President trump versus tiktok. Why hes threatening to ban the popular social media app. The concern china could use it to spy on us. Tiktok saying theres no risk. But is there a deal with the white house in the works . Wildfire explodes. The raging wildfire out of control. The battle from the ground and the air. Families evacuated. At least one home destroyed. Thousands of acres have burned. Risky return . The countdown for two astronauts on that spacex mission. The historic splashdown in the water off florida. But is t tropical stor t. As colleges move part or fully online, students and parents are asking for a break on tuition. Most arent lowering the bill, and some colleges actually charging them more. And lost and found. Long lost sisters brought together by covid. A broken arm and a lucky stint in rehab. The emotional reunion more than 50 years i and good evening. Thanks for joining us on this saturday. Im tom llamas. We begin with that tropical threat bearing down on the u. S. Tonight after churning through the caribbean as a cat1 hurricane. Tonight, isaias heading towards coronavirusravaged florida. That state now reeling from two emergencies at the same time. Isaias battering the bahamas with fierce winds today after slamming the dominican republic, killing two people there and triggering mudslides in puerto rico. A woman swept off a road thursday. Her body was found today. Hurricane hunters monitoring from the air, flying right into the eye. That clearing, you see it there. At this hour the storm is tracking towards south florida, and then its expected to move up the east coast, affecting the carolinas, virginia, and even the northeast. B no trait all ne, florida, toniorr ht, is tearing through the caribbean, killing at least three people and now taking aim at floridas east coast. Hurricane hunters flying into the eye of the storm today as it winds, toppling trees. Hundreds of thousands without power. The heavy rains flooding roads and entire neighborhoods. Late today, officials in puerto rico finding the body of a woman whose car was swept away in floodwaters. Soldiers there able to save children, carrying this 3monthold out through the muddy high water. The storm then killing two people in the dominican republic, including a 5yearold boy. Now the outer bands lashing south florida, one of the hardest hit states in the covid pandemic. And if you are ordered to evacuate, please take it seriouunty opening four shelters, but only as a last resort. In government buildings and shelters, they take your temperature. They also ask you a series of questions. Most are standard, but here they also ask you where you are, what county youre at. Make sure you got your wits about you. The months long pandem ady were, quite frankly, exhausted. Reporter North Carolina tonight declaring a state of emergency, ordering coastal evacuations, though most shelters there are closed because of covid19. All right, rob marciano joins us now from melbourne, florida. Rob, take us through the next several hours as isaias gets closer to florida. Reporter well, tom, this has been a difficult storm to forecast and plan for from the beginning, and its no different right now. It slowed down a little bit. Take a look where it is right now. As you mentioned, we saw a little bit of weakening today, but hurricane warnings remain up because its going to go over some very warm water, so the entire east coast of florida is going to be under the gun. Well take you there the track. Category1 storm north of miami tonight, then getting palm beach tomorrow, potentially making landfall early in the morning and then traversing melbourne, where i stand, the space coast, and then peeling off potentially as a Tropical Storm at that point. Obviously the intensity is hard to forecast. Charleston, myrtle beach, moorhead city. Youre in it and making runs at cape may in new jersey in the northeast as we go through tuesday and wednesday. A huge swath of real estate with rain, wind, and storm surge. Its not a strong major hurricane, but the track of this thing impacting a highly populated area. The entire east coast will feel the impacts. Tom . Tonight, florida bracing for that impact. Rob, you and your team stay safe. Now to the coronavirus pandemic and the staggering loss of life. July was particularly deadly. More than 1,000 deaths on 11 out of the 31 days last month. Tonight, nearly 154,000 lives have been lost, and the cdc now estimates that number could rise to 182,000 in the next three weeks. Take a look at the map. Deaths are rising in 35 states and puerto rico. California reporting a record 219 deaths and more than 500,000 cases. The first state to reach that mark. And florida reporting more than 9,000 new cases again today as it braces for that tropical threat. Heres abcs trevor ault. Reporter tonight, those staggering numbers in california, now the first state with 500,000 confirmed cases, the same day it recorded its highest death toll so far 219 more lives lost. If we dont get serious, ashes, ashes, we all fall down. Reporter among the 9,000 killed in the state since the pandemic began, a teenager who had Underlying Health complications. Im speechless when it comes to anything that i could say to the family. Reporter the cdc now predicting nearly 30,000 more americans could be killed in the next three weeks. 35 states and puerto rico are now battling rising daily deaths counts, including florida. Another day with more than 9,000 cases as the state braces for the incoming storm. This is the first time this county has been under two local states of emergencies that overlap at the same time. Reporter texas now passing new york in total confirmed cases. Among them, 10yearold m. J. Borsvold and three of his family members. Its a very scary virus. I liked to think that i was going to be okay, but there was another part of me that was thinking, i could die. Reporter and days after texas congressman and vocal mask critic Louis Gohmert tested positive, arizona representative Raul Grijalva now says hes contracted the virus as well. Grijalva had been in isolation after attending a hearing with gohmert on tuesday. We are at a danger point everybody. Reporter officials across the midwest now sounding the alarm. In illinois, contact tracers have linked multiple cases to a private High School Prom attended by nearly 300 people. It was not a good idea getting that many people together, not observing social distancing. Reporter and the Major League Baseball season in jeopardy. Two more st. Louis cardinals players and staff testing positive, bringing the team total to four. Todays game against the brewers cancelled. 17 games now postponed in just 10 days. And in new jersey, Governor Phil Murphy says his state is cracking down on massive parties. One held this week with 700 people. As i said, the alarms are going off. The only way to silence these alarms and get back to the process of moving forward is for everyone to take them seriously. Trevor ault joins us now from a testing site in new jersey. You mentioned the state is cracking down on the massive parties and people ignoring social distancing guidelines . Reporter yeah, tom. New jerseys rate of transmission has been rising significantly. Its now at its highest level since early april. Governor murphy says its likely theyre going to introduce restrictions mostly on indoor gathering in the next few days. Trevor ault for us tonight. Trevor, thank you. New to president trumps threat to ban tiktok, the wildly popular but chinese owned video sharing app out of fear the link to china poses a security risk. Abcs White House Correspondent rachel scott with what tiktok and its users are saying tonight. Reporter tonight tiktok is firing back after the president told reporters on air force one, were banning them from the united states. Go, go, go reporter reaching 100 million americans, tiktok is known for its short videos and viral dances. The apps stars in disbelief, like michael le, sending this message to his more than 35 million followers. Im financially supporting my family because of this. Im literally starting my career and inspiring people and changing peoples lives because of this app. Reporter concerns about security with the chineseowned app have already prompted the u. S. To ban tiktok on government phones. Would you recommend that people download that app on their phones . Only if you want their private information in the hands of the Chinese Communist party. Reporter tiktok has denied sharing user data with the chinese government. And according to a reuters report, the Chinese Company bytedance has offered to divest the u. S. Operations of tiktok to make a deal with the white house. Tonight, the apps general manager insists users shouldnt worry. And when it comes to safety and security, were building the safest app, because we know its the right thing to do. Were here for the long run and continue to share your voice here. Reporter and the president insists that he does have the authority to ban the app. He signalled he could take action as early as today, but so far, no word yet from the white house tonight, tom. Rachel, thank you. Staying in washington now to the tense negotiations on capitol hill after emergency benefits for some 30 million unemployed americans expired. Another round of meetings today, but theres still no deal and tonight we are hearing from americans in desperate need of that help. Heres abcs andrew dymburt. Reporter tonight, millions of unemployed americans anxiously waiting for congress to act on another round of coronavirus stimulus. You have an obligation to the American People to not just leave us out to dry, to fend for ourselves. Reporter both justin scirarrota and his pregnant wife were laid off, unsure how to get by without those 600 weekly federal checks. Were going to have to start choosing whats going to get paid, whats not going to get paid. Reporter democrats and Administration Officials leaving capitol hill today with no deal. There were things that we clearly agreed on today. I want to be clear theres still a lot of open issues. This is not a usual discussion. Because the urgency is so great. Millions are on the verge of eviction. Reporter lynette hale is one of them, packing up her colorado home where she ran a day care. Its the first of the month, and with no kids coming in, she cant make the rent. What are you going to do . I dont know. Reporter do you have a place to go . No. I am looking at a onebedroom apartment. But still, i have to have money to pay the rent. Reporter more congressional meetings are expected tomorrow, but even if Congress Comes to an couldons of e some time soon, americans had already been relying on. Tom . Andrew dymburt with some painful realities for so many out there. Andrew, thank you. Next, new evacuations in Southern California tonight as a wildfire burns across some 2,000 acres. The socalled apple fire breaking out yesterday afternoon, exploding overnight. Tonight, hundreds of people have been forced from their homes. Heres abcs zohreen shah. Reporter tonight hundreds of firefighters battling a massive inferno that exploded in size. In just hours, what started as as multiple small brush fires is now out of control, covering nearly 2,000 acres and growing. Helicopters and ground crews futilely trying to put out the apple fire as it tears through Cherry Valley east of los angeles. So far, zero percent contained. Rued terrain. What steep and it is hard because its all dirt roads back in there. One way in, one way out. It makes it difficult to get a large amount of equipment in. Reporter at least one home and several other structures destroyed. Tonight, a mandatory Evacuation Order in place. Hundreds of families scrambling to get out. Evacuees hoping their homes are still standing. We just got alerted that we have to evacuate. Its crazy smokey. Were trying to find a hotel right now. Called several. Theyre all booked up. Reporter tom, embers have been coming dangerously close to homes. This one burnt to the ground. 400 other homes threatened. Tom . Zohreen shah following that breaking news out of Southern California tonight. Zohreen, thank you. Next to the hunt for Service Members after the deadly training disaster off the coast of san diego. Marines and coast guard joining search for one member of the cr was killed. The marines have suspended operations of more than 800 amphibious vehicles. Now to the critical decisions for nasa and spacex as astronauts plan to leave the International Space station and splash down off the coast of florida. Once their capsule undocks from the space station, they have just 48 hours of oxygen to make it home. Is isaias throwing this plan off course . Heres gio benitez with the latest. Dragon departing. Dragon. Space x. Separation confirmed. Reporter tonight, the dragon endeavor started its long journey home. Doug and ben have on their way back to earth. Reporter undocking just moments ago. God speed, doug and bob. Reporter the Tropical Storm isaias off the coast of florida, theyre set to attempt a rare splashdown in the gulf, something that hasnt been done in 45 years, putting their faith in the forecasters. Are you at all concerned that this storm may be too close for comfort . Every six hours well get another forecast, sort of an update, so were watching those closely. Reporter bob behnken and doug hurley made history two months ago, launching from u. S. Soil for the first time aboard a commercial spaceship. Now theyll orbit the earth at more than 17,000 miles per hour. Theyll have just 48 hours worth of oxygen on board, so they must get to earth. That splashdown expected sunday afternoon, if the weather behaves. The teams are working really hard, especially with the dynamics of the weather over the next few days around florida, and we appreciate those efforts, because i know those decisions and that work isnt easy. Reporter the two men finally bringing home that nowfamous glitter dinosaur, chosen by their sons. For jack and theo, trimmer the apatasaurus is headed home soon, and hell be with your dads. Youll have to pick which one of us is your favorite. Reporter tom, because theyve already undocked there is no going back to the International Space station. Remember, they have that limited air supply. Thats why so much is riding on that forecast. Tom. All right, gio, thank you for that. Much more ahead on world news tonight this saturday. The deadly midair collision. The crash killing a state lawmaker and a group of tourists. The latest on this investigation. The tuition fight. The parents and students taking legal action as the Coronavirus Forces more colleges to go online. People used to care. Heck, theyd come all the way out here just for a blurry photo of me. Oh, thats a good one. Wait, whats that . Thats just the lowbattery warning. Oh, alright. Now its all, check out my rv, and, lets go fourwheeling. Maybe theres a little part of me that wanted to be seen. Well, progressive helps people save when they bundle their home with their outdoor vehicles. So theyve got other things to do now, bigfoot. Wait, whatd you just call me . Bigfoot . My name is daryl. Even if youre on a statin . Are you still at risk for a heart attack or stroke . 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Vascepa can reduce your risk and add cardio protection. Call your doctor about vascepa today. Back now with the battle over tuition as more universities move online over coronavirus concerns. Reporter tonight, the move to Online College study made necessary by covid19 sparking a backlash over the tuition bill. More than 1,000 petitions demand discounts for the coming school year while families are suing for refunds on fees charged this spring. We started filing these lawsuits in april. We filed additional lawsuits within the past week, and we will file more as, you know, they merit being filed. Reporter some schools are discounting. Princeton university and georgetown both normally charging normally over 50,000 are giving 10 off, but others are proceeding with planned increases, including university of michigan, syracuse and nyu. These schools also plan to offer more financial aid. Im pretty upset by everything thats happened. Reporter henry descheser decided to defer his start at the university of colorado, which did not discount out of state constitution at 36,000 a year, though reductions were given on residential and other fees. Taking classes through a screen is not my idea of college. Reporter for most colleges addressing covid continues to be a moving and costly target. Some cd scounts more easily thas now they face the possibility of even more students deferring. One estimate suggesting up to 15 of incoming students this fall may change their plans in part because the bill is too high. Tom . Thank you. When we come bark, an arrest in the mysterious murder of a professional poker player. Stay with us. Sure. Okay. Okay safe drivers save 40 guys guys check it out. Safe drivers save 40 safe drivers save 40 safe drivers save 40 thats safe drivers save 40 . It is, thats safe drivers save 40 . Hes right there. Its him hes here. Hes right here. Hi hi. Hey thats totally him. Its him thats totally the guy. 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