lester >> all right blayne alexander, thank you. >>> there's new political fallout tonight. the biden administration vowing to help women get abortion services but facing pressure from some democrats, saying the administration did not do enough before roe was overturned kristen welker now has more >> reporter: president biden at critical diplomatic talks as the administration grapples with intensifying fallout over abortion rights back home. >> we will do everything within our power as an administration through the executive branch to ensure that women have access to the medication they need >> reporter: today the secretaries of health and human services, labor and treasury writing a joint letter to insurers saying the affordable care act requires contraception coverage the president and top democrats are also now trying to make abortion rights a top midterm issue, aiming to energize critical voters including suburban women but some progressive democrats saying simply telling americans to go vote for democrats is too little too late. >> i do believe that there has been a wea

>> blayne alexander from tulsa, thank you for that. >>> in uvalde, texas, a disturbing new claim tonightut the 911 calls for help from inside that school where 19 children and 2 teachers were killed as we learn new details about the investigation into the gunman here's morgan chesky >> i can only say -- i can only say we're sorry. >> reporter: tonight state senator roland gutierrez sharing stunning new details about a communication break down >> the the 11 calls were not being transferred to the so-called incident commander. >> reporter: gutierrez says those calls first went to uvalde police and not pete arredondo, the school's chief of police in charge of the response, who told officers to wait. >> to know the one person who should have been receiving those 911 calls was not being briefed, how big of a failure do you see here >> this is a tremendous failure isd level, school police, state troopers, federal government, even for the federal agents that were here, they still waited. >> reporter: new search warrants obtained by nbc news painting a grim picture of the gunman's arsenal in his

blayne alexander with more now from mississippi. >> reporter: outside the mississippi clinic at the heart of today's supreme court decision. >> we do abortions, and we are proud to do abortions. >> reporter: even though the days for that are now numbered at the jackson women's health organization the requests are only growing. in ten days, because of the state's trigger law, mississippi's only abortion clinic will shut down for good. >> i will tell you that any patient that contacts us, we will see them we will make sure we see them during that ten days >> reporter: but in some states change is already happening. of the 13 trigger law states abortion is now illegal with a few exceptions in at least five of them following today's ruling including missouri, oklahoma, and arkansas, where through tears the attorney general signed the certification late today. >> restoring to the state of arkansas the authority to prohibit abortion >> reporter: in wisconsin, planned parenthood immediately stopped abortions following today's ruling the medical director had to break the news to patients already

blayne alexander tells us more >> reporter: in early 2018, cathy wilks faced a grim prognosis. didn't know how long she had to live. eight rounds of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation >> it was a lot of nausea, very tired, just not wanting to get out of bed >> reporter: nothing worked and by the next year, the cancer had spread to her lungs. but she made a turn around after she received a ground breaking treatment in portland. >> this is potentially a one and dunn t done treatment >> reporter: it is currently the only treatment known for pancreatic cancer. it draws the t-cells and re-engineers them. it's known as a living drug. after a single infusion, the cells should live in the body and repopulate -- for cathy, the results were astounding. in less than a month her tumors had shrunk by 62%. >> it's like, what do you do you stand there with your mouth open >> reporter: her cancer is now stabilized while just one patient, it symbolizes a major break through in the treatment of cancer and could be used for lung, prostate and breast cancer. >> it is the first one that proves it can

when that happens, it won't have any impact on the u.s jose >> blayne alexander in miami, thank you. >>> there has been a major development in the fight to find baby formula. today that large shutdown plant in michigan is finally back in business, but how soon before parents can find formula back on store shelves? steve patterson reports. >> reporter: tonight, operation resumes, production finally restarting at abbott's facility in sturgis, michigan, at the center of the nationwide baby formula shortage the company says it will start by ramping up production on elecare and other specialty formulas for infants with food allergies saying in part, we will ramp up production as quickly as we can while meeting all requirements the fda has had investigators on site in sturgis observing improvements made to the facility in february the plant shut down following an fda inspection that found a type of bacteria dangerous to babies parents have been scrambling ever since. >> it's just fear, definitely fear, and, you know, uncertainty and like you want to make sure your kid is fed. >> reporter:

our blayne alexander reports >> the 2011 masters champion >> reporter: for charl schwartzel, it was the most profitable putt of his golf career, banking a whopping $4 million as the inaugural champion of the liv golf invitational held near london. >> never in my wildest dreams did i think we could play for that much money in golf. >> reporter: but it's the source of that money that's under scrutiny the three-day event, the richest golf tournament in the world is funded by the saudi arabian government now, players are under fire for taking part, accused of turning a blind eye to the country's record on human rights >> it's painful. it's an insult it's a betrayal. >> reporter: terri lost her husband on september 11 and runs the group 9/11 families united which urged players to pull out of the tournament. the saudi government has denied any involvement with the attacks, despite the 9/11 commission's findings that saudi nationals played a key role in funding al qaeda >> sports watching, that is what the kingdom is doing they are using the wonderful sport of golf to try to show that they are

after all of this is that i made it another year. >> reporter: and embracing many more to come blayne alexandernext, millions set to gather for a royal salute 70 years in the making. it disrupts my skin with rash. but now, i can disrupt eczema with rinvoq. rinvoq is not a steroid, topical, or injection. it's one pill, once a day, that's effective without topical steroids. many taking rinvoq saw clear or almost-clear skin while some saw up to 100% clear skin. plus, they felt fast itch relief some as early as 1 week. that's rinvoq relief. rinvoq can lower your ability to fight infections, including tb. serious infections and blood clots, some fatal, cancers including lymphoma and skin cancer, death, heart attack, stroke, and tears in the stomach or intestines occurred. people 50 and older with at least one heart disease risk factor have higher risks. don't take if allergic to rinvoq, as serious reactions can occur. tell your doctor if you are or may become pregnant. disrupt the itch and rash of eczema. talk to your eczema specialist about rinvoq. learn how abbvie can help you save. welcome to the

peter and kristin. >> blayne alexander.ane, thank you. >> now let's turn to the chief oil analyst, denton, good morning and thank you for joining us. a lot of speculation about what is driving these prices at the pump and discount of more than $1.86 a gallon in the past year alone. this case of supply and demand with demand skyhigh as we climbed out of the pandemic? >> good morning and thank you for having me. it's more about supplies being low. there is a multitude of factors. we have refineries. we don't have as many refineries and we are down more than 1 billion gallons a day. you are the more of ukraine. we don't import crude oil but it's part of a global market. you are removing 8 to 10 gallons a day for the global market and you have to find replacements for that. those are two factors weighing on the market now. >> it bears repeating the national average overnight hit $5 a gallon for the first time in history. folks in california you see the bright red and in california their pain $6.43 a gallon and as we head into s

here's blayne alexander with what could come next. >> reporter: at the women's center in huntsville,labama, today is a dark day. >> the women, the emotions that they were going through was just -- it went down to my soul >> reporter: director dalton johnson says the clinic usually sees about 30 patients a day, women crossing state lines for services but the supreme court decision marking the end of roe v. wade spelled the immediate end of abortion access in alabama, a 2019 law passed in the state now allowed to go into effect >> reporter: you have several dozen patients already in the waiting room when you broke the news, what was it like in that room >> it was just raw emotions it was everything from people that were upset, angry, people breaking down crying, people in disbelief. >> reporter: following the supreme court decision friday, abortion is no longer legal in these nine states and in at least three others, providers have stopped services for fear of prosecution with the laws still uncertain. >> a win for unborn children. >> reporter: in arkansas, doctors who perform the proc

blayne alexander will have the story for us >> jump suits, dresses -- baseballs.o look at the power of music ann thompson here to tell us about a unique orchestra made up of refugees highlighting their talents and stories of survival. >> really cool story and coming up on the third hour, more of our pride as universal series. the multi talented mckayla jay rodriguez on her breakout role, music career and why she decided to change her name. >> before that dylan a check of the weather. >> how nice in new york city >> i know. >> goodness. >> it is perfect we got the cheers and everything in the northeast we're going lots of sunshine low humidity, temperatures nice and comfortable but in the middle of the country we're starting off the week with railroad heat. record heat. we'll likely see several records nearly 100 records broken across the country this week. and to get to the middle of the week that heat slowly continues spreading east 90s across parts of the tennessee river valley through ohio, dangerous heat in the southeast combined with humidity is going to be v

on nbc news correspondent blayne alexander is in atlanta. she has more on these rising gas prices.ng on? where did it come from this latest spike? why has the average gas price gone up? >> well some symone, good to be with you. we're looking at several factors coming together to make the prices go up. first as russia's war in ukraine. that's one. that's something president biden has referred to repeatedly. the u.s. has hit russia with a number of sanctions, that's also driven the price. up all the other's demand. demanded skyrocketed here in the u.s.. we talk about how gas is $2 more than it was that this time last. year but for the past two years, americans have not done as much driving. we're talking about strong covid lockdowns, people at work, people not traveling. but now the demand has gone up with more people out on the roads, and that is driven inflation. this doesn't bode well for the future, the timing involved in this. this is happening right in the beginning of the summer travel season. because people reluctant for the past two years, those that can afford to, even thou

who may be a danger to themselves or others something that's been on the books since 2020 >> blayne alexander for us, thanks >>> the war in ukraine marking a devastating milestone. today marks 100 days since russia invaded ukraine germany promising to send missiles and rocket systems to ukraine. volodymyr zelenskyy says russia is in control of nearly 20% of the country. this as russia continues to tighten its grip on the donbas region in eastern ukraine. >>> meanwhile, poland is making a major push to help ukraine export its grain in time for the country's wheat harvest to start. poland is working to send spare trains and transport trucks to pull shipments of grain from ukraine. the agriculture minister says they plan to gather and ship 1.5 trillion tons of grain monthly, nearly a third of what they would export in peacetime >>> and a moment of national pride on the soccer pitch after their 3-1 win over scotland this week, ukraine plays wales with a spot on the world cup on the line >>> with gas prices hitting a new record high nearly every day, president biden is expected to travel to saudi

they will help make that service accessible. >> blayne alexander in mississippi. blayne, thank you. >>> let's check in with the forecast. bill karins is watching it for us. some folks are keeping their eye on storms coming this way? >> possibility. will bonnie form? we have two areas we are watching. the first is the tropical disturbance in the gulf of mexico. there is nothing there yet. a 20% chance of development in the region. if it does happen, it is somewhere near the texas or louisiana coast. only a 20% chance. it is close enough here to the gulf of mexico and the coastal areas. look out here. far out in the atlantic. a 60% chance this does develop and if it does, it eventually is heading to the caribbean. in case you wonder, it ♪♪ >>> this is an abc news special report. here's peter alexander. >>> good saturday morning to you. i'm peter alexander here in washington, d.c., and president biden is now just moments away from signing into law the most significant gun legislation in nearly 30 years. there's a look at the roosevelt room at the white house. this bip

blayne alexander is live for us. this was a detailed and harrowing account. we learned. tell us the timeline and what else you can tell us. >> reporter: we really are getting a stunning picture of what unfolded here yesterday afternoon. we heard from police officials speaking candidly talking about the fact that this was a targeted shooting. an individual had back surgery from dr. preston phillips on the campus of st. francis and blamed him for the subsequent back pain. calling the office a number of times. i said was the doctor response i? they said absolutely. he saw the doctor the day before and said he was in pain and still blamed the doctor. a couple stunning details to come out of this. we thauns the two weapons that were used this crime were purchased within the week. the rifle, the ar-125 still rifle purchased a couple hours before the shooting. one at a gun store and one at a pawnshop. this individual had a letter on him essentially spelling out the reason armed with two guns and to shoot and target and kill the doctor but quote anybody else who stood in his way

blayne alexander joins us from the scene with the latest. good morning. >> good morning to you. it happened on the second floor of a medical center here on the hospital campus. now police are still investigating what they say is not completely random. he went to that building and specific floor with a target in mind. >> this morning, a place of healing is the scene of another mass shooting. >> active shooter inside of the building. >> police say a gunman walked into the medical facility on the campus of st. francis hospital in tulsa, of course of course, armed with a rifle and handgun killing four people before officials say he turned the gun on himself. >> we had shots fired. >> it happened last wednesday. officials have not publicly identified the shooter but he is between 35 and 40 years old. the first call came in at 4:52 p.m. >> they're running in. >> reporter: officers arrived on the scene within minutes. >> it appears as though the whole thing was a four-minute or so time span from the time he came in to the time officers made contact. >> reporter: now police are working

blayne alexander with nbc news. tell us more of what you're hearing from the witnesses.man said i'm not targeting you. i'm looking for a specific person. is that the case? you mentioned the other three in the way. is there any evidence to indicate they were standing intentionally trying to block or shield the doctor or were they or were they just in the shooter's way. >> i don't know what the witnesses are reporting as of right now. i cannot speak to that, but i do know that the suspect, when he came into the building, into that office complex, he began firing. he began firing at anyone that was in his way. there are reports that one of the victims held the door for someone who allow them to escape out of the back door and was shot and killed. >> next question. i want to ask just to clarify, amanda was the receptionist, i believe? >> yes. that is correct. >> reporter: the one who was taken to the hospital originally? >> yes. >> reporter: clarification on that? >> amanda was the victim, and she was the receptionist, and the other was a patient and was taken to the hospita

blayne alexander in tulsa, oklahoma, thanks so much.this was the 233rd mass shooting in the united states this year, june the 2nd. >>> a source tells nbc news senate negotiators have reached a framework at least for gun safety legislation. a bipartisan group of nine senators, five democrats, four republicans, met virtually yesterday and emerged from the talks expressing some optimism a deal could be reached. democratic senator chris murphy of connecticut, who was leading the negotiations, said, quote, there is growing momentum to get something done, and we agreed on a plan to keep working. republican susan collins of maine said, quote, we are making rapid progress toward a common sense package that could garner support from both republicans and from democrats. and democrat richard blumenthal of connecticut said the conversation was, quote, productive and encouraging. adding, there is still significant work to do and hurdles to overcome. senator blumenthal and lindsey graham are part of a subgroup working to address red flag laws. anothe

nbc news correspondent blayne alexander has more on what investigators are learning. >> reporter: the first calls were chilling. >> we're going to have to get in this door. i don't know if it is him. but i see blood and hear somebody moaning. >> reporter: an orthopedic hospital in tulsa, oklahoma, now the latest scene of a mass shooting. police say the gunman, 45-year-old michael lewis, walked into his doctor's office late wednesday, armed with two guns, and a vendetta. police say he recently had back surgery. his surgeon, dr. preston phillips, police later found a letter on the gunman laying out his clear target and motive. >> he came in with the intent to kill dr. phillips. and anyone who got in his way. he blamed dr. phillips for the ongoing pain following the surgery. >> reporter: after his surgery in late may, the gunman called the office repeatedly, police said, complaining of pain, even going back for a follow-up appointment. may 29th, three days before the shooting, he legally purchased a handgun. then on wednesday, police say he called the office repeatedly, later that day bu

blayne alexander is in atlanta this morning. hi, blaine. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. in cities across the country we are seeing more signs like this one. gases hitting that dreaded five dollars threshold. in some places it is higher than that. we're not just talking about gas. you're paying for more things across the board. that includes things like grocery, travel, and more. experts say that it could be this way for months. this morning prices are as high as -- as inflation is causing us to pay more. food is up 10%. housing is up 5%. you're paying 37% more for airfare. gasoline is up 44.7%. the national averages over five dollars per gallon. >> you cannot go anywhere anymore. >> reporter: and many americans are not. according to a recent poll there is lee less grocery store trips. >> does not look like there is any end in sight. >> reporter: when will americans see some relief, not for some months at least. >> the additional demand of summer travelers, -- >> reporter: some gas station owners refused to wait that long. t

blayne alexander with the latest. >> reporter: good morning to you and you are right.many people are watching those gas prices as they continue to tick up. we're getting new inflation numbers. they're not good for the month of may. they're up 8.6% over last year. that is the highest number in 40 years. it is hitting items across the board as americans struggle to keep up. >> everything is expensive. food price, gas prices, oil prices. >> reporter: but perhaps worse, the squeeze at the gas station with the national average now higher than its ever been. nearly $5 a gallon with no relief in sight. it is the most visible sign of the nation's soaring inflation with rates at near 40-year highs, hitting every corner of the country. experts say compared to last year, the average household is now paying $450 more per month for the same goods and services. >> well, it is very painful. right? i mean you got to make a hard choice. do i fill my gas tank, do i fill my groceries, pay my rent? >> reporter: in the first quarter household wealth dropped for the first time in two years.

al's forecast in a moment but first nbc's blayne alexander joins frustrate a steamy atlanta already.morning, blayne >> craig, good morning to you. it is very hard to believe that we're only in the second day of summer right now feels like pars of the country have been here for weeks talk about steamy atlanta, you are absolutely right we're set to hit 100 degrees today. that would be a new record which means thousands like these are going to be seeing a lot of traffic the next few days as people try desperately to stay school. >> definitely going the feet that heat and humidity -- >> reporter: it is a burning question across much of the country this morning how hot will it get? >> spend much of your time inside. >> just do everything you can to keep cool. >> reporter: much of the midwest melting under record highs 95 in detroit and a sweltering 99 reported in chicago >> i've just been staying inside cranked my ac. that is about it. >> definitely super hot and little sticky out. >> reporter: a massive heat dome blanketing the country and shattering records now the summer heat wave is h

blayne alexander is in jackson, mississippi, where the state's only abortion clinic is located.e clinic that went to court to challenge the mississippi abortion ban at the heart of today's decision, and it's not lost on us, we're looking at protests now, we're hearing from leadership in washington, but what this will impact is the people in that community and communities like it across the country. tell us what reaction is there. >> reporter: you know, lester, this a polarizing case no matter where you look, perhaps no more so than right here in mississippi. this is a case that launched this to the supreme court. as i have spent time talking to people on both sides of the issue in mississippi, people have spent years in the antiabortion phase, who have been fighting for years to essentially takes down row, there's almost a sense of pride that mississippi was the case in one woman's words to essentially bring down roe. there's a sense that it originated in mississippi, their state was the one that played a key role in this. i have been talking to people, some who have spent 30 ye