kurt gregory, nbc news. >>> now here's a look at some other stories making news early today in america. a cell phone captured raging flames erupting at an orlando gas station after a minivan crashed into the pump. the monday morning accident occurred when the driver lost control of her minivan, plowing through traffic signs and bushes before slamming into the station. the driver and her son escaped with only minor injuries. >>> firefighters in arkansas clash with a massive inferno that is expected to put hundreds of people out of work. billowing smoke from the copper plant blaze could be seen for miles as multiple crews battle back flames. officials say the building has been totally destroyed. with the job status of plant employees unknown at this time. >>> finally, it may only be september, but one wisconsin couple got their christmas gift early. the schroeders learned the white house will do its yule time tree shopping right on their farm. the couple received the honor after winning a contest sponsored by the national christmas tree association. now for a look at your national and re

nbc's kurt gregory reports. >> reporter: after an emotional 11th hour appeal to the highest court in the land, troy davis was executed in georgia. >> the court-ordered execution of troy anthony davis has been carried out. >> reporter: according to witnesses, davis' last words were a denial of responsibility for the crime he was convicted of. >> he was not personally responsible for what happened that night, that he did not have a gun. he said to the family that he was sorry for their loss but also said that he did not take their son, father, brother. >> reporter: a case that has galvanized communities far beyond the prison gates in georgia, from coast to coast, groups rallied. their message, spare davis' life. troy davis was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1989 murder of savannah police officer mark macphail after witnesses testified davis shot macphail. but seven of the nine witnesses later recanted their testimony. and no dna evidence links him to the crime. >> it's over. it sounds terrible but i can finally close this book and hopefully get some sleep. >> reporter: after

nbc's kurt gregory has more. >> reporter: texas firefighters are looking at another extreme day on the job. even with help from above monday in the form of firefighting helicopters, crews on the groundy outmatched. >> i have seen a number of big fires in my life. this one is as mean-looking as i've ever seen. >> reporter: just outside of austin, more than 450 homes have been reduce dodd cinders. 500 families have been forced out of her homes. monica lost her home. >> i'm sitting and praying, hoping to god, because i don't know right now. >> reporter: in louisiana, the biggest problem is flooding. new orleans is still bailing out from tropical storm lee. the storm surge has most of nearby lafitte under water. >> it's very alarming how quick the water comes in now. >> reporter: lee has spawned at least 20 tornadoes, including one just outside of atlanta. the storm system expected to move northeast in the coming days. carrying the risk of more damage and flooding. kurt gregory, nbc news. >>> elsewhere, the president is putting the pressure on republicans returning to capitol hill this wee

kurt gregory has more. >> reporter: as the raging flames continue -- a team of more than 1,200 firefighters is hoping another day with light winds will help them stop a massive wildfire in texas that is 18 miles long, five miles wide, and growing. >> fire jumped all over the place. we're doing a little firing to get it back on our terms. >> reporter: the fire burning just outside austin has already destroyed more than 500 homes, more than 5,000 people are living in shelters. many watching the fire from a distance. and wondering. >> looking at the fire right now and i'm thinking, gosh, that could be my property that just went up in smoke. >> reporter: evacuees huddle around sheriffs deputies and local officials looking for information and answers. >> we don't know if we have a house to go home to. we don't know anything. we can't find information. >> reporter: and while fire crews battle flames around the clock, the fire continues to shift and turn across the parched texas landscape. kirk gregory, nbc news. >>> here's your first look at the other news going on around america today. a cell ph

kurt gregory report. >> reporter: after an emotional 11th hour appeal to the highest court in the land, troy davis was executed in georgia. >> the court ordered the execution of troy anthony davis has been carried out. >> reporter: according to witnesses, davis' last words were a denial of responsibility for the crime he was convicted of. >> said that he was not personally responsible for what happened that night, that he did not have a gun. he said to the family that he was sorry for their loss but also said that he did not take their son, father, brother. >> reporter: a case that has galvanized communities far beyond the prison gates in georgia. from coast to coast, groups rallied. their message -- spare davis' life. troy davis was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1989 murder of savannah police officer mark mcphail after witnesses testified he shot mcphail. seven of the nine witnesses later recanted their testimony, and no dna evidence links him to the crime. >> it's over. it sounds terrible, but i can finally close this book and hopefully get some peace. >> reporter: after 2