NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Monday, June 17, 2024

Episode Date: June 18, 2024

Millions of Americans are facing the hottest week of the year with temperatures into the 100s, a wave of mass shootings has killed at least five people and injured dozens more, President Biden will take executive action to protect undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the historic heat wave threatening hundreds of millions of Americans as wildfires rage in the West. The record heat expanding from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic and up into the Northeast. Some 270 million people set to experience temperatures 90 degrees or above. While in California, nearly a dozen wildfires burning homes under threat. The new tropical system we're tracking. Al Roker has it all. Also tonight, new details on the apparent random shooting at a Michigan splash park. Nine wounded, including an eight-year-old boy. The news on his condition. Just 10 days to the first debate, the Biden campaign launching a new ad blitz labeling Donald Trump a convicted criminal.

While at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump taking a meeting with Speaker Mike Johnson, Prime Minister Netanyahu disbanding Israel's war cabinet, and after that raid to rescue hostages Hamas was holding in a crowded refugee camp, our new reporting on the deadly toll it took on the camp's children. The U.S. Surgeon General's call to action should social media come with warning labels for children like tobacco. And countdown to Paris superstar Katie Ledecky and the top competitors swimming for a spot on Team USA. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome.

The heat is on tonight, mid-June, and yet many of us are already staring down the season's first big heat wave, a spring that has thrown just about every flavor of extreme weather at us. Now sending the thermometer soaring, Chicago O'Hare hitting 97 today, breaking a 1957 record. But many more will likely fall across the Midwest and Northeast in coming days. More than 100 record highs will be challenged in big cities ranging from St. Louis to Pittsburgh and deep into New England, Boston and Manchester, New Hampshire could see temperatures approaching 100. Tonight, at least 71 million of us living under heat alerts. And it's where we start tonight with Maggie Vespa. From raging fires out west to record shattering highs back east.

As soon as we stepped outside, we're cooking. Tonight, an early and extreme heat wave, the first of 2024, already broiling tens of millions coast to coast. High pressure creating a stubborn heat dome, sending temps soaring up to 25 degrees above average, threatening to shatter more than 100 daily records this week. A record falling in Chicago already, with the city hitting 97 late today. It's most definitely high. Pittsburgh could see its first ever 100-degree day in June, humidity making it feel like triple digits in Detroit. It's pretty intense.

New York's mayor warning people to take it seriously. We want to be clear this is extremely hot for June and New Yorkers should not underestimate the heat. In Louisiana sudden heavy rain kicking off days of forecasted flooding down south. Make sure you got our back. Meanwhile out west, the combination of searing temps and 70 mile per hour wind gusts overnight fueling a growing disaster with more than a dozen wildfires burning across California. One firefighter injured fighting flames near Sonoma. At more than 15,000 acres, officials say the post fire north of L.A. is threatening dozens of homes already devouring an auto shop. NBC's Steve Patterson is there. And this is what's left

in the wake of these wind driven flames on a path of bone dry brush incinerating this fleet of cars. His crews now working around the clock trying to get more containment on this fire. Tonight, 12 million Americans remain under red flag warnings as this early summer blast sears most of the country. And Maggie, joining us now from a sweltering Detroit. Maggie, the timing of this heat wave makes it all the more dangerous. Yeah, Lester, exactly. Experts say these scorching temps are coming on early in the season before many Americans have had time to adjust to the summer heat, meaning they'll be feeling the effects all the more and should take more precaution. Lester.

Maggie Bespa, thank you. Al Roker is here. Al, this is going to be a dangerously hot week, but you're also watching some other weather. That's right, Lester. In fact, we've got our first tornado, I should say, tropical storm watch of the season. We'll get to that in a second. Right now, 71 million people from Iowa all the way to the northeast, New England and the Appalachians. We're looking at temperatures tomorrow, possible records Bangor, Burlington, Buffalo, Louisville on into Charleston and Philadelphia. And as we get into the end of the week, triple digits for Manchester, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Washington, D.C. And we have a tropical storm watch now.

Some Brownsville all the way up to Galveston. We're looking at this first possible potential tropical cyclone going to bring heavy rain into parts of Texas, lest some places could see upwards of 8 to 10 inches of rain along the coast. All right, Mal, thank you. We turn now to the string of mass shootings across the U.S. over the coast. All right, Mal, thank you. We turn now to the string of mass shootings across the U.S. over the weekend. Police in Michigan giving an update on the shooting at a splash park that wounded nine people, while in Texas, police are searching for a killer. Here's Erin McLaughlin.

Tonight in Round Rock, Texas, a manhunt for the gunman who opened fire on a Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, killing two before getting away. Do not approach as we believe the subject is armed and is dangerous. Across the country over the weekend, nine mass shootings, killing at least five and wounding many more, according to the Gun Violence Archive. In Rochester Hills, Michigan, a man unleashed 36 rounds on a splash pad, injuring nine, including an eight-year-old boy. The young child that, you know, had the head wound, he's made amazing progress. According to a

GoFundMe page set up by a family friend, Michaela and Eric Coghlan were shot seven times while shielding their two daughters, ages two and seven months old. The couple now in the hospital, their children safe at home. Authorities say the gunman took his own life and struggled with mental health. We have no information on any contacts that he had with law enforcement, no arrests, no criminal history. There have been 229 mass shootings so far this year, defined as any time four or more people are shot. The FBI is reporting violent crime actually dropped 15 percent for the first quarter of 2024.

Violent crime is down despite what we're seeing and hearing, but mass shootings remain as an ongoing problem in our society and will remain so until we get our minds and our arms around our gun problem. Setting the stage for a potentially long and violent summer already full of heartbreak. Erin McLaughlin, NBC News. In a suburb of Atlanta today, fire swept through a house where 11 members of an extended family were living, killing six and injuring five. Authorities say three of the dead were children. To help the survivors, the community is collecting money along with food and clothing donations. The cause of the fire has not been determined. Now to our NBC News reporting. We've learned President Biden plans a major announcement on immigration that will prevent half a million

spouses of American citizens who came here illegally from being deported. Julia Ainsley is following this. And Julia, this will happen tomorrow. Yes, Lester, President Biden will announce that new executive action tomorrow, according to four sources familiar with the matter. The policy will allow migrants who came here illegally 10 or more years ago and married U.S. citizens to be eligible for green cards and a path to citizenship, shielding roughly 500,000 spouses of Americans from deportation. One immigration advocate familiar with the plan tells NBC News it's the biggest thing since DACA, referring to former President Obama's action that prevented migrants brought to the country illegally by their parents from being deported. Republicans call it a mass amnesty program, and it's almost certain to face legal challenges. Lester.

Julie Ainsley, thank you. With less than five months until the presidential election, President Biden is focusing on former President Trump's felony conviction, while Mr. Trump makes a new pitch to black voters. Here's Hallie Jackson. Former President Trump huddling at Mar-a-Lago today with House Speaker Mike Johnson assigned Mr. Trump's cementing support inside his party, even as he looks beyond it. In Michigan, trying to peel off the backing of

more black voters from President Biden campaigning at a Detroit church. He's been the worst president for black people. Mr. Trump blasting President Biden for his role a Detroit church. He's been the worst president for black people. Mr. Trump blasting President Biden for his role as a senator crafting a controversial crime bill critics say contributed to mass incarceration, a line of attack he used in his unsuccessful race against President Biden in 2020. He wrote the 1994 crime bill that you talk about so much. I guess everybody here knows about that, especially if you happen to be black. A warning sign for President Biden, new polling showing he's struggling to reach the massive margins he had with black voters in battlegrounds Michigan and Pennsylvania last election, now down to around 55 percent support

from that traditionally Democratic constituency compared to 15 percent or less for former President Trump in those states. The Biden campaign criticizing Mr. Trump, saying he has a record of denigrating black Americans. And today in a new ad signaling a plan to attack the former president's felony conviction. This election is between a convicted criminal who's only out for himself and a president who's fighting for your family. The sharp attacks echoed at a glitzy L.A. fundraiser Saturday as the president warned what could happen to the Supreme Court if Mr. Trump wins again.

Well, I think it is one of the scariest parts. Look, the Supreme Court has never been as out of kilter as it is today. And as for that first presidential debate next week, it could look and sound a little bit different with no studio audience and microphones muted when it's not that candidate's turn to speak. Lester. Holly Jackson, thank you. Tonight, Russian President Putin is set to visit North Korea, meet Kim Jong-un's growing support for Russia's war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Ukrainian commanders hope American aid will push back Russia's momentum. Richard Engel is there. We have to warn you,

some images in this report are disturbing. Abrams tanks today defend Ukraine's eastern front line near the Russian border. Resupplies of American weapons are flowing again, and Ukrainian troops tell us they're arriving just in the nick of time. Resupplies of American weapons, including these tanks, are now finally, after long delays, making their way to the front lines. And it's making a difference. Ukrainian troops have already been able to slow down a major Russian offensive. Ukraine is flush at the moment.

$60 billion in aid from Congress, $50 billion more from interest on frozen Russian funds. And at a conference on peace in Switzerland over the weekend, the United States was among 80 nations pledging support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. But a tank commander here tells us he's worried about pressure on Ukraine to make a deal with Russia. Everyone in the West should understand that once we cede more territories to Russia, it will not stop. And Ukrainians have a more immediate problem, a Russian technological innovation,

so-called glide bombs. This shopping center was hit by just two glide bombs, and the impact was devastating. Russia has vast quantities of old-fashioned style bombs and by attaching wings and a basic guidance system to them, Russia has not only managed to extend their range but turn them into precision weapons that Ukraine has been struggling to deal with. Surveillance video captured the moment of the attack. Officials say 19 Ukrainians were killed, including two children. President Zelensky says Russia is now firing 3,000 glide bombs a month. Commanders tell us they don't have an effective way to stop them. Seeking more weapons for his war here in Ukraine, Vladimir Putin tomorrow travels to North Korea,

which U.S. officials say has been providing Russia with large quantities of artillery shells. Lester. All right, Richard Engel, thank you. In 60 seconds, an American tourist found dead in Greece. Plus, the urgent new health alert about kids and social media as the nation's top doctor calls for warning labels like those used on cigarettes. Stay with us. An American tourist in Greece has been found dead after he was reported missing last week. The body of the man who has not been identified was found on a beach on a small island. Another American is among several other people who are missing or have died during an intense heat wave in Greece. Also tonight, the U.S. Surgeon General sounding the alarm about the mental health risks of social media for children. It's so troubling, he says, that social media platforms should come with

warning labels like tobacco. Tom Costello with more. The stark warning from the nation's top doctor accelerates a national push to limit kids' access to social media. In the New York Times, the Surgeon General writes, the mental health crisis among young people is an emergency, and social media has emerged as an important contributor. On Today, Dr. Murthy said adolescents average five hours per day on social media. When adolescents spend more than three hours a day on social media. When adolescents spend more than three hours a day on social media, we're seeing an association with a doubling of risk of anxiety and depression symptoms.

Surgeon General Murthy wants congressional approval to add a warning label on social media, much like the warning on cigarettes. Research suggests texts, posts, and online bullying can undermine kids' self-confidence, especially body image, with some taking their own lives. Many of them say that they can't get off it because the platforms are often designed to maximize how much time our kids are spending on them. You have blood on your hands. In January, top social media CEOs faced bipartisan fury. CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized to victims' families, insisting MetaFacebook is working to reduce social media's harmful effects. To make sure that no one has to go through the types of things that your families have had to

suffer. The Surgeon General recommends phone-free zones at school and at home during meals, bedtime, and social gatherings. And kids should have no access to social media until they're out of middle school. I think we're going to find out just how addictive this stuff is. I have an unhealthy relationship with these things. I can admit that. And so to let my kids into it, they're not ready. Jacqueline Brostein says her kids can wait until they're 16. Ten-year-old David says he's in no rush for a phone. People

are always staring at them in like restaurants and like literally everywhere they go and like that makes me feel like bad and I don't like that. Meanwhile, New York is set to become the first state to prohibit social media companies from using algorithms to target children, while the LA Unified School District could soon join others in banning cell phones during the school day. Lester. All right, Tom, thank you. Coming up inside Israel's dramatic rescue of hostages in Gaza and the toll on civilians. Our investigation is next. Back now with our NBC News investigation of the human cost of that Israeli special forces mission that rescued four hostages held for over eight months by Hamas in Gaza.

Raf Sanchez joins us. And Raf, it comes on a day when there has been a major shakeup in the Israeli government. Lester, Prime Minister Netanyahu today disbanding the war cabinet following the breakup of that unity government formed after the October 7th attack. While in the heart of Gaza, many families are still in mourning tonight. These images of Israeli commandos rescuing terrified hostages and reuniting them with their families after eight months of Hamas captivity were celebrated around the world. But inside Gaza, our NBC News crew documenting the painful other side of the story. The Hamas-run health ministry says at least 64

children were killed by Israeli fire during the raid. These are the stories of three of them, Tawfiq, Karim and Ahmed. Sahar Eslay was already a mother in mourning long before the raid. Her eldest son died of cancer in 2022. And in March, she says her two daughters were killed by an Israeli strike. Sahar says four-year-old Tawfiq, her only surviving child, would ask, why am I living? Why didn't I go with my sisters? On June 8th, as Israeli troops moved in, Saher says she crouched in this corner, cradling Tawfiq in her arms before the room went black, and she saw blood on his face. Doctors at first thought Tawfiq was dead. He's like four years old, a child.

But just as he was being placed among the bodies, his hand twitched. A desperate rush to the emergency room, but the hope short-lived. He died five days later, his mother says. He lived through three wars, his brother's death, his sister's deaths. Tawfiq never saw anything but war. The IDF says it has acted since the beginning of the war on its duty to return the hostages brutally kidnapped on October 7th, adding this operation is solid proof Hamas is hiding behind civilians and is holding hostages in the midst of densely populated civilian areas.

You can see the house where Tawfiq was killed was just 200 yards from the civilian homes where the hostages were held. But over a mile away near the coast, Nora Abu-Humis says she was getting lunch ready when Israeli helicopters opened fire on their camp. Her eight-year-old son Karim was killed instantly, she says, while his older brother Ahmed later died of his injuries. He would tell me, I want to go abroad and study and come back to Gaza. I'd like to be a doctor, mommy. The IDF says every loss of civilian life is a tragedy, a tragedy that Hamas brought upon us all. The IDF will continue to take all feasible measures in order to minimize civilian casualties. Little comfort for Nora, who's left with only pictures and memories of her two young

boys who made each other smile even in a war they couldn't understand. Raf Sanchez, NBC News, Tel Aviv. We'll take a break right here when we return the road to Paris by water. We'll meet those on the fast track to Team USA. I mean, I feel like my reaction. Finally, less than 40 days until the Summer Olympics. And for Team USA's top swimmers, the road to Paris begins in an unlikely place, an NFL stadium in Indianapolis. Here's Jesse Kirsch. With stadium-sized intros before record-setting crowds, tonight, a growing list of American swimmers officially punching their tickets to Paris. Ledecky to the wall, as usual.

Seven-time gold medalist Katie Ledecky is heading to her fourth straight Olympics. There are also newcomers to look for if you can keep up. The wall she goes. Yes! World record! 21-year-old Gretchen Walsh soared to a world record in the 100-meter butterfly. What was coming through your mind when you realized what you've just done? I mean, I feel like my reaction kind of said it all, like literally no words, all just raw emotion of being like, what the heck just happened? She will secure a spot in Paris. Now she's an Olympian, just like her big sister, Alex Walsh, a Tokyo silver medalist. Because our dream has both been to be Olympians since we were little children. And so now we both are. It's so awesome. Roughly a thousand Americans are

fighting for about 50 spots at U.S. trials being held in an NFL stadium for the first time ever. Normally, this is about where the Indianapolis Colts would be scoring touchdowns, but right now, it's the U.S. Olympic trial competition pool. And there's still a week's worth of racing to go. Olympic veterans like Caleb Dressel and Lilly King, among so many, hoping to make waves for the USA. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, Indianapolis. And you can see Katie Ledecky and the U.S. Olympic team trial starting tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. That's nightly news for this Monday.

Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.