NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Sunday, September 20, 2026

Episode Date: September 20, 2026

Iran issues new retaliation threat against American military bases; Trump announces new plan for D.C. arch; Police: Child killed in potential road rage shooting; 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, Iran's new threat to the U.S. as President Trump warns attacks could start again soon. The Iranian military threatening to renew strikes on American bases and the warning to Americans in the region to be on alert, as the president now says he's, in his words, in deciding mode on what to do next. President Trump's controversial new plan for the D.C. Arch turned it into a military complex with drones, ammo, even snipers. Plus, our new polling showing his job approval at a new low for his staff. second term. Breaking news out of Texas, an ice officer opening fire and hurting a man in Austin, what we know so far. A devastating shooting, police, looking into whether it was road rage, a five-year-old girl killed her heartbroken mothers called for answers. The new flood threat for

millions tonight, neighborhoods like this one washed out, and the severe storms ripping up trees in Atlanta. Ed Sheeran's emotional message to fans, speaking out about his tour controversy for the first time since rapper McElmore was dropped. They travel alerts some big airlines cutting flights as fuel prices soared. Why the best time to book might have been yesterday. Ole Miss getting revenge, beating LSU, and taunting former coach Lane Kiffin after the win. Officers with guns drawn confronting a driver, why tense encounters like this are on the rise because of mistakes with flock cameras.

This is NBC Nightly News with Hallie Jackson. Good evening. We are coming on the air with tensions escalating in the Middle East, with President Trump threatening possible new strikes today. The U.S. military releasing this video here of operations in the region as Iran threatens once again to target American bases if the U.S. ramps up attacks. President Trump himself today openly speculating about the future of the war, saying he's in deciding mode on Iran. And it comes as the conflict is spilling over into other countries, Houthi rebels, hitting targets inside Saudi Arabia. Arabia threatening the world's oil supplies. Now a potentially pivotal moment here in the U.S. World leaders gathering for a key summit in New York with President Trump not ruling out seeing the Iranian president face to face. Matt Bradley starts us off tonight from Jerusalem.

Tonight, fresh threats of retaliation from Tehran against the U.S. and its allies in the Middle East, amid swirling speculation that President Trump may restart U.S. attacks on Iran. Iran's military saying in a statement that if the U.S. attacks, all U.S. bases and interests in the region will be targeted. Speaking to Fox News today, the president said very big things will happen in the not-so-distant future, but that he was in deciding mode on Iran and whether to blow the entire nation up. It comes as the U.S. Department of State issued a new warning this weekend for Americans in the Middle East, telling them to exercise heightened vigilance, in part, because the Houthis have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia.

The Iran-backed rebel group, based in Yemen, launched a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh. And after a lightning advance against Yemen's government, the Houthis now within striking distance of the Babel-Mandib Strait, threatening to cut off yet another crucial waterway in the Middle East. And I expect us and our allies to take decisive action, whether it's the Smalley pirates, now the Houthis or the Iranian regime acting like,

naval terrorist in attacking civilian shipping. Meanwhile, efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have largely stalled. CENTCOM commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, saying that CENCOM forces have helped more than a billion barrels of oil leave the Gulf in the past several months. A spokesman for Iran's armed forces dismissed Cooper's comments as false, ridiculous, and a failed psychological operation to boost U.S. troop morale. Matt is joining us now from Jerusalem. And Matt, all of this, the war against Iran, the potential for military action.

It's going to be front and center when world leaders assembled here in the U.S. in New York this week. That's right, Halley. The Trump administration is allowing an Iranian delegation to attend that meeting. And Trump told Fox News today that he probably would be willing to meet with Iran's president there. Hallie? A key week to watch. Matt Bradley in Jerusalem, thank you. Here at home, President Trump, sharing plans to make the Washington arch.

He wants to build a military post with drones, even snipers. Julie Circon reports. Tonight, President Trump continuing his quest to put his stamp on the nation's capital, announcing a new plan for his triumphal arch, now a top-grade military complex at the foot of the Memorial Bridge to Virginia. Storing drones and large quantities of ammunition, the president says, with snipers on both the roof and plaza areas. He says it's at the military's request, the Pentagon offering no additional details.

And it's the second time Mr. Trump has framed a controversial construction project as a national security need, making the same case for the ballroom. Americans aren't sold. Just 41% say they approve of the president's job performance, a second term low. In a new NBC news poll,

A majority say Trump's policies have hurt the economy. The president on Sunday lobbying new attacks against three major news outlets he banned from the White House because he didn't approve of their coverage. As Mr. Trump faces loss after loss, a federal judge barred Trump's name from going on the iconic Kennedy Center. The Supreme Court nixed his efforts to restrict mail-in voting. And his hand-picked Fed Chair raised interest rates. It comes as the president kicks off a big week of deployment. diplomacy. First to Gracie Mansion to meet New York City Mayor Mamdani tomorrow. The third time,

the two will talk face to face in less than a year. The better he does, the happier I am. Then the UN General Assembly. And later in the week, Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House for a state visit. Rehearsals underway over the weekend. Julie is joining us now from the White House. And Julie, with AI, such a flashpoint lately, it's hard to think that won't come up in the president's conversation with the Chinese leader. Hallie, that's right. Pop and circumstance aside, this is a big meeting for President Trump. A.I.

As you said, trade and Iran, all on the table. Hally? Julie Sirkin on the North Lawn, thank you. Overseas now to Ukraine launching what's been called the largest attack yet on Moscow overnight. This was what it looked like as Ukraine attacked Russia with hundreds of drones, hitting this

oil refinery along with civilian targets, apparently. The Ukrainian president says he plans to meet with President Trump in New York this week. We are following some breaking news out of Austin, Texas tonight, where local officials say a man was hurt after he was shot by an ICE officer, sparking demonstrations in that city. Those officials say the man is unstable but serious condition tonight. NBC News has reached out to the White House and Department of Homeland Security for more details. Also tonight, police outside Houston are looking for whoever killed a five-year-old girl in what they're investigating as a possible road rage shooting.

Here's Aaron Gilchrist. Tonight, a Texas family mourning the loss of a five-year-old girl killed in a shooting. Authorities say late Saturday night a mother was driving outside Houston with her five children when bullets hit her car. Her daughter Zalaya was hit. The child was rushed from the scene by air, first responders calling for additional help for other children inside the vehicle. I need a second back unit in my location for some other children that need to be evaluated. Five kids were in the car all under 10 years old. The Harris County Sheriff's office says Zalaya was pronounced dead at the hospital

and that two of her siblings were treated for injuries caused by shattered glass. Right now we don't have no suspect vehicle. We're camping in the area. Police say this could have been a possible road rage incident, according to our NBC affiliate in Houston. Tonight, a mother dealing with an unimaginable loss, recalling her final moments with her little girl. That was my baby.

And the last thing she told me was, I love you, mommy. She got me a kiss. And who knew? that from that conversation, that that would be the last time I ever hear my daughter talk. The mother was not hurt. As the search for answers continues, investigators only know they're looking for a large pickup truck and are asking anyone with information to come forward. Aaron Gilchrist, NBC News. Also tonight, millions of people across the Midwest are facing a new flood threat now. Here's what it look like in parts of Minnesota today. Whole neighborhoods,

you see it there already underwater after eight inches of rain. And overnight, severe storms, pummeling Atlanta, leaving behind damage like this with more rain on the way there tomorrow. To the tears on stage now from embattled musician Ed Shearan. Emotional in his first concert since rapper McElmore was dropped from his tour, he says, for pro-Palestinian comments, setting off days of controversy. Valerie Castro has more on Shearin's message to fans. Tonight, Ed Shearin taking a stand on stage. What is happening in Gaza is catastrophic and unjustifiable and disdivable.

disproportionate. The singer brought to tears after speaking publicly for the first time at his concert in Philadelphia since rapper McElmore was dropped as the tour's opening act over pro-Palestinian comments. Sheeran taking several minutes to address the controversy Saturday night. I've had to take

and make difficult decisions and I am making mistakes and I'm so, so sorry. Acknowledging the October 7th attack on Israel as horrific, then turning to the violence against Palestinians. The systemic injustice we're seeing unfold in the West Bank cannot be overlooked. The fallout was swift after McElmore said Robert Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, told

Sheeran he had rallied some of the other stadium owners, warning, if McElmore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play. Shearin at the time, writing the change was the promoter's decision. 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 then dropped out from the tour, including Shearin's own house band. He introduced a replacement last night. They said yes, with the knowledge that the world may hate them too.

Fans were met with protesters outside the stadium, but still showing up to fill the venue. Shearin visibly emotional as he shared these final thoughts. America is a scary place right now. This gives hope. Valerie Castro, NBC News. Still ahead for us tonight, the holiday travel warning with some airlines cutting flights as fuel prices rise. Also tonight a new warning ahead of the holiday travel season. As fuel prices soar, some airlines are considering cutting back holiday flights.

Ali can now explain. As millions of Americans start making holiday travel plans, they may have fewer options in the skies. Major airlines, including American, United and Southwest, are set to scale back some routes as jet fuel costs soar. Executives warning those higher prices are now squeezing their profits. Airlines really have no incentive to deeply discount. Katie Nastrow, a travel analyst at Blighty, says consumers could feel the squeeze too. They have higher operating costs that they unfortunately don't necessarily want to or can eat. As the war with Iran pushes oil prices higher, President Trump says they likely won't come down until after the midterms. Right after the election,

and oil prices are going to be tumbling downward. Right now, the national average for gas still firmly above $4 a gallon. And diesel, which powers trucks, trains, and farm equipment hovering at records. That's all adding to the pressure on household budgets, even as travel demand remains strong. Perfect worlds. I guess you should have already booked your flights, right? But what if you have it? I want travelers to not wait any longer to book their holiday travel, especially if they're on the fence, because it's only looking as though prices are going to keep staying high or creep even higher. Experts say flexible flyers may still find savings by choosing less popular days or alternate airports.

But with airlines trimming flights, what travelers pay this holiday season may still be up in the air. Ali Canal, NBC News. We are back in a moment with our investigation into the alarming rise in high-risk traffic stops across the country. Plus, Ole Miss getting revenge on the field against former coach Lane Kiffin. Next. Back now with the big weekend for college football. And Ole Miss, in particular, getting revenge on Lane Kiffin and LSU. Kiffin's first game back after his controversial and sudden departure from Ole Miss last year.

Some of these images now making the rounds with Kiffin's former players singling him out after LSU's 32 to 24 defeat. To an NBC News investigation now on those controversial flock cameras and the greener, growing number of people mistakenly flagged by automatic license plate readers, with some finding themselves intense encounters with police. Dana Griffin reports. A high-risk stop on a busy Wisconsin interstate. Driver, you guys are both under arrest right now. You're not free to leave. Amber Newell is the driver heading to work. Got my hands up. I'm wondering what's going on. Keep backing up. Officers placed Newell and another passenger under arrest, telling them their vehicle was flagged by a

flock camera for being connected to a homicide. Oh my God, it's so bold. But officers soon realized there might be a mistake. This is a constant issue. The vehicle was not involved in a crime, but Newell's license plate was still on a database of wanted vehicles that can trigger police alert when it passes a flock camera. The Brookfield Police Chief issued a statement saying he investigated the officers and determined they performed their duties appropriately with the information they had from the

flock alert. But I could have lost my life up there on the highway. Newell's story isn't an isolated one. As the number of automated license plate readers or ALPRs have skyrocketed, so have a spike in erroneous stops, detainment, and arrests of innocent people. The Institute for Justice, a libertarian public interest law firm, has documented dozens of ALPR misidentification cases. I was frantic. I was a mess. Last year, police in Florida searched flocks database for a description of an SUV involved in a triple homicide car crash. Lindsay Isaacs was miles from the scene, but her 2025 dodged Durango, despite being the wrong color, still came up as a match. Police confiscated her SUV and Isaacs was arrested on charges that carried a maximum sentence of 115 years in prison. Were you telling them, I'm the wrong person? The whole entire time. Isaac spent nearly two weeks in jail, part of that time in solitary confinement.

I was asking God how Is this happening to me? I'm innocent. Almost a month after Isaac's release, the charges against her were dropped. Isaacs has filed a lawsuit against the officers involved, which is ongoing. Florida Highway Patrol tells us it is unable to comment on pending litigation. Her story and others have put the accuracy of Flock cameras under scrutiny. Flock tells NBC News in part that incorrect license plate reads are rare,

and that officer should verify the plate, vehicle details, and surrounding circumstances before taking any enforcement action. Still, some privacy advocates warn of the growing potential for harm. Just have innocent motorists being pulled over based on stale or mistaken information. And oftentimes in those scenarios, it's hard to figure out who to hold accountable. A powerful but imperfect surveillance tool designed to investigate crimes, leaving some innocent drivers shaken in its wake. Dana Griffin, NBC News, Milwaukee.

That is nightly news for this Sunday. around. Sunday night football is up next. Colts at the Chiefs. I'm Hallie Jackson. For all of us here at NBC, thanks for watching and have a great week.