legitimate question that needs to be asked and i'm not going to walk away from it. >> reporter: matt lauer, nbc news, new york. >>> you can see more of matt's interview on a special "dateline." a dose of controversy tonight at 7:00/6:00 central here on nbc. >>> when we come back, what happens when a skydiver takes a 10,000 foot plunge without a working parachute? you've wanted to quit smoking so many times, but those days came and went, and the cigarettes remained. but today's a new day. and a few simple steps can make a real difference in your next quit... things like starting with a plan to quit smoking... getting support... and talking to your doctor about how prescription treatments can help you. talk to your doctor about prescription treatment options. and make this time, your time. whwalmart checks other stores' schoprices,lies? and they'll match any advertised price. so instead of searching for "deals" out there... you can go back to school for less, right here. save money. live better. walmart. >>> the latest now on hurricane jimena. now a category 4 storm packing winds of 135 mile

>> competing -- i got to meet matt lauer, and then all the way up here. >> oh, i'm above matt lauer.orter: one of speedy's long-time buddies emily cook is hoping to be in vancouver, too, for her second olympic games. when this dynamic duo invited me to spend a day training with them, i was in. we started at the center of excellence, a brand-new state of the art training and testing facility for the u.s. ski team and u.s. snowboarding. speedy points out that emily could be my stunt double. aerialists spend lots of time honing their skills first on trampolines. how often do you do this as part of your training? >> we're up here four or five times a week working out with our coaches. >> reporter: i haven't done this since i was about 5. so it was trampoline 101 for me. care it will! somehow i managed to master the basics. >> your first trick! >> reporter: the next step learning to flip. never done it before if my life. feeling relatively confident with myself and very confident with my coaches, we head to the pool. suiting up, wet suit, life vest, helmet, boots, and skis. no poles! >> n

meredith vieira here along with matt lauer and al roker. speaking of fashion, matt, you made the best dressed last year. >> that was very flattering. and very nice of them to include me. >> and well deserved. >> thank you very much. >> you're another one who should be on that list. you always look dapper. we're going to talk about who made the list this year. >> apparently -- >> but -- >> but we might have heard by now. >> yes, exactly. also ahead, how many times have you done this? you go out to lunch, you're in a hurry, you grab a sandwich. then you grab a sandwich that's got grilled chicken and artichokes on it. you think that has to be healthy? >> has to be, right? >> wait until you hear how much fat and calories and sodium some sandwiches have. one sandwich we're going to show you today, very popular brand, has got as many calories as 16 fudge sickles. >> wow. that's -- >> i like fudgecicles. >> are you going to put a damper on our fun. >> ruining life for all of us. >> by the way, did you know lacrosse is one of the fastest-growing spo

out on the plaza i'm matt lauer along with ann curry.'s here while meredith is enjoying a little vacation. al roker joins us, as well. when you think of michael jackson you probably think of the music, the videos, the moonwalk, what else comes to mind? >> that performance -- >> motown 25. and there's that glove. that famous sequinned glove that he debuted while singing "billie jean" in motown 25. that glove is now going up for auction, and there is that glove. >> oh! you got it on? >> no! >> i have it on! >> you have it on! >> i thought you said you couldn't put it on. >> does it give you magic power? >> i was given special permission to wear it. i have one of those film editing white gloves underneath it so my skin does not come in contact with it. >> can you get up on your ankles? >> oh, absolutely. how about that? >> oh, yes. >> anyway, this is going -- >> and -- >> we're going to tell you more about that. >> feel the power. >> there we go. >> somebody goes matt hold it in the air. >> okay, anyway. we're going to have more about that.

i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm ann curry in for meredith this morning.od news, hurricane bill is likely to stay out to sea, that's what forecasters are predicting. bad news, there's dangerous conditions up and down the east coast. >> forecasters are warning beachgers from florida to new england watch out for waves up to 22 feet and also strong rip tides. the threat is more significant in bermuda where more storm watches and warnings are in effect. bill and hillary clinton are vacationing there. a live report from bermuda and al's track of the storm in a few minutes. >>> the murder of ans aspiring model. police in california are releasing chilling new information about how she died and have formally charged her ex-husband, a former star on a reality tv show with murder. with the latest on the international manhunt that's under way to track him down. >>> plus an exclusive interview with mark lester, one of michael jackson's best friends and the god father of the pop star's three children. he's come forward claiming that he could, he could be the biological

i'm matt lauer. >> in for meredith this morning, i'm ann curry. good morning, everybody. for years now we have been engaged in this global war on terror and at this time now we are about to witness one of the famous terrorists of all time about to go free. >> that's right. on a compassionate release. imagine how you'd feel right now if you had a loved one on pan am flight 103 and you found out the only person ever convicted in their death was about to be let out of prison because he's in failing health. it is hard to believe for a lot of people. we'll get the latest in a live report and talk to two people who lost family members on that horrific day back in 1988. >>> also ahead this morning, the first interview with the boyfriend of a georgia mother missing for more than a week. douglas davis was actually talking with her on the phone and he says that he heard her scream "don't take me" before the phone went dead. this morning he joins us exclusively in our studio for his first interview on the matter. >>> on a much, much lighter note, talk about a talker? on wednesday we

i'm matt lauer. >> i'm ann curry in for meredith. there is a statement released by the kennedy family overnight that says it all, "we've lost the irreplaceable center of our family." >> tet kenned kennedy was force take over the mantel of the kennedy legacy following the assassination of his older brothers president john f. president and senator robert kennedy. the death of his tragic brother joseph as well. became one of the most effective legislators of the past 50 years. >> senator kennedy died late tuesday night at his massachusetts home 15 months after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor with his wife and children by his side. president obama released a statement this morning after speaking with senator kennedy's wife and called senator kennedy the greatest u.s. senator of our time. he also says he is heart broken and also added for five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation, dealing with civil rights, health and economic well being of the american people bore senator kennedy's name and resulted from his e

inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer alongside meredith vieira.oming up in this half hour, the accused ringleader of those scorned women who allegedly attacked a man with krazy glue, after finding out he was cheating on all of them. she will speak out, and she says she's completely innocent. we'll have an exclusive interview with her in just a couple of minutes. >> ahead, alana stewart remembers her best friend farrah fawcett in her first television interview since farrah's death. >> and a programming note, thursday on "today," an exclusive interview with brad pitt. the actor is coming out with a new movie. he's part of the hollywood power couple and some even want this guy to run for mayor of new orleans, where he has a house and he spent a lot of great work. brad pitt opens up to ann about it all in an exclusive interview thursday morning right here on "today." >> oh, sure, ann. let's begin with some new developments in the michael jackson case. the cause and manner of death have now been determined but not released. nbc's jeff rossen is in los

. >>> inside studio 1a, i'm matt lauer alongside ann curry.n i saw that audition online over the weekend, it said 100,000 people have watched it. now it's over 1 million. >> really! >>> don't forget, tomorrow, speaking of singing sensations, we've got one named miley cyrus. the teen star will be here for a live concert out on the plaza. if early indications are right, there's going to be a pretty huge crowd outside. so do plan on coming down. >>> meanwhile coming up in this half-hour, for comedians, that mother-in-law joke is kind after standard crowd pleaser. but one mother-in-law is less than pleased that she became part of her daughter-in-law's stand-up act. she's suing her. we'll talk to that comedian coming up. >>> but let us begin with new details in the case of a reality star who took his own life in a canadian motel room after being accused of killing his ex-wife. in a moment we'll talk exclusively with ryan jenkins' former fiance. but first, nbc's miguel almaguer is in vancouver with the latest. >> reporter: matt, good morning. police

i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm meredith vieira. matt, welcome back. >> good to be back. >> wish we had better news to report this morning. >> so many stories over the last several days just stop you in your tracks. this morning investigators are returning to the scene of the worst air disaster in new york city in about eight years. >> as hundreds of spectators watched in horror, nine people were killed on saturday when a single engine plane with three people on-board crashed into a helicopter carrying five italian tourists. the latest on the search and the investigation into just what happened to both of those aircraft. >>> also ahead, the latest on another tragic accident here in new york. that deadly wrong-way crash. eight people died when a 36-year-old mother, diane schuler, her minivan filled with children drove nearly two miles on a busy parkway before slamming into an suv. police say she was both drunk and high but her husband does not believe it. this morning family members of two of the victim inside the suv are speaking out

. >> host: you were on with matt lauer, any reaction to that and you? >> guest: i was shocked that they had me on, gteful for that opporni and they graciously be printed the entire reduction of the book on the web site. but, you have at freer four minutes to try to get their point across and most of the questions have nothing to do with the, which is fine but i really think that there was sort of aame of ting toeat the clock and in the end i think matt lauer got beaten. it was ivery entertaining experience. >> host: michelle malkin, thanks for being with us on c-span for a full half-hour. the bo is called "cture of corruption" obama and his te of tax cheats, crooks, and cronies out by regnery press. come back again. >> michelle malkin began a career as a journalist at the los angeles daily news before moving on to the seattle times. she has appeared on fox news channel, nbc nightly news and 2020 a m and others. she is the author of several books including invasion and unhinge. to buy up more visit michelle malkin.com. up next, book tv' coverage from day

i'm matt lauer. >> i'm meredith vieira. this morning we are told 168 people were on-board continental flight 128 when it hit turbulence. >> that flight originated out of rio de janeiro, brazil. it was headed to houston, texas when it made an emergency landing in miami. claudia de campo from wtvj in miami has the latest. claudia, good morning to you. >> reporter: good morning, matt. we know that 168 people, including the crew, were here on-board. what happened was that there was turbulence and 26 passengers were injured. now 22 of those passengers are in stable condition. four others are in serious condition. this flight arrived here at 5:45 this morning, it made an emergency landing, and now these people on the plane that were injured were taken by emergency vehicle to the local hospital and we're waiting to hear what other information there is. but we know that it was continental airlines flight 128 from rio de janeiro to houston. but it made an emergency landing here. now we know that these people that were taken to the h

. >> and i'm matt lauer. this morning, family members and friends of the victims of pan am flight 103 are angry. they're expressing their shock over the possible early release of 57-year-old abdel basset ali al meg raw 4i. >> he is serving a life sentence for the bombing over the scottish town of lockerbie in december of 1988. all 259 people who were on the plane, and 11 others on the ground died. al megrahi is terminally ill with cancer and he wants to live out his remaining days in libya. we're going to get reaction from susan cohen who lost her 20-year-old daughter in that attack. >> also ahead the latest on a bizarre story. this one comes from brazil where a crime-based reality tv host is accused of arranging murders in an effort to boost his shows aratings. investigators say they became suspicious after he showed up at crime scene after crime scene before the police. we're going to get into that story a little later. >> and the man who captivated the country just a few months ago captain richard phillips

i'm matt lauer. >> and in for meredith this morning, who's, by the way, back on monday, i'm ann curryyou know, matt, it's sad, you know, if you build it, they will come. and boy, have they ever. >> if you bring miley cyrus to the plaza, they will come. we're trying to give you an idea of the size of the crowd that has gathered on this friday morning, and maybe i should say some gathering since thursday morning. this stretches about five city blocks. >> it's unbelievable. matt, there are many people, you were pointing out to me before the broadcast began, who are not going to be able to even see it because they're filling the streets, going on the opposite direction. >> yeah. if you know new york at all, some are down on sixth avenue. that's a full city block from here. some are up on fifth avenue. ranging everywhere from 48th street to 50th street. it's quite an impressive crowd, and miley will take to the summer concert stage in our 8:30 half hour. we look forward to that. first, we've got a lot to talk about weatherwise. we have raging wildfires on the west coast, we have tropical s

i'm matt lauer along with natalie morales.ere while ann is stuck and meredith is on vacation. we've got al roker here as well. hoda kotb is in for natalie, who's in for ann, who's in for meredith. >> i'm really confused. >> hoda will be playing shortstop next. >> if ever a distraction. >> exactly right. speaking of concerts, we've got a bigg >> it is going to be another hot and humid day outside temperatures close to 80 downtown. 80 in salisbury. crested today is hot and humid. 87 to 91. >> and that's your latest weather. now let's head on down to washington, d.c., and say hello to mr. willard scott. did you see ann down there, willard? >> i've been looking for her. i think she's up in that tree hiding from me. hi, andy, we love you. no, i'm thrilled to watch that pussycat. >> okay, well, you stand by. >> i understand both paws this time, big finish. that's it. happy birthday from smucker's. how sweet it is. i like the orange marmalade, too. strawberry's my favorite. connie benemerito of buena park, california, 101. attributes

of trying to have it both ways, where she talks about, you know, leave my kids alone and invites matt lauer ap the today show into her home where her children are there, they're there in the kitchen. you know, while she's preparing a meal or you know, going fishing or whatever? >> well, i think one is very dinner from the other. i think we know that she, her children come under attack, her youngest son with down's syndrome has come under attack and i think that's what she's referring to, inappropriate comments made about her kids. look i thought that comment about the media was right on. i don't think she sound whiney, she hits a chord and she can do it in this country. the media, we're talking about the troops, the media has been reporting no-- none of the progress that's been happening in iraq, that's what she should have said, is report the truth that our guys are over there giving their lives, things are better in iraq. that's what she should is said probably instead of making things up, but i think her comments were dead on. and i think this woman has dropped in the polls because of th

i'm matt lauer. >> and i'm meredith vieira. that video of the tragedy of the hudson extremely hard to watch. hopefully it will help investigators figure out what happened. >> we've been looking at it for the last several hours. and there is another big development in this story. last night the federal aviation administration announced it was placing two control tower employees on leave in the wake of this crash. one, who was reportedly talking on the phone to his girlfriend at the time of the incident. and his supervisor, who had apparently left the tower, which is against regulations. we're going to have much more on that in just a moment. >> and then also ahead, is former vice president dick cheney turning on his old boss? there are reports that cheney believes former president bush stopped taking his advice during their administration's second term. and apparently that is not all he has to say, as he works on his memoir. we're going to get into that. >> also we're going to have more on this very unusual condition, it's calle

i'm matt lauer along with ann curry and al roker. now about the funeral plans for senator ted kennedy. he will be laid to rest on saturday. alongside his brothers at arlington national cemetery after a memorial service and public viewing at the kennedy library up in boston. we'll tell you more about all that's going to happen over the next couple of days in just a few minutes. >>> yet another sad milestone for that family, but there is something very comforting about the fact that he'll be buried near his brothers. >>> then we're moving on to a practical note for families. basically sending their kids off to school. we'll be talkingbout how from kiergarten to high school and beyond there are high-tech ways that areot sort of for fun, they're actually gadgets and toys that can help our k learn, we're toll. we'll check out some of those ideas coming up. >>> and we've got six surprising ways that you couldead a healthier and happier life. we had eight, but we lost a couple -- no. so what you can do now to give yourself a better life. >>

police arrested hatch after an interview with matt lauer yesterday on the "today" show. a person said that he was being arrested because he did an interview. >> he had permission, and he did not know what he was talking about, he would need to speak to his attorney and the bop, and everytng was set to go. >> during the interview, match said he believes the judge in the tax evasion case discriminated against him because he is gay. he accused a prosecutor of misconduct. authorities would not disclose the reason for hatch's arrest. >>> the king of pop will be laid to rest in what would have been his 51st birthday. a family spokesperson said michael jackson will be buried on august 29th, at forest lawn's cemetery in california. it will be laid to rest in the mausoleum known for the great artwork. there is no word on the cause of his death, but his doctor has been under a cloud of suspicion. conrad murray gave the pop star an anaesthetic normally used only in hospitals. >>> budget cuts in virginia. tim kaine is expected to announce a new round of cost setting measures today.

. >> from nbc news, this is "today" with matt lauer and meredith vieira. live from studio 1 a in rockefeller plaza. >> welcome to "today." i'm meredith vieira. >> i'm karl quintnerra. those 2800 firefighters working to contain the so-called station fire doing so with heavy hearts. >> two firefighters died on sunday when their vehicle rolled off a mountain side. as for the fire, it consumed 42,000 acres and engulfed more than 35 homes. now the flame moving closer to the top of the mountain where transmitters for every major television and radio station for the city are located. >> we will get a report in a moment. also michael jackson's father speaks out about his son's death officially ruled a homicide and said anyone who was involved should pay. we will have that exclusive interview with joe jackson. >> a bit later, an eyeopener with the surprising amount of fat, sugar and calories found in the coffee drinks that so many of us love to drink. we will begin with the raging and deadly wildfire north of los angeles. miguel is on the scene. good morning to you

this was said to matt lauer. -- in the health-care koarena. >> putting the special interests back inharge. bill: he is obviously criticizing foxnews.com and it sounds like he is pointing for a fight, is seen not -- he is obviously criticizing fox news. is he not? 14 these numbers tell the story. even the fox news has big ratings, fox news has nothing to do with the negative ratings. now, we invited robert gibbs on the program tonight, and once again, he declined, which is foolish. he and his cohorts should all over fnc to convince you that what they are doing is good, but, instead, gibbs is living in cheap-shot alley. yesterday, president obama said this. >> there is this notion that somehow we will be cutting or medicare benefits. we are not. the aarp would not be endorsing a bill if it were undermining medicare. bill: but the night before the president said that, the aarp said this on "the factor." >> we have not endorsed any specific piece of legislation right now, but we really are intent on fixing the health-care system and the parts that affect our members. bill: this does not

he told the "today" show's matt lauer he donated sperm for jackson at a decline nick london. lester said jackson confided in him that he wasn't comfortable having sex with a woman. and when the topic of sperm donation came up lester said he did it because jackson was a close friend. >> when i gave it, i made the decision that was it. i had given something as a gift and didn't want anything in return for it. that was it. end of story. >> do you know definitively whether you are paris jackson's father? >> no. >> no idea. >> no idea. even if i was, without it make absolutely no difference to the status quo of the family anyway. >> lester says while he does not know if he's paris' biological father he believes there obvious physical similarities between paris and lester's 15-year-old daughter seen in this picture on the right. lest also say he is willing to take a paternity test if asked. >>> the pilot is not to blame for airline passengers stranded overnight on that plane in minnesota earlier this month. that's according to the department of transportation officials confirming t

and now matt lauer has a look at senator kennedy's life and legacy. >> the work goes on, the cause endures. the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die. >> edward kennedy's hopes and dreams of becoming president were never realized. dashed in large part by a tragic accident and resulting scandal that would haunt him for years. despite it, he became one of the most influential and productive legislators of his time. a champion of liberal causes, even when they were out of fashion. his reputation spanned the globe. >> i want to announce, awarded by her imagimajesty, the queen, behalf of the british people, an honorary knighthood for sir edward kennedy. >> his son, rhode island congressman patrick kennedy, acknowledged the honor. >> he was a true senator who used that institution to create all sorts of things he cared about, went across party lines, and really was able to make that senate work in the way that it should be working. >> the youngest of the four boys whose rich and powerful father was determined that the first catholic president be named kennedy, edward moore kennedy live

for a look at what's coming up on the "today" show here's matt lauer. >> good morning coming up on a friday the east coast begins feeling the effects of hurricane bill as iten spins towards bermuda. then the outrage in the u.s. grows as a cheering crowd in libya greets the only man ever convicted of the pan am bombing and the godfather of michael jackson's children who claims he could be paris jackson's biological father speaks out in a live interview and we'll meet the 8-year-old who became the world's youngest wing walker when we get started on a friday morning here on "today." >> the time 6:52 and 76 degrees on tv hill. from that first dollar forward, cash flow isn't just an important thing to small business. it's everything. that's why pnc is introducing your new cfo, cash flow options designed to effectively improve your cash flow. cfo helps every dollar work harder. from the very first dollar to the last dollar of the day. get in touch with your new cfo. pnc. leading the way. >> leaving the air-conditioning could be painful this morning. >> yes. >> we think the roads are sweati

here is matt lauer. >> he is man whose name and face are recognized by few. theory that raised a possible link between a childhood vaccine and autism has had an impact the world over. >> then something happened that children fell apart. >> reporter: it was his theory that caused many parents to question a vaccine meant to save their children's lives. some see dr. andrew wakefield as a hero. >>in where we would be without him. because no one would listen to us before him. >> reporter: others see him differently. >> i think this man has done a tremendous amount of harm and it mazes me he doesn't accept the responsibility for that harm. >> reporter: in an exclusive "dateline" interview dr. wake feelgd sits down to address the conflict head-on for the very first time after a decade of debate. >> i knew that there was going to be controversy and it was going to challenge people's opinions. >> reporter: more than controversy, though. this hasek ploeded, doctor. despite tremendous opposition from the medical community, dr. wakefield has refused to back down. >> what

but for a brief moment this morning today's show host matt lauer not only put it on, he was inspiredo do one of jackson's signature dance moves. the glove is one of many personal items belonging to the pop icon being auctioned off later this year in new york. you can also bid on outfits worn by michael jackson in music videos and artwork he drew or paint. >> i think he did pretty well with that move. >>> all day long news4 has been out along with our corporate partners collecting backpacks and other school supplies for students in need. pat lawson muse joins us live from the tinley town cvs with more. >> reporter: this has been a tremendous effort today. we are still collecting backpacks for kids. we have a pile -- a pretty tall pile over there, backpacks donated to the cvs. 455 wisconsin northwest. we still need your help in order to provide backpacks for thousands of needy kids in the washington area. all have you do is go to a local cvs store, pay $12.99, buy the pack pack and donate the backpack at the store or you can do it online. news4 has a lot of partners in this. our co-spo

. >>> tonight, matt lauer hosts a special "dateline" with vaccines and autism. matt is here. >> we talked exclusively to the doctor at the center of it all, dr. andrew wakefield, influenced the lives and stirred the passions of parents all around the world while at the same time outraging the medical community. dr. andrew wakefield's controversial theory that raised the possible link between a childhood vaccine and autism has had an impact the world over. >> a child is vaccinated then something happened, children fell apart. >> his theory caused many parents to question a vaccine meant to save their children's lives. >> i have to look at the likelihood of my child contracting the disease, but i have to look at the particular vaccination and look at a likelihood of a severe or fatal reaction to that. >> and gave parents of children with autism a possible answer to the question why. >> dr. wakefield is a hero. i don't know where we would be without him, because no one would listen to us before him. >> others see him differently. >> do you think he has done a lot of

out on the plaza, i'm matt lauer, along with jenna wolfe. since natalie's on vacation, we have lx tv's sara gore. thanks for being here. >> i'm so glad to be here. >> this team does not go out together very often. >> cool. >> thank you. >> coming up, more on this terrible story that happened on the taconic parkway here in new york, a mother driving the wrong way in her minivan down that road, apparently after drinking and smoking pot. her daughter was killed in the crash, she was killed in the crash, her three young nieces were killed when she then hit an suv, a father and son were killed in that car along with a family friend. members of the bastardi family will join us this morning, find out how they heard about the crash and some of the developments they're going to talk about since they got that terrible news. >>> then we'll switch gears. you ever say i put on some weight, i have a slow metabolism, or i'm okay, i have a quick metabolism? there are some myths and truths. jillian michaels will be here to answer some of our questions about

this morning the couple was on the "today" s show and they reassured matt lauer that the picture is real. right. >>> let's find out about some of the stories in the works for news 4 this afternoon. >> i wonder how many pictures it took just to get that one. > coming up this afternoon, we'll find out how social networking sites are changing the way some do business. plus how you can use facebook and twitter to land yourself a new job. then at 5 k on, get home grown tomatoes without being a guard thing guru. this infomercial says it's in the bag, but did z. it really do that. liz kren issue is back to find out for us. plus as kids head back to school, dr. jackie joins us with tips on how to keep your kids healthy as they head back to the classroom. that's coming up in had get healthy for life today. for these and all the day's news and your forecast, we start right here at 4:00 and 5:00. back to you. >>> let's go tom now and get a final check of our forecast. >>> the tropics are heating up and all eyes are on now hurricane bill. this is the one of greatest concern. hurricane bill is about

. >>> i'm matt lauer, along with ann curry who is in while meredith's on vacation. mr. roker, the birthday man, is here as well. >> that was good cake. >>> coming up in this half-hour, a difficult story. a woman walking along a country road in georgia, a single mom, kristi cornwell, was talking on a cell phone to her boyfriend when he heard her scream "don't take me." then the phone went dead. that was over a week ago. kristi has not been seen since. now her boyfriend is speaking out for the first time. we'll hear from him just ahead. >>> also coming up, health concerns that are not just for teens anymore. we're talking about stds, anorexia, binge drinking. you may think of that as concerns for college kids, but think again. we'll have advice for staying healthy and signs not to ignore. >> that's really concerning that so many people, age 40-something to 50-something are now engaging in binge drinking. it is a big increase. that's a big concern. >>> also coming up, something that may and bit more fun, who would you name as the most powerful women in the world? first of

i'm matt lauer, along with al roker and natalie morales. >>> more news now on the octomom. back in the headlines. >> she is back. apparently now she is openly saying that having another eight children was a big mistake. she feels guilty about it, about what's missing from their lives and the impact that will all have as they grow up. we'll get more on that and talk to a psychologist about some things she should be doing to try to better their lives. >> those comments are going to make a lot of people very angry. >> absolutely. a lot of people are already very angry. this adds fuel to the fire. >> not to mention the eight kids when they read this later on. >>> here's a startling statistic. 80% of all auto crashes happen when the driver looks away from the road a few seconds before that happens. and of course, texting comes to mind with that. we are going to get some tips now that people are hitting the road in greater numbers during the summer how to stay safe and focused especially on longer drives. >>> all right. and also coming up, what's that say? >> it says how to firm

i'm matt lauer, along with ann curry who's here while meredith's taking time off. mr.ker joins us as well. i was going to say, do they have to keep standing there? >> and relax. >>> coming up, much more on the michael jackson investigation. what else? >> also coming up, a lot of people are going through the heartbreak of sending their kids off to college. there are apparently five health issues -- six health hazards you and your student may want to know about. >>> there is also the joy of getting a room back. that wall's coming down! >>> if you're thinking of grabbing a summer getaway, some tips for the perfect weekend destination, whether you're looking for wine country, undiscovered coastal gems, we have got some ideas for you. >> all right. a lot coming up. ladies, good to have you here. >>> natalie astanding by inside at the news desk with the headlines. >>> good morning. a show of confidence today for fed chairman ben bernanke taking a break from his vacation in martha's vineyard, president obama's reappointing bernanke to a second term. the president is praising

just hours after this interview with nbc news's matt lauer.show. >> i really don't know what the grounds are for why they have him back in jail. i haven't had any response yet to my very many phone calls. >> dylan, the thing was richard hatch was clear that his life is so structured that he has to get permission even to talk to members of the media. so one would presume he had to get permission to have that interview with matt lauer. >> one would. they put him in jail for goodness sakes. it's pretty black and white for that guy. >> we'll stay on top of that and try to get some answers. >>> ahead on the "morning meeting," the doctor who was with michael jackson before he died has released his own video on youtube. we talk with the journalist who got the last interview with dr. conrad murray and we'll have his comments coming up. gecko: uh, you wanted to see me sir? boss: come on in, i had some other things you can tell people about geico - great claims service and a 97% customer satisfaction rate. show people really trust us. gecko: yeah right,

speaking of joining us, i'm matt lauer, along with ann curry. while meredith is taking a little time off. >>> we're going to check in with natalie at the news desk in just a couple of minutes. coming up, this is a really troubling story, a 13-year-old boy saw something on youtube, tried to copy the stunt. ended up setting himself on fire. co-have easily died. we're going to have -- it has a cautionary tale. we'll have some advice on how you can block your kids from viewing certain internet sets. >> it is so hard to keep an eye on all the things they are finding access to. >>> talking about white lies. everyone will have to admit they've probably told a white lie once or twice or maybe even more in your life. the question is how do you stop it from eroding your relationships with people and basically you don't want to hurt feelings but you don't want to erode trust. we'll get to the bottom of how to get our spouses to basically tell us the truth. >>> speaking of getting to the bottom of something, will paula abdul be a judge on "american idol"? w

>> out on the plaza, matt lauer along with lxtv's sara gore filling in while natalie's on vacation.nd mr. roker joins us, as well. neither of you left-handed? >> no. although i wear my watch on my right hand and i shoot baskets with my left hand. not that i play a lot of basketball. >> because you tend to wear your watch on your off hand. >> i wear mine on my right hand, too. but i never wear a watch. >> coming up in this half hour we're going to have some medical advice for women. it's actually kind of scary how often women's illnesses are misdiagnosed. we're going to talk about the four most commonly misdiagnosed diseases in women, and what the true symptoms of those diseases are. >> wow. on a slightly lighter note when you go out shopping do you like to haggle? >> no. >> i do. >> i really do. they say you can actually save some money with the right words. we're not just talking about flea markets or when you're out, you know, out on the road. we're talking about real, brand-name stores. >> like department stores? >> like department stores. >> that's so strange. >> apparel stores,

. >> matt lauer along with ann curry and al roker, and coming up in this half hour we're going to talko mark lester. remember him, the good friend and godfather of michael jackson's children, three children and now he says there's a possibility he could actually turn out to be the biological father of that lady right there, paris jackson. there's mark on the right, and paris on the left, is there a similarity? we'll let you decide, as we talk to mark in this half hour. >> on a lighter note, you guys spend a lot of money on facial creams to make sure you stay beautiful and probably asked yourself, am i really putting my money in a place where it really needs toÑi go? in other words, do these things really work? a medical doctor willñr come on the show in the next half hour and ta about what really works, what doesn't work, for example things that make your eye lashes grow longer. >> yes. >> do they work? we'll find moout more coming up. >>> you smell like guacamole, or tortilla chips. >>> house hunting, we'll tell you anything from $200,000 to $500,000, what it will get you from hawaii