Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, November 22, 2024

Episode Date: November 23, 2024

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

Tonight, the fall storm hitting from coast to coast as the northwest recovers from that devastating bomb cyclone. The system dumping record-breaking snowfall on the Midwest. Some residents in Pennsylvania making their own snow tools using crutches and even a plastic cup to clear their cars. The snow also hitting the northwest. Emergency crews forced to clear this big rig from the side of a California highway. Other parts of the Golden State submerged by that atmospheric river, how could this impact your holiday travel plans? Also tonight, the bombshell decision in Trump's New York hush money case. The judge indefinitely postponing the president-elect sentencing in the only one of his four criminal cases to go to trial. The legal victory comes as we're learning more about the path forward for Matt Gates, who stepped down as Trump's pick for Attorney General. And breaking tonight, our new reporting on Trump's next,

major cabinet pick. Plus, a Florida's top health official calling for fluoride to be removed from the state's water. The move in lockstep with Trump's pick to lead the nation's health department RFK Jr. We'll speak to the experts about the risks involved. Iceland volcano erupts. Stunning new images showing molten rock snaking across the land of fire and ice, cutting off roads and threatening homes. The eruption, now the seventh for that volcano this year. The iconic tourist attraction now forced to evacuate. Magical trip, six newly minted astronauts making history aboard Blue Origins' latest spaceflight, what they saw above our planet and the emotional moments when they returned back to Earth.

And the daring rescue in California caught on camera. A man trapped on the side of a cliff in San Francisco. The moment a first responder dangling from a helicopter pulled him to safety. and a jury in Ireland finding Connor McGregor liable for sexual assault. How the UFC superstar is responding. Top story starts right now. Good evening. I'm Ellison Barber in for Tom Yamis. We start tonight with the massive storm system stretching across the nation,

delivering a punishing and historic barrage of snow and rain. The amount of snowfall from the east coast to the Midwest, catching some residents by surprise. Parts of New Jersey seeing close to two feet of snow and the city of Chicago getting the most snow for the month of November in five years. In Pennsylvania, drone footage showing several crashes, snarling traffic, leaving a snaking line of cars through the snow. The wintery mix, not just staying in the east, in northern California, snowfall causing slippery conditions on the roads, forcing this big rig off the side of a highway. But it is not all bad news on the snowfront. Some people, or rather animals, have been enjoying it. The pandas

at the National Zoo in D.C. relishing their first snowflakes today. And the otters at a zoo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, well, they looked right at home. The snowfall capping off an intense week of severe weather brought about by that bomb cyclone we've been reporting on. Durencial rains from that atmospheric river leaving these vehicles in Santa Rosa, California, almost completely submerged. and drone video showing the floods closing down this highway in northern California. The big question tonight, how will all of this affect the roughly 80 million Americans who are expected to take to the roads or the skies as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches? NBC Sam Brock starts us off tonight from Scranton, Pennsylvania.

In parts of the storm-battered northeast, where one person has already died in a car crash, the sheer volume of snow came as a bit of a shock. was going to be like this serious. Drivers clearing off cars with everything from coffee cups to hotel brooms. Yeah, you don't see this in Arizona. Nearly nonstop precipitation piled more than six inches of snow here in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It don't take me long to do my driver. Well, with snow like this, it does. Regional high of 20 inches in High Point, New Jersey. Part of a system that not Chicago's snowiest November day in five years and turned the Brown Steelers, night football game into a snow globe. While the storm has dampened wide-ranging fire threats,

dumping seven inches on New York's Jennings Creek fire, it's also led to mass power outages, more than 125,000 in Pennsylvania alone. I'm trying to at least shovel a little bit because I have my limitations. Maria Rosado lives with several disabilities and saw her electricity cut out briefly today. Does the idea of not having power in your situation? It's scary. Absolutely. absolutely as scary. With efforts to clear roadblocks like these ongoing, the West Coast is still reeling from that atmospheric river. Right now, still about 200,000 people without power between Washington State and Northern California, where the area is still getting hammered with rain. Some areas could see up to 17 inches before the end of the week. All of this elevating the risk

of serious flooding. At an outpatient clinic and hotel in Santa Rosa, California, around 150 people were stranded for hours. With the holidays approaching, nationwide weather disruptions have many anxious about what's next. I'm hoping that my car can take me where I need to go and, you know, just pick up a few items just in case. And Sam Brock joins us now from a snowy Scranton, Pennsylvania. Sam, you mentioned those power outages. Where do things stand right now? Sure, snowy, ellison, and freezing. You know, temperatures right now in the mid to low 30. So it's a pretty pressing question. We spoke with PPL. That's the main power company for this area. They said that in all likelihood, most customers will have their power restored by Saturday. We're talking about, again, 100,000 people. Sunday is the worst case scenario, 48 hours out. You look over my shoulder right now, you see a tree buckled in the middle of the street where it's not supposed to be. On the other side of it are power lines that are suspended over the street, also much lower, crushed under the weight of snow. That is what crews are up against right now. We're talking about 11 hundred of them, Ellison, working 16-hour shifts to try to wreck. the situation for the people who live here.

Alison. Sam Brock, thank you. And weather always a concern when it comes to Thanksgiving travel. Nearly 80 million Americans are expected to take to the roads and the skies this holiday. A record 71 million people will travel by car, according to a AAA projection, with nearly six million set to fly domestically. For more on the forecast, NBC News meteorologist Bill Karens joins us. Bill, what is left of the two big storms, Sam mentioned there?

Are they going to be a concern heading into this Thanksgiving Travel Week? Alison, the storm in the east is winding down. The cleanup is well underway. We're not going to see much additional snow. But in the west, this atmospheric river has intensified during the day today. And you can see all the bright oranges and yellows. And this is pointing right over the top of San Francisco Bay and Oakland. It had picked up at least two or three inches in the last couple hours, and it's still pouring.

We have a flash flood warning for Oakland here up to Richmond. And this has been observed by law enforcement. That's why the flash flood warning has it in. issued. So that's still going to be raw. In the east, the storm is winding down. Still just a little bit of snow left over, but it's going to be a raw beginning to the weekend. The storm will exit. It will get windy and colder for the east as we go throughout your weekend. So the big news as we head towards Thanksgiving. This is the outlook as we go from Thanksgiving day, right through Thanksgiving weekend. It's been a long time since we had a big cold shot across

the country. The eastern two-thirds expect winter-like temperatures and above-average precipitation, especially in the mid-Atlantic up into the northeast. If the cold air and that precipitation meet at the same time, we make to deal with some snow and icy problems too. So Sunday is kind of the first getaway day. New storm comes into the west. Notice that eastern two-thirds of the country, quiet, no problem whatsoever. Let's fast forward the Wednesday.

This is when our storm comes through the Rockies into the middle of the country, the beginning of the storm. It shouldn't be too difficult, but anyone traveling in and out of Denver especially, we'll have some issues on Wednesday. Then by the time we get the Thanksgiving Day, This storm picks up some juice from the Gulf of Mexico. That means areas of heavy rain possible, maybe even some thunderstorms.

In the northern edge of this will be snow mixed with maybe some ice, too. And that could be heading into New England during Thanksgiving Day. So we'll fine-tune that forecast for you next week, but something to watch for millions. All right, Bill Cairns, we appreciate you. Thank you. Turning now to the Trump transition and breaking news, Justin, the president-elect tapping billionaire Scott Bessnet for Treasury Secretary, bringing to close a power struggle that played out behind the scenes inside the Trump transition team. The hedge fund manager who worked closely with billionaire George Soros in the 90s has emerged as a key economic advisor to President Trump.

That's election coming as Trump's new pick for Attorney General Pam Bondi, appearing to have an easier road to confirmation while his original pick, former Florida Congressman Matt Gates, is speaking out. NBC News senior White House correspondent Gabe Gutierrez has more. Tonight, amid growing controversies over some of his cabinet picks, President-elect Trump's new choice for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, is facing a much easier path to be confirmed than her predecessor. We've got to keep Florida red, especially for our great president. A former prosecutor, Bondi, was elected twice as Florida's Attorney General, the first woman

to hold that job and was on Trump's defense team during his first impeachment trial. Pam Bondi is here, a fantastic friend and woman. She also helped amplify Trump's false claims about the 2020 election. We have won Pennsylvania, and they're not going to take it away from us. Trump posting Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime. Her rise coming after the abrupt withdrawal of the president-elect's initial pick, former Florida congressman Matt Gates, who said today he won't go back to Congress. I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch.

Gates, again, denying allegations he paid women for sex, including a sex. 17-year-old, which the House Ethics Committee was investigating. The Justice Department also investigated the allegations and did not charge gates. If the things that the House ethics report were true, I would be under indictment and probably in a prison cell. But of course, they're false. Today, Trump's incoming deputy chief of staff knocked down speculation. The FBI director job would go to former Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers. Boy, does it need leadership and it needs to clean out the rot that's happening in the senior levels of the FBI. The rush is also on to staff lower-level positions.

Already, transition officials are taking suggestions for potential hires from the extensive personnel database created by Project 2025. A person familiar with the situation tells NBC News. That's despite Trump repeatedly denouncing the conservative policy blueprint during the campaign. I don't know what the hell it is. It's Project 25. And Gabe Gutierrez joins us now from the... the White House. Gabe, let's start with the billionaire hedge fund manager. President

elect Trump is tapping for Treasury Secretary. Who is Scott Besant? Yeah, hi there, Alison. And just within the past few moments, the President-elect, officially announced that he had asked billionaire hedge fund manager, Scott Besant, to serve his Treasury Secretary, saying that he will reinvigorate the private sector. Now, he's a Trump donor who has emerged as a key economic advisor to the President-elect. Obviously, it's a massive job, Alison, but perhaps more so for this president who was said he wants to impose tariffs on other countries. And Besson will also be tasked with implementing any tax cuts passed by Congress. And also, Alison, I should note, some more breaking news just a few moments ago. The president also, President-elect also announcing

that he plans to nominate Russell Thurlow Vought to the Office of Management and Budget. That's a role that he had during the first Trump administration. This administration and Trump team is now taking shape, Alison. I want to ask you a little more about Matt Gates as well, mentioning, and you're reporting that he is not going to be returning to Congress, but I understand he is planning to start a new gig. What gig would that be? Yes, Alison, Gates has just joined Cameo. Now, that's the app that lets you purchase personalized videos from public figures, and he's charging upwards of $500 per video. Gates's bio on the site says, I have served in Congress. Trump nominated me to be U.S. Attorney General. work out, he says, and he also says that he once fired the House Speaker. Now, Alison, you might also remember another ex-congresman who has tried to stay relevant and make money

by using cameo. And yes, that is George Santos, Allison. Gabe Gutierrez, with literally every detail we could need from the White House this evening or the upcoming incoming administration. Gabe, thank you. We appreciate it. Turning now to President-elect Donald Trump's legal battles. Tonight, the only Trump case that went to trial is now in limbo. The judge presiding over the New York Hushmoney trial, postponing the sentencing that was scheduled for next week. NBC's senior legal correspondent Laura Jarrett has been following the case and joins us now with more.

So November 26th, not happening. What does that mean for the future of this case? Uncertain future. It's at least sort of in limbo at this moment. But remember, the Trump defense team wants this entire case gone, wiped away, the conviction, the indictment, everything. If they fall short of that, say the judge comes back and says in mid-December, I hear you, but I'm going to just sort of keep it all on ice until he's after no longer president and not in office. The defense team won't go for that. And so there could be a looming fight still on the horizon here, Alison.

So this is one of the case because when it had to do with some of the election interference cases, classified documents, those were special counsel federal cases. This is a New York state case, right? Is there any way it can be moved? So we're still waiting to hear actually what happens with those federal cases. Remember they sort of signaled that they're winding down? We're going to hear from them on December 2nd about what to do there. In Georgia, we still don't know. what really happened there. That got tied up on a different ethical issue for the DA. We still don't know what hasn't there. This was the only one that went to trial, but he can't be pardoned for this. It's a state crime. The AG can't do anything about it because that would be for federal office. So we're going to have to see what the judge does here in New York, as he's really

the sole arbiter. Laura Jarrett, thank you. And with Matt Gates out of the picture, the president elects other cabinet contenders could soon find themselves in the hot seat. Tonight, growing reaction from members of Congress about that allegation of sexual assault against Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick. Trump's choice for Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, could also face tough questions over her previous stances on Russia and other U.S. adversaries. NBC News, Capitol Hill correspondent Ryan Nobles joins us now with more. So, Ryan, with Gates out of contention for Attorney General, are all eyes on the Hill, essentially, on Pete Hegseth. I do think that he's going to get a great deal of scrutiny, but he's not the only cabinet pick that there are concerns on Capitol Hill regarding.

I think that Tulsi Gabbard also has some big questions that she's going to be forced to answer. And you see some of the other picks, RFK Jr., for instance, and Linda McMahon, perhaps, as Education Secretary, where they're going to get a careful vetting. But I do think that Hegsett's issues, particularly sexual assault allegations, are going to be front and center among the Senate Republicans. There have been a number of Senate Republicans that have specifically talked about the sexual assault and sexual abuse problems within the military, and to have, as the leader at the Pentagon, someone who has similar accusations, even though he has very vociferously denied those allegations, perhaps could send the wrong message. And then there's also the issue with Hegeseth that even though he is a decorated combat veteran, that he just doesn't really have that much experience running an agency, the size and the scope of the Department of Defense that has 1.3 million active.

duty service members under its charge. So Hegset has a path to confirmation for sure. The chair of the committee said so, but it's not going to be an easy path for him to get there. Do we know when some of those other controversial picks you mentioned, like Tulsi Gabbard, will actually be on the hill to meet with members of Congress? And in terms of questions, what do you think they're going to ask her? Yeah, so there's a number of steps to this process, right? The first step are these private one-on-one meetings that Tulsi Gabbard and are RFK Jr. and Pete Hagen-Seth will probably have more of that will really pick up in earnest in December. The next stage would happen in January after the new Senate is sworn in, and that's when the

nomination and confirmation process begins with these public hearings. And the public hearings are where Democrats really have an opportunity to have their voice heard in this process. The Republicans have enough votes to get every one of these confirmations done without Democratic help. But Democrats will have the opportunity to ask Pete. headseth about these accusations. They'll have the opportunity to ask Tulsi Gabbard about the things that she said about Russia and others. So that's when you're going to probably see a lot of contentious back and forth between senators and these picks by Donald Trump in January. Ryan Nobles on Capitol Hill. Thank you. It's time now for our top story health check and a growing

listeria outbreak. The CDC saying 11 people in four states have gotten sick. Nine people have been hospitalized and one infant has died. The outbreak is linked to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from Yushang food, and it includes foods like pork, pork belly, chicken feet, and beef shank. So to break this all down, NBC News medical contributor, Dr. John Torres joins us now. Dr. John, let's just start with the situation involving Listeria. What are the symptoms and big picture should people be worried with this latest recall? And good evening, Alison. And the thing is when you start thinking about, Listeria, start thinking about these foodborne illnesses we've been hearing about, E. coli being the main one.

And with E. coli, you tend to get stomach-type issues, gastrointestinal issues. With Listeria, you tend to get the same thing. But the reason this is concerning is because also can get neurological issues associated with it, meningitis, encephalitis, and it can actually affect pregnant women and jump to the fetus, which can cause issues there as well. And as you mentioned, unfortunately, there was a young child that died as a result of this. And so the main thing is, if you have these products, and you can certainly go to the CDC site and find out the products are, the FDA site as well, and you have where in your refrigerator or in your house, get rid of them, clean everything they've come in contact with, and make sure you don't

eat these. These are not the kind of things that cold temperature can get rid of. These are not the kind of things necessarily hot temperatures can get rid of unless you cook it appropriately, so you want to be extra careful, Ellison. All right, so in addition to that recall, there's the other recent food recall, nearly 170,000 pounds of ground beef shipped to restaurants nationwide, potentially contaminated with E. coli. Health officials are saying 15 people in Minnesota at least have gotten sick. All of this, of course, coming after that series of recent E. coli-related outbreaks like organic carrots and McDonald's onions.

All of it, I think, Dr. Torres is just so overwhelming to people because it seems like when you look at it, you're like, that's everything. We're eating all the time. Carrots are healthy. We can get sick there. We can get sick here. What should people know about that? And the main thing you need to know is, number one, you need to make sure you prepare your food well.

And that means preparing the meats away from the fruits and vegetables, keep everything separate, and heat them through your appropriate temperatures. But also realize that every year we have these recalls. And part of that has to do with our manufacturing, processing, and distribution system. But the CDC says last year, over 30 million people had foodborne illnesses, and the FDA says there were over 300 recalls last year. And so these happen on a regular basis. We're just hearing about a lot happening right now. E. coli tends to be the main one.

So again, the main thing to remember is you want to prepare your food appropriately. If you hear about these recalls, follow what the recalls say, get rid of that food and clean everything they came in contact with to keep you and your family healthy. And before we go, I have to ask you about what's happening down in Florida with the state's surgeon general recommending a halt to adding fluoride to that state's water supply. He has cited studies that say fluoride exposure is a, quote, public health practice. What does the science actually say? Do studies, in fact, say that fluoride is dangerous? Chris? And Ellison, what the studies say is that high levels of fluoride can cause issues, particularly issues with teeth, teeth issues, skeleton issues, and maybe even IQ issues.

But those are high levels of fluoride. The other thing we know is that normal levels of fluoride can actually protect the teeth and are healthy. What we don't know, and this is where the studies need to be done, is what happens kind in the in between range, and how much fluoride are people getting because you have fluoride in the water, fluoride in your toothpaste, fluoride in mouthwashes, a variety of sources. And so are people getting too much from all these other sources? and we need to pull it back in the water or do we need to keep it going in the water, especially for areas that might be affected more by not having that fluoride because they don't have access to that toothpaste or that mouthwash.

And so these are questions that need to be answered. It's hard to do anything completely black and white here saying, yes, it's bad or no, it's good. You want to make sure that the studies are done and we get a good answer to this. All right. Dr. John Torres, thank you so much. We appreciate it. Turning now to a historic rocket launch, Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin sending six civilian passengers to the Earth's boundary with space. The flight, part of the company's groundbreaking space tourism program. NBC News correspondent Marissa Para has this report. One, ignition. Tonight, a spectacular journey, bringing us closer to the stars. A bit of heaven for the six passengers on board Blue Origin.

When they go up, they take all of us with them. seeing our sometimes troubled planet in a whole new light. For stepping back on Earth and into the arms of loved ones, the world's newest astronauts, heads still in the clouds, gushing about the journey of a lifetime. I see so much space, and I kept saying like, that's our planet. That's our planet. It was the same feeling I got when my kids were born, and I was like, that's my baby. It was beautiful.

Blue Origins' ninth crude flight carried history on board, a married couple, now the first to make it to space together twice. And Emily Calendrelli of Netflix and YouTube fame as SpaceGal. Now the 100th woman in space. Their 10-minute journey, a lifetime reminder, but a new perspective can make even the biggest problems seem so small. Seeing the world from up that high where you don't see the borders, you don't see the divisions, you don't see all of the lines that divide us,

We're all one people. We're on this very fragile, small planet. Proving wonders still happen. You just need to look around to see them. And Marissa Parra joins us now from our southern border, our southern bureau, excuse me, Marissa, what a beautiful story. And I'm just stunned listening to what all of those people had to say. Can anyone be a passenger on one of these space tourism flights? And I don't know if that's you trying to volunteer, Ellis.

I would like to. Yes. The answer is yes, if you or someone you know can fit the bill for tens of millions of dollars. I mean, it doesn't require as much training as some of these other missions we talk about going to the International Space Station for months, for instance. This is subordable. So it really does not require much training, but it does require a hefty price tag. Now, Blue Origin, like many of these private space companies, don't have to disclose that price tag. But former passengers have told us it's upwards of $30 million. And that's on the lower end of the scale. So probably the most expensive 10 minutes of your life.

But according to what we heard, it sounds like it was well worth it, Alison. All right. Well, if I can find a lot of money, we will go together. Marissa Para in Miami, our Miami bureau, thank you. Still ahead tonight, the missing father mystery. A Wisconsin dad accused of faking his own death and fleeing to Eastern Europe. Police say they figured out he was still alive. Plus, the urgent warning to NFL and NBA athletes about South American crime rings

possibly targeting their homes, what they're being advised to do. And a heart-stopping rescue in San Francisco. We'll show you the moment a man was airlifted from the side of a cliff. Stay with us. Back now, and we are getting new details on the missing family man from Wisconsin, who is accused of faking his own death and fleeing to Europe. Police say they have proof that the married father of three is, in fact, alive and well, and now he's facing obstruction charges. NBC News correspondent Shaquille Brewster

has more. Good evening. It's Ryan Borgbe. This proof-of-life video from the Wisconsin man police say staged his own death came as a shock to investigators. I'm in my apartment. I am safe, secure, no problem. The specific location of the married father of three is still unknown, But Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Pudol says his department is now emailing Ryan Borkwork daily. Our biggest concern was that he was safe and well. Borkwork was reported missing in August after police found his capsized kayak and fishing rod, wallet and keys, and vehicle parked near Wisconsin's Green Lake. He picked Green Lake was because it was the deepest lake in Wisconsin. He did research.

But in October, the department learned Borkwork's passport. was run in Canada the day after he was reported missing and that he moved funds to a foreign bank, took out a $375,000 life insurance policy for his family, and began communicating with a woman in Uzbekistan, they say. He had his plan. His plan didn't work out. Borkwer told investigators he used an inflatable boat to paddle off the lake, riding a stashed e-bike more than 70 miles to Madison, hopping on a bus that took him through Detroit and into Canada, where the sheriff says he got on a plane to Europe. He did say was he didn't expect us to go more than two weeks in searching for him.

Well, I ain't to tell you, he picked the wrong sheriff in the wrong department. Padola says the obstruction charges will be filed within weeks and that the department will fight to get back up to $40,000 spent on the extensive search. While his wife, Emily, has not publicly commented since the investigation took a turn, She has been in regular contact with investigators. She's strong. She's done everything that we have asked her, but her biggest concern is her kids

and how she can explain to them what took place. And his main message is an emotional ask for Borgward to come home to his family for the holidays. Explain the emotion there. You're talking about family, kids. And kids are the most important thing in your life. And what better get you? gift that he could give his gifts to return.

And Shaquille Brewster joins us now from our Midwest Bureau. Shaq, this is a crazy story. Have authorities said how they were able to actually get that email address to get in touch with Ryan? Well, the sheriff pointed to his laptop, which has already been a crucial clue in this entire investigation. They say they essentially searched it for any email address or phone number they can find, and they were able to make contact with someone that they would own.

only describe as a Russian-speaking woman. They say she was able to help connect them directly to Borgdorf for communication, and that's what led to what they're now calling these near daily email exchanges. Shack Brewster, thank you. Moving now to another major story tonight out of California, where for the first time in decades,

Eric and Lyle Menendez are set to make a courtroom appearance. The brothers are scheduled to virtually attend a hearing on Monday, as part of their efforts for resentencing. The two were convicted in the 1989 murders of their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, and have been behind bars for more than three decades. For more on all of this, we're joined by NBC News correspondent Liz Kreutz from Los Angeles. Liz, we know there's been a lot of renewed interests in this case in recent months, but walk us through the purpose of Monday's hearing. What do we expect to see and hear?

Hey, Alison, yeah, so this hearing is really a status update. It's going to be pretty procedural. we expect at least. It's really the pre-hearing to the really significant hearing that is scheduled for next month right now on December 11th. But of course, as we've reported and we've told you, December 11th is nine days after the incoming district attorney takes office. And so there is a question about whether the new DA could ultimately postpone that hearing as he reviews the case and makes his own recommendation. And so as we look to Monday, that could be something we get a sense on. We could get a sense from the judge overseeing this if he maybe wants to take things a little slower as we wait to get the recommendation from the new DA. We do know that Eric and Lyle

Menendez will be appearing virtually via Zoom from prison in San Diego, which will be unique given, as you said, we have not seen them in front of a judge in years, really in decades there. And this is the same courtroom, Ellison, that they were sentenced to life in prison without the custody of parole 28 years ago during their second trial that was highly watched. So even that is significant in and of itself, Ellison. Yeah, I mean, with that past trial being televised and even though they're virtually appearing here, is this something that people can watch in some form or fashion online? You know, no cameras are going to be allowed in the courtroom. And so we are going to be relying, the public really relying on sketches from court artists

that will be in there from reports from the media that will be in the overflow room. They're kind of keeping a tight lid on it. They are allowing 16 seats to be open to the public. And the way they are going to distribute those is simply by lottery. So the trial is tend to. 10.30 a.m. here in California, doors open at 10, but the lottery tickets are going to be given out between 8 and 9 a.m. The lottery, they say, well, happen promptly at 9.30 a.m. 16 lucky people will get in, and we expect that a lot of people might show up there because just like it was decades ago, it continues to be a case that fascinate so many people. It really kind of gives that sense of that free Britney campaign. That's kind of what we're expecting probably at this trial,

too, people at least showing up with signs in support of them, Alison. Yeah, a lot of eyes on this. one. Liz Kreutz in L.A. Thank you. When we come back, Sean Diddy Combs, back in court, his lawyers asking for the music mogul to be released on bail, why the judge is asking for more time to make a decision. An M.MA fighter Connor McGregor found liable for sexual assault, the amount he's been ordered to pay and what he's saying about the decision. Tonight, that is next. Back now with Top Stories News Feed, and we begin here in New York, where the bail hearing for accused sex trafficker Sean Diddy Combs has been put on hold. The music mogul and his lawyers requesting his release from jail to home confinement in his Manhattan apartment.

The judge says he needs to see more paperwork outlining the specific terms of Combs' potential release by Monday. Combs has pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking, prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy charges. The NBA and the NFL warning players to safeguard their valuables after a string of robberies. The leagues cautioning that the FBI is connecting several burglaries that targeted athletes to South American criminal gangs. The warning follows thefts at the homes of Kansas City Chiefs Players Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelsey. The NBA advising players to put alarms on their homes and to consider a guard dog. An Irish jury finding MMA fighter Connor McGregor liable for sexually assaulting a woman in Twitter. 2018 in a civil case. The former UFC champion has been ordered to pay Nikita Hand more than

$250,000 in damages after she alleged McGregor brutally raped and battered her at a pinhouse at a hotel in Dublin after a night of heavy partying. McGregor denies those claims and says he plans to appeal. And a dramatic rescue of a man trapped on the edge of a cliff in San Francisco. Newly released video from the California Highway Patrol shows the man clinging to the rock face at Baker Beach near the Golden Gate Bridge on Sunday. A first responder repelling from a helicopter, bringing him to safety on the beach. The man was uninjured.

It's not clear how he ended up on the cliffside. Now to an NBC News investigation. Tonight, patients are demanding accountability after a renowned gerologist was sentenced to life in prison for sexually abusing patients, including children at two prestigious New York hospitals. Hundreds of men have filed civil lawsuits

accusing the hospitals of knowing that the doctor was a danger to patients and failing to protect them. Artam Yamis brings us this investigation and a warning. What you are about to hear is graphic. I would flash back to that moment for years, just seeing myself in the mirror, just almost feeling like I was detached from the person that I was looking at. For years, 27-year-old Tucker Coburn has been haunted by his experiences with his urologist, Dr. Darius Paduke. Did you trust him?

I don't know. I at least felt like he was an expert in that field, and I didn't have any reason to doubt that. Padduke was a renowned specialist at Wild Cornell Medical Center. Coburn, who has a genetic condition that affects his hormones, had no reason to believe his doctor could be a predator in a white coat. He would fondle me in exams and things like that. I knew that it was weird. He presented in a way that it was like sort of medically appropriate. Then in 2016, after Coburn turned 18, there was a... appointment where I had some abdominal pain, and then he came over and assaulted or abused me. Was there a part of you trying to almost lie to yourself, like, maybe this is a medical procedure? I think at that point I knew that was crossing. He was crossing the line. Yeah, crossing

many lines. Like, he was trying to press himself against me and to, like, demonstrate sexual arousal. Nothing of that is what a doctor should be doing. While Paduke was not charged with allegedly abusing Coburn, Coburn did testify at the criminal trial. Paduke was convicted for sexually abusing several patients at Wild Cornell and Northwell Health in New York. The real Dr. Paduke is a very, very sick, sadistic individual who hurt a ton of people for his own gratification. Attorney Mallory Allen represents 140 men, including Coburn, in civil cases which alleged that the hospitals enabled the abuse and failed to stop it. He would not have the access to patients, right, without his position that he had at these institutions,

right? This is not a man who was able to abuse hundreds, if not thousands of patients in a vacuum. Did they know this abuse was happening? Yes, unquestionably, they knew this abuse was happening. How do you explain it? It feels inexplicable, right? I fear the answer is going to be that the hospital put profits over patients. So you're saying that you think these hospital chains employed a sexual predator knowing he was dangerous just to make money? I think if that's not the answer, I can't think of what is. According to former patients, their lawyers and court filings, while Cornell Medical Center received at least five complaints

accusing Dr. Darius Paduke of a range of inappropriate behavior and sexually charged remarks between 2006 and 2018. In 2018, a patient who asked us to identify him by his initials, BR, filed a complaint with New York's Health Department in which he reported that in 2006 at While Cornell, Paduke required that BR touch himself in front of him, showed BR photographs of other men's bodies, and asked about his taste in pornography. About nine months after BR's complaint, there's an email from 2018 which an employee basically says that there have been complaints about Paduaq for 10 years. What do you have to say to that? Yeah, I mean, it's shocking.

They recognize themselves that, hey, this is something that we've been dealing with, for 10 years. I mean, it's inexcusable. Purdue continued working at Wal-Cornell until 2020. But after Paduke left that hospital, he got a job at Northwell Health. I know that we're not alone. Where he continued seeing patients, even after Coburn sent a handwritten letter to Northwell Health urging the hospital to investigate its recent hire. The investigation found both you and Dr. Paduke to be credible.

The claims were not substantiated and that a male nurse practitioner would be present during sensitive physical examinations whenever possible moving forward. Is it a slap in the face to you? Yeah, I mean, it's odd to say that they believe you, but they're going to keep practicing. Yeah, yeah, it's infuriating. Then about six months later, an internal memo shows that Northwell investigated Paduke a second time after an ultrasound tech alleged that Paduke was using inappropriate, often sexual language in front of staff and patients.

That complaint was substantiated. I mean, it seems crazy that he would continue to investigate someone and have all these claims piling up and still not do anything. Northwell Health said in a statement that they were deeply disturbed by what was revealed during Darius Paduke's criminal trial. Dr. Paduke abused his position of trust as a medical provider betraying his patients and their families and misleading the Northwell community. While Cornell says that it has made changes including launching expanded chaperone policies in 2023, and adding prominent signage and additional documentation procedures in order to minimize the risk of such abhorrent conduct occurring in the future. I sincerely hope that Dr. Paduke no longer assaults his patients, but hope isn't enough.

Now that Paduke is behind bars, Coburn hopes he can finally achieve justice and healing. I think that for me the shame was more just that it happened in general. It took me a long time to realize that I hadn't done anything wrong. If you could go back and talk to yourself when you were 17 or 18, maybe give that kid advice, what would you wish someone had told you? I think that I wish I had known that it was okay to stand up for myself rather than just sitting there and suffering. I would want to let myself know that it was okay and it wasn't my fault. Several of the men who filed lawsuits told us they are still waiting for accountability from the hospitals

that employed Dr. Paduke for about two decades, despite the complaints they had received. In court filings, the hospitals have denied allegations of negligence or misconduct. Ellison? Tom, thank you. Coming up next, we head overseas to the dramatic images out of Iceland. A volcano roaring to life, lava, closing it on a popular tourist destination and nearby homes. Why scientists say they were caught off guard by the powerful eruption. Stay with us.

Back now with new images out of Iceland, where a volcano erupted for the seventh time this year. The lava creeping dangerously close to homes and at least one famous tourist attraction forced to evacuate. NBC News correspondent Valerie Castro has this one. For the seventh time in a year, the fiery power of this volcano in Iceland on full display. The eruption, which began Wednesday, spewing lava that has consumed and collapsed roads, Creeping closer to civilization, molten rock gushing through Grindivik about an hour's drive from the capital city of Reykjavik. Authorities set up barriers to divert the streams of lava away from the town, smoke billowing relentlessly in these alarming images seen on land and from the air. As the hours drag on, the lava consuming two miles forcing about 50 evacuations, the escalation of the eruption catching some travelers off guard.

I know a volcano must be exciting for you, but please remain seated with your seatbelt security passed in. Tourists at the famous Blue Lagoon were alerted by sirens for another eruption back in March, piercing through the darkness. Now two hotels there evacuated as the lava closed in, cruise racing to repair damage in the luxury geothermal spa's parking lot. The volcano had been dormant for 800 years until geologic. systems reactivated it in 2021. Experts say this eruption was expected based on the building pressure, but what they didn't expect was how quickly it came. This eruption has very little warning in terms of seismicity.

Prior to some of the others, we've seen a longer period of slight increase in background seismicity. For some residents, the eruption left them in the dark without electricity and in some cases without heat. The electricity supply has. been destroyed because of the heat from the lava has simply melted or affected the lines. For many who evacuated months ago, along with the latest wave this week, questions remain about the status of their homes.

When do we go back? Can we go back? Will we ever go back? Based on how past eruptions have played outside, to say this one is expected to subside in just a few days and say it's actually measuring smaller than the last eruption that took place in August. Allison? Valerie Castro, thank you. When we come back, what to binge watch and listen to this weekend, Kendrick Lamar dropping a surprise album.

And the movie event of the year, Wicked, is finally here. But is it okay to sing along in theaters? We'll get into that debate next. We are back now with binge-worthy, or look at the best things to watch and listen to this weekend. are joined now by entertainment journalist, pop culture expert, and friend of top story, Brian Balthazar. Brian, we are so excited to have you here as always. Thank you.

I am particularly excited because the first thing we're going to talk about is a show that is on Max, a game show. That is your show. Human versus Hamster. I really just want to call it the Brian Balthasar show with a hamster and some people, but let's watch. Yeah, let's do it. Teams of humans will face off against the Hamstars. If those hamsters are listening, we are here to educate and to dominate. We're going to show these hamsters that the only scones here are the ones we're wearing.

In an extraordinary battleground with challenges sized for humans and hamsters. Let's meet Ryan our hamster expert. Did you know that hamsters sweat through their feet? Same, Brian. Same. I mean, I love game shows, so I'm so excited for any sort of like, whatever fun. Right. This looks so fun.

It's so quirky. You're a hamster expert. Did you actually study? Oh, yeah. I went to the University of Hamster, I drink Hamstel Light. I did a lot of research. I have to tell you, the 10-year-old version of myself would be like, I'll do this for free. Because it is really cool.

I mean, these obstacle courses are oversized for humans and then shrunk down for hamsters, and it is remarkably close. These are close races. What I also love about it is, you know, we have the holidays coming up, and some of us want to escape reality or just not have conversations, tough conversations. Put this on. Or any conversation. And everyone can watch it as a family. You can leave the room and not worry about what's coming on the screen next because it's just all family fun and you will find yourself rooting for the hamsters.

We have great contestants, by the way. But it was a blast. The show is a blast to watch. Eight episodes on Max. You can binge them all. And it's such a blast. I'm so thrilled to be a part of the show. It looks phenomenal.

What does the winner get? Like, what's the outcome? Do we see the same people? coming back for other episodes. These are self-contained episodes, and each challenge has a cash prize leading up to the big, big challenge at the end called Escape the Cage, which has ten different sectors to it. And of course, I snuck off and did as many of those as I could. Did you do them? I didn't. No, I couldn't do them all of them. I didn't. Oh, some of them I did successfully. Okay. I didn't get to do all of them because it was like, we were banging out these

challenges. But it was so great. And actually, the hamsters love it too, because these are all challenges that hamsters come naturally to them, like going through tunnels, running on tread All of it. They love this stuff. They do it all day and night. Yeah. They live for the tunnels. That's what I have always been told. They're burrowing. They're always burrowing. Okay, the next one we have is also a series on Max, but this one is scripted. It's called the sex lives of college girls. You probably know it. It is back for season three, but minus a cast member. Watch. This is a sophomore year. Got to step up our game. What's that? Is it true you have a 1.8 GPA? How do you know that? You treated it? 1.8, more like 1. Great. Anybody else?

I've chosen courses that should lead to becoming a Supreme Court justice by the age of 53. Are you wearing the thing they sell Asian pairs in? Oh, um, not exactly. I don't know if you guys notice, but I've been feeling kind of overwhelmed lately. I have been told directly more times than I can count that I should watch this show that I would love it. I haven't done it yet, but is it great? It's a really fun show. It's been like two years since we've seen these young women.

young women. And Renee Rapp, who really, really rose on this show. She's already had a certain degree of stardom anyway, but she's now going to go from a regular starring cast member to a recurring cast member because she's going to pursue her music career. You know, we remember her from Mean Girls, the Movie, and Broadway. And Mia Rogers is a new cast member coming in as an international student. And, you know, it's just, it's kind of girls meet sex in the city and meets, you know, college life. It's a really fun show. It's really great. And if we miss the first two seasons. This is a perfect, great opportunity to binge it all. Okay. Start

from the beginning. You'll have a lot more invested in it. Okay. This next one is a Netflix comedy. It stars Ted Danson. It is called Man on the Inside. Take a look. I'm giving you a challenge. Find something that excites you. It's a good challenge. I accept. Investigative assistant.

This necklace, my client's family heirloom, has gone missing at Pacific View Retirement Community. You would pretend to be a new resident. You're interested in a tour? We are. And be my source. A man on the inside.

I'm in. It's giving kind of only murders in the building vibes to me. Right, but what's interesting about this is this is actually inspired by a documentary called the Mole Agent. It's based on a true story, and this was an Oscar-nominated documentary. I just love seeing Ted Danson, and I love spy thrillers, especially with a bit of comedy in them. So I think this is going to be a fun one again. Ted Danson's just great to watch. And there's this great scene there

in like a nursing home or assisted living community that is just hilarious. Watch the whole trailer if you have any doubts and you're going to find yourself watching the whole series. Okay, this next one that we have is on Peacock. It's back for Season 2, the series based on a true story starring Kaylee Cuoco. What exactly are we celebrating?

Engaged, you cannot marry a marilla. Matt is actively taking steps to change. I was sick, but I am healing. The West Side Ripper is back. It's like so worried about my sister. The bad boyfriend. Yes, I just wish I could make her see who he really is. Okay, so when we say based on a true story, that's the title of the show.

I know. That drives me nuts. I've Googled it so many times, not based on a true story. And so what's interesting, it's about, this is season two. And so season one, it started with this couple who discovered their plumber was a serial killer. But rather than turn him in, they decided to blackmail him into doing a podcast where they're trying. trying to track down a killer. Now, he's supposedly not killing anymore. And season two, as you can see, they're like wondering if he's killing again. So again, dark comedy,

Kaylee Cuoco is fantastic Christmas scene, a fun cast, funny content, you know, totally out there. And, you know, we all know crime podcasts and productions are so big right now. So this is an interesting twist. All right. The next thing we have, we're going to turn to music. And Kendrick Lamar, you just always surprising people if they're not like us, wasn't exciting enough for you, which why you must be crazy, but great. He knows he has an entire surprise album out. This is a song off of it called Luthor. He's the Nobel Peace Prize

Poethe's a genius. He really is And this GNX stands for the Grand National Experimental, which is the Buick you see him next to, which was produced in 1986. produced in 1987, the year of his birth. The collaborator on that song, Luther, is Siza, and he samples Luther Vandros in that song. And so, of course, still a lot of interpretation to be made because the album just came out today,

but also that it is about how he wishes only the best for Luther, and he would have protected him from all the enemies and all, any kind of things going up against him, and he only wanted the best for him. What a talented artist to begin with. So you just know that album's going to be about. Like, if you weren't already excited for the Super Bowl halftime. Like, Morgan, it's amazing. Okay, Wicked, obviously. Have you heard Wicked is out this weekend?

It is, and it's really out there. It's popping off. Everybody's excited. So in honor of that, we are going to listen to one of the songs from the movie. Of course, it's popular. Yeah. Now that I've chosen to become a power sister and advisor, there's nobody wiser. Not when it comes too popular.

I know about popular. The music is always... It's iconic, fantastic. Everyone wants to sing along. Don't sing along. This was an important question. Don't sing along. Do you see you have to come closer?

Come closer, and I'll ask it again. Listen, Brian, can people sing in the movie theater? Tell the people. I cannot. I know you think you sound like Ariana and Cynthia. You don't. Zipit.com, zip it.org. Ixnay on the Inse.

Don't do it. And if you sing in the theaters, Brian will. Do you want a hamster wheel? Hamster ball? My mother, when I was doing something wrong, she'd give me a little pinch on the leg, and it would get progressively firmer. Did you have a mom?

Oh, I had the behind the cart, like, you know, and it's like, and you're like, it's not even me, and you're moving your legs back. But I will say they're going to have sing-along versions of this. They're going to have sing-along events for this. So just wait for that. I love that people are that passionate about it, though.

Okay, well, I also have to ask you, because with Gladiator 2 coming out, I have heard that people are calling it Glicketid for the weekend? Is that a thing, are we on board with Glicket? on board with liquid. I mean, they're both going to do very well. And it's interesting because they both have varying, varying demographics. I don't think it doesn't sound as good. It sounds like rickets to me. It doesn't sense it's catchy. I know we want to make it a thing. It's like trying

to make fetch happen. But they're both going to do well. No one's going to do poorly this weekend of the two of them. But Wicked's going to be the winner hands down. All right. If you go see Wicked again for the people in the back, do not sing in the theater. Unless it's a sing-along. Brian Balthasar says so. Thank you for being here. And thank you at home for watching Top Story. For Tom Yamas, I'm Ellison Barber in New York. Stay right there. More news is on the way.