almaguer, nbc news >> i spoke to dr. anthony fauci a short time ago to get some clarity on some of the conflic conflicting advice on mask wearing do you expect the cdc to change its guidelines for unvaccinate american snz. >> i know we're going to be seeing a sticking to the guideline. we know the vaccines we're using in this country do very well against the delta variant. you have to take that variant seriously. it's nothing to just pooh-pooh because it spreads more rapidly than the original virus and it can cause more serious disease but for now the cdc recommendation stands if in fact you are vaccinated, fully vaccinated, you are protected and you do not need to wear a mask outdoors or indoors. >> is it a given in your opinion that the delta variant will become the predominant variant in this country? and what does that mean for unvaccinated people >> well, there's very little doubt, lester, that the delta variant is not going to become the dominant every country that it has gone into up to now you've seen an escalati

the sights and sounds of summer past finally here again miguel almaguer, nbc news >>> a chicago police officer has been charged in the capitol riot officer karol chwiesiuk is accused of breaking into a democratic senator's office with a mob of others chicago's police superintendent said the charges make his blood boil and that the officer has been relieved >>> a justice department watchdog is launching an investigation into the possible seizure of house democrats' phone data during the trump administration our pete williams on what democrats are calling a shocking abuse of power >> reporter: congressional officials say the trump administration was so upset over leaks about contacts between senior officials and the russians that the justice department subpoenaed apple, demanding records of the communications for at least two congressmen on the house intelligence committee, chairman adam schiff and eric swalwell, staff members and some family members including one minor child, at least 12 people >> this looks like a patent abuse of the department yet another example of the president poli

almaguer >> reporter: 15 miles away from where the deadly road rage shooting took place investigators arrested 24-year-old marcus eriz and 23-year-old wynne lee. the california highway patrol says lee was driving the volkswagen they had been looking for. eriz was the passenger when a shot was fired from their car, striking this vehicle in the trunk and taking the life of 6-year-old aiden leos, who was strapped to his booster seat >> we have recovered what we believe are the weapon and automobile used in the crime. >> we will get justice for him. >> reporter: investigators have confirmed eriz's instagram profile but have not said if any of the weapons seen in posts from more than a year ago were used in the freeway shooting in orange. the pair was arrested more than two weeks after the shooting a half-million-dollar reward generating a flurry of tips today joanna cloonan buried her son after a memorial service saturday >> they took his life and my heart along with it. he brought so much joy into our hearts. >> reporter: tonight heartbreak and now the promise of justice miguel almaguer,

., millions of e dose of the three vaccines, but that's up just slightly here's miguel almaguer >> reporter: with our nation already facing a dwindling demand for vaccinations, tonight potentially millions of johnson & johnson doses are sitting on shelves set to soon expire in two weeks, 200,000 shots in ohio may need to be tossed out west virginia has some 25,000 doses nearing expiration >> we all know this is a precious res and it's a precious resource across the world. so it would be a pity to see some of it have to go to waste >> reporter: the j&j dose is coveted around the world because of its easy storage at, say, a doctor's office and its one and done dose but after a safety concern and a pause in its use its popularity plummeted. of the more than 21 million j&j doses distributed nationwide, nearly half have not yet been administered states are asking the white house for a way to quickly coordinate their redistribution as authorities also look to prolong their storage beyond three months still, the nation's biggest hurdle remains vaccine hesitancy. >> i haven't taken the vaccine, and

miguel almaguer, nbc news >>> we're also keeping an eye on a potential tropical threat in the gulf of mexico there is a good chance it will become a tropical depression by friday the gulf coast from east texas to the florida panhandle could get four to twelve inches of rain >>> tonight america getting rid of covid restrictions but facing a growing threat from the delta variant of the virus in the u.s. just under 175 million have received at least one vaccine dose but that's only about 400,000 more than yesterday's number here is blayne alexander. >> reporter: tonight experts predict the delta variant, first discovered in india, could soon become the dominant covid strain in the u.s >> it is more transmissible and possibly more dangerous in terms of causing severe disease. >> reporter: all of it only accelerating the rush to get americans vaccinated but the biden administration is running out of time to hit its july 4th goal, 70% of americans with at least one shot so far only about 53% of the country is partially vaccinated but some states are barely hitting a third of their populatio

here's miguel almaguer. >> it's been so great to hear this again >> reporter: from the ballpark to beaches and from the highway to the speedway. >> you feel the electricity from the audience >> reporter: tonight, our nation on track for the kind of summer crowds not seen since 2019 >> what a difference a year makes >> reporter: over the holiday weekend, 7.1 million flew, compare that to last year, just 1.3 million. >> this is the first time it has been packed like a regular vegas. >> reporter: getting to vegas or just about anywhere else is starting to get more expensive. travel company hopper says in may the price for air travel rose 4%, and that's after a 12% hike in april. still, a good deal for a round trip domestic flight, say seattle to denver, can be had for $157 flying abroad, new york to paris, available for $625 >> if you are planning to travel this summer, now's the time the book >> reporter: arriving to the popular destination is only half the battle. >> campgrounds are full >> reporter: from the stunning rim of the grand canyon to record crowds filling yellowstone. it's not ju

here's miguel almaguer. >> it's been so great to hear this again >> reporter: from the ballpark to beaches and the highway to the speedway >> you feel the electricity from the crowd. >> reporter: tonight, our nation on track for the kind of summer crowds not seen since 2019 >> what a difference a year makes >> reporter: over the holiday weekend, 7.1 million flew, compare that to last year, 1.3 million. >> this is the first time it has been packed like a regular vegas. >> reporter: getting to vegas or just about anywhere else is starting to get more expensive. travel company hopper says in may the price for air travel rose 4%, and that's after a 12% hike in april. still, a good deal for a round trip domestic flight, seattle to denver, can be had for $157 flying abroad, new york to paris, available for $625 >> if you are planning to travel, now is the time to book. >> reporter: arriving to the popular destination is only half the battle. >> campgrounds are full >> reporter: from the stunning rim of the grand canyon to record crowds filling yellowstone. it is not just the views that will take

almaguer, nbc news >>> late today churchill downs suspending the trainer of kentucky derby winner medina spirit after the horse failed a second drug test here's meagan fitzgerald >> reporter: tonight churchill downs announcing famed trainer bob baffert suspended from entering a horse at the kentucky derby for the next two years after weeks of controversy around his horse, medina spirit, winner of the derby. >> medina spirit has won the kentucky derby! >> reporter: today a second blood test coming back positive for betamethasone, increasing the colt's risk of being stripped of his derby title >> it now kicks off the process of possibly having him disqualified and the money returned in the kentucky derby >> reporter: baffert denied the allegations. >> it's not in the barn so there's no way that we gave it >> reporter: before walking it back and saying a topical ointment used on the horse may have contained the drug the trainer saying in a statement through his attorney that they expect "additional testing to confirm the presence of the betamethasone was from the topical ointment otomax and

here's miguel almaguer >> reporter: as our nation marks the loss of more than 600,000 lives, tonight the highly contagious delta variant first identified in india remains the most serious threat here at home after exploding across the uk and now extending that nation's lockdown for another month, a new analysis suggests the fully vaccinated are more than 90% protected against hospitalization from the variant. >> if you are vaccinated, you are protected. >> reporter: but a fight is under way against vaccinations a federal judge has just dismissed a lawsuit at houston methodist hospital, siding with the medical center that's requiring all 25,000 employees be vaccinated by june 21st or face termination. >> we are prepared to get terminated at this point. >> reporter: plaintiff and nurse jennifer bridges says the small group will appeal. but as more hospitals require vaccinations as part of employment, more protests and litigation are coming. >> you can't just go into work and say i don't want to do these things you're not going to be working there too long pretty soon the employer's goi

lester >> all right miguel almaguer, thank you. >>> i talked about the vaccination struggle with the white house covid response coordinator jeffrey zients earlier but we started with the president's announcement of those 500 million vaccine doses that the u.s. has earmarked for poor countries. >> this is a big commitment the administration is making to get vaccines out to much of the world, but this rollout's going to take you into next year is it enough is the timing going to work out >> well, it's an extraordinary commitment it's without any precedent. far and away the largest purchase, a half billion doses purchased by the u.s. to be donated to the 100 lowest-income countries in the world. those doses will start to be manufactured in august, and we will have plans to get them immediately out to countries with plans to then get shots in arms >> it's looking like it's going to be a challenge for the president to meet that 70% goal, 70% of american adults with at least one shot in their arms why is it so challenging? >> well, we're at 64% and we've got a few weeks to go to july 4th.

., will require masks in workplaces for several more months miguel almaguer with the controversy. >> reporter: tonight the first state in the nation to enter a lockdown now poised to become the last to lift face mask restrictions cal osha, the board that oversees workplace safety, ordering all californians to remain masked at work until at least october unless everyone around them is vaccinated >> this is the most confusing guidance i have seen to date on covid. >> reporter: far exceeding cdc guidelines that cleared the way for the inoculated to go maskless, california's mandate could force employers to check vaccination status before masks come off. >> we should not be asking an employee whether or not they've been vaccinated. that's the private right of that employee >> reporter: though vaccination rates in california exceed other states, big companies with a higher potential for unvaccinated employees will likely be forced to require masks but not yet in california miguel almaguer, nbc >>> another major story tonight. facebook announcing former president trump will remain suspende

miguel almaguer, nbc news, las vegas. >>> and up next for us tonight, heading to tokyo and inspiring america with the sensational six. >>> finally, it doesn't get much more inspiring than the women representing team usa in gymnastics hoda kotb sat down with the sensational six. >> these are the six women who flipped, twisted, and soared their way on to team usa. raise your hand if you're freaking out. led by, who else, simone biles how is this one different for you? >> i feel like going into rio i was kind of a kid. but now i'm an adult i know who i am and i know what my gymnastics brings. so it's just different. >> her teammates all first-time olympians mykayla skinner was an alternate in rio. >> i'm freaking out inside, yes. so crazy i've been waiting for this moment forever. >> jordan chiles was named for one great, michael jordan, and trains every day with another, simone. >> having her by my side 24/7 and giving me encouraging words every day definitely helped very happy to have someone like her >> cute, biles and chiles suni lee is know for her high-flying work on the uneven ba

here's miguel almaguer >> reporter: tonight our nation is no longer on track to meet the president's fourth of july goal. now more likely to partially inoculate 67%, not 70% of all adults and now the delta variant, first identified in india, is exploding across the uk and could threaten the young here at home >> we cannot let that happen in the united states >> reporter: the white house says these are critical weeks, pushing to inject new enthusiasm into vaccinations >> think of this when you think of vaccination. mm >> reporter: with states hungry to boost numbers, burgers and beers are being offered to holdouts. the golden state turning to green, offering cash payouts to the vaccinated. >> number 25 >> reporter: in west virginia, they're giving away trucks and guns washington state dispensaries offering joints for jabs. legal marijuana to inoculated adults. the former surgeon general tweeting, "donuts, gambling. are cigarettes next? still, incentives have worked, though they may no longer be providing the same shot in the arm. miguel almaguer, nbc news >>> up next tonight, your int

., will require masks in workplaces for several more months miguel almaguer with the controversy. >> reporter: tonight the first state in the nation to enter a lockdown now poised to become the last to lift face mask restrictions cal osha, the board that oversees workplace safety, ordering all californians to remain masked at work until at least october unless everyone around them is vaccinated >> this is the most confusing guidance i have seen to date on covid. >> reporter: far exceeding cdc guidelines that cleared the way for the inoculated to go maskless, california's mandate could force employers to check vaccination status before masks come off. >> we should not be asking an employee whether or not they've been vaccinated. that's the private right of that employee >> reporter: though vaccination rates in california exceed other states, big companies with a higher potential for unvaccinated employees will likely be forced to require masks tonight the face of the pandemic is changing but not yet in california miguel almaguer, nbc news >>> another major story tonight. facebook anno

almaguer, nbc news >>> late today churchill downs suspending the trainer of kentucky derby winner medina spirit after the horse failed a second drug test here's meagan fitzgerald >> reporter: tonight churchill downs announcing famed trainer bob baffert suspended from entering a horse at the kentucky derby for the next two years after weeks of controversy around his horse, medina spirit, winner of the derby. >> medina spirit has won the kentucky derby! >> reporter: today a second blood test coming back positive for betamethasone, increasing the colt's risk of being stripped of his derby title >> it now kicks off the process of possibly having him disqualified and the money returned in the kentucky derby >> reporter: baffert >> it's not in the barn so there's no way that we gave it >> reporter: before walking it back and saying a topical ointment used on the horse may have contained the drug the trainer saying in a statement through his attorney that they expect "additional testing to confirm the presence of the betamethasone was from the topical ointment otomax and not an injection. >> th

for more, here's nbc's miguel almaguer. >> it's not just one of the opp 45 million people is also one of the most dangerous >> trying to stay hydrated, stay cool. >> reporter: with tens of millions facing triple digits again, the national weather service in arizona said it's likely every square inch in the state set a new record high. in sweltering phoenix doctors warning the public touching a doorknob, a car handle or standing barefoot on asphalt could give severe burns. >> working on the dark asphalt brings out the heat and everything. >> reporter: as salt lake city flirts with triple digits and vegas shatters an 80-year record, the only thing rising as fast as the heat in dallas are the calls for help. >> anyone in the city working outdoors not in a climate controlled environment iore wes plains, new records are being shattered by 10 degrees. some cities at 30 above average. according to the epa, our nation is now suffering through more heat waves than ever before. many starting earlier and going later in the year. not only are they longer but more intense than the past >> we're lo

i'll speak with a top cybersecurity expert in just a moment, but first, we begin with miguel almaguer. >> reporter: tonight the department of justice says it's elevating serious ransomware cases to a similar priority as terrorism. the biden administration also looking to step up intelligence agency spying on foreign hackers, even mulling initiating offensive cyberattacks against hackers inside russia. u.s. officials and other sources familiar with the matter tell nbc news the controversial move comes after an urgent white house warning that no company or corporation is safe. in the face of damaging cyberattacks a new white house memo reads, "the number and size of ransomware incidents have increased significantly. business executives should immediately convene their leadership teams to discuss the ransomware threat and ensure you have the ability to continue or quickly restore operations." >> these criminal groups are able to make a profit off the backs of businesses, schools, local governments and more >> reporter: calling ransomware attacks a threat to core business operations, not

i got an appointment the 22nd waste critical doses miguel almaguer, nbc news >> a reminder you can make a plan for when and where to get vaccinated visit planyourvaccine.com for more >>> in just 60 seconds, a severe staffing shortage at the tsa just as the number of people flying soars once again. >>> if you've been flying, then you may have seen it for yourself the tsa struggling to put enough screeners at some of our busiest airports as travel ramps up erin mclaughlin tonight on what flyers can expect >> reporter: tonight at airports across the country a summer scramble for staffing. with a record number of travelers returning to airports after historic pandemic lows tonight the tsa warning in a memo obtained by the "washington post" that more than 130 of the nation's largest airports are struggling to staff airport screeners. the ripple effect from the tsa shortage already being felt by travelers at major airports >> it's crazy. >> reporter: security lines so long in austin and charlotte, hundreds of travelers have missed their flights. while airports in detroit, denver and outside w

miguel almaguer, nbc news. >>> ahead of the holiday weekend, the faa is warning travelers it will not tolerate bad behavior on flights. the agency is threatening fines of up to $35,000 for unruly passengers they posted a photo on twitter that says you could have spent $35,000 on a brand new truck, but instead you're paying a fine because you punched a flight attendant. just this year there have been more than 3,200 reports of disorderly conduct including over 2,400 reports of passengers refusing to wear a mask. >>> it has been almost a week since the devastating condominium collapse in southside, florida the president and first lady are visiting there tomorrow. spoke to a father who is making an emotional plea for his daughter and son-in-law. >> reporter: 149 people are still unaccounted for. it's a big number, but it's not just a number. it is 149 unique meaningful lives. and among those still unaccounted for are nicole and luis nicole and her husband lived on the eighth floor of the south tower. i spoke to nicole's brother and her father they told me that if you get to meet nicole,

>> miguel almaguer in burbank, thank you. >>> the supreme court today rejecting a legal challenge to obamacare brought by a group of red states, keeping the affordable care act alive for the roughly 30 million americans who depend on it. pete williams has details. >> reporter: the ruling is a victory for angela eilers of southern california. she worries what would happen without obamacare to her daughter who's twice had heart surgery. >> what happens next? what will happen to her coverage? what happens not just immediately but in the long term? >> reporter: the supreme court today spared president obama's health care law, the third time the court rejected a republican challenge. the vote this time 7-2 with justices samuel alito and neil gorsuch dissenting. clarence thomas, who voted against obamacare twice before, was in the majority this time. so was amy coney barrett, who democrats considered a grave threat to the law during her confirmation. obamacare originally required nearly all americans to get health insurance. the individual mandate. or pay an income tax penalty. in 2012 the

miguel almaguer, nbc news >>> the biden administration has a new strategy tonight for combatting domestic terrorism the attorney general speaking out today pete williams has details. >> reporter: the fbi says january's riot at the capitol was a turning point for the conspiracy movement qanon, with some followers dropping out, disappointed that the promises of the person behind it, known as "q," haven't come to pass but others, the fbi says, may become so frustrated they turnence, such as, quote, harming perceived members of the cabal, such as democrats and other political opposition the report says qanon is also losing audience with social media platforms blocking it. the biden administration's new strategy on countering domestic terrorism calls for more cooperation with social media companies to spot terrorist trends but the homeland security secretary tells nbc news the government will not investigate any group over its beliefs, protected as free expression. >> we are not targeting speech we are not attacking speech what we are focused on is violence. >> reporter: the strategy calls for

. >>> casinos are betting that americans are ready to travel to las vegas once again nbc's miguel almaguer shares a look inside a newest casino on the strip. >> reporter: betting big on its future, the stakes couldn't be higher for las vegas as one of the cities hardest hit by the pandemic bounces back in a way only vegas can clubs, casinos and bars are thriving resorts world, the newest casino on the strip, just opened its doors. >> i would say it's the bestthea time people want to get out, have fun. there's no better place in las vegas. >> reporter: for the city that never sleeps, it took a pandemic to bring the strip to a standstill in april 2020, las vegas had under 107,000 visitors but this past april, the number swelled to more than 2.5 million. >> that's no rebound, it's a striking comeback. a visitor increase of more than 2,300% >> reporter: while the house may never lose, the estimated economic impact of the shutdown was $34 billion last year. 98% of culinary union members were laid off. 50% are still not back on the job. >> the joy of getting back to doing magic was overwhelming

miguel almaguer has late details. t'not just one of the hottest starts to june on record out west. tonight the oppressive heat wave baking 45 million people is also one of the most dangerous. >> trying to stay hydrated and stay cool. >> reporter: with tens of millions facing triple digits again today, the national weather service in arizona says it's likely nearly every square inch in the state set a new record high yesterday. in sweltering phoenix doctors warning the public touching a doorknob, a car handle or standing barefoot on asphalt could lead to severe burns. >> working on this asphalt, the black asphalt, really brings out the heat in everything. >> reporter: as salt lake city flirts with triple digits and vegas shatters an 80-year record, the only thing rising as fast as the heat in dallas are the calls for help. >> anyone in the city who's working outdoors not ney climate-controlled environment is absolutely at risk for heat stroke or heat exhaustion. >> reporter: as extreme temperatures blanket the west, southwest and parts of the plains, new records are being shattered

miguel almaguer has late details. >> reporter: it's not just one of the hottest starts to june on record out west. tonight the oppressive heat wave baking 45 million people is also one of the most dangerous. >> trying to stay hydrated and stay cool. >> reporter: with tens of millions facing triple digits again today, the national weather service in arizona says it's likely nearly every square inch in the state set a new record high yesterday. in sweltering phoenix doctors warning the public touching a doorknob, a car handle or standing barefoot on asphalt could lead to severe burns. >> working on this asphalt, the black asphalt, really brings out the heat in everything. >> reporter: as salt lake city flirts with triple digits and vegas shatters an 80-year record, the only thing rising as fast as the heat in dallas are the calls for help. >> anyone in the city who's working outdoors not ney climate-controlled environment is absolutely at risk for heat stroke or heat exhaustion. >> reporter: as extreme temperatures blanket the west, southwest and parts of the plains, new records are being

nbc national correspondent miguel almaguer on the story for us this morning. miguel, good morning >> reporter: savannah, good morning. this is what's at stake. the central nerve system for major corporations, typically a network of servers like these, are used for day-to-day operations and to store critical data, but they are vulnerable. now, the white house says they're reviewing new options. as major cyber crime becomes a national security concern, on par with terrorism, this morning, nbc news has learned the biden administration may be poised to strike back. u.s. officials and sources familiar with the matter tell nbc news american intelligence agencies could spy on foreign cyber criminals, as authorities contemplate launching cyber operations against hackers inside russia. from ft. meade, military hackers could wield cyber weapons powerful enough to take down foreign networks, rendering their computers useless. is it possible to stop these attacks? >> there needs to be a disruptive force put in place. there needs to be a deterrent. until the government sto

miguel almaguer. >> officer carol chestwick is accused of breaking into a senator's office with a mob of others. the charges make his blood boil and the officer has been relieved. >>> a justice department watchdog is launching an investigation into the possible seizure of house democrats' phone data during the trump administration. what democrats are calling a shocking abuse of power. >> reporter: congressional officials say the trump administration was so upset about the leak between senior officials and the russians that the justice department subpoenaed apple for at least two defenseman, chairman schiff and falwell, including one minor child, at least 12 people. >> this looks like an abuse of the department, yet another example of the president politicizing, using the department of justice as a cudgel to go after them. >> reporter: the white house reeling from leaks. >> simply put these leaks hurt our country. >> reporter: a former official says they never approved anything so sweeping and that only a single staffer was under investigation. they say they don't know what apple turne

seeing the good in sin city, a town betting big to win big. >> our thanks to miguel almaguer to that report. and a shoutout to that stand up, what happens in vegas stays in vegas. >>> president biden has written an op-ed for ra yahoo news, americans can be proud of the infrastructure deal. neither democrats or republicans guilty to everything they wanted in this agreement. but that's what it means to compromise and reach consensus. there is plenty of work ahead to finish the job and there will be disagreements to resolve and more compromise to be forged but this is a deal the american people can be proud of. joining us now, director of policy studies, lanhee chen. >> great to be in studio. >> i know. i'm not over the novelty of this. >> yeah. >> it's great to have you. thank you for being us so early as well. let's talk about the infrastructure deal. i know you have been a close adviser for many years to senator mitt romney who is a key part of this. what did you think of how president biden handled the rollout of this and are you confident that the group can stay united going forwar

miguel almaguer, nbc news. >> and coming up on "morning joe," dr. anthony fauci will join the conversation. >>> all right. still ahead here, house democrats are moving today with a committee to investigate the january 6th riot. top republicans are pushing back. >>> plus, president biden makes another impromptu stop for ice cream, his favorite. this time a trip to wisconsin. >>> before you go, we want to know why you're awake, drop me a tweet @kasie, "way too early," for more coming up in the show. w versus 16 grams in ensure high protein. boost® high protein also has key nutrients for immune support. boost® high protein. the instant air purifier removes 99.9% of the virus that causes covid-19 from treated air. so you can breathe easier, knowing that you and your family have added protection. ♪ ♪ knowing that you and your family have added protection. dr. arnold t petsworth had an influx of new patients. so he used his american express business card, which offers spending power built for his business needs, to furnish a new exam room. the docto

let's get more from miguel almaguer. >> tonight, we now know the u.s. telling a vaccine maker no more doses. authorities reportedly suspending new johnson & johnson shipments just after the fda extended the shelf life for surplus vials from three to four and a half months as potentially-millions of doses were getting close to their expiration date. it comes as moderna is likely days away from becoming the second drugmaker to offer its vaccine to children 12 to years old. seeking emergee authorization, authorities hope the vaccine can help bolster low-inoculation rates for kids. vaccine supply isn't the problem. today, in indiana university, a small but symbolic protest. >> i think we are moving into a medical dictatorship. >> reporter: across the nation, more are fighting mandatory vaccinations. >> backing us into a corner and many don't want to have to make that choice. >> reporter: at iu health in indianapolis, some employees are rejecting vaccination requirements. at houston methodist, 178 health-care workers were suspended for refusing vaccines. our

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our national correspondent miguel almaguer has the latest >> reporter: as our nation returns closer to prepandemic life, tonight, the delta variant is covid's most serious threat, most dangerous strain so far, now contributing to a rise in infections in eight states just as concerts sell out and summer crowds return to popular venues, the unvaccinated could prolong and exacerbate last week about 10% of the virus isolates were the delta variant. now it is up to 19%. it seems to have pretty regular doubling >> reporter: while 65% of adults are at least partially vaccinated, the delta variant has now been detected in nearly every state and is gaining a stronger foothold in regions highlighted here with low vaccination rates. in missouri, the delta variant has been found in wastewater, showing its vast community spread. >> it is coming, you're at risk, you're a sitting duck if not vaccinated. >> reporter: across the country, the vaccine holdouts remain the young less than 40% are inoculated, compared to more than double that rate for seniors. perhaps those most in jeopardy are children und

our national correspondent miguel almaguer has the latest >> reporter: as our nation returns closer to prepandemic life, tonight, the delta variant is covid's most serious threat, most dangerous strain so far, now contributing to a rise in infections in eight states just as concerts sell out and summer crowds return to popular venues, the unvaccinated could prolong and exacerbate the pandemic. >> it's starting to accelerate quickly in the u.s. last week about 10% of the virus isolates were the delta variant. now it is up to 19%. it seems to have pretty regular doubling >> reporter: while 65% of adults are at least partially vaccinated, the delta variant has now been detected in nearly every state and is gaining a stronger foothold in regions highlighted here with low vaccination rates. in missouri, the delta variant has been found in wastewater, showing its vast community spread. >> it is coming, you're at risk, you're a sitting duck if not vaccinated. >> reporter: across the country, the vaccine holdouts remain the young less than 40% are inoculated, compared to more than double that

. >> thanks to miguel almaguer for that report. >>> a new study is looking into workplace discrimination and sexual orientation according to a survey connected to the idm institute, 34% of black employees were also lesbian, gay or bisexual they believe sexual orientation was the main reason forth discrimination they experienced on the job that's compared to 36% of latinos, 42% of asians and 32% of native american workers who felt the same. they say race was the most reason for racial bias. >>> madeleine groves is dropping out of the olympic swimming trials she announced and later tweeted in part, let this to be a lesson to all the misogynistic perverts in sports and bootleggers. last year she said a well-known coach made inappropriate comments in a statement in december swimming australia said it reached out to groves but she declined to provide further information. >>> the country's largest reservoir is running historically dry a drought has lake mead at the lowest level it is at 36% full and will likely continue to drop in level until the agricultural season ends this november. >>> let

nbc's miguel almaguer reports. >> overnight the california highway patrol announcing the arrest of a driver and passenger believed to be involved in a fatal shooting of a 6-year-old boy during a road rage incident last month in orange county. authorities identifying them as marcus anthony eriz, age 24 and wynne lee, age 23. >> even though we've made arrests. we still have search warrants to execute and evidence to collect. >> jonah:an was taking her young son to kindergarten on may 21st driving on the 55 freeway near the city of orange when she says another vehicle cut her off. >> as i was merging away from the carpool lane i heard a loud noise and i heard my son say ow, that had he been shot. >> a bullet had come through her car striking aileden in his booster seat. aiden was taken to children owes hospital and did not survive. the arrest happened on the same weekend as aiden's memorial service. >> i filth so honored to be his mom. we will never forgot the day you were taken to us. however, the joy of your memory will forever live on within our hearts. >> this morning the arrest bri

. >> reporter: heart break and now the promise of justice miguel almaguer, nbc news. >>> jeff bezos announced monday he will ride into orbit and they will be on the 11 minute flight. >>> a minnesota construction site was swarmed environmental and indigenous activists argue that the $4 billion project will threaten climate change actress and activist jane fonda was on the front lines of her resistance police arrested at least 100 people who chained themselves to construction equipment. >>> two dangerous wildfires are burning out of control near phoenix. more than 100,000 acres have been destroyed and more communities are being forced to evacuate the larger of the two fires is still 0% contained. >>> in colorado overnight a tornado was caught on camera it appears to be a land spout tornado which forms from the ground up. it touched down north of denver. it grew in size as it tore across farms and pastures. one house was damaged after a downed power line started a fire officials say there were no reports of anybody hurt but at least two cats were killed. >>> let's turn to nbc meteorologist janes

almaguer is in l.a. for us good morning. >> in california alone an estimated 15,000 businesses were forced to close during the pandemic now with a mass reopening underway, those that survived are hoping for a rebound, but health experts are warning the delta variant will likely become the dominant strain in the u.s. and could lead to a rise in cases in the coming months this morning the delta variant is causing higher levels of infection, more than tripling in just two weeks, and now making up nearly 10% of new covid cases. with health experts cautioning the fall may bring a new wave of infections, the cdc has labeled the delta strain a variant of concern amid mounting evidence it's more infectious and severe. >> if you're not vaccinated, the delta variant will spread in your community more quickly. it will take less exposure to get covid-19 >> reporter: while top doctors say being fully vaccinated will likely protect you from severe outcomes caused by the variant, only 44% of americans are. the south, h

on the vaccine front, 168 million people have gotten at least one vaccine dose our miguel almaguer has the latest. >> it's been so great to hear this again. >> reporter: from the ballpark to beaches and from thpeedway, n track for the kind of summer crowds not seen since 2019. >> what a difference a year makes. >> over the holiday weekend 7.1 million flew compare that to last year, just 1.3 million. >> this is the first time it's been packed like a regular vegas. >> reporter: but getting to vegas or just about anywhere else is starting to get more expensive. travel company hopper said in may the price for air travel rose 4% that's after a 12% hike in april still, a good deal for a round trip domestic flight, say seattle to denver, can be had for $157 flying abroad, new york to paris, available for 625 >> if you're planning to travel this summer, now is the time to book. >> reporter: a driving that popular destination is only half the battle >> the camp grounds are full. >> from the sunny rim of theo td crowds filling yellowstone it's not just the views that will take your breath away m

. >> reporter: miguel almaguer, nbc news. >> what heartache there. another of the nine men killed in the vta rail yard mass shooting will be laid to rest today. of the nine shooting victims, only alex fitch made it to the hospital alive. doctors did what they could, but they couldn't save the 49-year-old. his wife says he breathed his last breath in her arms with family members surrounding him. they were married 20 years. alex fritsch will be buried in the south bay. >>> alzheimer's has gone 18 years without a new treatment. it's kind of hard to believe. >> yeah. >> and the disease affects roughly 6 million americans. probably someone you know with no cure. but now a new drug is set to hit the market. >> so the fda taking the controversial step to approve that treatment. this is even before there's proof that it works. here's nbc's stephanie gosk. >> reporter: alzheimer's patients and their families have a new place to turn in their struggle against the debilitating disease. the drug is made by biogen attacks the amyloid protein, the type of plaque t

nbc national correspondent miguel almaguer joins us with the details on this one. miguel, good morning. >> reporter: savannah, good morning. jbs usa says it was the victim of an organized cybersecurity attack that impacted some of its i.t. servers in the u.s. and even shut down some operations abroad the company is the leading supplier of meat products here with over 80 u.s. properties alone. out the attack yet, but says in a statement they are not aware of any evidence that any customer, supplier, or employee data has been compromised. this comes less than a month from the colonial pipeline cyberattack that led to gas shortages and panic buying. a one-two punch of recent cyberattacks raising concerns over the country's cybersecurity. savannah? >> it is breaking and early, but is this expected to impact prices at the grocery stores? >> reporter: that is a major concern. the company says this may delay certain transactions with customers and suppliers, which could ultimately mean possible shortages and a spike in prices. it comes at a time with already high prices.

nbc's national correspondent miguel almaguer has the latest on it. miguel, good morning >> reporter: good morning. health officials say the delta variant is covid's most serious threat it's believed to be behind increasing cases in several states and more young patients ending up in the icu experts say it will soon be the nation's most dominant and dangerous strain with a return to pre-pandemi life now spreading from coast to coast, there is growing alarm about the more contagious and deadly delta variant for unvaccinated americans described as covid on steroids, the delta variant now accounts for 1 in 5 cases in the u.s., and research shows it is about twice as likely to leave patients hospitalized. while double dose vaccines have been shown to be effective against the variant, more than half the country is still not fully vaccinated >> where things are really bad right now, i really worry that this delta variant is going to get a lot of people sick >> reporter: experts call it a tale of two covid nations. in much of the northeast andcine higher, ca

>> miguel almaguer on the breaking news. thank you. >>> also this morning, vice president kamala harris is kicking off her first trip aboard since taking office with visits to guatemala and mexico to address the ongoing surge in migrants at the u.s. southern border. but things got off to a rocky start after a technical issue with air force two. nbc's kerry sanders joins us now from guatemala city. kerry, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, hoda. you know, the vice president arrived here behind schedule, but safely. she's here to try to solve a problem that has vexed administrations for decade after decade. the problem, migration that of late has included thousands of children making their way from places like here in guatemala to the united states. vice president kamala harris started her all-important trip with an unusual hiccup sunday, returning to joint base andrews and switching planes due to a technical issue. with no major safety concern. >> we all did a little prayer, but we're good. >> reporter: now in guatemala

our thanks to miguel almaguer for that report. and now president biden left behind on capitol hill. he ended his infrastructure negotiations with republican senator shelly moore capito late tuesday. but now, a bipartisan group of lawmakers is stepping forward with a plan of their own for an infrastructure deal. nbc's garrett haake reports from the capitol. >> reporter: infrastructure negotiations entering a new phase. with president biden ending talks with a group of republicans led by senator shelly moore capito on tuesday, and reaching out to members of a bipartisan group of moderate senators. the group huddling for three hours in a cramped capitol basement office. >> we've come together with a proposal that may be able to bridge the gap between the two sides. >> reporter: the senators haven't released any details of their proposal, except that it won't raise taxes at all. a red line for attracting gop votes. that, a difficult task with republicans opposed to much of the president's initial plan. this as frustration builds among some democrats to drop bipartisan talks and move to

although it won't bring you back into our arms. >> reporter: for "today," miguel almaguer, nbc news. >>> actress ellie kemper is apologizing for participating in a ball two decades ago she was 19 when she was crowned at the veiled profit ball in st. louis. newspaper clippings of the event resurfaced on social media last week and the group that hosted it was founded by white elites in the 1870s and excluded blacks and jews kemper wrote on instagram, i was not aware of the history at the time, but ignorance is no excuse i was old enough to have educated myself before getting involved deplore, she continued, i une quivably defloor and reject white supremacy. i promise moving forward, i will listen, continue to educate myself and use my privilege in support of the better society i think we're capable of becoming. >> that's the news >>> we'll handle hoda's "morning boost. we have a young woman who stayed in new york city during the pandemic she finally flew home to the uk. she didn't tell anybody about her arrival so she could pull off this hilarious string of surprises for her family and

nbc news national correspondent miguel almaguer is in los angeles. miguel, good morning >> reporter: savannah, good morning. just hours ago california lifted its covid restrictions on businesses after 15 months of pandemic lockdowns and as more infectious delta variant spreads in this country, new evidence suggests being fully vaccinated may increase your protection against the more severe strain this morning as health experts warn the delta variant will likely become the most dominant strain in the u.s., new data from the uk suggests covid vaccines help block the mutation from leading to severe outcomes. >> you guys are all doing your second pfizer? >> yes. >> reporter: researchers finding pfizer's vaccine is 96% effective in preventing hospitalization for the fully vaccinated and 92% for astrazeneca. the study reinforcing the push to inoculate more people >> if you're not vaccinated, you are more likely to get sick, more likely to need to go to the hospital, and probably more likely to die. >> reporter: this as the first state in the country to imp