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NBC isn't taking any chances after the frightening security breach at the "TODAY" show ... 'cause TMZ has learned security outside Studio 1A has been significantly increased ... and sources tell us the changes are here to stay.

TMZ has obtained video showing a noticeably heavier security presence outside the "TODAY" plaza and studio entrance Friday morning. In addition to the usual staffing, multiple private NBC security guards and NYPD officers were stationed around the area.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the heightened security measures are permanent, with the network determined to prevent any copycat incidents following Thursday's shocking security breach.

TMZ broke the story ... Andrew Truelove allegedly slipped past security after entering through the "TODAY" plaza, made his way into a restricted backstage area, then allegedly confronted Craig Melvin, lunging at the anchor while allegedly yelling the N-word.

As TMZ first reported, Melvin and Al Roker have also been granted court-ordered protection against alleged intruder Andrew Truelove. His attorney, Lawrence Gerzog, told TMZ a judge ordered Truelove to stay away from both hosts.

Law enforcement sources told TMZ ... Truelove is prohibited from going near Craig and Al at NBC or at their homes. For now, he's being held at Rikers Island on $20K bail while facing multiple hate crime charges.

"TODAY" anchor Craig Melvin doesn't seem too rattled by Thursday's terrifying encounter with a studio intruder ... and while he says it's part of the "wacky" world we live in, he says he feels safe.

We got Craig as he was leaving 30 Rockefeller Plaza on Friday morning ... and he was cool as a cucumber as our photog asked about what happened when a man slipped past security and allegedly lunged at him and hurled a racial slur.

Craig tells us why the incident doesn't have him feeling unsafe ... chalking it up to "a lot of wacky out there."

Seems Craig's chilled out on this since Thursday's incident ... when he apparently told cops the intruder made him fear for his safety.

Craig Melvin and Al Roker are not taking any chances after Thursday's alarming incident at the "Today" show studio ... because they're getting court-ordered protection against alleged intruder Andrew Truelove ... TMZ has learned.

Truelove's attorney, Lawrence Gerzog, tells TMZ ... the judge issued a protective order requiring Truelove to stay away from Al and Craig.

TMZ broke the story ... Truelove was asking for Al after somehow slipping past security, and when he couldn't find Al, he turned his attention to Craig, confronting him in a restricted area and allegedly lunging at him while yelling the n-word.

Desiigner assaulted his baby mama while she held their child, smashed both of her phones with a hammer and beat down a neighbor's car before his domestic violence arrest ... at least that's what the alleged victim told cops.

According to the police report, obtained by TMZ, the woman told them she and the rapper began arguing after he removed TVs from the walls inside their shared residence. She says he got physical and smashed her two phones with a hammer so she could not call 911.

The woman told cops she sprinted outside with their child and began yelling for help. She originally tried to seek shelter at a neighbor's home, but the neighbor wasn't there. She then went to a different neighbor's home before Desiigner chased her down in a yard and threw her to the ground, ripping her designer handbag from her before throwing the purse.

Will Smith could get roped into the ongoing legal battle between his former friend and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith ... at least if the former friend gets his way ... TMZ has learned.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Will's ex-friend, Bilaal Salaam, is making moves to depose Will as part of his lawsuit against Jada.

On July 7, Bilaal wrote an email to Jada's lawyer with his request to depose Will ... but Jada's team fired back, "As for your proposed deposition of Will Smith, there is nothing to meet and confer about."

Dominick Cruz, newly minted UFC Hall of Famer, is sending a powerful message to Conor McGregor as the MMA superstar deals with the fallout from the devastating injury ... and it's not the usual BS "get well soon" pep talk.

Cruz, the former bantamweight champ, who himself suffered multiple serious injuries as he attempted to return to his championship form, spent a few minutes chatting with TMZ Sports ... and he put things into perspective for The Notorious.

"I think that at the end, he's going to learn that this happened for him, not to him. And it's going to make him a better man if he chooses the direction that God wants him to," Dom told us.

Andrew Gillum claims he tested negative for drugs ... weeks after being busted for meth ... TMZ has learned.

According to court docs obtained by TMZ, the ex-Florida governor nominee signed up a drug testing program, took the tests, and the results came back clean today.

In the docs, Gillum asked for a hearing to be set once a decision's been made about whether or not he needs to do a court-approved drug treatment program. The court granted his request and scheduled his hearing for next month.

Ariana Grande's putting her rekindled romance with Ricky Alvarez on display as they stroll through Central Park with their arms wrapped around each other.

TMZ obtained photos from Thursday that show the pint-sized pop star and her former backup dancer cheesin' in NYC.

Ricky's arm is draped over Ari's shoulder and hers is around his waist, while she walks a dog that looks like it could be her pup, Toulouse.

Armando Niedermeier-Rubio's immigration attorney is making a public plea to the Department of Homeland Security and other U.S. officials ... asking for emergency help so the '90 Day Fiancé' star can reunite with his husband and daughter during a devastating family medical crisis.

Kelsey Zubkoff tells TMZ ... Armando is urgently seeking assistance so he can be reunited with his U.S. citizen spouse, Kenny Niedermeier, and his lawful permanent resident daughter, Hannah, who is receiving critical care in the ICU at a Phoenix hospital.

According to the attorney, Armando is pursuing the lawful spousal visa process and is asking the Department of Homeland Security, the appropriate U.S. Embassy or consulate, or any other agency able to expedite review of his pending case. While that request is under consideration, they're also asking whether emergency humanitarian parole or other lawful temporary relief may be available given the extraordinary medical circumstances.

Martha Stewart isn’t worried about her longtime makeup artist Daisy Toye potentially ditching her for 15 minutes of fame.

The legendary businesswoman spoke to TMZ about Daisy, who had worked with Martha for 2 decades, joining "The Real Housewives of New York" for its upcoming season.

Sources close to 'RHONY' previously told TMZ ... Daisy made it clear during production she was hoping to use the reality show to become famous … which would mean she would no longer work for Martha. 

Desiigner is back behind bars in South Carolina ... the rapper has been arrested again on a domestic violence charge ... TMZ has learned.

According to jail records obtained by TMZ, the "Panda" rapper was booked Tuesday afternoon and remains in custody.

He's facing one count of second-degree domestic violence, along with three counts of malicious injury to animals or personal property involving alleged damage valued between $2K and $10K.

Matt Brown -- the "Alaskan Buch People" star -- was cremated, not buried, after he died by suicide ... TMZ has learned.

According to his death certificate, Matt's ashes were given to the Okanogan County Crematory on June 24.

As you know ... Matt died on May 27 -- and the Okanogan County Coroner later determined he died by suicide via a single gunshot wound to the head. He was found in the fast-moving river by a private search party.

"Dancing with the Stars" pro Gleb Savchenko believes his ex-wife is trying to alienate him from their children and replace him as their father figure ... with her fiancé!

Gleb's currently fighting for emergency custody, and in his declaration he says Elena Samodanova's using Instagram to cut him out of his daughters' lives.

Gleb alleges his daughter, Zlata, had an Instagram handle that included his last name ... but he alleges Elena changed it to drop his name.

A DoorDash driver whose delivery took a terrifying turn says one customer's generosity has helped ease the pain ... after a video of her being struck by a vehicle went viral across social media.

The Houston driver -- Miracle Herron -- told us she was in the middle of completing her first delivery of the day when she was hit by a car involved in a police pursuit. The footage quickly went viral, drawing concern from viewers who were stunned she managed to get back up and complete the delivery after impact.

In the aftermath, Miracle tells us the customer who received the order reached out in a big way ... sending her a hefty tip after seeing the viral clip and realizing it was from their order.

Jeff Franklin, the creator of "Full House," is trying to get his house full again ... because he is putting his gorgeous Beverly Hills home up on the market once again!

The mega mansion is now listed at $45M ... with a 21,000-square-foot plot which Jeff has been trying to sell for years ... most recently listing it last year for just under $50M.

Why famous celebs haven't been biting ... we had been told previously from real estate sources that every time he puts it on the market, he gets calls from people who want to rent the property instead of buy it.

Layla Taylor isn't hiding her new romance anymore ... 'cause TMZ obtained photos of the 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' star packing on the PDA with her girlfriend during a family outing to a California theme park.

The reality TV star was spotted Thursday morning strolling through Legoland with her unidentified partner ... holding hands and embracing.

At one point, Layla draped her arm around her girlfriend's shoulders while they took in the miniature Las Vegas display. In another moment, the pair held hands as they wandered through the park, and Layla appeared to keep reaching for her partner, staying close the entire time.