   >>> TONIGHT THE NEW 
 
  >>> TONIGHT THE NEW 
  SHUTDOWNS AS
  CORONAVIRUS CASES RISE
  IN 29 STATES
  SOME OF FLORIDA'S 
  BEACHES CLOSING FOR 
  JULY 4th AFTER THE
  STATE SMASHED RECORDS.
  IN TEXAS, THE 
  STAGGERING
  HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG
  YOUNGER PEOPLE
  IN MICHIGAN NEARLY 90 
  CASES LINKED TO A 
  SINGLE BAR
  AND THE HIGH COST OF
  THAT PROMISING DRUG 
  REMDESIVIR, EVEN IF 
  YOU HAVE INSURANCE
  >>> THE FOUR OFFICERS 
  CHARGED AFTER THE 
  DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD 
  IN COURT
  TRIAL DATE NOW SET AND
  THE WARNING THE JUDGE 
  GAVE TO BOTH SIDES
  >>> THE NEW FIRESTORM,
  PRESIDENT TRUMP 
  RETWEETING VIDEO OF A 
  COUPLE POINTING GUNS
  AT PROTESTERS AFTER 
  PROMOTING THEN
  DELETING VIDEO OF AN
  APPARENT SUPPORTER
  SHOUTING WHITE POWER. 
  >>> FROING OUTRAGE
  OVER THE BOUNTY 
  RUSSIAN OFFICIALS 
  ALLEGEDLY PUT ON U.S. 
  SERVICE MEMBERS IN
  AFGHANISTAN.
  THE KREMLIN RESPONDING
  THIS OUR INTER
  INTERVIEW.
  THE BIPARTISAN DEMAND,
  HOW MUCH DID PRESIDENT
  TRUMP KNOW
  >>> PLEADING GMT, THE 
  SUSPECTED GOLDEN STATE
  KILLER, WHILE HE'LL 
  AVOID THE DEATH 
  PENALTY.
  >>> THE U.S. PREPARED 
  FOR MORE MAIL-IN
  VOTING, WE CONTACTED
  ALL 50 STATES.
  WHAT WE FOUND.
  >>> AND WHAT THE
  NATION'S PEDIATRICIANS
  SAY ON SENDING KIDS 
  BACK TO SCHOOL
  WHY SOME PARENTS ARE
  SURPRISED.
  >> Announcer: THIS IS 
  "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS"
  WITH LESTER HOLT. 
  >>> GOOD EVENING, 
  EVERYONE, IT IS GREAT 
  TO BE BACK WITH YOU,
  AS WE START A NEW 
  WEEK
  TONIGHT, DESPERATE
  MEASURES FOR SO MANY
  STATES TRYING TO
  WRESTLE A SURGE IN
  CORONAVIRUS 
  INFECTIONS
  THOSE BOLD MOVES TO 
  RELAX COVID 
  RESTRICTIONS IN FULL
  REVERSE TONIGHT, FROM 
  BEACHES IN FLORIDA, TO
  SOME BARS HERE IN 
  CALIFORNIA, AND 
  RESTAURANTS IN TEXAS
  29 STATES RIGHT NOW 
  WITH CASES ON THE 
  RISE, SOME
  DRAMATICALLY
  PUTTING A SQUEEZE ON
  HOSPITAL BEDS AND 
  SUMMER AS WE USED TO
  KNOW IT.
  SAM BROCK STARTS US 
  OFF.
  >> Reporter: IN 
  FLORIDA TONIGHT, THE
  CORONAVIRUS STORM,
  THREATENING THE 
  STATE'S PRISTINE
  SHORES
  A SURGE OF CASES, MORE
  THAN 23,000 IN THREE
  DAYS
  SHUTTING DOWN BEACHES 
  FOR THE 4th OF JULY.
  >> I GET IT BUT AT THE
  SAME TIME IT JUST 
  REALLY SUCKS TO NOT BE
  ABLE TO GO TO THE 
  BEACH.
  >> THIS STEP IS 
  NECESSARY, AGAIN, TO
  PROTECT THE COMMUNITY 
  AND TO ENSURE WE
  SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH
  OF ALL THE PEOPLE OF
  BROWARD COUNTY. 
  >> I THINK IT'S A 
  TOUGH THING TO DO BUT 
  I ADMIRE ANYONE THAT
  HAS TO MAKE THAT
  DECISION. 
  >> Reporter: BUT SOME 
  RESIDENTS ARE FURIOUS 
  WITH THEIR MAYORS.
  >> WE'RE ALL IN THIS
  TOGETHER NOW AND WE 
  WILL GET THROUGH IT.
  >> GET OVER IT, YEAH, 
  IT'S LIKE ANY OTHER 
  SICKNESS, I FEEL LIKE,
  ANY OTHER FLU.
  >> Reporter:
  NATIONWIDE COVID IS 
  RISING IN 29 STATES,
  11 OF THEM BY MORE
  THAN 100% IN THE LAST 
  TWO WEEKS.
  AND LATE TODAY THE
  ARIZONA GOVERNOR
  ORDERED BARS, GYMS AND
  WATER PARKS TO SHUT 
  DOWN FOR AT LEAST A 
  MONTH.
  IN CALIFORNIA THE 
  GOVERNOR NOW CLOSING
  BARS AGAIN IN SEVEN 
  COUNTIES, INCLUDING 
  L.A., WHERE CASES HIT 
  A RECORD HIGH.
  >> WE DON'T LIKE THE
  TREND LINE
  >> Reporter: A TREND
  LINE THAT JUST
  PROMPTED L.A. COUNTY
  OFFICIALS TO CLOSE
  DOWN THEIR BEACHES FOR
  THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
  IN SOUTH CAROLINA,
  FRONTLINE WORKERS 
  TAKEN ABACK BY THEIR
  YOUNG PATIENTS. 
  >> I REMEMBER TAKING
  CARE OF ONE PATIENT IN
  PARTICULAR, NOT BUT 
  THREE YEARS OLDER THAN
  I AM, NO MEDICAL
  PROBLEMS, HEALTHY, AND
  WATCHING THIS PATIENT 
  STRUGGLE TO BREATHE,
  GASPING FOR AIR.
  BECAUSE OF COVID
  IT'S SCARY
  >> Reporter: NOW THE
  COVID SURGE DEALING A 
  CRUSHING SETBACK TO 
  BUSINESSES HERE IN
  MIAMI BEACH ON FAMED
  OCEAN DRIVE 
  RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS
  JUST GOT THE BEACHES
  BACK, ONLY TO SEE THEM
  SHUT DOWN AGAIN FOR 
  THE CRUCIAL HOLIDAY 
  WEEKEND.
  >> OUR HOTEL GUESTS 
  COME TO GO TO THE 
  BEACH.
  SO NOW, YOU KNOW, MOST
  OF OUR HOTEL GUESTS 
  HAVE CANCELLED THEIR
  RESERVATIONS. 
  >> Reporter: THERE'S
  NO CHOICE, SAYS 
  MIAMI-DADE MAYOR
  CARLOS JIMENEZ WHEN 
  AREN'T 15% OF PEOPLE
  IN FLORIDA ARE TESTING
  POSITIVE. 
  >> WHAT CONCERNS YOU
  MORE, 10,000 IN A DAY 
  OR PERCENT OF PEOPLE
  TESTING POSITIVE. 
  >> THE STATE OF 
  FLORIDA WAS RUNNING 
  AROUND 5% POSITIVE, 
  AND NOW MUCH HIGHER.
  THAT'S THE ISSUE. 
  >> Reporter: THE
  BEACHES ARE OUT FOR 
  NOW BUT THE MOVIE 
  BUSINESS IS HOPING FOR
  BETTER DAYS.
  AMC TODAY ANNOUNCING
  ITS THEATERS ARE
  REOPEN NATIONWIDE BY
  THE END OF JULY.
  SAM BROCK, NBC NEWS,
  MIAMI BEACH.
  >> Reporter: I'M JOE
  FRYER IN HOUSTON WHERE
  STRAINED HOSPITALS ARE
  CARING FOR MORE AND 
  MORE PATIENTS WHO ARE 
  YOUNGER, MANY WITH
  UNDERLYING CONDITIONS.
  >> WHAT WE ARE SEEING 
  HERE IS AN INCREASED
  RATE OF 
  HOSPITALIZATION OF 20 
  TO 40-YEAR-OLDS.
  >> Reporter: THAT'S 
  WHAT THEY'RE SAYING AT
  BAYLOR LUKES MEDICAL
  CENTER
  HOSPITALIZATIONS UP,
  BUT THE AGE IS GOING
  DOWN
  EVEN THOSE IN THEIR 
  20s ARE ENDING UP IN
  THE ICU.
  >> IT'S CERTAINLY 
  SOMETHING IF I WERE 
  YOUNGER I WOULD NOT 
  TAKE FOR GRANTED I'M
  IMMUNE TO HAVING A
  SERIOUS ILLNESS.
  >> Reporter: YOU'RE 
  SEEING THAT FIRSTHAND.
  >> SEEING THAT VERY 
  FIRSTHAND, ABSOLUTELY.
  >> Reporter:
  36-YEAR-OLD VERONICA
  SENT OVER A WEEK IN 
  THE HOSPITAL, HER 
  PARENTS AND BROTHER 
  SENT THERE TOO. 
  >> THAT EXPERIENCE IS 
  AN EXPERIENCE I 
  WOULDN'T WANT ANYBODY 
  TO GO THROUGH.
  >> EVERYBODY SHOULD 
  TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY.
  IT'S A REAL DEAL, IT'S
  A REAL THING
  IT'S VERY RAJS. 
  >> Reporter:
  REMDESIVIR WAS SHOWN
  TO SHORTEN RECOVERY 
  TIMES.
  FOR THOSE WITH PRIVATE
  INSURANCE, THE DRUG 
  COSTS $3,000 FOR FIVE 
  DAYS OF TREATMENT.
  DRUG MAKER GILEAD 
  DISAGREES.
  >> WE PRICED IT AT A
  PRICE THAT ALLOWS FOR 
  ACCESS ACROSS THE 
  DEVELOPED WORLD.
  >> Reporter: THE
  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS
  NOW SECURED HALF A
  MILLION TREATMENT 
  COURSES OF REMDESIVIR 
  TO GIVE TO HOSPITALS
  THROUGH SEPTEMBER.
  >> WE'RE WORKING TO 
  MAKE WITH OUR STATES
  TO MAKE SURE IT GETS
  TO HOSPITALS MOST IN
  NEED. 
  >> Reporter: ALSO IN
  NEED TESTING WHICH IS 
  IN HIGH DEMAND FROM 
  FLORIDA TO TEXAS TO 
  ARIZONA.
  >> THEY TOOK A LONG 
  TIME
  I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR 
  LIKE BETTER PART OF 
  TWO WEEKS.
  >> Reporter: ACROSS 
  THE SUN BELT MORE 
  SCENES ARE SURFACING
  OF PEOPLE STANDING IN 
  LONG LINES, WHILE 
  STREAMS OF CARS AT
  DRIVE-THROUGH SITES 
  STRETCH FOR BLOCKS. 
  >> THEY'RE TRYING TO
  SCREEN THOUSANDS OF 
  PEOPLE AND YET THAT'S 
  STILL NOT ENOUGH
  WE'RE FALLING BEHIND
  ON TESTING. 
  >> Reporter: A GROWING
  STRUGGLE TO GET AHEAD 
  OF A SPREADING VIRUS
  JOE FRYER, NBC NEWS.
  >>> IN MINNEAPOLIS
  LATE TODAY THE FOUR 
  EX-POLICE OFFICERS
  INVOLVED IN THE DEATH 
  OF GEORGE FLOYD WERE
  IN COURT AS THE HEAD
  OF THE POLICE UNION 
  FIGHTS BACK AGAINST 
  EFFORTS TO DEFUND THE 
  DEPARTMENT
  NBC'S GABE GUTIERREZ
  IS THERE. 
  >> Reporter: CAN YOU
  SHARE ANY 
  RESPONSIBILITY IN WHAT
  HAPPENED
  >> Reporter: OUT ON 
  BAIL TWO OF THE FORMER
  MINNEAPOLIS OFFICERS
  STAYED SILENT TODAY AS
  THEY LEFT THEIR 
  PRE-TRIAL HEARING,
  THOMAS LANE AND ALEX
  KUENG WERE ROOKIE COPS
  AND FOLLOWING THE LEAD
  OF SENIOR OFFICER 
  DEREK CHAUVIN.
  THE JUDGE WARNED THEM 
  TO LIMIT PRE-TRIAL
  PUBLICITY.
  >> THIS IS ABSOLUTELY 
  INSANE WE ALL HAVE
  GATHERED HERE TO TALK 
  ABOUT MY NEPHEW 
  GETTING MURDERED BY A 
  DAMN MADMAN IN THE
  MIDDLE OF THE STREET
  FOR THE COLOR OF HIS
  SKIN. 
  >> Reporter: HIS
  ATTORNEY HAS
  REPEATEDLY DECLINED TO
  COMMENT.
  THE THREE OTHER 
  EX-OFFICERS ARE 
  ACCUSED OF AIDING AND 
  ABETTING SECOND DEGREE
  MURDER, ALL FACE UP TO
  40 YEARS IN PRISON IF 
  CONVICTED.
  IN A COURT FILING LATE
  TODAY.
  KUENG PLEADED NOT TO
  THE.
  A LAWYER FOR THOU 
  WOULD NOT COMMENT,
  EXCEPT OFFER CONDOLL
  LENSES TO GEORGE
  FLOYD'S FAMILY. 
  >> WHAT THEY DID TO 
  HIM AND THE WAY THEY
  DID IT IT WAS BIGGER
  THAN RACIST.
  IT WAS ABOUT HUMANITY.
  >> Reporter: A FEW
  DAYS AGO THE CITY 
  COUNCIL VOTE TODAY
  TAKE THE FIRST STEPS
  TO DEFUND THE POLICE
  DEPARTMENT. 
  >> DO YOU THINK THAT
  POLICE IN THIS COUNTRY
  ARE UNDER ATTACK RIGHT
  NOW?
  >> I SURE DO, YEAH
  >> Reporter:
  LIEUTENANT BOB KROLL
  IS THE MED OF THE 
  MINNEAPOLIS 
  POLICEDOWNON
  HE ESTIMATES A QUARTER
  OF THE DEPARTMENT IS
  PREPARING TO EITHER 
  QUIT OR RETIRE DUE TO 
  LOW MORALE. 
  >> AN OFFICER DID A 
  HORRIFIC THING BUT YOU
  DON'T GET THE PAINT 
  THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT
  WITH THAT SAME BRUSH. 
  >> Reporter: KROLL
  SAYS THE UNION IS NO
  LONGER REPRESENTING 
  CHAUVIN BUT IS
  STANDING BY THE OTHER 
  THREE OFFICERS
  THEDOWN YOON WANTS TO 
  SEE THE BODY CAMERA 
  FOOTAGE FROM THE
  INCIDENT WHICH HAS NOT
  BEEN PUBLICLY 
  RELEASED
  LESTER
  >> GABE GUTIERREZ 
  TONIGHT, THANK YOU. 
  >>> THE FIRESTORM 
  INVOLVING PRESIDENT 
  TRUMP AFTER HE
  RETWEETED AN
  INFLAMMATORY VIDEO
  MADE DURING A PROTEST 
  IN ST. LOUIS
  THIS FOLLOWS A RACIST 
  VIDEO HE RETWEETED THE
  DAY BEFORE
  KRISTEN WELKER HAS
  MORE NOW FROM THE 
  WHITE HOUSE.
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  AS PROTESTS FOR RACIAL
  JUSTICE PERSIST THE 
  PRESIDENT IS AGAIN
  STOKING TENSIONS ON 
  TWITTER.
  SHARING A VIDEO TODAY 
  OF A WHITE COUPLE IN
  AN UPSCALE ST. LOUIS
  NEIGHBORHOOD POINTING 
  FIREARMS AND SHOUTING 
  AT PEOPLE PROTESTING
  THE WHITE HOUSE HAS 
  NOT COMMENTED ON THAT 
  VIDEO BUT IT COMES A
  DAY AFTER THE 
  PRESIDENT RETWEETED 
  ANOTHER VIDEO SHOWING 
  AN APPARENT TRUMP 
  SUPPORTER AT A FLORIDA
  RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
  SHOUTING WHITE POWER
  AT ANTI-TRUMP 
  PROTESTERS. 
  >> WHITE POWER, WHITE 
  POWER.
  >> Reporter: THE
  PRESIDENT TOOK THE
  TWEET DOWN AMID 
  BIPARTISAN BACKLASH 
  AND AFTER HIS ALLY
  SENATOR TIM SCOTT 
  CALLED THE TWEET
  INDEFENSIBLE ON 
  SUNDAY. 
  >> THERE'S NO QUESTION
  HE SHOULD NOT HAVE
  RETWEETED IT AND IT 
  SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN. 
  >> Reporter: JOE BIDEN
  SAYING WHITE SUPREMACY
  SHOULD BE ROOTED OUT, 
  NOT PROMOTED BY THE 
  PRESIDENT OF THE
  UNITED STATES.
  THE WHITE HOUSE ON
  DEFENSE.
  >> WE DID NOT HEAR
  THAT PARTICULAR PHRASE
  WHEN HE TWEETED OUT 
  THE VIDEO.
  HE DID AND HE DID NOT 
  HEAR THAT PARTICULAR
  PHRASE
  >> Reporter: IT'S NOT 
  THE FIRST TIME THE
  PRESIDENT HAS SPARKED 
  CONTROVERSY OVER
  PROTESTERS AND THE
  ISSUE OF RACE.
  HE HAS DISPARAGED 
  UNRULY DEMONSTRATORS
  AS THUGS AND RECENTLY 
  TWEETED WHEN THE
  LOOTING STARTS, THE 
  SHOOTING STARTS.
  REMARKS, QUOTING THE
  MIAMI POLICE CHIEF IN 
  THE 1960s WIDELY
  CRITICIZED FOR
  CONTRIBUTING TO RACE
  RIOTS.
  IT ALL COMES AS THE 
  REPUBLICAN MAYOR OF 
  JACKSONVILLE, THE SITE
  OF THE REPUBLICAN 
  NATIONAL CONVENTION 
  ANNOUNCED EVERYONE
  WILL NOW BE REQUIRED
  TO WEAR MASKS INDOORS,
  VICE PRESIDENT PENCE
  TRAVELING IN TEXAS
  SUNDAY URGED PEOPLE IN
  HOT ZONES TO WEAR ONE.
  THE PRESIDENT SENT
  MIXED MESSAGES ON 
  MASKS.
  HE HASN'T URGED PEOPLE
  TO WEAR THEM AND HAS
  ONLY BEEN PICTURED IN 
  ONE ONCE
  THE RNC IS COMMITTED
  TO HOLDING A SAFE 
  CONVENTION. 
  >>> CONGRESS IS 
  DEMANDING ANSWERS THIS
  EVENING AFTER REPORTS 
  RUSSIA OFFERED TO PAY 
  THE TALIBAN TO KILL 
  AMERICAN TROOPS IN
  AFGHANISTAN.
  PRESIDENT PUTIN'S 
  SPOKESMAN RESPONDED IN
  AN EXCLUSIVE INTER
  VIEW
  KEIR SIMMONS SUICIDE
  LATEST. 
  >> Reporter: GROWING
  OUTRAGE OVER REPORTS
  RUSSIA OFFERED CASH 
  FOR KILLING AMERICAN
  SOLDIERS
  IN AFGHANISTAN
  OFFICIALS FAMILIAR
  WITH THE INTELLIGENCE 
  TELL NBC NEWS THE U.S.
  GATHERED INFORMATION
  SHOWING RUSSIAN 
  OPERATIVES OFFERED
  BOUNTIES TO THE 
  TALIBAN.
  ONE OFFICIAL SAYING 
  AMERICAN SERVICE
  MEMBERS AND AFGHAN
  CIVILIANS DIED AS A 
  RESULT
  OTHER OFFICIALS TELL
  US THE INTELLIGENCE 
  WAS UNCOB RATED.
  OVERNIGHT PRESIDENT 
  TRUMP TWEETING INTEL
  JUST REPORTED TO ME 
  THEY DID NOT FIND THIS
  INFO CREDIBLE AND 
  THEREFORE DIDN'T
  REPORT IT TO ME.
  NOW PRESIDENT PUTIN'S 
  SPOKESMAN PUSHING BACK
  IN AN EXCLUSIVE 
  INTERVIEW WITH NBC
  NEWS. 
  >> MAYBE I CAN SOUND A
  LITTLE BIT RUDE BUT 
  THIS IS 100% BULL 
  [ BLEEP ].
  >> Reporter:
  BIPARTISAN CALLS IN 
  CONGRESS AN 
  INVESTIGATION.
  LIZ CHENEY, WHO DID 
  KNOW AND WHEN, WHAT 
  HAS BEEN DONE TO
  PROTECT OUR FORCES AND
  HOLD PUTIN
  ACCOUNTABLE.
  PRESIDENT PUTIN'S 
  SPOKESMAN TELLING NBC 
  NEWS RUSSIA HAS 
  RECEIVED NO COMPLAINTS
  FROM AMERICAN 
  OFFICIALS.
  HAS ANYONE RAISED THIS
  WITH YOU, COMPLAINED
  TO THE RUSSIAN
  GOVERNMENT ABOUT THIS,
  OR SAID THERE WILL BE 
  IMPLICATIONS
  >> AS FAR AS I AM 
  CONCERNED NO
  REPRESENTATIVES HAVE
  EVER -- THIS QUESTION 
  AGAIN.
  >> Reporter: TONIGHT
  THE WHITE HOUSE 
  BRIEFED TOP 
  REPUBLICANS WHO SAY 
  THERE'S NOW AN ONGOING
  REVIEW TO DETERMINE 
  THE ACCURACY OF THE 
  INTELLIGENCE
  LESTER
  >> KEIR SIMMONS 
  TONIGHT, THANK YOU. 
  >>> A MAJOR RULING
  FROM THE SUPREME COURT
  TODAY ONNEN ABORTION
  THE COURT STRIKING
  DOWN A LAW IN 
  LOUISIANA.
  PETE WILLIAMS HAS 
  DETAILS.
  >> Reporter: IT'S 
  ANOTHER SURPRISING
  RULING FROM THIS
  CONSERVATIVE SUPREME
  COURT AND A VICTORY 
  FOR WOMEN SPEAKING
  ABORTION, LIKE
  KIMBERLY O'BRIEN OF 
  NEW ORLEANS,
  DEVASTATED TO LEARN 
  THE CHILD SHE WAS 
  CARRYING WOULD HAVE 
  SEVERE BIRTH DEFECTS
  SHE AND HER HUSBAND 
  DECIDED TO TERMINATE
  THE PREGNANCY BUT SHE 
  HAD TO GO TO TEXAS. 
  >> I ENDED UP HAVING
  TO GO 350 MILES AWAY
  TO HAVE MY ABORTION 
  BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET
  A PROVIDER TO DO IT IN
  NEW ORLEANS.
  >> Reporter: TODAY'S
  RULING STRUCK DOWN A
  RAZE LAW THAT WOULD 
  HAVE MADE THAT EVEN 
  HARDER REQUIRING
  ABORTION DOCTORS TO 
  HAVE ADMITTING
  PRIVILEGES AT A NEARBY
  HOSPITAL
  CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN
  ROBERTS JOINED THE
  COURT'S FOUR MORE 
  LIBERAL MEMBERS IN THE
  5 TO 4 DECISION.
  HE SAID THE LAW WAS 
  IDENTICAL TO ONE FROM 
  TEXAS THAT THE COURT
  STRUCK DOWN FOUR YEARS
  AGO.
  EVEN THOUGH HE
  DISSENTED IN THE TEXAS
  CASE HE SAID TODAY
  THAT IT IS BINDING
  PRECEDENT SO
  LOUISIANA'S LAW CANNOT
  STAND.
  PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TWO 
  NOMINEES NEIL GORSUCH 
  AND BRETT KAVANAUGH 
  WERE -- CLARENCE
  THOMAS SAID IT SHOULD 
  BE OVERTURNED.
  KAVANAUGH SAID THE
  COURT SHOULD HAVE SENT
  THE BASE FOR MORE 
  FACTS.
  IT'S A BIG WIN, BUT 
  BECAUSE ROBERTS JOINED
  ONLY GRUDGINGLY IT
  LEAVES THE DOOR OPEN
  FOR MORE RESTRICTIONS.
  >> GOING INTO AN
  ELECTION YEAR THIS IS 
  NOT SOMETHING HE
  WANTED HIS COURT TO 
  PRESIDE OVERMENT HE 
  DID NOT WANT TO BE THE
  ONE ON RECORD AS
  EVISCERATING SOME KIND
  OF ABORTION RIGHT.
  >> Reporter: MORE 
  DECISIONS TOMORROW, 
  STILL TO COME RULINGS 
  ON WHETHER CONGRESS 
  AND A STATE PROSECUTOR
  CAN GET PRESIDENT 
  TRUMP'S TAX RETURNS,
  IT'S CLEAR NOW THIS 
  SUPREME COURT TERM
  WILL LAST AT LEAST
  ANOTHER WEEK
  LESTER
  >> PETE WILLIAMS
  TONIGHT, THANK YOU. 
  >>> IN 60 SECONDS 
  VOTING IN A PANDEMIC
  AS MORE STATES EXPAND 
  THE USE OF MAIL-IN
   >>> BACK NOW WITH OU
  >>> BACK WITH OUR NBC 
  NEWS INVESTIGATION
  WITH CORONAVIRUS
  RAISING SAFETY
  CONCERNS AT POLLING 
  PLACES, HOW PREPARED
  IS THIS COUNTRY TO
  EXPAND MAIL-IN VOTING.
  WE CONTACTED ALL 50 
  STATES TO FIND OUT. 
  >> Reporter: ONE KEY
  ELECTION OFFICIAL IS
  SOUNDING AN ALARM 
  ABOUT EXPANDING VOTE
  BY MAIL.
  >> EXPANDING VOTE AT
  HOME IS NOT A SIMPLE
  THING.
  IT MAY SOUND SIMPLE.
  IT MAY SEEM SIMPLE TO 
  THE VOTER.
  IT'S NOT SIMPLE IF
  YOU'RE ADMIN STRERING 
  THE ELECTION, CORRECT?
  >> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY 
  CORRECT.
  IT'S A DISSERVICE TO
  OUR VOTERS TO THROW IT
  OUT, WE CAN FLIP A
  SWITCH AND EVERYBODY
  CAN VOTE BY MAIL. 
  >> Reporter: KIM
  WHYMAN IS IN A UNIQUE 
  POSITION TO KNOW, A 
  REPUBLICAN FROM A VERY
  BLUE STATE IN CHARGE
  OF RUNNING ELECTIONS
  FOR ONE OF ONLY FIVE
  ALL VOTE BY MAIL
  STATES IN THE COUNTRY.
  WASHINGTON'S 18-DAY 
  VOTING PERIOD IS RUN
  ENTIRELY BY BALLOTS 
  MAILED TO EVERY 
  REGISTERED VOTER AND
  HAS BEEN FOR THE PAST 
  NINE YEARS
  NOW THE WOMAN WHO RUNS
  IT IS GETTING CALLS 
  FOR ADVICE FROM OTHER 
  STATES
  SHE SAYS THEY'LL NEED 
  SYSTEMS TO ENSURE 
  BALLOTS ARE NOT 
  FRAUDULENT, AND NEW 
  EQUIPMENT TO COUNT
  HAND-MARKED PAPER 
  BALLOTS.
  AND FAST. 
  >> THEY NEED TO BE
  ABLE TO DEAL WITH THE 
  PRODUCTION THEY'RE
  GOING TO HAVE TO PUT
  ON AND WE NEED
  CONGRESS'S HELP TO DO 
  THAT. 
  >> Reporter: SO FAR 
  ADDITIONAL HELP DOES
  NOT LOOK TO BE
  FORTHCOMING AND THE 
  CLOCK IS TICKING
  NBC NEWS HAS REACHED
  OUT TO ELECTION 
  OFFICIALS IN ALL 50 
  STATES
  TO SEE WHAT MEASURES
  THEY'VE PUT IN PLACE, 
  AND WHAT KIND OF
  RESOURCES THEY
  REQUIRE.
  33 STATES OFFERED NO
  EXCUSE NEEDED ABSENTEE
  BALLOTS.
  WHILE 17 OTHERS OFFER 
  THEM WITH AN EXCUSE.
  AT LEAST TEN OF THOSE 
  STATES, HOWEVER, ARE
  EXPANDING ABSENTEE
  VOTING DUE TO THE 
  CORONAVIRUS.
  MICHIGAN ELECTION 
  OFFICIALS TELL US THEY
  NEED ANOTHER $30
  MILLION FOR PPE,
  POSTAGE, MAILINGS AND 
  PUBLIC EDUCATION
  MINNESOTA OFFICIALS 
  SAY THEY NEED 30,000
  POLL WORKERS FOR WHAT 
  THEY EXPECT TO BE A 
  TIDAL WAVE OF ABSENTEE
  BALLOT APPLICATIONS,
  AND ACTUAL BALLOTS
  AND AS MUCH AS SHE
  BELIEVES IN VOTING
  EXCLUSIVELY BY MAIL 
  WHYMAN TELLS US IT MAY
  NOT BE THE BEST OPTION
  FOR STATES WITH LITTLE
  EXPERIENCE WITH IT. 
  >> FOUR MONTHS IS NOT 
  ENOUGH TIME TO SPIN UP
  WHAT WE NEED TO SPIN
  UP
  I THINK YOU'RE GOING
  TO SEE A HYBRID MODEL 
  ACROSS THE COUNTRY
  >> Reporter: STATES 
  LIKE MISSOURI AND 
  ILLINOIS FOR INSTANCE 
  TELL US THEY DO NOT 
  WANT TO DECREASE
  IN-PERSON VOTING
  LOCATIONS IF THEY CAN 
  AVOID IT
  MAKING POLLING PLACES 
  SAFE AND LINES SHORT
  WILL BE A CHALLENGE.
  >> AND WE NEED THE
  RESOURCES TO DO IT
  RIGHT.
  >> Reporter: FROM YOUR
  PERSPECTIVE WE'RE 
  ALREADY BEHIND. 
  >> WE WERE BEHIND 
  THREE MONTHS AGO WHEN 
  WE STARTED HAVING THIS
  CONVERSATION
  >> Reporter: CYNTHIA
  McFADDEN, NBC NEWS. 
  >>> A DAY OF RECKONING
  IN A CALIFORNIA 
  COURTROOM FOR THE MAN 
  KNOWN AS THE GOLDEN 
  STATE KILLER, JOSEPH
  JAMES DeANGELO PLED 
  GUILTY TO 13 MURDERS, 
  ADMITTED TO DOZENS OF 
  RAPES AND OTHER CRIMES
  IN THE 1970s AND '80s.
  HE STRUCK A PLEA DEAL 
  WITH A LIFE SENTENCE
  OF N
   >>> ALL RIGHT.
   LET'S GET INTO AN 
  >>> LET'S GET INTO AN 
  ISSUE NOW FACING SO 
  MANY FAMILIES, WILL 
  SCHOOLS REOPEN FOR
  TEACHING IN PERSON
  THIS FALL?
  TONIGHT THE LARGEST 
  ORGANIZATION OF 
  PEDIATRICIANS IS
  WEIGHING IN.
  HERE'S KATE SNOW
  >> Reporter: EVEN AS
  CORONAVIRUS CASES 
  SPIKE WHEN IT COMES TO
  SCHOOL THE AMERICAN 
  ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS 
  SAYS ALL POLICY 
  CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE
  COMING SCHOOL YEAR
  SHOULD START WITH A 
  GOAL OF HAVING
  STUDENTS PHYSICALLY 
  PRESENT.
  >> KIDS NEED TO LEARN 
  AND THEY LEARN BETTER 
  IN PERSON THAN
  VIRTUALLY.
  >> Reporter: LESLEY 
  AGREES, HER SON REALLY
  STRUGGLED WITH
  DISTANCE LEARNING.
  >> HE MISSED THAT 
  INTERACTION SO MUCH 
  AND HE MISSED THE 
  INSTRUCTION.
  HE DIDN'T CARE TO JUST
  SORT OF READ SOMETHING
  AND DO SOMETHING. 
  >> Reporter: THE AAP
  WORRIES THAT WITHOUT
  GOING TO SCHOOL KIDS
  LOSE ACCESS TO
  BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL 
  HEALTH SERVICES, FOOD 
  PROGRAMS AND ARE
  SOCIALLY ISOLATED.
  AND STUDENTS WITHOUT
  INTERNET CONNECTIONS
  OR DEVICES ARE FALLING
  BEHIND
  BUT PARENTS LIKE RENEE
  PARKER IN HOUSTON SEE 
  THINGS DIFFERENTLY. 
  >> I WILL NOT ALLOW MY
  KIDS TO GO BACK TO
  SCHOOL, IN AUGUST, IN 
  THE FALL
  >> Reporter: NO MATTER
  WHAT. 
  >> NO MATTER WHAT.
  >> Reporter: ONE OF 
  HER DAUGHTERS HAS AN
  AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE. 
  >> MY KIDS MISS ALL 
  THEIR FRIENDS BUT AT
  THIS POINT WE'RE
  TRYING TO -- WE'RE
  TALKING ABOUT THEIR 
  HEALTH AND THEIR
  LIVES.
  I THINK SAFETY COMES
  FIRST.
  >> Reporter: THE AAP
  SUGGESTS KIDS COULD BE
  AS CLOSE AS THREE FEET
  APART, PARTICULARLY IF
  WEARING MASKS,
  ASSIGNED SEATING ON 
  SCHOOL BUSES, DOORWAYS
  LEFT OPEN SO NO ONE 
  HAS TO TOUCH THE KNOB.
  >> Reporter: SOME ARE 
  GOING TO LOOK AT THIS 
  AND SAY WHY WOULD YOU 
  PUT KIDS AT RISK
  >> RISKS WITH COVID-19
  AND GETTING COVID-19, 
  THOSE RISKS ARE LOWER 
  FOR CHILDREN BUT WE 
  HAVE TO TAKE INTO 
  ACCOUNT ALL THE OTHER 
  RISKS OF NOT HAVING 
  THEM IN SCHOOL. 
  >> Reporter: THE
  á AT LEAST YOU'LL STA
