good morning. breaking news. a powerful earthquake rocks central italy overnight causing widespread devastation. at least 37 people killed as crews dig for survivors out of the rubble. troulo a big storm brewing in the atlantic 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

were with donors to her family's 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 lifesaving 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. >> annou: 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

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 clock. the earthquake struck in the dead of night. there was no time to react. at 6.2 magnitude, it was 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

there are some 70 people under 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. "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 head," this survivor says. "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."

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 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. it's got a 77% chance in five days of becoming a tropical entity. this is the formation zone over the next five days stretching

into the 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 to 90 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 secretary of state and her

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. >> i i out where the clinton foundation ends and the state department 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

the story relies on utterly 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 >> reporter: even as clinton 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

with edward snowden, chelsea 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 among her celebrity hosts. but it is going to be harder for clinton to escape the uproar now over another kd 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

senior advisor tells me the candidate is ready to roll out 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 new push as donald trump works 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: t h do with hispanic voters, too, as 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 people. 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

coming days. tomorrow a source close to 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 you. >> 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

and for his big heart. his brother and sister both deaf like daniel communicating their grief through sign language. >> when i was told, honestly, 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 deadly. if tha 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

>> one suspect down. >> 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 and independent 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

goal in mind. this morning law enforcement giving no timeline on when they 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 executives' compensation is up more than 600%. nbc's tom costello is on the story this morning. >> reporter: this is the medicine that many states require schools to stock in case a child suffers a potentially deadly attack. 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 anaphylactic shock, a

millions of at-risk americans and schools keep epipens close by in case of such an emergency. 9-year-old joshua fernandez is allergic to international space station, but over nine 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 and the money that i pay for this medication is going to somebody's paycheck or some crazy profit margin. >> reporter: in congress both republicans and democrats are alleging price gouging, calling for an investigation. senator amy klobuchar's daughter has relied on an epipen since she was a child. >> how can you complain this very same item made by an american company is hundreds of dollars cheaper in canada?

the price change better reflects 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. >> reporter: a lot of scrutiny. there is another version on the market, but doctors are 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 epinephrine during an emergency. >> as you mentioned, schools being asked to stockpile it so we're talking about taxpayer dollars, too. thank you very much. al, you were talking about a big storm in the atlantic but now a nice day in the northeast? >> yeah. a gorgeous day. in fact, we've got spectacular weather. low humidity, sunny. warm.

down through the gulf coast. more showers around baton rouge. they don't need that. slight risk of strong storms. 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. warmer in portland. 82 in los angeles. we'll get to your local forecast in the next 30 seconds. ?? with this level of engineering... it's a performance machine. with this degree of intelligence... it's a supercomputer. it's a fortress. 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.

>> get that weather any time you need it. check out the weather channel on cable. >> all right, al, thank yo fox news. 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? but first, this is "today" on

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check of the weather..

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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 concert series. get - 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 get in on that awesome

headlines on this wednesday morning. death toll expected to rise from a very strong earthquake in 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 say that patient has not traveled 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. feigen called his actions a mistakes and apologized adding,

over. a new lawsuit emerging against fox news for alleged sexual harassment. this comes 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 tantaros filed a lawsuit claiming she was not only harassed by reat number of fox news executives including roger ailes and more 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. in the lawsuit filed this week,

been employed in 2011 through 2016 but allegation in 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. o'reilly declined nbc's request for comment. but two guests who appeared on fox are publicly refuting her claims. actor dean cain, who she said in her complaint he inappropriately hugged her in a live webcast, through his attorney responds 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 survivor of sexual abuse, i

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, bill 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 allegations, the way the court of public opinio 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 reference to a book she relent -- recently pub accomplished. mr. roker has a check of the weather.

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 storms for chicago and 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. that's what's going on around the country.

>> 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 "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.

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planning a wedding. >> 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 just because it is a wedding. 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

to visit the same place. >> 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 >> yep, perfect. >> reporter: all looks good but 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

exact balance room. >> the total for this package, 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 rossen reports right now? >> 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

in for her wedding. 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 aw 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's wedding price -- 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 ngthy training process and back-up equipment is also taken. birthday parties have less formalities and 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

>> jeff, thank you very much. good idea. coming up, hungry, hungry gold medalists. the wild competitionpitting the final five against each other. a desperate move to avoid the jaws of a killer whale. the jaws of a killer whale. oh, ye the first person to survive alzheimer's disease is out there. they're going to hold on to everything the disease steals away. that smile they can't hide. every single piece of them is going to make it through. and the alzheimer's association is going to make it happen by funding research, advancing public policy and spurring scientific breakthroughs. and by providing local support to those living with the disease and their caregivers, we're easing the burden for all those

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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 whale watching over the coast of vancouver. after 30in o 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 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

hopped back into the water and swam off the coast to safety. 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 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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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 that incredible smile. >> 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 here to sing some of her biggest

? workin' 9 to 5 ?? >> as she gets set to release her 43rd album, "today," wednesday, august 24th, 2016. ?? >> happy birthday! >> 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.

well, you know what? they say the third time is the 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! gr 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 beret. he's stationed in the middle east right now.

we'll see you go for gold in just a little bit. >> all right. 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 guiding his blindfolded instor >> we're told wrangler was very 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.

we're going to have a lot more ahead. but first let's take a look at 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. lucy kafanov, good morning. >> reporter: matt, savannah, od 37 people killed, others still missing. i'm standing next to a completely blackened home. for the rescue workers here, it is a race against the clock to save those trapped beneath the rubble. the earthquake struck in the dead of night. there was no time to react. at 6.2 magnitude, it was powerful enough to jolt people away 100 miles away in rome. in this mountainous central region of italy, the earthquake

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 survive. 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 that we are still feeling aftershocks here and things could get worse before they get

>> lucy kafanov in italy, thank you. turning to politics, donald trump escalating his attacks on the clinton family foundation. in a rally in austin, 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 withnd donors. clinton's campaign pushed back 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. abu zubaydah 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 immediate ruling on his bid to

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 governorck non-travel related case of zika 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. ste 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-to-school shopping with a special edition of "steals and

it takes to train a little guy like charlie. cesar millan tell it takes to train technology is useful. i just bought a book. and while i was telling you about the book, i downloaded a song. oh, and full disclosure, when we were just chatting about that song thing, someone arranged a date. guilty. the point is, life is digital. so, carmax, created a site where you can reserve a car online. come in when it's convenient, your car will be waiting. just another thing to make buying a car better for you...

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remarkable little boy we've been following ago. 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 and i was surprised it went that 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

hand transplant. and it came true. >> reporter: last summer zion made history becoming the first ever child recipient of a double 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

surgeon who performed the 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 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 been able to -- 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.

aunt shay. 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 ne been a roller coaster. not easy. it started when i was very 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.

screaming so loud? because. 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, 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? 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 po >> it is incredible. these hands will grow with you. you were even on the cover of "people" magazine. 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

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 "l" over there. 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

your neck of the >> 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-ish. 4-ish. >> 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 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.

household staple is on the decline -- a bar of soap. "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 s soap. >> so you looked at me because i'm a man. >> 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

about cosmetic procedures. 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 yourself and go, ooh, god. i look horrible. i have done things that i regret and luckily there are things that dissolve and go 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

popular board game. check it out. >> 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. head to "today's" facebook page. >> i would like a life sized 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

work. 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 here. myth or truth. >> so acclimating your puppy. 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. otherwise, they go into the wrong state of mind in the house

>> expand their territory a 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 yeah. 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.

how you want to meet them. >> what's next? >> 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 mistake 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 classic and a in you ? ? hey, is this our turn? honey...our turn? yeah, we go left right here. (woman vo) great adventures are still out there. we'll find them in our subaru outback. (avo) love. it's what makes a subaru, a subaru. get zero percent on select

now through august thirty-first.

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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

i'll hold your medal. >> thank you. 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 rightee. 15 seconds, grace. >> you can do it. >> come on, grace! ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one -- oh! so close.

come on down. 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, jill martin is here with steals 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.

we came up with the roker 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. beuse $1 of every burger 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.

we want people to take a picture 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 then for tomorrow, of course, we 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

>> 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 and deals back-to-school edition. but first, this is "today" on

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!

friends here. 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 thank you, guys, for modeling. >> 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

the deal, $15. >> 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 stud sets. i love this. 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 deal, $33.95. 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

set, twin or full. 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.

that one's for 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 can't wait for that.

russ feingold: i'm russ feingold and i approve this message. nt loans: ron johnson: it's just kinda free money, young people don't really, necessarily understand finance. narrator: what senator johnson doesn't understand is, more than 800,000 wisconsinites have student loans. but he wants to eliminate federal student loans and keep interest rates high. johnson: it's just kinda free money... narrator: with senator johnson, opportunity for middle class kids would disappear. ron johnson's not for students.

>> announcer: the citi concert 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 >> oh, i do. >> ladies and gentlemen, "9 to 5." ? 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

>> ready! ? working 9 to 5 what a way to 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 ? ? i swear sometimes that man is 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 rolaway ? >> are you ready?

? 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 ? ?nd 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 ?? >> give me 5! woo-hoo!

dolly parton in a moment. >> thank you. >> but first on a wednesday

?? 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 with the release of her 43rd allium, "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. >> thank you. >> 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 milestone with carl. 50 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 figured out the secret. i 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. keeps it fresh and new.

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 you have a tour you have hit records on the radio. it's been a long time since i had record radio -- i mean radio records. i just wasn't sure people would come. they did and they are. we're excited. we're having a wonderful tour, june through december, in canada also. >> not only is your show so read, your tour bus is also something to see. something -- it's pretty awesome. >> it is. i think oprah showed it once on her show. 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. >> "pure and simple," you've got some great love songs on it.

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 song of the tour and from the new album, it's called "pure and simple." >> ladies and gentlemen, dolly parton. >> okay. thank you. ?? ? every time i think about you i get chills along my spine ? ? 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 ?

i'm 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 sublime ? ? but don't it seems we spent a 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 sacred ?

? 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 ? ? hmm hmmm ? ? whoa whoa whoa ? ? hmmm hmmm ? ? you're really mine ?? >> whoo! >> thank you. >> dolly parton. the album's called "pure and simple." we'll have a lot more from here.

we're back after your local news.

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good morning everybody. today the plan one nurse used to drop 30 pounds after trying los of other programs that didn't work. from hem lines to shoes the fall fashion preview. and how a local priest is making a name for himself next on the morning blend. ? ? [ music ] ? ? pouring this morning. [laughter] >> it was pouring. >> pouring rain. >> it was so bad. >> i went to shut all of the