NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Episode Date: March 26, 2026

Iran rejects Trump’s peace proposal; Air Canada plane removed from LaGuardia runway; TSA warns shutdown might lead to airport closures; 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 tonight the new warning from the head of the TSA that airports may need to close if the funding crisis isn't resolved soon. The agency's leader saying these are the worst TSA lines in history. More hours-long waits today as the deal on Capitol Hill to resolve it falls apart. Is there any end in sight? Also breaking right now the mangled wreckage of that plane at LaGuardia just removed from the runway and the fire truck turned upright. A second landmark social media verdict today, meta and YouTube found negligent for failing to keep children safe

from being addicted to their apps. Parents celebrating as the decision came in, could it open the floodgates for other cases? New explosions across the Middle East as Iran appears to reject President Trump's 15-point plan to end the war. And could the president's new trip to China, signal a new clue on the war's timeline. Plus the announcement from the U.S. Postal Service,

the surcharge they're about to add due to those high gas prices. Savannah's gut-wrenching first interview since her mom's abduction, her powerful words about the agony she and her family are facing, describing how she wakes up every night imagining her mother's terror. Her plea to anyone with information tonight. Shocking new body cam video of the wife in Hawaii. Hawaii, moments after she said her husband tried to kill her on a hike. You'll hear what she told officers when they arrived on the scene. Bizarre kidnapping arrest, a mother accused of abducting an 11-year-old

who she claims bullied her daughter how she's defending her actions tonight. A moment we've never seen before at the White House, the humanoid robot walking side by side with the First Lady. And there's good news tonight, a heartwarming surprise for a sixth grade teacher marking a major milestone in her fight against cancer. Nightly News starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. We begin tonight again with the travel nightmares unfolding at airports across the country and the new big warning from the head of the TSA. If her agency isn't funded soon, some airports may need.

to close down entirely. And look at this, some of what officials today are calling the worst lines in TSA history, from New York to Atlanta to Houston. And yesterday we reported on optimism on Capitol Hill that a deal to end the crisis was close. But today, that optimism has collapsed, with the two sides, once again, far apart, meaning it could be a while before we stop seeing scenes just like this. And all of it could get even worse with Easter and the peak of the spring break travel

season just around the corner. And tonight we're learning about the desperation of those TSA officers as they go without paychecks, some taking on second jobs, sleeping in their cars, even selling blood and plasma. Our Ryan Nobles is following it all tonight from Capitol Hill. Tonight, TSA saying travelers are facing the worst security lines in the agency's history. Massive backups from Houston to New York to Atlanta. And warning, small airports might have to close. We are being forced to consolidate lanes and may have to close smaller airports if we do not have enough officers. And now the gridlock stretching to Capitol Hill, with lawmakers still at an impasse over restoring funding for the Department of Homeland Security to get TSA officers paid

and back to work as we enter the height of the spring break travel season. I'd vote to open up TSA right now. I mean, I don't care how we'd do this. One at a time, five at a time. I don't care. We need to I just shut them out. We need to get them reopened. Republicans have offered a plan to restore the vast majority of the department's budget, including TSA, and offered to put off funding for ICE immigration enforcement for later negotiations. But Democrats saying no without changes at ICE like banning masks. What is it that you want to see in these negotiations? I would like to see the reforms to ICE that have been discussed.

Tonight, Democrats making a counteroffer that would restore funding while making changes at ice. But Republicans have already rejected their proposal. As 40 days into the shutdown, the chaos is growing. NBC's Priscilla Thompson is in Houston. Here at Bush Intercontinental, DHS is helping with crowd control. There are only two terminals with general security checkpoints open here. Some passengers moving between them, hoping for shorter lines and still finding an hours long wait. How early did you arrive? We got here about 10 o'clock? Oh, it's about 945 for a 2 o'clock flight. More than 11% of TSA workers called out yesterday. The average is 2%.

And Ryan, back to your reporting from Capitol Hill. We're seeing more signs that this shutdown is not going to end anytime soon. Yeah, that's right, Tom. Republicans say that the Democratic counterproposal contain nothing new, so they're not even going to offer a response, a sign of just how entrenched these two sides are with a two-week congressional recess looming. Tom. Ryan Noble's leading us off.

There's also some break. news to get to tonight following that deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport that claimed the lives of two pilots when an Air Canada Express jet crashed right into a fire truck. NBC Sam Brock has been covering the crash and joins us tonight from LaGuardia. Sam, we can see that plane is now no longer just there behind you. Tom, that's right. There was an imperative to move the plane from the runway so they can get LaGuardia running again back at full capacity. And as you can see, it's no longer there. This is video sped up from just moments ago where crews were physically moving that plane from the horrific crash site over to a nearby hangar. Now Air Canada says that once it's

secured in the hangar, they can begin the process, Tom, of reuniting passengers with their bags and their belongings. While at the same time, that fire truck earlier today was also pulled upright. Once it is, you will see there, just a giant cavernous hole in the middle, incredibly reflective of how powerful the crash impact truly was. Now the NTSP, guys, still has access to the pieces and to the plane itself. That portion, the physical portion of the investigation continues. This is the airlines also says that four passengers and crew members are now remaining in the hospital. Tom, back to you. All right, Sam, Brock, with that big update. Sam, we thank you. This is also breaking tonight, a major court ruling today with massive implications for social media companies in America.

a jury ruling that meta and YouTube were deliberately addictive to a minor. Laura Jared has our story. Oh, my God. Families crying tears of joy outside a Los Angeles courthouse today after a jury returned a historic verdict against tech giants, meta, and YouTube. Big tech, your gig is over. In a first of its kind case surrounding the question, are social media platforms dangerous for minors?

The jury finding meta, the parent company of Instagram, and YouTube negligent in designing their platforms to be addictive. A now 20-year-old woman who says she developed depression and anxiety from using social media as a kid awarded $6 million in damages. Parents and attorneys celebrating the landmark win. We've sent a message with this that you will be held accountable for the features. Internal company records on full display over the course of this five-week trial. some suggesting Instagram wanted to maximize the time kids spend on the app. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the jury the company's goals changed over time, emphasizing its newer safety features for teens.

But grieving parents who say they lost children to the dark side of social media huddled over a phone watching today's verdict come in. For many, this trial has served as a referendum on what they see as the dangerous and addictive features of these platforms. and screaming on the top of roofs about for years. YouTube owner Google saying this case misunderstands YouTube and that the platform is not a social media site. Meta saying tonight, teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app.

Both companies now vowing to appeal. It all comes on the heels of another verdict. Meta says it will appeal. A New Mexico jury awarding the state $375 million on Tuesday, against the company for creating a breeding ground for child sex predators. Laura joins us now live in studio. Laura, let's go back to that video we saw in your story. Those parents huddled around the phone.

This case today was about one single victim, but there are many families out there that are looking for action as well. Tom, there are more than 1,500 other cases against META and other tech companies, just like this one, waiting in the wings. We're talking parents, school district, states. That's why this case matters. It offered a playbook of how to win. Okay, Laura Jarrett for us, Laura, we thank you for that.

Now, to President Trump's 15-point proposal to end the war with Iran, which the Iranian regime tonight says it's rejecting, all as we could be getting a new clue about how long U.S. air strikes might last. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. Tonight, with the war escalating across the Middle East, amid new attacks in Kuwait, Iraq, and Israel, Iran has rejected the latest U.S. peace plan, according to Iranian state television. Have these talks hit a dead end?

They have not. Talks continue. They are productive. Late today, Iran's foreign minister claimed there were no official talks. Still, NBC News has learned the Trump administration sent Iranian officials a 15-point plan to end the war through Pakistani intermediaries, according to two regional sources and the U.S. official. They're not going to have a nuclear weapon. That's number one.

That's number one, two and three. Today, Iranian state television, citing an unnamed senior official, said Iran had responded negatively to the proposal and detailed five demands to end the war, including a halt to aggression and assassinations by the U.S. and Israel, plus complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. The White House warning Iran would be hit harder than before if there's no deal. President Trump, Dutt is not bluff, and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.

Also, after previously rescheduling his Beijing meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, Peng, President Trump today announcing a new date, May 14th and 15th. The White House was pressed on whether that's a signal for when the war might end. Again, as I've said, we've always estimated approximately four to six weeks, so you can do the math on that. As he considers his next move, three current and a former U.S. official tell NBC News that the military now compiles a daily highlight reel for the president that shows a video montage of the most successful strikes on Iranian targets over the previous 48 hours. The officials say he's also updated about the war through conversations with top military and intelligence advisors. All right, Gabe, joins us now live.

Gabe, I know you have some new reporting just in about Iran reacting to all of this. Yes, Tom, the Iranian foreign minister is now acknowledging Iran has received messages from the U.S. through intermediaries, but that he does not consider that a formal negotiation. Meanwhile, tomorrow here at the White House, President Trump is set to hold his second cabinet meeting of the year. Okay, we'll be watching. Gabe, we thank you. We are hearing tonight from our friend and colleague, Savannah Guthrie, her first interview since the disappearance of her mother Nancy. She bravely opens up about the daily agony and heartache and once again pleading for help in finding her. Here's Liz Croix. Tonight, an anguish Savannah opening up in her first interview nearly eight weeks since her mother.

Nancy's shocking abduction. Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. We are in agony. It is unbearable. And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night, every night and in the darkness.

I imagine her terror and it is unthinkable but those thoughts demand to be thought and I will not hide my face but she needs to come home now. This, just a portion

of Savannah's heart-wrenching conversation with her former Today Show co-ancher Hoda Koppi. There is a desperation and also a steelyness about Savannah. I mean she's hoping that somebody whoever this person is, will see something and say something. Hoda says Savannah told her she believes God is holding her hand,

and that even through this nightmare, she's determined not to let anyone steal her joy. I was sort of marveling that she was able to sit there with an outfit on, have a conversation, and also have just direct thoughts about what she sees going forward. And Tom Hodes is in the interview. Savannah also addresses the latest in the investigation. A reminder that if you know anything, you can contact the FBI tip line 1-800 call FBI.

Tom. And please call that tip line if you have any information. You can see much more of Savannah's interview with Hoda tomorrow and again on Friday on today and right here on nightly. We have dramatic body camera tonight showing the moments after a woman in Hawaii says her husband tried to kill her while on a hike. You'll hear what she told police moments after the alleged murder attempt. Steve Patterson was in court again today in Honolulu, and a warning, the video you're about to see is disturbing. This is the moment. A responding officer arrives to the grisly aftermath of a cliffshite attack and sees Ariel Koenig, appearing to struggle to walk. Two nurses hiking that day help her. Police body cam video playing out in front of the jury for the first time.

Prosecutors say it's another key piece of evidence supporting their case that a Maui doctor tried to kill his wife. The video shows Ariel being treated her head bandaged. Prosecutors say Dr. Gerhard Koenig tried to push his wife off a cliff before striking her several times with a rock as she fought for her life. Ariel taking the stand yesterday. And we have this moment of like he seems like he takes a deep breath and then he just starts hitting my face in my head with a rock. But the defense argues she started this scuffle, the volatile end to a faltering marriage, what they describe, as a months-long inappropriate relationship. with a colleague. She came after him, started kicking, punching to end up on the ground.

The evidence will show area of coning says many untrue things about what happened. And she did so, you will see, to get the upper hand in the coming divorce and custody case. An eyewitness recounting the attack. When you first got there, did you see the man doing anything? Yes, he was hitting her with a rock. Legal experts believe the eyewitness testimony in this case could be damning. But in a trial that could go on for weeks, a source close to the case believes Dr. Koenig could take the stand as early as next week. Tom?

All right, Steve Patterson, following the developments. When we return in 60 seconds, the mother accused of taking a bullying case into her own hands, and some say too far. Prosecutors say she kidnapped a student to force him to apologize to her daughter. We'll have more next. We're back now with some shocking allegations in Utah, where a mom is accused of taking a bullying problem. into her own hands and briefly kidnapping an 11-year-old to apologize to her child. Here's Emily Aketa. Tonight, this Utah mom could face jail time for allegedly kidnapping an 11-year-old boy

for bullying her daughter at school. The boy's mother, Amber Lee Colato, says her son is traumatized by the incident. Grabbed him by the arm and said he was going with her to apologize to her daughter and she put him in her vehicle. It happened last September in Provo, according to court documents, which she said, detail how 40-year-old Shannon Tofuga allegedly drove around looking for the boy wanting to confront him about bullying her child. She made him get into her vehicle before taking him to her home to have him apologize and threatened to have her husband beat him up. And they basically opened their door and told him to get the F out and he ran all the way home.

Tofuga, who the city says no longer works as a crossing guard at the children's school, is now facing second-degree felony kidnapping and aggravated child abuse charges. These are serious charges. They are very serious charges. I think we recognized from the outset that this isn't your typical child kidnapping case. This is not the way to address bullying or to try and stand up for your child. Tufugo's attorney calls the allegations not accurate and a symptom of quote, an erosion of traditional family values where children were once held accountable by their own parents. She'll appear in court next month. Tom.

All right, Emily, thank you. When we return tonight, watch. the war with Iran has the cost of shipping a package with the post office on the rise, we're going to explain, plus the surprise visitor at the White House. Melania Trump making quite an entrance and making history. We'll explain. We are back now with new impacts on the war with Iran here at home. The U.S. Postal Service announcing it's raising postage prices by 8% for packages, but not

letters, because of the higher fuel costs. It begins in late April and will run through January. of 2027. Also today, look at this, an unusual guests visited the White House, watched this, an AI-powered humanoid robot that talks walking with the First Lady for a summit aimed at expanding digital access for children. The First Lady called the Robot, the first American-made humanoid guest in the White House. When we come back tonight, the huge surprise for a beloved teacher fighting cancer. How her school celebrated her courageous battle. You'll see you next. Finally, there's good news tonight, a school coming together to celebrate one of their teachers,

still fighting hard after 100 cancer treatments. Teacher Tammy Phillips walked into the school gym, not expecting this massive surprise. The sixth grade teacher at Sergeant Public Schools in central Nebraska has been battling cancer and just finished her 100th treatment. The milestone is celebrated throughout the school, teachers wearing special 100 glasses and students offering messages of support and hope. We are proud of you. I was given a very short period of time to live.

I told myself that I want to hit a goal of 100 treatments. And I met that goal and I'm still here and I know it's due to all the support I have. The surprise milestone celebration organized by Tammy's stepdaughter, Shaley, who is also a teacher at the school. Tammy means everything more than words. I can't even explain what she means to me. Tammy's fight against the disease is ongoing, but she's doing well, bolstered by this celebration and the community that loves her. I just am thankful that I have all these people in my corner

because with this disease, nobody fights alone. And if I can inspire one person with my story to keep going, then I've done my job. Tammy, you keep fighting hard. All right, that's nightly news for this Wednesday. I'm Tom Yamis. Thanks so much for watching. Tonight and always, we're here for you.

Good night.