NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, February 24, 2024

Episode Date: February 25, 2024

NBC News projects Trump wins South Carolina GOP primary; U.S. and U.K. conduct airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen; Zelenskyy hosts allies as Ukraine marks 2 years since Russian invasion; and more on tonight’s broadcast. 

Tonight, former President Donald Trump is one step closer to the Republican nomination. NBC News projects Trump will win tonight's South Carolina primary, the former president beating Nikki Haley, his only Republican rival. Haley vowing to remain in the race despite losing her home state and sharpening her attacks. Everything he touches is chaos that leads to a loss. But without the win she was hoping for, does she have a path forward? Breaking news overseas, the U.S. launching more than a dozen new strikes against an Iran-backed group in Yemen. But we know about those new attacks.

And two years since Russia invaded Ukraine and now they are making new gains on the battlefield. Could this be a turning point in the war? Here at home, a college campus shattered. A suspect in custody tonight after a student was killed at the University of Georgia. But we're learning about the suspect now. And new concerns as more measles cases are reported. In Florida, now at least seven children are sick. And new cases also confirmed in two other states for the first time in five years.

What's being done to stop the spread? And a daring fire rescue in New York. People trapped inside dangling out of the windows. See how these firefighters climbed down the outside of the building to pull them to safety. And an American dream come true. This emotional moment as Navy sailor began a new chapter with love and some hope. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz-Balart. Good evening. I'm Gotti Schwartz, in for Jose. And tonight we have breaking news in South Carolina,

where NBC News can project former President Donald Trump will win the state's Republican primary. He's projected to beat Nikki Haley, his only opponent left in this race. And Trump is continuing his unbeaten 2024 streak as he prepares for a potential rematch with President Biden, blasting him in a speech earlier today. But Trump still needs to win the Republican nomination. And the only person standing between him and Biden is Nikki Haley. And despite tonight's major setback to her campaign and a stinging loss in her home state, she's still vowing to stay in the race.

But at this point, it's unclear what her path forward could look like. Our Garrett Haik is on the campaign trail tonight, and he starts us off from South Carolina. Donald Trump declaring victory tonight in South Carolina. Wow, that is really something. This was a little sooner than we anticipated. An even bigger win than we anticipated. The former president largely looking past his last Republican opponent, Nikki Haley, instead painting a dark picture of a Biden presidency he hopes to end in November. We're going to look at Joe Biden and we're going to look him right in the eye. He's destroying our country. And we're going to say, Joe, you're fired.

Get out. Get out, Joe. You're fired. Thanks so much. Good to see you all. Haley vowing to fight on despite losing the state where she once served as governor. I said earlier this week that no matter what happens in South Carolina, I would continue to run for president. I'm not giving up this fight. Earlier, arguing Mr. Trump would be destined to lose a 2020 rematch with President Biden in the fall. How many more times do Republicans have to lose before they realize that maybe he's the one that's the problem?

I won't forget. The former president creating new controversy with these remarks at a black conservative gala in Columbia Friday. My my the mugshot. We've all seen the mugshot. And you know who embraced it more than anybody else? The black population. It's incredible. It's disgusting, but that's what happens when he goes off the teleprompter. That's the chaos that comes with Donald Trump. But at polling places across the Palmetto State, Republicans stood by Mr. Trump.

I think he's the best man. You look at everything he said he was going to do, and he did it. And he's for the American people, not for foreigners. And Garrett Haik joins us from Columbia, South Carolina, at a Trump election night party. Hey, Garrett. Gotti, this is now a victory party here for Donald Trump. And expect to hear him claim victory not just in South Carolina, but in this Republican primary. He and his campaign are eager to pivot all of their attention to Joe Biden and this fall's general election.

Got it. Derek, thank you. And for more, let's bring in NBC's Meet the Press moderator, Kristen Welker. And Kristen, at this point, does Haley still have a path forward? Well, Gotti, Nikki Haley's path to the nomination is uphill at best, regardless of what happens in South Carolina. She's looking to Michigan, which votes on Tuesday. Now, that state has an open primary, meaning voters of any party affiliation can vote for the candidate of their choosing. That could help Haley, who posed well with Democrats and independents. Haley is also eyeing Super Tuesday states that have opened primaries, including Virginia, Minnesota and Massachusetts. But catching Trump will be nearly impossible given his already huge delegate lead. Meanwhile, Democrats are watching this all closely. I interviewed

California's Governor Gavin Newsom earlier today and asked him if Democrats want Haley to get out of the race so the general election can officially begin. I don't know why Democrats would want her out of the race. She's one of our better surrogates. I mean, she's defining the opposition to Trump incredibly effectively. I mean, she's making points I'm applauding every single day about his temperament, his capacity, his unraveling in real time. Now, not surprisingly, Trump supporters have been calling on Haley to get out of the race. Her timing will likely depend on whether donors continue to stand by her. But bottom line, you can't sugarcoat it. A loss in Haley's home state would be a major setback for her. Gotti. Kristen Welker, thank you. And you can see more of Kristen's exclusive interview with

California Governor Gavin Newsom tomorrow morning on Meet the Press right here on NBC. And now to breaking news overseas, the U.S. launching more than a dozen new airstrikes in Yemen in response to attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Courtney Kuby has the latest from the Pentagon. Courtney, what else do we know? Yeah, the U.S. and British military striking back against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels for their continued attacks against ships in the Red Sea. U.S. and British military airstrikes hitting 18 targets at eight locations in Yemen, including underground storage facilities, weapons, and even a helicopter.

NBC News was on board the USS Eisenhower in the Red Sea during similar strikes earlier this month. But even with continued strikes, the Houthis remain defiant, accelerating attacks against ships, including the missile strike that disabled the British owned Ruby Mar, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. It's now leaking oil, causing an 18 mile oil slick, along with concerns about the 41,000 tons of fertilizer on board that could turn into an environmental disaster. Gadi. Courtney Kuby, thank you.

And to the war in Ukraine now, exactly two years to the day since Russian troops invaded and now Vladimir Putin's troops appear to be gaining the upper hand after recent victories on the battlefield. Richard Engel reports from Kyiv. Two years ago tonight, Russian helicopters raided the outskirts of Kyiv. The opening attack of Vladimir Putin's war to conquer Ukraine. The country was nearly overwhelmed by the massive assault. The Ukrainians blew up this bridge in order to slow down the Russian advance,

but it has also made it extremely difficult for people to evacuate these areas that are hotly contested. But with courage, backed by weapons and money from Washington and Europe, Ukraine held on. And today, on the spot of the first attack, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy greeted allies from Canada, Italy, Belgium and the European Union. It is here that Putin wanted to win the battle for our capital, and here the world saw that evil can be defeated, he said. But the anniversary comes at a hard time for Ukraine. Sanctions against Russia aren't working,

ammunition is running low after a failed offensive, and aid from the United States is held up in Congress. While in Russia, President Putin is relishing the moment. His troops are advancing in Ukraine while he's on a campaign tour for elections he's assured to win. But Alexei Navalny won't go away, even in death. Today, his mother received his body after claiming authorities had instructed her to bury him in secret. His widow, who met President Biden, didn't give any clues as to next steps. You tortured him alive, and now you keep torturing him dead. You mock the remains of the dead, she said. This war has made Russia more repressive and Ukraine more dependent on the West.

We travel to the frontline town of Chasivyar under relentless Russian assault. It was clear immediately they know what they're fighting for and what they need. This is the town hall destroyed by Russian strikes. And on the wall, Ukrainian troops have left a message. It says, we are not asking too much. We just need artillery shells and aviation. The rest we do ourselves. Many here don't understand why the U.S. seems to have lost interest in Ukraine

and the vast implications of the biggest land war in Europe since World War II. Gotti. Richard Engel, thank you. And back here at home, the University of Georgia's campus is on edge after a student was killed. A suspect is in custody tonight, but it is still unclear why it happened. Marisa Parra has those details. Tonight in Georgia, a community in mourning. Days after the shocking murder of 22-year-old college student Laken Riley, found dead after going for a jog on the University of Georgia campus in Athens. Flowers lay near the lake where she was last seen alive. This is heartbreaking. This is a heartbreaking time for the university. Police arresting 26-year-old

Jose Antonio Ibarra for Lakin's murder after surveillance video and other evidence led police his way. At this time, the investigation suggests that they had no relationship. He did not know her at all. I think this was a crime of opportunity. Today, Ibarra, who is not a U.S. citizen, was denied bond. On campus, relief that a suspect was caught so quickly. I'm seeing a little bit more with police, campus security, and, you know, they're not just letting anybody in and out with the campus doors and things like that. So I'm feeling a little bit more secure now.

But some students still worry. It's really upsetting. I know that I love to run, and so to know that that could have been me, could have been any other woman on this campus. It's really upsetting. I know that I love to run. And so to know that that could have been me, could have been any other woman on this campus, it's just terrible. Riley had recently transferred from University of Georgia to nearby Augusta University, where she was a Dean's List academic pursuing nursing. Social media snapshots reveal a young woman who was full of life, passionate about running and the people she loved. Her former roommate, Bianca Tiller, telling NBC News she made everyone smile and is

such a kind soul. And Marissa Parra joins us from the University of Georgia in Athens. Marissa, even though she transferred schools to study nursing, that young woman still had close ties there, right? That's right, Gotti. In fact, she was still an active member of UGA sorority here, and they are joint hosting a vigil planned for Monday, the same day classes are set to resume. Gotti? Marissa Parra, thank you. And still ahead tonight, new clues prompting questions about a high school student's death after they were attacked in a school bathroom.

Plus, the dramatic fire rescue in New York, the daring move these firefighters made to get people to safety. And we are back now with an update from space, where the moon lander known as Odysseus tipped sideways while landing on the moon's surface. And this is the first private spacecraft to ever reach the moon and the first from the U.S. since 1972. The company behind it says Odysseus is alive and well, even after one of its six feet got caught on the moon's surface when it landed. Also tonight, we are learning new details about the death of a non-binary high school student in Oklahoma. They died after being attacked in a school bathroom,

and tonight, newly released body cam and surveillance video is raising questions about what happened. Priya Shrether has the very latest. So what happened today? I got jumped. Tonight, new police body camera video shows a 16-year-old Oklahoma high school student describing a fight they had in school just one day before their tragic death. They came at me. They grabbed under my hair. I grabbed under them. I threw one of them. Next, Benedict, who uses they-them pronouns, speaking to an Owasu police officer from the emergency room of a nearby hospital. Newly released school surveillance cameras show Benedict in the cafeteria with classmates,

then walking into a bathroom where Benedict says a fight broke out. like that and and they were talking about us in front of us and so i went up there and i poured water on them and then all three of them came at me shortly after a faculty member rushes into the bathroom later benedict is seen walking to the principal's office and then out of the school escorted by their mom the next day next is mom calling 911, telling dispatchers Nex is having trouble breathing. She later apologized on a GoFundMe page for not using Nex's desired pronouns. She got beat up at school yesterday. I took her to the hospital last night. Paramedics rushed next to the hospital, where they later died. Owasu Public Schools tells NBC News they don't have a comment on the new video. According to Wasu Police, the medical examiner's office determined that Benedict did not die from trauma and they're awaiting toxicology results.

But the newly released video has sparked outrage and sadness with more questions than answers about a young life cut tragically short. Priya Shrether, NBC News. Priya, thank you. And we're back in a moment with that measles outbreak now spreading in Florida and officials confirm new cases in two other states. Plus, why these students celebrated their custodian on one of the biggest days of his life. And we are back with dramatic new video of a fire rescue in New York City. You can see the firefighters doing a rope rescue at this Harlem apartment building. Firefighters climbing down the side of the building to rescue people trapped inside.

Now, this is extremely rare. The department only does this once or twice a year. Three of the people saved are said to be in critical condition. One person died and 17 others were hurt in that fire. There are growing concerns about measles and a measles outbreak in Florida that appears to be spreading. And it comes as Michigan and Indiana confirmed their first cases in nearly five years. Jesse Kirsch has the latest. Tonight, the highly infectious measles virus is spreading across more of the country,

including in Florida, where a concerning outbreak is growing. Right now, I'm not sending my 10-year-old to school. There is definitely some concern about parents, about their kids being exposed and getting sick. Officials in the Fort Lauderdale area are now reporting a seventh measles case within days, this time in a child under age five. And unlike the others in Broward County, Florida, this new case is from outside Manatee Bay Elementary School, where the other six were confirmed. The virus can linger in the air for two hours, stay on surfaces. So this is

something very easy to give and get, especially in a school environment. Florida is not the only state being hit by the virus, which can be deadly. On Friday, Michigan and Indiana both reported their first measles case in almost five years. And the latest CDC data shows more than 30 cases nationwide this year across more than a dozen states, with most cases related to international travel. That tally is already more than half of what was reported in the United States for all of 2023. Is there something about this year that is making people more vulnerable to the measles right now? Yeah, it's a combination of people not getting their vaccines on schedule during

the pandemic and then just not necessarily getting to the doctor's office. According to the CDC, measles complications can affect children under age five especially hard. Symptoms can take two weeks to appear and may include high fever, cough, runny nose, red eyes, and a rash. Experts say the best thing you can do is get your children vaccinated to keep them healthy. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News. Jesse, thank you. And when we come back, there is good news tonight about those two dreams that came true for this sailor all in one week. Stay tuned. the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday, we highlight the many people who spread joy and spread love. And these are just some of those stories this week.

There were so many moments celebrating what it means to be an American. At a hotel in Kentucky. Students there for a music conference all gathered to sing the national anthem. Meanwhile, near Salt Lake City. Raise your hand if you love Mr. Favio. Hundreds of students surprised their beloved custodian, Favio Gonzalez, at Foothills Elementary School. Favio! Favio! Favio! Favio! Favio! You can see Favio moved by the celebration.

The whole school honoring him and his wife after they became U.S. citizens. Where at least I know I'm free. Who was Christ and Christ's son? Back in Kentucky, those high schoolers singing night after night. And you won't believe this American dream come true. That's Navy sailor Roger Rodriguez with his wife Ashley meeting their newborn baby daughter Lila for the very first time. There's a joy I cannot describe. I don't cry easily, but I hot heard and I was like, this is part of me.

This is my baby. I love her. She's beautiful. We hadn't been together for several months, so it was very much feeling more complete. But that's not all. In that one week, one week, Roger, who's from Venezuela, also became a U.S. citizen and graduated from boot camp. For this young family of faith, it's a new chapter filled with love and hope. Becoming a U.S. citizen was like a cherry on the pie. I just want to pay to the United States my gratitude.

And I think the best way of doing this is serving. I feel like I'm living the dream. I'm living the dream. How about that? That's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday. Kate Snow will be here tomorrow night. I'm Gotti Schwartz. And for all of us here at NBC News, have a great night. © BF-WATCH TV 2021