NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Episode Date: November 13, 2024

Trump names more key members of his inner circle; Building explosion injures at least 11 in Louisville, Ky.; High winds make fighting Northeast fires more challenging; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the White House transition ramping up. Donald Trump moving quickly to fill the key roles in his new administration. The president-elect eyeing Senator Marco Rubio as a history-making pick for Secretary of State. Kristi Noem, the South Dakota governor, expected to be nominated for Homeland Security Secretary. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee selected for U.S. Ambassador to Israel. And just in, who Mr. Trump has tapped for the director of the CIA. Also tonight, American Airlines, now the third U.S.-based carrier to confirm one of its planes was struck by gunfire over Haiti. And the move

by the FAA today, banning U.S. flights there. The massive explosion in Louisville, multiple injuries, a shelter-in-place order for one mile. The deadly wildfires raging in the Northeast, 35 million under fire alerts. The fires erupting in New York City, some train service suspended. The federal judge blocking Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. Stunning twist in the case of a father who disappeared while kayaking. Did he fake his own death? And the artist and social media star diving into dumpsters to turn trash into treasure. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt.

Good evening and welcome. It was just one week ago voters chose to send Donald Trump back to the White House, leaving both his critics and supporters sifting through clues as to whether this time might be different. With the former and now next president remaining largely out of public view, the answers tonight may be found in the team he is quickly assembling. The president-elect choosing former director of national intelligence John Ratcliffe to become the next CIA director, one of several picks for key roles today that included Florida Senator Marco Rubio, now widely expected to be

tapped as the new administration's secretary of state, perhaps suggesting an administration prepared to take a harder line against China. The president-elect turning much of his focus to national security positions today, naming Congressman Mike Waltz as national security advisor. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem expected to be the next Homeland Security Secretary. Mr. Trump also sending a strong signal of support to Israel, naming former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel. Garrett Haik has more on the growing Trump White House team and what it may mean. Tonight, President-elect Trump tapping top allies to his foreign policy and national security teams.

Expected to announce Florida Senator Marco Rubio as his pick for Secretary of State, according to multiple sources familiar with the transition process. He would be an historic choice. The son of Cuban immigrants, he'd be the first Latino to hold that position. Rubio was a fierce Trump rival in 2016 and vocal supporter during this year's campaign. You know what Donald Trump is saying? When he's president, that ends. Our enemies will know we're strong and that will bring about peace and avoid war. His hawkish views on China, Iran and Russia honed in the Senate. He's also embraced Trump's position that the war in Ukraine should come to a swift end. I think the Ukrainians have been incredibly brave and strong and standing up to Russia.

But at the end of the day, what we are funding here is a stalemate war and needs to be brought to a conclusion. A Trump ally describing Rubio as, quote, less MAGA than other options. But at the end of the day, what we are funding here is a stalemate war and needs to be brought to a conclusion. A Trump ally describing Rubio as, quote, less MAGA than other options, but someone who Trump's base could trust. And he's already getting bipartisan support. Democratic Senator John Fetterman posting Rubio, quote, is a strong choice and I look forward to voting for his confirmation. Meanwhile, the president-elect picking another Florida Republican for a key role inside the White House, announcing Congressman Mike Waltz as national security advisor. Waltz is a decorated Green Beret and combat veteran who takes a tough stance towards China and shares Trump's view that NATO allies must pay more for their own defense. What I want to see are portions of NATO truly step up and do their fair share of defense spending.

And today, Trump announcing former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee as his pick for ambassador to Israel. Huckabee has previously rejected the notion that the West Bank is occupied by Israel. Late tonight, Trump selecting his former director of national intelligence, John Ratcliffe, as CIA director, a Trump ally who Democrats argued politicized his role. For days, Trump has stayed out of the public eye as he interviews finalists and makes selections from a Mar-a-Lago war room, two Trump World sources say, watching videos of their television appearances to see how effectively they can deliver his message. One more pick he's expected to announce soon, four sources tell NBC News, Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to serve as his Secretary of Homeland Security. Noem, an outspoken Trump

supporter with little experience in some of the areas she would potentially oversee, including FEMA and the Secret Service. DHS also includes the Border Patrol and ICE. Noem recently touting Trump's mass deportation plan. President Trump has already indicated that he wants to start by making sure that we're deporting the most dangerous first, those criminals, murderers, rapists that are threatening safety in our communities. And Garrett, we should note right here, a big day tomorrow at the White House when President-elect Trump is expected to visit. That's right, Lester. President Biden invited him to the Oval Office, something that President Trump did not do for Biden back in 2020. Melania Trump is not expected to attend. The president-elect will also meet with House Republicans on his first trip to D.C. since winning the election. Lester. All right, Garrett

Hick, thank you. There's breaking news tonight about U.S. planes over Haiti. Late word that three U.S. flights have been hit by gunfire there. Now the FAA has ordered airlines not to fly through the Haitian capital. Here's Tom Costello. Tonight, American Airlines is the third carrier to report one of its planes was hit by gunfire as it left Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Monday, headed for Miami, where it landed safely. A post-flight inspection was completed, indicating the exterior of the aircraft had been impacted by a bullet. Also hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince, Spirit Flight 951 forced to abort its landing after bullets tore into the passenger cabin. There was several crashes right behind us, kind of like if somebody had a medical cart and tipped it over. It was like...

And JetBlue Flight 935 hit Monday as it departed Haiti, landing safely in New York. While no passengers were hit, a Spirit flight attendant did suffer a minor injury. We're always aware. When we go to Haiti, we're always aware of what's going on. Today, the FAA issued an immediate order prohibiting U.S. airliners from flying below 10,000 feet over Haiti due to safety of flight risks associated with ongoing security instability. No flights into or out of Port-au-Prince. Also today, Haitian police posted outside the now-closed Port-au-Prince airport, 85% of the city is controlled by heavily armed rival gangs. Roughly 400 police officers from Kenya operating under a U.N. mandate are outnumbered and outgunned. The U.S. embassy warning of armed violence around roads, ports and airports.

For quite some time, even before the Biden administration, Haiti has been at a level four, a do not travel country. Tom, how long does this U.S. flight ban last? Yeah, it's in effect for 30 days. It could be extended if the security situation doesn't improve. American Today said its flights will remain suspended at least through February 12th. Again, depending on the situation on the ground. Lester.

All right, Tom Costello, thank you. Also developing tonight, a building explosion and fire involving hazardous materials in Louisville, Kentucky, injuring at least 11 people. Shaquille Brewster has late details. Tonight, a commercial plant in Louisville, Kentucky, torn apart after a massive explosion. Appears to be a large explosion that occurred. We got smoke showing. The blast seen from this sky camera blocks away, happening just after 3 p.m. I live about a mile away from here,

and I was just inside of my house and heard a huge boom, and the whole house shook. The power went off for a couple of seconds. At least 11 people were rushed to the hospital, two in critical condition. We had one person that was pinned 11 people were rushed to the hospital, two in critical condition. We had one person that was pinned. We were able to get them out and rescue them, as well as assist the others in evacuation. The explosion blowing out windows. Residents within a mile of the building temporarily ordered to shelter in place, as Louisville Emergency Services

initially called it a hazardous materials incident. Tonight, multiple patients are in decontamination. We started air monitoring immediately. It is ongoing, and rest assured that nothing at this point has ever shown any type of chemical problems in the air in this entire region. A prior explosion at the same plant killed a worker in April 2003, according to a federal government report. The investigation concluding the incident was preventable. But tonight, officials praising the plant's emergency action plans that they say helped first responders on the ground. Just another show of heroism today here in Louisville. Shaquille Brewster, NBC News. We turn out of that wildfire battle that's been raging for days now, not in the west,

but in the northeast, where strong winds on top of a prolonged drought have made containing the fires all the more difficult. Here's Emily Akeda. A dangerous firefight growing even more complicated today as whipping winds topping 30 miles an hour fanned flames across the Northeast. This is the worst fire that I have seen in 20 years. Red flag warnings touching five states. That is just going to create turmoil, chaos, and a lot of uncertainty that we don't need right now. With steep terrain, attacking fires by air is key on the border of New York and New Jersey. The Jennings Creek fire has torched 2,700 acres in New York alone. That's nearly double what is typically burned in the entire state all year. And a stunning sight just south in New York alone. That's nearly double what is typically burned in the entire state

all year. And a stunning sight just south in New York City. Amtrak says a brush fire caused its trains to lose power, suspending service today in the area. We see all this smoke. Oh, God, it's a fire. Flames sweeping across a bone dry landscape. It's the worst drought in the region since 2002. You can walk on the bottom of the Manasquan Reservoir in New Jersey, a popular spot for fishing and boating with a four billion gallon capacity. A wildfire stopped just short of the DeChico's home. Have you ever seen a wildfire come so close to your home? No. Seeing the helicopters and everything, it was just a very eerie feeling. Fortunately, the strong winds are expected to calm down tomorrow. But

Lester, there is still no rain in sight, which means the parched ground will continue to fuel fires that leave behind paths of destruction like this one. Lester. Emily Akeda, thank you. The U.S. is backing off on a threat to withhold military support if Israel did not allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. And with millions struggling to find food, Richard Engel was in the skies over Gaza for an aid mission with the Jordanian military. Outside of Amman, we boarded a Jordanian military C-130 cargo plane bound for Gaza. The crates it's carrying are full of some of the only food getting to 2.2 million Gazans. A month ago, the Biden administration gave Israel a clear ultimatum

to allow in more aid by truck by tonight, or else U.S. military support could be reduced. But today, the U.S. announced Israel has taken positive steps and will not withhold military aid for now. We've seen some progress being made. We would like to see some more changes happen. The U.N. and humanitarian groups do not agree, saying too little has changed, making these rare airdrops all the more critical. And there they go, eight tons of food and medicine, this time being dropped over southern Gaza. Our crew filmed crowds in Gaza grow excited as they watched the chutes open. Soon they were off running, desperate to get whatever they could before it was gone.

But 30-year-old Abdallah Marouf came back with an empty bag. It was a bust, he says. He explains another Palestinian family got to the aid first and fired guns in the air to keep everything for themselves. Law and order have broken down in Gaza after a year of war and siege. So Abdullah went back to his tent to tell his wife and four children they'll have no food tonight. Israel insists that it is allowing more aid in and blames the UN for failing to distribute it. The UN warns that parts of Gaza are once again on the brink of famine.

Lester. All right, Richard, thank you. Just in tonight, a federal judge blocking a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in public school classrooms. Laura Jarrett is with us. Laura, this law has faced challenges since it was first introduced. And that's because when the U.S. Supreme Court first looked at this issue back in the 1980s, Lesser, the justices said it was unconstitutional. And today, a federal judge found the very same thing, rejecting the idea that the state could mandate displaying the

Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, finding it, quote, coercive and unconstitutional on its face. Now, this law was set to go into effect on January 1st, but will remain on hold for now. The attorney general of Louisiana vowed to immediately appeal this decision so it could eventually end up at the U.S. Supreme Court, which may have been the goal in the first place since it has, of course, a conservative majority, Lester. All right, Laura, thanks very much. In 60 seconds, the mystery over a missing kayaker, a father and husband who disappeared months ago, prompting an extensive search. But now a shocking new twist in this case. We'll tell you about it after this.

Back now with the mystery over a father from Wisconsin who disappeared while kayaking. After weeks of searching, police now saying the clues have led them to a stunning conclusion, that he faked his own death. We get more from Sam Brock. For almost two months, investigators scoured this Wisconsin lake trying to find 45-year-old Ryan Borgward, reported missing in early August. They recovered a capsized kayak and his wallet and keys, but no body, believing what looked like a drowning, was actually a man staging his own death. We got the call. It was a missing person, kayaker. If you don't have anything to go on, you got to go with what you have.

And that was to search our lake. Seasoned search pros deploying drones and sonar to no avail. By the time we got into day 10, roughly, it was evident to me that, you know, something wasn't right. Police then reviewed the 45-year-old's laptop, uncovering efforts to move funds to foreign banks, communication with a woman from Uzbekistan, and a $375,000 life insurance policy purchased in January. The sheriff says Canadian authorities ran his passport the day after Borgward was reported missing. His wife and three kids, two in high school, one in middle school, clinging to hope. How would you describe your reaction when you realized that this was all manufactured?

Really disappointed. To put your family through that. I just can't imagine. Police now think there's a high likelihood he's in Eastern Europe based on those communications and are pleading for the missing father to come home. Sam Brock, NBC News. We have more to tell you about up next, your money, what's behind the explosion in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrency prices, and are they safe for investors? The stock market fell today, but it came after a five-day winning streak powered by investor enthusiasm for Donald Trump's incoming administration. And cryptocurrency holders are especially excited. Brian Chung explains why. In the weeks since the election, crypto investors have made a lot of money.

How Trump just getting elected made me $18,000 in two days. The price of one Bitcoin soaring from $68,000 to record-breaking highs over $85,000 just since Election Day. It's a big deal for the millions of Americans using crypto, particularly young Americans who are more likely to dip into digital currencies. Hello major catalyst of the price surge? President-elect Donald Trump, who targeted the crypto base on the campaign trail, promising a pro-crypto agenda of new regulators and friendlier rules. A notable shift from his tone just three years ago. Bitcoin just seems like a scam. CNBC tech reporter Mackenzie Sigalos covers crypto.

Why do you think he made that about face? This year, we saw the crypto industry raise money in force. More than $250 million raised by crypto companies and individuals. Trump even advertised his own cryptocurrency during the campaign, championing crypto as a reprieve from big government. The world liberty financial token sale is now live. Crypto is the future. The Trump bump in markets significant for Americans who have more access to cryptocurrencies than ever, thanks to major financial institutions now offering easily investable funds and even options for retirement.

People are diversifying their life savings into Bitcoin, into Ether for the first time ever. Brian, the price of cryptocurrencies can go up and down pretty wildly. Are they safe investments? Well, it's a volatile investment. And we have to remember the fall of that cryptocurrency exchange, FTX, and then the fall of Sam Bankman Free, the young CEO behind that. At that time in late 2021 and 2022, we saw crypto and Bitcoin prices really crater like a rock. And the rebound that we saw just this week, it's a reminder of the high risk and high reward nature of this asset class. All right, Brian Shunk, thanks very much. When we come back, the good news about the artist who finds his inspiration in the trash. Finally, there's good news tonight about a visionary who is stunning social media by finding artistic greatness in the garbage.

Here's Maggie Vespa. In this Milwaukee shop stacked with millennial memorabilia, 31-year-old Ike Winter works without brushes, paints, or any standard art supplies. This might be the coolest thing I've ever made. Recreating childhood memories. I gave you Tommy Pickles from Rugrats. To the delight of millions. If someone were to ask you, what do you do for a living, what would you say? I just get to cut wood all day and listen to music, and that's my joy. In the name of sustainability, everything Winter uses is salvaged. It was a salt box.

And if already painted, left unaltered. This was a dresser, and then this was a piece of palette. This was the lid of a piano. Dumpster diving is not the sexiest thing in the world. Do you love doing it, though? Yeah. The son of a carpenter, Winter never attended art school or college. But his art has resonated far and wide.

He even has a piece hanging at the New York Stock Exchange. And while many of his creations now sell for thousands, he gives away others for free. Perfecting the art of turning trash into treasure. If I can have somebody and they're just randomly scrolling on social media and they see or hear stuff from their childhood and it brings back a simpler time, it just makes people feel good at the end of the day. Maggie Vespa, NBC News, Milwaukee. Grab inspiration wherever you can. That's nightly news for this Tuesday. Thanks for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.