NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Friday, April 26, 2024

Episode Date: April 27, 2024

More than a dozen tornadoes reported in Nebraska and Texas; As campus protests spread, graduating students worry about whether commencements will be canceled; Small Wisconsin town sees its future in brewery's revival; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Breaking news tonight, the dangerous tornado outbreak as we come on the air. The dramatic images coming in, multiple large tornadoes touching down, a tornado emergency in Nebraska, giant funnel clouds crossing highways, debris flying as storms sweep through Oklahoma and Texas. Tonight, damage, roofs ripped off homes, tens of millions at risk to the weekend. We're tracking it. Also tonight, the new witnesses in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including his longtime assistant. What she told the jury about Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, two women who claim to have had affairs with the former president.

The major shift for President Biden now saying he's happy to debate Donald Trump. How Mr. Trump is responding. The new crackdowns as pro-Palestinian demonstrations spread on campuses. And after USC canceled its main commencement, will other schools follow? Our NBC News investigation, our crews in Gaza documenting several deadly strikes in zones where Israel told displaced civilians they'd be safe. The promising news in King Charles' battle with cancer and when he plans to return to his royal duties. And after falling on hard times, the town that was saved by beer. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Good evening and welcome. We are tracking a damaging tornado outbreak that rampaged across the center of the country late today. Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, among the states in the line of fire. A tornado emergency declared in parts of Nebraska, meaning large tornadoes were on the ground, threatening population centers. Many of the images as frightening as they are dramatic. Tonight, tornado watches stretching nearly 900 miles. We'll tell you who is at risk as we head into the night in just a moment. But first, Jesse Kirsch with the latest. And Jesse, this is hitting a wide area of the country. That's right, Lester. Millions of Americans are in the bullseye tonight, including where we are in Kansas City, Missouri.

You can see wind gusts are starting to pick up here. Meanwhile, there have already been some tornadoes in other states leaving behind a path of destruction. Tonight, a tornado outbreak is unfolding across Nebraska. Over a dozen twisters already reported with more severe weather on the way. In the Lincoln, Nebraska area, debris seemed swirling as this violent tornado ripped across an interstate. Elsewhere, some drivers heading towards the ominous skies. Some things have been hit. And this Omaha neighborhood seeming to take a direct hit.

The entire down the street, there's no houses down there. Up the street, there's no houses either. It just took everything in about five, ten minutes and it's gone. Tornadoes also reported around Waco, Texas today. Looks like lots of sheet metal in the air. And further south in Austin, inbound flights were temporarily grounded because of thunderstorms.

This same storm system has been stretching across the U.S. since yesterday. In Oklahoma, this semi-truck flipped over as this Colorado home was damaged. It's so awful it happened. Now, Kansas City, Omaha, Tulsa, and Des Moines are bracing for more storms overnight. NBC's Marissa Parra is in Oklahoma. Residents here in central Oklahoma woke up to

tornado sirens, found parts of the rooftops flung onto the street, even onto cars nearby. And the threats are only expected to increase tomorrow over an even larger area, with 33 million people in the path of severe weather from the Great Lakes to Texas. That means more tornadoes, flooding, hail, and strong winds are all possible on Saturday. And there's also severe weather in Sunday's forecast, as we head into a weekend that, for some, will bring little relief. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, Kansas City, Missouri. And we want to go right now to Angie Lastman, who's tracking the storm threat. Angie, as we heard there, the volatile weekend

of weather just beginning. You're exactly right, Lester. Those violent tornadoes today, lofting debris as high as 25,000 feet, and that threat far from over as tornado watches continue across the midsection of the country through at least 9 p.m. tonight. All hazards will be on the table. We're talking more strong winds, hail, and of course those tornadoes. As we look ahead to tomorrow, the threat continues. We'll see that expanding now to more than 30 million people from the Great Lakes to the southern plains. And you guessed it, more of those EF2 tornadoes possible with the ingredients there for those strong systems to move through for Kansas

City and Oklahoma. It'll be a double whammy as well, with heavy rain leading us with the potential for some flash flooding across parts of the center of the country. Lester. All right, Angie, thank you. Well, for most part of the week, he has sat in a New York courtroom, a former president listening to the claims about the relationships and the money prosecutors say are at the heart of the criminal case against him. Late today, Donald Trump's executive assistant took the stand. Here's Laura Jarrett. Tonight, the prosecution closing out the first week of testimony by offering the jury a peek inside the inner workings of the Trump organization from one of the people who knows the former president best.

The state briefly calling Rona Graff, Mr. Trump's longtime executive assistant, to the stand this afternoon. Graff confirming contacts were saved on the company's computer system for Karen McDougal and Stormy, an apparent reference to Stormy Daniels. Prosecutors say both women were shopping stories of sex with Mr. Trump ahead of the 2016 election. Encounters he denies. At the heart of the case, a $130,000 payment Michael Cohen made to Daniels so she wouldn't go public and how prosecutors say that payment was disguised. But Graff shed no light on that, testifying even though she no longer works for the Trump organization, the company is paying her legal bills. The jury also hearing from Gary Farrow, a former banker at First Republic Bank who helped facilitate the payment from Cohen

to Daniels. But the day began with the defense team seeking to undercut the testimony of David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer and a key witness for prosecutors, testifying at length about how he helped silence people who could have hurt Mr. Trump's election chances. Mr. Trump's lawyer sought to raise questions about Pecker's memory and motives on cross-examination. Pecker defiant at one point, saying, I've been truthful to the best of my recollection. The tabloid mogul also undermining the idea Mr. Trump wanted to bury those stories about women to protect his family, a common refrain from the defense. Instead, Pecker said

he believed it was all to protect his campaign. I do have to begin by wishing Melania Trump, notably absent at trial. Laura, does it appear prosecutors got what they needed from David Pecker this week? Lester Pecker is a useful witness for prosecutors to the extent that he can test about conversations about Mr. Trump that touch on this alleged scheme to influence the election. But what he can't offer, Lester, is any evidence on the actual crime that the former president has been indicted for, which isn't a campaign finance violation. It's the way his payments to Cohen were documented on his internal records. Now, we'll see if other witnesses can speak more directly to that. Lester. OK, Laura Jarrett, thank you. President Biden was also in New York today giving a rare interview to radio host Howard Stern and making news about whether he'll debate Mr. Trump. Peter Alexander joins us. What did the president say, Peter?

Lester, for months, the president has refused to say whether he will agree to a face-off with former President Trump. But today he told Howard Stern, I'm, quote, happy to debate him, though he didn't say when or how many times. It would be a dramatic sequel to their two feisty debates four years ago. Outside court today, Mr. Trump, who, remember, did not participate in any of the Republican primary debates, said that he is willing to debate President Biden as soon as tonight. The Presidential Debate Commission has already scheduled three debates beginning in September, but neither campaign has formally committed. Lester?

All right, Peter, thank you. Across the country today, new pro-Palestinian demonstrations at college campuses and crackdowns by the police. Liz Kreutz has late developments. From Colorado to North Carolina tonight, more universities nationwide grappling with growing tensions over the war in Gaza. Why are you beating someone? As protests spread on college campuses.

Please fire now! At Arizona State University, police showed up within minutes of a forming encampment. Stop the killing. We'll stop the tents. We'll stop the megaphones. At Columbia University, the school Senate approving a resolution to investigate the administration. NBC's Erin McLaughlin is there as a debate ignites over free speech versus hate speech. Student protesters say the negotiations have stalled on the issue of divestment from Israel and they've received no assurances that the university won't send in the NYPD. Some students now concerned about the impact on graduation.

It is in our best interest to reach an agreement before commencement. Meanwhile, at University of Southern California, many seniors who didn't get a high school graduation because of COVID left devastated by the university's abrupt decision to cancel their commencement. Outside of just being annoyed, I feel pretty let down by the university. Amir Bell, who supports the protesters, tells us 15 of his family members were planning to fly in from Atlanta to celebrate his milestone moment, and now that's in limbo. I just don't understand how they could have President Obama on campus and have the adequate

security for him. They could have world leaders and stuff, but they can't properly secure a tradition that they've had for since the 1800s. So I think that's the most frustrating part. And Lester, USC's president just released her first statement about this. She says they plan to hold alternative celebrations and activities for graduates, but still a lot of questions from students here tonight. Lester. Liz Kreutz, thank you. Now to our NBC News investigation into Israeli airstrikes in parts of Gaza that the Israeli Defense Forces had designated as safe. But as NBC's Hala Gharani reports, some of them resulted in civilian deaths. March 26, 2024, 4 p.m., the aftermath of an airstrike in Rafah in southern

Gaza. Victims buried under the rubble. Rima Shabir is rushed to the hospital as her father attempts first aid. An NBC News investigation reveals that this is one of at least seven deadly strikes in areas our Gaza team filmed after the IDF had explicitly designated them as safe in December. This one in Rafas al-Zuhur neighborhood, identified as one of three evacuation zones in a leaflet dropped over Gaza, and on the Israeli military's website in a map last updated in December. When asked if there was anything more recent, the IDF told us the map was, quote, still accurate. Our investigation reveals that the IDF targeted al-Zuhur, al-Shabura and Tal Al-Sultan after it told

residents to head there. On January 9th, an airstrike in Tal Al-Sultan. The attack hits the home of the Naufal family there, killing 15. On February 12th, 2024, our crews filmed the aftermath of an airstrike on Al Shaboura camp. They asked us to go to the Shaboura area because it is safe. This is the safe area? Look around you, what happened, this man says. On April 20th, at 10pm, also in the Shaboura district, a building leveled. Among those killed, a pregnant woman, who NBC News reported on earlier this week. Her premature baby briefly survived, but died days later.

We asked the Israeli military multiple times to comment on the strikes documented in our report, providing precise locations and dates. It addressed one of the attacks, replying, the IDF is not aware of any strike at the provided coordinates and times in the query, blaming Hamas for telling people to ignore military directives, adding the IDF will act against Hamas wherever it operates with full commitment to international law. Human Rights Watch program director Sari Bashi tells us these strikes are not isolated incidents. They go to the places they were told

to go to, and then they get hit either by an airstrike or by a ground force invasion. Is there anywhere safe in Gaza? No, there's nowhere safe in Gaza. For the almost million and a half Palestinians crowded in southern Gaza, there is nowhere left to flee. And for Rima Shabir, the girl whose father's bloodstained T-shirt told of his frantic attempt to revive his child, it was too late. Rima died in a place where she and others were told they would be safe from harm. Hala Ghorani, NBC News, Tel Aviv. There was some good news from Buckingham Palace today that King Charles will return to his official duties next week, almost three months after his cancer diagnosis.

The palace said doctors are pleased with the progress the king has made so far. In 60 seconds, fragments of bird flu virus are found in more of the milk supply, increasing concern about the transmission from cows to humans. Right after this. In New York, a Delta Airlines plane was forced to return to JFK Airport today after losing its emergency slide. Delta says the crew on the flight to Los Angeles declared an emergency when they heard a sound near the right wing. After the plane landed safely, they saw the slide was gone. Its whereabouts are unclear. And a consumer alert about the nation's milk supply after the FDA found traces of bird flu in one in five samples it tested. Ann Thompson now with what you need to know.

In his Ohio State lab, veterinary epidemiologist Andrew Bowman is testing milk from six states and finding traces of bird flu where he shouldn't. What does that tell you about the spread? I think it shows us that there are many more cows infected than we've given it credit for at this point. Nearly 40% of the milk he tested was positive for H5N1, also known as bird flu. That may sound alarming, but additional testing, Bowman says, shows that pasteurization is working. If I'm a parent buying milk for my child, how worried should I be about the bird flu? Yeah, at this point, I would not be worried about that at all. I'm continuing to drink milk. So tonight, attention turns to the source,

the nation's dairy cows, with so far just one known case of minor symptoms in a person related to direct contact with infected cattle. The U.S. Department of Agriculture ordering all dairy cows crossing state lines be tested for the virus. It's been my whole livelihood. Martha Thomas owns the smallest dairy herd in Shelby County, Ohio, where she produces, processes, and sells milk. How do you ensure your cows are healthy? We don't let people in and out. We don't switch cows. It's a closed herd. There are no signs of bird flu here, but herds in nine states contracted

the bird flu, including one in Ohio. The entire barnyard is on alert and we're looking to make certain it doesn't end up someplace else. While officials try to figure out what's going on on the farms, the FDA says pasteurization is doing its job, killing active viruses and bacteria to keep the milk supply safe. Lester? Okay, and Thompson, thanks. Coming up, they may be the future of the road, so why do electric vehicles lose so much of their value?

That's next. Back with our series, The Future of the Road. With the electric vehicle market hitting some bumps, some owners are finding trouble when they try to resell them. Here's Christine Romans. Everyone knows the minute you drive a new car off the lot, its value depreciates. But for electric vehicles, the drop is dramatic, 10 times faster than traditional cars, according to a recent study

showing the average used car price for an EV fell nearly 32% in the past year, compared with a decline of just over 3% for gas-powered cars. Right now, I am trying to offload my Tesla. I want to sell it because the value for Tesla's has been plummeting. Some Tesla owners frustrated as the company lowers the prices on new models, making currently owned Tesla's less valuable. This investment, I will lose over $30,000. Falling resale prices, just another factor holding some people back from switching over to electric vehicles, with so many already expressing concern about range anxiety and battery infrastructure. If I want to make it from here to my grandmother's house in Texas, how many stops

possibly would I have to make to get there? Keith Bozeman has been selling used cars for four years. Resale value is not their number one concern. No, not at all. Honestly, no. That's not the number one question that I get. It's honestly the battery life. For the first quarter of the year, EVs made up just 7.3% of new car sales, even with government rebates and dealer incentives. There's so much discounting going on.

It's really hammering used cars, especially those used EVs. So we kind of have this double down effect where a lot of that's pushing those used car values down. The irony that lower prices for new cars could hurt demand for EVs overall as resale values are driven down. Christine Romans, NBC News, Jersey City, New Jersey. And next for us here tonight, the town that looked to its past and found a way to brew its own revival. Finally, the small town that saved itself by tapping into a local tradition. Here's Maggie Vespa. In the hum of this factory in rural Wisconsin lies the sound of a 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 who had worked there. Yeah, and it was in existence for 120 years. Soon, Potosi's population plummeted. Its brewery crumbled in the 90s, going up for auction. Local artist Gary David bought it for $6,300. I'm very fond memory of the forefathers that came before us. I really thought it was worth the effort and the risk.

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. Yep. For years, they fundraised in 2008, rebuilding the taproom, then a new factory. This facility is capable of packaging more than 80 million cans per year of Potosi beer, but also more than a dozen other beverage companies from across the country. Industry buzz followed. Potosi is now home to the National Brewery Museum and annual festivals. Potosi gets 70,000 tourists a year.

Yes, yes. That's a lot of people. That's a lot of people. How good does that beer taste after driving 100 miles? It tastes really great. The taste of a town's comeback. Maggie Vespa, NBC News. Well, cheers.

Cheers. Potosi, Wisconsin. Nice way to toast the weekend. That's nightly news for this Friday. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.