Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, March 24, 2023

Episode Date: March 25, 2023

New details emerge about the deadly drone attack at a coalition airbase in Syria that killed one American, 15 million Americans across the South under alert for tornadoes, U.S. and Canada strike deal to turn back asylum seekers at unofficial border crossings, Uganda passes bill a bill that would ban people from identifying as LGBTQ, and attempted book bans and restrictions surge at libraries.

Tonight, new details emerging about the deadly drone attack that killed an American contractor overseas. The U.S. military launching multiple airstrikes at Iranian-linked targets in Syria. After a suicide drone rocked a coalition airbase, one American contractor killed and five service members wounded. The new NBC news reporting tonight why one of the radars at the base was not working at the time of the attack. And late today, several more rockets launched at American troops what were learning about injuries on the base. the ground. Also breaking this hour's severe tornado danger in the south, 15 million people under alert from Texas to Tennessee. Strong winds, hail, and possible long-track tornadoes are expected. Bill Cairns is standing by. DA death threat, a letter containing a suspicious

powder and a threatening message found in the mailroom at the Manhattan DA's office as he weighs possible criminal charges against Donald Trump. The letter uncovered just hours after the former the president warned of, quote, death and destruction, if he's indicted for making hush money payments, we'll have the late details. Biden's border deal, the president meeting with his counterpart in Canada, signing a new agreement aimed at curbing a surge in migration at the northern border, what the deal means for thousands of migrants seeking asylum in the U.S. and Canada. Plus, trouble on board video shows a passenger yelling in the aisle of a frontier flight before

she was dragged off the plane by Miami police. The charges she's now facing and the separate investigation underway in Arizona after a bomb threat forced the runway there to shut down. And Gwyneth Paltrow takes the stand, the A-Lister testifying about a 2016 skiing accident in Utah. She's been accused of causing it. What she says actually happened to that day and why she says it was not her fault. Top story starts right now. Good evening. I'm Ellison Barber in for Tom Yamis. We begin top story on this Friday night with swift retaliation from the U.S. military after a drone strike in Syria, killed one American contractor and wounded five service members. The Pentagon tonight saying it was a drone of, quote, Iranian origin that struck the coalition airbase in the northeastern part of Syria. President Biden ordering two F-15 fighter jets to execute precision airstrikes in return, targeting sites used by Iran's Islamic Revolution. Guard. And now new reporting tonight on how that drone got through to such a crowded

airbase, multiple defense officials confirming to NBC news that one of the radars used to detect threats was down for maintenance at the time of the deadly attack. NBC's chief White House correspondent Peter Alexander is traveling with the president tonight and has some late breaking news on those additional rocket strikes. Peter? Alison, good day to you. It's clear now that Iranian-backed groups in Syria has have been escalating their attacks on Americans and American allies in that region. Over the last several hours, NBC News has now learned from a U.S. defense official and a U.S. official of at least two more attacks, one of them on a coalition base in northeastern Syria

near the Canoco Gasfield injuring one American service member. It all follows that initial drone strike that killed an American contractor and then the American retaliation. Tonight, new details about that deadly drone attack that killed an American contractor on a base in Syria launched by pro-Iranian forces. And now a new investigation looking into how it could have happened. With NBC News learning, one of the radars used to detect incoming threats and protect the base was down for maintenance at the time of the drone strike, according to three U.S. defense officials. It's not clear whether that factored into the drone reaching a populated part of the base. The Pentagon saying U.S. intelligence believes the drone was.

was of Iranian origin. Six Americans were wounded, five of them service members. Iranian-backed militant groups used an unmanned aerial vehicle to strike one of our facilities causing several American casualties. While aboard Air Force One, President Biden ordering U.S. retaliation with what the Pentagon describes as precision strikes by two F-15s on sites used by groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard, including a U.S. defense official says buildings housing drone and aviation assets and vehicles used by those groups. The United States does not, does not emphasize, seek conflict with Iran, but be prepared to rest act forcefully, protect our people. That's exactly what happened last night.

Roughly 900 American troops and hundreds of contractors are stationed in Syria, helping Kurdish forces in the fight against ISIS. Those Americans under constant threat. 78 attacks on bases housing U.S. and coalition troops in Iraq and Syria over the last two years. Many of them, U.S. Central Command says, carried out by Iran or Iranian-backed groups. And just hours after the U.S. retaliated, another attack on a separate coalition base, 10 rockets, but U.S. officials say no casualties. This rocket attack was done in an effort to retaliate from last night's attacks. Again, they did not cause any damage at the coalition facility.

Peter, back with us from Ottawa, Canada. Peter, you asked the president directly about Iran's aggression. What did President Biden tell you? Yeah, Alison, at the end of today's news conference alongside his Canadian counterpart, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, I asked President Biden, given the repeated attacks by Iran and Iranian-back forces on Americans in Syria if the Iranians should face a tougher punishment. There should be a higher cost. And he said to me, we're not going to stop. I followed up for more clarity, as the U.S. official tells me by that,

he meant the U.S. is not going to stop fighting ISIS, continuing its mission to get rid of ISIS in that region. Ellison? Peter Alexander, thanks for that. We turn now to the severe tornado. danger in the south. Parker County, Texas, hit by two EF1 tornadoes this morning. The storms injuring five people overturning RVs and downing trees. 18 million now in the risk zone for dangerous storms stretching from Texas to Arkansas. So let's get right to NBC news meteorologist Bill Karens for more on the forecast. Bill, what is the latest on the track? Alison, we're heading into the next four hours of the evening where the sun is setting. It's going

to get dark. And this is the peak of our possible outbreak. We have it. haven't had any tornadoes yet. That's fantastic. But it doesn't mean it's going to stay that way. We have a new tornado watch that has issued for the Memphis area, a good portion here of the western, southwestern corner of Tennessee, a little good chunk of Mississippi. And this goes until midnight tonight. So we've got a bunch of hours to go here to wait and see what happens. And we still have a lot of strong storms that are now heading into what we'd call the juiciest air mass, the warmest, most humid air. That's the fuel for these thunderstorms. So here's Little Rock. You're safe down. Your storms are over. It was a rocky last.

hour you just went through. But now, if you're driving anywhere out towards 40, towards Memphis, this is the worst of it. Severe thunderstorm warnings, dangerous winds, small hail, but no tornadoes. Later this evening, if we get tornadoes, again, it's going to be right along the Mississippi River. We have to watch Memphis closely, southwards, the Greenville, all the way down the Jackson, the Natchez, and even that little corner here of northeastern Louisiana. That's the risk area for strong tornadoes. We could even get an isolated tornado right through the overnight hours. And if that's not enough, we still got flash flooding. It's ongoing. Little Rock, I mentioned it was rough, you're under a flash flood warning, popular bluff north of you. And then on top of all of this,

this same storm tonight is going to be a heavy, wet snow. Milwaukee, yes, four to eight inches of snow as possible when you wake up tomorrow morning. Not the stuff you want to be shoveling, dealing with, or maybe even losing power. Thank you, Bill. Authorities in New York are investigating a new death threat against the Manhattan District Attorney, the same DA investigating former President Donald Trump over those alleged hush money payments. Law enforcement sources say suspicious white powder was found in a letter addressed to the DA. It comes as Mr. Trump escalates his verbal attacks. Gabe Gutierrez joins us now on set with the latest.

Gabe, what do we know about this letter? Well, Alson, authorities say that the white powder was found not to be dangerous, but the FBI and NYPD are now investigating. And law enforcement sources say the note was postmarked Tuesday from Orlando, Florida. And Red Alvin, I'm going to kill you. Along with the note, a small amount of white powder. And Alvin Bragg's office, of course, is investigating former President Trump over alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

A grand jury is expected to meet again on Monday. Last weekend, the former president called for protest and predicted he'd be arrested on Tuesday. That did not happen, but his verbal attacks on Bragg have intensified in increasingly personal terms. Today, Mr. Trump warned of death and destruction if he won't. indicted and has referred to Bragg as an animal and a degenerate psychopath. He's also showed images of him holding a baseball bat near Bragg's head. And, you know, Allison's security officials are watching this very closely. Has the DA responded to this at all?

Yes, this afternoon, Alvin Bragg responded in a memo to staff. He wrote, I know it hasn't been easy with all the press attention and security around our office. And he thanked everyone for their strength and professionalism during this time. time. He also wrote, we'll continue to apply the law evenly and fairly. And our colleagues over at NBC, New York report that the DA's office has received hundreds of threats over the past few weeks. Several of them have directly been targeted at Bragg, a threatening serious bodily harm, although the credibility of those threats is suspect. Still, though, as I mentioned,

security officials are watching all of this very closely else. Gabe Gutierrez, thank you. Now to turmoil at two airports. one woman arrested and dragged by officers on the tarmac after a disturbance. And across the country, another airport temporarily closing a runway after officials responded to a potential threat. NBC's Guadvinagus has more. Tonight, once again, chaos on an airplane. The incident ending with five police officers hauling a woman off to be arrested before takeoff. This video posted by a passenger on the Frontier,

flight from Miami to Philadelphia captures part of the disturbance. I want whatever you want. I'll be too up. Frontier Airlines in a statement saying a customer had been asked to the plane after, quote, two customers got into a verbal altercation, adding that upon her refusal, assistance was requested from local law enforcement. Those officers escorting a woman off the plane. Oh my gosh. And dragging her by her limbs. The warrant says 24-year-old Simone Kim assaulted several of them by scratching, pushing, kicking, and pulling, and even attempting to bite the officers as they tried to arrest her. What a carrier!

She was charged with several counts of battery, assault, and resisting arrest, as well as trespassing. She posted Bond and no information was available about her attorney, and NBC News was not able to reach Kim for comment, but it's just the latest example of such incidents being widely shared on social media. media. According to the FAA, the number of unruly passengers is down from last year's peak, but they still report an overall average of about 40 unruly passenger incidents per week, a number above pre-pandemic trends. Disordidly passengers, though, not the only thing causing hold-ups on the tarmac this week. Last night, a security incident at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport resulted in a runway shutting down temporarily. They told us that

It was just a security. They didn't say anything about bomb threats. It was just a breach security, and we needed to remain on the runway. The FBI's Phoenix Field Office telling NBC News that special agents responded to a British airways flight, which had just landed at the airport, emergency vehicles arriving in force, lighting up the airport and causing delays. Law enforcement determining there was no threat to the plane, passengers and consequences. crew. British Airways apologizing to customers for the delay and saying they disembarked as normal. Air traffic control audio revealing the threat might have been fake.

More than happy that it's a hope. So security advisors, we spoke to them a few minutes ago and said the plan is to get us to the gate. We were just waiting for confirmation of them knew that that was the plan. The FBI told us today that an investigation is underway in Phoenix and still in its initial stages. As for the 24-year-old woman on that Miami flight, the arrest report says a leg restraint had to be used when detaining her. And under the FAA guidelines, she could be facing stiff fines in addition to those charges. Ellison? Guadvinagus, thanks for that. Turning now to the rise in migrant crossings at the U.S. Canada border, President Biden meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today to create a new

plan that would turn back asylum seekers entering through unofficial border crossings. is in Ottawa with the latest. Tonight, after a record surge of migrants crossing at the northern border, the U.S. striking a deal with Canada to turn back asylum seekers entering the countries without authorization, announced during President Biden's first visit to Canada since taking office. The United States and Canada will work together to discourage unlawful border crossings and fully implement and be updated safe third country agreement. The new pact eliminates a loophole from an agreement that went into effect in 2004.

that said asylum seekers must apply to the first country they arrive in, but that deal only applied at official border crossings, creating an opportunity for migrants to seek asylum from the U.S. into Canada at unofficial checkpoints, turning places like Roxham Road, a 30-minute taxi ride from the bus station in Plattsburgh, New York, into a magnet for unauthorized border crossings into Canada. Canadian officials reporting irregular border crossings went from nearly 800 during the last quarter of 2021 to over 8,000 by the end of 2022. Keeping people safe also includes keeping asylum seekers safe, keeping our borders secure and keeping our immigration system strong. Today, the Prime Minister announcing the new

deal will provide migrants with a new legal pathway in, allowing an additional 15,000 migrants from the Western Hemisphere to apply to enter Canada. The new policy applies to anyone without U.S. Canadian citizenship were apprehended within 14 days of crossing the northern border. This area where agents say they're seeing the most activity is called the Swanton sector, stretching across New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Earlier this year, Top Story traveled into the hotspot as crossings were skyrocketing and temperatures plummeting. I think it's sad.

I think that'd be an awful position to put your kids and your family in crossing like that, but obviously these people don't feel they have a choice. Residents nearby witnessing firsthand the families traversing through freezing forests to seek asylum. First it was slow, then it started picking up and picking up. And now it's worse than ever. There's constant people either walking or personal vehicles or all kinds of taxis from cars to vans. Calling on the Biden administration to act. And earlier this week, NBC News confirming that the U.S. has flown people seeking asylum at the northern border

to Texas. Photos taken by Reuters, capturing the moment families, some carrying children, walked off the plane in handcuffs. Customs and border protection officials say they were taken there for final processing near the southern border, where officials are still facing ongoing humanitarian rescues. Just yesterday, U.S. Border Patrol releasing this footage, showing what they say was the moment a one-year-old was abandoned by a smuggler on a riverbank. A border patrol agent later seen taking him in. Tonight, they say the border. boy is safe. And Monica Alba joins us now from Ottawa with more. Monica, do we have a sense of how long it will take for these agreements to go into effect? Almost immediately, Ellison, this will go

into effect after midnight eastern time. And this will affect crossings in both directions. All of this in an effort, the leaders said today, to encourage safer legal migration. But it's important to remember that these figures at the northern border pale in comparison to what's happening at the southern border with Mexico. Ellison. Monica, thank you. We turn now to Uganda where their government just passed a bill making it illegal to identify as LGBTQ plus and introducing new charges that could make it punishable by

death, some calling it one of the most extreme anti-LGBQ laws in the world. Our Alia Ruzi has more. Tonight, if you identify as gay in Uganda, it could land you in prison for the rest of your life or even the death penalty in certain cases. The change comes after Parliament passed a new bill with widespread support to crack down on the country's LGBT community. In our country, we will have our morals, we will protect our children. We are going to reinforce the law enforcement officers to make sure that homosexuals have no space in Uganda. The bill still needs to be signed by the president to become law, but it would make merely identifying as gay illegal for the first time. Frank Mugisha, a gay LGBT activist, living in Uganda, has grave concerns.

Because it has a death penalty, and many people would be worried, many people would be scared. The move is drawing our from around the world. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, calling it a deeply troubling development. Anti-homosexuality bill that just passed Parliament in Uganda is probably the most draconian and hideous anti-LGBQ bill that exists anywhere in the world. And she's not alone in that sentiment. The White House press secretary agreeing, also bringing up potential ripple effects of such a law. We have grave concerns with the passage of the Anti-Homosexuality Act. It would impinge upon universal human rights, jeopardize progress in the fight against HIV-AIDS.

deter tourism and invest in Uganda and damage Uganda's international reputation. Uganda is already one of more than 60 nations around the world that outlaw homosexual acts, according to the human rights watch. But this bill introduces many new criminal offenses which could affect the entire population. Friends, family and other citizens would have a duty to report individuals in same-sex relationships to the authorities. It prohibits landlords from renting premises that are used for the purposes of homosexuality. You can be sentenced to prison for 10 years for knowingly renting a room to someone who's LGBTQ. The law would also criminalize the promotion or normalization of homosexuality, which means any organization, including foreign

ones, that has a policy of non-discrimination could face criminal charges with individuals being subject to lengthy jail sentences. The worst would be mass and mass. arrests of LGBTQ persons, mob violence towards the LGBT community. Putting LGBT persons, I don't know if they're going to be concentration camps or rehabilitation centers that are so discriminatory because many people are going to be internally displaced. Allie Aruzi joins us now from London. Allie, we heard in your piece the White House press secretary speaking out, but activists are

calling on the United States to do more here. Is that right? That's right, Ellison. The Ugandan LGBT community and activists want President Biden to send a clear message that this bill will not be tolerated, and Uganda will become an international pariah if it's passed. They say that if he doesn't do that, that sends a message to other countries considering similar measures that a blind eye will be turned to bigotry and discrimination. Ellison? Thank you, Allie. Still ahead tonight, the urgent manhunt in Philadelphia. New surveillance video showing the moment multiple suspects fired 70 bullets on a group of teenagers. What authorities have revealed about that shocking attack. Plus, Gwyneth Paltrow taking the stand late today. What the actress claims really happened in a 2016 ski accident that she's been accused of causing. And sideline sucker punch, a Memphis basketball player knocking her opponent to the ground. The criminal charges she's now facing. Stay with us.

Back now with the Gwyneth, with Gwyneth Paltrow taking the stand. The Hollywood A. Lister defending herself in a lawsuit brought up by a man who claims she crashed into him while skiing in Utah and severely injured him. Here's Kaylee Hartung. Guineth Paltrow taking the stand in a Utah courtroom facing accusations of reckless crashing into another skier on the slopes of the Posh Deer Valley Resort seven years ago, allegedly causing impermanent brain damage and other serious injuries. Mr. Sanderson categorically hit me on that ski slope, and that is the truth. And I'm sure that that's what you believe. I'm not saying it's the truth.

The actress turned lifestyle guru and 76-year-old Terry Sanderson, a retired optometrist, have completely different accounts of what happened that day. I was skiing and two skis came between my skis, forcing my legs apart, and then there was a body pressing against me, and there was a very strange grunting noise. Sanderson is not yet testified. His legal team leaning on a neurologist and biomedical engineer who claims, by the laws of physics, Paltrow is to blame. There's only one scenario that would account for enough force application to fracturing both ribs, and that would be Ms. Paltrow is striking. Mr. Sanderson from behind and then falling on top of them down towards the right side onto the right side of this torso. The defense searching for what they call the most important piece of evidence. The night of the incident, Sanderson's daughter Shea, writing in an email, I can't believe

this is all on GoPro. But now she claims it never existed. I've never seen GoPro video and it does not exist as far as I know. Through four days of proceedings, Paltrow's attorneys claiming Sanderson is now exaggerating his injuries and faking for gain. We are defending a false allegation, and we need your help. We believe it to be utter BS. But Sanderson's legal team refuting that. This has completely changed his life physically, emotionally, biologically, psychologically, and socially. Paltrow maintaining that Sanderson has always been responsible and says he knows it too.

I said, you skied directly into my effing back, and he said, oh, sorry, sorry, I'm sorry. Kaylee Hartung joins us now from Los Angeles. Kaylee, this is a tricky case. We heard it in your piece. No video evidence. This is mostly a he said, she said situation. What's at stake? Yeah, it really is, Alison.

And ultimately, it's up to the jury of four men and six women to decide who has the more credible story, not just about the actual collision, but the aftermath of it all. as well. So Sanderson initially sued Paltrow for more than $3 million, but the complaint was amended and he's now asking for at least $300,000. We'll get a better idea of the specific number they're seeking in closing arguments. And Paltrow, for her part, is countersued for $1 in damages, plus her legal fees being reimbursed. The trial will continue into next week where we expect to hear from Terry Sanderson himself, as well as Paltrow's two children and her husband. Ellison. Interesting case. Kaylee Hartung, thank you so much.

For more on Paltrow's testimony and what it could mean for the case, Attorney Lexi Rigden joined us now. Lexi, you have been following this case very closely. How do you think Paltrow did on the witness stand? Well, Allison, I think it was an Oscar-winning job that she did. I think she came off as likable and you can't necessarily fake that and likability in these trials, especially when there was no witness to the actual event. And so it's going to be a he said, she said. He did this. this, she did this type of thing. And it's so important because if you don't like somebody, you don't want to believe them. And then even if you do believe them, you don't care what they said because you don't like them. So I think that she was credible. I think she was likable. And I also think she admitted things that didn't paint her in the best light when she had to. And she admitted them without hesitation. So I think her attorneys, I would be very happy if any of my witnesses in any trial testified like that.

What are you expecting to hear from the other figures in this case? Kaley mentioned the defendant or the sewer in this case taking the stand himself, Terry Sanderson, as well as Winif Alta's children and husband. What could we hear from them and how important is likeability and credibility when they take the stand? Well, it's very important for all of the witnesses. And I personally think that Terry Sanderson is already behind the eight ball because he's the plaintiff. He's the one suing. He's the one where people in his family have been testifying that he has been living for this. He wants his day in court and he's not in the courtroom because his lawyer said he can't handle criticism. Well, nobody else wants to be in there either. Gwen

doesn't want to be there. The jurors don't want to be there. So I think he's already behind the eight ball. But next week, they're going to have more plaintiff's testimony. They're going to have to have Terry Sanderson testify about the injuries. And he'll no doubt say the opposite, which is that she crashed into him. And then when the defense starts their case in chief, they're going to have experts basically rebutting everything the plaintiff's experts said. And I don't necessarily envy those people in the jury room because at the end of the day, I'm not sure. either of these people is going to be able to prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence, which is the burden in a civil case. Do you think the jury will hold it against

Terry Sanderson that he has not been in the courtroom throughout this trial? I do. If I were on the jury, I would, because these people are missing work. Being on a jury is not something that a lot of people necessarily want to do. Maybe this case is different because she's a celebrity. But, you know, jury service is a pain. It can be a pain. And it's your civic duty, but still. And so I think, especially when his children are testifying that this is really important to this, really important to him, and he has made this his mission, and he's not even in there based on a relatively flimsy excuse that he doesn't like criticism. Well, guess what? Nobody does. So if I were on that jury, that he would be very far behind the eight ball for me.

So we have Terry Sanderson suing Gwyneth Paltrow, Gwyneth Paltrow, counter suing Terry Sanderson for substantially less money. How do things play out with this jury? Will they just decide on the suit brought by Terry Sanderson this go round, and then another jury will take up the countersuit from Gwyneth Paltrow, or will they decide all of it? They're going to decide all of it because it arises from the same set of facts. And also, this is kind of the downside of celebrity, because if she weren't a celebrity, she could ask for damages. I'm sure she has them. I mean, she or she could find an expert to say she does, and she has legal fees, which she is now asking for. But she probably made it, took a, made a calculated judgment that,

that when you're a wealthy celebrity, asking for money from somebody who's not, isn't necessarily a good look. So she's kind of stuck. So that's a little bit of the downside and celebrity in these types of cases. All right. Lexi, thank you so much. We appreciate it. When we come back, Afro-Man Sue, the rapper facing a new lawsuit from several police officers who raided his home, why footage from a security camera is at the center of the lawsuit. Back now with Top Stories News Feed and the urgent manhunt for four masked gunmen in Philadelphia. Surveillance video shows the suspects firing over 70 bullets in a matter of seconds. At least three teenagers were hurt in what police are calling a targeted attack to remain in critical conditions.

So far, no arrests have been made. A women's college basketball player has been charged with assault for a shocking moment after a tournament game. You see it here appears to capture Memphis player Jemira Shoots punching Bowling Greens Elisa Barrett during the post-game handshake after Bowling Greens win. Police say Shoots is now facing assault charges, no word on what led up to the incident. And the statement to top story, Memphis Athletics Department said it was not representative of their expectations for student athletes. Rapper Afro Man is being sued by seven police officers who raided his home last year.

According to the lawsuit, the officers claim the rapper, whose real name is Joseph Foreman, used this home security camera video of them inside his Ohio home in music videos and to sell merchandise without their consent. No charges were ever filed against Foreman following that raid. And Hyundai and Kia recalling more than half a million vehicles due to fire risks. The automakers say the two hitch on several models of SUVs and minivans can catch firewall their parked or being driven. Owners are now being urged to park vehicles outside. We have more information on this on NBCNews.com. Turning now to a new warning for those planning to travel internationally and in need of a passport, get your paperwork in sooner rather than later. The State Department

saying there is an increase in wait time due to major demand. NBC's Tom Costello with what you need to know. Countdown to Vacation 2023 and a post-pandemic surge of Americans going international. But if you don't have a valid passport, beware. The State Department reports an unprecedented 500,000 passport renewal applications each week, 30 to 40 percent more than last year, and that means big delays. We're looking for a regular passport about 10 to 13 weeks, and for an expedited passport, about seven to nine weeks. Flag that, regular passport renewals can take three plus months.

if you expedite, it can take more than two months. Why the backlog? Passport demand tanked during the pandemic, so the State Department reassigned or laid off passport staff. Now they're staffing up and adding extra offices to meet demand. We are receiving frantic calls and outreach from a lot of our constituents. C.J. Leonard bought her ticket to visit Friends in Ireland and used the online portal to renew her passport two months before departure. Then wait, and waited, then spent hours on the phone and got her Congresswoman involved. Her expedited passport arrived just in time. Until I got on the plane, I really didn't think I was going because of all this.

So it was really exciting to get the passport. The advice from the travel pros. I wouldn't book your vacation until you've actually got the passport. Right, thanks for that. In Utah, the governor has signed new legislation that. will toughen access for children who use social media by limiting their time on the platforms and allow their parents access to their accounts. The groundbreaking laws which may soon be adopted in other states are designed to improve

mental health for children. Miguel Almaguer has what's at stake. When it goes into effect next year, children and teenagers in Utah could lose access to their social media accounts or face a barrage of restrictions aimed at shielding them from platforms, some call addictive and dangerous. The law, just signed by Utah's governor, is expected to face legal challenges because of the wide-ranging impact on companies like TikTok. Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook. In addition to requiring age verification and giving parents access to their children's accounts, the law prohibits kids under 18 from using

social media between 10.30 p.m. and 6.30 a.m. Nicolene Peck is a mother of four. I think it's a move in a really good direction that empowers parents to have hard conversations with their children about what's going on online and helps them be involved. You may not care that your data is being accessed now, but it will be one day when you do care about it. As lawmakers raise security and privacy issues concerning tech giants, several states are following Utah's leave. to limit harmful effects of social media on teen mental health. It could be difficult to enforce the law. Some of it I don't think will be.

We have some really strict parental control tools. With some calling the legislation unconstitutional and an infringement on free speech, Meadow, which owns Facebook, says it's committed to keeping teens safe and will work with policy makers. Tonight, groundbreaking legislation and the social experiment, will it work? Miguel Almaguerre, NBC News. Now to an alarming new report on book bans. The American Library Association, finding attempted book bans and restrictions at school and public libraries continues to surge, hitting an all-time high in 2022.

The number of ban attempts, staggering 1,269. That's almost two times higher than the previous year. For more on the rise in book censorship, Shontay Burns Simpson, the Associate Director of the Center for Educators and schools at the New York Public Library joins me now in studio. Shanty, I'm so glad you're here to talk about this because it's a big topic and something that probably a lot of people don't pause to think about in their day-to-day lives. And book banning is not something that is new in this country. There was a time where, if I'm remembering correctly, there was a black minister named

Sam Green in Maryland who was jailed for 10 years because he had a copy of Uncle Tom's cabin. At the same time, what we're seeing happen right now is a little bit different than what we've seen in recent years. In the past, it used to be parents or community members attempting to ban or challenging books, and usually it focused on one specific book. But according to this report, 90 percent of books challenged in 2022 were part of attempts to ban not just one, but multiple titles and organized by groups, often conservatives won, conservative ones, and they tend to target books that deal with LGBTQ plus issues and race. What stands out to you about this report and these efforts that we're seeing right now.

It seems like they're more coordinated. Oh, absolutely. So according to ALA's Office of Intellectual Freedom, these organized censorship groups are really, really targeting, like you said, LGBT-plus communities as well as people of color, writers as well as books about those communities. And so they're really taking and they're taking a complicated list of books and making sure that they're going to community boards and libraries to have these titles pulled off of our shelves.

When you see things like this happening, what's your first thought? And for people at home who might be thinking, I don't have kids in school, I don't go to the library, I order books online. Why should they care about something like this? I mean, because ultimately it's our freedom to read. I mean, this has nothing to do with being liberal or conservative is just our right to read. This is just our democratic process, which is truly American. So we just really want to make sure that New York Public Library, as well as libraries from across the country, we are really advocating for readers so that they have the option to choose what they want to read. They get to read books that's based on their experience.

They also have titles that they can learn from. When you look at things like this report, I understand too in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams administration is looking at significant slash to budget, that would impact your library, other libraries, in this city very directly. How would you describe the state of books, libraries right now? I mean, the libraries played a pivotal part in supporting New York City communities through the pandemic. I mean, just even over the past year, we're opening up teen centers who were really heavily, you know, hit during the pandemic with just being isolated. We're also providing a lot of resources for our students. We're supporting asylum seekers to help them navigate New York City.

And just to keep on this topic, we really just want to make sure that we're providing books and information that is going to serve our diverse communities. So I'm being pretty optimistic personally at hoping that the mayor sees the hard work that we do to support the city and really rethink the budget cuts. Great, Chonte. Thank you so much for being here. We appreciate it. Thank you.

Coming up, underwater warfare, North Korea reportedly testing a weapon, it says, can trigger a, quote, radioactive tsunami, the chilling warning from Kim Jong-un to the U.S. Plus, end of an era, why fans of Pokemon will no longer see Ash and Pikachu together on screen. Global Watch is next. We're back with Top Story's Global Watch, and we begin with deadly police clashes in Brazil. 13 people killed during a raid to arrest a suspected gang leader in Rio de Janeiro. Police claimed the victims were suspected criminals, but three local residents also suffered injuries in the clash. Two individuals were detained, according to police. They say they also seized a large amount of weapons. North Korea claims it tested an underwater attack drone that can

launch a, quote, radioactive tsunami. New images show a weapon system firing in the water off the East Korea Bay. North Korea claims the drone can be deployed, rather, at any port. Kim Jong-un also threatening the U.S. and South Korea, saying they will, quote, plunge into despair if they continue joint military drills. And it's the end of an era for Pokemon fans. The popular anime show airing its last episode featuring main character Ash Ketchum in Japan today. The episode marking the last time iconic duo, Ash and Pikachu, will be together on screen. The two have been the part of the series since it started back in 1997. When we come back a look at what you can binge this weekend, the hit series

succession is back for its fourth and final season, Thriller Yellow Jackets, also making its return plus new music from Maluma. We're back now with bingeworthy. Our look at the best things to watch and listen to this weekend, we are joined by host and producer of USA Today's Entertainment, this, Ralphie Aversa. Ralphie, thank you for coming on Top Story tonight. We're going to start with a show

that I know everyone is talking about succession. It is the fourth and final season. Is that right? Starts Sunday. HBO Max. I have to look down because I have not watched it. And we will talk about that right after.

We watch a clip of it. He's on the floor, Tom. Explain what he's doing. He's musing, terrifying. lovingly mozying. It's like if Santa Claus was a hitman. We were cut out behind our backs. But there's a shape for things for us. We partner up with Sandy and Stewie and with Pierce.

Death wrestling ogres. Excited to get into this knife fight. So I have held out from watching this. Everyone is always like, you've got to watch Succession. You've got to watch Succession. And I'm like, it's about news. I work in those space. Do I really want to see it? It's about news, but it isn't. It's really about a very complicated family relationship. You know, I spoke with Brian Cox. There's a lot of comparisons out there to, of course, is it based on the Murdoch family or not? Brian Cox says those comparisons are incorrect.

I think a lot of people would disagree with him. Regardless, though, yes, fourth and final season, if you're late to the party, Ellison, like you are, let me just tell you this, season one. And I was thinking about this because it is the fourth and final season. I covered the season one junket and watched the entire season before I interviewed the cast. It is a slow builds, but once it gets there, oh, it's good. It brings you right in. It's critically acclaimed for a reason. So it's not too late to join the party. Too late, and you don't think it's overhyped? No. I mean, and this is coming from someone, and I probably shouldn't admit this, but I don't, I mean, I'm covering movies, music, television. I don't get to watch

a lot as much scripted TV as I'd like, but I am dialed in. I am obsessed, and I'm ready to go this weekend. Okay, all right. Next up, we have Yellow Jackets, which if, no, yes, we do Yellow Jackets next, right? We do. Yeah, so Yellow Jackets is Showtime. This is a psychological thriller about what happens after a plane has crashed into a forest. Let's watch some of this. All time, there was some darkness out there. A moment that I step outside. I thought we left it there and we were rescued. But now I realize we brought it back with us. So many of us for me to run in the house.

She's hiding something. Everybody's hiding something. So they're all part of a soccer team together from high school, right? What do you think of it? And they're trying to survive. Well, I'll tell you what USA Today's TV critic Kelly Lawler thinks of it. She gave season two, three and a half out of four stars. Season one, of course, seven Emmy nominations and a number of different action.

acting noms as well. Christina Ricci, of course, as you see, one of the stars in this. Kelly says that the season two heights are just as high as the season one heights. So if you're a fan of the show, or again, you're looking to get into it, some encouraging news there. And you could read that review at USA Today.com. Okay, so this next one, I'm told if people feel like yellow jackets is too gory or just too much for them, that this is a lighter option. It's called Class of 07. It's a series, and it is on Amazon Prime Video. I'm excited about this trailer. Let's watch.

Honestly, if I don't say you again for another 10 years, fine by me. All right. All right, so Emily Browning, Caitlin Stacey, she was in Smile, of course, as well. And again, yes, this is, it's interesting, because because terrible circumstances, a group of women, they get together for their class reunion, and this apocalyptic title wave takes over the island where their campus is.

But it's a comedy, so there's a lot of humor in it as well. Yes, definitely much lighter than yellow jackets. Okay. So next up, we have a political thriller on Netflix. This one is about an FBI agent and a conspiracy that he gets himself involved in. It's called Night Agent. Let's watch. Have you ever heard of Night Action? It's a top secret investigative program within the FBI.

So you want me to be a night agent? God, no. I want you to answer the phone for them. It rarely rings. Yes, go ahead. I'm in danger. There's intruders. What do I do? It's going to be all right.

I'm on my way. Night agent. The night agent. There you go. Don't forget the article. Based on the novel, Matthew Quirk. So, yeah, as you mentioned, this FBI agent. He has to man this phone that never rings in the basement of the White House until it does.

Okay. Watch or skip? I am going to go with, oh, geez, I wish I could lead on Kelly. Kelly Lawler, our TV predicate USA Today, where are you? I'm just going to go with watch because I don't want to get myself in any trouble with Netflix or with Kelly for that matter. Okay, so the next thing on the watch list is a new comedy series that is set in New York City. I love a good show that is set in New York City just always feels like warm and fuzzy to me. but this one is about a writer and thoughts inside her head. This one is called Up Here, and it is on Hulu. Here's a clip of that.

I've been thinking a lot about this. New York is where real writers live, and I am starting to think that I am a real writer. Why don't you tell me? Do not say it. Careful now? Keep it to yourself, Lens. I just have all these voices in my head all the time.

Now you've done it. Nice pants. Thanks. All right, so May Whitman, Carlos, followed us star in this one. Two things about things that are filmed in New York. Do you ever watch something that's filmed in New York and you try to figure out where exactly they are? And then if you've been there, right?

So that's it. The other thing that really caught me about this musical rom-com is that it's set in New York City 1999, as if that's a long time ago. And that kind of made me guessp a little bit. It made me feel a little old because I was born a little before 1999. Just a little bit. Spoiler alerts, yeah.

Okay. So this next part, if this segment felt off the rails, like, oh, she doesn't know what shows she's talking about. I didn't. But on music, I've got this one. Are you ready? Okay, so this first one for music to listen to Maluma and Anuel Double E A. Look at you. Double A.

Well, yeah. Wow. Love their stuff. Puerto Rican rapper, Maluma, Colombian. They have a new song out. So catchy. Let's listen. I mean, does Miloomah ever put out a bad song.

No, he doesn't. Also, I love how we got the product placement in there in that video, too. Happy Friday, everybody. Shout out to Mickelope Ultra. There was some alleged beef between these two. Really? I don't know. Onwell, I guess he had a lyric out where he said that Maluma didn't have any flow and then Bad Bunny had like retweeted something about it. But obviously, if there was anything, it's all cleared up now, thankfully.

Okay. So next we have new music from Tessa Violet. I had not heard of her until we were planning for this segment. But apparently if you were on TikTok, you have probably heard some of her music because it is all over the app. This is her newest song. You are not my friend. Forever, wow, but I know better now. You are not, my friend. This is the end. You are not. Yeah.

This is the head. This is the home. What do you think? So, you know, Tessa, her own artist, but it's really cool. to see how pop punk has made this resurgence. Obviously, today the new Fall Out Boy album is out, but you talk about Machine Gun Kelly and Avril Levine, Blink 182 back on the scene.

So Tessa following that, and yes, TikTok huge, also YouTube really big as well. You may have seen her there also. Okay, so this next and final artist we're going to talk about, I'm super excited about I saw her in New York a week ago, and I've just been repeating the music again and again. Her name is Maris. She has a new song out.

This one is called Crush Land. Let's take a listen. I feel deserted. Sometimes I wonder if I fall because I deserve it. He's pulling down to me, but I will bear up a burden. Nobody understands while I still hold his hand in the crash land. It's just such an earworm to me. It's one of those songs that you can like walk around wherever you live,

and suddenly it feels like you are a part of a movie. yourself, skipping on the sidewalk. Of course, for us, we feel that way because this song was inspired in part by her time in New York in addition to an up-and-down relationship. So, yeah, I'm a sucker for an earworm as well. I will be listening to this one all weekend long, too. Yes, perfect. Well, thank you for being here. Thank you at home for watching with us. We appreciate it. You've been watching Top Story. I'm Ellison Barber in New York. Stay right there because more news is on the way.