Vice President Joe Biden assailed Donald Trump's ability to lead America at home and abroad on Monday, branding him as indifferent to the needs of Americans in his first campaign appearance with Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. 

Biden, who decided not to make a third presidential bid last year, said in his native city of Scranton that Trump was "totally, thoroughly unqualified" to be president, calling him a dangerous voice on national security and foreign policy. 

On the economy, he said, Trump's reveling in his TV reality show tag-line, "You're fired," showed his true colors. 

"He's trying to tell us he cares about the middle class? Give me a break. It's such a bunch of malarkey," Biden told a crowd of about 3,000 at Riverfront Sports, adding: "He doesn't have a clue." 

Pennsylvania has not supported a Republican in a presidential election since 1988, but is among the most-contested battleground states between Clinton and Trump, who are both vying for white working-class voters here. 

Even as polls show her leading Trump, Clinton has faced lingering questions about her trustworthiness in the fallout of her use of a private email server as secretary of state and over her family's sprawling foundation. She has tried to make the case that working-class voters would fare better under her economic policies than Trump's and that her opponent would inject danger into an already unstable world. 

Offering himself as a powerful character witness for Clinton, Biden portrayed the former secretary of state as the most qualified person to lead the country, singling out her foreign policy experience and passion for improving people's lives. He cited his long history with Clinton, saying he's known her for three decades, since before she was first lady in the 1990s. 

And he cited Clinton's gender as a powerful asset, saying electing the first female president would change the lives of American women and girls. 

"Hillary Clinton is going to write the next chapter in American history," he said. 

Introducing Biden, Clinton sought to sow doubts about Trump's ability to bring jobs back to blue-collar communities like Scranton, where Biden lived for the first decade of his life before moving to Delaware. 

She acknowledged that many people in the audience might have friends considering voting for the Republican, but offered this advice: "Friends should not let friends vote for Trump." 

Clinton and Biden spoke ahead of Trump's national security address in Ohio, questioning the business mogul's ability to represent the nation overseas. 

In his speech, Trump accused Clinton of pushing policies that have opened the United States to foreign terrorists. 

"Hillary Clinton wants to be America's Angela Merkel," he said, arguing that Germany's immigration policy has weakened that country's national security. 

Clinton said Trump had been "all over the place" on foreign policy and had suggested sending in ground troops to fight the Islamic State group. "That is off the table as far as I'm concerned," she said. 

Biden warned that Trump was unprepared to oversee nuclear codes and cited Trump's praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. 

If Trump likes them, "He would have loved" Joseph Stalin, leader of the Soviet Union until his death in 1953. Scholars estimate that under Stalin, more than 1 million people were executed in political purges and millions more died as a result of harsh labor and cruel treatment in the vast gulag prison camp system.

Seeking a common bond, both Democrats pointed back to their family ties in northeastern Pennsylvania. Biden, a frequent visitor, recalled the street he grew up on and credited the city with helping to mold his values. Clinton noted her grandfather worked at a Scranton lace mill factory and that her father was raised here and later attended Penn State University. The family spent summers at a family cabin in nearby Lake Winola, she said. 

Biden and Clinton had been planned to campaign together here before last month's Democratic National Convention but their rally was postponed because of the deadly police shooting in Dallas. The vice president is expected to campaign for Clinton in several battleground states where he remains popular, including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio and Florida. 

An elderly woman died from her injuries after she was struck by a vehicle in Center City Monday afternoon.

The 78-year-old woman was walking on 15th and Locust streets at 2:27 p.m. when she was struck by a vehicle. The woman was taken to Jefferson Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 2:57 p.m.

The driver remained at the scene and no charges have been filed.

A fourth person in Philadelphia in a span of three days died due to heat-related complications, authorities said Monday.

A 72-year-old West Philadelphia man who suffered from pre-existing conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity became the heat's fourth victim since the weekend in the city, according to a Health Department officials.

A 59-year-old North Philadelphia man died on Sunday of heat-related complications, officials said. The man also suffered from diabetes and congestive heart failure, they said.

The heat took hold in the region Wednesday, sending temperatures soaring into the 90s and heat indices into the 100s. Two women in Philadelphia died of heat-related issues on Saturday, authorities said.

One of Saturday's heat fatalities was a 67-year-old Port Richmond woman who also suffered diabetes and congestive heart failure, officials said. The other was an 82-year-old North Philadelphia woman who suffered from heart disease and high cholesterol.

NBC10's First Alert Weather team predicts the heat wave will last through the next few days, with temperatures projected to stay in the 90s most of the week.

The most recent death brings the total of heat-related deaths in the city to eight for the year.

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging Heatline is open. The heatline can be reached at 215-765-9040. Click here for tips on staying cool during dangerous heat.

Since at least 2013, Philadelphia school superintendent William Hite told state officials his schools were conducting fire drills as required by law.  However, an NBC10 investigation using the district’s own fire drill logs shows only 15 percent of Philadelphia public schools performed enough fire drills to comply with the fire code.

The NBC10 investigators also found state officials at the Department of Education did not audit the district’s certifications to ensure accuracy.

“I called the Department of Education myself to report that I had been sending them information about being in compliance when we clearly were not,” Hite told the NBC10 Investigators.  “I have certified that we’re in compliance when we’re clearly not in compliance.”

Hite credited an NBC10 investigation which first revealed schools failing to follow the fire code for discovering the error.

“After your report, obviously we were not in compliance,” he said.

The district’s signed certifications represent the third time the NBC10 Investigators discovered a government agency failed to see the School District of Philadelphia’s failure to follow fire code.

The district’s own records reveal some schools recorded fire drills on weekends and holidays when school wasn’t in session.

City building inspections show inspectors passed schools needing, “additional emergency evacuation drills.”

State law requires the Department of Education to collect the certifications but not to make sure they are accurate.

“I think it’s because the Department of Education is vastly underfunded and understaffed,” state representative James Roebuck said.  “I certainly am going to talk to the secretary and to the department and see if they can get a higher level of urgency.”

Roebuck represents West Philadelphia and is the minority chairman of the House Education Committee.

Pennsylvania Education Secretary Pedro Rivera refused to talk about his department’s emergency drill oversight.

“The Department relies on schools to submit accurate information in a timely manner and is continuing to monitor the situation,” a statement provided by the department read. “Because we understand that local law enforcement may have been contacted, it would be inappropriate for the Department to comment further.”

A Department of Education spokesperson said the department believes it would be an issue for the Attorney General and Philadelphia District Attorney to investigate.  According to state law it is a misdemeanor offense to falsely certify safety drills.

The Philadelphia District Attorney’s office would not confirm whether or not it is looking into the matter.

Superintendent Hite said law enforcement hasn’t contacted the school district.

Pennsylvania’s Auditor General said he is now investigating the accuracy of school safety certifications statewide.

“There are so many potential checkpoints on this that should have caught this that didn’t and it’s got to be fixed,” state Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said. “The fact that they’re not doing it, that’s a major problem and it risks the health and safety of the kids and staff in the district.”

Superintendent Hite said he relies on his staff to verify the sometimes hundreds of documents that cross his desk in a given day.  He said that includes the person who was supposed to check the fire drill logs.

“They’re no longer with the district,” Hite said.

The School District of Philadelphia plans to change its fire drill procedure for the upcoming school year.  The School Reform Commission is set to vote on the plan before September 1.

Philadelphia Fire Drills By the Numbers:

• 10 - The number of fire drills schools are supposed to perform according to law

• 15 - The percentage of schools that follow fire the law

• 3 - The number of government agencies who failed to act

RECORD SET LAST WEEK

Since the ocean warms more slowly than the land, the highest water temperatures occur, on average, in late August. Last Wednesday, the Atlantic City ocean temperature reached 83.3 degrees for a short time -- a record. The man with the data is Jim Eberwine, a meteorologist formerly with the National Weather Service. He’s kept detailed air and water temperatures for the Jersey Shore for decades.

Here is Jim’s chart for water temperatures in various parts of New Jersey (top) and Delaware/NJ (below):[[390226531,C,600,440]],[[390226691,C,600,396]]

AND THEN THE DROP…

Last Wednesday was the first day in our most extreme heat wave of the year. By the weekend, air temperatures reached well into the 90s, and the humidity jumped to its’ highest level of the summer so far. Yet the ocean temperature plunged. It fell from that 83.3 Wednesday to 64 Sunday. I warned viewers about the coming drop Wednesday. So, why did it happen, and how did I know that it would drop so much?

It’s called "upwelling”, and it happens occasionally in summer under certain conditions. At the Jersey Shore, it involves a persistent wind from the Southwest. While that wind direction heats up inland areas, it is parallel to the shore. That causes the warm surface water to get pushed out to sea. And to replace it, colder water from below moves up to the surface. Here’s a graphic and explanation from NOAA.[[390226841,C,600,235]]

I’ve seen ocean temperatures drop into the 50s in the middle of summer on some of the hottest afternoons on land. It happens every year, and there’s nothing unusual about it.

WILL THE WATER GET WARM AGAIN?

In a word: yes. A persistent wind from the East or Southeast will allow some of that warmer water to return. But it may not get back to the record 83.3 degrees, or maybe not even 80. That’s a temperature uncommon for the Jersey Shore, but a bit more common for the Delaware beaches.

Glenn "Hurricane" Schwartz
Chief Meteorologist, NBC10 Philadelphia

From Penn State University to Rio, shot put competitor and Team USA member Darrell Hill is ready to shine as he competes for gold in the 2016 Olympic Games. The Delaware County athlete is preparing to compete on Thursday and is looking forward to sharing the excitement with his father, who is making it to Rio after a chance encounter.

“Ever since I was a little kid, my dad has been talking to me and helping me develop as a man,” Hill said. “This is kind of my thank you to him… to give this back and show him that all the hard work and conversation that he put into me didn’t go in the wrong direction.”

Darrell began his track and field career at Penn Wood High School in Yeadon before graduating from Penn State University, the same college fellow Olympic shot putter Joe Kocacs attended. 

Hill says his father, Ellis, has been there for him as a mental guide of sorts—helping to keep him grounded when things were not always going positively. Originally, sharing the Rio experience with his father was not a possibility, but he knew his family would be cheering him on from home.

That all changed when Ellis met Liz Willock, whom he picked up while driving for Uber. The pair began making small talk during the trip about the Olympics, and Ellis mentioned his son was competing.

"She said 'Are you going to go?' I said, 'I can't afford to go over there,'" explained Ellis, recounting the ride. "I said, 'I'd like to go, but I really can't afford to go.'"

Willock was having none of it-- so she told Ellis if he wanted to go, she could help him get to Rio.

Fund raising began on GoFundMe and Darrell could not believe the amount of people who were so willing to help. 

Thanks to over 150 contributors, Darrell's father is now headed to Rio. For Darrell, having his father watch him compete will allow him to see all of the hard work he has been putting in for years.

"Being able to share my first experience [at the Olympics] with my dad means the world to me," Darrell said.  

The Olympic run for New Jersey teen sensation Sydney McLaughlin continues.

• WATCH: High Schooler Sydney McLaughlin Makes Her Olympic Debut

The 17-year-old Dunnellen, New Jersey native moved on to the semifinals in the 400-meter hurdles Monday night with a time of 56.32. She will compete in the semifinals Tuesday. McLaughlin is the youngest American to compete in Track & Field since 1972. She set the junior world record in the 400-meter hurdles at the 2016 Olympic trials.

Jeff Porter of Sommerset, New Jersey also advanced to the semifinals of the Men’s 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.50. Ronnie Ash of Passaic, New Jersey also advanced in the 110m with a time of 13.31.

From a New Jersey teen's return to the ring to South Jersey runners hitting the track in search of hurdles gold to USA women's basketball looking to continue their dominance, here's what to watch in Rio Tuesday.

DON'T MISS THE ACTION: For a complete rundown of all the day's events in Rio, visit the streaming schedule page for NBCOlympics.com. Watch every event of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games live there, on the NBC Sports App and connected set-top boxes and catch the highlights in primetime on NBC.

New Jersey Teen Shakur Stevenson Steps Back in the Ring

Nineteen-year-old Newark, New Jersey, native Shakur Stevenson cruised to a unanimous decision in his first Olympic bout against Brazilian fighter Robenilson de Jesus. Now, he’ll look to clinch a medal in the quarterfinal bantamweight match against Tsendbaatar Erdenebat from Mongolia.

If Stevenson wins, he’ll advance to the semifinals and be guaranteed at least bronze. In boxing, there is no third-place match — both semifinal losers win a bronze medal.

The U.S. only qualified in six of 10 weight divisions for the Olympic Games and has not produced a men’s Olympic champion since 2004.

How to Watch: Catch Stevenson’s bout LIVE online at 10:45 a.m.

Couple Jersey Guys Look to Hurdle to Gold

New Jersey guys Jeff Porter and Ronnie Ash hope to hurdle to gold on the Rio track Tuesday.

Both men got past their opening heats Monday night in the 110-meter hurdles.  Ash tied for second-best qualifying time with a 13.31 while Porter finished the race in 13.50.

Both men eye even better times early Tuesday evening as they look to earn spots in the final alter in the night.

Philadelphia’s Nia Ali (Women’s 100-Meter Hurdles) and New Jersey Sydney McLaughlin (Women’s 400-Meter Hurdles) both also hit the track Tuesday eyeing spots in their respective finals.

How to Watch: The semifinals for the 110-meter hurdles begin around 7:40 p.m. and can be streamed LIVE online. Watch NBC10 primetime for the final.

Team USA Women’s Basketball Faces Japan In Quarterfinal Match

After trouncing China 105-62 to close out pool play, Team USA enters the knockout round against fourth-seeded Japan.

With its victory on Sunday, the U.S. has won 46 straight games in Olympic play and moves to 62-3 all-time. The Americans' last loss was in 1992. The U.S. has score more than 100 points in four of its five games.

We will have to see how much Elena Delle Donne plays after the Delaware star sat out last game following an injury during warmups.

How to Watch: Catch LIVE coverage of Team USA online at 5:45 p.m. on your phone, tablet or computer, or on NBC Sports Network.

Bucks County Cyclist Zooms Around Track

Matt Baranoski isn't letting anything keep him from pedaling for gold in Rio.

The Bucks County native has been cycling since he was little. In 2012, he shattered his collarbone after a crash. Twenty-one days later, he won a national competition in the high-speed sport of track cycling.

"It was just something I wanted to do," he said nonchalantly. "The motivation was to come back as soon as possible and win nationals."

The Penn State student even trails a motorcycle while training. On Tuesday morning, Baranoski hopes to trail no one as he takes part in the Men's Kierin with his sights on the evening final.

How to Watch: Catch him ride LIVE on your phone, tablet or computer around 9:30 a.m.

Women's Volleyball Starts Golden Journey

Penn State alums Alisha Glass and Christa Harmotto Dietzen have their sights set on gold in Rio. The volleyball players and their Team USA teammates take on Japan in quarterfinal action Tuesday afternoon.

The women took home silver in London. On her own website, Dietzen says, "when I realized we'd get silver, my heart immediately switched to pursuing gold for another four years."

To get closer to gold, the Americans – undefeated in preliminary play – must first dispatch Japan Tuesday afternoon.

How to Watch: Catch the game LIVE online at 1 p.m. on your phone, tablet or computer, or on NBC10.

Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams has belatedly reported receiving $160,000 in gifts from friends, including $45,000 worth of roof repairs and other home improvements. 

The Philadelphia Inquirer first reported Tuesday the Democrat omitted the gifts on annual statements of financial interest he filed from 2010 to 2015. 

Williams issued a statement through his 2017 re-election campaign citing "the need for greater transparency." 

"I believe that it is very important to provide the citizens of Philadelphia with a greater foundation of trust in their elected officials," the statement read, adding that the filings included gifts from "close friends and family members, along with other forms of support from public and professional organizations to attend professional conferences and events." 

In the statement, Williams said the disclosure was meant to "meet or exceed" the state requirements. 

Williams declined an interview request from The Associated Press to discuss the matter through a campaign spokesman on Tuesday. His attorney, Samuel Stretton, called the omissions a "terrible mistake."

Stretton is trying to negotiate penalties with the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission and the Philadelphia Board of Ethics. He said Williams "wasn't paying attention" to reporting responsibilities and wrongly thought some gifts from close friends didn't need to be reported. 

Last fall, The Inquirer reported the FBI and IRS were examining Williams' personal and political finances. Stretton said the amended report filing would help him in such an inquiry, though Stretton is not representing Williams in his federal matters. 

The gifts also include nearly $21,000 in free airfare for vacations, $10,000 in travel expenses for a fellowship program in Australia and South Africa and sideline passes for Philadelphia Eagles games from 2011 to 2015. 

Williams, elected Philadelphia's first black district attorney in 2009, joined the office in 1992 and is seeking a third term next year. He was appointed inspector general in 2005 and was responsible for overseeing investigations into corruption, fraud, waste, abuse and employee misconduct among city employees and contractors.

Philadelphia mother Nia Ali began her quest for gold in Rio in style Tuesday morning, winning her heat in the 100-meter hurdles.

Ali, a West Philly Catholic grad, won her heat with a time of 12.76 -- sixth best in the qualifying heats.

"I really couldn't wait for it," Ali told NBC Sports after her run. "I'm just happy to get the first round out of the way."

Her mother Melita Johnson and son Titus watched from the stands during Ali's first run.

Ali should be one of the top runners, along with fellow Americans Kristi Castlin and Brianna Rollins, in Wednesday night's semifinals.

Manalapan Township's Robbie Andrews also advanced Tuesday morning in the Men's 1,500-Meters with a time of 3:46.97. The semifinals are set for Thursday night.

New Jersey hurdlers Ronnie Ash and Jeff Porter ran in the Men's 110-meter hurdles Tuesday night -- Ash even advanced to the final with a time of 13.36 -- and New Jersey teen Sydney McLaughlin failed to make the final in the Women's 400-meter hurdles.

Hillary Clinton spoke at West Philadelphia High School this afternoon to promote a voter registration effort in the city over the next three months, and then the Democratic nominee for president will do some canvassing in the surrounding neighborhood.

The former secretary of state arrived at the school at 49th and Chestnut streets shortly after 1 p.m. Doors to the public opened at 11:15 a.m.

Pennsylvania is among the key swing states in the election between Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump.

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According to a press release from Clinton's Pennsylvania office prior to the event:

"Clinton will discuss her belief that we are stronger together, with an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top. She will also urge Pennsylvanians to register ahead of the October 11 deadline, as well as organize voters in their communities ahead of November's election, before kicking off a post-event canvass in West Philadelphia. The event on Tuesday is a part of Clinton's nationwide effort to register and commit to vote three million Americans this November."

Her arrival signals the beginning of a three-month effort by Democrats to register voters ahead of the Nov. 8 general election, according to Clinton's campaign.

[[390331021, C]]

Election Day is 84 days away.

In addition to registering new voters, nine offices across Pennsylvania will also "further engage supporters and expand its voter turnout efforts," the presidential campaign's state operation said in a release.

Here are the locations of the nine offices and when they were opened or will be opened this week:

Lower Bucks Coordinated Office Opening with Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia and State Rep. Steve Santarsiero
WHEN: Monday, August 15 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 245 Mill St Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007

Johnstown Coordinated Office Opening - Cambria County Democratic Chair Frank Frantuzzo, Democratic Nominee for the 12 Congressional District Erin McClelland, and Cambria County Controller Ed Cernic, Jr.
WHEN: Monday, August 15 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 345 Main St Johnstown, Pennsylvania 15901

Pittsburgh Strip District Coordinated Office Opening with Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14), State Senator Wayne Fontana, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, PA Attorney General Candidate Josh Shapiro, and Allegheny Democratic Committee Chairwoman Nancy Patton-Mills
WHEN: Monday, August 15 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 108 19th St Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222

West Philadelphia Coordinated Office Opening with Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell
WHEN: Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 533 S 52nd St Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143

Harrisburg Democratic National Committee HQ Office Opening with Pennsylvania State Senator Rob Teplitz
WHEN: Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 1701 N 3rd St Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17102

Reading Coordinated Office Opening with County Party Chair Kevin Boughter
WHEN: Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 400 Washington St Reading, Pennsylvania 19601

West Mifflin Coordinated Office Opening with State Senator Jay Costa, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, and Allegheny County Democratic Vice Chair Austin Davis
WHEN: Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 1812 Homeville Rd West Mifflin, Pennsylvania 15122

Williamsport Coordinated Office Opening
WHEN: Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 25 W 3rd St Williamsport, Pennsylvania 17701

Stroudsburg Coordinated Office Opening
WHEN: Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 515 Main St Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania 18360

Hazleton Coordinated Office Opening
WHEN: Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30 PM
WHERE: 270 W Broad St Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201

Shake Shack is going to be giving away burgers tomorrow.

The restaurant chain said that the first 100 customers at each of its locations on Tuesday will get a free ShackBurger in honor of the opening of its 100th location at the Boston Seaport.

"We're overwhelmed by the love and enthusiasm from our fans around the world, and this moment wouldn't be possible without them," said CEO Randy Garutti. "Here’s to bringing more Shacks to local communities around the world!"

Each Shake Shack location will begin serving burgers at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday to celebrate the occasion. Shake Shack said that locations inside ballparks and stadiums will not be participating in the giveaway.

Shake Shack opened its first location in Manhattan's Madison Square in 2004 and has grown to be a fairly major burger chain, with dozens of locations throughout the tri-state. There are also several locations in Europe and Asia. 

Go to Shack Shack's site for a full list of locations.

A mystery hoverboarder took a ride Monday evening on the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike during standstill traffic.

A serious crash south of the highway's intersection with Route 22 near the Poconos caused a nearly two-hour shutdown of the the road, according to Rebecca Lopez, who was stuck in the jam during rush hour.

"We were sitting there for over two hours. People were getting out of their cars to stretch, just walking up and down the road," Lopez, of Tannersville, said Tuesday. "I've been stuck in traffic. Normally, it's not so long so people can get out of their cars and take a stroll down the highway."

A stroll is one thing, but then there is the guy Lopez video'd hoverboarding between two lanes. Below is her post to Instagram. It's not exactly as cool as roaring down Route 66 on a Harley, but it's amusing.