NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Episode Date: March 25, 2026

Search for answers in deadly LaGuardia crash; Senate Republicans optimistic about potential deal to fund TSA; Jury rules against Meta in landmark trial; 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 details in the deadly LaGuardia plane crash, what investigators just revealed about the multiple failures that led to the fatal catastrophe. What we just learned about the flight's final moments, the fire truck that was hit, did not have a transponder on it that could have warned air traffic control. And what we just learned about control tower staffing that night. Also, a potential breakthrough to fund the TSA as hours-long lines create chaos at airports, what we know about the deal just emerging. The verdict just in in a landmark trial against META,

the company held liable for endangering children on its platforms. What will change now on Facebook and Instagram? Also breaking more troops to the Middle East, the president approving more than a thousand soldiers for deployment as bombs continue to blast Iran. Plus, our new reporting about what the Saudi crown prince told Trump couldn't lead to a prolonged war. Oil refinery explosion, a massive fire engulfing one of the largest oil refineries in the U.S.

Couldn't send gas prices even higher. Some people are even stealing gas now, taking the stand the wife of a doctor on trial in Hawaii, for allegedly trying to kill her, testifying about how he attacked her with a rock and a syringe. One major airline laying it all out how you could turn a whole row in economy into a bed. And there's good news tonight how a group of dads came together to surprise their children's beloved school crossing guard. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening.

We begin tonight with new details in the investigation into that deadly crash at New York's LaGuardia Airport. With investigators now focusing in on a key tracking system, which they say did not sound the alarm that an Air Canada jet and a fire truck were moments from colliding. This is a live shot right now over the wreckage from our NBC, New York station. The plane's still on the runway right there. And here's that moment when the plane slammed right into the fire truck, killing the two pilots on board and hurting dozens of passengers and crew. Investigators seen here inspecting the plane now scrutinizing second by second the last words and actions by the pilots and the air traffic controllers to see if any opportunities to avoid disaster were missed. And we're also hearing from passengers who, with the flight attendants

injured, had to figure out how to escape the plane on their own. All of it as we track major developments in the battle to fund the TSA with a possible deal taking shape right now that could finally put an end to hours-long lines at airports around the country like the ones we saw in Houston earlier today. We've got both these stories covered for you tonight. We start with Sam Brock at LaGuardia Airport. fresh off the horror of this Air Canada jet landing at LaGuardia and plowing into a fire truck responding to an emergency call. Today investigators circled the wreckage and peered inside the aircraft in search of answers. There are multiple, multiple layers of defense built in to prevent an accident.

So when something goes wrong, that means many, many things went wrong. In this case, one was a safety net ground radar system that alerts controllers of impending danger, but in this case never issued an alert, potentially because the fire truck didn't have a transponder. If this truck would have had a transponder, it very well could have provided that alert that the controller could have used. NTSB chair Jennifer Homandy also revealing what the agency's learning about tower staffing Sunday night. For the midnight shift, it is standard operating procedure that they only have to on duty. Certainly, I can tell you that our air traffic control team has stated this is a a problem, that this is a concern for them for years.

These questions coming as the country faces a chronic shortage of controllers and comments like this surfacing on NASA's anonymous aviation reporting system with a pilot writing in August of last year about LaGuardia, the controllers are pushing the line. On thunderstorm days, LGA is starting to feel like DCA did before the accident there. Please do something. What is your margin for error when you're on the job? zero error. You have to be perfect every single time. David Riley spent 22 years as an FAA controller and says even two controllers in a tower at night

doesn't leave much wiggle room for breaks or fatigue. When you don't have that extra body there to help out when things happen, it could have tragic results. The realities of the traumatizing crash that killed pilots Antoine Foray and McKenzie Gunther, whose Canadian College lowered its flags today, still sinking in for the passengers, too. You just heard the loudest boom. Rebecca LaCoree said she was surprised she survived

and getting off the plane proved a true team effort. There was no slide because the flight crew in the front was heard. We just took it upon ourselves. I opened the emergency exit on the left. A gentleman opened the emergency exit on the right and everyone got out. And Sam Brock joins us now live from LaGuardia Airport, Sam, we can still see the activity around the plane right there. The NTSB chair also mentioned tonight that the controller who gave the clearance

stayed on the job even after the accident. So, Tom, this incident happened just before 1140. There was not a shift change until midnight. Jennifer Homandy said that she absolutely has a lot of questions about why that person was not pulled off the job immediately. As you can see right now, just the active scene, all of these investigators combing through debris as we speak on the tarmac. right now. Tom?

Work until nightfall. All right, Sam, we thank you for that. Now to the other aviation story we're covering. And we're tonight of a possible deal to fund the TSA and end those hours-long lines at airports across the country. Tom Costello has the latest. Tonight, word of a potential breakthrough that could solve those hours-long TSA lines choking critical airports. Got up at like some ungodly hour to get an 815 flight. Four sources familiar with the negotiations tell NBC

news of a potential deal in the works between the White House and Congress to fund the Department of Homeland Security. President Trump, with newly sworn in DHS Secretary Mark Wayne Mullen. We're going to take a good, hard look at it. I want to support Republicans. Under the proposal from Senate Republicans, DHS, including TSA, Coast Guard, and FEMA, would be fully funded, as with portions of ICE that combat drug trafficking, but not immigration enforcement, which would be negotiated later. Democrats have been demanding such a compromise while insisting on ICE policing reforms. Among travelers mixed reviews to ICE agents now in airports as unpaid TSA officers call out sick.

Just pay the TSA workers and get those people to come back to do the job that they've been trained for. A deal to end the partial shutdown would mean TSA officers would again be paid as they're set to miss a third paycheck this week. It's hard to come to work every day and not get paid. and bills piling up, creditors not understanding. The good news, TSA lines were shorter at many airports on this typically slower Tuesday. NBC's Aaron Gilchrist is in Atlanta. Atlanta's airport was jam-packed with travelers on Monday. Today, these TSA lines have been significantly shorter since the morning rush.

Tonight, hope that this latest government shutdown could soon come to an end. Good to see some relief there. You mentioned the word hope. any word on how quickly that proposal could come up for a vote? We really don't have a timeline yet, Tom. We can tell you, though, the clock is ticking because next week, the House and the Senate are both on recess. Separately, Delta Airlines turning up a pressure on Congress.

It is now suspending special perks for members of Congress here at Washington's Reagan National Airport. All right, Tom Costello for us. Tom, thank you. Now to that other breaking news we're tracking tonight, a New Mexico jury reached a verdict in a landmark social media trial ruling that medall. misled teenagers about the safety of Facebook and Instagram. Laura Jared is here now live for us. And Laura, this is a massive blow to Mark Zuckerberg and his massive company.

Tom, it is. And the jury came back very quickly after just a day of deliberations, awarding $375 million in damages to the state of New Mexico, which had accused META, the social media giant, of creating a breeding ground for predators looking to exploit kids and teens online. Now, the jury heard Zuckerberg say that they'd added more safety features in recent years But now it will be up to a judge to decide what changes actually need to be made. The company is saying tonight that it plans to appeal, Tom, but this really is a watershed moment.

This is the first time we have seen a company be held liable for something like this. And we still have a jury in Los Angeles deliberating now more than a week. We're waiting to see what they do. So many other cases out there as well. All right, Laura, we thank you for that. We also have new reporting tonight that President Trump has approved another 1,000 soldiers to deploy to the Middle East as the war with Iran escalates. Richard Engel is in Tel Aviv tonight for us. More American troops we're learning tonight

are heading to the Middle East to join the war with Iran. More than 1,000 from the 82nd Airborne Division, two sources familiar with the batter tell NBC News. They will soon deploy to the Gulf. This, as President Trump just tonight appear to be already declaring victory. This war has been won.

At the exact time he was speaking, we filmed this. An Iranian cluster bomb. exploding over Tel Aviv. We're actually talking to the right people and they want to make a deal so badly. For now, the war is intensifying. Israel today announced new massive strikes on what it described as Iran's main production site for explosive material.

U.S. air strikes aren't slowing down either, hitting around 500 targets a day. And Iran is still firing on Israel around the clock. Some missiles getting past air defenses. This one destroying a residential building in Tel Aviv. You can see behind me in the scene, we have a scene of a missile attack. The missile hits the asphalt, making a large crater. But back-channel diplomacy does appear to be taking shape. Pakistan today offered to mediate between the U.S. and Iran.

Two sources telling NBC News, in-person negotiations could happen in the coming days. But not everyone wants a quick exit. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu says, Israel will keep attacking Iran and Lebanon until Israel's aims are achieved. And Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has told President Trump that Riyadh is concerned about leaving Iran angry and capable of continuing to strike its neighbors in the region, according to a senior Saudi official.

With no easy way out of this war, Richard Engel joins us now live from Tel Aviv. Richard, we're also seeing the injury count to U.S. service members climb. We are, Tom. So, so far, 13 American service members have been killed in this war. And according to a U.S. official, around 290 have been injured. Most of them were able to return to duty. Okay, Richard Engel for us. Richard, thank you. Back here at home to a massive fire at a major oil refinery in Texas, could it lead to even higher gas prices already surging because of the war with Iran? Priscilla Thompson is on the ground in Texas. Look at the flares. Look at the flare. Bright orange flames seen here raging at one of the largest oil refineries in the U.S.

Huge explosion just happened in the Valero. It just shook my whole truck. Thick black clouds of smoke filling the sky over Port Arthur, Texas. The thought that came to mind was someone may have dropped a bomb. That's what it felt like. As a massive inferno engulfed part of this Valero plant Monday night. Supervisor here in dispatches is called. He advised that it was a,

heater, the heater had exploded. A shelter in place has been lifted. Port Arthur's mayor trying to reassure a community on edge. It wasn't a terrorist threat. It was nothing. One of the units just exploded. Valero saying all personnel are accounted for and there are no recordable injuries, but not saying when the plant will be fully operational. Analysts tell NBC News if it remains offline for weeks, gas prices could soar even higher. A gallon of regular gas. now up a full dollar since the war with Iran began. Some resorting to theft. A man caught on camera appearing to flee after stealing gas from Diamond Learning Center in California staffed their say.

The CEO of United Airlines warning with oil prices where they are, airfare could be next to take off. That would require prices to be up 20 percent to break even. And Tom, this plant processes 435,000 barrels of oil per day for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, getting it back online now essential to prevent further disruption in an already rattled energy market. Tom. Priscilla, thank you. There was dramatic testimony in a Hawaii courtroom today. The wife of a doctor accused of trying to murder her taking the stand today, detailing how we tried to kill her during a hike.

Steve Patterson is at the trial. Yes, I do. A stoic Ariel Konig taking the stand tonight in her husband's attempted murder trial. I'm screaming and he's telling me, shut the fuck up. nobody's nobody's going to hear you out here nobody's coming to save you her testimony haunting at times harrowing i was screaming and so he's covering my mouth and stuff and then we had this moment of like he seems like he takes a deep breath and then he just starts hitting my face and my head with a rock exactly one year ago on her birthday she says her own husband tried to push her off a cliff she was on a

hike in awahu with her husband hawaii anesthesiologist dr gerhard conig when she says his mood suddenly changed. He's on top of me, and he had a syringe in his hand, and he says, hold still. Ariel says she swatted the syringe away as a pair of hikers looked on in horror. Sarah Bucksbaum placed that 911 call. Can you describe seeing the defendant's eyes? It's like a cold, emotionless stare. Unfaithful, unwilling, and untrue. His attorneys say Ariel was engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a man she worked with. You described it to the detective simply as some flirty text messages with a co-worker, correct? That's what it was, sir.

They say she first attacked Koneg. She attacked him, pushed him, and they ended up in a scuff on the ground. He never tried to throw off the cliff. And Ariel Koneg currently being pressed about the couples of relationship under cross-examination, something that could go on for at least another day. Tom. Steve Patterson in Hawaii covering that trial for us. We're back in a moment with Russia launching a massive drone attack on Ukraine.

We'll tell you where. Plus a whole new approach to legroom. Would you pay up to lie down the next time you fly economy? That's ahead. Welcome back. A startling look tonight at Russia launching hundreds of drone attacks in Western Ukraine. You can hear and see the moment one strike hit the center of Lviv, a giant fireball lighting up a building. the 17th century St. Andrew's Church, a UNESCO heritage site, was also damaged.

President Zelensky's saying at least 40 people were injured across the country and that three people there were killed. In Afghanistan, a homecoming 14 months in the making. Today, American Dennis Coil was freed from Taliban captivity. He was detained in January of 2025, accused of violating unspecified laws. His family applauded his release, and you see him here on a jet headed home. Also tonight, travelers flying an economy can get a big upgrade on some long-haul flights. United announcing the new relaxed row that combines three seats into a couch and can convert into a bed as well. The upgrade comes with a mattress pad, pillows, and blankets, and will debut on flights next year.

All right, when we come back tonight, the special gift for a beloved crossing guard, how a group of parents came together to help out when it mattered most. Finally, there's good news tonight about a crossing guard. Rain or shine, she's there looking out for her school kids. Tonight, how those kids' parents looked out for her. This is the moment beloved elementary school crossing guard, Tricia Crawford, is surprised with an SUV all her own. She's used to cars arriving at Moss Haven Elementary in Dallas,

but when this white SUV pulled up, Little did she know she'd be the one driving at home. A surprise from a group of school dads who jumped in to help her out when car trouble meant she couldn't easily get to work. Everybody knows and sees her every single morning. She brings a smile to everyone's face. Several months ago, she had needed car repair work on her vehicle. It turns out her car needed tons of repairs.

And what she really needed was another vehicle. We're like, promise you, we're going to help you out, we're going to get it figured out. And figured out they did, raising thousands of dollars and working with a local car dealership to fix up this SUV. Teaming up to surprise her with the keys to her new rock. I mean, it can be freezing cold, pouring rain. She's always there. For us to be able to do something to give a gesture of our appreciation for everything she does for us,

It was really rewarding. Tricia, enjoy that new ride. 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.