   BLOW TO 
   THE PUSH TO REOPEN IN 
   PERSON 
   SCHOOLS.
   CHICAGO, THE NATION'S 
   THIRD 
   LARGEST DISTRICT, 
   CHANGING 
   COURSE.
   THAT SCHOOL YEAR NOW 
   SET TO 
   START WITH ONLINE ONLY
   CLASSES.
   IN GEORGIA A SECOND 
   GRADER 
   TESTING POSITIVE.
   THE WHOLE CLASS 
   QUARANTINED.
   FLORIDA TOPPING 
   500,000 CASES 
   AND NEW YORK CITY 
   CRACKING DOWN.
   THE NEW QUARANTINE 
   DHEK CHECK POINTS.
   >>> THE DESPERATE 
   SEARCH FOR 
   SURVIVORS.
   AT LEAST ONE AMERICAN 
   CONFIRMED AMONG THE 
   130 DEAD.
   THE STILL UNANSWERED 
   QUESTIONS, 
   WHAT TRIGGERED IT?
   >>> THE BIG SHAKEUP 
   FOR THE 
   DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL 
   CONVENTION.
   JOE BIDEN NO LONGER 
   GOING TO 
   MILWAUKEE TO ACCEPT 
   THE 
   NOMINATION.
   PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW 
   PRAISING 
   MAIL-IN VOTING IN A 
   SECOND KEY BATTLE 
   POINT STATE, WHILE 
   ELSEWHERE
   SUING TO TOP IT. 
   >>> MILLIONS STILL 
   WITHOUT POWER 
   AFTER THE DEADLY PUNCH
   FROM THE DEADLY STORM.
   WHY SOME CUB IN THE 
   DARK FOR DAYS.
   >>> AMERICAN FAMILIES 
   ARE GOING 
   WITHOUT THAT EXTRA 
   UNEMPLOYMENT 
   CHECK. 
   >>> THE WAVE OF PUBLIC
   HEALTH OFFICIALS 
   RESIGNING.
   THE SHOCKING THREATS 
   AND
   HATE MAIL THEY HAVE 
   RECEIVED. 
   >>> AND BUSINESSES HIT
   HARD BY THE
   PANDEMIC, GETTING HIGH
   TECH 
   HELP.
   >>> THIS IS NBC 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS" 
   WITH LESTER HOLT. 
   >>> GOOD EVENING, 
   EVERYONE.
   IT IS A CALL NO ONE 
   WANTS TO GET 
   WRONG.
   SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, 
   PARENTS STILL 
   STRUGGLING TONIGHT 
   OVER HOW 
   CHILDREN CAN SAFELY 
   LEARN AMID 
   SURGING COVID CASES IN
   THE 
   COUNTRY, A WORSENING 
   VIRUS 
   PICTURE, CHANGING 
   MINDS IN 
   CHICAGO WITH THE 
   NATION'S THIRD 
   LARGEST SCHOOL SYSTEM 
   SAYS IT 
   WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH
   REMOTE 
   LEARNING ONLY WHEN THE
   SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS.
   WHILE NEW YORK CITY 
   FACES ITS 
   OWN DECISION IN COMING
   DAYS.
   WE'VE GOT IT ALL 
   COVERED AND WE 
   BEGIN TONIGHT WITH 
   MIGUEL 
   ALMAGUER. 
   >> Reporter: TODAY'S 
   DECISION 
   MEANS SOME 400,000 
   STUDENTS IN 
   CHICAGO WILL NOT 
   RETURN TO THE 
   CLASSROOM AT LEAST FOR
   NOW.
   STEPPING BACK FROM A 
   PROPOSAL 
   FOR HYBRID LEARNING, A
   SPLIT 
   BETWEEN ONLINE AND IN 
   PERSON 
   INSTRUCTION.
   THE SUPERINTENDENT 
   SAYS THE 
   DECISION WAS MADE 
   BASED ON THE 
   HIGH NUMBER OF COVID 
   CASES. 
   >> I DID NOT FEEL 
   CONFIDENT THAT 
   WE WOULD BE ABLE TO 
   ENTER THE 
   CLASSROOM IN A SAFE 
   WAY. 
   >> Reporter: TEACHERS 
   LIKE 
   MADELEINE GREEN 
   CONCERNED ABOUT 
   GOING BACK TO THE 
   CLASSROOM ARE 
   NOW RELIEVED. 
   >>> WE'RE NOT REINVENT
   REINVENTING WHAT IT
   MEANS TO BUILT 
   CONNECTIONS WITH 
   STUDENTS.
   WE'RE JUST TRANSLATING
   THAT TO 
   AN ONLINE PLATFORM. 
   WHICH OUR STUDENTS ARE
   MORE FLUENT IN THAN WE
   ARE.
   >> Reporter: CITING 
   CHICAGO'S 
   NEARLY 5% POSITIVELY 
   RATE, A KEY 
   METRIC INDICATING THAT
   POSITIVE 
   CASES ARE ON THE RISE.
   SCHOOL LEADERS INSIST 
   THE 
   DECISION IS BEST FOR 
   CHILDREN.
   BUT PARENTS LIKE MARY 
   WITH THREE KIDS
   LEARNING FROM HOME 
   OUTSIDE 
   CHICAGO DISAGREES. 
   >> I WOULD HAVE HOPED 
   THAT WE 
   COULD HAVE COME UP 
   WITH SOME 
   GOOD SOLUTIONS TO GET 
   SOME FORM 
   OF IN PERSON TO START 
   THE SCHOOL 
   YEAR.
   I DO NOT FEEL THAT IT 
   IS 
   DEVELOPMENTALLY 
   APPROPRIATE FOR 
   THEIR EDUCATIONAL 
   EXPERIENCE TO 
   BE DOING IT REMOTELY. 
   >> Reporter: IN 
   FLORIDA WHERE 
   11% OF PEOPLE ARE 
   TESTING 
   POSITIVE FOR THE 
   VIRUS, THE 
   STATE HAS SURPASSED 
   HALF A
   MILLION COVID CASES.
   TODAY IN COURT, THE 
   LARGEST 
   TEACHERS UNION FILED 
   AN 
   EMERGENCY INJUNCTION 
   TO DELAY 
   THE START OF CLASSES 
   STATEWIDE.
   IN GEORGIA, WITH A 13%
   POSITIVITY RATE, HIGH 
   SCHOOL 
   STUDENTS PACKED IN 
   HALLWAYS.
   AND ONE REOPENED 
   SCHOOL 
   DISTRICT, A SECOND 
   GRADER TESTED 
   POSITIVE ON THE FIRST 
   DAY, 
   CAUSING THE ENTIRE 
   CLASS TO 
   QUARANTINE FOR TWO 
   WEEKS.
   TODAY THE PRESIDENT 
   AGAIN 
   INSISTING ON A RETURN 
   TO SCHOOL. 
   >> WELL, I'D LIKE TO 
   SEE THE 
   SCHOOLS OPEN.
   PARENTS WANT THE 
   SCHOOLS OPEN.
   WE WANT THEM OPEN.
   WE WANT THEM OPEN 
   SAFELY.
   WE'RE GOING TO 
   PRACTICE VERY 
   STRONG HYGIENE AND ALL
   THE OTHER 
   THINGS I HAVE 
   ENUMERATED MANY 
   TIMES, BUT WE WANT TO 
   SEE THE 
   SCHOOLS OPEN. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   DECISION ON RETURNING 
   TO THE CLASSROOM IS
   EXPECTED SOON IN NEW 
   YORK.
   IT'S POSITIVELY RATE 
   IS AMONG 
   THE LOWEST IN THE 
   NATION, LESS 
   THAN 1%.
   FINALLY GOOD ENOUGH 
   FOR ONE OF 
   THE HARSHEST CRITICS 
   OF 
   REOPENING.
   IT CAN BE DONE WITH 
   PROPER PRECAUTIONS 
   SAYS THIS HARVARD 
   DOCTOR.
   >> THE SINGLE BIGGEST 
   DETERMINANT IS THE 
   LEVEL OF 
   COMMUNITY 
   TRANSMISSION.
   HOW MUCH VIRUS IS 
   SPREADING IN 
   THE COMMUNITY?
   AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS
   THAT NEW 
   YORK HAS DONE A 
   FABULOUS JOB OF 
   CONTROLLING THE VIRUS.
   AND ONE OF THE PRIZES 
   OF BEING 
   ABLE TO CONTROL THE 
   VIRUS IS YOU 
   GET TO OPEN UP SCHOOLS
   SAFELY. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   THE DEBATE 
   OVER GOING BACK TO THE
   CLASSROOM 
   WHERE HARD LESSONS MAY
   SOON BE 
   LEARNED.
   TONIGHT DECISIONS NEED
   TO BE 
   MADE QUICKLY.
   SOME CITIES ARE JUST 
   DAYS AWAY FROM THE 
   START OF A NEW SCHOOL 
   YEAR.
   LESTER?
   >> YEAH, TIME RUNNING 
   OUT.
   MIGUEL ALMAGUER, 
   THANKS. 
   >>> ANOTHER MAJOR 
   STORY WE'RE 
   WATCHING TONIGHT, THE 
   DESPERATE 
   SEARCH FOR THE MISSING
   AFTER 
   THAT MASSIVE EXPLOSION
   IN 
   BEIRUT.
   AT LEAST ONE U.S. 
   CITIZEN AMONG MORE 
   THAN 130 PEOPLE 
   KILLED,
   SOME 5,000 INJURED.
   OUR RICHARD ENGEL ON 
   THE MANY 
   QUESTIONS STILL 
   UNANSWERED. 
   >> Reporter: NEW 
   VIDEOS TONIGHT 
   SHOW HOW THE POWERFUL 
   BLAST 
   CHANGED THIS CITY IN 
   AN INSTANT.
   A CHURCH SERVICE WAS 
   UNDERWAY 
   WHEN THE ROOF BEGAN 
   CAVING IN.
   A BRIDE POSED FOR A 
   WEDDING 
   VIDEO.
   YOU CAN HEAR THE FIRST
   BLAST.
   AND THEN --.
   A REPORTER IN THE 
   UPPER CORNER DOING A 
   LIVE TELEVISION
   INTERVIEW IN ARABIC.
   SHE SURVIVED.
   TONIGHT WE LEARNED AT 
   LEAST ONE 
   AMERICAN IS AMONG THE 
   MORE THAN 
   100 PEOPLE WHO DIED.
   AT LEAST 5,000 WERE 
   INJURED.
   AND HUNDREDS ARE 
   MISSING.
   HOSPITALS ALREADY 
   STRUGGLING 
   WITH COVID ARE BEYOND 
   CAPACITY.
   >> WE HAVE A SMALL 
   HOSPITAL.
   IT IS A 60 BED 
   HOSPITAL.
   AND IT'S NOT EQUIPPED 
   TO RECEIVE 
   THIS NUMBER OF 
   CASUALTIES.
   I HAVE NEVER SEEN 
   SOMETHING LIKE 
   THIS. 
   >> Reporter: LEBANESE 
   OFFICIALS 
   SAY THE BLAST WAS 
   CAUSED BY A 
   FIRE.
   YOU CAN SEE IT POPPING
   AND 
   SPARKING.
   WHAT STARTED IT 
   REMAINS UNCLEAR.
   BUT IT GREW, SETTING 
   OFF THE BIG 
   EXPLOSION AT A STORAGE
   FACILITY, 
   LEBANESE OFFICIALS SAY
   PACKED WITH AMMONIUM 
   NITRATE 
   COMMONLY USED IN 
   FERTILIZER.
   IT CAN ALSO BE USED 
   FOR BOMBS.
   TIMOTHY McVEIGH USED 
   IT FOR 
   DESTROYING THE FEDERAL
   BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA 
   CITY.
   THE BEIRUT BLAST WAS 
   1,500 TIMES MORE 
   POWERFUL.
   TONIGHT LEBANESE 
   OFFICIALS ARE 
   INVESTIGATING WHY SO 
   MUCH OF 
   THIS EXPLOSIVE 
   CHEMICAL WAS LEFT 
   AT BEIRUT'S PORT.
   LEBANESE OFFICIALS SAY
   IT WAS 
   SEIZED FROM A CARGO 
   SHIP SIX 
   YEARS AGO.
   CUSTOMS OFFICIALS 
   CLAIM THEY 
   ASKED TO GET RID OF 
   IT, BUT IT 
   NEVER HAPPENED.
   INSTEAD, THIS WAS THE 
   PORT AREA 
   BEFORE.
   AND AFTER, LIKE IT WAS
   NEVER 
   THERE.
   >> AND, RICHARD, 
   TONIGHT THEY'RE 
   TAKING ACTION AGAINST 
   COURT 
   OFFICIALS.
   WHAT CAN YOU TELL US 
   ABOUT THAT?
   >> Reporter: YES.
   THE LEBANESE 
   GOVERNMENT SAYS IT IS 
   PLACING
   AN UNSPECIFIED NUMBER 
   OF PORT 
   OFFICIALS UNDER HOUSE 
   ARREST 
   WHILE THE 
   INVESTIGATION 
   CONTINUES, APPARENTLY 
   OUT OF 
   CONCERN THAT THEY 
   TRIED TO LEAVE 
   THE COUNTRY.
   LESTER?
   >> RICHARD ENGEL 
   TONIGHT.
   RICHARD, THANKS. 
   >>> WITH THE COVID 
   PANDEMIC STILL RAGING,
   IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY
   THAT JOE
   BIDEN WILL NOT TRAVEL 
   TO THIS 
   MONTH'S CONVENTION.
   HIS RIVAL, PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP, IS 
   SENDING MORE MIXED 
   MESSAGES 
   ABOUT MAIL-IN VOTING.
   GEOFF BENNETT IS AT 
   THE WHITE 
   HOUSE. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT, 
   DEMOCRATS 
   AND REPUBLICANS 
   SCRAMBLING TO MAKE
   ARRANGEMENTS FOR THEIR
   CONVENTION.
   JOE BIDEN WILL NO 
   LONGER TRAVEL 
   TO MILWAUKEE LATER 
   THIS MONTH TO 
   ACCEPT THE DEMOCRATIC 
   NOMINATION 
   FOR PRESIDENT DUE TO 
   CORONAVIRUS 
   CONCERNS.
   CONVENTION ORGANIZERS 
   ANNOUNCED 
   TODAY HE WILL NOW 
   DELIVER THAT 
   SPEECH FROM HIS HOME 
   STATE OF
   DELAWARE.
   PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID 
   HE WILL 
   PROBABLY DELIVER HIS 
   SPEECH, 
   ACCEPTING THE GOP 
   NOMINATION 
   FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. 
   >> IF FOR SOME REASON,
   SOMEBODY 
   HAD DIFFICULTY WITH 
   IT, I COULD GO TO
   SOMEPLACE ELSE.
   THE EASIEST, LEAST 
   EXPENSIVE AND 
   VERY BEAUTIFUL WOULD 
   BE LIVE 
   FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. 
   >> IT WOULD MARK 
   ANOTHER BREAK 
   IN PRESIDENTIAL NORM.
   PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
   PREDECESSORS 
   HAVE HISTORICALLY 
   DRAWN CLEAR LINES 
   BETWEEN
   OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE 
   BUSINESS 
   AND CAMPAIGN EVENTS. 
   >> WHETHER IT IS 
   LEGALLY WRONG 
   OR ETHICALLY OUT OF 
   THE 
   QUESTION, IT SHOULDN'T
   HAVE BEEN SOMETHING 
   THAT WAS EVEN 
   EXPRESSED.
   >> Reporter: PRESIDENT
   TRUMP IN 
   THAT SAME INTERVIEW 
   CONTINUED 
   HIS BASELESS ATTACKED 
   ON VOTING 
   BY MAIL.
   TARGETING NEVADA ON 
   ITS PLAN TO 
   CONDUCT MAIL-IN 
   VOTING.
   HIS CAMPAIGN NOW SUING
   THE 
   STATE. 
   >> WHAT THEY ARE GOING
   TO DO IS 
   BLANKET THE STATE.
   ANYBODY THAT EVER 
   WALKED, FRANKLY, WILL 
   GET ONE.
   >> Reporter: THE 
   PRESIDENT WHO 
   HAS VOTED BY MAIL IN 
   FLORIDA 
   SAYS THAT STATE SYSTEM
   IS MORE 
   TRUSTWORTHY BECAUSE 
   IT'S HAD TWO 
   REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS.
   EXTENSIVE RESEARCH 
   SHOWS THAT 
   ELECTION FRAUD IS 
   EXCEEDINGLY 
   RARE NATIONWIDE.
   THE PRESIDENT MEETING 
   TODAY WITH REPUBLICAN 
   ARIZONA GOVERNOR DOUG 
   DUCEY.
   >> MR. PRESIDENT, IN 
   YOUR 
   ESTIMATION IS MAIL IN 
   SAFE IN 
   ARIZONA AS IT IS, AS 
   YOU SAY, IN FLORIDA?
   >> I HAVEN'T DISCUSSED
   IT WITH 
   THE GOVERNOR.
   I CAN TELL YOU IN 
   FLORIDA THEY 
   HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB 
   OF IT.
   IN NEVADA IT WOULD BE 
   A 
   DISASTER.
   IT'S A VERY POLITICAL 
   STATE, AND
   THE GOVERNOR HAPPENS 
   TO BE A 
   DEMOCRAT, AND I DON'T 
   BELIEVE THE POST 
   OFFICE CAN BE SET UP.
   >> Reporter: FUNDING 
   FOR THE 
   POSTAL SERVICE 
   EMERGING AS A KEY 
   STICKING POINT IN THE 
   TALKS OVER THE 
   CORONAVIRUS RELIEF 
   BILL.
   NEGOTIATORS MET TODAY 
   WITH THE 
   POSTMASTER GENERAL 
   WHOSE POLICY 
   CHANGES AND BUDGET 
   CUTS SPARKED 
   FEARS THAT THE POSTAL 
   SERVICE WON'T BE ABLE 
   TO DELIVER BALLOTS IN 
   TIME FOR THE NOVEMBER 
   ELECTION.
   LESTER?
   >> GEOFF BENNETT AT 
   THE WHITE 
   HOUSE, THANKS. 
   >>> FOR THE FIRST TIME
   FACEBOOK 
   HAS REMOVED A POST 
   FROM 
   PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
   PAGE.
   FOR, QUOTE, HARMFUL 
   COVID MISINFORMATION.
   THE SOCIAL MEDIA GIANT
   TOOK DOWN A CLIP FROM 
   HIS
   INTERVIEW WITH FOX 
   NEWS IN WHICH 
   THE PRESIDENT FALSELY 
   CLAIMED 
   CHILDREN ARE, QUOTE, 
   ALMOST 
   IMMUNE.
   >>> AND NEW YORK CITY 
   IS 
   TIGHTENING ITS 
   CORONAVIRUS 
   RESTRICTIONS ON 
   TRAVELERS.
   BEGINNING TONIGHT, 
   CHECK POINTS ARE BEING
   SET UP AT KEY ENTRY
   POINTS, INCLUDING PEN 
   STATION 
   AND THE PORT AUTHORITY
   HUB TO 
   ENFORCE QUARANTINE 
   RULES.
   TRAVELERS FROM 34 
   STATES ARE 
   REQUIRED TO 
   SELF-ISOLATE FOR 14 
   DAYS AND FILL OUT 
   CONTACT FORMS OR FACE
   A $2,000 FINE. 
   >>> IN THE NORTHEAST 
   MILLIONS 
   STILL WITHOUT POWER 
   AFTER 
   TROPICAL STORM ISAIAH 
   CARVED A DEADLY PATH 
   OF DESTRUCTION.
   THE DEADLY SCRAMBLE 
   TONIGHT.
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   THE 
   NORTHEAST IS RUSHING 
   TO RESTORE 
   POWER AFTER ONE OF THE
   LARGEST 
   OUTAGES SINCE SUPER 
   STORM SANDY 
   EIGHT YEARS AGO. 
   >> I'M STILL IN SHOCK.
   >> Reporter: TROPICAL 
   STORM 
   ISAIAH
   KNOCKED OUT POWER.
   >> IT WAS SO SCAREY.
   I KNEW THAT IT WAS 
   COMING IT WAS SO LOUD.
   SO I GOT UNDER THE 
   DESK IN THE 
   OFFICE. 
   >> Reporter: TODAY A 
   HORRIBLE 
   DISCOVERY IN 
   PENNSYLVANIA.
   THE BODY OF 
   FIVE-YEAR-OLD WITH 
   AUTISM.
   HER PARENTS SAY SHE 
   WANDERED OUT
   OF HER HOME AT THE 
   HEIGHT OF THE 
   STORM.
   FOR SOME THE DAMAGE 
   WOULDN'T 
   HAVE COME AT A WORSE 
   TIME.
   POWERLESS IN A 
   PANDEMIC. 
   >> THESE ARE UNSETTLED
   TIMES.
   IT IS INCREDIBLE THAT 
   WE'RE 
   SUFFERING THROUGH A 
   100-YEAR 
   PANDEMIC AND NOW AT 
   THE SAME 
   TIME WE JUST GOT HIT 
   WITH 
   PROBABLY THE THIRD 
   WORST 
   ELECTRIC STORM WE'VE 
   HAD. 
   >> Reporter: TODAY THE
   GOVERNORS 
   OF CONNECTICUT AND NEW
   YORK 
   DECLARED A STATE OF 
   EMERGENCY.
   BUT ISAIAH DEVASTATED 
   UP AND 
   DOWN THE EAST COAST.
   FROM FEROCIOUS 
   FLOODING IN 
   PHILADELPHIA TO
   A DEADLY TORNADO IN 
   DELAWARE. 
   >> THERE IS A LOT 
   GOING ON.
   WE'RE VERY ANXIOUS. 
   >> Reporter: STEVEN 
   AND HIS WIFE ARE NOW 
   RELYING ON A GENERATOR
   IN CONNECTICUT.
   A MATTER OF LIFE OR 
   DEATH FOR 
   THEIR DAUGHTER WHO HAS
   AN AUTO 
   IMMUNE DISEASE. 
   >> IT IS VITAL FOR HER
   TO HAVE 
   ELECTRICITY BECAUSE WE
   HAVE A 
   MACHINE THAT HELPS TO 
   CLEAR HER 
   AIRWAY.
   AND IF WE CAN'T RUN 
   THE MACHINE, SHE 
   WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO 
   BREATHE.
   >> Reporter: SO MANY 
   FAMILIES 
   HERE ARE PREPARED TO 
   SPEND 
   ANOTHER NIGHT WITHOUT 
   POWER.
   AUTHORITIES SAY IT 
   COULD BE DAYS
   BEFORE IT'S RESTORED.
   LESTER?
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   GABE GUTIERREZ.
   THANK YOU.
   WE'RE BACK IN 60 
   SECONDS WITH 
   THE SOARING PRICE YOU 
   ARE PAYING 
  >>> WE'RE BACK WITH 
  PRICE HIKES MANY ARE
  SEEING AT THE 
  SUPERMARKET.
  PAYING FOR ESSENTIALS 
  IS GETTING MORE 
  EXPENSIVE AS MORE 
  AMERICANS GO HUNGRY.
  STEPHANIE RUHLE 
  REPORTS ON WHAT'S 
  DRIVING IT ALL. 
  >> Reporter: GROCERY
  STORE PRICES HAVE BEEN
  RISING FOR MONTHS.
  IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS
  HAVE YOU NOTICED A
  CHANGE IN GROCERY 
  PRICES
  >> DEFINITELY.
  >> I CHECK WHAT WE
  NEED INSTEAD OF WHAT
  WE WANT.
  >> Reporter: MEAT 
  AND -- POULTRY AND
  EGGS UP MORE THAN 7 
  PJT.
  FRESH VEGETABLES AND
  CEREAL ALSO RISING
  MORE THAN 3%. 
  >> MEAT AND EGGS, WHY 
  ARE SEEING THE BIGGEST
  INCREASE
  >> THEY ARE VERY LARGE
  INDUSTRIES THAT RELY
  ON WORKERS AND AS A 
  RESULT OF THE COVID-19
  INFECTIONS THAT THEY
  HAD ISSUES WITH 
  KEEPING PEOPLE ON THE 
  LINE -- 
  >> Reporter: IT'S ALSO
  BECAUSE OF SUPPLY AND 
  DEMAND
  EARLY ON COVID-19 SHUT
  DOWN MEAT PLANTS
  CAUSING SUPPLY
  CONSTRAINTS.
  PEOPLE ARE ALSO EATING
  OUT LESS WHICH MEANS
  BUYING MORE FOR MALES 
  AT HOME.
  BUT IT TAKES TIME AND 
  MONEY TO ADJUST TO
  SELLING TO GROCERY
  STORES. 
  >> THE FOOD 
  DISTRIBUTED TO
  RESTAURANTS IS
  PACKAGED DIFFERENTLY, 
  PACKAGED IN LHUGE LOTS.
  DIFFERENT CUTS OF 
  WHEAT.
  >> Reporter: THE
  SPIKING PRICES MEANS
  MANY FAMILIES CAN'T 
  AFFORD TO GET THE FOOD
  THEY NEED.
  MORE THAN 29 MILLION
  AMERICANS SAID THEY 
  DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TO 
  EAT AT SYSTEM POINT IN
  JULY
  FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE 
  U.S. SINCE ARE
  OVERWHELMED.
  NEARLY 2 BILLION MEALS
  WERE DISTRIBUTED
  BETWEEN MARCH AND JUNE
  TO FAMILIES IN NEED.
  >> THERE'S ANONYMITY
  AND THERE'S BASICALLY 
  THE ABILITY TO JUST 
  WALK UP.
  GRAB FOOD AND LEAVE.
  >> Reporter: BUT FOR
  MANY FAMILIES THERE'S 
  NO END IN SIGHT.
  AND THAT $600 IN
  FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT
  BENEFITS HAVE ENDED 
  AND LAWMAKERS IN
  WASHINGTON HAVE YET TO
  COME UP WITH A NEW
  DEAL TO PROVIDE 
  ADDITIONAL MONEY
  LESTER
  >> STEPHANIE RUHLE, 
  THANK YOU.
  >>> NEW YORK CITY'S 
  HEALTH COMMISSIONER 
  HAS RESIGNED FOLLOWING
  TENSION WITH THE MAYOR
  OVER THE CORONAVIRUS
  RESPONSE
  SHE'S THE LATEST
  PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIAL
  NOW OUT AFTER 
  CRITICISM, PERSONAL 
  ATTACKS EVEN DEATH
  THREATS FACED BY SOME.
  HERE'S SENIOR NATIONAL
  CORRESPONDENT KATE
  SNOW
  >> Reporter: ACROSS 
  THE COUNTRY OUTRAGE 
  DIRECTED AT THE PEOPLE
  MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT
  CONTROLLING THIS
  PANDEMIC. 
  >> YOU DID NOT LISTEN 
  TO WE THE PEOPLE. 
  >> Reporter: SHE NEEDS
  TO BE FIRED.
  >> Reporter: PUBLIC 
  HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE 
  GONE FROM OBSCURITY TO
  NEEDING SECURITY. 
  >> WE ARE GOING TO GO 
  TO HER FRONT YARD IN
  FRONT OF HER
  SIDEWALK -- 
  >> IMAGINE IF 
  PROTESTERS SHOWED UP
  AT THE HOME OF A FIRE 
  CHIEF TO PROTEST THE
  WAY THEY'RE MANAGING A
  FIRE
  THAT SOUNDS RIDICULOUS
  BUT THAT'S EXACTLY
  WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING 
  TO LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH
  OFFICERS AS THEY
  STRIVE TO DO THEIR JOB
  BASED ON SCIENCE. 
  >> Reporter: SHE'S ONE
  OF 30 WHO HAVE
  RESIGNED, RETIRED OR
  FIRED SINCE THE 
  PANDEMIC BEGAN, AMID
  POLITICAL AND PERSONAL
  PRESSURE. 
  >> HI, LADIES.
  >> WE BROUGHT TOGETHER
  A GROUP OF CURRENT AND
  FORMER PUBLIC HEALTH
  OFFICIALS.
  >> HOW MANY OF YOU
  HAVE HAD PERSONAL 
  THREATS AGAINST YOU 
  THREE OF THE FOUR OF
  YOU.
  >> THAT FEAR, I'VE
  NEVER FELT THAT 
  BEFORE
  A PERSON POSTED 
  SOMETHING TO THE
  EFFECT, "F" HER, "F"
  THEM, LET'S START 
  SHOOTING
  >> Reporter: BARBARA
  FERRER OVERSEES --
  SHE'S BEEN GETTING
  THREATS AND HATE MAIL 
  SINCE MARCH.
  >> ONE WOMAN SAID, YOU
  KNOW, THAT USING VERY 
  FOUL LANGUAGE SOMEBODY
  NEEDED TO SHOOT ME AND
  ANOTHER PERSON
  VOLUNTEER TODAY TAKE
  THAT TASK ON. 
  >> WAIT A SECOND, THEY
  THREATENED YOUR LIFE
  >> YES, WE ALL HAVE TO
  UNDERSTAND HOW ANGRY
  PEOPLE ARE
  PEOPLE HAVE LOST SO 
  MUCH. 
  >> Reporter: THEN 
  THAT'S POLITICAL
  PRESSURE WHEN THE 
  COLORADO COUNTY WHERE 
  EMILY BROWN RAN THE 
  HEALTH DEPARTMENT 
  WANTED TO REOPEN SHE
  FOUND HERSELF AT ODDS 
  WITH THE
  COMMISSIONERS.
  >> I THOUGHT IT WAS 
  TOO SOON
  I WAS CONCERNED THIS
  WOULD BE MUCH TOO SOON
  FOR THE HEALTH OF OUR 
  COMMUNITY.
  >> Reporter: SHE WAS
  FIRED SHORTLY AFTER.
  >> WE ARE ALL LEFT
  SAFE WHEN WE LOSE 
  THESE OFFICERS WHO
  HAVE LED COUNTIES AND 
  STATES FOR MANY YEARS.
  IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT 
  WE SUPPORT THE ONES 
  WHO ARE IN OFFICE.
  AND THAT WE SUPPORT 
  SCIENCE.
  >> Reporter: SPEAKING 
  OUT FOR A PROFESSION
  UNDER FIRE DURING A 
  PANDEMIC
  KATE SNOW, NBC NEWS,
  NEW YORK. 
  >>> WE'RE BACK IN A 
  MOMENT WITH THE NEWEST
  HIGH TECH HEALTH, 
  ROBOTS M
   >>> WE'RE BACK NOW 
   WITH OUR 
   SERIES SEARCH FOR 
   SOLUTIONS AND 
   THE ROBOTS NOW HELPING
   HUMANS IN 
   THE BATTLE AGAINST 
   COVID-19.
   JAKE WARD HAS THE 
   STORY. 
   >> Reporter: AT THIS 
   DALLAS HOSPITAL, A 
   ROBOT CALLED MOXI IS
   THE NEWEST MEDICAL 
   ASSISTANT.
   HE WORKS FULL-TIME 
   DELIVERING 
   PPE, COVID-19 TESTS 
   AND EVEN 
   HELPS KEEP INVENTORY. 
   >> SHE'S BECOME A 
   MEMBER OF OUR 
   FRONT LINE CARE TEAM 
   RATHER 
   QUICKLY AND HAS BEEN 
   INSTRUMENTAL IN 
   HELPING THEM. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   AUTOMATED 
   HELPER TAKES ON TASKS 
   AND 
   REDUCES EXPOSURE RISK 
   FOR FRONT 
   LINE WORKERS. 
   >> WE HAVE SEEN A 
   DRAMATIC 
   INCREASE IN USE SINCE 
   THE COVID 
   PANDEMIC HAS SET IN. 
   >> Reporter: JOHNS 
   HOPKINS IS 
   TESTING A SMALL ROBOT 
   ATTACHED TO A TOUCH 
   SCREEN SO THAT NO
   ONE HAS TO PUT ON 
   PROTECTIVE 
   EQUIPMENT AND RISK 
   INFECTION IN 
   AN ICU ROOM. 
   >> INSTEAD OF GOING 
   THROUGH THE 
   WHOLE PROCESS, WE CAN 
   MAKE THAT 
   WHOLE CHANGE RIGHT 
   FROM THE 
   TOUCH SCREEN RIGHT 
   OUTSIDE OUR 
   ROOM. 
   >> YOU ARE DOING THE 
   SAME THING 
   THAT YOU WOULD IF YOU 
   WERE IN 
   THE ROOM, IT'S JUST 
   THAT THIS 
   ROBOT IS GIVING YOU A 
   VERY LONG 
   ARM. 
   >> Reporter: IT IS NOT
   JUST IN 
   HOSPITALS THAT ROBOTS 
   CAN HELP 
   ESSENTIAL WORKERS.
   IN GROCERY STORES, 
   ROBOTS CAN 
   SCAN THE SHELVES, TAKE
   INVENTORY 
   SO THAT HUMAN WORKERS 
   DON'T HAVE TO.
   >> TODAY LARGE 
   GROCERIES STORES 
   SPEND 30 TO 100 PER 
   STORE PER 
   WEEK TAKING INVENTORY.
   WITH AN AUTOMATED 
   SOLUTION, 
   THESE RETAILERS ARE 
   ABLE TO FREE 
   UP THEIR STAFF TO 
   FOCUS ON 
   THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW,
   CUSTOMER SERVICE OR 
   RESTOCKING. 
   >> Reporter: AND IN 
   THE SKY, A 
   COMPANY IS EVEN 
   TESTING DRONES 
   THAT COULD SOME DAY 
   TRANSPORT
   VACCINES TO HEALTH 
   CARE CENTERS 
   THAT NEED THEM.
   CUTTING EDGE 
   TECHNOLOGY FOR THE 
   FRONT LINE WORKERS WHO
   NEED IT 
   MOST.
   JAKE WARD, NBC NEWS, 
   SOUTH SAN 
   FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.
   >> THE FUTURE IS HERE.
   >>> WHEN WE COME BACK,
   THE 
   POWERFUL LETTERS TEENS
   ARE 
   WRITING TO COPE DURING
   SOME 
   DIFFICULT TIMES.
   >>> FINALLY TONIGHT, 
   HOPE AND 
   HEALING.
   THE POWERFUL LETTERS 
   TEENS ARE 
   WRITING TO HELP MAKE 
   SENSE OF 
   THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.
   HERE'S REHEMA ELLIS. 
   >> Reporter: FOR THESE
   OHIO 
   TEENAGERS, THE TRAGIC 
   DEATH OF 
   OTHER YOUNG BLACK 
   PEOPLE ARE
   ESPECIALLY 
   FRIGHTENING.
   NOW THEY'RE WRITING 
   THROUGH 
   THEIR FEARS. 
   >> HE'S BASICALLY A 
   FUTURE 
   VERSION OF ME. 
   >> Reporter: CONNOR IS
   WRITING 
   TO ELIJAH McCLAIN. 
   WHO DIED AFTER AN 
   ENCOUNTER WITH POLICE.
   >> SIRENS ARE MEANT TO
   CAUSE FEAR.
   STOP NOW OR ELSE.
   OR ELSE WHAT?
   >> Reporter: THE 
   LETTER 
   ORGANIZED ORGANIZED BY
   A GROUP 
   CALLED INSPIRING 
   MINDS. 
   >> WE ALWAYS BELIEVE 
   THERE IS 
   HEALING IN WRITING.
   SO WE DECIDED TO DO A 
   WHOLE 
   SERIES FOR OUR 
   LITERATURE PIECE 
   THIS SUMMER WHERE
   THEY WROTE LETTERS TO 
   THOSE WHO 
   DIED DUE TO SOCIAL 
   INJUSTICE. 
   >> Reporter: IN HER 
   LETTER, SHE 
   WRITES AS IF SHE WERE 
   BREONNA 
   TAYLOR. 
   WHO WAS KILLED IN A 
   POLICE RAID ON HER 
   HOME.
   >> WHY ME?
   HOW COULD THIS BE?
   I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING 
   WRONG. 
   >> Reporter: MALACHI 
   IS ONLY TWO 
   YEARS OLDER THAN RICE 
   WHO WAS 
   SHOT BY CLEVELAND 
   POLICE WHEN THEY 
   MISTOOK
   HIS AIR SOFT GUN FOR A
   REAL GUN.
   >> YOU WERE ONLY 12 
   AND YOU WERE AT THE 
   PARK PLAYING WITH A 
   TOY GUN. 
   >> Reporter: WAS IT 
   DIFFICULT TO WRITE 
   THIS LETTER?
   >> NO.
   BECAUSE I FELT LIKE IT
   WAS 
   SOMETHING THAT NEEDED 
   TO HAPPEN 
   SO LIKE THE WORLD CAN 
   HEAR THE 
   STORY. 
   >> I HOPE PEOPLE TAKE 
   THIS 
   MOVEMENT AND ALL THE 
   PROTESTS 
   THAT THEY WILL SEE HOW
   WE FEEL 
   AND THEY WILL AT LEAST
   TRY TO 
   MAKE CHANGE. 
   >> Reporter: CHANGE 
   PUSHING FOR 
   CHANGE USING THE POWER
   OF WORDS.
   REHEMA ELLIS, NBC 
   NEWS. 
   >>> AND THAT IS 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS."
   THANK YOU FOR 
   WATCHING, EVERYONE.
   I AM LESTER HOLT.
   PLEASE TAKE CARE OF 
   PLEASE TAKE CARE OF 
   YOURSELF AND 
   EACH OTHER.
