Harris defends policy stances and Russia struggles to stop Ukraine’s incurision: Morning Rundown

Vice President Kamala Harris is pressed about her policy evolutions in the first major interview of her campaign. Why Russia has not stopped Ukraine’s incursion into its territory. And the loved ones of pig organ transplant recipients share their rare experiences.

Here’s what to know today.

Takeaways from Harris-Walz first major joint interview 

Vice President Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz gave their first joint sit-down interview since Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee. 

Harris discussed her agenda for her first months in office, if elected, and spoke to a series of topics that she has so far avoided on the campaign trail. The highly anticipated interview came after pressure for Harris to answer more questions from impartial journalists and to explain where her platform differs from President Joe Biden’s.

Harris defended changing her stances on some major policy issues since she ran for president in 2019, when she sought to win over progressive Democratic primary voters by supporting a Green New Deal and opposing hydraulic fracturing. Harris told CNN’s Dana Bash that she no longer supports a ban on “fracking” and that during her time as vice president she came to believe that the U.S. can still accomplish its clean energy goals without a ban.

On those who cross the border unlawfully, she said: “I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally.” 

“The most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is that my values have not changed,” she said, adding that she continues to believe that “the climate crisis is real” and that the White House made strides to address it with the Inflation Reduction Act.

Here are five takeaways from the interview.Here are five takeaways from the interview.

More coverage: 

• Vice President Kamala Harris said she would appoint a Republican to her Cabinet if elected. 
• Here’s how Kamala Harris is preparing for her first debate against Trump. 
• Trump told NBC News’ Dasha Burns in an interview that, if he is re-elected, the government or insurance companies would cover the cost of IVF treatment for couples who need it. 
• Kamala Harris and running mate Tim Walz toured the southeastern part of Georgia, in a push to keep the highly competitive state blue in November.
• Focus group conversations with nine skeptical Latino voters illustrate how Harris has fundamentally changed the race — but not appealed to every undecided voter.

Why Putin still hasn’t driven Ukraine’s invaders out of Russia

More than three weeks since Ukraine sent troops into Russia, there’s been little sign that Ukrainian forces are about to be driven back across the border. 

Kyiv claims it controls nearly 500 square miles of Russian territory and has taken hundreds of prisoners of war. There were assumptions that Russian President Vladimir Putin would scramble the Kremlin to drive out the Ukrainians even if it meant sacrificing progress elsewhere, as he was faced with losing his own territory to the neighbor he had invaded. That hasn’t been the case.

Ukraine’s top commander, Col. Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said that the Russians have instead been reinforcing on the eastern front, and U.S. officials also say that troops haven’t moved to counter the Ukrainian forces inside Russia. There has been no public outcry at how Putin has handled the incursion, even as more than 130,000 Russians have been forced to flee from the fighting. 

“This seems to be a game of who blinks first,” a Western intelligence official, who asked to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the situation, told NBC News. “Ukrainians are taking and holding Russian land. Russians are pushing in the east. It could be a question of who withdraws their forces first.”

Read the full story here.

Families of people who died after pig organ transplants have no regrets

David Bennett Sr. had severe congestive heart failure and wasn’t a candidate for a human transplant. He knew he would likely die soon and took a chance with a cutting-edge surgery. The achievement made headlines around the world. It was the first time any living human had received a pig organ transplant. 

Two months later, Bennet Sr.’s body rejected the heart and he died at age 57. His son, David Bennett Jr., told NBC News “I would love to still have my dad here, obviously, but I know that his sacrifice wasn’t for nothing.”

Three other patients ended up following in Bennet Sr.’s footsteps and received pig organs. None of them survived more than three months, which might seem like a failure to many on the outside. But to the families, it bought their loved ones more time and helped advance research that could one day save lives. 

Some of their surviving relatives spoke with health reporter Aria Bendix, sharing their stories of grief, blind hope uncertainty — and ultimately admiration for their loved one’s decision.

Politics in Brief

 Justice Department: A new report released by the Justice Department found multiple failures in the FBI’s handling of child sex abuse cases.

Arlington incident: The Army said that a Trump aide “abruptly pushed” an Arlington National Cemetery employee who was trying to enforce restrictions on taking photos and video. 

Trump’s book: In Donald Trump’s new book set to be released Tuesday, he threatens to imprison Mark Zuckerberg and says he “got along well” with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Immigration: The Department of Homeland Security said it will resume issuing travel authorization to migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who apply to come to the United States with the help of a sponsor.

Trump on trial: Lawyers for Donald Trump argued for a second time that his criminal hush money case should be heard in federal rather than state court, in an effort to delay sentencing next month. 

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Staff Pick: Quinceañeras are evolving 

It’s been a tradition for generations: Latina quinceañeras, or sweet 15 celebrations, which symbolize a girl’s transition to womanhood. Far from going out of style, our reporter Isabel Yip finds they’re more popular than ever, and they’re evolving. These young women are swapping the more traditional parties and adapting them to the social media age — think blowout bashes with “la hora loca,” or “the crazy hour,” reggaeton instead of the court waltz, and epic destination photo shoots.

— Sandra Lilley, NBC Latino editorial director

NBC Select: Online Shopping, Simplified

 Labor Day sales have already started. NBC Select’s editors rounded up the best early deals live now. And if you want to prep to get the best discounts on Monday, here’s what the experts say to buy — and what to skip.

 Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.