   1,000 COVID 
   DEATHS IN A SINGLE 
   DAY.
   THE HIGHEST NATIONWIDE
   TOLL IN 
   WEEKS.
   CALIFORNIA NOW 
   SURPASSING NEW 
   YORK FOR MOST CASES IN
   THE 
   NATION.
   THREE MORE STATES 
   MANDATING 
   MASKS. AND A NEW 
   MESSAGE FROM 
   DR. FAUCI. 
   >>> NBC NEWS GOES 
   INSIDE ONE OF 
   THE FIRST SCHOOLS TO 
   REOPEN IN 
   AMERICA.
   THE NEW SAFETY 
   MEASURES AND WHAT THE 
   CDC DIRECTOR SAID 
   TODAY, WOULD HE SEND 
   HIS OWN GRANDCHILDREN 
   BACK.
   >>> AS WE COME ON THE 
   AIR, 
   PRESIDENT TRUMP 
   HOLDING ANOTHER 
   CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING 
   AFTER 
   SAYING THE OUTBREAK 
   WOULD 
   PROBABLY GET WORSE.
   >>> AND FOR THE FIRST 
   TIME IN 
   THE 2020 RACE, JOE 
   BIDEN AND 
   BARACK OBAMA IN PERSON
   TOGETHER. 
   THEIR NEW MESSAGE.
   >>> THE MASSIVE $2 
   BILLION 
   VACCINE DEAL.
   HOW MANY DOSES THEY'RE
   AIMING TO 
   DELIVER AND WHEN. 
   >>> THE U.S. ORDERING 
   CHINA'S 
   CONSULATE IN HOUSTON 
   TO SHUT 
   DOWN.
   THE ALLEGATIONS OF 
   SPYING AND THE IMAGES.
   WERE CONSULATE WORKERS
   BURNING 
   DOCUMENTS?
   >>> PRESIDENT TRUMP 
   ANNOUNCES A 
   SURGE OF HUNDREDS OF 
   FEDERAL 
   AGENTS TO CHICAGO ON 
   THE HEELS 
   OF A SHOOT-OUT AT A 
   FUNERAL.
   >>> OUR NBC NEWS 
   INVESTIGATES WHAT SOME
   WELLS FARGO CUSTOMERS 
   WERE SHOCKED TO FIND 
   OUT.
   >>> AND THE TROPICAL 
   STORM 
   THREAT, WHERE IT'S 
   HEADED, THE 
   NEW TRACK. 
   >>> THIS IS NBC 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS" 
   WITH LESTER HOLT.
   >>> GOOD EVENING, 
   EVERYONE.
   CALIFORNIA TONIGHT 
   WITH A 
   DUBIOUS DISTINCTION.
   NOW HOME TO THE MOST 
   CORONAVIRUS CASES IN 
   THE COUNTRY.
   BUT THE REALITY IS 
   RECORDS AND
   BENCHMARKS ARE FALLING
   ALMOST 
   DAILY ACROSS MANY 
   PARTS OF THE 
   COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE
   SINGLE 
   DAY DEATH TOTALS.
   SO MANY NUMBERS AND 
   SADLY TOO 
   EASY TO FORGET.
   THEY REPRESENT REAL 
   LIVES.
   IN DOZENS OF STATES, 
   THE NUMBERS 
   ARE WORSENING AND 
   PROGRESS IS 
   HARD TO COME BY.
   WE HAVE EXPANDED 
   COVERAGE THIS 
   EVENING STARTING WITH 
   MIGUEL 
   ALMAGUER.
   >> Reporter: AT 
   HOSPITALS AND 
   HOT SPOTS FACE A 
   CRUSHING WAVE 
   OF COVID PATIENTS, THE
   NATION'S 
   DEATH TOLL HITTING A 
   STAGGERING 
   NEW HIGH FOR JULY, 
   MORE THAN 
   1,000 DEATHS REPORTED 
   IN 24 
   HOURS. 
   >> THESE DEATHS ARE 
   PREMATURE, 
   PREVENTABLE DEATHS. 
   >> Reporter: WITH 40 
   STATES 
   RESPONDING TO AN 
   INCREASE IN 
   INFECTIONS, TONIGHT 
   CALIFORNIA 
   SURPASSING NEW YORK 
   FOR THE 
   NATION'S MOST CASES.
   THOUGH, FEWER WERE 
   TESTED AND 
   THE DEATH TOLL IS MORE
   THAN FOUR 
   TIMES HIGHER IN NEW 
   YORK.
   THE SOBERING MILESTONE
   OUT WEST 
   PLAGUES A REGION THAT 
   LED THE 
   COUNTRY IN STAY AT 
   HOME ORDERS 
   THAT IS NOW BEING 
   CRIPPLED BY 
   COVID.
   HERE IN LOS ANGELES, 
   AMID LONG LINES FOR 
   TESTING, OFFICIALS ARE
   STRUGGLING TO CONDUCT 
   CONTACT TRACING FOR 
   THOSE WHO TEST 
   POSITIVE, PERHAPS 
   FUELLING THE SPREAD OF
   THE VIRUS.
   THE NEWS IS ALSO GRIM 
   ALONG THE 
   ARIZONA BORDER.
   IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, 
   A JAW 
   DROPPING 55% OF THOSE 
   TESTED 
   YESTERDAY HAVE THE 
   VIRUS.
   >> IT'S A VERY SERIOUS
   SITUATION. 
   >> Reporter: TO SLOW 
   THE SPREAD 
   NATIONWIDE, TODAY 
   RETAIL GIANTS 
   HOME DEPOT AND KROGER 
   BEGAN 
   REQUIRING MASKS IN ALL
   LOCATIONS 
   JOINING STATES LIKE 
   OHIO, 
   MINNESOTA, INDIANA AND
   CITIES 
   LIKE WASHINGTON, D.C.,
   AND 
   BALTIMORE WHICH ARE 
   ALSO 
   EXPANDING THEIR OWN 
   POLICIES 
   TONIGHT.
   AMID A CRUSH OF COVID 
   CASES,
   AND A WARNING THE 
   VIRUS WILL 
   LINGER. 
   >> I DON'T REALLY SEE 
   US 
   ERADICATING IT, BUT I 
   THINK WE 
   WILL BRING IT DOWN TO 
   SUCH A LOW 
   LEVEL THAT WE WILL NOT
   BE IN THE 
   POSITION WE'RE IN 
   RIGHT NOW. 
   >> Reporter: AT 
   NIAGARA FALLS 
   IMAGES OF AMERICAN 
   TOUR BOATS TIGHTLY 
   PACKED AND CANADIAN 
   VESSELS WITH PLENTY OF
   ROOM,
   AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TWO 
   COUNTRIES 
   ARE ADDRESSING THE 
   VIRUS.
   NEW YORK'S TRI-STATE 
   AREA NOW 
   WARNING VISITORS FROM 
   31 STATES 
   THEY MUST QUARANTINE 
   IF THEY 
   ENTER THE REGION.
   IN MANHATTAN LARRY 
   KELLY SPENT 
   51 DAYS ON A 
   VENTILATOR, FINALLY 
   CLEARED TO GO HOME 
   TODAY.
   >> MY WIFE SAVED MY 
   LIFE. 
   SHE WOULDN'T LET THEM 
   PULL THE PLUG.
   >> Reporter: BUT NOT 
   ALL 
   FAMILIES ARE SO LUCKY.
   KERRY LOST HIS FIGHT 
   AGAINST 
   COVID OVERNIGHT, 
   SURROUNDED BY 
   HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN 
   THERE TO 
   SAY GOOD-BYE. 
   >> SO WE WERE ABLE TO 
   HAVE THE 
   OPPORTUNITY TO TELL 
   HIM HOW MUCH 
   WE LOVE HIM. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   THE LIVES 
   BEHIND THE NUMBERS AS 
   THE DEATH 
   TOLL AND THE 
   HEARTBREAK MOUNT.
   MIGUEL ALMAGUER, NBC 
   NEWS LOS 
   ANGELES. 
   >>> AS COVID 
   INFECTIONS SURGE, 
   THE SHAPE OF THE NEW 
   SCHOOL YEAR 
   REMAINS UNCERTAIN IN 
   MANY 
   DISTRICTS TONIGHT.
   FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS 
   AND 
   TEACHERS.
   NBC'S BLAINE ALEXANDER
   VISITED A 
   DISTRICT IN TENNESSEE 
   THAT HAS 
   BECOME ONE OF THE 
   FIRST IN THE 
   COUNTRY TO REOPEN.
   >> Reporter: IT'S NOT 
   THE 
   WELCOME BACK THESE 
   STUDENTS ARE 
   USED TO.
   >> 97.2. 
   >> Reporter: 
   TEMPERATURE CHECKS, 
   MASKED FACES 
   AND DESKS AT A 
   DISTANCE.
   GREETING STUDENTS, THE
   2000 
   STUDENT DISTRICT IN 
   TENNESSEE 
   AMONG THE FIRST IN THE
   COUNTRY 
   TO RETURN TO IN PERSON
   LEARNING 
   WITH STAGGERED 
   ATTENDANCE. 
   >> IF I HAVE A CLASS 
   OF 20 KIDS, 
   5 WILL COME EVERY DAY.
   AND, SO, IT WILL TAKE 
   THE WHOLE WEEK BEFORE 
   I SEE MY WHOLE CASE.
   >> Reporter: TENNESSEE
   HAS SEEN 
   MORE THAN 80,000 COVID
   CASES, 
   BUT FEWER THAN 300 
   ACTIVE CASES 
   IN THE CITY OF ALCOA.
   DID YOU HAVE ANY 
   CONCERNS ABOUT 
   COMING BACK?
   >> OH, YEAH, 
   ABSOLUTELY.
   THAT'S WHY SO MANY 
   DISCUSSIONS AND 
   SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND 
   CONVERSATIONS AND WHAT
   IF QUESTIONS HAVE 
   HAPPENED BECAUSE
   WE WANT TO DO WHAT'S 
   BEST FOR 
   OUR STUDENTS AND FOR 
   OUR 
   CHILDREN. 
   >> Reporter: ACROSS 
   THE COUNTRY, 
   WITH THE FIRST DAY 
   FAST 
   APPROACHING, MANY 
   STUDENTS AND 
   TEACHERS ARE STILL IN 
   LIMBO 
   ABOUT HOW AND WHEN 
   SCHOOL WILL 
   START.
   IN KANSAS, THE STATE 
   SCHOOL 
   BOARD REJECTED THE 
   GOVERNOR'S 
   REQUEST TO DELAY THE 
   START OF 
   SCHOOL UNTIL AFTER 
   LABOR DAY.
   TODAY THE CDC DIRECTOR
   SAYS HE 
   BELIEVES SCHOOLS ARE 
   SAFE ENOUGH 
   TO SEND HIS OWN 
   GRANDCHILDREN. 
   >> EIGHT OF THEM ARE 
   SCHOOL AGE.
   I'M 100% THAT THEY CAN
   GET BACK TO SCHOOL.
   >> Reporter: WITH MANY
   DISTRICTS 
   RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT
   HOW TO 
   PAY FOR THE NECESSARY 
   CHANGES, 
   TODAY THE NAACP FILED 
   A LAWSUIT 
   AGAINST EDUCATION 
   SECRETARY 
   BETSY DeVOS CLAIMING A
   NEW RULE 
   WOULD EFFECTIVELY 
   DIVERT SOME FEDERAL 
   MONEY FROM LOWER 
   INCOME SCHOOLS TO 
   WEALTHY PRIVATE 
   SCHOOLS.
   >> TO TAKE MONEY AWAY 
   FROM 
   DISTRICTS AND GIVE TO 
   FAMILIES 
   WHO HAVE THE MEANS TO 
   PROVIDE 
   VIRTUAL OR SOCIAL 
   DISTANCE 
   EDUCATION 
   OPPORTUNITIES IN THAT 
   PRIVATE SCHOOL SETTING
   IS 
   UNCONSCIONABLE. 
   >> Reporter: IN A 
   STATEMENT, THE 
   DEPARTMENT OF
   EDUCATION SLAMS THE 
   LAWSUIT AS 
   POLITICAL.
   SAYING THIS 
   ADMINISTRATION IS 
   COMMITTED TO GET ALL 
   STUDENTS 
   BACK TO LEARNING, 
   INCLUDING 
   STUDENTS OF COLOR. 
   >> Reporter: BACK IN 
   TENNESSEE, 
   HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT 
   THAT MASK?
   >> NOT THAT GOOD 
   BECAUSE IT JUST 
   MAKES ME REALLY HOT. 
   >> Reporter: STOPPING 
   THE SPREAD 
   IS NOW LESSON NUMBER 
   ONE. 
   >> AND WE'RE TEACHING 
   THE KIDS 
   LIFE SKILLS THEY CAN 
   USE BECAUSE 
   THIS MAY NOT GO AWAY 
   ANY TIME 
   SOON. 
   >> Reporter: AND THESE
   PLANS 
   ARE IN PLACE UNTIL 
   LABOR DAY WHEN THEY 
   RE-EVALUATE TO SEE 
   WHAT, IF ANYTHING, 
   NEEDS TO CHANGE.
   LESTER?
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   BLAINE ALEXANDER 
   TONIGHT.
   THANK YOU. 
   >>> PRESIDENT TRUMP 
   HELD ANOTHER 
   BRIEFING LATE TODAY 
   TELLING 
   PEOPLE AGAIN TO WEAR 
   MASKS, 
   TOUTING A DEAL 
   REGARDING A 
   POSSIBLE
   VACCINE CANDIDATE AND 
   AGAIN 
   PUSHING FOR SCHOOLS TO
   REOPEN.
   OUR KRISTEN WELKER IS 
   AT THE 
   WHITE HOUSE. 
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   FLOODING 
   THE ZONE, PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP 
   APPEARING IN THE WHITE
   HOUSE 
   BRIEFING ROOM FOR THE 
   SECOND DAY IN A ROW, 
   ANNOUNCING A MAJOR
   AGREEMENT WITH PFIZER 
   TO GET 
   MILLIONS OF DOSES OF 
   VACCINES TO 
   THE PUBLIC ONCE THERE 
   IS ONE. 
   >> TODAY MY 
   ADMINISTRATION 
   REACHED A HISTORIC 
   AGREEMENT WITH PFIZER
   TO PRODUCE AND DELIVER
   100 
   MILLION DOSES OF THEIR
   VACCINE 
   IMMEDIATELY UPON 
   APPROVAL.
   HOPEFULLY THE APPROVAL
   PROCESS WILL GO VERY 
   QUICKLY, AND
   WE THINK WE HAVE A 
   WINNER THERE. 
   >> Reporter: AND WHILE
   THE 
   PRESIDENT HAS BEEN 
   PUSHING TO 
   REOPEN SCHOOLS, 
   TONIGHT HE WAS 
   PRESSED, IS HE 
   COMFORTABLE WITH 
   HIS SON AND 
   GRANDCHILDREN GOING 
   TO THE CLASSROOMS?
   >> WELL, I AM 
   COMFORTABLE WITH 
   THAT.
   AND WE DO HAVE A 
   NATIONAL 
   STRATEGY.
   BUT AS YOU KNOW, 
   ULTIMATELY IT 
   IS UP TO THE GOVERNORS
   OF THE 
   STATES. 
   >> Reporter: PRESIDENT
   TRUMP IS 
   LOCKED IN A FIERCE 
   BATTLE FOR 
   RE-ELECTION WITH JOE 
   BIDEN 
   LEADING IN THE POLLS.
   BIDEN TODAY SHARPLY 
   CRITICIZING 
   THE PRESIDENT WHO HAS 
   REFERRED 
   TO COVID AS THE CHINA 
   VIRUS. 
   >> WE'VE HAD RACISTS, 
   AND THEY HAVE EXISTED 
   AND THEY HAVE TRIED TO
   GET ELECTED PRESIDENT.
   THIS IS THE FIRST ONE 
   THAT HAS.
   >> Reporter: TONIGHT 
   ASKED TO 
   RESPOND. 
   >> I HAVE DONE MORE 
   FOR BLACK 
   AMERICANS THAN ANYBODY
   WITH THE 
   POSSIBLE EXCEPTION OF 
   ABRAHAM 
   LINCOLN.
   NOBODY HAS EVEN BEEN 
   CLOSE.
   THANK YOU VERY MUCH, 
   EVERYONE. 
   >> Reporter: 
   MEANWHILE, BIDEN 
   DEPLOYING HIS BIGGEST 
   POLITICAL WEAPON, 
   RELEASING A
   CLIP OF A TAPED IN 
   PERSON 
   CONVERSATION WITH HIS 
   FORMER 
   BOSS, BARACK OBAMA.
   >> I HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN
   ABOUT YOU, JOE. 
   >> Reporter:
   THE VIDEO ALSO AIMS TO
   DRAW 
   CONTRAST WITH 
   PRESIDENT TRUMP 
   WHO SAID THIS IN MARCH
   WHEN 
   PRESSED ON TESTING 
   FAILURES.
   >> DO YOU TAKE 
   RESPONSIBILITY 
   FOR THAT?
   >> NO, I DON'T TAKE 
   RESPONSIBILITY AT ALL.
   >> CAN YOU IMAGINE 
   STANDING UP 
   WHEN YOU'RE PRESIDENT 
   AND SAY, 
   IT'S NOT MY 
   RESPONSIBILITY.
   I TAKE NO 
   RESPONSIBILITY. 
   I MEAN, LITERALLY.
   LITERALLY.
   >> THOSE WORDS DIDN'T 
   COME OUT 
   OF OUR MOTHS WHEN WE 
   WERE IN 
   OFFICE. 
   >> NO, NO. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   PRESIDENT WAS 
   ASKED AGAIN ABOUT 
   TAKING 
   RESPONSIBILITY OVER 
   THE WEEKEND. 
   >> DO YOU TAKE 
   RESPONSIBILITY 
   FOR THAT?
   >> LOOK, I TAKE 
   RESPONSIBILITY 
   ALWAYS FOR EVERYTHING.
   >> Reporter: NOW, AS 
   FOR THE 
   BRIEFING HERE, THE 
   PRESIDENT 
   SAID HE SPOKE TO DR. 
   FAUCI 
   EARLIER TODAY.
   MEANWHILE, SENATE 
   REPUBLICANS 
   ARE DISCUSSING A 
   POSSIBLE 
   SHORT-TERM EXTENSION 
   TO $600 
   UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS 
   WHICH 
   EXPIRE AT THE END OF 
   THE MONTH.
   IT IS NOT CLEAR THE 
   WHITE HOUSE 
   WILL SUPPORT THAT, 
   THOUGH.
   IT COMES AS
   REPUBLICANS ARE 
   SIGNALING 
   THEY'RE CLOSE TO 
   REACHING A 
   BROADER AGREEMENT WITH
   THE WHITE 
   HOUSE FOR A LONG-TERM 
   RELIEF 
   PACKAGE.
   BUT THEN THEY HAVE TO 
   NEGOTIATE 
   WITH DEMOCRATS.
   LESTER?
   >> KRISTEN WELKER, 
   THANKS. 
   >>> THAT VACCINE 
   AGREEMENT THE 
   PRESIDENT MENTIONED IS
   A SIGN OF 
   HOPE.
   AND PERHAPS CONFIDENCE
   THAT A SAFE AND 
   EFFECTIVE VACCINE WILL
   BE DEVELOPED.
   THE GOVERNMENT'S DEAL 
   WITH 
   PFIZER WORTH ALMOST $2
   BILLION 
   FOR A POTENTIAL 
   VACCINE EVEN 
   BEFORE IT'S APPROVED.
   OUR TOM COSTELLO HAS 
   MORE 
   DETAILS. 
   >> Reporter: IT'S THE 
   BIGGEST 
   DEAL YET IN THE 
   GOVERNMENT'S 
   OPERATION WARP SPEED, 
   TO RUSH A
   VACCINE TO THE 
   HOMELAND.
   A $2 BILLION AGREEMENT
   WITH 
   PHASER AND A SMALLER 
   GERMAN 
   COMPANY FOR MILLIONS 
   OF VACCINE 
   DOSES THAT THE 
   GOVERNMENT WOULD 
   THEN PROVIDE FREE OF 
   CHARGE TO 
   THE PUBLIC. 
   >> WE CAN ACQUIRE 100 
   MILLION 
   DOSES OF THIS VACCINE 
   AS EARLY 
   AS DECEMBER OF 2020. 
   >> Reporter: PFIZER 
   ACTUALLY HAS 
   FOUR VACCINE 
   CANDIDATES.
   EARLY TEST RESULTS 
   SHOW THEY 
   PRODUCE ANTIBODIES 
   THAT HAVE THE 
   POTENTIAL TO 
   NEUTRALIZE COVID.
   SO FAR NONE HAS 
   RECEIVED FDA 
   APPROVAL, BUT CRITICAL
   PHASE 
   THREE HUMAN TRIALS 
   START WITHIN 
   DAYS.
   WHAT ASSURANCES CAN 
   YOU GIVE THE 
   AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT 
   $2 BILLION 
   IS GOING TO BE MONEY 
   WELL SPENT?
   >> I THINK THE 100 
   MILLION DOSES 
   WOULD DEFINITELY PROVE
   TO BE A 
   GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY 
   GIVEN THE 
   ENORMOUS HEALTH CARE 
   AND ECONOMIC COST OF 
   THIS
   CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC 
   HAS 
   REACHED. 
   >> Reporter: EACH 
   PERSON WOULD 
   NEED TWO DOSES AND A 
   BOOSTER 
   SHOT.
   SCOTT IS AN 
   IMMUNOLOGIST WHO 
   VOLUNTEERED FOR THE 
   STUDY.
   YESTERDAY HE RECEIVED 
   HIS SECOND 
   DOSE AT THE UNIVERSITY
   OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF 
   MEDICINE.
   HIS SIDE EFFECTS SO 
   FAR, A FEW 
   ACHES SIMILAR TO A FLU
   SHOT. 
   >> I HONESTLY FEEL 
   LUCKY.
   FIRST OF ALL, TO BE 
   HEAD OF THE 
   GAME, SO TO SPEAK, TO 
   RECEIVE A 
   VACCINE THAT MIGHT 
   WORK THIS 
   EARLY AFTER WE LEARNED
   ABOUT THE 
   DISEASE. 
   >> Reporter: VACCINES 
   ARE 
   GETTING TESTED 
   REAL-TIME SAYS 
   DR. ANTHONY FAUCI WITH
   70,000 
   NEW CASES EACH DAY. 
   >> THAT'S BAD NEWS FOR
   PUBLIC 
   HEALTH.
   BUT THAT CERTAINLY 
   FACILITATES 
   THE DEVELOPMENT AND 
   THE PROVING 
   OF THE ETHICACY OF A 
   VACCINE. 
   >> Reporter: PFIZER 
   ISN'T ALONE.
   THE GOVERNMENT HAS 
   SIGNED A $1.6 
   BILLION DEAL WITH 
   VACCINE MAKER 
   NOVAVAX.
   AND IT'S PAYING FOUR 
   DRUG MAKERS FOR R AND 
   D.
   TONIGHT IS LOOKING 
   MORE AND MORE 
   POSSIBLE THAT 
   AMERICANS WILL GET 
   A VACCINE SHOT EARLIER
   NEXT 
   YEAR.
   LESTER?
   >> PRETTY AMAZING.
   TOM COSTELLO, THANK 
   YOU. 
   >>> THIS EVENING, 
   AFTER THE U.S.
   ACCUSED CHINESE 
   HACKERS OF 
   TRYING TO STEAL 
   AMERICAN VACCINE 
   RESEARCH, A MAJOR NEW 
   ESCALATION TO TELL YOU
   ABOUT.
   FOR THE FIRST TIME, 
   THE STATE 
   DEPARTMENT ORDERING A 
   CHINESE 
   CONSULATE HERE TO 
   CLOSE OVER 
   SPYING CHARGES.
   NBC'S
   ANDREA MITCHELL HAS 
   LATE 
   DETAILS. 
   >> Reporter: FLAMES 
   SEEN IN THE
   COURTYARD OF THE 
   CHINESE 
   CONSULATE IN HOUSTON 
   OVERNIGHT, 
   APPEARING TO SHOW 
   DOCUMENTS 
   BURNING AFTER THE 
   STATE 
   DEPARTMENT ORDERED THE
   CONSULATE 
   TO CLOSE BY FRIDAY.
   ONLY HOURS AFTER THE 
   U.S. 
   ACCUSED TWO CHINESE 
   HACKERS 
   WORKING WITH CHINA'S 
   GOVERNMENT 
   OF TRYING TO STEAL 
   RESEARCH ON 
   COVID VACCINES, 
   TREATMENT AND 
   TESTING FROM U.S. 
   COMPANIES AND 
   OTHERS AROUND THE 
   WORLD.
   HOUSTON FIREFIGHTERS 
   RESPONDED, 
   BUT WERE NOT PERMITTED
   IN.
   THE STATE DEPARTMENT 
   SAYS THE 
   CLOSURE IS INTENDED TO
   PROTECT 
   AMERICAN INTELLECTUAL 
   PROPERTY 
   AND AMERICANS' PRIVATE
   INFORMATION AND SAID 
   ITS 
   INTELLIGENCE CHAIRMAN 
   MARCO 
   RUBIO TWEETED CHINA'S 
   HOUSTON CONSULATE IS A
   MASSIVE SPY CENTER.
   FORCING IT TO CLOSE IS
   LONG OVERDUE.
   >> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE
   ACTIONS 
   THAT PROTECT THE 
   AMERICAN 
   PEOPLE, PROTECT OUR 
   NATIONAL 
   SECURE AND ALSO 
   PROTECT OUR 
   ECONOMY AND JOBS. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   ADMINISTRATION'S 
   DRAMATIC ACTION 
   COMES AS PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP STOPPED 
   TARIFFS ON CHINA FOR 
   UNFAIR 
   TRADE PRACTICES AND 
   BLAMES CHINA 
   FOR NOT ALERTING THE 
   WORLD TO 
   THE CORONAVIRUS. 
   >> IT'S A SHAME IT 
   HAPPENED.
   IT SHOULDN'T HAVE 
   HAPPENED.
   CHINA SHOULD HAVE 
   STOPPED IT. 
   >> Reporter: CAUSING 
   DEMOCRATS 
   WHO HAVE ALSO BEEN 
   WARNING
   ABOUT CHINESE HACKING 
   TO WORRY 
   TODAY'S ACTION IS AN 
   ATTEMPT TO 
   DIVERSION FROM THE 
   COVID CRISIS.
   >> IF CHINA MADE 
   MISTAKES, THEY SHOULD 
   BE CALLED OUT FOR 
   THEM.
   BUT THE PRESIDENT IS 
   TRYING TO
   DEFLECT ATTENTIONS 
   FROM HIS 
   MISTAKES IN THE UNITED
   STATES 
   THAT LED US TO HAVE 
   THE HIGHEST 
   DEATH TOLL IN THE 
   WORLD. 
   >> Reporter: CHINA'S 
   FOREIGN 
   MINISTRY CALLED THE 
   MOVE AN UNPRECEDENTED 
   ESCALATION AND 
   PROMISES TO
   RESPOND WITH FIRM 
   COUNTER 
   MEASURES.
   LESTER?
   >> ANDREA MITCHELL 
   THIS EVENING.
   THANK YOU. 
   >>> IN 60 SECONDS, THE
   PRESIDENT 
   ORDERS HUNDREDS OF 
   FEDERAL 
   AGENTS TO CHICAGO 
   AFTER A MASS 
   SHOOTING THERE.
   THE GROWING BATTLE 
   OVER USING 
   FEDERAL 
   >>> BACK NOW WITH 
   PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP FOLLOWING 
   THROUGH ON HIS 
   VOW TO SEND FEDERAL 
   RESOURCES 
   INTO CHICAGO ON THE 
   HEELS OF A 
   MASS SHOOTING THERE.
   WE GET DETAILS FROM 
   NBC'S GABE 
   GUTIERREZ. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   DRIVE-BY 
   SHOOTING OUTSIDE A 
   FUNERAL THAT 
   HAD BYSTANDERS 
   SCRAMBLING ON 
   CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE. 
   >> WE THOUGHT IT WAS A
   WAR 
   OUTSIDE. 
   >> Reporter: AT LEAST 
   15 PEOPLE 
   WOUNDED.
   SEVERAL CRITICALLY.
   TONIGHT THE POLICE 
   SUPERINTENDENT HAS 
   THIS MESSAGE 
   FOR THE 117,000 GANG 
   MEMBERS IN 
   THE CITY. 
   >> PUT YOUR GUNS DOWN.
   >> Reporter: OVER THE 
   WEEKEND, 
   AT LEAST 63 PEOPLE 
   WERE SHOT IN 
   CHICAGO.
   THERE WERE AT LEAST 
   160 MURDERS 
   IN JUST THE LAST 
   MONTH, A NEARLY 
   200% JUMP OVER THE 
   SAME PERIOD 
   LAST YEAR.
   PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW 
   SAYS HE'S 
   SENDING MORE FEDERAL 
   LAW 
   ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES 
   THERE AND 
   TO ALBUQUERQUE AND 
   KANSAS CITY.
   THE OPERATION NAMED 
   AFTER 
   FOUR-YEAR-OLD SHOOTING
   VICTIM 
   LEGEND TALIFERRO. 
   >> NO MOTHER SHOULD 
   HAVE TO 
   CRADLE HER DEAD CHILD 
   IN HER 
   ARMS BECAUSE 
   POLITICIANS HAVE TO 
   DO WHAT'S NECESSARY TO
   SECURE 
   THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND
   TO SECURE 
   THEIR CITY. 
   >> Reporter: THE 
   ADMINISTRATION 
   SAYS THESE EXTRA 
   AGENTS WILL BE 
   DIFFERENT THAN THE 
   TACTICAL 
   TEAMS RECENTLY SENT TO
   PORTLAND.
   OVERNIGHT PROTESTERS 
   BARRICADED 
   THE FEDERAL COURTHOUSE
   WITH 
   WOODEN BEAMS.
   NBC'S ERIN IS THERE.
   >> Reporter: THEY'RE 
   SETTING UP 
   A STEEL BARRICADE 
   OUTSIDE THE 
   FEDERAL COURTHOUSE.
   INSIDE THE STATE'S 
   ATTORNEY GENERAL IS 
   ASKING FOR A 
   RESTRAINING ORDER 
   AGAINST THE FEDERAL 
   AGENTS THAT ARE HERE.
   >> Reporter: FROM 
   ATLANTA TO 
   DETROIT TO MEMPHIS, 
   THIS 
   SUMMER'S VIOLENCE HAS 
   BEEN 
   BRUTAL.
   IN KANSAS CITY,
   MURDER IS UP 40%, THE 
   POLICE 
   DEPARTMENT ASKED FOR 
   SOME HELP 
   TRACKING ILLEGAL GUNS.
   >> WHAT WE DON'T NEED 
   IS WHAT YOU ARE SEEING
   ON THE STREETS OF 
   PORTLAND, THE FEDERAL 
   TROOPS THAT ARE TAKING
   OVER CORE FUNCTIONS OF
   LAW ENFORCEMENT IN 
   AMERICAN CITIES.
   >> Reporter: HERE IN 
   NEW YORK, 
   OFFICERS WITH RIOT 
   SHIELDS TODAY 
   CLEARED OUT A PROTEST 
   ENCAMPMENT 
   IN FRONT OF CITY HALL.
   LESTER?
   >> GABE GUTIERREZ, 
   THANK YOU. 
   >>> A NEW TWIST IN THE
   DEADLY 
   AMBUSH OF THE FAMILY 
   OF A NEW 
   JERSEY FEDERAL JUDGE.
   EVIDENCE LINKS THE 
   SUSPENDED 
   GUNMAN TO THE KILLING 
   OF A 
   LAWYER IN CALIFORNIA 
   OVER A WEEK EARLIER.
   INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE
   HOLLANDER KILLED THE 
   JUDGE'S SON 
   AND CRITICALLY WOUNDED
   HER 
   HUSBAND AT THEIR HOME 
   ON SUNDAY.
   HOLLANDER WAS LATER 
   FOUND DEAD 
   OF AN APPARENT 
   SELF-INFLICTED 
   GUNSHOT. 
   >>> AND TROPICAL STORM
   GONZALO 
   HAS FORMED IN THE 
   ATLANTIC.
   IT IS EXPECTED TO 
   BECOME A HURRICANE BY 
   TOMORROW.
   PARTS OF THE CARIBBEAN
   COULD SEE
   STRONG WINDS AND HEAVY
   RAIN THIS 
   WEEKEND. 
   >>> UP NEXT, TROUBLING
   NEW 
   QUESTIONS ABOUT ONE OF
   THE 
  >>> BACK NOW WITH OUR 
  NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION
  IN THE NEW OUTRAGE AT 
  WELLS FARGO, CUSTOMERS
  SHOCKED TO SEE THE
  BANK HASN'T BEEN
  CREDITING THEM FOR
  THEIR MORTGAGE
  PAYMENTS DURING THE 
  PANDEMIC. 
  >> TAMMY WILSON AND 
  HER HUSBAND HAVE
  ALWAYS PAID THEIR 
  MORTGAGE ON TIME, EVEN
  DURING COVID-19.
  >> WE'RE MANAGING OUR 
  MONEY, DOING OKAY.
  >> Reporter: RECENTLY 
  THEY DISCOVERED THEIR 
  PAYMENTS AREN'T BEING 
  COUNTED.
  WELLS FARGO IS IN A 
  GOVERNMENT PROGRAM TO 
  PROTECT PEOPLE
  FINANCIALLY HURT BY 
  COVID, PUTTING A HOLD 
  ON THEIR MORTGAGE,
  THEY DON'T NEED ANY 
  HELP. 
  >> I WANT TO PAY. 
  >> YOU SAID I DON'T 
  NEED ANY HELP, I DON'T
  WANT ANY HELP.
  >> YES. 
  >> FAR FROM ALONE,
  CONSUMERS IN 14 STATES
  HAVE REPORTED 
  SOMETHING SIMILAR IS
  HAPPENING TO THEM.
  >> I WAS REALLY ANGRY 
  AT FIRST
  I WAS LIKE, I DIDN'T
  ASK FOR THIS
  >> Reporter: WELL 
  FARGO CALLED ILENE
  ROTH TO TELL HER THE
  MORTGAGE PROTECTION 
  PLAN WAS ENDING BUT 
  SHE SAYS SHE NEVER
  WANTED IT IN THE FIRST
  PLACE.
  WILSON AND ROTH 
  CONTACTED NBC NEWS
  AFTER WE RAN A STORY
  ONLINE ABOUT TROY 
  HARLOW WHO HAS BEEN 
  WORKING HIS WAY OUT OF
  BANKRUPTCY, AND NOW 
  FEARS HE WON'T MAKE IT
  BECAUSE THE MORTGAGE
  PAYMENTS HE'S BEEN
  MAKING AREN'T BEING 
  CREDITED. 
  >> IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO
  ME, IT CAN HAPPEN TO
  ANYBODY.
  >> Reporter: HE'S PART
  OF A LAWSUIT AGAINST
  WELLS FARGO, HE IS
  CONCERNED BEING PART
  OF THE COVID RELIEF 
  PROGRAM COULD HURT
  THEIR ABILITY TO
  REFINANCE.
  >> WE'RE IN THE 
  PROCESS OF
  REFINANCING, HAVING 
  THAT ON THERE 
  OBVIOUSLY IS -- IT'S A
  DETRIMENTAL.
  >> Reporter: WELLS
  FARGO, THE FOURTH 
  LARGEST BANK IN THE 
  COUNTRY, COMES AFTER A
  STRING OF 
  CONTROVERSIES.
  >> GOT CAUGHT CREATING
  FAKE CREDIT CARD
  ACCOUNTS AND BIG BANK 
  ACCOUNTS. 
  >> THE BANK PAID OUT
  $3 BILLION TO THE 
  GOVERNMENT IN A 
  SETTLEMENT RELATED TO 
  THE FAKE ACCOUNTS.
  ON THIS LATEST ISSUE
  THE BANK SAYS IN A
  STATEMENT WE MAY HAVE 
  MISINTERPRETED
  CUSTOMERS' INTENTIONS 
  IN A SMALL NUMBER OF
  CASES.
  WE ARE WORKING
  DIRECTLY WITH 
  CUSTOMERS TO ENSURE 
  THEY HAVE RECEIVING 
  THE ASSISTANCE THEY 
  NEED
  THE BANK ADDS IT HAS
  ALREADY REMOVED 
  CUSTOMERS FROM THE
  PROGRAM WHO HAVE
  ASKED.
  THE WILSONS ARE STILL 
  LOOKING FOR 
  ASSISTANCE. 
  >> I FEEL LET DOWN
  I THINK THAT IF THEY
  ACTUALLY WANTED TO
  HELP ME THEY WOULD BE 
  HELPING ME
  >> Reporter: IT'S 
  UNCLEAR HOW MANY
  PEOPLE HAVE BEEN
  AFFECTED BY THIS
  IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS
  ABOUT YOUR OWN
  MORTGAGE REQUEST A
  COPY OF YOUR FULL 
  COURT REPORT
  LESTER
  >> STEPHANIE GOSK,
  THANK YOU.
  >>> UP NEXT, SHE'S
   >>> FINALLY, THE 
   ALL-OUT EFFORT 
   TO DO HER PART IN THE 
   COVID 
   BATTLE BY A WOMAN WHO 
   KNOWS WHAT 
   IT MEANS TO JOIN THE 
   FIGHT.
   HERE'S KATIE BECK.
   >> Reporter: AT 17 
   YEARS OLD, 
   MAY CRIER HELPED BUILD
   WAR 
   PLANES TO SAVE 
   AMERICAN LIVES.
   TODAY AT 94, HER HANDS
   STILL 
   WORK AT FACTORY SPEED 
   FOR THE 
   VERY SAME REASON. 
   >> Reporter: HOW DID 
   YOU GET THE 
   IDEA TO DO THIS?
   >> I GAVE UP MY RIBBON
   GUN FOR A SEWING 
   MACHINE.
   >> Reporter: SHE'S 
   MAKING MASKS 
   FOR THE MASSES.
   THE RED POLKA DOT 
   PATTERN WOVEN 
   DEEP IN HER FABRIC, 
   ONCE HERSELF 
   A ROSIE THE RIVETER. 
   >> IT IS VERY 
   REWARDING.
   RED AND WHITE POLKA 
   DOT STANDS 
   FOR SOMETHING. 
   IT'S A SYMBOL FOR WHAT
   THE AMERICAN WOMEN 
   DID.
   >> Reporter: CRIER 
   MADE A FEW AT 
   FIRST FOR FAMILY AND 
   FRIENDS.
   NOW A THOUSAND PENDING
   ORDERS.
   STRANGERS ACROSS THE 
   COUNTRY 
   SALUTING WOMEN'S 
   SERVICE, WHILE 
   FIGHTING AMERICA'S NEW
   WAR 
   AGAINST A VIRUS.
   CRIER EVEN FINDS TIME 
   TO STILL 
   MOW HER OWN GRASS, 
   WHILE PUSHING 
   CONGRESS TO GIVE ALL 
   ROSIES 
   MEDAL OF HONOR FOR 
   THEIR WORK. 
   >> I'M HOPING MY 
   LITTLE MASK WILL SAVE 
   ONE LIFE AT LEAST.
   >> Reporter: INSPIRED 
   ONCE TO 
   SERVE HER COUNTRY AND 
   NOW TO 
   PROTECT IT.
   KATIE BECK, NBC NEWS. 
   >> WE CAN ALL LEARN A 
   LOT FROM 
   HER.
   >>> THAT IS "NIGHTLY 
   NEWS."
   THANK YOU FOR 
   WATCHING.
   I'M LESTER HOLT.
   PLEASE TAKE CARE OF 
   YOURSELF AND 
   EACH OTHER.
