NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, August 14, 2024

Episode Date: August 15, 2024

Inflation falls to lowest levels since 2021; Power out for thousands after Hurricane Ernesto hits Puerto Rico; Why the world’s biggest iceberg is spinning at sea; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the major news in the U.S. economy, the inflation rate cooling to the lowest level in more than three years, the growth in consumer prices in July slowing below three percent for the first time since March 2021. Another side, the worst price spike in four decades may be behind us and clearing the way for the Fed to finally cut interest rates when it meets next month. What it means for your money. And that inflation news jolting the race for the White House. Donald Trump in a battleground state taking aim at Kamala Harris on the economy as allies urge him to dial back his insults. Ernesto strengthening into a hurricane after knocking out nearly half the power in Puerto Rico,

where the storm is headed next. The manhunt for a convicted murderer in North Carolina now in its second day. The sheriff revealing a personal connection to the escapee, calling him extremely dangerous. Ukraine's shock incursion into Russia, gaining more ground. Russian forces digging trenches in their own territory. The alert from the CDC cases on the rise of a highly transmissible virus that can pose a serious risk to pregnant women. We talked to one mother now in the hospital her warning to other moms and around and around it goes while the world's biggest iceberg is stuck

in a spin cycle. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening. It has forced tough conversations around kitchen tables, shadowed the presidential race and generally united Americans in a shared frustration. But tonight there is welcome news to report about the U.S. economy. Consumer price growth in July slowing to 2.9 percent. It's the lowest rate since the pandemic and a strong signal that inflation is loosening its grip. President Biden welcoming the news, but tempering his enthusiasm, noting we have more work to do. In fact, things like housing costs and child care remain stubbornly high. But used cars, airfares and gasoline prices are dropping. Groceries

virtually flat. The cooling inflation numbers are widely expected to cause the Fed to lower interest rates when its board meets in September, even as mortgage rates have started to fall in recent weeks. The lingering question is the relief detailed in today's report being felt at home. Christine Romans puts it all in perspective for us. Tonight, a big sign that help for inflation-weary consumers is on the way. Has the U.S. beat inflation, Mr. President? Yes, yes, yes. I told you we're going to have a soft landing. We're going to have a soft landing. President Biden touting the new numbers out today showing that for the first time since March 2021, inflation has dropped below 3 percent. Consumer prices rose

just 2.9 percent compared to last year. Inflation clearly retreating from the peak of just over 9 percent two years ago. And prices for airfares, used cars and apparel are falling. And inflation at the grocery store has improved dramatically. But weary Americans like Jennifer Bryant from Arkansas say they still aren't feeling it. I haven't noticed that. That's because falling inflation does not mean falling prices. Grocery prices still up more than 20 percent over four years housing up 22 percent home insurance up nearly 15 percent auto insurance rates up 50 percent from 2020 all of my bills um insurance for the home the car everything has gone up this this year it's hard to know when the public's mood improves wages after all have been rising faster than

inflation for 17 months now. So now all eyes are on the Federal Reserve. We think the economy is doing OK. We don't see us going into a recession right now. And we do see the Fed starting to lower rates in September. Cooling inflation means the Fed may start cutting interest rates, taking more pressure off family budgets. I really think we all deserve a break and hopefully we can reap the benefits of that. Christine, can we talk for a second about mortgage rates? We're seeing bright spots there even ahead of today's news. That's right. Down to about six and a half percent for the 30 year fixed rate mortgage. And that is causing people to rush out and refinance mortgage refinancing applications up 35 percent last week. They're double from last

year. All right, Christine Romans, thanks so much. And inflation, a major issue in the race for the White House. Former President Trump back on the campaign trail, going after Vice President Harris over her handling of the economy as she prepares to roll out her own agenda. Garrett Haake is in North Carolina. Garrett, the Harris team is already responding. Lester, the Harris campaign blasting this speech, saying Trump's policies would hurt working families after Trump hammered Harris over rising prices, though repeatedly undercut his own message. Former President Trump tonight in Battleground, North Carolina, taking aim at Vice President Harris's record on the economy. Kamala has declared that tackling inflation will be a day one priority. Think of it for her, but day one for Kamala was three and a half years ago. Why hasn't she done it?

Blasting Harris for nearly 20 percent rise in prices over the last four years. Does anyone here feel richer under Kamala Harris than Crooked Joe than you were during the Trump administration? Is anything less expensive under Kamala Harris and Crooked Joe? Trump accusing Harris of stealing his proposal to end taxes on tips, which he announced months ago and she adopted over the weekend. And eliminate taxes on tips for service and hospitality workers. Remember a couple of days ago, and we will have no tax on tips. I said that was my plan. And making this new pledge. To help seniors on fixed incomes who are suffering the ravages of inflation, there will be no tax on social security. We're going to stop it.

But in a speech billed as an address on the economy, Trump constantly veering off message. That's the laugh of a crazy person. Back to his frequent playbook of insulting Harris. You know why she hasn't done an interview? Because she's not smart. All despite growing criticism from fellow Republicans as Democrats gain momentum. Former Trump rival turns supporter Nikki Haley overnight. The campaign is not going to win talking about crowd sizes. It's not going to win talking about what race Kamala Harris is.

It's not going to win talking about whether she's dumb. Meanwhile, Harris will appear with President Biden at an economic event tomorrow and will speak on the economy on Friday, also in this critical battleground state. Garrett Haake, NBC News, Asheville, North Carolina. And we'll turn now to Ernesto, strengthening into a hurricane after lashing Puerto Rico with heavy rain and strong winds. Nearly half the island is without power tonight. Our Gwad Vanegas reports. Tonight, massive power outages and dangerous conditions caused by Hurricane Ernesto. Heavy rains have caused

rivers to overflow their banks. Officials say rescuers are searching for the driver of this vehicle that swept away. Flooding conditions forcing a shutdown of roads and bridges. Stay away from the coastal areas. Stay safe at home or wherever you are staying in the case of tourists.

The storm also causing havoc on Puerto Rico's vulnerable power grid, still recovering from previous storms. More than 700,000 customers, nearly half the island, left without power. Luma Energy assuring they are on the ground, working to re-establish service as fast as possible with more than 1,500 technicians assessing the damage, yet no indication of how long the outages will last. Those who can, now relying on backup generators, wondering when the power will be restored. Tonight, Puerto Rico grappling with the aftermath of yet another storm. Juan Venegas, NBC News. And Hurricane Ernesto expected to keep gaining strength. Dylan Dreyer

is with us tonight. Dylan, where's the storm going next? Well, next it's approaching Bermuda as it moves over the warm waters of the Atlantic here. It is likely going to strengthen to a category two or three storm. Right now it is up to a category one. Winds are now at 75 miles per hour as it pulls away from Puerto Rico. But we'll have to watch it and see just how close it gets to Bermuda. In the meantime, we do have hurricane watches in effect. It could be a two or three storm as it approaches late Friday into early Saturday, and then it will continue to stay out over the water. So while there is no real threat of a hurricane or a tropical storm for the East Coast, we do have dangerous rip currents and rough surf leading to some beach erosion all the way from Maine, stretching down to Florida, where we

could see some of those dangerous rip currents with a lot of folks still at the beaches. OK, Dylan, thank you. We turn now to Ukraine's stunning incursion into Russia. Ukraine saying today its forces have gained more ground as they advance farther. Could this be a turning point in the war? Let's get more from Richard Engel. Ukraine has flipped the script on Russia. New satellite images show it's now Russian troops digging the trenches. Ukraine claims to have captured nearly 400 square miles of Russian territory, about as much as Russia captured from Ukraine since January. President Zelenskyy tonight saying we are reaching our strategic goal. Ukraine says it controls 74 Russian towns and cities and has no intention of holding them after the war.

The government today announced plans to open a humanitarian corridor so Russian civilians can evacuate. It is a stunning turn of events, putting Russia on the defense. A Ukrainian reporter saying, we are witnessing the historic moment when he pauses to join cheering troops, when the Russian tricolor falls to the ground. President Putin is downplaying the reversal, calling it simply the situation at the border. A U.S. military official described Ukraine's incursion into Russia as, quote, an incredibly bold move. Lester. Richard Engel, thank you. Now to our NBC News investigation into what the Justice Department calls discrimination

against people taking certain medications, in this case, medications for the treatment of an opioid use disorder. We get more from our Kate Snow. I call her Ma. Ma. Everyone called her Ma. Everyone called her Ma. Derek Scott grew up in poverty, raised by his grandmother Nellie in rural Tennessee. Did she tell people that she thought you were going to be a lawyer one day?

Yeah, she did. She was proud of you? Yes, very proud of me. Yeah. After his grandma died, Derek says his recreational use of painkillers snowballed into an addiction. It wasn't until a doctor prescribed a medication called buprenorphine that he says his life began to change. Not only did it take all the cravings and sickness away, I really got a sense in my mind that I can do this now. Buprenorphine is one of three medications approved by the FDA to treat opioid use disorder. It's a synthetic opioid that, when used as prescribed, doesn't result in a high and curbs withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Top health officials call it the gold standard. Do we ask them when they come in? Dr. Stephen Lloyd is head of Tennessee's Opioid Abatement Council. If you're taking this, you've got 50 to 70 percent less chance of dying. But he says these medications carry a stigma. We're perfectly comfortable putting somebody on medication for the rest of their life because it decreases their chance of heart disease and stroke. Yet when you talk about doing the same thing for addiction, people have a huge problem with it. While taking the medication, Derek went to college and law school. He passed the bar exam. Honestly, I didn't think anything could stop me. But then came the email. In his bar application, Derek had disclosed he'd been

convicted of three misdemeanors, as well as accused of other criminal charges that would ultimately be expunged. Tennessee's Board of Law Examiners wanted a state program to evaluate him. I was asked a series of questions related to mental health, and one of those questions was, are you currently prescribed any medication? And you told them. And I answered truthfully, and from there, that's when all the problems started. Problems, even though the U.S. Justice Department has argued since 2018 that discrimination based on a person's use of medication in recovery violates the americans with disabilities act but tennessee monitors were concerned derrick's medication could affect his

ability to safely practice law he underwent two evaluations in both specialists recommended he get off his medication and seek abstinence-only treatment. No one knows better than me and my doctor what's best for me and my treatment. How are you going to tell me now that I have to do it your way when your way doesn't always work? My way has worked. A state program gave Derek a stark choice, stop using buprenorphine or lose his dream of becoming a lawyer. The Tennessee Supreme Court, which oversees the state program, declined our interview requests.

It's just like someone trying to close the door shut on my career. You don't think the buprenorphine that you've been on for years has affected your cognitive abilities? Absolutely not. The Justice Department has taken action in 10 states on cases similar to Derek's, some already resulting in settlements for people in recovery. What does life look like now? Derek ultimately reapplied for bar admission. At a hearing last December, the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners heard from his doctor and colleagues. After nearly three years of battle, Derek received his law license with no conditions.

The Justice Department is now investigating his case. This January, his two-year-old son watched Derek take his oath. It was emotional that day. My grandma, you know, knowing that she's watching over me. That's a big deal. There you go. Now Derek wants to make his son proud and help people as a lawyer. Kate Snow, NBC News, Clarksville, Tennessee.

In just 60 seconds, the warning to mothers after the sudden rise this summer of a virus impacting children. Plus the manhunt for an escaped convicted murderer in North Carolina entering its second day. And the sheriff now revealing a personal connection to the man he's now out to catch. Back now with the urgent manhunt in North Carolina, an escaped convicted murderer on the loose for a second day. Authorities saying they have no concrete leads as the sheriff reveals a personal connection to the search. Here's Priya Shrader. Tonight, a $35,000 reward for any information on the whereabouts of 30-year-old convicted felon Ramon Alston. Local, state, and federal authorities launching a massive search after he escaped from armed guards.

Hospital staff is on the line advising an inmate has just ran from the hospital. Alston was being transported to a routine medical appointment Tuesday morning when he jumped out of a corrections van and took off into the woods, still in handcuffs and a waist chain, according to officials. We feel pretty comfortable from a search standpoint that offender Alston is not in the immediate vicinity. Alston is serving a life sentence for shooting and killing a one-year-old girl on Christmas Day in 2015. Today, Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood saying he's known Alston since he was born. He was a troubled child and he's been involved in criminal activity since he was a juvenile. He's extremely cagey, he's extremely dangerous and he has nothing to lose.

Authorities believe they're closing in. There are two leads we've got. I'm not going to tell you what they are that we feel are solid, rock solid. And that's a teaser to the folks out there that know what's going on and know that they were involved in it. We know you and we're coming for you. Priya Shrether, NBC News. Still ahead tonight, the new CDC warning cases of a highly transmissible virus that can harm pregnant women on the rise. A mother's powerful warning tonight. We speak to her from the hospital. The CDC is warning cases of a highly transmissible respiratory virus are on the rise and it could pose a serious risk to

pregnant women. One mother speaking from the hospital told our Ann Thompson just how serious it can be. 30 weeks pregnant, Abby Parks is in the hospital tonight. The school teacher's still dealing with the impact of the parvovirus she got this spring. The placenta is not pushing the blood that it needs to to give my son the oxygen and nutrients and those things. Park says initially the virus made her unborn son anemic. Dr. Kathy Bligard performed a fetal blood transfusion. Abby is not the only patient whose fetus has needed a blood transfusion for parvovirus. And it's certainly something that I used to see maybe once every other year and have seen multiple times in the last few months. A new health alert from the CDC notes parvovirus infections jumped from less than

3% in the last two years to 10% in June. Also known as fifth disease, the respiratory virus in children can cause a rash on the face, leading to its other name, slap cheek disease. It can spread in schools, but is most risky for pregnant women and those with some blood disorders. Why is parvovirus so dangerous to pregnant women? Because it can cross the placenta and infect the fetus and can cause a fetus to be anemic, which could lead to a fetal death. Abby's unborn son is small, under two pounds, and could be delivered any day. It has been truly the most difficult experience to go through. And this sounds like something you need to react to very quickly.

Some of the symptoms sound like other respiratory illnesses. What should you be on the lookout for? It sounds like the flu, Lester. When parvovirus presents, it has fever, muscle aches and fatigue, followed by a rash. There is no treatment or vaccine. And doctors say really the best way to prevent it is with good hand hygiene and social distancing. OK, Ann Thompson, thank you. We're going to take a break here.

When we come back, what happens when the world's largest iceberg gets trapped in an ocean vortex? We're going to show it to you next. Finally, the images you have to see to believe of the world's biggest iceberg. It's stuck and spinning in an ocean vortex off Antarctica. And as Tom Costello tells us, glacier experts are buzzing. From the deck of the British ship David Attenborough, iceberg A23A is massive, nearly the size of Rhode Island. It broke off Antarctica 40 years ago.

So large, it's visible from space. But now it's stuck, trapped in a strange vortex of ocean currents, spinning 15 degrees a day with orcas feeding off its edges. Oceanographer Chris Auckland has seen it firsthand. So this iceberg is absolutely ginormous. It's five times the New York City land area and a thousand feet deep. And so if you're looking at it from the ocean, you're seeing it 100 kilometers into the distance. While climate change is thinning the Antarctic icepack, experts don't think it caused this piece to break off. Icebergs have been breaking off Antarctica for 30 million years, normally traveling through an area called Iceberg Alley before entering the largest ocean current in the world where they start to slowly melt.

But A23A has instead gotten trapped in a rotating confluence of water called a Taylor column, doing a full spin every 24 days. It could stay there for years, slowly feeding the ocean with fresh water and nutrients before it fully melts away. It accounts for about a year's worth of ice volume discharged for Antarctica. So it's sort of one big giant down payment of ice delivered from Antarctica to the ocean. The world's biggest iceberg chilling in the Southern Ocean. Tom Costello, NBC News, Washington. Amazing pictures. That's nightly news for this Wednesday. Thank you for watching. I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other.

Good night.