NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, August 26, 2024

Episode Date: August 27, 2024

State of emergency in Alaska after deadly landslide; Trump and Harris campaigns disagree over September debate rules; Special counsel asks appeals court to reinstate Trump documents case; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the state of emergency in Alaska. The deadly landslide leaving a city partially buried and the concerns another one could happen at any time. The new images revealing the stunning scale of the disaster. In the city, a popular cruise line stop. The massive landslide crushing homes, sweeping over roads. At least one killed when a vehicle was swallowed up. Mandatory evacuations as the community braces for more rain and another potential landslide. Also tonight, the late August scorcher, dangerous heat threatening to break records.

More than 50 million on alert in the Midwest. The duel over the debate. The new request by the Harris team over muting the microphones that has Donald Trump threatening to skip out. This just in, special counsel Jack Smith trying to reopen the Trump classified documents case after the judge tossed it out. The appeal just filed. In the Northeast, the urgent warning about mosquito-borne diseases. Officials ordering entire communities to be sprayed. Some towns issuing curfews. What you need to know. Cheaper copycat versions of popular weight loss drugs like Wagovi.

Why some medical professionals are now turning to them. Walmart recalling apple juice sold in 25 states. The potential danger. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. And good evening. I'm Tom Yamas in for Lester. Tonight, we start with a state of emergency in Alaska and a community on edge after a landslide struck in the popular tourist destination of Ketchikan. From above, you can see the giant swath of forest gone. All that's left is this, that muddy streak. And below, parts of the town buried. Creeks turned into raging brown rapids with white caps. Ketchikan is a popular tourist area,

drawing more than a million visitors a year, especially by cruise ships. But passengers were told to stay away from the area today, with the slide zone still unstable. And now the mayor there telling us tonight his fear that a quarter of his town is at risk for yet another landslide. Morgan Chesky reports tonight. Tonight, frightening new glimpses of an Alaskan town partially buried after a hillside collapsed. The devastating landslide crunching entire homes. We were just at that house for a garage sale last weekend.

This is terrible. Sunday's tragedy unleashing a deadly wave of snapped trees, toppled power poles, pushing a mountain of debris into a hillside neighborhood. The slide sideswiping the town of Ketchikan, a seaside destination on Alaska's famed Inside Passage and a frequent stop for cruise lines. Officials confirming one person was killed while driving when the slide swallowed their vehicle. I was stunned because in my 65 years here, I've never seen anything of that scale. Mayor Dave Kiffer calls the loss of life heartbreaking, but stresses the current damage zone could spread even further.

There's about a quarter of the town currently at risk for yet another slide. Yes. How frightening is that? It's very frightening. To be honest, I don't think of any people in Ketchikan walk about their daily lives thinking, hey, that mountain's going to come down. And now we have to. As for any cause, officials say the landslide struck following an unusually dry August. Look at that. When a weakened storm left conditions soaked. It's definitely heartbreaking

to see. It affects your mind tremendously. It's traumatizing for sure. Leah Canfield, one of several whose homes were damaged, all too aware this may not be over. And Morgan, as you know, that's the big concern tonight. What is the potential for another landslide? Yeah, Tom, the potential for a secondary landslide is very real with that prime area of concern south of the original slide site. And that is why tonight evacuation orders remain in place for multiple neighborhoods in Ketchikan. Tom. All right, Morgan Chesky starting us off tonight. Morgan, thank you. And beyond Alaska, tens of millions of Americans face weather threats, scorching heat and severe storms in the Plains and the Midwest. Dylan Dreyer's here

tonight for us. And Dylan, this is especially hard in places like Chicago, where schools just started. Schools started and perhaps the A.C. is not still pumping. And when you're looking at those heat indices up to around 115 degrees, it is certainly dangerous outside. So we do have our heat advisories and our heat warnings in effect. We are looking for high temperatures tomorrow once again to get up close to 100 degrees. St. Louis should hit 100. The heat index will be 108 degrees. Then on Wednesday, we're going to see more of that heat now starting to trickle farther to the east.

Baltimore up to 98, feeling like 105. With the heat does come some storms, too. And we have two areas with a thunderstorm watch right now. Some severe thunderstorm warnings, too. Large hail, damaging winds and isolated tornadoes are possible. Tomorrow, that threat moves over into the Great Lakes region where we could see hail and wind as the biggest threats. And then eventually it reaches the Mid-Atlantic by Wednesday, Tom. All right, Dylan, we thank you for that. And this is developing tonight. Special Counsel Jack Smith asking an appeals court to reinstate

the classified documents case against former President Trump after federal Judge Eileen Cannon threw it out. Ken Delaney is following this for us. And Ken, it seems Jack Smith is really going after that judge's decision. That's right, Tom. Jack Smith is arguing that Judge Eileen Cannon fundamentally misunderstood the law when she ruled that his appointment was unconstitutional. More than a year after Mr. Trump was accused of unlawfully taking classified documents to Mar-a-Lago, including storing them in a bathroom, Cannon tossed the case last month, ruling that no law supported the hiring of a special counsel without Senate confirmation. The DOJ is now asking an appeals court to reverse that, calling Cannon's reasoning nonsensical. But November's election will come long before this appeal is resolved.

And if Mr. Trump wins, he can order his DOJ to drop all criminal charges against him. Tom. All right, Ken, we thank you for that. Also tonight, the new showdown over the upcoming presidential debate. Former President Trump raising doubts if he'll attend and the Harris campaign demanding a new change to the rule about muting microphones. Here's Garrett Haig. Tonight, the Trump and Harris campaigns dueling over next month's critical presidential debate. This morning, Trump casting doubt about a candidate. And now, a new wrinkle. The deal was we keep the same rules.

Now all of a sudden they want to make a change in the rules because she can't answer questions. In the last face-off at the Biden campaign's request, candidates' microphones were muted while the other candidate was speaking to prevent interruptions. But now, the Harris campaign is asking for the mics to be left

on at all times. Trump's campaign objected, but the candidates seeming to acquiesce today while taunting the vice president. It doesn't matter to me. I'd rather have it probably on. The truth is they're trying to get out of it because she doesn't want to debate. She's not a good debater. She's not a smart person. Vice President Harris has been off the trail since her acceptance speech last Thursday. Sources tell NBC News she's held at least one mock debate. We've got 75 days to go, so maybe for better and for worse, that's the way I am. That was good, now we've got to move on.

All of it as former President Trump was in Battleground, Michigan, looking to step on any Harris post-convention bounds. Campaign sources tell NBC News he's planning more aggressive fall travel. And while polls show voters give Harris the advantage on health care and abortion rights, Trump aiming to hammer Harris on two issues where they show she's vulnerable, the economy and the border. Under Kamala Harris, American veterans are treated worse by far than illegal aliens. Illegal aliens are treated worse.

You ever see them? They stay in hotels. We have veterans sleeping on the street. Speaking to a National Guard conference, Trump slamming the vice president over the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, where 13 U.S. service members were killed three years ago. Today, Trump laying a wreath at Arlington. The humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world. Harris today writing of the fallen, my prayers

are with their families and loved ones. My heart breaks for their pain and their loss. Garrett joins us now live. Garrett, let's go back to the debate for a moment. The Harris campaign is now responding to Trump. That's right, Tom. A Harris campaign aide says the former president should honor his commitment. And after Trump earlier suggested he's fine without those muted mics, the Harris campaign insists everything's now set. But tonight, Trump still says he's still thinking about whether to do the debate. Tom. Garrett, thank you. Russia today launched what's being described as its biggest attack on Ukraine in weeks, firing more than 100 missiles and launching just as many drones

all over Ukraine. At least four people are reported killed. Aaron McLaughlin is there for us tonight. In Kiev, a Russian missile strikes near a critical dam, stunning Ukrainian soldiers. Part of Russia's latest attempt, the Ukrainian president says, to terrify. Russia launched more than 120 missiles and 100 drones, he says, killing at least four and damaging civilian infrastructure, triggering rolling blackouts in the capital and sparking international condemnation. We condemn in the strongest possible terms Russia's continued war against Ukraine and its efforts to plunge the Ukrainian people into darkness. The attack,

days after Ukraine marked its independence, with a somber ceremony in the capital. This morning, our team woke to the sound of explosions and took shelter, as did millions of other Ukrainians. Metro stations once again doubled as safe havens. Yet within hours, life returned to normal as the fighting rages on and Ukrainian commanders braced for a long war. We fight for our freedom. Two years ago, we met Colonel Igor Obolensky shortly after his men pushed the Russians out of the area around Kharkiv. Since then, he fought in the battle for Bakhmut, one of the bloodiest of the war. The last time we met, you told me something that stuck with me, that you were fighting for your little boy. Yeah.

So that he didn't have to. Yeah. When your son becomes a man, do you think this war will still be going? Maybe, yeah. But it's not a very active phase, but I think, yeah, it will be. Tonight, Ukrainian officials say of the 127 Russian missiles fired at Ukraine today, they shot down 102. And there are reports that the drones were made in Iran.

Tom. Aaron McLaughlin for us. Aaron, we thank you. In 60 seconds, it's one of the most talked about festivals on the planet. Tonight, the tragic start to the Burning Man. What went wrong? And new concerns about potentially deadly viruses being spread by mosquitoes. Why some towns are warning people to stay inside right after this.

Welcome back. We have a health alert for you tonight. Officials in the Northeast sounding the alarm about mosquito-borne illnesses. They're planning to spray whole communities and some towns issuing voluntary curfews. We get more now from Rahima Ellis. Tonight, Massachusetts communities are taking precautions with spraying set to get underway this week. Specifically, areas like Plymouth and Worcester labeled high risk for the spread of mosquito-borne virus, Eastern Equine encephalitis, also known as triple E. I always use bug spray and, you know, if I'm outside late at night, I try and cover up. Plymouth Health Commissioner Michelle Bratty says it's rare but dangerous.

It is very serious. Even those that survive neurological disorders and many health complications can happen from triple E. And so far, one reported case in a person. An 80-year-old man was diagnosed with the first human case of triple E in Massachusetts since 2020. Cases also popping up in Vermont and New Jersey. Symptoms range anywhere from nausea, very much like flu-like symptoms, but it can be nausea, dizziness, headaches. The new concern over viruses spread by mosquitoes comes as the West Nile virus hits 31 states nationwide. One of those cases, infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci recently

hospitalized with the virus, now recovering at home. Experts say simple precautions include wearing long pants and long sleeves, using mosquito repellent, and removing any containers with standing water. Back in Plymouth, officials worried after a horse testing positive parks closed to all outdoor activities from dusk until dawn, when mosquitoes are most active. Authorities say if you are bitten by a mosquito and flu-like symptoms occur within two to ten days, you should check in with your doctor. Tom? Rahima Ellis with some important tips tonight. Rahima, thank you. Also, this year's Burning Man

Festival off to a tragic start. Authorities say a 39-year-old woman is dead after being found unresponsive on the first day of the annual event in Nevada's Black Rock Desert. The cause of her death is still under investigation. OK, we're going to take a quick break and right up next, pricey and hard to find. Those popular weight loss drugs have some now turning to copycat versions inside the debate over the pharmacies that make them. Stay with us. Welcome back. We have a consumer alert for you. Walmart recalling nearly 10,000 cases of its great value brand apple juice. You see it right here due to elevated levels of arsenic. The recall affects products sold in 25 states. Walmart says it has removed the juice from its stores and is investigating. Also tonight, one American is dead

and another was injured when an ice cave popular with tourists suddenly collapsed in Iceland on Sunday. Authorities have not publicly named the man who was killed. Police say the woman who was hurt suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Also tonight, the super popular weight loss drugs like Wagovi, they've been proven to be extremely effective, but for many, the price puts them out of reach. Now some are turning to cheaper copycat versions. But are they safe? Stephanie Goss reports. In this office park on Long Island, pharmacists are producing one of the hottest commodities on Earth.

Not popular weight loss drugs, Wagovi or Zepalm, but medications they say are, in FDA terms, essentially a copy. What does essential copy mean? Well, the formulation actually comes from the manufacturer. It's in the package insert. It's a recipe? It's a recipe. That recipe mixed at hundreds of compounding pharmacies like this one nationwide, using ingredients purchased from FDA-registered manufacturers. And this is semaglutide powder?

This is semaglutide powder. This is exactly what it looks like. How are you allowed to do that if there is a patent on these drugs? The FDA allows for this. If a patient needs a medication and it's on shortage, the only way they're going to be able to get it is to come to a compounding pharmacy and let the pharmacy make it for them. It's a little understood part of the multi-billion dollar weight loss drug industry. Federal law allows state licensed compounding pharmacies to dispense drugs that are essentially a copy of FDA approved medications only to patients with the prescription

and only for medications in shortage, which includes Wigovian Zetbound. Compounding pharmacies often sell them at a steep discount, usually $100 to $400 per month, compared to roughly $1,000 for the name brands without insurance. Elizabeth Kenley needed to lose 50 pounds for a double knee replacement. She struggled to find the brand name drugs in stock and at a price she could afford. How are you doing? So her primary care provider suggested a compounded version. Did you have some questions? I had a lot of questions. I was a little nervous, but I did talk to my doctor about it a lot. And then I went and talked to the compounding pharmacy. And it's working. She's lost about 25 pounds. I've had just mild, mild side effects. Primary care

provider Leanne Owens wants a skeptic herself, says she and many of her Duke Health colleagues have come around, but only in certain cases. The thing that makes me most nervous is using unregulated compounding pharmacies that are selling the medication direct to patients without a prescription. You worry about patients who might be buying these medications online or something. Correct. But using a trusted provider who's using a licensed compounding pharmacy is safe. Drug makers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly strongly oppose the practice. In statements to NBC News, they stressed that compounded drugs lack the same regulatory oversight as FDA-approved medicines and can pose significant safety and effectiveness risks to patients. For patients like Kenley, there's another risk. It could be taken

away tomorrow. If there's no longer a shortage, then we wouldn't be able to access this medication through the compounding pharmacy, which is scary. Because there's no other option. There are no other options. And this option clearly works for people. It's life-changing. Stephanie joins us now in studio. So Stephanie, let's pick up right there. These compound pharmacies can make these drugs as long as they're on the shortage list. Do we know how long there's going to be that list? That's the thing, Tom. We do not. And when they come off the list, the compounding pharmacies have to stop making them, which means patients who are relying on these versions of the drugs could be cut off. All right, Stephanie Gosper. Stephanie, we thank you for that.

That's nightly news for this Friday. We thank you for watching. I'm Tom Yamas in New York. For all of us here at NBC News, have a good night.