NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Friday, January 5, 2024

Episode Date: January 6, 2024

30 million across East Coast preparing for winter storm; Supreme Court will hear Trump appeal over Colorado ballot ban; Deadly tour bus crash in upstate New York; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the major winter storm on the move, threatening to slam the northeast with up to a foot of snow. A powerful storm crossing the country with snow and heavy rain. Danger on the roads, multiple crashes, and 18-wheelers stranded. Streets flooded in Texas. Now it's all pushing east. Parts of the northeast bracing for the first significant snowfall in two years. We're tracking it. Also tonight, the rollover crash involving a

tour bus in upstate New York. At least one person killed, several more injured. What we've learned just in the Supreme Court taking up former President Trump's appeal to keep him on the ballot when it will hear the case. President Biden making his first campaign speech of 2024, his warning about Donald Trump and democracy. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hospitalized for days and the Pentagon just revealing it now, what he's suffering from. New details in the deadly school shooting in Iowa

where warning signs missed before a student went on a rampage. And the principal wounded, why he's being hailed as a hero. The longtime head of the National Rifle Association stepping down just days before his civil corruption trial begins. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome everyone. We come on the air tonight with an estimated 30 million people heading into a weekend living under winter weather alerts, covering a wide region from northern Georgia all the way to Maine. The large

weather system we've been tracking on the broadcast the last few evenings is right now taking aim at the south, where strong rain has already led to danger on the roads and some localized flooding. But it's the snow that could be the big headline of this storm, both for where it will fall and where it may not fall. While interior parts of the Northeast and New England could see six inches or more of snow, closer to the coast, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York City are at this point likely to see mostly rain, extending their two-year-long stretches of days without an inch of snow or more. We'll get the latest forecast from Dylan Dreyer in just a moment,

but first, Maggie Vespa watching the impact. Tonight, a ferocious winter storm charging east with wrecks stacking up in its wake. In Arkansas, authorities say a burst of heavy snow today stranded numerous semis. Nearby, SUVs wreck today stranded numerous semis. Nearby, SUVs wrecked, more semis stranded. Started slipping and sliding, slowed down to about 20 miles an hour. Meanwhile, in Galveston, Texas, streets flooded by heavy rain. This as snow falls in Amarillo. This punishing system now taking aim at the East Coast.

I think the storm's been a long time coming. More than 30 million Americans from Maine down through northern Georgia are under winter alerts this weekend, with some cities like New York and D.C. expecting a rain-snow mix, while Boston could get slammed with six inches of snow. Hartford and Albany, up to a foot. We would encourage all drivers and anyone to avoid travel during this storm. A needed reminder amid something of a snow drought out east.

We haven't had a storm in a while. I'm excited. I'm ready to shovel. New York hasn't seen more than an inch of snow in 691 days, its longest streak on record. Philadelphia and D.C. topping 700 days. At this salt yard near Boston, trucks lined up with nearly 300,000 tons of road salt on hand. No one likes snow and ice, but we do. You're in the minority here? We're in the minority here.

Tens of millions bracing for a punishing storm that could bring, for many, their first snowfall in nearly two years. That snow is set to arrive this weekend with another storm set to hit early next week alongside warmer temperatures, meaning yet again we won't be talking about the possibility of snow, but next week instead rain, even possible flooding. Lester. All right, Maggie Vespa in Boston tonight and Dylan Dreyer is keeping a close eye on the storm. She's here to time it out for us, Dylan. Well, Lester, so far we have seen a lot of that heavy rain down across the Gulf Coast. This is now making its way towards the mid-Atlantic and will continue to do so over the next several

hours. So what is in store now that we've got that rain snow line to contend with? Well, we are going to start off with enough cold air through Roanoke to see a bit of icing. Even in Washington, D.C., we'll start with that snow and sleep through the morning. But once it changes to rain, you'll forget that ever happened. Heavy rain expected throughout the day. In New York, we might see a little bit more snow before that changeover to rain later on in the evening, and then once the heavy rain moves in, it stays as heavy rain. Boston will be on the colder side, the snowy side of that rain-snow line, so while we'll start with some light snow, we are expecting some heavier snow through Sunday morning, And that's where we'll see most of our accumulations with some of the higher

elevations, Lester, picking up a foot of snow. All right, Dylan, thanks very much. Just breaking tonight, the U.S. Supreme Court did a move that could have major implications in November, announcing it will take up Republican frontrunner Donald Trump's appeal after a Colorado court banned him from the ballot. Here's Peter Alexander. Tonight, the Supreme Court announcing it'll hear whether former President Trump can be banned from the ballot in Colorado because of his role on January 6th, taking up the Republican frontrunner's appeal of a Colorado court's ruling to kick him off the ballot. Mr. Trump arguing it's partisan election interference.

The announcement coming just hours after President Biden visited the Revolutionary War site at Valley Forge, arguing democracy is at stake in November. This is not rhetorical, academic, or hypothetical. Whether democracy is still America's sacred cause is the most urgent question of our time. It's the president's latest effort to draw a contrast with Mr. Trump, who he's warning is an existential threat. Trump and his MAGA supporters not only embrace political violence, but they laugh about it. Mr. Trump in Iowa firing back. That's why Crooked Joe is staging his

pathetic fear-mongering campaign event in Pennsylvania today. Did you see? He's saying I'm a threat to democracy. He's a threat to democracy. Tonight in the crucial Philadelphia suburbs, President Biden's message resonates with Democrat Elaine Tindall. Is democracy an issue people are going to vote on in 2024? I really think so. I have very positive. I have to be positive that people are really going to understand that we can't continue without democracy, that everything else we can work out. But democracy, and in your eyes, Donald Trump.

Would be the end of it. But for so many, the top issue is the economy, and 62% of Americans disapprove of President Biden's handling of it. Republican Nick Carnelia is one of them. Managing his family's deli, he's already had to raise prices twice in the last three years. When it comes down to our bread or meats, cheeses, sodas, even chips. All costs more. All costs more and it costs, it raises prices for everybody.

Is it starting to come down? No. Nothing is really going down. Everything keeps going up. And Peter, let's circle back to the Supreme Court. Depending how they rule, this could have a major impact. Lester, to be clear, this case is moving at warp speed. The justices are going to hear these arguments on February 8th. The ruling then is expected quickly. And remember, whatever the high court decides here doesn't just apply to Colorado, but to all 50 states.

It applies across this country, Lester. All right, Peter Alexander, thank you. And just 10 days before the Iowa caucuses, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley was also in Iowa today, hoping to gain more traction against Mr. Trump. Haley spoke out with our Dasha Burns. Tonight, Donald Trump is the overwhelming favorite, but his former U.N. ambassador looking for an early upset. Though in Iowa, polls suggest many caucus goers think Nikki Haley is too moderate. Why aren't you doing better among conservatives? I am doing fine among conservatives

just because my opponents say something doesn't make it real. But it's not just the opponents, it's also the polling. Look at my record. I don't care what anybody says. I am a hardcore conservative. I always have been. Haley's campaign recently sidetracked when a voter asked about the cause of the Civil War, and she did not mention slavery, an answer she later clarified. What do you say to people who say that you've really had challenges when it comes to talking about race? We were the only Indian family in our small southern town. I was teased every day for being brown. So anyone that wants to question it can go back and look at what I've said

on how hard it was to grow up in the deep south as a brown girl. The Civil War has always been known about slavery. I misread it and thought he was looking for a bigger answer going forward. So critics can say whatever they want. Haley's rise prompting new criticism from Trump, including this ad accusing her of being weak on border security. Haley's weakness puts us in grave danger. How far would you push on the anti-immigration agenda?

First of all, I passed one of the toughest anti-illegal immigration laws in the country when I was governor of South Carolina. But these caucus goers supporting Trump say they're not swayed. Do you think anyone besides Trump has a chance here in Iowa? No way. No. We also asked Haley, will she win her home state of South Carolina? She only predicted a strong finish. Polls show she's significantly trailing Trump. Lester. Dasha Burns, thank you. There's late word from the Pentagon just now announcing Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been hospitalized since New Year's Day at Walter Reed Hospital. The Pentagon says Austin was admitted for complications after a recent elective medical procedure, but refuses to say how serious his condition was or why he was not able to perform his duties.

They did not disclose his hospitalization until this evening, saying he is expected to resume work this evening. Here in New York, one person is dead and many more injured after a tour bus flipped over on a highway today. Emily Aketa has late details. Tonight, an investigation into a deadly crash in upstate New York. Passengers seen waiting for help after their tour bus ran off the roadway and rolled over this afternoon, belongings strewn throughout the dirt. Multiple subjects trapped under the bus. One person died from the crash and 11 others were hospitalized, according to state police.

A section of I-87 southbound in Lake George shut down for hours. Oh my gosh, it's a whole bus. Authorities say the passengers, mostly Canadian, were traveling from Montreal to New York City, crashing about three and a half hours north of their destination. We're going to make sure that they have somewhere safe and warm to go tonight. They have food and help them connect with their friends and family. Several months ago, a bus carrying high school students to band camp tumbled down a 50-foot ravine in New York, killing the band director and a retired teacher. Officials said a tire failure may have been to blame. Tonight, the NTSB is monitoring the latest travel tragedy as the operating company Flixbus

assures authorities are conducting a full investigation. Emily Ikeda, NBC News. This was a day of mourning in Perry, Iowa, one day after a teenage gunman shot and killed a sixth grader and injured seven others at a high school. We're learning more tonight about the victims and also new insights about the shooter. Jesse Kirsch is there. Tonight, new questions about potential warning signs missed before that deadly school shooting in Perry, Iowa. One student telling NBC News roughly two years ago they told a guidance counselor that alleged shooter Dylan Butler suggested they start a shootout with police. The school district board president declined to comment. I'm curious what your district did with that information. I do not know that information. That is news to me, what you're sharing right there.

Meanwhile, this chilling photo posted on TikTok appears to show this 17-year-old suspect in a bathroom stall before the rampage. And as some collect their belongings from the school, we're hearing more stories of survival. 15-year-old Isaiah Christensen and his 16-year-old sister Olivia were at jazz band practice. We're in the middle of rehearsal. And all of a sudden we hear this like loud pop, you know. People were thinking something fell. I thought like someone popped a balloon. Authorities say 11-year-old Amir Jalif was killed with seven people injured,

the suspect taking his own life. We have a male subject down in the hallway. Among the five injured, Perry High School principal Dan Marburger, who's being called a hero. His daughter writing on Facebook, it is absolutely zero surprise to hear he tried to approach and talk Dylan down and distract him long enough for some students to get out of the cafeteria. That's just dad. Tonight, authorities saying the principal and two students remain hospitalized. Lester. All right, Jesse Kirsch, thank you. For decades, he was the face of the country's most powerful gun lobby. Today, Wayne LaPierre, the CEO of the National Rifle Association, said he was stepping down. Gabe Gutierrez has more.

Wayne LaPierre has led the National Rifle Association for more than 30 years, but tonight, one of the most powerful lobbyists in U.S. history is announcing his resignation just days before the start of a corruption trial. We are seeking an order to dissolve the NRA in its entirety. In 2020, New York Attorney General Letitia James brought a civil lawsuit against the NRA and La Pierre, alleging fraud and financial misconduct. La Pierre is accused of using the NRA's money for personal expenses, including expensive suits, chartered jets, and makeup artists for his wife, allegations the NRA and LaPierre have denied. To stop a bad guy with a gun,

it takes a good guy with a gun. LaPierre helped build the NRA into a political powerhouse, but recently membership had dwindled amid financial problems. The NRA tried to declare bankruptcy, but a judge dismissed that case, setting the stage for a legal showdown with the New York Attorney General, who today said LaPierre's resignation validates our claims against him. For its part, the NRA is citing health reasons for LaPierre's resignation. And in a written statement, he says, I will never stop supporting the NRA and its fight to defend Second Amendment freedom. Meanwhile, that civil trial is still scheduled to start in New York City on Monday. LaPierre is expected to testify. Lester. All right, Gabe, thank you.

In 60 seconds, why the hostilities in the Middle East could drive up the prices of so many things we buy. What you need to know right after this. We're back with the rising tensions in the Red Sea after repeated attacks by Houthi rebels on cargo ships. Today, shipping giant Maersk said it would halt all shipments through the Red Sea indefinitely. Christine Romans is here. Christine, what kind of ripple effect could we see here in the U.S.? Lester, it adds two weeks, sometimes longer, to reroute these massive cargo ships away from the threat,

and it's already driving up shipping costs. The Suez Canal, of course, connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean. It is a shipping superhighway that is the fastest way to connect Asia and the Middle East to Europe. About a third of all global container cargo passes through here from tennis shoes, furniture, clothing and frozen food. Still, Lester, the disruptions so far are nowhere near as serious as the supply chain strains of the pandemic. Something else to watch here, oil. A lot of it passes through the Red Sea. So far, this conflict has only had a limited impact on oil prices here. Gas prices under $3 in 30 states right now. And on a separate

track, some good news about the U.S. economy. Yeah, that's right. The economy added 216,000 jobs in December, bringing the year's total to 2.7 million. The jobless rate sits near a 50-year low, and wages are now rising faster than inflation. Potential good news for family budgets, Lester. All right, Christine, thanks. Up next, the epidemic of credit card fraud and our exclusive look the scenes at Visa as it uses artificial intelligence to fight cyber criminals trying to steal your money. Here's Tom Costello. In the battle against credit card fraud, the front line is here. At Visa's command center in northern Virginia, they monitor 76,000 transactions a second across more than 200 countries,

facing off against hackers and fraudsters working from the U.S. and abroad determined to steal your money. These aren't your typical teenagers in a basement somewhere. These are well-funded, well-organized groups that are backed by criminal organizations or adversarial nation states. Brandon Lercy received a legitimate text from Visa warning of a $2,000 fraudulent charge. Seconds later, a scammer called, claiming to be from his bank and sending him a link he should click. When he did, criminals quickly reset his password. Thankfully, his real bank, Navy Federal, blocked that attempt. And we were able to stop them from not only fraud on the credit card,

but fraud toward my bank account as well. Visa alone reports an 11% jump in blocked fraud attempts from October through December. $110 million every day, with 60% of the fraud targeting e-commerce. When you use your Visa card anywhere in the world, a transaction comes through one of three Visa data centers like this one, where they run 500 analysis looking for any signs of fraud. Other credit cards, banks, and websites run similar 24-7 operations, sharing intel with each other and police.

How much of your efforts depend on artificial intelligence? Everything that we do here is powered by artificial intelligence. It gives us the superpower to analyze mass amounts of data so that we can detect those fraud patterns in real time. To avoid being scammed, experts advise avoid swiping. use your chip card or mobile phone, use two-step authentication, never respond to requests for passwords or credit card numbers, and confirm websites are legit before pressing buy. We tend to fork over our sensitive information when we shouldn't. We tend to click on that link when we shouldn't. And beware of pressure tactics to buy now before a good deal slips away. Tom Costello, NBC News, Ashburn, Virginia.

And that is Nightly News. A reminder, I'll see you tomorrow on a new edition of Nightly News Kids Edition on NBC. Check your local listing. Thanks for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.