and just in, we're learning he was at the capitol on january 6th. the cdc easing its covid guidelines the major changes on masks, quarantines, and social distancing just as students begin heading back to school relief at the pump average gas prices falling below $4 a gallon for the first time in five months. have we turned a corner angelina jolie on her mission to help survivors of abuse why a new kind of technology could be a game changer the football player wowing social media with his talent off the field. and the big honors being awarded to nbc news and this very broadcast. announcer: this is “nbc nightly news” with lester holt good evening i'm kate snow in for lester tonight in a rare move, the u.s. attorney general merrick garland is speaking out, saying he personally approved the fbi search of former president trump's home at mar-a-lago on monday.

while he said he could not provide more details about the basis of the search, he did say the department of justice is asking a judge to make the warrant that was issued public. mr. trump reacting on social media saying "with no warning mar-a-lago was raided." that message resonating with trump supporters, some ridiculing, even threatening law enforcement. today the attorney general pointedly saying he would not stand by silently seeing his agents' integrity attacked just hours before in cincinnati, an armed man walked into an fbi field office shooting a nail gun more on that in a moment let's start tonight in washington with our kelly o'donnell. >> reporter: in an extraordinary appearance, the attorney general made a careful exception to the usual secrecy of investigations under pressure to explain the monday search of former president trump's mar-a-lago home and office >> first, i personally approved the decision to seek a search warrant in this matter

second, the department does not take such decision lightly >> reporter: merrick garland moved to make more about the unprecedented search public the justice department filed this motion asking a federal court in florida to unseal the trump warrant which would include the inventory of items seized by the fbi. the public's clear and powerful interest in understanding what occurred under these circumstances weighs heavily in favor of unsealing. garland argues that mr. trump in effect waved the confidentiality that is typically provided. >> the former president publicly confirmed the search that evening as is his right. >> reporter: late today, the court ordered the justice department to meet with donald trump's lawyers to determine if they oppose unsealing the warrant, giving them until friday afternoon to respond. today the attorney general suggested that a court approved fbi search might have been avoidable but without explaining why >> where possible, it

is standard practice to seek less intrusive means as an alternative to a search >> reporter: according to sources, a june 3rd subpoena was delivered to the office of the former president requiring classified and government documents be turned over then a meeting was set up to retrieve them. mr. trump stopped by at that time officials asked to see the storage room and the former president agreed days later, authorities sent an e-mail to request better security and a second lock was added. weeks passed until the august 8th search. today the former president posted a comment. my attorneys and representatives were cooperating fully. the government could have had whatever they wanted his daughter-in-law laura trump says she wanted more answers from garland. >> a lot of americans were looking for something, anything that they could look to from the attorney general that would reassure them that this was not a political attack >> reporter: garland clearly had another

more personal reason to come forward. >> i will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked >> reporter: denouncing what he called unfounded attacks against law enforcement and prosecutors. some of that fueled by trump supporters this week >> they protect the american people from violent crime, terrorism, and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights they do so at great personal sacrifice and risk to themselves >> kelly joins me now. we may learn what federal agents were looking for in that search but not why they ordered the search if this warrant is unsealed, right >> that's right, kate. the attorney general did not take any questions today. and the department is not seeking to make public the affidavit which lays out the probable cause that a crime was committed. that was the basis for a judge approving the fbi search that would tell us much more about what investigators believe is going on. beyond government property and classified documents kate

>> and, kelly, do we think the former president's legal team will challenge the doj motion >> that's interesting. the former president could have made the search-related documents public himself. any time this week he has them. he can do so like the inventory of what was seized. "the new york times" reports that trump allies have contacted outside lawyers about challenging the motion to unseal the documents. we should learn more kate >> kelly o'donnell following all of it at the white house. thank you. just breaking tonight, amid those concerns over the safety of fbi agents, the end of a violent confrontation involving the fbi and an armed suspect stephanie gosk is in cincinnati with late details there. what are you learning about the suspect involved >> kate, just moments ago we learned that the suspect is dead after that standoff in a corn field two officials familiar with the matter tell nbc news his name was ricky walter schiffer and he was at the capitol on january 6th. state police tell us they tried to

negotiate with him and use nonlethal methods. but when he pulled his gun, they fired. >> reporter: tonight in ohio, a violent hour's long standoff is over after authorities cornered a man who tried to break into the fbi building in cincinnati. >> he succumbed to his injuries at the scene. >> reporter: at 9:15, this morning the man entered the visitor's screening area in the fbi field office wielding an ar-15 style rifle and nail gun which he fired at people according to two law enforcement sources. the suspect then fled in his car speeding off on to the interstate at 9:37, state police tried to stop the car but couldn't leading to a chase through country roads. >> subject is wearing body armor fired several shots at officers >> reporter: the standoff in a corn field lasted for hours, with more reports of gunfire >> once the vehicle came to a stop, gunfire was exchanged between officers on scene and the suspect. >> reporter: residents were told to stay inside and the highway was shut down in both directions the suspect's motive is unknown but the

incident took place two days after federal agents searched donald trump's mar-a-lago estate fbi director christopher wray was asked yesterday if he was worried the search could trigger retaliation against the fbi. >> any threats made against law enforcement including the men, women of the fbi as with any law enforcement agency are deplorable and dangerous. >> reporter: some republicans responded to the search warrant with calls to take down the agency, including one congressman who tweeted we must destroy the fbi. while online, some extremists made direct threats. including the suspect who posted multiple times. one message said he wanted to kill fbi agents meanwhile in ohio, relief that a dangerous confrontation is over. state police say no law enforcement were injured. stephanie gosk, nbc news, cincinnati new guidelines tonight on covid from the cdc. easing recommendations on quarantines, testing, and screening in schools one official saying covid is here to stay. here's miguel almaguer

>> reporter: the new guidelines could impact how millions of americans quarantine when they should get tested for covid and what students nationwide should expect when they return to the classroom. just days before nearly 50 million children head back to school, tonight the cdc is easing and streamlining the guidance in a major shift, the centers for disease control now no longer recommending quarantine even after exposure and no ongoing screening in k-12 schools though exposed students who have symptoms should still test the agency also releasing specifics on when indoor masking should be implemented. what do you think the reaction will be from students and parents about these new guidelines >> i think that similar to what the previous reaction was. they were like, okay, time to go back to a little bit of normal we still want to take precautions. >> reporter: with the new guidance applying to all children regardless of vaccination status, the vast majority of

kids under 12 remain unvaccinated, dropping protective measures says dr. ellie murray, could be major mistake. >> covid is just continuously throwing us wild cards. every single surge we've had so far, right now with so much covid around, taking away the precautions is going to lead to more transmission. >> reporter: the new school guidelines mirrors new guidance for all americans including those returning to the office the easing of quarantine and testing also comes with the removal of all social distancing which should help all americans return to life as we used to know it. >> i want to go one, two, three poke all done, sweetheart. >> reporter: tonight an evolving pandemic in a changing approach to our daily lives. miguel almaguer, nbc news, los angeles. and tonight more evidence or at least hope that inflation may have peaked. the average price of gas has now dropped below $4 a gallon. the lowest since march. and there are more positive signs here's tom costello.

>> reporter: while the national pump price average is dropping, now below $4 a gallon, nbc news sampling found prices can vary greatly. $3.33 in dallas. $3.69 in north carolina $3.83 on the jersey shore. $4.32 in philly. $4.79 in chicago $5.05 near portland, oregon and $6.29 at this station in los angeles. while pump prices have dropped from a national high of $5.01 in june -- >> i can really see the difference from two months ago to now, and it's beautiful for me >> reporter: there are still 81 cents higher than a year ago. >> awful almost $120. >> reporter: analysts say that prices could drop to $3.90 by labor day, hurricane season poses a big risk. >> that could knock the refineries offline for a period of time and that could increase prices nationally >> reporter: also potentially driving prices up, the u.s. will stop tapping the strategic petroleum

reserve in october which president biden ordered to offset price hikes from the war in ukraine meanwhile, more evidence today that inflation may have peaked in june producer prices, what manufacturers pay, dropped .5% in july, the first decline since april 2020 still up 10% from a year ago. that news coming after july consumer inflation, what you pay, remained unchanged from june but still up 8.5% in a year for family owned mashburn construction in south carolina, inflation and a labor shortage continue to pose serious challenges >> it is a long list of price increases it seems like almost everything in the economy has gotten more expensive >> tom, can i go back to the gas prices? it's hitting all of us you said they could drop a bit more but it sounds like maybe not much >> well, listen. here in the nation's capital in the shadow of the capitol, $4.89 at this gas station.

most analysts point to the fact that oil is starting to inch higher they expect we'll probably see gas prices average right around $4 a gallon, 25 cents either side of that for the next few weeks and then see what comes in the fall >> all right tom, thank you indiana authorities are searching for the cause of a deadly home explosion. surveillance video captured the blast on wednesday that killed three people and damaged 39 other homes in evansville. a married couple is among the dead their family confirmed. 11 of the damaged homes have been deemed uninhabitable and have to be demolished now to the war in ukraine and the new satellite images showing russian warplanes destroye by explosions in crimea and officials no urging evacuation as mid new attacks near a nuclear plant. morgan chesky is in ukraine tonight. >> reporter: the massive cloud of smoke poured over russian controlled crimea. alarms blaring from explosions shocking beach goers

the fiery strike at a russian airfield tuesday destroyed a weaponed depot and new satellit photos confirming nine russian fighter jets seen before the strike now all appear to be destroye. and as more explosions rock the area surrounding ukraine's largest nuclear power plant, officials are urging children and pregnant women living nearby to evacuate in a hospital, former plant mechanic told me after russians took over in march, anyone pro ukraine disappeared or died. >> when you saw about a dozen russian soldiers outside your home, what was your first thought? >> reporter: he said his only thought, grab his military ak-47 and hide seconds later, a shootout he is showing where russian bullets struck his leg, arm, stomach, and cheek. he was expected to die.

tonight, over a handshake and smile, he tells us when he leaves here, it will be to take up arms yet again. to drive russia from his home tonight ukrainian officials say russia has damaged three of the plant's four power lines and should that last one fail the entire plant will run on diesel generators after that, there's no backup kate >> that's a real worry. morgan, thank you. in 60 seconds, my report on a way to detect signs of physical abuse more easily in people with darker skin. a matter of technology, money, and justice and something actor angelina jolie has been pushing for we protected that progressive home & auto bundle day and night. we were all of us dazzling... like knights sworn to protect our kingdom. we knew it wouldn't last forever, but... that's what made it special -- you know we'll be back tomorrow, right?

yeah, but it'll never be today again. -[ groaning ] -just get on the bus, flo! this is john. he hasn't worked this hard to only get this far with his cholesterol. taken with a statin, leqvio can lower bad cholesterol and keep it low with two doses a year. side effects were injection site reaction, joint pain, urinary tract infection, diarrhea, chest cold, pain in legs or arms, and shortness of breath. with leqvio, lowering cholesterol becomes just one more thing life throws your way. ask your doctor about leqvio. lower. longer. leqvio. back now with a look at an issue overlooked when it comes to detecting signs of physical abuse, it is often harder to detect that evidence on darker skin tones. but there is a simple tool that could help >> reporter: when someone comes into a hospital and alleges abuse, forensic nurses traditionally look for

signs of bruising with the naked eye. but because pigment in darker skin is closer to the skin surface, than the bruise they might see nothing. >> so this is a bruise on a caucasian that's 24 hours old and this is one on an african american. 24 hours >> there is a bruise >> there is a bruise >> you see it with the naked eye at all. >> you can't see it. >> reporter: katherine scafide is professor george mason university >> by relying just on our eyes to see a bruise, unfortunately, we are creating a disparity in how we're able to detect injuries across diverse populations. that can lead to differences in legal outcomes for these particular survivors >> whether someone is prosecuted, goes to jail for a crime >> yep >> reporter: it's a disparity actor and activist angelina jolie has been working to change. >> anybody with darker skin is going to have less chance at justice. >> reporter: jolie pushed for money and new federal legislation to expand

this is a st research like scafide is doing >> so here we are in my lab this is a student of mine she has a bruise >> reporter: she is studying using alternate light sources to easily identify bruising on darker skin. >> let's look at it with alternate light and see what we find >> turn the lights out. >> okay. >> wow it popped out. >> reporter: scafide worked with texas a&m to study various wavelengths of light. >> what did you find >> we discovered that violet light and blue light when viewed through yellow goggles increases the odds of detectin bruises up to five times compared to the white typical lighting we would use in an exam setting >> it's changed everything >> reporter: deborah holbrooke is an early adopter. she runs 30 nurses in baltimore. they worked to convince judges and courts that the technology is reliable and admissible as evidence has it led to more cases and convictions? >> it has. >> you can say that definitively >> i can say that definitively >> you can see the

the lights shape, almost like a u-shape there. >> reporter: it's amazing how different. the lights are not standard everywhere. >> it's not being used due to cost. fear that it's not being accepted in court and lack of clinical practice guidelines >> reporter: but scafide is hoping research like hers will convince more localities to us alternate light, a tool that could create a more equitable system shining a light in more ways than one up next, a case that drew national attention. will scott peterson get a new trial in the killing of his wife lacy and their unborn son? the more you save like rachel here how am i looking? looking good! the most cautious driver we got am i there? no keep going how's that? i'll say when now? is that good? lots of cars have backup cameras now you know those are for amateurs there we go like a glove, girl (phone chimes) safe driving and drivewise can save you 40% with allstate

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scott peterson returned to the courtroom in california today seeking a new trial over the 2002 murders of his wife and unborn son. peterson's lawyers argue he did not receive a fair trial because one of the jurors was biassed peterson was resentenced to life in prison last year after the california supreme court overturned his death sentence a high honor for basketball legend bill russell who died two weeks ago. the nba and players association announcing that russell's number 6 jersey is being retired not only by the boston celtics but by all nba teams players who now wear the number can still do so but it will not be issued again. next, from the opera house to the football stadium, the lineman with a golden voice who is "inspiring america." the lineman with a golden voice he is inspiring america. your creativity can outshine any bad day. because you are greater than your bipolar i,

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so everyone knew his talent on the football field but then they discovered what he does off the field blayne alexander with tonight's "inspiring america. >> reporter: at 6'7," 329 pounds, chance litle is a force on the football field >> hit from behind >> reporter: turns out, he's a surprising star in the locker room, too. ♪ >> reporter: chance transferred to duke university as a grad student. it's his first year on the team >> they have all of the new guys come up and sing a song. and i chose to do what i knew how to do

>> reporter: and his teammates could not believe their ears >> it is always a shock. i don't have the necessarily normal physique and look of a professional level opera singer >> reporter: throughout his life, football and music have always played well together. it started at the piano with his dad when chance could barely walk. then violin until his hands got too big. on to cello and opera. thanks to a football scholarship, he earned a music degree from the university of colorado >> what is the ultimate goal, playing in the nfl or singing at the sydney opera house? >> both. both there's a lot of athletes that i met who have so many other talents and they're so much more than just the sport they play. don't judge a book by its cover. there is a lot more to people out there. >> reporter: offensive lineman meets opera

bass range, no question blayne alexander, nbc news >> a lot of us have many sides, right? before we go, i want to share some good news. "nightly news" with lester holt won a mauro award for best newscast and nbc news was additionally recognized for overall excellence on behalf of me, lester, the whole team here, we want to thank you, the viewers, for the trust you put in us every evening it's an honor and we thank you for watching i'm kate snow. stay safe. [cheers and applause] ♪ ♪ ♪♪ somewhere deep inside of me ♪ ♪ there's a world only i see only i see ♪

♪ oh i try to face reality ♪ ♪ but something is missing something is missing ♪ ♪ when i close my eyes i get lost inside ♪ ♪ i will find you swear i will find you there's a dark blue sky but i ♪ ♪ close my eyes ♪ ♪ i will find you swear i will find you ♪ ♪ i just know i wanna be with you ♪ ♪ i wanna be free ♪ ♪ so if i close my eyes ♪ ♪ i got you in my mind ♪ ♪ i wanna be with you ♪ ♪ i wanna be free ♪ ♪ so if i close my eyes ♪ ♪ i got you in my mind ♪ ♪ mind ♪ ♪ i got you in my mind ♪ ♪ mind ♪ ♪ i just know i wanna be with you ♪

♪ i wanna be free ♪ ♪ so if i close my eyes ♪ ♪ i got you in my mind ♪ ♪ i wanna be with you ♪ ♪ i wanna be free ♪ ♪ so if i close my eyes ♪ ♪ i got you in my mind ♪♪ [cheers and applause] >> kelly: hi, everybody, welcome to "the kelly clarkson show"! i love that song! taylor in our audience requested it, so caitlin, what is your connection to that song? i like your dress. looking very beautiful. >> hello, i love that song so much. i put it on my playlist, it has such a nice -- >> kelly: that is a great vibe for a wake up. >> it motivates you, but i also think about my family when i hear that song, i am from the midwest and we got here when i

was 18, and so i don't get to see my family that often, so it keeps me in that good feeling when you are with your family and you just get to relax, and that's what that song means to me. and i am so thankful that you played it. >> kelly: i love that song, it's cool that you have that. it's awesome. thank you so much, caitlin, if you love music this is an hour you cannot miss, we have behind the grammy-winning album, the duo behind "bridgerton the musical" back in the house. we are welcoming a young actress who just slated the role as elphaba in "wicked" on broadway. it's a good show, 61st street, we have mark o'brien hanging out. let's get going with our first guest, her voice is known from the stages of broadway to the frosty forest of arendale, just dropping that reference right there.

because i still love it. you are welcome. she has recently gotten into fashion with her new clothing line called encore available now. everybody say hello to idina menzel! [cheers and applause] ♪ ♪ [cheers and applause] ♪ ♪ >> kelly: that is yours! >> idina: this is mine? >> kelly: look at it. and i like how it hugs the back. >> idina: how it hugs the back? >> kelly: i have to show the waist off, i like that. >> idina: on a good day you can have the back and then you can take the belt off. >> kelly: and let it feel like a snug a. it's nice to see you again. i heard that you recently made it back to "wicked," but you were watching it? >> idina: yes, one time i went

back to my son was three, he kept hitting the back seat of the people in front mean, so i had to leave. >> kelly: and you are like maybe early. >> idina: i wrote a letter to the women and apologizing, because i mean, as i left in the middle of the show, they would think that -- 's beyond that has happened to me before, something happened in my family and i had to leave the show, and -- >> idina: exactly, i was there was seven 12-year-old boys -- my son and his basketball team, his coaches from the east coast, so i was telling them that the two west coast, they had to meet all of the new york kids. so we were scrimmaging in i brought them all on a plane and i was like where can i take them to a broadway show? oh, "wicked" will give me tickets. they were riveted, they were so into it. some of them had seen "wizard of oz." some had not.

>> kelly: what? how do you miss that as a child? >> idina: i tried to show my son, but he just wanted to play danna soares. >> kelly: it is a little scary. my kids like those scary characters, like my kids gravitate towards -- >> idina: now he does, he loves scary now. he loves the t-rex, that kind of scary. >> kelly: does your son think you are cool generally or not? >> idina: he does not think i am cool, like i'm not allowed to say the word drip. that is his word. he says it so drippy. it is really in a fashion. >> kelly: is that like drip and dope? >> idina: i will come out and be like that is so drippy. and he is like no, you don't say it. so i just set it on national television, he is going to die. you can't say drippy.

the other day i was picking him up from school and i was too lazy to get my own sneakers and finally in the same size sneakers as him, or he is in the same size as me, and i guess he had -- i spoiled him and got him some yeezys for christmas last year. and i put them on and he goes, mom, how could you wear those! he said without socks! do you know how expensive those are! and i was like yes, that's why i thought i could put them on. >> kelly: i love that he really just did not want you sweating in them. i love that. >> idina: i can't put my feet in it. >> kelly: i have touched her butt multiple times. he worked with your sister on a children's book, that's exciting, what made you want to do that? >> idina: i don't know. i wanted to work with my