good morning. dems d. >> i do know. i wrote the damn bill. >> things get heated in a hurryv progress and moderates clash in a contentious showdown. >> you are playing into donald trump's>> hand. roch gained momentum, which lost gund and what we should expect when front-runner joe bide takes center stage tonight. breaking news, north korea launches a new round of missiles. the second weapons test in less than a week. what kim jong-un is up to and the white house's response straight ahead. face-to-face. a woman accuseing a top pentagon nominee makes an explosive

allegation at his confirmation hearing. i was devastated as a human being. and i was scared. >> the nominee with a forful denial. nothing happened ever. > will this derail his confirmation? e live on capitol hill. those stories psat we're le violent pt of a teen accused of killing a police officer in italy. . an ugly scene in cincinnati overnight as the bench is cleared. and suspensions areureo follow. > plu lifesaving catch. the moment a toddler falls from a sixth floor bance copy and is caughtoo by onlkers in the ght place at the right time today wednesday j, y 31st19. >> announcer: from nbc ne, this is "today" with savannah guthrie and hodkotb live from

studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. morning, everybody. weome to "today." nice to have you with us on wednesday morning. we're at the halfway point in the democratic debate. 20 candidatesou have to split it up in two nights. >> a lit what w saw in miami. >> it's the top story. this heated opening night to the democratic debate in detroit. it exposes key differences between the candidates on ste. we'll break it all down this morning. we'll start with nbc's kristen welker who is in detroit for us. kristen, good morning. >> reporter: hey, savannah, good morning to you. tonight is round two of the democratic debates when ten more candidates take the stage here in battleground michigan. if last night was any indication, a battle for the heart and soula of the democtic rty. this morning, a clear divide, as moderates and liberals clashed over the direction of the democratic party and who can beat president trump. >> folks, we have a choice. we can go down the road that senator sanders and senator

warren want to take us, which is with bad policies like medicare for all, free everything, and impossible promises that will turn off independent voters and get trump re-elected. >> i't don understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for president of the unittates just to talk about what we really c't do and shouldn't fight for. >> the moderates trying to make the case that progressive senalirs ebeth warren and bernie sanders are too extreme. >> so, again, i think if we're going toorce americans to make racal changes, they're not going to go along -- throw your hands up, but you haven't -- >> reporter: the sharpest disagreements over mheedicare for all plan backed by warren and sanders which expands the vernment-run program from 65 and oldero all citizens and lawful permanent citizens. why do we have to be the party of taking something away from people?

>> we are thecr demoats. we are not about trying to take away health care from anyone. that's what the republicans are trying to do. >> reporter: ohio congressm tim ryan pressing sanders on whether his plan would be bettei than health care plans. >> you don't knowthat, bernie. >> i do. i wrote the damn bill. >> reporter: there were heated moments on immigration. >> i expected people who come here to follow our laws, and we reserve the right to criminally prosecute them. >> repter: to gun control. when steve bullock, who didn't qualify for the first debate, struck a personal note. >> 11-year-old nephew, jeremy, shot and killed on a playground. we need to start looking at this as a public health issue, not a political issue. >> repter: in the crowded field, many candidates hoping for abreakout moment. author marianne williamson gon >> if you think this will be the

taste this president is bringing up in this country, i'm afraid the democrats are going to see very dark days. >> reporter: also on display, the generational divide. 37-year-old buttigieg arguing age doesn't matter. >> we can have great presidents at any age. what i will say is we need the kind of vision that will rwin. orter: all the candidates making the case they are the most electable. >> the reason we are going to beat trump and beat him badly is he is a fraud and a phony, and we're going to expose him for what he is. >> i get it. there's a lot at stake and people are scared. but we can't choose a candidate we don't believe j int because we're too scared to do anything else. >> reporter: now, one candidate who wasn't mentioned last night, the front runner, former vice president joe biden. he's going to be on sge night. he'll have a bit of a rematch with senator kamala harris after she landed a fewes punch against him during the first round of debates. will he have a stronger performance tonight? we'll know in just a fews. hour

savannah and willie? >> kristen, thank you very much. let's turn to our nbc news politicalnalyst former senator claire mccaskill of missouri. it was kind of the debate the party has been having. th actually came out on the stage. moderates, the pragmatists, verse the progressives. what did you think last night? >> ooerall, it was gd for our party. first of all, i think a lot of people watching the debate finally figured out that bernie and elizabeth's plan means no more insurance at work. no choice. i think what the moderates did last night is point out that we can do better on health care. it's the number one issue. we can do better on health care without taking away people's choices. so i thought that contrast, overall, got our party back to a little bit -- still left of nt ce, but a little closer to center which, for electability, you can't underestimate how important that is. >> i al ask you question. when you served in the uted states senate, some of the

candidates went at it in a backhanded way, but can medicare for all, the program proposed by sanders and warren, pass through the united states senate? >> i think people need to remember, the 60 vote margin in the senate is stopping all kinds of crazy town right now in the senate. the fact that the republicans have to have is really a safeguard for the values that my party cares about. that 60 margin is not going away. ssume the t democratse the senate, they're not getting 60 votes. doesnybody think we're going to take away everyone's private insurance with a 60-vote margin in the senate? there is a disconnect between the inspirationalnd the realistic. >> that's one of the huge debates going on within the party right now. >> it ais. >> leto talk about the candidates. who in your mind had a standout night? who is seeming to fall by the wayside? >>lizabeth is good at this. she kws h tow taking complex problems and simifying

em. that can also be a double-edged swor she had a good night. she and bernie made a decision not to go after eachother. they're going to try to corral all the very, very left votes in the party. i thought, frankly, that governor bullock and mayor pete had pretty good nights. i think governor bullock did a good job introducing himself. he's from a very red state. he won in a very red state. that's mic to the ears of democrats across the country. i thought they both did well. >> let's turn the corner and look ahead to tonight. the front runner, joe biden, comfortable margin in most polls. kamala harris will be on stage next to him again night as she was in miati. who you expect to see tonight? >> i expect kamala will talk about her plan h forlth care which involves choice, not doing away with private insurance. i expect that joe biden will be morerepared to pivot and punch, as we say in the debate world. >> if he isn't? >> i think it is a problem for him. his delivery i important tonight. he's got to come from a position

of strength. if he's strong enough to hold ehis nomination, he needs to show it on th stage tonight. >> senator mccaskill, always good to get your perspective. thank you very much. now a new act of defiance from north korea. the second launch of missiles in less than a week. chief foreign correspondent richard engel joins us with now with the latest. good morning. >> reporter: good morning, willie. this is what north korea does when it is angry. it is clear north korea's leader, kim jong-un, is frustrated that his last meeting with president trump did not yield the results he was hoping for. north korea fired a new pair of short-range missiles overnight, the second launc in a wee. missiles flew about 150 miles toward japan, but u.s. officials say they dropped in the sea and were never a danger. but why? just a month ago, be it trump and north korea's leader kim jong-un met for a friendship summit. the preside even symbolically

crossing intoth korea. back then, all the talk was about reducing tensions. wastepping across that lin a great honor. >> reporter: since then, there have been issues. the s bordermit was supposed to restart negotiation. negotiation which north korea hopes will lead to lifting sanctions. but the talks haven't started yet, and with the launches, north korea is showing it is losing patience. secretary of state pompeo said the talks should get under way soon. >> we'd like those to be start ed before july. >> reporter: the u.s. military announced it will resume military exercises with south korea in august, exercises president trump had promised to stop and which north korea claims are a tredress rehearsalr an invasion the u.s. military says it is monitoring the situation. south korea called the latest launches unhelpful. >> richard engel, thank you very

much. president trump is launching new attacks on elijah cummings. hallie jackson has more on that story this morning. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. this is another escalation by the president who, in a new interview this morning, is brushing off criticisme's racist, arguing that word has been thrown around so often, it's effectively watered down. president trump defiant and digging in on the divisive attacks against congressman lijah cummings and the city of baltimore in a new c-span interview. >> when elijah cummings calls you a racist, your reaction is what? >> the words overused. it is a disgrace. i'm the least racist person there is in the world, as far as i'm concerned. >> reporter: for him, no strategy to the attack, he says, and no apology. no strategy. it is simple, people livin in baltimore are very happy that i'm bringing out the fact that it is like living in hell. >> reporter: it's the fourth straight day ofsc eating

insults, cite size criticized ay the president's opponents,nd during a speech in jamestown. the demonstrator, a democratic state legislator. elijah cummings, mostly quiet so far, issued subpoenas for top trump administrion officials, like the attorney general and chief of staff. why are you so angry about the city? is it because you subpoenaed -- >> i'm not angry. i'm telling you the facts. >> reporter: the president is focusing instead on the prae he insists he's getting. without naming names, describing the calls he received thanking him. >> all of the things i've done foram african-ericans, of all of the things like criminal justice rm, like opportunities, i think i do very well with the african-americans. >> reporter: bute's not doing well with most african-american voters, with his support sitting

at just 6%. a new poll also shows nearly half of all voters, 51%, believe the president is racist. >>hey use it almost when they run out of things to criticize you. they say, he's a racist. he's a racist. but with me, they have a hard time getting away with it. they don't get away with it.ep >> rter: as for congressman cummings, he's mostly stayed out of the spotlight since the president's attacks startd ed. in a tweet he said he'll do what he is duty-bound to do, help iv constituents l their best lives and serve as a check on the executive branch. hank you. now to tense moments at a confirmation hearing. the man tapped by the president to be the vice chairman of the int chiefs of staff. he and his accuser appeared on capitol hill. kasie hunt has the rstory. >>orter: this morning. president trump's pick to be the second highest ranking military officer in the country facing

llplosive aations from an officer under his command. >> bottom line is, he lied about sexually assaultingme. he did it. he did it multiple times. there was corroborating evidence. >> reporter: army colonel catherine didn't tell anyone generaleighten sexually assaulted her until he was nominated to be the joint chief of staff. >> i want to say these aallegationsre false. >> reporter: she worked as a top ai, sitting feet behind him aton the crmation hearing, putting focus on the military's struggle to address the persistent problem of sexual assault within the ranks. she revealed her identity in the "new york times" over the weekend, ngdescri in graphic detail his unwanted kissing, touching, and rubbing against her. >> somebody who almost had been raped that evening, i was just

devastated as a humanbeing. i was scared. >> reporter: the air force's office ofspecial investigation reviewed her allegation. they couldn't substantiate her claim and hieeighten wasever referred for marshall. mcsally, who revealed her allegation of being assaulted in uniform, said in this case, s believes the general. >> these are false allegations, and he is innocent of these charges. >> what do you say to his accuser? >> i pray she finds the peace that she is looking for, butou cannot do it by destroying another person. >> reporter: stosur and heighten testied behind closed doors at the senate armed services committe confirmation. now, she wants a chance to make public. in with his adamant denial. >> did that incident happen, general? >> that never happened.

>> reporter: general heighten seems on track to be confirmed by the senate this fall. for "toiey," kashunt, nbc news, the capitol. we have a lot more to get to this morning, iluding the wild base brawl that broke out in cincinnati last night. happened in a game between the reds and the pittsburghte pira >> and now there's some serious chirping coming from the prates dugout. garrett is on his way to the dugout, and here we go. oh! garrett goes in there punching. this is not a good scene at all. >> that is reds pitcher ameer garrett, single-handedly taking half of the pie rrates team. backup eventually arrives. chaos erupting on the field. players throwing punches, pushing, shoving. the managers got into the fray, as you can see. what started , a pitch got a little too close to a reds' player's head. a feud has been simmering all season. suspensions and fines will be announced in the coming days. this goes back to inside

pitching back in april, but i love baseball, but the thing where you throw at people as payback, you have to get rid of it. >> it is not good for the sport. let's get a check of the weveher. al is o at his spot. good morning. >> good morning, guys. i'm going to alrighty. we're looking at 31 million people at risk. storms from gtwashin. we'll be watching that very closely. the cold front -- and the pitch. 're watching this system push in, strong stormsg alon i-95 stretching norfolk all the way up ntoboston. delays possible. it's going to be a mess that's going to push on through. we are looking for some places picking up to 3 to 4" of rain. here is what we expect as far as the commute. especially strong storms boston, new york, d.c. thes airport' problem.

i-95 from bangor to richmond, harrisburg to i-91 and boston and cleveland along i-90. we're goingt t to your local forecast comin good morning. severe weather -- storm team4 weather alert day. easy for me to say. the highlighted zone in yellow here, highest likelihood forer severe weathtoday. right now just a few raindrops up in the mountains of west virginia as thatmp little ise arrives here during daytime

heating we're likely to see strong to severe storms developing at 2:00, then affecting d.c. metro area between 4:00 and 7:00. stay weather alert with nbc washington today. kind of stormy for the rest of the week. >> that's your latest. guys. just ahead delopment of o u.s. teens arrested in the death of a police officer. what we're learning about one teen's violent history with fight club. >> controversy tied to college admissions. you will not believe what some families are doing to get financial aid for their children. but first this

just ahead, anor extranary group. survivors of shark attacks are here to share their >>stories. then a special treat if you're among the millions e- bingwatching the new season of "queer eye." the fab five is

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>>nnouncer: this is a "news4 today" newsbreak. 7:26 is your time now on this wednesday july 31st, 2019. good morning,everyone. i'm eun yang. >> i'm aaron gilchrist. in the news this morning a fire severely damaged at lst two homes in loudoun county. two other homes suffered heat damage as well. chopper 4 flew over the scene in ashburn, mill steaddrive. the call came in at 3:00, no one was home at the time. one firefighter suffered a burn to his neck. in montgomery countys there waome scary moments after a fire broke out at safe way on georgia avenue in silver spring.

no one was hurt. let's check on the roads with g.ghan markle and first4traffic. melissa, good morn >> taking a look, inner loop and outer loop looking a lot better than a couple minutes ago. we had some problems on the outer loop. that has now cleared out of the way in prince george's. fredericksburg northbod 59 after 17, left side blo aed by crash there. on 270 southbound, a crash. >> melissa, thank you. today is a weather alert today. we'll check your forecast when we

good morning. i'm storm team4 meteorologist chuck bell. storm team4 weather alert today. there is a risk for strong to se beg as early as 1:00 or 2:00 this afternoon but likely going to impact your evening commute. for now just rain out across parts of the mountains of west virginia. again, that will turn into some

intense thunderstorms around here during the afternoon. so stay weather alert with nbc washington and our nbc washingtonapp. you, chuck. another local news update in 25 minutes. " after the short bre"today . dale's little girl is heading to college. luckily her dorm is about 10 minutes from a hotel by wyndham.

ashley's meeting all her in-laws, and she's about 10 minutes from a wyndham. with over 6,000 hotels across the country, a great hotel by wyndham is closer than you think. visit wyndhamhotels.com. 7:30 now on this last day of july, 2019. oe summer flying by. a big crowd on our plaza. we will step joutside andoin them in just a moment. >> good morning, nice to have you along. here are the headlines of the morning. night one of the democratic debates in detroit is for the cord books. the growing divide between moderate and liberal candidates is very much apparent. ten democratsn squared off o issues from immigration to health care. the moderates challenging senators bernieanders and elizabeth warren on their medicare for all plan. >> medicare for all is comprehens ae. it covers health care needs f ti for senior cizens, it will include dental care, hearing

aides, and eyeglasses. >> you don't know that, bernie. >> i do. i wrote the damn bill. >> opponents for the medicare for all proposal say workers won't supportir losing the private health plans to a government-managed system. >> elizabeth warren said the notion that democrats are takine away coverag is a republican talking point. ten more candidates will take the stage tonight. a cardi b concert last night in indianapolis was cancelled d due to a security threat. the singer and her manager ancelled the show after receiving an unverified threat to the artist. the public was never under way. makeuponcert scheduled for september. refunds are being offered for those who can't make it to the new date. a b3-year-old clinging to the edge of a balcony. this was in southwest china. the boy is holding on.

neighbors gathered below and hold out a blanket. the boy los his grip, plunges to the ground, but fell straight into the blanket. he was taken to the hospital. amazingly, he was uninjured. >> ygoodness. >> can almost hear the sighs of relief from here. >> takes your breath away. this morning, we're learning about the alleged violent past of one of two american teens jailed in rome for the murder of an italian police officer. keir simmons has the latest. >> reporter: good morning. finnegan elder broke down in e ars when hs told the police officer had died. his friend, hjorth, reacting in disbelief, saying,ly re dead? back home in california, news emerging overnight that may become a factor in the trial the two boys face. new insight into the past of ann american te pictured here on his social media high school football page, now accused of killing an italian police

nfficer. 19-year-old finne elder, in an italian jail, took part in organized fight nights in a san francisco park chiwhile in high school. his uncle said the fight nights apparently resulted in many injuries. and he tells ap, one fight between two boys in a public place resulted in a serious injury. san francisco police telling the "associated press," at 2:30 a.m. on october 30th, 2016, they were called to a hospital where a 16-year-old boy was reported in surgery following an aggravated assault. elder's uncle saying the young men squared offn a mutual challenge. unfortunately, the other boy tripped and fell backwards during the fight, injuring his head accidentally. the incident was tragic and b unfortunate did not involve drugs or weapons. elder, who was a juvenile, does notnaave a crimi record, according to his uncle. italian prosecutors now releasing a picture of the knife

allegedly used in the murder of just-married italian police officer mario cerciello rega, showing a 7-inch blade. cc-tv claiming to show the events that led to the killing. arug deal gone wrong, and two men running from the scene. the video, unverified by nbc news. 18-year-old gabriel natal gabriel natale hjorth also arrested. a picture of a teen blindfolded in custody casting a shadow on the case, italian officials admit. italy is outraged. officerrega's funeral in the same church this week where his wedding took place. a key question is, did the teens know he was a police officer? >> ukeir, you've givens one of the questions authorities are looking at. what other questions are they asking this morning? >> there will be many key issues, of course, willie. first of all, were the twoeens volved? now, the italian prosecutor alleges they have confessed. then there is going to be the

crucial question of what they areli tel police individually. there are reports that they are blaming each other. hjorth may argue he didn't know his friend had a knife. his legal team reportedly already saying he can't be asponsible for the actions of friend. the families do appear to be preparing for a long legal battle thi morning. elder's family telling nbc news, they're preparing to travel to rome and saying they've changed lawyers, while offering sincere condolences to the family of the police officers. >> keir simmons, thank you very much. 7:35. let's getnother check fromr. roker. what's shaking? >> guys, the front that is going to bring guys, the front bringing thunderstorms will bring cooler air. see the front through person ,pa southern ohio. as it pushes through it does bring showers and thunderstorms. ahead you see heat index low- to mid-90s charlotte to boston. behind it cooler air, detroit, chicago, cincinnati, pittsburgh, nation s and louis all below normal temperatures. as we move into tomorrow, that

cooler air makesets way to binghamton, d.c., south of the front, warmer than average for t nta, columbia, raleigh. by the time we get into the latter part of the week and moving on into the weekend, we'rey actuall going to see temperatures that are really seasonable with low 80s, omaha, milwaukee low 80s, roanoke, philly 90 by sunday but all in all not that habad. that's wg good morning. i'm storm team4 meteorologill chuck be it is a weather alert day from us at nbc washergton. the's a chance for strong to severe storms rolling into the d.c. metro area between 2:00 and 4:00. this could really slow downin t even commute today. keep that in mind. download nbc washington app to stay ahead of thewe her. temperature wise 60s and 70s. daytime highs around 90 before the storms move in and get going.s hit and mis rain chances, quite a few between now and the weekend. >> that's your latest weather.

savannah? >> al, thank you so much. come'g up, wre going to sit down with five shark attack survivors and hear their stories about their roads to recovery an their message for anybody headed to the water. also ahead this morning, "queer eye's" fab 5. they'll be here to talk about the hit n show's season. plus, we have a big surprise for them. two big ways for fans of "friends" to cellorate the bed sitcom's 25th anniversa anniversary. would you give up custody of your own children so they le qualify for c financial aid? what we learned about new way if you look close... and here we have another burst pipe in denmark. jamie, are there any interesting photos from your trip? ouch, okay. huh, boring, boring, you don't need to see that. oh, here we go. can you believe my client steig had never heard of a home and auto bundle or that renters could bundle? wait, you're a lawyer? only licensed in stockholm. what is happening? jamie: anyway, gamehow, kumite, cinderella story. you know karate?

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on it. ron, good morning. >> good morning. this is another eye-opener, and critics say it can rob for deserving students of much-needed financial aid. federal and state officials tell nbc news they are now digging deeper. this morning, another controversy brewing on college campuses. this one is perfectly legal. families, many of them with six-figure incomes, go to court to give up custody of their child so they can qualify for aid.-based financial so you have a tip? >> yes. >> eporter: more than 40 instances of just that were found in one illinois county alone since the start of last year. parents transferring guardianship of their child to someone of lessers. mean >> the parents, guardian, the minor, they sign affidavits, and the judge can look at it. the boxes, they have to say it is in the minor's best interest, and it's done. >> reporter: some of the u familiesng the tactic living

the good life. million-dollar homesn some cases and kids still gting financial aid aimed at students further down the economic ladder. that has one vermont parent up in ms, what she calls, caught in the middle trap. >> it's a slap in the face when you see these people who sound like they can afford college are going about it, you know, t throughse loopholes that are very unethical. >> reporter: nbc news contacted two illinois lawfirms who handled most of the casesci d. one attorney wrote, financial aid should be about the students. parents generally have no legal obligation to pay for a college education. if they won't, where does that leave the child? advocates of the legal maneuver y unlike the collegemi ions scandal, these students were fairly accepted into college and are looking for a way to pay for it. >> this is a scam. >> reporter: critics, like this new york city based college counselor, say while it may be legal,om seone gets chaet s ch

>> these are limited funds to elp the least privileged among us. they are really taking that opportunity away from these >>ople in a pretty despicable way. eporter: the u.s. department of education says those who break the rules should be held accountable, and the department is committed to assessing what changes can be made. in the meantime, students soon back to school with s under a cloud. another attorney representing these families and students say it is a misconception, that the wealthy a affluent are primarily doing this. not so, the attorney says. middle class falies, aswell. >> if this is against the law, which it is unclear if there is or isn't, are there other state agencies looking into it? >> reporter: the u.s. department of education now involved. the illinois aneorney gel's office told us they have concerns, as well, and will contact the illinois student assistance commission as they look into this matter further. guys? >> interesting story there.n, rohank you very much. just ahead, a big change for u.s. women's soccer.

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plaza,ri featung two of the world's most respected chefs. bobby flay and michael symon. >> it's on. >> we can't wait. first, your local news d weatanat hewhat pnts don't realize is what they eat and drink is likely acidic and then what's happening is the weakening of enamel. now is the perfect time for a toothpaste like the new pronamel repair. the toothpaste takes it to next. it takes minerals d it drives it deep into the oth surface so that we can actively help repair weakened enamel. i do think dentists are going to want to recommend the new pronamel repair toothpaste. it's such an easy answer and it will do exactly what their patients need. we hidsohotel names you can score 4-star hotels at 2-star prices.

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>> announcer: this is a "news4 this wednesday july 31st, 2019. un d morning, everyone, i'm yang. a fire severely damaged at least two homes in loudoun county. other homes with damage. ashburn.d drive in the call came in after 3:00 this morning. no home at the time. one firefighteur neck. now a check of the commute with meghan markle. >> northbound 95 after 17, fredericksbu just reopened. we had big delays earlier looking better. southbound 270, delays, inner loop broken down vehicle at the oulder, kendall wood. chevy chase and somerset, ad-

branw accident there. eun. >> melissa, thank you. we'll check the forecast ne.

good morning. i'm torm team4 meteorologist chuck bell. kind of cloudy outside this morning. a few areas of light rain now across parts of eastern west virginia and a few dropsto near st and harrisburg as well. for now about clouds in and the city. there's a chance for storms affecting afternoon commute between 4:00 and 7:00. a storm team4 weather alert. extra push alerts on nbc washington app as needed and complete coverage at 4:00, 5:00, and 6:00 p.m. all right, chuck. thank you. another local news update in 25 minutes. for now back to the "today .

it's 8:00 on "today." coming up, divided they stand. >> impossibha promises t will turn off independent voters and get trump re-elected. >> i don't understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running fornt presi of the united states just to talk about what we really can't do and shouldn't fht forc >> democrati differences taking center stage during night one of whe debate. >> you don't kno that, bernie. >> i wrote the damn bill. >> what were the big moments, and what should voters look for tonight? we're live in detroit. plus, stories of survival. >> i remember thinking, th e is not the for me. >> we'll meet fe incredible shark attack survivors who

fought for their lives. >> it was kind of a blur of whitewater and fins>> thrashing hey're here to talk about how life has changed and what you should know before heading into the water. and the "friends" zone. ahead of the show's 25th anniversary, new procts a released,orrowing from the iconic '90s style. we'll show you today,wednesday, july 31st, >> hi to my mom in minnesota. >> happy birthday, grandma. >>ood morning morn, ohio. >> iowa. >> our family cation. >> from louisville, kentucky. ♪ high,h hopes ♪ high, high hopes for living >> here from tedallas, s, celebrating my 21st birthday. >> from virginia! ♪ high, high hopes for living morning, everybody. welcome back. it is wednesday morning and a

good one here. we have a lot of reasons to celebrate. she loves the fab five. the fab five are thhere. whole crew. we'll chat with them in a few. >> a lot of excitement in the building. they've got a lot f of goodor a lot of people. we'll surprise them this morning. let's get to the news at 8:00. health care and immigration were in thepotlight as democratic debates gotnder way. also, the divide between progressive and more moderate candidates. nbc's kristen welker is in detroit with the key momentshe from thowdown. good morning. >> reporter: good morning to you. round two of the democratic debates gets under way here in michigan in a few hours. oryou can expect m fireworks. it comes on the heels of that epic clash between candidates over the future of their party. this morning, a clear divide, as moderates and liberals clashed i over the direcon of the democratic party and who can beat president trump. >> folks, we have a choice. we c go down the road that

senator sanders and san torre warren want to tak us, with bad policies like medicare for all, free everything, and impossible promises that will turn off independent voters and get trump re-elected. >> i don't understand why anybody goes to all the trouble of running for president of the united states just to talk about what we really can't do and shouldn't fight for. >> reporter: the merates trying to make the case that progressive senators elizabeth warren and bernie sande are too extreme. >> so, again, i think if we're going to forceme aricans to make these radical changes, they're not going to go along. throw your hands up, but you'll have -- >> reporter: some of sharpest disagreements over the medicare for all plan acked by warren and sanders that expands the vernment-run health car program for americans 65 and older to all u.s. citizens and lawful permanent residents. it would eliminate private insurance for some 150 million americans.

>> whyo we have to be the party of taking something away from people? >> no, we are the democrats. we a not about trying to take away health care from anyone. that's what the republicans are trying to do.o >> reporter: congressman tim ryan pressing sanders on whether his plan wetld be bter than union health care plans. >> you don't know that, bernie. >> i do. i wrote the damn bill. >> reporter: there were also heated moments on other key issues, from immigration to gun control. when montana governor, steve bullock, who didn't qualify for the first debate, struck personal note. >> had an 11-year-old nephew, jeremy, shot and killed on a . playground we need to start looking at this as a public health issue, not a political issue. >> reporter: in the crowded field, many candidates hoping for a breakout moment. author marianne williamson may have gotten one. >> if you think the won i canness -- wonkiness is going to deal with what this president is bringing up in the country, i'm

afraid the democrats will see very dark days. >> reporter: all candidates king the case they are the most electable. >> the reason we are going to defeat trump is he is a fraud and phony, and we're going to expose him for what he is. >> reporter: now, not mentioned last night, the front runner, joe biden. hetaill be on s tonight. he will have a bit of a rematch with senator kamala harris who, of course, landed a fewun pes against him during the first round of debates. a lot of pressure on biden tonight to deliver aon sr performance. savannah? >> kristen welker, thank you very much. also this morning, we are learning more about the 19-year-old gunman behind sunday's mass shooting at a food festival in california. officials say one quunanswered tion remains. why did he do it? nbc national correspondent miguel almaguer joins us with more on that investigation. good morning. >> reporter: willie, good morning. the fbi says it'll take a few more days to process the scene behind me, but they now believe the suspect was working alone,

that there was no accomplice. as mentioned, they still don't have a tive. thismorning, the fbi describes santino n,lega the gunman who killed three and wounded more than a dozen, as a loner. investigators retracing his steps before the rampage. surveillance video shows the suspect before the shooting spree shopping on his own. inside his car, a secondweapon, a shotgun, was recovered. [ gunshots ] >> reporter: today, still no motive. >> we have to get into the computers, the towers, the thumt drives, phone, to get a holisitc picture. >> reporter: scrubbing his social media for lead investigators say it is too early to tell if racis hate fueled the shooting. >> when i i found outwas santino, i was blown away, shopped. >> reporter: hightower worked with the gunman, calling him polite and hard working. >> he was really nice.

like i would never expect anything like this from him. >> reporter: sscvivors deribe a much more sinister 19-year-old, as he reloaded, this father tried confronting him. >> i started running towards him. i got about halfway, 10 feet out, i guess, and he picked the clip up ande looked at and said, no. >> reporter: with funerals for the victims planned in the coming days, the t youngest die was 6-year-old stephen romero. the oldest,25-year-old trevor irby. keyla salazar was just 13 when she was shot down next to family. >>hi our beautifulren that really cared for other people. reporter: for the victims, a motive, answers will neverase their loss. another senseless mass shooting. this time, taking the youngest of lives. when the gunman began to open fire, a band was playing on stage nearby. a member of that band told the "

"associated press" that someone yelled to the gunman, why are you doing this? he reportedly answered back, because i'm really any. with the i willie? >> we're thinking about the families. thank you. a shakeup for the u.s. women national soccer team. the coach is stepping down after leading her squad to the world cup title earlier this month. ill iellis said for her and her mily, the timing is right to move on. she's the only head coach to win back to back titles. she also coached the team to the championip. once the five-game tour victory is finished, she'll stay on for another year as ab am ban ambas. >> leave on a high. >> exactly. > morning boost? >> little girl named lily never gave up hope of seeing her cat freddie, though he had been missingor a year. when her parents got a call the cat had been found, they decided to surprise their girl when she came home from school. >> uncover your eyes.

he's back. >> is that freddie? >> it's freddie! >> i mean, is that just adorable? turns out, freddie had run away during a visit to grandma's house through an open window. the cat had an implanted microchip. when somebody found him and took him to the vet, they were able to find his family. that's how we got that beautiful reuni reunion. >> welcome home, freddie. ahead, has it been 25 years since the premiere of "friends"? we have fun ways for you to celebrate that anniversary. that's in pop start. then a brave group with one thing in common. they each have survived a shark attack. their stories and what they want their stories and what they want you to take away fm theirro ♪upbeat music she's doing it again. ovnoer-uspray here. it's the irresistibly fresh scent of febreze air effects. [harsh aerosol spray] cheaper aerosols can cover up odors, buryiodors in a flowery fog. switch to febreze air effects! febreze eliminates even the toughest odors from the air.

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we are back at 8:12 to continue our shark week on "today" series, in partnership with discovery channes popular annual event. >> in 2018, the u.s. had the largest number of unprovoked shark attacks ithe world. still, experts say the chances of becoming a victim is just 1 in nearly 12 million. this morning, we're joined by people who know what it is like he be that one in the statistic. we'll talk to tm in a moment. first, a little more onheir stories. >> we have a shark attack. >> cane hayes was lobster diving off the coast of southern california when he felt something tackle him. >> ripped everything on the top, and it also got his cheek. >> reporter: the teenager list half h blood and received

1,000 stitches. >> i think he's a miracle. >> reporter: tiffany johnson was excursion with her husband in the bahamas. >> it felt like i had bumped into something. when i turned, i wasfa ce-to-face with a shark. >> reporter: the mother of threr lostight arm during the attack. >> i rememberng thinki, this is not the end for me. >> hi, we're on the beach. we have a shark bite here. >> reporter: austin reid was surfing in north carolina l wt monthhen he was pulled off his board. >> i saw the shan a frenzy. with all the blood in the water. >> reporter: jonathan hernandez was spearfishing in the bahamas when he was hit from behind. >> i looked in the water, and i could see my calf was hanging and gushing blood into the water. >> reporter: theie expernced

diver said it all happened fast. >> it was a blur of whitewater, fins, and thrashing. >> reporter:lola pollina, was in waist-deep water, then 12 years old. >> i saw something next to me. i ran out to my mom, and my lwa s bloody. >> reporter: this was the s state's firstrk attack in 70 yes. now, they've all come together to share their stories of survival. >> keen, tiffany, austin, jonathan, and lola are with us now. hi, everybody. nice to have you here. what haslit been being together this morning? it is so unusual, to have an experice like this with a shark, and now you've gotten to meet each other. how does it feel to meet others? >> great. really good >> does it feel like there's a little bond? >> yeah. >> definitely. >> nobody really gets a bit by kark, so it is great to have people whow what it is like. >> for some of you, i mean, this just hpened this summer. jonathan, i mean, right, just

about a month or two ago. >> s weeks. >> how are you doing in. >> getting there. your scar is still healing. >> it's a slow process, but it gets better each day. >> you, as well, austin. >> yeah. >> this is just within themo la h or so ago. >> it was a month. >> how are you doing? >> doing good. it's healing pretty good. i can walk noo i was ableet back in the water. just this week, i think, tuesday. >> that's what we heard, you were already back in the water. >> yeah. >> where did you go back in the water? >> i went back to the spot i got bit. >> the same spot? >> yeah. >> why did you doat th? >> i thought it was the best way to, i guess, get closure. originally, i was going to go to a different beach to surf, but i thought that would have been cheating myself kind of. i thought i just wanted to go head on, straight back to the spot. can take on my fear of getting back in the water. >> some of you haven't got back in the water because you're still healing, and some, i imagine, tiffany, it might be difficult to do that. mm-hmm. yeahon i have ge back in the

water only because i'm trying to use wisdom. i haven't had any iss with btp trt ptsd or depression, and i don't want to introduce any. i'm using to use god's wisdom. you have young ones, so it is not just me. you lost your right arm. i read about your st sy. you hauch an incredible perspectyoe. >> thank >> of grace. what has it been like to go through this, to lose the y function ofour arm, and hav l thtle kids you're trying to raise, too? >> i mean, it's not been easy. is a new normal i'm establishing. so thankful that god has given me the peace and hope and arength in this. i wouldn't bee to do it without him. so just being able to figure out what this looks like, you known and bei a mom of three, theyet don' me rest. >> yeah. >>hich is good. i mean, i have to keep moving. >> lola, you were, last doing what a lot of us do. you were standingut in the surf off fire island here in new york. >> yeah. >> what do you remember about

that moment?be >> i rem at first i didn't feel anything, until i actually saw it. it was just like, whoa. i didn't know what it was until i got out. i saw, like, everything that had happened. it's like, you don't expect that until you actually see it and it actually happens. >> you didn't see a shark coming. you didn't see a fin, any of those thgs. >> no. i only saw it after it happened. >> w t aboutyou, jonathan, did you have a similar, out of nowhere experience? >> same situation. never saw it coming. got hit from behind. just felt the immense impact. no pain. >> you're an experienced boater. >> no pain. >> a lot of you said that. >> youelt the impact. >> is that because you're in shock? what have you been told about that? >> no idea. >> adrenaline is par of it. >> yeah. you don't feel it. it's soquick. >> yeah. >> after it happens, it's like, that's when it starts happening. feeling en you start it. >> keen, what did you think when you were bitten. what was your instinct, what had

happened to you? >> i was coming up from a dive. i felt shaking, getting hit. i was like, it's my friendo trying tcare me. that was my first time, so he knew i was nervous. i look at my arm, and it's all bloody and stuff. i was like, that's crazy. definitely not noah. i just swam to a kayak. after i got bit, i was definitely, you know, in survival mode, just get to the kayak and survive. >> you had 1,000 stitches. >> yeah, i did. >> i heard you lost half your blood. >> yeah. a little more than that. normally, your hemoglobin, your blood level,ou're at , and you die at 3. when i got to the hospital, i was at 4. >> wow. >>ery close to death. >> i mean, it is one thing to recover physically, which all o you appear to be doing beautifully, but emotionally, it is different. this is a shot. ti tiffany, you talked about not feeling btstrp tsd, but you tald

about fear >> i'm like, i need to get out now. i don't feel right. there's oer times where i feelr. especially if you have friends around you, it makes it so much easier. they c calm you down. it's just great. >> as we said,n jonathan,e piece setting up our interview here, statistically, the odds are you won't be bitten by a shark if you are an average person. statistics.e of the what would you tell people? you're an experienced fisherman. you a love the water, i trust. lat would you tel people in the ocean this summer? >> be preped. have the r ht medical stuff. whether on the boat or the beach. tourniquet is the single biggest thing that saved me life. $20, f$30,its in your pocket.ie simple p of equipment that essentially bleeding out is the biggest fear. >> right. >> how do you -- >> be prepared. >> how d f you alll about sharks? >> i'm fine with them. >> ah. >> they get a >> definitely. >> we are this their territory.

>> yeah. >> they're animals. they're unpredictable. >> yeah. >> well, you all are very brave. we're grateful for you coming and sharing your stories. i think people learn a lot about what happened but also about recovery and healing. >> yeah. >> absolutely. >> thanks, guys. glad to see you doing so well. >> t lnk you. >>'s turn and get a check of the weather with al. hey, al? >> thanks so thanks somuch. look out west. high pree a big upper level ridge of high pressure is dominating out ther i this going to help bring up that moisture from the gulf of mexi and california. so we're seeing a lot of wet m weather, 8lion people, flash flood watch and warning. that heavy shower and thunderstorm activity is firing s. while it'airly localized, we could be looking at some places that pickp 1 to 2" per hour and that can cause flash flooding in the gullies. people at risk for storms, showers a thunderstorms firing

up. that could cause major problems later this afternoon. good morning. i'm storm tea meteorologist chuck bell. plenty of clouds around here early this morning. we are indeed under that risk for some potentially strong thunderstormn.w tracking areas light rain across northn virginia. mainly just cloudy skies over washingt. ou expected high temperature down a few degrees from 90 to 87. nonetheless, i would still expect a round of potentially strong storms ineere in tim for the evening commute. upper 80s today and plenty mo. >> and that's your latest weather. sweet willie? >> al, thank you very much. jenna is heng, meani it is time for pop start. >> thank you, sweet willie. >> sweet sheinelle. of like it. >> there can be other things. sweet willie isn't bad. >> i'll take it. >> shall we pop start? >> yeah. >> first up, dwayne johnson. the mega-star is set to headline this week's movie release "fast

and furious hobbs and shah." while it looks like serious action from start to finish, behind the scenes, johnson's co-star had an issue withthne of e stunts. >> both of us are supposed to take our clubs over our heads, throw, poof. they say, a lot of people around. no need to throw the club. i pretend to throw my club, and i hear, oh, my god. i turn around, the cameraman is knocked out. joe wke li whoa! the club nailed the cameraman, bang. h >> ien't stopped insistg, no, no, i'm okay. >> our photographers won't have ry about that. we're not throwing things around here. the 90210 reboot, with the show nearing the premiere, the stars are opening up about the memory of their friend and co-star lere pry who suffered a fatal stroke in march. >> he was a bigersonality and took up a lot of space. he took up a lot of space in this group. i think thate all feel the vacancy left by his absence.

>> it is very difficult. i do know that he is with us. i see, you know, little messages all the time from him, and his energy is here. >> the highly anticipated reboot premieres next week. have you wanted to frolic around the fountain from the opening credits of ds"frien you'll be able to thanks to a "friends" 25th anniversary pop-up here in new york. you'll be able to lounge in central park and check out their apartment and furne. speaking of furniture,he mania, releasing items inspired by the sh c. thefee table phoebe hated, you can get it for $1100. >> wow. >> who would have thought we'd be talking about this show 25 years after we first visited the ot? >> is it kindf a shock that the show has been so successucc? what do you think? >> it is amazing. i think we're a takck by it. to us, down here, it seems we're

a theater group. we're a really tight ensemble. >> matt, what were you doing before you landed this role? >> i wasn every cancelled show that grge clooney wasn't on. >> well, the rest is history. to stay up to dat on allen the "frids" news, head to m. today.co >> good throwback. daly click is relatable, in a way. our video this morning is heartbomaking. you c home from a long day at work. you have a six pack, wanting to relax. watch what happens. >> oh, no. >> the caseompletely collapses. the night got a whole lot messier. this poor guy stands there for a second. shoulders slumped. it's the worst. you're about to kick up your he feet, t you run into a moment like this. this security camera caught it. people think it is funny. he stands there. you r ognize at thatmoment, there's a lot of cleanup to happen. >> i feel that's happened to willie. has it? >>he t's a lot about me, that my heart sinks watching that. >> i feel that's happened to me oith boxed wine.

>> it happened t me. >> i tried to sop it up. >> sparkling water. >> save it. >> the box never breaked. >> actually, it can break. a box ofwine? >> it can. >> only with savannah. >> you broke the bag inside? >> oh, the nozzle. >> right. >> understood. >> good click, sheinelle. thank you very much. al, where are you? >> i'm upstairs. we he a hugealf hour coming up with the cast of "queer eyeve oh, we obby flay and michael symon. we have the cast of "queer weey" ave the guy who needs the hair the most in the chair. michael michael symon. bobby flay. maria shriver. there's so much coming up in this half hour. everybody feeling good? missed a spot right there. all right. we've got all this coming up in the next h>>

nnouncer: this is a "news4 today" newsbreak. > goomorning, everybody. n 8:26 on this wednesday july 31st. i'm aaron gilchrist. let's start with a look at the melissa mollet has your good morning. capitol heights out at marlboro road anaccident, brand-new, northbound 95 after 17 had initial crash and second one. that has cleared. still seeing delays. oakton eastbound66 before 50, crash blocking the right shoulder. oxon hill, indian, a crash at that tuation, wiscons a fuel spill. all right. melissa, thank you. we'll have a check on your forecast w.

. good morning. it's a cloudy start for many of our friends and neighbors across northern virginia. even raindrops well out to the west,manassas, rappahannock, virginia and charlottesville. there as chance for some stronger thunderstor to develop during the heating of the afternoon. so we are in weather alert mode for you y, because some of those storms could pack quite a punch and genere severe thunderstorm warnings. we'll be keeping a close eye this afternoon. al use your nbc wasngton

app, the radar right there in the palm of your hand and more rain chances over the next chuck, thank you. get the latest news and weather any .

we're back. 8:30. wednesday morning, the 31st of ju, 2019. great crowd out on our plaza. >> so many folks out this morning. >> nice day. i'm looking for a girl scout troop. >> there they are. >> from laurel, maryland. yes? okay. i'm looking -- nice to see you guys. >> hi. >> are you fro maryland >> yes. >> you're here with your girl scout troop? >> yes, i am. >> is there a logan anywhere? are you logan? >> yes. >> i heard you t had oneng you really wanted to do here today. what is that? >> hug jenna. >> you want to h jenna? she's about to have her baby.

i know. >> you came just in time. jenna, this is logan. >> thank you for wanting to hug i wanted to hug you. how did you know? >> i don't know. >> so cute. >> thank you for coming to visit me. >> thank you. >> you want to stay for the 10:00? can ty'all? maybehey can. maybe they can't. if you can, logan, you're always invited. >> you can come on >>inside. do you want to? >> for the 10:00, y'all stay. we have concerts. we have willie geist. >> ihink it's a yes. >> wow. >> that willie geist got her. logan says yes.yo what do have to say about willie geist? good? >> he's great. >> he's great. >> terrific. >> thank you, guys, for coming. girl scouts forever. cutis. we'll see them inside. >> we love our girl scouts comingup, have we mentioned our excitement that the fab five from "queer eye" is here? they'll be sharing their inspiring transformations, and we have a little something

planned for them, as well. >> we have two grill masters with two takes on skae s on ste. we have bobby flay aichael symon with a barbecue competition going on. on t third hour of "today," we're kicking off a new series on women's wellness with maria shriver. she'll introduce us to a groundbreaking virtual clinic that could be the future of c heale. fourth hour, we have country star justin moore and stranger things "maya hawke. >> fir. >> and thescout troops. >> logan and her friends coming in. >> and, of course, sweet willie geist. >> let's get a check of the weather. flood threat con floodti threatt, southwes sever storms pushing their way into the northeast and great lakes and also into new england. then as we move into tomorrow, less humid through the great lakes and northeast, florida storms developing a flood threat in the mid mississippi river ll va. sunshine out west.

that's what's going on around the untry, here's what's of the g in your neck woods. good morning,ea i'm storm tm4 meteorologist chu bell. this yellowha sded area, high chance forevere weather. that does include washington metro area. already p justlain old rain showers developing across parts of northern virginia, eastern west virginia. add a little daytime heating to those a showers they could become severe thunderstorms in the afternoon between 2:00 and 7:00. we'll keep you apprised of any severe weather that develops. stay here with nbc washington on air, online, o >> the latest weather. . very much. i'm here with the "queer eye" guys. can we make it the fab six for a moment? >> yes, of course. >> a guy can dream,right? all right. much more with the fab five in a moment. first, this is "today" on nbc.

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five fabulous guys. four seasons. three emmys. two years. one massive hit show.er "queeye" on netflix is back for another season featuring a new batch of inspiring transformations,he including tir first ever hero who uses a wheelchair. >> oh, man, i got a mirror i can look at myself. >> i put your bathroom mirror at an angle so you can finally see yourself. >> it did not dawn on me you could mathematically do this. >> before in the footprint it was, we couldn't. we expanded this to double the size it was. >> oh, man. this gives me so much independence. >> so cool. the fab five are all here. jonathan vanness, tan france, bobby berk, karamo brown, and antoni porowski. great to see you. >> thanks for having us. >> six more emmy nominations as you enter season four. >> seven. >> he has one of his own. >> seven total for the group.ye

>> . >> can you believe how, in a short time, this show has hit such ath nerve with culture? >> the answer is . no. >> >> how are you handling it? just over a year of this. >> day by day. >> together. >> yeah. >> the beauty of it as a group, we have support for each other, which is really nice. any time we get overwhelmed or feel we're in a constant state of shock, we can turn to the other and be like, you feel this way, as well, right? great. let's process it. >> we did have rethe, a you coping okay, because it is intense. >> we still do. >> crying. >> holding each other softly. >> yeah. >> who would have thought? of course, we all remember the original show, and y do a reboot of something like this. i mean, most people aren't going to think it is going to be an even bigger hit. you made it your own. you made it so i think it has so much heart. >> thanks. i like to believe that -- we like to believet is a different show. the concept isme the sa, five guys, but other than that, we're v veray,ery demotreion with

this version that wasn't allowed with the original version. there's a lot moreil visiby where we can talk about things that impact our day-to-day lives. >> the original show, they were gay ossuperher. we're people, and we want people to realizee're like everyone else and want to help everyone, like everyone else. >> at times, it can be dark to a lot of people. this brings light and love. the show, out make betters, not karamo, that hit such a nerve? >> exactly.that we let people know they're not alone in what they're feeling. i think so many times, people are sitting in their homes and they feel like no one else is going through this. as a parent, as a student, they're like, no one isen expericing what i am. we're saying, you're not alone. here are tips to help you to get thugh your day. >> the new season is out. have there been any particular people you've met that have really touched you? >> i think the clip you showed,

wesley, was a big one for all of us. it was our fir disabled hero. we were proud to be working with him. we learned so much. we're learning more after the show. just hisne brightss, his kindness, and how he gives back made us really wanto give to him. he was a big one for me. >> i think deanna was an important episode, as well, sharing tnt immigrastory. hopefully we get to do more of those. there's so many experiences. that was one that touched me. >> you try to go into the heartland, which is really great. >> i think kind of surmising, it's like there's so much -- it is a dark time country, and there are so many people experiencing so much suffering and looking for an area where we can connect and be heard and have that moment of human interaction. where you might not be, you know, politically comingrom the same place. i know for the episode where we went to my hometown, i think that the conversations of that inspired in my hometown, there were editorials in the paper.

there were people upset over us coming to my hometown and having five lgbtqg people com into the public school. i think it really has made long-lasti a changesnd important conversations n a t s town that went to trump in over 2-1. it is a rare chance for us to bring people together. >> do you get a chance to catch up with people who have been on the show and see how they're doing? s >> we keep up with all of them on social media. >> we're filming in illy, and jess from season three is there. we hang out all the time. >> instagram makes it easier. >> there are throwback pictures that were posted of some of you guys. >> yeah. >> i think we can throw it up. oh, yeah. >> i feel like me and antoni look-alike. i thought i was you actually. >> yeah. >> tyra banks clearly caught me

in high school. >> you can see i was inspired by tyra. >> it is fun to look back. as willie said, what is cool is the bond that you have with some of the people who have been on the show. actually, there's somebody i know you really, really touched, who wantednd to come a say hello here toda >>nice. >> he's here. it'swesley. >> oh! >> love you.r >> your hai looks so good. >> you look so good. >> handsome, my frngnd. what's gon? >> i knew it. >> i love it. >> hi. >> you look so handsome. oh, my goodness.. everything >> you look great. we>> ey. >> we need to introduce everybody. this is wesley. he metuy the gs this season. y wesley've been in recovery from a gunshot wound. i know you're doing a lot tter. what did this interaction mean to you?

>> oh, man. >> he's not doing a lot better. he's thriving. >> yes, he is. >> this was an amazing experience. i mean, actually, i'm bwn away to see you guys. it was amazing. i mean, everything about it. every little bit changed my life. it's helping me with what i'm doing today. >> oh, my gosh. so excited. >> you have done the hard part. >> i'm trying.e >> haid it first, it wasn't me. >> amazing, the response on soal media towesley, of like people who have never understood what someone who is living with alidisabity goes through, to see it. also, like your ikkindness, le he met with the person who shot him. that conversation allowed a dialogue on social media that i have never seen in m, life of forgiveness, of people saying, let's try to have real conversations. brother, you are changing things. >> the world has fal in love

with wesley. it's been so beautiful. >> i fell in love with the world. >> yes, you heard that coeectly. when h came out, the first thing the guys said was, your hair looksod so go. >> honey, this hard part decision, i'm obsessed. >> when did you get it? >> it was for you. it was for you, all right? >> it's real good. >> man, it was you. you got me there! >> did i? >> yeah. >> it was a year ago. >> you got me in the fason sense, right? >> i got you that. >> are you excited to do laundry? >> i wash every day, and i cook every day. >> oh! >> i cook at home. >> wesley, we're so happy you're here. we'll let you guys catch up. we're going to see guys again in a little bi yt. currently filming season five in philadelphia. >> we knew you'd like this one. >> "queer eye" is there for the bingeing onetflix. as i said, guys, stick around and be part of the tasting table if you want to.

yes? al? we have bobby flay, michael symon out here. the same steak, two different ways. one quick barbecue tip. >> i think it is important for the people to get a hot side and cool side for the grill. sear it and move it over. >> bobby? >> flip it oe. try not to over-grill. >> there you have it. we have more advice from bby and michael. same steak, two ways, a whole lot of folks eating. first, this is "today" on nbc.

all right. good morning. this morning on today food, we're getting our grill on. we have twoth of the best in e biz. long-time chef frenemies, bobby flay and michael symon, turning up the heat with their food network show, barbecue brl. sounds violent. flay versus symon.

they'll be battling it out to ee who is the ultimate grill master. good morning. we're joined by antoni. >> antoni. >> when you looked yourself, blueberries, blackberries, you thought, wow. >> i never thought of putting it on steak. i love it. >> what is the concept of your show? concept is basically, michael and i are the coaches of some barbecue experts who have very heav aillery in that division. so he has a team. i have a team. it all goes down. >> himg, lonong time, but we've never competed against each other on tv. this is the first time we're going at it. >> let's get started. skirt steak two difnt ways. >> exactly right. >> we'll start with michael. >> okay. why do you like skirt steak? >> it is not very expensive cut in the world of beef, but it packs -- beef.e world of >> -- anything. >> how are you doing it? >> simple rub.

a little bit of smoked chipotle, cumin, coriander, and sea salt. whisk those together. liberally, put those on the steak. now, if you had the time, you could do this the night before and really let that kind of settle in. it is delicious if you just do it as is, too. little drizzle of olive oil. >> season aggressively. >> the meat does not come seasoned, as everyone knows. you have to hit it real guide on both sides. i have a hot side of the grill, and i'm going to take those steaks and put them on thee hottest sido start. >> yeah. >> i'll move them over. >>now long o each side? >> it is a thin cut, so three minutes a side. >> do you agree? >> it's so fast. >> very quick. >> salad? >>ime zest, fresh garlic, jalapeno. i took out the ribs and the seeds but lou couldeave them. lime juice. i do one part lime juice, two

parts extra virgin olive oil. lim visuang it. pinch of salt. whisk that this is the vinhegrette for t corn salad. also, the impthtant g, bobby puts a lot of flavor in the food, so we want the extra bump of flavor. i take half of this and put it in a separate bowl. when the steak comes off the grill -- i >> you wantt to rest, right? >> yes. i let it rest in the marinade. >> yeah. fresh garlic on there. >> absorb the lime, the juice, and all those things. then we put it together. the corn, the berries, scallions, cilantro. mix it together, and ts tops the steak. >> right. all the berries are fresh. the corn is coming out of the peel. > this is all the peak of summer. as you know, corn and blackberries are delicious together. >> slice that up. >> 'syup. >> letsk our tasters. we have the fab five. >> beautiful. >> four now. >> so good. >> yummy? >> how is the cilantro, jonathan? >> love it.

>> we have a cilantro hater. >> i would have taken it out for you. >> ied trio convert it, but it's not happening. >> bobby, what are you up to? >> i'm also making steak. i don't know what michel esakch but i love skirt steak. it's what i want even over a filet mignon. >> why? >> great flavor, fantastic crust. make sure you leave it on the very hotn one side so it gets very, very crusty so you texture.contrast in i'm going to serve it with a jalapeno pesto. very quickly, we take some jalapenos, grill them, and we cover them with plastic wrap. we steam them so we get the chopped jalapeno re. >> okay. >> pesto, we have cilantro, b e basel, jalapeno, classic paingredients. esan cheese, garlic, pine nuts. we give it a whirl in the food

processor. e immuscemulsify it wh the o. e li >>l. you were going to say something, savannah? >> i love you put that together. >> a lot of oil. we're noticing how much oil. >> extra virgin o oli is good for you. >> good fat. >> anyway, quick tip on how to get the pit out of on avocado. use the back end of the knife and pull it out. don't do this. go like this. >> yeah. >> i makethquares right i shell itself. >> right. >> i take the avodo and make a salad.co avocado, rn,ma totoes, and then some red onions. some vinegar, olive oil. >> herbs. >> i love a big piece of red onion. >> salad, very, very simple. st the key to this is to slice this agahe grain. you see the grain running this

way, so you slice against it. then you will get a tender piece of skirt steak. >> what do you think? >> so many people don't know th, against the grain. >> enjoying it. >> love it? >> hands up, who likes michael's better? >> which one is l'michae better?ikes bobby's >> i don't know. >> the one with the >>avocado. i like bobby's. savannah. u, >> cilantro and basel together is brilliant. >> it is too spicy. >> spicy? >> we have to make a decision. >> worked out well. michael symon and bobby flay, the fab five, everybody, thank you so much. get these recipes, head to today.com/food. remember, the premiere of "barbecue brawl" food network tomorrow night. >> oh, new show. >> michael and bobby are back on the fourth hour to cook more delicious dishes.is first, this "today" on

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>> thank you, bobbyndmichael. the fab five are coming back. >> guess what, they are all coming back in the fourth hour with willie. o> this group stays together. >> we're going t sit here for an hour until it starts. >> as always, we have a lot more stories at today.com. did you know it's national avocado day? a lo that. >> we love avocados. >> lots to tell you about, tax break for back to school shopping. > o of the most decorated female athletes in history.

>> announcer: this is a "n. 8:56 is your time now on this wednesday july 31st, 2019. everyone.ing, i'm eun yang. let's get right to a check on your commute with melissa mollet and first4traffic. melissa, good rning. >> good morning. capitol heights, marlboro road, crash there is now on the shoulder. that's good. eastbound 66 before 50, oakton,

crash blocking the right shouer. nd wisconsin somerset crash and fuel spill. some of the lanes are shut down. north capital at e street we have some flashing lights. eun. >> melissa, thank you. we'll take a break and checkor .our fecast when choosing my car insurance was the easiest decision ever. t

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good morning, everybody. coming up on 9:00. t're looking a future weather by 2:00 or 3:00 this afternoon, a chance for some stronger thunderstos starting to develop. the evening c mute could be hard hit with rain and thunderstorms today. eep that in or leave a lit.tle late. 87 the forecast high for btoda. we'lle tweeting out and posting any severe weather watches or warnings as needed through our nbc washington app. and pretty high rain chances the

az>> live from studio 1a in rockefeller pl this is the third hour of "today." >> i'm al along with sheinelle. we have two of ourit favor guest hosts in. >> third hour "today" cousins. >> cousins? >> we like that. >> we have maria shriver and jill martinng hangi in here. >>see you. >> you, too. >> dylan and craig are on vacation this week. did you happen to watch any of the democratic debate? >> i did. >> the what? >> the democratic debate. >> yeah, i watched it until 10:30. two and a half hours, it was long. >>l asleep, sadly. >> it is hard to watch. we were talking about it before. 30 ses,