NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, October 3, 2026

Episode Date: October 4, 2026

New details about co-pilot after Flydubai incident; Urgent race to find missing medical evacuation jet; New revelations in Cornell rape investigation; 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, new revelations about the co-pilot attacker who tried to fly a jet bound for Israel into the ground. What we're learning tonight about the alleged fly Dubai attacker, plus how authorities say he used an axe like this to injure the pilot and one of the hero passengers speaking out to our reporter. Developing right now the urgent search to find a medical jet that vanished off the coast of Massachusetts, six people on board. Where did it go? Dramatic new video of a confrontation with one of a the men accused in the Cornell sexual assault case, as questions grow over how the case was handled. NBC News Learning, the local district attorney did not review some information before deciding not to bring charges. This just in, Tennessee's prison chief stepping down for that botched

execution of a death row inmate. Tens of millions on alert for dangerous heat in the West, as Gulf Coast states deal with heavy rain like this. President Trump rallying in red states in a final push before the critical midterm elections as he faces growing signs of trouble in the polls. Fighting back, a rare inside look at NATO's operation to protect Europe from Russia and prevent another country from becoming the next Ukraine. The billionaire philanthropist and his record-breaking donation to Carnegie Mellon University telling me why he did it and his hope it will revolutionize higher education. And there's good news,

but an emotional meeting and the special bond these two will share forever. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz Ballard. Good evening. We begin tonight with new information about the co-pilot suspect who investigators say tried to fly a jet bound for Israel into the ground.

U.S. officials briefed on the investigation providing NBC news with this photo of the co-pilot, a citizen of Oman, who multiple sources say has a troubling past. According to authorities, he used a small axe like this, typically kept in the cockpit, to attack this man, the pilot, an attempt to hijack the plane. Ralph Sanchez is following it all force tonight and starts us off. Tonight we're learning more about the Fly Dubai co-pilot

who came within seconds of carrying out an alleged 9-11-style terror plot. And the failure by security screeners to catch his history of extremism. His name is Hamam al-Hamami, and this is his photo, according to U.S. officials briefed on the investigation. He's a citizen of Oman, now in custody in the UAE. Authorities there say he used a small axe like this, standard emergency equipment in many airline cockpits, to assault Captain Schmidt-Machar and try to hijack the plane. She's shouting, in stabbing the pilot, in stabbing the pilot. Zvika Manas was sitting in row one with his family,

his wife taking their daughter to the bathroom when she saw the struggle in the cockpit. I heard my daughter's shouting, crying, Daddy, we don't want to die, we don't want to die. This was the trigger that fooled me to run to the cockpit. You can see Manas here. His shirt stained with blood. We are punching him, kicking whatever we can.

until he surrendered, actually. The Israeli passengers overpowered Hamami, tying him up with headphone cables. One says they heard him speak. Telling them, kill me, kill me, because he didn't succeed of his mission to kill us. Hamami previously posted on social media about killing Jews, according to an Israeli official. And multiple sources briefed on the investigation say he was removed from a pilot job in Oman because of concerns over his radical ideology. But somehow he was still hired by Fly Dubai.

The airline declining to answer questions but says it's supporting the ongoing investigation. It could easily be the 9-11 for the Israeli country. I don't believe that it will be any second chance for this kind of miracle. Miracle, indeed. Ralph, joins us now live from Tel Aviv, Ralph. We're learning more about the attack.

Yeah, Jose, the captain. Captain, who's now recovering in hospital, says the co-pilot told him he was going to prey at the back of the cockpit. Suddenly he felt this huge blow to his head. He initially thought it was some kind of catastrophic damage to the plane, but then he realized the co-pilot was attacking him with the axe. Jose? Ralph Sanchez, thank you. Here at home, we're monitoring an urgent search to find a missing medical jet that vanished off the coast of Massachusetts. Jesse Kirsch has the latest.

Tonight, the U.S. Coast Guard scouring the Atlantic, trying to find an air ambulance that suddenly vanished near Nantucket with six people on board. Roger, if you said you're coming in blind, that he said? Okay, you do clear a margin, you know. According to the FAA, the small Gulfstream G100 jet, similar to the one pictured here, was flying from Bermuda to Boston overnight. Around 1 a.m., the plane disappeared. Flight tracker flight aware showing a roughly 13,000-foot drop. Air traffic control losing contact, asking another plane for help. Can you look on your T-Cast to see if there's an aircraft out there at 540?

The Coast Guard scrambling by air and sea. A puddle aircraft in the water. Tracking data shows the flight was operated by Canadian company Latitude Air Ambulance, which tells NBC News the plane was carrying out a medical evacuation, and that the organization has an emergency response plan in place for anything that might happen on their missions. But tonight, the fate of those on board remains a mystery. And Jesse joins us live. Jesse, we're learning more about the nationalities of the six people on board.

That's right, Jose. A source familiar with the situation tells me a patient and the patient's son. Both Bermuda citizens are among those on board and on social media. Canada's Minister of Transport, Stephen McKinnon, writes that four Canadians are also among those missing. Jose. Jesse Kirsch, thank you. And now to the growing questions about the investigation into rape allegations at Cornell,

including potential evidence that was never reviewed by the local prosecutor. Valerie Castro, report. Are you not, like, embarrassed to be here? Tonight, video is showing a dramatic confrontation with Giulio Lopes, one of the men accused in the Cornell sexual assault case. I can talk about all this right now,

generally know that. Yeah, and I hope you never will because you're disgusting urs it. Lopes denying his involvement. Everyone in Cornell is ashamed of you. Like that group chat is just stuff. I had nothing to be. The accused student's attorney responding in a statement in part,

plaintiff's counsel has masterfully manipulated the media narrative and the consequences are now very real. Mr. Lopes was publicly accosted and is being condemned before the evidence has been fully heard. It's the latest fallout as more revelation surface about the local district attorney's actions before deciding not to move ahead with criminal charges. NBC News reviewing law enforcement documents showing, while police had gathered witness interviews

and tips, Tompkins County DA Matthew Van Houten declined to look at new information beyond the accuser's initial six-page statement given to police. When reached for comment Friday, Van Houten responding in a statement in part, the interviews were each of the frat members declining to speak on the advice of their attorney. There was nothing to review. Two years ago, a female student, now known as Jane Doe first reported to campus police multiple members of the Kai Phi fraternity had sexually assaulted her at a party. She was completely intoxicated.

She was given drugs. She was unable to consent to anything. Jane Doe has since filed a civil suit against seven of the men. Her attorney telling our Maggie Vespa Friday, his client continues to suffer. How's Jane Doe doing? Not well.

This is upended her life in, such a tragic way. New York Governor Kathy Hokel blasting the DA's handling of the matter. Now appointing state attorney general Letitia James as special prosecutor over the recently reopened case. Van Houten says he will cooperate with the attorney general. In a lengthy video statement released late today, Cornell President Michael Kotlakov saying, quote, what happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come. He reassured the campus community that an independent review by an outside law firm will now take place. Jose.

Valerie Castro, thank you. Just in tonight, Tennessee's governor says the head of the state's prisons is resigning after that botched execution earlier this week. Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strata will step down this month after death throw inmate Krista Pike's execution failed on Wednesday. The state is still investigating what went wrong. Pike's attorneys say she's on a ventilator but remains a lot. unconscious. Also, tonight millions are under heat alerts from a dangerous October heat wave. Dana Griffin has the latest. Tonight, tens of millions in the West facing extreme conditions as a dangerous late-season heat wave

grips the region. How hot is it out here? It is squoching. In Southern California, temperatures pushing into the triple digits. I mean, we're talking 20 to 25 degrees above average for many areas here. And the biggest concern is, just how hot it gets, but how long the heat sticks around. It's hot, but it's going to be hot for several days. Why is that coat so concerning? It's concerning because heat-related illness can be a cumulative issue, and that's when we see more deaths. Doctors urging people to limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and look out for one another. Stay hydrated, stay covered, take breaks, keep an eye on those around you. This says more than 250 firefighters

fighters are battling the bullfire north of Lake Tahoe in Washoe County, Nevada. The blaze igniting Friday, crews facing rough terrain as they fight it from the ground and the air. Meanwhile, Gulf Coast states dealing with heavy rain for days. Two million people now under flood alerts. Southeast Louisiana bracing for a soggy weekend. Heavyest rain expected close to the coast could get over six inches of rain there. Back here in California, water handed out as thousands of fans packed Dodgers Stadium for game one of the National League Division Series between the Braves and Dodgers, teams taking the field in triple-digit temperatures. Beta Griffin joins us live outside Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles. Dana, what are conditions there like right now and how long is this heat expecting to last? Jose, Los Angeles reached 103 degrees today, and it definitely feels like it. The Dodgers had encouraged fans to prepare for hot weather, and this extreme.

heat warning is expected to last to Thursday evening. Jose? Dana Griffin, thank you. Tonight, President Trump is hitting the campaign trail and the final push before the midterms. Julie Sirkin is traveling with the president and has this report. President Trump marking one month until voters deliver their verdict on his first two years in office. Campaining in Ohio tonight after back-to-back rallies in Alabama and Texas. I'm here to say hello, I love you, and I'm coming really as a sign of. of respect. States he won in the 2024 election.

Just close your eyes and pretend them on the ballot. The president enticing his supporters to the polls with the promise of a cash payment. If the Republicans win, you will each have $5,000 in your pocket and economic success. Core our country. Congress would need to approve that payout. But the president did give U.S. service members a holiday bonus last year. His other proposed cash gifts have not. panned out, including $2,000 tariff checks and money from Doge cuts.

And new today, using an existing fund, the Trump administration announcing a one-time $90 payment for more than 20 million seniors on Medicare to help offset higher health care costs, a key issue for voters. The president declaring, remember this is the golden age of America. Our nation is doing better now than ever before. But a majority of Americans, 59 percent, disagree. The economy, top of mind. They were on war driving oil prices higher. And diesel, critical for farmers, hit especially hard.

But it's going to end very soon and oil's going to come plummeting down lower. Jose, in a new court filing, the Trump administration insisted does have the authority to ban three news outlets from accessing the White House. The next step in this case is a hearing set for next Thursday. Jose? Julie Sirkin, thank you. Still ahead tonight. A rare inside look at how native. is protecting other European countries from potential Russian attacks.

Back now, with a rare look inside a high-stakes operation by NATO to protect Europe from Russia as countries try to prevent potential attacks. Here's Richard Engel. On a military base in the small Baltic nation of Lithuania near the Russian border, NATO troops are training for the worst. For an alarm that could come at any moment, signaling the start of a Russian invasion of a NATO country, potentially triggering a massive global crisis or even a new world war. The pilots rush to their jets and take to the skies, showing their capacity to defend the Baltic states

and prevent them from becoming the next Ukraine. They want to show that they are willing and able to stand up to Russia. And the reason they're doing it right now is the number of Russian attacks into NATO territory. Since September 2025, a NATO official tells NBC News, NATO forces have had to scramble fighter jets around 400 times in response to Russian drones, missiles, and jets entering NATO territory. You never can trust a neighbor like Russia or Belarusia. Each time, Russia denied responsibility or blamed Ukraine.

But Russian pilots have been witnessed violating NATO airspace. and Russian drones have been recovered. President Trump has expressed serious doubts about NATO, calling into question its most fundamental principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all. We'll come to their rescue, but they will never come to ours. Statements like that and Putin's aggressive actions are making Europeans extremely nervous.

Governments in Europe are now also putting out instruction manuals telling people what to do should Russian troops invade. These were released by the governments of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Sweden. They warn people how to act should Russian troops suddenly show up, how to behave, how to stockpile food. NATO was set up to prevent another world war through deterrence. But its members increasingly worry Putin isn't deterred and that they are on their own. Richard Engel, NBC News, Latvier. And we're back in a moment with that record-breaking donation to Carnegie Mellon University

and why Ken Griffin hopes it will revolutionize higher education and create the leaders of tomorrow. We're back with that record-breaking donation from hedge fund creator and manager Ken Griffin, giving more than $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University, the largest gift ever by an individual in the history of higher education. I spoke with Griffin and Carnegie Mellon. and president about what that money is going to and what it means for South Florida and the future leaders of the world. You are literally putting billions of dollars into the higher education equation. Why? So the American voter believes that higher education must deliver more.

We need to go back to the foundational building blocks of what makes a great country. and nothing makes a country great, like being at the forefront of knowledge, of innovation, of research. Are you on the side of AI is going to be the destruction of the human race? Or are you on the side that AI should completely revolutionize for the better, the human race?

Well, actually, you have two narratives here that are really quite different, and the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. We do need to focus on having the right guardrails to make sure that these tools in the hands of bad actors are contained and controlled in terms of what consequences can be. But for choice, I'd much rather live in a world of AI than a world without. Our well-being and national security are going to require bringing people with deep expertise in different areas. And when you bring scientists, engineers, ethicists, people are not. understand humanities and social science, artist. We will get better solutions. And that is going

to be what we're going to do in Miami. Carnegie-Belman University of Miami will be up and running by 28 with more than 3,500 students expected to enroll. When we come back, here's good news tonight about an emotional meeting and the life-saving bond in these two will share forever. Hey. There's good news tonight. So often the good news. doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday, we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. And these are just some of those stories this week. Cancer free!

Just listen to those cheer. That six-year-old Emma Hall's House walking up to home plate with her cousin, Indianapolis Clowns Catcher Joe Lytle. After a two-year-back, she got to celebrate being cancer-free with hundreds of fans' cheer. during her on. From Boston to Atlanta. To this preschool in Dallas.

You're the best of the best, of the best. We saw six preschool teachers get a very special honor. So we want to present to you the early educator of the year, 2006. After 24 years in the classroom, teacher Angela Levingston was brought to tears. It's a day I'll never forget. Outside Chicago, an incredible homecoming, a decade in the making. That's Vanessa Antonino, holding her chihuahua floor for the first time since she went missing 12 years ago. Vanessa says she thought about floor every single day since she went missing.

When I saw her, I broke down completely. A piece of my heart was, you know, it was back. with me. Yay. And this may be the first time Christine Todd and Chris Becker meeting, but they're already bound by the ultimate gift. Your kidney is working great. Our friends at NBC Chicago first met Christine three years ago when she needed a kidney

and got creative to find one, posting on social media, making posters, and sharing her story at this White Sox game, which led her to now. one, but two potential donors. One of them was a perfect match. Chris Beck, high school biology teacher in Virginia, who had already donated part of his liver to a young girl. I do it because I want the world to be a better place. He will always forever be a part of me, a part of my family. But then, it turned out this connection sparked a life-saving chain reaction. That's Chicago donor Marnie Pomeroy, the other donor who came forward to help Christine. After Chris helped Christine, Marnie decided to donate anyway, saving five more people.

It's knowing that I put some good out there in the world. We need more of that. I believe in miracles. See, you were my miracle. A priceless gift from two heroes. And living proof that kindness can change and save lives. That's NBC Nightland News for this Saturday. The great Halley Jackson will be here tomorrow night.

I'm Jose Diazbollart. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good note. With stage 4, Mepro Blastoma. When you do hard things with people, you're connected for life. Monday on today,

the game that gave a city hope. The fans were buzzing. Drew Brees opens up to Hoda 20 years after football's return to New Orleans. Monday only on today.