NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Episode Date: July 8, 2026

U.S. launches retaliatory airstrikes after Iran attacks commercial ships; Search for missing cargo plane; Rush to stabilize NYC high-rise at risk of collapse; 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, ceasefire broken. The U.S. launching a series of new strikes on Iran. The retaliatory attacks coming because Iran unleashed drone and missile strikes on three commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in just 24 hours. The U.S. calling it a ceasefire violation. The president in nearby Turkey for meetings with NATO, so is the peace deal now over. Also breaking right now missing plane. The search underway after a Boeing cargo jet, a 737 with five people on board suddenly disappeared from radar over international waters.

A high rise at risk of collapse in the heart of New York City, alarming video of support beams inside the 37-story building buckling. Several floors sagging, the dangerous situation triggering mass evacuations near Grand Central Terminal. Extreme weather wreaking havoc, powerful winds sending this trampoline flying. Flood-stranding drivers, a lightning strike sparking an apartment building fire, we're tracking it all. Argentina's stunning World Cup comeback, the historic rally will show it to you, keeping star Lionel Messi's tournament dreams in play. Raging wildfires forcing tourists to evacuate from this popular vacation spot. Our series, the cost of denial, the looming Medicaid cuts, and why this woman says she will lose her life if the benefits disappear.

Incredible video capturing a husky fending off a charging bear to protect a child. Dolly Parton on Broadway, the country music icon story headed for the Great White Way. And there's good news tonight, the Hail Mary play from this bride to be and the NFL owner granting her her, her World's. One Wedding Wish. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. We do begin tonight with the new missile strikes from both the U.S. and Iran and that ceasefire now in jeopardy. American forces responding tonight with retaliatory strikes, a response to Iran's attacks on commercial ships earlier today. The U.S. military saying it will

hit Iran with powerful strikes in response. to the targeting of three tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. This latest back and forth coming after Senkamp says Iran violated the ceasefire and it's pledged to open up the strait. All of it happening with the president at a key NATO summit, not far from Iran's border in Turkey, while Iran buries the former Ayatollah. Chief White House correspondent Garrett Haik is traveling with the president in Turkey and starts us off tonight.

Tonight, President Trump ordering airstrikes against Iran. retaliation for the Iranian regime attacking commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, would U.S. Central Command cause Iran's, quote, clear violation of the ceasefire, saying the U.S. is launching powerful strikes to impose heavy costs on Iran for targeting and attacking commercial shipping crewed by innocent civilians in an international waterway. A U.S. official earlier telling NBC News the Iranian regime violated the preliminary peace deal it's signed by targeting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz with missiles and a drone. All as President Trump is just hundreds of miles away from the Iranian border, greeted with an elaborate ceremonial welcome at the NATO summit in Turkey.

From an escort on horseback to a stunning fighter jet flyover, including red, white, and blue smoke. President Trump in a meeting with Turkish President Erdogan praising the country for its role in the U.S. war with Iran. Turkey has been a great ally for us. I don't think he wants to see them have a nuclear weapon either. And blasting European allies for their relative lack of support. You would think that they'd be very willing to do something to help us. And they really weren't. And now the Trump administration going after Iran's economy for attacking those ships in the strait, revoking a waiver that the U.S. had granted as part of the preliminary peace deal that allowed Iran to sell its oil on the open market. The administration has said it would only give financial rewards to the Iranian regime if it abided by the deal.

You're welcome to be re-invited into the world economy, but only if you honor the commitments that you make in this agreement. Garrett joins us now live from Turkey. Garrett, I know you have some new reporting for our viewers on what exactly the U.S. was targeting inside of Iran. Yeah, Tom, a U.S. official tells our Courtney Cubey that these strikes are bigger than previous retaliatory actions against Iran and hit targets that included air defenses, missile, launch sites and port facilities, jets from the Air Force and Navy took part of the mission. Tom. Garrett Hake, leading us off. Garrett, thank you. We're also following more breaking news right now.

This just in an international search for a missing 737, a cargo plane with five crew members has gone missing off Pakistan's coast. Tom Costello joins us now live. And Tom, the aircraft from what we understand was seen on radar descending, and then they suddenly just lost communication. Yeah, that's right. this was a Boeing 737 cargo plane, Tom. It was flying from the United Arab Emirates to Karachi, when it suddenly went missing off the coast of Karachi, off the port, actually, is what we're told,

in the Arabian Sea. The cargo plane is called K2. Pakistani air traffic control says the plane reported navigational issues at about 9.20 p.m. local time, then descended rapidly, making a very sharp change in heading. In fact, radar and radar in radio contact lost about 170 miles west of Karachi. Controllers have launched search and rescue teams already. Five crew members are thought to be on board. It's not at all clear what might have happened here. Typically, if a plane loses an engine, it doesn't just drop out of the sky.

It glides for time. So the fact that this plane seemed to have dropped like a rock is really concerning, Tom. And this still developing tonight. Okay, Tom, we thank you for your reporting. tonight a dangerous situation unfolding right here in New York. Part of a high-rise building under construction in the heart of the city, potentially on the verge of collapse, and now there's a race against time to stabilize it. Emily Aketa is at the evacuation zone tonight.

Tonight, alarming images from inside a New York City high-rise at risk of partial collapse, with buckling beams and sinking floors. You can see how the building appears to have a slight lean. We get reports from the construction that two columns buckled on the 21st floor. Construction workers calling in concerns just before 8 a.m. It's not supposed to happen. Columns are not supposed to bend like that. The building, formerly home to Pfizer's global headquarters, is being converted to a 1600-unit apartment complex.

As part of a pioneering project, now at the center of what city officials are calling a dangerous situation. Since arriving on scene, we have witnessed a. additional movement in one of the compromised columns. 150 fire and EMS personnel swarming the scene and evacuating nine buildings near Grand Central Terminal according to officials. Schools, hotels, restaurants cleared out. Even a local news station forced to move their broadcast outside. Fortunately, there have been no injuries reported. What's going through your mind as you were evacuating the building? Well, that, okay, this is for real. I need to get out here really quick because I don't know if the neighbor building is collapsing or not.

There are no Department of Buildings records that indicate prior concern about the structure. As tonight, the buildings developer saying safety is our number one priority. Adding the affected area is a small section of one of the two buildings on this site. As the race to stabilize this high rise ramps up. And Emily, I know the police are keeping you a safe distance away. Show our viewers exactly where this building is, and finally they've been able to allow crews back inside? Yeah, Tom, that's right.

We are about just over a block away from that high-rise building where inspection crews have been able to go floor by floor assessing the damage. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any further movement to the building, which means they can begin those emergency stabilization efforts, which officials say will go into the night and likely even the coming days, Tom. Emily, we thank you. We want to turn out of the major political, story tonight, the growing calls for Maine Democrat, Graham Plattener, to drop out of the Senate

race there. He's facing an allegation of rape, which he denied, but sources tell NBC News tonight. He has not decided yet if he will bow out. Here's Ryan Nobles. Tonight, the pressure is mounting on embattled Maine Democratic Senate nominee Graham Platner, with a growing chorus of prominent Democrats demanding he stepped down. I think Graham Platner needs to get out of the race, including voters that once supported him. Oh, tell him, nice try, buddy, but get out. All after a former romantic partner of Platner's accused him of rape, saying he forced himself on her five years ago.

Did Grand Platner rape you? By definition, yes. Absolutely. Platner denies her allegation. Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically false. But a source familiar with his thinking telling NBC News he's still undecided about whether to step down. Even before the rape allegation, Platner faced a slew of scandals, including online posts where he said a purple heart veteran who was shot by the Taliban didn't deserve to live.

And Plattner had a tattoo widely recognized as a Nazi SS symbol covered up after backlash, saying he did not know its meaning. Still, top Democrats were supporting him. And I said to myself, that's my kind of man. But tonight, both Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders releasing state, saying it's time for Platner to step aside. Platner has until July 13th to step down. If he does, the state Democratic Party would pick his replacement. Tom? Ryan, thank you. There is more extreme weather out there, really across the country. Storms and floods and fires leaving widespread damage in their wake.

Here's George Salis with some of the images. Tonight, millions across the Northeast, cleaning up after a potent one-two-punch of severe weather systems slam the region. new video showing the power of those winds. Look at this. A trampoline sent sailing through the air outside Baltimore. The systems toppling trees and knocking out power to thousands. Outside New York City, some families in the dark.

They said next week, but hopefully we'll get it in the next few days. And this dramatic rescue effort in Long Branch. Home security video capturing neighbors rushing to a submerged vehicle, checking to make sure no one was trapped in San Francisco. side. In the Upper Midwest, severe storms, ripping off roofs and collapsing structures overnight in western Minnesota. Multiple tornado reports in the area. And in the south, fire officials in Chattanooga, Tennessee confirming a lightning strike sparking this fire at an apartment complex, destroying more than 40 units Sunday. Thankfully, no one was hurt. While in the West,

illegal fireworks being blamed for igniting this fire southwest of Portland. Eight people now facing criminal charges there. And the Babylon fire in Utah, now scorching more than 150 square miles, extreme weather testing communities from coast to coast. George Solis, NBC News. And the world tonight talking about that stunning comeback superstar Leonel Messi and Argentina defeating Egypt after trailing for much of that World Cup game, the reigning champs fighting back to keep their bid for a repeat alive. Jesse Kirsch has more. Tonight, somehow, Lionel Messi in Argentina, finding a way to beat Egypt in a soccer match for the ages. Egypt striking first before the World Cup's all-time leading goal score had a chance to tie it up with this penalty kick.

But Messi missed, and Egypt went up 2-0. Then just when it looked like his World Cup career might be over, the man often considered soccer's greatest ever sent this ball toward the net. Messi rocketing in the equalizer. And the reigning World Cup champions had even more in the tank. Three goals in under 15 minutes, sealing victory. 39-year-old Messi still has a shot at winning back-to-back World Cups before his career winds down.

Pleasure to meet you. Last year, Messi telling Tom about lifting that trophy. You held that trophy up and you were on the shoulders of your teammates. What was going through your mind? Well, everything I went through and everything I did to achieve, that. It was the dream of my life. Meanwhile, last night, the American co-hosts, overpowered by Belgium, losing 4-1 in the most watched soccer game in U.S. history. Over 40 million people witnessing a blowout. The Americans will have to wait four years as the team still standing race toward the finish.

Jesse Kirsch, NBC News. And we're back in just 60 seconds with our series, The Cost of Denial, why looming Medicaid cuts may force people with disabilities from their home. and the husky to the rescue. Look at this, the incredible video showing the moment this dog kept the child safe from a bear. That's next. We're back now with our series, The Cost of Denial, where we investigate issues with people faced with insurance and health care. Tonight, Gabe Gutierrez reports on how looming cuts to Medicaid could spell disaster for the families who rely on it. Ready start our day?

For Alexia Florey. Even just getting out of her. bed each morning can be a struggle. The 33-year-old has cerebral palsy and requires her mom's constant attention. It affects my muscles. It affects my leg muscles. What is the hardest part of your day?

The hardest part of my day is waiting for someone to help me get things done because there's so much I want to do. that I can't do myself. But for more than a decade, Alexia says she's been thriving in the Baltimore suburbs, getting a college degree and studying in a local seminary, thanks to a Medicaid program that helps pay for two aides. You're doing a great job, Lex. They are families in every sense of the word.

And also pays her parents funding, funding designed to keep people with disabilities out of institutions by allowing family members to care for them at home. But following a budget shortfall in Maryland, $126 million were slashed from these programs. Wages for family caregivers and external aides were set to be cut on the first of this month. But after NBC News began asking about the changes,

at the last minute, the state postponed the cuts by up to 90 days. I lose my life if these services go away. Let me put your head on because it's hot out of you. My age who are helping me do all these things will go away because they need to find other jobs. If all the proposed cuts take effect, Alexia's parents say they could lose at least $60,000 per year, money that helps keep her living at home. What does that mean for your family? It means that we're going to have to tap into our 401. We're going to have to either sell it.

this home and get something smaller. They say Alexia's overnight caregiving hours have already been denied. I bite my fingers every single night. I just, I get anxiety. I cry out to God. God has got to end. You know, she qualified for everything for five years straight, and then this year she doesn't qualify for overnight services,

but she's still the same Lexi. In a statement, Maryland's Department of Health said costs for these programs skyrocketed by 100, 44% over the last five years, adding the state needed to avoid overspending or risk violating federal guidelines, which could jeopardize all of its funding. Alexia feels she and people like her are being unfairly sacrificed to balance the state's budget. People with disabilities are people too. We're not objects. We're people first. You feel for that family, Gabe, the focus of your story Maryland, but the issue is much bigger than that?

Yes, Tom. Disability advocates say that with President Trump's so-called one big, beautiful bill set to slash Medicaid funding by about a trillion dollars over the next decade, this could soon be an issue facing people with disabilities nationwide. Tom. All right, Gabe, we thank you. When we return, Dolly Part, revealing when her new musical comes to Broadway, we'll tell you, that's next. We're back now with the wildfires raging across Europe.

massive plumes of smoke rising near this rooftop pool, forcing nearly 200 people to evacuate a popular resort. And in Connecticut, the moment a family's husky rushes to protect the little boy, watches the dog charges at a bear. The bear then ducks under a boat, but the husky keeps after it until the bear eventually takes off. Also tonight, Dolly Parton announcing her Broadway musical will premiere this winter. The show about Parton's life will open on her birthday in January, Parton says the show will feature some of her biggest hits, plus new songs she's just written for the musical. All right, when we come back here on nightly news of Bride to Be making her wedding wish to one NFL team who said yes.

That's next. Finally, there's good news tonight about the unexpected way an NFL team owner is helping a future bride have the wedding day of her dreams. Here's Liz Kreutz. When soon to be bride, Olivia Coppelletti fired off this email to the Arizona Cardinals, she knew it was an unusual request. I know this is probably the longest shot, but I'm desperate. Olivia and her fiancé John are getting married this October in New Jersey, but the couple faced one small obstacle.

The only suite large enough at the hotel for Olivia to get ready with her bridal party was already booked, reserved in advance for whichever team would be playing the Giants that weekend at nearby MetLife Stadium. So I very kindly but persistently followed up with them month after month. Finally, the NFL schedule came out. The team would be the Cardinals. Olivia says she sees it now as a sign. My dad passed away, unfortunately, about three years ago now, and he was just the best. We always look for cardinals as signs of a lost loved one. I know a lot of people do that. We definitely do that. My family. And so she threw a Hail Mary, hoping her bold but polite request would reach the right person. And it did.

I'm Michael Bidwell from the Arizona Cardinals. Yes, that's the Cardinals owner telling Liv the good news. I'm happy to give it up to you and your bridesmaise to use during your wedding weekend. Did you expect to get a response? Never a million years. No. It was like so surreal. A small gesture, but one that means more than Olivia could have ever expected.

He absolutely is watching over me. It's definitely a sign from dad. Liz Croyce, NBC News. All right, that does it for us. That's nightly news for this Tuesday. I'm Tom Yamis. We thank you so much for watching. Tonight and always, we're here for you.

Good night.