NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Episode Date: December 24, 2025

Massive fire erupts from explosion at nursing home; Ashlee Buzzard arrested in murder of 9-year-old daughter; Man walking in New Jersey killed by crossbow; 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.

Breaking news tonight, the major explosion rocking a Pennsylvania nursing home. Emergency crews rushing to the scene to help people trapped inside. The explosion leveling parts of the building, sending flames sweeping through the structure. Dark smoke pouring into the sky. Firefighters heard on their radios urgently calling for more help with reports of people trapped inside. Also, the biggest Epstein files dropped yet. The newly released email claiming Trump flew on air. Epstein's plane at least eight times in the 90s, plus the passport with Epstein's photo and a

false name. But the DOJ is warning some documents are fake. Also breaking tonight the body of missing nine-year-old Melody Buzzard found after a month's long search. Her mother arrested, accused of killing her own daughter. Dangerous winter weather pounding both coasts, rain pouring down, drenching parts of California. The dire new warning, life-threatening flooding on the way, plus the East Coast storm system crushing Christmas travel. The frantic search for survivors after a medical plane carrying a pediatric patient crashes into Galveston Bay. The stunning moment one woman is pulled from the wreckage alive. This just in tonight, the Supreme Court rejecting the Trump administration's push to deploy the National Guard

in the Chicago area. A man struck and killed by an arrow on a New Jersey street, what we know about the bizarre ambush. And there's good news tonight, the life-changing surprise from an NBA star just in time for the holidays. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. We are coming on the air with breaking news tonight. First responders have rushed to the scene of a Pennsylvania nursing home where an explosion caused a major fire to break out, reportedly, trapping people inside. You can see the flames right here shooting out of the building with thick smoke pouring into the sky. And this drone video shows you the chaotic scene where first responders were heard on their radios, urgently asking for help to save people. The utility company says it

was on the scene responding to reports of a gas odor when the explosion happened. And now the governor is on his way to the scene. Two days before Christmas, a place many called home is now facing a catastrophic occurrence. Here's Stephanie Goss. Tonight, Pennsylvania's governor with the early casualty numbers from the explosion at a nursing home. We know that at this time, there are at least two fatalities. We know that there are some number of individuals still missing. Officials saying rescue efforts are still underway. Investigations underway as to what caused that explosion. We believe preliminarily that it was a gas leak. The explosion tore through the nursing home in eastern

Pennsylvania early this afternoon, leveling a portion of the building and igniting a blaze that filled the sky with black smoke. Reporting an explosion inside building. Fire trucks and emergency vehicles race to the scene to help rescue residents and staff from the burning building. Early concern that gas was involved. Currently, it's a gas explosion. We should have a large gas range, actively reaching to the building. Inside firefighters, radioing for help. We need rapid intervention teams for the collapsed area. We have an active fire. We have three to four people trapped. Moments later, the numbers go up. We have 12 victims trapped, one in the elevator. And there is an added worry. The basement is

filling with water. Need the basement. Water turned off urgently. We got people drowned down here. Staff and neighbors gathered outside the burning building. I just came out of my house because I was sitting in the kitchen and I just felt the whole floor shape. concerned for the patients and colleagues who may still be tracked. Traumatize, worry about my co-workers and the patients. It's like a one big family in there. Joey Juhas raced to the nursing home when he heard the news. Horrible. It was just police and cops everywhere.

His father in his 80s in battling Alzheimer's is a resident at the home. How hard is it to sit there waiting for answers? You don't know what to do. I mean, just kind of waiting. It's scary. Those lucky enough to get out sat on the grass wrapped in sheets two days before Christmas, watching the terrifying scene unfold. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News. We turn to Washington now in the Justice Department's new release of thousands of more documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Some mentioning President Trump, but the FBI is warning tonight, not all of them are real. Here's Ryan Nobles. Tonight, the Justice Department releasing its biggest batch yet of documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including this fake Austrian passport with Epstein's photo and a false name. The new release also includes documents that mentioned President Trump. In one email, a federal prosecutor citing flight logs says Trump was a passenger on at least eight flights between 1993 and 1996 between New York and Florida on Epstein's jet, that he traveled with his then-wife Marla Maples, daughter Tiffany, and son Eric, and saying on another

flight, the only three passengers are Epstein, Trump, and a 20-year-old whose name is redacted. The files also include this handwritten note purportedly written by Epstein and sent to Dr. Larry Nassar, another notorious sex offender, including the quote, our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls. But tonight the Justice Department says the FBI concluded the letter is fake, saying the FBI determined the writing does not appear to match Jeffrey. Epstein's. The letter was postmarked three days after Epstein's death and was sent from Northern Virginia when Epstein was jailed in New York. And that it did not include his inmate number, which is required for outgoing mail. Calling it a reminder, just because a document is released by

the Department of Justice does not make the allegations or claims within the document factual. The president has said he broke off his relationship with Epstein decades ago, and President Trump has never been accused of any wrongdoing related to Epstein. Also, revealed in the documents, in 2019, the FBI discussed interviewing 10 potential co-conspirators. Tonight, the top Senate Democrat wants more information on who they are and why they chose not to prosecute. Tom? Ryan, thank you. Not a disturbing new details in the case of a nine-year-old.

Melanie Buzzard, who was missing for months. Her mother behind bars tonight accused of murdering her own daughter as authorities reveal what happened in Melody's final days. Here's Dana Griffin. Tonight, a California mother behind bars accused of killing her own daughter. But this level of criminal activity is particularly shocking, given the ruthlessness that went into actually committing the crime. Investigators revealing nine-year-old Melody buzzer died from gunshot wounds to the head. Her body discovered this month in a remote area of Wayne County, Utah.

Video shows the 40-year-old mom being led away today from her Santa Barbara County home in handcuffs. Investigators revealing Melody likely died October 9th while on a three-day road trip with her mother, Ashley. They were traveling in a white Chevy Malibu. The journey spanned eight states. Along the way, investigators say the car's license plate was switched from California to New York to avoid detection.

Investigators say the two were seen wearing wigs at this California car rental county. honor. On October 10th, Ashley returned home alone. Her daughter was nowhere to be found. Four days later, Melody's school alerted police after she had been absent. In November, Ashley Buzzard was arrested on false imprisonment charges not related to her daughter's disappearance. A judge later dropping the case citing a lack of evidence. The loss of a child is among the most profound tragedies Any community can endure, particularly at the hand of the one who should have loved them the most. A heartbreaking end to a month's long search. Dana Griffin, NBC News.

And there are incredible images tonight of a dramatic rescue along the Texas coast. Good Samaritans rushing into help after a private plane crashed, pulling out survivors. Here's Priscilla Thompson. Tonight, dramatic new video shows the frantic search for survivors. and the moments after this private plane crashed into Galveston Bay. Hey, she's still alive in here. Flying through dense fog Monday, the plane operated by the Mexican Navy was carrying a pediatric burn patient from Mexico

to get treatment at Shriners Hospital in Galveston officials say. We still got one screaming inside the airplane right now. Skydecker, seen in this video, rushing over to help. What did you see? Just a smash plane. I could not have imagined that anybody could be alive in that airplane. But miraculously, a woman was alive. I could see the desperation in her eyes, and it was urgent, and luckily I was able to get in there.

Later, a second survivor was also rescued. Oliver Henserling witnessed all of it. When you all showed up to a scene where you thought nobody could have survived. It was a miracle. Today, wreckage was pulled from the water. Mexican officials say six passengers were killed, including that young patient. Telemundo speaking with the child's heartbroken father. This is something horrible that I wouldn't wish on anyone, he said.

And Tom, tonight, search teams and investigators are wrapping up for the night as the NTSB says that they're investigating. Tom. Priscilla Thompson for us tonight, Priscilla, thank you. The brutal weather across the country has been nonstop, and it's about to get much more dangerous. Millions in the Northeast have been battling a messy mix of rain and snow, snarling thousands of flannel. lights. And nearly the entire state of California, look at this, is on edge after extreme flooding earlier this week. Another punishing system is set to deliver widespread damage. Let's get right to Bill Cairns and Bill the next 24 hours could be very dangerous. Yeah, the time to prepare

is just about over for our friends in California. This Christmas Eve storm is going to leave its mark with high winds, down trees, and a lot of flooding. The heaviest rains will move in overnight tonight along with those strong winds. It is going to pour torrential rain in downtown Los Angeles tomorrow. We could see in the mountains just outside of L.A. up to a foot of rain, even in L.A. itself, 4 to 7 inches of rain. So flash flooding and landslides and rocks slides

all through the region. The rest of the country, incredible warmth continues for Christmas Eve in the middle of the nation. As we go through Christmas Day, that continues. Unfortunately, so does the rain in areas of California. And Tom, we're still looking for snow in New York City Friday evening. All right, we'll keep an eye on that. Bill, we thank you for that. A big legal blow

for President Trump at the Supreme Court tonight. Ruling against his move to deploy National Guard troops to Illinois, including Chicago. Julia Ainsley joins us, and Julia, this was a rare loss for the president on the issue of executive power. That's right, Tom. The court ruled President Trump cannot federalize and deploy members of the National Guard to Illinois, at least for now.

The 6-3 ruling said the president can only send them if he is unable with the regular forces to execute federal law. President Trump deployed the Guard to protect federal officers, including an ICE detention center from protesters. The ruling could have implications on Democratic-run areas where President Trump wants to send the guard to crack down on crime and illegal immigration. The White House responded the president will keep working to safeguard the American public. Tom. Julia, thank you.

Now to our series, the cost of denial. A recent study shows that nearly a third of Americans, more than 100 billion people, don't have a primary care doctor. Tonight, Ann Thompson reports on the rise of a new way to find a doctor, no insurance so it can be pricey, but the care doctor, say, is much more direct. The future of health care may look like the past. What brings you in today? A family doctor you can rely on and get an appointment with. After a decade working at a large health system in New Jersey,

with as many as 1,500 patients under his care, Dr. Frank Ali Ganga says he was among the more than 40% of primary care physicians reporting burnout. How much time did you actually spend face-to-face with the patient? For me, I would say 15 to 20 minutes, I tend to... And you were supposed to spend how long? I think to survive, you have to spend seven minutes. How do you know anyone's condition in seven minutes?

You can't. You know, you end up becoming data entry clerk and customer service. The pressure of the system grew so bad. Dr. Ali Ganga thought about leaving health care entirely, considering real estate or even becoming a flight. attended. But before he took to the skies, the doctor attended a seminar and learned about a different way to practice medicine, direct primary care, which has gone from a niche approach just a few years ago to thousands of practices nationwide today. Direct primary care doctors don't take insurance. Instead, they charge a monthly fee per patient, often ranging between $50 and $150, whether you see the doctor or not. In exchange,

patients get longer appointments and more access, plus the same doctor every time. For me, it just made more sense. The clinic I was going to before that, all the doctors kept leaving. So we'll talk about the diagnosis. To see Dr. Ali Ganga, Natasha and Fred Esquera pay almost $300 a month for their family of fine, including Natasha's mom to avoid the problems of the traditional system. You want someone on your side that knows what's going on with you, you know, that you're not just, you're not just another number. Aliganga is just starting his new practice. He has 35 patients and needs to build up to 400 to make it financially viable.

Even then, he says he'll make less money than he did when he was in a big health care system, but he's happier. Definitely much happier in terms of being able to practice medicine the way it was taught. And so are his patients. Thank you, Dr. F.A. All right, Ann Thompson joins us now in studio. And some of our viewers out there may say this sounds a lot like a concierge doctor, but it's different. It is different, but there is an awful lot of overlap, Tom. The big differences are about price.

Concierge is typically far more expensive and the role of insurance. Many concierge practices will still bill your insurance company for some of the services offered. While doctors setting up primary care, well, one of the big appeals for them, is getting away from insurance altogether. Ultimately, you have to check with a particular practice to see how it's set up. All right, Ann, we thank you for that one. And in 60 seconds, wasn't a random attack?

The new video we're going to show you that shows a man struck in the back by an arrow while walking down the street who did it and why. Not a new video of a bizarre and deadly attack involving a crossbow in New Jersey. Our Emily Aketa has the latest on the investigative. and what the victim's widow is saying. 45-year-old Pablo Criojo was walking down the sidewalk.

When you hear the apparent snap of a crossbow and surveillance video, Criojo starts to stumble with something sticking out of his back, which we've highlighted. Authorities say he was shot and killed by the arrow in a brazen attack over the weekend in Kearney, New Jersey. His widow, overwhelmed by grief at a growing memorial feat from the ambush. saying they killed him like an animal. Accused killer Oscar Fahoe now facing murderer, weapons, and arson charges. Because when officers had first approached him after the sidewalk killing, Fahoe barricaded himself in his home and set fires on numerous floors

during an hour's long standoff, according to investigators. You can see one first responder being pulled to safety amid the chaos. Fahoe eventually left his home and was taken into custody, flanked by heavily armed officers. His attorney did not respond to our request for comment. A preliminary incident report tonight says he was a stranger to the victim, as loved ones are left to grapple with the 45-year-old father's sudden death. His wife saying, every morning my daughter is asking me about her father,

what time he will come home. Emily Ikehra, NBC News. And we're back in a moment with actor Russell Brand, the serious new charges he's facing. Stay with us. We're back now with new charges against British actor and comedian Russell Brand. Authorities in the UK today charged him with rape and sexual assault after two more women came forward. Brand was first charged in April in separate cases by four other women. In a social post today, Brand asked for forgiveness from anyone he's harmed, but has previously

denied the accusations, saying all encounters have been consensual. An alarming announcement from the FDA, nearly 84,000 bags of frozen raw shrimp had been recalled due to a possible radioactive contamination. The shrimp from Indonesia were sold in several states under the brand's Market 32 and Waterfront Bistro. The FDA is advising consumers to dispose of the shrimp or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. When we come back, home for the holidays, when a boy badly injured, moved NBA star Trey Young to Tears, the Atlanta Hawk jumped into action to change the family's life. There's good news tonight, and that's next.

Finally, there's good news tonight for a young NBA fan who dreamed of a signed jersey from his favorite player, but he got so much more. Aaron Gilchrest tonight with the heartwarming holiday surprise. Like a lot of nine-year-olds, Amari Boyd loves sports like football and basketball, ball. But unlike most kids, Amari's favorite NBA player is right inside his living room. You ready for Christmas? Atlanta Hawk's star point guard, Trey Young, is here with a special surprise for a young fan he's gotten to know. Tell me about the first time you met him.

I'm at the hospital. In April, a car accident left Amari paralyzed from the waist down. He lost his left leg and uses a wheelchair now. Talking about it still makes his dad Greg emotional. I'm just glad we still here. Like, you're still alive. What's up, my man? The Hawks asked the four-time All-Star to sign a jersey as Amari recovered. I stopped by the hospital to see him. When I left, I couldn't stop, like, crying.

I knew I needed to be helpful. And when Trey found out his new friend's house would need renovations to accommodate his wheelchair, he funded the project, teamed up with the nonprofit Sunshine on a rainy day to do the work, and showed up for the big reveal. All of it tailored to Amari's needs and tricked out with basketball swag right down to the custom-made shoebox bed. Of course, of course, my man. A slam dunk gift that Amari can grow into and the new teammate for life.

Aaron Gilchrist, NBC News, Lithonia, Georgia. An incredible gift during these holidays. All right, that's nightly news for this Tuesday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching tonight and always we're here for you. Good night.