NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Saturday, September 19, 2026

Episode Date: September 19, 2026

Torrential rains prompt flood risk for millions; Trump bars CNN, Politico and MS NOW from White House; New attacks on Saudi Arabia as Middle East fighting escalates; 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.

This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz Ballard. Good evening. We begin tonight with torrential rains and millions at risk for flash flooding. Take a look at this video of a river roaring in the upper Midwest. That rain even triggering mudslides. And there's no relief ahead. More rain is expected in that region tomorrow. Meanwhile, in the West, multiple rounds of severe weather pummeled Utah with heavy winds and even ping-pong ball-sized hail like this.

And we even saw a tornado touched down there, too. Liz Croyce starts us off tonight. Tonight, rivers raging after a deluge of rain in parts of the upper Midwest, more than eight inches falling in some areas, an entire campground in southeast Minnesota underwater. Crews racing to clear roads after landslide shut them down. The power of those floodwaters displacing this propane tank, first responders securing it and stopping a leak.

While in Chicago, more than 1,200 flights at O'Hare Airport delayed due to storms. More than 300 more canceled entirely. Our station, WMAQ, alerting viewers this morning. We continued to see thunderstorm activity developing, so really there's not going to be much of a let-up here as we go through the remainder of the day. Oh, my God! Meanwhile, in the West, multiple rounds of severe weather roaring through Utah Friday. bringing 50-mile-per-hour wind gus and up to ping-pong ball-sized hail,

floodwaters inundating parts of Interstate 15 north of Salt Lake City. And not far from there, the National Weather Service confirming a tornado also touching down. Tragically, southeast of Salt Lake City, authorities confirming a lightning strike from the storm, killing a 19-year-old man and injuring multiple people. And in Arizona, we're getting a fuller look at the terrified flash floods that trapped two people in their 80s inside their vehicle in Maricopa County Wednesday. 911. What is the location of your emergency?

We're not sure. We're stuck in a wash. Authorities responding to that call for help. You can see the sheriff's helicopter hovering over the car and a first responder, then lowering themselves down to rescue the passengers. Everyone making it out safely. Liz Coitz joins us now from Los Angeles. And Liz, how long are those flood alerts expected to last?

Well, Jose, more than 17 million people from Montana to Ohio are currently under those alerts. They are expected to run through Sunday morning. An additional 14 million people are also facing potentially dangerous heat as well with summer not yet over for everyone. Jose. Those Croits and Los Angeles, thank you. There was another security incident near the White House. Today, the Secret Service says a man drove a car onto the sidewalk near Lafayette Square just across from the White House. This video shows that person being taken away in handcuffs.

A witness said the man was saying he needed to speak with President Trump. That man is now undergoing a mental health evaluation. Also, tonight a major showdown is brewing over the First Amendment after three major news outlets to confirm their employees were barred from entering the White House today. This just a day after President Trump said he was banning them. Sui Surkin reports. Tonight journalists from three major news organizations are being denied access to the White House. I attempted to scan my badge. It did not work. Passes revoked at the White House gates after President Trump escalated his attacks on the press

by barring Politico, CNN, and MS now from covering him. I don't want him in my office. I don't want him here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can. What specifically the president took issue with, he did not say. It's really just cumulative stories over the last few years. You get sick of it. They purposely write negative news. And they do that because they want to try and diminish the Republicans and a Republican administration. Among the multiple high-level current and former White House staff NBC News has spoken to,

not one was aware of the president's plan ahead of time. Some lawmakers pushing back. Freedom of the press is not some partisan issue. This is a constitutional issue. It's a first-demand. amendment issue. And former President Obama weighing in. I'm trying to think what would have happened if I had said, you know what, Fox News? Get out of here. It's unimaginable. And a news statement from the head of the White House Correspondents Association,

Fox News is Jackie Heinrich, calling on the administration to immediately restore our colleagues' access. Adding a standard used to exclude one news outlet because of its coverage could be applied to any outlet in the future. Trump's bans the latest in a string of clashes between him and the press, all while the administration has expanded access to new media outlets, the majority of them conservative leaning. And Julie Cirkin joins us from the White House. Julie, what happens next here? Jose, all three news outlets say they will take every step necessary to fight for their First Amendment rights, including in the courtroom. And remember, President Trump says he's prepared to add more outlets to the ban. Jose?

Julie Sarkin, thank you. And don't miss Kristen Walker's big lineup on Meet the Press tomorrow morning right here on NBC. Overseas key sites in Saudi Arabia were hit in. Strikes launch from Yemen, these escalating attacks, raising concerns about higher fuel prices. Matt Bradley has the latest. Tonight, tensions growing in the Middle East. Video showing a column of smoke near the airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. aftermath of an attack, the Houthis, a rebel group in Yemen backed by Iran, claimed as their own.

The Houthis have been pummeling Saudi targets in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, like these oil pumping stations almost completely destroyed in the past week. And what Saudi officials said was a drone Houthi attack near the holy city of Mecca. An allegation the Houthis denied, describing it as a monstrous slander. But the Houthis are also making gains on the ground. Launching fresh offensives that have put them and their backers in Tehran to within striking distance of yet another crucial waterway in the Middle East, the Babel Mandib Strait. President Trump said the Houthis have assured him they won't target American shipping through the strait, but the group has been firing on ships belonging to Saudi Arabia,

which supports Yemen's internationally recognized government. But as war expands in the Middle East, energy prices continue to soar. Even the negotiations to end the fighting have largely stalled. President Trump still sounding an optimistic note. And the war is going to end soon. And when it ends, your gas prices are going to drop to a level that they were before, maybe even lower. Matt, Bradley joins us now from Jerusalem.

Matt, oil prices are already nearing their highest level so far this year. Could they go up even more? Yeah, and apparently Jose officials from Saudi oil company, A Ramco told European reform. refineries that they shouldn't expect any oil from Saudi Arabia at all next month. This, according to Bloomberg News Service, and all because of those with the attacks. Jose? Matt Bradley, thank you.

And we're following another controversy tonight. This one in the music world with Ed Sheeran set to perform this evening for the first time since the rapper McElmore was forced off of his tour for comments he made in support of Palestinians. Alri Castro is there. How is that? a chorus of pro-Palestinian protesters ahead of Ed Sheeran's concert in Philadelphia. Palestine is now associated with his concert. The first show since rapper McElmore was dropped from the opening lineup for on-stage comments supporting Gaza.

For free. Philadelphia police increasing security as a precaution. I believe this is a cultural watershed moment. McElmore said he heard from Shearne Monday that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who also owns Gillette Stadium, told Shearren he had racked. some of the other stadium owners. Warning, if McElmore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play. Kraft has previously said, this decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent

Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf. Other supporting acts later dropping out in solidarity, including Sheeran's house band. Some fans telling us they had no intention of missing this show. I think what they're doing to Ed Shearron is wrong. You are going to come regardless. Regardless. The controversy sparking new donations, Malcolm Moore pledging to give his $1 million in tour earnings to organizations supporting Palestinians and calling on Kraft to do the same. Kraft announcing he'd already been asked by Sheeran to match his $2 million donation for aid to the region.

Sheeran writing on Instagram this week that he's been trying to find a solution and unfortunately was unable to do so. Adding McElmore's removal was the promoter's decision. Fans left wondering if he'll find a way to address what now. seems to be his solo act. Valerie is outside the stadium, Philadelphia, tonight. Valerie, there are still tickets available for tonight's show? Yeah, and Jose, take a look. These are some of the fans heading into the concert right now.

Some telling us they bought their tickets a year in advance. Earlier today, ticket data telling us that there were still thousands of seats available. Right now, those are going for about $40. That's less than half of what they were just three days ago, while ticket prices for McElmore's next show in October. continue to rise. Jose? Valerie Castro in Philadelphia, thank you. Still ahead tonight a terrifying close call

as a driver smashes into a police cruiser on the side of the road. And disturbing new video of a teacher being attacked by a student. What happened next? Back now with a terrifying crash caught on camera, this police body cam video showing a car smashing into the officer's police cruiser

parked on the side of the road. Here's a different angle. Police say the drive, driver of the car fell asleep behind the wheel, which caused that crash. Incredibly, no serious injuries reported. Also tonight's scary new video that may be difficult to watch a teacher stabbed in the classroom by one of her students. You see them there struggling.

Teacher eventually getting away. It happened in Brazil. The school says the teacher was hospitalized, but not seriously hurt. And take a look at his river rescue near Tampa, Florida. Two boaters got stranded after their boat capsized. Authorities say, luckily, the two were safely rescued and were unharmed. When we come back, the new technique that is revolutionizing leg lengthening surgery and reducing recovery time. We're back with a rare look at a procedure that could become more common,

while procedures to lengthen your legs have been around for a few years. Now, a new technique could make the recovery time shorter, getting people back on their feet faster. George Solis has this report. I want to warn you, some of the... footage is graphic. Dr. Craig, good to see you again. While there are countless reasons to go under the knife, David Ontaneda is here meeting with Dr. Craig Robbins for one reason only.

What was your starting height? 5'6. So now you're about 5'9. I'm about 5'9 right now. This is no follow-up. The 38-year-old is getting stature surgery, more commonly referred to as leg lengthening. You want me to lay down? Yeah.

Onteneda, coming back for a second procedure. first on his femurs, now on his tibias, hoping to reach a height of 5-11. You're doing this again? Yeah, having totaled friends all my life, you always want to be kind of the same height. Just to not stand out negatively. Assuming no complications, he'll reach his goal in about three months. You make a small incision in the skin. NBC News granted rare access to a surgery that for decades in this setting has been shrouded in secrecy.

and the subject of satire. Because in order for Griff to achieve his dreams, I had to donate my leg bones. At the paleo orthopedic and spine institute in West Palm Beach, doctors now using new technology. These FDA-approved rods, called the PreciseMax or PMAX nail, designed to reduce the risk of complications, help ease recovery, and lessen pain. Because the new nail is engineered to bear more weight than earlier versions,

patients can be on their feet in a matter of which. weeks as opposed to months, and better outcomes may make this procedure more popular. We're not making better basketball players. We are making happy people. Dr. Dorr Paley, who has been performing these surgeries for nearly four decades, also helped design the proprietary technology used in the procedure. One shouldn't take this frivolously. It is a process to go through, and your muscles could become stiffer, your joints become stiffer. Feeling a lot better.

Recovery will likely take a whole year, at which point all of the nails and screws will be removed from his leg bones. The scars, the only other evidence outside the obvious change in height. This is not an easy surgery. It's very painful, but ultimately it has its rewards, and you've got to do that risk straight off. It's not cheap. He says he'll end up paying more than $200,000 out of pocket between the surgeries, recovery, and physical therapy. It gives you that additional confidence to walk and feel comfortable in your own skin. And I don't believe that there is a price for that. George Solis, NBC News, West Palm Beach. It's somewhat independent.

Good. That was a big one. When we come back, there's good news tonight about a priceless gift and the bond, this coach, and firefighter will share forever. There's good news tonight. So often the good news doesn't get as much attention as about. So every Saturday, we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. And these are just some of those stories this week.

Next year. and the 101st Macy's Thanksgiving Day. This is the sound of history. Florida State University's marching chiefs, finding out they'll become the first college band from Florida to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I'm extremely excited. I can't wait. FSU wasn't the only school that got the good news.

In South Dakota, the Brandon Valley Band did too. And so did the Foothill High School band in Nevada. In Cleveland, that seven-year-old Adeline Taylor ringing in a new chapter, celebrating the end of her cancer treatment. But there was another moment she and her dad will never forget. For two and a half years, he's worn this bracelet that says Adeline strong. But now it's finally time to let it go. It's probably one of the proudest moments that I have, just seeing her happy tears that she was finally done and can be a kid again.

Morning. Yes. Welcome to Texas. Thank you. And at the University of Houston, an emotional meeting. That's Don Landholm, one of the coaches for Houston football meeting, meeting the hero who saved his life. Life. So good to be both you guys.

When Don was battling leukemia, he needed a stem cell transplant, and a total stranger stepped up. Firefighter EMT, Morgan Talib, came to the rescue. I get a sense that maybe you and Dawn and your family and his are somehow much more linked than just because of a donation. It's crazy. I feel like I've known them forever. As Don recovered, his team stepped up too, cheering him on from outside the window and sending handwritten notes for his wall of hope. A year later, Don reached out to Morgan with this email. There are no words or expressions that can adequately describe the gratitude and thankfulness I have regarding your gift. I lost it when I first read that I never expected that we would share the bond that we do today.

And just last week, Don got to show his appreciation in a big way. To the hero who gave him a second chance. We have for the entire Houston football family who thank you for the miraculous gift of life. You know, thank you was not quite enough going to try to follow her example and pay for her to get more people involved. and try to make a difference in some other people's lives. That's NBC Nightland News for this Saturday. The great Hallie Jackson will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diaz-Balart.

Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good time.