NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Episode Date: October 14, 2026

Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer; New details in fatal roller coaster ride; Kimberly Guilfoyle resigns as Ambassador to Greece; 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, Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing surgery. Part of the American Pope's right lung removed after surgeons planned to take out just a nodule. The reaction coming in from around the world, what doctors are saying about the diagnosis. Also tonight, horrifying new details on that deadly roller coaster accident. A teacher identified as the man killed after being launched from his seat and landing on a haunted house. as six flags shuts down other roller coasters across the country. Plus, she's out. Kimberly Guilfoyle resigning as ambassador to Greece

after the White House requested she stepped down. What the president said today about the woman who was engaged to his son. Actress Selma Blair in court facing charges in that violent in-flight attack, her lawyer's explanation for why she also kicked a police officer in the face and a nurse in the chest. Battle for Alaska, President Trump is there tonight as Republicans try to hold on to their Senate seat. Our team on the ground talking to voters. Rescue at Sea, a cruise passenger discovered alive 20 hours after jumping overboard, how search and rescue teams found her. The Saudi National working for Open AI allegedly caught on camera planting eavesdropping devices.

Cornell University taking new action after an alleged sexual assault at a fraternity. House triggered national outrage. Our series affording America and the growing number of Americans living paycheck to paycheck. The family who says they're doing everything right, but still can't get ahead. The great runaway pumpkin, the towering inflatable, breaking free and barreling towards traffic. And there's good news tonight, the adorable 11-year-old getting a new lease on life after his older brother's life-saving donation. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. We thank you for joining us on this Tuesday night. We want to start with that

breaking news. Pope Leo, the first American to ever lead the Roman Catholic Church, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. With major questions now looming tonight over the Pope's disease at how it will be treated, and whether it will impact his duties, leading the church. These were the scenes earlier today as the Holy Father left the Vatican for surgery to remove a part of his lung. At a hospital in Rome, the pontiff waving to supporters as medical staff greeted him outside. The procedure was announced earlier this week, but it was just hours ago that doctors at this hospital confirmed the lung nodule they removed was indeed cancerous. Now as millions of the faithful pray for the Pope's health,

his recovery just beginning, and big questions about a major trip plan next to the next to the month that is very personal to the Pope. Our Ann Thompson is following all of it. She starts us off tonight. Tonight, the stunning diagnosis for Pope Leo, lung cancer. The Holy Father today arriving at Jameli Hospital in Rome for surgery to remove a nodule from his lung. The Vatican Press Office says the Pope was in the operating room for about three hours. The surgery itself lasted approximately 90 minutes and that the lower lobe of the right lung was removed using a video-assisted technique. The Vatican confirming that while the surgery was successful,

Pope Leo was found to have the most common form of lung cancer. NBC News, Claudio Lavanga, is in Rome. I waited with dozens of journalists from around the world here at the Vatican press office for an update on the surgery, and we learned only later at night that nodule the doctors removed from the Pope's lung is cancerous. Now, the Vatican is trying to keep its message reassuring, saying that the surgery today went according to plan. Tonight, Pope Leo is resting in his hospital room.

His future schedule unclear. Just earlier this year, he had told Tom he was planning a visit to the United States. Will Americans see you soon in America? They will see me there. By coincidence today, we were looking at the calendar for the next couple of years. Nothing is set in stone yet, but I certainly hope to be there soon. Dr. David Jones is a thoracic surgeon. at New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

If he has stage two or three disease, then he will need additional treatment. If it's stage one localized, he will not need additional treatment. The 71-year-old Pope is expected to spend a week recuperating in the hospital. Tonight from Portugal's Our Lady of Fatima Shrine and around the world, prayers for his recovery. And Thompson joins us now on set. And this news comes just before the Pope is set to travel to South America next month for a very personal and ambitious trip. It is, Tom, three countries, 11 days, 14 flights, 40 speeches, 50 events. And one of those events is in Kusko, Peru.

That's two miles above sea level, which could be tough for somebody who's just had lung surgery. We know the world will be praying for Marite. And thank you for that. Back here at home, we're also following new developments in that deadly accident at a Six Flags theme park in Georgia. Georgia. Eyewitnesses describing a man being launched from his seat on a very popular roller coaster. As tonight we learned he was a beloved teacher. Ryan Chandler is there. Tonight, investigations into what went so wrong as a man was thrown to his death from a popular Six Flags ride near Atlanta. The tragedy on the Goliath roller coaster triggering a pause

on nine similar rides in Six Flags Parks nationwide out of an abundance of caution. New details emerging tonight, the victim identified as 42-year-old Hassan Karim. Police telling NBC news, Kareem was at the park with family Monday afternoon. Eyewitnesses recounting his horrifying fall. The Goliath S-Tex flags just launched him in man. Eyewitnesses tell us they watched on in shock as they saw Kareem fall off of the Goliath roller coaster towering over the park here. His fall injuring other riders on the way down before he crashed onto a roof. Kareem tonight remembered as a beloved life partner and educator at Wesley International Academy in Atlanta who taught technology and coached robotics.

The school saying they are heartbroken in that he left a lasting impact on generations of students. Justine Conrad is Kareem's former student, growing up to eventually work alongside him. A very knowledgeable teacher, but also just the common presence that's always there. He was always in the hallways, checking in. And he had the same greeting to me as a student and as a teacher. Just how you doing, a young man, with a nod. Just a really smooth, caring guy for sure. As tonight, so many impacted by Mr. Kareem, remember alive, cut so short.

Ryan Chandler joins us now live. Ryan, I know we have video of what it's like to be on that ride. The big question, how could this man have fallen out of that roller coaster? It is the top question on investigators' minds, Tom. you have seen just how intense this ride is. And I'll say we spoke with people who rode the Goliath just before this tragedy yesterday. They expressed surprise at the nature of the safety mechanism. We also heard from the manufacturer behind the Goliath.

They have one of the best safety records in the business. And tonight they tell us they are working for a better understanding of what transpired. Ryan Chandler, with a lot of new reporting on that story tonight. Ryan, thank you. Now to the Trump administration shakeup, Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, resigning after President Trump pressed her to step down, following allegations she asked a Trump donor to pay off her $100,000 credit card bill.

Here's Gabe Gutierrez. Tonight, in a dramatic shakeup, U.S. ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Gilfoyle is out. Did you speak with Kimberly Gilfoyle personally, and what did she say to you? I didn't speak to her, no, but she will not be there. I didn't like what I read. Gilfoyle's dismissal announced today

by new White House press secretary, Katie Zachariah at her first briefing. We have asked Ambassador Guil to resign. She has been a wonderful asset to the team, and we wish her well. Gilfoyle had been under scrutiny. Over allegations,

she asked Trump donor Eric Dieter's for $100,000 to pay off for American Express bill days before her 2025 confirmation hearing in exchange for access to senior administration officials. She said to me, she would be my ride or die.

Once married to Democrat Gavin Newsom, Donald Trump will never stop fighting for you. Gilfoyle had more recently been engaged to the president's son, Don Jr., before breaking up in 2024. No, she wasn't a member of my family. She, I guess, dated my son a long time ago, but she wasn't know. Gilfoyle today calling her role as ambassador the honor of a lifetime, writing she would be forever grateful to President Trump. But adding, these allegations are false, and I intend to vigorously defend my name, my reputation, and my integrity. Her attorneys saying Dieters owed her $150,000 for speeches and consulting work.

Acclaimed Dieters tells NBC News is a complete lie. According to a source familiar with the matter, Gilfoyle was making calls to allies within the administration as recently as yesterday to fight for her job. But there was concern among senior aides here at the White House about what a State Department Inspector General Probe would find. Tom. Gabe Gutierrez for us, Gabe, thank you. We are learning more tonight about the K. moments on board a flight when actress Selma Blair allegedly attacked flight attendants.

Her lawyer is now presenting her side of the story. Sam Brock has the latest. Tonight, disturbing new details about the accusations leveled that actress Selma Blair, as a crush of cameras, captured her just hours after she was arrested and formally arraigned on assault charges. Yes, sir. Her attorney appearing to wipe Blair's eye, with the prosecutor outlining the allegations. The defendant kicked the officer in the face, the neck, and the chest. Blair pleaded not guilty, and all of it coming after a Delta pilot Sunday called air traffic

control requesting medical attention at JFK. One flight attendant and one passenger that sustained some minor injuries of bloody nose as well as some light marks. Blair was detained, but those assault charges actually stemmed from what happened next highlighted in a criminal affidavit that says on the Rind to the hospital, an officer was securing the defendant on a stretcher. The defendant removed her leg from the stretcher straps and kicked the officer repeatedly. According to the affidavit, at the hospital, she then kicked a registered nurse in the chest, causing substantial pain. Ms. Blair did not get on that plane intending for any of this, Your Honor. Blair's lawyers, explaining the actress missed several doses of her medication controlling severe neurological

symptoms. During the flight, there was an incident where Ms. Blair actually fell and hit her head. These factors, your honor, coupled with the altitude, resulted in a state of severe confusion and disorientation. And Tom, this isn't the first time Blair has been accused of biting someone. In her memoir, she describes biting celebrities like Cade Moss and admitted to having social anxiety. Her next court date is in January.

Tom? Sam, thank you. Now to the growing fallout over those rape allegations at Cornell University. The school tonight announcing it will ban fraternities from holding parties. for the rest of the academic year. The school also announced it would bring an experienced criminal investigator to review any future allegations of sexual misconduct. Okay, we're going to take you to Alaska now where President Trump is tonight,

suddenly finding himself needing to bolster the Republican senator in that very red state. Our Steve Patterson is also there. Tonight, for the first time in years, the last frontier is a midterm battleground. I'm right now going to Alaska to try and help Dan Sullivan. President Trump here tonight to campaign for Republican incumbent senator Dan Sullivan. But Sullivan is in a surprisingly tight race in a state President Trump won by double digits. He's very down to earth. Craig Carter telling us he's backing Sullivan.

He's very blue collar, you can say. If you don't like the president, you're not going to like him. I guess maybe I just happen to like the president. He gets it right most of the time. Sullivan running against Democrat Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman. Lifelong Republican David Traver voted for Trump in 2016, but will now vote for Peltola, saying the GOP did not keep its promises. I think they don't think rationally.

They don't think logically. They have sold their soul to an idea that's flawed, to a man that's flawed. Here in the 49th state, the issue that may decide the election is affordability, where everything from gas to groceries gets higher, the more remote you are. Jeff Estes telling us he's struggling to get by. He's now having to look for alternatives to crude heating oil to heat his home. Is it affecting the way you live? I'm burning wood.

Because it's cheaper. Tonight, he tells us he's still undecided on his vote. Steve joins us now live in Alaska from the president's rally. And Steve, another critical moment in that Senate race is coming up this week. Tom, it is the big debate, the final debate in this race for Senate in just two days. And keep in mind, if control of the Senate comes down to Alaska, it could take some time up to two weeks to count those more rural votes, which may mean a cliffhanger in the last frontier.

Steve Patterson on the campaign trail from Alaska tonight. Steve, thank you. And join us tomorrow night. When we take you on the road to the midterms, we'll be live from Battleground, Michigan, talking to the candidates and voters. When we return tonight in 60 seconds, our series of Fording America, the family,

just like so many, now living paycheck, to paycheck as prices keep rising. Plus, the photos of a Saudi engineer accused of bugging secret meetings at ChatGPT's parent company and going overboard, the rescue 20 hours in the making for the cruise passenger nearly lost at sea. Stay with us. We are back now with our series of Fording America, where we focus on the day-to-day struggles of Americans trying to get by as life grows more and more expensive.

Tonight, the Jensen family who live in Nebraska. They work hard and believe they've done everything right, and yet they still keep falling behind. Christine Romans has their story. I don't know who doesn't feel overwhelmed thinking about how much it costs to live, like even just the bare minimum. Sydney and Mike Jensen thought they were on solid financial footing. I think that we were like a lot of families in that we live paycheck to paycheck.

Good morning. They live a modest life in one. Lincoln, Nebraska. Two kids. I love you, sweetie. A three-bedroom house. Lunch, once a week at Costco, during a grocery run, where the whole family can eat for less than $5. Yep, but you got to keep moving. I make enough money that we should be able to pay our bills. I don't feel like I'm like severely underpaid for what I do. Hey, big dog. Mike works in tech. Sydney teaches ninth grade English. We're spending more for groceries and gas now than I think we ever have. What did you pay the other day?

I swear to you, by our house, it was like $4.80. What? It's crazy. We both have full-time jobs, and yet we are still struggling. Struggling, like 43% of Americans who say they can't afford a $1,000 emergency. When something comes up that's not in our normal budget, that is where we're in trouble. Many things have come up. Her car broke down, and the furnace had to be replaced.

And they said, you shouldn't turn this on. It's not safe. We got quotes from like four or five different companies, and most of them are pretty similar in the $10,000 to $12,000 range. Daycare is at least $2,000 a month. It feels like we're doing the things we're supposed to be to not have to like think to ourselves,

oh, geez, when is, when is our paychecks coming in? Like, when are we, like, are we able to, like, buy eggs this week? Like so many parents, uh-oh. Uh-oh. They say they just want a better life for their kids. I feel like everyone is just, like, a few bad days from being in the same situation that we are,

from going from feeling really good about your finances. And then suddenly some things happen and you're sitting there, like, Where did we go wrong? I feel like we did all the right things. Christine Romans, NBC News. And we thank the Jensen family for sharing their personal story. You can see more of it on NBCNews.com or in the NBC News app. When we return tonight here on Nightly News, the woman rescued nearly a full day after going overboard from a cruise ship. And the great pumpkin chase, stay with us.

We're back now with a major arrest. the man you're seeing here, a Saudi national employee of OpenAI, was charged with planting recording devices inside the company's executive conference room. These are images of those devices which were plugged into a TV in that conference room. And from Greece, this video shows a woman being rescued from the water nearly 24 hours after she went overboard from a cruise ship. You can see her clinging on to a life preserver as she was spotted miles from where she went into the water. Greek officials say she was going to be okay. And watch out for the great pumpkin escape in Kerry, North Carolina. A giant pumpkin made a run for it just ahead of Halloween.

Strong winds blew it away from the farm, carrying it down the street. And into traffic, you can see staff taking off trying to stop it. They eventually did catch it. And tomorrow, nightly news, the biggest pumpkin pie you've ever seen. All right, when we come back, brotherly love, the second line celebration for the little boy who got the gift of life from his brother. Stay with us. Finally, there's good news tonight. An 11-year-old boy beating a rare autoimmune condition.

Now he's not just walking and smiling. He's dancing and doing it all in style. And wait until you hear about his big dreams for the future. These are the moves of a kid who just got a new lease on life. That's 11-year-old Peyton Stewart. Suit on, bow tie ready to go, all dressed up with good reasons. to celebrate. Peyton spent part of his childhood at Manning Family Children's Hospital in New Orleans,

battling a rare autoimmune disorder. When he needed a life-saving bone marrow transplant last year, it was his older brother, AC, who stepped up. The best big brother I can ever ask for. Now, a year later, Peyton is celebrating the transplant success, New Orleans style with a brass band and a traditional second-line dance. All of it alongside the hospital staff who got him to this moment. They saved my life.

To see him with his strength back and happy and smiling, it was, man, it's unexplainable. It's unexplainable. Now he's Ray to get back to what he loves, shooting hoops and being a kid chasing big dreams. I get to look forward to being home, playing basketball, and following my dreams, including becoming the future. of Manning Family Children's Hospital. Only after my NBA career. Peyton, we'll see you in the boardroom and on the court. That's nightly news for this Tuesday.

I'm Tom Yamas. Thank you so much for watching tonight and always. We're here for you. Good night.