire. >> fox news said in april issues had arisen regarding andrea's contract, a rimpeference to a b she relent -- recently pub accomplished.

strong storms that may be firing up and making their way towards chicago. green bay down to springfield. expect airport delays in the next several hours. a severe threat tonight, wind gusts up to 60 miles an hour, golf ball sized hail, all part of a front that's pushing through early storms for the great lakes and chicago. these continue on into the late day period and on through thursday, could be some overnight stormsor scattered showers and thunderstorms making their way through the great lakes. rainfall amounts, look at this. we could be looking at from three to four inches from wichita, kansas city. but heavier rain as far east as quincy, illinois. >> chris: good wednesday morning, everyone. cool start, but a lot of sunshine and clear skies prevailing through the day. a quick bounce-back temperature-wise. this afternoon running into the mid to upper 80s.

us. southwesterly wind is stronger tomorrow. dry day again tomorrow. close to 90 degrees. a slight risk of a passing storm or shower here on friday as a cool front slides on through. beautiful weather setting up over the weekend saturday and sunday. >> and that's your latest weather. all right, al. thanks very much. just ahead, is it the best policy ever? why one texas teacher says she is done giving homework. >> i bet the kids agree with that. but first, our "rossen report" series, "don't pay that." >> reporter: good morning, i'm jeff rossen. coming up, it is your wedding day. supposed to be one of the best days of your life. but are you overpaying for the big event? big event? experts say we could tell you that the designer color collections from hgtv home by sherwin-williams make your decision easier. are you sure those colors go together? yes, all these colors go together. or, about our reputation... it's from the paint company that pros trust. or the smooth, professional finish that makes those colors

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>> can be expensive, but are you getting overcharged? national "today" correspondent jeff rossen went undercover to find out. >> good morning. you know going in your wed something going to be expensive. they get you, don't they? you need a venue and everything else to make it special. but experts say something else is at play here, too, a secret tax, if you will. they call it the wedding mark-up. when vendors hear the word wedding, prices can skyrocket but is that really true? is it really happening? this morning we are putting it to the test with our hidden cameras. >> reporter: your wedding day. you've been dreaming of it your whole life. but the perfect wedding day will cost you. big. all right. we want to see if this wedding mark-up actually happens. here's what i'm planning. i'm going to visit a venue, a photographer and a deejay, tell them i'm planning a birthday party and get prices.

>> yeah, i'm going to make my own appointments but i'm telling them i'm planning a wedding. we'll tell them it is the same amount of guests for the same date and we wanted same services. you would think we would get the same price. >> you would think so. but let's see what happens. >> reporter: first up, the venue. >> happy to be doing a party possible here. >> fantastic. let's check it out. >> yeah. it is for a five-hour birthday party with a cocktail hour and a sit-down dinner for 150 guests. >> you could actually move some of these front tables in that area right there. >> yep, what will my birthday party cost? >> so it is $96 all inclusive. >> $96 per person. >> $96 per person. >> my total all in, birthday party price, all-in, $14,696. when lindsey checks it out, she gets the same tour, the same

14,667. >> reporter: and the same exact deal. great news. but every party needs a photographer. watch what happens when i meet in one. >> what's going on? >> you look familiar. >> oh, i don't know. i'm one of those faces, i guess. >> just a few steps through the door. >> is your name rossen? >> it is. >> you're rossen reports? >> yes, sir. >> does he know we're taping a >> i had a feeling i recognize you. nice to meet you. how many people you planning? >> 150. >> okay. no problem. >> okay. good. back to business. my birthday party. >> where is it going to take place? >> we don't have an exact venue but it will be in this area. >> he charges me $750 for five hours of photos. >> i'm not getting any rossen reports discount or anything. >> no. >> $750 is what anybody would pay for a party. >> exactly. i'm not giving you any kind of hidden privileges or something like that.

hi, good to meet you. lindsey. >> she asked for the same night. >> looking for five hours for just the reception. no post-photos, none of the getting ready before. she also says her event is going to be in the same area. >> probably be more than $800. >> $800. okay. >> lindsey gets charged $50 more for the wedding. pretty close. he later told us, he only charged more for the wedding because he misunderstood and thought lindsey's location was farther away. but just when we think good, i go shopping for a deejay and find a big price gap. >> $1,650, photo booth and two main deejays. >> the shooting star package. $1,650. >> reporter: but when lindsey gets a price for her wedding for the same day. >> looking at $2,400. throw in the cocktail hour for free. >> reporter: that's right.

package. >> shooting star. >> the shooting star. >> birthday party price, $1,650. lindsey lindsey's wedding price -- 2,496.i 2,496.50. almost $850 more for the wedding. the deejay company later telling nbc news weddings require much more attention to detail. the talent must go through a lengthy training process and back-up equipment is also taken. birthday parties have less formalities and planning te nearly at a minimum. a revealing peek behind the veil before you say "i do." this is one of those cases where you can play junior "rossen reports" investigators at home. go undercover yourself and you don't even need hitten cameras. if you're planning a wedding, here is an idea. get the price, then have your friend call up the same vendors and get priceses for a birthday party just like we did on the same nice with the same services. most places we found, guys, will give you a price over the phone. we hope it helps.

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. we're back at 7:50. carson's on the west coast with "the voice." tamron's on orange room duty. >> this is a great story. nick templeton brought a tour group while watchiale watching coast of vancouver. after 30 minutes of watching the ork kch orcas he noticed they went hunting. and in hunting mode. then this happened. a seal hopped on to the back of his boat seeking safety from the or orcas. the seal was tossed around a bit, actually fell off the boat twice, meanwhile the whales continued to circle the water. the seal was able to keep his balance and waited out the whale until they disappeared, then

the incredible video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times on facebook and youtube. tour guide nick wrote this though -- wow. got back into cell service today and the thing exploded! who would think one harbor seal could cause such a ruckus? guys, look at this just closely here. that's the little seal. what is that right there? >> i didn't see that the first time. >> that's why we're going in close. how c the circle of life almost happened. >> i like how that seal shimmied on. the beeps on the video, is that because of what the seal was saying or what the people in the boat were going? >> i'm going to go with that is what the seal was saying. le see went a little blue on us. >> tamron, thank you. just ahead, training tips

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sip in summertime with a frozen coolatta from dunkin' donuts. stay cool this summer with a new sour apple, watermelon, or blue raspberry coolatta. america runs on dunkin'. >> this is 7news now. >> sarah: good morning, everybody. it's 7:57 on this wednesday morning as you take a live look at boston. let's send it over the chris lambert now with a check of your forecast. >> chris: ton ofun there. 74 in boston. in the 60s in a lot of the suburbs. 50s this morning. we'll continue to warm up quickly with that sunshine. pleasant localized sea breezes at the beach. upper 70s, lower 80s away from the coastline. a slight risk of an isolated shower on friday. >> sarah: now to your top stories. the scene is now clear in charlestown after a major rollover at the sullivan square rotary. a dump truck spilled its road of scrap metal right in the road.

windshield to get out of that vehicle. he suffered minor injuries. a convicted rapist will be in court today after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the sound end. police say the 31-year-old threatened a woman with a knife and then raped her near a playground early monday morning. officers used his g.p.s. monitor to track him down. we're back in 25 minutes with another update.

it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, zion's story. >> let me see how strong you are. >> one year after becoming the first child to ever receive a double hand transplant. we'll check in with the inspirational 9-year-old behind >> it's just been crazy. plus, the dog days of summer as we prepare for life with charlie in studio 1a. animal expert cesar millan stops by the plaza to show us what every family needs to know before bringing a new pet into their home. and, welcome to dolly's world. the legendary dolly parton is

hits. ? workin' 9 to 5 ? >> as she gets set to release her 43rd album, "today," wednesday, august 24th, 2016. ? >> happy >> celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary! >> class of 2020! >> woo! >> all right, it's 8:00 now on this wednesday morning, 24th day of august, 2016. we got a big crowd out on the plaza this morning and a lot to get to. that's right. well, you know what?

charm. we're really hoping that's the case for "today's" lucky going for the gold contestant. on tuesday, a very enthusiastic meg gave it her best shot but 30 seconds later she came up a little short. so who gets the chance to dive in this morning and search for that one gold ball worth $25,000? from south carolina, where's grace? grace! gre, all right. come on over. how are you? >> hi! >> don't be afraid. >> oh, my gosh. hi. >> what's the poster say? >> the poster says i want to find the gold ball for my green ber r beret. he's stationed in the middle east right now. i am really ready to go. >> all right. we'll see you go for gold in

awesome. thank you. can we bring in one other special guest. look who we have here? look. here's wrangler. wrangler's back! wrangle, buddy, how are you? this original puppy with a purpose. wrangler recently passed his test carefully instructor aroun. confident. we are now happy to see he is officially eligible to become a guide dog. today is a really big day for him because wrangler is going to meet soon the person he will guide every day and we cannot wait to meet that person as well. hi, wrangler. did you miss us at all? >> not at all. he's focused. >> we miss him. it is so great to hear he is doing so well. he looks great. >> he does. we're going to have a lot

the news at 8:00. we begin with some breaking news this morning. a powerful earthquake rocks central italy overnight causing widespread devastation. this morning rescuers are picking through debris. they're searching for survivors as that death toll grows. n lucy, good morning. >> reporter: matt, savannah, good morning. it is a dark day for 37 people killed, others still missing. for rescue workers here it is a race against the clock to save those trapped beneath the rubble. >> reporter: the earthquake struck in the dead of night. there was no time to react. at 6 didn't 2 magnitude, it was powerful enough to jolt people away 100 miles away in rome. in this mountainous central region of italy, the earthquake

amatrice the devastation was worst. ancient buildings and churches destroyed, cars crushed. the town center, now a pile of rubble, rocks and twisted metal blocking these once-idyllic streets. even part of the hospital, now gone. emergency workers and residents used shovels, bulldozers, even bare hands to try to rescue those trapped beneath rubble of their destroyed homes. some didn't those who escaped unharmed in shock and disbelief. in rome this morning, pope francis prayed for the victims of today's tragedy. "hearing that there are children among the victims," he says, "i am deeply saddened." the buildings may one day be rebuilt, but life here has been shattered. officials are still pleading for donations of blood, rescue supplies, food and medicine. but, guys, the serious part is

aftershocks here and things could get worse before they get better. matt, savannah? >> lucy kavanov in italy, thank you. turning to politics, donald trump escalating his attacks on the clinton family foundation. trump saying a new associated press report shows the clintons used that foundation to trade government access for personal profit. the report says more than half of clinton's non-government meetings when she was secretary of state were with foundation on tuesday night saying that report used flawed data and cherry-pick from a limited subset of clinton's schedule. the first terror suspect to be waterboarded after 9/11 was seen by the outside world tuesday for the first time since his capture in 2002. he appeared before a pentagon panel by video link from the military prison in guantanamo bay. he has been held there without charges for ten years. the panel did not make any

be released as part of his interrogation in the secret cia prison, zubaydah was waterboarded 83 times. government has since dropped its claim that he was a top al qaeda leader but it still contends that he probably has an extremist mindset and may still be dangerous. new concern in florida this morning that the zika virus may have spread from miami and is now in a different part of the state. florida's governor, rick scott, anouned on tuesday there is a non-travel related case of in the tampa bay region. this is the first in the state outside of miami-dade county. governor scott says so far there is no evidence of local transmission in the tampa area. state officials are working to find out where and how this person contracted that disease. we're going to take a break. coming up, bar none, the surprising reason soap sales are slipping. plus, jill martin helps you save on back ln to-school with a

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one year ago, zion harvey became the first child to receive a double hand transplant. well, today he is thriving. we're going to talk to him and his mom and the doctor behind this ground-breaking surgery in a moment. but first, a little bit more about his journey. >> okay, zion, whenever you're ready. >> it was like, okay, when i let this ball go -- >> it's your pitch. >> -- i have to see how far it will go. and i was far. >> reporter: before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a baltimore orioles game, for 9-year-old zion harvey, it was life throwing the curve balls. when we first met zion a year ago, completing every day tasks had its challenges, let alone fulfilling his dream of throwing a baseball. doctors removed zion's hands and feet due to a life threatening infection when he was 2. >> i hoped and i hoped for

>> reporter: last summer zion made history becoming the first ever child resip yebts cipient e hand transplant. a long road to recovery marked with a rigorous therapy regimen. >> this last year has been like a roller coaster, up, down, fast, slow. it's been -- it's just been crazy. >> we've been tested. it definitely has been a year to remember. >> reporter: zion's mom says her son may have just turned 9 but this year they've celebrated firsts from holding hands to hugging and the world of opportunities now within his reach. >> i'm very excited because now i can do more than i imagined. >> well, zion, his mom patty rae

operation, along with us now. zion, i loved shaking your hand this morning. what's your favorite thing about these new hands you have? >> um, just being able to wrap them around my mom. >> give her a good hug. you said just now in that story we showed that you're able to do more than even you imagined. what are some of the things that you've been able to do in the last year? >> well, i've i've mostly been able to play with my brothers, play with my brother and sister. and with them two, it's like i -- i have them to back me up. i have my grandmother.

and i would do anything to keep it that way. >> you got a good team with you and your mom is at the top of that. patty, i can't even imagine having gone through what you did with him at age 2, to now and seeing what he's able to do. what has this journey been like for you? >> this journey has definitely been a roller coaster. not easy. it startedhe young. so i didn't have a manual. i had never been here before. but as a mother, you know, as mothers we just have to protect and fight. that's what i've been doing, protecting and fighting for him and for the best for him. >> and to see him do all these things, he can do, throwing a baseball. >> to see him throwing that baseball just took my heart. i couldn't even record it, it was so happy. i was jumping and screaming. he was like why are you

this is like a moment that before i may not have had. >> zion, you threw that ball farther than i think i could throw it. you have a lot of practice? >> well with be i play a lot of baseball. they put me as pitcher a lot. but i'm good batter, too. i'm -- well, i'm -- well, my mom was recording a video but i wouldn't say her video was the best. she was mostly jumping up and down screaming. >> it got a little shaky? dr. levin, the reward is right here. i can't imagine how this fills your heart. i want to make clear though, he has worked really hard. you guys did this incredibly complex surgery and then he worked so hard every day in therapy to get here. >> right, his motivation, savannah, his commitment. he has a great family team. we have a great team at penn medicine children's hospital. we work with our shriners colleagues to make this happen.

we won. we won to get him to this point. this is certainly not a game for hope for many children like zion and it is part of the zero of transplantation. solid organs in adults now moving these opportunities for these life changing operations in children. and we're so excited that we are at this point. we've learned so much. he's taught us. he teaches us every day. we learn from him. so it's been a great opportunity. >> it is incredible. these hands will grow with you. you were even on the how about that? >> it was okay. i wouldn't say it was the best photo shoot, but it was okay. >> well, zion, i hope you're having fun with us today. you know, we have a new puppy so i hope you get to get over there and pet him. would you like to do that? >> yes. >> we're so happy to see you and

your hard work. thank you for being here. >> thank you. >> we'll send it over to al getting a check of the weather. >> i could use your help, zion, doing the weather. >> you want to help? go on, buddy. >> yeah. all right. hey, dude. good to see you. come on over here. now, just hit this button up here. boom. all right. look at that. and we've got the satellite going on. there is a tropical storm but we're worried about that little we're watching that. see what happens? we're going to watch this tropical storm. maybe 60%. 80% in the next five days. and watch what happens when i hit this -- boom. this is where it might form so we're going to be watching that. okay? you want to help me do that? >> sure. >> hit the button one more time. boom. yeah! that's all the rain -- can you say that's what's going on around the country? >> that's what's going on around the country. >> here's what's happening in

>> chris: good wednesday morning, everyone. cool start, but a lot of sunshine and clear skies prevailing through the day. a quick bounce-back temperature-wise. this afternoon running into the mid to upper 80s. cooler along the immediate coastline. high pressure slides off east of us. southwesterly wind is stronger tomorrow. dry day again tomorrow. close to 90 degrees. a slight risk of a passing storm or shower here on friday as a cool front slides on through. beautiful weather setting up sunday. >> there you go. >> all right, al. that was pretty cool. >> just to wrap my arms around my mom. how about that one? meantime, what's "trending today," what time you guys wake up in the morning. >> 3:00.

>> why 3:00 a.m. is the most productive hour. there are minimal distractions before the sun rises, no one is e-mailing or texting you unless it is savannah. there is less to see on social media. just peace and quiet. in this article early bird shares their tricks, programmable coffee makers. get that brewing started at cathol 3:45. sleep in gym clothes to get the best start in the morning. >> no. >> i do. >> you do? >> yeah. 4:40. >> we both do yoga in the morning. >> five minutes. >> reply to e-mails but send them at 8:00. because you don't want to wake people up. >> people don't really appreciate when they get 15 e-mails. we have often reminisced about things that have kind of vanished with the times -- vcrs, phone books, land lines. now we are learning that a new

"the washington post" says sales are slipping. 55% of consumers think bar soap is simply inconvenient. it requires a soap dish obviously, gets a little messy. some complain it isn't as long lasting as a body wish. do you still use bar soap sometimes? >> i still use a vcr. so of course. i use liquid. >> you do. because you say men and the older generation still use bar soap. >> so you looked at me because >> exactly. exactly! what about you, bar soap? >> i do like a bar of soap but we mostly have liquid. >> i'm back to bar soap. i used to use liquid but now the new trend in beauty for women, bar soaps. >> really. >> yeah. how about the new trend in "pop start." courtney cox now admitting she

she said aging isn't the easiest, especially being a woman in the spotlight. here's what she has to say. >> i think i was trying to keep up with getting older, trying to chase that -- get something you can't keep up with. sometimes you find yourself trying and you look at a picture you your ef is and yself and go. i look horrible. i have done things that i have regret and luckily there a away. >> courtney says her new motto is just let it be. and the final five gold medal gymnastics return from rio to an exciting day in the big apple. they started their day with us and had fun on the plaza. they even let usher try on one of their gold medals. the girls also went to the top of the empire state building before some fun and games with jimmy fallon. the game -- hungry hungry humans. the life size version of the

>> three, two, one -- eat! >> oh, my gosh. >> we need that here. obviously the stakes were much lower in this game but still the competition was here. i vote we have large size human scale of all of the games. monopoly. >> monopoly might be a little boring. >> for more op head to "today's" facebook page. >> i would like a life sized etch- etch-a-sketch. >> trouble. >> okay. requests are in. let's go outside to matt. >> savannah, thanks very much. anyone who's ever brought a new puppy home knows getting them house trained takes a lot of

cesar millan and of course our new puppy charlie is here along with all of his siblings. cafe, mocha, java and crema. by the way, they're all going to be paired as service dogs. >> i love wrangler, the work you guys did with him is awesome. >> thank you. you're going to do a little quiz here. myth or when bringing your puppy home you should let them run around freely and comfortable in the new home. you should just let them go. >> no. pushed keep them in their space. i like the kennel system. how do you feel? >> that's actually a fact. >> you should let them go? >> no, no, no. you should let them have rules, boundaries, limitations. otherwi otherwise, they go into the wrong state of mind in the house like the who us is a playful place.

little at a time? >> once they master one room at a time. >> i put him in there? is that right? >> puppy held. you should take him to the vet within two months after you bring the dog? >> i would think so, yeah. >> actually if the first eight weeks not only bring him to the vet but make sure that he goes consistently. >> so it doesn't freak him out. >> it is positive socializing your puppy. you should let people meet the puppy excited or calm. >> i think you probably would want them to be be a little calmer when they approach your puppy. >> yes. because we want to set our puppies to be successful meeting children, other people, people in wheelchairs. that way they associate meeting humans in a calm way. >> it is hard because you see a puppy because you want to get down and play with it and your voice goes up. but you have to be calm. >> that's what most people do. then the puppy believes that's

>> building a bond. you should always give affection to your puppy at all times no matter what your puppy is doing. >> no. if the puppy is doing something wrong, you should let the puppy know. how am i doing? >> you're doing fantastic. the right formula is exercise affection. most people like affection, affection, affection. >> that's right. we smother our pets with affection. >> then they become unstable with that. >> what's the biggest people make with puppies? >> the biggest mistake people make with puppies is they humanize them and they apply human psychology in a dog. so we have to honor how they learn. nose, eyes, ears. >> thank you. by the way, catch new episodes of "cesar 911" on nat geo.

my absolute favorite guests, miss dolly parton is here. i'm so excited. you're going to perform a

>> this subpoena 7news now. ism good morning, everybody. happy wednesday, 8:27 as you take a live look over boston. let's send it over to chris lambert now with a check of your forecast. >> chris: beautiful skyline shot there. a lot of sunshine. temperatures now close to 70 degrees. on our way well into the 08s. in fact, expect temperatures between 84 and afternoon. localized sea breezes along the coastline keeping it cooler. all in all we enjoy some comfortable weather. 60 to 70 degrees. forecast for tomorrow, 85 to 90. partly cloudy skies. we'll keep the warmth heading into friday. isolated storm a possibility. >> sarah: now to our top story. two people are rushed to the hospital. police say an s.u.v. slammed into a utility pole on lake street. the front of the car is smashed

crash. a convicted rapist will be back in court today after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman in the south end. police say the 31-year-old threatened a woman with a knife and raped her near a playground early monday morning. officers used his g.p.s. monitor to track him down. boston police officers will begin training with body cameras today. office centers six units will wear cameras today and tomorrow. the full trial period is expected to last for about six months. 100 officers were selected. "today in new england" returns at 9:00. we hope to see you then have.

we're back. 8:30. there is the pit of balls. we are going to go for gold this morning. grace is ready. she's got her shoes off. she's got spirits high. she's got great motivation. >> great motivation because her boyfriend is in the military. right. >> yes. yes, he is. >> and what is his name? >> his name is william. he's deployed in the middle east right now and he's watching with his team. >> fantastic. i'm sure they're rooting for you, like crazy.

thank you. >> you get 30 seconds in there to find the one gold ball. >> worth $25,000. >> all right. >> you can do it. >> put 30 seconds on the clock. let's wish grace great luck. you ready? three, two, one -- go, grace! >> go, grace! all right, she's in. she's in. she's using the breaststroke, i think, to find tt rightee. 15 seconds, grace. >> you can do it. >> come on, grace! ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one -- oh! so close. >> you gave it your all.

you're still number one in our hearts. >> yes, you are. >> oh, thank you so much. >> you still deserve the silver medal in our opinion. >> thank you. >> grace, nice try. thank you very much. we're going to try again tomorrow with a new contestant. it could be you. you know what you have to do. come on down to the plaza in your olympic finest and show us your spirit. just ahead, nothing says back-to-school like backpacks, books and more. jill and deals to return you to the classroom. did we mention how thrilled we are to have country queen dolly parton in the studio? look at her -- she's with charlie! we'll talk about her new album and she'll perform a few of her many classics live. of course, we've got our today's original series, teaming up with marketing company something new. i teamed up with shake shack.

burger. how is it selling so far? let's get allan king from shake shack down in our nation's capital. how is the roker burger doing? >> so good. so, so good. i have my friends here from don't get hungry. >> that's fantastic. because $1 of every burger of the roker local no kid hungry for shake shack in his town. are folks buying one, two, three at a time? >> we're bringing trays -- trays of burgers out. >> all right. you're going to keep pushing those burgers, right? >> absolutely. >> where is the shake shack located there in d.c.? >> we've got union station, the one over at f street and one at dupont. we've got plenty to choose from. >> terrific. it is on sale through friday.

and then #rokerburger. tweet it out. instagram it so we can get it going right there. thank you so much. >> thanks, al. appreciate it. let's check your weather quickly, show you what we've got going on right now. you can see the sunshine and warmth in the northeast, mid-atlantic states. strong storms later this morning, on into the afternoon hours. chicago and upper midwest, weather through the gulf coast with some afternoon storms. then for look for more wet weather down through the gulf where they do not need it, including our friends down in louisiana. hot and dry in the pacific >> chris: good wednesday morning, everyone. cool start, but a lot of sunshine and clear skies prevailing through the day. a quick bounce-back temperature-wise. this afternoon running into the mid to upper 80s. cooler along the immediate

us. southwesterly wind is stronger tomorrow. dry day again tomorrow. close to 90 degrees. a slight risk of a passing storm or shower here on friday as a cool front slides on through. beautiful weather setting up over the weekend saturday and sunday. >> don't forget, get that weather any time you need it, go to the weather channel on cable. up next be we're taking the burden out of sending your kids back to school. jill has got a special edition. but first, this is "today" on

narrator: funded by kelly ayotte's special interests backers, the ads attacking maggie hassan on the heroin crisis have been called "despicable," the truth... david dubois: maggie hassan has been hands-on working with local police and community organizations. narrator: working across the aisle to secure millions in emergency funding for treatment and recovery. susan mckeown: maggie hassan. mark mitchell: to governor hassan, i know this is about people and families. mckeown: she's putting the families of new hampshire first. i'm maggie hassan

welcome back to "today." this is a special edition of "steals and deals." it is pretty darn cute, a back-to-school blowout. jill martin is here. i love your models here this morning. they're so cute! >> i have a lot of fabulous

start with a must-have for school. olympia usa backpacks. retail $90 to $120. let me introduce you to marissa, harper and caleb. show everybody how it rolls. >> oh, that's nice. >> you could wear it as a backpack. comes in a variety of colors, either a duffel or a backpack depending on how many books you have. retail $90 to $120. the deal, $28. up to 77% off. thank you, >> the duffel bag is available as well. >> your choice. >> i love this next one. what is this? watches? >> modified watches. retail $50. if you could zoom in and look, there is a school bus, look at that. something that says snooze which i think we can all use. you can mix and match the faces and the straps. >> really. >> if you have -- you'll feel like you have something new.

>> that is a great price. >> let me introduce you to our next set of models. sam, do you want to turn around to wave? this is thomas. eastla. mila and sam is doing a walk-on. originally was not supposed to be in the segment by you told him he could do whatever he wants and he just grabbed a watch. let's move on to the stationery studio. personalized emojirg because we order the stationery through the segment. but then booked mila to be one of our models so she crossed out the name and wrote her own name in there. so smart. retail $113. you get all different pads. today i'm feeling with all the different emojis and they are personalized with your name. >> that's so fun! >> i know. the retail is $113.

70% off. >> that's so cute! >> now we're moving on to penguin young readers classic book set. you see all these classics here. comes in different number in each set. definitely go on today.com to see which is which, retail, $48.76 to -- $53.97. the deal, $15 for the set. this is callie. playing etch-a-sketch. sam, thank you for coming to this one as well. this is the classics kids betting budget. you can choose from a three-piece set or four-piece

retail $120. deal, $39. up to 72% off. is it comfortable? yeah, she likes it. good. all these different prints, different things you can choose from. go on today.com, all different prints, cupcakes, skies, something for boys and girls. again, twin or full. >> nice and soft. >> sam, you're not going to do the jewelry? >> sam's out. >> the rob jewelry holer. scarves or more delicate jewelry, a ring. >> i don't think you have to be a kid to enjoy these. >> these are cute for adults, too. >> that's a stud. >> retail $65 to $75. the deal, $21. up to 72% off.

your initial. okay. this is the dell laptop and ipad cases. retail, $42. it holds mac book, 11-inch, 13-inch, 15-inch. retail $42, the deal $13. 69% off. >> we've got the backpacks from olympia usa. the watches from modify. the emoji organizer sets from the stationery studio. book sets from penguin random house. victoria classics bedding sets. the jewelry holders from robin rhodes and laptop cases from della. if you want any more information on this, go to today.com. i lost jill. she's over there with her new friend, sam. coming up, the moment we've all been waiting for. dolly parton is here and she's going to perform live in our studio. we kate wacan't wait for that. but first that is "today" on

i'm hillary clinton, and i approve this message. michael hayden: if he governs consistent with some of the things he said as a candidate, i would be very frightened. gillian turner: he's been talking about the option of using a nuclear weapon against our western european allies. max boot: this is not somebody who should be handed the nuclear codes. charles krauthammer: you have to ask yourself, controlling the nuclear codes? and as of now, i'd have to say no.

series on "today" is proudly presented to you by citi. 8:44. there are days where this is simply the greatest job in the world. i'm joined now by an icon, dolly parton. she just released her 43rd album. it's called "pure and simple." in a moment she'll do a song off that album. but first we are going to get a classic. are you ready for this? >> i am. if you promise to sing along. >> you may not want at >> ladies and gentlemen, "9 to 5." >> everybody in the studio! ? i tumble out of the bed and stumble to the kitchen pour myself a cup of ambition ? ? yawning and stretch and try to come to life ? i jump in the shower and the blood starts pumping ? ? out on the streets traffic starts jumping with folks like me on the job from 9 to 5 ?

make a living ? ? barely getting by it's all taking and no giving ? ? they just use your mind and they never give you credit ? ? it's enough to drive you crazy if you let it ? ? 9 to 5 with service and devotion ? ? you would think that i would deserve a fair promotion ? ? i want to move ahead but the boss won't seem to let me ? out to get me ? ? woo ooh ? ? they let you dream just to watch 'em shatter ? ? you're just a step on the boss man's ladder but you got dreams he'll never take away ? ? you're in the same boat with a lot of your friends waiting for the day your ship will come in ? ? tide's going to turn and it's all going to roll away ? >> are you ready?

make a living ? ? barely getting by it's all taking and no giving ? ? they just use your mind and they never give you credit ? ? it's enough to drive you crazy if you let it ? ? 9 to 5 they got you where they want you ? ? there's a better life y'all dream about it don't you ? ? it's a rich man's game i don't care what they call it ? ? and you putting money in his wallet ? ? 9 to 5 just workin' workin' workin' workin' ? ? 9 to 5 ? ? they got you workin' 9 to 5 ? ? workin' 9 to 5 ? ? they'll keep you workin' workin' workin' ? ? workin' 9 to 5 ? ? yeah! woo-hoo! thank you!

dolly parton in a moment.

we are back with more from the one and only dolly parton. she is the most honored female country performer of all time. she has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. her career has spanned more than five decades.

down for the release of her 43rd album, "pure and simple." dolly, it is so great to see you. we always feel like we're in it the presence of greatness when you are here. >> oh, thank you. just oldness, i think. >> not at all. >> you sound good, you look good. you have so much spirit. what is your magic potion and how do we get it? >> i don't know. people always say i look like i'm happy. i say that's the botox. you have good lighting, good makeup and good doctors. that's my secret. >> you are celebrating a mi 53 years? >> we were married 50 years on memorial day. >> you know what my favorite part of the story is? you met him where? >> at the wishy-washy laundromat. always makes jokes. wishy-washy ever since. but must be okay. lasted that long. >> you always have to laugh when you say this, you've been gone a lot. >> they say how did it last 50 years? i say 47 of those years i was gone.

you've done in 25 years. rumor has it you were nervous about it. that you weren't sure people were going to want to come out and see you. are you serious? >> yes. usually when people have a tour they have hit songs on the radio and it's been a long time since i had radio records. i just wasn't sure people would come. but they did. we're having a wonderful tour. june through december. canada, also. >> from what i read, your tour bus is also something to awesome. >> i think. i think oprah showed it unwith time on one of her shows. but i have it all set up. i live on the bus. i don't stay in hotels so i have everything i need in there. >> even a bathtub. >> oh, yeah! but i do. i don't need a lot of room. i'm not tall by you. >> you've got some great love songs on it. >> yes. i wrote all the love songs. it was a good year to do that after 50 years. i know a little something about love. >> you do. what are you going to sing for us now? >> i'm going to sing the title

simple." >> ladies and gentlemen, dolly parton. >> okay. thank you. ? ? every time i think about you i get chills a ? it's a feeling i'm not used to can't believe you're really mine ? ? other loves so complicated broken hearts and twisted minds ?

elated so unlike the other times ? ? it's so pure it's almost sacred ? ? simply put it feels divine ? ? i just love you pure and simple pure and simple and lifetime looking for that perfect love ? ? like a dream we finally found it pure and simple well good for us ? ? it's so pure it's almost

? i just love you pure and simple pure and simple sweet and fine ? ? i just love you pure and simple ? ? can't believe you're really mine ? ? oh whoa whoa ? ? mm ? whoa whoa whoa ? ? hmmm hmmm ? ? you're really mine ? >> woo! >> thank you. >> dolly parton. the album's called "pure and simple." we're have a lot more from her.

news.

>> breaking news. italy rattled by a massive earthquake. the new england connection as crews there december separately search for survivors.

square. scrap medal covering the road. a pastor facing serious allegations. the underaged girl he's accused of having sex with. new details after a hell mist heist. the suspect going to the scene of the skiem. another cool start this morning. temperature warming up quickly thanks to sunshine in the forecast ahead. all that and much when you can take your hands off the wheel to get out of a tight spot. when you can relax with your foot off the brake and stay put. and when you enjoy 400 horsepower that's both smooth and controlled. that's the more human side of engineering. hurry in for limited time offers during the final days of the

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>> breaking news. building crumbled, people trapped the death toll climbing after earthquake in italy. police nabbing a suspect. the clues that led to his arrest. >> a plane touching down in a reservoir. hear from the pilot who landed it safely on just one >> good morning. it's good to have you here. i'm sarah french. we'll get to your top stories in a moment. first let's send it over to chris lambert. fantastic weather again, once again yesterday. temperature low humidity close to 80 degrees in all of that sunshine. started off on the cool side. not as cool as yesterday. down into the 50s. we've rebounded into the low-to-mid 70s into the mid-to-upper 80s this afternoon.