NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, March 28, 2024

Episode Date: March 29, 2024

First close-up look at container ship that crashed into bridge; Former crypto king Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison; New program tracks endangered whales and warns ships near them; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the new images and our new reporting on the final moments before that deadly bridge collapse in Baltimore. Our first up-close images of the cargo ship under the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Two construction workers found dead, four others missing and presumed dead. New dash cam video of them on the bridge hours before the collision, and the wife of one survivor revealing now what they were doing when the ship hit, plus the emotional tributes at the Orioles opening day. Also tonight, the suspect in a stabbing rampage that killed four people in Illinois in court among the victims, a 15-year-old girl and a mailman. What the suspect says set him off.

Former crypto mogul Sam Bankman Freed sentenced to 25 years for massive fraud, his apology in court before learning his fate. On the East Coast, the soaking rain and flood risk. The race for 2024, President Biden sharing the stage tonight with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at a star-studded fundraiser. Just miles away, former President Trump at the wake for a slain NYPD officer as he campaigns on the issue of crime. The mission to protect the giants of the sea inside the new whale traffic control. And as small-town papers disappear,

Harry Smith takes us to Maine, where local news is getting a lifeline. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. Tonight we are getting our closest look yet at the precarious remains of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge and the out-of-control container ship that toppled it. Our team out with the Army Corps of Engineers today as they prepare for the formidable challenge of clearing the block channel. Tonight, special equipment is on the way to begin the work while the search for the bodies of four missing workers continued.

The wife of a surviving worker telling NBC News, my husband doesn't know how to swim. It is a miracle he survived. Authorities also revealing they have begun interviews with the captain and crew of the container ship. But the NTSB now saying its final report detailing a probable cause of the accident may be two years away. And in Baltimore, a city still in shock, Oriole fans took part in a moment of silence at the team's home opener. Tom Costello has late developments from the accident scene. Out on the water with the Army Corps of Engineers and the first up-close look at the massive Dolly

container ship and the wreckage of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge laying on top of it, the Dolly's bow crushed under a massive piece of steel. That weighs somewhere between three and four thousand tons. We have one of the largest cranes coming in here tonight on the eastern seaboard that picks up one thousand tons at a time. The water so muddy and dark, divers and drones have struggled to get a clear view. Submerged under the wreckage, the remains of four bridge repair workers still missing. This dash cam video shows them on the bridge a few hours before the disaster. The wife of Julio Cervantes, who survived, tells NBC News the workers were on

a break in their cars when the bridge suddenly collapsed. Amazingly, Cervantes survived even though he doesn't swim. The Army Corps of Engineers will have a lead role now in clearing and reopening America's ninth busiest port. Here's the challenge. They need to clear a 700-foot stretch right here to allow ships to get in and out. But it's not just above water, of course. It's below water. And all of that twisted bridge, that metal underwater, it is razor sharp, posing a potentially lethal threat to ships and the divers working underwater. This work is very unforgiving and the planning has to be done in extreme detail. And that's the work that's going on today. Potentially very dangerous.

Incredibly dangerous. Again today, a team of NTSB investigators on the ship interviewing the ship's pilots, captain and crew members. The ship's black box shows alarms going off at 1.24 a.m., indicating a loss of power. The ship's pilot made an urgent call for tugboats and to drop anchor. It's raining. It's slippery. Of course, we have the hazardous materials. We have containers that are open. We certainly have structural damage everywhere. With massive cranes and barges arriving as soon as tonight, experts believe it could take a month to clear the wreckage. When the green button is pushed and dough is given by the incident command for those cranes to start picking it out of the water, it will go faster than most people

can expect. But the size and scale of the job, unprecedented. We certainly understand the demand to get this port functioning and open again. We're going to do that, but we're going to do it safely. Tom, you're getting a better idea just how involved this cleanup operation is going to be. Yeah, that's right. The Army Corps tells me that a fully loaded ship like the Dolly, it is going to be just within 12 to 18 inches of the river bottom and that that the depth is 50 feet. So they need to clear everything off the bottom all the way down to the sand, because otherwise any debris could pose a lethal risk to future ships moving through there.

Lester. Tough and dangerous work, Tom. Thank you. Today, even President Biden acknowledged what he called a brutal stabbing attack in Rockford, Illinois, that killed four people and wounded seven others. Prosecutors say the suspect blamed drug use for the sudden attack. Here's Maggie Vespa. Tonight, as Rockford struggles to understand the carnage,

the accused attacker in Wednesday's deadly stabbing spree, 22-year-old Christian Soto in court, facing 13 charges from first-degree murder to home invasion, for police say a rampage spanning five crime scenes across this northern Illinois community. They say Soto attacked 11 people total, killing four, including a mother and son, a mailman on his route, and a 15-year-old girl, Jenna Newcomb. Jenna died saving her sister and her friend. Prosecutors today saying the spree started when Soto visited a friend in the first house who he said gave him laced marijuana.

Soto said he became paranoid after the drug usage. He said he retrieved a knife from the kitchen and proceeded to stab Jacob and Ramona to death. From there, they say he targeted at random, driving his truck onto lawns, breaking into one home where three teenage girls were watching a movie, grabbing a bat. He started swinging the bat, striking all the female victims. Darlene Weber says Soto came in their back door, attacking her and her children. He looked at me. He just had the world's biggest smile on his face. He was smiling. He looked like the devil incarnate.

They say the family dog, Brandy, bit Soto on the leg as Weber's son fought him off. And I grabbed a syrup bottle and started beating him with it. I'm not even kidding. If it wasn't for him, I don't think that I'd be standing and talking to you right now. I really don't. It did, it was frightening. Tonight, a woman who identified herself as Soto's mother telling NBC News, he's a loving person and he has never hurt anybody before. We never felt threatened by him. We can't believe that is my son. Maggie Vespa, NBC News, Rockford, Illinois. Here in New York, the sentence was 25 years in prison today for Sam Bankman Freed, a one-time crypto king whose FTX exchange collapsed. CNBC's Kate Rooney has details.

Convicted of seven criminal counts of fraud and conspiracy last november today sam bankman freed learned his fate sentenced to 25 years in federal prison just a couple of years ago bankman freed was a young billionaire living in the bahamas running crypto exchange ftx exerting influence in washington and courting celebrity endorsements then it all came crashing down. It does appear that they are filing chapter 11. FTX and its sister hedge fund collapsed. Customers left unable to access their funds. Bankman-Fried long maintained he had not done anything wrong. I didn't ever try to commit fraud on anyone. But today in court, Bankman-Fried was contrite, telling the judge he made selfish decisions, adding, It haunts me every day. I was the CEO of FTX. He said, I was responsible.

The judge admonishing Bankman-Fried, saying there is a risk that this man will be in position to do something very bad in the future. And adding, in his 30 years, he's never seen a performance like Bankman-Fried's trial testimony, saying when he wasn't outright lying, he was evasive. Bankman-Fried's parents solemn outside the courthouse, saying in a statement they are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son. Bankman-Fried's lawyers say they plan to appeal. It was really, really difficult. I mean, I couldn't eat, sleep. Sunil Kivori lost $2 million when FTX imploded. Today, he says he's still waiting to get that money back. I think that it goes some way, some closure, but I don't think it fully reflects the financial and emotional toll on customers. Kate, when FTX collapsed, there were real questions about crypto's future. How is it faring now? At the time, Lester, Sam Bankman Freed's fraud was seen as irreparable damage for the industry.

But a year and a half after this FTX drama unfolded, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are now back at all-time highs. Lester? Kate Rooney, thank you. Just in, dramatic dash cam from a deadly school bus crash in Texas. The footage showing the moment a cement truck crosses the center line and hits the bus, sending it rolling over. Last Friday, more than 40 pre-K students were on board. One was killed, along with a driver in a car behind the bus. No charges have been filed. Tonight, much of the East Coast continues to see a steady

and soaking rain in an area extending from the Carolinas to Maine. 12 million people remain under flood watches through early tomorrow. Rainfall will range from one to three inches. Now to the race for the White House, with President Biden attending a star-studded fundraiser in Manhattan with two of his predecessors. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. Tonight, President Biden arriving in New York side by side with his former running mate. Under heavy security, the Biden campaign hosting a star studded fundraiser, a hall of presidents at Radio City Music Hall. Biden, Obama and Clinton with celebrities, including Lizzo and Queen Latifah. The campaign says the event will rake in at least $25 million as Democrats set the stage for the general election.

I've never been more optimistic about our future. I know I'm only 40 years old. Times two plus one. But a new poll shows former President Trump performing well in a head-to-head matchup, and that just 38 percent of Americans approve of President Biden's handling of the economy. Just 30% on immigration. Today, the president's visit to Manhattan sparked protests over the war in Gaza. Aides have said former President Obama, like many Democrats, has been worried President Biden could lose. But last summer, during a private lunch at the White House,

NBC News reported the two men discussed what was at stake in 2024. Former President Obama now taking an increasingly active role in the campaign, as Democrats tonight show a united front against former President Trump. As you know, Joe is an extraordinary friend and partner. He was by my side for eight years. Mr. Trump just a few miles away today, attending the wake of NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed this week during a traffic stop. New York City's mayor says the suspect had more than 20 prior arrests.

The former president today meeting with Officer Diller's wife and their one-year-old son. We have to stop it. We have to get back to law and order. We have to do a lot of things differently because this is not working. This is happening too often. Gabe, let's turn back to that Biden fundraiser. It comes as Democrats are doing really well in raising money. Yeah, that's right. Last year, over the past several weeks, Democrats have far outpaced Republicans when it comes to fundraising. But these pro-Palestinian protesters, you can hear them in the background amid this heavy security. They continue to make their voices heard at this event. This is something the Biden campaign is having to deal with.

Lester. All right, Gabe, thank you. In just 60 seconds, fun without the sun. Why the coming eclipse is making cities like Cleveland and Buffalo spring break hotspots. The Disappearing disappearing act next. The FAA says spring break travel will soon hit its peak as the upcoming solar eclipse fuels a tourism boom in some unlikely places. Here's Jesse Kirsch. It's that time of year and airports are packed. Flying during the spring break season when it's not for spring break. It's that time of year, and airports are packed.

Flying during the spring break season when it's not for spring break. It's awful. Completely awful. Even though spring break is in full swing, the season's busiest time to fly is still days away. We'll just take it and roll with it. The FAA expects air travel to peak next Thursday and Friday, with almost 100,000 flights combined. Some Americans hoping to catch a glimpse of April 8th's total solar eclipse, heading to destinations like Dallas, Indianapolis, Cleveland, and Buffalo. Airfare and hotel rates are soaring in cities along the path. It's like Super Bowl prices. Week over week, hotels are up about 550 percent in cities like Jackson, Missouri, where it'll cost on average more than $600 a night.

In Erie, Pennsylvania, it's almost $800. This map from Airbnb shows Booking's eclipse weekend. So not just here spending on hotels, but they're going to take in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a lot of other great things going on in the community, bars, restaurants, and others. But as cities brace for the influx, some officials are recommending people stock up on water, food, and fuel. And the FAA warns airports in the path of totality could see unusually high traffic plus delays, adding flights could be rerouted as well. Cleveland's airport is staffing up. We have more people on hand on the front of the house to make sure that, you know, lines are moving. This spring break, instead of racing to the sun, many Americans are hoping to see it fade away. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, Cleveland. Up next, as we continue a new program that helps ships keep their distance from the gentle giants

of the sea, could it help save endangered whales a continent away? Back now with our series Climate Challenge. For years, our friend Ann Thompson has reported on the risk whales face in the waters they share with cargo ships and fishing lines. Tonight, she tells us about a new approach to protect these giants of the sea. It happens quickly. A spout, a dorsal fin, as killer whales, some endangered, surface in the Salish Sea off Seattle. Weighing up to 11 tons, they can be hard to spot. Oh my gosh. Boats are supposed to stay 400 yards away in the miles of channels and straits across the U.S.-Canada border, including Puget Sound. This is very much a working waterway. Last year, some 300,000 commercial vessels traversed these waters, waters where 23 different species of whales, porpoises, and dolphins swim. Sightings of those species called cetaceans now tracked in a new

program led by the U.S. Coast Guard. And this is the nerve center. This is it. Lieutenant Commander Margaret Woodbridge gives us a rare look inside the cetacean desk. Is it like an air traffic control center but for boats? In some ways yes. Instead of radar. This looks like we have another killer whale report here. The Coast Guard relies on sightings. Looks like one, two, three, four, five. We're hoping to really tap into all those eyes on the water and get that information into this database and alert system. Container ship MSC Savona.

So that we can let that larger shipping traffic know when there are whales nearby. It's all done on apps. Apps even the Coast Guard uses on the Cutter Adeli. It was seen today at 1020. Yeah, about 40 minutes ago. 40 minutes ago, that's where we're headed now. Slowing down those ships is key to the whale's survival, says Noah's Lynn Barry. Does the geography put them on a potential collision course?

There is challenging geography here. We've got many islands, we've got small channels, pinch points where whales and ships want to share these waters. A plight similar to the North Atlantic right whales on the east coast we told you about last year. Is that a calf? Yes, it is. That calf is one of five right whales reported dead this year. Two from vessel strikes, one caught in fishing gear. Now this early warning system on the Pacific. There was killer whales sighted off their port bow. May chart a new course to help protect those top predators on both coasts. Ann Thompson, NBC News, Seattle. And up next tonight, good news on the front page. Harry Smith goes on a paper route through Maine and the mission to save a

cherished local news source. Finally tonight, Harry Smith with the news from Maine about the vital role and a lifeline for local news. At Rowley's in central Maine, many a customer digs into the Lewiston Sun-Journal along with their breakfast. Locals have relied on it since 1847. But like many a local paper, its future was anything but certain. It's been tough. I mean, it's no secret. Advertising spending is down exponentially. Our subscriptions are down. Sun Journal publisher Jodi Jalbert has lived in Lewiston all her life. We did as much as we possibly could not to pull the resources out of our newsrooms, but everybody was tight. Until last summer, when the Sun Journal,

four other main dailies, and 16 weekly papers were sold to the not-for-profit National Trust for Local News. Thank goodness. No, it was huge relief. Huge relief. The newsroom was ecstatic. They were so thankful. Marla Hoffman runs our night desk. Executive editor Judy Meyer introduced us around, a newsroom full of experienced journalists who knew exactly what needed to be done last October when a gunman opened fire in a bowling alley and a bar here. Almost everybody in this newsroom is bowled at that bowling alley.

We've been to Schmange's. We know where it is. We know the people who were involved. And I think we approached it as, this is not a crime story. This is a crime against our community. A story the Sun-Journal continues to work on five months later, long after the rest of us have left town. As a local daily, though, high school sports drive interest, as does restaurant news. And...

We still run birth notices in our papers. Who does that anymore? Not everyone loves the paper, though. Some elected officials, community leaders. We're like pests, says Meyer. There's a lot of mischief that can go on in the dark. And that happens when you don't have local journalists keeping track of what's going on. Mainers have relied on the Sun Journal for more than 175 years. Thanks to the trust, they still can. And be assured, delivery person Beth Combs will see that you get your copy even at your back door. Terrific story and a topic near and dear to all of us who practice journalism.

Harry, that's your final nightly news story. You're leaving us. What's next? It's time to move on. And I'm going to be heading to Iowa this fall to teach at my alma mater, Central College in Pella. I'm going to be teaching a course on curiosity. So we appreciate all the opportunities we've had here at NBC, and especially thanks to you, Lester. And thank you. And curiosity really defines who you are, that constant hunt for the story. We appreciate everything you've done. Thanks very much, Harry.

Thank you. All right. That is Nightly News. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.