Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, July 25, 2025

Episode Date: July 26, 2025

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.

Breaking tonight, the mid-air close call near Los Angeles, forcing pilots to take aggressive action. The Southwest plane taking off and hit with two traffic alerts, forcing it to take a dramatic turn. Passengers saying they were thrown from their seats, some hitting the cabin ceiling. You'll hear from those on board. Also tonight, the DOJ wraps up its second day sit-down with Epstein accomplice, Galane Maxwell. President Trump pressed on whether he could pardon or would pardon or commute her sentence. his response tonight. The urgent manhunt after a deadly shooting at the University of New Mexico, the campus lockdown with hundreds of incoming freshmen visiting for orientation.

Communities living in fear bracing for Medicaid cuts after the passage of President Trump's big, beautiful bill. We speak with those most at risk about the dire situations they face if they're cut off. Right now, dangerous summer storms racing east intense floods in Chicago washing out roadways, video capturing a geyser shooting out of the sidewalk. The ground stops at major airports, plus the areas facing a brutal heat wave through the weekend. The Star Wars like flying bikes that can reportedly reach 124 miles per hour. The company slamming rumors that the product was nothing but a Jedi mind trick. So is this a sneak peek at the future?

And rat it out, video of the Chuck E. Cheese mascot arrested while on the job, the charges he faces. Plus, a DACA recipient facing deportation after missing an exit. near the border, the new reality for Dreamers under the Trump administration. Top story. Starts right now. And good evening. We're coming on the air tonight with breaking news. A Southwest flight forced to make a sudden maneuver to avoid a potential collision mid-air. One passenger saying it felt like a free fall. The airline saying in his statement, the pilots got two alerts to dodge another aircraft. Passengers on board reporting somewhere,

thrown from their seats even hitting the ceiling. Southwest says it happened shortly after takeoff from the Hollywood Burbank Airport just north of Los Angeles. The airlines saying tonight there was no immediate reports of customers hurt, but two flight attendants are being treated for injuries. This incident coming just days after a regional jet had to take aggressive action to avoid a possible collision with a B-52 bomber, and after a string of deadly aviation incidents this year. America forced tonight to re-ask the question, how safe are our skies. Tom Costello, he's going to lead us off tonight. Tom, let's start with this incident tonight. What are you learning about the alerts the pilots got? Yeah, Tom, this happened

at 14,000 feet as a Southwest plane was climbing out of Burbank in Los Angeles Airspace, headed for Las Vegas. A source with knowledge of the event says a hawker hunter, a vintage British fighter plane, came dangerously close to the Southwest plane. That set off collision warnings and a force Southwest to take evasive action tonight a pilot forced to make a dramatic dive mid-air to avoid a potential collision with another plane I've never felt anything like that and I turned to the people that I was flying with and I was I was like I don't want to die I was terrified I thought this was it I thought this is how I go out it happened on southwest airline's flight 1496 from Burbank southern cow to Las Vegas Southwest says it's

Pilots got two T-CAS alerts. Terrain collision avoidance systems, serious warnings that they could soon collide with another plane and must change their flight path immediately. The pilots climbed, then descended, according to the airline. Steve Ulazwis was on board. There was this large drop. I want to say it lasted for eight to ten seconds. Just complete free fall was like out of my seat, body out of my seat.

People were screaming, just felt like pandemonium. Two flight attendants are being treated for injuries. Yelazwood says he saw one of them. She looked disoriented. Her hair was kind of all of a mess. And they sat her down at the front and gave her an ice pack. No passengers injured. The flight continued on to Vegas where Southwest says it landed uneventfully.

It's the latest close call in the skies. Just last weekend, this video from the North Dakota State Fair captured a Delta a regional jet banking and diving to avoid an Air Force B-52, and on Monday, an arrow Mexico plane landing in Mexico City narrowly avoided a collision with a Delta flight cleared to take off from the same runway. Tonight, Yelazowitz says he's just happy he's safely on the ground. And with that, Tom Costello joins us once again, and Tom, quite the moment once that Southwest flight landed in Vegas? Yeah, that's right. We're told the passengers were all applauding when they landed safely. And then the

the pilots came out of the cockpit, the passengers applied to them, and the pilots shook the passengers' hands as they then departed the plane. Everybody very grateful that it ended as it did. By the way, the FAA confirms tonight it is investigating this event that occurred in Los Angeles Airspace. Tom? Tom Costello, leading us off on that breaking news tonight. Tom, thanks. Our other major headline, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, wrapping a second day of interviews with Galane Maxwell, as scrutiny grows over the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey case. President Trump touching down in the U.K. this afternoon after addressing whether he'd give a pardon to Epstein's accomplice. Kelly O'Donnell on the ground in Scotland

tonight with the president. The president put an ocean between himself and the Epstein files controversy, arriving in Scotland tonight. While in Florida, an extraordinary two-day interview is over involving Galane Maxwell, co-conspirator, of infamous sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said he is pursuing information about anyone who committed crimes against victims of Epstein. Today, President Trump was asked if he would consider a pardon or commutation. It's something I haven't thought about. It's really something.

I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about. Maxwell's attorney says no offer of clemency was discussed or requested. Listen, the president this morning said he had the power to do so. We hope he exercises that power in the right and just way. Notably saying his client opened up about those around DeBstein. She was asked maybe about a hundred different people. She answered questions about everybody. The Deputy Attorney General posted that the Department of Justice will share more about what we learned at the appropriate time.

The president tried to distance himself from the specifics of the Maxwell meeting. He is being talked to by a very smart man, by a very good man, Todd Blanche. And I don't know anything about the conversation. In a 2010 deposition, Epstein was asked about his personal relationship with several well-known figures, including Donald Trump. Have he ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18? Though I'd like to answer that question, at least today, I'm going to have to assert my fifth, sixth and 14th amendment right. The White House says Mr. Trump kicked Epstein out of his club for being a creep, ending their friendship decades ago. All right, Kelly O'Donnell joins us tonight live from Scotland.

Kelly, this is both an official and personal trip for the president. Explain that to our viewers, why? Well, it is a mix of family business. and government business. It is not going to have any of the diplomatic niceties we often see when the president travels overseas. He will be playing golf at his Trump-branded courses, and that includes cutting a ribbon with son Eric as they open a second golf course here in Scotland. And the president says he will meet with European leaders on trade and tariffs. That's the government business part. He predicted today it could be a 50-50 chance of trying to get a deal with

the European Union on tariffs. Tom? All right, Kelly O'Donnell, traveling with the president Kelly, great to see you. Not a terrifying moment for new college students at the University of New Mexico, incoming freshmen on lockdown for hours after a shooter killed one person and injured another. NBC Steve Patterson is following this one. Tonight in Albuquerque, police scouring the University of New Mexico campus for a killer. We're on the east side, this kind of center of this campus. Can you have you at MPD come out for this?

Early this morning, New Mexico police say they were called to the Cassis del student housing center where there were multiple gunshots. Inside, two victims, one with non-life-threatening injuries, the other killed. It's just crazy to think, you know, how close that was, you know, my heart drops. Law enforcement closing down central campus for hours, telling students to stay indoors. A campus-wide alert warning, the suspect is still at large. Central campus remains closed. Anyone on campus should continue to shelter in place. The shooting comes on the second day of new student orientation. Incoming freshmen, state. staying overnight on campus this morning locked down in fear.

I'm a parent of a student coming in freshman year. She was staying in the dorms at Hocona Hall when everything happened. We spoke to Mom Renee Kubler, embracing her 18-year-old daughter Addison after several terrifying hours waiting for word. We couldn't really like talk to the others or like do anything like that except like text. This parent's worst nightmare, a verdict. I'm just very grateful.

It was super emotional. I know it could happen anywhere, but it was super emotional. The shootings are terrible on campuses whenever, but especially during new story, student orientation. That is so wild. Steve joins us tonight from Los Angeles. Steve, I know this is a very fluid situation tonight, but the university's shelter-in-place has just been lifted? Yeah, just moments ago, we learned that shelter-in-place had lifted, meaning students can finally, freely sort of move around those dormitories there. But to outsiders, the campus, the central campus itself remains closed as police continue this

investigation and try to capture that shooter. Tom? All right, Steve Patterson for us. Thank you. Right now, severe storms are charging east after leaving parts of Chicago underwater, delays and cancellations mounting at major airports. As parts of the country braced for a weekend of extreme heat, Emily Aketa has the latest. It's a highway. Oh, my God. Tonight, heavy rains hammering the Midwest and causing flash flooding in Chicago where cars inch through rushing water. This fire hydrant nearly swallowed as part of the city saw two inches of rain in a single hour. In New Mexico, emergency crews are cleaning up from these stunning scenes. After flash flooding led to water rescues and swept away this home.

The latest bout of brutal weather rolling into the northeast and wreaking havoc at airports. Ground stops due to thunderstorms in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. A stark contrast to the glaring sun that bakes some 115 million in heat alerts earlier in the day. Very hot, very sweaty, sometimes their mental status is a little bit altered. Calls for heat-related illness inundating New York's first responders. You're seeing more calls than ever. Yes, we're also seeing more calls that have life-threatening emergencies. While concerts in New Jersey and Maryland were outright canceled, cooling tents and additional medics will play a critical role for bikers at this fundraiser for cancer research in Charlotte.

We have got more ice than we have ever ordered before. I can imagine. All right, Emily Aketa joins us now from LaGuardia. Emily, we saw in your report about the travel headaches. Still pretty bad tonight. Yeah, and it appears to only be getting worse, Tom. Good to be with you. You can see on the board behind me, Not a whole lot of green indicating on-time departures because we are watching those flight cancellations and delays just continue to tick up already so far today. Some 8,000 flight disruptions across the country. A third of the flights here at LaGuardia Airport in New York alone have been delayed as major airports across the region have been contending with ground stops that have been lasting for hours, Tom. All right, Emily, we thank you for more on what we can expect tonight.

And into the weekend, I want to bring in our good friend NBC meteorologist Bill Karens. Bill, talk to us about the storms happening right now. Yeah, the Northeast got it early today. A lot of the storms are over with from New York to Boston. Still some storms to deal with in the Philadelphia area, maybe isolated in eastern Pennsylvania. We had some high wind gusts, too. Newark Airport had a 62-mile-power gusts. There are down trees and there are power outages. And look at these airport delays. We're hoping the ground stop is going to be lifted soon in Philadelphia. JFK is up over two hours of average delays. D.C. is at 40 minutes. Boston is a lot. Boston is over an hour. So this is the fourth Friday this summer that we've had major thunderstorm and huge travel problems at the airports. The other thing we have to watch tonight, a flash flood

situation is developing. We're keeping our eyes on the Kansas City area and just south of there. Already one flash flood warning. And these thunderstorms are going to head over you. And Tom, it has rained many days in a row in this region. And then let's also talk about that brutal heat because some people like us here, we've been dealing with both storms and the heat. Yeah, people in the south are probably like storms at this point. I mean, it would cool you off. I mean, this is going to be a ridiculously hot weekend. Even by southeastern standards, the humidity levels are going to be so high. You're not even going to cool off much at night.

Many areas only going into the upper 70s. So the air conditioners are going to be just churning for the next three or four days in a row. So no relief about D.C. southwards. You get one or two good days in the Great Lakes. But even Chicago, great Saturday, Sunday, it feels like 101. And look at our friends in Charlotte. Temperature is going to be 100. We'll be factoring the heat index near 110 Saturday, Sunday, Monday.

same for Tallahassee Sunday into Monday, too. And Tom, this heat wave does not look to break until about August 2nd or 3rd in the South. This is going to test everyone's patience. All right, Bill Cairns, we thank you for that. Tonight, disgraced former Congressman George Santos is now a federal prisoner beginning his seven-year sentence today after pleading guilty to fraud charges.

It comes after Santos has said in recent days he's not sure if he'll be able to survive behind bars. Ryan Nobles has his farewell message to supporters. Tonight, former Congressman George Santos begins his life as an inmate in the federal correctional institution, Farrington, in New Jersey. Santos never won to avoid the spotlight, bid farewell to his supporters with a final ex post, showing him blowing a kiss, with a caption, I may be leaving the stage for now, but trust me, legends never truly exit. Seven years in person. Santos admitting he's not prepared for life behind bars. I don't know that I survive it. I'm not a streetwise guy. I don't know how to fight.

He was forced out of Congress in disgrace, becoming only the sixth member of the House of Representatives to be expelled by his colleagues. You guys got to get out of my way. It came after a scathing ethics report marked the end of his short-lived, but outsized political career. Thank you for having me. My name is George Santos. Within days of his win, press reports began to emerge, revealing Santos was not who he claimed to be. From his past business career to his education, and even something as trivial as a fake stint on his college volleyball team. As the pressure mounted, Santos remained defiant. I will not stand by quietly. But soon the lies about his biography quickly morphed into a criminal indictment. Santos chose to plead guilty to a long list of charges.

I know that my actions have caused disappointment, frustration, and a loss of faith in me. And for that, I'm truly sorry. And tonight, Santos' undoes. day one of a more than seven-year sentence. Santos spent a lot of time publicly begging President Trump for a pardon, but ultimately admitted that pardon was not going to come. Tom? Ryan Nobles on Capitol Hill tonight.

Ryan, thank you. Now to the Americas and the case at the U.S.-Mexico border that could lead to a DACA recipient's deportation. A rideshare driver says he took the wrong exit on a highway and accidentally entered Mexico while driving two passengers. when he tried to turn around, border patrol agents detained him and are now preparing to deport him. George Solis has the story. Tonight, a California DACA recipient is on the brink of deportation

after a wrong turn at the border. For Eric Hernandez, a ride-chair driver, an accidental crossing into Mexico from San Diego cost him his freedom, according to his attorney. His attorney says he picked up a fare that was headed to a neighborhood right by the border on the way he missed an exit on the highway. Unable to turn around, he crossed into Mexico,

and then right into the hands of border agents. Oh, my God, like, I don't know what I'm going to do tomorrow. His pregnant wife and mother of three children, fearful over his possible deportation to El Salvador. I'm just worried. I'm just worried that if he gets deported, like, I'm going to, like, manage, like, everything by myself. He's currently being detained at this detention center in San Diego, according to his attorney. His attorney says, despite the 34-year-olds pleas to border officials that he's legally allowed to work in the U.S. under DACA, they would not let him go. unless he bribed them. One of the officials told him, well, if you pay us $800, we'll forgive everything

and we'll let you into the United States with no problem. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Trisha McLaughlin declined to comment on the alleged bribe directly. But in a statement to NBC News writing, CBP takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, investigates thoroughly, and holds employees accountable when policies are violated, and adding any illegal alien who is a DACA recipient may be subject to arrest and deportation. According to his attorney, Hernandez came to the U.S. from El Salvador 20 years ago when he was 14, able to illegally work and study in the country under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program or DACA.

DACA recipients need prior approval to leave the U.S., which Hernandez did not have at the time of the accidental crossing, according to his attorney. In a December interview with Meet the Press moderator, Kristen Welker, then President-elect Trump saying he would work on a plan for those with DACA. What about dreamers, sir, dreamers who were brought to this country illegally as children? once back in 2017, they quote, shouldn't be very worried about being deported. Should they be worried now? The dreamers are going to come later, and we have to do something about the dreamers, because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, and many of these are middle-aged people now. They don't even speak the language of their country. But last month, a White House spokesperson told NBC News this wasn't a priority for the president

who is instead focusing on deporting criminal illegal aliens. For now, Hernandez's family describing the situation as a nightmare as they await his imminent deportation. George, Elise, joins us tonight live from Miami. So, George, where does Hernandez's case stand tonight? Yeah, Tom, our team speaking with Hernandez's attorney a little earlier this afternoon, and unfortunately, it looks like deportation is more imminent than not. His attorney telling us that he was denied his stay of removal, which means that they are going to more than likely deport him. Now, his attorney said he had remained hopeful that something would end up working out. But because of this decision, again, it looks like he will now be heading back to El Salvador,

which he is very fearful of because he says it's a country he hardly knows. Tom? George Solis for us. George, we thank you for that one. Still ahead tonight, we take a look at real-life consequences with government assistance programs at risk under President Trump's new mega law, including those worried about losing their health care coverage. Plus the massive car explosion that rocked a D.C. sub-executive. what caused the blast?

And the terrifying experience a cosmetic surgery patient endured with eyes wide open. The concerns over cosmetic surgery chains and what you need to know before going under the knife. Stay with us. Back down with growing concern

over cosmetic surgery chains that are rapidly expanding across the nation. Growing with them are lawsuits alleging aggressive sales tactics and lax medical standards. NBC's Airman. McLaughlin has this story reported in partnership with KFF Health News.

When Aaron Schaefer lost 100 pounds, she had surgery to remove excess skin at the National Cosmetic Surgery chain, Sonabello. I remember as I got off of the operating table, I looked over and I saw a huge piece of skin. The first thing I thought was I was just skinned alive. That surgery eventually landed her in the emergency room with a life-threatening infection. I realized, wow, this could be it. Very scary at that moment. You realized you could die.

Yes. Remove stubborn fat permanently. Schaefer says ads like this are what led her to Sonabello, which advertises fast results and uses lydicane for pain, keeping patients awake for surgery. The company says that's because it's safer than general anesthesia. The local anesthetic is a common option for some cosmetic surgery. Schaefer says her first procedure, liposuction, when okay. She even messaged Dr. Manuel Herrera.

that she was doing great. But when she returned for the second surgery, and he started to cut into her skin, the pain that I felt was just unbearable. And I said, hey, you know, I'm really feeling this. And he says, you're doing such a wonderful job. Just hang tight. I started crying, and I said, please stop. I said, I can't, I can't do this anymore. Did he stop? He did not. He said, just take some breasts. Let us turn on some music. Schaefer says it wasn't until after she was sick with a severe infection that she learned Dr. Herrera is not a board certified plastic surgeon. He's a board certified OBGYN surgeon who took Sonabello's six to eight week unaccredited training program on liposuction and tummy tucks. Sonabello says the program is rigorous and is transparent

with patients about surgeons qualifications. I trusted that he was a plastic surgeon. I mean, he was at a plastic surgery center. Schaefer is now suing Sonabello. The company has denied wrongdoing. Her lawsuit among more than 200 against cosmetic surgery chains reviewed by NBC News in partnership with KFF Health News. They include allegations of disfiguring injuries and more than a dozen deaths. Some allege the chains often exaggerate potential results and put profits before safety. Does Sunabello put profits over patients? No, it does not. We put our patients first. Dr. Roberts Centeno is a medical director for Sonabello. Dr. Herrera directed NBC News's request for to the company. So we asked Dr. Centeno about the pain Aaron Schaefer says she experienced.

While she may have had a situation that was uncomfortable, there are many different approaches we can use to get a patient comfortable when they're not having a good experience. As Dr. Herod, it's starting to use talkesthesia and coaching through the procedure. We also asked them about patient complaints made to the Better Business Bureau. There are at least 13 complaints in which patients reported feeling excruciating pain. Can you think of any reason why a surgeon would not stop performing a procedure if asked explicitly by a patient? Well, to answer your question, 13 over 300,000 patients that have undergone this procedure, it is not, you know, unfathomable that 13 patients would have a negative experience. That's really not the norm.

Stick your head in. A year later, Erin Schaefer says she's still recovering, physically and financially. Unless it's life or death, I don't want to have any procedure because I was so close to death. I was so close. All right, and with that, Aaron McLaughlin joins us now in studio. So, Aaron, we know these cosmetic plastic surgery clinics are growing all across the nation. How can patients protect themselves? Well, Tom, experts say if you are considering one of these procedures, make sure you consult with an actual doctor, not just a sales rep before making a decision.

and also ask about your surgeon's qualifications. Really do your research. Okay, Aaron McLaugh, and we thank you for bringing us that story. Coming up, the startling road rage and sitting caught on camera. Video showing a driver throwing a hot cup of coffee into another car and yelling slurs how police tracked him down. And game over, the Chucky Cheese mascot handcuffed and arrested while in full costume, the charges he now faces. But first, an uplifting moment. Top story's top moment.

And this one is heartwarming. It's a throwback as the world warns wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, one young fan's hulkester impression giving the superstar a run for his money back in 2021. Take a look. No, let me tell you something, brother. When you walk in this beach shop, I'm surprised that you still got the shirt on, Jack. Do let me tell you something? Hulkster, the first time I met you, I was only three years old when I'm 60 years old.

So now we got to take it. You're a big of Wumbleman. So what are they going to do when the power of the holster and the roaster and the dual 204-inch pythons run wild on you? That never gets old. That was Roe Knight at the age of six. Rowe's dad tonight telling us his son is, quote, devastated by the news that his hero passed away and remembering him as the absolute best. All right. Stay with us.

We're back in a moment. We're back now with Top Story's news feed. A massive car explosion rocked a parking lot in a D.C. suburb Thursday. The car exploded in the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, charring at least three other cars. Arlington fire and EMS saying the explosion was a result of a ruptured fuel tank. There were no injuries reported. More than 600,000 fridge air mini-fridges are being recalled over fire safety concerns.

Curtis International, which manufactures the fridges, recalling the items after reports that the mini-fridges are smoking, sparking, and catching fire, leading to $700,000 in property damage reported with multiple injuries reported. And a man was arrested after a hate-motivated road rage incident was caught on camera outside of LA. Take a look at this. The victim filming the interaction after the man yelled racial slurs, catching the man throwing a hot cup of coffee at him. Police tracking down the suspect after the victim posted the clip on social media. He was arrested on hate crime and assault charges. All right, Chuck E. Cheese under arrest handcuffed in front of children.

This one's pretty sad. A man working as the beloved mascot at a Florida location unmasked and taken away as kids look on. It comes after a woman complained her credit card was stolen and fraudulent. charges were made after her child's party. The employee was accused of using the stolen card and is charged with larceny and fraud. Okay, change pace here. Switch gears, if you will. WNBA star Caitlin Clark has been sidelined from injury, but that didn't stop her rookie card from smashing an auction record. The card inscribed with her scoring total from her rookie season sold last night, forget this, $660,000. A new high for a female athlete sports card.

It is, of course, a one-of-one, and in classic Caitlin Clark fashion, it broke her own record. Okay, next tonight to the fear spreading in some communities about planned cuts to Medicaid following the passage of President Trump's big, beautiful bill. California's Central Valley expecting to be hit particularly hard with more than half of the residents there relying on Medicaid. Our Capitol Hill correspondent, Melanie Zanona, traveled to that community to see how some are bracing for those cuts and what it could mean for the midterm elections. At me with? Oh, you guys are doing a lot for me. At this rural health clinic in California, Central Valley, low-income patients depend

on the services here to survive, both physically and financially. Do you live in a canyon or do you live up hot? Dr. Carson Chambers is the clinic's psychologist and says the majority of his patients rely on government assistance. There's no frills here. No one's taking advantage of anything. They're trying to survive. But now, social safety net program.

are at risk under President Trump's mega law, which slashes Medicaid and food stamps. An estimated 10 million people are expected to lose their health insurance under the law. How badly do people actually need this health care and this health insurance from the government? It's critical.

It's the difference between living on the street and under the influence and causing all kinds of problems to being functional. At 22 years old, Rick Garcia was permanently paralyzed after he leaned against a faulty railing on a bridge and plummeted backwards. I fell 27 feet, landed on some rocks on my head, and I broke my neck. Yeah, that changed my life right then and there. Bound to a wheelchair and unable to work.

He lives with his mom Elaine and has been reliant on Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, ever since. That allows him to receive some of his care here at the Bakersfield American Indian health project. Without Medi-Cal, I'd be broke. I'd be broke. This key swing district is home to huge swaths of farmland. It has been represented by Republican Congressman and dairy farmer David Valadeo for 10 of the last 12 years. Valadeo's district has the second highest share of Medicaid recipients in the entire country, according to an NBC news analysis. And this hospital here in Bakersfield gets 72% of its revenue from the state's Medicaid program. This hospital serves as a critical lifeline for the community.

Without it, many residents would have nowhere to access care. Valadeo repeatedly vowed to oppose the mega bill, citing his concerns over steep Medicaid cuts and the impacts on rural hospitals. And I will not support a final reconciliation bill that risked leaving them behind. But under pressure from Trump, Valadeo ultimately voted yes. His office said he was not available for an interview for the story. But he previously defended his decision in a statement, saying, I voted for this bill because it does preserve the Medicaid program for its intended recipients, children, pregnant women,

the disabled, and elderly. His vote has made Valadeo even more vulnerable in next year's midterm election. He ended up voting for it. How does that make you feel? Yeah, definitely betrayed. Valadeo already faces two challengers, including Democrat Jasmid Bain. A doctor and California State Assembly member. When I saw Valadeo vote for the Big Beautiful Bill,

I was shocked. How could you do that in a district that has some of the highest needs, some of the highest Medicaid patients in the country? The agricultural region is dependent on migrant farm workers who are also targeted in the mega law, which kicks non-citizens off of Medicaid, leaving the area nicknamed America's breadbasket, bracing for a health care gut punch.

Are you guys worried that you might be impacted? Definitely. Definitely. Definitely. Yes, that will have a big impact on our lifestyle and a big impact on our pocketbook. Melanie joins us tonight live from Los Angeles. So Melanie, going back to Rick, who you just spoke to there, bound to a wheelchair with his disability.

What does this bill mean for his coverage? Well, Tom, Republicans insist that, Republicans insist that only people in their view who don't deserve to be on Medicaid are going to be kicked off the program. So undocumented immigrants or people who are able-bodied but choose not to work. However, Medicaid has already tried to kick Rick Garcia off of the program twice already, and he has had to appeal. And so he's very worried that he and many other people are going to potentially be wrapped up erroneously in all these new changes. And not to mention, there's also going to be new paperwork, new requirements, more frequent eligible. eligibility checks, all of that, making it more birdism for people to stay on the program.

And it's sparking a lot of fear in the community in Bakersfield, which relies so heavily on these social safety net programs. Yeah, so rural hospitals, as you know, they account for, I think it's about one-third of all community hospitals nationwide. So some Republicans who voted for the president's big, beautiful bill are now trying to sort of walk back some of the ways it could impact those rural hospitals. What exactly are you hearing? Yeah, it's a pretty remarkable dynamic. I've not really seen in my 15 years covering Capitol Hill, there are multiple Republicans like Josh Hawley of Missouri who voted for the mega bill who are now trying to walk back in reverse some of the Medicaid cuts. Specifically, Holly introduced a bill that would roll back

one of the provisions that essentially reduces funding for rural hospitals. Those changes are not supposed to go into effect until 2028. But if they do, there's a lot of concern that some of these rural hospitals are going to have to close their doors. And in places like Baker's there's not a lot of options for people to get care. Rick Garcia, for example, has to drive 45 minutes already just to receive some of his care. But at this point, Tom, no signs that Congress is planning to roll back any of those changes. All right. Melanie Zanono, we thank you for that comprehensive report. Overseas now to the war in the Middle East where ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have appeared to stall once again. President Trump saying Hamas has pulled out

of negotiations. It comes as Israel announces it will allow countries to air drop aid to Gaza as the crisis there reaches a breaking point. NBC's Matt Bradley reports. Tonight, President Trump blaming Hamas for the lack of a ceasefire in Gaza. They pulled out in terms of negotiating. It was too bad. Hamas didn't really want to make a deal. I think they want to die.

The war began with the Hamas October 7 terror attack, massacring 1,200 civilians inside Israel and taking hundreds hostage. Tonight, President Trump saying Hamas will never release them all. never released them all. I've always said those last 10 or 20 are going to be the toughest because Hamas knows what happens when they don't have any bargaining chips. Saying Israel now has to, quote, finish the job against Hamas. You're going to have to get rid of them.

I think what's going to happen is they're going to be hunted down. Meanwhile, Israel facing international criticism today saying it will again allow countries to air drop aid into Gaza, where the UN says one in three people go days without eating. Dallas Borgos is an American nurse who works in Gaza. Many of the children here don't have access to just milk or formula. It's been really difficult to watch that they come to work every day, and they're trying to do the best. The United Arab Emirates and Jordan are expected to start air drops into the Gaza Strip later this week.

Tom? Okay, Matt Bradley for us. They're in Israel. Matt, thank you. Not a top story's global watch, starting with clashes escalating at the border between in Cambodia and Thailand. At least 20 people have been killed and 130,000 displaced.

The fighting started yesterday in a disputed border area and marks the deadliest conflict between the two countries in more than a decade. The U.S. China and Malaysia are sending ceasefire proposals to de-escalate tensions. And terrifying video capturing a landslide

triggered by heavy rain in southern China. Take a look at this cell phone video showing the moment. A part of the mountain in Yunnan province gave way sending debris and tree. sliding onlookers screaming as they ran out of the way. No one was injured, but the slide did cause a temporary power outage. And an Argentinian man winning a lawsuit against Google after the company's street view camera, get this, captured him naked in his own yard. The man argued the post

clearly showing him in the nude, along with his house number, was an invasion of privacy. But last year, another court dismissed the claim saying the blame should be placed on the man for being indecent in his garden. An appeal's court awarded him 12,000, $500 in compensation. Okay, when we come back soaring into the future with these almost unbelievable air bikes, they hover above the ground, but they're not science fiction. They're a reality, and you won't believe what they cost. Gotti Schwartz looks into it.

And an update on the Bride to Be we showed you last night who was surprised with a shower by her coworkers. The major update she's sharing with us today. We're back now with Top Story's news feed. A massive car explosion rocked a parking lot in a D.C. suburb Thursday. The car exploded in the Crystal City neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, charring at least three other cars. Arlington fire and EMS saying the explosion was a result of a ruptured fuel tank. There were no injuries reported. More than 600,000 fridge air mini-fidges are being recalled over fire safe.

concerns. Curtis International, which manufactures the fridges, recalling the items after reports that the mini fridges are smoking, sparking, and catching fire, leading to $700,000 in property damage reported with multiple injuries reported. And a man was arrested after a hate-motivated road rage incident was caught on camera outside of LA. Take a look at this. The victim filming the interaction after the man yelled racial slurs, catching the man throwing a hot cup of coffee at him. Police tracking down the suspect after the victim posted the clip on social media. He was arrested on hate crime and assault charges. All right, Chuck E. Cheese, under arrest, handcuffed in front of children.

This one's pretty sad. A man working as the beloved mascot at a Florida location, unmasked and taken away as kids look on. It comes after a woman complained her credit card was stolen, and fraudulent charges were made after her child's party. The employee was accused of using the stolen card and is charged with larceny and fraud. thought. Okay, change pace here. Switch gears, if you will. WNBA star Caitlin Clark has been sidelined from injury, but that didn't stop her rookie card from smashing an auction record. The card inscribed with her scoring total from her rookie season sold last night. Forget this, $660,000, a new high for a female athlete sports card. It is, of course, a one-of-one,

and in classic Caitlin Clark fashion, it broke her own record. Okay, next tonight to the fear spreading in some communities about planned cuts to Medicaid following the passage of President Trump's big, beautiful bill. California's Central Valley expecting to be hit particularly hard with more than half of the residents there relying on Medicaid. Our Capitol Hill correspondent, Melanie Zanona, traveled to that community to see how some are bracing for those cuts and what it could mean for the midterm elections. Oh, you guys are doing a lot for me. At this rural health clinic in California, Central Valley, low-income patients depend on the service

is here to survive, both physically and financially. Do you live in a canyon or do you live up hot? Dr. Carson Chambers is the clinic's psychologist and says the majority of his patients rely on government assistance. There's no frills here. No one's taking advantage of anything. They're trying to survive. But now, social safety net programs are at risk under President Trump's mega law,

which slashes Medicaid and food stamps. An estimated 10 million people are expected to lose their health insurance on. under the law. How badly do people actually need this health care and this health insurance from the government? It's critical. It's the difference between living on the street and under the influence and causing all kinds of problems to being functional. At 22 years old, Rick Garcia was permanently paralyzed after he leaned against a faulty

railing on a bridge and plummeted backwards. I fell 27 feet, landed on some rocks on my head. I broke my neck. Yeah, that changed my life right then and there. Bound to a wheelchair and unable to work. He lives with his mom Elaine and has been reliant on Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program, ever since. That allows him to receive some of his care here at the Bakersfield American Indian Health Project. Without Medi-Cal, I'd be, I'd be broke. I'd be really broke. This key swing district is home to huge swaths of farmland. It has been represented by Republican congressman and dairy farmer David Valadeo for 10 of the last 12 years.

Valadeo's district has the second highest share of Medicaid recipients in the entire country, according to an NBC news analysis. And this hospital here in Bakersfield gets 72% of its revenue from the state's Medicaid program. This hospital serves as a critical lifeline for the community. Without it, many residents would have no. where to access care. Valadeo repeatedly vowed to oppose the mega bill, citing his concerns over steep Medicaid cuts and the impacts on rural hospitals. And I will not support a final reconciliation bill that risked leaving them behind.

But under pressure from Trump, Valadeo ultimately voted yes. His office said he was not available for an interview for the story. But he previously defended his decision in a statement, saying, I voted for this bill because it does preserve the Medicaid program for its intended recipient. children, pregnant women, the disabled, and elderly. His vote has made Valadeo even more vulnerable in next year's midterm election. He ended up voting for it. How does that make you feel?

Yeah, definitely betrayed. Valadeo already faces two challengers, including Democrat Jasmite Baines, a doctor and California State Assembly member. When I saw Valadeo vote for the big, beautiful bill, I was shocked. How could you do that in a district that has some of the highest needs, some of the highest Medicaid patients in the country? The agricultural region is dependent on migrant farm workers who are also targeted in the mega law, which kicks non-citizens off of Medicaid, leaving the area nicknamed America's breadbasket, bracing for a health care gut punch. Are you guys worried that you might be impacted? Definitely. Definitely. Definitely. Yes. That will have a big.

on our lifestyle and a big impact on our pocketbook. Melanie joins us tonight live from Los Angeles. So Melanie, going back to Rick, who you just spoke to there, bound to a wheelchair with his disability, what does this bill mean for his coverage? Well, Tom, Republicans insist that only people in their view who don't deserve to be on Medicaid are going to be kicked off the program, so undocumented immigrants or people who are able-bodied but choose not to work. However, Medicaid has already tried to kick Rick Garcia off.

of the program twice already and he has had to appeal. And so he's very worried that he and many other people are going to potentially be wrapped up erroneously in all these new changes. And not to mention, there's also going to be new paperwork, new requirements, more frequent eligibility checks, all of that, making it more burdensome for people to stay on the program. And it's sparking a lot of fear in the community in Bakersfield, which relies so heavily on these social safety net programs. Yeah, so rural hospitals, as you know, they account for it. I think it's about one thing. third of all community hospitals nationwide. So some Republicans who voted for the president's big, beautiful bill, are now trying to sort of walk back some of the ways it could impact those

rural hospitals. What exactly are you hearing? Yeah, it's a pretty remarkable dynamic. One I've not really seen in my 15 years covering Capitol Hill. There are multiple Republicans like Josh Hawley of Missouri who voted for the mega bill who are now trying to walk back and reverse some of the Medicaid cuts. Specifically, Holly introduced a bill that would roll back one of the provisions that essentially reduces funding for rural hospitals. Those changes are not supposed to go into effect until 2028. But if they do, there's a lot of concern that some of these rural hospitals are going to have to close their doors. And in places like Bakersfield, there's not a lot of options for people to get care. Rick Garcia, for example, has to drive 45 minutes already just

to receive some of his care. But at this point, Tom, no signs that Congress is planning to roll back any of those changes. All right. Melanie Zanona, we thank you for that comprehensive report there. Overseas now to the war in the Middle East, where a ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas have appeared to stall once again. President Trump saying Hamas has to pull out of negotiations. It comes as Israel announces it will allow countries to airdrop aid to Gaza. As a humanitarian crisis, there reaches a breaking point. NBC's Matt Bradley reports. Tonight, President Trump blaming Hamas for the lack of a ceasefire in Gaza. in terms of negotiating. It was too bad. Hamas didn't really want to make a deal. I think they

want to die. The war began with the Hamas October 7th terror attack, massacring 1,200 civilians inside Israel and taking hundreds hostage. Tonight, President Trump saying Hamas will never release them all. I've always said those last 10 or 20 are going to be the toughest, because Hamas knows what happens when they don't have any bargaining chips. saying Israel now has to, quote, finish the job against Hamas. You're going to have to get rid of it. I think what's going to happen is they're going to be hunted down.

Meanwhile, Israel facing international criticism, today saying it will again allow countries to airdrop aid into Gaza, where the UN says one in three people go days without eating. Ella Dallas Borgos is an American nurse who works in Gaza. Many of the children here don't have access to just milk or formula. It's been really difficult to watch that day. I come to work every day, and they're trying for best. The United Arab Emirates and Jordan are expected to start air drops into the Gaza Strip later this week.

Tom? Okay, Matt Bradley for us. They're in Israel. Matt, thank you. Not at Top Story's Global Watch, starting with clashes escalating at the border between Cambodia and Thailand. At least 20 people have been killed and 130,000 displaced. The fighting started yesterday in a disputed border area and marks the deadliest conflict between the two countries in more than a decade.

The U.S. China and Malaysia are sending ceasefire proposals to de-escalate tensions. And terrifying video capturing a landslide triggered by heavy rain in southern China. Take a look at this cell phone video showing the moment. A part of the mountain in Yunnan province gave way sending debris and trees sliding onlookers screaming as they ran out of the way. No one was injured, but the slide did cause a temporary power outage. And an Argentinian man winning a lawsuit against Google after the company. The company street view camera, get this, captured him naked in his own yard. The man argued the post clearly showing him in the nude, along with his house number, was an invasion of privacy.

But last year, another court dismissed the claim saying the blame should be placed on the man for being indecent in his garden. An appeal's court awarded him $12,500 in compensation. Okay. When we come back soaring into the future with these almost unbelievable air bikes, they hover above the ground, but they're not science fiction. They're a reality, and you won't believe what they cost. Gotti Schwartz looks into it. And an update on the Bride to Be we showed you last night, who was surprised with a shower by her co-workers,

the major update she's sharing with us today. Welcome back. It is Friday, which means it's time for binge-worthy. Our look at the best things to watch and listen to this weekend. And tonight we are joined by the man. entertainment journalist, media mogul, good guy all around, Brian Balthasar. Brian, thanks so much for being here.

Happy Friday, man. And I'm so excited, because we have Happy Gilmore, too. That is how we are starting. No introduction needed. Netflix. Roll the tape. How are you going to put Vienna through ballet school? It's $75,000 a year.

That's four years. That's 333 grand. That's terrible math, Johnny. It's 300 grand. I wouldn't even know where to start. Let them see the happy I fell in love. Come on, you got to do it, Dad. All right, let's go.

Let's go get him, Dad. I know how to do it, Dad. Let's go. Thank you, Doctor. What the hell is happening? Oh, my, so many questions. First question, because we will be watching this at the Yamis household. Oh, look, Bad Bunny's here.

Great. I mean, there's so many people in this thing. Is it appropriate for children first? It depends on, it depends. I will say, there you are. Adam Sandler's fans back then are the ones. who are parents right now. So, you know, not every parent's going to love it.

There's going to be some stuff that you're like, but let me tell you, the guest list, his own two daughters. You just saw it, Sonny, his daughter's in it, but a list that goes on. I'm surprised you're not in it. Are you in it? Okay, we got Bad Bunny, Eminem, Steve Buscemi, Kevin Neillan. The list goes on, Margaret Kwali.

Ben Stiller, this is incredible. Yeah, it's a great film. So how is it? It's good. You know, this thing is, if you like Adam Sandler films, you're going to like this film. It's a nostalgic round. We just saw Happy Gilmore.

last weekend, seeing this now, obviously it's been a long time. We love the Sandman. How many years has it been? It's been nearly 30. It was 1996. It has a little more heart because he's a dad now, you know? But he plays happy again. We're looking forward to that one. Okay, next up, another one of our favorites, Paul Rudd. This is a bizarre one. It's called Death of a Unicorn. It's on HBO Max. It's funny, but dark, but weird.

A little bit of both. Okay, let's take a look. What exactly are we saying this is, though? I think we know exactly what it is. horse-like mammalia with some sort of protrusion growth it's a f***ing unicorn I don't think that we're supposed to have this we need to study it whatever it is it seems to be the cure for cancer cancer that that's the biggest one all right a lot going on here right it looks like I guess the fossil, the skeletal, the skeleton of a unicorn there.

Jenna Ortega, too, we should mention. How weird is this? It's weird, but fun. I mean, you know, in a world where there's always reboots and sequels, here's an original idea, we asked for it, right? They run over, they hit a unicorn, and it turns out that its blood has healing properties. Okay. So, yeah, imagine the elevator pitch for this, and they're like, make it, you know, so.

But it's fun, it's silly. Hall Road is always great. Yeah, and some people have referred to it a little bit as a little bit of a Jurassic Park vibe to it, too. kind of like the DNA of a mythical creature. I got it, okay. People may like it more than critics. You know, Paul Rudd talked about this on The Today Show,

and you should Google the clip because it is so funny because you don't believe that it's real, but it is real. It is real. Death of a Unicorn. Okay, next up, The Hunting Wives on Netflix. I don't know a lot about this. I know it's based on a novel. Set in a fictional Texas town, according to these notes.

Let's take a look. Sure you don't want to try? I can't. I'm going to tell a few of them. Where's that? Someone order a creeds it? Trust me. You have no idea what these people are capable of love.

Brittany Snow. Brittany Snow, Malin Ackerman, good cast, right? So this has vibes of things we've seen before, right? Yeah, it's a little big little lives meets desperate housewives. Also, very much like sirens. It's about a young woman who gets entered into the life of a wealthy socialite. Of course, because this is based on a novel, a summer beachy read, if you like that kind of thing. Suspense, maybe a little crime.

I'm pretty sure. Escapeism kind of the thing? It's just like if you like a salacious kind of summer soapy type of thing. And it's series? Series. Series. Okay. All right.

Well, that piqued your interest. There it is. Next up, I'm into this one, the amateur, spy thriller. Remy Mollick, great actor, on Hulu. Let's take a look. Charlie, I think you need to see this. What is this? Your wife has been killed.

What you do is very important to what we do. Let us handle this. I want mission-specific training, cash, and a new identity. All right, I feel like it's been a minute since we've seen Ramin a huge. role, right, since he won the Academy Award. Right. How's this? Okay, this is good. And interestingly, he's a spy, but he's a cryptographer. So he's about math

and code and logic. So he's got to try and solve the crime in a different way than your typical spy would. So in the way that it's an action thriller. He's not like the fighter. He's the guy who's got to use his brain. Directed by James Hawks, who's also directed Black Mirror, if you like the vibe of Black Mirror. This looks like it's really well-produced, really well-directed. Yeah, like they spent a lot of money. Yeah, well, it was going to be in

theaters at first. And there was restructuring and now it's going to streaming, which could be for any number of reasons. It could just be the timing of another movie at the same time. Is it worth it? I think it's going to be worth it. Okay. All right. Brian Balthasar. All right. We will take a recommendation. Next up, we have great music this week and I'm so excited. Drake, huge Drake fan. He's got a heater with a great British rapper. Let's take a listen. Video's kind of a man spin this one, play this for the goddamn party done. Goode for me the girl's trying to have fun.

Video's kind of interesting. It's called Which One, the British rapper Central C. I hadn't heard from a talented guy from what I heard on the song today. I've listened to it maybe about 10 times. I think this is a great one. It's a great song. And The Witch One is kind of balancing like healthy flirtation and interest versus genuine interest in a long-term kind of relationship.

I think you went really deep there. It might not be that deep. Central C, by the way, from his lyrics, they get a little. little less deep and a little more graphic, but they have a three concert tour. They're just starting like tonight in Manchester. This is going to be the second single on his upcoming album just coming up. And I'll give you one more endorsement. Yeah. Kier Simmons, a lot of people don't know this, loves hip-hop. Okay. I sent him the song because he's our fellow Brit across the pond, and he loves it. All right. He's like, this is good, man. That's all you need to know.

That's all you need to know. We're going to bring it back here to America. Very America. Yeah. Yeah. Got another great one. Yeah. A summer hit. A summer hit. People are going to love this one. Let's listen. So this is going to be from his sixth studio album coming out later this year. You've loved this sound. He's got a great sound, and this delivers. Days of Thunder vibes there, and he's been teasing this since June, apparently. So his fans, I mean, Luke Combs is one of the biggest names of music right now.

It's all about leaving little breadcrumbs or a little piece of popcorn. There you go. I love that. And with that, we will end this. Brian Balthasar. We thank you, man. Have a great weekend. The same to you at home.

Thank you for watching Top Story all week. We'll see you back here on Monday. I'm Tom Yamason, New York. Stay right there. More news on the way. Thank you.