antonia hylton, connecticut. >>> remembering former congressman, lincoln diaz-balart, my brother, whoied of cancer. he spent 22 years in public service, 18 years in congress representing south florida, author of a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of political excites. lincoln, 70, a pillar in the community and our family. the best brother ever, gracias. >>> when we come back, good news about the birthday this little boy will never forget and the special thing his family has been praying for. ♪ >>> there's good news tonight. >>> there's good news tonight. so often the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad, so ever saturday we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. these are just some of those stories this week. >> you look exactly the same. >> yes, ma'am. >> reporter: this was a proud moment for maryland teacher ryan gates. see that young man hugging her? paris olympic gold medal track and field star quincy wilson, her former first grade student. >> guess who his teacher was? >> miss gates. >> reporter: quincy surprising her to let her know how

antonia hylton, nbc news, atlanta. >>> krispy kreme is launching four new st.o win a pot of gold pass. winners will be chosen march 17 and get free glazed doughnuts for a year. >>> coming up on "today", the pursuit of better sleep. our morgan chesky looks at the dangers of undiagnosed sleep apnea and why millions of you may not know you have it. and here's dylan drier with a look at what else is ahead. >> this morning, comedian aliza schlesinger is live. and the brand synonymous with childhood memories, chuck e. cheese. >> sounds delicious. thanks for watching "early today." i'm jessica layton. have a great tuesday. we'll see you tomorrowow.l see . >>> overnight, a house committee advances a stopgap to keep the government funded as a shutdown deadline approaches this week. a full house vote is set for da

antonia hylton, nbc news, bloomfield, connecticut. >>> still to come, diamonds are forever.so are two special traits of 007. what the new stewards of the james bond films are saying about the future. can throw you off your game. (scratching sound) (scratching sound) (dog whimpers) otezla is the #1 prescribed pill to treat plaque psoriasis. (people shouting guesses) otezla can help you get clearer skin, and reduce itching and flaking. (people shouting guesses) doctors have been prescribing otezla for over a decade. don't use otezla if you're allergic to it. get medical help right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or arms. severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting; depression, suicidal thoughts or weight loss can happen. tell your doctor if any of these occur, and if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts. (people shouting guesses) football! (people cheering) with less itchy redness game night is a great night. live in the moment. ask your doctor about otezla and scan to hear how it works for a pro football p

nbc's antonia hylton shows us how her passion is just taking off. >> reporter: it's not every day youing through the clouds. kimora freeland hadn't imagined this life either. >> i wanted to be a marine biologist. >> reporter: at 12, her mom had the idea to put her on a wait list for scholarship private pilot program. at 15, she got in. trading her love of sea animals for the sky. at 17, after two years of flights and intense studies, she made history as the youngest licensed pilot in new york state and one of the youngest black female pilots in the country. >> what do people say when they find out that you fly? >> they're always so amazed. wow, you're so small, you fly. >> reporter: the training program united youth aviators introduced her to other black kids eager to take flight. she found community. in an industry where less than of pilots are black. >> did you worry whether or not you would fit in? >> no, i knew i wanted to create change and i knew i could show other people you can do this. >> reporter: so she showed me a bit of what she's learned. demonstrating more mastery of thi

nbc's antonia hylton traveled to oklahoma, where she spoke with walters and pressured him about his prioritiesrtage and some of the lowest reading and math scores in the country. she also visited the rural community of preston that is resisting walters directive. here's her story. >> in the small town of. >> preston. >> oklahoma, students are welcomed off the bus and into breakfast by. educators who have often known their families for. decades or were once. >> students here themselves. >> a tight knit. >> pre-k through. >> 12 with more churches than school buildings nearby. typically a world away from tensions at a state capital. but in an era in which everything about education has been politicized. superintendent mark. >> hudson says. >> even preston. is in. >> the fray. >> is the. >> rhetoric impacting educators? >> sure it is. >> i mean. >> educators already are. leaving in droves. >> when people. >> say things like that right there. >> teachers are indoctrinating kids. >> teachers are. raising terrorists. >> who would want to be. >> a teacher? >> for months, many. >> educators have been o