NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Thursday, October 30, 2025

Episode Date: October 31, 2025

Severe weather sparks flooding and travel chaos; Jamaica dealing with massive devastation from Hurricane Melissa; Prince Andrew stripped of royal titles amid mounting pressure; 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 dangerous storms causing air travel chaos, thousands of delays stacking up at airports across the country. Flash flooding, submerging streets, water pouring into subways. This little girl rescued from a car trapped by the rising waters in New Jersey. Widespread delays caused by the weather and staffing shortages. This just in, what we're learning about the injuries reported on a jet blue flight. Devastation in the Caribbean entire streets wiped away by Hurricane Melissa will show you the town where 90% of the roofs are gone and our team making it to Montego Bay where thousands of tourists are stranded. Also breaking Prince No More, King Charles taking away his brother Andrews' prince title and kicking him out of his royal home. The name the former prince will now go by.

Clash of the superpowers, President Trump and China's leader face. Face to face, the man President Trump calls a tough negotiator, barely breaking a smile. Did Trump's charm offensive work? Chilling testimony the teacher shot by her six-year-old student telling jurors she thought she was on her way to heaven when she was shot inside the school. The terrifying attempted robbery caught on camera, a little girl rushing into her home as a group of armed suspects chase her. Dangerous pursuit did this police officer try to run over.

a man with his squad car, what the department announced. Our series, The Cost of Denial, how this little girl got her insurance company to cover the surgery she desperately needed. What happened when our reporter started making calls? And with Halloween just hours away, people are stocking up on candy, chocolate, and potatoes? The new trend sprouting up. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas.

And good evening. Tonight we begin with severe weather and the perfect storm of staffing shortages, shutdown stress, and weather delays, wreaking havoc at some of the nation's busiest airports. And warnings are only growing tonight as we head into the busy holiday travel season. Severe weather swept in fast today and unleashed havoc on major parts of the country today. Pounding rain and flash flooding, drenching the east coast from Virginia to New England. Look at this. One family rescued from their car as fast-moving floodwaters trapped them in New Jersey.

And in Queens, vehicles submerged. Some drivers, you see it right here, trapped on top of their cars. And this morning, water pouring down into New York's subway stations, complicating the commute home for many in the nation's biggest city. The severe weather snarling air traffic at some of the busiest airports in the country causing thousands of delays today. Tom Costello is tracking it all and starts us off tonight. Up and down the East Coast, pounding rain, flooding, down trees, and snarled traffic. In New York City, water pouring into the subway system. It's going to be okay, Alisa.

In Bayonne, New Jersey, firefighters rescued a family from a flooded underpass. The weather also made it a bad day to fly, forcing the FAA to issue ground stops and delays at major airports, from Boston through New York to Philly and D.C. By late afternoon, more than 5,000 flight delays as long as four hours at JFK, made worse by air traffic controllers working without a paycheck. And now a warning about the impacts of the shutdown on holiday air travel. Look, it could be a disaster. It really could be. Because at that point, you're talking about people have missed three paychecks. They've missed four paychecks.

How many of them are not going to show up for work? Today, the vice president blamed Democrats for voting against a Republican spending bill that would reopen the government. Adding to the pressure on Democrats today, Delta and United also urged Congress to pass a clean resolution, note as a CR, to end the shutdown. Let's get a clean CR and get that negotiation done behind closed doors without the pressure and without putting the American workers and the American economy at risk. Feeling the heat, Democrats who are demanding more health care spending before reopening the government pushed back. We're trying to lift up the quality of life of the American people. Tom joins us live now. Tom, I know you're tracking a lot of development. news, one with a jet blue flight.

Yeah, that's right. So this was a flight from Cancun to Newark, diverting to Tampa after the flight experienced a rapid drop in altitude. EMS crews transported several passengers and crew members to a local hospital. Tom Costello, our thanks to you to Jamaica now, where emergency crews are still trying to reach the hardested areas cut off by Hurricane Melissa. Flights began taking off for the U.S. today, but when our George's release made it to Montego Bay, he found thousands of tourists still trying to find a way out. Tonight, Jamaica's coastline battered, communities completely destroyed. In the heart-hit town of Black River, roofs were blown off 90% of buildings. The difficult process of cleaning up now just beginning. I try to be strong with them, but deep inside, I'm crying.

I'm really, really crying. Alfred Hines is trying to salvage what he can after narrowly escaping Melissa's floodwaters. I see the water at no waste, and about 10 minutes' time. I see the book on my neck here, and I make my excuse. Melissa's death toll across the Caribbean now at 36. Today on the road to Montego Bay, we encountered massive destruction, along with a frantic search for cell signal and gas. This right here is a sight to see people stopping and pulling over on the side of the road.

This is the first bit of cell phone service. People have been able to get here. This is the first time I've been able to get out and speak to family. I'm sure they're worried sick about you. More than 70% of the island, still without power. This is the scene in Trinolini just outside of Montego Bay as a search for gas grows more desperate. There are two lines here, one for cars, one for people. Police here on the ground to make sure everything stays orderly.

Then we finally reached Montego Bay. Resorts and hotel across the tourist hotspot suffering extreme damage. Some tourists having to relocate others hoping they can find a flight out. Amanda Miller is trying to get home to Florida. I love Jamaica, but I'm ready to go home. How many tourists are stranded at your hotel now? Oh, God, a lot. At the Kingston Airport today, a welcome site.

AIDS starting to come in and tourists starting to get out. That's where we met Jamitra Alexander. Ryu Resort right now at Montego Bay. This water is rising so fast. After a terrifying experience riding out Melissa in Montego Bay, she was relieved to score a seat on one of the first flights back to the U.S. We didn't even sleep last night. As soon as we found out that we had a flight, we did not sleep.

We're not missing this flight. And George joins us tonight live from Montego Bay. George, commercial flights have started from Kingston, but what about Montego Bay where you are tonight where all those tourists are? Yeah, Tom, for instance, take a look at this hotel. Believe it or not, people are staying here until they can get a flight out of Montego Bay. Now, officials saying that airport is still without power, and it could be weeks before it is fully operational.

Tom. Okay, George Solis for us, George, thank you. There's also breaking news overseas tonight in the U.K. Prince Andrew is a prince no more. King Charles today announcing he will remove his brother's royal titles after mounting pressure over Andrew's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Molly Hunter reports tonight from London. Tonight, effective immediately, Prince Andrew will be formally stripped of his royal titles. In a statement, Buckham Palace announced, King Charles initiated a formal process to remove the style, titles, and honors of his younger brother, who will now be known as

Andrew Montbatten Windsor. The palace acknowledging the pain of the victims while saying the move was necessary, despite Andrew continuing to deny the allegations against him. Tonight, a statement from the family of Virginia Joufrey, who died by suicide in April, and alleged Andrew had sex with her as a teenager.

Today, an ordinary American girl from an ordinary American family brought down a British prince. As part of the negotiations with the palace, Andrew will leave his home at Royal Lodge and moved to the royal family's private Sandringham Estate. As for his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie will keep their titles, and tonight, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne.

And Molly, as you know, two weeks ago, Prince Andrew put out a statement voluntarily giving up his other titles, including the Duke of York, but this is an escalation. Tom, that's right. Now, two weeks ago, that statement from Andrew clearly wasn't enough. Tonight, it's a statement from the king, and we understand that Andrew, didn't object to the move. Tom? Okay, Molly Hunter for us, Molly, thank you. President Trump is back home tonight after that high-stakes meeting overseas with China's leader. Both sides now agreeing to a truce in the trade war. Kelly O'Donnell has the late details.

Back from Asia and bringing home a key reset with China over tariffs and trade. President Trump and China's Xi Jinping shoulder to shoulder for the first time in six years. President Trump with a charm offensive. And we're going to have a very successful meeting, I have no doubt. But he's a very tough negotiator. That's not good. China's President Xi appearing all business. President Xi is a great leader of a great country.

We do not always see eye to eye with each other. And it is normal. A handshake and a whisper as they parted ways. The two economic superpowers pulling back from a costly standoff with a one-year pact. On the scale from zero to ten, with ten being the best, I would say the meeting was at 12. I think it was a 12. On tariffs, President Trump reduced steep taxes on Chinese imports by 10%. In exchange, China will suspend restrictions on rare earth materials, work to reduce the flow of fentanyl to the U.S.,

and resume buying soybeans from American. farmers. Heading into the meeting, the president injected a new uncertainty with a post that instructed the Department of War to start testing our nuclear weapons on an equal basis with China and Russia. Today, I ask Vice President Vance to explain. What's your understanding of his intention? The Russians have a large nuclear arsenal. The Chinese have a large nuclear arsenal. Sometimes you've got to test it to make sure that it's functioning and working properly. It remains unclear if the president wants that testing on the nuclear warhead. not done in more than 30 years, or testing of the missiles that would deliver them.

Tom? All right, Kelly. Thank you. There was stunning testimony today. In the case of a teacher shot by her six-year-old student in school, that teacher describing the moments after she was hit, Stephanie Gossk has the late details. In her own words, I thought I had died. Former first-grade teacher Abigail's Werner described the horror of being shot by a six-year-old

student at Virginia's Richneck Elementary School. I thought I was either on my way to heaven or in heaven. Today's Werner took the stand in the civil trial against her former assistant principal, Ebony Parker, who she accuses of ignoring multiple warnings that a student had a gun back in early 2023. My next memory is I see two co-workers around me and I process that I'm hard. hurt. The bullet tore through her hand and lodged in her chest, just missing her heart. Overall, I would say it's, I do struggle with things, doing things. In cross-examination, defense attorneys focused on Zwerner's actions that day.

Did you remove his backpack from the classroom? No. Did you search his backpack? No. Especially after she learned her student may have brought a weapon to school. He still hadn't removed JT from the classroom. classroom? No. They also questioned whether Zwerner was really struggling from long-term physical and mental health issues. Showing direct messages, Zwerner sent to both Taylor Swift and the music group Odessa, praising them after going to their live shows. The defense asked repeated questions about her decision to go to cosmetology school. Swirner testified the latest surgery on her hand has made

it impossible to get a job while she recovers. Her lawyers then wrapped up their case, and now the defense has a chance to call witnesses. The next day in court is Monday, Tom. All right, Stephanie. Thank you. When we come back in 60 seconds, the little girl who needed life-changing surgery, the insurance battle to pay for it, we're in the operating room when her family gets the news that would change everything. That's next. We're back now with the cost of denial. Our series on the challenges Americans face with their insurance providers. Tonight, the family that drained the retirement savings to pay for the surgery, daughter desperately needed and how they believe our reporting changed everything for their daughter.

Here's Kamila Bernal. Minutes before her 10-hour surgery, Olivia Olson is feeling confident. I think that was beautiful and I don't really care what other people think those need. The eight-year-old was born with Microsha, a rare condition that meant her left ear never fully developed. I just want to get a big ear. People don't bully me in the future. Next thing you know, you'll be waking up. Her parents, Annie and Dave, knew since birth, Olivia would need an operation to reconstruct her ear.

We had no doubt in our minds that the insurance was going to cover it. But Anna Blue Cross Blue Shield repeatedly said that it wouldn't cover Dr. Cheryl Lewin, a California-based specialist in Microsha Restoration because she was outside of the insurers network. We got a denial letter, and it was literally like a stab in the heart. The family had sought what's known as a gap exception, allowing them to use their in-network benefits for an out-of-network provider. This particular operation does not allow for any, even minute level of imperfection. Instead, Anthem gave the Olsons a list of six in-network doctors.

We reached out to all six of them, and not a single one said they performed the search. Everything was like kicking you when you're down. Here she's so excited about her surgery, might have to tell her we might have to cancel it. How are we going to come up with this money? Determined they borrowed money from family, used credit cards, and pulled a large portion of the surgery's roughly $100,000 cost from Dave's retirement fund.

Did you ever hesitate and say maybe I shouldn't take money out of my 401K? So honestly, no. I'm getting emotional. To me, it's my responsibility as a parent to make sure that my kids have everything that they need. NBC News asked Anthem about Olivia's case two days before her surgery, the family going forward with or without coverage. Then on the day of, we were there in the operating room when her parents received the news. And at the 11th hour during the surgery, you say that you're going to cover it.

It's like, what? With surgery already underway, the Olson's. learned Anthem would cover Dr. Lewin as an in-network provider. Why do you think it got approved? You guys, 100% NBC, your involvement. And that's the only... There's no other way. In a statement, Anthem says we were happy that the member was able to receive the treatment

she needed. Even though the member's plan does not cover out of network providers, when an in-network provider is available, we were able to make a unique one-time exception to ensure her care was not delayed. Big day, my day. Two weeks after surgery, the big reveal. Big year day, huh? Big year day.

One, two, three. Wow! Look at that ear. It looks amazing. And insurance, the furthest thing from Olivia's mind. When it's fully recovered, I'm going to be like, okay, that was just a short little bump. and then I'll just go on with the rest of my life. Camila, we are so happy for little Olivia.

How is she doing tonight? She's great, Tom. It's going to take about a year for her ear to completely heal, and she'll also need a hearing implant. But right now, the whole family, they're just thrilled that this surgery was a success, Tom. Camila, great work by you and the team tonight. And if you have a story you want to share for this series,

email us at cost of denial at NBCUNI.com. When we return tonight, Sean Diddy Combs just moved to a new prison, what we know about where he'll serve his sentence. And shocking new surveillance video. Look at this of a suspected home invasion barely averted by this girl's quick thinking. Stay with us. We're back with a major update on Sean Diddy Combs, a source close to the music mogul, telling NBC News he's being transferred to a federal prison. It's unclear which one. He's been held at this detention center in Brooklyn, New York, since he was convicted.

he's set to be released in 2028. Also tonight, a Baltimore police officer has been suspended for this. After this video surfaced of him appearing to chase down a man with his patrol vehicle, the man who took the video said the officer asked him and his friends to move while they were hanging out. The Baltimore Police Department says it is investigating and the city's mayor calling that incident disturbing. And in Northern California, a young girl's quick thinking may have thwarted a robbery. Look at this. You see her walking down her driveway when a group,

of armed men suddenly charge at her. She sprints back into her home where she told her family to call the police. The suspects then ran off. All right. And when we come back, the hot new Halloween treat, you won't believe some kids are on the hunt for. Potatoes. Why spuds more than Snickers or M&Ms are the real jackpot this year. That's next. There's good news tonight about a hot new Halloween treat. While most kids read, for candy when they go door to door, you might be surprised at the alternative some trick-or-treaters are loving this year. Emily Aketa explains. Every Halloween, kids in costume fill their baskets with the smorgasbord of sweets, but there's a new star of the spooky season.

Pick whatever you want. You can come up too. That is kids saying, trick or tater? Did you just get a potato? Yeah. Videos of homeowners handing out potatoes on Halloween have been sprouting up on social media in recent years, leaving some puzzled, but surprisingly, most ecstatic. You want more potatoes? You want more potatoes? Candy or a potato? Pat Foy has become known as Potato Man in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I say to everybody, candy or potato, and they say things like potato all day. The little toddlers, they look at it, like, stunned.

And former longtime NBC news correspondent Kevin Tibbles has been handing out the starchy spuds for more than two decades. It started out as a joke. If you want to come back and get second helpings of candy, you're going to get threatened with a potato. The next thing I know, everybody wants a potato. What have you learned from passing out potatoes? Everyone's got a good sense of humor. Even me, and I'm the crabbiest guy on the block. But when I whip out a potato, everybody's got a smile on their face.

Happy Halloween. As more trick-or-treaters are poised to strike Yukon Gold, Emily Ikeda, NBC News. Potatoes over candy, we're going to have to see how long this trend lasts. That's nightly news for this Thursday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching. Tonight and always, we're here for you. Good night.

Thank you.