NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Episode Date: June 11, 2026

U.S. launches "self defense" strikes on Iran after Apache helicopter shot down; Bill Gates grilled by lawmakers over Epstein ties; High security for NBA game after clashes; 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 as we come on the air, the U.S. launching major new strikes inside of Iran with possibly more on the way tonight. The U.S. military saying new strikes have just begun against multiple targets inside of Iran. Plus, the president's secret plan to move oil through the straight of Ormuz. Also tonight, prices surging the war of driving inflation to its highest rate in years. Why, the president said today, he loves the inflation. numbers. Bombshell new testimony from Bill Gates, the billionaire, now accusing Jeffrey Epstein of blackmailing him over his extramarital affairs. Parts of New York on lockdown due to those violent clashes, in one case, Nix fans beating a spurs fan into the ground. The new security

measures tonight swept away, chopper searching for a missing little girl, a rip current, pushing her family out to sea as monster waves pounds southern California. severe storm threat, the multi-day threat targeting tens of millions. Al Roker tonight, timing it out. Belfast burning, violence erupting in Northern Ireland right now. Police firing water cannons on protesters, cars and buildings torched last night, the horrific knife attack that set it all off. The chilling video from Chicago, a burning cross in the heart of the city. The image just released of the man possibly behind it. Pope Leo blessing the tallest church in the world more than a century in the making.

Remarkable rescue how this dog was saved after hours stranded on a kayak out at sea. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. It is great to be with you tonight. We begin with a potentially major escalation with Iran as Americans battle the highest inflation numbers in years driven by the war. Moments ago, the military announcing new strikes on Iran saying they're hitting multiple targets right now. The president vowing to hit the country hard after a U.S. helicopter was down and as peace talks stalled out, it's already been a violent

24 hours that saw the U.S. and Iran trade attacks, plus this strike on an oil tanker that tried to break the U.S. blockade of Iranian's ports. The war and the virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz driving inflation. Look at this to more than 4%. Higher than it's been since 2023. Gas prices now 40% higher than before the war began. And Democrats hitting the president hard tonight after he said he's okay with those inflation numbers for now. NBC's Gabe Gutierrez has the latest and starts us off tonight. Tonight, the U.S. striking back, launching what it calls more self-defense strikes in response to Iran's unwarranted and continued aggression. Central Command will be busy tonight.

After President Trump said the Iranian regime must pay the price for dragging out nuclear talks and shooting down a U.S. Apache helicopter in the middle of a ceasefire. We hit them hard yesterday and we're going to hit them again hard today in case you miss it in case you don't turn on your television set. NBC's Garrett Hake pressing the president. You resuming bombing? Yeah, well, we are based on the helicopter. I guess we have the right to do that.

A U.S. official says that American helicopter was flying over the Strait of Hormuz this week when it was hit by an Iranian drone. Two pilots survived, rescued by a U.S. Navy drone boat like this one. Got very lucky that bomb didn't explode. That bomb was lodged in a helicopter. It didn't explode. It was on fire, but it didn't explode. In response, a U.S. official says the American military struck about 20 targets inside Iran. It all comes as the president downplays new data that shows inflation. surged to the highest level since early 2023, 4.2% as the Iran conflict sent gas prices higher,

but other costs like food and grocery prices did not spike. The numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation. You know why? Because as soon as this war is over, you know, I can say it now. Something you didn't know. Do you know we've been taking out millions of barrels of oil. Democrats slamming the news. Trumpflation is getting worse. and worse. While the president says he's keeping energy prices lower through a secret mission, helping tankers with more than a hundred million barrels of oil get through the Strait of Hormuz and avoid Iranian attacks. You know who doesn't know about it? Iran until right now.

We took out the other night, 22 ships, late at night with no lights, because they don't have any radar because we blasted the crap out of it. Let's pick it up right there. Gabe, you're getting new reports tonight about the latest U.S. strikes? Yes, Tom. Central Command says U.S. forces are striking multiple targets. Iranian State TV says a location in southern Iran near the Strait of Hormuz has been hit at least five times. Tom? Gabe, thank you. We're going to stay in Washington because Bill Gates faced a grilling on Capitol Hill over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Gates now saying he was being blackmailed by the notorious sex offender. Here's Hallie Jackson. Billionaire Bill Gates leaving Capitol Hill tonight after accusing Jeffrey Epstein of blackmailing him.

The Microsoft co-founder grilled by lawmakers over his ties to the notorious sex offender. I hope my testimony is helpful to the important work of the committee to find justice for the victims. Gates, who appears thousands of times in the DOJ's Epstein files, including in photos alongside women, says he met Epstein in 2011 to help raise money for his global health charities. Gates is referenced in emails Epstein appears. who have drafted to himself in 2013, suggesting he helped Bill get drugs after sex with Russian girls. Allegations Gates has denied. The Microsoft co-founder today telling lawmakers he cut off Epstein when it became clear his philanthropic pledges were a dead end, but says Epstein became aware of

his extramarital affairs and, in his words, was working to use information about my infidelities, in addition to many lies that he layered on top, to pressure me to re-engage with him. Gates says he never witnessed nor had any indication that Epstein was engaged in ongoing criminal conduct and never victimized anyone. He's not been accused of criminal wrongdoing. Gates's interactions with Epstein began years after a controversial sweetheart deal in which Epstein served just 13 months, including work release, on Florida charges, including soliciting minors for prostitution. Gates saying he should never have met with Epstein in the first place. Obviously, I think we would agree was a horrific judgment call. The Gates Foundation, now doing its own.

investigation, and those in Gates' orbit, unable to escape headlines about him, including his ex-wife, Melinda. Brings back memories of some very, very painful times in my marriage. And, Hallie, there's word tonight that Bill Gates has actually hired an attorney who used to work for that very same House oversight committee? That's right, Tom. Not just any attorney from that committee. Gates has brought on their former top investigator on Epstein Matters, according to two people

familiar at the arrangement, have told the... New York Times. We reached out for any comment, but so far have not heard back. Tom. Hallie Jackson for us tonight, Hallie, we thank you. Tonight, parts of New York City are under lockdown. Why? Violence broke out earlier this week after the Nick Spurs finals game. Sam Brock is outside Madison Square Garden with the latest. Stortling scenes in New York City that some fear could play out again tonight after Monday's NBA finals game was undercut by fist flying. and chaotic clashes. A rowdy and destructive crowd,

tangling with police, five officers even injured after San Antonio's win. This man, according to the NYPD, just walking to his hotel in Midtown. When a group of men scream about his jersey, then proceed to start pushing and shoving him, before the 39-year-old victim,

trying to defend himself, ends up being punched and kicked on the ground. Police say they forcibly, removed his basketball jersey, then fled. The NYPD is investigating. Tonight, the basketball world and its biggest stars reacting. We're just playing a game out there. I am all for, you know, passion, but to the respect of, to the respect of each other, it's unacceptable. We're all people at the end of the day. We've got to respect each other, you know, as such. We've got to treat each other how we want to be treated. Fans echoing that sentiment. The majority of fans know that that is not

New York. We want to win and we want to be here the next day to celebrate. New York's mayor, Zeran Mamdani, blasting the behavior as the city locks down six blocks again, the same blueprint used for President Trump, all of it. As New York, New Jersey officials balanced security for the Global World Cup and perhaps another Knicks game next week. And Sam joins us now live. Sam, there's a turf war between the mayor and Madison Square Garden about fan safety? Yeah, look, Tom, there is no tension between New York's mayor, Zeran, Momdani,

and the owner of the Knicks James Dolan, who just hours before tip-off canceled the MSG watch party. The Tom was supposed to be right down there around the corner. He is concerned about this enlarged, secure zone that includes barricades, police officers, magnetometers, and giant sanitation trucks down there preventing anyone who wants to from getting anywhere close to Madison Square Guard. Tom? That massive watch party now canceled in Manhattan. All right, Sam, we thank you for that. Here in Southern California, there's an all-out search and rescue mission to find a little girl still missing after she and two family members were swept out to see.

Two of them were rescued, but now there's a desperate race to find her. Steve Patterson is following this one. Tonight, the desperate search for any sign of a child swept away by a vicious surge of life-threatening surf. Rescue workers scouring every inch of the Orange County coastline by air, by land, by sea. Part of the focus on this slice of Treasure Island Beach, where officials say a mother and her two children were pulled into the ocean by powerful rip currents Tuesday night. Bystanders jumping into action, rescuing the woman in one of her children, the other, her daughter, tragically still missing. As a parent, you don't ever want to see a young person in peril. You don't want to see anybody in peril. The search sparked by a historic southern swell, sending a maelstrom of massive waves from 8 to 10 to 10.

he's tall as 20 feet bashing against the California coast. Well, this is like one of the biggest swells in 15 years. There's a lot of guys out, but a lot of them, it's probably a little overwhelming for them because they've never seen surf of this size. And you can feel the power of this surf by the beach. Officials warning swimmers, surfers, beachgoers to stay well away until some of this dies down. Please know that when you come to the beach, that you need to understand your abilities. And if you're not an expert, you need to stay out of the water.

And Tom, we just spoke to officials who say this now expanded search could last through the night. They haven't found anything yet, but the community here isn't giving up hope. Tom. We hope they find her. All right, Steve Patterson for us. A major storm is pounding the Midwest and Northeast right now. Look at this funnel cloud captured streaking across Missouri and trees are down across Chicago from powerful straight line winds. Al Roker joins us down, Al, these storms are far from over.

Oh, absolutely, Tom. In fact, we are looking at severe weather, severe thunderstorm warnings, tornado watches and warnings. Chicago's O'Hare Airport right now. Big airport delays and cancellations. 42 million people at risk from Duluth to Kansas City. Damaging winds, hail, but also EF2 tornadoes from Green Bay, Chicago, down to Kansas City, all possible.

Tomorrow, Detroit, Chicago, Davenport, 92 million people at risk. and Chicago, Grand Rapids, Peoria, Brockford, Illinois, Milwaukee, all possibility of tornadoes. That moves into the Northeast on Friday. Damaging winds, 61 million people at risk. And we've got record-setting temperatures going into Friday, Tom, with temperatures in the 80s, 90s, and it feels like temperatures in the triple digits throughout much of the region. Tom? Summer's here.

All right, Al, we thank you. We want to take you overseas now to Northern Ireland, where it's getting very violent. as rioters clash with police in Belfast, outraged over a brutal knife attack there, allegedly committed by an immigrant. Kier Simmons has more. Tonight, police firing water cannons against rioters as they threw projectiles back.

A new evening of more violence exploding in Northern Ireland. Protesters building a blockade. Homes and vehicles set on fire this week. Here, a bus ablaze in Belfast. Just violence. up on balance. Like my number's house was set on fire. Families forced to evacuate to safety as flames ravaged their street.

Violence erupting in parts of Northern Ireland after a knife attack that left the victim with multiple injuries, including losing an eye. Video of the stabbing shared online. The blurring was not added by NBC News. The man under arrest, originally from Sudan, claimed asylum in the UK in 23, according to police in Belfast. The attack comes amid escalating tension over immigration across Europe. Elon Musk writing on X this week only by protesting repeatedly and loudly will there be any change.

And the Prime Minister urging politicians not to fuel the unrest. Nobody who's a politician should be whipping up division and hatred. The devastated victim's family is hearing a statement saying in part peaceful protest is the only way forward. Kier Simmons, NBC News. It's the most famous ongoing construction project in the world, 140 years and counting. Today, Pope Leo was there to bless the Sagrada Familia Church in Barcelona, finally on the verge of completion. Now the tallest in the world, Molly Hunter, is there.

It's a spectacular vision day or night. The Sagrada Familia towering above Barcelona. welcoming Pope Leo. Today marks 100 years since the death of visionary architect Anthony Gowdy. And 144 years after construction began, it's finally on the verge of completion. The final spire now making it the tallest church in the world. Tonight, the newly completed tower of Jesus Christ,

blessed by the American Pope, 120,000 people filling the streets. Unbelievable. Like breathtaking. Words can't describe. And a finale, even Gowdy couldn't have imagined. Fireworks illuminating the sky. A drone show with Gowdy's face. A dramatic way to mark a symbolic milestone for a global icon.

A symbolic milestone, because there is still work to be done. The basilica may not be truly completed until 2034. The Pope wraps up this Spanish trip in the Canary Islands this week. Tom. Still a little bit of work to do, but still an incredible sight. All right, Molly, when we return in 60 seconds, the chilling images from Chicago, across on fire in a popular park. The investigation underway tonight to find who said it.

This scene had a fast and furious why cops cracked down on dozens of cars in an L.A. Canal and a sea dog rescued. Take a look at this, how the Coast Guard found this blown off course more than two miles. Stay with us. We're back with a disturbing video of a burning cross right in the heart of Chicago. And now authorities releasing an image of a person fleeing the area. Shaquille Brewster is at the scene. Whoa.

This chilling scene caught on camera in downtown Chicago. You're kidding me. You see what clearly looks like a cross engulfed in flames. In 2026, we are burning crosses. Chicago police tonight releasing this image of a person they say was seen fleeing. the scene as the FBI confirms it's investigating. A burning cross is a hate symbol historically used by groups like the KKK and has been prosecuted as a federal hate crime. On the street, you see some obvious scarring. Some leaves do appear to be burned as well. Police saying no injuries were reported,

but they are investigating the motive and circumstances around this incident. The mayor's office saying hate has no place in our city. We're just like dumbfounded. The scene shocking Chicago resident and Lena Carlton, who was driving through the city's Grant Park, known for its big festivals in former President Obama's 2008 victory speech. This was something I've only heard about in school and seen in black and white videos. Residents walking through the area today, shaken. But like looking at that, what do you see? It just makes me sad and kind of angry at the same time.

And now one Southside church offering a $10,000 reward, hoping to track down the person responsible for this unsettling scene. Shaquille Brewster, NBC News, Chicago. And when we return here in nightly news, the wild body cam, the moment police found a suspect hiding inside an AC unit. That's next.

Back now with a massive raid right here in Los Angeles, police impounding 72 cars. You can see them driving along the Los Angeles River for a meetup. Some even driving through the water. 85 people were arrested in this and some high-end cars on flat. bed's being impounded you see here. And in Florida, deputies serving a warrant at a suspect's home,

find him in an unlikely place. Take a look at this. Watch their body cam as they open a vent and find him hiding inside an air conditioning unit. He crawls out, and once he does, you know it, he gets arrested. The suspect had failed to appear in court on grand theft charges and more. It seemed pretty happy to be arrested. And a tender reunion caught on camera, a boat tour in England and finding Bruce the Alessation stranded on a sea kayak. He was blown out to sea while paddling with his owners, poor guy, about two miles away. The tour boat crew brings him aboard and dries him off, likely saving his life. Nice job there.

That's nightly news for this Wednesday. I'm Tom Yamas reporting tonight from Los Angeles. We thank you so much for watching. Tonight and always we're here for you. Good night.