Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, December 27, 2024

Episode Date: December 28, 2024

Tonight's Top Story has the latest breaking news, political headlines, news from overseas and the best NBC News reporting from across the country and around the world.

Tonight, severe storms from coast to coast up ending the post-holiday travel rush. Chaos inside a Texas restaurant, people scrambling for safety as a tornado quickly approaches. Several twisters touching down, hail, elting neighborhoods, grounding air travel, the risk for severe weather ramping up this weekend as millions of Americans prepare for travel ahead of New Year's. Also, breaking tonight the disturbing and graphic footage just released. showing an inmate beaten by New York corrections officers while he was handcuffed. That inmate dying just hours later, what we're learning about the investigation. New Year's Eve drone shows across the country, including New York City Central Park,

canceled after a drone show turned into a tragedy. A seven-year-old left hospitalized after the small aircraft struck him in the chest. The FAA now taking new action against the company in charge of the aerial production. And returning to Syria, millions of refugees who fled the country years ago, now debating if they should go back after the fall of the Assad regime. Austria taking an unprecedented step, offering up money for refugees to return home, despite warnings that the country cannot support an influx of people. The new details emerging tonight about the Stowaway caught in a Delta flight without a boarding pass, how she managed to simply duck under a barrier without anyone noticing. And a holiday market inferno, a fire ripping through one of New York City's most popular holiday destinations, will tourists be affected?

Plus, a lucky couple discovering a missing million dollar lottery ticket just hours before it was set to expire. Top story starts right now. Good evening. I'm Ellison Barber in for Tom Yamis. one of the busiest travel weekends for millions of Americans, a serious severe weather threat. At this hour, storms are on the move, some of which have already spawned terrifying tornadoes. Chaotic moments for people dining at a barbecue joint in El Campo, Texas, as that tornado barreled towards them. Luckily, no one was hurt. That was just one of several twisters touching down in the south over the past 24 hours. Portions of Texas, Mrs.

and Louisiana, all experiencing severe weather. And you can see some intense hail hammering parts of Texas. The little balls, see them there, little balls of ice, pelting homes and cars just as torrential rains moved through. Mountains out west, already getting dumped on and could see up to several feet of snow when this system moves out. The dangerous weather is throwing air travel into an absolute tailspin. Right now, the number of delays continue to climb, and the situation is expected to grow worse this weekend. Millions of people from Houston to Atlanta now bracing for tornadoes, large hail, and destructive winds. All of it could have severe impacts on those major travel hubs. NBC's Marissa Para starts off our coverage tonight from Hartsville Jackson Airport in

Atlanta. That is it? Oh my God. Here. Come in. Severe weather on a collision course with some of the busiest travel days of the year. Tonight, Twisters reported in Mississippi and Alabama. Just one day after a tornado outbreak in the south. Among the eight reported across Louisiana and Texas, it's on the water right now. This one seen in Dayton, an elephant-trunk tornado named for its curved and winding bend. Oh my God. Another twister in El Campo, catching terrified diners by surprise. Wind gusts rain and hail, triggering state emergency resources, and an afternoon ground stop for flights in and out of both Dallas airports.

The impacted hubs created a domino effect, leaving hundreds of flights canceled and delayed, and even more frustrated passengers in their wake across the country. Our plane was just canceled. The crowds, the lines, people's tempers. It's stressful. But the long waits made the long-awaited holiday reunions even sweeter. It's all about spending time together. The South now drying off, but facing tornado risks this weekend,

has millions in the West braced for severe rain and snow, possibly putting a damper on the record-breaking holiday travel weekend with no signs of slowing. Today and Monday slated to be the busiest days for air travel. Get here early, like extra early. A busy and bumpy travel season in the final sprint of the year. And Marissa joins us now from Atlanta. Talk to us about what you are seeing at that airport right now. And then in terms of the impacts, possibly, for people who are driving this weekend, what should they expect? Right. Well, Alison, I can tell you we've been here all week. It's definitely living up to its moniker as the world's busiest airport.

But things do seem to have been running smoothly today, relatively speaking, given that this is what TSA predicts as being one of the busiest airport travel days of the entire season. But we also know that for the record-breaking holiday travel season, the majority of people take to the road. So if you are one of those people, we looked at the AAA travel forecast, if you will, and they recommend that if you are going to be among those people, well, you won't be alone. So if you would like to try to avoid traffic as much as possible, try to drive before noon or after 7 o'clock. Allison, back to you. Marissa Parra, thank you. Turning now to some other breaking news we're following tonight, the New York Attorney General's office releasing this shocking video showing multiple officers kicking and beating an inmate.

that individual Robert Brooks dying the very next day. NBC Sam Brock has the latest on the investigation into his death and a warning to viewers. This video is graphic. Newly released shocking video shows these correctional officers fatally beating an inmate Robert Brooks. The footage blurred and redacted by state authorities shows officers repeatedly kicking and punching Brooks in the legs and chest and trying to jam an object down his throat. New York's attorney general says Brooks was pronounced dead to seven. 10th. A day after these interactions with correctional officers was recorded. I do not take lightly the release of this video. James says the video doesn't have audio because the officers involved

failed to properly activate their body cameras. It begins with Brooks being carried inside, handcuffed and face down. He's then raised up, face bloodied, and punched in various parts of his body. Brooks was serving a 12-year sentence for stabbing his girlfriend. His attorney says his death is incomprehensible. I was there with Mr. Brooks' son and his father and his brother. They all watched the video as well, and I think it was just the overwhelming shock. It was just felt so incomprehensible. NBC News has not been able to reach attorneys for the 14 people under investigation,

but the president for the correction officer's benevolent association, adding in a sharply worded statement. The egregious and repugnant action of the officers who committed this heinous and fatal assault does not in any way reflect the values of the vast majority of correction officers, including my members. As far as where things stand right now, 13 personnel are suspended without pay. Another person has resigned as the investigation continues. And Alison, more questions tonight about what led up to that absolutely brutal beating that we just witnessed on video. Back to you. A lot of questions indeed. Sam Brock, thank you.

We have new updates in the Azerbaijan Airlines crash that killed 38 passengers earlier this week. U.S. military officials now saying they believe the Russians may have shot down the plane after confusing it for an incoming drone. NBC's Pentagon correspondent Courtney Kubi has the details. Tonight, new information and new images as the investigation into the fiery Azerbaijan Airlines crash moves forward. This video showing confused passengers some standing in the aisle after oxygen masks. dropped and something appeared to tear through the cabin, peeling away sections of the wall. This man saying he heard a loud bang and began praying. This survivor saying she felt two explosions then saw a man injured by the blasts and panicked.

The plane was headed to the Chechen capital of Grozny, but instead crashed into a field in Kazakhstan, dazed passengers miraculously emerging from the fiery wreckage. Now the U.S. has intelligence indicating the Russians may have missed. identified the airliner believing it was an incoming drone and shot it down, according to two U.S. military officials. Just hours earlier, Russian air defenses shooting down a Ukrainian drone only 70 miles away. Russian air defense forces in the North Caucus Federal District, which includes Chechnya. We're defending against a Ukrainian military-grade weaponized drone attack, and that involved air defenses being used to shoot down drones. Holes like these in the fuselage

could be the result of an air defense missile exploding near the aircraft, the officials said, sending shrapnel hurling at the plane. Russian officials initially attributed the crash to an apparent bird strike. But today said that Ukrainian combat drones were mounting terrorist attacks on civilian infrastructure in the area. Today, Azerbaijan Airlines said the jet crashed after experiencing physical and technical external interference, and they've suspended flights to several Russian cities as the investigation continues. The airline referred to technical external interference. Now, that could be a reference to electronic jamming equipment

that the Russian military uses to confuse Ukrainian drones. Some of that equipment is actually powerful enough to impact commercial aircraft flying overhead. Ellison? Courtney Kuby, thank you. Staying overseas and heading to South Korea, where for the second time in two weeks, the country's leader has been ousted.

The acting president impeached by lawmakers just two weeks after taking control following the impeachment of President Yun Suk Yul, who attempted to declare martial law. Sky News correspondent Nicole Johnston has this report. In the rumbunctious world of South Korean politics, another plot twist. Parliament has voted to impeach another leader. This time, the country's acting president. But some MPs, outraged by the vote, chanted against it. They were upset. Parliament had reduced the threshold for the vote to pass.

This meant the opposition could get it through on their own, without support from ruling party MPs. The country's finance minister will now step up as acting president. What we've been worried about became a reality. It's an unprecedented emergency situation in the Constitution's history. Political uncertainty is threatening our national security. It's now the time to put our best efforts into protecting the national security and the South Korean people. South Koreans had hoped for political calm after the National Assembly voted to impeach the previous president, Yun-Sukyu, two weeks ago.

It came after Yule declared martial law, insisting North Korean elements had infiltrated the government. It threw the country into total turmoil, unprecedented scenes of troops on the streets. Politicians confronted soldiers and scrambled to overturn the law in parliament. The opposition succeeded and the declaration lasted only six hours. But immense damage had been done and it is a long road back from here. The impeachment votes of President Yul and acting President Hahn will be with. ruled on by the country's constitutional court. This could take months. In the meantime, South Korea is stuck with the caretaker government. There are ongoing investigations into what went

wrong. And how, on a dark night in the depths of winter, did this country swing from stability to mayhem? Nicole Johnston, Sky News. Now to the latest on the war between Israel and Hamas. According to Gaza's health ministry, the IDF is targeting one of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, setting fire to the building after allegedly receiving reports of Hamas activity inside. This all comes as ceasefire talks face significant delays despite previous reports of some progress. For more on all of this, I want to turn over to NBC news correspondent Hala Garani, who joins us now from Beirut, Lebanon. Hala, what else do we know about the patients and the staff inside of that hospital? And in terms of options for medical care for people in the Gaza Strip, it has been limited for quite a while now, but this surely doesn't make the situation any easier for people there.

Well, Alison Kamala Duan was really the last remaining functioning medical complex in the north. And it was forcibly evacuated. We understand this morning at 7 a.m. local time in Gaza, when the Israeli military stormed the hospital and forced the evacuation of staff, as well as patients, this is according to sources in Gaza, and based on footage shot by our teams inside of the besieged enclave. Well, you can imagine that evacuation of a hospital complex like that one in a war zone as it is being stormed is incredibly difficult and challenging and potentially deadly with patients on ventilators, for example.

Some of the medical staff were arrested. We saw images of them being marched out, stripped as well. And one of the journalists Ellison covering the attack on the hospital itself was also arrested. And we saw a lot of smoke and images posted online rising from the building in the vicinity of the medical complex. Where these patients are going is unclear. There are some reports they were taken to the Indonesian hospital, but that hospital too is almost all but completely incapacity.

and unable to care for patients, Ellison. Hala, what have we heard from the IDF about this? And also, has there been any reaction from the international community or non-profit groups? We've heard from countries, for example, Jordan has said that it called the storming of Kamal Adwan a heinous war crime. The IDF is saying, as it has really over the last year plus, that it is targeting these. medical facilities because it is claiming that target terrorist activity is taking place there as far as Kamal ad Juan is concerned it is calling it a terrorist infrastructure site now we've reported over the last year plus on

IDF attacks on some of these medical facilities and some of the evidence provided you know included photos of arms kind of laid out and things like that but but nothing that us as journalists can say with any kind of certainty point to the existence of, say, tunnels or a terrorist infrastructure or some sort of command center. So this is not something that journalists have been able to see. And the IDF says that it will facilitate the evacuation of patients to other hospitals. But so far, we have not seen evidence of that either, Ellison. There is constantly this discussion about ceasefire and whether or not talks will progress, whether or not some sort of agreement could be made. Any indication

that there is meaningful progress and that we are possibly inching towards some sort of ceasefire in the future? So unfortunately, the short answer is no, because as you mentioned in the intro, Benjamin and Esanahu had told the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, that there had been, quote, some progress toward a deal, but then both sides started accusing each other of putting up obstacles and roadblocks. Hamas, for example, is saying that, Israel is reneging on some of its promises to withdraw militarily from the Gaza Strip. But then we saw the Israeli Defense Minister at the Philadelphia Corridor site, which is that

narrow strip of land between Gaza and Egypt, saying that Israel will maintain full security control of the strip. Israel is saying that Hamas is backing out on some of the promises it made. It could be with regards to the release of hostages. We know that a first phase would include the release of 40 live Israeli hostages. So right now it doesn't seem as though the two sides are reaching an agreement on getting a deal done, Ellison. Hallegarani, great reporting as always. Thank you. We appreciate it. Still ahead tonight, the New Year's Eve drone shows canceled across the country after a collision during a holiday light show in Florida left a young boy hospitalized.

The FAA now cracking down on the company responsible for the production. Plus, a woman arrested after sneaking on board a plane without a ticket. How this stowaway was able to make it pass security. And will President-elect Trump stop the looming ban on TikTok? The new move that could change the course of the case now headed for the Supreme Court. Stay with us. Welcome back. New Year's Eve drone shows in at least three different cities have been called off following a serious accident that sent a seven-year-old boy to the hospital in Florida.

The FAA is suspending a waiver that allows the drone operator to fly over crowds at night as it investigates what went wrong. NBC's Adrian Broad Us has the latest. Tonight, highly anticipated New Year's Eve drone shows throughout the country have been canceled. After a holiday drone disaster in Florida, sent to a plane. a seven-year-old boy to the ICU, where he spent Christmas Day fighting for his life. This should not happen. No family should be going through this. The FAA confirming it has suspended a waiver that allowed the operator of those drones, Sky Elements, to fly drones at night and over people. Oh, no. I don't think they're supposed to be falling. The suspension comes as authorities

investigating the December 21st incident in Orlando, where several drones operated by Sky Elements collided and plunged to the ground. One of them hitting Adriana Edgerton's seven-year-old son, Alexander. My daughter found my son on the floor, unconscious, blood coming out his face. The drone hit him so hard in his chest that it messed up one of the valves in his heart. Edgerton says the impact forced doctors to perform emergency heart surgery. On Thursday, she posted a photo of her son, awake and upbeat. The New York Road Runners, who hosts a midnight run through Central Park, now canceling a 500 drone spectacle that Sky Elements was said to produce.

Writing at a statement, it was, quote, due to circumstances out of our control. Organizers of New Year's Eve shows in Dallas and Myrtle Beach, also pulling the drones from their programming. Sky Elements, which has helped the NFL host drone light shows, said, it's, quote, diligently working with the FAA and that the well-being of our audience is our utmost priority. And Adrian brought us joins us now with more. Adrian, what is the alternative here?

Have drone shows been replaced with other types of entertainment? Hey there, Ellison. Some cities and venues are exploring alternative types of entertainment like fireworks and laser shows. For example, the New York Roadrunners told NBC News, they are looking at other elements. for entertainment that will, quote, surprise and delight the runners. So the drones are canceled, but the show must go on. Ellison?

Adrienne brought us. Thank you. When we come back, the new warning from the CDC about the bird flu outbreak, the agency says the virus may have mutated inside of a patient who is severely ill. So could this mean it will become more transmissible? We'll walk through what you need to know with an infectious disease expert right after this. Back now with Top Stories news feed, and this just in, President-elect Trump has asked the Supreme Court to put a pause on a TikTok ban. Lawyers for Trump asking the justices to consider a stay on the law that would ban the social media app on January 19th unless it is sold by its Chinese parent company bite dance. The Supreme Court is due to hear arguments on the case on January 10th.

And new details tonight on that stowaway who managed to board a flight in Seattle without a ticket. A source telling in B.C. news, the woman was able to bypass security by walking under the stanchion of a podium that was unmanned at the time. The Delta flight crew realized the woman did not have a boarding pass as the Honolulu-bound flight was preparing to take off. The TSA and CETAC Airport say they are investigating. And a fire breaking out at one of New York's most popular holiday markets. The video shows flames engulfing a kiosk at Bryant Park's holiday market, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the air. Firefighters rushing to the scene quickly extinguishing the fire. Luckily, no one was hurt. A nearby kiosk and the ice skating tent sustained some minimal damage. Fire officials say hot cooking oil might be to blame.

And call it a Christmas miracle for one Indiana couple, the duo, cashing their $1 million winning Powerball ticket just five hours before it was going to expire. According to the Indiana Lotto officials, this couple found the winning prize. Their little ticket stuck between the seats of their car on Christmas morning. They say they learned about an uncashed winning ticket thanks to news coverage and signage at a local gas station. Now to top stories, health check and the latest on the bird flu outbreak, we've been closely monitoring. Tonight, the CDC warning that the virus has mutated within a severely ill patient, raising concerns that it could become. more transmissible to humans. According to the CDC, this patient, who is over 65 and does have an underlying medical condition, has been hospitalized in critical condition with severe respiratory

symptoms after coming into contact with infected birds. And samples from that patient, they say, suggest that the virus may have mutated inside of them. That case, one of at least 65 reported cases of bird flu across the United States, according to the CDC. So for more on what all of this means, what it might mean for you and your family. I want to bring in Dr. David Aronoff, an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at Indiana University. Dr. Aronoff, thanks so much for joining us. Let's just start with the question I think most people have. How worried should we be about this mutation? Does it mean that this is something your average person needs to worry about when they're venturing outside and around other people and or other mammals? Well, thank you for

having me on. You know, obviously we're learning a lot about the bird flu. And as you pointed out, there's just under 70 cases in the United States. This particular case was one that a person got infected with poultry on their own property and is severely ill. We don't know a lot of details about the case, but some of the virus particles in that person's body have exhibited changes from the virus that was found in the poultry flock that infected them. And it's not uncommon for viruses to mutate or adapt to the person in which their are causing an infection. But the good news is that those mutations do not appear to be mutations that are involved in

transmission of the virus or risk of getting the virus from an animal to a human. And I think it's important for all viewers to know that nobody has seen any bird flu transmission from a person to a person during this time. So so far, there are no cases of human to human transmission. So explain to us in kind of baby science terms how that could happen and kind of the likelihood of it, right? Like we, I think often hear about zoonotical infections and we think, okay, we can't be touched with that. But then there are kind of what feels like gray areas to people who don't study this all the time. So in terms of this idea of could it mutate to then go human to human and are we on the cusp of some sort of pandemic, in simple terms, break it down for us how and why does that happen when?

it does? And how do we know if it gets to the point of maybe we should be worried? Well, influenza is a virus that circulates in humans and in animals. And typically, the strains of flu that we find in birds or pigs or cows are different from the influenza viruses that circulate in people. But influenza viruses can intermingle. And they can swap their genetic material. And a virus that's been living in birds can all of the sudden become a problem. in human beings. We remember the 2009 swine flu, a virus that had its background as a pig influenza. Right now, the H5N1 bird flu that we're hearing about has not changed in such a way that transmission from person to person can happen. But we do have to have our

radar up for cases of human-to-human transmission. We learned in 2009 that we can still get influenza pandemics. And of course, our experience with COVID tells us that we really have to be vigilant as a society around being prepared for pandemics. But right now, this bird flu is not posing that threat. Dr. Aronoff, we reported yesterday on a voluntary recall of cat food, cat food that was manufactured in Portland, Oregon, after it was contaminated with the virus. And according to health officials in that state, at least one cat died after eating. The contaminated cat food? Should people be worried about their pets right now? And how do you know beyond that voluntary recall and contamination, which we have information on NBCNews.com about which food

products need to go if you have them? But should people be worried about their pets? Well, one thing I'll say is that pets, just like humans, can get infections from eating undercooked or improperly prepared food. So, for example, raw milk is a risk factor for getting infected with this bird flu, and that's true in humans and in pets. This particular recall involved raw turkey. So it's important that our pet owners know that just like for human beings, we should be serving our pets, food that is properly cooked and prepared. And this cat was absolutely a 100% indoor cat that got infected, and they know that it came

from this cat food. So if you're feeding your cats, a raw, uncooked meat product, check with your pet food supplier or your local veterinarian about whether this is one that's been recalled. And of course, as you mentioned, NBC is allowing some information about this particular product. All right. Dr. David Aronoff, thank you so much for your time and insights, an infectious disease expert and professor of medicine at Indiana University. We appreciate your time tonight. Thank you. Turning now to Top Story's Global Watch and the question for millions of Syrian refugees around the world, is it safe to return home?

The fall of Syria's dictator Bashar al-Assad has reopened the possibility of going back, but at what cost? And are things really going to get better? NBC's Danielle Hamamjan spoke with Syrian refugees who are now weighing their options. These are some of the images that define. signed the 2015 Syrian refugee crisis. They escaped the civil war, tried to make their way on to European soil and beyond seeking asylum. So many dying along the way. Among those who attempted the perilous journey was Imada Larnab.

He eventually arrived in the UK with $15 in his pocket and knowing a thing or two about how to make good hummus. He went from washing cars in London to owning a popular Syrian restaurant in the heart of the city, an idea that was too wild and even dream. Your journey takes you from Syria to Turkey, to Greece, to Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Germany, Austria, France, the UK, and now to one of the most recognizable streets in London. I had my wife, daughters, family, which is the most important part. When you lose almost everything, you start thinking about what is important and what is

not important. I am so happy person. I am so grateful person. Grateful to the UK that took him in, but Syria is no longer the same country he left behind. And then suddenly, I cannot wait to go back. This kind of happiness, I'm terribly sorry, but you will never, ever understand, because it's It's stunning. You know, it's not like you had your restaurant back or your house back or your cars back.

No, no. You had your country back. But not everyone's so keen to go back. From the Syrian capital of Damascus nearly a decade ago to this German city known as little Damascus, Araf al-Farouk came here as a child. He keeps in touch with family and friends in Syria, but going back to live there, that is out the question. I grew up here, he says, and Germany is my second home.

In an airport turned shelter in Berlin. The thought of going back is appealing, but not yet safe. We'd like the German government to be patient with the people, he says. At least for a year so we can see how things develop. Maybe we'll go back on our own. Their homeland might be free, but there's often no physical home to go back to. 13 years of civil war have left much of Syria in ruin, with 90% of the population living in poverty, according to the UN. 6 million Syrians became refugees with Germany, taking in nearly a million asylum seekers back in 2015.

They built a new life here, and in a country with a shortage of skilled labor, the health sector now depends on thousands of Syrian doctors. But Germany is also seeing the far right gaining. ground. The suspect in the Magdeburg Christmas market attack that killed five people was from Saudi Arabia, amplifying calls from the anti-immigration AFD party for the deportation of immigrants. Meanwhile, Austria is not only preparing a deportation program, it's offering Syrian refugees a cash incentive of $1,000 to go back. The UN is warning Syria does not yet have the infrastructure required for the mass return of its people. We want the return to be voluntary, to be secure, and to be sustainable as well, so that

when they return, that they can stay and not be displaced again, either inside Syria or again having to flee the country. Does Syria emerge from a dictatorship to a democracy, or does it descend into a power struggle between anti-Assad groups? Imad Al-Arnaab has no doubt. For you, it's no one knows about. For us, if we get rid of Assad, we can do anything. Anything.

Sky is our limit. The UN says more than 50,000 Syrians have returned to Syria since the fall of Assad. But millions are waiting to see what happens next. Danielle Hammamj, NBC News, London. When we return, a look back at one of the biggest stories of the year. Though their cases, decades old, 2024 brought them in. brothers back into the spotlight. The twist and turns that push their bid for freedom forward. We are back now with a look at one of the top stories of 2024, and it is one that dates back

decades. The case against the Menendez brothers seemed to open and shut, but a hit show and social media brought it back into the spotlight, even getting the attention of the Los Angeles DA. Datelines Keith Morrison has covered this story extensively and takes a look back at how this year change the case. One of the biggest crime stories of the year is 35 years old. The murder of Kitty and Jose Menendez, popping up all over TikTok. They should be walking free on the sidewalks. The brother's supporters go beyond social media to Hollywood.

Here's Kim Kardashian speaking to variety. I feel like they just never had that fair chance and imagine if no one believed you. Interest in the case, balloons. with the release of the dramatized Netflix series Monsters, the Lyle and Eric Menendez story, which hit more than four billion minutes viewed in the first ten days. The real story began August 20, 1989. Initially, Lyle and Eric Menendez pointed the finger at the mob,

but by March of 1990, Beverly Hills Police had enough evidence to arrest the brothers. Could you believe it? No, no. But then Kitty's niece, Diane Hernandez, said Lyle confessed to her when she visited him in jail. Did he offer you any explanation? No, not at the time. Say, what you're your name?

Joseph, Lyle, Menendez. At trial, the explanation would come out for the first time, in graphic, emotional terms, about what the brothers said were the darkest secrets of their family. Between the ages of six and eight, did your father have sexual contact with you? Yes. They testified they had been sexually abused by their father. He would have me give him moral sex.

Lyle said it all boiled over three days before the murders when he confronted Jose. I told him I would tell everybody, everything about him, I would tell the police, and that I would tell the family. In 2017, Lyle told me that weekend he was afraid of what his dad might do. In preparation, he and his brother had secretly purchased shotguns, because, he said, We knew that we were in spray of danger. The jurors were torn. The trial was hung.

Two years later, when they were tried again, evidence of sexual assault was contested and restricted, and the brothers were convicted. The verdict was guilty on all counts. They were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Case closed until 2024. When new generations who've grown up after Me Too got interested... The mena and his brother should be freed. Then the Los Angeles District Attorney, George Gascon, said,

Lyle and Eric's sentence should be reduced, based solely on their exemplary behavior in prison. We're going to recommend to the court that the life without the possibility of parole, all be removed. But before that could happen, George Gascon was voted out of office. And the new DA, Nathan Hockman, said, hold on. I will do a thorough review of the facts. And after, the brothers Menendez will rejoin the great wide world or stay where they are in their small one. For Digline NBC, I'm Keith Morrison. When we come back, our final bingeworthy of 2024. Stay with us. That's next.

We're back now with bingeworthy. Our look at the best things to watch and listen to this weekend. And joining me for the very last bingeworthy of 24 is friend of top story, Ralphie Aversa. He is the host and producer of USA Today's Entertain This. Ralphie, thank you so much for being here, especially on our last. one of 2024. Allison, I'm honored. I'm not going to lie. This is a great way to close things out. At least I hope. We'll see. We'll find out soon enough. But we're getting started with Netflix because there is a highly anticipated season of Squid Games returning to Netflix. Take a look.

Now, then why again back back? I'm going to come back. I'm going to stop you. So, the world is not going to be able to see it. I thought this game of the game made them. That they're going to fight with season one. I thought this was so great. I was one of the many people that just binged it in, I mean, truly, really fast. What do you think of season two?

Season two, if you had the stomach for season one, you're going to love season two. And here's what else you're also going to love. there's going to be a season three also. It's so weird because I don't want to give away too much here, but this season ends on a cliffhanger. It ends on, there's a nice setup for season three. One thing I will say, and we spoke with both the director and the lead for this at USA Today.

The VIPs, remember those from season one, the wealthy VIPs. We don't see them in season two. However, they're coming back for season three. So there you go. We're getting to season three, and again, season three set up nicely. You need the stomach for this. Okay. If you don't have the stuff, well, you obviously.

I mean, I obviously, I don't know what that says about me. Maybe I should be concerned. But yeah, there's a lot of other people that did. So you're good. You're in good company. I'm like, yeah, I loved that crazy thing. Okay, anyway, another thing that is out. This is a British classic.

A lot of people very excited for this. Doctor Who, but make it Christmas. This is the Doctor Who Christmas special. It's on Disney Plus. Ham and she's toasting a pumpkin latte. Who are you? Romero. We are on a top secret mission.

What? Who are you then? Joy. Tom name Joy. Thank you. How'd I get to be you? You'll find out. Who are you?

You'll find out. What do I do? Where do I go? We'll find out. Oh, do you see? You have to be mysterious all the time. It was great. Okay, we were just ranting, raving because I'm like, I know her from Bridgeton.

Love her. Tell me about this special. It is a film, right? It's a Christmas special. But it's all one. It's not like multi-series? Correct. And really, what's interesting about this Christmas special,

It's not your typical one-off Christmas special. It ties together season 14 and season 15 of Doctor 2. These are the first two seasons, of course, that it's been on Disney Plus. And yes, you may have heard us talking about Nicola Coughlin, who plays Joy, who has some very interesting words at the end of this that really set up season 15 pretty nicely. Nicola, by the way, you know her from Bridgeton. I went viral with her on TikTok. She's got a special place in my heart. Yeah, we love that.

She's fantastic. She's great. And I think fans of Doctor Who will certainly love this also. All right. So the next one that we have is on Peacock. This is called Laid. It's about a woman discovering all her exes mysteriously keep dying. Take a look. My exes are dying. What the f-three of your ex-boyfriends die. Sure. A few of my exes are dead. That's six. I think I have to warn them. I do too. I also think that. I was hoping you'd say that. Roll in some deodorant and we'll head out. Is this a prank? Your life is a danger.

What? Jesus. I have a lot of questions. I mean, look, it could be a surprise murder story for all we know. How are they dying? There can be some twists and turns. I mean, there's a very crude use of the term body count when you're talking about people you have slept with in this series certainly gives new meaning to that as people continue to die.

We're trying to figure out why. Stephanie Sue, of course, from everything everywhere all at once. nominated actress in this as well. And yeah, she even said that, like, she's got a dark mind, and that's kind of what drew her to this series. So if that's you, then maybe this is all you later, of course, streaming here on Peacock. That's great.

I mean, I love a dark comedy because I love duality. I'm like, give me some, like, dark mystery. Because that's how people are. It's like much more interesting to have a lot of things. You all right. I want a sampler platter for sure. Put it on a lazy, Susan. Okay, the next one that we have, this is.

A comedy special. It's for Netflix. It's Nate Bargatsky's. It is his third comedy special for Netflix. Take a look. I went to Career Day for my daughter's school. So I was hoping to sit at a table alone. They put me at a table with a surgeon, which I think they did it on purpose. Almost to show the kids, here's the difference between reading. They asked him, how long do you go to school to be a surgeon? You know, he's like 54 years or whatever. It's like a, and they ask me, they're like, how long? to be a comedian. I was like, you're good now, so. He is so great. And I have been a fan of his since one of his first, like, comedy specials that was recorded was called yelled it by a clown,

because his dad was a clown. And his whole bit was like, have you ever been yelled at by a clown? I have. He's hilarious. What do you make at the third special? I love just how relatable he can be and also how conversational he is. And I think that's what, you know, draws a lot of fans to him. Also, of course, he's from Tennessee. He filmed this in Arizona. And he's having like a great year, two years. I mean, these last couple years, really. S&L, he hosted here, of course, he had a network special. And now, as you mentioned, his third network special. He knows it S&L twice, right? Yes, I think so, yes. So he's on fire. So Nate Bargazzi. Good for him. Okay, so the last movie that we have, wait, no, I think we have, oh, we have to

cry one. Wait, this one I'm excited about. So it is called Chiefsaholic, and it's the true story of a Kansas City chief super fan who was a bank robber watch being a superfan it can go to your head it's addictive you feel the need to fulfill that status when I first met chiefsaholic chiefsaholic chiefsaholic I don't want to compare him to a god but he was a rock star he was a big gambler he's a staple to the kingdom he's facing 350 years how the hell are you going to all these games get your hands up this dude super fan of the year What's shocking is the story we don't know. I'm not saying I support this, but I am saying the time management of going to every game

and also committing hundreds, hundreds of bank robberies. It's unbelievable. Multi-state string, Xavier Babadar is his name, and he is a chief super fan. He wore the were the werewolf costume, and of course, the chief's the most publicized team for so many reasons in the NFL, namely, of course, the fact that they win so often. I'm not a bitter Buffalo Bills fan, I promise you. But this docu-series from Prime is so interesting, looking at not just his fandom, but then, as you mentioned, him simultaneously carrying out all these robberies, attempted robberies across state lines. And him, you know, obviously doing that or trying to keep it on the DL, while also being a very up front and center fan of the Chiefs active on social media.

He granted interviews for this, too. Are you surprised, Allison? I'm not. I'm not. So, yeah, this is going to be a great watch. Okay, I am excited for that. The next one that we have, this is based on a true story, but very much in a different fan. It's called 6-3-8, and it takes place during World War II. It's about women of color who are stationed overseas. Take a look. We are at war, and when you are at war, you may do. Unlike some other folks here, we have the most to prove. Now is where you show the proof. This is our mission.

And we will not fail. I am so excited about this one for a host of reasons, but also someone who's covered a lot of conflicts, particularly in recent years. So often the stories we hear about women are centered around them being victims or their relationship to their husbands as they go to war.

I love when we get to go back and look and be reminded of stories like this, of women stepping up. And this, you tell us more, but obviously very different circumstances for this group of women in particular. Yeah, a seemingly impossible mission that these women take on, the only women of color group in the Army Corps. And so that's what this goes back to look at.

It's a drama from Tyler Perry, who we spoke with. Our editor, Anika Reid spoke with him, made some very interesting comments, by the way, about why he doesn't have a writer's room, and kind of through some allegations the way of the WGA, which was certainly a bit of aside from the press tour he was doing for this film, which is on Netflix now. the way Tyler saying, regardless of what I say or you say about it, he doesn't read reviews

infamously. Good for him. So, but yeah, this one a lot of people are very excited about for both the subject matter and the fact that, you know, Tyler Perry, he's a billionaire for a reason. He has quite the following. Yeah. All right. So we're going to turn to music now because we have a new album from Katie Perry. Here is one of her new songs that's called No Tears for New Year's. So it hits 12 o'clock. That's when all the crying stops. So it's kind of an extension of her 14-3 album that came out before they added. And they added, I think it's like how many, two, three, four songs?

Yeah, so a couple songs and a two to the title. So it's one, four, three, two. And the song might be relatable. I don't know. It's very catchy. Yeah. That's for sure. As is most of Katie Perry's music.

So I recently saw her actually at Jingle Ball here in New York City. So she was fantastic. And so, yeah, I'm sure a lot of people will be queuing this one up for the new year. If no tears on New Year's is your thing. Yeah, I mean, definitely my thing. Maybe tears on New Year's is your thing, in which case you're not going to be into this song. But it's a very catchy tune, nonetheless. All right.

So we mentioned this is the last bent toward the year of 2024. So we cannot in the year without asking you to look back and tell us what were some of your favorite things of 2024. All right. Let's stay with music first. I'm going to give you one song. I'm going to give you a docu-series. I'm going to give you a movie. music first cold play all my love this is off their latest album moon music i'm a big cold play

fan however i kind of was starting to fall out of love with them and then this album and song it's a beautifully beautifully written song by chris martin the video as you could see right here just came out on dick van dyke's birthday it pays homage to dick as well who just turned 99 of course him and chris are basically neighbors in malibu so that's my song docu series the one i couldn't stop watching i i had a binge it all in one night mr McMahon about the WWE owner, creator, CEO who has come under fire for a number of different reasons, six-parter on Netflix, co-executive produced by Bill Simmons, who does a lot of great work. I was a big wrestling fan during the Attitude Era with Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Rock.

I kind of fell out of it since. But this incredible look at really the rise and fall of both McMahon and the rise of WWE in the process. And then movie, all right, this one came out late in 2023. It was up for Best Picture earlier this year at the office. Oscar's American Fiction. Oh, yes. Jeffrey White.

You know him, of course, from many things, including Westworld. And I remember him in Boardwalk Empire. He was fantastic. He was on Broadway as well, and he is so, so good in this. I really was kind of rooting for this to take home the Oscar for Best Picture. And, of course, he was nominated as well for his role. So that's my top three. He wrote that, too, right?

Was he writer or director or something? He was, I believe he might have been a co-writer, I think. It's really, I heard it was amazing. I've not seen that one yet. So I'll add it to my list. Yeah, yeah, add it to your list. Okay. What are you? Okay, I am like, I had, what did I tell you guys put them up for me? There we go. Oh, the, okay, hacks, love, got into that for the first time this year and binge all the other seasons. It was a toss-up for me between that and Mr. and Mrs. Smith with Donald Glover, but I love hacks in the latest season.

Was hilarious. Music, Kendrick Lamar, not like us. I mean, iconic, the greatest. I think Kendrick is a genius and that feud. was super fun. And then in terms of TV shows, have you seen this one yet? The Kings of Tupelo, it's a Southern crime saga. I am obsessed with it. It is one of my favorite. I love documentaries in general. It's one of my favorite true crime docs so far of the year. It is about that guy who is an Elvis impersonator who then gets wrapped up and being convinced and maybe he's right. Who knows? We don't really know when you watch it in that there's some sort of organ harvesting conspiracy stuff going on in his town in Mississippi. And then he gets framed for a presidential assassination

a tip by a John Wayne impersonator. It's so good, and the editing and the structure of this documentary just brilliant, and I highly recommend it. It's from the people who brought you a Tiger King. Like, you can't get much better. Allison, I'm sold. All right, great. That does it for us, for all the others. So thank you so much for being here, and thank you at home for watching Top Story. I'm Alison Barber in New York for Tom Yamas. Stay right there. More news is on the way.