Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, May 30, 2025

Episode Date: May 31, 2025

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

Tonight, the violent weather down south has a massive cloud of smoke, blankets the Midwest. A surprise twister rips through parts of Kentucky, flattening homes and killing at least one person. The questions tonight about why there was so little warning. Meanwhile, those huge wildfires in Canada we've been telling you about, now sending thick smoke and haze to the Midwest and beyond. Residents already wearing masks will tell you where it's headed next. The White House send-off, President Trump, with an oval office goodbye for Elon Musk as the tech billionaire leaves government amid new reporting of his excessive drug use, his pushback today. Breaking his silence, Todd Crissly, the reality TV star, pardoned by President Trump, opening up about the emotional moment he walked free and what he says is his new mission to help the inmates he left behind. Swift Redemption, the surprise announcement from Megastar Tate.

that after years of battling over her older music, she now owns it how she finally reclaimed her songs. Making their case, the prosecution rests in the Karen Reid murder trial, her defense team calling their first witness, and the intriguing answer, Reed gave reporters when asked if she'd testify. The NBA star rape allegations, the lawsuit just filed against basketball star Zion Williamson, how his legal team is firing back tonight. And a new level of road rage video of a driver smashing his truck into another car and then jumping up and down on the roof of it. What's starting it all? Plus, we pay tribute tonight to a towering figure here at NBC News. Stay with us as we celebrate Lester Holt. Top story. Starts right now.

And good evening. Tonight, another round of severe weather bearing down on the South and Mid-Atlantic. 38 million Americans now at risk as residents across the South are recovering from a string of tornadoes. This is new video here tonight showing a twister in Florida. Look how fast it's moving. Tearing right past a school. Thankfully, no one was hurt in this case. In Georgia, a possible tornado ripping across a highway yesterday coming just feet from the hood of this car. At least one twister confirmed in that state. And this morning, another powerful tornado heating central Kentucky. the aftermath here. Homes reduced to piles of debris. At least one person has been killed there,

several others injured. And the drone images capturing the devastation as we're learning this twister caught residents completely off guard. No outdoor alarms for miles. It left those in the path with virtually no warning. Right now, the South and the Mid-Atlantic, you see it here are bracing again with parts of Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, all under tornado watches right now. It comes as Canada, we've been telling you about this, facing down blazing wildfires producing this wall of smoke in the skies over Manitoba. That smoke fanning out over the Midwest in the satellite images, air quality alerts are now in effect for roughly 22 million in the region. Bill Cairns is standing by for us tonight to tell us when this dangerous cloud may pass. But we want to begin tonight with NBC's Kathy Park on the ground in Kentucky after that deadly surprise tornado.

An unexpected disaster in rural Kentucky, a devastating tornado ripping through Washington County. Phone alerts coming with just minutes to spare. I think this is probably about the worst I've seen. Where homes stood just yesterday, now empty lots. Emergency crews already at work on the downed trees and leveled houses. Just so grateful that we have had the type of community that we take care of one another. The Washington County Sheriff's Office confirming one person is dead and multiple injured. Jack Coleman says a twister killed his friend and his girlfriend is recovering at the hospital.

There was no chance. If you look at his house now, it's just sham. There's no chance they could have made it. The sudden storm catching locals off guard with no outdoor sirens installed for miles. It did come out of nowhere. We're not expecting it was surprised. The region already railing after a powerful EF4 tornado ripped through three counties in southern Kentucky two weeks ago, killing 19. This latest disaster bringing the total to 45 confirmed tornadoes this year alone in the state. In nearby Tennessee this morning, a confirmed tornado scattering debris from miles just south of Knoxville. No! No!

All on the heels of a tornado yesterday afternoon, wreaking havoc in the town of Locust Grove, Georgia. Tornado hit my apartment complex. This home flattened, injuring residents with no advance warning for those in its path. I just ran for the closet and covered my head and started. praying and I could hear things hit in the house actor Trey Cheney breaking down in tears as he posted this update to Instagram I survived a tornado my son he he survived saying his 18-year-old son Malachi was thrown 300 feet by the wind and is now in the ICU and I'm sure that community's praying for him that he recovered Kathy Park joins us tonight from

Washington County Kentucky Kathy I have to go back to this right there the tornado caught people completely off guard. What else are you hearing about that? Yeah, Tom, you know, this was just an extremely rare event. And originally this community was bracing for strong thunderstorms. The threat for tornadoes was extremely low. But what happened here, the tornado actually formed on top of this community. And Tom, we should point out, we are in peak tornado season right now.

And unfortunately, sometimes with thunderstorms, these types of tornadoes do form. They're brief. They're random. And as you can see, in this community, it was destructive and even deadly. Tom. Okay, Kathy Park for us. As we've been reporting up north near the Canadian border, hazardous wildfire smoke pouring into parts of the Midwest as massive wildfires burn out of control in western and central Canada. That smoke from over 170 wildfires burning, threatening the middle of the country with dangerous, unhealthy air quality.

NBC's Adrian Broderis is in Duluth, Minnesota tonight. So, Adrian first, just talk to me about the air quality there. Can you notice it? Do you smell it? Do you feel it? Oh, Tom, you certainly smell it, especially depending on how the wind blows, parts of at least where we are. It smells like a campfire. And if you just look over my shoulder, you can see that thick haze. It's not only here in Duluth, but in parts of the Midwest, as that smoke just blows in from those Canadian wildfires, those massive fires. 22 million, as you mentioned, are under some sort of air quality. alert. That's from Minnesota to Michigan. We're also talking about the UP, the upper peninsula

of Michigan, and parts of Illinois. We have been here throughout the day. We've seen some people taking steps to minimize any harm. We were with a physician earlier today, and he says he remembers those wildfires from 2023. Many of you remember when that Canadian smoke blew in, but it led to weeks of toxic air, not only here in the Midwest, but also along the East Coast. He says they're used to seeing people come in during wildfire season with respiratory issues,

but not this early. We haven't even hit June yet. And he says it's possible we could see a long road ahead this summertime. Yeah, I know. I remember those two years ago that summer. The air was so toxic. All right, Adrian, we thank you for being there, you and your team being in that,

zone right now. I do want to bring in NBC News meteorologist Bill Karens with the extreme conditions across the country. Bill was just talking to me in the middle of Adrian's report. He came, walked up to me to tell me that there was a tornado warning now in effect in the D.C. area. So let's start there, Bill. Yeah, we have four active tornado warnings in and around between D.C. and the Richmond area. So this is a line of storms that was in Kentucky this morning that produced that tornado. Now it's made its way all the way to the East Coast. Let's go in here a little closer to the Washington, D.C. area. So here's Washington, D.C. This is the Beltway. I have my eyes on this storm just to the north up here. This one has a clear

hook echo. Looks like a supercell. This is in between Washington, D.C. and Baltimore. If you're familiar with like the Silver Springs area, this is just to the north here. This will be crossing Interstate 95, you know, very close to the peak of rush hour here in the next half hour. So that looks ominous. We'll wait and see if it does produce a tornado or not. To the south of here. So we got D.C., we got Alexandria. We have a tornado warren storm just south of the Beltway. This one will be coming up here. towards Melwood and on the east side of 495. So we'll keep an eye on that, Tom,

as we go throughout the next couple hours. The worst of it in the southeast will be over the next hour or two. By the time we get to the weekend, the chances of severe weather like this are much lower. We just have to get through tonight. Yeah, we'll stay on top of this

throughout the broadcast. While I have you, let's go back to what Adrian was talking about there, that air quality in the Midwest. Talk to us about what you're seeing there and what people should be doing. Yeah, so these fires have been, you know, huge in Canada for about the last couple days. But the air was blowing up towards, you know,

northern Canada. Now the air is switched. All of it for the next two days. All of that smoke is heading south, and that's why we have these air quality alerts. Today we were kind of fortunate. A lot of the smoke was above the surface. So it would filter the sun out. You'd see it, but you weren't really breathing it in. And the air quality, you know, we're in the unhealthy for sensitive groups for a couple of areas, but it's not horrible. It's not like what we've seen in other years. But we do think that over the weekend, with all of these fires burning, that we're going to continue to watch the smoke actually intensifying, especially in areas like Minneapolis. We're going to look through our friends in Wisconsin, too. Those will be some of the worst spots,

Tom. Okay, Bill Cairns, we'll stay with you throughout the broadcast in case anything happens with those tornado warnings in D.C. We do want to turn to the other breaking news we're following tonight, also in D.C. Elon Musk saying his farewell to the Trump administration during a press event with the president in the Oval Office. But Musk is also facing new accusations of excessive drug use. Here's NBC senior White House correspondent. Gabe Gutierrez with the latest. Tonight, Elon Musk is saying goodbye to Washington, at least for now. It's my friend, and he's done a fantastic job. President Trump heaping praise on the tech titan, presenting him with a golden key for leading the Department of Government efficiency.

Musk's turbulent time at Doge falling short of his own cost-cutting predictions as he leaves his 130-day appointment. Well, I expect to continue to provide advice whenever the president. would like advice. I'm confident that over time we'll see a trillion dollars of savings. But the billionaire is facing a new controversy. Vote, vote, vote. While Musk was a fixture on the campaign trail last year, the New York Times citing people familiar with activities who allege he was using drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy, and psychedelic mushrooms, far more intensely than previously known. Musk has previously said he was prescribed ketamine for depression. NBC News has not confirmed any of the accusations in the report.

Today, Musk did not directly respond. There is a New York Times report today that accuses you of blurring the line between. Is the New York Times, is that the same publication that got a Pulitzer Prize for false reporting on the Russia gate? The Pulitzer board saying the Times reporting was not discredited. Late today, the president visiting a steel plant outside Pittsburgh and announcing a deal to allow a Japanese company to merge with U.S. Steel with an American CEO. after candidate Trump had opposed it. If you don't have steel, you don't have a country. So when it comes to the steel tariffs, you support what the president's doing?

Absolutely. Local officials optimistic the merger and other Trump policies will bring more jobs. They've been wondering, are they going to have a job? Are they going to be able to save their house? The kids go to college. And I was just overwhelmed with happiness. All right, Gabe Gutierrez joins us tonight from West Midland, PA. Gabe, I know you're at the president's rally there with steel workers in Pennsylvania.

There's been a big announcement by the White House. Walk our viewers through what happened tonight when it comes to tariffs and steel imports. Yeah, that's right, Tom. Look, the event just wrapped up a short time ago. But the president made a surprise announcement. He doubled steel tariffs on imports coming into the U.S. from 25% to 50%. And meanwhile, trade talks with China are now in limbo.

Earlier today, the president said that China had violated it. agreement to roll back its steep tariffs for 90 days. Although, Tom, he did not specify how. Okay. Gabe Gutier's with that big development out there. Gabe, we thank you for that. The president also getting a major victory today from the Supreme Court, clearing the way for him to deport some half a million people, many of whom were allowed to come into the country due to a Biden-era law. It comes as his administration has ramped up deportation rates, especially in Florida. NBC's Marissa Pira is there tonight. Tonight, President Trump's immigration crackdown ramping up.

up with sweeping raids across the state of Florida. Justice, the Supreme Court gives the President a major victory today, revoking the legal status for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Dicaragua, and Venezuela. That means that even as the original ruling is appealed, the Trump administration can deport more than 500,000 people currently in the U.S. from those four countries, even though many arrived legally under a Biden-era program. It's very important that we're able to get those. people out of here fast bring them back to their country where they belong that speed picking up in

recent days here in the sunshine state construction workers were working on this building behind me when law enforcement came from all directions descending on them rounding them up in the hundreds this construction site in tallahassee now the side of one of the largest immigration raids in state history workers seen on video Thursday pouring out of the building near fSU campus where they're constructing student housing still wearing their construction vests their hands tied. Seems like yesterday in some ways was kind of unprecedented here. For sure, it's one of the biggest raids we've ever seen and it involved several state agencies plus ICE. We are hearing that about 200 people showed up for work. More than 100 of them were

detained. Tallahassee immigration attorney Elizabeth Ritchie says she's getting calls by the dozens. I'm concerned about due process violations. We've been seeing those unfortunately more and more recently. I want to make sure that everyone's rights are protected. And now, are being reported at courthouses as migrants show up to their immigration hearings. This video from Thursday showing a family with four children detained outside of this San Antonio Immigration Courthouse. With workplace raids also on the rise, like the Tallahassee one, Governor DeSantis touts as a major bus success. The recent raids across the country are also raising outcry. This is Gestapo-like behavior where plainclothesers,

wearing masks are terrorizing immigrants who are doing the right thing by going to court, following up on their immigration proceedings, and trying to come into this country lawfully. President Trump's administration pushed ICE with a quota of 1,800 arrests per day in the days after his inauguration. According to data obtained by NBC News, ICE deported over 17,000 people last month. That's up more than 50% from deportations in February. But borders are Tom Homan says it's not enough. But I'm not satisfied. I haven't been satisfied all year long because what I just said, we got 600,000 criminals walking the streets to this country we need to get. So yeah, we increase a number of teams. We'll have over 1,000 teams on the street. We're putting more

targeting in this. We got to increase these arrests and removals. All right, Marissa, let's pick it up right there. I know you're at a rally for immigration rights hosted by active. there behind you. We just heard Tom Holman there. I want to pick up right there. Should we expect more raids in the days ahead? Well, Tom, I can tell you right now that what we saw in Tallahassee is probably most likely a sign of what's to come, what's to be ramped up in the coming days and weeks. So behind me, you might be able to hear the noise. This is from an immigration rights group and all of the allies that have come out. They're wearing a lot of signs that say that they are in support of local immigrants, asking ICE to get out of this local area. But

What was so striking about what we saw in Tallahassee, because raids are not new, these types of protests and rallies are not new, Tom. But what is new is this partnership between state and federal agencies, as well as the sheer scale of this. We really have not seen something like this in Florida, at least at this scale, at a workplace raid before. So this is what we're talking about, what we say, in order to meet that quota, we might be saying more of exactly that, Tom. Okay, Marissa Parra there in Tallahassee, Marissa, we thank you. We want to turn to a story out of the FAA about the FAA tonight, investigating a class. close call between two commercial jets on San Francisco's runway. We also have new reporting about a potential disaster on board a Southwest Airlines flight. The company praising the quick

action of its flight crew after a battery charger nearly caught fire midair. Tom Costello covered it all for us and the videos. Hey Tom. Yeah, Tom, based on preliminary information, this was this concern, a United Airlines flight and a SkyWest Airlines flight back on May 13th. The planes were departing from parallel runways at SFO when the United Flight turned without authorization into the path of a skywest aircraft. The FAA is investigating, and meanwhile, Southwest Airlines crediting its flight crew tonight for quick action after a battery charger began giving off smoke in flight. It happened on Southwest Flight 1844, Baltimore to Tampa. The pilots diverting to Myrtle Beach due to a reported fire in a seat back. The whole position, we have an emergency inbound with a reported fire in the cabin.

Cell phone video captured the smoking battery charger. I've got a fire truck set up on most quadrants waiting for an emergency endbound. The plane landed safely, no injuries. Just the latest case of an on-board battery fire. In January, an Air Busan flight in South Korea was destroyed by fire after a battery charger caught fire. Everyone got out safely. In the U.S., the FAA reports 22. confirmed incidents so far this year of lithium batteries overheating, smoking, or catching fire.

Last year, 89 cases. The FAA prohibits lithium batteries and checked bags that go in the plane's luggage hold where a fire would pose a serious threat. Just last week, Southwest began requiring passengers to keep batteries and power packs in plain sight, not in overhead bins. There are hundreds of lithium-powered devices on every aircraft. And so people just need to understand the risk associated with those, and in particular, power banks. Southwest is flagging passengers on their app when they access their boarding passes to keep battery chargers in plain view. And all airlines are reminding passengers no battery should ever go in checked luggage. Tom?

It is a good reminder. OK, Tom, thank you. That is Sean Diddy Combs' criminal trial. Lawyers for Combs cross-examining a former person. personal assistant who testified the music mogul repeatedly threatened and sexually assaulted her. NBC's Chloe Malas has the latest from court. A day after a former personal assistant to Sean Diddy Combs described through tears how he repeatedly sexually assaulted her.

Today, the woman testifying under the pseudonym Mia was back on the stand. Combs' defense attorney Brian Steele grilling Mia and showing the jury more than a dozen effusive social media posts where she called Combs her mentor and said that she loved him. Steele asking Mia, you're calling the person who assaulted you, your mentor? Mia responding, yes. Mia later testifying, Instagram was to show how great your life is, even if it wasn't true, and I didn't want my family and friends to know the misery I was in. Steele also asking her about a scrapbook and cards she gave to Combs for his 45th birthday.

Steele reading the card in court, I hope it reminds you of when this world made your eyes light up, she wrote, I love you forever. That's a loving card, Steele said. Mia replying, I'm a loving person. The person who sexually abused you, Steele asked, Mia responding, yes. The defense's job is to try to attack this witness's credibility. Earlier in the day, Mia testifying about the conditions during the eight years she worked for Combs. She said at one point, he threatened to kill me. But during cross-examination, Steele presented a text Mia sent after she was ultimately let go. I'm going to kill myself. My life is over, she wrote. I'm so heartbroken, I can't

breathe. Combs has pled not guilty to all charges. President Trump today asked if he would consider pardoning Combs if he's found guilty. I would certainly look at the facts. If I think somebody was mistreated, whether they like me or don't like me, it wouldn't have any impact on me. Tom, we're expecting Mia back on the stand on Monday and then we'll be hearing from a hotel custodian and then a forensic video expert. Tom. Okay, Chloe Malasper's Chloe. Chloe, thank you. we are back in a moment with the triumph of Taylor Swift. She's been trying for years to get ownership of her older music, how she finally got it, and her message to fans tonight. Plus, out of prison and back into the spotlight. That's right. Todd Crisley breaking his silence

on his time behind bars and his new mission now that he's free. An extreme road rage. Look at this. A man jumping on the roof of a car. He pushes the car first. So what happened next? Stay with us. We are back now with a reason to rejoice for Taylor Swift fans, the mega pop star announcing she has acquired the rights to all of her music, marking the end of a fight that's been going on for years. NBC's List Croix has this one. Tonight, Taylor Swift's music officially belongs to Taylor Swift. The pop superstar announcing that after

After a years-long fight for full ownership of the master recordings of her first six albums, she's finally been able to achieve that dream. Swift, writing on her website, I almost stopped thinking it could ever happen after 20 years of having the carrot dangled and then yanked away. Adding, to say this is my greatest dream come true, is actually being pretty reserved about it. Swift has not been shy about the bad blood she's encountered as she's pushed to purchase her music, including igniting a very public feud with music producer Scooter Braun, who in 2019 gained ownership of the master recordings of her first albums when his company acquired the label that Swift recorded them under.

This just happened to me without my approval, consultation, or consent. Swift's quest to regain control, sparking a larger conversation about artists. writes. To prove a point, Swift re-recorded four albums known as Taylor's versions, an unexpected phenomenon inspiring the launch of the era's tour. Swift writing tonight, the success of that tour is what helped her buy back her music. All right, Liz Kreutz joins us now. So, Liz, can the Swifties out there hold out any hope for Taylor's remaining two albums to be re-released? Yeah, that's what the Swifties want. There's so. happy for her, but they also are like, wait, we want the Taylor's versions of those other two

albums. And she addressed that on her website. She said that she may release them when the time is right, although she did say when it comes to the reputation album, she keeps hitting a stopping point while trying to re-record it because she loves the original version. But she said if she does release them, they'll come not from a place of sadness anymore, but now of celebration. And Tom, the other big question is, how much did she pay for owning all her music? That's still the mystery. We don't know. Okay. Liz Kreutz for us. Liz, we thank you for that. When top story returns tonight on this Friday. On defense, Karen Reid and her legal team finally getting the chance to present their side of the case and what Reid just told reporters about whether she'll

take the stand in her murder trial. Plus, she was on the most watched TV episode ever. We remembered Loretta Switt who brought major Hulahan to life on the TV show, MASH. Stay with us. We are back now with Top Stories News Feed, and we start with New Orleans Pelican star Zion Williamson facing rape accusations in a newly filed civil lawsuit. A woman claiming to be Williamson's ex-girlfriend details several instances of rape, strangulation, and domestic violence. Court documents say the relationship began during the Star Forward's freshman year at Duke. Williamson's attorneys deny the allegations and accuse the plaintiff of trying to financially exploit their client. And a wild road rage incident caught on camera southeast of Las Vegas, video showing a man ramming his truck into another vehicle, you see it here, pushing it into a construction site. Ditch, then he stomps on the roof and windshield of the other car and reaches through the broken glass towards the woman inside. That man was later arrested and faces nine charges, including battery with a deadly weapon. The woman who was in the other vehicle is said to be okay. The snack food maker behind Oreos is suing supermarket chain. ALDI, over packaging in which it says blatantly copies its popular products.

The company, Mondalese International, says products including thin wheat's chocolate sandwich cookies and golden round crackers are likely to, quote, deceive and confuse customers. Aldi recently paid up in similar copyright infringement lawsuits in Australia and the UK. The company did not respond to a request for comment. And a passing to note tonight, Emmy winning actress Loretta Switt, who starred in the sitcom MASSAD, has died. Switt played Major Margaret Hot Lips Hulahan in the hit TV series. She won two Emmys for her portrayal of the head army nurse during the 11 seasons of the iconic show. Republicans is confirming to NBC News that she died of natural causes at her home in New York City. She was 87 years old.

Okay, we're turning now to reality TV star Todd Crisley because we're hearing from him for the first time tonight after he was pardoned by President Trump and released from prison. Cressley recounting the moment he learned he would walk free and revealing how he plans to give back to the inmates still inside. NBC's George Solis has this one. Tonight, reality TV star Todd Chrissley speaking out for the first time since he and his wife, Julie, were pardoned by President Trump and released from federal prison this week. I want to thank President Trump. I want to thank the administration. Chrisley holding a press conference in Nashville recounting the moment he learned he would be let out. I had a staff member that came to me and

said, you've just been pardoned, and I just looked at him and he says, no, really, you've been pardoned. It's in the news. When I left that day, there was only 317 men at our camp, but they were lined up shouting when I was walking out. And they were saying, don't leave it, don't forget us, don't forget us. Chris Lee, appearing with daughter Savannah, who played a pivotal role in petitioning the Trump administration for the pardon. People think, oh, you're a celebrity, you're white, you have money, that we got an upper hand and we didn't. I had to fight, and I was relentless. Julie Crisley was not in attendance.

The family saying she is home with their youngest daughter. Todd Crisley today maintaining their innocence. Do you have any remorse for the actions that led to your evisions? Oh, you must be CNN. Do I have any remorse? I would have remorse if it was something that I did. The couple was sentenced to a combined 19 years in prison in 2022, after they were convicted by a jury of their peers for tax evasion and defrauding banks of more than $36 million.

What are you all doing? None of your business. A stunning turn for the stars of Chrissley knows best. The reality TV show that chronicled the tight-knit family's lavish lifestyle and antics. You're not going to die in a cornfield. I have been out for 12 hours and I'm shopping. Chrissley's daughter, Savannah, posting glimpses into her parents' life after freedom. I've got tired of here being dramatic. Lifetime, confirming.

they have greenlit a new docu-series that will premiere later this year. The family now saying they will use their second chance to help those that have been unjustly persecuted. Being in the prison system, anyone that says that it's a fair shake, it's not. Because I dealt with young African-American males in the prison that I was in that were not treated the same. God has said, when you know better, you do better. And it's our job at this point to expose all of that and to try to make those men and women's lives better. All right. And with that, George Relese joins us now. So George, what more do we learn up today about their new reality show? Hey, Tom. So the Crisley's taking the opportunity today in the spotlight to highlight. This is apparently one of many shows they may be featured in saying the offers are rolling in, no specific timeline.

But they're saying as far as this deal with lifetime goes, they're actually going to take this opportunity to really, in their words, set the record straight, talking about everything from the trial to the pardon and everything in between. We'll have to wait and see how that all unfolds. Yeah, and I'm sure people will tune in. Okay, George, we thank you for that. We want to turn now to the trial involving Karen Reid, the defense finally getting their turn today, calling their first witness in her murder retrial. Reed is accused of killing her boyfriend.

You may remember a Boston police officer by backing into him with her SUV. The question now, will Reid herself take the stand to tell her side of the story? NBC's Aaron McLaughlin has the latest. Karen Reid exiting court this afternoon appearing confident. As her defense team takes center stage in her murder retrial over the 22 death of her boyfriend. Boston police officer John O'Keefe.

Reid is accused of backing into O'Keefe with her Lexus SUV on a cold winter night and then leaving O'Keefe to die alone in the snow. There was no collision proven to have occurred. There was no eyewitness presented. There was no video evidence, no audio evidence. evidence. Her defense calling their first witness. The truth, the whole truth, and nothing about the truth so help you know. Yes, I even. An engineer who analyzes crash data, who testified the data from Reeds' SUV showed no signs

of a crash on the night of O'Keeffe's death. What did the data recorder indicate, if anything, related to any impact on January 29th, 2022? There were no recorded events whatsoever on the ACM. Contradicting a digital forensic expert called by the prosecution who testified the data showed a possible collision, just seconds after O'Keefe's iPhone was unlocked for the last time. Based on the initial reports, the phone interaction always occurs after the end of the vehicle event. The defense tasked with countering 40 witnesses and 23 days of testimony brought by the

prosecution. Your Honor, the Commonwealth arrests. And evidence including a shattered cocktail glass near the scene and a broken taillight on Reed's SUV. The forensic witnesses testified contained O'Keefe's DNA. Another hurdle for the defense videos the prosecution played in court of Reid speaking to various documentary crews and appearing to admit she wondered if she had hit O'Keefe. So I thought could I run him over? Did he come and hit in the back of my car and I hit him in the need and he's drunk and passed out. Now with her own words being used against her, Reed hinting she's considering taking the stand herself. Karen, what can we expect on the defense? Will he testify? TVD. To try and prove her innocence one last time.

Erin McLaughlin joins us now in studio. So, Aaron, I know when the jury was sent home for the day, there was some kind of back and forth over a text chain. What exactly happened? Yeah, the issue surrounding this text chain that allegedly includes texts from Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator on the case. Now, you may remember following the first trial, Proctor was actually fired for alleged misconduct. Now these texts are sort of front and center that defense, once the text submitted, the prosecution saying, not so fast, the judge has yet to issue a ruling. All right, Aaron McLaughlin. Aaron, we thank you. And for more on what we can expect in the coming weeks from the defense, I want to bring in NBC News legal analyst Danny Savalo. So, Danny,

let's start right there. Walk us through to the defense start off on the right foot. Well, they started off, I think, with exactly the witness I thought they were going to call, which was to bring in a counter to the state's final witness, which was essentially an accident reconstruct. or biomechanic, and they called someone essentially to counter him. And the reason that's good is that if you're the defense, you want the experts to cancel each other out. Maybe the best case scenario is that the jury is just so confused. They go back to the jury room, like, I'm not really sure what the heck that was all about. Let's just call it a draw.

The battle of the experts ends in a d'aeton. And so that would be good for the defense because it's the prosecution that has the burden to prove their case. Yeah, I know she was asked this. We saw that in the report here. will she take the stand? Do you think she will? I don't normally make predictions because it's always up to the defendant, but this one I feel pretty comfortable at. I would put it at a 1% chance Karen Reid takes the stand. She would not do very well on the stand, and I point to Exhibit A, all the documentaries and the producers

that she talked to, all of the things she said or some of the things she said are now coming back to haunt her. So if she wasn't so good in the comfortable setting of a reporter or an interviewer, She would not do that well in the crucible of cross-examination that she would face. Is there a formula for defense attorneys on whether to put their client on the stand or not? Yeah, you start with, I'm absolutely not putting my client on the stand. Every, even if you believe they're in a stand. Well, I wasn't finished with the formula. The formula is, I am not doing it unless and until there's some essential reason

that I need to get a piece of evidence out of his mouth or her mouth that I cannot get from anywhere else. Then, and only then, Tom, will I consider calling my client? Even if you think your client is without a doubt innocent, you still wouldn't put them on just because it's too risky. Well, first, if the client was obviously without a doubt innocent, you might not be at their criminal trial because the prosecution would pass. There's always some degree of evidence against your client. If they have any issues, anything they can't answer for, it's going to look really bad.

And the bottom line is the rules of evidence are skewed against the witness. You cannot get into a battle with the prosecutor. You will lose. And if ever there was a potential witness who has a bit of a temper problem, we've seen through her phone calls, that that might be caring. And you set up the jury letting them know that the client may not testify, not to assume that that's guilt, right? Because you have to let the jurors know, like, why isn't she testifying? No, they get a specific instruction from the judge. It's not the lawyer that tells them.

The judge will tell them in jury instructions, thou shalt not draw a negative inference from the defendant's silence. You cannot do so. Law 101 with Danny Savalos. We always love that here on Top Story. Danny, we thank you for your time. When we return, we're going to pay tribute to the man. So many of us here at NBC News look up to as Lester Holt begins his next chapter at NBC. Plus, the new movie from The Creator of Succession. Have you heard about it? He's not just focusing on one billionaire this time, but four. We'll explain. Welcome back. It is Friday, which means it's time for bingeworthy. Our look at the best thing. to watch and listen to this weekend.

And I'm joined by Bingeworthy All-Star and entertainment journalists and all around wonderful human. Brian Valpalsar. Brian, thanks so much for being here. Never get tired of that, thank you. I have not done Benchworthy in a while, so it's great to be doing it with you. Thank you. One of the pros, one of the originators.

Okay, so we're talking about a movie here that a lot of people are chatting about because of succession. It's from the same creator. It's called Mountain Head. It involves some tech billionaires. Let's take a look. Four presidents of tech.

Get Yo! Network. Yo, net worth out! 59! 63 bill! Feels good! 220 bills! Guys, is this on every channel? There have been a number of occurrences since your launch.

UN officials are now openly attributing the recent uptick and ethnic tension to powerful new generative AI tools unveiled last week on tram. I just want to say this is not on you, Venice. Obviously, it's not on me. Why would you even say that? Looks like Succession. The writing... sounds like Succession. It does. It looks like that mountain house they were in on succession. And you have the cars come in. Steve Correll, Jason Schwartzman, two guys I love. Yeah. Talk to me. Is it good? It is good. And in fact, there's an AI element to this. They're all tech billionaires. And they're all in this one place. There's a global financial crisis, trouble afoot. And they all start to learn their dark secrets. Interestingly, Jesse Armstrong, the guy who created and wrote this, he did it in just over a month. He wrote it in 12 days and shot it in 22 because he wanted to make it in time for award season. Oh, wow. And I thought it was just going to be time.

finally with the AI debate right now. Right, yeah. He wants awards. Well, he gets them. He gets some. He gets those statues. HBO Max, that's where you can watch it. Next up, something on Netflix that you can binge this weekend.

Here's a clip. It's from the creator of the Queen's Gambit. My own department. Just me. I need a car. No, we can't just give you a car. This isn't the price is right. I understand your reopening, Lingar Cay.

She was the most rueful person I've ever met. I hope you never find her. It is called Department Q again on Netflix. It is a British crime drama. Yes. Multi-part. What do you think, Ryan? I think it's good.

Matthew Good plays a detective. He's a bit damaged. His partner and a policeman were part of a sting gone wrong. So he's racked with guilt. But he also becomes, like so many investigators do, obsessed with a cold case. He's going to solve it. I always love a good redemption story. Yeah, me too.

And so maybe this is it. Okay. Next up, Prime Video, it's a series called The Better Sister. The plot's a little funky, right? Set it up a little bit before the clip. You have two sisters that have a weird relationship. Right, and they share one thing in common. A husband, not at the same time, separately.

So that's hence the better sister. But, of course, the husband is murdered, okay? And so all sorts of dark secrets emerge. It's a compelling story with Jessica Beale. All story cast. Yeah. Okay, so let's take a look at this clip. Blarm was disarmed 20 minutes before Adam was killed.

Does that make sense to you, Ethan? You're asking him to put himself in the mind of his father's killer? Wake up, Chloe. Ethan, Ethan, Ethan, killed his father. Just shut up. Whatever's happened between you two in the past? Ethan is in real trouble now. You want to protect him.

Tell me everything. Big Jessica Beale fan. What's your tech? Okay, so this is based on a novel, but interestingly, if you read the book, you can still watch this because they've adapted a little bit. The resolve, the end is a little bit different than the book. So if you think, I don't need to watch it because of it. I read the book. No, think again, there's a little bit of a twist.

Okay, last up on this list, also on Prime Video. It's called Overcompensating, and you have someone who was an influencer, now an actor, wrote this series. Let's take a look. It feels like you're kind of out of sync with your life. Million colleges, and you had to choose mine. You know Dad paid me. We have to address the elephant in our own. I don't even really know what I am. Have you ever kissed a guy before?

Okay. We'll pick it up from me. there, Brian, what was in the back. Benito Skinner, who got famous on TikTok and Instagram. He plays a college guy who's discovering his sexuality. Interestingly, a lot of people are kind of saying, oh, he doesn't look like he could be in college. Have you seen the movie Grease, anyone? Yeah, that's true. Literally, Grease, Beverly Hills 902, and now we have 30-year-olds playing high schoolers. So move past that. It's getting enormously great reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Yeah. After you say that, I can't stop thinking that now. All right, but you're going to see past it and see the humor. It's really funny. Great scores on Rotten Tomatoes. Overcompensating. It's

Amazon Prime. Next up, music, we got two great divas in the house with new music. We're going to start with Miley Cyrus. She's got a new song. It's called Easy Lover. I thought it was a cover of the Great Easy Lover. It's a classic, but it's not. Here, this is what it sounds like. All right, so what do we think? You got Miley Cyrus and Chaps. Right, she's looking good. And she has a film that will accompany the whole album. I think is coming out June 6th.

Okay. People are saying it's a really great emotional journey. She's evolving. She's an artist, so it's getting a great response. But there's a lot of very eclectic, eclectic nature to all the tracks. It's not just one sound. This is actually the second time we've had someone in Chaps on Top Story. And neither were me, which is great. Which is good.

Finally, one of my favorites, one of my heroes. Yes. Gloria Stefan. out with a beautiful album, and I'm not just saying that because she is our Cuban queen. It is a great album. She goes back to her roots. The song is called Raises, which means roots.

Here's the video, which is sort of a look back at her life. Let's watch. So she's basically to get a good harvest. You have to know how to plant is basically what she's saying talking about those roots. I had a chance to talk with her and Emilio about this album. They're so excited, Brian. You'll love this. She went back to the apartment she first moved to from Cuba here in Miami, the tiny apartment,

and she was inspired, she wrote music there, she got photographed there. It's an awesome album. There are multiple songs. It's very, very Cuban, but in a great way that I think is going to appeal to a lot of people. And I'm so excited. And I love these videos where you show the home videos and you get to know Gloria. And I know we invited you to come on to talk, but I'm going to talk. Do it. Do it. She's an icon, and you get it. You know.

You like the song, though. It's good, right? I do very much, though. I'm going to buy the album for you. Brian Balthasar. Always so great to have you here. Thank you. All right. And coming up, when we return, we're going to celebrate my mentor, my friend, and the man who has guided us through so many big events in our lives. Stay with us as we pay tribute to Lester Holt as he begins his next chapter at NBC. Finally tonight, for 10 years, he's guided this network, and much of his first. of the nation through the monumental events of our time.

He was there for us through tragedies, through celebrations, through hurricanes and elections, always the calm at the center of the storm, always a beacon of integrity for all of us who worked for him. Tonight was Lester Holtz last night in the anchor chair at Nightly News, 10 years of bringing us not just the story, but the humanity behind it. As of tonight, this program has a new name, and I'm honored to say a new anchor. We hope to see all of you each and every night. Good evening. There is no better way to show you the scope of our lead story than tonight than from the air.

Good evening, everyone. We're moving into uncharted territory. Remember, we're in this together, and together may be the only way we find our way out of this. This is one half of America's split screen shooting tragedy, the scene of the El Paso massacre. And below me are the tokens of tribute, hope, and blue me are the tokens of tribute, hope, and blue. blessing to the innocent who died simply because they were here. From Puerto Rico, this is an island with a long way to go. Tonight from Normandy, from inside Ukraine, from Israel, near the Gaza border life, here in Iraq. I am a father also. I have two children. You understand. You had nowhere to run.

No way to run. No way to run. So you can't go backwards. No. All you can do is go forward. Breaking news tonight. As I have my hand on this window, I can feel it bowing. It's like having a jet engine outside our door right now. We've reached a point. We're going to put a mattress in front of this window. We want to be on the air, but we've got to take care of each other.

Know that we're safe. I've been watching this battle to stop the fire from crossing a ridge line. Breaking news tonight from Paris. We took position at the enter of the theater. Where did you find the terrace? In the last door. This was the first thing that went to the door. Exactly.

And it's pretty obvious. That's what happened. Mr. President, thanks for the time. What it indicates victory looked like, this interview. What's it like to look at there and see your brother? Tremendous sense of pride. Can the fighters on their own make it to go? Did you harm your daughter, Nikki?

No, sir, I did not. Your best day was getting out of prison. What was the lowest day? Every time I think about that, so. You're all going through a lot of pain right now. It's awful. How do you put one foot in front of the other? Like I live my life in agony.

My first time being a big hurricane. Yeah. Yeah. Well, I've been in little ones. Yeah. But you're in a really safe place. Yeah. You know that, right?

And yeah. Okay. These are the names that represent the 4 million people who were emancipated. Holt. Yes. I sit there and I look at that and I think of who that name represents. Yeah. What they went through.

Yeah. Could they ever imagine me? Yeah. That's the thing that's powerful. Good evening, everyone. I want to welcome you to the Republican presidential debate. Live coverage of election night. You know, Tom, you and I cover a lot of difficult things to report sometimes, but this is, uh, this is magical.

My heart beating is fast. I am so happy you guys got to experience this. I'm very proud of myself. Yes! It's a good technique. There's nothing like that. I wanted to welcome you to the first nightly news kids' edition. How do you get to Sesame Street?

Havana's famous moving tourist attractions. What would a score of your life story sound like? I hope it has a cello solo in it somewhere. That's NBC Nightly News for this Friday. I'm Lester Holt for all of us. That's NBC. It's having a good night. And so long.

Please take care of yourself and each other. And on a personal note, I've known Lester for more than 20 years. He has always been a friend, a mentor, and was always there when I needed advice throughout my career. Both me and my wife worked for him. He is an amazing journalist and an amazing man. I'm excited for his next chapter on Dateline. It is a true honor to be taking over for him on Nightly News. That new era starts on Monday.

You can check us out there or right here because Top Story will keep going strong. On broadcast or on streaming, as always, I'll be there for you. We thank you for watching. I'm Tom Yamous in New York. Stay right there. More news on the way.