   STAGGERING NEW 
   CORONAVIRUS RECORD.
   THE U.S. TOPPING 
   50,000 CASES.
   NEW CASES FOR A SECOND
   DAY AS 
   EXPERTS FEAR 4th OF 
   JULY 
   GATHERINGS COULD LEAD 
   TO ANOTHER 
   EXPLOSION.
   SEVERAL STATES 
   SHATTERING THEIR 
   OWN RECORDS.
   10,000 NEW CASES IN 
   FLORIDA 
   ALONE.
   COLLEGE STUDENTS 
   SPARKING 
   OUTRAGE WITH SO-CALLED
   COVID 
   PARTIES.
   THE TEXAS GOVERNOR'S 
   NEW 
   MANDATORY MASK ORDER 
   AND THE 
   CITY HITTING PEOPLE 
   WHO WON'T 
   WEAR THEM WITH $300 
   FINES. 
   >>> THE STUNNING TWIST
   IN THE JEFFREY
   EPSTEIN'S SEX 
   TRAFFICKING CASE.
   HIS ALLEGED 
   ACCOMPLICE'S CHARGES.
   THE CHARGES GHISLAINE 
   MAXWELL 
   FACES AND THE LUXURY 
   MANSION 
   WHERE THE FEDS SAY SHE
   WAS 
   FOUND HIDING OUT.
   >>> THE DEMAND FOR 
   TESTING 
   SOARING.
   WHY SOME STATES ARE 
   BEING FORCED 
   TO SHUT DOWN SITES. 
   >>> NEARLY FIVE 
   MILLION JOBS ADDED IN 
   JOIN, BUT THE RECORD 
   NUMBER NOT
   TELLING THE WHOLE 
   STORY.
   AND BLACK AMERICANS 
   BEING LEFT 
   BEHIND. 
   >>> SUMMER SCORCHER AS
   TENS OF 
   MILLIONS STAY INSIDE 
   TO BEAT THE 
   HEAT.
   IS AIR-CONDITIONING 
   SPREADING 
   THE VIRUS?
   >>> THE MAN RELEASED 
   FROM PRISON 
   AFTER 23 YEARS FOR A 
   CRIME HE 
   SAYS HE DIDN'T COMMIT.
   THE REUNION WITH A 
   WNBA SUPERSTAR WHO 
   FOUGHT FOR HIS 
   FREEDOM.
   >>> AND CELEBRATING 
   THE LIFE OF 
   A BROADCASTING LEGEND.
   >>> THIS IS NBC 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS" 
   WITH LESTER HOLT. 
   >>> GOOD EVENING, 
   EVERYONE.
   WE ARE HEADING INTO A 
   JULY 4th 
   HOLIDAY WEEKEND LIKE 
   WE HAVE 
   NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
   AMERICANS IN RETREAT 
   TONIGHT
   FROM PUBLIC 
   GATHERINGS.
   CELEBRATIONS CURBED 
   AND MORE BUSINESSES 
   CLOSED AS NEW
   COVID-19 INFECTIONS 
   RAGED OUT OF 
   CONTROL IN SEVERAL 
   STATES.
   IN TEXAS, DAILY 
   INFECTIONS 
   SOARING AND HOSPITALS 
   BURSTING 
   AT THE SEAMS HAVE 
   FORCED THE 
   GOVERNOR'S HAND, 
   DROPPING HIS 
   RESISTANCE AND 
   ORDERING A 
   MANDATORY MASK ORDER, 
   BUT IS IT 
   TOO LATE?
   TONIGHT TEXAS, FLORIDA
   AND ARIZONA AMONG NEAR
   LY
   A DOZEN STATES FALLING
   WOEFULLY 
   BEHIND THE 
   ACCELERATING VIRUS.
   WE HAVE SEVERAL 
   REPORTS 
   BEGINNING WITH MIGUEL 
   ALMAGUER. 
   >> Reporter: AS OUR 
   NATION HIT 
   ANOTHER STAGGERING 
   SINGLE DAY 
   RECORD FOR CONFIRMED 
   COVID 
   CASES, TONIGHT THE 
   SUMMER SPIKE 
   IN INFECTIONS IS 
   ACCELERATING IN 
   STATES LIKE FLORIDA.
   10,000 IN 24 HOURS.
   IN ARIZONA VENTILATORS
   AND ICU 
   BEDS ARE SCARCE AS THE
   NUMBER OF 
   PEOPLE TESTING 
   POSITIVE CLIMBS 
   TO 30%. 
   >> WE DON'T HAVE 
   ENOUGH STAFF TO 
   STAFF OUR ICUs.
   WE'RE ABOUT TO 
   COMPLETELY MAX OUT OUR
   HOSPITAL CAPACITY. 
   >> Reporter: WITH MORE
   THAN A 
   DOZEN STATES SETTING 
   COVID 
   RECORDS, TEXAS, ONE OF
   THE LAST 
   TO IMPLEMENT 
   RESTRICTIONS, NOW 
   GOING FURTHER THAN 
   MANY OTHERS.
   TODAY ISSING A 
   MANDATORY STATEWIDE 
   FACE MASK POLICY.
   KANSAS, SEEING A 35% 
   INCREASE IN 
   CASES FROM A MONTH 
   AGO.
   HE WILL SPEND HIS 
   SUMMER 
   RECOVERING FROM THE 
   VIRUS THAT 
   NEARLY KILLED HIM. 
   >> FIRST THING THAT 
   WENT THROUGH MY MIND 
   WAS THAT I WASN'T 
   GOING TO MAKE IT.
   I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT 
   OF MY SON. 
   >> Reporter: YOUNG 
   PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THE
   SURGE AND
   AUTHORITIES IN ALABAMA
   ARE 
   INVESTIGATING REPORTS 
   COLLEGE 
   STUDENTS MAY HAVE 
   THROWN PARTIES 
   INVITING SOMEONE KNOWN
   TO BE 
   INFECTED, THEN 
   AWARDING THE NEXT 
   PERSON TO CATCH THE 
   VIRUS A CASH 
   PAYOUT ACCORDING TO A 
   LOCAL 
   COUNCIL WOMAN. 
   >> I THINK IT'S 
   CARELESS AND IT 
   MAKES ME MAD AS HELL. 
   >> Reporter: AS THE 
   NATION'S TOP DOCTORS 
   PLEAD
   FOR AMERICANS TO 
   PROTECT THEIR 
   HEALTH --
   >> I'M BEGGING YOU, 
   WEAR A FACE 
   COVERING. 
   >> Reporter: -- IT'S 
   THE ECONOMY
   THAT COULD FLAT LINE 
   AGAIN. 
   >> PRETTY DEVASTATING.
   WE JUST OPENED UP.
   WE'VE BEEN OPEN FOR 
   TWO WEEKS 
   NOW SINCE THE LAST 
   SHUT DOWN AND NOW 
   WE'LL HAVE TO SHUT 
   DOWN AGAIN.
   >> Reporter: AND IN 
   STATES LIKE 
   CALIFORNIA WHERE SOME 
   BUSINESSES 
   HAVE CLOSED FOR GOOD, 
   ONE LOCAL 
   SHERIFF IS HANDING OUT
   $300 
   TICKETS TO ANYONE NOT 
   WEARING A 
   MASK.
   THE MEASURES ALL IN 
   PLACE TO 
   PROTECT LIVES BEFORE 
   PASSING 
   AWAY FROM COVID, GREG 
   DELIVERED 
   MEDICATION TO SICK 
   NEIGHBORS AND 
   FRIENDS.
   BUT HIS MOST IMPORTANT
   JOB WAS 
   HUSBAND AND FATHER.
   >> HE WANTED TO DO 
   RIGHT BY 
   EVERYONE.
   THAT WAS ALWAYS HIS 
   THING.
   LIKE HE WOULD ALWAYS 
   PUT HIMSELF 
   IN OTHER PEOPLE'S 
   SHOES. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   FOR SOME 
   FAMILIES, THE TRUE 
   COST OF COVID 
   TOO MUCH TO BEAR.
   MIGUEL ALMAGUER, NBC 
   NEWS LOS 
   ANGELES. 
   >> Reporter: I'M JOE 
   FRIAR ON 
   THE FRONT LINES IN 
   HOUSTON.
   OVERLOADED HOSPITALS 
   AND 
   OVERWORKED 
   FIREFIGHTERS.
   NEARLY A QUARTER OF 
   THE CITY'S 
   FIREFIGHTERS ARE NOW 
   IN 
   QUARANTINE. 
   MORE THAN 260 OF THEM.
   >> THAT'S PUTTING A 
   LOT OF 
   STRAIN ON OUR ABILITY 
   TO STAFF 
   OUR AMBULANCES AND OUR
   FIRE 
   TRUCKS. 
   >> Reporter: THE FIRE 
   CHIEF SAYS 
   AFTER ARRIVING AT 
   HOSPITALS, 
   AMBULANCES ARE 
   SOMETIMES WAITING 
   AN HOUR TO TRANSFER 
   PATIENTS 
   UNTIL BEDS OPEN UP.
   HOSPITALIZATIONS IN 
   HOUSTON HAVE 
   QUADRUPLED SINCE 
   MEMORIAL DAY. 
   >> WE ARE PREPARING 
   EVERY NOOK 
   AND CRANNY OF THIS 
   HOSPITAL TO 
   BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE 
   OF EVERY 
   PATIENT WHO NEEDS CARE
   DURING 
   THIS TIME. 
   >> Reporter: TODAY 
   TEXAS 
   REPORTED NEARLY 8,000 
   NEW CASES.
   STATEWIDE MORE THAN 
   7,000 PATIENTS
   ARE NOW HOSPITALIZED.
   PATIENTS AT THIS 
   HOSPITAL SAY
   THEY HAVE USED THEIR 
   LAST VILE 
   OF THE TREATMENT 
   REMDESIVIR BUT 
   EXPECT MORE IN THE 
   NEAR FUTURE, 
   WHILE IN DALLAS WHERE 
   71% OF ICU 
   BEDS ARE FULL, ONE OF 
   THREE 
   NURSES IN HER FAMILY 
   WORRIES 
   ABOUT HAVING ENOUGH 
   STAFF AND 
   PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. 
   >> THERE IS JUST MORE 
   OF ADDING 
   FEAR, ANXIETY AND 
   DIFFERENT 
   STRESS LEVELS ON MY 
   SHOULDERS 
   BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, I'M
   A HUMAN, 
   TOO. 
   >> Reporter: IN SOUTH 
   CAROLINA, 
   MORE THAN 1,100 
   HOSPITAL BEDS 
   ARE FILLED WITH COVID 
   PATIENTS. 
   >> I HAVE SEEN A LOT 
   OF YOUNGER 
   PEOPLE IN HERE, EVEN 
   MORE SO 
   LATELY BECAUSE THEY 
   THINK 
   THEY'RE INVINCIBLE. 
   >> Reporter: MATT 
   HAMLIN IS AN 
   ER NURSE IN 
   GREENVILLE.
   HE'S TAKING EXTRA
   PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT
   HIS WIFE 
   AND THREE KIDS. 
   >> I HAVE A NEWBORN AT
   HOME. 
   AND I DON'T WANT TO 
   BRING ANYTHING HOME TO
   HER, LET ALONE COVID.
   >> Reporter: IN 
   TACOMA, 
   WASHINGTON, THIS NURSE
   GOT SICK, 
   THEN INFECTED HUSBAND 
   BRIAN WHO 
   SPENT NEARLY A MONTH 
   IN THE 
   HOSPITAL. 
   >> AND THEN YOU FEEL 
   LIKE YOU'RE 
   GOING TO DIE.
   I TOTALLY THOUGHT WE 
   WERE GOING 
   TO DIE. 
   >> OH, YEAH. 
   >> Reporter: BY 
   SHARING THEIR 
   STORY, THEY HOPE THE 
   PUBLIC 
   UNDERSTANDS HOW 
   SERIOUS THE 
   VIRUS CAN BE ON AND 
   OFF THE 
   FRONT LINES.
   JOE FRIAR, NBC NEWS. 
   >>> WE'LL GET TO MUCH 
   MORE ON 
   COVID, INCLUDING NEW 
   TESTING 
   WORRIES.
   BUT FIRST TO ANOTHER 
   BIG STORY BREAKING 
   TODAY.
   THE SEXUAL ABUSE CASE 
   INVOLVING 
   THE LATE JEFFREY 
   EPSTEIN.
   HIS LONG-TIME 
   ASSOCIATE AND 
   COMPANION ARRESTED 
   TODAY
   NEW HAMPSHIRE AND 
   CHARGED WITH 
   HELPING JEFFREY 
   EPSTEIN RECRUIT 
   AND ABUSE UNDERAGE 
   GIRLS. 
   STEPHANIE GOSK HAS 
   LATE DETAILS.
   >> Reporter: SINCE 
   JEFFREY 
   EPSTEIN'S SUICIDE IN 
   FEDERAL CUSTODY NEARLY
   A YEAR AGO, IT 
   REMAINED AN UNANSWERED
   QUESTION.
   WHERE WAS MAXWELL?
   THIS MORNING AT A 
   SPRAWLING 
   PROPERTY IN NEW 
   HAMPSHIRE, THE 
   FBI ARRESTED HER. 
   >> MAXWELL PLAYED A 
   CRITICAL 
   ROLE IN HELPING TO 
   IDENTIFY, 
   BEFRIEND AND GROOM 
   VICTIMS FOR 
   ABUSE.
   IN SOME CASES, MAXWELL
   PARTICIPATED IN THE 
   ABUSE 
   HERSELF. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   CHARGES INCLUDE 
   ALLEGED CRIMES FROM 
   THE 
   MID-'90s, INCLUDING 
   THREE 
   MINORS, ONE OF THEM A 
   14-YEAR-OLD GIRL. 
   >> TYPICALLY THEY 
   WOULD BEFRIEND 
   THESE YOUNG GIRLS BY 
   ASKING THEM 
   QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR 
   LIVES, 
   PRETENDING TO BE 
   TAKING AN 
   INTEREST IN THEM.
   THEY WOULD TAKE THEM 
   TO THE 
   MOVIES AND TREAT THEM 
   TO 
   SHOPPING TRIPS. 
   >> Reporter: ACCORDING
   TO THE 
   INDICTMENT, MAXWELL 
   WOULD BRING 
   THE GIRLS TO EPSTEIN'S
   HOME TO 
   NEW MEXICO, FLORIDA TO
   ENGAGE IN SEX ACTS.
   JENNIFER ROSE SAYS 
   EPSTEIN RAPED 
   HER WHEN SHE WAS 15 
   YEARS OLD, 
   WORRIED THAT AFTER HIS
   DEATH HIS 
   ASSOCIATES WOULD NEVER
   FACE 
   CHARGES. 
   >> THIS ARREST 
   PROBABLY, I 
   THINK, REPRESENTS, YOU
   KNOW, A 
   COMPLETELY NEW 
   BEGINNING, YOU 
   KNOW, FOR JUSTICE FOR 
   ALL THE 
   SURVIVORS BEING THAT 
   SHE KNEW 
   JUST AS MUCH AS HE 
   KNEW. 
   >> Reporter: MAXWELL 
   IS THE 
   DAUGHTER OF A FAMOUS 
   PUBLISHER.
   A SOCIALITE WHO 
   HOBNOBBED WITH THE 
   RICH AND FAMOUS, 
   INCLUDING DONALD TRUMP
   AND BILL CLINTON.
   SHE HAS DENIED 
   ACCUSATIONS MADE 
   IN MULTIPLE LAWSUITS, 
   THAT SHE 
   HELPED ORCHESTRATE A 
   SEX RING.
   TODAY PROSECUTORS 
   DESCRIBED 
   MAXWELL AS AN EXTREME 
   FLIGHT 
   RISK WHO MADE 
   INTENTIONAL 
   EFFORTS TO AVOID 
   DETECTION IN 
   THE LAST YEAR, 
   INCLUDING BUYING 
   THE NEW HAMPSHIRE 
   PROPERTY WITH 
   CASH AND SWITCHING 
   PHONE 
   NUMBERS.
   WHILE INVESTIGATORS 
   TOOK A 
   MOMENT TO COMMEND THE 
   ACCUSERS 
   FOR COMING FORWARD. 
   >> THEY PERSEVERED 
   AGAINST THE 
   RICH AND CONNECTED AND
   THEY DID 
   SO WITHOUT A BADGE, A 
   GUN OR A 
   SUBPOENA AND THEY 
   STOOD 
   TOGETHER. 
   >> Reporter: A JUDGE 
   ORDERED 
   MAXWELL EXTRADITED TO 
   NEW YORK.
   WHERE PROSECUTORS WANT
   HER HELD WITHOUT BAIL 
   HERE.
   THERE IS A POSSIBILITY
   THAT SHE 
   WOULD END UP IN THE 
   SAME 
   MANHATTAN JAIL WHERE 
   JEFFREY 
   EPSTEIN TOOK HIS LIFE 
   LAST 
   SUMMER.
   LESTER?
   >> STEPHANIE GOSK 
   TONIGHT.
   STEPHANIE, THANKS. 
   >>> WITH CORONAVIRUS 
   CASES INCREASING,
   THE DEMAND FOR TESTING
   IS 
   SOARING.
   THERE IS RENEWED 
   STRUGGLE TO 
   KEEP UP WITH THAT 
   DEMAND.
   LET'S GET MORE FROM 
   GABE 
   GUTIERREZ. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   UTAH HAS 
   TEMPORARILY SHUT DOWN 
   THREE OF 
   ITS TESTING SUPPLIES. 
   >> WE ARE CLOSING DOWN
   IN THE 
   HOURS WHERE THE HEAT 
   IS HIGH AND 
   THEN REOPENING IN THE 
   MORNING. 
   >> Reporter: ACROSS 
   THE COUNTRY, 
   THE TRUMP 
   ADMINISTRATION SAYS 
   COVID TESTING HAS 
   RAMPED UP 
   DRAMATICALLY.
   THAT'S TRUE.
   AN ESTIMATED FIVE TO 
   SIX HUNDRED 
   THOUSAND TESTS ARE 
   PERFORMED 
   EACH DAY, BUT SOME 
   STATES ARE 
   NOW STRUGGLING TO KEEP
   UP. 
   >> IT IS ABSOLUTELY 
   CORRECT THAT 
   SOME LABS ACROSS THE 
   COUNTRY ARE 
   REACHING OR ARE NEAR 
   CAPACITY. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   COUNTRY'S 
   CORONAVIRUS TESTING 
   COORDINATOR 
   SAYS SOME OF THAT 
   SURGE IS DUE 
   TO DEMAND AT NURSING 
   HOMES AND 
   PRISONS.
   IN NINE STATES PEOPLE 
   MUST WAIT 
   UP TO FOUR DAYS TO GET
   THEIR 
   TEST RESULTS.
   IN 41 STATES THERE 
   COULD BE A THREE DAY 
   WAIT.
   TESTING COMPANY QUEST 
   DIAGNO
   DIAGNOSTICS SAYS ITS 
   SYSTEMS ARE 
   OVERWHELMED AND
   IN SOME STATES IT 
   COULD BE A 
   THREE-DAY WAIT.
   ONE DAY TEST RESULTS 
   WOULD ONLY 
   BE AVAILABLE FOR 
   HOSPITALIZED 
   PATIENTS OR HEALTH 
   CARE WORKERS.
   KAREN IN ARIZONA 
   WAITED SIX DAYS 
   FOR HER NEGATIVE 
   RESULTS. 
   >> IT WAS TENSE.
   THERE IS SO MUCH NOT 
   KNOWING.
   YOU'RE JUST ON EDGE. 
   >> Reporter: EVEN 
   STATES THAT 
   HAVE NOT SEEN A HUGE 
   SURGE IN 
   CASES LIKE COLORADO 
   ARE FACING 
   CHALLENGES. 
   >> WE'RE ONLY ONE STEP
   AHEAD OF 
   THIS VIRUS. 
   >> Reporter: BUT IS 
   THERE ENOUGH 
   OF A TESTING 
   INFRASTRUCTURE IN 
   PLACE, THOUGH, IF THIS
   WERE TO 
   GET WORSE?
   >> WELL, WE HAVE 48 
   FREE COMMUNITY TESTING
   SITES ACROSS OUR 
   STATE.
   >> Reporter: BUT THE 
   LARGEST 
   SITE HERE AT THE PEPSI
   CENTER IN 
   DENVER ANNOUNCED IT 
   WAS CUTTING 
   BACK HOURS EARLIER 
   THIS WEEK DUE 
   TO A SUPPLY IN 
   SHORTAGE.
   AS TESTING KITS WENT 
   TO HARDER HIT STATES.
   SINCE THEN COLORADO 
   OFFICIALS 
   DELIVERED 10,000 KITS 
   TO KEEP 
   THE SITE OPEN.
   TODAY THE NATIONAL 
   INSTITUTES OF 
   HEALTH SAID THE GOAL 
   IS TO HAVE 
   A MILLION RAPID ON 
   SITE TESTS 
   PER DAY AROUND 
   SEPTEMBER SO SCHOOLS
   AND SPORTING EVENTS 
   CAN REOPEN. 
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   GABE GUTIERREZ 
   TONIGHT.
   THANK YOU.
   >>> A SURPRISINGLY 
   LARGE DROP IN 
   THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 
   LAST MONTH 
   AT JUST OVER 11%.
   BUT AS PRESIDENT TRUMP
   HAILED 
   THE NEWS, THERE WERE 
   CONCERNS 
   THE ECONOMY WOULD TAKE
   ANOTHER 
   HIT AS COVID CASES 
   SOAR IN OTHER 
   STATES.
   PETER ALEXANDER WITH 
   MORE FROM 
   THE WHITE HOUSE. 
   >> Reporter: PRESIDENT
   TRUMP 
   TONIGHT TOUTING A 
   REBOUND.
   THOSE
   JUNE JOB NUMBERS 
   SHOWING 
   AMERICANS RETURNING TO
   WORK 
   FASTER THAN EXPECTED. 
   >> OUR ECONOMY IS 
   ROARING BACK. 
   IT'S COMING BACK 
   EXTREMELY STRONG.
   >> Reporter: WHILE 
   STILL AT 
   HISTORICALLY HIGH 
   LEVELS, THE 
   UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 
   DROPPING TO 
   JUST OVER 11% WITH THE
   U.S. ADDING A RECORD 
   4.8
   MILLION JOBS.
   THE BIGGEST ONE-MONTH 
   GAIN IN 
   THE NATION'S HISTORY.
   THE PRESIDENT TODAY 
   CREDITING 
   HIS ADMINISTRATION. 
   >> THIS IS NOT JUST 
   LUCK WHAT'S 
   HAPPENING.
   THIS IS A LOT OF 
   TALENT. 
   >> Reporter: MANY OF 
   TODAY'S 
   HIRES ARE NOT NEW JOBS
   BUT 
   FURLOUGHED WORKERS 
   GETTING THEIR 
   OLD JOBS BACK AND THE 
   LATEST 
   TALLY WAS TAKEN BEFORE
   THE 
   RECENT SPIKE IN 
   CORONAVIRUS
   CASES THAT FORCED SOME
   STATES TO 
   SCALE BACK THE 
   REOPENING PLAN. 
   WHICH THE PRESIDENT 
   AGAIN DOWN PLAYED.
   >> WE HAVE SOME AREAS 
   WHERE 
   WE'RE PUTTING OUT THE 
   FLAMES OR 
   THE FIRES AND IT'S 
   WORKING OUT 
   WELL. 
   >> Reporter: IN TEXAS,
   REAGAN 
   WAS RE-HIRED AT THE 
   RESTAURANT 
   WHERE SHE WORKED AS A 
   WAITRESS 
   BUT AFTER HER BOSS 
   SHUT DOWN INDOOR 
   DINING, SHE WORRIES 
   THAT SHE WILL BE OUT 
   OF WORK SOON.
   >> THIS IS A 
   TERRIFYING TIME FOR 
   US PERSONALLY AND 
   LOCAL 
   BUSINESSES.
   PEOPLE'S FAMILIES AND 
   LIVELIHOODS AT RISK OF
   BEING 
   COMPLETELY 
   OBLITERATED. 
   >> Reporter: FORMER 
   VICE PRESIDENT JOE 
   BIDEN TODAY
   DELIVERED A SKATING 
   REBUKE OF 
   THE PRESIDENT. 
   >> PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS
   SPIKED 
   THE BALL AND MADE THIS
   ABOUT 
   HIM.
   HE DOESN'T SEEM TO 
   REALIZE HE'S 
   NOT EVEN ON THE 50 
   YARD LINE.
   WE'RE STILL DOWN 
   NEARLY 15 
   MILLION JOBS AND THE 
   PANDEMIC IS 
   GETTING WORSE, NOT 
   BETTER. 
   >> Reporter: WHILE 
   TODAY'S 
   REPORT IS GOOD NEWS, 
   MANY 
   ECONOMISTS ARE WARNING
   THE 
   COUNTRY COULD EASILY 
   FALL BACK 
   AS MORE STATES REVERSE
   THEIR 
   REOPENING.
   LESTER?
   >> PETER ALEXANDER AT 
   THE WHITE 
   HOUSE TONIGHT FOR US, 
   THANKS. 
   >>> IN AURORA, 
   COLORADO TODAY, A 
   POLICE OFFICER 
   INVOLVED IN AN 
   REPORTEDLY 
   INAPPROPRIATE PHOTO 
   TAKEN WHERE ELIJAH 
   McCLAIN WAS KILLED HAS
   RESIGNED.
   McCLAIN DIED AFTER A 
   CONFRONTATION WITH 
   POLICE LAST 
   AUGUST.
   THE ALLEGED PHOTO 
   INCIDENT 
   HAPPENED IN OCTOBER. 
   >>> IN 60 SECONDS, THE
   BASKETBALL SUPERSTAR.
   PERHAPS HER BIGGEST 
   VICTORY 
   >>> BACK NOW WITH THE 
   NEW 
   DEVELOPMENT IN A STORY
   WE FIRST 
   TOLD YOU ABOUT LAST 
   FALL.
   A WNBA SUPERSTAR 
   STEPPING AWAY 
   FROM THE GAME TO FIGHT
   FOR A MAN 
   WHO SPENT HIS ENTIRE 
   ADULT LIFE 
   IN PRISON FOR A CRIME 
   HE SAYS HE 
   DIDN'T COMMIT.
   NOW AS BLAINE 
   ALEXANDER REPORTS, 
   HE'S FINALLY FREE.
   >> Reporter: A TEARFUL
   REUNION 
   YEARS IN THE MAKING.
   AFTER 23 YEARS IN A 
   MISSOURI 
   STATE PRISON, JONATHAN
   IRONS 
   FINALLY FREE, EMBRACED
   BY HIS 
   UNLIKELY HERO, 
   BASKETBALL 
   SUPERSTAR MAYA MOORE.
   A FOUR-TIME WNBA 
   CHAMPION,
   MAYA TOOK A BREAK IN 
   HER PRIME 
   IN LARGE PART TO HELP 
   IRONS WHO 
   SAYS HE WAS WRONGLY 
   CONVICTED.
   WE SPOKE TO MAYA LAST 
   FALL. 
   >> Reporter: WAS IT 
   HARD TO WALK 
   AWAY?
   >> IT'S HARD BUT WHEN 
   YOUR 
   CONVICTIONS ARE MOVING
   YOU TO A 
   PLACE THAT YOU KNOW IS
   RIGHT AND 
   YOU'RE MOVING INTO 
   SOMETHING 
   THAT'S REALLY 
   MEANINGFUL, IT 
   MAKES IT A LITTLE LESS
   HARD. 
   >> Reporter: IRONS WAS
   ARRESTED 
   IN 1997 AT AGE 16, 
   GIVEN A 
   50-YEAR SENTENCE FOR A
   NONFATAL 
   SHOOTING.
   MAYA FOUGHT FOR HIM, 
   LAUNCHING A 
   PETITION IN HIS NAME 
   AS A 
   FOUNDATION AROUND 
   CRIMINAL JUSTICE
   REFORM.
   IN MARCH A JUDGE 
   VACATED HIS 
   CONVICTION. 
   >> THIS CONVICTION HAS
   BEEN VACATED.
   >> Reporter: THE 
   CURRENT 
   PROSECUTOR DECLINED A 
   RETRIAL, 
   CITING ISSUES WITH THE
   CASE.
   INCLUDING FINGERPRINTS
   AT THE SCENE THAT DID 
   NOT MATCH IRONS.
   IRONS' RECORD NOW 
   WIPED CLEAN. 
   >> I'M ABSOLUTELY 
   ELATED AND 
   THANKFUL. 
   >> IN THAT MOMENT, I 
   JUST -- I 
   REALLY FELT LIKE I 
   COULD REST. 
   >> Reporter: LAST YEAR
   WE MET 
   IRONS IN PRISON. 
   >> WHAT WOULD IT MEAN 
   TO YOU TO 
   FINALLY WALK OUT?
   >> LIKE I COULD 
   FINALLY -- I 
   COULD FINALLY LIVE MY 
   LIFE.
   I WANT TO HELP OTHER 
   PEOPLE. 
   >> Reporter: NOW AT 
   AGE 40, HE 
   FINALLY GETS HIS 
   CHANCE.
   BLAINE ALEXANDER, NBC 
   NEWS, 
   ATLANTA. 
   >> THE KIND OF VICTORY
   YOU DON'T 
   FORGET. 
   >>> LET'S TURN TO OUR 
   SERIES 
   INEQUALITY IN AMERICA.
   EVEN WITH TODAY'S NEW 
   JOB 
   NUMBERS STREETS.
   RON ALLEN, NBC NEWS, 
   NEW YORK. 
   >>> UP NEXT, HOW SAFE 
   FROM COVID 
   IS THE AIR IN 
   BUILDINGS?
   WHAT ABOUT 
   >>> A BROADCAST LEGEND
   HAS DIED.
   HUGH DOWNS PASSED AWAY
   AT HIS 
   HOME IN ARIZONA 
   ACCORDING TO HIS 
   FAMILY.
   HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE
   NBC NEWS 
   FAMILY HOSTING THE 
   TODAY SHOW 
   FOR NINE YEARS IN THE 
   1960s AND EARLY '70s.
   BEFORE THAT HE WAS THE
   ANNOUNCER 
   ON THE TONIGHT SHOW 
   AND HE ALSO 
   HOSTED THE GAME SHOW 
   "CONCENTRATION" FOR A 
   DECADE.
   LATER DOWNS WENT ON TO
   COHOST 
   2020 ALONGSIDE BARBARA
   WALTERS.
   DOWNS WAS 99. 
   >>> LET'S TURN NOW TO 
   OUR SERIES 
   FACTS OVER FEAR AND 
   GROWING 
   CONCERN ABOUT AIR 
   CIRCULATION 
   FROM MALLS AND MUSEUMS
   TO INDOOR 
   DINING.
   COULD DIRTY AIR SPREAD
   COVID-19 
   IN THESE INDOOR 
   SPACES?
   VICKY WYNN LOOKS AT A 
   POTENTIAL 
   SOLUTION. 
   >> WE THINK THIS 
   OFFERS PROMISE. 
   >> Reporter: NEW YORK 
   GOVERNOR 
   ANDREW CUOMO 
   RECOMMENDED ALL 
   BUSINESSES CONSIDER 
   AIR 
   FILTRATION SYSTEMS.
   THAT CAN CAPTURE 
   DROPLETS CONTAINING 
   CORONAVIRUS.
   FOR SHOPPING MALLS, 
   THEY'RE 
   REQUIRED. 
   >> ANY MALLS THAT WILL
   OPEN IN 
   NEW YORK, LARGE MALLS,
   WE WILL 
   MAKE IT MANDATORY. 
   >> Reporter: HERE AT 
   THE FACTORY 
   IN NEW JERSEY, THEY'RE
   MAKING 
   MORE THAN 1,000 
   FILTERS A DAY 
   FOR FACILITIES LIKE 
   OFFICES, 
   HOSPITALS AND MALLS.
   SO A DROPLET THAT 
   CONTAINS THE 
   VIRUS WILL GET CAUGHT 
   IN A 
   FILTER LIKE THIS?
   >> YES, THAT'S RIGHT. 
   >> Reporter: THIS 
   DEVICE IS 
   INDUSTRIAL HEATING AND
   COOLING 
   SYSTEMS LIKE THIS NEED
   TO BE 
   OUTFITTED WITH THESE 
   MER 
   FILTERS.
   THEY'RE ALREADY USED 
   IN MALLS, 
   HOSPITALS, MUSEUMS AND
   OFFICES 
   ACROSS AMERICA.
   THE FILTRATION SYSTEM 
   CIRCULATES 
   INDOOR AIR AND CAN 
   DROP DROPLETS 
   CARRYING CORONAVIRUS. 
   >> IF I WERE SHEDDING 
   A VIRUS 
   AND I WALKED THROUGH 
   THE MALL 
   AND RESTAURANT AND YOU
   COME BY 
   TEN MINUTES LATER, BY 
   THAT TIME 
   SOME OF THAT AIR WOULD
   BE 
   FILTERED AND RETURNED 
   TO THE 
   SPACE NICE AND CLEAN. 
   >> Reporter: BUT WHAT 
   ABOUT 
   AIR-CONDITIONING?
   A RECENT STUDY SHOWS 
   NEVER 
   PEOPLE WERE INFECTED 
   AT A 
   RESTAURANT IN CHINA 
   POSSIBLY 
   BECAUSE THE AC SPREAD 
   THE VIRUS.
   HARVARD RESEARCHERS 
   ALSO SAY 
   AIR-CONDITIONING MAY 
   PLAY A ROLE 
   IN THE CORONAVIRUS IN 
   THE HOT 
   SOUTH.
   DIVINE SAYS MER 
   FILTERS COULD 
   HELP STOP THAT SPREAD.
   ARE SOME OF THESE 
   BUSINESSES 
   GOING TO HAVE TO 
   REVAMP THEIR 
   HEATING AND COOLING 
   SYSTEMS?
   >> CLEARLY, YES.
   I BELIEVE THAT WILL 
   HAPPEN IN 
   CERTAIN CASES. 
   >> Reporter: AS FOR 
   YOUR OWN 
   HOME, ROOM AIR 
   CLEANERS LIKE 
   THESE DO TRAP THE 
   VIRUS, BUT THE 
   BEST PROTECTION IS 
   STILL A MASK 
   AND SOCIAL DISTANCING.
   VICKY WYNN, NBC NEWS, 
   NEW 
   JERSEY. 
   >>> UP NEXT, HE'S A 
   SURGEON, BUT 
   WAIT UNTIL YOU HEAR 
 
   >>> BEFORE WE GO, IN 
   OUR LATEST 
   INSTALLMENT OF 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS" 
   KIDS EDITION, A JULY 
   4th PREVIEW 
   THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO
   MISS.
   WHY DO WE SET OFF 
   FIREWORKS ON 
   THIS DAY?
   THE HISTORY REVEALED. 
   >>> AND THIS DOCTOR 
   HAS BEEN 
   INSPIRING ALL OF US 
   WITH HIS 
   INCREDIBLE VOICE.
   HE WILL JOIN US WITH 
   HIS MESSAGE 
   OF HOPE.
   "NIGHTLY NEWS" KIDS 
   EDITION IS 
