NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Episode Date: November 21, 2024

Bomb cyclone and atmospheric river bring prolonged rain, high winds to West Coast; Judge finds suspect guilty of murder, other charges in killing of Laken Riley; Vance joins Gaetz as he meets with senators who will decide if he becomes attorney general; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

Tonight, the deadly bomb cyclone slamming the West Coast. Hundreds of thousands without power. A powerful system hitting with heavy rain, hurricane force winds and snow. Falling trees killing at least two people. And the atmospheric river threat. We're tracking it. Also tonight, the verdict in the murder of Lakin Riley. The man convicted, an undocumented migrant, sentenced to life without parole after the 22-year-old was found dead near the University of Georgia campus, and the emotional body cam video, the moment Riley's mom learned of her death. President-elect Trump's pick for Attorney General Matt Gaetz on Capitol Hill, with Vice President-elect J.D. Vance as the House Ethics Committee battles over releasing its report on him. Is his nomination

in jeopardy? Speaker Mike Johnson's new rules for Capitol bathrooms as the first ever transgender congresswoman prepares to take office. Our exclusive Defense Secretary Austin on women in combat after remarks by President-elect Trump's pick to replace him. Plus, what he said about rising tensions with Russia. Susan Smith, the woman convicted of drowning her two sons 30 years ago, making a public plea for freedom today. What the parole board decided. And after surviving Hurricane Helene, the tree chosen to light up the White House this Christmas.

This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. Good evening and welcome. Flood and landslide worries growing tonight in the Pacific Northwest as what climate scientists are calling a once-in-a-decade bomb cyclone bears down on the region, cutting off power to over a half million people, toppling trees and wreaking havoc on the roads. The dangerous weather system still off the Washington coast tonight has already taken at least two lives. Torrential rains expected to fall for days, but so far it is the winds causing the most misery. Some gusts clocking in at hurricane speeds, while Northern California is bracing for its own winter blast, an atmospheric river that could drop up to 15 inches of rain and five feet of snow in some mountain passes.

Steve Patterson is in the West to start us off tonight. And Lester, that rain just starting to fall here, but officials warn it could last for the next three days straight, elevating the risk of mudslides and flooding. But so far, it is the wind that has proven deadly. Tonight, the chaotic so-called bomb cyclone dropping a deluge of severe weather on the northwest. The storm packing hurricane force winds with gusts up to 80 miles an hour, snarling traffic, downing power lines, and uprooting trees. In Washington state, officials say severe weather already claimed two lives as large trees crashed on homes, cars, trailers, and buses, whipping winds leaving hundreds of

thousands without power. Meanwhile, in Northern California, multiple semis spun out, jackknifing on a major interstate due to whiteout conditions. To me, it's important to be wary of what's going on as far as the weather. The power of the cyclone is so large, satellite imagery captured it from space. Authorities now bracing for the impact of an atmospheric river. A narrow band of intense moisture expected to douse the region with a fire hose of rainfall, with totals up to 15 inches over the next 48 hours in parts of California and up to five feet of snow in the mountains. Climate experts say these weather events are growing larger and lasting longer, meaning more intense periods of rain. Flashlights, batteries, water, canned goods,

you know, I'm all stocked up. Because who knows, right? These are small roads. Anything could happen. Residents across the West, already worn and restless, now bracing for more bad news as that ominous Skybourne River stares down. Steve Patterson, NBC News. Bill Cairns is tracking these storms. And Bill, this situation is about to get a lot worse. Yeah, this is a rare situation. We got our bomb cycle and you can see swirling here is about to be replaced by another rapidly intensifying storm and hitting the same exact areas. It's going to drive this atmospheric river into California for three or four days in a row. So that's the issue. We got the terrain adding up in all the river basins. And that's the problem

in the mountains with the snow to some areas. That's how you can get five feet of snow out of this. So as far as the biggest risk area, it's northern California. High risk of flash flooding as we go through tomorrow, Eureka to Fort Bragg. But all the way to the Oregon border down to Santa Rosa has a chance for pretty extreme flooding. And as far as the rainfall amounts, someone by the time when this is all said and done will get up to 10 to 15 inches. And as we said, the high mountains easily two to three feet as high as five feet. All right, Bill Kerens, thank you. In Athens, Georgia today, a judge found an undocumented migrant guilty of three felony murder counts for the killing of Lakin Riley on the University of

Georgia campus. Priya Shrether has late details on the case that became a focal point of the presidential race. I'll now announce the verdict. became a focal point of the presidential race. I'll now announce the verdict. After a trial that lasted four days, 26-year-old Jose Antonio Imbara tonight sentenced to life without parole for the brutal killing of 22-year-old Laken Riley. There is no end to the pain, suffering, and loss that we have experienced or will continue to endure. Her family and loved ones emotional. Seeing the police body camera video showing the moment Lake and Riley's mother first learned her daughter died. Prosecutors say the nursing student was out for a morning jog on the University of Georgia campus in February when Ibarra, who was lurking in the woods nearby, attempted to rape her and then killed her.

Not only does the physical evidence identify him, the video evidence identifies him. Despite numerous studies that indicate undocumented immigrants commit fewer crimes, the case has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration during the presidential election cycle. Ibarra, an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela. Right here in Georgia, our nation was robbed of a brilliant 22-year-old nursing student, Lakin Riley. During the trial, the state presenting surveillance video showing Lakin Riley's final moments, her last text message to her mother, and her attempt to call 911 before Ibarra attacked her. She did fight, and it is a direct result of that fight that gives you all the physical evidence you need to convict him.

Prosecutors say Ibarra's DNA was found underneath Riley's fingernails, his thumbprint on her phone, and Riley's DNA on his jacket he wore when he committed the crime. Prosecutors say this surveillance video shows Ibarra discarding the jacket. The defense claiming the evidence was circumstantial and pointing the finger at Ibarra's brother. Tonight, Riley's family remembering her as a kind, selfless, loving friend and daughter. The best daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, an overall person that you could ever hope to meet. And Priya joins us now from Athens, Georgia. And Priya Ibarra could appeal this decision.

That's right. The judge told Ibarra he has 30 days to appeal this decision or ask for a new trial in this case. Lester. Priya Shrether tonight. Thank you. The battle over President-elect Trump's choice of Matt Gaetz for attorney general moved to Congress today. Gaetz and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance meeting with senators as House lawmakers debate releasing an ethics report on sexual misconduct claims against Gaetz, which he denies. Here's Garrett Haake. Tonight, 24 hours after President-elect Trump said he was having no second thoughts about his embattled pick for attorney general, former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz,

Vice President-elect Vance was on Capitol Hill with Gaetz for closed-door meetings with the Republican senators who will decide if he gets the job. They've been going great. Senators have been giving me a lot of good advice. I'm looking forward to a hearing. Folks have been very supportive. They've been saying we're going to get a fair process. Gates meeting with undecided Judiciary Committee member Tom Tillis. My posture is that every nominee, whether they are Bidens in the last administration

or whether they are President Trump, deserve a process. And Missouri's Josh Hawley, who told us he's planning to support all of Trump's picks. Are you confident Matt Gaetz has sufficient character to be the top law enforcement official of the United States? Yeah, and I would just say for those who are concerned about that, hear from him, you know. I think Donald Trump said yesterday, like, give him a shot. North Dakota's Kevin Cramer telling us Trump has spoken to him personally about Gaetz. This is going to be a different administration with a different style. And, you know, we want to dismantle this bureaucracy because the American people are demanding it.

And Trump ally Lindsey Graham blasting what he calls a lynch mob against Gates. But critical to a growing number of Republican senators, seeing that report on Gates from the House Ethics Committee, which met today to debate whether to release it. No decision was made. There has been no agreement to release it. No decision was made. There has been no agreement to release the report. The committee has heard from women who say Gates paid them for sex,

according to their attorneys, including a woman who says she was 17 years old at the time. Gates has repeatedly denied the accusations. The Justice Department also looked into the allegations, but ultimately closed its investigation and did not charge Gates. Tonight, Senate Democrats sending a letter to the FBI asking for the Bureau's complete evidentiary file on Gates, calling it crucial that the panel see all relevant information. As Gates remains, the Trump pick with the steepest uphill climb to confirmation. Maine Republican Susan Collins among those appearing skeptical. I was shocked by the nomination,

given the many allocations. Trump also announcing former pro-wrestling executive Linda McMahon is his pick for education secretary. And tomorrow, Vice President-elect J.D. Vance returning here to push for Trump's Pentagon selection, Pete Hegseth. Lester. Garrett Haig, thank you. And the current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaking out tonight on Hegseth. Lester. Garrett Haig, thank you. And the current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaking out tonight on Hegseth's comments that women should not serve in combat and on Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons. Courtney Kuby spoke with Austin for an exclusive interview. Tonight, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reigning in on escalating tensions with Russia after the U.S. made the rare move to

temporarily close its embassy in Kiev amid a threat of a significant Russian air attack. And President Putin lowered the threshold for his country to use nuclear weapons. Is there a reason to believe that Vladimir Putin may use a nuclear weapon? We've known for several weeks that they were revamping their their policy on use of nuclear weapons. I don't see an indication that there's an imminent intent to use nuclear weapons. Is he bluffing with this change? He has rattled his nuclear saber quite quite a bit. And this is dangerous behavior. In his first interview since Donald Trump was elected again and chose media personality and veteran Pete Hegseth to take over the Pentagon, Austin addressed some of Hegseth's views. Your possible successor has said that women should not serve in combat roles and they make fighting more complicated.

Do you agree? I have spent 41 years in uniform and everywhere I went on a battlefield, there were women in our formation. I would tell you that our women are the finest troops in the world. Do you have any concern that women impact readiness of these units? They do impact readiness. They make us better. They make us stronger. This is not hyperbole. This is fact.

I'm just telling you what I've seen. Your likely successor has also said recently the U.S. has to fire the chairman of the Joint Chiefs because of his support for diversity initiatives. How would Captain Lloyd Austin have felt about a statement like that out of the incoming Secretary of Defense? You know, Captain Lloyd Austin would be very concerned. Courtney, I think it's important that young officers, young soldiers, young sergeants be able to see themselves in our senior leadership. This is the third time that I've served with General Brown directly. He's one of the most competent officers I've ever worked with. I asked Secretary Austin if Pete Hegseth has what it takes to be Secretary of Defense, and he said he doesn't know him. Lester. Courtney Kuby, thank you. Also tonight, the Speaker of the House wading into the controversy over trans rights, issuing a new

policy on the use of bathrooms at the Capitol. As Ryan Nobles explains, it comes after the election of the first openly transgender member of Congress. Delaware's Sarah McBride made history in November, becoming the first openly trans woman to win a seat in Congress. Thank you so much to the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Her win came as Republicans made opposition to trans rights a major part of their campaign strategy. Kamala's for they, them. President Trump is for you. Now that fight is front and center on Capitol Hill. This isn't manufactured. This is a real thing. South Carolina's Nancy Mace, who broke ground herself as the first woman to graduate from the once all-male military academy, the Citadel,

arguing that McBride should not be allowed to use women's restrooms on the Capitol complex. Congressman-elect McBride already has a private restroom in their own office. There are unisex facilities throughout the Capitol. It led to House Speaker Mike Johnson issuing a new policy that says restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms are, quote, reserved for individuals of that biological sex. A man is a man and a woman is a woman and a man cannot become a woman. But I also believe that we treat everybody with dignity. This battle, a microcosm of the war raging across the country over trans rights, with Republicans pushing back on bathroom access, pronoun use and health care for trans people. They're endangering women. They're endangering girls of all kinds.

And everybody should reject it. It's gross. It's a fight McBride, who came to Congress to deal with economic and quality of life issues, did not intend on being the face of. I'm not running to be the transgender member of Congress. I'm running to be Delaware's member of Congress. And in a statement tonight, McBride said that she didn't come to Congress to fight over bathrooms, but that she'll follow the speaker's new rules even if she doesn't agree with them. Lester. All right, Ryan, thanks. In 60 seconds, the rare appearance of Susan Smith, 30 years after she was convicted

of drowning her children. What a parole board decided today about her future, next. 30 years ago, she committed a crime that shocked the nation. Today, Susan Smith, the woman who drowned her two young sons in 1994, got a shot at freedom. But as Kathy Park reports, despite her tearful plea, the parole board wasn't convinced. Despite a request for freedom, a South Carolina parole board denied Susan Smith's release roughly 30 years after she was found guilty of drowning her two young boys, Alex and Michael. Susan Smith is denied parole. The vote is unanimous. Appearing virtually, the now 53-year-old Smith expressed remorse for her actions. I want to say how very sorry I am. I know that what I did was so horrible and I would give anything if I could go back and change it. Smith first made national headlines October 1994 when she claimed a black man carjacked her vehicle with her children

still inside. Authorities launched an intense nine-day search for a suspect, but ultimately she confessed to killing her sons. Her then-estranged husband, David Smith, stood by her side as they pleaded for help. I want to say to my babies that your mama loves you so much. Today, he spoke against her release. This wasn't a tragic mistake. She purposely meant to end their life. She changed my life for the rest of my life that night.

The original prosecutors in the case saying the board made the right decision. Do you think she's the same woman that she was 30 years ago? I believe Susan is the same woman she was 30 years ago when she laughed in the courtroom when the jury wasn't in and cried as soon as the jury came in. David Smith turning the focus back to his sons and his commitment to keeping Susan in jail as she reapplies for parole every two years. For two more years, there'll still be justice for Michael and Alex. Kathy Park, NBC News, Columbia, South Carolina. We'll take a break and then coming up after the storm cleared, a powerful symbol of hope and resilience emerged from the land of the Christmas trees. The good news is next.

Finally, there's good news tonight about a tree that survived Hurricane Helene getting a big honor at the White House. Here's Stephanie Gosk. The Fraser fir grows best in the mountains of western North Carolina. Millions will decorate homes this holiday season. Cartner's Christmas tree farm, a family business started in the 50s, has a special honor. After beating out the competition, one of their furs is going to the Blue Room in the White House. The trees are planted when they're saplings, about a foot or so tall. Then they grow a foot every year. This tree has been in this spot for 25 years. Now it's time to head to the show. Today, friends and family gather to cut down the tree. Why was it chosen? The taper is number one. It's got absolutely perfect taper on it.

What makes perfect taper? It's not too this way. It's not too slim. It's just right. Co-owner Sam Kartner even has a name for the perfectly shaped 20-footer. Tremendous. Tree mend, M-E-N-D, us. So this tree's going to mend us. This area of North Carolina needs mending after Hurricane Helene. Many of the tree farms, including Kartner's, suffered damage from mudslides. Y'all ready?

Today was a moment to take pride in their resilience. All those good things in life, faith, hope, and love, that's what we want this tree to represent. Have you felt that spirit in this area? Absolutely. Absolutely, we have. And like every year during the holidays, North Carolina is sharing that spirit with the rest of us. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, Newland, North Carolina is sharing that spirit with the rest of us. Stephanie Gosk,

NBC News, Newland, North Carolina. And that is nightly news for this Wednesday. Thank you for watching, everyone. I'm Lester Hull. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night.