Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, June 16, 2023

Episode Date: June 17, 2023

At least three people are dead after a fast-moving tornado tore through a small city in Texas, the man who shot and killed 11 people in a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018 was found guilty on all federal charges, the Department of Justice coming forward with a scathing report about the Minneapolis Police Department, a landmark sentencing in Florida for a man convicted of killing a young boy while driving distracted, the U.S. Coast Guard rescuing an injured dog who was stranded on the coast of Oregon, and the flamin' hot controversy over a new movie about the origins of a popular Cheetos snack.

Tonight, total devastation in Texas as another round of severe storms takes aim. At least three people killed by a fast-moving tornado that tore across the small city of Perryton. Block after block completely leveled, one resident clinging to a door as the vicious winds ripped apart his home. That storm now on the move, another 30 million people at risk will bring you the full weekend for us. Also breaking tonight the man who shot and killed 11 people at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh found guilty on all 63 counts. The jury now tasked with deciding whether to impose the death penalty when sentencing is expected. Scathing police report a Justice Department investigation sparked by the murder of George Floyd, condemning the Minneapolis Police Department for its excessive use of force and discrimination against black and Native American people.

The major changes it's calling on the department to make. Distracted driving crackdown, a landmark sentencing in Florida, in the case of a man accused of pain bills and downloading apps on his phone while driving moments before killing a nine-year-old boy with his car. How many decades he's facing behind bars and the emotional reaction from the victim's family. Plus, rough waters dramatic video showing a member of the Coast Guard swimming to save a dog that was stranded on the rocks, how that German Shepherd got stuck there and how she's doing tonight. And Flaming Hot Controversy, a new movie, putting Cheetos in the spotlight, even getting a screening at the White House.

But is the story fact or fiction? We'll get to the bottom of the food fight heating up over the origin of that spicy snack. Top story starts right now. And good evening. We begin top story tonight. with those devastating scenes from the Texas panhandle. Governor Greg Abbott issuing a disaster declaration after multiple tornadoes tore through the small town

of Perryton, killing at least three people. Dron footage, take a look, revealing the scope of the destruction. Neighborhoods flattened almost entirely. One of the only homes left standing, you'd see it here, up in flames. It was a string of powerful twisters who see them here, including this one,

that tore the homes apart, this monster funnel cloud forming a giant cloud forming in just seconds in front of the camera. The severe storm spreading into Florida as well, heavy winds, blinding rain, and even hail, battering Pensacola. At least one person killed in the floods there. More than half a million people without power across the south, a dangerous situation as temperatures continue to climb.

This road in Lafayette, Louisiana, buckling under the extreme heat. More than 30 million people under severe weather alerts heading into the weekend. Bill Cairns, he's standing by for us. night to time out the dangerous days ahead. But first, here's Sam Brock with the latest leading us off from Texas. The torture of tornadoes came to Perryton, Texas, first with the site of funnel clouds touching down, unleashing fury. Then the devastating reality for a community trying to process the unthinkable. It's like a nightmare. It's something you see on TV, but you never thought you'd live in it. The violent night, leading to three confirmed fatalities, an 11-year-old boy

trapped in a trailer and two women in their 60s, Cindy Bransgrave and Becky Randall. Stephen Wade in shock. When you found out she was one of the three victims, what did you think? No, there's no words. It's heartbreaking. Such is the state of a city with just 8,000 people who are now reconciling a hundred damaged or destroyed homes, 30 businesses battered, and a downtown that bears no resemblance to its former self.

The tornado is so powerful it managed to shear a wall of cinder block right off the side of this structure while at the same time ripping the roof right off of this building. And this is just one block of Main Street. The Texas Task Force spent hours searching the rubble with canines looking for signs of life were victims. One person remained missing, though, with at least 75 injured. In one of the hardested areas, this trailer park development. What's left at this point for your dad, for your father? Just the pieces. Just the pieces.

Patty Videa says it's a miracle her father-in-law is alive. He held onto a door that was torn off, then clung for life to a patio rail attached to this now frameless house. And the only thing he could think of was to get beneath the patio, the metal patio frame that was here, and he just clung on. Despite injuries to his head and foot, Rubin survived, and authorities realized he was the missing person they'd been searching for. A glimmer of good news for a region gutted by intense heat and unending storms.

With Florida the latest victim, late Thursday, more than a foot of rain pounding the panhandle on killing one when a tree crashed into a home. And this dramatic video showing a Florida deputy diving into the floodwaters to rescue a stranded motorist caught in rapidly rising water. Relentless weather reinforcing for many here the importance of community. We've seen everyone come together and. That's all I've seen since this happened, and I'm very thankful for that. Devastating images.

You're always shocked that anybody survives. Sam Brock joins us now live from Perryton, Texas. The damage there behind him. Sam, the National Weather Service now giving that tornado a preliminary EF2 rating? That's correct. I got an EF2, Tom, which is considered damaging but not considerable. Try telling the people that live in this neighborhood right now that it's not considerable. And I mean, it's one of those situations where it actually looks worse in real life than it does on television.

Behind me, I would say a solid two to three football fields in this direction. There isn't a single house that is standing, and this goes for a couple of blocks in the other direction as well. And Tom, just the reality of the situation is these are hardworking middle-class families here, and many of them do not have insurance or couldn't afford it. So they are looking at a long road right now to recovery and to getting their possessions and their livelihoods back. Yeah, it's one of the horrible realities of these tornadoes. like they almost target the people that need it the least. I do want to ask you something.

We could see it there when we're closer up to you. You could see the sweat coming off your face. It's incredibly hot. We know there's a lot of power outages. Major issue in the region as well. What's the latest on the electricity issue? I'm glad somebody called me out on that. Yeah, it is definitely hot, man.

And we've been all over Texas covering 100 degree heat. I would say it's like 90-something here. And with respect to the power grid, it's so important as that heat is coming down. Right now, in this particular county, there is. 7,000 customers who have no power out of a total of 9,000. So you've got to figure, you know, about 75, 80% do not have power. That's pretty dangerous. For the state of Texas, it's 180,000 customers, but largely this is concentrated in pockets that have seen tornadic activity. And they've already made a little bit of progress today. Restoring electricity. Hopefully the days to come. There will be a lot more. Okay, Sam Brock, leading us off tonight here on Top Story. Sam, we thank you for that. The severe weather danger is not over yet. It has been a wild week in weather. So let's get right over to Bill, who's watching even more action tonight. Hey, Bill. Tom, Virginia has gotten the worst of it during the day today.

We had one report of a tornado, no report of any significant damage. We've had large hail in the Norfolk area. We've been under tornado warnings. We've had torrential rain from numerous storms in Virginia Beach. This thunderstorm watch goes until about 9 p.m. And there's a new line of storms up around Fredericksburg and Richmond. So that drives not fun on Interstate 95. Here's a closer view of those isolated cells.

These are all thunderstorm warnings. And also heading towards the outer banks in North Carolina, that line of storm. So for the rest of tonight, we'll see new storms developing from Little Rock all the way down the Mobile, heading towards Tallahassee. Not so many tornadoes, but we will get some wind damage out of that and the possibility of some hail. And then, unfortunately, if you're Saturday, it's a heads-up day, especially all of Oklahoma, from Dallas to about Wichita, but right around Oklahoma City. That's what we're in enhanced risk of severe weather. We've got up 70-mile-per-hour winds, a few tornadoes and hail is large as two inches. So it could even be a possible severe weather outbreak.

And how about the heat? Everywhere here, the heat warnings go from New Orleans to late. Lake Charles all the way down to Brownsville. These temperatures at this hour are still ridiculous. 115 is the heat index in Laredo, and it's not going to get any cooler, Tom, right through the holiday weekend. Hundreds across the board, feeling like 115 at the peak of the afternoon. And that's in the shade. 1.15, that's wild.

Okay, Bill, we appreciate all that. Now to the verdict in the 2018 Pittsburgh Synagogue massacre that killed 11. A jury finding the gunman guilty on all 63 federal charges, including hate crimes. Now those jurors are weighing whether to hand down the death penalty for the shooter. NBC Stephanie Gosk has the latest. Robert Bowers is guilty on all counts, including murder and hate crimes, a Pittsburgh jury convicting him for one of the deadliest acts of anti-Semitism in the country's history. I thank our brave survivors for sharing their sufferings so that we can protect against more suffering.

Bowers went to the Tree of Life Synagogue in October 2018 because he knew services were being held, According to federal prosecutors, he didn't come to worship, he came to kill. Describing to the court with minute-by-minute detail, how the gunmen armed with three handguns and an AR-15, turned the temple into a hunting ground. Bowers killed 11 people and injured six, including four police officers. The government is seeking the death penalty. Among those killed Bernice and Sylvan Simon, who were married in that same synagogue 62 years before. According to witness testimony, Bowers told police, all Jews need to die. Rabbi Jeffrey Myers described the scene days after the shooting. I heard gunshots are heard screaming.

I could tell that the shooting was going on to my chapel and my congregants were being mowed down. Bauer's lawyers conceded most facts in the case, but they disagreed on the motive and are asking the jury to spare their client's life. In closing arguments, a defense attorney said Bauer was driven by nonsensical and irrational thought. In the wake of the shooting, Pittsburgh passed three new gun control laws, including a ban on assault weapons. But a Pennsylvania judge ruled that the city did not have that authority. Today, President Biden calling for tougher gun laws nationwide. We will beat the gun industry. We will beat big money that sits behind them.

And the politicians refuse to stand up and act. As for this case, it now moves on to the penalty phase, which could last weeks. The jury will decide whether Bowers should be sentenced to death. Tom. Okay, Stephanie, Gospher, Stephanie, thank you. The Department of Justice is coming forward tonight with a disturbing report about the Minneapolis Police Department, uncovering a pattern of excessive force and discrimination. The Attorney General calling the findings heartbreaking. NBC's Shaq Brewster explains. Tonight, a blistering Justice Department report delivering a second sweeping condemnation of the Minneapolis Police Department. Such conduct is deeply disturbing, and it erodes the community's trust in law enforcement. The 92-page report finding that the department uses excessive force and unlawfully discriminates against black and Native American people, saying MPD used dangerous techniques and weapons against people who committed at most a petty offense and sometimes no offense at all, finding instances where officers used force to punish people who made officers angry or criticize the.

police. The patterns and practices we observed made what happened to George Floyd possible. The investigation was launched the day after the murder conviction of ex-officer Derek Chauvin for Floyd's death, investigators interviewing thousands of community members and local organizations and conducting more than 50 ride-alongs with officers and crisis responders. We understand that change is non-negotiable. Listing 28 recommendations, including some reforms, official sales.

are already underway. Now the police department will likely be placed under a consent decree, a legal agreement between the federal government and city to enforce changes, as some community members say they are coming too late. Why does it take the DOJ pulling up with a consent decree for people to say something? Why? Shack joins us tonight from Washington. Shack, you mentioned the discrimination against black and Native American people. Was the DOJ able to quantify that? were, Tom. And they specifically looked at instances that did not result in arrest or citation. And they found that in those instances, blacks and Native Americans were stopped at a rate that was six times higher than whites. That's one of the striking things about this report. It wasn't

just anecdotes and it wasn't just stories that they detailed. But they were able to provide numbers and specific context to the accusations that they were making. Shaq Brewster tonight with that new reporting. Shaq, thank you. We want to head overseas now. Vladimir Putin defiantly insisting that Ukraine's armed forces don't stand a chance. The Russian president even launching personal insults at Zelensky and NATO. Kyrs Simmons with the video and the story. Days into Ukraine's counteroffensive, President Putin today defiantly declaring Ukraine's armed forces have no chance.

I have no doubt about that. 24 hours after President Zelensky told NBC's Richard Engel, news from the front line is generally positive, while admitting, it's very difficult. Putin addressed Russia's elite at one stage beneath black and white images of the Second World War, still insisting he's fighting Nazis while directing personal insults at Zelensky and taunts at NATO. They can sod off, he said.

And after images emerged of destroyed Western-supplied tanks, and with news that Ukrainian pilots will train in F-16 fighters, Putin bragged. And yesterday was the same. Leopards catch fire, so will F-16s. His missiles raining down on Ukraine again, destroying three homes in the Kiev region, while on the streets of Moscow, support for the Russian president appears solid as ever. I have great respect for our president, and I'm proud that we have such a wonderful person as the head of state, Anna told us. Independent polling in Russia suggests support for Putin holding at 82 percent, up from 69 percent before the invasion.

77 percent telling posters they have a negative view of the U.S., while 45 percent of Russians believe the war will last at least another year. Though it's important to remember, freedom of speech is far from guaranteed in Russia, with thousands arrested protesting the Ukraine invasion in March 22. Still, I think it will end with our victory. It's unpredictable, Olga says. We hope it will end soon. I want to believe that. Tonight, days after Ukraine launched its counter-offensive to try and take back territory occupied by Russia,

President Vladimir Putin, defiant. All right, Keir Simmons joins us tonight from London. So, Kier, has President Zelenskyy responded to Putin's harsh words tonight? He hasn't, but he's continued, Tom, to call for more help for this counteroffensive. And that's, of course, his main aim. I think it's interesting, the timing of his interview with our own Richard Engel. I think it indicates that he really does recognize that they need more help. And in that sense, I suppose, you could almost say that President Putin and President Zelensky

appeared to agree with each other that this is going to be a long battle, of course, they don't agree on anything else and certainly not on what the outcome should be. You know, you mentioned there in your report, Putin was addressing Russia's elite. Do you think this speech is all part of his strategy since he's downplayed Ukraine's armed forces in the past? Oh, there's definitely a psychological battle happening here, if you like, and some of it is talk. There's one interesting aspect that we didn't mention in that report there, Tom, and that's about the fact that President Putin announced that there are now Russian nuclear missiles, Russian warheads. in Belarus. But then he was asked whether or not he would be prepared to use them. And he said, why should we threaten the whole world? I've already said that the use of extreme

measures is possible in case there is a danger to Russian statehood. So there you have it. President Putin saying one thing and saying another almost in the same sentence. And I think that's the nature of the kind of, as I mentioned, psychological warfare that we're seeing here, as well as warfare on the front line in Ukraine. Kier Shimmons, with that update from Ukraine, Kier, we appreciate that. And I don't an exclusive interview, the widow of the murdered Washington Post journalist, Hymal Khashoggi, speaking out about the spy where she says is connected to his death. It's a story you haven't heard yet and fears she has her own safety issues as well.

CNBC's Aiman Jabbers has a story. I can be assassinated as in a time. How do you live with that? I live in a fair. I don't have a normal life. Hanan Khashoggi says she lives in a state of constant paranoia. particularly because of her phone. But we cannot get rid of it because of modern life,

you cannot just leave your mobile phone and leave without it, actually. But it's a paranoid way to go through your life. It is. Actually, yes. Especially for a woman whose husband was so brutally murdered. A U.S. intelligence report found that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally approved the killing and gruesome dismemberment of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

bin Salman has denied direct involvement. Do you believe it was Mohamed bin Salman who ordered your husband's death? I'm not sure about this 100%. Today, she's more focused on finding out how the couple was allegedly tracked and targeted by the high-tech spyware, she says, played a role in his killing. What did that feel like to you when you realized that your phone was an open book for your husband's worst enemies? I feel very sore. I feel very sore.

But I don't have a guilt because I did try as much I can to save Jamal. In a new lawsuit against Israeli-based company NSO Group, Koshoggi alleges the firm's spyware program transformed her phones into handheld spies and gave Saudi agents key knowledge about Jamal obtained by NSO Group from Hanan's own devices. The company told NBC News it has not received the lawsuit and will respond accordingly. And although she blames Saudi agents for her husband's death, She says the joint venture between the PGA tour and Saudi-backed live golf, which has been criticized in the U.S., doesn't bother her. I would like Saudi Arabia not to be abandoned, not to be a barriac country.

You're okay with the golf deal? Generally speaking, regarding a sport deal. I don't want Saudi Arabia to suffer. She is seeking asylum in the U.S. for her own safety, but also pushing to ensure others aren't spied on the way she says she was. For NBC News, Amin Javers, Washington. Okay. Still ahead tonight, distracted driving crackdown, a man found guilty of killing a nine-year-old with his car. What prosecutors say he was doing on his phone before the crash and how many decades he'll spend behind bars? Plus, an update on NBA star John Morant, the new suspension

just handed down after he was seen waving a gun on a live stream. And Flaming Hot Controversy, a new movie depicting the origin of the Flaming Hot Cheetah. While some are saying that movie may be more fiction than fact. Stay with us. Top Story just getting started on this Friday night. We're back now with the sentencing in Florida for the man convicted of killing a little boy while driving distracted. It's the first texting and driving case to go to trial in the state, and the stiff sentence sent a message to a lot of drivers out there. Wadvanegas has a story. emotions overwhelming after a 30-year-old prison sentence for the man who killed their nine-year-old son distracted by his cell phone while driving. It destroyed our family. It destroys many, many families,

and today it was recognized. Thirty-nine-year-old Gregory Andriotis found guilty of vehicular homicide and reckless driving and would became the first texting and driving case to go to trial in Florida. The driver apologizing to the family, also emotional speaking at his sentencing. more than anything, that I could change what happened that day. I would gladly trade places with him if it meant he got to live. Andriotas rear-ended the sharer family in 2016, killing young Logan. Investigators found in the eight minutes before Andriotas plowed into the back of the sharer's family car on a Florida highway, he was going almost 80 miles per hour.

On his cell phone, talking to his wife, downloading Excel, and paying an online bill. The sheriff family previously turning down a settlement offer, instead pressing for a trial, saying they wanted to send a message across the country. Logan just set a precedent, a massive precedent that cell phone use in the car comes with consequences. It's not okay. The judge not showing any lenience, citing a previous DUI on the driver's record. God forbid you get on the road and kill somebody else. Advocates of stronger laws against distracted driving say the sentencing may have an impact nationwide. Judges weren't willing to uphold a serious charge.

Now families can know that they have the court behind them. Her group says this decision is one of the longest sentences ever handed down for a distracted driving conviction involving a cell phone. And for the share of family, the end of a grueling seven-year fight. Yet while the trial is over, their grief continues. I lost my big brother. I lost the person I looked up to most. And according to the advocacy group, we spoke to stop distractions. Currently, 27 states have hands-free laws in place,

which means drivers can only use their phones on speaker or through voice command, but not while holding it. Their intention is to have all 50 states pass laws like these, which they say can save many more lives. Tom. Gwad vanegas for a squad. Thank you. Next tonight to the new details about the shocking death of Olympic sprinter, Tori Bowie. She died from complications of childbirth, renewing the conversation about the disparities in health care for pregnant black women. NBC's Antonia Hilton reports. In 2016, Tori Bowie was at the top of her game. So when news of her death at just 32 years old came this May, it stunned fans and fellow athletes. But new details from a medical exam. reporters report this week, Shobuie died from complications of childbirth, something that disproportionately affects women of color. In fact, three of her four teammates on this relay team

that won gold in Rio experienced serious pregnancy complications, including Tiana Madison. I kept telling them something was wrong. They kept checking my vitals. They kept saying, no, you're fine. That's a lot to carry on your shoulders. The messages that I really want, Black women especially to take away from all of that's happening right now is that this is not at all our fault, but it is our problem now. And it's our responsibility to get home alive. According to the CDC, black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. Experts point to disparities in health care, underlying conditions, and racism in the medical field. Another member of that relay team, Alison Felix, had severe preeclampsia during her pregnancy with her daughter, Cammy, who was born at just 32 weeks.

You go through a real life experience and you are just grateful for your life. This week, Felix wrote in an essay for Time magazine that Tori Bowie's death couldn't be in vain and that the medical community must do its part. Since her traumatic pregnancy, Tiana earned a social work degree so she could help other women. but she's decided she won't expand her own family. The choice to have children is not necessarily because we don't want any. It's because we're scared of the system and the statistics. Antonio Hilton, NBC News, New York. All right, when we come back, the death of a historic whistleblower,

the man who leaked the Pentagon Papers passing away. Stay with us. All right, we're back now with Top Stories News Feed in the Death of Pentagon Papers, whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg. Ellsberg leaked top secret information about the Vietnam War of the nation's top newspapers. His death comes four months since Ellsberg announced he had been diagnosed with inoperable. pancreatic cancer. He was 92 years old. The NBA suspending Memphis Grizzly superstar John Moran for 25 games without pay. The suspension comes after the 23-year-old was seen waving a gun in a social media live stream for the second time in just two months. His suspension

begins at the beginning of next season, but he's also unable to participate in any public league or team activities, including preseason games. And a rough rescue at an Oregon State Park video shows the U.S. Coast Guard airlifting an injured German Shepherd to safety. The dog fell off a cliff in a secluded area north of Cannon Beach. Authority saying the dog fell around 300 feet and could only be reached by air or by repelling down the cliff. The German Shepherd was later reunited with her owner and is expected to be okay. That's great news. Okay, turning now to money talks, what consumers and investors need to know from the business world and beyond. Over the past two years, mortgage rates have seen a

steep increase and the rate for a 30-year fixed more than doubling. And as Emily Aketa reports, that leaves some locked into the low rates of years past, now wanting to upgrade, but feeling priced out. It's okay, sweetie. It's okay. Ready? Go ahead, catch it. Allison Brown and Larry Loveday purchased their three-bedroom, one bathroom home in Connecticut, with a mortgage rate current buyers could only dream of. With a 3.25 interest rate. Between working from home and raising their toddler, the couple is looking to sell and buy big. What would you like to do at this point? We would like four to five bedrooms with a finished basement.

That would be our ideal home. I would want more space. For your family? Absolutely. But with mortgage rates hovering just under 7%, more than double Allison and Larry's current rate, a move would mean payments the couple can't afford. Even if they were to purchase their current home today,

they would be paying roughly $500 more each month. We couldn't afford this house today. With that 6 to 7% interest rate. Yeah. So they're a little hot. And because they can't buy something new, they're not selling, putting them among the homeowners trapped in low mortgage rates and keeping housing inventory near record lows.

According to the National Association of Realtors, the market is short more than 300,000 homes affordable to middle-class buyers. In East Haven, Connecticut, Joe DeNatalys shares an apartment with his dad and has been looking to move out for the past two years, even checking home sale apps up to 10 times a day. How would you describe your home hunting process right now? It's very frustrating, very frustrating. You get your hopes up for those houses and you envision yourself in those houses and then falls through.

For those now looking for a new home, real estate experts say be prepared to offer full price for recently listed properties. Try to be flexible on a closing date and do the inspection, but be open-minded to taking on renovations. As higher mortgage rates are sidelining would-be sellers like Allison and Larry. Three. What's going to get you to get on the market? Put your house on the market. Lower interest rate. But that's not likely coming anytime soon. Emily Ikeda, NBC News, Lisbon, Connecticut. Welcome back. Time now for Top Stories Global Watch and the new details on that migrant boat tragedy off the coast of Greece. Photos showed just how packed that fishing boat was right before it capsized and sank in the Mediterranean, killing 78 people. Tonight, nine crew members that were on board have been arrested on charges of human smuggling.

Greek authorities are also facing criticism for their response time. Now, to India, where cleanup efforts are underway from that massive cyclone we've been reporting on. Video shows people being rescued from floodwaters along India's western coast. Look at that. The powerful storm making landfall on Thursday before turning deadly, killing at least two, and injuring dozens more. But officials say the storm is weakening as it moves into Pakistan. Okay, back here at home, we want to turn now to a movie that profiles the janitor who supposedly came up with the recipe for the famous Flaming Hot Cheetos. It's an inspirational story, even featured at the White House just last night.

But there's just one problem. While they say it's inspired by a true story, it's not really accurate. Maya Eagland reports. It's the hot new film getting plenty of buzz. Burns good or burns bad? About the origin story behind popular Flamin Hot Cheetos. You're got an idea. It's a spicy chip.

It's going to change everything. It will save our factory. And you're a janitor. They're going to go hang on. Even getting a celebrity-filled White House screening. But the real truth behind this movie that's said to be inspired by a true story in question. On Thursday, President Joe Biden welcoming hundreds to the White House lawn for a cinematic look at the humble origins of the revolutionary chip.

First ever public screening of a film focused on the Hispanic community in the White House. A story about how Mexican-American Richard Montanias, a janitor for Frito, convinced his bosses to create the Flaming Hot Cheeto and worked his way up to be a marketing executive at the company. Where is Richard? I'd like to speak to him. I'm here! Superstar Eva Longoria in attendance too, the film being her directorial debut.

We are telling a story that celebrates the American entrepreneurial dream. Blame it not Cheetos anyone? That dream started in 1990 when the snack food hit the market. And it since transcended your everyday grocery store shelf from collaborating with music superstars like Bad Bunny to inspiring tummy-aaking food challenges, generating millions of views. But what wasn't heard at the presidential movie night, the dispute about those origins of the spicy Cheetos. I'm the guy who helped bring the world the most popular snack it's ever seen. Are you ready?

Auevo. Leading up to the release of Montaña's Rags to Riches' 2021 memoir, the Los Angeles Times reported allegations that his story was exaggerated. According to the L.A. Times, Frito Lace's Monta. was not involved in any capacity in the flaming hot test market. Both Frito Le and Montaignez did not return NBC's requests for comment. A White House official telling NBC news, the film was screened to celebrate Americans from different backgrounds. Hispanic market would not be ignored.

Although Fritole denied Montanias's version of the Hot Chito's origin story, they did say he, quote, played a key role in accelerating the growth of our Flamin Hot brand and other brands, particularly through his Hispanic marketing efforts. Eva Longoria telling people magazine We were never telling the history of the Cheeto I'm doing the story of Richard Montaignez He's more known as the godfather of Hispanic marketing Montagnos Montagnos's inspirational story

Even if it's part urban legend Now cemented on the big screen Maya Eglon NBC News Okay we thank Maya for that Coming up the major milestone here at 30 Rock Celebrating 75 years of NBC Nightly News with one very special guest. News, nightly news, the flagship evening news program.

That's a big friend of Top Story, celebrating 75 years on air. That's so incredible. So here's a look at how they've covered some of the biggest headlines over the last seven decades all over the world with some faces that will look very familiar. The makers of Camel Cigarettes bring the world's latest news events right into your own living room. Chad Huntley, NBC News, New York. And David Brinkley, NBC News. News, Washington.

The essential facts are these. President Kennedy was murdered in Dallas, Texas. Last night, something like 125 million Americans and uncounted millions in other countries, saw a unique combining of romance and technology. That's one small step for man, giant leap for manned. This is NBC Nightly News, Tuesday, April 29th,

with John Chancellor, reporting from the NBC News Center in New York and David Brinkley's Journal from Washington. Good evening. The final evacuation of Americans from Saigon has been completed. From New York. This is NBC Nightly News with Jane Pauley. Good evening. Two out of three major candidates for president

meet tonight in Baltimore in the first nationally televised debate. NBC Nightly News. with Tom Grokaw, tonight from West Berlin. Good evening, live from the Berlin Wall on the most historic night in this wall's history. Good evening. It is a prescription for war, this Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, the tiny country, that is a primary source of oil for much of the Western world.

Attack on America. Tonight, America is at war with terrorists after a stunning series of attacks today against targets in New York and in Washington, D.C., the World Trade Center, and the Pentagon. Hurricane Katrina. And good evening from a battered and soaked city of New Orleans and those windows on that high-rise building. For that matter, all the high-rise buildings

in the downtown portion of this city have the local people here saying it looks like a bomb went off downtown. Earthquake in Haiti. This is a high-rise. is NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams. Tom Yamas, a correspondent with WNBC in New York, is on the border between the two nations.

Tom, good evening. Good evening, Brian. We were with the Dominican military and the relief teams this morning as they rolled for the first time across the border into Porto Prince. This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. But that is fire being pushed by the wind. Our escort said we simply can't go any farther.

Good evening. I'm Tom Yamas in for Lester. Tonight we start with Breaking News, the dangerous storm system, on the move. This is NACC Nightly News, Kids Edition. Welcome back to Nightly News Kids Edition. It always makes my week to spend some time with you guys. Now that brightens your day. That's Nightly News for this evening. Thank you for watching.

I'm Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. And with that, the man himself. Lester Holt joins Top Story tonight. for a while, 75 years, so much history. When you watch all those clips back, what goes through your head? You know, it's just the reach of this broadcast.

You know, my favorite thing to do is when we take the broadcast on the road, we go to the news, because I've always felt that this isn't the newscast. It's a set. It's nice. It's a good place to be. But, you know, the most exciting, rewarding moments of my career, and I'm sure you feel the same way of been in the field where the news is happening. And we have the ability that this global reach and to see it, you know, Every time I see Tom at the Berlin Wall, I just think, man, what it would have been like to have been there and cover that story. Yeah, and the story behind it where they sort of left under the cover of darkness and didn't tell anybody and popped up and they beat everyone to that story.

We were talking before the clip ran about when you sort of watching Nightly News and you were an NBC family growing up as well when you guys lived in Sacramento. Yeah, Sacramento, KCRA, a big NBC town. And, yeah, we used to watch John Chancellor do the news. family that current events was a big deal. We talked about over the dinner table. I remember being a teenager and getting a kind of a faux internship at KCR and watching the network feeds come in, never, ever imagining that I would be sitting in the chair I'm sitting in today. Just one of many caretakers along the way over 74 years. And on that point, I mean, it really is in our business, I would argue, the pinnacle, right, of broadcast news. And you had done so much

even before you got that responsibility. But it still had to be so special to you. It was very special and a big responsibility because you do take yourself back to that teenager, watching the network newscasts in your home or seeing your first network anchor in person and coming up and saying hello. I remember there was a period I was working for a CBS station

here in New York and got a chance to go and say hi to Walter Cronkine. I remember what a big deal that is. That's incredible. What a moment. You know, it's funny because I was watching these clips back in over 75 years. A lot of the news hasn't changed, right? It almost looks the same, the format, the storytelling, the most important stories of the day.

When you approach it with your team, how do you try to make it different, or do you just think, listen, we have a responsibility, we know what the viewers want, let's just give them the news? Well, I mean, it's all about platforms and what we do right now. I always say the news, the quality of our journalism, our integrity, all the things that we put into it every day. those aren't going to change but you know today you're watching me on a phone maybe tomorrow you'd be watching me on the wallpaper I don't know where the next platform is going to be but over 75 years this broadcast has remained true to its roots you know has elevated you know journalism and and has just withstood the buffeting of a lot of the competitive forces we face now

out there and I couldn't be prouder to be a part of it yeah you know it's always sort of a fool's errand to predict the future in our business but what do you think the next 75 years looks like. In terms of broadcast news? Yeah, this of nightly news. Is it around? I thought you're going to answer with the lead story is tonight. You know, I think it will be around.

I think there have been many, many, many, many conversations and articles and about the death of the evening news programs, and yet we continue to sometimes be one of the most watched programs in television on any given week. There's still a huge appetite. I would argue maybe even more of an appetite. now, as people see a traditional broadcast like ours as a bit of a handhold during a really turbulent period in our history right now, something they're reliable, they grew up with,

they know what they will get from us. And I take that as a huge responsibility as well. Everyone is searching for the truth right now. And we take such care in this broadcast every day. I wish people could sometimes drop into the newsroom and see the process. go through of, you know, dotting the eyes. The debates about, you know, do you say it this way, do you say it that way? Is that fair? Talking to our standards people, you know, the care that we put in every day with what we do. Into every word. Anyways, Lester, congrats on 75 years.

This is incredible. Just keep in mind. The broadcast is 75. Not you. I know. Just want to make that clear for everybody. But, you know, it's an honor to contribute to the program, and thanks so much for being here. Lester, really is awesome. We love having you on. Thanks for taking care of when I'm around. Yeah. We're not around. We appreciate it. All right, Lester. When we come back a special Father's Day bingeworthy. My own kids join Top Story tonight. They have a takeover with a look at some of our favorite movies and music that can be shared with the family this weekend. Stay with us. Welcome back. Time now for a very special Father's Day edition of Bingeworthy. Our look at the best things for everyone to watch and listen to with their dads this weekend. And I'm so lucky to be joined by some special guests here. My own kids, Malena, Juju, and Tomas, making their bingeworthy debut. Guys, welcome.

to Bingeworthy. Hello. Hello. So we're going to talk about some of the movies we love to watch together, right, as a family. And we're going to start with one of Tomas' favorites, which is Back to the Future. We have a clip. So let's check out Marty and Doc what they're up to. Are you telling me that you built a time machine?

He's sending Marty 30 years back in time. It works. It's a sliding sausage from outer space. Now, he's trapped in the past. He's got to be a dream. About to meet chocolate. His future father. He's a peeping tough.

Wow! And he's making an impression on his mother. He's an absolute dream. All right. So, Tomaz, this is your favorite movie. Tell me why you like it so much. Because of the hoverboard. That's back to the future, too, right?

Yeah, and how Biff got in manure. In the manure, yeah, that's so funny. And how money time travel to the past. Yeah. And then do your sisters like this one? Yes. Yeah, you guys like it? Funny.

Not a big fan? I watched it. You watched it too? Yeah, we saw all three of them, right? One, two, and three. And what is three? Three's the Western? Yeah.

And what do you like about that one? I just like how, like, in like, one part, like how Marty, like how, like this, how punch is, like, Marty right here. But he has, like, Maudey has, like, this metal thing, and then Biffhots his hand. Right, the metal shield, right? Yeah, you got a good memory. For the folks at home, for the parents at home watching this with their kids, here's our top story recommendation if you're watching Back to the Future with your kids. We'll say, good movie for the family, but make sure you cover the ears with the earmuffs.

Some bad language, not crazy, just some bad words here and there, right? We've always got to be careful for that one. Yeah. Okay, our next one is one that we love a lot called Billy Madison. It stars Adam Sandler, really his first big movie that put him on the map after S&L. Let's take a look at that. You pass every grade before June 15th. You take over instead of Eric.

Don't you think it's a little pathetic that just because of who your father is, you get to come to school all over again? Yes, I do. I want you all to meet our new friend, Billy. Can everyone say hello to Billy? Hello, Billy. Billy Madison, we like this one, Juju, right? We saw this together. I love it, too.

You like it, too. That's right, I forgot. So, Juju, tell me what do you like about it? I like at the beginning how he thinks there's like a match in a penguin. So then he starts just going over the lawns and chasing it. Yeah. And then he's like, he gets off. He's like, it's okay, penguin.

And he just flops to the ground. Yeah, it's a pretty funny movie, pretty silly movie. Do you like, Tomas? Any parts you remember? I like, like, how, like, he said, give me a snack. With the snack, things. Snack. Oh, the snack, yeah, yeah. I remember that. That's a funny part, too.

Here, for parents out there, great movie for the kids. It is PG-13. You've got to be careful with this one. A couple scenes that probably aren't appropriate for little little kids, earmuffs. You're also going to be wanting to do the, yep, right there. That's what we need.

Covering the eyes, covering the ears. A couple different. scenes out that are a little inappropriate, maybe a little crew, but still a lot of fun for the family. Okay, the other one we love also is the water boy. Let's take a look at that one. Friend was his mama. He can hang out with whoever he wants, except you. And his only joy was his job. I'm a water boy. Until one day, must be something wrong with his medulla oblongata. He discovered his special gift. Now, play football for this. The world will feel his pain.

Water Boy, another Adam Sandler one. So, Malady, you want to tackle this one? Yes. I like it. This movie's very funny. It's, like, definitely, like, a fun movie. Like, it will definitely make you laugh. There's a lot of funny scenes.

And one of my, like, favorite scenes about it is, like, where, like, Water Boy, he just, like, he, like, tackles all the people in football because, like, he gets up all this, like, energy because he's really mad at them. So then he just, like, tackles them. He just, like, loves water. And, like, I really like, water, too. Tomas, you like this one too? I like it.

Who can remember his name? What was his name? Justin. Nope. What was his name? Waterboy. Bobby. Bouchet.

Good job. Okay, so for parents out there, this is the Yama's family warning for this one. It's actually not too bad. It's just a couple scenes maybe you want to cover their eyes. There's a scene with the fawns you may remember, and then also cover your ears. A little bit of bad language, not too crazy though. Okay, our next one up. This is a scary one.

Signs. Signs, yeah. All right. Let's go. Here's the clip of that one. What can make geometric shapes of size of a football field? What kind of machine can bend to stock a corn over without breaking it? Can't be by hand. It's too perfect.

So the aliens can't raid our minds. Oh. Some animals around the county have been acting funny. Some of them violent. It's almost like they act when they smell a predator around. So this is a scary one. that Melaina and Tomas have seen, but Juju, you didn't see it. You're a little scared, right? No, I wasn't.

I like aliens. Okay, you left the room, if I remember correctly. I've never seen it. You just said you did, you had seen it. No, I like aliens. Oh, okay. So signs is pretty good. Tomas, scary, what was it?

Were you able to get through it? All they get through it. Melana, what's it about? It's about these, like, basically this failure. And this girl, if I can remember, she'd read this book or find his paper page up that aliens are going to invade their city or whatever, and then aliens come into their house and it's this sign, kind of.

They have a sign, I think that's why it's called signs. And, like, it's nice to, like, throw in a little scary movie, but, like, yeah. Not too late at night. No, no, no, no. Watch it in the morning. Okay. Watch it in the basement. Yeah, for the family out there, the only warning is some scary scenes you may want to cover the eyes.

That was about a little bit of bad language, but not too bad. still pretty good for the family. All right, next up, we have a show we love to watch. Cartoon that is completely fun for all families, especially ours. Let's take a look. Team Titans. The cool night breeze will keep me awake. So, no how can stop the power of friendship.

So Teen Titan, guys, tell me about this one. I like it because, like, how they, like, fight the bad guys, and, like, in one pot, like, how they fight them. Oh, yeah? Okay, what about you, Lauren? How they all have, like, superpowers. That's cool how, like, they, like, fight off all the baddies and stuff like that. Well, I don't really like it, but the only thing is that I like that Starfire is, like, a little of the baby, and she believed that there was a second Santa. A second Santa? Okay. That must have been an episode I didn't see. But that sounds good. All right.

We want to transition to music now, right? We love listening to music together. This is a song we listen to all the time in our house. It's Shake It Off from Taylor Swift. I need to talk about this one. I keep cruising. Can't stop. It's like I got this music in my mind saying, yet it's going to be all right.

Because the player's going to play, play, play, play, play, and the hay is going to hate, hey, hey, hey, baby. I'm just going to shake, shake, shake, shake, Shake, shake it out, shake it out. So, Juju, you like this one. What do you think? I've always liked Taylor Swift, but I've always wanted to, like, interview her. But she's, like, sounds really nice, and she's like, she can do a lot of stuff.

She can sing very well. She can dance. Yeah. I can do a lot of stuff. Agree. What about you, Malena? Well, I'm a swifty. I love Taylor Swift.

And I like how in a lot of her movies where she has, like, like. A lot of different costume changes. It's like very active, a lot of nice dance moves. It's very fun. Okay, next up, this is one that me and Tomas like the jam too, right? Every time we're going to school. This is MiHente by Jay Balvin, featuring Beyonce.

Let's take a listen. So Jay Balvin, that's originally his song. Beyonce did a number with him on it. Why do you like the song? Because how they're like dancing really cool, and how in the music video, how they like they really play lights and how they like... And you like Jay Balvin the way he sings, right? Yeah, Jay Balvin's pretty cool.

Okay, finally we have one that we listen to a lot in the house. Megan Trainor. Here's her song, Mother. I am your mother You listen to me All right You have a chance to talk to Megan Trainer So why do you like this song so much?

I just love Megan Trainage song Because this is a very upbeat song It's like very nice It's like, as she said, it's like a nice anthem to follow off, like, made you look. And, like, I like how she's just, like, telling everybody, like, you know, I'm the boss of you or you, whatever. And all of her, like, I love how she brought Chris Jenner into it. And, like, it's also, like, a little, like, announcements. She's having a second baby and stuff like that.

And I got to hear it a little bit. Okay, very cool. Did you like this song, too? What? Oh, yeah. I really like it. Okay. And Tomaz, do you like it, too?

No. Not really. It's okay. You don't have to like everything. Okay, guys, that does it for this edition of Top Story and Bingeworthy. And from the entire Yama's family, like to say, happy Father's Day, right? Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there, to my dad, and to all the dads who watch Top Story. We appreciate you.

And Ben, you better want to. Yeah, I don't know about uncles, but okay. Thanks so much for watching Top Story. I'm Tom. Thank you. In New York, this is the Yama's family. We will see you back here next week. Thanks so much.

Thank you. Thank you. Bye-bye. Thank you.