Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, April 7, 2023

Episode Date: April 8, 2023

"Israel launches rare airstrikes on Lebanon as fears of conflict spiral during holy season, a federal judge suspends FDA's longtime approval of an abortion pill, majority of Nashville council members say they will vote to reinstate expelled legislator, video shows Cash App founder staggering and asking for help after stabbing, and play was suspended at the Masters after high winds topple two pine trees onto the course."

Tonight, violence exploding in the Middle East, the region teetering on the brink of war. A man ramming his car into a crowd of tourists in Tel Aviv, just hours after two Israeli sisters were shot and killed in the West Bank. The attacks coming days after Israeli forces raided the Al-Azka Mosque, tensions reaching their highest levels in years, as worshippers from the Muslim, Jewish, and Christian's faith gather for the holiest week of the year. Roth Sanchez is in Jerusalem tonight. Outrage in Tennessee, two black lawmakers expelled after calling for stricter gun laws on the statehouse floor. Their white colleagues spared from the same fate, swift condemnation coming in from high-profile Democrats, as Vice President Kamala Harris makes her way to Nashville. A shocking pair of arrests in Florida, a 12-year-old, and a 17-year-old charged with murdering three other teenagers.

The third suspect still at large. What we're learning tonight about how those victims and suspects may have been connected. A scare at the Masters late today, two massive pine trees falling into a crowd of spectators as high winds ripped through the area.

Plus, chilling surveillance video showing tech executive Bob Lee's final moments after he was stabbed on a San Francisco street. We'll have the latest on the investigation into his shocking murder. And a dramatic rescue in Indiana, officers racing into a burning home. They were able to pull the family trapped inside,

including a baby to safety. Top story starts right now. And good evening. I'm Ryan Noble's in tonight for Tom Yamis. And our top story tonight, the escalating tensions in the Middle East, as worshippers gathered to observe the sacred holidays of Passover, Ramadan,

and Easter in the region. A terrifying scene in Tel Aviv late today. One person killed and six injured when a man rammed his car into a crowd of tourists, the assailant taken out by an Israeli officer. That attack coming just hours after two Israeli sisters were shot dead in their car in the occupied West Bank. Their mother also critically wounded. All of this coming days after Israeli forces raided the Al-Azka Mosque and Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites for Muslim worshippers. eyes of the world on Israel and Palestine tonight as peacekeepers in the region scramble to prevent an all-out war. Raf Sanchez is in Jerusalem tonight and leads us off.

Tonight, a new wave of attacks shaking Israel. In Tel Aviv, Israeli police say they shot dead an attacker who rammed his car into tourists on a city promenade, killing at least one person. Hours earlier, two Israeli sisters killed in a suspected Palestinian ambush in the occupied West Bank. Their mother flown to the hospital in critical condition and fighting for her life. Israel's Prime Minister at the scene of the attack, warning, our enemies are once again testing us. The wave of violence sweeping the Holy Land, darkening what should be a sacred week for believers celebrating Ramadan, Passover, and Easter.

It began on Wednesday with Israeli forces storming into the Alaksa Mosque in Jerusalem, Islam's third holiest sight. And this morning, Israeli jets pounding. founding targets in Gaza and, unusually, southern Lebanon. Air strikes across two regions aimed at the Hamas militant group, which Israel says was responsible for a barrage of rockets from Lebanon the largest in nearly 20 years. UN peacekeepers in Lebanon assessing the damage and trying to prevent a rush to all-out war.

And Rafz Sanchise joins us now from Jerusalem. Raf, it's so devastating to hear about this violence. What's the latest on the terrorist attack in Tel Aviv? Yeah, Ryan. After some initial conflicting reports, Israeli police are now saying this ramming happened at about 9.45 p.m. local time in the very heart of the city. They say six people were mowed down by this driver. One killed, the five other injured. And they are saying that the driver now dead is a Palestinian citizen of Israel, so a Palestinian from inside Israel who held Israeli citizenship. Right. And of course, this is an incredibly busy time of the year for that region. people traveling to Jerusalem, surrounding areas for Easter, Passover, and Ramadan.

Are there safety concerns or even travel alerts for those visiting the region? Yeah, so the U.S. Embassy has put out an alert tonight, urging people to exercise heightened caution in Israel and in the occupied West Bank. U.S. government employees are being told not to go north up to the border with Lebanon, where those rockets were fired yesterday, not to come here to the old city of Jerusalem overnight. But I can tell you, from the Israeli's perspective, the absolute last thing they want is for tourists to stop coming here because of safety concerns. Ryan?

All right, Roth Sanchez, thank you for that report. For more on this developing situation, I want to bring in Daniel Levy. He's the president of the U.S. Middle East project and a former negotiator and advisor in the Israeli prime minister's office. Daniel, thank you so much for joining Top Story. This is obviously a rapidly evolving situation, with the terror attacks in Tel Aviv, and then, of course, the airstrikes in Lebanon.

I mean, how concerned are you that this is going to spiral into more violence? Well, I think it's a legitimate concern, Ryan. We'll see how the coming hours and days play out, see what the Israeli reaction to the latest developments is. Does that spark a counter reaction? But I think we have to zoom out a little bit, Ryan, because this is almost the inevitable. consequence of a conflict that centers around a people being denied their most basic rights and freedoms of Palestinians, living under a permanent occupation. And nowhere in the world can that

deliver for security for the people who are imposing that. So yes, the hope is to restore calm. But if calm is calm for Israelis, but more occupation and violence every day against Palestinians, then it's not going to last. And the windows of quiet are getting shorter because the situation is getting worse on the ground. So let's expand on that because your work at the U.S. Middle East Project really focuses on finding resolutions to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. So what needs to happen to de-escalate the situation as it stands now? Look, the immediate de-escalation is what we thought might happen anyway, which was make sure that during this confluence, which you've been focusing on, of the holy events in three different religious calendars, that there's no real provocations. Now, that all went very wrong at the Alaksa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, where for two days there were Israeli raids on that site at a sensitive time when all eyes were on that because you have the guy in charge of the Israeli police now, the national security minister, is someone whose name people might now be familiar with Ben-Gvier.

he has a whole series of convictions in Israeli courts for racism, for thuggery, basically. So people were hoping that wouldn't happen. That then happened. There seems to have not been a justification for those actions, and it's set in motion this broader spiraling. But if we just get a de-escalation, if we can get the immediate flare-up back under control, as I suggested Ryan, that's not going to hold. if we don't address the root causes, and the root causes are that you have approximately

six-plus million Israeli Jews and six-plus million Palestinians. The Israeli Jews have a state, have their democratic rights and freedoms. The Palestinians have no state, have none of those freedoms. And while there's that absolute imbalance, it will not hold. Any de-escalation will not hold. And that's why you need the outside powers. not just coming in when things blow up, but actually getting things back on a path to peace. And we haven't seen that, unfortunately, from the US for an awfully long time.

And in fact, by allowing Israelis to actually live a reality where they can get away with anything, unfortunately, in how they treat Palestinians, you are sending the signal that Israel doesn't have to address this problem. and you're actually being the handmaiden to getting these real extremists elected into the Israeli government. All right, Daniel Levy, thank you so much for your perspective. We appreciate it. Obviously, a very difficult situation there in the Middle East. Thank you for being here. And now to the growing outrage over the expulsion of two Tennessee state lawmakers.

The Republican-controlled statehouse voted to expel two black Democrats for joining anti-gun protesters on the chamber floor last week. A move to oust a third Democrat, who is white, failed. Priscilla Thompson has the late details tonight from Nashville. Tonight, growing fallout in Tennessee after last night's historic vote. Two black lawmakers were expelled by the state legislature, while Representative Gloria Johnson was not. Other than me being a white lady, I don't know what else it was. The trio was accused of breaking house rules and disorder. behavior. No action? No need. After protesting for stricter gun laws in the well of the chamber,

days after a Nashville school shooting left six people dead. Surely justice will come. Republican Lowell Russell, who voted to expel representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, but not Johnson, says Johnson's actions were not as severe and did not warrant an expulsion. She didn't shout and she didn't bring the megaphone in. She didn't use the megaphone. She didn't engage on the people in the, But Jones says this type of action has never been taken against white colleagues, who he says have committed far more severe infractions. One was admitted child molester. One was convicted of domestic violence. One peed in another member's chair. And none of them were ever expelled. A concern echoed by Pearson. If rules will be the end all and be all of this house, then that needs to apply equitably to everyone.

Jones, calling the expulsions a political lynching. A state in which the Ku Klux Klan was founded is now attempting another power grab by silencing the two youngest black representatives. Republicans say unequivocally this was not about race. Our members literally didn't look at the ethnicity of the members that were up for expulsion. The people united. Still, their actions are drawing widespread condemnation from Democrats. across the country, including President Biden, calling the expulsions shocking, undemocratic,

and without precedent. Those expelled lawmakers' futures could soon be back in the hands of voters determined by a special election, should they decide to run again. And Priscilla joins us now live with the latest from Tennessee. So, Priscilla, what happens as we await the special election? What's next? Well, Ryan, these counties will appoint interim representatives. in the meantime. And already Nashville's Metro Council has scheduled a meeting for Monday where it is expected that Justin Jones will be reinstated immediately. And we're also getting late word tonight that President Biden has spoken to all three of those Democrats and invited

them to the White House. Ryan? All right, Priscilla Thompson in Nashville. Thank you for that. And for more on these expulsions, I want to bring in someone who was there. Here's state representative Yusuf Akeem. He was comforted by expelled member Justin Pearson. during the vote, even getting emotional on the floor of the House chamber. Thank you so much for being here, Representative Hakeem. Obviously, this has been an emotional few days for you and your colleagues. Tell us what it was like to be on the floor and experience that, that most of us could only watch from afar.

Thank you for having me, and yes, it was traumatic in its own way. When you have what I consider people acting in a way that we have, the power and, you know, you will succumb to what we desire. I feel that the issues that were put forward in regards to my colleagues were bogus, but still they had the power. They had the votes. So the Republicans have argued that the expulsion was not about race. They say it was about your colleagues breaking the rules and nothing else. How would you respond to that? Well, historically, if you look historically, I think that's not legitimate. And when you look at the fact that you have two young African-American men who stand up for

their communities and for themselves, they are not used to that in the legislature. And I think we have to realize that this is another generation across lines, and they are willing to do what is necessary to bring about safety. lives and changing things in this nation. And, you know, a lot of this debate kind of centers around the fact that you're dealing with a supermajority there of Republicans as opposed to the number of elected Democrats that you have there. And there's a myriad of reasons why that has become the case.

But are you concerned that lawmakers, especially those of you who are in the minority, are going to choose to stay silent now because the supermajority has this ability under any circumstances, really, for the possibility of retaliating and expelling your other members. Will this change the debate on the House floor in Tennessee? Well, I think you found today that my colleagues in the Democratic Party have been speaking out, and we will continue to do so. What we find that you're silenced, you know, we have a process where you can say the motion is to be stopped, voice comments are stopped. These rules will put into place to limit the democratic process.

And so we're striving to overcome that. And if necessary, I think you'll find more of us who are willing to stand up in that manner that our two young colleagues have. Finally, you know, this protest was originally about gun control. Do you feel as though that conversation has been lost over the past few days? To the contrary, I think if you look at the passion of particularly young citizens and their parents, both urban and rural, all of them have come together around this issue of gun violence. And what I really—one of the things I really feel is happening is that there's an effort to divert conversation about gun violence and put it on something like these young men. But if there was nothing they did, they'd warranted their expulsion. All right.

State Representative Yusuf Akeem, who was there, as all of this went down in Tennessee, we appreciate you being here, sir. Thank you. And we now move to a story that you will find both shocking and disturbing. Authorities in Florida have arrested two suspects in the case involving the killing of three teenagers in Marion County, Florida. Those suspects are just 12 and 17 years old, and a third suspect, 16 years old, is now at large and authority saying he's armed and dangerous. Vlad Vanegas has the details. Tonight, two juveniles in handcuffs, one just 12 years old, the other 17 charged with murdering three teens.

The grim details of the crime sending shockwaves through a tight-knit Florida community. We were shocked and saddened by the violence as all of my citizens. because we are shocked not only are the victims juveniles, but the murderers are juveniles as well. Police saying the third suspect, a 16-year-old, is still at large. The bodies of all three victims were discovered within miles of each other. The first victim found 16-year-old Leila Silvernell was left near a garbage dumpster, according to authorities.

A heavily redacted arrest affidavit says on March 30th, The suspects took part in an armed robbery just hours before Silvernail was killed. Now, the investigators were able to determine that this group of juveniles were involved in committing burglaries and robberies, which they referred to as a lick. In a disturbing twist, the affidavit says Silvernail had picked up all three of the suspects in her car before the robberies. The Marion County Sheriff saying all three victims and suspects were together on the day of the killings. Basically, simple terms, there is no honor among thieves. And at some point, these three individuals turned on, are three victims and murdered. Silver Nails car was found submerged in a pond on April 1st along with blood and an iPhone.

Investigators say they also found another body in the car, quote, the female body was partially decomposing and placed in the trunk. The two confessed to shooting our third victim in the truck. The town of Ocla Wahat left stunned from the tragic spree of crime and deadly violence. As a parent, every parent should feel the same way I do, just completely in shock. While the suspects are children, the state attorney's office is currently reviewing if they will be prosecuted as adults. They took a life without thought. They deserve the full extent of the law. And Guad vanegis joins us now from Miami.

This is such an unbelievable story, Guad. And officials are now looking for this third suspect. What can you tell us about him? Ryan, because he is armed and dangerous, we are sharing his name. And as you can see from the story, we shared his photo. He's been identified as Taj Bruton, 16-year-old. The sheriff wanted the community to know his name and see his photo to help with any tips that could help the detectives find him. Now, he also has a juvenile record of felonies not related to this incident.

And authorities are now offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information that could lead up to his arrest. All right, Gwan, thank you so much. And turning now to a major scare at the Masters when two large trees fell near spectators. Take a look. And the pink today. Oh, good gracious. Watch out. Unbelievable. The trees toppling over during the second round near the 17th hole. Luckily, no one was hurt. Very luckily, when you take a look at it in slow motion.

Play was suspended for the rest of the day, and the grounds were evacuated due to severe weather. Heavy rains, winds and rains, and already forced two delays during the day. So let's bring in meteorologist, Angie, last minute, talk more about this. Angie, this was a pretty scary situation that could have ended up with serious injuries. Explain what the weather was like in the area when this happened. Yes, scary indeed, Ryan. We had some winds, of course. We needed those.

We've had some saturation of the grounds with a little rain working through, but not all that much, not even a tenth of an inch. Even still, there's rain working through the area right now. Here's what's been going on, though. At about 420-ish, we saw winds coming through 20, 25-mile-per-hour gusts. So pretty strong gusts. They can definitely take down trees, especially. if over the past couple of weeks we've had kind of saturated grounds, maybe they've been

using the sprinkler system a little more ahead of this big tournament. Two large pine trees had been down, and that happened again just after 420. Now, as of right now and going into the weekend, we're going to see wind gust that could potentially be up to 30, even 35 miles per hour. We could potentially see some gusts as high as 50 miles per hour, so no surprise that these wind alerts have gone into effect, not just for the Augusta area, but extending into Columbia, Orangeburg here, at least through the weekend, Ryan. All right, Angie, thank you. And new tonight, the Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas under scrutiny over luxury vacations that he took for years, paid for by a family friend and a top Republican donor.

The trips ran in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Thomas saying that he did not need to disclose them. But some Democrats are calling for an ethics investigation into the justice. NBC's Laura Jarrett has more. Tonight, Justice Clarence Thomas breaking his silence. after a report detailed his secret lavish vacations paid for by a top Republican donor. Thomas writes real estate mogul Harlan Crow is among his dearest friends and that colleagues advised him this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends

who did not have business before the court did not need to be reported. According to ProPublica, Thomas joined Crow on swanky trips for over two decades, including to this lakeside resort, taking private jet rides and island hopping in Indonesia on this super yacht, virtually none of which was disclosed. The luxury travel, a stark contrast to the more modest image the conservative justice has projected. I prefer going across the rural areas. I prefer the RV parks. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that.

There's something normal to me about it. NBC News has not independently verified the pro-public. report, which claims Thomas's fellow travelers include GOP donors and corporate executives. There's also just an enormous amount we don't know about what happens on these trips and who gets invited along. Crow says Thomas never asked for any of this hospitality, and he's never sought to influence Justice Thomas on any legal or political issue. The Supreme Court does not have an ethics code, and under federal law, justices don't have

to disclose meals, stays at private homes, or other entertainment that is, personal hospitality. Tonight, Thomas says he always sought to comply with disclosure guidelines and intends to follow new rules that trips on private jets must be reported. Ryan, this new explanation from Justice Thomas is likely not going to stop Democratic lawmakers from calling for a new bill that would actually require the court to establish a formal code of conduct. Now, put aside for a minute that they don't likely have the votes for that, the chief justice of the courts, John Roberts, has said the justices don't. need one effectively leading his colleagues to police themselves. Ryan?

Laura, thank you. Justin, tonight, a federal judge in Texas has suspended the FDA's approval of a key abortion medication. The agency approved the drug Mitha Pristone more than 20 years ago, and is said to be used in more than half of all abortions in the United States. The ruling will not go into effect for seven days, giving the Biden administration time to appeal. And we turn now to the economy and a critical March jobs report. The Labor Department reporting 236,000 jobs added. The unemployment rate ticking lower to 3.5%. Now, the job total was the lowest month gain since December 2020,

and it comes amid efforts from the Federal Reserve to slow labor demand down in order to cool inflation. So for more on this report, let's go to Caleb Silver. He's the editor-in-chief of Investipedia, and he joins me now. Now, Caleb, this job's report is close to where economists expected it to be, but still, as we mentioned, the lowest in almost two and a half years. I've read some things that say that might actually be a good thing. What does that tell us about the economy right now? Yeah, not too hot, not too cold. Kind of Goldilocks and really bang on where economists were forecasting.

That unemployment rate at 3.5 percent tells you more people we're going out and looking for work. But we've added more than a million jobs so far this year. So any concerns about the economy slowing and hiring slowing should be easily dismissed. That said, this is a low number compared to where we've been the last couple of months, but the strength was where it's usually been, it's where it's typically been in the last 12 to 14 months, leisure and hospitality, government jobs, and health care, all adding jobs. The services part of the economy still needs workers. There's just under 10 million jobs available.

That's 1.7 per every available worker in the country right now. All right, so you mentioned the sectors in which we saw this job growth. You know, this really has followed a year-long campaign by the Federal Reserve to loosen up what's been historically been a pretty tight labor market. Do you, from your perspective, do you think the Fed's moves are working or are we still headed toward a recession? Yeah, they're working just very slowly because this supply demand imbalance in the labor market is just one example where inflation kind of got out of control.

We needed workers in some areas, not in other areas. But the one thing we want to watch within this, and this is important to the the Federal Reserve, is wage inflation, and that is up 4.2% year over year. Good for workers, just not keeping up with inflation. And one thing the Fed is trying to do is bring down wage inflation because if companies have to pay workers more, companies pass costs on to consumers, consumers spend less. That's very important for economic growth. So yes, it's working. We could be headed towards a recession. We have a lot of other economic issues, but we've never had one with the unemployment rate below 4%. And while we have you, are you concerned at all,

that something like a debt ceiling standoff on Capitol Hill could derail all this economic progress? It could, and this one seems a little bit more serious than others just because the sides seem so far apart and pretty much willing to let this happen. That said, there's a lot of other challenges out there. Hopefully, politicians come to their senses because the debt ceiling is kind of a silly thing to have to be held hostage to. So hopefully they'll get through that. There's a lot of other things we've got to deal. We're still getting through these high interest rates. we're still getting through inflation that's come down quite a bit. So that other challenge is something that the economy and households don't need it this time.

All right, Caleb, Silver, thank you for bringing it down. We appreciate it. And still ahead tonight, officers make a deadly mistake. Police responding to a domestic violence call, but showing up at the wrong address, why that encounter took a fatal turn, and how soon we could see body camera footage of the incident. Plus, chilling surveillance video showing tech executive Bob Lee. Moments after he was stabbed, police still desperately searching for his killer. At a dramatic rescue in Indiana, officers racing toward a burning home to save the family with a young baby trapped inside. Stay with us.

And we're back now with a deadly police shooting in New Mexico. Three police officers are on leave tonight after mistakenly responding to the wrong, to the wrong address of a domestic violence call. Officers then shooting the homeowner after he answered the door with a handgun. Valerie Castro tonight on what officers are saying led them to pull the trigger. Tonight, a fatal mistake leaves one New Mexico man dead at the hands of police. It's a terrible event and I'm heartbroken over it. Farmington police say officers responding to a domestic violence call in this neighborhood mistakenly went to the wrong address around 1130 Wednesday. night. Police were called to this home at 5308 Valleyview Avenue, but instead arrived at this home

across the street at 5305. The police chief says officers knocked identifying themselves as police, the homeowner answering the door with a gun in his hand. The man, Robert Dodson, was armed with a handgun as he opened the door. What followed was a chaotic scene, with officers retreating and opening fire. Mr. Dodson was struck and later died at the scene. It's still unclear if the homeowner fired the weapon. New Mexico State Police is showing a statement about the incident, say, quote, Mr. Dotson's wife also armed with a handgun fired from the doorway of the residence. Once again, officers fired. Once she realized that the individuals outside the residents were officers, she put the gun down and complied with the officer's commands. The tragic error

all captured on body camera footage yet to be released by police. What I will tell you as the chief is that this is an extremely traumatic event. And then I am just heartbroken by the circumstances surrounding this. Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbie trying to find the right words while his department faces certain scrutiny. This is a very dark day

for Farmington PD, for our community, for the Dotson family. I extend nothing but my deepest condolences to the Dotson family. There's nothing I can say that will make this better. And Valerie Castro joins us now from New York with more on this story.

So Valerie, I understand that your team spoke with the Farmington Police Department today. Did they give you any indication when the video will be released and what's going to happen to the officers involved? So, Ryan, police say the video will be released within the next several days. Once all of the officers involved

have given their statements, all three are on paid administrative leave, though it's still unclear if all of them fired their service weapons. Brian? All right, Valerie, thank you so much. Now to San Francisco, where new surveillance video has surfaced showing cash app founder Bob Lee moments after he was stabbed. Authorities continue to face mounting pressure to make an arrest in the high-profile death.

NBC national correspondent Miguel Almaguer has the latest on what evidence police have and where it may lead. This chilling surveillance video could be a key piece of evidence, the Daily Mail.com, which obtains, PCTV says after tech executive Bob Lee was stabbed multiple times, he appears to try and wave down a passing car for help before the motorist drives away, wounded and stumbling into clear view around 2.35 a.m. Tuesday. The location is 365 Maine crossing a Folsom and Harrison. First stabbing. The San Francisco standard says Lee called 911 and screamed, help. Someone stabbed me. That 911 call, of course, gives us a sense of time. But unfortunately, unless someone says who did it or what happened specifically, its usefulness can be limited. San Francisco's DA says she cannot confirm reports a knife was found near the crime scene, but says cell phone data is key. We want to know who he has been communicating with just before he was stabbed, who he was with, what cell phone towers that cell phone was hitting.

those are all critical pieces of evidence for us tracing backward to the moment that this stabbing occurred. Perhaps best known for creating the mobile payment service, cash app. We still need solutions for the unbanked. Lee was a tech icon who used to live near the area where he was killed. The police chief facing pressure as the city's safety remains under blaring scrutiny amid a rash of negative headlines. We do have some good things to follow up on this case. and they are working tirelessly. Tonight, the high-profile murder mystery of attack Titan.

Miguel Almaguerre, NBC News. And when we come back, an update on the death of rapper Cullio, the autopsy released more than six months after he was found dead inside a California home. What was found inside his system and what's being ruled his cause of death. That's next. And we're back now with Top Story's news feed and an update tonight on the death of rapper Cullio. An autopsy report revealing he died from an accidental overdose and that several drugs were found in his system, including fentanyl. The coroner also noted a heart condition and asthma may have contributed to his death.

Coolio, whose legal name was artist Leon Ivy Jr., died at a friend's house in Los Angeles. back in September. And Paul Catermole, a singer for the British pop band S Club 7, has died at the age of 46. The band in his family confirming that he was found dead at his home in Dorset, England.

There's no word yet on the cause of death. His death comes just less than two months after the pop group announced a reunion tour. Three officers in Indiana saved a family, including a baby from a burning house. Body camera footage shows the moment

The officers arrived on this scene as flames and heavy smoke poured out of the house. They grabbed a ladder and first rescued the baby from a second-story window before helping five more people escape. The police chief says the officers will be honored by the department. And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is joining the 2024 presidential race as a Democrat, the environmental lawyer and anti-vaccine activist filing his statement of candidacy with the federal election Commission. He says he'll officially announce his candidacy on April 19th in Boston, the 69-year-old, the nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, and the son of former U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, he is the second Democrat to officially enter the

2024 race. And now to our segment, Power and Politics and Ron DeSantis' ongoing war of words against Disney. The Florida governor escalating his dispute announcing the state is considering taxes on Disney hotels and other measures to reduce the company's autonomy. We need to make sure that people understand whether you're an individual or you're a corporation, that you don't get to play by your own rules, that the people of the state of Florida ultimately are the sovereign. They elect people to fill these offices and in that policy, and I think Disney has always viewed itself as being exempt from that constitutional process. Well, those days are over here in the state of Florida. Well, for more on this power play and what it could mean for GOP politics, Wall Street Journal

politics reporter Eliza Collins joins us now. Eliza, great to see you as always. So let's talk about DeSantis here. I mean, what does he hope to gain by continuing to escalate these attacks against Disney? I imagine he hopes to gain Republican primary voters in a presidential primary. These moves are very popular with Republican voters. DeSantis has not yet entered the race, but we expect him to do so in a couple of months. He's seen as former President Donald Trump's closest competitor, though in most polls he lags still by double digits. So fighting corporations, particularly Disney, is very popular with Republican voters. And I imagine that this he is hoping will rally some of those around him. But there is some

risk reward here, right? And you do have a CEO and Bob Iger, who has dealt with politicians before. Could this possibly backfire on DeSantis? You know, I think we'll have to see what it actually does. You know, if you are a governor of a state, you want big businesses there. They create jobs. They bring in money. Disney is a massive employer and makes lots and lots of money for the state of Florida. So you do want to be careful how far you clash with business, the Republican Party, in the past has been closely aligned with business, but we're seeing across the country a separation from at least a certain faction of the GOP that Ron DeSantis is part of. So it's too early to see if this actually takes an economic hit to the state of Florida, but if you're the governor, you want to

avoid that at all costs. Yeah, you know, it's interesting watching DeSantis as he deals with this indictment of former President Donald Trump in the beginning. He kind of needled him a little bit, brought up the fact that it involved a porn star, but he's really now supported Trump through the indictment process, said he wasn't going to offer up extradition, should Trump try and fight going back to New York City. How does DeSantis play this all? And what could potentially change his support for Trump as this investigation and this prosecution moves forward? Yeah, and we should know Trump did not fight it and went straight to New York City. So it was really just words from DeSantis.

But he saw pretty quickly with his little needling of Trump that that was not popular with Republican voters. I talk to Republicans, I imagine you do, who really have rallied around the former president. Polls show he's actually gained from this indictment. And his other competitors, others who have gotten in the race have really focused on what they, you know, are calling political persecution from New York. So DeSantis is really in line with that. The only person I saw was former Arkansas governor, Asa Hutchinson, who was critical of former President Trump, but he's sort of trying to take a more moderate lane and appears to be a long-shot candidate. So DeSantis just joined with the other opponents and doing what was really a popular view with the Republican base,

because they're all trying to get through the Republican primary here. Right. Remarkable how they kind of all coalesced around the former president. Let's move now to your exclusive reporting today in the Wall Street Journal about the United States Senate, the balance of power there, nowhere more important than where you are in Arizona. And you have some exclusive reporting about Arizona Senator Kirsten Sinema. She, of course, recently left the Democratic Party. There are questions as to what she's going to do now as an independent. But from your reporting, it appears as though she's at least preparing for a reelection campaign,

despite being publicly coy about it. What could that campaign look like? Well, that's exactly right. Her team gathered here in Phoenix earlier this week. And as part of that retreat, they went through what a plan, a campaign plan look like. And I got a hold of some of the slide presentation, which laid out a timeline through 2023, which included hiring campaign staff, getting opposition books on her opponents, getting polling done. So those are definitely steps towards a campaign. That's what you do if you're preparing to run.

And she's, of course, raising lots of money. We expect her totals for the first three months of 2023 to come in around $2 million. So she's moving forward as if she's running, even if she is not saying anything publicly. It's going to be really hard because she switched from Democrat to independent. She's alienated most Democratic voters here, and she's got a Democratic opponent. Congressman Ruben Gallego, who is popular with Democrats, is already running. So it will be expected to be a three-way race. We're not sure who her Republican opponent will be,

but we expect a crowded field with the possibility of Carrie Lake, the 2022 GOP nominee, who is very popular with Republicans. So we don't know what will happen. She'll have a difficult path because she'll need to basically pull in independence, Republicans, and hold on to a few Democrats. All right, Eliza Collins, who regularly out-scooped me when we were both on the Bernie Sanders campaign, still out-scooping me on Capitol Hill, even though she's thousands of miles away. Read her story in the Wall Street Journal. Eliza, thank you so much for being here.

We appreciate it. And when we come back, Top Stories Global Watch, a massive fire tearing through a popular marketplace in Mexico. The dramatic images coming in next. Back now with Top Story's Global Watch and new details on the American journalist detained in Russia. According to Russian state media, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich is formally charged with espionage. Allegations he and the Wall Street Journal strongly deny. He was detained by Russian authorities last week, making him the first American journalist accused by Moscow was spying since the cold, war. A massive fire broke out in one of Mexico's most popular marketplaces. New video shows the

flames ripping through the facility in Mexico City, cardboard boxes and wood pallets fueling the flames. According to its website, 30% of Mexico's food production is sold through the market. There's no word yet on any injuries. And when we come back, a look at what you can binge this weekend. And we're back now with Bingeworthy, which is our look at the best things to watch and listen to this weekend. And we're joined now by NBC News, Internet and Culture Reporter Callan Rosenblot. And Callan, we're going to pretend we're throwing this back to the pandemic era. You and I are in different places.

I'm in D.C. and you're in New York. I've got my popcorn here. You've got your popcorn there. And we're going to break down all the best things to watch. Yes, Ryan. We save that seat for you. Yes, we save the seat. I'm going to enjoy all this popcorn while you're over there, and I'm happy to talk about all these movies and TV shows tonight.

All right, great. Let's first start with a new drama series on Hulu, starring Catherine Hahn. I have a rule. Anything she is in is worth watching. This one's called Tiny Beautiful Things, and let's take a quick look. How did I get so far from the person I wanted to be? What would I tell my 22-year-old self? Stop worrying whether you're fat. Who gives a shit? Stop obsessing about your nose.

Your nose is perfect. Don't take your mom for granted. She won't be here forever. So this seems like a bit of a different turn for Catherine Hahn. We know her from stepbrother. She's usually always kind of the funny person in the things that she's in. Tell us about this particular role and what do we know about this particular show? Yeah, this one is definitely a little more of a dramatic turn.

It's funny, Ryan, I do have that same Catherine Hahn rule. I have to watch everything that she's in. She's always fantastic. I think about her from like Wanda Vision. And as I mentioned, this is like definitely kind of a turn for it's a little more dramatic. She's playing a woman who is a writer and then begins an advice columnist. In the meantime, her own life is starting to fall apart. Her relationship with her daughter is frayed as well as her husband.

And she's kind of like, why would I be giving advice when my life is in shambles? It seems super interesting. Again, I adore Catherine Hahn. I cannot wait to start watching this. Yeah, the one thing, even though she is often funny, she appears to have incredible range. And so I think this show seems to show that she's going to be able to do a lot more than just be funny. Let's talk about another series now. This one is on Netflix and it's called Beef.

We'll take a look at it and then talk more about it on the other side. What are you at? I have a very full life that I'd love to get back to. I'm going to find you and take what little you have. I have to say I watched the trailer for this in preparation for this segment. Callan, I couldn't figure out what it was about. What should we know about this particular show? It's really all about beef.

It stars Stephen Yen and Ali Wong, as you can see. But what happens is they get into a sort of road rage incident. And from then on, the two are hell-bent on ruining each other's. lives. They have this beef and we have to kind of check it out to see whether the beef gets squashed. Two people coming from very different lifestyles and just how do they go about trying to ruin one another. It seems super fun. Actually, I have not started washing it, but my family has and they are like, what are you waiting for? So that is their sort of seal of approval. Yeah, it feels like one of those shows that you start it, not sure what you're getting into

and then you can't stop watching it. That's at least the vibe I got from the trailer. All right, so another Netflix show that I have been begrudgingly dragged into by my wife and our friends, Kevin and Courtney. It's called Love is Blind. It's back for its fourth season. I have to admit, I'm not all the way through it, so no spoilers

yet, but let's check out a sample of it. She's here. She's on the other side. Take the leap, bro. Will you marry me? I'm engaged. Wait a minute, he's kind of fine. Oh, my God. It's weird seeing her a person, bro.

You're going to sabotage my love life? I'll keep one eye open for you. We live in a house together. This is whole out adulting. To make a lifelong commitment, it's a tremendous amount of risk. So if you don't know the concept of these people meet, they don't actually see each other in person, but they kind of talk in these pods. And then they have to propose marriage. It seems stupid, really.

But what are people saying about this season so far? People are addicted to this season. This has, like, the most wide range of villains and cast of characters. I mean, there are people on social media who are, like, just praying for the downfall of some of these people, which I know sounds dark. But this show is, like, delicious junk food. You just can't get enough of it. People are so obsessed. And there is a live reunion show coming up, and you better believe that I will be there.

I am ready to inhale that reunion once it comes out. but you can right now catch up on the episodes there on Netflix. And there is one minor spoiler that I think there's a controversy going on now. One of the cast members sings to one of his potential fiancés. Turns out that it wasn't a song that he claims he wrote it himself, but there's a whole back and forth about it. I just have to tell you, Callan, my wife told me that, now we've been married 18 years, have four beautiful children. She said that if I had sang to her like that, none of it would have happened, which she'd have called it off right at that moment. I feel the same way about my partner.

If he had done that, I think we would have gone our separate ways. So I think your wife and I are very much on the same page. All right. Now to a new documentary on Hulu called Pretty Baby. This is about Brooke Shields, the famous model and actress as she discovers her power after being sexualized as a young girl. We'll take a look at a clip from it. She was catapulted into the world of adult sexuality.

I just always remember thinking like I hope she's okay. She was a young girl in an all-adult world. I'm amazed. that I survived any of it. Gatekeeping is a major way of how we keep girls under control. It's very much about what women need to do in order to be desirable to straight men. I mean, we're learning a lot about Brook Shields here, right? I mean, she appeared to have kind of an idyllic life, kind of a fantasy story,

but it seems a lot more complicated than that. Yeah, I know. I agree. I think this sort of dives into her life and sort of the trauma and the trials and of being sexualized at such a young age. I mean, she was thought of, as you said, having the idyllic life being the most beautiful woman in the world. But there's a lot that comes along with that. And this documentary is going to dive into every facet of that.

This has been on my must watch list for a long time. I really cannot wait to start it. All right. And then the last thing on our watch list is called On a Wing and a Prayer. It's a new movie on Amazon Prime, and it's based on a true story of survival. Here's a clip from that. Miami Center. Did anyone there?

your tail number and intention. Doug, what's going on? I've got an emergency up here. My wife and daughters are on this plane. I need you to stop a plane crash. You're the only person I know who can save them. Has you flown in a king air? Never. We've got a very tight window. How long's he got in the air? Start easing off of those controls. Can you do that? We got a real good co-pilot up here. Callan, this is obviously a true story. I remember when this made big headlines, the dramatic rescue. What kind of reviews is this new movie getting? Well, people are really excited for this.

This is like, you know, if you're watching, you know, Love is Blind or even the documentaries, maybe getting a little more low energy. This is going to be, you know, more of a crazy ride. This is way more high energy, a lot of tension. As you said, it's based on a real story. And so I think people are really excited to go along for the ride on this one. Dennis Quaid, Heather Graham, if you love either of them, it is a must watch.

Yeah, and I would put Dennis Quaid in that Catherine Hahn category. Anything he's in, I tend to want to watch. All right, we're going to close out now with some music. The Jonas Brothers, they're out with a new song ahead of their appearance this weekend on SNL. It's called Waffle House. Let's take a listen. No, don't get stressed, it's going to get figured out. Oh, the conversation that threw up a house.

He's a strong father and the determined mother. Oh, that's why some nights we try to kid each other. Callan, I feel like everybody has a story about hashing things out at a Waffle House, right? Is that what kind of the point of this new song by Jonas Brothers? I think so, but I just love this. I think it is such a fun, poppy, Like, it's very chill for the weekend.

I think I would guarantee there are some Joe Bros. Stans who are watching. Maybe they're even working here at 30 Rock. And I know that they're super excited for the appearance this weekend and for this new music. It's already on TikTok, so I'm guessing we're going to hear it everywhere very, very soon. Joe Bros. If I start calling them that, will people think I'm cool? They will. Yes. That's the only know. Great. All right, Call. Thanks so much.

Enjoy the rest of your popcorn. Have a great weekend. We appreciate you being here. Thank you. All right. And thanks so much for watching, Top Story. For Tom Yamis, I'm Ryan Nobles in Washington, D.C. Stay right there. More news on the way.