>>> TONIGHT MILLIONS BRACING FOR
DOUBLE TROUBLE ALODGE THE GULF 
COAST.
TROPICAL STORM MARCO 
TAKING AIM RIGHT NOW.
  AL ROKER WILL HAVE THE
  NEW TRACKS
  DISTURBING VIDEO, A 
  BLACK MAN, JACOB
  BLAKE, SHOT MULTIPLE
  TIMES IN THE BACK BY
  POLICE IN WISCONSIN.
  ANGER ERUPTING IN THE 
  STREETS, THE NATIONAL 
  GUARD CALLED IN.
  NIGHT ONE OF THE RNC, 
  PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
  UNANNOUNCED 
  APPEARANCE, WHEN HE 
  SAID TOP ADVISER KELLY
  KELLYANNE CONWAY SET
  TO SPEAK THIS WEEK
  AFTER HER UNEXPECTED
  ANNOUNCEMENT. 
  >>> BACK TO SCHOOL
  BATTLE
  TEACHERS FIGHTING 
  FLORIDA'S ORDER TO
  REOPEN IN-PERSON
  CLASSES, WHO A JUDGE
  SIDED WITH LATE TODAY.
  >>> THE EMERGENCY FDA 
  APPROVAL FOR COVID
  PLASMA THERAPY, HOW 
  WELL DOES IT WORK AND 
  THE FIRST DOCUMENTED
  CASE OF A SURVIVOR
  REINFECTED
  >>> WILDFIRE DISASTER,
  SEVEN NOW DEAD AS MORE
  THAN 600 FIRES RAGE,
  OVER 1.4 MILLION ACRES
  SCORCHED. 
  >>> THE SHOCKING
  SCANDAL, JERRY
  FALLWELL JR.
  REPORTEDLY RESIGNING
  FROM LIBERTY
  UNIVERSITY AFTER
  REVEALING HIS WIFE'S
  AFFAIR, THE BLACKMAIL 
  SCHEME HE NOW ALLEGES.
  >>> THE STUNNING
  REVERSAL, SCOTT 
  PETERSON'S DEATH
  SENTENCE FOR THE
  MURDER-HIS PREGNANCY
  WIFE LACEY OVERTURNED.
  >>> THE MIRACLE BABY
  TAKING THE COUNTRY BY 
  STORM.
  >> Announcer: THIS IS 
  NBC NIGHTLY NEWS WITH 
  LESTER HOLT.
  >>> GOOD EVENING, 
  EVERYONE, LEAVE IT TO 
  2020 TO SEND TWO
  DANGEROUS TROPICAL
  STORM SYSTEMS BEARING 
  DOWN ON THE GULF COAST
  AT VIRTUALLY THE SAME 
  TIME AS WE COME ON THE
  AIR A SOMEWHAT WEAKER 
  TROPICAL STORM MARCO
  IS ATBERING THE 
  LOUISIANA COAST.
  THE REGION WILL HAVE
  BARELY HOURS TO 
  RECOVER BEFORE LAURA
  KNOCKS AT THE DOOR
  SOMEWHERE ALONG THAT
  MISSISSIPPI TO NORTH
  CAROLINA STRETCH A
  TROPICAL STORM NOW
  EXPECTED TO BECOME A
  HURRICANE, BEFORE IT
  REACHES THE COAST.
  LATE WEDNESDAY
  NEW ORLEANS IN THE
  TARGET ZONE WHERE FEW 
  WERE TAKING CHANCES.
  OUR SAM BROCK IS
  THERE.
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  BLACK TO BACK STORMS
  BEARING DOWN ON THE 
  GULF COAST AFTER
  KNOCKING OUT POWER TO 
  MORE THAN A MILLION 
  HOMES IN THE CARIBBEAN
  AND CLAIMING AT LEAST 
  NINE LIVES, STATES
  FROM THE PANHANDLE TO 
  THE PARISHES OF 
  LOUISIANA AND TEXAS 
  BRACING FOR IMPACT
  THIS WEEK.
  NEW ORLEANS' POSITION,
  PRECARIOUS
  TERESA FRAN LOST
  EVERYTHING DURING 
  KATRINA.
  >> TOO DANGEROUS TO 
  RIDE OUT A HURRICANE. 
  >> Reporter: SHE'S NOW
  SEEKING REFUGE IN A 
  SHELTER WITH MANDATORY
  TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND
  A SPECIAL SECTION FOR 
  COVID POSITIVE
  EVACUEES AS THE CITY
  PAUSES COVID TESTING
  CHOPPY WATERS GULF
  CITIES ARE FORCED TO
  GLAF FATE AS THE
  PREPONDERATE OF A 
  MAJOR HURRICANE LOOMS.
  HERE IN NEW ORLEANS 
  THE WATERS ARE GETTING
  ROCKY, THE CONCERN IS 
  WHAT IT COULD LOOK
  LIKE IN 48 HOURS AFTER
  LAURA BEARS THROUGH 
  THE GULF AND DWIFS THE
  STORM SURGE ANOTHER 
  JOLT
  NORMALLY BUSTLING 
  BLOCKS IN THE FRENCH
  QUARTER, BAR REN, 
  SANDBAGGED AND BOARDED
  WINDOWS.
  >> IT'S KIND OF LIKE
  WHAT ELSE CAN THEY
  THROW AT US.
  >> Reporter: SHE MAY
  BE FORCED TO CLOSE LER
  GIFT SHOP.
  >> TAKING IT DAY BY 
  DAY.
  >> Reporter: A CITY 
  PERPETUALLY IN FLUX,
  SAM BROCK, NBC NEWS,
  NEW ORLEANS.
  >>> WE ARE TRACKING 
  BOTH THREATS TONIGHT, 
  AL ROKER JOINS US.
  AL, WHAT ARE WE 
  LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW
  >> THE GOOD NEWS, 
  LESTER, MARCO IS
  WEAKENING, SOUTH OF 
  THE MOUTH OF THE
  MISSISSIPPI RIVER, A
  LOT OF HEAVY RAIN, A
  LITTLE WIND, THAT 
  SHOULD BE THE WORST OF
  IT
  WE'RE WORRIED MOSTLY
  ABOUT LAURA.
  CURRENTLY, OVER CUE 
  WITH A, MOVING
  WEST/NORTHWEST AT 20, 
  LIMITED STRENGTHENING 
  THROUGH TOMORROW
  MORNING BUT IT'S OUT
  OVER THE OPEN WATERS
  OF THE GULF, LANDFALL 
  SOMETIME THURSDAY 
  MORNING WITH 105 MILE 
  PER HOUR
  MOISTURE FROM MARCO 
  ALL MAKE THIS 
  DANGEROUS, UPWARDS OF 
  15 INCHES OF RAIN, THE
  POSSIBILITY OF
  TORNADOS AND HIGH 
  WINDS.
  WE'LL CONTINUE TO 
  WATCH IT
  >>> IN WISCONSIN, THE 
  NATIONAL GUARD IS 
  DEPLOYING TONIGHT 
  AFTER PROTESTS BROKE
  OUT OVER VIDEO SHOWING
  POLICE SHOOTING A 
  BLACK MAN.
  JACOB BLAKE IN THE
  BACK, MULTIPLE TIMES
  GABE GUTIERREZ HAS THE
  STORY AND A WARNING,
  IT IS DISTURBING
  TONIGHT, THERE'S
  GROWING OUTRAGE OVER
  THIS VIDEO, SHOWING AT
  LEAST TWO POLICE
  OFFICERS IN KENOSHA,
  WISCONSIN WITH THEIR
  GUNS DRAWN, FOLLOWING 
  29-YEAR-OLD JACOB 
  BLAKE AS HE WALKED
  AROUND THE FRONT OF 
  THE GRAY SUV
  WE PAUSED THE VIDEO 
  AFTER HE OPENS THE
  DOOR WITH HIS BACK TO 
  AN OFFICER, AND AT
  LEAST SEVEN SHOTS CAN 
  BE HEARD. 
  >> WHY WERE YOU 
  SHOOTING MY CHILD LIKE
  THAT
  SO MANY TIMES?
  >> Reporter: POLICE 
  WERE ORIGINALLY 
  RESPONDING TO A 
  DOMESTIC INCIDENT.
  IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT 
  OCCURRED RIGHT BEFORE 
  THE RECORDING AND THE 
  VIDEO ONLY CAPTURES A 
  FEW SECONDS BEFORE THE
  SHOOTING
  RAJON SCHON WRIGHT -- 
  HE SAW BLAKE TRYING TO
  BREAK UP AN ARGUMENT. 
  >> I WAS SHOCKED
  I HAD NO IDEA SHE WAS 
  GOING TO SHOOT HIM. 
  >> HE HEARD THE 
  OFFICER TELL BLAKE
  DROP THE KNIFE
  HIS FIANCE WAS ALSO 
  THERE.
  SHE SAYS THEIR
  CHILDREN WERE IN THE
  CAR.
  >> THAT MAN LITERALLY 
  JUST GRABBED HIM BY 
  HIS SHIRT, AND LOOKED 
  THE OTHER [ BLEEP ] 
  WAY AND WAS JUST
  SHOOTING HIM WITH THE 
  KIDS IN THE BACK
  SCREAMING.
  >> Reporter: OVERNIGHT
  PROTESTS OVER THE 
  SHOOTING HERE 
  ESCALATED.
  THE VIOLENCE SPREAD 
  ACROSS PARTS OF 
  DOWNTOWN KENOSHA
  THIS CAR DEALERSHIP 
  TORCHED.
  WISCONSIN'S DEPARTMENT
  OF JUSTICE IS 
  INVESTIGATING, SAYING 
  THE OFFICERS ARE FULLY
  COOPERATING AND ARE 
  NOW ON ADMINISTRATIVE 
  LEAVE.
  THE KENOSHA POLICE
  UNION ASKS THAT YOU 
  WITHHOLD PREJUDGMENT
  ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND
  PLEASE LET THE PROCESS
  TAKE PLACE
  BUT THE STATE'S 
  LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR 
  ALREADY HAD STRONG
  WORDS.
  >> THIS WAS NOT AN
  ACCIDENT
  THIS WASN'T BAD POLICE
  WORK
  THIS FELT LIKE SOME 
  SORT OF VENDETTA BEING
  TAKEN OUT ON A MEMBER 
  OF OUR COMMUNITY
  >> Reporter:
  BUSINESSES HERE ARE 
  BOARDED UP, NERVOUS 
  ABOUT ANOTHER 
  POTENTIALLY VIOLENT 
  NIGHT.
  >> IT WAS HORRIFYING
  TO SIT THERE AND SEE
  IT AND KNOW YOU 
  COULDN'T DO ANYTHING, 
  YOU KNOW
  WE LITERALLY PUT OUR
  ENTIRE LIVES INTO THIS
  BUSINESS
  >> Reporter: BLAKE IS 
  NOW OUT OF SURGERY AND
  IN SERIOUS BUT STABLE 
  CONDITION.
  WISCONSIN'S NATIONAL
  GUARD IS BEING
  DEPLOYED TO HELP
  PROTECT THE CITY
  ANOTHER CURFEW IS IN
  EFFECT TONIGHT. 
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  ONE OF THE REPUBLICAN 
  NATIONAL CONVENTION 
  WHERE PRESIDENT TRUMP 
  IS SET TO SPEAK EVERY 
  NIGHT, THE PRESIDENT
  ALREADY MAKING AN 
  UNANNOUNCED APPEARANCE
  IN NORTH CAROLINA 
  TODAY WHERE HE WAS
  FORMALLY RENOMINATED
  HALLIE JACKSON
  REPORTS.
  >> Reporter:
  REPUBLICANS TONIGHT 
  MAKING IT OFFICIAL
  THEY'RE THE PARTY OF
  PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR 
  FOUR MORE YEARS, THEY 
  HOPE. 
  >> IF YOU WANT TO 
  REALLY DRIVE THEM 
  CRAZY, YOU SAY 12 MORE
  YEARS.
  >> Reporter: THE
  RENOMINATION IN 
  CHARLOTTE, IN PERSON, 
  NOT VIRTUAL, WITH 
  FEWER DELEGATES THAN
  USUAL, MORE RALLY THAN
  ROLL CALL AFTER A 
  SURPRISE SPEECH BY THE
  PRESIDENT, HIS
  ADVISERS SCOFFING AT A
  DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION 
  FULL OF DOOM AND GLOOM
  THEY SAY PREVIEWED A
  REPUBLICAN EVENT
  PACKED WITH POSITIVITY
  AND OPTIMISM BUT ON 
  DAY ONE INSTEAD,
  GRIEVANCES AND FALSE
  CLAIMS. 
  >> THE ONLY WAY THEY
  CAN TAKE THIS ELECTION
  AWAY FROM US IS IF
  THIS IS A RIGGED
  ELECTION
  WE'RE GOING TO WIN
  THIS ELECTION.
  >> THAT'S RIGHT.
  >> WE'RE GOING TO WIN 
  THIS ELECTION.
  >> Reporter: THE
  PRESIDENT REPEATING 
  DEBUNKED WARNINGS OF
  WIDESPREAD MAIL-IN
  BALLOT FRAUD DESPITE
  EXPERTS SAYING THERE
  HAVE BEEN ONLY
  ISOLATED INCIDENTS AND
  BLASTING JOE BIDEN FOR
  SUGGESTING HE'D ORDER 
  ANOTHER PANDEMIC
  LOCKDOWN IF IT WERE 
  RECOMMENDED.
  >> I WOULD SHUT IT
  DOWN
  I WOULD LISTEN TO THE 
  SCIENTISTS. 
  >> BIDEN THE OTHER DAY
  SAID NO, HE'D SHUT IT 
  DOWN
  WE JUST BROKE A RECORD
  ON JOBS, AN ALL-TIME
  RECORD. 
  >> Reporter: THAT 
  FOCUS ON THE ECONOMY, 
  ESPECIALLY
  PRE-CORONAVIRUS,
  ESSENTIAL TO THE
  PRESIDENT'S REELECTION
  STRATE
  STRATEGY. 
  >> BUT THINK OFYOUR 
  LIFE PRIOR TO THE 
  PLAGUE COMING IN IT 
  WAS THE BEST IT'S EVER
  BEEN. 
  >> Reporter: HIS
  CAMPAIGN'S PUTTING
  CONTROVERSIAL CULTURE 
  WAR MOMENTS FRONT AND 
  CENTER AT THE 
  CONVENTION, STARTING
  TONIGHT WITH A
  SPEAKING SLOT FOR THE 
  McCLOSKYS WHO PULLED
  GUNS ON THE BLACK 
  LIVES PROTESTERS ON 
  THEIR PROPERTY
  HIS SON DONALD TRUMP
  JR. GOING ON OFFENSE
  THIS EVENING AND THE
  PRESIDENT HIMSELF WILL
  HAVE A ROLE EACH NIGHT
  OF THE CONVENTION.
  THE TV PRODUCER IN
  CHIEF PROVING IT'S NOT
  JUST HIS PARTY, BUT 
  THIS WEEK, HIS SHOW.
  AND TOP PRESIDENTIAL
  ADVISER KELLYANNE 
  CONWAY WILL STILL 
  SPEAK AT THE
  CONVENTION THIS WEEK, 
  EVEN AFTER ANNOUNCING 
  SHE'S STEPPING DOWN TO
  FOCUS ON FAMILY, SHE'S
  READY FOR LESS DRAMA, 
  MORE MAMA.
  >>> A MAJOR VICTORY 
  FOR TEACHERS IN 
  FLORIDA WHO SUED OVER 
  THE STATEWIDE ORDER TO
  REOPEN SCHOOLS FOR
  IN-PERSON TEACHING
  OUR KERRY SANDERS HAS 
  THE LATEST. 
  >> Reporter: FLORIDA'S
  SCHOOLS FORCED TO OPEN
  BY REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR
  RON DeSANTIS TODAY
  GRANTED AUTHORITY TO
  CLOSE BACK DOWN IF
  THEY CHOOSE.
  STOOL BOARD MEMBERS 
  ACROSS THE STATE SAID 
  THEY HAD NO CHOICE BUT
  TO OPEN BECAUSE IF
  THEY DIDN'T THE 
  GOVERNOR WOULD CUT OFF
  STATE EDUCATION 
  DOLLARS.
  >> THIS LAWSUIT PROVES
  THAT WE DO NOT HAVE 
  SAFE AND SECURE PUBLIC
  SCHOOLS FOR OUR 
  CHILDREN TO LEARN, FOR
  OUR TEACHERS TO TEACH.
  >> Reporter: FLORIDA
  JUDGE CHARLES 
  DODDSON'S INJUNCTION
  RELEASED LATE THIS
  AFTERNOON SAYS IN PART
  THERE IS NOT ROOM IN
  MANY CLASSROOMS FOR 
  SOCIAL DISTANCING,
  THERE IS NOT ROOM TO
  PUT DESKS FOUR FEET 
  APART, MUCH LESS SIX
  FEET APART AS IS
  RECOMMENDED.
  TEACHERS HAVE NOT BEEN
  PROVIDED ADEQUATE 
  PERSONAL PROTECTION 
  EQUIPMENT.
  THE STATE ORDERED TO
  OPEN IS 
  UNCONSTITUTIONAL TO 
  THE EXTENT THAT IT
  ARBITRARILY DISREGARDS
  SAFETY. 
  >> WHERE THE POLITICS 
  SEEMS TO OVERRIDE THE 
  SCIENCE I THINK WE'RE 
  GOING TO SEE MORE 
  ACTION ABOUT THIS 
  RIGHT NOW.
  BECAUSE IT IS OUR 
  OBLIGATION TO ACTUALLY
  MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP
  PEOPLE SAFE.
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  FLORIDA'S GOVERNOR
  SAYS HE WILL APPEAL 
  THE RULING, MEANWHILE 
  VIRTUAL CLASSES WILL
  CONTINUE ACROSS THE 
  STATE ONLINE
  LESTER
  >> KERRY, THANKS. 
  >>> A DAY AFTER THE 
  FDA GRANTED EMERGENCY 
  APPROVAL TO TREAT 
  COVID-19 WITH PLASMA
  FROM SURVIVORS MANY 
  QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT
  HOW WELL IT WORKS.
  LET'S GET MORE ON THAT
  FROM TOM COSTELLO.
  >> Reporter: THE
  PRESIDENT'S 
  ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE 
  EVE OF THE REPUBLICAN 
  CONVENTION -- 
  >> THIS IS A POWERFUL 
  THERAPY.
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  AS INFECTIOUS DISEASE 
  EXPERTS CAUTIOUS AND
  DIVIDED ABOUT 
  CONVALESCENT PLASMA.
  >> I'M NOT CONVINCED
  IT'S A BREAKTHROUGH 
  THERAPY.
  I'M NOT CONVINCED THIS
  IS THE SOLUTION TO OUR
  PROBLEMS. 
  >> Reporter: JUST LAST
  WEEK DIRECTOR COLLINS,
  DR. FAUCI AND THE FDA 
  URGE CAUTION IN FAST
  TRACKING PLASMA AS A
  TREATMENT.
  THE PRESIDENT TWEETED 
  A DEEP STATE
  CONSPIRACY WAS AT 
  WORK, AN ALLEGATION 
  REITERATED TODAY BY A 
  TOP TRADE ADVISER.
  >> SOME OF THE MEDICAL
  FOLKS WOULD RATHER
  HAVE 100,000 PEOPL
  DIE FROM THE VIRUS
  THAN HAVE ONE PERSON
  DIE FROM SOME OF THE
  THERAPEUTICS. 
  >> Reporter: THE MAYO 
  CLINIC HEADED TRIALS
  NATIONWIDE WITH 70,000
  PATIENTS WHO RECEIVED 
  CONVALESCENT PLASMA 
  WITH THE ANTIBODIES 
  WITH PEOPLE WHO 
  RECOVERED FROM COVID
  RESEARCHERS FOUND 
  PLASMA IS MOST
  EFFECTIVE WHEN GIVEN
  EARLY AND WITH A HIGH 
  DOSE OF ANTIBODIES BUT
  WITHOUT TRIALS
  INVOLVING PATIENTS
  RECEIVING A PLACEBO 
  IT'S NOT CONCLUSIVE 
  STILL THE FDA SAYS THE
  DATA SUGGESTS IT MAY
  BE EFFECTIVE IN 
  LESSENING THE SEVERITY
  IN SOME HOSPITALIZED
  PATIENTS
  CLAUDIA IS CONVINCED
  THE PLASMA KEPT HER 
  OFF OF A VENTILATOR 
  WHEN SHE WAS
  HOSPITALIZED WITH 
  COVID.
  >> I REMEMBER TAKING
  AT A FIRST DEEP 
  BREATH, YOU KNOW I
  FELT LIKE I HAD 
  OXYGEN
  I FELT LIKE I WON THE 
  LOTTERY.
  IMMEDIATELY I CALLED
  MY SON, AND I SAID TO 
  HIM, I THINK THAT 
  PLASMA DID IT.
  >> Reporter: A TOP
  MAYO CLINIC RESEARCH
  DIRECTOR TELLS NBC'S
  CYNTHIA McFADDEN THE
  FDA DECISION MAKES
  SENSE.
  >> I THINK THE FDA HAS
  MADE AN EXCELLENT 
  DECISION
  THEY'VE TRULY PUT THE 
  PUBLIC HEALTH 
  INTERESTS OF THE
  NATION FIRST AND I
  RESPECT THEM FOR THAT,
  I TRUST THEIR 
  JUDGMENT. 
  >> Reporter: ICU DR.
  VIN GUPTA EMPHASIZES
  PLASMA IS NOT A CURE
  ALL.
  >> I'VE BEEN USING IT 
  FOR PATIENTS SINCE
  MARCH AND WE THINK IT 
  MIGHT HAVE SOME 
  BENEFIT, NOT LARGE, 
  NOT A BREAKTHROUGH, 
  NOT A MIRACLE CHEER 
  BUT IT'S BEEN AROUND
  FOR MILLENNIA.
  >> TELL ME ABOUT THIS 
  CASE OUT OF HONG KONG 
  OF SOMEONE WHO HAS A
  CONFIRMED SECOND CASE 
  OF CORONAVIRUS. 
  >> Reporter:
  33-YEAR-OLD MAN 
  HEALTHY, MILD CASE
  BACK IN MARCH, HE 
  RECOVERED BUT THEN
  HE'S CONTRACTED IT A
  SECOND TIME THIS
  SUMMER,RESEARCHERS
  SAY IT'S FURTHER
  EVIDENCE THAT HOW MUCH
  IMMUNITY YOU HAVE 
  DEPENDS HOW SICK YOU
  ARE, AND IMMUNITY,
  PROBABLY DOESN'T LAST 
  FOREVER, LESTER.
  >> TOM, THANKS
  WE'RE BACK IN 60
  SECONDS WITH A DEATH
  TOLL RISING IN THE
  CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES
  >>> WE'RE BACK NOW
  WITH THE WILDFIRES
  RAGING IN CALIFORNIA
  THE DEATH TOLL RISING 
  TO SEVEN AND REPORTS
  THAT THERE'S SO MUCH
  SMOKE IT CAN BE SEEN
  FROM KANSAS.
  STEVE PATTERSON IS IN 
  THE FIRE ZONE.
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  14,000 FIREFIGHTERS 
  WAGING AN ALL-OUT WAR 
  AGAINST A HISTORIC
  OUTBREAK OF WILDFIRES 
  PLAGUING CALIFORNIA,
  NOW FORCED TO BATTLE
  FATIGUE AS HARD AS THE
  FLAMES. 
  >> THEY'RE WORKING
  EXTREMELY HARD TRYING 
  TO CONTAIN THIS FIRE
  BUT THEY'RE WORKING 
  LONG HOURS
  >> Reporter: THE FIGHT
  IN ITS SECOND WEEK, 
  RESPONDERS ON THE 
  FRONT LINES TRYING TO 
  CONTAIN MORE THAN 600 
  WILDFIRES SPREAD
  ACROSS THE STATE
  THE FIRE BURNING MORE 
  THAN 1.4 MILLION
  ACRES, A FOOTPRINT
  ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE 
  STATE OF DELAWARE,
  EVEN VISIBLE FROM 
  SPACE.
  PRESIDENT TRUMP 
  ISSUING A DISASTER
  DECLARATION AND 
  DEPLOYING THE NATIONAL
  GUARD TO ASSIST IN
  NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AS
  CREWS BATTLE BOTH THE 
  SECOND AND THIRD
  LARGEST FIRES IN STATE
  HISTORY.
  TWIN INFERNOS TORCHING
  HUNDREDS OF HOMES,
  FORCING THE 
  EVACUATIONS OF
  THOUSANDS, KILLING AT 
  LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE. 
  >> THERE WAS NOTHING
  TO DO BUT GET OUT.
  >> Reporter: MIKE 
  JOHNSON COULD ONLY
  WATCH AS 50 FOOT
  FLAMES RIPPED THROUGH 
  HIS HOME LEAVING
  LITTLE BUT ASH AND
  RUINS.
  >> IT'S KIND OF HARD
  TO PROCESS
  IF I THINK TOO MUCH 
  ABOUT IT, THAT'S WHEN 
  YOU GET EMOTIONAL.
  >> Reporter: AND
  NEARBY ANCIENT TREE 
  INSIDE CALIFORNIA'S 
  OLDEST STATE PARK,
  DECIMATED.
  THE FIRE LEAVING A
  PERMANENT SCAR ON 
  COMMUNITIES AND MOTHER
  NATURE
  FIREFIGHTERS HAVE HAD 
  MORE FAVORABLE
  CONDITIONS ALLOWING 
  THEM TO PUSH THE
  FLAMES AWAY FROM HOMES
  BUT THE WIND CAN
  CHANGE ALL OF THIS ON 
  A DIME AND OFFICIALS
  TELL ME THE SITUATION 
  ON THE GROUND IS VERY 
  FLUID.
  PLUS SOME OF THESE
  COMMUNITIES ARE STILL 
  IN THOSE RED FLAG 
  WARNINGS
  LESTER
  >> STEVE PATTERSON, 
  THANKS. 
  >>> THE MOST MASTER 
  GENERAL GRILLED TODAY 
  BY THE HOUSE OVERSIGHT
  COMMITTEE ON THE
  RECENT CUTBACKS AT THE
  POST OFFICE, INCLUDING
  DELAYS IN MAIL
  DELIVERY AND WHETHER
  IT MAY IMPACT MAIL-IN 
  VOTING
  GEOFF BENNETT REPORTS.
  >> Reporter:
  POSTMASTER GENERAL
  LOUIS DeJOY ON DEFENSE
  TODAY, FACING SCATHING
  CRITICISM OVER DELAYS,
  ARGUED THE POSTAL 
  SERVICE IS UP TO THE
  TASK OF HANDLING
  ELECTION MAIL.
  >> THE POSTAL SERVICE 
  IS FULLY CAPABLE, AND 
  COMMITTED TO
  DELIVERING THE
  NATION'S BALLOTS
  SECURELY AND ON TIME
  >> Reporter: IN HIS 
  TWO MONTHS ON THE JOB 
  DeJOY HAS OVERSEEN A
  SERIES OF RECENT
  POLICY CHANGES BLAMED 
  FOR SEVERE SERVICE
  SLOWDOWNS.
  HE SAID HE WILL NOT 
  REPLACE MAIL SORTING
  MACHINES REMOVED ON 
  HIS WATCH.
  HOW CAN ONE PERSON
  SCREW THIS UP IN JUST 
  A FEW WEEKS?
  WILL YOU PUT THE -- 
  WILL YOU PUT THE
  MACHINES BACK?
  >> NO, I WILL NOT.
  >> Reporter: DeJOY
  ACKNOWLEDGED A DIP IN 
  MAIL SERVICE BUT
  DISPUTED REPORTS OF 
  WIDESPREAD DELIVERY 
  PROBLEMS
  BUT HOUSE DEMOCRATS 
  RELEASED INTERNAL 
  POSTAL SERVICE
  DOCUMENTS SHOWING 
  STEEP DECLINES AND
  DELAYS IN A RANGE OF
  MAIL SERVICE STARTING 
  IN EARLY JULY.
  SHORTLY AFTER DeJOY 
  TOOK OVER.
  >> WE STARTED SEEING
  DELAYS MORE HEAVILY 
  WITHIN THE PAST LIKE
  FOUR WEEKS. 
  >> Reporter: CARMEN 
  RAD RUNS A DIGITAL
  SIGN PRINTING COMPANY 
  IN LOS ANGELES
  WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT 
  YARD SIGNS BECAME BIG 
  BUSINESS BUT HER PICK
  PICKUPS WERE DELAYED. 
  >> FIRST THEY DIDN'T
  COME ONE DAY, AND THEN
  THE FOLLOWING WEEK TWO
  DAYS. 
  >> SHE LOST NEARLY
  $7,000 WHEN THEY
  DIDN'T ARRIVE.
  >> THIS IS WRONG
  IF SMALL BUSINESS IS
  THE BACKBONE OF 
  AMERICA WHY ARE YOU 
  HURTING US
  >> DIDN'T KNOW THE
  PRICE OF A POSTCARD OR
  HOW MANY VOTED BY MAIL
  IN THE LAST 
  PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
  >>> THE DEATH SENTENCE
  IN ONE OF THE NATION'S
  MOST INFAMOUS MURDER
  CASES HAS BEEN
  OVERTURNED, SCOTT 
  PETERSON WAS CONVICTED
  IN THE 2002 MURDER OF 
  WIFE LACEY AND THEIR
  UNBORN SON
  TODAY THE CALIFORNIA
  SUPREME COURT FOUND 
  ERRORS WERE MADE BY 
  THE TRIAL JUDGE DURING
  JURY SELECTION, 
  PETERSON'S CONVICTIONS
  WERE, HOWEVER, UPHELD.
  >>> ONE OF AMERICA'S
  MOST EVANGELICALS 
  REVEREND JERRY FALWELL
  JR. IS RESIGNING AS 
  PRESIDENT OF LIBERTY
  UNIVERSITY FOLLOWING A
  SCANDAL SAID TO 
  INVOLVE AN AFFAIR AND 
  BLACKMAIL.
  STEPHANIE GOSK AS 
  MORE. 
  >> Reporter: JERRY
  FALWELL JR. MAY BE OUT
  AS PRESIDENT AND
  CHANCELLOR OF LIBERTY 
  UNIVERSITY AFTER
  CONFLICTING REPORTS HE
  SUBMITTED HIS 
  RESIGNATION LETTER
  TODAY.
  THE SON OF ONE OF THE 
  MOST INFLUENTIAL TV 
  EVANGELISTS OF ALL
  TIME IS PUBLICLY
  SHARING A STORY OF HIS
  WIFE'S INFIDELITY,
  WHICH LED TO WHAT HE
  DESCRIBES AS AN 
  EXTORTION SCHEME, 
  TELLING THE 
  "WASHINGTON EXAMINER" 
  THAT OVER EIGHT YEARS 
  HE AND HIS WIFE BECKY 
  MET AN AMBITIOUS YOUNG
  MAN WORKING AT A
  HOTEL, FALWELL WRITES 
  BECKY HAD AN
  INAPPROPRIATE PERSONAL
  RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS
  PERSON, SOMETHING IN
  WHICH I WAS NOT 
  INVOLVED
  IT DETERIORATED INTO
  WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS A
  FATAL ATTRACTION TYPE 
  SITUATION.
  ACCORDING TO REUTERS
  THE MAN IS GIANCARLO
  GRANDA, WHEN OPENED UP
  A YOUTH HOSPITAL IN 
  SOUTH BEACH WITH
  FALWELL'S NUMBER
  HE KNEW ABOUT THE 
  RELATIONSHIP AND EVEN 
  WATCHED GRANDA AND
  BECKY HAVING SEX WHICH
  HE DENIED TO REUTERS
  IN 2019 IT GREW 
  CONTENTIOUS.
  GRANDA ALLEGEDLY
  WRITING TO FALWELL, 
  SINCE YOU'RE OKAY WITH
  RUINING MY LIFE, I
  WANT A PEACEFUL 
  RESOLUTION
  BUT IF CONFLICT IS
  WHAT YOU WANT, THEN SO
  BE IT.
  NBC NEWS HAS NOT SEEN 
  THE MESSAGE SHARED
  WITH REUTERS
  GRANDA DENIES TRYING
  TO BLACKMAIL THE
  FALWELLS, LONGTIME
  POLITICAL ACTIVISTS 
  AND TRUMP SUPPORTERS, 
  TELLING REUTERS HE WAS
  ONLY TRYING TO GET
  BOUGHT OUT OF THE 
  BUSINESS THEY STARTED.
  THE SCANDAL WORSENING 
  PROBLEMS FOR FALWELL
  WHO TOOK A LEAVE OF 
  ABSENCE FROM LIBERTY
  UNIVERSITY AFTER
  POSTING AND THEN
  DELETING THIS PHOTO ON
  INSTAGRAM, TELLING A
  RADIO SHOW IT WAS 
  TAKEN AT A COSTUME
  PARTY IN GOOD FUN.
  >> I'VE APOLOGIZED TO 
  EVERYBODY, AND I
  PROMISED MY KIDS I'M
  GOING TO TRY TO BE -- 
  I'M GOING TO BE A GOOD
  BOY FROM HERE ON OUT. 
  >> Reporter: NBC NEWS 
  REACHED OUT TO THE
  FALWELLS AND GRANDA 
  BUT THEY DID NOT
  RESPOND.
  LIEBT YUFRT WAS 
  FOUNDED BY HIS FATHER,
  THAT PREACHES FAMILY
  VALUES AND MORALS MAY 
  SOON BEING LOOKING FOR
  ANOTHER PRESIDENT.
  STEPHANIE GOSK, NBC 
  NEWS. 
  >>> SHORT BREAK,
  COMING
  >>> THE WORLD IS
  CHEERING THE RARE 
  BIRTH OF A GIANT PANDA
  IN WASHINGTON, GARRETT
  HAAKE IS AT THE 
  NATIONAL ZOO WHERE
  EXCITEMENT IS TAKING
  OVER. 
  >> Reporter: WRAPPED
  UP IN THE MAMA'S ARMS 
  IS THE TINY CUB WHO 
  CAME SQUEALING INTO 
  THE WORLD.
  >> IT'S GOING TO BE SO
  TINY. 
  >> Reporter: THE
  MOTHER HAD LESS THAN A
  1% CHANCE OF HAVING 
  ANOTHER CUB BUT DAYS
  AFTER THE ZOO CLOSED
  FOR THE PANDEMIC A
  BREEDING WINDOW OPENED
  BY SURPRISE.
  ZOO KEEPERS USED
  FROZEN SEMEN FROM THE 
  DAD AND WAITED
  THE BIRTH STREAMED
  LIVE TO THE DELIGHT OF
  LEGIONS OF PANDA FANS 
  AROUND THE WORLD AND
  AT THE ZOO. 
  >> WE HAD TO COME 
  STRAIGHT TO THE PANDA.
  SHE WOULD NOT STOP
  ANYWHERE ELSE FIRST.
  >> Reporter: THE CUB, 
  THE SIZE OF A STICK OF
  BUTTER WON'T HAVE A 
  NAME FOR 100 DAYS IN
  ACCORDANCE WITH 
  CHINESE TRADITION.
  ZOO KEEPERS DON'T EVEN
  KNOW YET IF IT'S A BOY
  OR A GIRL BUT EITHER
  WAY ITS ARRIVAL MAY BE
  2020'S MOST WELCOME 
  SURPRISE
  GARRETT HAAKE, NBC
  NEWS, WASHINGTON. 
  >> NOT EXACTLY A GIANT
  PANDA BUT IT WILL GET 
  THERE.
  THAT'S NIGHTLY NEWS.
  JOIN US FOR SPECIAL 
  COVERAGE OF NIGHT ONE 
  OF THE RNC BEGINNING
