August 12, 2025

At least three people, including a child, were killed when a gunman opened fire in the parking lot of a Target store in Austin, Texas, on Monday. Initially, the suspected shooter was able to escape by stealing a car from the lot, crashed that vehicle and stole another before authorities were able to tase him and take him into custody. NBC's Priscilla Thompson reports for TODAY. An investigation is underway to determine what caused a massive blast at the U.S. Steel plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, that left two people dead and at least 10 injured. Authorities say the factory is now stable and secure but the full extent of the damage is unknown and are encouraging everyone within one mile of the plant to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed. NBC's Adrienne Broaddus reports for TODAY. Hundreds of National Guard troops are expected to begin deployment on the streets of Washington, D.C., on orders from President Donald Trump. The rollout is part of the president's unprecedented push to combat crime but with DC statistics showing violent crime has fallen in the last two years, some are calling it a distraction. "This looks to me like an emergency which is manufactured because of a public relations crisis related to the Epstein files," said Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland. NBC's Garrett Haake reports for TODAY. Suffocating heat is still hanging over a large section of the country with soaring temperatures in the Northeast, Southwest and in between. The weather challenges are also extending violent storms in South Carolina and Wisconsin, while air quality advisories are in effect in parts of New York City and the region. NBC's Sam Brock reports and TODAY's Al Roker tracks the latest forecast.