   TRUMP 
   STEPPING UP HIS 
   ATTACKS ON 
   MAIL-IN VOTING.
   WHAT THE POST OFFICE 
   SAYS.
   THE PRESIDENT CALLING 
   UNIVERSAL 
   MAIL-IN BALLOTS VERY 
   DANGEROUS.
   DEMOCRATS CALLED BACK 
   TO 
   WASHINGTON TO STOP 
   WHAT THEY 
   CALL AN ASSAULT ON AN 
   AMERICAN 
   INSTITUTION.
   THE PRESIDENT'S POSTAL
   CHIEF SET 
   TO TESTIFY AT AN 
   EMERGENCY 
   HEARING.
   AND ON THE FRONT LINES
   WHAT MAIL 
   CARRIERS ARE SAYING. 
   >>> THE DNC KICKING 
   OFF.
   THE CONVENTION UNLIKE 
   ANY IN 
   HISTORY, NEARLY ALL 
   VIRTUAL.
   MICHELLE OBAMA 
   HEADLINING NIGHT 
   ONE.
   THE STAKES AND WHAT TO
   WATCH 
   FOR.
   AND PRESIDENT TRUMP, 
   HOW HE 
   HOPES TO GRAB THE 
   SPOTLIGHT. 
   >>> CORONAVIRUS ON 
   CAMPUS.
   JUST
   WEEK ONE INTO THE 
   SEMESTER, AND 
   THE FIRST MAJOR 
   UNIVERSITY HAS SENT 
   STUDENTS BACK HOME, 
   AND
   THE IMAGES RAISING 
   CONCERNS. 
   HUGE PARTIES WITH NO 
   SOCIAL DISTANCING.
   >>> A HISTORIC 
   DISASTER IN THE 
   MIDWEST.
   TENS OF THOUSANDS 
   STILL WITHOUT 
   POWER A WEEK AFTER A 
   POWERFUL 
   STORM.
   >>> HEAT EMERGENCY, 52
   MILLION 
   UNDER ALERT.
   DEATH VALLEY HITTING 
   130 
   DEGREES.EAK IN THE 
   COLD CASE.
   THE MURDER OF A MUSIC 
   LEGEND 
   AFTER 18 YEARS, THE 
   ARRESTS JUST 
   ANNOUNCED. 
   >>> AND THE LITTLE BOY
   WITH 
   THREE WISHES.
   THE OVERWHELMING 
   RESPONSE FROM 
   ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
   >>> THIS IS NBC 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS."
   THE DEMOCRATIC 
   NATIONAL 
   CONVENTION.
   HERE IS LESTER HOLT.
   >>> GOOD EVENING.
   AS DEMOCRATS TAKE THE 
   SPOTLIGHT 
   AT THE START OF THEIR 
   NATIONAL 
   CONVENTION TONIGHT, 
   THEY ARE 
   ALSO RISING UP AGAINST
   THE 
   DISMANTLING OF THE 
   POSTAL 
   SERVICE AND PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP'S 
   SIMULTANEOUS ATTACKS 
   ON MAIL-IN 
   VOTING.
   THE PRESIDENT, THE 
   DEMOCRATS 
   SAY, FURTHER 
   UNDERMINING THE 
   INTEGRITY OF A PROCESS
   PUSHED TO 
   THE FOREFRONT BY THE 
   PANDEMIC.
   HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY 
   PELOSI 
   RECALLING HOUSE 
   MEMBERS FROM 
   THEIR BREAK IN AN 
   EFFORT TO 
   DIRECT DESPERATELY 
   NEEDED FUNDS TO
   SHORE UP THE POSTAL 
   SERVICE WITH 
   THE PRESIDENTIAL 
   ELECTION 
   LOOMING.
   PETER ALEXANDER STARTS
   OFF OUR 
   COVERAGE.
   AND, PETER, THE 
   PRESIDENT IS 
   DEFENDING THOSE 
   CHANGES AT THE 
   POST OFFICE. 
   >> Reporter: LESTER, 
   PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP INSISTS HE IS 
   PUSHING TO 
   SPEED UP THE MAIL, NOT
   SLOW IT 
   DOWN.
   BUT POLICY CHANGES 
   IMPLEMENTED BY HIS 
   POSTER GENERAL ARE 
   DOING
   JUST THAT.
   AND TONIGHT TOP 
   DEMOCRATS WARN 
   THE WHITE HOUSE IS 
   TRYING TO 
   INTERFERE IN THE 
   ELECTION.
   PRESIDENT TRUMP 
   TONIGHT IS 
   KICKING OFF A WEEK 
   LONG CAMPAIGN 
   SWING WHILE ESCALATING
   HIS 
   ATTACKS ON MAIL-IN 
   VOTING.
   THE ELECTION EXPERTS 
   WIDELY 
   AGREE IS SECURE. 
   >> THIS UNIVERSAL 
   MAIL-IN IS A 
   DANGEROUS THING.
   IT IS FRAUGHT WITH 
   FRAUD AND 
   EVERY OTHER THING THAT
   CAN 
   HAPPEN, AND WE HAVE TO
   BE VERY, 
   VERY CAREFUL.
   I WANT TO MAKE SURE 
   THE ELECTION 
   IS NOT STOLEN. 
   >> Reporter: CONCERNS 
   KEEP 
   GROWING OVER MAIL 
   DELAYS.
   THESE PROTESTS IN 
   ARIZONA AS THE 
   POSTAL SERVICE SLASHED
   OVERTIME 
   AND REMOVED MAIL 
   PROCESSING 
   EQUIPMENT, MOVES, IT 
   SAYS, ARE 
   DESIGNED TO CUT COSTS 
   AND 
   IMPROVE EFFICIENCY.
   BUT THEY COULD SLOW 
   THE DELIVERY OF 
   BALLOTS.
   NOW DEMOCRATS 
   ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN 
   AT LEAST TEN STATES 
   ARE DISCUSSING TAKING 
   LEGAL ACTION.
   >> HE'S DOING 
   EVERYTHING IN HIS 
   POWER TO SEW DOWN AND 
   UNDERMINE 
   THE VOTE.
   AND I'M TELLING YOU, I
   WILL NOT 
   LET HIM GET AWAY WITH 
   IT. 
   >> Reporter: SPEAKER 
   NANCY 
   PELOSI IS CALLING THE 
   HOUSE BACK
   FROM RECESS TO VOTE ON
   $25 
   BILLION TO THE 
   STRUGGLING POSTAL 
   SERVICE AND ROLL BACK 
   RECENT 
   CHANGES TO MAIL 
   OPERATIONS.
   IN A LETTER TO 
   DEMOCRATS 
   ACCUSING PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP OF A 
   CAMPAIGN TO SABOTAGE 
   THE 
   ELECTION, THE 
   PRESIDENT TODAY 
   DELIVERING MIXED 
   MESSAGES WHILE 
   DENYING HE HAS 
   ANYTHING TO DO 
   WITH THE SLOW MAIL 
   DELIVERY. 
   >> WE WANT TO MAKE 
   SURE THAT THE 
   POST OFFICE RUNS 
   PROPERLY, AND 
   IT HASN'T RUN PROPERLY
   FOR MANY 
   YEARS. 
   >> Reporter: WHEN 
   ASKED WHETHER 
   CUTBACKS WILL HAVE AN 
   IMPACT ON 
   THE DELIVERY OF
   MEDICATIONS OR 
   PRESCRIPTION. 
   >> NO, NO.
   THE POST OFFICE IS 
   RUNNING VERY 
   WELL. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   POSTMASTER GENERAL 
   LOUIS DEJOY HAS
   AGREED TO TESTIFY AT A
   HEARING 
   NEXT MONDAY.
   DEMONSTRATORS 
   PROTESTING OUTSIDE 
   THE HOME OF DEJOY.
   A TRUMP ALLY, WHO HAS 
   GIVEN MORE 
   THAN A MILLION DOLLARS
   TO THE 
   PRESIDENT'S CAMPAIGN.
   AND AS PHOTOS EMERGE 
   THAT APPEAR 
   TO SHOW MAILBOXES 
   BEING HAULED 
   AWAY, A POST OFFICE 
   SPOKESPERSON 
   TELLS NBC NEWS, THEY 
   WILL 
   POSTPONE REMOVING 
   BOXES FOR 90
   DAYS, AFTER THE 
   ELECTION, WHILE 
   THEY EVALUATE CUSTOMER
   CONCERNS.
   PETER ALEXANDER, NBC 
   NEWS, THE WHITE HOUSE.
   >> Reporter: THIS IS 
   GEOFF 
   BENNETT.
   IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, 
   POSTAL 
   CLERK RISES JUST PAST 
   MIDNIGHT 
   EACH MORNING
   TO OPEN THE POST 
   OFFICE.
   CASH, A LOCAL POSTAL 
   UNION 
   PRESIDENT SAYS THE 
   EARLY HOURS 
   DON'T BOTHER HER.
   WHAT DOES ARE THE 
   DRAMATIC 
   CHANGES SHE'S SEEN 
   RECENTLY IN
   THE WAY MAIL IS 
   DELIVERED. 
   >> OUR CARDINAL RULE 
   IS TO NOT 
   DELAY THE MAIL.
   TO HAVE SOMEONE COME 
   IN AND TELL 
   US WE'RE NOT GOING TO 
   DELIVER 
   THE MAIL EVERY DAY IS 
   A COMPLETE 
   CHANGE IN THE CULTURE 
   THAT WE 
   WERE TAUGHT FROM DAY 
   ONE. 
   >> Reporter: CASH, 
   ALONG WITH 
   FELLOW POSTAL WORKERS 
   TOLD ME 
   THE NEW MANDATES 
   IMPLEMENTED BY
   LOUIS DEJOY ARE 
   CAUSING AN 
   UNPRECEDENTED SLOWDOWN
   IN MAIL. 
   >> WE WANT TO JUST DO 
   OUR JOBS 
   TO THE BEST OF OUR 
   ABILITY.
   AND, LOOK, BEGINNING 
   WITH THE 
   RESOURCES TO DO THEM. 
   >> Reporter: DEJOY, A 
   REPUBLICAN 
   MEGADONOR AND TRUMP 
   ALLY WHO TOOK OVER IN 
   JUNE ARGUES
   HIS COST CUTTING 
   MEASURES ARE 
   AIMED AT OVERHAULING 
   AN AGENCY 
   SUFFERING BILLION 
   LOSSES.
   OVERTIME PAY FOR 
   WORKERS ERASED.
   LATE DELIVERY TRIPS 
   ELIMINATED, 
   POST OFFICE OPERATING 
   HOURS REDUCED,
   LEADING TO INFORMS 
   SLOW DOWNS 
   FROM COAST TO COAST. 
   >> WE HAVE HAD MAIL 
   THAT HAS 
   BEEN LEFT IN THE 
   PLANTS. 
   >> THE WAY THEY'RE 
   STOPPING IT, 
   THE MAIL IS JUST NOT 
   MAKING IT 
   TO TRANSPORTATION. 
   >> Reporter: HAVE YOU 
   SEEN ANY 
   IMPROVEMENTS AT ALL 
   BASED ON THE 
   CHANGES THE POSTMASTER
   GENERAL 
   HAS MADE?
   >> NOPE, NOT A THING. 
   >> NONE.
   FROM THE TOP DOWN.
   FROM THE TOP DOWN. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   POSTAL WORKERS 
   WE SPOKE WITH INSIST 
   THE POST 
   OFFICE HAS THE 
   CAPACITY TO 
   HANDLE THE EXPECTED 
   SURGE IN MAIL-IN
   BALLOTS. 
   >> WE HANDLE OVER A 
   BILLION 
   CHRISTMAS CARDS EVERY 
   HOLIDAY 
   SEASON.
   WE CAN HANDLE A COUPLE
   HUNDRED 
   MILLION BALLOTS COMING
   THROUGH. 
   >> Reporter: THEY SAY 
   THEY'RE UP 
   TO THE JOB IF ONLY 
   GIVEN THE CHANCE.
   GEOFF BENNETT, NBC 
   NEWS 
   WASHINGTON. 
   >> AND FOR EVERYTHING 
   YOU NEED 
   TO KNOW ABOUT VOTING 
   IN YOUR 
   STATE, CHECK OUT OUR 
   INTERACTIVE 
   GUIDE CALLED PLAN YOUR
   VOTE ON 
   NBCNEWS.COM. 
   >>> STARTING TONIGHT, 
   A HISTORIC 
   WEEK IN AMERICAN 
   POLITICS.
   THE MOSTLY VIRTUAL 
   DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL 
   CONVENTION, SHAPED BY 
   A PANDEMIC
   AND A BLACK WOMAN ON A
   MAJOR 
   PARTY TICKET.
   WITH MORE, HERE'S 
   NBC'S KRISTEN 
   WELKER. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   FORMER 
   FIRST LADY MICHELLE 
   OBAMA MAKING 
   THE CASE FOR JOE BIDEN
   AND 
   KAMALA HARRIS.
   DEMOCRATIC OFFICIALS 
   RELEASING A
   CLIP OF HER 
   PRERECORDED KEYNOTE 
   SPEECH. 
   >> I KNOW JOE.
   HE IS A PROFOUNDLY 
   DECENT MAN. 
   GUIDED BY STATE.
   >> Reporter: MRS. 
   OBAMA CASTING THE 
   ELECTION AS A 
   REFERENCE AS A
   LACK OF LEADERSHIP IN 
   THE WHITE 
   HOUSE. 
   >> HE WAS A TERRIFIC 
   VICE 
   PRESIDENT.
   HE KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES
   TO RESCUE 
   AN ECONOMY, BEAT BACK 
   A PANDEMIC 
   AND LEAD OUR COUNTRY.
   AND HE LISTENS.
   HE WILL TELL THE TRUTH
   AND TRUST 
   SCIENCE. 
   >> Reporter: AND 
   GETTING 
   PERSONAL ABOUT THE 
   TRAGEDY BIDEN 
   HAS ENDURED. 
   >> WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG
   SENATOR, 
   JOE LOST HIS WIFE AND 
   HIS BABY 
   DAUGHTER.
   AND WHEN HE WAS VICE 
   PRESIDENT, 
   HE LOST HIS BELOVED 
   SON.
   SO JOE KNOWS THE 
   ANGUISH OF 
   SITTING AT A TABLE 
   WITH AN EMPTY 
   CHAIR. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   FORMER FIRST LADY 
   SETTING THE STAGE FOR 
   AN UNPRECEDENTED 
   CONVENTION, UNLIKE 
   FOUR YEARS
   AGO WHEN BIDEN HELPED 
   TO 
   ENERGIZE THE PARTY. 
   >> HE CARES ABOUT THE 
   MIDDLE 
   CLASS, GIVE ME A 
   BREAK. 
   >> Reporter: NO 
   BALLOON DROP OR 
   PACKED CONVENTION 
   HALL.
   INSTEAD, THIS EVENT 
   WILL BE 
   ALMOST ENTIRELY 
   VIRTUAL.
   FROM THE ROLL CALL 
   TOMORROW NIGHT TO 
   WATCH
   PARTIES THROUGHOUT THE
   WEEK.
   A MIX OF HIGH POWER 
   POLITICIANS AND 
   CELEBRITIES.
   >> Reporter: OTHER KEY
   SPEAKERS 
   TONIGHT INCLUDE 
   SENATOR BERNIE 
   SANDERS, OHIO FORMER 
   REPUBLICAN 
   GOVERNOR JOHN KASICH 
   AND 
   GRETCHEN WHIT HER, ALL
   AIMING TO 
   UNIFY THE PARTY AROUND
   THIS 
   HISTORIC TICKET.
   SENATOR HARRIS IS THE 
   FIRST 
   WOMAN OF COLOR TO 
   BECOME A MAJOR 
   PARTY VICE 
   PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE.
   WHAT ROLE WILL THAT 
   TICKET PLAY IN THIS 
   CONVENTION?
   >> I'M NOT SURE THE 
   PEOPLE ARE 
   AS CONCERNED ABOUT 
   MAKING 
   HISTORY AS THEY ARE 
   ABOUT MAKING 
   THEIR FUTURE.
   AND IF YOU LEAVE 
   DONALD TRUMP IN 
   FOR ANOTHER FOUR 
   YEARS, HE'S 
   GOING TO DESTROY 
   EVERYBODY'S 
   FUTURE EXCEPT DONALD 
   TRUMP AND 
   HIS FAMILY.
   >> Reporter: A PIVOTAL
   NIGHT FOR 
   DEMOCRATS FIGHTING TO 
   WIN BACK 
   THE WHITE HOUSE. 
   >> HIS LIFE IS A 
   TESTAMENT TO 
   GETTING BACK UP.
   AND HE IS GOING TO 
   CHANNEL THAT 
   SAME GRIT AND PASSION 
   TO PICK US 
   ALL UP, TO HELP US 
   HEAL AND 
   GUIDE US FORWARD.
   >> Reporter: AT HIS 
   CAMPAIGN IN 
   WISCONSIN, PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP SAID, 
   QUOTE, WHO WANTS TO 
   LISTEN TO 
   MICHELLE OBAMA DO A 
   TAPED 
   SPEECH?
   IN HIS WORDS NOTING 
   THAT, SHE IS ONE OF 
   THE
   MOST POPULAR POLITICAL
   FIGURES 
   IN THE COUNTRY.
   ALL AS THE DEMOCRATIC 
   NATIONAL 
   CONVENTION GETS 
   UNDERWAY. 
   LESTER?
   >> THANKS.
   >> LET'S BRING IN OUR 
   POLITICAL 
   DIRECTOR AND MODERATOR
   OF "MEET THE PRESS," 
   CHUCK TODD.
   CHUCK, WHAT ARE YOU 
   GOING TO BE 
   LOOKING FOR TONIGHT?
   >> WELL, LOOK, I THINK
   THAT THE 
   CHALLENGE FOR TEAM 
   BIDEN IN 
   GENERAL AND FOR 
   TONIGHT IS NOT 
   JUST TO SORT OF 
   PRESENT A 
   UNIFIED FRONT.
   I THINK THE DEMOCRATIC
   PARTY 
   ALREADY HAS DONE A 
   GOOD JOB OF 
   SHOWING THEY'RE UNITED
   AGAINST 
   DONALD TRUMP.
   I THINK IF YOU LOOK 
   AND IT SHOWS 
   UP BIG TIME IN OUR 
   WALL STREET 
   JOURNAL POLL, IF YOU 
   LOOK AT 
   SORT OF THE ONE DEPTH 
   THAT JOE 
   BIDEN HAS TO CLOSE OR 
   ATTEMPT TO 
   CLOSE, IT IS MAKING 
   THE CASE TO 
   THE PUBLIC THAT HE'S 
   THE RIGHT 
   GUY TO GET US OUT OF 
   THE 
   ECONOMIC MESS.
   I THINK FOCUSSING A 
   LITTLE BIT 
   ON HIS PLANS GOING 
   FORWARD.
   HE'S ALREADY MADE THE 
   CASE THAT 
   HE'S ANTI-TRUMP.
   HE'S NOW GOT TO MAKE 
   THE CASE 
   THAT HE'S THE STEWARD 
   FOR THE 
   ECONOMY GOING FORWARD.
   I THINK ALL THIS WEEK 
   THAT IS SOMETHING THE 
   BIDEN FOLKS HAVE TO BE
   FOCUSSED ON.
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   CHUCK TODD, WE'LL LOOK
   FOR YOU 
   LATER ON TONIGHT.
   I'LL BE ANCHORING OUR 
   PRIME TIME 
   COVERAGE OF THE 
   CONVENTION TONIGHT 
   HERE AT NBC AT 10:00 
   EASTERN, 7:00
   PACIFIC.
   >>> THERE IS BREAKING 
   NEWS ON 
   THE CORONAVIRUS.
   ONE MAJOR UNIVERSITY 
   CHANGING 
   COURSE LATE TODAY 
   AFTER MORE 
   THAN 100 NEW 
   INFECTIONS AS 
   STUDENTS RETURN TO 
   CAMPUSES 
   ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND
   TROUBLING 
   NEW IMAGES EMERGE.
   HERE'S MIGUEL ALMAGUER
   WITH 
   THAT.
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   AT UNC 
   CHAPEL HILL, THE PARTY
   IS OVER 
   AFTER SCENES LIKE 
   THESE AT 135 
   NEW COVID CASES, A 
   MAJOR 
   REVERSAL.
   THE UNIVERSITY 
   CANCELING IN 
   PERSON CLASSES JUST AS
   THE FALL 
   SEMESTER WAS GETTING 
   UNDERWAY.
   MASSIVE PARTIES ON AND
   OFF 
   CAMPUSES AT 
   UNIVERSITIES ACROSS 
   THE COUNTRY AMID A 
   PANDEMIC AS 
   THE RETURN TO COLLEGE 
   LIFE 
   HEALTH OFFICIALS FEAR.
   >> I FEEL LIKE IT'S 
   INEVITABLE 
   BECAUSE YOU HAVE ALL 
   THESE 
   PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER
   AFTER 
   BEING AWAY FOR SO 
   LONG. 
   >> Reporter: WITH 
   LITTLE 
   ATTENTION PAID TO 
   SOCIAL 
   DISTANCING, AT 
   OKLAHOMA STATE, A 
   SORORITY IS NOW IN 
   QUARANTINE 
   AFTER NEARLY TWO DOZEN
   STUDENTS 
   TESTED POSITIVE FOR 
   THE VIRUS.
   UCONN TESTING ALL 
   STUDENTS ON 
   CAMPUS AMID A RASH OF 
   NEW 
   INFECTIONS THERE.
   JUST AS TENS OF 
   THOUSANDS OF 
   STUDENTS BEGAN CLASSES
   TODAY. 
   >> I'M REALLY WORRIED 
   THAT 
   DOZENS OF MY FRIENDS, 
   MY 
   PROFESSORS, THE STAFF 
   ARE GOING 
   TO GET SICK AND 
   POSSIBLY DIE. 
   >> Reporter: CONCERN 
   IS SHARED 
   BY FACULTY AND 
   PARENTS. 
   >> SHE WANTS THE WHOLE
   EXPERIENCE, AND I WANT
   THAT FOR 
   HER, BUT OF COURSE I'M
   JUST SO 
   NERVOUS. 
   >> Reporter: WITH AN 
   ESTIMATED 
   40% OF COLLEGES 
   NATIONWIDE 
   PLANNING SOME TYPE OF 
   RETURN TO 
   IN PERSON LEARNING, 
   TOP DOCTORS 
   ARE URGING OFFICIALS 
   IN HOT SPOTS TO CLOSE
   BARS AND SHUT DOWN 
   GATHERINGS 
   LIKE THIS ONE TO GET 
   COVID UNDER 
   CONTROL. 
   >> DON'T BE CAVALIER 
   ABOUT 
   GETTING THIS VIRUS. 
   >> Reporter: CONCERN 
   OVER THE 
   VIRUS REACHING NEW 
   HEIGHTS AMID 
   NEW CDC GUIDANCE THAT 
   COVID 
   RATES IN KIDS ARE 
   STEADY 
   INCREASING.
   IN ARIZONA, A DISTRICT
   CLOSED 
   TODAY BECAUSE TEACHERS
   REFUSED 
   TO STAFF CLASSROOMS.
   BUT IN KANSAS, 
   INSTRUCTORS WHO 
   QUIT IN ONE DISTRICT 
   MAY BE 
   FORCED TO PAY UP TO 
   $10,000 FOR 
   BACKING OUT OF THEIR 
   CONTRACTS.
   IN LOS ANGELES 
   OFFICIALS 
   ANNOUNCED PLANS TO 
   BEGIN TESTING 
   ALL STAFF, STUDENTS 
   AND THEIR 
   FAMILIES, LEARNING 
   FROM HOME FOR 
   NOW, THE RESULTS COULD
   GET 
   STUDENTS BACK IN THE 
   CLASSROOM 
   SOONER.
   LESTER?
   >> ALL RIGHT, MIGUEL.
   THANK YOU.
   >>> IN 60 SECONDS, 
   TENS OF 
   THOUSANDS STILL 
   SUFFERING A WEEK 
   AFTER THAT DEVASTATING
   STORM IN 
   THE MIDWEST.
   AND WE SPEAK WITH 
   VOTERS IN 
   BATTLEGROUND WISCONSIN
   WHERE 
   >>> A
   >>> ALL RIGHT.
   WE'RE BACK NOW WITH 
   WHAT'S 
   BECOMING A HISTORIC 
   DISASTER IN 
   THE MIDWEST.
   IOWA STEEL REELING A 
   WEEK AFTER 
   THAT DESTRUCTIVE WIND 
   STORM.
   PRESIDENT TRUMP TODAY 
   DECLARING A FEDERAL 
   DISASTER DECLARATION.
   OUR GABE GUTIERREZ IS 
   THERE. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   IOWA IS 
   DESPERATELY PLEADING 
   FOR HELP A 
   WEEK AFTER A 
   DESTRUCTIVE 
   DERICHO.
   A POWERFUL LINE OF 
   STORMS TORE THROUGH 
   HERE IN THE STRENGTH 
   OF A CATEGORY TWO 
   HURRICANE.
   THE POWER STORMS, ONLY
   THERE WAS 
   MUCH LESS TIME TO 
   PREPARE. 
   >> UP HERE IN THE 
   MIDWEST, IT IS 
   UNBELIEVABLE WHAT IT 
   WILL DO. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   STORMS 
   PUMMELLED THE MIDWEST.
   BUT HERE IN CEDAR 
   RAPIDS, THE 
   DESTRUCTION IS 
   STUNNING.
   EVEN A WEEK LATER.
   TENS OF THOUSANDS OF 
   PEOPLE ARE STILL 
   WITHOUT POWER,
   ABOUT HALF THE HOMES 
   ARE 
   DAMAGED.
   RESIDENTS FEEL 
   FORGOTTEN. 
   >> ALL THE POWER LINES
   ARE JUST 
   ON THE ROAD, SO WE'RE 
   NOT GOING 
   TO BE WITH POWER FOR A
   LONG 
   TIME. 
   >> Reporter: TODAY 
   PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP APPROVED AN 
   EMERGENCY 
   DECLARATION. 
   >> IT WILL BE A LONG 
   ROAD. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   GOVERNOR IS 
   REQUESTING ABOUT $4 
   BILLION IN 
   AID.
   HERE IN THE CORN BELT,
   THE STORM 
   SWEPT THROUGH AT THE 
   HEIGHT OF 
   THE GROWING SEASON, 
   RAVAGING 
   FARMS AND DESTROYING A
   THIRD OF 
   THE STATE'S CROPS, AN 
   UNTHINKABLE DISASTER 
   IN ADDITION 
   TO COVID. 
   >> WE HAVE BEEN STUCK 
   IN THIS 
   PANDEMIC FOR SO LONG 
   AND THEN 
   THIS HAPPENS ON TOP OF
   IT. 
   >> Reporter: WITH 
   NOWHERE TO GO, 
   SOME OF THE AREAS 
   REFUGEE 
   COMMUNITIES HAVE SET 
   UP TENTS. 
   >> THE DEVASTATION IS 
   JUST 
   UNBELIEVABLE. 
   >> Reporter: NOW 
   DONATED 
   SUPPLIES ARE POURING 
   IN. 
   >> IT WAS LIKE HELL. 
   >> Reporter: THIS 
   ASSISTED 
   LIVING CENTER WAS 
   WITHOUT POWER 
   FOR DAYS.
   SUE ROSS IS 
   DEVASTATED. 
   >> WE HAD NO AIR.
   WE HAD NO FOOD, NO 
   WATER. 
   >> Reporter: HERE IN 
   CEDAR 
   RAPIDS, A CURFEW IS 
   STILL IN 
   EFFECT OVERNIGHT.
   THE IOWA NATIONAL 
   GUARD AND FEMA 
   ARE ON THE GROUND AND 
   PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP IS NOW SCHEDULED
   TO TOUR 
   THIS AREA TOMORROW. 
   LESTER?
   >> FOLKS ARE GOING 
   THROUGH SO 
   MUCH.
   GABE, THANKS SO MUCH. 
   >>> FROM STORMS TO A 
   SCORCHER IN 
   THE WEST.
   52 MILLION PEOPLE 
   UNDER HEAT 
   ALERT AS HOT WEATHER 
   FUELS WILD FIRES IN 
   CALIFORNIA.
   RECORD BREAKING HIGHS,
   DEATH 
   VALLEY HITTING 130 
   DEGREES.
   THAT'S THE HOTTEST 
   TEMPERATURE 
   RECORDED ON EARTH IN 
   89 YEARS.
   TODAY CALIFORNIA'S 
   GOVERNOR 
   SIGNED AN EMERGENCY 
   ORDER TO 
   REDUCE POWER 
   DISRUPTIONS DURING 
   THE HEAT WAVE. 
   >>> TONIGHT AS THE 
   DEMOCRATIC 
   CONVENTION GETS 
   UNDERWAY 
   VIRTUALLY, THE CITY 
   WHERE IT WAS 
   SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN, 
   MILWAUKEE, 
   IS STILL CRUCIAL FOR 
   THE 
   DEMOCRATS PLAN TO FLIP
   WISCONSIN 
   BACK TO BLUE.
   GARRETT HANK IS THERE 
   AS PART OF 
   OUR COUNTY TO COUNTY 
   COVERAGE.
   >> Reporter: WHEN JOE 
   BIDEN 
   INTRODUCED SENATOR 
   KAMALA HARRIS 
   AS HIS RUNNING MATE,
   MILWAUKEE GRANDMOTHER 
   DENISE 
   CALLOWAY SIGNED UP TO 
   VOLUNTEER 
   FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 
   HER LIFE. 
   >> Reporter: THAT 
   REALLY PUT SOMETHING 
   ON YOUR HEART?
   >> OH, MY GOSH.
   WHEN I SAW HER WALK 
   OUT WITH
   HIM, I TEARED UP.
   I CRIED.
   IT IS A MOMENT IN 
   HISTORY THAT I 
   DON'T KNOW THAT I 
   EXPECTED TO 
   SEE. 
   >> Reporter: INSPIRING
   VOTERS 
   LIKE HER IS CRITICAL 
   FOR 
   FLIPPING THE BADGER 
   STATE BACK 
   TO BLUE.
   PRESIDENT TRUMP WON 
   WISCONSIN BY 
   LESS THAN 1%, A MAJOR 
   REASON 
   TURNOUT AMONG BLACK 
   VOTERS IN 
   MILWAUKEE COUNTY FELL 
   BY 19% IN 
   2016 COMPARED TO 2012.
   THIS SMALL BUSINESS 
   OWNER VOTED 
   FOR BARACK OBAMA TWICE
   BUT DID 
   NOT VOTE FOR PRESIDENT
   IN 2016, SAYING 
   HILLARY CLINTON IGNORE
   IGNORED WISCONSIN.
   >> NOW LOOKING BACK I 
   WISH I 
   WOULD HAVE VOTED FOR 
   HILLARY. 
   >> Reporter: SUPPORT 
   FOR THE 
   JOBLESS, THE ECONOMIC 
   RECOVERY 
   AND THE POLICE REFORM 
   MOVEMENT 
   ARE ALL KEY ISSUES FOR
   VOTERS 
   HERE. 
   >> EVERYBODY GETS TO 
   SEE WHAT WE 
   HAVE ENDURED OR WE 
   HAVE BEEN 
   GOING THROUGH FOR SO 
   MANY YEARS.
   SO NOW IT ALSO SHOWS 
   BY THE LAST 
   ELECTION THAT OUR VOTE
   DOES 
   COUNT. 
   >> Reporter: THEY TOLD
   US THE 
   WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE 
   TO THE 
   PROTEST AND THE 
   PANDEMIC ARE 
   ALSO GIVING SOMETHING 
   OF A BOOST 
   TO BIDEN. 
   >> FOR MANY OF MY 
   FRIENDS, BOTH BLACK 
   AND WHITE, DONALD
   TRUMP IS DOING A 
   REALLY GOOD JOB 
   OF MAKING A CASE FOR 
   JOE BIDEN 
   AND KAMALA HARRIS.
   >> Reporter: VOTERS 
   HERE POINTED 
   OUT IT WAS BLACK WOMEN
   WHO SAVED 
   JOE BIDEN'S CAMPAIGN 
   DURING THE 
   EARLY PRIMARY STAGE 
   AND THEY SEE 
   HIS CHOICE OF HARRIS 
   TO JOIN THE 
   TICKET WITH HIM AS 
   EVIDENCE THAT 
   THEIR CONTINUED 
   LOYALTY WOULD 
   WORK BOTH WAYS.
 
   STEPHANIE GOSK, NBC 
   NEWS.
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   >>> FINALLY, A SIMILAR
   PLEA FROM 
   A NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY IN
   FOSTER 
   CARE AND THE 
   OVERWHELMING 
   RESPONSE.
   HERE'S KRISTEN 
   DAHLGREN. 
   >> Reporter: IN A 
   FAIRY TALE, 
   THREE WISHES CAN 
   QUICKLY CHANGE 
   A LIFE. 
   BUT WHEN NINE-YEAR-OLD
   JORDAN WAS ASKED WHAT 
   HE WOULD WISH FOR --
   >> FAMILY, FAMILY, 
   THOSE THERE 
   ONLY WISHES I HAVE. 
   >> Reporter: FEATURED 
   IN AN 
   ADOPTION SEGMENT ON 
   OUR NBC AFFILIATE.
   >> I GOT MOM AND DAD 
   OR JUST MOM 
   OR JUST DAD.
   I DON'T REALLY CARE. 
   >> Reporter: NOW THE 
   VIDEO HAS 
   GONE VIRAL AND THE 
   STATE 
   RECEIVED OVER 5,000 
   ADOPTION 
   INQUIRIES WITH THE 
   FIRST 12 
   HOURS.
   JORDAN HAS BEEN IN THE
   FOSTER 
   CARE SYSTEM FOR SIX 
   YEARS.
   HE WAS FIRST FEATURED 
   IN 2017 
   WITH HIS LITTLE 
   BROTHER. 
   >> WE LIKE TO DO 
   EVERYTHING LIKE 
   BAKE AND KARATE. 
   >> Reporter: HIS 
   BROTHER WAS 
   ADOPTED, BUT JORDAN 
   NOW LIVES IN 
   A GROUP HOME.
   HE WANTS TO BE A 
   POLICE OFFICER 
   AND HAVE A FAMILY TO 
   GO BIKE
   RIDING AND EAT MAC AND
   CHEESE 
   WITH. 
   >> THE REASON WHY IT'S
   IMPORTANT 
   IS BECAUSE SO I COULD 
   HAVE SOME 
   PEOPLE TO TALK TO ANY 
   TIME I 
   NEED TO. 
   >> Reporter: A LITTLE 
   BOY 
   TONIGHT MAY BE ONE 
   STEP CLOSER 
   TO HIS HAPPILY EVER 
   AFTER.
   KRISTEN DAHLGREN, NBC 
   NEWS. 
   >>> HOW CAN YOU NOT BE
   TOUCHED 
   BY THAT?
   THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS".
   JOIN US FOR SPECIAL 
   COVERAGE OF 
   NIGHT ONE OF THE DNC 
   BEGINNING 
   AT 10:00 P.M. EASTERN.
   THANK YOU FOR 
