NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Episode Date: April 9, 2026

Ceasefire between Iran and the U.S. fragile amid continued strikes; Stock market rebounds, oil prices drop following ceasefire; Husband of missing American woman in Bahamas speaks out; 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 ceasefire chaos and confusion. New fighting today putting the fragile ceasefire plan in jeopardy as Vice President J.D. Vance prepares to lead the peace talks. Israel launching major strikes targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon. Hundreds killed. Rescuers searching for people in the rubble. Iran says that violates the ceasefire. Are they now closing off the Strait of Hormuz? Are Kyr-Simmons in Saudi Arabia where missiles are still raining down? And new Dede, on who else will lead the peace negotiations. Plus, the stock market surging and oil prices plunging over the ceasefire plan. When will gas prices come down?

The search intensifying for the mother who went overboard while outboating with her husband in the Bahamas. You'll hear the voicemail he left for his stepdaughter after she vanished. The stunning courtroom confession from the Gilgo Beach killer, Rex Heurman admitting to eight murders, including one victim, he was never charged with, what he said in court. Massive warehouse inferno and the video that appears to show an employee setting it on fire as he complained about low pay.

Midair scared the plane door busting open shortly after takeoff, passengers fearing they'd be sucked out what happened next. Terrifying video capturing the moment a school bus filled with children is clipped by a train why that bus driver is now facing charges. Ketamine Queen sentencing, the woman who sold the fatal dose of drugs to beloved actor Matthew Perry, facing more than a decade behind bars. New video of a twister touching down just north of Miami, sending this play set flying and destroying the backyard. And there's good news tonight, the plane full of people helping this two-year-old celebrate a major medical milestone.

The moving messages they wrote him. Nightly news starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. We begin tonight as the day-old U.S. Iran ceasefire appears to be teetering on the edge, with new fighting today threatening to blow up the temporary pause in the war. These were the scenes today, Israel's military striking blow after blow in Lebanon, as it says it's targeting Hezbollah militants there. This air strike sending debris soaring into the air over Beirut.

And rescuers in a desperate search for survivors, the government there saying hundreds have been killed, and now Iran claims that's a violation of the ceasefire. And there are questions tonight about whether the street of Hormuz is open or not. Despite that, we are seeing economic optimism here at home. The price of oil, with its biggest drop in years with the hope gas prices will follow. And look at this. The stock market today exploded, the Dow having its best day in a year. And tonight we know the vice president is heading to Pakistan for negotiations as the world holds its breath to see if this fragile ceasefire becomes lasting peace. Our team stretching from the White House to Wall Street to Saudi Arabia, we start things off with Gabe Gutierrez.

Tonight, the ceasefire is under fire amid confusion over what the U.S., Israel and Iran have actually agreed to. Israel today launching its biggest attacks yet against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon. The country's civil defense saying at least 254 people were killed and more than 1100 wounded. Israel and the U.S. say the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, but Iran disagrees and now says it shut down the Strait of Hormuz yet again in retaliation. What's the right of White House response to that? That is completely unacceptable. And again, this is a case of what they're saying publicly is different privately. We have seen an uptick of traffic in the straight today. According to the tracking firm, marine traffic, at least three ships have passed through the straits since the ceasefire began.

Four oil tankers are there right now, but none seem to be moving. Throughout the war, Iran has been charging ships that passed through the crucial waterway, but it's not clear whether the U.S. will allow those tolls to continue. That's not something we've said that we've definitively accepted. Still, the president today floating the idea of a potential joint venture between the U.S. and Iran to collect the tolls. The joint venture is something that was proposed by the president, but he was very clear in his statement last night. He wants to see the straight reopened immediately without limitation. The Trump administration touting its success in killing Iran's leadership, destroying its navy, and setting back its nuclear program.

Operation Epic Fury was a historic and overwhelming victory on the battlefield. A capital V military victory. But adding to the uncertainty, Persian Gulf countries reporting dozens of Iranian missile and drone attacks since the ceasefire began. NBC's Keir Simmons is in Saudi Arabia. Iran attacked oil infrastructure here in Saudi Arabia again today. And Bahrain, just across the water there, has been bombarded during this war. Tonight, Iranian strikes, even after the ceasefire, angering America's Arab allies. The White House now saying Vice President Vance will lead a U.S. delegation to Pakistan this weekend for in-person talks with Iran. Iran wants to let this negotiation fall apart in a conflict where they were getting hammered over

Lebanon, which has nothing to do with them and which the United States never once said was part of the ceasefire. That's ultimately their choice. We think that would be dumb, but that's their choice. All right, Gabe joins us now from the White House. Gabe, looking ahead to those critical talks this weekend in Pakistan, walk our viewers through some of the key sticking points. Well, Tom, the U.S. and Iran still seem to be far apart on several issues. Among them, who will ultimately control the Strait of Ormuse and whether Iran will hand over its enriched uranium. Today, Defense Secretary Pete Hexas said the U.S. military would go into Iran and take it if necessary. Tom. All right, Gabe. Thank you. Despite that uncertainty, the ceasefire led to a huge rally on Wall Street

today with oil prices plunging. But the big question tonight, when will you see some relief at the pump? Here's Brian Chung. Wall Street bouncing back big today after the de-escalation of the war with Iran. The Dow Jones having its best day since last spring as oil prices plunged by 16%, the largest drop since 2020. At the pump prices are still sky high, averaging $4.16. I think it's getting pretty ridiculous, honestly. It's affecting, you know, every part of my life, the people in my life, and I think it needs to come down. But the dip in oil prices means relief could be on the way. Experts say prices could fall below $4 a gallon in a week or two.

But oil analyst Samantha Gross says they likely won't drop back below $3 a gallon for a while. We'll also be missing supply that was damaged during the conflict. So I don't see those pre-war prices coming back anytime soon. It's not just gas. Prices on other things could stay elevated a while too, even if the ceasefire holds. Fertilizer costs are up, which could impact food prices, and airlines have raised bag fees as fuel costs have soared. today joining other airlines in charging $9 to $10 more for bags, as Delta says the ceasefire

won't undo higher jet fuel costs. The reality is that it's a very volatile situation. We know we're going to be higher for longer. It all hinges on the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world's oil travels through. If we get to a negotiated solution that more permanently opens the Strait of Hormuz, then I would expect to see prices really come down. Gross also says it could take months. not years for badly damaged energy facilities in the region to rebuild,

meaning even with some potential relief at the pump soon, the impacts of this war could last for a while longer. And Brian Chung joins us now live in studio. So Brian, the big question here, when will more ships start passing through the straight-up Formos? Yeah, well, Tom, ships aren't too eager to take the risk quite yet. We heard from Maris. This is a major shipping company around the world,

and this hit that the ceasefire quote does not yet provide full maritime certainty and Lloyds, which is a company that ensures ships, making that type of passage, said it pretty plainly. They said it's highly unlikely trade will simply resume Tom. Okay, Brian, we'll be watching, though. The search for a missing American woman in the Bahamas is now intensifying. And tonight, we're hearing from her husband who was alone on a boat with her when she vanished. George Solis is there for us and has this late detail. Tonight, new clues in the search for an American woman who vanished at sea in the Bahamas. 55-year-old Lynette Hooker was on a boat ride with her husband Brian when she went missing.

Lynette's daughter Carly sharing this voicemail with NBC News, which she says is from her stepfather. And they have found a flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard. And so they haven't found her yet, but they can now focus all of their efforts in a smaller area. Brian telling investigators the two left Hopetown for Elbow Key at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday when Lynette later fell from their eight-foot dingy. According to police, he says she was swept away, taking the boat's only key with her and forcing him to paddle for hours towards Marsh Harbor, reporting her missing around 4 a.m. Brian writing on Facebook, he is heartbroken, adding, despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart, we continue to search for her, and that is my sole focus.

A marine forecast from that day indicating strong winds and rough seas at the time Lynette went overboard, but Lynette's daughter now raising serious questions about the couple's history, revealing they had a volatile relationship. They have history of not getting along, especially when they drink. The couple were avid sailors who documented their travels on social media. The search now in its fourth day, but so far, there is still no sign of Lynette.

All right, George Solis joins us now live from the Bahamas. Brian Hooker said he paddled to shore for hours. You're standing where he eventually landed. What are you learning about that journey? Yeah, Tom, authority is saying, he paddled to this marino right here. No sign of him here today. Locals that know this harbor well say the waters here actually aren't that deep, about five feet across some stretches and a strong enough swimmer could make it to safety. Tom? Okay, George Solis, George, thank you. To Long Island

now in the major developments in the Gilgo Beach murders, the prime suspect now admitting to killing eight women there, including one he wasn't even charged with. Emily Aketa was in court. wearing a black suit and white button up the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer making a stunning admission before a packed courtroom are you cleaning yes sixty two year old Rex Heuerman pled guilty to the murders of seven women and admitted to an uncharged eighth killing of Karen Vergata all strangled and dumped in remote parts of Long Island from 1993 to 2010 long awaited answers for victims families Through every year, every setback, every unanswered question, I carried you with me. And I kept that promise. And today it has been done. Investigators cracked the case through cell phone data and DNA from a trashed pizza crust,

arrested Huberman in 2023. At his Massapeco Park home, investigators found nearly 280 guns, magazines covering the Gilgo Beach murders, and a disturbing document to plan out his kills. His attorney called today's guilty plea a relief for Heurman. He certainly wanted to save the families of the victims, the ordeal of going to trial, and coupled with saving his family that ordeal. His now ex-wife and daughter who were at court today are the targets of a wrongful death lawsuit, alleging they must have known what was happening.

Their attorney says they had no knowledge or connection to the crimes. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Their loss is immeasurable. Rex Eurman is set to spend the rest of his life behind bars and has agreed to cooperate with the FBI's behavioral analysis unit. Tom? All right, Emily Aketa, we thank you. We have new details on a massive California warehouse fire.

Tonight, there is new video that appears to show the moments an employee starts the fire deliberately inside the Kimberly Clark facility. Aaron McLaughlin has more. Tonight, police say this massive warehouse fire was allegedly the work of a disgruntled employee. Stunning new video appears to show the start of the fire. In the footage posted to social media, you hear someone say,

all you had to do was pay us enough to live, as stacks of toilet paper burned. All you had to do was pay us enough to live. There goes your inventory. Last night, police announced the arrest of Chameel Abdul-Kareem, on suspicion of multiple felony arson-related charges. Adding the 29-year-old is an employee of NFI industry, a third-party distributor for Kimberly Clark, the company known for manufacturing paper-based personal care and hygiene products.

We can confirm that he was on scene of the fire at the time that it started, yes. In a statement, police say they can't comment on specifics but are aware of this video, adding they will be utilizing any evidence for the investigation. According to fire officials, the blaze broke out in the early morning hours of yesterday in Ontario, California. Flame shot up in back of nearby homes as the fire. tore through the approximately million square foot warehouse. Definitely it was uncharacteristic fire. It definitely pushed our firefighters into that defensive operation.

And that was one indication that it could possibly be an arson of nature. In a statement, Kimberly Clark said no one was injured and all workers were safely evacuated. Karim has yet to be formally charged and is being held without bail. Aaron McLaughlin, NBC News. All right, now to the mid-air emergency on a flight to Boston. captured on camera, the main cabin door suddenly flying open, leaving passengers staring out at the open sky. Sam Brock picks it up from there.

Eight passengers on board a Cape Air Flight to Boston, suddenly staring at open sky after the main cabin door partially gave way mid-flight. Probably 10 minutes in. We heard like a pop. It was half the window. There's two halves. Like there's the bottom half on top and the top flipped open. The bottom half was still.

there. Sheila Fee and Elizabeth Fuller say they noticed an issue with the door before takeoff. It was like not snapping into place and then again. And then we were like, I think the chain might be in the way. Then when the door flipped open, they say they heard the roar of the wind. Fuller capturing the view outside the window. It was a little shocking for a minute. But then you realize, wait a minute, I'm not sucked out of the plane, so we're good. The women credit the pilot with keeping passengers calm. Cape Air said in a statement the Cessna plane has been taken out of service, and the FAA says it's investigating. As for the sisters, they went right back up in the air, and this time the door stayed shut. You guys went back and got on another Cape Air flight,

like how much longer after this happened? Like an hour and hour and a half for the plane to get there. And she was the same pilot. Yes, which was good. It was like, we felt good about it. Sam Brock, NBC News. All right, when we return in 60 seconds, the train. The train, hitting a school bus. The frightening moments for kids aboard and the charges the driver now faces. We're back now with this disturbing video, a school bus full of kids clipped by a fast-moving train. Now the driver's facing dozens of charges. Here's Jesse Kirsch. These are the frantic moments. A school bus filled with children narrowly avoids a direct hit from a passing train in central Florida. Watch again. You can hear what appears to be a child sobbing

as the train flies by. And from this vantage point moments earlier, you can see the bus crawling forward, trying to get out of the way. The bus driver made poor decisions that could have resulted in the death of 29 children and one adult. With 29 children and one man on board her school bus last week, investigators say driver Yvonne Hampton

went over the train tracks after crossing arms started going down with warning bells ringing. The bus is on board audio and video system, according to investigators catching Hampton spontaneously uttering not going to stop for no train. Then a child yells, there is a train coming. The train crashes into the bus, remarkably only appearing to graze the back end. So I thought we were completely going to just get demolished. It had to be six inches away from us.

The Sumter County Sheriff's Office's no serious injuries were reported. Hampton now faces more than 30 charges, including 29 counts of child neglect. Late yesterday, the 67-year-old bonded out of jail hiding her face, leaving many questions unanswered. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News. And we're back in a moment with the major prison sentence just announced in the overdose death of Matthew Perry. We're back now with the sentencing for one of the main players in the overdose deaths of Friendstar Matthew Perry. Today, a federal judge handing the woman known as the ketamine queen 15 years in prison. Jasmine Sange up pleaded guilty to five federal charges, including illegally selling Perry the ketamine that killed him.

Also tonight in Florida, an EF Zero tornado touchdown in Miami-Dade video capturing this backyard roof tearing off and a swing set, and all that patio furniture blowing over as heavy winds up to 85 miles ripped per hour, ripped through the neighborhoods. In Thailand, watches a high-end boat explodes on camera, the ship was docked in Pouquet. People on board scrambling to jump off, one even, leaping into the water to escape, no word yet on what caused the explosion. When we come back tonight, the two-year-old floating on air after beating cancer, how a plane full of passengers made sure he had a flight he would never forget. Finally, there's good news tonight. The moment a two-year-old celebrated a major medical milestone with a little help from a plane full of strangers.

It wasn't your typical pre-flight announcement, a Southwest flight crew celebrating a very special two-year-old named Cruz. The journey to this moment starting well before this flight. Last year, Cruz was diagnosed with stage four cancer. His family traveling from San Diego to New York City for months of treatment. Finally headed home, the flight crew urging everyone on board to mark the moment. Passenger after passing, passenger passing notes on napkins filled with words of congratulations and hope.

You did it, Cruz. Congrats. You are so strong. Way to fight. The emotions kind of all hit at that moment. It was a long journey. Mom, Alisa and Dad Miguel say it was a gesture of kindness. They'll never forget.

He felt recognized. He was excited. He said, he's like, I'm strong. They're talking about me. I'm strong. That strength carrying Cruz through one of life's toughest battles. now ready for takeoff into a brighter future. All right, that does it for us.

That's nightly news for this Wednesday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching tonight. And always, we're here for you. Good night.