university in st. louis. >> we're celebrating the start of a new school year. >> and we love the "today" show. ♪ i knew that was the end of it all ♪ >> coming to you from my virtual classroom in johnsand we are glad to have you along with us. a special good morning to everybody. just getting up maybe having the first cup of coffee in the morning. >> happy hump day. if you slept in, that's okay. you can always catch up on what you've missed and you've missed a lot. when we come on the air at 7:00 here. so set your dvr. see all the fun. >> no judgment though. if you can sleep in, you do that. >> you do you. >> yes, exactly. >>> let's get to the news at 8:00. the president is a big step closer to filling the vacant supreme court seat before election day. as one of his main republican critics gets on board with the plan. nbc white house correspondent peter alexander joins us with the three things to watch today in politics. peter, good morning. >> reporter: to the politics in a moment. this moving morning at the supreme court. ginsburg will lie in repose at the supreme court for days. this morning, she was remembered by chief justice john roberts. >> it has been said that ruth wanted t