NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, March 1, 2025

Episode Date: March 2, 2025

Incident prompts evacuation at Dallas cheerleading competition; A FedEx Cargo flight makes emergency landing after a bird strike; Pentagon to send about 2,900 more troops to U.S.-Mexico border; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, chaos at a cheerleading competition in Dallas, the panic at the Dallas Convention Center, young girls in cheer uniforms and parents run for their lives. I felt so helpless seeing little girls hiding and crying. People inside told to evacuate, the massive emergency response, but no active shooter or major threat, what police are saying caused the scene. Scare in the skies, flames shoot from the engine of this jet, active shooter or major threat. What police are saying caused the scene. Scare in the skies. Flames shoot from the engine of this jet, forced to make an emergency landing with the engine still on fire. The latest incident rattling air travelers. Followed from that Oval Office clash, Ukrainian President Zelensky in London today to meet with

European leaders. How his clash with President Trump could impact the war in Ukraine, what we're learning tonight about the Pentagon's plan to send thousands of U.S. troops to the border with Mexico, a hopeful update on the condition of Pope Francis tonight. We're at the Vatican. Spring break underway in Miami Beach, along with new measures to prevent violence, the plan to keep crowds under control this year. Hollywood gets ready for the Oscars as film industry workers recover from those devastating L.A. fires. And there's good news tonight about the life-saving power of baseball and friendship. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz-Balart.

Good evening. We begin tonight with a scary afternoon in Dallas where a national cheerleading competition turned into a frantic scene. Police say an incident prompted this mass evacuation and mass panic at the Dallas Convention Center. Video showing girls in their cheer uniforms sprinting to get away. That rush leading to a massive emergency response. Dallas police later confirming there was no active shooter threat and saying a fight between just two people caused all of this commotion. Priscilla Thompson reports tonight from Dallas. There's a gun! There's a gun!

Tonight, a chaotic scene in Dallas at the National Cheerleaders Association competition. Hundreds of people evacuated from the convention center, running for their lives and searching for safety after hearing a sudden loud noise. It sounded like three pop-pop-pops. It sounded like gunshots to me. Addison Dyer and her mother Amber were there. My mom picked me up by the stomach and kind of threw me on the ground and told me to stay low because we didn't know if he was shooting or not.

I was just scared. I felt so helpless seeing little girls hiding and crying. The scene quickly changing. They just ran over people, saw people get trampled and run into and pushed over for trying to get out on their own. Dallas police later saying on social media there was no active shooter. Apparently they're saying that it wasn't,

nobody was shooting at it, people were just fighting. Clarifying multiple poles fell in the center, generating the loud noise that caused the panic. Today's competition canceled, many shaken by what could have been far worse. I was really scared. I was just really happy that everyone was okay and that I got to reunite with my family again. Priscilla joins us now live from that convention center in Dallas. Priscilla, was anyone hurting all this? Yeah, Jose, as you can see, still an active scene here.

There are still fire alarms going off inside the convention center. And police say that there were multiple non-life-threatening injuries from the chaos. Now, as for the competition, organizers say that it will resume tomorrow. Jose? Priscilla Thompson in Dallas, thank you. We are tracking another scary incident in the skies tonight. A cargo plane forced to make an emergency landing when an engine caught on fire. Maya Eaglin reports.

This was the terrifying sight in the sky over Newark, New Jersey this morning. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. A FedEx plane with its right engine on fire. We're declining emergency, returning the airfield. You can see the flames and smoke shooting out of the engine as the plane returned to Newark Liberty International Airport for an emergency landing. Drivers nearby shocked. Mike Bova took this video as he watched it all in horror. Were you expecting to see something like this today?

Never, never. The plane looked a little wobbly and all of a sudden you saw something, a big thing fall from the sky. Moments later, you saw the plane looked like the engine just went on fire. The FAA says the plane bound from New Jersey to Indianapolis circled back to the airport after a bird strike. No injuries were reported, and tonight FedEx thanking its pilots, crew, and first responders. NBC News aviation analyst John Cox says bird strikes are not uncommon, but to cause this level of damage to an engine is unusual. This was a pretty good strike. The pilots are trained for this. They shut the engine down and returned for a safe landing. The most notable bird strike,

the miracle on the Hudson in 2009, when both engines were knocked down on a U.S. Airways flight. Everyone on board survived. Today's engine fire is just the latest in a string of frightening high-profile aviation incidents. NBC News senior correspondent Tom Costello spoke exclusively with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy this week, Duffy reassuring the American public that it's still safe to fly. This truly is the safest mode of transportation. There's a billion people, a billion passengers who fly a year in the U.S., 35 million flights and very few incidents. And it's very safe. Maya Eaglin joins me now from Newark Liberty International. Maya, you were just saying that bird strikes are actually more common than a lot of people realize.

Yeah, Jose, that's right. And they seem to be happening more frequently. According to the FAA, in 2023 alone, there were some 19,000 bird strikes, with more than half happening during takeoff or landing. Jose? Maya Eaglin in Newark, thank you. There is growing fallout tonight from that incredible Oval Office clash between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. And tonight, there are new concerns over Russia's war with Ukraine. Vaughn Hilliard has the latest. What's your message to Donald Trump, Mr. Zelensky? In London today, President Volodymyr Zelensky in his latest high-stakes meeting. This with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

We count on your support and really, really, we're really happy that we have we have such partners and such friends. The meeting coming on the heels of Friday's unprecedented Oval Office on-camera diplomatic meltdown between Zelensky and President Trump. You don't have the cards right now. With us, you start having cards. I'm not playing cards.

Right now, you're playing cards. I'm wearing serious, Mr. President. You're playing cards. You're gambling with the lives of millions of people. You're gambling with World War III. You're gambling with World War III. And what you're doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that's back to you, far more than a lot of people said they should have. Zelensky was asked to leave the White House following the confrontation, and the Ukrainian leader did not sign the mineral deal with the U.S. that was at the root of his visit to the White House.

An administration official now telling NBC News that direct negotiations between the Trump administration and Ukraine are on hold. Secretary of State Marco Rubio taking to television last night to add to the administration's derision of Zelensky. Don't come here and create a scenario where you're going to start lecturing us about how diplomacy isn't going to work. But in London today, the Ukrainian president, who has been leading his country's war with Russia since Vladimir Putin chose to invade Ukraine more than three years ago, a more welcome reception.

We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take. Most U.S. allies in the last 24 hours echoing that support for Zelensky, from Europe to Australia to Canada. French President Emmanuel Macron posting, there is an aggressor, Russia. There is a victim, Ukraine. Others urging Ukraine not to turn away from the U.S. President Andrei Duda of Poland pushing Zelensky to return to the negotiating table, saying the U.S.'s best position to end the war, as President Trump had this warning last night.

Either we're going to end it or let him fight it out. And if he fights it out, it's not going to be pretty because without it, without us, he doesn't win. And Vaughn is traveling with the president in Florida tonight. Vaughn, there is more to Zelensky's visit to London today than his meeting with the prime minister there. That's right, Jose. The two men will host a summit tomorrow for European leaders about their own strategy toward ending Russia's war against Ukraine. All leaders who Zelensky may need now more than ever, given his growing rift with President Trump. Jose. Von Hilliard in West Palm Beach, Florida. Thank you.

The Pentagon says it will send thousands of additional troops to the U.S. border with Mexico. Yamiche Alcindor is at the White House tonight. And Yamiche, this is another sign of the Trump administration's focus on immigration and securing the border. That's right. Today, President Trump boasted online that February had the lowest number of illegal border crossings in U.S. history. But even with that sharp drop, the administration says it is further militarizing the U.S. border with Mexico. In a statement, a senior Defense Department official said the additional troops are intended to, quote, reinforce and expand current border security operations and maintain the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of the United States. On top of the nearly 1,600 troops announced in January, the Pentagon says it will send about 2,900 more.

Jose? Yamiche Alcindor at the White House, thank you. And don't miss Meet the Press tomorrow morning when Kristen Welker interviews House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senators Bernie Sanders and James Lankford. That's tomorrow morning right here on NBC. Also tonight, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo says he now wants to be mayor of the city of New York. Cuomo, a Democrat, making it official in this announcement video today. He resigned as governor almost four years ago after facing multiple allegations of sexual

harassment. Cuomo's campaign comes as the current mayor, Democrat Eric Adams, has faced months of scandal after an indictment on corruption charges, which he pleaded not guilty to. The Trump administration has moved to dismiss those charges, but a judge has yet to rule. And to the Vatican now, and a new update and possible improvement in Pope Francis's condition. And Thompson is there for us tonight. And what's the latest? The news is much better tonight, Jose. Pope Francis is stable after yesterday's bronchial spasm. He has been alternating between the breathing mask and receiving high flow oxygen. And the Vatican says he's having a good response. On top of that, there have been no more crises since the one like on Friday. All of that lightening the mood at tonight's rosary service inside St. Peter's Basilica because of the rain.

The Vatican says the Pope does not have a fever. His vital signs are normal. And he was up walking and praying today at his private chapel in the hospital. Still, Pope Francis' prognosis is guarded, and what that means is he is not out of the woods yet. Jose? Anne Thompson at the Vatican, thank you. Still ahead tonight, the spring break crackdown in Miami Beach

as police try to prevent scenes like this. We're back with a scary moment high above the streets of New York. Strong winds sent this window washing rig twisting and smashing into the side of a building with two workers on board. Firefighters eventually were able to pull the washers to safety. It is spring break in Miami Beach, and for the second year in a row, they're gearing up for strict rules to prevent deadly violence from the past.

Marisa Parra reports from Miami Beach. Guys, they're saying expect curfew. Potential curfews. Are you kidding me? It's a spoof video, but the warning is real. Starting this weekend, it's over between Miami Beach and the wild spring break of years past. This year, we want folks to have a reality check. Miami Beach Police Chief Wayne Jones walks with us on the very street where one of the deadly spring break shootings happened two years ago. A deadly shooting on Ocean Drive. The deadly chaos of spring 2023 led to what is now a second year in a row of stricter measures.

We've got the iconic Miami Beach behind me, 15 blocks of Ocean Drive in front of me. And of all of the beach entrances, only three of them are going to be open. This is one of them. Beach bag checks, DUI checkpoints, closed streets, up to $100 parking, measures that police now say they have the data to show that last year it worked. 24% decrease in felony arrests, which is huge, huge. And 8% decline in overall arrests. And there were no fatal shootings. But businesses like Miami Beach's Palace Bar and Restaurant are bracing for a different impact. This is

considered our sidewalk Cafe extension and so all of this has to be removed how many seats 187 seats restrictions and fewer crowds meant both less chaos and fewer patrons did you see a change in revenue between March of 2023 and March in 2024. we did yeah we It was pretty substantial, probably about 15 to 20 percent. Other parts of Florida, like Volusia County, now following Miami Beach's lead. We really don't want you here. I mean, I'll be honest with you. Fort Lauderdale's Broward County with its own viral video. We got beaches, we got vibes, but remember, we got rules.

The signs are clear. South Florida cities aren't afraid to rain on the spring break parade. Last year, we did the breakup with Spring Break, and I had a friend of mine tell me, well, you guys didn't just break up with Spring Break, divorce Spring Break. And we did. Risa Parra, NBC News, Miami Beach. We're back in a moment with the Oscars' big challenge, how to celebrate Hollywood's biggest night just weeks after those devastating wildfires. The Oscars are tomorrow and the ceremony is usually a chance to celebrate Hollywood stars. But this year it comes after wildfires devastated much of Los Angeles, impacting countless of film industry workers.

David Noriega reports. Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet for its biggest night of the year, as Los Angeles gears up for the 97th Academy Awards. But this year, Oscars weekend feels different, with many in the entertainment business still reeling from the devastating wildfires that ravaged swaths of L.A. Everything is gone. BJ and Adrienne McDonald lost their home in Malibu,

which had been in BJ's family for generations. People look at the Palisades and they just think, oh, there's these rich millionaires and they're just these actors. There's a lot of people that have generational homes that live here and we are all union workers. Like, we work paycheck to paycheck. The couple have worked behind the scenes in film for years and they have mixed feelings about this weekend.

Tomorrow's the Oscars. How are you guys feeling about that? We haven't even had a chance to digest it. Do you think you're even going to watch the Oscars? Probably not. The Academy faces a delicate task, celebrating the glitz and glamour of Hollywood while being sensitive to the overwhelming loss. It did say shortly after the fires that it planned to honor frontline workers and recognize

those impacted. Last month, the Grammys pulled off a similar balancing act. Thank you for supporting all of us and recognizing the heroes that are standing behind me and the sheroes. But the fires are only the latest in a string of setbacks to hit film industry workers. How would you say the industry is doing right now? We're struggling. We had COVID, then we had the strikes, and now we have the devastation of the fires. The thing that I think a lot of people understand is that if we don't work and we don't get a certain amount of

hours, we don't have health insurance. Film production in Los Angeles is on the decline. According to Film LA, which tracks permitting in the city, the number of shoot days has plummeted 30% compared to the average of the last five years, excluding 2020. What happened here in California is that everything just went because of tax incentives and things got cheaper to make in different places. So is the garage. This weekend, BJ, Adrian, and so many others affected by the fires

can think only about the uncertainty of their own futures. We're all struggling. Our heart aches not only for ourselves, but for everybody. We just want everyone to be okay. We want our community back. David Noriega, NBC News, Malibu. And tonight, we remember an actor and music icon. David Johansson of the New York Dolls died at age 75.

After the Dolls, he performed solo as Buster Poindexter and had a major hit with Hot, Hot, Hot. When we come back, there's good news tonight about these baseball super fans and how one stepped up to the plate when the other most needed it. 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. Talk about a home run. Cubs superfans Denise Vasquez and Kathy Weedly bonded over baseball,

becoming friends during spring training games in Arizona. So when Kathy, a retired teacher, found out Denise desperately needed a kidney transplant, she stepped up to the plate, surprising the Navy veteran at, well, the ball ballpark with the news she would be her donor. I am your donor. Are you serious? Yes, I am. I am your donor, girl. All right. Yeah! Their recent surgery at Dignity Health St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, a life-saving gift that will keep Denise swinging for the fences for years to come. It was just overwhelming and amazing, emotional. When I learned Denise needed a kidney,

I knew I had to try. You don't let a cum fan die. Here's a moment that'll melt your heart. Beautiful. That's 10-year-old Ava Cooper, a patient at Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital. When the staff found out she was missing her school's daddy-daughter dance, they surprised Ava and her dad, Sean, with a celebration of their own. Here she comes. Ava, who's been in the hospital more than 200 days waiting for a new heart, was over the moon. And dad, well, it had dad wiping away tears. The Cooper family so grateful for the care team who went above and beyond for their little girl. Near Fort Worth, Texas, High Country Elementary School librarian Kathy Fassett

noticed fourth grader Zoe Roseberry kept checking out the same book over and over and over. It was We Shall Overcome by author Brian Collier. Zoe Roseberry kept checking out the same book over and over and over. It was We Shall Overcome by author Brian Collier. So she secretly contacted him, and then this happened. The author sent you your own copy. He's starting to freak you. Mrs. Fassett getting Zoe two signed copies of his books, all for her very own. That kindness meant the world to Zoe and her mom, Angela. Tell me about the day that you were surprised with, you know, not one, but two surprises.

It was so beautiful. I started crying. And I loved how he put Martin Luther King in the center. As a parent, how do we process something so beautiful as what your daughter experiences? I was so glad that Ms. Fassett, the librarian, took note out of all the students to notice my child. I was just, you know, I appreciate librarians. Zoe's love for reading, so inspiring, we decided to give her a surprise too. Brian Collier! It is a pleasure to meet you. It is a pleasure to meet you too.

I am a big fan of your books. I love them so much. Oh, you warm my heart when you say that. Brian Collier, her favorite author, sharing his words of wisdom. Why did you step forward and say, yeah, I want to give her these books? The very notion of somebody attracted to words and books.

I love the way books feel and how much they weigh and the stories that they tell. It's a time machine. You can go anywhere in the world in a book. Zoe, you're the star. That's NBC Nightly News for this Saturday. I'm Jose Diaz-Balart. Thank you for the privilege of your time, and good night.