NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, August 23, 2026

Episode Date: August 24, 2026

Out-of-control wildfire forces evacuations; U.S. wages economic battles against Iran and Canada; New questions as Harry and Meghan prepare to return to the U.K.; 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 scramble to try to contain dangerous wildfires burning out of control. Tens of thousands of people forced to leave. Even a hospital evacuated as the hawk fire explodes near Reno. Everywhere you look, scenes like these walls of flames. Look at this angle showing fire shooting from both sides of the road. First responders racing to the front lines. And officials now looking into whether this fire may have been set on purpose. President Trump gearing up for economic fights on two fronts tonight, getting ready for new sanctions against Iran, and escalating the trade war with Canada.

How both could affect the price you pay for the stuff you need. Questions tonight about Harry and Megan's big return to the UK, including how long they're actually planning to stay. Just in tonight, another break-in at an NFL star's home. The Cowboys player away with high-end personal properties stolen the latest on that investigation. And a scary moment on the field, the Eagles running back hit hard on the first play, taken off in an ambulance, an update tonight on how he's doing. Disturbing video of a New York City mom violently slashed during a hiking trip, which she's telling our team about that terrifying attack. Doctors sounding the alarm with a new warning about e-bikes and scooters as injuries soar for kids and teens. Running faster, jumping higher, and in one case, crashing harder.

inside the world humanoid robot games. And there's good news tonight about the life-changing moments for the next generation of athletes. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We are coming on the air tonight with the serious emergency in the West, the wildfire called the Hawk Fire, burning out of control around Reno. This video here showing a house swallowed by the flames. And on the road, look at this, a view from behind the wheel of a tractor with walls of fire on both sides.

Tens of thousands of people have had to get out of their homes fast as first responders try to fight this from the air and the ground. Investigators are looking into whether this may have been set intentionally. It's just one of the dangerous developments we're watching tonight

with intense weather, creating problems coast to coast, from flooding and storms in the east, with a mom and son killed by lightning to storm fallout in the Midwest, forcing some to spend nearly two weeks without power. Steve Patterson starts us off. Tonight, a fast-moving wildfire exploding outside Reno, Nevada. The Hawkfire scorching more than 15,000 acres, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate. We packed our bags and sort of weighted it out, and we just actually just hiked up to the top

of the hill here, and it's, yeah, it's burning pretty good. It's really windy up there, which is a little bit scary. First responders battling the blaze from the ground and the air. You can feel the heat. Videos show flames and thick smoke visible along roadways, a time lapse capturing just how quickly the blaze raced across the Sierra foothills. The fire remaining at zero percent containment as hot dry conditions elevate the threat across the west. If you can get out now, I would ask you please to do that.

One hospital in the region evacuating patients as the flames approached. Across the country, dangerous weather wreaking havoc. Heavy rain and strong winds, pummeling parts of Florida and Pennsylvania. A mother and her two-year-old son in Florida were killed after they were struck by lightning, according to police. In Gary, Indiana, some residents are still without power nearly two weeks after severe storms tore through. It's very rough right now. Service not expected to be fully restored for some until Tuesday. Back in Nevada, crews racing to gain ground.

Please allow our firefighters and our first responders the ability to do their jobs and take the evacuation order seriously. Steve is joining us now live. Steve, what else are we learning about how this hawk fire started in the first place? How authority said the fire, which is now injured six, including three first responders, is currently under investigation. but it is being described as human caused in some way. Meanwhile, more than 800 on the front lines doing all they can to keep the flames at bay. Hallie. Steve Patterson, thank you.

To the one-two economic punch now, the U.S. wants to deliver against both Canada and Iran. Yamish Al-Sindor joins us from the White House now live. And Yamish, with this new round of tariffs against Canada going into effect. The president's also describing upcoming sanctions against Iran as an economic D-Day, right? Hally, nearly six months into the war with Iran, the president is promising to unleash a crushing economic operation. Tomorrow, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessett is expected to lay out the steps the U.S. will take, though so far the details of the plan remain unclear. White House official today told us, without evidence, that Iran is completely broke and added, there are many

levers the president can crank. This comes as the White House is also ramping up economic attacks on one of our closest allies. President Trump imposed 50 percent tariffs. on a wide number of Canadian goods, hitting everything from refrigerators and paper plates to hockey sticks and liquors. Meanwhile, Canada's prime minister is vowing to retaliate with new tariffs on the U.S. after Labor Day. Halley. Yamich Alcindra, thank you. Overseas now with new questions tonight, is Prince Harry and Megan prepared to return to the U.K., but they may not stay there as long as folks first thought?

Ralph Sanchez has those new details. Tonight, with Harry and Megan's return to the U.K., just days away, Major questions remain unanswered about their new life in Britain, starting with how long will the family stay in the prince's home country? Their two children, Archie, Seven, and Lilibate, five, are due to start school in September. But a spokesperson for the couple telling the New York Times they only planned to spend an extended period in the UK this autumn, another question mark over Megan's potential return to Acton. After shooting to fame for her role in suits, she stepped back from TIE. work upon marrying into the royal family. Now there are widespread reports she's in talks with

Netflix about a possible role in gangster comedy series The Gentleman, Netflix declining to comment. And perhaps the biggest question of all, can Harry make peace with his brother William, the future king? Harry has had several recent reconciliation meetings with King Charles, who's undergoing treatment for cancer. But there's no sign of a similar thought with William. In his memoir, Harry claims his brother physically attacked him in 2019, an allegation William has never addressed. William feels deeply betrayed by all the allegations and all the things written about him. The last time the brothers were publicly seen together was two years ago at a family funeral.

One chance for them to reconcile? Next year marks 30 years since the death of their mother, Princess Diana. Raf joins us now from outside Buckingham Palace, and Raf Harry has said publicly before, that he worried about what security would look like if he was in the UK with his family. So what has changed? What's different on that front? Yeah, Halley, it's a really key question.

Harry lost a big legal battle here in the UK last year. He was trying to get his taxpayer-funded police bodyguards back. He said at the time his family wouldn't be safe without them. It isn't clear what's changed since then. And the UK government says it doesn't comment on security issues. Halley. Sanchez, thank you. to yet another high-profile burglary tonight, this time at the home of a Dallas Cowboys player,

the latest incident of thieves targeting pro athletes. Here's Valerie Castro. Another daring burglary targeting one of football's biggest stars, a suspect breaking into Cowboys' wide receiver CD Lam's home in Texas. Lamb was at the Cowboys training camp in California when more than $300,000 worth of items were stolen, including four luxury bags, according to police records obtained by the Fort Worth. Worth Star Telegram. In a statement, the Fairview Police Department saying evidence obtained indicates a single suspect entered and exited through the window, adding several high-end personal items were taken. Now the urgent search to identify and find the suspect. NBC News has reached out to the Cowboys who say they have no comment at this time. Lam's team has not responded to our request for a statement.

It's the latest in a string of high-profile burglaries. Last month, Philadelphia Eagles running back Sequin Barclay's home was broken into while police say he and his family were inside. Well, something like that happens, you're going to be shaken up. Our NBC Philadelphia station spoke to Barclay after the burglary. It made me a little more over there. I've got to be a little more sharper with my security. The NFL has previously told athletes to avoid posting in real time on social media, installing security systems and keeping valuables out of plain sight to avoid becoming the next target.

Valerie Castro and BC News. Also tonight, an update on a frightening moment after an Eagles player was seriously hurt on the field. The team says running back to Quinden Jackson is now out of the hospital after he tried to tackle a Patriots player last night. You see it there. Look like he took a knee to the head. He was motionless, ended up taken off the field in an ambulance. Jackson's agent says he is fortunately now awake and alert. To a terrifying attack in Arizona after a New York woman who hiked into the Grand Canyon was forced to fight off an armed attacker. Here's Ryan Chandler. This video shows the moment Alexis Rowan fought her attacker to save her life on a remote reservation deep inside the Grand Canyon. The New York City mother on a hiking trip with her friend to the sacred blue oasis of Havasupai.

You never think you're going to a beautiful land and this is what we come home with. Just hours in on August 12th, she asked this man for directions. Authorities identifying him as 29-year-old Taylor Paya. She says she immediately sensed danger. I knew it in my stomach. I'm like, I'm not safe. All of a sudden, I just fuck my whole necket slash. Like, this cannot be the way I'm going out.

I need to make it home to my kids. You thought you were going to die out there? Yeah, yes, a thousand percent. Rowan showing us the scars. Security video shows Paya grabbing and pulling her. Rowan weighed down by hiking gear, bleeding and screaming. It was like a blur until the lady, thank God, open her door and called me in. He ended up running away when the door opened.

Police say Paya lives on the reservation and that he was arrested at a nearby home and is facing assault charges. His attorney speaking to NBC News. I never make judgments on a case until I have all the facts. Every defendant in this country is presumed innocent. Rowan is now recovered and with her family, celebrating the birthday. She fought to see. I was just blessed to make it to my 27th birthday. See another day of life.

Ryan Chandler, NBC News. Still ahead for us tonight, the warning for parents as injuries soar for kids riding e-bikes and scooters. Plus, what we're learning about a deadly house explosion in Southern California next. Back now with a new video of a deadly house explosion in Southern California.

You see that flash of light and then debris raining down. on the street there. The local fire department says one person inside was killed. Two others were heard. And a dog who was home at the time safely rescued. Investigators are trying to figure out what triggered the explosion. Also tonight, doctors sounding a new alarm with ERs seeing more kids coming in hurt after riding e-bikes and scooters. And in many states, few rules regulating these rides. Vicki Wynn explains. You see them on sidewalks and streets across the country, electric scooters, bikes, and even trikes, equipped with motors that enable them to hit speeds up to 30 miles an hour. But with no federal rules on the minimum age for riders, more and more kids are hopping on.

Jamie Klein gave his son Garrett this E-trite for his 12th birthday, thinking it was safe with a max speed of 15 miles an hour. Do you think people looking at this realize how potentially dangerous it can be? No, not until you get on it. Klein says while riding, Garrett looked over his shoulder to check on a friend. When he turned back around, he slammed into a parked car in their Stoughton, Wisconsin neighborhood. If you saw what happened to Garrett, you would understand that the angle of the seat and the handlebars, if you were to impact something, your body is just going to pivot forward.

This is what it is face. X-ray show Garrett shattered his right cheekbone, an injury that required three surgeries to rebuild his face. New data shows emergency room visits for e-bike and e-scooter injuries among kids and teens have jumped more than 600% in the last three years, with head and neck injuries among the most common. We're hearing and seeing this across the United States. Pediatric emergency doctor Nick Connell says he's now treating at least one child a day for e-bike or scooter injuries at American Family Children's Hospital in Madison. What kinds of injuries are you seeing in the ER? We're seeing severe head injuries with skull fractures and bleeds. We're seeing injuries to the extremities.

And we're seeing internal injuries even to the organs inside. He says e-bikes quick starts, stops, and high speeds are especially dangerous. And combined with kids being inexperienced riders and distracted by cell phones. I don't think that parents truly know the severity of the injuries that we're seeing with this. Experts say before buying one, parents should check the age recommendations, talk about the risks, and make sure their child always wears a helmet. As for Garrett, the now 15-year-old, is ready for sophomore year.

What are you looking forward to now that he is mostly recovered? Being able to interact with his friends again, make new friends, graduate high school, and then hopefully have a successful future. Vicki Wynn, NBC News, Madison, Wisconsin. When we come back, the global robot competition where they're running faster, jumping higher, and crashing harder than...

and almost any humans. Back now with the global competition, putting humanoid robots to the test, with some of them already beating records set by actual humans. Here's Janice McAfreyer. Humanoid robots in China are breaking human records for speed,

running a hundred meter faster than sprinter Usain Bolt, for smashing into a padded wall at the finish line, stopping, it seems, still a work in progress. At the humanoid, games, machines big and small also compete in events where they hit hard and jump high. The event in its second year being promoted heavily by China's government and shows how getting

ahead in robotics is a national priority here. A robot conference alongside the games offering a window into that strategy to turn the spectacle of tricks and kicks into a commercial industry. There There are hundreds of robot companies here in China making machines that can box each other or run faster than people, if that's what you need your robot to do. But the bigger focus at this World Robot Conference in Beijing appears to be on tasks that are, well, mundane or boring, even by human standards. Yet none of what's on display in China will be finding its way to the United States. The Trump administration banning imports of newly made. foreign humanoids and quadrupeds citing national security concerns, with 82% of humanoid

shipments around the world coming from China. They have a problem in the U.S. building a resilient supply chain. They're very dependent on foreign components, and they want to reshore manufacturing. While China is seen as having a clear lead in manufacturing and scaling robots, the technology, though, still flawed with fumbles and flying sparks. A reminder that robots still have a ways to go. Janice McEugh-Fraer, NBC News, Beijing. When we come back, there is good news tonight

about hard work paying off in a big way for these young athletes. Next. There's good news tonight about young athletes giving it their all and getting a life-changing moment in return. He embraces his role. He puts the team first.

As college football season kicks off. I'm going to give that due to. scholarship. Chase Missouri, where are yet? These players are already winning. That's offensive lineman Chase Missouri, surrounded by his teammates at the University of Missouri after getting the surprise of a lifetime. All the hard work I played in over the past three years paid off. And that's like the best feeling that anybody could ever have. Across the country, glory on and off the field for walk-on players earning scholarships for all their hard work. Rewarding someone in this program. who has really represented everything that we have been about.

Like Nana Bwadiyawusu, defensive end at Texas A&M University, entering his final year with a bang. Nana Bodea Wusu is going on in full scholarship. Thank you so much. Clemson University's running back Max Wilson, embracing his parents, beaming with pride after he told them he's on scholarship. At Arkansas State, wide receiver,

Linder holding up this jersey with a small clue on the back. He gives this place everything he has. And at Ole Miss? A scholarship player at Ole Miss, Joe Corey. Offensive lineman Joe Corey hugging his coach and his brothers after his scholarship dream came true. Always work hard. You can get anything you want in life. Earning it, thanks to dedication, the grind, and the people along the way.

The biggest reward is just the relationships I've built. That's something that you can't put a price on, and it's not something you can hang up on a wall. It will stay with me forever. And congratulations to them all. That is nightly news for this Sunday. I'm Hallie Jackson. For all of us here at NBC,

thanks for watching and have a great week.