i'm frances rivera have a great monday. and see you back here tomorrow >>> breaking overnight at this hour, the taliban's strangle hold on power continues to solidify. while more u.s. military forces arrive in kabul to evacuate our d diplomatic corps as quickly as possible after afghan forces failed to put up much of a fight against the taliban. >> we invested over 20 years, billions of dollars in these forces 300,000 of them, with an air force. something the taliban didn't have, with the most modern sophisticate

good morning i'm phillip mena >> glad you're with us i'm frances rivera the u.n. published a major wake-up call on climate change the study which includes 195 countries found that even if emissions were cut to zero, temperatures would rise for at s human activity has already caused about 1 degree celsius of warming. the u.s. is seeing heat waves five times more often and two degrees of warming will be far worse to live through. countries will make large scale changes with only months to keep that from happening. >>> extreme weather is becoming more common all over the world including in greece. over the last week large fires have been raging across the country forcing thousands of people to abandon their homes. nbc's claudio levanga joins us with the latest. greece's prime minister has been vocal blaming climate change for the devastation there. >> reporter: good morning, phillip. greece, as it has happened anywhere else in the world, greece is also experiencing recently a record-breaking heat wave now 117 fahrenheit have been reported in some parts of greece in t

i'm frances rivera >>> an abrupt and def d dech st- d devastating end to america's longest war, as taliban fighters secure control of the country's capital. molly hunter joins us live from london good morning the capital city descended into chaos after the president fled why did he have no choice but to leave his country? >> reporays he had ns saving his life and the news came late afternoon, evening local time that the president and his most senior aides had fled the country, had left the presidential palace. we saw pictures last night of taliban inside essentially, their equivalent of the oval office, frances. there was one guy in a western suit who apparently was a palace official, handing over the palace to the new taliban rulers, who are now absolutely in control of the country. last night in kabul, absolute chaos. no one was in control of the security take a listen to what a former afghan ambassador to the u.s. told our colleague mehdi hasan last night >> i feel betrayed i feel a loss. i feel hopeless. i feel very disappointed most importantly, it is just hard to pull it together and

i'm frances rivera have a great monday. be sure to follow us on facebook, twitter, instagram @nbcearlytoday have a great monday. see you back here early tomorrow. >>> right now at 4:30, crisis in afghanistan. the country taken over by the taliban just weeks after u.s. troops pull out. the latest developments from overnight. >>> plus, back to school, thousands of kids across the bay area are headed back to the classroom in person for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. what is happening to keep students safe amid a surge in new child cases. >>> this is "today in the bay." >>> and a very good morning to you. i'm kris sanchez. we're going to get a quick look

. >> glad you could be with us i'm frances rivera >>> bone dry conditions allowed the dixie fire in california to burn through thousands of acres every hour hundreds of homes have been destroyed and more are in the line of danger here is nbc's steve patterson. >> reporter: the colossal dixie fire setting a grim milestone. the nation's largest fire has torched more than 500,000 acres. its massive spread now more than half the size of rhode island, sending clouds of pollutants across the country. >> that plume now creates its own weather, meaning the winds can go any direction. >> reporter: the fire decimating smalltown greenville, destroying nearly every man-made structure in sight historic homes and businesses that stood for generations, leveled. whole neighborhoods wiped off the map. this is a man bent on causing more pain, gary maynard was arrested and charged for serial arson across northern california, accused of setting the nearby ranch fire. he was in the midof an arson setting spree and even tried to trap first responders fighting the dixie fire by gaining access to an evacuation zone a

i'm frances rivera >> i'm lindsey reiser. coverage continues on the "today" show after this. as it heads north with torrential rain, flash floodg and damaging winds we've got multiple live reporters with the latest. >>> america honors the 13 lost men and women who were brought home yesterday after being killed in afghanistan last week. now the countdown to tomorrow's withdrawal deadline. >>> and we'll remember lou grant himself. the great ed asner

stephanie gosk, nbc news >>> we thank you for kicking off your wednesday with us i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. tomorrow is national dog day so, you can visit us on instagram or facebook. moraga majestic mountains... scenic coastal highways... fertile farmlands... there's lots to love about california. so put off those chores and use less energy is available.rgy because that's power down time. >>> right now at 4:30, a wildfire looming near lake tahoe this warning. the cautious warning to residents as flames spread and air quality worsens. plus -- >> there was no evidence that he had anything to do with what happened to lacey. >> years after being convicted for the murder of his pregnant wife, scot peterson's legal team is fighting to get him a new trial and hear from family of c. we dive to the violent trend that left one student unconscious. this is "today in the bay."

i'm phillip mena >> and i'm frances rivera. coming up on the "today" show, katie ledecky is dropping by the plaza. she added two gold and two silver medals to her already impressive collection at the tokyo olympics she'll talk about her warm collision,. >>> the beds are filling up. we're not really sure where it's going. >> right now at 4:30, running out of beds, a new covid wave fueled by the delta variant is pushing hospitals to their limits again. the concerns from bay area doctors and the new procedures starting today. >>> flames from the dixie fire continue to ravage northern california. we'll show you dramatic before and after images of that destruction and the new milestone that fire just reached. >>> and giving teachers a housing lifeline. the groundbreaking help today to help them just make it in the bay. this is

i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. before we go, we want to leave you with the pictures yo coming up on the "today" show, a veterinarian will answer questions whether it comes to new pets for now the news continues >>> right now at 4:30, forced out of their homes. the gas leak leaving hundreds evacuated overnight. we're live.

i'm frances rivera breaking news. it is official, the fda has authorized a third covid vaccine for some vulnerable americans. late last night the agency okayed the additional doses as part of the emergency use authorizations for the moderna and pfizer vaccines. jay gray, tell us more about what this decision means >> reporter: what it means, frances, is there's one more step before people actually get shots in arms and that's the cdc. some of those who need this booster dose the most could get it by this weekend who is that? well, it's about 3% of americans who are highly immunodeficient we're talking about cancer patients, transplant recipients, people who are struggling with their immune system right now. and doctors say it's vital that their first round of doses of this vaccine didn't really do a lot to boost their immune system, so they need more. and that's why they will get the third shot here. doctors also saying that while this is limited right now very much in scope that if the variant, delta variant, continu

i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. a barbaric terror attack outside of kabul airport marks america's deadliest day in over a decade at least 13 u.s. troops and dozens of afghans were killed in a double suicide bombing these horrific attacks just days from the withdrawal deadline joining us now from teheran is nbc's ali arouzi ali, it's an interesting situation on the ground with americans working alongside the taliban. what have you heard about the evacuation efforts now >> reporter: good morning, philip we relied on taliban to provide security against isis. how precarious the situation on the ground nevertheless, flights have resumed with a new sense of urgency as the u.s. says further attempted attacks are expected ahead of tuesday's deadline for all foreign troops to leave. it's something general mackenzie, the head of cent come spoke about. let's listen to what he had to say. >> we expect those attacks to continue and we're doing everything we can to be prepared for those attacks. the plan is designed to operate wh

i'm frances rivera ida is wreaking havoc as the powerful storm pushes its way north. here's what we know at this hour the entire city of new orleans was plunged into darkness after a catastrophic transmission damage over a million power outages are being reported across louisiana. at least one person has been killed a 60-year-old man lost his life when a tree fell onto his home and president biden has approved a major disaster declaration for the state. let's get a live update now fro there now. >> reporter: frances, good morning. bear with me as there's a lot of developing story lines right now. the state of louisiana certainly where we've been driving through this morning, pitch black. there is no power anywhere you mentioned already a million-plus customers and businesses with no power if you figure that's three or four people per home or per business, you're looking at several million people with no power right now. i'm in prairieville or right near it. it's a suburb of baton rouge look at the size of this tree in the middle of the highway. this is where we stoppe

i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. the senate is paving the way for a final vote on the long-awaited much-anticipated infrastructure bill ar spending the day hammering out amendments, senators voted 68-29 last night to end a filibuster on the $1 trillion legislation. final passage is expected to happen as soon as tomorrow morning. this bipartisan bill focuses on traditional infrastructure like repairing roads and bridges. democrats are also working on a $3.5 trillion proposal to revamp the education system and expand health care. >> the two-track process is moving along it's been a process that has been a very good process it's taken a while but it's going to be worth it as hopefully we pass both bills very, very soon. the bipartisan infrastructure bill and the budget resolution with reconciliation instructions >> the reconciliation process would allow democrats to dodge the filibuster and pass that second bill with only 50 votes in the senate. >>> the coronavirus continues to have a strong grip on the nation with case

we're glad to have you back with us i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. coming up on the "today" show, coming up on the "today" show, meet the duo who brought hom featuring fresh artisan bread, layered with tender seasoned steak, sautéed mushrooms, roasted red peppers, and smothered with melty american cheese. the new cheese steak melt, now at togo's. you doing okay with those new spicy tiny tacos, jack? yeah, it's funny some of those people you see, they... they can't handle it at all right? no, they can't. that's not you. that's not me. no. try my new spicy tiny tacos starting at $3.50. >>> the olympics have concluded and "early today" is back in action we have breaking news at this hour a bombshell report has just been released that finds human caused climate change is now, quote, irrev irreversible, widespread and severe in every part of the globe. >>> we have late breaking news on the trillion dollar infrastructure bill. it could soon be a done deal. >>> embattled new york governor's top aide announced late last night sh

nbc's frances rivera is in new york good wednesday morning. >> hi, dom good morning to you. president biden is joining a chorus in fellow democrats in calling for the resignation of new york governor andrew cuomo after a scathing report accused him of sexually harassing 11 women. the allegations range from inappropriate comments to inappropriate kissing and groping. cuomo is strongly denying the allegations and vowing to stay in his job. >>> a couple brandished guns at people in front of their st. louis mansion. they pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and harassment charges in june. >>> the multi-state lottery powerball says it is adding a third weekly drawing on mondays which will lead to larger, faster growing jack pots powerball drawings are held on wednesday and saturday they added mega millions on tuesdays and fridays more chances of you adding all of those zeroes to your bank account. if you win small detail if you win. >> you've got to be in it to win it i guess it's $2 and a dream these days. >> there you go. >> frances rivera, thank you very much for that. >>> le

frances rivera is in new york with that and more frances. >> good morning, brian this morning, an escalating crisis in afghanistan. president biden is now rushing 3,000 troops to evacuate staff and embassies. the taliban has taken over and 12 cities are under its control. all americans need to leave immediately. >>> britney spears is handed a victory. her father, jamie spears agreed to step down from the conservatorship. not right away mr. spears is willing to step down when the time is right, but the transition needs to be orderly and include resolution of matters before the court. he has been held over her estate for 13 years she filed to remove her father from her estate and conservatorship. >>> did you watch it mlb built it and they came white sox and yankees entered the field from the corn in the outfield kevin costner led the teams for the game the yankees late game come back and giancarlo stanton had a home run, but then the white sox walk-off winners 9-8 what an experience to be there among the cornfield in the field of dreams and watching at home, brian. mlb commissioner said it wil

let's check on the other top headlines with frances rivera in new york with the latest good morning, frances. >> dom, happy friday we start with president biden who signed a bill to award four congressional gold medals to law enforcement officers it will place them in the u.s. capitol and smithsonian to thank officers for service the medal is the highest honor congress can bestow. >>> governor murphy is expected to announce philadelphia students in grades k through 12 will have to wear masks at the start of the school year due to the rising covid numbers he said there were no plans for a state mask requirement, but could change if covid numbers rise. >>> the gun that killed billy the kid in 1881 is going up for auction. bonham said it is expected to fetch $2 million and $3 million for the gun, dom the bunch of other items related to the wild west and billy the kid at this auction at the end of the month that is something you are into, and you have the bills, it is yours for the taktaking >> that doesn't surprise me at all. there are a lot of rich folks with a lot of hobbies and inter

frances rivera is in new york with that and more good morning, frances. >> good morning, brian we start with a tragic story in texas. ten people were killed when a van crashed into the utility pole in encino 30 people were in the vehicle when it took a curb too quickly. the van designed to hold about 15 the 20 survivors have injuries from serious to critical. >>> the national oceanic atmospheric administration says the rest of the 2021 atlantic hurricane season is going to be a busy one according to the noaa. the conditions remain predicted for above early season five classified as major >>> and simone biles gave a boost to the primetime ratings 17.4 million viewers watched the star win bronze on the balance beam average primetime viewership across the platforms remain at 16.8 million nbc universal is the parent company of the network brian, the bump we saw considering the opening ceremonies wasn't so great a bit of a bump. hope to continue with that in the final days >> yeah. the app is cool. if you have the app on roku. i want to watch archery. it finds it for you. they make it easy t

he was well known for playing warren buffett in 2011 thank you, frances rivera. see you later. >>> ahead here on "worldwide exchange." the latest on the tropical storm ida as more than 1 million people in louisiana are still without power. a live report from the region ahead. 'lbeig bk. another day, another chance. make the most of it with the network that can deliver gig speeds to the most businesses. and get the advanced cybersecurity solutions you need with comcast business securityedge. ask how to get comcast business securityedge to help protect all your connected devices. and get started with a great offer on fast and reliable internet and voice for just $64.99 a month. plus, ask how to get a prepaid card up to $500. call or go online today to learn more. comcast business. powering possibilities. >>> breaking news. ida making landfall in the gulf as a category 4 hurricane in the region's worst storm since katrina 16 years ago. >>> and the middle east and afghanistan in the final days over the imminent threat in kabul over the weekend. >>> the cdc meeting to

let's get a check of the headlines with frances rivera. >> good morning, dom tropical storm grace hits haiti. it brings torrential rain and strong winds and officials are pleading to take in displaced neighbors. some are living in makeshift tents. the powerful earthquake left more than 6,000 people injured. >>> and intense heat boiling the west coast the dixie fire in california is the largest blaze on record in the u.s. and has consumed 600,000 acres. it is only 31% contained >>> a new goal post for the nfl. the falcons are the first team to have every player vaccinated. a second nfl team is implementing a mandate to attend games. raiders have announced all an ta attendees have to show proof of vaccination. the city of new orleans announced a similar policy on monday for fans to attend games. the landscape ever changing in the world of covid >> always evolving hard to believe the nfl season is around the corner frances rivera, thank you. >>> still on deck for the show the biden administration digging in amid the fight over oil and gas drielling in the country the latest move by the wh

frances rivera -- i did not know who the kid on the album cover was until just now. >> lifelong damages. >> lnow let's get to some of today's top trending stories which include a milkshake shortage, ikea's new groove and a double doughnut deal bertha coombs, i feel like i'm hosti ing "jeopardy. i will take what are the mcdonald's shortages. >> that slot is open you know, brian, in honor of the late charlie watts and the rolling stones it seems the theme song is you can't always get what you want. mcdonald's has run out of milkshakes in the uk, the fast food chain saying it is facing supply chain issues impacting over 1,000 stores in england, scotland and wales the company confirming the milkshake issue was due in part to a nationwide shortage of truck drivers. >>> ikea is testing out a new store arrangement or several of them that do away with the maze of aisles that the store is known for. in a bid to build what they describe as the store of tomorrow the furniture warehouse opening a, quote, future store in shanghai that includes an open floor plan and a theater-like space where ikea h

i'm phillip mena >> and i'm frances rivera. another pivotal moment is coming in the race to evacuate afghanistan. president biden is under growing pressure at home and from the international community to make a decision about whether u.s. troops will stay in the country beyond the august 31st deadline. we are now joined by nbc's jay gray jay, good morning. the president is about to face his peers in an emergency g7 meeting. >> reporter: yeah, good morning to you, phillip. and during that emergency meeting g7 leaders expected to urge him to extend the deadline in afghanistan the taliban warning that there will be, quote, consequences if u.s. troops stay on the ground past ty adviser jake sullivan was asked about that time line. >> we are in talks with the taliban on a daily basis through both political and security channels >> has the president decided whether he is going to need more time beyond august 31st? >> he is taking this day by take and will make his determinations as we go we believe we have time between now and the 31

i'm frances rivera >> and i'm phillip mena. the current wave of covid cases is beginning to rival the worst surges we have seen during this pandemic according to an nbc news tally, the u.s. has now confirmed over 36 million cases and these troubling milestones are coming more quickly. it took only eight days to confirm the last million infections, which is only half the time it took to climb from 34 to 35 million cases >>> more hospitals are being overwhelmed by covid patients. cities in southern california including los angeles and san diego have seen their hospitalizations in two weeks. >> the pentagon announced it will require members of the military to get vaccinated against covid by mid-october >>> major retailers are starting to adjust their mask guidance again. walmart, target, and kroger are among many stores either requiring or encouraging the use of masks but in florida,governor ron desantis is threatening to withhold the salaries of schools who impose masks >> doctors have a warning that it is downright dangerous to

i'm phillip mena >> glad you're with us i'm frances rivera this morning a race to aid afghan allies. up to 15,000 passport-carrying americans remain in the country. over 15,000 people including u.s. nationals were included yesterday. a grim discovery, a body was found in the landing gear of a military plane and speaking publicly for the first time, former president donald trump called the chaos humiliating. >> it's a terrible time for our country. i don't think in all of the years our country has ever been so humiliated. i don't know would you call it a military defeat or a psychological defeat there's never been anything like what's happened here >> the pentagonsaid some 4,000 u.s. troops would be at the airport in kabul helping with evacuation efforts >>> amid the race to get americans and afghans out of afghanistan, the biden administration is defending its handling of the withdrawal jay, good morning. the administration is facing growing criticism this morning >> yeah, good morning. they absolutely are. and, look, the president back at the white house this morning, he and his sen

i'm frances rivera >> and i'm lindsey reiser. we're going to begin with the crisis left behind by hurricane ida. here's what we know at this hour there are still more than a million people without power in louisiana, and it could take more than three weeks for it to be restored everywhere roads are closed because of debris, and all flights are canceled to and from new orleans today. the governor has urged evacuees not to come home yet and it's becoming a common sight during troubled times. chef jose andres and his world central kitchen, they were quick to start bringing food to families and first responders in need >> two people were killed and ten others were injured after a highway collapsed in green county three of the injuries are life-threatening officials believe the torrential rain from ida was a factor for more on the aftermath of ida, here's nbc's tom llamas >> reporter: desperation in louisiana. >> the storm came, took everything >> reporter: you don't have anything left? >> took everything >> reporter: entire communiti

i'm frances rivera >> and i'm kendis gibson breaking overnight the chaotic rush to exit kabul flights resuming at the airport in afghanistan's capital city. the desperation though pictured in this plane packed with more than 600 people trying to flee the country. the u.s. racing to extract 22,000 civilians under special immigrant visas. these horrifying scenes unfolding with desperate civilians clinging to planes putting their lives at risk for a chance to escape president biden authorizing $500 million in emergency funds to help the refugees and yesterday he doubled down on his decision to withdraw u.s. troops nbc's jay gray is following all the latest developments from d.c. for us. the president facing plenty of criticism from republicans as well as some democrats >> reporter: kendis, he really is that rush to get americans and other civilians out of afghanistan continues this morning, so does the fallout here in washington the president speaking yesterday for the first time since the takeover >> i stand squarely behind my decision after 20 years i've learned the hard way that there

let's get more on that and the wrapping up of the olympics with nbc's frances rivera good morning, frances. >> brian, good morning we start with the taliban which captured a city in northern afghanistan. it is continuing the rapid offensive across the country it is the fifth capital taken by the taliban with the american troop withdrawals. >>> walls are caving in for andrew cuomo one of the top aides has resigned melissa derosa announced the dehe sig dec decision the past two years have been mentally trying. the departure comes after the report by the attorney general alleged the governor harassed 11 women. her name comes up 187 times in the report cuomo denies any wrongdoing and refuses to step down today, a judiciary committee will discuss the grounds to impeach the governor the last time new york attempted this was 1913. >>> a joyful ending for the long journey for tokyo as the olympic torch is extinguished. many familiar faces already left for home due to the pandemic protocols. the u.s. led the gold medal count. olympic games are over as a viewer pointed out, you have the gaming comin

i'm frances rivera breaking overnight hundreds of residents forced from homes after a condo deemed unsafe by the city of miami. 5050 northwest 7th street across the street from the airport. this is weeks after the surfside collapse killed more than 90 people the condo has 137 units. city officials are working to relocate residents. >>> severe storms canceled 300 flights at o'hare international airport as thunderstorms capable ever of producing a tornado barrelled through the area a ground stop was issued several tornadoes touched down and one twister on camera in burlington, illinois. >>> according to the new york post, a champagne shortage hitting the hamptons demand has been higher this year with more people hitting the beach and labor shortages during the pandemic brian, some people are having to resort to fly in bubbles on a private plane, cases of them, mind you, to get their fix if not, you have to use the back up of presecco >> the end of days having to drive in your own champagne in the hamptons. all we hear is pay them more you think in the hamptons, they could afford to do that.

. >>> welcome back let's get a check of the headlines with frances rivera in new york with the latest good morning >> dom, good morning we start this morning with the tropical storm systems in the atlantic tropical storm fred is expected to hit southern florida and panhandle packing winds up to 45 miles per hour the storm could dump as much as 8 inches of rain. governor desantis declared a state of emergency already ahead of the storm >>> to haiti 1,200 people have died after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake the team from the united states has arrived and they will join federal response teams already on the island. >>> and tennis star naomi osaka will donate any winnings from the western & southern open to the relief efforts her father was born in haiti dom. >>> thank you. still on deck for the show new remarks from one fed chief when he said the easy money train may begin to slow down >>> if you haven't done so, follow our podcast if you miss "worldwide exchange" check out apple, spotify or other podcast apps we'll be rig bk.htac the personal loan from sofi helped me consolidate my credi

rivera in new york >> hi, brian the death toll in haiti continues to soar. they say more than 1900 lives have been lost and the number of injured climbed to nearly 10,000 humanitarian groups are straddling unicef estimates more than 1.2 million people have been impacted >>> texas governor greg abbott announced he tested positive being fully vaccinated abbott said in a tweet he has no symptoms disney is bringing a little extra magic to halloween this year with its new adapted kids costumes the company unveiled the inclusive collection to transform wheelchairs into fan favorites, from cinderella, mandelorean. they're online for $50 when you look at them, i would think, brian, $150 that's the price that they're smacking on them right now i'm sure a lot of families would pay more than that great to see the smiles and talk about halloween this early it will put smiles on everybody's faces. >> frances, you know, we're boring old cnbc not cool like you, but we have talked a lot about these supply chain problems i'm telling you, pie your h halloween stuff now. heck,

france surea frances rivera with the latest >> the covid surge that is not letting up 38 million covid infections. currently more than 100,000 people are in the hospital being treated for covid. 172 million americans are fully vaccinated that's just about 52% of the population >>> a late-night supreme court ruling will end the cdc eviction moratorium putting renters at risk of losing their homes the challenge was taken to the supreme court by a group of landlords who cited that many across the country have lost as much as $15 billion a month. the eight-page majority said the cdc extended its authority in a statement the biden administration expressed disappointment the decision and encouraging all entities to take action to prevent evictions. >>> a dangerous new challenge is flooding social media. it is called the milk crate challenge. involving trying to climb up and down a stack of milk crates. now doctors are warning to sit out this challenge and tiktok began banning videos of the challenge. when it comes to that. seema, maybe they should stick to the recipes, the life hacks, hair a