NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, January 25, 2025

Episode Date: January 26, 2025

Four female Israeli hostages set free; Pete Hegseth sworn in as Secretary of Defense; L.A.'s fire victims desperate to start rebuilding their lives; and more on tonight’s broadcast. Editor's note: A previous version of the broadcast included references to U.S. military flights carrying migrants to Mexico. The flights were chartered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Tonight, four Israeli hostages released in a major test for the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The emotional moments the four were returned with their families, each racing into the arms of their parents. Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners released. Why Israel says Hamas is violating the ceasefire agreement. President Trump's controversial choice for defense secretary sworn in today after one of the closest votes in Senate history. His former sister-in-law outraged and speaking out. Friday night massacre. The president firing inspectors general

at key government agencies. What happens now that the roles meant to stop waste and abuse are gone? Does he appoint true watchdogs or does he appoint lapdogs? Rain coming to L.A. It'll help stop the wildfires but could bring new problems. The ship that got stuck in the ice off Buffalo for days, its crew trapped on board. The all-out race to free it and the update late today. And burgers with a side of A.I. How Wendy's is using new technology at its drive-thrus.

Are you no longer speaking to a human? This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz-Balart. Good evening. There were celebrations across Israel today. Four more hostages released by Hamas as part of the tentative ceasefire between it and Israel. Imagine for a minute being a parent, unable to see or hear from your child for 477 days, not knowing if she is dead or alive. That was the past year and a half for the parents of Daniela Gilboa.

And this, this is the moment they finally saw her again. There were three more equally powerful reunions today. Families together again. But the war is far from over. Some 100 hostages still remain, including three Americans. And there were new tensions today, signs that the tentative ceasefire is very much that, tentative. We begin tonight with Raf Sanchez in Israel. It was a Hamas production choreographed to the very last detail.

Four female Israeli soldiers marched on stage in costume uniforms, waving to the crowd, then handed to the Red Cross. And then, after 477 days in captivity, this video from the Israel Defense Forces showing the young women finally reunited with their waiting parents and flown back to Tel Aviv. And it is hovering over the helipad now. It certainly would be large enough for those four female soldiers and their parents. Israelis call them the Watchtower Girls, unarmed spotters on the Israel-Gaza border taken captive on October 7th. Liri Albag, trying to speak to her captors. Albag's family invited

us exclusively to be with them as they anxiously awaited news. How are you feeling right now? Excited. Two of her aunts, who held on for so long. It's a big moment for us. Two of her aunts who held on for so long. And then? Albag's mother, Shira, met her at the border,

calling the family, telling them it's over, she's on her way home. But first, treatment at this Tel Aviv hospital, where officials say the women appear in good condition. Doctors say the goal here is to provide an environment that is calm, that is quiet and is safe for people who have been through so much. Reunions also for Palestinian families, as 200 prisoners were exchanged for the hostages. But Israel Tonight accusing Hamas of violating the deal by not freeing civilian hostage Arbel Yehud, and saying it won't allow Palestinian civilians to return to northern Gaza until her release is agreed. And Raf Sanchez joins me from outside the hospital where the four freed hostages are being treated.

Raf, any word tonight on when the Americans being held by Hamas could be freed? Jose, two officials tell NBC News 65-year-old Keith Siegel is expected to be the first American freed next weekend. But as we've seen, no one knows for sure which hostages are coming out until Hamas announces it. Jose? Ralph Sanchez in Israel, thank you. Back here in the U.S., there are questions and concern on both sides of the aisle after President Trump fired a dozen independent watchdogs from various agencies. It comes as his controversial pick to run the Defense Department was sworn in after a bruising confirmation battle.

Amy Schausendorf is traveling with the president in Nevada. Tonight, President Trump speaking to supporters in Las Vegas. Celebrate the historic first week in the White House. This is the Senate-confirmed Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense and Kristi Noem as Homeland Security Secretary. Pete Hegseth got approved. And Kristi Noem just got approved, Governor. She's going to keep it. Back in D.C. this morning, Hegseth was sworn in at the White House.

Mr. President, thank you very much to the American people. We have your back. The vice president Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America , and the vice president of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America,

J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, and the vice president of the United States of America,

J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, J.D. Vance, Presidential Candidate for President of the United States of America, tiebreaker. Hegseth got the job just by a number of controversies, including his former sister-in-law, Danielle Hegseth, saying in an affidavit his behavior made his ex-wife, Samantha, fear for her safety. After the Senate vote, Danielle released a statement saying, quote, what happened today will make women who have experienced abuse and mistreatment

even less forthcoming. Hegseth repeatedly denied all of these allegations, and Samantha has said there was no physical abuse during their marriage. And today, criticism from both sides of the aisle after the president late Friday, according to a senior White House official, fired at least 12 inspectors general, tasked with monitoring their agency for fraud, waste and abuse. Interior IG Mark Lee Greenblatt was one of the agency watchdogs fired. Who does the president appoint in the place of the IGs that he's removed? Are they going to be the taxpayers' representatives inside the federal agencies, or are they going to be President Trump's representatives inside the federal agencies? The law requires the White House to give Congress

a 30-day notice before firing an IG and provide substantive reasons. Yamiche joins us now from Las Vegas. Yamiche, President Trump reaffirming his pledge to end taxes on tips there? Well, the president delivered an animated speech

where he pledged to keep his campaign promises, including improving the economy and cutting taxes on tips. But he did not give a specific timeline. Jose. Yamiche Alcindor in Las Vegas. Thank you. Just days after President Trump's CIA chief took his post, the agency is now speaking out about how COVID might have started. In a statement today, a CIA spokesperson said the virus was likely leaked from a Chinese lab before it became a global pandemic. But they only have, quote, low confidence in that assessment.

For years, they said it was unclear if the pandemic started with an infected animal or from a research lab. To those California wildfires and the new outrage for weary residents who've waited weeks to see what, if anything, is left of their homes. Those delays coming to a head yesterday between L.A.'s mayor and President Trump. Steve Patterson reports from Los Angeles. Tonight, another round of heartache for fire-worn residents waiting to get back to their lives and what's left of their homes. Obviously an information gap and, you know, everybody wants answers, but it's going to take time. It's just outrageous. It makes me completely lose faith in their political hacks. They're trying to, it's all CYA at the top rather than actually facing it and trying to solve it. That agonizing wait in recovery, the source of a heated exchange between L.A. Mayor Karen

Bass and President Trump Friday. You have a very powerful emergency power and you can do everything within 24 hours. Yes. And if individuals want to clear out their property, they can. But we can't even get in here without Trump. Yes, but you know that you will be able to go back soon. But how? When, Mr. President? We think within a week. You've been here without trucks. Yes, but you know that you will be able to go back soon. When, Mr. President?

We think within a week. A week is a long time. The most important thing is for people to be safe. They're safe. Part of that safety plan, a comprehensive sweep from the EPA, cleaning hazardous waste from the worst impacted communities. We don't want to do any of this type of activity out there in the middle of the community. We bring it here to safely process all the different materials. And with rain in the forecast, neighbors are preparing for the possibility of disastrous

mudslides. My house burned down and right now we're going to go protect my grandmother's house above Altadena. These sandbags are going to prevent a lot of water from getting into the houses that are now standing. A cycle of anxiety for so many still seemingly trapped in the never-ending worst day of their lives. And Steve, with the rain, authorities are worried about more than just possible mudslides. Yeah, Jose, there is a real concern about all the toxic debris left over from a fire like this, that it could run off into nearby waterways, even the ocean. So around those burn scars, there is a concerted effort to build berms and barriers ahead of the rain. Jose? Steve Patterson, thank you. Still ahead tonight, trapped in ice, a massive freighter stuck near Buffalo and the race to free it. The update just

late today. Plus, the underdog teams one game away from the Super Bowl. How history could be made. We're back with a major update to a story we've been tracking. A massive ship and its crew have been trapped in the ice of Lake Erie for days. Ships from two countries racing to free it. And late today, movement. Tonight, this massive freighter inching forward, finally on the move. The ship, called the Manitolan, had been trapped in the ice off Buffalo for days.

Today, an all-out effort set it free. Coast Guard ships from the U.S. and Canada circling it, breaking up the ice, some of it four feet thick, that had surrounded it. A helicopter tracking it from above. The Manitolan was leaving Buffalo on Wednesday when the quickly forming ice brought it to a standstill, trapping it and its 17-person crew. The stuck ship became a fascination for Buffalo locals. We're just wondering about all the guys that are on there, stuck out there, you know. But now, finally free and making its way home. We're back in a moment with the future of fast food.

Wendy's adding AI to its drive-thrus, but how well does the technology actually work? We're going to put it to the test. There are more high-tech changes coming to fast food chains. Some Wendy's now using AI to take your drive-thru orders. But does it really work better than talking to an actual human? Our Adrian brought us got an exclusive behind the scenes look at the new technology and put it to the test. It looks like a typical drive-thru. You can start placing your order when ready. Can I get a number eight, please? But the voice

taking orders at this Wendy's is actually powered by artificial intelligence. Did you know who you were talking to? Yeah it was a robot. It's part of the future for Wendy's. They call it fresh AI. We're always thinking about what is the right technology that solves the right problem at Wendy's. Here's how it works. A customer drives up and talks into this speaker. Hi, welcome to Wendy's. Feel free to order whenever you are ready. The AI takes the order, listening and responding to questions.

Can I get two double stacks? Inside, human workers watch a monitor as the order comes. Then they prepare the meal. We went through the drive-thru to see how it works. Hi, I would like six regular nuggets and six spicy nuggets. Spicy nuggets here, regular nuggets here. Let's try it again. On this run, I tried to trip the AI. Five-piece nugget.

Ordering something not on the menu. That's when a human stepped in to help. Hi, I will apologize about that. We only have four, six, and ten piece nuggets. In 2023, Wendy's started offering AI drive-thrus. Now, nearly 100 across 19 states, with more on the way. If I wanted to order in French, could I? You cannot currently order in French. You can, however, order in Spanish. It's part of a growing trend as the food industry goes high-tech. More and more chains installing self-serve kiosks like these

to place your orders. Some sweet green locations have automated kitchens creating salads. Chipotle is testing robots to prepare burrito bowls. McDonald's also experimented with AI drive-thrus and then took it off the menu. The company's saying it may revisit them in the future. But Wendy's partnered with Google Cloud to create their tech. It uses generative AI, which means it's always learning and should improve over time. But it does raise concerns for some people. I hate to see somebody lose their job. Could it put humans out of work? It's always been an assistant, never a replacement. Customers who spoke with us seem willing to give it a chance. Took motor just like it would normally and seemed a little faster.

A new trend driven by technology. Adrian Broadus, NBC News, New Albany, Ohio. There's good news tonight. You know, so often the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. These are just some of those stories this week. This is a joyful reunion more than a year in the making. That's Erin Jackson, who flew all the way to New York City from Arkansas to keep a promise she made to a stranger named Sue.

The two met at a Brooklyn restaurant back in 2023, hitting it off and making a pact to meet at the very same place a year later. Remarkable because they never exchanged numbers or any other information. But both kept that promise, taking a chance and showing up for a dinner they'll never forget. I want you to meet my best friend, Sue! Happy birthday to you! And talk about surprises. The kids at Oregon's Merrill Elementary throwing a 70th birthday bash for beloved longtime custodian Kathy Itrum, letting her know just how much she means. I'm well loved. That's what I've taken away from it, is that I'm well loved, that these kids love me as much as I love them.

There was this special delivery for firefighters in Huntington Beach, California. Dear firefighters, thank you for your hard work. Dozens of letters. Thank you for helping people in need. From third graders at Franklintown Charter School in Philadelphia, thanking them for all their hard work battling those devastating wildfires. An honor from afar for these heroes. The thought that went into these is truly amazing. You know, these kids certainly care for people that they don't even know.

And talk about a slam dunk. Here's a split screen of brother-sister buzzer beaters. Good! That's Stanford's Jalen Blakes making the final winning shot for his team against the Tar Heels last week. The very next day, this happened. Put back for Blakes, good!.4 seconds left!

His sister, Makayla, at Vanderbilt, sinking it to win their game over the Tennessee Volunteers. Their dad, Monroe, who played college hoops himself, there for both games. What was it like, Jalen, to have your dad in the stands? It was unbelievable. He's usually very reserved. You know, there's a lot of things that he sacrificed for me and my sister to be in this position here today, so it was truly beautiful. I saw somebody who looked like my dad just jumping in a circle by himself. I mean, just all the emotions just rushed over me. So Monroe, how did it feel for you? So I knew the odds were against us. And so one of the things that we always talk about is we compete to the end. We compete to the end. And so they competed to the end.

But then on top of that, to make history is just amazing. That's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday. Hallie Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diaz-Balart. Thank you. Hallie Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diaz-Balart. Thank you for the privilege of your time. And good night.