And staff test positive for covid plus week five highlights, including agony for big d. Its over. This historic 2020 nba championship belongs to the Los Angeles Lakers the lakers conquer the bubble. And the Los Angeles Lakers capture their 17th Team Championship as lebron enters the record books with yet another mvp. Its monday, october 12th. Early today starts right now good morning, im kathy park in for phillip mena. And im frances rivera. It is a barnstorming blitz across battleground states President Trump is returning to the campaign trail today holding a rally in florida amid his battle with coronavirus and joe biden is heading to ohio for events in toledo and cincinnati. Nbcs Kelly Odonnell has more. Reporter President Trump making a new claim about his own covid recovery, saying he tested negative in an audio message to supporters were in great shape. Tested totally negative and really in good shape. Reporter but the white house physician, sean conley, has not reported the president tested negative for covid in a memo late saturday, dr. Conley wrote, he is no longer considered a transmission risk to others in a fox news phone interview, the president claimed he is now protected by immunity. You know, the word immunity means something, having having really a protective glow. It means something reporter the cdc guidance says being cleared from isolation does not imply immunity the doctors memo also indicates the president may have had more recent fever and lingering symptoms, given this wording feverfree for well over 24 hours and all symptoms improved. The president s health injected in a campaign ad. President trump is recovering from the coronavirus and so is america. Reporter the Trump Campaign used an old interview clip from dr. Anthony fauci. President trump tackled the virus head on as leaders should. I cant imagine that anybody could be doing m nbc news, they did this without my permission and my comments were taken out of context. In my five decades of public service, i have never publicly endorsed nor do i now endorse any political candidate. The Trump Campaign responded in part, the video is from a nationally broadcast Television Interview in which dr. Fauci was praising the work of the Trump Administration joe biden attended mass in delaware while this weekend biden warned democrats to be wary of indem sedation tactics at polling places. You got to go out and make sure that you vote because the only way that we lose this is by the chicanery going on relative to polling places. Reporter so far the white house has not provided anything to back up the president s claim that he tested negative for covid. No test results. No documentation the president s physician did say he is cleared to travel now. Thats not the same as testing negative and aides say the president will begin an aggressive travel schedule today, heading off to florida and then pennsylvania and iowa over the next couple of days fra frances. Start to a busy week. Kelly, thank you. The stage is set for a highstakes confirmation showdown republicans are pushing to fill the vacancy before the election and theres little democrats can do to stop them. Nbcs Pete Williams has more reporter republicans say theyre confident they have the votes to confirm Amy Coney Barrett, who is now a federal Appeals Court judge. So the hearings that start monday will be as much about the speeded up process and the president who made the nomination as they will be about her. Republicans who control the senate hope to confirm her by election day so that she can be on the court by the time it hears a make or break challenge to obamacare. She is being sent on assignment to the Supreme Court by President Trump and we know what that assignment is, eliminate the Affordable Care act, which protects 23 million americans. Reporter judge barrett has criticized the Supreme Courts 2012 ruling upholding obamacares individual mandate as a use of congress taxing power. But the big issue this time is whether even if the mandate is unconstitutionala unconstitutional, the rest of the law can remain in force. Theres no way to tell how she might rule on that question. Shell also be asked to her views on abortion, given comment she has made about it conflicting with their catholic faith. As a notre dame law professor she signed on to a 2006 newspaper ad that called roe v. Wades legacy barbaric, but she has promised not to be swayed by her personal opinions if confirmed. Judges are not policymakers and they must be resolute in setting aside any policy views they might hold. Reporter this weeks hearings are sure to be highly partisan four Committee Republicans are up for reelection lindsey graham, the chairman, john cornyn, joni ernst and tom tillis joe bidens running mate Kamala Harris is on the committee too some may attend virtually. Democrats say the hearing should be postponed, a suggestion republicans reject so at every step theyre arguing for whatever will delay things, and their objective is just delay beyond election day. Reporter if as expected judge barrett is confirmed strictly along party lines, it will be the most partisan vote for a Supreme Court justice in modern history and a busy week ahead our thanks for that report nbc news will have a special report on the confirmation battle beginning at 9 00 a. M. Eastern. Coronavirus cases in the u. S. Continue to surge and set new records in parts of the country. As of today the nation has over 7. 7 million cases and over 215,000 deaths the latest data comes as an nbc news tally finds six states including missouri, montana, north dakota, ohio, oklahoma and West Virginia all had singleday record increases on sunday andy beshear says he is and his family are headed into quarantine after they were potentially exposed to a person who tested positive for covid19 this as the city of new york says it issued fines totaling at least 150,000 for violators of its new restrictions on Mass Gatherings in its colorcoded cluster zones. And for the 17th time in franchise history, the Los Angeles Lakers are nba champs. The lakers ran away with game six against the Miami Heat Lebron James and Anthony Davis combined for 47 points in the seriesclinching game. Miami tried to rally in the Fourth Quarter but it was too little too late. The lakers win the series with a 10693 victory its the first time the lakers have hoisted the larry obrien trophy since 2010, now tying the Boston Celtics for most championships of alltime. And it was a special night for lebron james, who was named finals mvp for the fourth time in his career. James is the first player to win the award on three different teams. And lebron and teammate danny green joined an exclusive club with their championship win. Both lakers join john sally and robert ory as the only players to win titles with three different franchises questions are swirling this morning if the nfl will be able to finish out the season in the midst of the pandemic. It comes as the coronavirus continues to spread throughout the league, leading to the postponement of the broncos patriots game and the reclosure of the titans facility amid another positive test. Another week in the nfl, another week of problems for the league because of covidrelated issues that are postponing these games. Players are getting sick Staff Members are getting sick and now several people are questioning how the schedule can keep continuing the way it is with all the delays moving forward. Reporter in an nfl season where week after week the biggest hits are being taken off the field like the rest of the world, the nfl just continues to adjust its schedule due to the effects of covid. Reporter the league forced to postpone monday nights matchup between denver and new england after patriots player byron coward became the teams fourth player to test positive. Whatever we have to do. Were literally taking this i wouldnt even say day by day, its more hour by hour. Reporter during a call with reporters, according to espn, patriots quarterback Jason Mccourty questioned the leagues commitment to safety saying for them, its not about our best interest or health and safety, its what can we make protocol wise that sounds good. I think there are a small percentage that are probably very disgruntled i think overall looking there are more yeas for whats going on than nays. Reporter monday nights postponement comes as the covidstricken Tennessee Titans forced to shut down their facility for a second time when another staff member tested positive bringing the total number of cases to at least 24 now their tuesday night game against the bills questionable and on the field, renewed adherence to the leagues mask mandates after at least five nfl coaches and their teams were fined nearly 2 million altogether for not Wearing Masks on the sidelines Baltimore RavensHead Coach John Harbaugh also facing a potential penalty for removing his mask to yell at a referee inches away during a broadcast on espn teams could also face penalties on the field, suspensions and forfeiture of draft choices. Now with so many problems playi plaguing the league and no immediate solutions, many are starting to ask how much longer the nfl can go without postponing the season entirely. Its a luxury to get to 16 games, but you have to figure out what your necessities are and i think thats what the nfls doing right now. And now the nfl announcing because of the current postponements about eight teams are going to be impacted for weeks due to the fact that these games keep cycling and being delayed, with many questioning, again, how this can continue before postponements or cancellations or even forfeitures start kicking in and thats the only option left. Frances . All right fearing the inevitable there steve, thank you. Well, another thriller for the seahawks on sunday night football. It was the 14 vikings who had seattles number for most of the game Adam Thielens score made it 2621 late, but Russell Wilson would not quit he finds d. K. Metcalf on a crucial fourth and ten to keep seattle live with a minute left, and with the game on the line the seahawks edge out the vikings 2726. Around the league, a scary situation for cowboys quarterback dak prescott he suffered a gruesome ankle injury in the fourth quart . Had to be carted off the field dallas would rally after the injury and beast the giants with a lastsecond field goal. For the First Time Since november, the chiefs are in the loser column the los angeles raiders kept kansas city guessing and winning 4032. This heartwarming moment in washington alex smith played for the First Time Since his horrific leg injury he threw for 37 yards, but it was enough for his family to stand up and cheer washington would fall to rams 3010. Switching dwegears now. The storm made landfall in pleasure as a category 2 hurricane with sustained winds up to 100 Miles Per Hour it moved directly over lake charles, a community battered by hurricane laura just six weeks earlier. More than 200,000 customers are still without power in louisiana. At least two deaths are being blamed on fires connected to the hurricane. One was sparked by a generator and another by a natural gas leak. We are definitely feeling that drenching in these earlymorning hours here in new york lets see what else is in store and check in with nbc meteorologist janessa web. Janessa, good morning. Good morning, frances and kathy, good to see you good morning, everyone we still do have the leftovers of the hurricane its now a posttropical system, but it will be heavy across the northeast and midatlantic, even potentia some warmer air going to try to come in even for the upper midwest and colorado springs, a ton of sunshine this afternoon daytime highs in the mid70s well take a look at your week ahead coming up. Well check in with you later. Thank you, janessa. Well, oreo showing its support for the lgbtq community. The Company Announced its firstever rainbow cookies in partnership with the group p flag which provides help for families and allies. Oreo will give away 10,000 packs of the cookies this month. For a chance to win, they are asking people to share photos on instagram or twitter showing their allyship with proudparents. Great to see inclusivity there. Hungry. The oreo section is so massive at grocery stores. Glad to see that addition. Next on earlytoday, trouble on the water in florida. A boat barrels towards a dock. How the trio on board safely escaped. New details on the Security Guard who allegedly shot and killed a demonstrator. One wash, stains are gone. Daughter slurping dont pay for water. Pay for clean. Its got to be tide. Shh i took mucinex dm for mye phlegmy cough. What about robs dry cough . Works on that too, and lasts 12 hours. 12 hours . who studies that long . Mucinex dm relieves wet and dry coughs. Joe biden will not raise taxes on anyone making under 400 thousand dollars. Biden will close tax loopholes for big corporations. Trumps tax cut giveaway exploded our debt, so hes threatening Social Security and medicare. 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Recharge your nights to take on your days with new vicks immunity zzzs. Police cameras in south florida captured this moment that out of control boat smashed right there into a concrete dock and flew into the air. The unmanned vessel landed back in the water and hit another dock before stopping three men had previously been on the boat for a photo shoot and they all fell overboard. The men reportedly have to dive underwater to avoid the vessel before being rescued. And this morning we are learning the suspect at a shooting at a protest in denver did not have an active Security Guard license. Matthew doll op is accused of shigt a shooting and killing a man i filed this report taking a closer look at how the incident turned deadly. And we do want to warn you the images are disturbing. Reporter you can hear the gunshot on this video. Drop the gun Reporter Police rushing in after they say a private Security Guard opened fire on a man who reportedly sprayed him with mace. This image capturing the moment before the deadly confrontation. The man spraying the private Security Guard pointing his gun at him. Later on the Security Guard, 30yearold Matthew Doloff is seen surrounding and in custody on suspicion of firstdegree murder. There was a verbal altercation that transpired. The firearm was discharged individual was shot and later pronounced deceased. There were two guns recovered at the scene. Reporter the deadly shooting happened saturday near duelling demonstrations between farright and farleft groups. Cell phone footage caught an argument between the opposing sides seconds before the gunshot. Ahead of the rallies Police Deployed in large numbers, prepared for possible unrest nbc station kusa reported they hired doloff as security to accompany their staff covering the protest. Denver police have not identified the victim nor have they confirmed his affiliation. 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Reporter as Deadly Wildfires rip through the west last month, weary firefighters and other exhausted First Responders desperately needed hope. So a bighearted boy sent what little he could, donating a baby yoda toy with a note reading thank you, firefighters, heres a friend for you in case you get lonely. Love, carver. We made a swing. Reporter the 5yearold and his grandma from oregon sent it with other care packages bound for the front lines. Underneath it says carter, age 5. Its really sweet. These firefighters literally put their lives on the line every single day if we can bring a little light and joy to some pretty dark times, thats just great. Reporter baby yoda, the character from the critically acclaimed series the mandolorian quickly became a sensation. Its an unexpected source of joy for crews working long hours. Carver, thank you so much he has actually been a great friend. Reporter and a comfort for those far from home. Hes just my little buddy. Reporter emt londa kirk is a mom of three sent to the fire lines. Hes a huge encouragement when you bring him on the line and people see him, theyll actually take the time to find you and say, hey, wait, is that baby yoda . I need a new picture with him. Reporter a star wars fan with the Oregon National guard, its a reason to smile. When i got baby yoda i gave him that American Flag bandana this is the baby yoda out there fighting fires and hes one of us. Reporter carvers small but significant gesture given with love now an inspiration for his heros. We definitely need more caring and loving and less hating and fighting and carvers bringing that for sure to our fires, to our community. Its nice to know that people love us. Great story our thanks to kate snow for that report yeah, you cant beat it right there. The force strong with carver and with baby yoda a force they all need. You cant help but smile when you see baby yoda. Thanks for waking up with early today. Im kathy park. And im frances rivera. Be safe out their this monday. Coming up on today, Kathie Lee Gifford is back in studio 1a to talk about her new movie and also her new book. Keep it right here more news is ahead let the battle begin today judge Amy Coney Barrett begins confirmation hearings to replace Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg on the u. S. Supreme court. I want to start with breaking news, and that is the note that you have revealed from your doctor, which says you are no longer considered a transmission risk. Does this suggest you no longer have covid, sir . Yes and not only that, it seems like immune looks like immune for, i dont know, maybe a long time or maybe a short time it could be a li