NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, December 27, 2025

Episode Date: December 28, 2025

Major winter storm triggers widespread holiday travel disruptions; Russia stages massive attack on Ukraine ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meeting; Trump floats ‘pricing’ as key midterm issue after blasting ‘affordability’; and more on tonight’s broadcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight, the massive winter storm causing headaches on one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. Tens of millions under winter weather alerts as one of the biggest snowstorms in years hits the northeast. Plows struggling to keep up in New York as icy conditions cause dangerous crashes like this one in Connecticut. At the airport, major disruptions for thousands of flights during the rush home. We're tracking it all. Russia pounding Ukraine with drones and missiles in what a, of the heaviest attacks in months ahead of a high-stakes meeting between President Trump and Ukraine's President Zelenskyy set for tomorrow. The president saying the biggest issue

for next year's midterms will be pricing after calling the issue of affordability a hoax just two weeks ago. This, as polls show, people are struggling, and it could be Republicans who end up paying the price. The chaotic shooting at a sheriff's office, a heavily armed suspect opening fire, the mass of police response, and the armed standoff. The late developments tonight in the investigation. A remarkable rescue in Texas, a father tracks down his daughter after police say she was abducted at knife point, how he was able to use her phone to save her. What we know about two people who got dangerously close to the Kilaueo volcano, even waving to the camera, while it was erupting.

A wild rollover crash, a truck spinning into and crashing into another, how everyone was able to walk away. Why the ball drop at Times Square will look a little different this New Year's Eve. And there's good news this year, the moments that inspired, captivated, and moved us when we needed it the most in 2025. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz. The Lord. Good evening. I'm Laura Jarrett in for Jose tonight, and we begin with that massive winter storm and the big problems it's creating for people trying to get home from the Christmas holiday. Here in New York, the storm dropping the most snow the area seen in four years. Some parts of the northeast getting nearly a foot. Plows struggled to keep up with that heavy snow and ice,

making it pretty dicey for people on the roads. And at the airport, it's not looking any better. Take a look at this map. You see all that red? Those are major airports seeing massive disruptions tonight, including long lines with hundreds of flights canceled and thousands more delayed. Stephen Romo starts us off. Tonight, parts of the country dealing with a winter weather wallop, just as millions try to head home from holiday celebrations. Parts of New York State seeing nearly a foot of snow as plows struggled to keep up. Snow also piling up in cities like Binghamton, as poor visibility caused a major problem for drivers. Meanwhile, New York City getting the most snow it's seen in almost four years, with 4.3 inches falling in Central Park.

We don't get much snow lately, right? In the last few years, and it's nice to get one. Both New Jersey and New York, declaring states of emergency before the storm hit, with northern New Jersey also seeing up to four inches. travelers dealing with the brunt of the weather woes thousands of delays and hundreds of cancellations nationwide piling up at major airports in the northeast starting early Saturday morning show up maybe five hours early five hours while drivers getting their share of problems too

serious crashes like this one in Connecticut involving a police officer in Michigan ice and car crashes snarling roadways as that ice also coated pretty much everything in sight. Ice also leading to problems in Pennsylvania with crashes, including a jackknife semi, causing Interstate 80 to shut down, all leaving many people spending their last weekend of 2025 navigating this travel trouble. Stephen, joins us now from a busy LaGuardia airport, and Stephen, this weather, it's far from over.

Yeah, that's right, Lord. there's another winter storm set to move into the northeast tomorrow and forecast showed that it could bring rain, freezing rain, sleet and snow into the region, as many more people try to make that journey back home. Laura? Stephen Romo, thank you. Overnight, Russia unleasing a massive drone and missile attack on Kyiv. The offense of coming as President Trump is set to meet with Ukraine's President Zelensky tomorrow. Danielle Hammamgen reports for us. In the Ukrainian capital, the sound of drones once again buzzing across the night sky,

as Russian strikes pounded Keev, killing at least one person and injuring more than 20, according to Ukrainian officials. Russia launching a massive barrage of more than 500 drones and missiles, just hours before the Ukrainian leader is set to meet with President Trump in Florida. On his way to the U.S. Zelensky stopping in Canada for a meeting with Prime Minister Carney. And tomorrow I will have, I hope, very important and very constructive media with President Trump. Peace talks are slowly inching forward. The main sticking point remains territory.

Moscow is looking for full control of the Donbass region in the east, Vladimir Putin saying tonight that if Ukraine doesn't win, want to resolve the conflict peacefully, then Russia would resolve all its goals by force. Zelensky has said any compromises on territory should be decided by the Ukrainian people in a vote and that his country needs U.S. security guarantees in any peace deal. Trump telling Politico on Friday, the Ukrainian leader doesn't have anything until I approve it. Back in Ukraine, another day spent sifting through debris. We are begging the whole world, says this woman.

Let there be an end to all this for the sake of our children. Danielle Hamamjan, NBC News. Well, as the 26 midterm elections approach, polling appears to show that the economy and affordability are issues that Americans are struggling with right now. And as Julie Circon shows us, President Trump is defending his handling of it all and unveiling a new message. Tonight, President Trump predicting pricing as the focus of next year's key midterm elections. As a majority of voters tell NBC news, the economy is

on the wrong track during his second term. In an interview Friday, the president pointing the finger across the aisle for high pricing, claiming his administration is bringing it down, trying to reframe the issue of affordability, which he dismissed earlier this month. Affordability is a hoax that was started by Democrats. Many Democrats are leaning in. Everything comes back to making the case for an affordability agenda. The party made affordability top of mind in November, and it paid off at the ballot box. In 2024, Mr. Trump frequently pledged to lower costs at the grocery store. I won an election based on that. We're going to bring those prices way down. Costs have climbed over the last five years, especially at the grocery store, with the prices

of many items still moving in the wrong direction. Our most recent NBC News poll, finding Americans trust Democrats more than Republicans to handle the rising price. of everyday things. And as 2025 comes to a close, another cost of concern, health care, premiums expected to jump with tax credits that helped make the Affordable Care Act cheaper set to

expire. With control of Congress on the line next November, Democrats are hoping the cost of living issue from groceries to medical costs could help them claw back ground from Republicans. And Julie, Sirkin, joins me now from West Palm Beach. Julie, we're getting close to the new

year, which means we could start seeing the impact of those health care subsidies set to expire. Laura, that's right. 22 million Americans are about to face sticker shock. Remember, Congress couldn't come together on a deal to extend those subsidies, and because of that, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says 4 million people could drop their coverage. Laura?

Julie Sirkin, thank you. Overseas tonight, Thailand and Cambodia, reaching a new ceasefire agreement in weeks of armed combat along the borders. of those two countries. Both sides had been fighting over competing claims to territory. The new agreement follows a ceasefire broker by President Trump that later fell apart. Here at home, we are learning more about a chaotic shooting at a sheriff's office in Idaho, a heavily armed gunman opening fire on people, then getting into a standoff with law enforcement. Dana Griffin has more.

Tonight, a gunman is dead after opening fire at this Idaho sheriff's office. injuring an officer and two women both shot in the leg investigators say there's sheriffs everywhere long guns out handguns out i've already heard multiple shots fired witnesses left stunned and terrified in downtown wallace i'm scared for my life um and i wanted to run but i was so afraid that if i moved my vehicle that he would train his gun on me julie ward heard the commotion she began filming on her phone a safe distance away there was a At least seven shots. The injured women were shot while sitting in a vehicle outside the show shown county public safety facility officials say. Photos show a bullet-pierced windshield. About 2.30 p.m. suspect entered the sheriff's lobby and began firing. Multiple law enforcement agencies rushing to the scene, including the FBI. When you have a person that goes into a lobby of a sheriff's office and starts a shootout, that's a pretty significant event.

Once the armored car started approaching the front of the entrance and calling out the suspect and telling him to show his hands, and then I heard two rounds after that. The suspect was shot and killed inside the lobby. No one else was hurt. Dispatchers were in a protected room, the sheriff says. The gunman has yet to be identified, and tonight, his motive remains unclear. Laura? Dana Griffin, thank you. In sports, the University of Michigan announcing a new head football coach this weekend. Outgoing Utah coach, Kyle Whittingham, will now lead the Wolverines about two weeks after the school dismissed coach Sharon Moore for what the school said was an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. He now faces charges for stalking and home invasion. The school says Whittingham is on a five-year contract that will run through the 2030 season. Still ahead for you tonight, a Texas dad rescues his daughter, after her alleged abduction, tracking her down using cell phone data. Plus, two people seen on video posing dangerously close to the Kilauea volcano while

it was erupting. That's next. And now to a remarkable story out of Texas tonight after police say a father rescued his daughter from a suspected kidnapping, tracking her down using the parental controls on her cell phone. Ryan Chandler reports. It was a parent's worst night. nightmare on Christmas Day. Police say a 15-year-old girl was out walking her dog in Porter, Texas, just north of Houston when a man threatened her with a knife abducting her.

When she didn't return at her normal time, her father set out to find her, using parental controls to pinpoint her phone's location. That's when the sheriff office says the father found her and the dog in a truck in a partially wooded area almost two miles away, rescuing her from a man who was partially undressed. 23-year-old Giovanni Rosales-Espinoza, now held in the Montgomery County Jail without bond, charged with aggravated kidnapping and indecency with a child. Law enforcement experts say the tech that helped track the teenager

was key in this case. You've got to sit down with your teenagers and explain to them that this is to keep them safe. If you want somebody to come rescue you, having your location is critical. I make him father of the year. The sheriff saying, Christmas is a day meant for joy. But this man chose to shatter that joy by targeting a child.

Neighbors here tell us this is a sleepy neighborhood with kids often running up and down the streets. Tonight, they're praising a father's bravery and intuition. Ryan Chandler, NBC News, Porter, Texas. We are back in just a moment with wild new video of an out-of-control truck rolling over into a park truck. And get this, the driver inside that truck, made it out okay. That's next. Back now with a dangerous stunt caught on camera while the Kilauea volcano was erupting. The U.S. Geological Survey telling NBC News that these men were spotted on one of the volcano's cameras and dangerously close to the lava earlier this week. That area not accessible to the public

inside Hawaii Volcano's National Park. Also tonight, take a look at this, this dramatic crash caught on camera, You see that parked pickup truck when suddenly another truck spins out of control, almost going airborne and rolling directly into the windshield. Amazingly, the driver inside that truck that was just hit walked right out. It all happened in Hollywood, Maryland, and the local fire department says three people were hurt. And we are only a few days out from ringing in 2026, and the crystal ball for New Year's Eve was installed in Times Square today. this year's ball will sparkle in red, white, and blue to kick off months of celebrations for America's 250th birthday on July 4th.

When we come back, there is good news this year. Our look at the moments that lifted our spirits, made us smile, and inspired us in 2025. There's good news tonight. That's how we've ended our broadcast for years now, with moments of inspiration we don't often see on the news. For my colleagues, Jose Diaz-Balart, Halle Jackson, and myself, it's an honor to tell these stories. So tonight, our annual tradition where we look back on all the amazing people who inspired us in 2025. This year, there were so many special moments that inspired us. We saw so much support when people needed it most.

It, like, made me feel so good, and it made me feel like cancer is just nothing, and I could get there for how much support. Like the Goshen Township Police Department in Ohio, showing Allie Campbell she wasn't alone during her cancer battle. Officer, what's the bigger message? Bigger message is we can stand behind someone who needs our support at that point in time, then you can stand behind them. We're in this together. There were heroes like Laura Wiley's care team,

spending all night decorating for this many high school graduation after she missed hers because of a sudden illness. And a massive birthday parade for this little boy as he went through cancer treatment with hundreds of people showing up. His smile was just ear to ear, just so big. It's overwhelming in the best way as possible because we couldn't do it without our community. Across the country, educators making a difference and their community saying thank you. Hundreds of students celebrating custodian Amy Warrick just named employee of the year at her Idaho elementary school. Sometimes we feel like we're just the custodian, the lunch lady, or something like that, and our school makes us feel special no matter what spot we're at.

There was hug after hug for lunch lady Betty Duquette retiring after decades at her Massachusetts high school. Teachers, staff, office. workers and most of all my family of Aggie students who might love and care about. I will remember you always. Sergeant Randy Goodall, a school resource officer in Ohio, overwhelmed with love when his school held this surprise assembly in his honor. To watch over the kids, help the kids in any way we can, whether it's tie a tennis shoe, try to help fix a scrape on an elbow, or to wipe a tear away. It's not a job. It's a gift. We saw hard work pay off.

From getting into college to scholarships filled with opportunity. Future doctors heading to medical school. And the coach's special surprise for a chance. team managers hard work on the hardwood. As of tonight, that power of teamwork, that power of teamwork lifting all of us to new heights. Like these kids, cheer up. Like these kids, cheer hearing on Keegan Harrison before he and his mom bides their way to gold for Team USA at the World Transplant Games. Can you talk a little bit about what that's like for you emotionally? There are doors that are open no matter what your situation is. There is a way that we can make

sure that you feel included, that you are supported in whatever that you want to do. And for this coach, cancer wouldn't slow him down. His players and his other team of doctors, nurses, family, and friends showing up for his moment of victory. We saw people giving themselves to others, including the greatest gift of all. In December 24, I became your official donor, and I am in this very room waiting for you. Your perfect match, Mandy Harris. Why are you doing this? It was like God just kind of pushed me a little bit and said, go ahead and try.

There you go. We met 10-year-old Stephen Mondack, who stepped up to donate stem cells that saved his dad. What does it mean to you that it was your son who did that? Now, there's that old saying that not all heroes wear capes. Well, mine didn't wear a cape. Mine put out a hospital gown and donated six million stem cells and save my life. And we were there when April Johnson Heath met Valenz Sam's, the man who got a second chance of life, thanks to the heart donated from April's late son. He just had a big heart.

Now he's got a big heart. There were new beginnings. A new home for a hero. And the next generation of heroes. Students asking a different kind of question. Will you have me? This is something that I've been dreaming of, not only my whole life, but since I met Josh. We want to give a quick shout out.

From a very grateful group of grandkids. New adventures with friends and family. For being our biggest fans, our favorite travel buddy, and the queen of making memories. And checking off that bucket list, making memories to last a lifetime. I love you. I love you, too. Moments of triumph and connection. Inspiring us to show up for others.

and be the best version of ourselves. All year long. Our big thanks to producers, Daniel Rodriguez, Samantha Way, and editor Deanna DeAnnevin for putting that together. That's nightly news for this Saturday. Hallie Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Laura Jarrett for all of us here at NBC News. Thanks for watching.

Have a great night. Thank you.