   >>> TONIGHT, THE 
   DEADLY TROPICAL STORM 
   STRIKING AS WE COME ON
   THE AIR.
   ISAIAS IS RACING UP 
   THE NORTHEAST AFTER 
   MAKING LANDFALL AS A 
   HURRICANE.
   >>> A STATE OF 
   EMERGENCY IN NEW 
   JERSEY, AND IN NEW 
   YORK, A PERSON KILLED 
   BY A FALLING TREE.
   AND IN THE SOUTH, A 
   TORNADO OUTBREAK.
   AT LEAST TWO KILLED.
   AL ROKER HAS THE NEW 
   TRACK.
   >>> SCENES OF HORROR 
   IN LEBANON.
   A MUSHROOM CLOUD 
   RISING OVER BEIRUT AND
   THE SHOCKWAVE FOR 
   MILES.
   THOUSAND DOZENS KILLED
   AND THOUSANDS INJURED.
   CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT'S 
   IN THE AIR AND PLEAS 
   FOR INTERNATIONAL 
   HELP.
   THE QUESTION TONIGHT, 
   WHAT CAUSED IT?
   >>> INSIDE THE ICU IN 
   AN AMERICAN HOSPITAL 
   HIT HARD BY 
   CORONAVIRUS.
   THE ALARMING SURGE IN 
   THE MIDWEST AND YET 
   MORE BIG PARTIES AND 
   GATHERINGS.
   PEOPLE FLOUTING COVID 
   RESTRICTIONS.
   >>> PRESIDENT TRUMP 
   UNDER FIRE AFTER 
   SAYING THE MASSIVE 
   COVID DEATH TOLL IN 
   THE U.S. IS WHAT IT 
   IS.
   NEW FALLOUT FROM A 
   STUNNING INTERVIEW.
   >>> A BLACK FAMILY 
   DETAINED AT GUNPOINT.
   CHILDREN HANDCUFFED ON
   THE GROUND.
   POLICE NOW SAY IT WAS 
   A MIX-UP.
   >>> THE IMAGES FROM 
   REOPENED SCHOOLS IN 
   GEORGIA.
   STUDENTS HUDDLED 
   TOGETHER FOR A PHOTO 
   WITH NO MASKS.
   >>> MAIL-IN BALLOTS 
   STILL UNCOUNTED SIX 
   WEEKS LATER.
   IS IT A WARNING FOR 
   NOVEMBER?
   >>> THIS IS NBC 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS WITH 
   LESTER HOLT."
   >>> GOOD EVENING.
   IT DIDN'T STAY A 
   HURRICANE FOR VERY 
   LONG, BUT IT STILL IS 
   DELIVERING A POWERFUL 
   PUNCH TONIGHT.
   NOW TROPICAL STORM 
   ISAIAS IS LEAVING 
   MILLIONS WITHOUT 
   POWER, BARRELING ITS 
   WAY UP FROM NORTH 
   CAROLINA INTO THE 
   NORTHEAST.
   AT LEAST FOUR PEOPLE 
   HAVE BEEN KILLED, 
   TREES AND POWER LINES 
   TOPPLED FROM FEROCIOUS
   WINDS, EVEN TORNADOES.
   THE TRAIL OF DAMAGE 
   AND FLOODING, WINDING 
   THROUGH SOME OF THE 
   BIGGEST CITIES ON THE 
   EAST COAST.
   GABE GUTIERREZ IS IN 
   THE STORM ZONE.
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT, 
   TROPICAL STORM ISAIAS 
   IS DRENCHING THE 
   NORTHEAST, WHILE 
   RACING UP THE COAST.
   >> SAW A TORNADO 
   OUTSIDE MY WINDOW.
   >> Reporter: THIS 
   LIKELY TORNADO TORE 
   THROUGH NEW JERSEY.
   >> IT WAS CRAZY TO SEE
   IT FORMING RIGHT IN 
   FRONT OF YOU.
   IT'S LIKE, WHAT?
   >> Reporter: POWERFUL 
   WINDS LASHING THE 
   JERSEY SHORE EIGHT 
   YEARS AFTER SUPER 
   STORM SANDY.
   >> THE WIND IS 
   INTENSE, COMING AT 
   YOUR BACK AND THEN 
   SAND STARTED BLOWING 
   AND HITTING YOU IN 
   YOUR FACE.
   >> Reporter: AND 
   TOPPLING TREES ACROSS 
   THE REGION, KNOCKING 
   OUT POWER.
   >> THE TREE CAME UP 
   FROM OUT OF THE 
   SIDEWALK AND CAME DOWN
   ON THIS HOUSE.
   >> Reporter: IN 
   PENNSYLVANIA, ANOTHER 
   POSSIBLE TORNADO 
   RIPPED THE ROOF OFF 
   THIS DAY CARE WITH 
   CHILDREN INSIDE.
   >> WE HIDE IN THE 
   CLOSET BECAUSE IT WAS 
   A STORM.
   >> Reporter: THE 
   FAST-MOVING STORM 
   CRASHED ASHORE 
   OVERNIGHT IN NORTH 
   CAROLINA AS A CATEGORY
   1 HURRICANE, PACKING 
   SUSTAINED WINDS OF 85 
   MILES AN HOUR.
   SOME HOMES WENT UP IN 
   FLAMES.
   FIREFIGHTERS WADED 
   THROUGH CHEST-DEEP 
   WATER.
   >> FAMILIES RUNNING UP
   AND DOWN THE STREET, 
   HOLDING BABIES WITH 
   NOWHERE TO GO.
   >> Reporter: MULTIPLE 
   REPORTED TORNADOES 
   LEFT A TRAIL OF 
   DESTRUCTION.
   AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE 
   WERE KILLED AT THIS 
   MOBILE HOME PARK IN 
   EASTERN NORTH 
   CAROLINA.
   >> ONE MINUTE YOU'RE 
   FINE, THE NEXT MINUTE 
   IT'S ALL HELL BREAK 
   LOOSE.
   >> Reporter: IN SOUTH 
   CAROLINA, A RELENTLESS
   STORM SURGE SLICED 
   THROUGH THIS PIER.
   THE ROADS AND HOMES 
   FLOODED.
   AND IN NEW YORK CITY, 
   UNDER A RARE TORNADO 
   WATCH THIS AFTERNOON, 
   A TREE FELL KILLING A 
   MAN IN A PARKED CAR.
   THIS BUILDING 
   PARTIALLY COLLAPSED.
   >> IT JUST COLLAPSED 
   OUT OF NOWHERE.
   AND THEN I HEARD LIKE 
   A BOOM, EVERYTHING 
   JUST FELL DOWN.
   >> Reporter: 
   INCREDIBLY, NO ONE WAS
   INJURED HERE.
   WHAT SURPRISED MANY 
   PEOPLE IS HOW QUICKLY 
   THIS STORM SWEPT 
   THROUGH.
   TONIGHT, MORE THAN 2 
   MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS 
   THE NORTHEAST ARE 
   WITHOUT POWER.
   LESTER?
   >> ALL RIGHT, GABE, A 
   ROUGH GOING FOR A LOT 
   OF AMERICANS TONIGHT.
   LET'S GET RIGHT TO AL 
   ROKER.
   AL, THIS STORM IS 
   MOVING VERY FAST.
   WHERE IS IT HEADED 
   RIGHT NOW?
   >> LESTER, IT IS GOING
   LIKE A ROCKET SLED ON 
   RAILS ON ITS WAY TO 
   CANADA.
   RIGHT NOW IT IS 
   MOVING, I MEAN, THIS 
   IS UNBELIEVABLE.
   NORTH-NORTHEAST AT 
   ABOUT 40 MILES PER 
   HOUR WITH 
   65-MILE-PER-HOUR 
   WINDS.
   IT'S ALREADY IN 
   UPSTATE NEW YORK.
   IT'S ALSO LEAVING SOME
   SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS 
   AND TORNADO WATCHES UP
   AS IT ROCKETS INTO 
   CANADA BY LATE 
   TONIGHT, EARLY 
   TOMORROW MORNING.
   THE WINDS WILL STILL 
   BE HOWLING FOR THE 
   NEXT SEVERAL HOURS.
   WE LOOK AT WIND GUSTS 
   THAT WILL BE SOMEWHERE
   RIGHT AROUND TROPICAL 
   FORCE STRENGTH.
   LESTER?
   >> ALL RIGHT, AL 
   ROKER, THANK YOU.
   >>> NOW TO THAT 
   MASSIVE EXPLOSION 
   THAT'S KILLED DOZENS 
   OF PEOPLE AND INJURED 
   THOUSANDS MORE IN 
   LEBANON, THIS BLAST 
   ROCKING BEIRUT AND 
   SENDING A MUSHROOM 
   CLOUD INTO THE SKY.
   LIKE A SCENE OUT OF A 
   SCIENCE FICTION FILM.
   BILL NEELY HAS 
   LATE DETAILS.
   >> Reporter: 
   EXTRAORDINARY IMAGES 
   TONIGHT WITH A DEADLY 
   EXPLOSION FELT BY 
   MILLIONS IN LEBANON.
   BLASTS THAT SHOOK A 
   CITY AND INJURED 
   THOUSANDS.
   THIS WAS THE FIRST, 
   COMING JUST AFTER 6:00
   IN THE EVENING AT 
   BEIRUT'S MAIN PORT, 
   SENDING UP A PLUME OF 
   THICK SMOKE.
   BENEATH IT, FIRES 
   RAGING FROM FLASHES OF
   LIGHT, FILMED BY 
   NEARBY RESIDENTS.
   NONE OF THEM COULD 
   HAVE GUESSED WHAT 
   WOULD HAPPEN NEXT.
   [ EXPLOSION ]
   A SECOND MASSIVE 
   EXPLOSION THAT SOME 
   DESCRIBED AS LIKE AN 
   EARTHQUAKE.
   A MUSHROOM CLOUD OF 
   DEBRIS AND SEAWATER
   BLASTED INTO THE AIR.
   THE DETONATION WAS 
   HEARD 200 MILES AWAY 
   IN AT LEAST TWO OTHER 
   COUNTRIES.
   >> I SAW SOMETHING 
   FLASH, AND I COULDN'T 
   HEAR ANY MORE.
   IT WAS RAINING GLASS 
   ALL OVER THE CITY OF 
   BEIRUT.
   >> Reporter: ON THE 
   GROUND, DOZENS LAY 
   DEAD.
   LEBANON'S HEALTH 
   MINISTER SAYS ALMOST 
   3,000 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
   INJURED.
   THE PORT AREA 
   DESTROYED.
   BUT WHAT CAUSED IT?
   OFFICIALS TONIGHT SAY 
   A WAREHOUSE, HAS FOR 
   YEARS BEEN FILLED WITH
   DANGEROUS EXPLOSIVE 
   CHEMICALS.
   WARNINGS ABOUT THE 
   DANGERS, THEY SAY, 
   IGNORED.
   BEIRUT, SO OFTEN A 
   BATTLEGROUND IN WAR, 
   RESEMBLING A WAR ZONE 
   TONIGHT.
   THIS IS A NATIONAL 
   DISASTER FOR LEBANON.
   TOMORROW, A DAY OF 
   NATIONAL MOURNING, AND
   OF MANY QUESTIONS.
   IF THIS WAS A 
   WAREHOUSE FOR 
   DANGEROUS CHEMICALS, 
   WERE THE EXPLOSIONS 
   ACCIDENTAL OR 
   SABOTAGE?
   LESTER?
   >> ALL RIGHT, BILL 
   NEELY TONIGHT, THANKS.
   >>> MOMENTS AGO, TRUMP
   STRONGLY SUGGESTED 
   THAT THE BEIRUT 
   EXPLOSION WAS NO 
   ACCIDENT.
   JEFF BENNETT HAS THE 
   LATE DETAILS.
   >> Reporter: PRESIDENT
   TRUMP DESCRIBING THE 
   MASSIVE EXPLOSION IN 
   BEIRUT AS AN ATTACK.
   >> I MET WITH SOME OF 
   OUR GREAT GENERALS, 
   AND THEY JUST SEEM TO 
   FEEL IT WAS -- THIS 
   WAS NOT SOME KIND OF A
   MANUFACTURING 
   EXPLOSION TYPE OF 
   EVENT.
   IT WAS A BOMB OF SOME 
   KIND.
   >> Reporter: HIS 
   COMMENTS COMING DURING
   A PRESS BRIEFING ON 
   THE CORONAVIRUS 
   RESPONSE.
   THE PRESIDENT TOUTING 
   HIS ADMINISTRATION'S 
   HANDLING OF THE 
   PANDEMIC DURING A WIDE
   RANGING INTERVIEW WITH
   AXIOS REPORTER 
   JONATHAN SWAN.
   >> I THINK IT'S UNDER 
   CONTROL.
   >> HOW?
   A THOUSAND AMERICANS 
   ARE DYING EVERY DAY.
   >> THEY ARE DYING, 
   THAT'S TRUE.
   AND IT IS WHAT IT IS.
   BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN 
   WE AREN'T DOING 
   EVERYTHING WE CAN.
   IT'S UNDER CONTROL AS 
   MUCH AS YOU CAN 
   CONTROL IT.
   THIS IS A HORRIBLE 
   PLAGUE THAT BESET US.
   >> Reporter: THE 
   PRESIDENT SORTING 
   THROUGH PAGES OF 
   CHARTS WHEN PRESSED ON
   THE COUNTRY'S 
   CORONAVIRUS DEATH 
   COUNT.
   >> RIGHT HERE, THE 
   UNITED STATES IS 
   LOWEST IN NUMEROUS 
   CATEGORIES.
   WE'RE LOWER THAN THE 
   WORLD.
   LOWER THAN EUROPE.
   >> IN WHAT?
   IN WHAT?
   >> TAKE LOOK.
   RIGHT HERE.
   HERE'S CASE DEATH.
   >> OH, YOU'RE DOING 
   DEATH AS A PROPORTION 
   OF CASES.
   I'M TALKING ABOUT 
   DEATH AS A PROPORTION 
   OF POPULATION THAT'S 
   WHERE THE U.S. IS 
   REALLY BAD.
   MUCH WORSE THAN SOUTH 
   KOREA, GERMANY, ET 
   CETERA.
   >> YOU CAN'T DO THAT.
   >> Reporter: DURING 
   THE INTERVIEW, THE 
   PRESIDENT WAS 
   NONCOMMITTAL WHEN 
   ASKED ABOUT THE LATE 
   CIVIL RIGHTS ICON, 
   CONGRESSMAN JOHN 
   LEWIS.
   >> HOW DO YOU THINK 
   HISTORY WILL REMEMBER 
   JOHN LEWIS?
   >> I DON'T KNOW.
   I REALLY DON'T KNOW.
   I DON'T KNOW JOHN 
   LEWIS.
   HE CHOSE NOT TO COME 
   TO MY INAUGURATION.
   HE CHOSE -- I NEVER 
   MET JOHN LEWIS 
   ACTUALLY, I DON'T 
   BELIEVE.
   >> DO YOU FIND HIM 
   IMPRESSIVE?
   >> UMM, I CAN'T SAY 
   ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
   >> Reporter: AND WITH 
   A FOCUS ON THE 
   ELECTION, PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP CONTINUED HIS 
   UNFOUNDED ATTACKS ON 
   VOTING BY MAIL.
   >> THERE IS NO WAY YOU
   CAN GO THROUGH A 
   MAIL-IN VOTE WITHOUT 
   MASSIVE CHEATING.
   >> Reporter: EXTENSIVE
   RESEARCH SHOWS 
   ELECTION FRAUD IN THE 
   U.S. IS EXTREMELY 
   RARE.
   TODAY, THE PRESIDENT, 
   IN A REVERSAL, 
   ENCOURAGED VOTERS IN 
   FLORIDA TO VOTE BY 
   MAIL, SAYING THE 
   STATE'S ELECTION 
   SYSTEM IS SAFE AND 
   SECURE, AS REPUBLICAN 
   LEADERS WORRY HIS 
   ATTACKS ON MAIL-IN 
   VOTING COULD SUPPRESS 
   THE GOP VOTE.
   AND AS FOR THE 
   CORONAVIRUS RELIEF 
   BILL, BOTH SIDES NOW 
   SAY THEY HOPE TO VOTE 
   BY NEXT WEEK.
   LESTER?
   >> JEFF BENNETT AT THE
   WHITE HOUSE, THANKS.
   >>> THERE'S GROWING 
   CONCERN THIS EVENING 
   ABOUT THE SPREAD OF 
   COVID IN THE MIDWEST 
   AND SOUTH.
   MANY STATES GETTING 
   HIT HARDER THAN EVER.
   HERE'S MIGUEL 
   ALMAGUER.
   >> TONIGHT INSIDE 
   HOSPITALS IN THE SOUTH
   AND MIDWEST, SOME 
   EMERGENCY ROOMS ARE 
   TAKING ON A GROWING 
   WAVE OF COVID PATIENTS
   AS OFFICIALS BRACE FOR
   A TSUNAMI OF NEW 
   INFECTIONS.
   MISSISSIPPI ON TRACK 
   TO BECOME THE NUMBER 
   ONE STATE FOR 
   CORONAVIRUS CASES PER 
   CAPITA.
   DOCTORS ARE 
   OVERWHELMED, AND 
   MORGUES ARE OVERRUN.
   IN TENNESSEE, JULY 
   BROUGHT A 139% 
   INCREASE IN CASES.
   DEATHS IN SOUTH 
   CAROLINA HAVE RISEN 
   86% OVER THE LAST TWO 
   WEEKS.
   >> THESE PATIENTS ARE 
   SOME OF THE SICKEST 
   WE'VE EVER SEEN, AND 
   THEY'RE GETTING 
   YOUNGER AND YOUNGER.
   >> Reporter: DESPITE 
   THE CONTINUAL PLEA FOR
   SOCIAL DISTANCING, 
   SCENES LIKE THIS PARTY
   NEAR BEVERLY HILLS 
   OVERNIGHT ARE STILL 
   UNFOLDING.
   EVEN SANCTIONED EVENTS
   LIKE THIS SPEEDWAY 
   RACE IN SOUTH DAKOTA 
   DRAWING LARGE CROWDS.
   DOCTORS SAY THOSE WHO 
   FLOUT HEALTH MANDATES 
   ARE FUELLING THE VIRUS
   SPREAD.
   A REASON WHY SCHOOLS 
   ARE CLOSED, BUSINESSES
   ARE SHUTTERED, AND 
   LIVES ARE BEING LOST.
   >> WE'RE ALL RUNNING 
   AT FULL SPEED HERE.
   >> Reporter: AT THE 
   L.A. COUNTY USC 
   MEDICAL CENTER, THE 
   ICU WAS PUSHED TO THE
   BRINK IN JULY.
   >> THAT IS A HUGE TOLL
   TO TAKE EVERY DAY, 
   KNOWING THAT YOU'RE 
   THE ONLY PERSON, MAYBE
   THE LAST PERSON WHO 
   SPEAKS TO THEM.
   >> Reporter: NBC NEWS 
   WAS GIVEN EXCLUSIVE 
   ACCESS AS THE CASELOAD
   FINALLY STABILIZE.
   >> YOU HAVE SEEN SOME 
   OF THE CRITICISM ABOUT
   WHAT SOME PEOPLE CALL 
   A PLAN-DEMIC OR THE 
   VIRUS DOESN'T KILL 
   PEOPLE, IT'S NOT REAL.
   WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE 
   TO THAT?
   >> COME INTO MY ICU.
   COME, WATCH.
   PATIENTS AND FAMILIES 
   ARE BEING CRUSHED.
   WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS 
   THE WORKING POOR 
   GETTING WIPED OUT.
   WE'RE REALLY ASKING 
   FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP.
   PLEASE HELP US KEEP 
   THIS SITUATION UNDER 
   CONTROL SO WE DON'T 
   RUN OUT OF HOSPITAL 
   BEDS.
   >> Reporter: MIGUEL 
   ALMAGUER, NBC NEWS, 
   LOS ANGELES.
   >> Reporter: THIS IS 
   TOM COSTELLO.
   THE NIH MDZ DRUG MAKER
   ELY LILY ARE LOOKING 
   FOR 2,000 VOLUNTEERS 
   FOR ANTIBODY DRUG 
   TRIALS TO TREAT 
   PATIENTS SUFFERING 
   THROUGH THE RAVAGES OF
   COVID.
   ONE TRIAL INVOLVES 
   PATIENTS WHO ARE 
   HOSPITALIZED, THE 
   OTHER INVOLVES THOSE 
   WHO ARE SICK AT HOME.
   >> WE BELIEVE THAT 
   TREATMENTS LIKE THIS 
   HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO 
   STOP THAT PROGRESSION 
   IN TERMS OF SYMPTOMS 
   AND KEEP PEOPLE AT 
   HOME AND OUT OF THE 
   HOSPITAL.
   >> Reporter: THE 
   ANTIBODIES COME FROM A
   COVID-19 SURVIVOR.
   THEY TARGET AND LOCK 
   ON TO THE VIRUS, 
   PREVENTING IT FROM 
   SPREADING.
   THE HOPE, IT COULD 
   BRING RELIEF TO PEOPLE
   LIKE TY GODWIN IN 
   DENVER.
   >> IT'S 2:40 IN THE 
   MORNING.
   >> Reporter: TY AND I 
   HAVE BEEN CLOSE 
   FRIENDS SINCE WE WERE 
   KIDS.
   A TRIATHLETE, HIS 
   FEVER HAS TOPPED 100 
   DEGREES FOR 72 DAYS 
   NOW.
   AT NIGHT, HIS LEGS 
   CONSTANTLY TWITCH.
   >> IT FEELS LIKE MY 
   WHOLE BODY HAS THE 
   FLU.
   MY ARMS AND LEGS 
   TINGLE.
   RIGHT NOW, EVERYTHING 
   IS HOT.
   >> Reporter: HIS ONLY 
   RELIEF, A BATHTUB OF 
   COLD WATER AT 3:00 
   A.M.
   >> MY FEET WERE ON 
   FIRE, MY CHEST IS ON 
   FIRE.
   >> Reporter: HE COUNTS
   HIMSELF AMONG THE 
   GROUP OF COVID 
   PATIENTS CALLED LONG 
   HAULERS WHO SUFFER 
   THROUGH THE SYMPTOMS 
   FOR MONTHS.
   ONE FACEBOOK GROUP HAS
   87,000 MEMBERS.
   AN ANTIBODY TREATMENT 
   COULD BOOST THE BODY'S
   DEFENSES.
   >> YOUR OWN IMMUNE 
   SYSTEM IS AN AMAZING 
   BIOTECHNOLOGY FACTORY 
   AND IT IS ABLE TO 
   SENSE SOME INVADING 
   VIRUS OR BACTERIA, AND
   MAKE ANTIBODIES.
   >> Reporter: BACK IN 
   DENVER, TY, WHO IS AN 
   ARTIST, HAS DRAWN A 
   RENDERING OF THE COVID
   MONSTER THAT COMES TO 
   HAUNT HIM EVERY NIGHT.
   WITH MULTIPLE ANTIBODY
   DRUGS NOW ON FAST 
   TRACK AND REPORTING 
   ENCOURAGING RESULTS, 
   IT'S LIKELY THEY WILL 
   BE AVAILABLE BEFORE A 
   VACCINE IS APPROVED, 
   POSSIBLY WITHIN 
   MONTHS.
   LESTER?
   >> TOM COSTELLO, 
   THANKS.
   >>> IN 60 SECONDS, 
   CHILDREN HANDCUFFED BY
   OFFICERS WITH GUNS 
   DRAWN IN WHAT 
   AUTH
  >>> POLICE IN COLORADO
  ARE APOLOGIZING FOR 
  DETAINING A BLACK 
  FAMILY AT GUN POINT IN
  WHAT THEY ARE NOW 
  CALLING A MIXUP.
  >> Reporter: THE VIDEO
  RECORDED BY A WITNESS 
  SHOWS FOUR CHILDREN 
  CRYING FACE DOWN ON 
  THE PAVEMENT TWO OF 
  THEM IN HANDCUFFS 
  BEING DETAINED BY 
  POLICE
  THE YOUNGEST IS 6 
  YEARS OLD.
  >> I DON'T GIVE A DAMN
  WHAT NOBODY SAY.
  THAT IS POLICE
  BRUTALITY.
  >> Reporter: BRITTANY 
  GILLIAM SAID SHE TOOK 
  HER DAUGHTER, SISTERS,
  AND NIECES TO A NAIL
  SALON SUNDAY MORNING
  WHEN OFFICERS WITH THE
  AURORA, COLORADO
  POLICE DEPARTMENT 
  ARRIVED.
  >> THE NEXT THING I 
  KNOW THE POLICE PULL
  UP SILENTLY BEHIND
  THEM AND HAD GUNS 
  DRAWN ON THE CHILDREN.
  >> Reporter: POLICE 
  SAY THIS HE WERE
  RESPONDING TO A REPORT
  OF A STOLEN VEHICLE 
  SOON TO DISCOVER IT 
  WAS NOT THE FAMILY'S
  BLUE SUV REPORTED 
  MISSING BUT RATHER A
  MOTORCYCLE WITH THE 
  SAME LICENSE PLATE
  NUMBER FROM A 
  DIFFERENT STATE.
  PERHAPS ADDING TO THE 
  CONFUSION POLICE SAY
  GILLIAM'S SUV HAD BEEN
  REPORTED STOLEN 
  EARLIER THIS YEAR.
  >> HE'S LIKE SOMETHING
  ABOUT THE CAR BEING 
  REPORTED STOLEN.
  I WAS LIKE THIS 
  HAPPENED MONTHS AGO.
  >> Reporter: THE
  FAMILY WAS RELEASED 
  AND IS CALLING FOR
  CHANGE. 
  >> IT'S LIKE THEY 
  DON'T CARE
  WHO AM I GOING TO CALL
  WHEN MY LIFE IS IN
  DANGER
  >> Reporter: AURORA 
  POLICE SAY WHEN 
  CONTACTING A SUSPECTED
  STOLEN CAR THEY'RE
  TRAINED TO DO A HIGH
  RISK STOP WITH WEAPONS
  DRAWN AND OCCUPANTS ON
  THE GROUND
  BUT THE CITY'S NEW
  POLICE CHIEF NOW WANTS
  TO EXPLORE NEW
  PRACTICES, SAYING WE
  MUST ALLOW OUR
  OFFICERS TO HAVE
  DISCRETION AND TO 
  DEVIATE FROM THIS 
  PROCESS WHEN DIFFERENT
  SCENARIOS PRESENT 
  THEMSELVES
  >> REALLY DEEPLY
  TROUBLED ABOUT WHAT 
  THOSE CHILDREN WENT 
  THROUGH, AND I HOPE 
  THAT THE FAMILY WILL
  ALLOW ME TO DO WHAT I 
  CAN TO MAKE IT RIGHT
  >> Reporter: THE
  DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY 
  UNDER SCRUTINY FOR ITS
  TREATMENT OF BLACK
  PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE
  2019 DEATH OF ELIJAH
  McCLAIN WHICH IS UNDER
  INVESTIGATION.
  NOW AURORA P.D. IS
  APOLOGIZING FOR WHAT
  HAPPENED SUNDAY TO
  THIS FAMILY, SAYING IT
  IS INVESTIGATING AND
  OFFERING THERAPY TO 
  THE TRAUMATIZED KIDS
  JOE FRYER, NBC NEWS.
  >>> THE SCHOOL YEAR 
  ALREADY OFF TO A ROCKY
  START IN SOME PLACES
  AS DISTRICTS DEBATE 
  HOW AND IF STUDENTS 
  CAN RETURN
  HERE'S KATE SNOW
  >> Reporter: ON THE 
  FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL 
  MONDAY IN WOODSTOCK,
  GEORGIA, STUDENTS 
  POSED FOR THIS PHOTO, 
  NOT A MASK IN SIGHT.
  AN HOUR AND A HALF
  EAST IN THE STATE'S 
  LARGEST SCHOOL
  DISTRICT 260 SCHOOL 
  EMPLOYEES HAVE ALREADY
  TESTED POSITIVE OR
  BEEN ASKED TO 
  QUARANTINE AFTER BEING
  EXPOSED TO
  CORONAVIRUS.
  WITH IN-PERSON
  LEARNING SET TO START 
  LATER THIS MONTH
  IT IS THE KIND OF NEWS
  THAT HAS PARENTS IN 
  COLUMBIA, MISSOURI
  PROTESTING TONIGHT
  >> RIGHT NOW WE JUST
  FEEL LIKE IT'S TOO
  MUCH OF A GAMBLE
  >> Reporter: ACROSS 
  THE COUNTRY TEACHERS
  ARE JOINING THAT
  CHORUS
  >> I AM VERY ANXIOUS
  >> Reporter: LUCY 
  WILSON TEACHES FIRST
  GRADE IN COLUMBIA,
  SOUTH CAROLINA
  WE FIRST MET THE
  SINGLE MOM LAST YEAR
  WORKING A SECOND JOB
  IN A FACTORY TO PAY 
  THE BILLS.
  HER DISTRICT PLANS TO 
  BRING STUDENTS BACK IN
  STAGES
  DO YOU THINK IT AS
  MATTER OF IF
  CORONAVIRUS HITS THE
  SCHOOL OR WHEN
  >> I THINK IT IS A
  FACT OF WHEN IT IS
  GOING TO HIT THE
  SCHOOL BECAUSE IT IS
  SPREADING LIKE
  WILDFIRE
  >> Reporter: THE
  PRESIDENT OF THE
  NATION'S LARGEST
  TEACHERS UNION SAYS 
  TEACHERS WILL HAVE TO 
  MAKE TOUGH CHOICES
  ABOUT TEACHING IN 
  PERSON
  >> OUR OPTIONS, WHEN
  SOMEONE SAYS, OH, WELL
  YOU DON'T HAVE ANY
  CHOICES BECAUSE THE 
  SUPERINTENDENT SAYS 
  YOU HAVE TO OR YOUR 
  GOVERNOR SAYS YOU HAVE
  TO OR THE PRESIDENT OF
  THE UNITED STATES SAYS
  YOU HAVE TO GO INTO AN
  UNSAFE BUILDING, NO WE
  DON'T.
  >> Reporter: WHILE
  MANY PARENTS ARE EAGER
  TO PUT THEIR KIDS BACK
  ON A SCHOOL BUS --
  >> IT IS GOING TO BE A
  GOOD DAY. 
  >> Reporter: IN 
  DISTRICTS LIKE DALLAS 
  PRECAUTIONS INCLUDE 
  TAKING STUDENTS'
  TEMPERATURES, 
  PROVIDING THREE MASKS 
  AND A FACE SHIELD FOR 
  EACH STUDENT, AND 
  PLEXIGLAS DIVIDERS
  BETWEEN DESKS.
  STILL, THEY'RE
  PLANNING WHAT THEY'LL 
  DO IF CORONAVIRUS 
  HITS
  >> THE MINUTE WE KNOW 
  THERE IS AN ILLNESS,
  WE WILL REMOVE THE
  STUDENTS FROM THAT
  CLASSROOM AND 
  DISINFECT AND CLEAN.
  >> Reporter: THE HEAD 
  OF THE DISTRICT SAID
  TODAY WITH INFECTIONS 
  STILL RISING IN TEXAS,
  IT LOOKS HIGHLY 
  DOUBTFUL THEY'LL BE 
  ABLE TO OPEN FOR ANY
  IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION 
  BY SEPTEMBER
  KATE SNOW, NBC NEWS.
  >>> UP NEXT, COULD
  ELECTION NIGHT
   >>> WE ARE JUST ABOUT 
   90 DAYS UNTIL THE 
   ELECTION WHERE WE 
   COULD SEE AN 
   UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER 
   OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS AND
   QUESTIONS ABOUT 
   WHETHER ELECTION NIGHT
   COULD TURN INTO 
   ELECTION WEEK.
   WITH MORE, HERE'S 
   CYNTHIA McFADDEN.
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT, 
   SIX WEEKS AFTER THE 
   NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC 
   PRIMARY CONGRESSIONAL 
   CANDIDATE RAJ PATEL 
   DOESN'T KNOW IF HE WON
   OR LOST.
   BECAUSE ELECTION 
   OFFICIALS HAVE YET TO 
   ANNOUNCE A WINNER.
   >> IT'S JUST A 
   COMPLETE MESS OF A 
   SYSTEM.
   >> Reporter: THE 
   REASON?
   TEN TIMES MORE NEW 
   YORKERS, A WHOPPING 
   1.8 MILLION, REQUESTED
   ABSENTEE BALLOTS THAN 
   DID FOUR YEARS AGO.
   EXPERTS TELL NBC NEWS 
   NEW YORK ELECTION 
   OFFICIALS WERE 
   WOEFULLY UNPREPARED.
   GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO 
   HAD TRIED TO MAKE THE 
   PROCESS EASIER BY 
   SENDING POSTAGE PAID 
   ENVELOPES WITH ALL 
   REQUESTED BALLOTS.
   BUT THAT ENDED UP 
   BACKFIRING.
   BECAUSE TO BE COUNTED,
   BALLOTS NEED TO BE 
   POSTMARKED WITH A 
   DATE.
   SOMETHING THE POST 
   OFFICE DOESN'T USUALLY
   DO FOR PREPAID METERED
   MAIL.
   SO THOSE BALLOTS, 
   THOUSANDS OF THEM, 
   WERE NOT COUNTED.
   >> YOU ARE NOT 
   ENTITLED TO A PERFECT 
   ELECTION IN AMERICA, 
   BUT YOU ARE ENTITLED 
   TO A FREE AND FAIR 
   ONE.
   >> Reporter: PATEL, 
   WHO IS TRAILING BY 
   3,700 VOTES, SUED TO 
   HAVE MORE BALLOTS 
   WITHOUT POSTMARKS 
   COUNTED.
   OVERNIGHT, A JUDGE 
   RULING AT LEAST 1,000 
   DISPUTED BALLOTS MUST 
   BE INCLUDED.
   AND THERE WERE OTHER 
   ISSUES.
   33,000 BALLOTS MAILED 
   OUT TO VOTERS THE DAY 
   BEFORE ELECTION DAY, 
   MEANING THEY WOULD 
   NEVER MAKE IT BACK IN 
   TIME.
   >> WE HAVE TO BE ABLE 
   TO SAY WE MESSED IT 
   UP.
   >> Reporter: NEW YORK 
   ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY
   THEY WERE DOING THEIR 
   BEST UNDER DIFFICULT 
   CIRCUMSTANCES.
   BUT THAT HASN'T 
   STOPPED PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP, A CRITIC OF 
   MAIL-IN VOTING, FROM 
   USING THE NEW YORK 
   ELECTION MESS TO MAKE 
   HIS POINT.
   >> IT'S BEEN A TOTAL 
   DISASTER.
   THEY HAVE -- THEY'RE 
   SIX WEEKS INTO IT NOW 
   AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE 
   WHAT'S GOING ON.
   HOW ARE YOU GOING TO 
   DO THAT FOR AN ENTIRE 
   NATION?
   >> Reporter: SO WHAT 
   DOES THIS PRIMARY 
   FIASCO MEAN FOR 
   NOVEMBER?
   WHEN 50 MILLION TO 80 
   MILLION AMERICANS ARE 
   EXPECTED TO VOTE BY 
   MAIL?
   >> IT'S A CAUTIONARY 
   TALE OF HOW LOCALITIES
   NEED TO BE PREPARED 
   AND WORK WITH THE 
   POSTAL OFFICE.
   >> Reporter: HE SAYS 
   CONGRESS NEEDS TO 
   APPROPRIATE $3 BILLION
   TO $4 BILLION TO HELP 
   STATES AND DO IT FAST.
   >> I THINK WE HAVE TWO
   WEEKS TO MAKE THE 
   CRITICAL DECISIONS 
   THAT ARE NECESSARY TO 
   PULL OFF THIS 
   ELECTION.
   >> Reporter: TWO 
   WEEKS?
   >> WHEN IT COMES TO 
   BUYING THE NECESSARY 
   EQUIPMENT, MAKING SURE
   WE HAVE ENOUGH POLLING
   PLACES AND POLL 
   WORKERS, WE HAVE 
   REALLY JUST TWO WEEKS 
   TO PUT THE BASICS IN 
   PLACE.
   >> Reporter: HE SAYS 
   THAT IF THE ELECTION 
   IS CLOSE, DON'T EXPECT
   TO KNOW THE RESULTS 
   FOR AT LEAST A WEEK.
   AND THAT ULTIMATELY, 
   IT MAY BE UP TO THE 
   SUPREME COURT TO 
   DECIDE.
   >> CYNTHIA McFADDEN 
   TONIGHT.
   >>> UP NEXT, A DAY AT 
 
   >>> IN OUR LATEST 
   EPISODE OF NBC 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS" KID'S 
   EDITION, WE'LL 
   INTRODUCE YOU TO THESE
   CALIFORNIA GIRLS WHO 
   TURNED A SCHOOL 
   PROJECT INTO A MISSION
   TO HELP OTHERS.
   WE'LL CHECK IN WITH 
   THE SAN DIEGO ZOO TO 
   SEE HOW THE KANGAROOS 
   AND OTHER ANIMALS ARE 
   DOING.
   AND YOU MAY EVEN LEARN
   A THING ABOUT SOME OF 
   THESE CRITTERS, I SURE
   DID.
   OUR NEW EPISODE IS 
   STREAMING NOW.
   >>> AND THAT IS 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS."
   I'M LESTER HOLT.
   THANKS FOR WATCHING.
   PLEASE TAKE CARE OF 
   PLEASE TAKE CARE OF 
   YOURSELF AND EACH 
   OTHER.
