NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, January 1, 2026

Episode Date: January 2, 2026

About 40 killed in New Year’s Eve fire at Swiss Alps bar; Winter weather wreaks havoc from coast to coast; Trump speaks out about his health; 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 New Year's Eve tragedy dozens killed more than a hundred injured when a fire breaks out in a packed bar at a ski resort in the Alps. Flames quickly engulfing the building. Chaos as people scramble to escape the inferno. One survivor describing grabbing onto her friend who got lost in the panic and is now among the missing. And the question tonight, was it all caused by a sparkler in a champagne bottle? Powerful winter storm slamming the country rescues underway. in California, where 7 million people are under flood alerts, and the Great Lakes and northeast facing brutal snow and bitter cold. The good news on the economy gas prices plummeting as we

kick off the new year. President Trump's revealing new comments about his health, including the bruising on his hands and what he says he now regrets. The urgent search tonight for a missing five-year-old boy, authorities warning he could be in danger. Violent protests in Iran, Thousands taking to the streets outraged over their government's handling of the economy clashes with police turning deadly. The new health alert can mammograms identify more than just breast cancer? The hidden heart risks, doctors say they might reveal. New York City's next mayor, Democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani, sworn in his new message tonight. And the remarkable tribute, one man's life-saving gift and incredible legacy, celebrated today at the Rose Parade.

Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. Good evening. I'm Kate Snow in for Tom. It began, like so many other New Year's Eve celebrations, but only 90 minutes into the new year. At a popular bar, at a ski resort in the Swiss Alps, things took a deadly turn, and some of the images tonight are disturbing. A major fire breaking out, sweeping through the crowded space. you can see the chaos. Massive flames, thick smoke engulfing the bar, people screaming, desperately trying to escape. Authorities say about 40 people were killed and more than a hundred

others were injured. It is a heartbreaking tragedy at the start of a new year. Daniel Hamamjan is on the scene for us tonight. Video from inside the New Year's celebration in the Swiss Alps shows the chaos as the deadly flames spread at a bar popular with young people and tourists. You can hear the screaming, people scrambling for the exit as the flames rip through the confined spaces of the bar, Le Constellation. Swiss authorities say about 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured in the fire that began at 1.30 a.m. The cause of the blaze now under investigation. Those Swiss officials say they've ruled out terrorism, calling the fire an accident that led to an explosion inside the bomb. bar just 90 minutes earlier celebrations on the streets of the upscale ski resort cramontana

but what many thought were the sounds of new year's eve fireworks were in fact one of the worst tragedies switzerland has ever experienced according to the country's president saying today switzerland is mourning this young woman says she was holding on to a friend as she escaped. She let go of his arm and now she says she can't reach him. Officials warn identifying the dead could take days. Many of those killed

were from abroad. Witnesses describing the sheer panic as people tried desperately to escape. A lot of people were screaming, trying to escape and I saw a lot of people on the floor and I think this people was dead.

officials say first responders were on the scene within minutes and the fire was quickly put out many so badly burned they were taken to various hospitals across the country the grueling work of identifying the dead and notifying their families is now underway and daniel joins me now from the scene in switzerland daniel it is just heartbreaking there's a lot of speculation about the cause of the fire and if a sparkler might have been involved Yeah, Kate, some of those who escaped talked about how champagne bottles had lit sparklers in them and that they were waved, some of them, pretty high, hitting the ceiling, and then that's how the fire started. But authorities are saying it is too early to confirm an official cause.

All right, Danielle Hammamjan, thank you. Back home now to this relentless onslaught of winter weather tonight, causing big problems on both coasts, including rescues in California from flash flooding. Here's Maggie Vespa. From relentless whiteouts and wrecked semis in Pennsylvania to cars swallowed by flash floods in San Diego, the new year bringing new rounds of wild weather to both coasts. San Diego fire clocking more than 10 swift water rescues by midday as multiple rivers and creeks rose. And look at this. What is bro doing?

This driver testing fate driving through water up to their windshield. Crowds at the famed Rose Parade drenched. Oh, we're soaked to the bone. NBC Los Angeles's Lauren Coronado was there. It's a rare sight here in Pasadena. Rain on the Rose Parade for the first time in 20 years. Officials are watching closely worried the saturated soil could trigger mud and debris flows at nearby burn scars. Meanwhile, out east, heavy snow hammering the Great Lakes region, a semi-jackknifed amid a snow swall in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania. This car in Philadelphia found on its side after seemingly crashing into that light pole. Drivers sliding down this icy hill. Now I see this whole hill is a sheet of ice. I don't know why everybody's going up right now because they're going to get stuck. Parts of Western New York getting as much as 20 inches of snow this week. The Buffalo Bills asking fans to help clear Highmark Stadium. Mother Nature delivering a volatile start to 26, coast-to-coast. Maggie Dusk, NBC News. Let's get straight to the holiday forecast now with WMAQ meteorologist Kevin Jeans. He's with us. Kevin, what's it looking like?

Hey, Kate. So the rain has been relentless up and down the west coast, just about all week. And along with the lake affects snow across the Great Lakes and the Northeast. But out west, we've had flood watches today. We'll get a break, but it's a very short-lived break from rain over Friday. But into Friday night, the rain picks back up across northern California. And through Sunday, through the weekend, an additional six inches of rain possible for northern California, another one to two inches for southern California through the weekend. Through the weekend Saturday, strong storms possible in the southeast. Rain continues west, cold and blustery across the northeast. Then as we get into Sunday,

warmth takes hold across the central plains again. Brighter skies in the northeast, rain continues out west. Kate. All right. Thank you, Kevin. There's some good news on the economy to kick off the new year. We are now seeing the lowest, gas prices in over four years, down 17 cents per gallon just in the past month, according to AAA. Christine Romans is here. Christine, this is great news for holiday travelers about to hit the road. Yeah, Kate, it really is. And you know what? The experts we've talked to say you can expect prices to stay close to today's $2.83 a gallon average for the first couple of months of the year. And really, for all of 2026, we're likely looking at the average gallon of gas, you know,

at or below $3. Right now, you can see the lowest prices are in the south, in the Midwest, three states with the cheapest gas right now, Colorado, Oklahoma, Iowa. And for people planning for what comes next when it comes to air travel, fares fell more than 5% year over year in November, and they're expected to be mostly flat this year. You know, fuel is the number two expense for airlines, but experts say when it comes to pricing this year, competition is the biggest factor. So, Kate, keep an eye out for those last-minute travel deals. Maybe book your summer plans right now. Christine Romans, thank you.

Turning now to those new comments from President Trump about his health, his most extensive public remarks yet on that issue, including revealing why he's not always following his own doctor's advice. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. After ringing in the new year at his annual Glitzy Gala, President Trump will turn 80 in June, is opening up about his health in a new interview published today in the Wall Street journal. With images of his bruised hands covered in makeup going viral, the president says it's due to him taking 325 milligrams of aspirin a day, adding he's ignored doctors' recommendations to lower that

dosage because he's superstitious. They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don't want thick blood pouring through my heart, he says. I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Trump downplaying to the journal an incident during the 2024 Republican National Convention when his current Attorney General Pam Bondi nicked his hand with her ring, causing him to bleed. Trump calling it a slight little cut. He also now says the MRI he got in

October. Yeah, I got an MRI. It was perfect. Was actually a CT scan and that he regrets getting it because it's given his critics an opening. In retrospect, it's too bad I took it, because it gave them a little ammunition, he tells the journal. I think I'm sharper than I was 25 years ago.

The president says he briefly tried wearing compression socks to treat ankle swelling, didn't like them. He calls any exercise other than golf boring. And as for recent images of him appearing to doze at White House events, Trump denies falling asleep and instead suggest photographers catch him blinking. And Gabe's with us. We also heard from the president's physician today, Gabe, about the results of that CT scan. Yes, Kate, the doctor says a CT scan was, quote, perfectly normal and revealed absolutely no abnormalities. Adding the president's Carly vascular health puts him 14 years younger than his age.

Trump spent much of the day at his golf course here in West Palm Beach. Gabe Gutierrez, Forrest, Gabe, thank you. Now to those dramatic images from Iran, where protesters are taking to the streets, many outraged by the government's handling of the economy, and tonight clashes with police have turned deadly. Here's Garrett Haik. Tonight, tense clashes between protesters and security forces in Iran, now turning deadly, with at least three people killed and 17 injured at a protest today,

according to a semi-official state news agency. The demonstrations have been escalating for days, sparked by worsening economic conditions in the country. Cost of living is high, inflation is soaring, and Iran's currency recently crashed to a record low against the dollar. This video shows a protester sitting in the street, appearing to defy officers, leading some online to draw comparisons to this image from Tiananmen Square.

Well, in Tehran, a number of shopkeepers closed their doors in protest earlier this week. They appear to be the biggest demonstrations in the country since 2022, when mass protests erupted over the death of Masa Amini. The 22-year-old died in police custody after she was arrested for not properly wearing a hijab. The latest unrest comes amid a period of heightened tension between Iran and the West. The Iranian president recently said, His country is, quote, engaged in a full-scale war with the U.S., Israel, and Europe. And earlier this week, President Trump issued this stark warning to Iran over its nuclear program.

I hear that Iran is trying to build up again, and if they are, we're going to have to knock them down. Dozens of protesters have been arrested. The State Department tonight saying demonstrators are facing, quote, intimidation and violence from Iran's government and is calling on the crackdown to end. Kate? Garrett, thank you. A new year means new laws going into a. affect around the country, affecting everything from people's paychecks to new restrictions on screen time for kids. Kelly O'Donnell has the breakdown. This new year brings the force of new laws

around the country shaping American life, scrolling time for kids under new restrictions in Virginia. They like to be on their tablets and watch TV and stuff, and I notice a difference when I limit that. Starting today, social media companies are required to screen users by age. and then cap Virginia kids under 16 at one hour a day for each service or platform the new law facing skeptics kids are not stupid kids are smart they're going to get around this while some experts say limits are needed it's a digital highway without any seatbelts okay so we really have to be intentional from social media to heated social issues in North Carolina A new law bar is state funds for gender transition surgery and permits lawsuits against medical providers. Texas is blocking diversity, equity, and inclusion programs for public schools, kindergarten to 12th grade. In Washington, lawmakers boosted the state's minimum wage to more than $17 an hour. In fact, starting today, 19 states across the country will see minimum wage increases.

And Delaware is starting a new program to permit incarcerated mothers to send breast milk to their babies through a designated caretaker. While Illinois adds a new step for gun safety, requiring owners to report a lost or stolen weapon within 48 hours. Kate? Kelly O'Donnell, thanks so much. Just ahead, could mammograms do more than detect breast cancer, the new health alert when we're back in 60 seconds? Mammograms are widely known to detect breast cancer, right? But there is a new push now to use mammograms to identify hidden heart risks. Here's Emily Aketa.

When Nancy Preston went for her annual mammogram in New York City, she never could have imagined the life-threatening diagnosis it would lead to, not breast cancer. One of my main arteries was 70% blocked. But an imminent risk of a heart attack. I was in complete shock. I did not have symptoms except for feeling a little more fatigue than usual, which I attributed to age. The 67-year-old's mammogram and ultrasound revealed calcium buildups within Nancy's breast arteries.

Something emerging research has linked to heart disease. She only had a little bit, but that little bit was incredibly significant for her. Radiologist Dr. Lori Margulies is running a study at Mount Sinai that notifies patients like Nancy of breast arterial calcification or BAC. The breast radiologist may be the first person to have the clue that there is a potential for something wrong with cardiovascular disease. As was the case for Nancy, a yoga instructor and healthy eater. It wasn't until I got that letter about my BAC that a little bell went off in my head saying, my mom, my sister, maybe I should look into this. Given her family history of heart disease and the imaging, she followed up with a cardiomy

She had four blockages in her arteries. And so I call the cardiothoracic surgeon, and he examined her and scheduled open heart surgery. Both doctors say breast arterial calcification on a mammogram should be added to the list of known risks for heart disease, the leading cause of death for women. But a big hurdle is that BAC is often not included in mammogram reports. I recommend that all women having mammograms ask for their breast arterial calcification results. Because for Nancy, now recovering from quintuple bypass surgery, it made all the difference. I feel very fortunate that this happened because I really think it saved my life. Emily, the Mount Sinai study I know is still ongoing. What are doctors hoping comes out of it? Yeah, so still outstanding questions around this. For instance, it's not clear exactly how much BAC should cause concern. But researchers are hoping that mammograms will start sparking more conversations around not just breast health, but also heart health.

and maybe allow for earlier intervention, Kate. Good thing. Emily and Aketa, thank you so much. We are back in a moment with the urgent search for a missing five-year-old boy, who authorities warned could be in danger. We're back now with an urgent search for a missing five-year-old boy. Officials in Alabama are looking for Jonathan Bowley, who was last seen yesterday during a visit with his father. The father was charged today, not for his son's disappearance,

but in connection with explosives found on his property. Officials say those explosives have hindered their search. They're using drones and volunteers to try to find the boy. And Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is New York City's newest mayor. At his inauguration today, the 34-year-old vowed to govern, quote, expansively and audaciously. The city's first Muslim mayor, he placed his hand on two Korans during the swearing-in, including one that was his grandfather's. When we come back, the New Year's Rose Parade brought a special group of people to together, who all share an incredible connection through a remarkable gift.

We'll tell you that story next. Finally, tonight, one man's remarkable gift, giving new life in this new year, and uniting three families. It's an incredible story that was honored in today's rose parade. Here's Camilla Bernal. In the flowers of the rose parade in Pasadena, California, grief is intertwined with hope. because this year, a float paying tribute to organ donors and recipients is honoring Elmer Valenzuela. He died after a tragic accident in 2017, but his wife Alma has loved beyond loss.

The most humble person you've ever met. Eight years later, a part of him still lives. Sammer Flyer received Elmer's kidney. He gave the life for a lot of people. But when an autoimmune disease caused his body to reject the organ, Sammer didn't think twice about what came next. Why did you want to donate it? Because it's a good thing.

I feel happy if somebody gave life for somebody. Thanks to a rare medical procedure, Elmer's kidney then gave Brenda Johnson a second chance. He told the doctor, if I can't have it, give it to somebody else so they can live a better life. And I just happen to be their person. One kidney. Thank you. What a blessing. It's my pleasure.

I am very happy. I am so grateful. Bringing three families together. Because of helmet, give the opportunity to live. He's alive with us. I feel that he was here and I'm glad for them. They continue living. A connection beyond words for all to see.

Camila Bernal, NBC News. That is nightly news for this New Year's Day. I'm Kate Snow. Thank you so much for watching. Happy New Year.