on the verge. tropical storm isaac inches closer to the gulf coast and could become a hurricane within the hour. landfall expected sometime tonight right near new orleans. al made his way there this morning. in the spotlight. the storm shortened rublican convention gets back on track today with the formal nomination of mitt romney as the gop's presidential candidate. this morning matt talks live with the man who will deliver tonight's keynote speech, new jersey governor chris christie. and emergency. a television news helicopter with smoke billowing from its engine forced to land in a parking lot.

why its pilot is hailed as a hero today tuesday, august 28th, why its pilot is hailed as a hero today tuesday, august 28th, 2012. captions paid for by nbc-universal television and good morning. welcome to a special split edition of today tuesday morning, i'm savannah guthrie. >> i'm matt lauer in tampa, florida. we're going to have complete coverage from here in just a moment. first the central gulf coast, the people there already starting to feel the effects of isaac this morning. >> right now under the circumstances still a tropical storm with wind speeds of 70 miles an hour. that's just a few miles short of hurricane strength of the two biggest concerns with isaac right now, a 6 to 12-foot storm surge possible from mississippi to southeast louisiana,

including new orleans and flooding rains. the region could see as much as 20 inches over the next 48 hours or so. it adds up to what will be a major test of the region's new flood control systems. al is going to have the very latest in a live report straight ahead, matt. >> savannah, thanks. meanwhile mitt romney and paul ryan are expected to land here in florida. security is extremely tight. an 8 foot fence surrounds the secure hall, the hotel used by romney and the campaign. 4,000 police officers are patrolling the streets of this city each and every day. i was out on monday and shot video of these guys right next to our hotel. just ahead we're going to speak to tonight's keynote speaker, chris christie. a little later we'll sit down with romney's five sons to talk about their emotions heading into this very big event with their mother and their father. savannah. >> okay, matt.

we're going to begin with isaac bearing down on the gulf coast this morning. we have two reports beginning with al who is in new orleans. al, good morning to you. >> good morning, savannah. right now on top of me clear skies. if you look in the distance off the mississippi river, we're starting to see those cloud beds starting to make their way toward us. as we look at the satellite, we can show you where -- in the last couple of frames of the satellite you're starting to see an eye develop. isaac 215 myself southeast of new orleans. 70-mile-an-hour winds northwest at 12 miles per hour. it's starting to slow up now. we have hurricane warnings from alabama-florida border all the way to morgan city, louisiana. and the path of this storm right now, it's not that far. but its forward momentum is slowing up. we expect it to make landfall sometime just to the west of in accordance, sometime later this evening as a category one storm.

early wednesday morning 85-mile-per-hour winds and then it continues inland. the problem is this is a very slow mover. as the system moves in, you can see the tropical force winds are niles out from the storm. the counterclockwise motion is a problem for this entire gulf coast region. as it continues to bring in those winds southeast, it's going to be piling water up. it's going to continue to pile water up. the storm surge, we're expecting anywhere from 6 to 12 feet above normal. it's probably going to come in right around high tide, so that will be a big problem. mobile, alabama, 4 to 8 feet, panama city 3 to 6 feet. and rain, this is going to be at least 24 to 36-hour event, see anywhere from 6 to 20 inches of rain. so the big problem, even though it is a minimal -- it will be a

minimal hurricane, it will be able to do maximum damage because it is going to be a slow mover. this will be at least a 24-hour event. savannah. >> all right, al. we'll check back with you in a bit. nbc's lester holt 12 miles outside of downtown new orleans in belle chasse, louisiana. good morning to you. >> reporter: savannah, good morning. dozens of families spent the night in the auditorium behind me, one of the shelters put in place here for those part of a limited mandatory evacuation. here is why. if you look at the map of louisiana that finger that sticks out in the gulf, that's where we parish. the mississippi river runs up the middle. the levees on the side, some built up since katrina. the others simply aren't strong enough to hold back the storm surge they expect here later today. the approaching storm is called isaac, but it's the legacy of katrina that sent many fleeing

to higher ground. >> that's why i'm leaving, me and my grandbaby. i can get another house, vehicle but i can't get another life. >> reporter: plaquemines par ickes where katrina came ashore seven years ago. vulnerable then and parts of it vulnerable for now. cars lined up for the ferry to cross to the east shore of the mississippi to relatively safer ground just hours after a mandatory evacuation order took effect. >> they are on edge. this is a big storm. nothing like katrina. but the whole south end of this parish was under water and people were kept out for months. >> in new orleans, devastated lower ninth ward, the scene of bitter misery in 2005 and where a slow rebirth had finally begun to take hold. many of those new homs built by actor brad pitt and residents boarded up. it now sits behind stronger and higher levee walls along with

flood gates and better pumps. this time the system will hold. >> we've rehearsed, "we've checked out our systems and we're comfortable with our preparations. >> but lisa haywood would be comfortable sitting out the storm elsewhere. she and her family decided on her own to evacuate. >> i have faith in god. i don't have faith in those walls. >> reporter: the uncertainty of isaac's landfall has left them uncertain. states of emergency from louisiana to florida. you'll be hard pressed to find water or batteries this morning in places like gulf shores, alabama and equally hard pressed to find someone in mississippi who doesn't have a harrowing tale of hurricane katrina. >> the day before katrina i owned three houses. the day after katrina i was homeless. >> for hundreds of miles the rituals of impending disaster, boarding up homes, topping off gas tanks and waiting. >> the message for our citizens is not to take this lightly.

>> and around here, that is the enduring lesson of katrina. >> yeah i fear all storms. you never know what you're going to get. >> about 7,000 people here in plaquemines parish are part of that limited mandatory evacuation. but the city of new orleans, they have great confidence in that new system of levees. no mandatory evacuation there. savannah, they told folks to shelter in place and hunker down. as al said, this one is going to take a while to pass. >> lester holt, so many bad memories. thank you so much. more on the storm throughout the morning. for now it's 7:08 and let's send it back to matt in tampa. >> after a 24 hour delay from the effects of isaac, the republican convention gets down to business at the tampa bay forum. we'll talk to the keynote speaker chris christie in just a moment. first nbc chuck todd our political director and chief white house correspondent has more on the big event for the gop and mitt romney.

chuck, good morning. >> good morning, matt. the first full day of the convention kicks off tonight. the two big speakers tonight represent the two twin goals of the romney campaign. chris christie in charge of the hard sell and ann romney in charge of the soft sell. mitt romney and his wife ann preparing for their turns in the spotlight. >> i like my speech. i really like ann's speech. our sons are already in tampa. they say it's terrific there, a lot of great friends. we're looking forward to a great convention. >> reporter: ann romney showed no signs of being nervous about her prime time speech instead making time to make welch case to bring to the convention in this photo. here in tampa on the first full night of the convention they will hear from john boehner, former rival senator santorum and tea party favorites scott walker of wisconsin and nikki haley of south carolina and keynote speaker chris christie of new jersey.

thanks to isaac, republicans have scrambled to adjust their convention schedule. monday's session was over as soon as it began. he gaveled in order and seconds later declared a recess. the louisiana delegation's empty chairs, a symbolic reminder. bobby jindal will be a tampa no show. >> certainly party conventions are interesting but there's no time for politics in louisiana along our coast. preparing to arrive in tampa today, mitt romney's running mate paul ryan received a rousing sendoff monday in his native janesville, wisconsin, previewing the republican convention's message. >> we're not just picking the next president for a few years. we are picking the pathway for america for a generation. >> while this gathering may lack the drama of past convention one

staple remains, political rumor and gossip. chris christie has quietly whit period to insiders romney is going to lose and that's why he's thinking about running himself in 2016. it's a report christie denies. well, today president obama is doing something most candidates on the opposition don't do, he's going out campaigning as well. he'll be in three states in the next two days starting in iowa, matt. >> thanks so much. we're joined by chris christie, the governor of new jersey and tonight's keynote speaker. good to see you as always. >> good to be here, thanks. >> let's go straight to the story. unnamed sources said you did not go for vice president's position because you did not want to give up the job of new jersey governor and you had real fears mitt romney couldn't win. >> the two reporters that wrote the story know me and know my

phone number and never called me. they just wanted to put something on the front payable the day this was canceled. i'm telling you categorically untrue. i've been working hard for mitt romney for the last year traveling 15 states across the country, absolutely believe he can win and will win. >> when you give the keynote address tonight, it's obviously a big moment at the convention. it's an enormous spotlight for you. a lot of people look and say this may be the moment he launches his bid for the nomination. is there any truth to that? >> i doubt it. i think mitt romney will be at the convention in 2016, renominated for a second term. you're looking at 2020, long way away. >> you want to tell hard truths to the country about the trouble we're in in this speech tonight will will you say the only way out of that trouble is the republican way, solely republican way or will you strike one of your common themes of compromise. >> we'll wait until tonight.

i'll use new jersey about an illustrative example of what can happen if you stick by your principles and solve problems. >> there's gridlock over your tax plan. is that the absolute right message to be sending now? >> sure it is. because if you look at over the course of two and a half years, we've compromised on significant pension and health benefit reform few others have done, property taxes. a number of different things people said we weren't going to get done. reformed teacher tenure. it can be done. you've got to be consistent, stick to your principles, send that to the people you're working with. >> speaking of compromise. the delegates working here have been vocal. they have come out and said they want a convention that takes a hard line against the democrats. if they win the white house and continue to control the house and perhaps control the senate, if your party does, do you think people in this party are going to be in the mood for

compromise? >> i think what's going to matter is what the president of the united states is going to do. we've seen that the last four years. the president of the united states did not want to work with republicans and didn't, didn't reach out to the republicans until they were in the majority of the house. i think mitt romney brings a much different experience to the table, worked with 85% democratic legislature in massachusetts. knows how to work akroos the aisle and get things done but also stands for his principles. i think both things are possible and we'll talk about that tonight. >> there's continuing pressure about mitt romney and tax returns. there's pressure not only from the obama campaign but conservatives in your own party to have him release more information. you gave a speech and said you can't lead by being a mystery. you can't lead by being an enigma. by not releasing more information is he not creating more mystery than needs to be created and has he not become somewhat of an enigma with his taxes. >> i don't think so. he's been very clear, he's not releasing his tax return.

at some point 70 days out we have to take the man at his words. he's not going to do it. i don't think he's been an enigma and mystery, whiches what i meant in the speech. i think the president has been an enigma and mystery what he believes in. >> you're a very savvy politician. >> thank you. >> if you were a guy like mitt romney who had been in public office, in and out of public office 10 years, running for president for the better part of five years, wouldn't you have taken steps to take all of your money out of known tax havens just to avoid the appearance of impropriety. >> here is the good news. i don't have enough for a tax haven, dependent have to comfort that issue. my general rule is not to answer hypotheticals. i hope to have enough money to look for tax havens. >> do you think he's taken steps to make it easier for him. >> you can always look back in retrospect and say maybe i would have done this or that

differently. i think any american voter is going to say i'm not voting for him because of this, no. the other issues we'll talk about joblessness, those will decide the election. >> every once in a while comments on the trail crop up. governor romney made a comment at a rally, he said, no one has ever asked to see my birth certificate, an obvious reference to the birther debate. he says it was a joke of is it funny to pay attention to a fringe group and question the very legitimacy of the president of the united states's citizenship. >> he hasn't. he's been the clearest and most affirmative of the candidates running for this nomination saying he doesn't believe that is an issue. he believes the president was born here and that shouldn't be discussed. i believe if he had it to do all over again, he wouldn't have made a joke. you're on camera 12 to 14 hours a day and say things off the cuff. believe me, i could put together

a catalog of things i wish i wouldn't have said. if you get a chance to talk to governor romney, i think he will tell you he wishes he could take that one back. >> is there going to be a line tomorrow we're all going to be talking about from your speech. >> i hope a few. >> chris christie. governor, always a pleasure. >> happy to be here. >> natalie has the headlines of the morning. >> good morning, matt, good morning, everybody. a nato helicopter crashed in eastern afghanistan. officials say no one was killed when the chopper made a hard landing in the eastern logar province. early evidence suggests there was no insurgent activity in the area. a former navy s.e.a.l. could face criminal charges as his book on the raid that killed bin laden is now under cia and pentagon review. the book "no easy day" is set to be released on the 9/11 attacks and already dethroned "50 shades

of grey" on the amazon best seller list. they want to know if it revealed classified information as it was not submitted for mandatory review before press. a student shot remains in critical condition as classes resume at perry hall high school. police have taken a 15-year-old student into custody as the suspected gunman as the boy's father said his son was bullied. meantime witnesses are calling a school guidance counselor a hero for grabbing the shooter and pinning him down. now let's head to wall street, cnbc's courtney reagan at the new york stock exchange. good morning. >> reporter: good morning. all eyes on isaac. one side effect could be temporary spike in gas prices leaving pain for consumer and the economy. prices are already at record levels for this time of year. elsewhere investors are holding their breath ahead of federal reserve chairman ben bernanke's big speech at the jackson hole symposium. we learned ecb president will no

longer be attending citing heavy workload. natalie. >> at the new york stock exchange, thank you. an emergency landing in los angeles as a tv news helicopter was forced to down in a parking lot as its engine billowed smoke. both passengers walked away unharmed. the seasoned pilot is credited for the safe landing. sometimes even the queen needs to roll with her crew attachment a look at these pictures of queen elizabeth driving her range rover. you see her decked out in a hoodie. these pictures are going viral. even though she barely clears the stoorg wheel, she still looks tough. she is a tough lady. 7:19. let's go back to savannah. she could take you down savannah. >> these are flying off the shelf now. >> better believe it. >> let's go back to al in new orleans and get more on the forecast. hey, al. >> hey, thanks so much, savannah. when you have an intense storm system like this, one of the things you have to worry

weather. besides the rain and the wind, the risk of tornadoes is a big problem. so, we have a risk of severe storms from louisiana to tallahassee and the risk of thunderstorms and the isolated tornadoes, hail and, of course, those damaging winds. the rest of the country looks pretty decent. gorgeous day in the pacific northwest with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and look for seasonal conditions through the great lakes with sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. hit or miss showers and thunderstorms in the northeast with temperatures in the mid-80s. that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> goodern moing, i'm storm team 4 meteorologist tom kierein. scattered sprinkles and a few scattered showers heading through the metro area heading west to east and those will continue to move off to the east and behind that later this afternoon, we'll have lower humidity moving in and highs reaching up the 80s by mid-afternoon and turning less humid as we get increasing sunshine and then the low humidity in place, delightful

summer weather tomorrow, thursday and part of weather. we have an update on isaac coming up in the next half hour. >> we'll look for that. a heartbreaking story. a new bride drowned while posing for pictures in her wedding gown. the photographer who was there speaks out. first, this is "today" on nbc.

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just ahead at the gop national convention we'll talk to mitt romney's five sons. >> we'll talk to the woman whose car went to speeds of 120 when her accelerator got stuck. thought to be the result of overactive nerves that cause chronic widespread pain. lyrica is believed to calm these nerves. i learned lyrica can provide significant relief

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with tums freshers! concentrated relief that goes to work in seconds and freshens breath. ♪ tum...tum...tum...tum... tums! ♪ [ male announcer ] tums freshers. good morning. 7:26, i'm jim hanley. making news right now. police are investigating a possible meth lab just a block from the virginia square metro station. firefighters and hazmat crews were called to the building just after 10:00 last night. residents were briefly evacuated as a precaution. two people were taken in for questioning. now, here's a first for traffic update now with danella. we have some traffic problems out there. >> right now the ramp to northbound and that ramp is closed due to an accident in that area and the delays on 395, significant. look at this as you make your

way past the pentagon. you're slow to the 14th street bridge. jim? >> we have a look at the forecast a right after the break, stay president clinton: this election to me is about which... candidate is more likely to return us to full employment. this is a clear choice. the republican plan is to cut more taxes on upper-income... people and go back to deregulation. that's what got us in trouble in the first place. president obama has a plan to rebuild america from... the ground up, investing in innovation, education... and job training. it only works if there is a strong middle class. that's what happened when i was president. we need to keep going with his plan. president obama: i'm barack obama and... i approve this message.

good morning, storm team 4 radar showing showers moving west to east. seven-day outlook coming up on "today" show in just

it's the 28th of august, 2012. the first and outer bands of isaac beginning to reach land in new orleans. the storm expected to hit the surrounding area tonight. we'll check in with al on the gulf coast again in a couple of minutes. meanwhile i'm matt lauer on the republican floor of convention in tampa. savannah, as we told you earlier, mitt and his five sons

are there tonight. do they know what ann will say and did they help dad with the acceptance speech. you probably heard this story yesterday. a mother behind the wheel as her suv accelerated up to 119 miles an hour. this morning she joins us with a live interview. tell us what happened. a bit later on "today's" professionals are here. among the topics we're going to discuss a doctor who refused to treat patients who weigh more than 200 pounds. we'll get go into that topic. we begin with the tragic death of a new bride who died posing for pictures in her wedding gown. mara schiavocampo here with this story. this is a sad one. >> a really sad story. the trend is called trash the dress. it's where brides will pose in their wedding gowns in unusual circumstances. in this case what started as a fun experience quickly turned deadly. in a split second a wedding photo shoot became the picture

of tragedy. 30-year-old maria pantazopoulos drowned in quebec while posing in a river in her wedding gown. louis pagakis is a friend and photographer. >> she had her wedding dress on and said take pictures of me as i try to swim a little in the lake. as she went in her dress got heavy. i tried everything to save her. >> reporter: reported by weighed down by her wedding dress she was unable to fight strong currents. >> she was a small girl, 100 pounds. her dress got heavy. i jumped in, tried, tried, tried. i was screaming, yelling. somebody else came. we tried our best to save her but we couldn't save her. >> reporter: pantazopoulos's body was found later. on her facebook page, friends, strangers struck by the tragedy of her passing. her friends who gathered two months ago for her wedding will now take part in her funeral.

the bride was taking part in a new trend called trash the dress. it caught on by brides who won't wear the dress again they take pictures in places like water. brad cooper credited with starting the trend with brides. >> it can be anything, some photographs put them in water, we've had them in the desert running, jumping through dirt clouds. it's not about trying to destroy a dress but about shooting something outside the box, something they haven't seen before, something memorable. >> reporter: investigators continue looking into the case trying to determine what exactly went wrong. safety experts say there's a lesson in the tragedy. >> you obviously have somebody in a full wedding dress, which is a lot of fabric and a lot of clothing there. the open water environment is very unforgiving. >> for the photographer whose idea became a national trend a heartfelt message to a grieving

family. >> first our hearts go out to the family when we first heard about it. first you're heart broken someone goes through that, especially being married so recently. it's hard to comprehend what the family might be going through. >> maria's family release add statement late last night saying one thing we are certain about is that our maria would never have put her life at risk. her love for life, for her husband and for her family would never allow it. she trusted mr. pagakis's recommendation. the family asked the municipal council of rawdon to put in place stronger security measures to avoid future tragedies. maria's funeral scheduled for saturday. >> unbelievably sad. maria, thank you. we want a check of the weather now from al who is keeping an eye on isaac from new orleans. >> again, we're awaiting the latest updates from the national hurricane center.

should be in in about be in in minutes. but we are starting to see some strengthening now of isaac. right now, isaac currently has 70-mile-per-hour winds and just below hurricane strength. 215 miles southeast of new orleans. northwest movement at about 12 miles per hour. path of the storm will bring it onshore some time late tonight, early tomorrow morning. if it makes it to onshore tomorrow morning, as you've been hearing, seventh an aversery of the landfall of katrina comes onshore on a category 1 storm and then continues on to the west. it will cause storm surge problems. storm surges anywhere from 4 to 12 feet above normal what we're looking for for much of louisiana. alabama's coastline about four to eight and three to six along the florida panhandle. rainfall is going to be a big issue, as well. we're expecting upwards of 20 inches of rain locally while parts of mississippi, louisiana and on into alabama.

that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> wet pavement on the beltway in prince jornl's county after we had a shower move right through washington and move off east into prince george's county and annearundel. then we'll get sunshine breaking out shortly as we have drier air pushing in and highs into the 80s and bit of a blustery northwest wind and high >> and that's your latest weather. savannah. >> the city of los angeles is facing a $50 million lawsuit from a high-profile banker who says he was brutally beaten at the hands of two police officers. nbc's kristen dahlgren has the details from los angeles. kristen, good morning. >> good morning, savannah. it's a complicated story with two very different versions. brian mulligan was once called one of the 50 most powerful men

in hollywood. now he's asking for $50 million for what he says was an unwarranted and brutal beating by the lapd. brian mulligan, a high-powered executive at deutsche bank, the former chairman of fox tv and former co-chair of universal pictures next to photo he said were taken after an arrest by los angeles police in may. mulligan a little he was beaten by police officers. his attorney, michael flanagan. >> they caused 15 nasal fractures. we think he has a broken eye socket, numerous abrasions and lacerations. i don't know why this kind of force was used, especially in view of the fact there was nothing for them to arrest him for. >> reporter: in a nine-page police report obtained by nbc news, officers state on may 15th, they responded to an attempted grand theft auto call at this l.a. area jack in the box. reports say they saw mulligan,

who matched the suspect's description sweating profusely and walking with an unsteady gait. according to the report officers determined mulligan wasn't under the influence but that he spoken tanously stated he had ingested marijuana and approximately four days ago he ingested white lightning, a type of over the counter bath salts with an intoxicating effect. mulligan's attorneys deny he ever told officers that but admit mulligan had gone to that neighborhood to buy medicinal marijuana, legal under california law. >> he's got a prescription -- >> for marijuana. >> for marijuana. the store where he was was adjacent to his doctor's office. he doesn't smoke marijuana. but from time to time when he has sleeping difficulties, he can eat muffins that contain it. they didn't have any. he didn't buy any that night. >> reporter: the police report said officers took mulligan to this area motel to rest but later confronted him when they

saw the bank executive back on the street contorting his hands in a claw-like manner while simultaneous simultaneously baring his teeth and snarling. i ordered the suspect to get on the ground at which point he attempted to strike me with both hands. after evading the blows, the suspect lunged toward me with both arms outstretched and temed to tackle me. i issued hum with both hands to the ground. mulligan was arrested but never charged with anything. >> mr. mulligan denies charging at the officers. he yelled at them and tried to get away. if you consider that resisting arrest, perhaps that is what he did but he did not attempt to make physical contact. >> now, nbc news reached out to lapd for comment. we didn't hear back. a former commissioner told me under new guidelines, it's likely an internal investigation is under way. >> all right. kristen dahlgren in los angeles. thank you. coming up next, matt sits down with mitt romney's sons at the

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and welcome back. we're here with more from the republican national convention. ann romney will take to the stage to address the delegates and tell the nation a little bit more about her husband. she's being supported here, as is mitt romney by their five sons, tagg, crying, josh, ben, and matt. good morning. nice to see you all. >> good morning. >> your dad is going to take to that stage, your mom on thursday night. he's going to walk up to that podium and accept the nomination as president of his party. raise your hand if you're going to cry. you're the crier? >> absolutely. i'm already crying just thinking about it. >> like the national anthem at the game. >> get away. it will be -- this is a big moment.

it's amazing to see this happen. none of us really thought this would happen. >> give me the range of emotions the rest of you will be feeling. >> yeah, it's going to be overwhelming, just incredible amount of pride for your dad to see all these people who believe in a common cause coming together to support my dad. that will be, it will be overwhelming. >> the fact he was unsuccessful in his bid four years ago, does that change your perspective this time around and make it even sweeter? >> definitely it does. we kind of -- we debated a little bit whether he should run again. that was not a decision for them and it wasn't an easy decision for us. ultimately we decided no matter how it is for the family, it's great for the country. >> have you seen the speech in the not at all. >> he's kept it from you completely? >> we've seen 100 different versions. we have supporters e-mail us pages, here is what you're going to say. >> you're not the focus group before he goes on stage. >> he's doing it himself, home

writing -- >> he's starting to write the speech? i was going to say there's the news flash of the day. maybe i should get around to that. >> he's been working on it. he's obviously had some help and some people. it's mostly his stamp and staying what he wants to say. >> what does he need to say, in your opinion? what does he need to say at this convention of he's preaching to the choir in this room but to the people watching at home, what does he need to say that he hasn't said. >> i think he's going to talk about the big ideas he has for the future, his optimism for this country, how we're going to move forward and get out of this economic mess, his ideas to do that, some specifics on that. really just big ideas about what he'd like to do to change this country. >> over the years that i've been following him and the press has been covering him intensely, the knock against your dad is that he's not the greater orator. he's not a guy loose as a goose on stage. is it a fair knock or is it who

he is? >> it depends what venue you see him in. we see him in a lot of different venues. at home with his grandkids, he's completely loose. there's different moments. if you see him at a rally, just a few people and they are animated, he gets animated, too. he shows a lot of enthusiasm. >> i want your take on a subtle shift after months of nothing hearing from your dad about your faith, the mormon religion, he has started to talk more about it in the last couple of weeks, couple of days, an interview with brian williams, interview with a magazine. why the shift? why the change of course in the last couple of days? >> i don't know if it's a conscious shift as much as it is just an opportunity to let people see more and more about him. he said that all along. he's obviously not running for pastor in chief, he's running for commander in chief but he knows people want to get to know him on a deeper level. the convention is going to be part of that.

i think he's going to let people get to know him in a much more intimate way. >> even as he's opening up agents more about faith, he gave an interview with the "wall street journal," he seems to be pulling back saying, this isn't going to be one of those events where i go out there and tell about myself. i'll describe views and issues but i don't have a plan to take everyone to my childhood home and say here is where i rode my bicycle. there is a reluctance on his part to share too much. >> i think he's anxious to share his vision for this country. tagg mentioned he's in this race because he cares about the future of america. i think he thinks the american dream is in danger of being washed away. there's 23 million americans that are unemployed. has he a plan to get those people back to work. >> your mom, as i mentioned is going to take the stage tonight. she has an enormous opportunity to personalize your dad. how much pressure is on her,

first of all, what would you like to hear her say? have you seen that speech? >> my mom is very naturally gifted somehow at these things. she somehow doesn't feel the pressure. >> i started out asking about the emotions you'll all be feeling as you watch your dad take to the podium thursday night. your mom is going to get up there and stand next to him thursday night. they have been married for more than 40 years. they are about to take an incredible journey together over the next couple of months. what will you be feeling like that? >> whenever you see your home up there, walking around, look at her helt and how well she's doing, we feel an enormous sense of pride for her overcoming ms and battling that. she has to struggle with it every day. doing so well with that, being with my dad supporting him in ways she shouldn't be able to. we have a ton of pride for my mom. it's overwhelming, it really is, seeing them together.

>> it's safe to say when you see them holding hands, the balloons and confetti drop, you'll be crying again? >> it's a good bet. definitely. >> guys, have some fun this week and congratulations. nice to have you. >> we're going to be back with much more from tampa right after these messages. the capital one cash rewards card gives you a 50% annual bonus. and everyone likes 50% more [ russian accent ] rubles. eh, eheh, eh, eh. [ brooklyn accent ] 50% more simoleons. [ western accent ] 50% more sawbucks. ♪ [ maine accent ] 50% more clams. it's a lobster, either way. [ male announcer ] the capital one cash rewards card. with a 50% annual cash bonus, it's the card for people who like more cash. [ italian accent ] 50% more dough! what's in your wallet?

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today tastes so good. ♪ look out baby 'cause here i come ♪ ♪ and i'm bringing you a love that's true ♪ ♪ so get ready ♪ so get ready back now at 7:51 with this wild ride for a mom we told you about on monday. laurie ulvestad was driving on a highway when her suv started accelerating out of control. >> i'm coming up on a bunch of cars. >> okay. >> i'm so scared. >> for more than 35 terrifying minutes she was forced to dodge other drivers at a top speed of 119 miles an hour until finally coming to a safe stop. laurie ulvestad, good to have you here. good morning. >> thank you. >> is it hard to watch that?

>> it's harder to listen to the 911 tape. >> i can imagine. you must have been terrified. >> extremely. yes. >> how did you notice something was wrong an when did you notice it? >> well, the steering wheel started shaking at first and i started losing power and it started accelerating going faster and faster and faster and faster. >> the first thing you did was call your husband who owns a body shop? >> he manages a body shop. very familiar with cars. when he ran out of ideas, he said call 911. >> what did you try that didn't work. >> i tried to make sure nothing was under the accelerator, move the gearshift. no p so i tried to push the button 10 seconds, 20 seconds, put the emergency brake on, slam on the brakes. >> i don't know. do you have any past experience as a drag racer, because here you are weaving in and out of traffic. can you believe you were able to do that? >> no, i can't. >> you called 911.

i asked you this before. you weren't hands-free. >> i tried 911 and i lost the 911 dispatcher. so she called me back and i had to grab the phone. i just held the phone and had to drive because when i went through the median, it was so -- the officer said it was like eight inches. so when i went back up, i had to have both hands on the wheel. i was scared to death. >> we can only manage. so finally the 911 operator tells you to basically put your foot on the accelerator, pull up and press the brake at the same time. >> correct. >> what did they say when you got out of the car? >> i had to do that multiple times. once the car slowed down i jumped out and they unhooked the battery. thank god it was over. >> how did you feel when your family came to pick you up. >> very emotional. yeah. >> you feel like you could have died? >> i did. i thought it was it. i mean, especially when i went

underneath the bridge with the semiand the car. i thought that was it. >> we have 10 seconds. this was hanging on your dash, never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly. you have a guardian angel for sure. back with "today's" professionals after this. xclusi, and commitment is not limited to one's military oath. the same set of values that drive our nation's military are the ones we used to build usaa bank. with our award winning apps that allow you to transfer funds, pay bills or manage your finances anywhere, anytime. so that wherever your duty takes you, usaa bank goes with you. visit us online to learn what makes our bank so different.

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good morning, i'm jim handily. it is 7:55 on this tuesday and in just a little while a prince george's police officer will be laid to rest. the funeral service for adrian morris takes place this morning in mitchellville, maryland. he died last week when he crashed on i-95. there will be road closures in the area because of morris' funeral procession. now, a check on the commute right now. here's danella sealock with the first 4 traffic. danella? >> in our area, lots of delays. i'll highlight a couple right now. from the beltway route 22 and continue to route 50, jammed. here's a live look at 410 east/west high way. it's slow. jim, back over to

good morning. around the region, we had some passing showers. right now storm team 4 radar showing that right near shadyside and anne arundel county. else where, sunshine breaking out and highs in the mid and upper 80s and a bit of a blustery northwest wind and delightful weather after that,

♪ >> 8:00 now on a tuesday morning, the 28th day of august, 2012. labor day weekend fast approaching. there's still some time to have summer fun, especially when it comes to music. we're going to start things early on thursday, a live concert on the plaza. if you're a fan, come on down. friday, jason mraz taking to the holiday stage. bring a sign. jason will give one lucky fan free tickets to an upcoming show. good morning, i'm savannah

guthrie outside the studio in new york. matt is in tampa for the republican convention. >> by the way, it's not all business, some people are having fun at the convention as well. thirty painted and embellished elephants are all around this city. they are sponsored by everyone from hooters to msnbc, the national watermelon promotion board. it just livens thanks up. quick reminder, nbc's convention coverage, including governor chris christie's keynote address at 8:00 eastern, 7:00 central. we'll sit down with florida senator marco rubio, the man who will introduce romney for his speech thursday night, savannah. >> we'll look forward to that. matt, we're going to talk about the political convention with "today's" professionals and ask the question are they even

necessary anymore. also talk about a doctor who refuses to treat a patient who weighs more than 200 pounds. is it legal? ethical? natalie morales at the news desk. good morning. >> good morning, everyone. the decrease is bracing for high winds, heavy rain and storm surges as tropical storm isaac gains strength. janet shamlian in biloxi, mississippi, a city devastated by hurricane katrina seven years ago. good morning to you, janet. >> not only good morning, as the rain started in biloxi, the gulf is in full preparation mode. a couple blocks inland, there are lines at the gas station and at the grocery store, some of which opened early today, carts full of water and other supplies. here in biloxi, marinas are virtually empty. many boat owners moved boats upstream and away from the danger coming. the air force base moved c-130 to texas out of harm's way. the city of biloxi says it has

strategically moved its fire trucks to locations around the city to avoid what happened during hurricane katrina when much of its equipment was knocked out during the storm surges. speaking of katrina, there was a seventh anniversary memorial that was scheduled for tomorrow. that has been canceled as all eyes are now on the gulf. natalie, back to you. >> janet shamlian, can hear the wind kicking up there already in biloxi, mississippi. thank you. mitt romney is set to be formally nominated at the convention in tampa. the convention was called to order monday and immediately adjourned because of the storm threat from isaac. ann romd romney and keynote speaker chris christie are scheduled to deliver their speeches tonight. six army soldiers are receiving administrative for burning air force base, meantime three marines punished on their roles for urinating on corpses in

afghanistan. they took a plea deal which puts a mark on their record which impacts any future or reenlistment. obesity is an important factor whether a woman will study a recurrence. the study in the journal of cancer looked at nearly 7,000 women with stage one to three breast cancer who required chemotherapy as part of their treatment. those obese at the time of diagnosis had a 30% higher risk of recurrence and 50% higher risk of death than women of normal weight. now for a look at what's trending today. a quick roundup of what has you talking online. oprah winfrey tops forbes.com list of highest paid celebrities. forbes estimates she earned 145 million last year thanks to her magazine, satellite station and shows. runner up with steven spielberg. in third record producer dr. dre

scored a fifth place because of his popular headphones. more than one way to wow on looks with your new yacht, the ending of this viral video from russia. smooth sailing it was not. nelly the sea otter racked up more than a million youtube views with this cup stacking we showed you a few weeks ago. now maybe the fame has gone to her head. she's getting lipy with her handlers. >> what? >> really? how come? really? >> so is nelly trying to make pleasant conversation or maybe demanding an increase in her fishy treat allotment. who is to say? it's 8:05 right now. let's get an update on isaac. for that let's go to al in new

orleans for a check of the rest of your weather. . . >> thank you so much, natalie. we're on the mississippi river. that's the fabulous crescent city connector bridge. normally this time of morning there would be all sorts of barge traffic. because of isaac you see barges across the river they are tied up, as are the tugboats. nothing on this river today until the threat of isaac has moved on. we have the latest from the national hurricane center. isaac has has slowed down. two things significant. not yet a hurricane and its forward motion has slowed down. right now isaac is about 185 miles south, southeast of biloxi and maximum sustained winds 75 miles per hour and moving northwest at 7 miles per hour and that's the big problem we're going to see with isaac. it's going to be a slow mover. so, we do have hurricane warnings up from morgan city all

the way to the alabama/florida border. that's an issue. we're also going to be looking at the path of isaac. isaac will probably make landfall as a category 1 storm. we expect that probably right around 11:00, isaac will become a hurricane, a category 1 and then it will make landfall some time late tonight, early tomorrow. if it's tomorrow, that is the seventh anniversary, as we have been saying, of katrina. we'll continue inland, but, again, moving very slowly and because of that, we have to worry about the storm surge. the wall of water being pushed by the counterclockwise winds of isaac. those tropical force winds extend out some 250 to 290 miles. storm surges anywhere from 6 to 12 feet and then we also have to worry about rainfall. anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of rain, but, locally a, we could see up to 20 inches of rain and this will be happening at least over 24 and maybe even 36 hours.

that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning, i'm storm team 4 meteorologist tom kierein. right now radar showing showers that moved east of washington and just exiting anne arundel county and sprinkles and skies clear west to east. sunshine we'll climb to the mid and upper 80s and northwest winds gusting around 20 miles per hour. low humidity in place and tomorrow and thursday, delightful >> and that's your latest weather. savannah. >> all right, al, thanks. coming up next, should airlines be able to tell you what you can and can't wear on a flight? we'll talk about that more with "today's" professionals. we'll be back right after this. all multivitamins give me the basics.

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but we're good with 0% apr for 60 months? oh yeah, totally. thank you so much. that must've been brutal. [ male announcer ] the volkswagen autobahn for all event. at 0% apr for 60 months, no one needs to know how easy it was to get your new volkswagen. that's the power of german engineering. to get your new volkswagen. you know what's exciting? graduation. when i look up into my students faces, i see pride. you know, i have done something worthwhile. when i earned my doctorate through university of phoenix, that pride, that was on my face. i am jocelyn taylor. i'm committed to making a difference in people's lives, and i am a phoenix. visit phoenix.edu to find the program that's right for you. enroll now. the lines, the cost, the hassle. ♪ express yourself [ female announcer ] why not try coffee-mate? with over 25 delicious flavors for a fraction of the cost of the coffee house. add your flavor, with coffee-mate, from nestle.

with no added sugar. just one glass equals two servings of fruit. very "fruit-ritious." or try ocean spray light 50, with just 50 calories, a full serving of fruit, and no added sugar. with tasty flavors like cranberry pomegranate and cranberry concord grape, it's like a fruit stand in every bottle. [ splashing ] just, you know, demonstrating how we blend the fruits. ahem. try all our tasty ocean spray 100% and light 50 juices. back now at 8:12 with "today's" professionals, break down hottest headlines that have you talking. star jones, danny deutsch and dr. nancy snyderman. hi, guys. let's start with the political conventions. every four years we have the discussion, are they really

necessary? there's no expense. we know what will happen. big expense. tv networks barely show them anymore. donny is sleeping. are you voting with sleeping? is there any purpose for them anymore? >> yes, because we're a democracy. it's still a great kind of celebration of who we are. a media observation of why they don't matter anymore. thirty years ago before cnn, fox, we didn't get to see hollywood and how it works. every day now, 24 hours a day we're peeking behind the curtain, there's nothing special about them. we're just going over everything happening in the media. >> outside my office are fabulous big pictures of huntley-brinkley, black and whites. take you back to when there was suspense and roll call mattered. sometimes we really didn't know who will get the nod. things are over. >> we've had many conventions since the primary convention

began. >> for four straight years. >> everyone pays a close attention to politics, perhaps as the three of you, for a lot of people this is the beginning. >> i would argue the opposite. it's the same 12 people politics who think it's exciting, most people are thinking big yawn. >> one thing important is to hear both candidates go ahead and sell themselves in their major speeches. i'm not as interested in the ra ra of everybody else coming before them but both major candidates, i'd like to hear what is your plan for america. that should really begin the political season. >> when something, as an ad person, what should the campaigns be doing to make it more compelling. >> it is what it is. the interesting thing is not the current campaign it's the key up the future, the keynote. i'm going to rest my case. >> we've got to get to the next one. airline dress code. a couple of airlines have kicked people off for what they are

wearing, a t-shirt with an expletive, a controversial message that made fun of the screening process, one for showing too much cleavage. airlines are within their legal rights to do it. >> 100%. you know good and well because they are considered to be a private company, privatentity, they can make a decision like a restaurant. if the restaurant owner doesn't want to you come in because your skirt is too short, they can refuse the right. >> i think there's a difference. technically they are private. i think the airlines are more of a public, i'm not going to say owned. a restaurant says that's bad, too much cleavage, something silly on a t-shirt. >> a restaurant can say no t-shirt, no shoes, no service, should an airline be able to do the same thing. >> too much cleavage. anybody in a restaurant say i don't like the writing on your

t-shirt. that's ridiculous. >> i would like them to say no funk. >> there is no dress code. if the airline enforces it, you don't know. >> you can show up and think you're okay. then all of a sudden they say it's too much -- >> common sense for traveling and maybe a little class and maybe shorts that go up to here -- >> i don't think a flight attendant should be deciding how short somebody's shorts are. >> i don't know how people wear shorts on airlines. it's cold. >> i don't know why they want to. >> some people walk in with pajamas. okay. enough already. put your clothes on. >> lance's legacy. lance decided to give up his fight the u.s. anti-doping agency stripped him of his seven tour de france titles. he maintains his innocence, says the process is illegitimate and will never get a fair result. what is the net effect. will people assume he's guilty? >> of course they are. this is a guy by nature giving up a fight.

you can't help but believe he was cheating. that's tragic and sad. let me finish one second, sweetie. no, mine, the guy has raised half a million dollars for cancer. let's give him the big kudos for that. barry bonds, the guys who define sports -- >> his sponsors like nike are keeping him. >> from a cancer perspective, he's done an amazing job. but think about this legally. the process is legitimate. legitimate means fair. it's the same process every single athlete has to go through. when it comes to lance armstrong, however, there were 10 to 12 witnesses prepared to come. even if they were telling the same lies that's compelling evidence. >> to give his tour de france winnings, the next person already convicted of doping, so everyone around him. the problem is he's unlikable but he's done a really fabulous

job in creating an amazing foundation. >> sponsors will stick with him. >> we'll see what happens of let's get to the topic quickly, the doctor will not see you a doctor turned away a patient in massachusetts because she's overweight and says anybody over 200 this doctor won't see. apparently it's legal and ethical. >> it's legal, it's not ethical, it's amoral. i'm sorry this doctor won't lose his license. >> her. >> look, if a person is obese, that person needs a doctor. for a doctor to turn someone away, that is unethical, amoral and the doctor should be -- >> 100% legally they can do it. one of the things that bothers me the most women by and large do not go and seek their own medical health information. with heart disease being the number one killer of all women, the thought that a female doctor would turn away a woman with a stroke or heart disease or

cancer in her family, that's really unethical. >> well, star, donny, nancy, no harm done today. we're back right after this. all energy development comes with some risk, but proven technologies allow natural gas producers to supply affordable, cleaner energy, while protecting our environment. across america, these technologies protect air - by monitoring air quality and reducing emissions... ...protect water - through conservation and self-contained recycling systems... ... and protect land - by reducing our footprint and respecting wildlife. america's natural gas... domestic, abundant, clean energy to power our lives... that's smarter power today.

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>> reporter: rick's family never thought they would come this far. they say they owe it all to 13-year-old madison. >> we've gone through our share of hardships. it's this unit right here, this team, together we can do anything. >> reporter: they call themselves team maddie, born with severe cerebral palsy, maddie cannot hear or see or speak yeltsin she defines what this family is about. >> just who she is made us better individuals all the way around. >> reporter: four years ago maddie was given the opportunity to take part in a marathon. that's when they discovered she loves to race. >> it was that day i realized madison is not a burden. she's a blessing and that changed our lives and so many other people. >> reporter: rick quit chain smoking and took up the

triathlon, not to go it along but have maddie by his side every stroke and plgts. >> before madison showed me a healthy lifestyle, you could say i was running away from it. >> reporter: now it's a family affair. while she's towed in a kayak, rachel does the swimming despite her fear of water. >> i can go out there and be strong for 500 meters. i can do it for her. >> brother hunter does the running. >> whenever i just think i can't do this anymore, i look inside of that cart and i see madison laughing and smiling. i'm just like, i can do this. i can't give up. >> moammary keeps the whole team going. >> it's not about finishing first. it's all about crossing the finish line. ♪ >> reporter: something else keeps maddie going, too.

her love of the music of rascal flatts which plays in her headphones along the way. it's also what she listens to at home in her room where the walls are covered with triathlons of the past. while maddie competes, spectators who line the route cheers them on. >> when you see what we do as a team, it's about love. i think that's what the people see. >> reporter: when the race has been run, maddie gets her medal and a kiss and every one of us goes home inspired. for "today," kevin tibbles, nbc news, michigan. >> they are an inspiration. >> amazing story. i love to see the whole family. she seems to really love it. >> she does seem to enjoy it. the smile on her face. >> just ahead last-minute labor day travel deals and a live performance from "american idol"

winner philip phillips after your local news. good morning, everyone. it is 8:26 on this tuesday, august 28. i'm angie goff. tommy wells will hold a hearing from the high-price tickets from the traffic cameras. he is not against the cameras, but he tell news 4 the fines that could reach $250 are too high. he plans to propose new legislation. trouble early on the roads. let's check in with danella sealock. >> on i-270 jammed from 85 all the way down to the beltway. it is a slow trip for you and i just want to show you that you are, when i say jammed, you're jammed at falls road and it is

very sluggish. angie, back over to you. angie, back over to you. >> a che's made his choice. but what choices will women be left with? just like mitt romney, paul ryan would get rid of planned parenthood funding. in congress, ryan voted to ban all federal funding for planned parenthood and allow employers to deny women access to cancer screenings and birth control. and both romney and ryan backed proposals to outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest. for women... for president... the choice is ours. i'm barack obama, and i approve this message. for women... for president... the choice is ours. but somewhere along the way, something went horribly wrong. george allen voted for trillions in debt while voting to raise his pay four times, then voted to keep special tax breaks for oil and gas companies and took over a half-million from them. worse, allen went to work for them.

good morning, i'm tom kierein. right now team 4 radar showing

some rain crossing the bay east of annapolis. southern prince jornl's county and charles and into stafford and

>> 8:30 on tuesday morning. it's the 28th day of august, 2012. you can see our crowd is mingling with "american idol" champ philip phillips. his song became number one on the charts, become an anthem during the olympics. he's here with us.

savannah guthrie alongside natalie morales. matt is down in tampa, al is covering the storm in new orleans. we're having a bad hair day here in new york. >> we've got a lot coming up ahead. also ahead in this half hour, talk about shaving years off your look without going under the knife. the top anti-aging beauty products tested, tried and true. >> if you haven't made plans for labor day weekend, apparently it isn't too late. great ideas, deals, getaways. we'll show you where to look. >> all right. and first, though, want to get the latest on isaac right now and its path. al roker is tracking it from new orleans. good morning to you, al. >> hey, good morning, guys. winds are starting to pick up just a little bit here on the mississippi river as isaac continues to churn toward us. it slowed down, though. that's a really bad sign. let's look at the rest of the country's weather.

we do have a risk of strong storms from isaac along the southeastern gulf coast and showers in the northeast and beautiful day in the pacific northwest and sunshine and temperatures in the low 80s and nice and dry through southern california and 91 in l.a. for tomorrow, look for that risk of strong storms as isaac makes its way inland to stretch up into the lower mississippi river valley. sizzling weather for the western third, two-thirds of the country with some showers moving into the pacific northwest and sunny and mild around the great lakes and plenty of sunshine returning to the northeast. that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. good morning, i'm team 4 meteorologist tom kierein. scattered showers and sprinkles moving east, southeast away from the metro area on this tuesday morning. the behind that, we'll get sunshine breaking out and mostly sunny afternoon with a bit of a blustery northwest wind, highs reaching the mid and upper 80s and lower humidity moving in. then low humidity in tonight and tomorrow and thursday, highs both days, tomorrow and thursday

80s and morning low 60. could >> that's your latest weather. don't forget with isaac out there, you want to check the weather any time, go to weather channel on cable, weather.com online. let's check in with big willie scott. hello, uncle willie. >> i like hot weather but arizona takes the cake. i love it out there. sand and weather, mountains, the stars. and i like sierra vista, arizona where sophie oreszak lives. happy birthday, sophie. loves to bake and is an eternal optimistic. the glass is always half full. steve wrubel from holiday, florida, 103 years old. says his best advice, tell your wife you love her every single day.

and at night, whisper sweet nothings in her ear, like, honey, would you get me a sandwich. mary dubowchik, 100 years old today. enjoys playing bingo with her many friends. i used to love to play bingo. i haven't played bingo in years. kate price, we love her. lives in alabama, athens, alabama. 100 years old today. owned and operate add restaurant. her special salad dressing was the talk of the town. a very tough thing to do. really good. and we have lucilla ervin doctor durham, north carolina, 105. enjoys going to church with her family. that's nice, too. harry hoffman. you know harry, he likes to play jokes.

onawa, iowa, 100 years old. a practical joker. he likes to play it on people younger. with him anybody is younger him. >> willard, thank you. still looking dapper. up next, last minute labor day travel deals. first this is "today" on nbc.

i'm barack obama and i approve this message now mitt romney's attacking the president on medicare? the nonpartisan a-a-r-p says obamacare "cracks down on medicare fraud, waste, and abuse

and strengthens guaranteed benefits." and the ryan plan? a-a-r-p says it would undermine medicare and could lead to higher costs for seniors... and experts say ryan's voucher plan could raise future retirees costs more than six thousand dollars. get the facts. back now at 8:37. this morning on today's travel, labor day deals. if you're looking for one last summer getaway, there's still a chance to book a deal. travel and leisure. you mean ittish it's not too late? labor day is this weekend? >> we have last minute deals under $200. everyone needs to recharge their relaxation battery now and get some deals. >> your first one outdoors and adventure, oregon. >> this is in the high plains of

central oregon. this is a brand-new resort taken over by this property, they do hospitality right. they are being hospitable offering 41% off on junior suites rate, plus their outdoor activities. i've done a lot of outdoor activities. this is a place with an outdoor paradise, 300 days of sun, tons of beautiful weft and things you don't necessarily get. kayaking, two incredible golf courses, something called spelunking. >> in a cave. >> former lava. kids would love this. >> two california hotels, but different. first a ranch theme. >> rancho los palmoss.

this is about big, 25,000 square foot spa, 27 hole golf course, tennis courts. they are offering lots and lots and lots, piling on the additional parts of this deal we have for their family summer getaway package which starts $179 a night. one thing they are doing, dinner on the fair way. drive on a golf cart. >> the other hotel hollywood glam glamor, humphrey bogart. >> celebrities love to go to palm strings, it's so accessible. they are offering a great deal for couples who want to get away and reboot right before the beginning of the fall sets in. this is a deal where they are going to throw in not only your night's stay but a couples massage under the stars, some bubbly and breakfast in the morning. again, under $200 a night. >> when they do ask for those coupons, added amenities, is it worth the deal brf it's great when someone offers you

something for free as long as something you want. look at the fine print and decide do you want 30% off yoga. are you not a yoga person, it's not worth it. >> next, close to my heart, tucson, arizona. the ranch. >> i bet it was a property you went to maybe when you were a younger. this is a great resort if you're wanting to go and have outdoor activities, surrounded by the desert, lots of cactuses. >> cacti. >> this is a trip kids will want to rush back to school to tell friends about, hiking, climbing, horse back riding, you're going to be a little saddle sore, but the great kind, again, under $200 a night. >> personal voucher for sunsets in tucson, arizona. >> most beautiful in the country. >> south carolina, nice island. >> this is a resort readers are obsessed with.

they love it, always voting it number one in our world's best survey for family in the nation. they have a sanctuary that's fantastic, 500 vilas you can book from, much more value oriented. looking for a getaway, doing something where you can get a villa close to the beach, sand castle, kayaking you want to do and relaxing. that's the main thing, you need to relax, fall is coming. >> looks beautiful. can you still get a deal on airplanes. >> you can. fall is a great time to get airline deals. if you're not going to get away for labor day, september is a great, great time to get away. >> great ideas. thank you so much. thank you. coming up next, who doesn't want to look younger, the winners of good housekeeping's anti-aging award but first this is today on nbc.

beauty at 8:43, looking and feeling younger, nearly 700 volunteers tested products for "good housekeeping's" annual anti-aging beauty award. here with results is editor in chief rosemary ellis. good morning to you. >> good morning. >> love when you're here, this segment in particular. this is true, tried and true. these have been tested. >> this is true. >> it take years off, perhaps not. >> they will definitely help you look better. we were a little skeptical, toif say, when we started anti-aging awards three years ago. we spent 18 months testing every product on the market that made anti-aging claim. skin care is different from makeup. we know our readers love getting information on what really works. frankly, most of this stuff does not work. so it's only through test ongoing hundreds of women we have -- >> you brought some back in to make sure -- >> before and after photos.

we have machines that measure elasticity, firmness, color pigmentation, you can see if dark circles do look better. these are the winners. these really work. >> ladies, without further ado, people at home are going tell us about the products. first off for undereye circles. you say the product that works is this one, age remind. >> it's 10 bucks. i love it. i'm using it every day. what testers love, the spongy applicator. helps it go on smoothly. very moisturizing, stays put. does have enough coverage to conceal undereye circle. >> for $10, it's an eraser. >> it is a good deal for $10. >> next foundation, some qualifications here, had to be spf 15 or higher and had to moisturize and firm. how long did you tess foundation. >> we tested them over a couple of months. typically we test for as long as the product says it takes to make a difference.

we take their cue and say, okay, do you do what you say. this is chanel, $55. >> top of the line. >> it's heavy enough to even out your skin tone but feels light, goes on velvety smooth. this is the only foundation we tested that scored a perfect score for firming skin. >> wow. >> helps firm your skin a little bit and moisturizes. i love it. >> with a name like that it definitely works. over here primers. a lot of people say if i'm using a good foundation, why do i need a primer? >> primers are great because they do two things. they help your makeup go on much more smoothly and also help it stay on. the whole day helps to keep your makeup from traveling into laugh lines, forehead creases. >> all those wrinkles. >> some primers are tinted, so you can use them instead of foundation, a sort of two in one. it worked very well.

really helped keep things in place, light and moisturizing. >> to lipsticks, speaking of moisturizing, you like this one here. tell us about it. >> all the lip sticks claimed to reduce fine lines. didn't work on any of them. they love this dior lipstick, moisturizing, stayed in place. the best lip sticks and liners keep from traveling, when it travels to the vertical lines around your mouth. these nicks that. >> liners, you like this urban decay. >> you want to define your lips. your lip line gets fuzzier as you get older. this helps feathering. >> over here to plumpers. a lot of people think a lip plumper, does it really work or is it a claim? >> it does. >> smash box. >> works very, very well harks a lasting effect. this is not a permanent effect. this is something you do just before you want your lips to be fuller, let it dry and put on your lipstick.

it does last for limited amount of time. >> mac wins for eye shadow. >> one of the things that works best is counter-intuitive to me, cream eye shadows. best anti-aging shadows don't crease, hold their tone through the day. this did that well. you want to use a synthetic brush when you put an eye shadow on, won't go into the brush, helps it go on more smoothly and stay in place. >> onhere here the brow pencil by lancome, brush applicator. >> helps smooth it after you put it on, also like how feather light. after a certain age you want a brow filler because your brows tend to get sparser as you age. >> mary, thank you. >> thank you. >> coming up next, a live performance from "american idol" winner philip phillips. first this is "today" on

>> announcer: the toyota concert series on "today," brought to you by toyota. >> back now at 8:50 with the reigning "american idol" champion philip fip phillips. his coronation song "home" used

for u.s. gymnastics team has gone platinum. now he's at work on his debut album. good morning. good to see you. >> good to see you as well. >> we were hoping to see you last spring for a performance but you had to have kidney surgery. how are you doing? >> doing good, taking it slow, trying to make it. >> people probably can't imagine you did what you did on "american idol" delivering so many flawless performances and yet you weren't even feeling at your best. how are you doing now? how has the tour been? >> it's going really well, having a lot of fun going to the different cities and seeing all these new people and new things and playing with these guys, just having fun. >> the song "home." is such a favorite, an anthem, especially around the olympics. i know you're working on your favorite, your songs. are you excited to get out there and show people what you write as a songwriter. >> i'm excited to tell my own stories. maybe people will connect with it and enjoy them like i do.

>> we mentioned before, home went platinum. that's your first single and it sold a million copies. >> yeah, it's pretty insane. i never thought any of this would ever happen so it's a true blessing. >> we wanted to show you something your record company wanted to surprise you with. you're a genuine star if you have one of these hanging in your office. guys like it. >> i haven't even seen it. this is a surprise. >> i know. it's a surprise. okay. you can feast your eyes on that. >> philip, i have to ask you, what is your middle name. >> we don't speak of the middle name. >> it's not philip is it? >> no. >> philip phillips with "home." congratulations. we'll let you take it away. >> thank you. ♪ ♪ ♪ hold on to me as you go

as we roll down the road although this wave. >> is stringing us along just know you're not along i'm going to make this place your home ♪ ♪ settle down it will all be clear don't pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear ♪ ♪ the trouble might drag you down you get lost you can always be found ♪ ♪ just know you're not alone

i'm going to make this place your home ♪ ♪ ♪ settle down it will all be clear don't pay no mind to the demons they fill you with fear ♪ ♪ the trouble might drag you down you get lost you can always be found

just know you're not alone ♪ ♪ going to make this place your home ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> philip phillips.

thank you so much. philip, do you think these "american idol" judges need to be a little tougher? maybe you're just too good. maybe that's why they weren't tough on you. >> no. >> congratulations to you. you sounded great. we'll be back with more of "today" right after this. good morning. 8:56, i'm jim handily. in the news this morning, a double shooting investigation in capital heights that happened just before 2:00 a.m. along sherman avenue. one man was shot in the chest and another shot in the arm. both were taken to the hospital and their names and conditions have not been released at this time. now, let's check on the commute,

here's danella sealock with first 4 traffic. danella? >> tough commute. if you're taking the outer loop, crashes in the left shoulder lane but delays on the outer loop from pennsylvania avenue all the way to route 50 and also seeing delays on the inner loop this time from robinson terminal as you make your way towards braddock. you're slow about 33 miles per hour. back over to you, jim.

good morning storm team 4 radar showing a few showers passing just west and east of washington as well as the eastern shore and a few patches of blue showing up west and north of the metro area and as the afternoon progresses, increasing sunshine and de

back now with more "today" on tuesday morning, 28th day of august, 2012. we've got a happy crowd kicking off their morning on rockefeller plaza. good morning, everyone. i'm savannah guthrie. matt has been covering rnc in tampa. al is in new orleans where he is tracking the storm isaac. it's expected to make landfall west of new orleans, expected to be a category one hurricane at that point. we're going to check in with al in just a couple moments. also ahead we have advice for parents who like to hover. there's new research that suggests it's actually best to let kids make some mistakes. we'll have advice on that. also ways to cut your

grocery bill very sharply. some secrets you may not know. later from beyonce's nude lips to angelina's smoky eyes. some makeup tips but first natalie at the news desk. good morning to you again. >> good morning. isaac zeroing in on the gulf coast. hurricane warnings in effect from louisiana to florida alabama border. president obama has declared a state of emergency for louisiana but officials there are not ordering evacuations in new orleans. by the time the storm is pro projected to hit later today or early wednesday, could be a category one hurricane. meanwhile the storm forced oil rigs in the gulf of mexico to halt production. drivers may soon be feeling pain at the pump. mitt romney formally nominated for president at the republican national convention in tampa. the convention was called to order monday but immediately adjourned because of the storm threat from isaac.

romney's wife ann and keynote speaker chris christie are scheduled to deliver their speeches tonight. a student shot at a maryland high school remains in critical condition today as classes resume at perry hall high school. police have taken a 15-year-old student into custody as the suspected gunman as the boy's father said his son was bullied. meantime witnesses are calling a school guidance counselor a hero for grabbing the shooter and pinning him down. two guests who contracted legionaires disease after staying at a hotel have died from the illness. there have been eight cases from guests who visited jw marriott mid july through august. the disease is usually spread through water sources, air conditioning ducts, showers and pools. health officials believe there is no ongoing threat at the hotel, though. meantime in california a rare disease carried by rodents killed two people who visited

yosemite. they are warning visitors to stayed in tent cabins at curry village to look out for signs of the virus including fever. a tv news helicopter was forced to come down in a parking lot as its engine billowed smoke. both passengers walked away unharmed. the season's pilot is credited for the safe landing. and some new images from mars in full color. these are the first high-resolution images sent by nasa's curiosity rover, a picture postcard. the rover kicking off its two-year mission in style with the song "reach for the stars." ♪ reach for the stars >> if there is any intelligent life out there on the red

planet, let's hope they are fans of the black eyed peas. mega star tom hank proofing he's a regular and spontaneous guy at heart. hanks played a picture with a guy who grabbed the glasses, played drunk, bosom buddy pics. looked like they had fun. al, looking really cloudy out there. >> some first squalls. some rain. our shawn reese, our producer and resident weather vane. what have you got wind wise. >> 30, staying consistent around 20. >> there you go. starting to see this now. this the beginning. this is where it gets started. this the latest right now on isaac. currently about 105 isaac. 105 miles southeast of new orleans and maximum sustained

winds 70 miles per hour and it has got a forward movement of northwest at seven miles per hour. the hurricane warnings now from morgan city, louisiana, to the alabama/florida border and in the path of isaac, brings it onshore some time late tonight and early tomorrow and, of course, as you've heard, if it comes onshore tomorrow night, that is the seventh annivsary of katrina. so, we're keeping an eye on that. the tropical storm force winds extend out 290 miles and that counterclockwise flow is what we're really concerned about. it's going to be relentless for 24 hours and what that is going to mean is a storm surge of anywhere from 6 to 12 feet around the gulf of mississippi. also louisiana, mobile about four to eight feet and we've also got to worry about the heavy rains. we are talking about anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of rain, but as much as 20 inches before it's all over over the next 72 hours.

that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning. still humid, temperatures in the 70s and still mostly a cloudy in washington, although there's some sun breaking out to the north of the metro area and storm team 4 radar showing a few showers passing south of washington and later today lower humidity moving in and still rather warm. afternoon highs mid and upper 80s and low humidity moving in tonight on a northwest breeze and thursday delightful weather moving in and then getting steamier as we get towards the end of the week and might >> and that's your latest weather. natalie. >> al, thank you. this morning on parenting today can hovering over your children be harmful or helpful. in a moment we'll talk to the author of "teach your children well" but first nbc's kristen dahlgren talks to som teens and

their parents who admit to holding back the helicopter in strength. >> reporter: at a time when there's so much pressure on kids to be perfect. >> my mom asking me to take latin. >> do volunteer work and get a job. >> reporter: they are like a lot of teens. >> who feeling overscheduled. >> sometimes. >> yes. >> parents are pretty typical, too. >> whose standards are tougher, yours or your mom's. >> my mom. >> for gabby's mom, being a helicopter mom didn't seem to be working. even now she fights the urges. >> her coach says she's got some natural abilities here. my first thought was, good, i'll get her a coach. no, no. >> jessica's mom tina tries to stop herself from making to do lists for her daughter. >> here are the things i want

you to do for today, or here are the things i want you to do for the summer. here are the things i want you to do during the course of school. >> for ben's mom lisa, letting her son fail is one of the hardest things. >> when it was happening, we're going to have to let our son get hurt here. it was awful. there's nothing worse but you have to do it. >> carol studied child rearing for 40 years agrees. >> we've studied parents overpraising, and we're studying parents overdoing. it makes the child feel they can't do anything without the parent. >> says there is a place for praise but the kids say telling the parents what they need to be tough. >> they need to give us a little bit of room for breather, for us to make our own decisions. >> there's a point when you can be pushed too hard. >> parents say they are trying. >> moving away from parenting that is a huge relief and a huge joy to know you see your kids

feel very differently learning about you. it's a battle all the time. >> reporter: moms and dads learning, too, a little less parenting may get more out of kids. for "today," kristen dahlgren, nbc news, sausalito, california. >> clinical psychologist and educator madeleine levine, author of "teach your children well, parenting for success." good to have you here. >> thank you. >> i think we're all guilty of overparenting. how do you define overparenting, the helicopter overparent. >> there's three components to overparenting. one is doing for your child what they can already do. if you're hovering over their math and they know how to do math. that's overparenting. the tougher one is doing for your child what they can almost do. what's interesting about that, we think we should be helping, right, but i call it a successful failure. your toddler takes a few steps. have you a young child.

>> a 3-year-old. >> remember he took -- >> boys. >> took a few steps, fell down. took a few steps, fell down. come on, get up. you would never think of saying, you're going to be flipping burgers for the rest of your life right as they are falling down. we understood they have to fall down thousands of times. >> pick themselves back up and learn electric that. >> that's right. i think the most toxic part of overparenting is when the boundaries aren't good between parents and children. that is we're applying to stanford, columbia, hofstra. we're not applying. your child is applying. they have enough tasks without worrying about your application as well, your feelings about it. >> that's something that a lot of parents do, which we may sunk we're helping contribute to the success of the child but you say we could actually be hurting them fundamentally. why is that? >> because in life we all need to make mistakes. if you think of child development kind of as a stool

with three legs. one part of development is cognitive and academic. one part is social, one part personal. there's only 24 hours a day. if all the time is on the cognitive grade metrics, we're leaving out social development, how to get along with people, how to contribute to the house, how to be a good citizen, how to have character, all other parts, then the stool gets wobbly. >> sometimes parents guilty of extreme parenting. is there an argument to be made sometimes, though, kids aren't trying hard enough. sure. sometimes doesn't try hard enough. i think the secret adults have is we grow up and we do what we're good at. we are kind of average at a bunch of things and not very good at some other things. kids need to know this. nobody is expected to be 100%

all the time. >> right. you advise parents need to take it down a notch. >> right. >> you say make sure they are getting nine hours of sleep, especially teens, preteens. why is that number so important. >> it's what the american academy of pediatrics recommends. we have a boatload on the negative effects of sleep. the next thing parents need a life of their own. kids don't see adulthood of working all week long, being exhausted and then spending every hour on the weekend watching your kid hit a ball. spend some time with your husband or girlfriend or hobby or something that makes adulthood and growing up look attractive to kids. >> good advice. i hope, myself, my husband, we all need to be listening. madeleine, thank you so much. >> thank you. coming up next, secret ways to save big at the supermarket right after this. if you think occasional irregularity is no big deal, think twice. it may be a sign that your digestive system could be working better. listen to this.

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this morning on today's consumer, saving at the supermarket. we all have to eat. you can't cut the grocery list out entirely. there are ways to cut the grocery bill with smart shopping tips. lucy mendes, host. good morning. >> good morning. >> grocery store has secrets to help you spend more money. that's no secret at this point. >> lots of secrets to help save money. number one, avoid inner aisles. >> why? >> that's where all the fun things are, things you don't need. stick to perimeter, dairy, produce. shop the list. if you shop the list, you won't have impulse buys. >> do not shop hungry.

>> do not shop hungry. you will throw things in your cart. leave kids at home. if you have kids, it's difficult, they can really rack up a bill. >> the first tip has to do with buying generic products. >> i know everyone is attached to their brands. but if you look at the packaging, compare the ingredients, make sure you're getting the same product. very often the ingredients can match up. you can save a dollar or two. you can see that here. we have generic cereal, save a few dollars buying the generic brand. >> i love to buy my toiletries at the grocery store because it's convenient. >> you pay a price for convenience. whenever possible you want to buy them at the drugstore. you will get a discount by doing that. >> is it a huge difference? >> it depends how much money your time is worth. in the long run if you stock up you can save a few dollars. >> another thing, the prepackaged food. >> again, so much easier to buy them prechopped.

it takes three minutes to chop them yourself at home. if that three minutes is worth $3, it can be a big difference. you don't have to use it at once. much better to buy the whole broccoli. >> rain checks, do stores still honor that? >> absolutely. go to the customer service center. you have something like olive oil that tends to sell out quickly. ask for a rain check. when the product comes back in stock they sell it at the sale price. >> comparison shopping. what is the best way to do the apples to apples comparison. >> there's a sale unit can you look at. i'm not a math person. it helps do the math for you. if you have something like big bags like this, smaller bags. you want to compare what you're charged per unit. >> sometimes the price of the item, then unit price, that's supposed to be ounce per ounce.

>> smallest number possible. >> snacks. convenience is spending more money. i see we have some of my favorites here. >> these are make of my favorites. these are a lot of people's favorites and this is really where you save the money. because if you are willing to make popcorn at home you can save a few dollars. you don't need to make it all at once and you get better popcorn. >> sorry orville. the old-fashioned kind is tasty. >> and takes just a few minutes. >> beans. this is another place to save money if you're willing to cook a little bit and not get canned items. >> can be intimidating, dry beans. you can get a great recipe online, you don't need to make them all at once. you can get multiple meals. even though it sometimes is more money up front for dry beans, ounce per ounce a lot more bang for your buck. >> another thing people say all the time, buy fruit in season. >> right now at the end of summer, at the end of fruit season.

get blueberries now while you can, throw them in the freezer, have them through fall. >> i was surprised to read fine to freeze. >> use them for pancakes and smoothies, whatever. you will save a lot of money. the price will soar as soon as we get to fall. >> last one is a good one. we love our bottled water. >> we do. really this is costing you way too much money. if you live somewhere where you can drink the tap water free, do that. otherwise something like britta filter up front investment can save you about $120 a month. >> thank you so much. coming up, five facts, how to deal with phobias, but first these messages. ♪ ♪ i woke up to a new day ♪ every little thing gonna go my way ♪ ♪ i woke up to a light bulb on ♪ every little thing is possible now ♪ [ female announcer ] kraft singles have no artificial flavors and they're always made with milk

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coming up, when kids lie. how to know, what it means. from a detection expert. >> inside scoop from celebrity makeup secrets, from beyonce to angelina, how you can get their look. we'll show you the right products to get their look. ahead. ♪ olive garden's never ending pasta bowl is back.

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real fruit pieces. 12 grams of whole grains and a creamy yogurt flavored coating. quaker yogurt granola bars. treat yourself good. news and weather, too. good morning, it's 9:26 on this tuesday, august 28th. today d.c. councilman tommy wells will hold a hearing into the high-price. wells is not against the cameras themselves but he tells news 4 the fines which can reach $250 are too high. we have big delays on the roads right now. let's go right to danella sealock with your first 4 traffic. >> i-95 in maryland southbound at 200, the icc crash there blocking the left lane. out of the roadway still slow from laurel to the beltway. connecting to the beltway, slow from college park

president clinton: this election to me is about which... candidate is more likely to return us to full employment. this is a clear choice. the republican plan is to cut more taxes on upper-income... people and go back to deregulation. that's what got us in trouble in the first place. president obama has a plan to rebuild america from... the ground up, investing in innovation, education... and job training. it only works if there is a strong middle class. that's what happened when i was president.

we need to keep going with his plan. president obama: i'm barack obama and... i approve this message.

good morning storm team 4 radar showing showers passing south and east of the metro area and clearing behind that and later today sun coming up and later today sun coming up and highs he's made his choice. but what choices will women be left with? just like mitt romney, paul ryan would get rid of planned parenthood funding. in congress, ryan voted to ban all federal funding for planned parenthood and allow employers to deny women access to cancer screenings and birth control. and both romney and ryan backed proposals to outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest. for women... for president... the choice is ours. i'm barack obama, and i approve this message.

♪ >> she may have come in fourth on the "x factor," the british pop star is topping the chart and will be rocking our plaza with a special thursday concert only on "today." then friday more music, our concert superstar is singer songwriter jason mraz kicking off the labor day weekend. perfect song of the summer there. natalie morales with savannah guthrie, coming up switching gears talking about makeup secrets from the stars. >> from j. lo's glow, we all

want that, to angelina's smoky eyes. we're going to show you how to get that perfect red carpet look at home. also ahead, kids and lying. you know they do it whether it's homework or going out with friends. can you spot a fib and how do you deal with it? some expert advice. we'll have the polygraph out. just kidding. less aggressive techniques to spotlight. from heights to flying, clowns, pfeifer facts about phobias to help you cope. we all have something bordering on phobias. >> yes, we do. now to al who is tracking isaac from new orleans this morning. hi, al. >> hi, guys. we want to take a look at other effects around the country weather wise.ts around the country weatherwise. isaac will also bring the risk of strong storms all around the gulf today. we also have a risk of showers in the northeast, beautiful weather in the pacific northwest today and a look for a warm,

toasty conditions in the southwest where we have dry conditions in southern and central california. as we move on into tomorrow, that risk of strong storms and tornadoes makes its way into the lower mississippi river valley as isaac moves up and into the country. look for sunny and warm conditions through the great lakes and into northeast. clouds and showers move into the pacific northwest and sizzling weather from the plains all the way from the southwest and southern california. that's what's going on around the country, here's what's happening in your neck of the woods. >> good morning i'm team 4 meteorologist tom kierein. still humid and muggy and mild conditions in the upper 70s near 80 and we are clearing out from west to east and still getting a a few sprinkles now in southern maryland, charles county and further west into stafford and as the day progresses, those will continue to move east with increasing sunshine and lower humidity moving in this afternoon, highs in the 80s and low humidity around >> and that's your latest

weather. savannah. >> al, thanks. how to glow like j. lo and other hollywood beauties. coming up some makeup secrets right after this. [ male announcer ] sponges take your mark.

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a celebrity makeup artist and creator of mali beauty. she's worked makeup magic on some of hollywood's hottest a-listers. >> good morning. >> good morning. >> let's start with jennifer lopez, every woman would love to look like that, get that glow. you're going to show us that. >> we're going to give her shimmer, shape and glow. >> what's what you call it? >> it's a three-step system to get everything you want. first what you're going to do is take like a soft shimmer powder. okay. what you want to do is take

that. i like to take it all over the lid and just around the corner, around the cheekbone. what you're going to do. this is going to kind of make you look like you have a face-lift. lift everything up, encompass the entire area with luminosity. also make you look like you got a little sleep, which nobody does. i want to you make a fishy face. there you go. back when we used to put our blush on in the '80s. >> contour. >> exactly. contouring like a shaping powder. this makes you look like you've lost five pounds. hello. makes them pop. finally, here comes the glow. this the blush. the thing that kind of makes you look like you had that very romantic evening, if you know what i'm saying. right on the apples of the cheek, blend it in, shimmer, shape and glow. you've got that j. lo glow.

>> she looks fantastic. another one of your client. she looks great. beyonce. she has the famously nude lip, which is a look we'd all love to create but sometimes we can't find the right shade what do you do? >> number one, you want to use a great nude kit. something made for that nude lip. the secret you want it based in color. good catch. you go, girl. you want it to have a little bit of a color base as opposed to a flat brown or beige. this is based in a little bit of a pink or apricot. that's going to give you that perfect, perfect color so you don't look like night of the living dead walking around with nude lips. take nude lip sticks. i love to use a lip liner that matches your lip tone exactly so you can really, really work the shape of the lip. here is a big tip. you want to join the cupid,

gives you that lip stung. getting that high shine. when doing a nude, it's a good idea to make it glossy, so it doesn't look flat. >> that's a good color on you. >> exactly. >> thank you so much. over here, let's talk about the perfect eyebrow. so important, really does frame the face. lucy lu is an example. how do you achieve that look? >> the trick is about choosing the right tone of the brow. just because we have gorgeous brunette hair. my goodness. really dark. you don't want to necessarily match it. that's going to make the brow look groucho marxesque, not a look we're going for. you want a little lighter when you have dark brunette hair like this. >> the grooming of the brow important. >> keep it nice and groomed, nice and clean.

sometimes do you that and kind of looking polished and done. another little secret i love, i like to marry a little bit of a pencil and a powder. instead of just doing a pencil which can look harsh and a powder too subtle. >> powder softens it up. >> exactly. you can shake your booty in a rain forest. >> great. finally angelina jolie's smoky eye. you have danielle here to get that look. >> the smoky eye gets a bum rap. smoky eye, you look like you got punched in the face. >> i think it looks gorgeous. you are working it, let's be honest. the secret is this. you want to use an eye shadow base always. >> why? what does that do? >> you put that on first, dab it all over the lid. that's going to keep it from getting messy, keeps it

professional and polished looking which is what you want when you're doing a smoky eye. make sure you use a base that makes it not crease, stay where you want to put it. we have actually done a great soft smoky gray here. the trick is also you don't always have to use a dark color. you can do a great smoky eye in a gorgeous green or plum, something like that. >> shades of gray here. >> shades of gray. >> do you ever use an eyeliner. >> absolutely. a quick smoky eye, line with an eyeliner, smudge with q-tip or finger, good to go. >> you look great. mali, thank you as always. coming up next, when kids are pulling the wool over your eyes. you know you've done this. right after this. what's it like? yeah. the kitchen? it's amazing. lots of unexplored surfaces and tough, greasy messes to clean. oh. wow! [ male announcer ] now scrubbing bubbles has fantastik in a heavy duty spray that easily cuts through grease

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reasons. how can you tell? what's the best strategy for dealing with it. she has been protecting lives at the department of justice known as deception, protection expert. she's the author of "you can't lie to me" the legendary program, super charger, inner lie detector to get to the truth. good morning. >> good morning. >> short of having you move right in, how can you tell if your child is lying? children do tell lies? >> first of all, 80% of lies are undetected. adults lie one in five social situations, children's, one in three. >> you need these skills. good to know techniques. first you have to know baseline. >> norming, normal behavior. remember this game as kids, head, shoulders, knees and toes. you need to do that with your kids. you're tilting your head slightly to the right. is that your baseline or listening? you need to know their rhythm,

tone, pitch, what word choices do they use. do they say i swear to god it's so hot outside. i swear to god, i won't lie. what's their normal baseline. >> you're going to look for deviations for the baseline. you look for physical and behavioral signs, implosion and explosion. >> these kids, whether toddlers, tweens, teens, even adult kids, when they are lying we're looking for deviation of baseline. imploding is getting small. imploding they pull their legs in, here, they may cover their throat like this and pull their throat down. girls love this one. guys, hot air out of their collar, play with the t-shirt. imploding, bringing it in. literally sometimes will go into the fetal position. when you're talking to them, break eye contact and go down. exploding, superman pose, oversell you. liars try to convince. >> blocking behaviors, what is

that? >> body blocking. your teenager comes in with a baseball hat. how was your first day of school? good. the hat is hiding their face. sitting at the table like this when you're asking a question. i've got to ask you, is there any reason why -- you fill in the blank. they turn away. that's body blocking. >> bring me to the next, have you to ask open ended questions. this advice is a little controversial. sometimes you might have to tell a lie to fish out the truth from your kids. >> i say you have to lie to catch a liar. what doethat mean? what that means if you think your kid is drinking and driving, making poor choices going into high school, driving with kids, skipping classes, smoking. lie to catch a liar. >> what you could say is -- >> you could say is there any reason why your teacher would call me today? keep in mind, cia and fbi, these are cia secrets for moms to keep our kids safe. at the end of the day we say to our kids what? tell them i'm not here right

now. we ask our kids to lie on our behalf, sometimes we need to lie on their behalf. >> casting out the reel and see what you catch? >> you want to protect your family. sometimes you need to do that. you weigh your options. >> you also say it's effective to ask the same question twice. >> this is one of my favorites, savannah. my son angus, he's seven. i said, did you feed the fish this morning? >> well, i went upstairs. >> you asked a closed ended question and they start with well. angus, did you feed the fish. he says yes and shrugs his shoulder. angus, why should i believe you? because i'm telling you the truth. repeat why should i believe you twice. this is a cia secret for moms at home that will get you the truth. why should i believe you? because i told you. why should i believe you.

okay. >> i'm getting sweaty. angus better tell the truth. i could do a whole other segment on this. thank you. five things you need to know thank you. five things you need to know about he's made his choice. but what choices will women be left with?

just like mitt romney, paul ryan would get rid of planned parenthood funding. in congress, ryan voted to ban all federal funding for planned parenthood and allow employers to deny women access to cancer screenings and birth control. and both romney and ryan backed proposals to outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest. for women... for president... the choice is ours. i'm barack obama, and i approve this message.

this morning on "today's" five facts, surprising steps about phobias, whether a fear of snakes like mine or a fear of bras like savannah's. anxiety is real and in some cases debilitating. dr. gayle is here, good morning. >> let's talk about phobias and why ist different from a fear? we are borderline. >> first let me say, this is the number one mental health diagnosis. 9.2 million american adults have phobias, which means an irrational fear that goes on for a long period of time, which

elifts a panic feeling, anxiety to be around it to the point you try to avoid it. when we say specific we mean to a thing, an animal or frog or snake or a dog or spiders are very common or a situation like flying, fear of flying, fear of heights, those kinds of things. >> we've all heard of claustrophobia, fear of small spaces, what are some other phobias. there's some unusual ones. >> there are unusual ones. a fact is 15% of people have a fear of clowns. you think they are at parties, so much fun. actually many people are actually tremendously afraid of clowns. >> after reading steven king's "it." >> it's actually when you see a body you expect the face to match it. when the face looks different it's terrifying to people. you can be afraid of anything. bizarre things like long words.

you're not going to say that one. >> clearly you're not having that phobia. common things like germs, close spaces. we're not talking about social phobia right now, social situations but just about anything. the dark, blood, needles, people have all kinds of phobias and they can be really debilitating if you have to avoid it and change your life. >> what causes these fears? is it something that triggers the event? >> another fear, phobias run in families. why? partially it's genetic. these are genetically somewhat passed on. also because in your family, right, your mom may have said don't touch frogs, they carry diseases. >> i remember that when i was a little girl, that's where it came from. >> you had a bad experience, a frog jumped on you and it was

scary. >> on the therapist couch. >> runs in family. a fear of snakes. do you see in your children -- >> i ran into a snake as a child, so yeah. close call. >> getting deep here. >> getting deep in. >> it starts in young kids. so another important fact is the median age of phobia begins at seven, which is really young. younger kids it tends to be creatures, spiders, which is incredibly common or animals. for you with snakes. for instance you were saying oh, don't touch the snake. your child might pick up on that. >> as a parent you don't want to -- >> you don't want to parent in a fearful way. actually things like flying and heights, those are situational phobias that tend to develop more in teen years, adult years. we see people who have difficulty going on business trips and so on because they are really terrified of flying. >> both men and women can get phobias, does it affect one more

than the other. >> absolutely. women get phobias twice as often as men, which is really impressive. partially because women tend to get anxiety orders more often. but men go in for treatment more often than women. >> really? why? >> exactly, important. culturally if you think about it, a woman going oh, a snake, a frog is unfortunately more acceptable than a man going, a spider, and running another way. hence women don't come in as often. get exposure therapy, try out virtual reality therapy or consider medication. >> good fun facts. >> hoda and kathie lee with the man show coming up after your local news and weather.

anncr: it'll start out as concrete and steel... but it'll become so much more.

a new world-class resort casino in prince george's county. two thousand construction jobs to build it. four thousand permanent, good-paying jobs when it's done. hundreds of millions for maryland schools... real oversight to make sure the money goes... where it's supposed to. but none of it will happen unless we vote for... question seven this november. vote for question seven. and help build a better future for maryland. good morning, 9:57 on this tuesday, august 28th. i'm angie goff. a tough morning commute for many. let's go right to danella sealock. >> the vacation is over. here's what we're facing now. slow at 410 because as you make your way inbound, there's a crash there. possibly blocking at least one of your lanes, but delays

continue all the way to new york avenue. about 12 miles an hour from the beltway to bw parkway. taking the outer loop of the beltway, still sluggish from i-95 to georgia avenue. let's head over to trom. >> good morning. sunshine breaking out around the metro area after we had morning showers pushing through. right now radar showing the patches of green and sprinkles in southern maryland and fredericksburg and passing off to the east. increasing sunshine this afternoon with lower humidity and highs in the mid and upper 80s and low humidity in place wednesday, thursday and part of friday. beautiful summer days and then over the weekend some tropical showers late saturday. showers late saturday. angie? we sent him there to fix it, shobut somewhere along the way, ansomething went horribly wrong. george allen voted for trillions in debt while voting to raise his pay four times, then voted to keep special tax breaks for oil and gas companies and took over a half-million from them. worse, allen went to work for them.

prcandidate is more likely toion return us to full employment. this is a clear choice. the republican plan is to cut more taxes on upper-income... people and go back to deregulation. that's what got us in trouble in the first place. president obama has a plan to rebuild america from... the ground up, investing in innovation, education... and job training. it only works if there is a strong middle class.

that's what happened when i was president. we need to keep going with his plan. president obama: i'm barack obama and... i approve this message. captions paid for by nbc-universal television hey, everybody, it's a big try day friday, june 22nd. welcome to an entire show dedicated to reinventing you. >> from everything to changing your career, your life to changing your look and living space. we get to test drive new careers. >> don't give this away. you gave yours away. >> other than this i wanted to

do two things. one was to be a school teacher. i didn't think that would make great tv. i would just be standing there. the other is to be a backup singer. >> what's more fun than that? >> this is lee brice, the coolest country singer going. he surprised me and we sat in his secret tour bus and did secret things. >> in the man cave. >> i know there's trouble brewing when you wear those tight white jeans in the summertime. every time you wore them trouble ensued. >> hold on. kathie lee, we asked you guys to give us guesses what you think her other career should be. she already knows. here are some of your pob lar guesses. rebecca from tennessee says a judge on "the voice." >> i would love that. >> tammy from louisiana, kathie lee could have been quite successful as a sommeller. and someone thinks you should be

a motivational singer. kerry says interior designer. >> i would love that. >> lisa says i think kathie lee would have been a pastor or a hairstylist. >> how about a pastor with a great hairstyle. >> anyway, one of you is right in that group. >> did you know the average person changes careers six to seven times in their lifetime? >> that's a lot. >> how many times have you changed it? >> does it start when i was scooping ice cream at scoops. >> i don't think that's a career. >> i haven't changed careers. >> oh, yes you have. you went from being an award-winning journalist to being you. now. say bye-bye to the edward r. murrah. bye-bye you pulitzer. never can be taken seriously again. >> what happened? it's gone. it does happen. what about you? if. >> yeah. i had so many. i was a singer first.

i was an actress for a long time. a talk show host. writer. playwright. a recording artist. fashion entrepreneur. my favorite, of course, is doing good deeds. >> you're ridiculous. >> it is. that's my great calling in life is humanitarian work. >> you know what, you do-do a lot of that. well, i feel very small now because i had one career and have not done much. i worked at scoops, ponderosa and tv. >> women have -- this one is fun. i can't believe it. now that i think about it, depends on how long you live. they say women have over 100 different hairstyles in their lifetime. bobbie thomas has had that within a week. we love toe see what bobbie is doing. >> there is the layered look, you color it. lots of them happen.

they are talking between the ages 13 and 65 you change more than 104 times. >> when we do our makeovers, it's always women who said i never changed my haircut since i was a teenager. >> do you regret your past hairstyles? >> there are a couple i regret. >> you regret that side bob? >> that was the day we announced our engagement. >> i like that one. >> yeah, yeah. >> is that natural? >> my hair is naturally very curley, but that one had a little help. >> what else? this is your here look. >> with the bangs. >> i like the bangs. >> why are we spending time on my hair when it's really all about hoda's. >> oh! you know what? >> look at you now though. come on. >> don't show the high school graduation picture. >> you give hope to women

everywhere. >> i want you to look closely. don't even. i was actually on tv with that. that was in new orleans. >> forget who would marry you, who would hire you. >> somehow there wasn't one flattering picture in the bunch. >> i'm saying it gives hope to people. >> kerotin, a gallon of gel. we know you guys are all changing. celebs are changing. >> any time a new album is coming out, a new tour. nobody is better at it than 53-year-old material girl. this is "like a virgin," which she wasn't even then. >> no way. remember the cone bras and all that stuff? >> that was one of my least favorite looks ever. who wants to cuddle up with that? you get pierced. and this is her now. >> with the cheerleading outfit at 53. >> with her moves and her body, all the best.

>> cher has had quite the transformation. >> this is for joanne who is in love with cher. >> it was sonny and cher. then she was an oscar-winning actress. you know the one. what was that, "moonstruck?" >> that's when she found out sonny wanted to get together. >> in 1999 she sang that song "believe." ♪ do you believe in love in love ♪ >> i love cher. she is the best live performer i have ever seen. she and bette midler. unbelievable. >> mike wahlberg was the lead singer of markey mark and the funky bunch. who could forget that when he was the underwear model for calvin klein in '96. >> when you have a chest like that, you don't look at the underwear. >> what is happening there? >> he's using every muscle he's

got to keep those pants up. >> then his acting career. he's the producer of the show "entourage" on hbo. >> and "boardwalk empire." and drew barrymore was an overnight success. she was a little girl. struggled in the '80s and the '90s with drugs and alcohol. now she is a very respected movie actress and producer. just got married and soon to have her first little baby. this one i especially love. >> robert downey jr, me, too. he shot to the '80s with his great talent. >> really battled serious addictions. now back on top with "ironman" and "sherlock holmes." he's married with a new child. there is hope for you is what we are trying to say. sitting there thinking, what's that got to do with me? everything. >> we also decided it was time to go out. when we were doing our ambush

makeovers, we decided to find people who reinvented themselves. this is a before photo of julie mccarthy from illinois. >> it's an interesting story if only we had it in front of us, but we don't. >> the other one you'll like equally as much. we don't know much about her yet either. we will when it comes time. >> you know what it's time for? friday funny. >> if you don't like this you blame patty skidmore on facebook. a teenage girl took her boyfriend to meet her grandmother. grandmother ser a special report from nbc. this is an nbc news special report.

here's matt lauer. >> and i'm matt lauer, live in tampa, florida, at the republican national convention. tropical storm isaac is just starting to bear down on the central gulf coast right at this moment. president obama is about to speak out about that storm from the diplomatic room at the white house. let's bring in nbc's david gregory, moderator of "meet the press," and david, politics 101. you've got your opponents in tampa and mitt romney's about to tell americans why he should be elected president. if you're the president, you go out and act like the president. >> you do your job and talk about what the federal government is actually doing to help people who are in the storm's path. that's what the president is doing. and it happens as there's so much anxiety here among the campaign and the party organizers about how to approach this and the optics of a split screen storm coming and a big political party. >> yeah. obviously the timing of this storm bearing down on new orleans, all bringing back memories of 2007 and katrina, it presented an opportunity for the president, but if you fail to deliver the kind of response

that's needed, there's an enormous price that will be paid. >> there is. i think frankly after katrina, you saw it when president bush was still in office, any president takes an approaching storm very seriously to make sure the federal government is doing everything that the state needs and then some. and is even taking a bigger role. we've seen with bobby jindal, the republican governor of louisiana, thought to be on mitt romney's short list, it's very important. >> here's the president. >> keep people safe and minimize the damage. i just got an update from secretary napolitano, administrator fugate, the head of fema, and dr. rick knabb, the director of the national hurricane center, on preparations that are under way in the gulf. this storm isn't scheduled to make landfall until later today, but at my direction, fema has been on the ground for over a week working with state and local officials in areas that could be affected. from puerto rico and the u.s.

virgin islands to florida and more recently louisiana, alabama, and mississippi. yesterday i proved a disaster declaration for the state of louisiana, so they can get the help that they need right away, particularly around some of the evacuations that are taking place. and right now, we already have response teams and supplies ready to help communities in the expected path of the storm. as we prepare for isaac to hit, i want to encourage all residents of the gulf coast to listen to your local officials and follow their directions, including if they tell you to evacua evacuate. we're dealing with a big storm and there could be significant flooding and other damage across a large area. now is not the time to temp fate. now is not the time to dismiss official warnings. you need to take this seriously. and finally, i want to thank everyone who has been working

around the clock to get ready for isaac. the hardest work, of course, is still ahead, and as president i'll continue to make sure that the federal government is doing everything possible to help the american people prepare for and recover from this dangerous storm. and as we get additional updates from the hurricane center, as well as from fema in terms of activities on the ground, we'll be providing continuous updates both at the local and the national level. thank you. >> president obama, who is speaking in the diplomatic room of the white house this morning, before taking off on a three-state trip, talking about expressi expressions, david, we talk about how you go out and do the job as you put it. he said things like at my direction, fema is engaged. i approved a disaster declaration. as president, i'm making sure the federal government is doing everything possible. leaving no doubt in the minds of people out there who's in charge. >> right. you don't want to be too cynical about it but when the president

talks about this is a big storm, no time to temp fate, there's serious potential consequences here. only underscores how difficult it is for a republican party to move forward with this convention with that potential threat. >> understanding that so much media attention will be paid not only to what's going on here in tampa, but what's happening in the gulf coast with this storm, as the president takes off for iowa, colorado, virginia, would you expect to see him in the gulf coast region when this storm passes through? >> oh certainly. particularly if there's severe damage. i think that any president would want to be there and certainly in an election year to make sure they're getting everything they need. there is a republican governor as you mentioned, has been critical about not getting the support, the declaration of emergency support, he may need. i think that president wou want to head that off. >> a big story being handled by the president from the white house. something that will be addressed, i would imagine, something going on in the gulf as the convention kicks off later today. >> for sure. >> david gregory, good luck tonight. we appreciate it. we'll have more on isaac

throughout the day on msnbc and tonight on "nbc nightly news". some of you will return to your reeg largy scheduled program. for those of you on the west coast, there is more of "today." i'm matt lauer. this has been an nbc news went officer to a stand-up comedian. >> you were a lawyer for the first ten years. when you get locked into something, you become identified with it. >> and you hang around with a lot of people like you. >> that is a high-powered position that you worked very hard, probably spent a lot of money to achieve. why were you not happy? >> it wasn't that fulfilling. i had other passions. i wanted to be a writer. i kind of made steps in that direction. >> little steps though. >> little steps at first. hanging around with new people. >> i think some people get afraidecause this is what they know and what they don't know is out there you obviously need a paycheck. you can't just up and quit something and start something. what advice do you have for people on the fence. >> what our readers say is the

hardest thing is finding out what you want to do. she knew what she wanted to do next. it's a crazy thing and we call it creating a board of directors, current friends, good friends and go back to your childhood. sometimes there are a lot of dreams you left in your childhood. some for good, some for bad. they're there for a reason. they need to remind you of things you might have left behind. you put them together and they give you thoughts about what you sort of left behind. >> you have an interesting story. were you as a young girl wanting to be a performer and said i think i'll go into police work? >> the bug for performing was always in me. the police officer thing, no, that was, you know, my friend would take a test. i said all right. i always went with the flow. this just came about. >> you are a police officer for years. >> 20 years. >> you did have your pension. when you were trying out the other, the stand-up comedian route you were okay financially. it's something you had to have courage to do? >> i would have been okay

financially if i didn't decide to open up a business and lose everything. i should have went back to work. i did take a big leap of faith. like you're saying, fear is -- >> how did you overcome that? a lot of people couldn't do it. >> i just did it. i went and i took a class. you just have to do the scariest thing. >> it wasn't one time you got up on a dare from friends some night at a club. you went to school for it. good for you. >> i did. >> how do you learn how to be funny? >> that has to come naturally. >> what are some of the biggest obstacles women face. a lot of women want to make the change. we are talking about fear is one of them. >> you have to have money. depending on the situation you're in. what we say is you've got to plan for at least a year of transition. you should have saved a lot of money. >> it's hard to save these days. >> the other problem, you're a woman. you have your whole network around you, your family. sometimes there is resistant to change among the spouse. i know you the way you are.

i love you, but don't change. >> did you find that, marcy? >> i think if you find nay-sayers, it's time to find people who are going to support you and encourage you. >> dump them. >> or maybe don't talk about your transition so much. >> everybody likes to be with a winner. >> that's the number one thing people say. we talk about reinvention a lot. there are a lot of nay sayers out there. it's that they are afraid when you change that means i have to change, too. all those dreams that i had, that i've been suppressing, i have to deal with. >> that can be threatening. >> thank you for coming to see us. >> congratulations. especially you. up next, if hoda h to reinvent her career, she would become a backup singer. we'll find out if lee brice was such a good idea. >> lucky ladies show off their brand-new look. and what kathie lee's second profession is. buying this juicer online was unbelievable.

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and slip into size sassy. so many delicious ways to get started at specialk.com. what will you gain when you lose?™ we are back with our special reinvention show. when hoda and i were asked what kind of career we would have, it didn't take hoda long to come up with one. >> i love music, i love to sing. i'm not great at it. i chose to be a backup singer. our producer set it up for me. what i didn't know was for whom and where i would be singing. take a look, but please don't

listen closely. i've been in the car 4 1/2 hours according to the guys driving north, driving up. i don't know what town we're in or b, what we are doing here. i imagine there will be some singing and dancing, but if these people are coming to listen to somebody, i mean, it can't be for, for god's sake. please, don't let it be me. >> i'm lee brice. since hoda is here, we are about to surprise her. she has no idea. ♪ last night hey, mama, how are you? you ready to sing? >> i could cry. i'm never surprised ever. today i was completely surprised. i am so excited. i am so excited. hearing him not just sing the lyrics in my ear but sing them in that sexy way lee brice does was so great. >> this is going to be fun.

>> i could start crying. >> sing with me. >> no. >> you're totally singing. >> trust me when i tell you, i'm not ruining anyone's day. maybe one or two notes, but those people paid good money to hear lee brice, okay? not the loud one drowning him out. ♪ i don't make it easy ♪ why do you do it ♪ i stood where you stood >> my voice is so bad. >> your voice is going to be so awesome. >> we start in five minutes. >> showtime, baby. showtime. >> i'd like to pause and say, oh, my god! >> a lot of people. >> please, please, give a big welcome for hoda kotb! come on, hoda!

♪ they want to change the things i see ♪ sometimes i miss you ♪ sometimes i don't know why you stay with me ♪ i'm in love ♪ i'm in love i'm in love ♪ say that you need me ♪ i'm in love ♪ don't make it easy

♪ i couldn't do it if i knew that you could ♪ i'm hard to love ♪ hard to love ♪ you say that it's easy ♪ i won't let you down >> give it up for my great friend miss hoda! >> that was so fun. i didn't know the words, i didn't care, he's so hot, the crowd, i get it. i totally get it. i'm in. totally in. >> so you're totally drunk. >> no. i was a little tiny bit buzzed, i have to say. it was so much better in my mind. when you hear yourself you want to shoot yourself. i'm sorry, lee. >> i'm so grateful there wasn't a stampede. people could have gotten hurt. >> i love lee brice. come back because kathie lee is going to reinvent herself.

you voted. one of you is going to be correct. >> you have to see it to believe it. that's coming up after your local news. let's see hoda again. look who we got here. put a little pepper on that. i'm a typical mom. i go to amusement parks. and my kid's games. and just like any typical mom i'm thrilled when my champion loves to eat something nutritious, like chobani champions yogurt. it's a good source of protein, and most important, he loves it. so even though i'm an olympian, around here, i'm just another mom trying to help her champion win the day. chobani champions. win the day. these are sandra's "homemade"

yummy, scrumptious bars. hmm? i just wanted you to eat more fiber. chewy, oatie, gooeyness... and fraudulence. i'm in deep, babe. you certainly are. [ male announcer ] fiber one. [ sneezes ] [ male announcer ] if you have yet to master the quiet sneeze... ♪ [ sneezes ] [ male announcer ] you may be an allergy muddler. try zyrtec®. it gives you powerful allergy relief. and zyrtec® is different than claritin® because zyrtec® starts working at hour 1 on the first day you take it. claritin® doesn't start working until hour 3. [ sneezes ] [ male announcer ] zyrtec®. love the air. join zyrtec® rewards. save up to $7 on zyrtec® products. but what choices will women be left with? just like mitt romney, paul ryan would get rid of planned parenthood funding. in congress, ryan voted to ban all federal funding for planned parenthood and allow employers to deny women access to cancer screenings and birth control. and both romney and ryan backed proposals to outlaw abortion

even in cases of rape and incest. for women... for president... the choice is ours. i'm barack obama, and i approve this message.

anncr: it'll start out ast... tconcrete and steel... but it'll become so much more. a new world-class resort casino in prince george's county. two thousand construction jobs to build it. four thousand permanent, good-paying jobs when it's done. hundreds of millions for maryland schools... real oversight to make sure the money goes...

where it's supposed to. but none of it will happen unless we vote for... question seven this november. vote for question seven. and help build a better future for maryland. we are back with our special reinvention edition of "today." you may have seen my short-lived career as backup singer for lee brice is over. now it's kathie lee's turn. >> that's right. i opted for interior designer. there were a couple of distractions on my job site. they were tall, dark and handsome and go by the name of kitchen cousins. you can find them on hgtv. take a look. hoda had taken porn star so what was left for me was interior designer. i love interior design. i think i would have gone into it as a profession except i realized i would have to make my

clients happy, not make myself happy and i'm so freaking selfish that wasn't going to work out. i come bearing gifts and come looking for a couple of kitchen cousins. >> you're working with us today? >> i'm going to work with you today. >> hanging with us or working with us? >> working. >> she brought her tools. >> that's right. >> what do you think? >> i think we have a lot of work to do. and they've been living like this? >> she's been like this for a couple of months now. her contractor walked out on you. >> one thing for your husband to walk out on you, that you can live with, but your contractor? >> we have a surprise for you. >> hi, i'm kathie lee. >> oh, my god. >> please tell me she is happy. i get a manicure before i start these projects so i can point nicely and write checks. there you go. i'm exhausted.

>> we could set up a tv for you and everything. i have cable coming soon. >> uh-huh. what's on right now, "ellen?" what's the next step? are we going to take a look at the stuff? >> we'll start bringing it in. >> go ahead. bring it in. what was here before? >> before like a laminate. like 1950 style. >> watch it. i was born that decade. tired of that. all right. this looks interesting. it's a little on the modern side. is that what she likes. she likes contemporary? okay. >> she's more, she's younger -- >> what are you saying? >> no, no -- i'm saying her

style. ♪ >> size 2, i swear. i actually find steaming, i love . >> therapeutic? >> yes. i can do this to my face. >> da-da-da! >> oh, my god. >> two hours. >> new living room. don't look too closely at anything. thanks for letting me surprise you today. i hope you'll be very happy and very healthy. >> what are you doing? >> i could get used to that. up next -- >> we've got to thank ali berger. she did all the work. >> who are you, you pretty thing? who is this woman and what is she doing in my bedroom?

up next, change starts at home, if you know what i mean. strength may come in all shapes and sizes.

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has your full house turned into an empty nest or found yourself alone after a divorce? instead of wallowing over the loss, why don't you change your space? >> guilt.com lifestyle editor is here to talk about the importance of changing things up. you look so pretty.

>> thank you guys. >> you hit tough spots in life. what can we do for them? >> exactly. bottom line, your home should make you happy. we want it to grow and change along with us. everybody goes through change. >> it's inevitable. >> exactly. an empty nester, the kids are gone and it's time to redo, rip off the plastic coverings. this is about you. >> we like to say paint is home decor's bff. it's the most affordable. fastest, easiest way to transform. if you don't feel like painting a room, paint a piece of furniture like we've done here. it's so easy. psychologists say color affects the way you feel in a room. do your research. cooler colors are about creativity and calm. warmer colors are about stimulation. another great way to bring color or pattern into a room is with a rug, area rug. throw it down.

it's so easy. >> they are washable these days. >> exactly. this starts at $88. we chose green. it's about renewal. >> life. >> yes, it is. >> and you need me time after that. >> yeah. a great way to do that is surround yourself with things you love. say footballs are flying through the house, you might not bring out your collection of china or tea pots or anything. we say bring them out and enjoy it. >> i'm glad the little note stickers are gone. >> exactly. another great thing when you have a little time on your hands, get organized. getting organized is like therapy for the mind and the body already. the first principle of feng shui, believe it or not. our motto at guilt is storage can be stylish. we love these storage ottomans. check this out. >> very cute. >> stash your things in here. they start at $249.

>> let's go to the bedroom, shall we? >> isn't this fun and beautiful? the idea here, say if you're going through another big change, a divorce, to create an oasis in your bedroom. create a beautiful place. >> it has a different use. >> exactly. philosophers have written books how beauty helps our species survive. don't feel bad. >> even if it's a small space. make it a beautiful space. >> the easiest way we know to do that is switch out your bedding. this is by john rob shaw textile. it is so gorgeous. we chose blue. hang on to the blues. blue is a very calming, tranquil color and the most popular for bedrooms. >> thank you, honey. thank you for coming to see us. >> next time don't be see cute. next, destinations to help you get a new perspective on life. yeah, he won the batting title way back in '35.

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i'm barack obama and i approve this message now mitt romney's attacking the president on medicare? the nonpartisan a-a-r-p says obamacare "cracks down on medicare fraud, waste, and abuse and strengthens guaranteed benefits."

and the ryan plan? a-a-r-p says it would undermine medicare and could lead to higher costs for seniors... and experts say ryan's voucher plan could raise future retirees costs more than six thousand dollars. get the facts.

on this special edition of "today's travel," places to reinvent yourself. sometimes you've got to get your courage up for real change. >> and there are many different places to go for people to get the help you need. "travel and leisure" magazine's digital projects editor is here with us again. we love her. "under the tuscan sun" that movie where she goes and gets -- there are places that feed your soul. >> exactly. there are so many places to rejuvenate, relax. whatever you're looking for. >> volunteering can reenergize you, can't it? >> exactly. volunteer vacations is a way to get a new perspective on the world. global aware is a great program. they offer one-week experiences in 15 different countries from costa rica to cuba, this is a great way to get back to teach

english, teach computer skills, so many things we have that we can give back and find meaning. one-week trips are about $1,100. very affordable. >> a lot of women want to change or improve themselves. you say going to the berkshires. >> kripalu is located in the berkshires. it's beautiful. they offer a health and yoga retreat and focus on different topics. in july is the science of happiness. you'll come away with positive thinking skills, optimism and a renewed perspective and see things perhaps a little bit differently. yoga and all that good stuff. >> good for your body. >> and one on the west coast? >> there is one located on big sur. on 120 acres. >> that is one of the most gorgeous spots on the planet. >> it's incredibly beautiful. their workshops are on specific challenges, whether it's grief or creativity, whatever you're looking for, you can go there and spend time two to 28 days. a great way to explore these things and come out with a

different perspective. >> they are looking so spiritual. frank and i went there and pretended we were meeting for the first time on a date at the bar. it was 26 years ago. >> what about jamaica. >> this is more laid back. jackie's on the reef, $150 a night. stay on the water. yoga in the morning. you can unplug. this is where you can do yoga in the morning, nutrition. >> you're so into yoga. >> i think there is a trend here. >> brazil is a good spot. >> if you're looking to feed your inner soul as well as mental soul. you can have an adrenalin-pumping experience with the body and soul adventure trip in brazil. ocean kayaking. this is much more active. a different way to build strength and feel strong when you return to your house. >> it's beautiful. what about destressing? >> a shah wellness clinic. this is a minimalist hotel located on the mediterranean.

look at it there. it focuses on the microbiotic diet. all the food is nutritious. >> yoga. >> you can learn about good things to eat. no coffee, no sugar. >> why would you want to go there? >> you'll feel great. a great way for you to travel and change yourself. >> a great way to transform your soul. up next, the amazing results of our ambush makeovers. these are going to be good. this is "today" on nbc. president clinton: this election to me is about which... candidate is more likely to return us to full employment. this is a clear choice. the republican plan is to cut more taxes on upper-income... people and go back to deregulation. that's what got us in trouble in the first place. president obama has a plan to rebuild america from... the ground up, investing in innovation, education... and job training. it only works if there is a strong middle class.

that's what happened when i was president. we need to keep going with his plan. president obama: i'm barack obama and... i approve this message.

it is time for a special reinvention edition of today's plaza ambush makeovers. today we pluck two lucky ladies from our crowd are both ready for big changes. >> our crack resident makeover

team spun their magic. our "today" contributor and stylist to the star louis licari and "us weekly" contributor and author jill martin. >> you had to find these. we've been putting shoutouts. >> and they came. they used the word reinvention. who doesn't want a rebooting, a restarting? >> i saw her with the hat on this morning. >> up first julie mccarthy, 48 years old from oak park, illinois. after being laid off of her job 14 years she decided to reinvent herself by receiving a doctorate degree. she begged us to help her shine on her new path. >> this is going to be a good one. break it down why mom needs a makeover. >> the hat, she just graduated. that's okay. we have the biking sunglasses which need to go. we have the fannie pack which i know you're a fan of, but personally, not my thing. lastly, look at the shoes.

we're in new york. >> i love you. are you ready for a whole new look? >> whole new? i'm kind of scared. >> she's ready. >> she looks beautiful. >> her daughter leah is holding the microphone. sit tight until i tell you to take off your blind fold. here is julie mccarthy before. let's see the new you. oh, oh, oh! are you ready, leah? take off your blindfold, girlfriend. >> oh, my god! >> mom has to see herself. are you ready? >> oh, my god. >> you look sensational. doctor, doctor. >> you look great. >> thank you so much. >> awesome. look right in camera 12. >> tell us about the hair. you look so good. >> the first thing i did, her hair -- the new trend is bold,

brown dark hair. her hair was a little bit blackish. i evened it out. made it a little bit softer. myiki trimmed it up. gave it this more controlled look. >> did you use kerotin? >> he didn't have time for that. >> are you freaking? >> i'm freaking. she looks like a new person. >> i have to say, she said i never wore spanx before. look at this body. everything looks fabulous. she wanted to impress her daughter which was so nice. this is from andrew mark and the hearings are h&m. >> you look beautiful. >> our second lady is joan. 51 from canton, ohio, where you can visit frank's bust at the football hall of fame. she always felt like a plain jane. after 27 years of the same look, she asked us to help her feel revitalized, renewed and reenergized about life. let's listen to her story. >> mom has cried. she stopped.

she's crying again. you tell me why you want this for her. >> she worked really hard for us and she is a great mom overall. >> i can tell you are going to be beyond gorgeous and hot. are you ready? >> yes, i'm so ready. >> are you going to stop crying? >> yes, i will. promise. >> she is here with her daughter madeline, sister karen and her mother martha. they are beautiful. a last look at joan before and bring on the the new and regenerated joan jellison. >> oh, my god! >> wow. >> take them off, baby. >> oh, my god! >> movie star. >> you look awesome. >> turn around and look at yourself. >> ah! >> she looks hot. >> i love it. i love it. >> you look sensational.

>> look right at camera 12. you look awesome. look at the difference. >> forget about plain jane. she left the building. right on trend to the lighter, brighter hair, a monochromatic. natural looking, but believable. her hair cut gave her fullness and body. both ladies have this new icy lip color. perfect. >> i like that. >> i love it. >> look at everyone crying. >> what do you think? >> she looks terrific. >> she was beautiful before. >> you do look like a different person. >> she looks like a movie star. >> you look gorgeous. >> thank you. i love it. >> and the hot little dress. >> i'm crazy about this dress. it's from maggie london. she put it on and said my daughter is going to love this. >> let's bring julie out. big round of applause. >> everybody is awesome. >> thank you for coming. >> we have a star-studded lineup.

we just don't know exactly. >> i'm sure they'll be here. have a great day. god bless. bye-bye. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

that's been wrapped in a flaky crust stuffed with a gooey center toasted up all golden brown then given a delicious design? a toaster strudel. pillsbury toaster strudel. so delicious...so fun. mom, we're dying. no you're not, you're just hungry. make some totino's pizza rolls. we don't have any! front... left, totino's. [ male announcer ] well done mom! less drama, more fun! totino's pizza rolls. but what choices will women be left with? just like mitt romney, paul ryan would get rid of planned parenthood funding. in congress, ryan voted to ban all federal funding for planned parenthood and allow employers to deny women access to cancer screenings and birth control. and both romney and ryan backed proposals to outlaw abortion even in cases of rape and incest. for women... for president... the choice is ours. i'm barack obama, and i approve this message.