streets and school. >> i hate them having to feel like they're not american enough. >> reporter: vicky nguyennews. >>> two austin e texas, police officers rescued a man from a burning truck. they arrived before the fire department smashing the windows to open the door and pull the man to safety. the driver suffered a medical emergency as he was backing into a parking spot his foot remained on the accelerator causing the tires to spin and spark the fire. >>> straight ahead on "early today," cnbc's steve sedgwick will be here to tell us why there's optimism on wall street. >>> and a new udsty that shows americans are chomping at the bit to get back to restaurants post pandemic. geico lets you file a claim online, over the phone or with their app.♪ (sniffles) are...are you crying? uhh, there's pollen... geico. great service without all the drama. when our daughter and her kids moved in with us... our bargain detergent couldn't keep up. turns out it's mostly water. so, we switched back to tide. one wash, stains are gone. daughter: slurping don't pay for water. pay for clean. it's got to be tide.

and the fear leading many parents to keep their children out of school let's get more now from vicky nguyenorter: 14-year-old aidan nakajima-wu worked hard to make it into new york's stuyvesant high >> what were you most looking forward to as a freshman >> probably making new friends in high school >> reporter: it hasn't happened first covid kept him home but even after in-person classes resumed his mom mina says the headlines about assaults on asian americans instilled a new layer of fear. >> i really felt unsafe sending him, you know, all the way downtown by himself. >> have you ever experienced this kind of fear and anxiety before >> not really. nothing really has made me this scared for my life. >> reporter: national data shows just 18% of asian american students are attending school in person, trailing any demographic. at ps 130 in new york city's chinatown where nearly 87% of the students are asian american, just 30% have opted for in-person learning principal remy fong says it's not just the pandemic is there an additional layer of anxiety for your asian american students and familie

that when you see something happening you have skills to safely intervene lester >> all right, vicky nguyenanks for that >>> president biden traveled to a republican stronghold today to sell his massive infrastructure plan our kristen welker now with the gop objecting to the price tag and how the president plans to pay for it. >> reporter: with republicans opposing his $2.3 trillion plan to overhaul the nation's infrastructure, president biden today going to bright red lake charles, louisiana to make his case joined by the republican mayor standing in front of a bridge 20 years older than its intended life span >> across the country we have failed we have failed to properly invest in infrastructure for half a century >> reporter: but republicans in congress blasting it as a massive tax and spending spree they say focuses too little on traditional infrastructure like roads and bridges. to pay for the plan the president wants to raise ta >> i can't imagine bringing socialism to america. it's mortgaging everybody's future in order to do what fund a bunch of liberal pet projects, cancel energy

>> vicky nguyen has everything you need to know. >> when is your wedding? who know you. so, when you're ready, they'll be ready to give it to you safely, for free. this is our shot at bringing our communities back together. providing healing, not just for some, but for all. this is our shot. this is our shot. this is our shot. the dove beauty bar makes my skin feel fresh. i've encouraged serena my best friend to switch. this is our shot. feels moisturized and clean. my friend stefanie, her skin was dry. i'm like girl you better get you some dove. she hooked me up. with a quarter moisturising cream, dove cleans effectively and cares beautifully. new meow mix tasty layers crunchy and meaty textures with a mouth-watering gravy coating. meow mix tasty layers. the new one cats ask for by name. ♪♪ you don't become a runner, who breaks eight world records... after age 65, without a serious support system. kathy martin has one in medicare from blue cross blue shield. she won't go a day without the right card. because she can't go a day without running. the medicare

vicky nguyen took a crash course in avoiding crash diets.mily of luxury suvs. ♪♪ new meow mix tasty layers crunchy and meaty textures with a mouth-watering gravy coating. meow mix tasty layers. the new one cats ask for by name. this is a gamechanger, who dares to be fearless even when her bladder leaks. our softest, smoothest fabric keeping her comfortable, protected, and undeniably sleek. depend. the only thing stronger than us, is you. brushing only reaches 25% of your mouth. depend. listerine® cleans virtually 100%. helping to prevent gum disease and bad breath. never settle for 25%. always go for 100. bring out the bold™ when i get a migraine, i go to the darkest place i can find. but now that i've got nurtec odt i can get out there and do my thing! don't take if allergic to nurtec. the most common side effect was nausea. ask your doctor about nurtec today. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ (host) you want healthy ingredients. your cat is all about the the flavor. ♪ ♪ tastefuls has it all. (molly) i really want him to eat well but he's just really picky. okay

vicky nguyen explains why in "the price you pay". >> reporter: used cars are having a moment. autotrader says sellers are getting an average of 12% more for their cars, and some are cashing in even higher. >> i had people literally offering me double the price that i wanted, cash, without ever seeing the vehicle. >> why is it a seller's market for used cars? >> mainly because of demand so a lot of people decided to get an inexpensive used car rather than use public transportation also there's stimulus money, and people are optimistic. >> reporter: the collapse of the rental car industry last year also means fewer used cars are entering the market and new car production has stalled. a global semiconductor shortage means we could see 1.2 million fewer new cars built this year. for sellers and buyers, choose a public place when meeting up >> a lot of local police stations are offering the services of their parking lot to do those kinds of transactions and that's a safe way to do it. >> reporter: if you're buying, be ready to seal the deal. >> finding a used car has been honestly

here is vicky nguyen. >> this car is a sham.ttle -- >> reporter: monique williams bought this car to get to work, but the bills started receptionist during the covid crisis. >> i almost lost my home i didn't have a job. i didn't have anything i could barely eat or pay my own bills. >> reporter: after four years of making payments, she says she asked the lender, credit acceptance, to defer a payment. >> they told me they don't do that. i said, but we are in a pandemic the water company, the light company, everybody's trying to help people during these hard times. >> reporter: williams was paying 23% interest for her loan. credit acceptance is one of the country's largest so-called subprime car lenders specializing in loans to people with tarnished credit a profitable approach with nearly $2 billion in revenue last year. company shares soared during the pandemic. seven top executive were granted an estimated $55 million total in stock options late last year, subject to shareholder approval now credit acceptance is being accused of

we have vicky nguyen she's going to sort it all out, tell us when we can and can't wear it, what to do>> it's funny because it's true, by the way yesterday outdoors, people just -- >> masked up >> well, some. >> nobody knows. >> look at our plaza we have three people on our plaza, and they all three have masks. by the way, we're building up slowly >> they didn't know it was our plaza. they're just here. hi >> wandering by. you're right. >> whatever. we'll take it at this point. >>> let's get started. your 7:30 headlines. we'll start with breaking news a fire burning out of control in los angeles is growing this morning. more than a thousand people living in the palisades pacific neighborhood have been evacuated. nearby schools will be closed due to air quality concerns. the cause of the fire is under investigation, but arson may be to blame one person was detained and released, and a second person is being questioned. >>> in an iowa town evacuated yesterday after a train carrying potentially dangerous chemicals derailed take a look at the mess, you can see a huge ball of flames, a plum

. >> vicky nguyen is here with answers to google's most searched questions right after this and powers lb ft of torque and 12,700 lbs of max available towing. saturdays happen. with 570 lb ft of torque pain happens. aleve it. aleve is proven stronger and longer on pain than tylenol. when pain happens, aleve it. all day strong. new dunkin' coconut refreshers... tropical flavors... energy from green tea extract... now with smooth coconutmilk. it just can't get any better. oh wait... yes it can. do what feels bright... enjoy a medium dunkin' coconut refresher for $3. order ahead plus earn rewards. america runs on dunkin'. more protection, more sun, more joy. beach defense® from neutrogena® the suncare brand used most by dermatologists and their families, neutrogena® for people with skin. oikos triple zero has 15 grams of protein. saquon barkley needs protein to get the groceries from car to house. in one trip. i eat the protein that comes in this yogurt. ♪♪ you may have many reasons for waiting to go to your doctor right now. but if you're experiencing leg pain, swelling, or redness, don'

torres, vicky nguyen, and stephanie ruhle standing by to answer your questions. dr.th the new cdc guidelines, if i can't social distance at work, should i still wear a mask to avoid bringing anything home to my elementary-aged kids? >> what do you think, dr. torres >> great question. there is no cut-and-dry answer to any of these questions. the one thing you have to remember, when it comes to a mask, its job, it protects you somewhat its main job is to protect others from you if you have the virus. if you're fully vaccinated and others who are not are wearing masks, the risk is low however, if, on the other hand, you think other people may not be vaccinated and they're not wearing masks, you might want to think about putting one on yourself to protect those at home although, your chances, if you're fully vaccinated, of spreading it to others is really low. again, no cut-and-dry answer here, just a matter of how much you think people around you are actually following the guidelines. >> all right our next question comes from bridget. let's roll it. >> hi. my name is br

. >> this morning, vicky nguyen spent some time with young people who are stepping up in a big way.nced phones. get details on this state program. call or visit now california phones offers free devices and accessories for your mobile phone. like this device to increase volume on your cell phone. - ( phone ringing ) - get details on this state program call or visit >>> we are back with our series "we belong." a network wide initiative to celebrate asian-american pacific islander or aapi heritage month. >> we're taking a closer look at ways communities of color are working to increase their visibility and to make sure their voices are heard >> nbc's investigative and consumer correspondent vicky nguyen is here with more on how asian-americans are experiencing with a new wave of activism with pretty inspiring young ladies, vicky. >> very. good morning, everyone we have seen a growing number of asian-americans taking to social media and the streets to speak up against hate and division this past year for many, it is the first time so what is behind this shift this morning we want you t

. >>> coming up at 7:00 on the "today" show, vicky nguyen celebrating asian-american pacific islandert voices that have been silent all these years. >> what was that like to see so many different generations showing up after your daughter put the call out? >> it's just so surprising. we have all broken out of our chains, our baggage of our culture, what our culture set, you know, be quiet, put your head down, don't make waves. all of us thought that's over. we have to come out. we have to speak now. this is a no-nonsense message from three. small business insurance usually doesn't cover everything you need. it's long on pages. short on coverage. that's why three was created. it covers your entire business in just one policy. because small business owners have enough on their hands. so go with three and leave those old policies in the dust. sawdust. technically. don't interrupt the spokesperson. this commercial is now over. logo. three. no nonsense. just common sense. >>> welcome back. a quick look at top stories we're following for you on this monday morning. breaking news on the peni

. >> nbc's investigative and consumer correspondent vicky nguyen has been looking at how the camerashat she found. hey, vic. >>> hi, good morning to you all. >> body cameras can mend the trust between law enforcement and the people they are sworn to protect by increasing transparency and accountability. but as our investigation found, officers have to know when to hit record, and too often, that doesn't happen a warning, some of the video in this story is disturbing >> aaron was a fun-loving person. >> he was a loving father. he loved his family. he would do anything for you give you the shirt off his back. >> reporter: november 23rd, 2019, aaron mccree walked out of in chester, south carolina, walmart without paying for a $45 lock according to police when he later returned, two off-duty officers working security handcuffed him. video showings mcceo charges one officer and then escaping. state investigators say mccree, hands still cuffed behind his back, ran to his car to get a gun. some witnesses say he fired it others say they never saw him with a gun >> right where my hands are at

the fashion company gravitas, alisa sun joins us from nbc news and investigator correspondent vicky nguyennow your value" events and worked so hard in the fashion industry to develop your brand and name. and then this happened and nobody seemed more surprised by it than you. tell us about it. >> thank you, mika, and thank you for your messages of support throughout this process. so i have a factory in the garment district in new york city, and a lot of our seamstresses, our head designer, had all experienced verbal abuse or have had things happen to them. and i don't know if you think about it happening to yourself. in march, i was going to the post office in the evening as i usually do. my bosses fell and then i felt a splash of beer on my back neck and another person bumped me and told me to go back to china. it happened so quickly, and i was shocked frankly, and i just kept going to the post office. i picked up my packages and kept walking. later that evening i decided i needed to report it. i actually called one of my friends, jane park, who is also a "know your value" contributor and