here's nbc's kathy park. >> here it is. the return to glory! >> reporter: tiger is back. and he did it on the biggest stage in golf. woods winning at the masters for the fifth time. his first major championship victory in nearly 11 years, bringing fans to their feet. two shots back from the leaderboard, he didn't start the day swinging, but disaster on the 12th hole for player after player gave tiger the chance to drive ahead. the 2008 u.s. open was his last major title, and after four back surgeries and personal turmoil, it appeared his career had peaked, which he acknowledged today. >> you never give up. that's a given. you always fight. >> reporter: but on the hallowed grounds of augusta, woods made history again. the first time he shared the moment with his father in 1997, an emotional moment echoed today with his own children, 22 years later. >> for them to see what it's like to have their dad win a major championship, i hope it's something they'll never forget. >> reporter: with his fifth green jacket, tiger is back on par to becoming the greatest of all time. kathy

kathy park, nbc news. >>> to politics now. president trump returning to washington tonight after marking the holiday weekend at his florida estate. today his aides and allies tried to go on offense in the wake of the mueller report blanketing the sunday shows. but it was a comment by his attorney, rudy giuliani, suggesting there's nothing wrong with taking information from the russians that is making new waves tonight. nbc news white house correspondent kelly o'donnell has the very latest. >> reporter: in the sunshine of palm beach, president trump headed to church. >> happy easter, everybody. have a good day. a lot of great things happening for our country. >> reporter: but his easter message stopped short of answering questions about the outcome of the russia investigation. back in washington, leaving an easter service, robert mueller, who has spoken through the 400-plus-page report, declined to engage. >> happy easter. can i ask you a couple questions? will you testify before congress, sir? >> no comment. >> reporter: but f

kathy park, nbc news. >>> some more breaking news tonight. the president of the nra is stepping down in a bitter battle within the top leadership of the organization. nbc's hans nichols is following that story. >> reporter: at the national rifle association there's a political fight at the very top. the first casualty, the group's president, retired lieutenant colonel oliver north. the nra's vice president today read north's departure letter. >> please know i hope to leave with you today as nra president endorsed for re-election, i'm now informed that will not happen. >> reporter: north is perhaps best known for his role in the iran contra affair. he reportedly clashed executive vice president over spending priorities and budget shortfalls. thursday night he told the board the nra was pressuring him to quit. the exeritation was simple. also in his cross hairs the long time advertising agency which has produced some of its famous ads. >> from my cold dead hands. >> reporter: and more recently tv shows hosted by north who's paid directly by ace

kathy park has more on tiger's return to greatness. >> here it is. the rush return to glory. >> reporter: tiger is back, and he did it on the biggest stage in golf. woods winning at the masters for the fifth time. his first major championship victory in nearly 11 years, bringing fans to their feet. two shots back from the leaderboard, he didn't start the day swinging. but disaster on the 12th hole for player, after player gave tiger the chance to drive ahead. the 2008 u.s. open was his last major title. and after four back surgeries and personal turmoil, it appeared his career had peaked, which he acknowledged. >> you never give up. that's a given. you always fight. >> reporter: but on the hallowed grounds of augusta, woods made history again. the first time he shared the moment with his father in 1997, an emotional moment echoed with his own children 22 years later. >> for them to see what it's like to have their dad win a major championship, i hope it's something they'll never forget. >> reporter: with his fifth green jacket, tiger is back on par t

kathy park, nbc news. >> just ahead, country music's biggest night straight ahead.e've got the winners and highlights. you're watching "early today." rs you may have overactive bladder, or oab. ohhhh... enough already! we need to see a doctor. ask your doctor about myrbetriq® (mirabegron). it treats oab symptoms of urgency, frequency, and leakage. it's the first and only oab treatment in its class. myrbetriq may increase blood pressure. tell your doctor right away if you have trouble emptying your bladder or have a weak urine stream. myrbetriq may cause serious allergic reactions like swelling of the face, lips, throat or tongue, or trouble breathing. if experienced, stop taking and tell your doctor right away. myrbetriq may interact with other medicines. tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems. common side effects include increased blood pressure, common cold or flu symptoms, sinus irritation, dry mouth, urinary tract infection, bladder inflammation, back or joint pain, constipation, dizziness, and headache. need some help managing your oab symptoms a

here's kathie park with the details. >> a star at the topeka zoo is back on display after sterday's hisong time attacked by a t tigerre to her head, thankful t staff person survived >> all happening just as the park opened to the public. >> the tiger is still next>> th en>> the tigerdahould not >> some park ended whenta away had s really acted heroically. he's part of the zoo'sns covation program. only 500 are left in the wild. >> he's a really great tiger and i can't stress that enough. it's a horrible situation but he was just being a tiger. >> zoo policies and procedures are now under review to keep people and the animals safe. nbc news. >> the zoos director say the victim is in intensive care but doctors expect her to recover. >> the bells going across parts of northwest d.c. today as christian celebrated easter. easter services at the washington national cathedral this mornin you can see the cathedral is packed. this is just one of two services that were held there toy. he celebrated in northeast and at the cathedral of northwest dt service hnd sportsacmmod more is delari's plans t

we are joined by kathy park. good morning. >> richard and marley, good lasted several er injuries. the tiger is back to his normal routine. a star at the topeka zoo is back on display after a harrowing attack on his long time handler. >> we have a staff getting attacked by a tiger. >> the lead tiger trainer suffered cuts to the head, neck, back, and arm and is still recovering at the hospital. >> i am just thankful that our staff person survived. >> all happening as the park opened to the public. >> the tiger is still next to them. still attacking. >> the zoo director entered the exhibit for normal housekeeping. >> the tiger should not be there when that occurs. that was the difference. >> park guests witnessed a ackl when staff lured the animal away with staff this is part of the conservation program. only 500 sumatran tigers are left in the world. >> he's a great tiger and i can't stress that enough. it's a horrible situation, but he was just being a tiger. >> procedures are under the ani safe. >> this attack is the first for the zoo. we learned that he was in his enclosure where

nbc's kathy park has the story, and a warning that some of this footage may be hard to watch. >> reportercircus show in eastern ukraine took a terrifying turn when one of the stars decided to go off script in a crowd filled with adults and young children in march. [ screams ] >> new video shows the moment this lion pounces on to his handler, biting down on his arm, wrestling him to the grounds as spectators screamed in horror. s ] 32-year-old hamad akge cat befod out of the arena along with the other lions. incredibly, he gets back on his feet. the attack left deep scratches on his arm and shoulder, but he doesn't blame the lion. a sixth generation trainer, he shows no fear when working with them. [ speaking non-english ] >> reporter: peta responded to the attack with an online post writing, "this isar from surprising with circus animals suffering psychologically when forced to perform." kouta calls the lions his children, trusting them more than people despite the >>> whe training the next generation of america's bravest. - hello from inside the screen! [knocking] did you know the more t

kathy park promises no spoilers in this report. >> it's a super heat hero film crushing records.vengers the first film ever to soar past $1 billion in its debut. >> i said no more surprises. >> reporter: 21 movies in the series led to this monumental moment. >> just the way it ended. >> reporter: any spoilers were highly discouraged. but that didn't stop lesean mccoy who tweeted theeneding and became a social media villain. don't worry, we won't give it away, but one person who read his tweet wrote i'll be in my room crying. a marvel ending, but ticket sales are just the begin ining. to keep up with the demand, the movie has in play in 4600 theerts in the u.s. and canada. some have been pulling around the clock showings. >> thank you. no surprise there. >> no, all about avengers and "game of thrones," no spoilers here. >>> still ahead, a heartwarming reunion between aed to her and deputy who saved his life. how the chance encounter changed both of their live forever next on "early today." ♪ ♪ right now, when you buy a red nose at walgreens, you can help a child live a healthier l

nbc's kathy park promises no spoilers in this report. >> reporter: it's a superhero film -- >> whatevertakes. >> reporter: -- crushing records. "avengers: endgame" now the first film ever to soar past $1 billion in its debut. >> i know i said no more surprises. >> reporter: 21 movies in the series led to this monumental moment. the excitement building for a year, after its predecessor "infinity war" left us hanging. >> just the way it ended, i was like, yah! >> reporter: any spoilers were highly discouraged. >> reporter: that didn't stop buffalo bills running back lesean mccoy who tweeted the ending and became a social media villain. don't worry, we won't give it away. but one person who read his tweet wrote "i'll be in my room crying." this weekend's ticket sales are just the beginning. to keep up with the demand, the movie is playing in more than 4,600 theaters in the u.s. and canada. some locations have been pulling all-nighters, offering round the clock showings. kate? >> all right, i won't spoil it either. i saw it at 8:30 yesterday morning. >>> up next, the actors and artists who

nbc's kathy park reports. >> i'm not going anywhere. >> reporter: chicago's top prosecutor, kim foxx,urrounded by support and fighting back after the police union demanded she step down. >> ms. foxx needs to resign, and she should do it quickly. >> reporter: foxx has been in the spotlight after her department dropped all 16 felony counts against "empire" actor jussie smollett. she maintains her department prioritizes violent crimes over low level offenses. today she was on the defense. >> when i see over the course over the last couple of weeks the distortion of who i am and what i stand on, i feel it absolutely necessary to reassure those who voted for me this is the same kim foxx. >> reporter: her defiance follows protests as foxx is up for re-election next year, and this week two requests investigate how the high profile case was handled. retired judge sheila o'brien petitions that there was a perception justice was not served and smollett received special treatment. foxx recused herself before the charges were filed against smollett. but says she's open to an outside investigation

the biggest box office opening ever forhose who still haven't seen it, nbc's kathy park has the spoiler free report. you can watch it. >> reporter: it's a superhero film cshing records. avenger's end game the first to soar past 1 billion int. its de 21 i moviesthe series led to this monumental moment. the excitement building for a year after its predecessor hanging. war left us >> the way it ended, i was like oh. >> reporter: any spoilers were highlydiscouraged. but that didn't stop buffalo billings running back who tweeted the ending and a became social media villian. don't worry. we won't give it away, but one person who read his tweet wrote i'll be in my room crying. this weekendng but icket sales are just the beginning. >> whatever it takes. >> yeah.ie >> i can't bel he did that. >> we know who wins twitter troll of the year already. >> i impleerngs get out of here with that nonsense. >> as the saying goes, virginia is more lovers. now it's for music festivals as well. pharrell had the first festival put on by a virginia beach native. he told the virginia pilot he's looking forrd to

nbc's kathy park is here with more. she's got a lot of people, including her opponent talking. >> she had a lot to say. muffet mcgraw is one of the most successful basketball coaches ever. she and her team are in the national championship tomorrow night. this morning she's making headlines for her comments off the court. a trip to the ncaa championship game for the notre dame women's basketball team and their coach. >> final seconds. >> the irish put down the huskies for a second straight year. >> mcgraw and the fighting irish knocking off the uconn huskies and their male coach, the two coaches barely acknowledging each other after the game. the victory coming after mcgraw made an impassioned plea for gender equality in her sport and in society as a whole. >> i'm getting tired of the novelty of the first female governor of this state, the first female african-american mayor of this city. when is it going to become the norm instead of the exception. >> mcgraw who has won more than 900 times on the basketball court has ha

nbc's kathy park is here with the latest on this. this is just such an awful story. >> a chilling story. witnesses describe a woman screaming saying her childas thrown. they say the horrifying incident was random and the motive is still a mystery. >> sads at t maul, we have a report over on the south side that someone just fell from the third floor to the first floor. >> the mall of america looked like a crime scene friday as police tape roped o the area where a 5-year-old boy landed after plunging rom the third floor. >> there was a little child laying on the ground. >> this was apparently no accident. police say emanuel la shawn aronda intentionally pushed. >> the child's mom was there, beside herself,crying, screaming. >> the 24-year-old suspect who police say is not related to the child or his mother has now been charged with attempted homicide. >> the d child suffer significant injuries. the child has been transported to the hospital, and is currently receiving care. >> this photo shows a cro of first responders trying to help t

nbc's kathy park is here with that. good morning. >> a lot of debate over this one.ar and tv personality, and millions of americans know hers voice a it became part of tradition for the yankees and flyers but her older more controversial songs wiare making a comeback and raising questions about racism and a warning somers viewe may find the lyrics offensive ♪ god bless america ♪ >> the 7th inning stretch for theew york yankees now sounds a little different. the recording by kate smith has been replaced with this instrumental version. the team quickly changed their tune about playing smith'sio renditn when flagged about possible racist lyrics from er past. >> i'm going t sing this next song. >> in the 1953 film, she sang of great big water melons and pork chop bushes a the scene cuts to young black girls and boys. the song is called pickinny heaven, it is an offensive term for a black child. that's why darkiesor were is another song she sang. ♪ someone had to slave and beo able t sing, that's w darkies were born ♪ >> but to be fair, some say the song was actually a pa

anticipate kathy park has her story. good morning. >> good morning.-hour surgery for a brain tumor. shedmits the diagnosis was terrifying. now that she's out of the hospital, she's sharing her road to recovery. this morning, an foutpouring support for kelly stafford. with the help of family, she's seen walking down hospital hallways following a 12-hour brain surgery. >> if anyone tried to slide tackle you. >> reporter: theife of detroit lions quarterback matthew stafford and mom of three shared the etional video writing, it's the beginning o a new life for me. the procedure to remove a benign brain tumor took twice as long as expected. she first revealed her diagnosis three wks ago on instagram saying she began to notice symptoms last year saying things i had been my entire life were nowt. difficul after dizzy spells, an mri showed she had acoustic neuroma. despite her fears, her outlook mained sitive. she even snapped a smiling selfie the same day doctors found the tumor. captioning the moment, i wanted this picture of us so that the day this was all

kathy park is here with spoiler-free details. good morning, my dear. >> i haven't seen it yet.spoilers, guys. fans have waited a year for this movie after "avengers: infinity war" left them in suspense. "endgame" got buzz before its release, and now it's become a box office jackpot. >> we are the avengers. we have to finish this. >> reporter: "avengers" fans assembling and smashing records over the weekend. >> ah! that's been my mood for weeks now. >> time to live up to our name. >> reporter: the highly anticipated "avengers: endgame" proving it's a powerful force at the box office, bringing in an estimated $1.2 billion in its global debut. soaring past the previous record set last year with "avengers: infinity war" with $641 million. the 22nd marvel installment brings 11 years of storytelling across several franchises to an end with comic book heavy hitters like thor, captain america, black widow, and iron man. >> whatever it takes. >> reporter: the three-hour run time not scaring fans away. some already seeing it more than once. does it live up to the hype? >> yeah, definitel

kathy park has her story. >> good morning. quite the story here.a brain tumor. she admits the diagnosis was terrifying and a game now that she's out of the hospital, she's sharing her road to recovery. this morning, an outpouring of support for kelly stafford. with the help of family, she's seen walking down hospital hallways, following a 12-hour brain surgery. >> if you want to try to, like, slide tackle you, you're protected. >> the wife of detroit lions quarterback matthew stafford and mom of three shared the emotional video, writing, it's "the beginning of a new life for me." the procedure to remove a benign brain tumor took twice as long as expected. stafford first revealed her diagnosis on instagram three weeks ago, saying she began to notice symptoms last year while teaching ballet moves to her daughters, adding, "things that i had been doing my entire life were now, all of a sudden, difficult." after several dizzy spells, an mri revealed she had acoustic neuroma, a tumor sitting on her balance and auditory nerves. despite her fears, her out