deadly tornadoes tearing through the south, leaving a trail of destruction. at least five people killed in the outbreak tearing apart entire neighborhoods in oklahoma. we're tracking where the severe weather is headed next. the world's central kitchen

resuming aid work in gaza less than one month after israel's strikes killed seven of its workers. the message from chef jose andres as ceasefire talks intensify. the chaos on campus not letting up. the heated protest at colleges across the country ending with hundreds of new arrests and the tense moments between duelling protests over israel and gaza at ucla. that buzz is growing in the south. the cicada invasion begins. trillions emerging for for the first time since the thomas jefferson administration. how residents are handling it so far. there go the suns, the timberwolves pull off the sweep as the nba play-offs heat up. we have all the action. how beer helped keep a small town alive after it smell on hard times. it is monday, april 29th. "early today" starts right now. and good morning to you. i'm richard lui. a massive tornado outbreak

devastated parts of the midwest over the weekend. at least five people, including a 4-month-old was killed and around 100 others were injured. oklahoma's governor declaring a disaster emergency for the hard hit state. here is nbc's marissa parra. >> oh my god! >> reporter: this is the moment sulphur, oklahoma, changed forever. the eerie outline of a tornado making its way through the night sky. >> the theater. there's reina's. >> reporter: decimating the buildings beneath it. >> just be advised all of downtown sulphur is destroyed. >> reporter: daylight revealing the dramatic scenes of destruction, businesses and homes downtown reduced to cinder blocks. >> we were just so scared. >> reporter: a postal truck tossed like a toy. this building standing proud for over 80 years destroyed in seconds. and a desperate search through the rubble, a woman buried under the crushing weight of the building above her. >> what i saw downtown sulphur is unbelievable. we've had four confirmed fatalities.

one was here just right here on the corner. they just removed her body. >> reporter: down the road beau thompson had to rescue his neighbors trapped in their shelter under ground. >> we opened the door. >> you had to rescue them? >> yeah, i rescued them. if they would have been in there they probably would have been trapped. they probably would have drowned. >> reporter: in marietta, oklahoma, the roof of this dollar tree facility to pieces, massive semitrailers piled on top of each other, all of it part of the massive storm system that officials say brought 120 tornado reports in two days from texas to missouri. states like nebraska slammed by tornadoes friday. but on saturday, it was oklahoma's turn. >> it's a lot to take on. >> reporter: here, the family grieves on the cinder blocks, once the foundation of their family business. what's today look like for you? >> acceptance. acceptance, just planning the next steps, i guess, you know? just trying to put together what

we can and move forward. >> reporter: moving forward as this community begins the long road to recovery. how does last night change you? >> think about life a little bit more. think about the long picture instead of right now. >> marissa is joining us now >> thanks to marissa parra for that report. we'll have more from michelle grossman in just a little bit. the war in gaza continues to shake campuses across the united states. in los angeles, protesters clashed with israel supporters over the weekend. some jewish groups have blamed antisemitism for the wave of protest, something disputed by the anti-war movement. >> this is largely run by jewish students. there are many organizations in the uc divest coalition, several of which are expressly jewish corporations there was a dinner the encampment. this is a broad diverse coalition of members of our community. >> hundreds of student

protesters were arrested nationwide over the weekend. police and faculties have been accused of a heavy-handed response to the demonstrations. the charity world central kitchen says it is resuming operations in the gaza strip four weeks after seven employees were killed in a series of army drone strikes from israel. the atrocities sent shockwaves throughout the aid community and led to a sharp rebuke of israel, even from u.s. officials. it comes as president biden speaks to israel's prime minister for the first time in two weeks. for the latest, let's go to matt bodner in london. matt, good morning to you. what's world central kitchen saying and what's the latest coming out of gaza? >> good morning. world central kitchen put out a statement yesterday say thanksgiving continue to mourn the loss of the seven colleagues killed in that strike on april 1. however, the work must resume. world largest kitchen is one of the largest ngos providing aid

to gaza. they suspended that operation following the attack. the idf has apologized for that. they said it was, quote, a grave mistake. they grappled with it, stop feeding people during one of the biggest hunger crises ever or keep going. world kitchen has put out videos of a brand-new field kitchen they are building in gaza. they're calling it damian, naming it after one of the seven who were killed in that strike. meanwhile, president biden also on sunday held a phone conversation with his counterpart in israel, prime minister benjamin netanyahu. white house readout of that conversation, of course, shows they discussed several topics related to the conflict, but one in particular standing out, this ongoing concern about a potential israeli offensive in this southern gaza city of rafa. the united states very publicly has been urging them not to do that. yet at the same time we continue

to see from the white house and from biden himself even this ongoing insistence that the ongoing support for israel remains iron-clad. a great example last week when congress passed that $26 billion aid package to israel, despite these public disagreements. richard? >> matt bodner live for us in london, thank you. protests against the war in gaza also made their way to d.c. this weekend. some demonstrators crashing the red carpet of the annual white house correspondents' dinner, one of the biggest events in the capital. inside president biden using the traditional roast to launch a barrage of jokes at his 2024 rival donald trump, including a rare swipe at his legal troubles. >> well, donald has had a few tough days lately. you might call it stormy weather. yes, age is an issue. i'm a grown man. running against a 6-year-old. >> well, donald trump reacted on social media sunday, calling the

dinner really bad. he also called out the dinner's host, saying colin jost bombed. both trump and biden are expected to be on the campaign trail at the same time later this week. as donald trump continues the jab at the current president, he seems to be making g mends with a former rifle. six sources tell nbc news trump had a private breakfast with ron desantis sunday. one described the breakfast as nice and friendly, adding that desantis plans to help raise money for trump, while sources say the meeting was mutually agreed on, and a campaign official says that desantis reached out to, quote, to bury the hatchet and discuss fundraising. ten people were shot and injured in florida early sunday. it happened at a late night private event at the cabana live venue in sanford, about 20 miles north of orlando. the suspected gunman, a minor, was subdued by a security guard and later arrested. the local sheriff's office says none of the injuries are life-threatening. an nfl player tank dell was shot

in stanford sunday, his team says, but officials are unable to confirm whether he was among the victims at this particular incident at the cabana live. the 24-year-old houston texans wide receiver suffered a minor wound, was treated at a hospital and later released, the team said in a statement. north texas is drying out this morning after intense flooding. severe storms drenching the dallas area over the weekend, spending creeks spilling above their banks and leaving drivers stranded in high waters. thankfully, there were no reports of any serious injuries there was more to come. let's get back to michelle grossman, and that is not the same system, right? >> this is not the same system. we are looking at another week of more storms. and we're look at a chance for heavy rain leading to flash flooding. a tough week, it was tough, tough weekend. we're looking at storms this morning. take a look at radar in just a minute. we have the threat for severe weather from the gulf coast. corpus christi to places in louisiana, new orleans. winds gust ing up to 60 miles pr hour. a threat along with hail and a

few tornadoes possible as well. we're really active even early this morning. normally you have that morning lull. we don't have it this morning. we have tornado watches. that is in the yellow. severe thunderstorm watches in the pink. lots of lightning this morning. you can see heavy, heavy rain falling. that's going to lead to the chance for flooding and flash flooding, especially where you see the brighter colors. the purple could bring some hail. we're going look fourth that as we go throughout this monday. again, we're looking at a chance for flooding rains. four million people impacted where. you see the red here, that is flash flood warnings. meaning flooding is ppening ha e lower mississippi valley of the gulf coast. could see some thunderstorms and even a chance for heavy rain. that's your monday forecast. >> michelle, if you. the weather was good enough

for another round of launches for spacex. the falcon 9 launching 23 starlink satellites to orbit last night. taking off from cape canaveral, about 8:30 minutes later, the first booster successfully landed on a station in atlantic. this is the 13th flight for this type of particular booster. "early today" is back in 60 seconds with the historic cicada invasion down south. and fans cry foul over new uniforms. how the company is working out this entire issue and the complaints.

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>> reporter: it's set to be the biggest invasion in hundreds of years. not millions, not billions, but likely trillions of these pesky incredibly loud cicadas. and right here in georgia, the invasion has begun. >> it is shocking to see this many. >> reporter: and they're already coming out in south carolina, where they're taking over sarah weinberg's backyard. did you think it was going to be this bad? >> no. no. i really wasn't prepared because i've never seen this before. this is my first invasion. they moved in. and they have stayed. >> reporter: stayed mostly under her gazebo, clinging on to every corner and crevice. >> they think this is a safe spot. >> reporter: it's already getting so loud in newberry county, people are calling the sheriff to complain. >> we had a leap year. we had an eclipse. now we've got cicadas everywhere. >> reporter: why so many this year? one set of cicadas comes out

every 17 years, another every 13 years. this year, there is an emergence of both broods. that hasn't happened since 1803. they're coming out from alabama to missouri, and where they may overlap the most, illinois. >> they're talk, you know, epic numbers, biblical kind of numbers of them in that area. >> so something historic potentially is brewing in the midwest. >> it definitely is historic for year. >> reporter: augusta, georgia agricultural agent campbell vaughn says cicadas are harmless but very loud. >> the males are making the noise. and it's a little bit di buzz. i wonder if you can hear that. >> reporter: so when you have the sound level meter here. let's pause and see how loud they really are. >> probably getting about 60 decibels right here. >> reporter: but at their peak, that could skyrocket to 100 decibels, about the same as a lawnmower. >> enjoy the noise. it's really a neat thing.

don't get too freaked out by them. as she gets freaked out by them. >> reporter: kathy park, nbc news -- >> not a pleasant feeling. >> reporter: augusta, georgia. adding to the news from southwest last week, american airlines now will be cutting some international flights due to boeing production delays. the airline is expected to suspend some routes to europe, including seasonal flyings between new york's jfk airport to athens and barcelona, along with flights from dallas-fort worth to dublin and rome. the changes will come later this year into early 2025. southwest makes similar changes just last week. still to come, recapping sunday's epic nba play-off action for you, and it does not take an umpire to call a strike here. mlb contemples ufoatnirm changes after widespread outcry, right after this. i saw how easily it picked up my hair every time i dried it! only takes a minute. look at that! the heavy duty cloths are extra thick, for amazing trap & lock. even for his hair.

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signature slam. >> yeah, they are still howling this morning in minnesota. just after midnight, the timberwolves becoming the first team to move to the second round of the nba play-offs, the tommy completing their sweep of kevin durant and the phoenix suns to win their first play-off berth since 2004. a wild sunday of action. james harden erupting in the final minutes of the epic duel in dallas to give l.a. the win. the series is now split at two games apiece. and jalen brunson made the wells fargo center feel like msg. the knicks star star's 47-point performance helped gain four from the 76ers. new york is one win away from bouncing joel embiid and company from the postseason. any comments? >> zero, none. we have one more game. there is still a chance, as they say. keenan and i, we.

>> the floor director, and our ultimate 76ers fan right sneer here. candace parker announced she would be hanging up her jersey after her 15-year career. the former first overall pick became the only player to win three championships with three teams, earning a ring with l.a., chicago and just last year with the las vegas aces. she has taken home two olympic medals as part of team usa. in her retirement announcement, parker cited a foot injury she received last year as part of her decision, and wrote she knows it's time for her to step away from the game. look how cute that picture. >> the year she has been playing. >> and i admire someone who probably could still play. >> yeah. >> but says now is the time. >> good for her. hat's off to what she has done. now to the mlb, looking to rectify what many consider the biggest errors of the young season. in a memo obtained by espn,the league will address the complaints issued by players and fans over their new uniforms.

the new uniforms introduced this year by fanatics and nike have drawn criticism for what is said to be see-through and sweat collecting jerseys. all right. coming up, we know cats love hiding in boxes. but being shipped in them? maybe not so prime. and drivers in washington tched a wild scene unfold over the weekend. so if you're frustrated with occasional bloating... ♪♪ [stomach noises] gas... or abdominal discomfort... help stop the frustration and start taking align every day. align probiotic was specifically designed by gastroenterologists to help relieve your occasional digestive upsets. so you can enjoy life. when you feel the signs, it's time to try align. air wick. how far would you go to set the ambience of your space? try the air wick way with air wick essential mist.

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>> reporter: in the hum of this factory in rural wisconsin lies the sound of small town's second wind. this story best told over a pint begins in 1852 with the birth of the potosi brewing company, a major employer until the 1970s when competition turned off its taps. >> almost everybody in potosi had a relative. >> yeah, and it was in existence for 120 years. >> reporter: soon potosi's population plummeted. its brewery crumbled, in the 90s going up for auction. local artist larry david bought it for $3600. >> i have a very fond memory of the forefathers that came before us. i really thought it was worth the effort and the risk. >> reporter: insurance executive dave fritz launched the potosi foundation to bring the brewery back. >> it was all about the jobs to me. >> a way of keeping a small town alive? >> yes, absolutely. >> through beer. >> yep. >> reporter: for years they fund

raised, in 2008 rebuilding the tap room. then a new factory. this facility is capable of packaging more than 80 million fans a year of potosi beer, but also more than a dozen other beverage companies from across the country. industry bus followed. potosi is now home to the national brewery museum and annual festivals. >> potosi gets 70,000 tourists a year? >> yes, yes. >> reporter: that's a lot of people. >> that's a lot of people. >>. >> reporter: how good does that beer taste after driving 100 miles? >> it tastes really great. >> reporter: the taste of a town's comeback. maggie vespa, nbc news. >> cheers. >> cheers. >> potosi, wisconsin. a world war ii and korean war veteran getting a high honor 70 years after his service. 96-year-old earl meyer was injured in korea, shrapnel from the attack still in his leg. at the time the medic who treated him said he put him in for a purple heart, given to those who greatly sacrifice

themselves, getting injured or even dying in service. that medal never came, until meyer's daughters put up a legal fight. >> a lot of rejection letters because we didn't have enough documents. >> on my record, they did have a tetanus shot. >> and that was one of the last things we found in his papers. >> well, the army says it is granting meyer a well earned purple heart in a public ceremony at a future date. thanks for starting your week with "early today." i'm richard lui. go out and have a great monday and week ahead. we'll see you back here tomorrow.

a devastating tornado outbreak tears across the south leaving at least five people dead. over 120 twisters reported over the weekend and hard-hit oklahoma the storm leveling entire