Im in love. Im like crying. Hoda shines a light for special kids today, wednesday, september 24th, 2014. Announcer from nbc news, this is today. With matt lauer and savannah guthrie, live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. And good morning. Welcome to today on a wednesday morning. Im matt lauer along with hoda kotb, al roker and natalie morales. I dont think were overselling to say that song well see is amazing. Im so excited. Sarah and cindy agreed to come together, mash up the two songs, their anthems, brave and true colors. Its magic. For a great cause. A terrific cause. That light comes out of your head. Whats going on there. Interesting. We will get to that. Lets start on a wednesday morning with our top story. This is an important day for president obama as he addresses the United Nations. On the heels of the first u. S. Led air strikes on isis in syria nbcs chief Foreign CorrespondentRichard Engel is in turkey. Good morning to you. Reporter good morning, matt. The u. S. Military says it is carried out at least five new strikes today against isis, one of them in syria, four in iraq, and this comes just as the president is about to make what could be his most important address of the year, addressing the u. N. General assembly, looking for more support for his strategy and for more people to join him. The u. S. Military is pushing ahead with a campaign against extremists in syria that began with dozens of tomahawk cruise missiles. And bombing raids from fighter jets and b52s. The footage of the launches impacts released by the pentagon show impressive fire power. And devastating results. Our initial indication is that these strikes were very successful. Reporter the u. S. And allies are bombing isis, the militant group that took over parts of syria and iraq and beheaded two american reporters. But washington is also attacking other groups in syria including the socalled kor 0 san group led by a national described as a confidante of the late Osama Bin Laden. The Khorasan Group was in the late stages of a plot to bomb american airliners. Were still assessing the effects of our strikes. Weve been watching this group for some time. We believe the Khorasan Group was nearing execution of an attack in europe or the homeland. Reporter washington isnt acting alone in syria. Five ally, saudi arabia, qatar, jordan and the uae joined the air war. But critics say the white houses plan isnt well thought out. And sets up a war in syria without end. A u. S. Official said the war should be viewed not in months but years. There are many critics of the u. S. Strategy, weve been speaking to them today. They say that the fundamental problem is that the United States is attacking isis and therefore helping the government of Bashar Al Assad. But at the same time is hurting the government of Bashar Al Assad by supporting rebels so the u. S. Is helping both sides in this conflict. Richard engel, thank you very much. As richard mentioned those air strikes included u. S. Action against another terror group over fears it was plotting attacks here. Pete williams has more on that part of the story. Good morning. Reporter several u. S. Officials say it was not an imminent threat in the sense of a specific attack about to happen, instead they say it was a growing worry that the terror group was at the stage where it could be ready to carry out an attack. For months the u. S. Has been nervously watching as the Khorasan Group developed a plan to smuggle explosives on planes. We were tracking it. We had intelligence suggesting they were moving far along in the plotting. Reporter the only public candidate came this summer, new security rules requiring passengers to show that carryon Electronic Devices would power on. Attention paid to lap Top Computers because of intelligence indicating the group was testing a bomb design that hid explosives in lap tops. Information about the terror group behind that concern was closely guarded. I have known about it for several months and it was top secret and classified, basically were not allowed to talk about it publicly. Reporter Officials Say they do not believe that a specific airline, flight, time or even country had been chosen. But concern about the potential threat was very real. I think its very possible they could have done this and thats why im sure the United States decided to intervene now because its much better to catch this in the planning stages. Reporter as for the terror group isis officials in many of the worlds major cities including the u. S. Now worry the groups slick propaganda could inspire a low grade attack such as another beheading. Thats an area we have to spend more time concentrating on. How do we interrupt that, find ways to keep them from spreading the hatred and the venom that they have become known for and the silence they celebrate and praise. Reporter Homeland Security and the fbi are urging local police to be vigilant for home grown attack and retaliation for the military campaign but say there is no specific threat that they know of. Matt. All right, Pete Williams in washington, thank you very much. Susan rice is president Obamas National Security adviser. Its always good to see you. Good to be with you. Lets talk about the air strikes against the Khorasan Group, 36 hours ago based on intelligence how much damage was done . We think the strikes had an important impact. Obviously this wont be the last of our efforts, but this was a first wave, well see subsequent waves. Can you quantify it . Cant exactly. We have something we call Battle Damage assessment which is a rolling assessment of the impact of our strikes, i think the first instance we feel very good about our success but well continue to take a look and do more. The leader of the group is said to be a guy who knew about the 9 11 attacks before they occurred, said to be the leader of al qaeda in iran. There is a 7 million bounty on his head. Was he killed . We cant confirm that but we have seen reports on social media to that effect, well continue to look for signs as to whether or not thats in fact the case. Is he the new Osama Bin Laden . No. He was an aide to bin laden back in the early stages of al qaeda. Hes obviously a dangerous operative but no, nothing like the cachet of bin laden. I know you are aware of the australian reports where Law Enforcement broke up a ring of isis operatives in the Country Planning to kidnap australian citizens, and behead them randomly. Do you have credible int intelligen intelligence, ambassador, that would tell that you isis operatives, isistrained operatives are currently on american soil matt, we do not have any indications at the present of active concrete plotting by isil against the United States. Homeland. So, the answer to that at this stage is no but we do know they are dangerous, have threatened americans, killed americans in the region. They threaten our interests in the region, they threaten europe and they could with time be a threat to the homeland. Think of the things were talking about with isis and the territory they have taken in iraq w the athlete airline travel, internationally with beheadings that were seeing on camera. What happened to the days when the administration was able to say it felt confident that we dealt a crippling blow to al qaeda and islamic militants . Understand what weve been saying. Weve been focused for many years as you know on al qaeda in afghanistan and pakistan. What we call al qaeda core. And that element of al qaeda which is the one that hatched the 9 11 plot and executed it has been substantially degraded and doesnt at this stage pose nearly the same threat it used to. What has happened over years is al qaeda metastasized. Imagine a cancer that had an original tumor. Elements of the cells have moved to places like the arabian peninsula, yemen, parts of africa, somalia, and what we call the sahel region mali. And we have to deal with each of these cells. Weve taken action in yemen, in somalia and as necessary in syria. The president said there will be no u. S. Come bat troops on the ground. Marten dempsey says he would recommend ground strikes if air strikes are insufficient. Has the president boxed himself in, might he have to go back on that. Its important to understand what general dempsey said and i work with him every day. He is giving the president his best advice. And what he said in fact is not that he would recommend large quantities of american Ground Forces going into combat. He has not recommended any american boots on the ground in combat. What he envisioned is potentially, he hasnt made this recommendation yet, that there could come a point where he could envision a recommendation that there be american advisers, Forward Deployed on the ground in iraq to advise and assist the iraqis as they go and take the fight on the ground to isil. He hasnt made that recommendation. What he doesnt envision, none of us think is necessary is a large Ground Combat operation of the sort we had for many years in iraq. One thing we learned its important for people to understand is that these fights have to be waged and won by local. If gains are sustained they have to do it. We spent the a lot of Time Training the Iraqi Military and some of those very people we trained took off uniforms and ran at the first sight of those isis militants. Some did. Others took back mosul dam and held editha dam. What happened in iraq is a tragedy of leadership, matt. We had a leadership that governed on a sectarian basis, that wasnt inclusive. Now we have a new government and new Prime Minister with whom the president met yesterday and will meet again today. And thats why the president waited until a new Iraqi Government was formed that was inclusive and represented all of the iraqis before we took direct action in iraq. Ambassador susan rice, great to have you here. Thank you. I know you have a busy day. Appreciate you joining us. Lets go to natalie. Thank you, matt. Good morning everyone. Police in pennsylvania say they are closing in on suspected killer eric frein. And this morning we have more on the video obtained by nbc news showing frein participating in a military reenactment a few years ago. Producers are speaking out and ron allen has more from holly, pennsylvania. Good morning. Reporter good morning to you. The producers worked with frein about four years ago and say he was much more intense and focused playing if role of make believe soldiers. My name is eric frein. The suspected police killer, after taking part in a battlefield reenactment. Its hard to call it a reenactment and a bunch of guys went out and popped off blanks. Reporter part of a documentary by two who say freins often took his roles more seriously. They worked with him at least five times 18 twoyear period. Eric and his friends took it to another level. And they were portraying special ops that went behind enemy lines and would go deep in the combat zone. Reporter now, hundreds of police are targeting several square miles of dense terrain near freins home, weapons ready. Trying to eliminate places frein could be hiding and they say, finding more evidence of his trail. Doing exercises in the woods around where eric lives is his whole life. Eric lives on the fringes of society. We would have never predicted that this would happen. Reporter they say frein was aloof, quiet, somewhat disconnected, even from the others playing soldier in the documentary. He saw himself very differently. He wasnt a part of a Bigger Community of reenactors. He was rogue. Reporter the producers say frein is not the star, he is in the background but of course he is now the sole focus of a real manhunt that police say is in fact closing in. Natalie. Ron allen in holly, pennsylvania, thank you. Violence broke out in ferguson, missouri tuesday night more than a month after the deadly shooting of unarmed dean ager michael brown. Please responded. Gun shots were heard. At least three people were arrested. Earlier tuesday a makeshift memorial for brown went up in flames. Its not clear how that started. Its not clear how that fire started. A man who killed two former u. P. S. Coworkers before killing himself is described as troubled over his work and financial situation. Birmingham, Alabama Police say 35yearold who had just been fired from his job walked into the Customers Center and started shooting. They say he shot two of his former bosses to death before turning the gun on himself. Tes nechlt ys pastor says he never suspected the problems he was having at work might turn violent. Firefighters are starting to get a better handle on that Massive Wildfire burning in Northern California. Residents of one neighborhood were allowed to return home to discover what was left behind. For some all they found was a heap of rubble while others found their home still intact. In all, 12 houses were completely destroyed in the fire, about 35 contained. And youre a golfer, youve been there before. You know the overwhelming frustration that the game can bring. The man youre about to see decided to take it out on his clubs like never before. Its epic. Take a look. One by one by one. He went through every single club in his bag. Matt lauer, does this ring a bell . No. Disposed of the ones that werent kind to him in his round. Some he broke over his knee, his tantrum playing out in front of that group of small golfers there. We all know the frustration. Its all about the club. Hey, can i play today . I say, i dont know. Ive never seen you. Mr. Roker has a check of the weather. Al . Theyll not be playing too much golf along the midatlantic and southeastern coast today. A pretty vigorous low pressure system making its way up the coast. In fact, heavy showers and thunderstorms already just making its way into norfolk. We are looking at heavier rain and showers pushing on through there. In fact, wilmington, you have the rain. Its raining in norfolk. It will continue as this low pressure system makes its way up the coast. It will bring heavy rain, strong winds, possibility of flooding. We already have flood watches in effect for washington and baltimore. Gales from North Carolina into new jersey. Minor coastal flooding and a decent amount of rain. Some areas picking up to three inches right along the North Carolina coast. But upwards of four to six inches possible as we get on into the early evening hours. Well get to your local forecast coming up in the next 30 seconds. [thinking] is it tha . The son picks up the check . [thinking] im still working. Hes retired. I hope hes saving. I hope he saved enough. Who matters most to you says the most about you. At massmutual were owned by our policyowners, and they matter most to us. Whether youre just starting your 401 k or you are ready for retirement, well help you get there. Good morning to you. 7 17 now. Meteorologist christina loren. Hard to believe theres a cold front slated to bring us generous rainfall totals on the way with temperatures like this to kick off the day. Mid60s, its really mild out there. Were going to stay mild before the rain arrives. 81 for the south bay. 70s everywhere else. As we head throughout tonight, the front moves in. The bulk of the moisture slated to come through. While were sleeping for the most part but it will impact your morning drive. All of this moves out as we head throughout tomorrow afternoon. Could be measuring an inch in the north. Weather. All right, al. Thank you so much. So, how much soda are you drink in in an effort to cut calories consumed by sugary beverages, a former president is now teaming up with three of the countrys leading Soda Companies. Stephanie gosk is here with more. Good morning, steph. Reporter good morning, hoda. Sudden public admission that sugary drinks arent that great for you or a savvy business move to keep in step with demand . Either way, the three largest Soda Companies say they will help americans reign in that soda habit. A carbonation nation, soda is no further than an arms length away. The big three, coke, pepsi and dr. Pepper, have signed on to help americans actually drink less of their signature products. An announcement made at the clinton global initiative. Today, we announce a profoundly important commitment to combat the obesity epidemic. Reporter the promise . Help americans reduce their calorie intake from drinks by 20 in the next decade by focusing on smaller sizes and low calorie drinks. If we can get together and cut down access to the number one source of added sugars in this country, sugary drinks and sodas, then weve made a giant leap. Reporter the recommended daily allowance of sugar is six teaspoons. Thats one box of apple juice or half a can of most sodas. Right now the average american consumes roughly 40 teaspoons a day. Its going to take a sort amount of education to bring everybody into the realization that sugar is a drug. It is addictive. Reporter former mayor Mike Bloomberg tried to tackle the issue in new york city by restricting serving sizes to 16 ounces. The courts shot down the effort while bloomberg was criticized for running a nanny state. Still, the message may have resonated with consumers and companies. We are all about listening to the consumer. This agreement is much, much more than that. We would not have this kind of calorie reduction in the next ten years without this commitment and coming together. Reporter as pepsi, coke and dr. Pepper are now hoping to hop on the healthy band wagon. This week, the Beverage Association is starting an education campaign, targeting teens calle