NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, March 31, 2024

Episode Date: April 1, 2024

Severe flooding in Southern California leaves drivers stranded; Massive Baltimore bridge cleanup continues; Israeli airstrike believed to have hit tents outside Al-Aqsa Hospital, killing journalists; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, 70 million Americans facing down severe weather threats sweeping coast to coast. The massive rainmaker pounding the west, roads flooded. This is nuts. Oh my God, this is so bad. This car swept away, drivers rescued, parts of the Pacific Coast Highway collapsing, tourists stranded, and the storm is now churning east. A new video as the cleanup of that Baltimore bridge has begun while in Oklahoma, a barge runs into another bridge, stopping traffic. And Israel's deadly airstrikes

hitting tents directly outside a hospital and the massive protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tonight. And police in Texas reportedly seeking NFL star Rasheed Rice, wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs, possibly tied to a major car crash involving a Lamborghini and a Corvette. Bystanders hurt and police say some involved fled the scene. And a major pay raise starts tomorrow for fast food workers here in California.

Will the cost of your favorite burger go up with it? And a major city taking the most drastic step yet to curb out-of-control gridlock, charging 15 bucks to enter downtown. Will the other cities follow suit? And on this Easter Sunday, Pope Francis and King Charles powering through health struggles as the world celebrates the holiday. This is NBC Nightly News. Good evening and happy Easter. I'm Gotti Schwartz. And as millions prepare to travel back home after the holiday, the weather is set to create problems from Los Angeles to Delaware.

Starting today, some 70 million Americans are under severe weather threats. It's already started here in California. Look at this. Along Highway 101, a major freeway here, cars literally submerged by rushing water. And you've probably heard of the picturesque Pacific Coast Highway. Well, you can see parts of it collapsed, shutting it down. And the pounding rain on the coast has turned into driving snow in the mountains, areas getting close to two feet. And that storm system is set to tear through most of the country, bringing wind, rain, and the potential for deadly tornadoes.

Jesse Kirsch is covering it all tonight. Oh my God, this is the 101. In Southern California, nearly two inches of rain falling in just one hour. Oh my God, this is so bad. Twyla Douglas filming this video yesterday alongside her husband Scott on Highway 101 in Santa Barbara County. Severe flooding temporarily shutting down the highway in both directions. It was surreal. I had never been in water like that and I was really worried. Oh god, look at this poor car. Some drivers left stranded. Officials say eight people were rescued, and one driver was treated for hypothermia.

The heavy rains also washing out part of Highway 1, a nearby lodge opening its doors for stranded visitors. Charmaine Schwa was escorted out of the area this afternoon. It's a total roller coaster because we went from in one moment thinking that we'd have to start rationing our energy bars to being told we could leave. Dangerous wet roads in Orange County causing this car to spin out and crash into a ditch, according to local reports. Possibility that you could start to see some flooding here. Millions tonight under flood alerts across California.

Oh, that was a bright one. Take a look at this video appearing to show a plane getting struck by lightning near San Jose. And further north, this is debris from a plane crash overnight that left two people dead, according to airport officials. The cause has not been determined, though it was snowing in the area. The NTSB is investigating. More than two feet of snow fell this weekend in parts of the Sierra Nevadas. And on this Easter Sunday, the storm is racing across the Rockies as the eastern half of the country braces for storms. And Jesse joins us from Cincinnati. And Jesse, the severe weather is heading your way, right? Yeah, that's right, Gotti. Here in the Ohio Valley, we could be seeing up to four inches

of rain by Tuesday. That means the risk of flooding. Meanwhile, across stretches of the southeast, there's the potential for record heat through Tuesday. And in southern Texas and parts of that state, there could be triple digit temperatures tomorrow. Gotti. Jesse Kirsch, thanks so much. And tonight we are getting new details and some new video from that massive around-the-clock cleanup operation that just started at the bridge disaster in Baltimore. And it comes as yet another huge boat hit and damaged a different bridge. Aaron Gilchrist is in Baltimore with more. Tonight, the first view of a beam carried away by crane from the wreckage of the Key Bridge. Coast Guard

video showing crews using cutting torches to slice through steel. Officials confirming the first salvage efforts were a success, including a 200-ton piece of the northern part of the bridge cut away and removed on Saturday. Still, it's just a small fraction of the work to be done. These are more the secondary pieces because we're hoping to open up secondary channels. And what's your understanding about now we're a small fraction of the work to be done. These are more the secondary pieces because we're hoping to open up secondary channels. And what's your understanding about now we're a week later, the probability of actually finding these four men who are missing and what it's going to take to do that? We owe it to these families to bring a sense of closure.

And so as soon as it is safe for our divers to get back into the water, those divers are going back in the water. Even as the 24-7 effort on the water ramps up, political debate in Washington, with Republicans criticizing President Biden's quick promise to pay for a new bridge in Baltimore. If we could see Republicans and Democrats cooperate to get President Biden's infrastructure package through, surely they can cooperate to help America and deal with this tragedy. And in Oklahoma on Saturday, another bridge pillar hit, this time by a barge, temporarily closing the span over the Arkansas River. Two bridge incidents less than a week apart, now fueling new concerns about America's aging infrastructure. Certainly this incident is going to give America's bridge builders and engineering community a lot to think about. And Aaron joins us from the side of the Baltimore Bridge. Aaron, what other resources are on their way?

Well, Gotti, we understand that a fourth crane from the Navy is expected to arrive here tomorrow, along with several dozen more support ships in the coming days. We also expect to see President Biden here to tour the wreckage site this week. Gadi? Aaron Gilchrist, thanks so much. And overseas now, more deadly strikes on Gaza today, hitting tents at one of the few hospitals still standing. And this comes as there are major protests calling for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Megan Fitzgerald reports. Tonight, more bloodshed in Gaza. Israel believed to have hit tents outside Al-Aqsa Hospital,

killing and injuring a number of people, including journalists, according to Gaza health officials. I fell to the ground, this journalist tells NBC News, and saw my leg was swollen. We were in a journalist's tent. Why did they target us? The Israeli military issuing this statement, calling the attacks a precision strike meant to minimize harm to uninvolved civilians, saying the IDF and ISA struck an operational Islamic Jihad command center positioned in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Hospital. There is no victory without entering Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying today the operation in Rafah has been approved and will move forward,

a move the Biden administration has called a red line. While in Israel, a new and fierce wave of protests, thousands taking to the streets in Tel Aviv and across the country for a second day in a row, calling for Prime Minister Netanyahu to resign. Go sign this deal, get the hostages back. There are measures that should have been taken and they didn't take them. Protesters gathering tonight, warning they're not going home until the hostages are back. Megan Fitzgerald, NBC News. And back in this country, police are reportedly searching for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rasheed Rice following a major car crash in Dallas. Priscilla Thompson has late breaking details.

Tonight, Dallas police are reportedly looking for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rasheed Rice in connection with the high-speed crash involving a car believed to be registered or leased to Rice. Law enforcement officials tell the Dallas Morning News. The six-vehicle crash sent two people to the hospital with minor injuries Saturday, police say. New photos obtained by TMZ Sports appear to show the occupants leaving the cars in question. A preliminary investigation found the crash was caused by two drivers speeding, one in a Corvette and the other in a Lamborghini. Police say the drivers lost control, the Lamborghini slamming into the center median, causing a collision. Occupants of the Lamborghini and Corvette all ran from the scene, police say, without stopping to determine if anyone needed medical help or providing their information.

Rice's alleged involvement in the crash, if any, is unclear, and police say they are still working to identify suspects. The star-wide receiver grew up in the Dallas area and is one of the Chiefs' leading receivers, helping the reigning Super Bowl champs secure this year's win. NBC News reached out to the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL, but has not received a response for comment. Tonight, life off the field in the spotlight as the crash investigation continues. Priscilla Thompson, NBC News. And now to some breaking news about a massive data leak. AT&T is investigating the breach involving about 73 million former and current customers, and information leaked under the dark web could include social

security numbers, names, email, and addresses. AT&T says it's reaching out to customers with plans to offer free identity theft and credit monitoring services to those impacted. And for the world's Christians, it was an Easter Sunday of prayer and celebration led by Pope Francis, whose own fragile health issues didn't stop him from spreading his pleas for peace. Here's Marisa Parra. For a Christian holiday filled with hope, the face of the Catholic Church delivered exactly that on Easter Sunday. At times in need of a wheelchair, sounding hoarse, the Pope's appearance otherwise reassuring, days after sparking health worries

when he canceled his good friday's procession at the last minute the royal family no stranger to health concerns outside a windsor easter service the princess of wales not joining father-in-law king charles for a public appearance his first major engagement since they both disclosed their cancer diagnoses earlier this year. It's looking well. It's looking well. As millions celebrate Easter across America today, including some of them here in Miami, this is a familiar scene across countries and across languages. From Australia to Iraq To the Philippines. Signs of the Christian Holy Week written across continents and observed even among those enduring unspeakable hardships. Solemn services seen in Ukraine and in Gaza City. Highlighted by the Pope today in his sermon.

Once again called for a ceasefire. Last night, protesters in New York's St. Patrick's Cathedral demanding the same. But blocks away and hours later, those tensions had eased in time for the New York Easter Bonnet Parade. The streets, a sea of pastel, flowers and feathers galore. A day to celebrate hope, whatever that looks like, in difficult times. For Separa, NBC News. And still ahead tonight, fast food workers are getting a big pay raise. But does that mean you could end up paying more for your favorite burger?

Plus, a saw blade spinning out of control. The shockingly close call caught on camera. And starting tomorrow, fast food workers in one state will make 20 bucks an hour. It is a big boost to their bottom line. But there's already concern over the ripple effects, including layoffs and a rise in prices for your burger and fries. David Noriega has a preview. Starting Monday, a pay boost for more than half a million Californians. Good news for Lizette Aguilar, who after 17 years working for McDonald's,

still has trouble making ends meet. We ask her how she feels. Eager, she says, for that first bigger paycheck. It'll help with bills, and maybe she'll get something special for her nine-year-old son, Marcos. California's new law sets a $20 an hour minimum wage for fast food workers, up from the current 16. Most workers affected are women of color. This is a big deal. $20 an hour. One of the biggest questions is how will this affect consumers, especially in a state where everything's already very expensive

and a lot of people have a hard time affording basics like housing and food. McDonald's, Starbucks, Chipotle, and other major chains have said publicly they intend to raise prices. But by how much? Some economists anticipate about 5%, others as little as 2%. So for a $5 Mac, that would be a dime, 10 cents. People notice it, but I don't think they'll change their behavior. Critics say the wage increase will accelerate trends that hurt workers,

like replacing cashiers with electronic kiosks. Some pizza franchise owners have already announced layoffs of in-house drivers, switching to third-party delivery apps instead. And there's no question the rise in labor costs will put pressure on franchise owners, like Carrie Harper Howey, whose family owns 21 McDonald's in the Los Angeles area. We will, of course, as everyone else's, have to increase prices in some way, shape, or form. And what people don't understand is they say, oh, what does it matter? McDonald's and Taco Bell,

they're just big corporations. We are family businesses. Some fast food customers say even if they do pay more, it's a price worth paying. I'm okay with it, you know, because it feels like everything else is going up and it's about time wages go up.

David Noriega, NBC News, Los Angeles. And we are back in a moment with a drastic and pricey new plan to battle gridlock. It's never been done in the United States before, and it's already firing up a lot of drivers. Could your city be next? And we have a truly jaw-dropping close call to show you tonight. Check this out. Surveillance video shows that a man in Oregon walked into a store. Now watch extremely closely there. Almost out of nowhere, a giant buzz saw blade comes barreling across that parking lot, hits the side of the door where he was just walking. Take another look there. That saw blade came loose from a nearby construction site and

impaled itself into the spot where the man was just a few seconds before. Incredible. No one was hurt. And for so many of us, traffic is the most miserable part of the day. But now one major city is launching a controversial new plan to battle mind-numbing gridlock, and then other cities may follow suit soon. But that plan comes at quite the cost, and George Solis reports from New York City. It seems the only thing some New Yorkers hate more than its infamous traffic. It's the worst thing in the world. It's going to destroy New York.

It's the new plan to ease it. Where do you stand? Where do I stand personally? I'm against it. It just affects too much. New York making history as the first in the nation to greenlight congestion pricing. This or this? This. That's the attitude. greenlight congestion pricing. This or this? This.

That's the attitude. That's my attitude. The plan, approved this week, will charge most motorists $15 to drive into Midtown and Lower Manhattan during peak travel hours. Advocates say it will encourage some people to take public transportation or carpool, decreasing traffic by as much as 17%. We should give it a chance. Yeah, I think so. And the city desperately needs it.

The latest data shows the average speed in Midtown for cars, just over four miles an hour. For context, the average person walks at three miles an hour. The plan doesn't start till summer, but toll readers are already in place. Coming this summer in New York, this is either going to be a pedestrian's best friend or a commuter's worst nightmare. Could other cities be next? Former New York City Traffic Commissioner Sam Schwartz says yes. Every city that has implemented has kept it in because it's been successful. In London, where it's been on the books for more than 20 years, traffic congestion has been reduced by 30 percent. Singapore saw a 20 percent drop immediately after it implemented congestion pricing 50 years ago.

If New York is successful, and I think it will be successful, you'll begin to see this tried out all across the United States. Boston City Council has called for hearings to introduce congestion pricing. The mayor not ruling it out. Anything should be on the table. In Los Angeles, there's a congestion pricing proposal to reduce traffic and help pay for the 2028 Summer Olympics. Others, like San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle, have all considered or are considering variations on congestion pricing.

Back in New York City, opposition is strong. New York Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and other local groups suing. I think it is a money grab. Susan Lee thinks this will hurt everyday people. Their cost of food is rising. Their cost of everyday life is rising. And so it's really not fair to put this burden on the backs of working class New Yorkers. But even those four say each city is different and plans will need to adapt. This is a pretty imperfect system. The city will have to make adjustments as time goes on. The road to solve congestion could have more twists and turns ahead. George Solis, NBC News, New York. That's NBC

Nightly News for this Sunday. I'm Gotti Schwartz. Thanks so much for watching this Easter Sunday and have a great night.