Top Story with Tom Llamas - Friday, September 18, 2026

Episode Date: September 19, 2026

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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Breaking news tonight, the president's new media ban to try to keep CNN, MS now, and Politico out of the White House. The president blasting the outlets late today and warning others may follow, but is that move even legal? Plus, the deal just announced for the American military in Greenland. Also tonight, the lone holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy case breaking his silence. What he says happened in those heated deliberations that ended in a mistrial. New video of the moments before a deadly shooting in Miami. A man, look at this body slamming law enforcement in the middle of traffic before a deadly shot goes off. The investigation into what happened.

Deadly shark attack, a swimmer killed in front of horrified beachgoers in Australia. This shark spotted just under the surface. The American Idol contestant on trial for murdering his wife, the dramatic 911 call played in court, and why prosecutors say he staged the scene of the crime. Horrific infield collision, the Mets first basement, taken a need. knee to the face, knocking him unconscious. We've got the update on how he's doing tonight. Remembering the singer Duncan Sheik, whose hit, barely breathing, dominated the charts in the 90s before he won a Tony Award for the musical Spring Awakening. Plus, the measles warning in Philadelphia,

newborns in an ICU potentially exposed. Top story starts right now. Good evening. I'm Hallie Jackson, in for Tom, and we are following several breaking stories out of the White House tonight. President Trump now saying he will ban three well-known news. news outlets as his legal fight to overhaul the Kennedy Center reaches a tipping point. And on top of that, the president also says he's just reached a new security deal with Greenland. Let's take this one by one here. First, the president announcing posting online that CNN, MS now, and Politico will be banned from the White House. He's accusing them of reporting fake news. He's threatening that other outlets would follow. We'll tell you what he said when our team pressed him about his escalating threats against the First Amendment.

Also, tonight, as we speak at this hour, you see protesters here. gathering at the Kennedy Center here in Washington. President Trump, remember, was seen holding that poster that seemed to threaten to demolish the center. He wants to renovate it, but only if he can put his name on the building. We're going to take you there live. And the president tonight also revealing a new deal with Denmark, which controls Greenland to give the U.S. permanent control, in his words, over the territory's security. Denmark says that deal is going to get signed by all three governments as early as next week.

And then another update on the first family, President Trump says his son, Don Jr., is pledging to pay back the Russian oligarch who helped bank roll parts of his lavish Bahamas wedding celebration. We've got a lot going on in Washington and, of course, our full team coverage tonight. But we start with our Kelly O'Donnell at the White House. Tonight in an unprecedented and escalating challenge to a free press, President Trump declared a ban on three news organizations, CNN, MS Now and Politico, saying he's unhappy with their coverage. He also threatened other media outlets to follow in a social media post. We pressed him in the Oval Office. Every president takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, which includes the First Amendment.

How do you justify such a ban? Is this serious? Because they're fake news. You get so tired of reading and seeing fake news. There may be others to join them, and maybe they can get better and would like to admit. But our country has to have honest news. While there are no signs this ban is actually in effect, the president described his intention. I don't want them in my office. I don't want them here. I would say the ban would go as far as you can.

And if they could straighten themselves out, you know, if they could send themselves out, I'd love it. The First Amendment protects news coverage from government discrimination based on what a journalist writes or reports. CNN responded in a statement that the ban would be an illegal assault on that fundamental and constitutionally protect. right. In a separate new development, the president was asked about the propriety of his son, Don Jr., accepting a lavish wedding party in the Bahamas in May, paid for by a Russian oligarch with ties to Vladimir Putin's inner circle. Today, the president defended that gift, but said for the first time that his son is covering that cost. As I understand it, he paid him back. He didn't want to have that, so I hear he paid him back. Kelly O'Donnell, NBC News, Washington.

Kelly O, at the White House there, you saw her in the Oval also press President Trump about the Kennedy Center. You know, he says it'll only get renovated if, in fact, his name ends up on the building. The president saying there's no reason for the institution to stay open if that doesn't happen. Want to play you some of that exchange in the Oval there. Why would you want your name on the memorial for a slain? Because we should be recognized. The Trump administration, if I'm willing and the administration is willing, we have a lot of people working very hard. on it to save it. I can save it easily. But why should we be doing that and then raise money

for the rest of our lives to keep it afloat because that's what you have to do if we get no recognition? Right now, as we talk about the Kennedy Center here in Washington, you've got hundreds of protesters gathering outside of it, calling for President Trump to be removed as chairman. Remember, he's chair of the board after having overhauled that board to install allies. Our Gary Grombach is there. Gary seems like a decent number of people behind you. give us a sense of the vibe. Yeah, there is a significant crowd here, Halley. There are people that are really upset that Kennedy Center is closed now for potentially a week, maybe even more.

The people upset that the park is covered over John F. Kennedy's name. And I want to have a cameraman Owen to show you around what exactly this crowd looks like. We were talking about hundreds and hundreds of people who tell me, some of them tell me, they understand the need for a renovation. But the only ones will also understand there's a need to do it the right way. And they don't believe it is currently being done the right way here. Of course, if the Trump administration says they want to get this done in two years, close the center altogether, and about a $300 million renovation, they say a four-year partial renovation would cost $80 million more than that. We've heard from members of Congress here, Congressman Don Byer, they've heard of activists, people who have lived in living in the communities that are practically with how much they spend time here, and they really want this place to reopen.

Halley. Gary, it was interesting to me that the president, as he was talking about the Kennedy Center, referenced behind him to a member of the Kennedy family who serves in his administration, of course, the health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. We've heard other members of the Kennedy family talking about this, though, right? Yeah, for the Kennedys, this is not just a place to go see some really nice shows and to watch some dance performances. This is personal, right? This is a living memorial to their relative, to their father, to the grandfather, and it's something that they want to share with the whole country. There's an entire area of this Kennedy Center that's a memorial. There's a huge 3,000-pound bust in the main center. That's something that the Kennedy Center says, if renovations happen and this place really does close for good, it's going to be moved over to the separate physically building, physically different building aside behind us.

But it is something that they really take very personally, Pally. Okay, Gary Grumbach got outside the Kennedy Center for us, and I, thank you. Let's get to that breaking news on Greenland now. As the president's revealing this new deal that he says will give the U.S. permanent control over Greenland's security. Let's get right to our senior national security correspondent, Courtney Kubi, who is joining us now. President Trump has long had his sights on Greenland. He's talked about it over and over again. In really practical terms, what does this deal actually mean that's different from

the way things are done now? Yeah, that is absolutely the case. President Trump has been talking about Greenland for months now, but he now says that there's an agreement between the three nations, Greenland, Denmark, and the United States that would give the U.S. the ability to secure Greenland by whatever means necessary forever. Now, he wrote this on social media. He said that this would include the U.S. immediately developing a large military presence in Greenland. But it's not really clear what exactly is different with this new agreement. Of course, the U.S. military already has a presence in Greenland.

It's relatively small. It's at a space force base. But Greenland, which, of course, is a self-governing part of Denmark, has been very open about having the U.S. military, and they've welcomed them amidst concerns that, Russia and China were expanding their presence in the Arctic. Of course, the U.S. military had thousands of troops in Greenland after World War II. So this is a decades-old partnership between the two countries. Now, President Trump also says that this agreement means that no U.S. adversary can ever have a military base in Greenland without explicit U.S. approval. Now, for the Danish

Prime Minister's part, they are saying that the three countries are expected to sign this agreement at the U.N. General Assembly next week. But, Hally, Notably in the statement from the Danish Prime Minister, she notes that this agreement would include territorial integrity and sovereignty for Greenland and Denmark and specifically the right of self-determination for the people of Greenland. So it's still not really clear exactly what this agreement will say. Halley. Courtney Kuby, plenty busy on your beat.

Court, thank you very much. To the latest turn now in the Lindsay Clancy murder case. That lone holdout juror whose disagreement during deliberations led to the. that controversial mistrial is now speaking publicly tonight. Coming as we're hearing new details from Lindsay Clancy's ex-husband, who was thrust into the spotlight during the case. Here's Emily Aketa. For the first time since Lindsay Clancy's murder trial, I'm going to declare a mistrial. The sole holdout is breaking his silence, publicly identifying himself as Michael Desronville

in a statement shared by his attorney. He said he kept getting cut off during deliberations and that he thought the prosecution had enough proof that Clancy knew exactly what she was doing and planned. Also saying, I didn't have any doubts. In contrast to what other jurors, including the foreperson, have suggested since the mistrial. He admitted he had reasonable doubt, and I started filling out the forms. And then he said, but I'm still not going to say that she's not guilty by reason of insanity. I've been on the phone with him for about an hour. The host of the streaming series, Fugitive TV, says he,

spoke with the holdout juror. This man cannot live in peace right now. People are knocking on his door, going around his house, not just his house, his family member's house. The widely watched case that swept social media also putting a spotlight on Lindsay Clancy's ex-husband, Patrick. She said she heard a man's voice telling her that if she didn't do it now, she would lose her chance or something like that. While Lindsay Clancy has admitted to killing their children, Patrick has become the target of conspiracy theory suggesting his involvement in their deaths. I talk to them. What do you say? Help me all the time. Now opening up to CBS News's 60 minutes, alongside his new wife, New York City doctor Rachel Danis. I don't understand how the story has been

so twisted. Pat is, as I said before, the most selfless father. And, you know, supportive partner. This Romville's attorney who has represented previously President Trump in lawsuits against CBS News in the New York Times says that the holdout juror will not be doing any interviews right now and that he is currently staying in an undisclosed secure location in rural New England. Hallie? Emily Aketa, a lot's going on there. Thank you very much for more on all of this. I want to bring in our NBC News legal analyst Misty Maris. Misty it's good to be with you tonight. You know you And you and I talked, gosh, repeatedly when we heard from some of the fellow jurors of this holdout

juror who had a very different recollection or recounting of what happened inside that deliberation room. At this point, is there anything that the defense may do? Kevin Redington, Lindsay Clancy's defense attorney, based on what we've heard now from the account from this loan juror. So because the jurors in this case will not be the jurors if there's a retrial and because the case ended in a mistrial. There isn't any grounds for an appeal. There's no verdict to overturn. And what it seems like, Hallie, as we hear from the jurors and now this lone juror, it sounds like there was very contentious and intense deliberations going on behind the scene. We heard from the jurors that it started off with eight wanting to go, not guilty, lack of

criminal responsibility, two undecided, too guilty, ultimately evolving to that 11 to 1. Now, the defense is likely to make and has stated publicly, Kevin Reddington, he's going to make a motion based on double jeopardy and seek to stop this a second trial from even happening. And that would be based on whether or not the judge should have done something differently in when when that note came forward, whether the judge should have done a further inquiry. So some of what's happening now could maybe be looped into that, but it's not going to be the primary point of that motion, which will. will seek to say, hey, judge, you should have done more at the time. Okay, similar question, different person, which is this, you know, interview that Patrick Clancy is now giving, the first, obviously, since the mistrial and everything that went down then.

He's already obviously testified in that first trial. Is there anything? I think a lot of folks will be watching, you know, to see, like, is there anything he may say or perhaps, I don't know, his new, you know, his new wife now, that could be used in a similar way? In other words, not the focus of some legal proceedings moving forward. but as part of whatever case may be made by the defense. So if there's another trial that comes down the road, Patrick Clancy will be a witness

and anything that's said publicly could come back into the courtroom. Halley, what I'm really interested to hear is whether or not Patrick Clancy speaks about if there has been communication with the district attorney who's the ultimate decision maker as to how this case plays out moving forward. As the victim, does he want to see a second trial? Is he hoping there's the possibility for a plea deal? So I'm really interested in that aspect of it, which I think would be a primary factor and something the district attorney would weigh heavily taking into consideration if there is, in fact, going to be around two.

What does that look like? It could be completely different. What do you think a timeline would be for the DA to share any of the thinking around the potential for a second trial? Because it's obviously clearly on the table, but like, I don't want to, you know, I don't want to say, what's the hold up? when, you know? Right. The district attorney has not made public any decision on that. They have to have a second trial with begin within a year. So there's a pretty long timeline. Remember, these are first degree murder charges. There's no statute of limitations on that.

So there's not a lot of timing restraints that just attorney can really think about it. But I do think there's a lot that's going to go into that decision when you do hear the 11 to 1. And by the way, we've heard so much more about what was happening in that deliberation room. the jurors view on the evidence, that's really relevant to what you're going to do a second time around. And is this a case that you believe you're going to be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt? Are there problems with the evidence? Hally, when you think about it, presentation is one thing, the way that the prosecutors lay out the case. But some of the evidence is not going to change. So that's all for the district attorney to decide. When we talk about, you know,

the various lawyers involved in various ways in this case, it was, I think, notable to some folks that the holdout juror got an attorney, right, who specializes in defamation litigation here, among other things. It feels unusual. We don't have to hear about jurors getting attorneys or lawyering up, if you will. Talk to the rationale. What help would that be to this juror? Allie, I haven't seen a case where we've seen so much of the behind the scenes of what is going on in the deliberation room. And just that very clear in the interviews, there was clearly a lot of tension there and maybe some animosity that these jurors have, have, you know, against the two factions with the one holdout juror. And from what we've heard in this interview, you know,

there's people coming to his house. There's obviously a lot of discourse online. And so an attorney would help give any legal avenues to protect this individual against whether it be harassment or potentially defamation. You know, that's a complicated and thorny area because you have somebody who is a private person, you know, you have this private person public figure analysis. He's a private person. It's easier to bring the case. But, Allie, it's all playing out on TikTok and Instagram. And remember, they have what's called platform immunity. They can't be held liable for what people post. So it is a thorny road to the extent that he wants to take action, maybe send cease and desist, or deal with individuals who are coming to his home. A lawyer would be an avenue to at least

explore what options are out there. Misty Maris, always good to see you. Thank you for walking us through all that. Appreciate it. Let's get to this emergency unfolding in the sky's new video just into us of a portable battery catching fire during an international flight. And as our Tom Costello reports, incidents like this one are on the rise. Emergency in business class, fire suddenly on a KLM flight from Amsterdam to Kurosau, scorching the seatback and window shade. Blackened, charged remains all that was left of a rechargeable battery that caught fire. KLM says the flight returned safely to Amsterdam. Last month, a laptop fire on an American flight to Dallas injured one passenger. The FAA says flight attendants threw the laptop in a fire containment bag.

Passenger Jessica Ergens was on board. It is the most terrifying flying experience I've ever had. I didn't know what was going to happen. Just the most recent examples of overheating rechargeable batteries, cell phones or e-cigarettes, posing a lot of. lethal threat in flight. From a battery fire on an air China flight a year ago to a South Korean plane destroyed by fire in January of 25. From 2024 through 2025, a 15% increase in incidents with a dramatic 42% increase in portable charger fires. The FAA reports so far this year, 77 cases in the U.S. The threat is real and lives are at stake. Passenger safety is at stake. flight attendants, pilots, they're all in danger if these cannot be contained and controlled.

It's why airlines require every passenger not to put rechargeable batteries in checked bags and keep your power banks out of your carry-ons. Halie? Okay, Tom Costello, thank you. To Florida now in a deadly confrontation on the street caught on camera, a man picking up a law enforcement officer and body slamming him to the ground before you hear a single shot fired. George Solis has the video. The moments before the deadly officer involved shooting caught on camera, you can see a man in green body slams a law enforcement agent who's dressed in red. Horns blaring as the man pins the

agent from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to the ground in the middle of traffic. Then you can hear a single gunshot. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office says 28-year-old Daniels, Daniels, Shand was killed. The video does not show how the incident began. Investigators say the unnamed agent who was on duty was in his vehicle when Shan began striking the window. The agent then getting out of the car. Here, you can see what appears to be the moment the agent pulls out a gun as Shan slams him to the ground. Shan on top of the agent waving people over to him. reporting approaches the scene.

Hey, he got a gun, yo. Then the gunshot. Shand's roommate speaking with our NBC Miami station. Watching him, like, lifeless, you know, dad just on the street. And I felt out of puzzle, like out of head. The agent has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation. George is joining us now. And George, you know, as is the case for several of these instances,

when we see very sort of dramatic video, we don't know what happened before that video starts, right? What did witnesses say? Yeah, Halley, we don't know. And investigation is still ongoing. And it's happened really early in the morning. So a lot of people were getting out of their homes. They were sort of in the middle of that morning rush.

A lot of witnesses saying they heard the commotion and they came outside after the fact. So they see the altercation sort of in the aftermath where there's someone already laying on the ground, an officer that seems to be injured. There is video out there. Of course, law enforcement is asking anyone with information. to come forward. That agent himself was also taken to the hospital, we understand,

and as is pretty standard, has been on paid administrative leave while this investigation unfolds. But clearly, a lot of questions left to be answered here, Halley. Yeah, no kidding. George, thank you very much. Much more ahead for us on top story, including the deadly shark attack in Australia. The beach forced to shut down. We'll tell you what we're learning. Plus, a gas pipeline exploding in Louisiana, a wall of flames captured on video from above. And Princess Diana's brother doubling down on those bombshell accusations against King Charles and what he's saying now about how Prince Harry was treated as a child. Stay with us. We're back now with the deadly shark attack, a swimmer bitten off the coast of Australia and the

beach shut down as a shark was spotted lurking in the water just beneath the surface. Jesse Kirsch has the details. Tonight, a deadly shark attack shutting down this Australian beach. There's like with a scene off jaws where a body is in the end is flicked around like a ragdoll. The shocking incident happened this morning near Perth in Western Australia when police say a shark bit a swimmer off the coast of Sorrento Beach. You can hear the siren sounding. The attack triggering a frantic search by air and water. This shark spotted just beneath the surface. But despite the rescue efforts, police say the swimmer died.

It's very sad and very scary because a lot of people swim here. Witnesses say the shark. could have been close to 20 feet long. The attack happening in front of the victim's friend. He was on his knees just yelling at why. And I'm sorry. He felt bad because he didn't go back to save his mate. And I said, no, you couldn't have done that.

Today marks at least the fifth deadly shark attack in Australia this year alone. Among the other tragedies, a 12-year-old boy died after being attacked in Sydney Harbor in January. And tonight after this latest mauling, officials warning beachgoers to be unheightened alert. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News. Elsewhere overseas to the UK, the growing royal rift. In a new excerpt from his book, Princess Diana's brother says there was a lack of care for Prince Harry as a child. As he fires back at the palace over allegations, he's not being entirely truthful. Here's Morgan Chesky.

Tonight, Princess Diana's brother doubling down, standing by claims against the royal family, particularly King Charles. I'm telling the truth. In his new book about his sister, Charles Spencer alleges following Diana's death, the then-prince told him, rest assured, we'll forget her soon enough. I've only ever had two calls on the line with Prince Charles at any stage of my life. I was hyper alert to what he was saying, and those are precisely the words he said. The palace issuing a rare rebuke earlier this week, writing, His Majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason,

affect judgment, and color memory in ways others do not. recognize. I told friends and family straight away close friends and family about what had been said because it was so monstrous. And in a new excerpt published in the Daily Mail, Spencer detailing his heartbreak upon seeing 12-year-old Harry before the funeral. Writing, he wondered, how could he possibly be expected to deal with the agony that the day ahead would insist upon? Adding his nephew needed Diana's hugs, of course, and they would forever be denied him. But instead of calm and nurture, he was allowed to spin out of control. Both of Diana's sons have yet to comment. Today, Prince Harry appeared publicly for the Invictus games he helped found, telling students there. The people that

inspire me are the people that get knocked down and get back up. The memoir on the people's princess expected to hit shelves next week. Morgan Chesky, NBC News. Still ahead for us tonight, the warning after a possible measles exposure at a children's hospital in Philadelphia. What teams there are doing now. Plus, running into the future? This aerodynamic speed suit helping this pro runner beat out all the rest. But first, Top Story's Top Moment and Nick star Jalen Brunson going from the court to the catwalk. His two-year-old daughter walking the kids' runway at New York Fashion Week, but when she seemed to get a little stage fright, he went right into girl dad mode. Look at this. Oh my gosh, he's so cute. It's Brunson for you, always saving the day. And hey,

Guess what? Recognize these kiddos? Craig Melvin's kids also rocking the stage, showing off some very cool back-to-school looks. Everybody looking stylish. We love to see it. Stay with us. We got more Top Story after the break. Back now with Top Story's news feeds, starting in Philly where public health officials are sounding the alarm over measles. They say there was a potential exposure at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia last week, specifically in the NICU. The hospital says they're working to make sure these babies get medicine to prevent them from getting the virus. Pennsylvania is experiencing a major measles outbreak with cases nearing 800.

And in Louisiana, a gas pipeline burst, temporarily putting in place some evacuation orders. Look at this video showing the eruption, sending a cloud of a bunch of flames into the sky there. From above, you can see this wall of fire ripping across the field. The local sheriff's office says they managed to contain the leak. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. You see the flames in the field. Everybody nearby is being allowed back into their homes. And some very scary moments at the Mets Phillies game when the Mets first baseman took a knee to the head. Video shows a Phillies outfielder, looking a ground fielder towards first base.

Jared Young and pitcher Nolan McLean both went in to cover it. McLean kneeing Young in the head flying over him, that made him go unconscious. He was carted off the field but did give a thumbs up, which was good to see. He's expected to make a full recovery. And at a track meet in London, check out how an Olympic runner stepped out in a one-of-a-kind speed. suit. Look at this. Designed by Nike, all black, in collaboration with the British runner Keely Hodgkinson. She's wearing it there. They say it's designed to be extra aerodynamic. Well, did it work? She ripped away from the pack and won the race. She is also the reigning Olympic

champ. So perhaps some new tech we could see down the road. To Pennsylvania now. And the violent attack on female college students there with a group that had gathered outside this woman's off-campus home caught on camera brutally beating her. After witnesses say she asked them to leave. Our Erin McLaughlin has this story, and we want to warn you, some of the images here are disturbing. Disturbing video shows the moment a college student is thrown to the ground and beaten, dragged by her hair. Please say there were multiple victims after a large fight broke out in the early hours of Saturday morning. Witnesses say a crowd had gathered outside off-campus housing near York College in Pennsylvania.

And they started, you know, they throw cans around, they're banging on the door. NBC affiliate WGAL spoke to three students who asked not to be identified. They say the student who lived there had asked the crowd to leave the property when she was attacked. Literally eight, eight to 12 girls grabbing this girl by her hair, punching her, kicking her. Prior to the assault, the students say there was a drag race in the neighborhood. This video shows a car crashing. into a poll on the side of the road. At a press conference today, police say they've arrested three juvenile females involved in the attack. The charges ran from felony riot to misdemeanor

simple assault, defiant trespass, and harassment. City officials say it's all part of a larger problem. The city has taken action to address pop-up parties, illegal dirt bikes, reckless driving and other conduct that violates the law. Tonight, officials say no serious injuries were reported. Aaron McLaughlin, NBC News. So the criminal trial now of a former American Idol contestant accused of killing his wife and staging the crime scene to look like a deadly burglary. Caleb Flynn was on season 12 of Idol, and on the show he talked about his wife.

Ashley, watch. I absolutely love the Lord. I love my wife more than anything. She is very, very pretty. Just, oof, I love her. Prosecutors allege he shot his wife and then staged the scene to make it seem like she was killed by an intruder, playing this 911 call for the jury. Miami County, 911.

Somebody broke into my home. Somebody broke in my home and saw my wife. What are you seeing? My wife is, she's got two shots to her hands. It's blood everywhere. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Flynn has pleaded not guilty to all charges. I want to bring in Aaron Gilchrist, who's been following this case. He's joining us now. Okay, so opening statements, got things started. Walk us through how each side, both the prosecution and the defense is making the case. We laid out what the prosecution's doing. Talk to us about both.

Yeah, so I can tell you first that we had quite a bit of testimony today from first responders who really went through the process of laying out the crime scene, explaining what was seen as officers and medics arrived on the scene there. We know that the jury also went to the crime scene earlier this morning to take a look at that space, the house obviously that Caleb Flynn shared with his wife and two young daughters. The prosecutors in their opening statements really tried to actually reveal two things that were significant. One, they do not have a murder weapon. And two, there were no eyewitnesses. But they say they do understand a motive and an intent on the part of Caleb Flynn. They believe

that he had been having a years-long affair and that he wanted his wife out of the way for that relationship. They went through what they said were text messages. They said there were 100,000 text messages between Caleb Flynn and his mistress. And they read one where they say he talked about wanting to kill his wife and having hatred for her. I want you to hear a little bit of what the prosecution and the defense team said in opening statements today. Wanted her gone. Wanted her dead. Wanted to be free of her.

And wanted the future with his mistress instead. You're not here to deliberate on whether or not you like Caleb. You certainly are not here to render a verdict on whether or not you approve or condone of his actions. This is an aggravated murder trial. A man can fail as a husband without being a murderer. And, Hallie, the defense team really tried to make the point that Caleb Flynn had been a bad husband, that he was having an affair. But that was not evidence to support a murder charge in this case and said that this is something where the jury would have reasonable doubt in terms of convicting Caleb Flynn. It's always interesting to hear some of what we call color, like what happened sort of in the courtroom that maybe wasn't incredibly visible.

immediately, but it sounds like Flynn got emotional, sort of very visibly in court, right? Very much so. There were a couple of times where the pool camera in the courtroom was able to capture his face in the courtroom, and there were tears streaming down his face. There was one point where we saw a body can video from one of the officers who responded to the scene initially, where obviously he was trying to explain what he saw, explaining that his kids were in their bedroom at the time of the shooting. He's crying in that video, and as he's watching that video play in the courtroom, Halley, he was extremely emotional, just sort of fighting back tears, but you could see tears streaming

down his face. We don't know who else is going to be called here. There were hundreds of names on the defense and prosecution lists of potential witnesses that they could call. At this point, we expect that this trial could last two or three weeks, and there are questions, obviously, about whether his children might be called to testify. They were in the house when this shooting happened. And then this mistress that the prosecution has brought up as well.

We don't know whether they'll testify, but it'll be something to look out for the next couple of weeks here. I know they'll be watching that. Aaron Gilchrist, thank you very much for that. To the dangerous storm threat now lingering into the weekend with tens of millions of people on alert for potentially destructive weather. After a week of just relentless flooding. Some new video here shows first responders coming from a helicopter to rescue an older couple whose car got trapped. in some of these rushing floodwaters. Meteorologist Larissa Abreu with our NBC Miami station

is tracking the next round of storms for us tonight. We're going to be watching a slow-moving system bring heavy rain across portions of the Midwest, really starting tonight, but this is going to carry on through the start of the weekend with that slow-moving system bringing in rain from Minneapolis to Chicago, and it's just going to be a stormy morning for the windy city.

Some of these scattered storms will then cross the Ohio Valley and enter the northeast, as we head towards our Sunday. We're talking heavy rain along that I-95 corridor from Boston to New York City, south through Philadelphia, heavy rain that could lead to flooding. And take a look at some of these numbers. Very impressive with rain through Sunday up to six inches, certainly not out of the question. Again, the bullseye over the Midwest. But notice the northeast, they too will see significant rain that could again lead to flooding in some spots.

As far as the flood concern, you can see it here on this map nicely. This does include places like Des Moines all the way back towards cities in Chicago or around Chicago, I should say, with that heavy rain moving through. And it's going to be a slow mover. And this is what's going to exacerbate that threat for flooding straight on through the start of the weekend and into our Sunday. Hallie. Larissa, thank you for that. Still ahead for us here tonight. Our series, Great Americans, taking us to Mount Rushmore.

We'll hear from the park's first woman to serve as superintendent about how she's preserving this country's natural resources and her message to the next generation. Plus, remembering Duncan Sheik, the singer behind one of the most memorable songs of the 90s. More on his life and legacy. Next. Now with our series, Great Americans, where we talk to those who have achieved so much about their life and this country. Tonight, a woman who devoted her career to America's national parks, becoming the first woman to lead the team is in the spotlight. at one of our country's most iconic landmarks. Our great American this week, the first woman to serve as superintendent

of Mount Rushmore, Cheryl Shrier. Here's Tom. I love America for all of the different opportunities. I love the diversity, the people, the landscapes. For much of her career, Cheryl Shrier worked alongside some of the greatest Americans. Mount Rushmore still takes my breath away.

The massive tribute to four American presidents is one of the country's most iconic landmarks, a symbol of this nation's history. ...next to the sculptures of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Work begins on the head of Abraham Lincoln. And right here in 2010, Shrier made some history of her own, becoming the first female superintendent of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. When I got the call, I was pretty much blown away. There had been at least 10 previous superintendents, and they were all male.

This was the National Park Service badge. For nearly a decade, Shrier oversaw the entire parks operations, from tourism to conservation. Mount Rushmore makes me feel very proud to be an American. It really exemplifies our country and patriotism. Throughout her trailblazing career, the Minnesota Native have worked at 10 different national parks, starting as a park technician in South Dakota's Jewel Cave National Monument and taking on leadership roles at parks in Iowa and North Dakota. All of the different landscapes, the stories, the cultural and natural resources.

Americans should be stewards of these very special resources. Some of her most memorable moments, hosting First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia at Mount Rush, in 2012 and honoring her brother for his service in Vietnam. I was able to publicly recognize him and then presented him with the flag that had flown over Mount Rushmore that day. There were tears in both of our eyes. Here's Minnesota. Shriar now retired, leaving a legacy as strong as the granite. When I mentor young people and especially young girls, I always tell them that you can do this, to be part of the American story and the story of the National Park Service is an honor.

And I will always hold it near and dear to my heart. Our thanks to Tom for that. And tonight the music world is remembering singer-songwriter Duncan Sheik, the artist best known for his 90s hit, barely breathing, and his work on the musical Spring Awakening. Here's Stephanie Gosk. It was a Grammy-nominated hit that exploded across the music scene in the 90s. Duncan Sheik's song barely breathing charted on the Billboard Hot 100 for 55 weeks,

plunging him into the center of the pop music scene. But it was on a different stage where he would cement his musical legacy, co-writing the music for the hit show, Spring Awakening, the Tony winning musical breaking convention by bringing rock music to a Broadway stage. Launching the careers of Leeds Leah Michelle and Jonathan Groff. I've been lucky enough to be able to make all different kinds of music, so that's the good thing. In his personal life, Sheik was open about his struggles with alcohol. To pretend.

His mother telling the New York Times, he died from cardiac arrest, leaving behind a wife and daughter. He was 56 years old. A post on his Instagram account today, remembering him as a singular talent and a deeply influential voice in music and theater. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News, New York. Our thanks to Stephanie for that. Still ahead here on Top Story, everything you can binge watch and listen to this weekend, including a new docu series about Jay-Z, offering a glimpse into his creative process and his

life. Plus, the hit reality series The Traders is back, this time with everyday people instead of celebrities and some new music from Carly Ray Jepson. That's next. Back now with Bingeworthy. Our look at the best stuff to watch and listen to you this weekend. Joining us tonight is the entertainment journalist and CEO of pop viewers. My personal Friday favorite, Chris Witherspoon.

Hi, Chris. So good to see you. Hi, Hallie. I'm back. Let's do this. Let's do it. Okay, we got to start with Jay Z. This new docu series, right, that revisits some of his biggest hits 30 years after the debut album. I cannot believe it's been 30 years. This is Jay Z in 8 on HBO Max. Round 9 is when I caught the bug like being obsessed.

I would write every day. Writing. Writing. It's writing. Every day. The reason why rap is so loved, that feeling of that underdog. That's why people were listening. That's why it hit him somewhere.

It feels like he's getting really candid in this one, Chris. So candid. I'm like getting goosebumps because J.C., he doesn't open up that much. It's a really big get to get him to sit and talk for eight episodes. about his body of work. Everyone knows that he won 25 Grammy Awards, but 30 years later, he is breaking down track by track the biggest hits. And David Rubin is the former co-founder of Def Jam Records and produced Jayze's 2003 album, the Black album. So they already had this rapport, this chemistry. And what I love about this, Hallie is Rick Ask Any and everything. He is not afraid of him. And Jay Z answers everything. So good.

That's cool. That's going to be a good one to watch. Next up, Apple TV. Let's talk about that slow horses. People may have watched. It's back for season six. It is a favorite of our beloved executive producer here on Top Story. And it's fresh off an Emmy win, too, for outstanding directing of a drama series. You love it, too. Here is a little bit of the upcoming season. There's a list with all our names. Anyone who's ever worked at Sloughhouse is being targeted. It's a bloodbub. Why are we just sitting here? Pick up the others. Enter the safe house. I've been in touch for months. Do I'm not actually neither? No, I'm afraid you are. I cannot emphasize this enough. Stay dark, yeah? No phones.

Yeah. What don't you understand about going dark? People love this one, Chris. It's so crazy. I laugh at this show so much. And Gary Oldman, Oscar winner, anything he does is incredible. But he's playing the leader of the Slough House, which are these former spies who basically get demoted.

So think James Bond gets demoted. And a bunch of these spies have to then do these missions. This time, the spies are targeted. themselves. It is six seasons in, a great binge because you have five seasons to catch up on. Yeah. But every single episode, Halley, feels like a movie. They are so well done. You know what? That's like a good sell. Maybe I'm going to look into this one. It's like the next sort of full, fall watch. I think you do this one. Okay, okay, clocking that. Apple TV. We're talking about Apple TV thriller, this new one, emergency dispatcher who gets a call

from his long lost daughter. The premise alone, I think, is very gripping, very compelling. This is called Last Scene. Here's that. My daughter went missing 11 years ago. Maggie? I can't stop thinking about that poor family. I missed her by minutes. Are you sure, mate? It's her.

Oh, my God. This one's making my stomach hurt, Chris. I got chills. Oh, my God. So crazy, so crazy. And I won't try and do my Australian accent for this one. But it really is one of those ones that I feel like any true crime person is going to love because it feels like it's one of those kind of genres, but it's a man who lost his

daughter 11 years ago who's working as a dispatcher, gets his phone call from a girl who sounds like it could be his daughter and sends him on this crazy rabbit hole. It's based on a book. It's shot in Australia. It kind of feels like a little bit of like travel, escapism. Really, really good though. Edge of your seat the whole time. Okay, that's a good one. And based on a book, too. Maybe that's the next book book book book book. You know, I don't get to watch a ton, but I am, I do know a little bit about the secret lives of Mormon wives, which is back for season five. Because as you know, there's been kind of a hard news nexus to this. Taylor Frankie Paul had a series of controversies, got her kicked off ABC's The Bachelorette.

Here's a look at the trailer. How did you get here? Why did you get my initials tattooed on your lips? It's giving obsessed. I am obsessed. This whole thing has spiraled. They're like Romeo and Juliet in the TikTok age. I think all of this is so hard to talk about.

Four years ago, we were just making TikToks. It's just so crazy all the things that we've been through together. They're definitely not leaning out of the sort of controversy that has been surrounding this one. I mean, Holly, this show is the gift that keeps on giving. And five years ago, four years ago, no one really knew who these ladies were, unless you were on mom talk on TikTok and they were doing dances. But Taylor, Frankie Paul, as you mentioned, just did The Bachelorette. Whitney just Whitney Levitt just did Broadway. So there's this huge, you know, interest around there were looking.

lives after experiencing real fame. Each one of these ladies now is a brand. They are a business and they are all making millions of dollars. So it's kind of this season's about the price of fame and what it really feels like. You mentioned Whitney Leavitton. Am I not? Isn't she on the Traders, which is back for season five on the Mothership on Peacock? And that's what's interesting. It's a twist. She was on the traitors. She was on last season. That's what I thought. That's what I thought. She was on the traders because this season, it's different. It's not celebrities. It's like regular Joe's basically. It's everyday folks who are going to be trying for this one, right? Here's a little clip of that.

Being a mother, maybe. I want to step outside of my comfort zone and kill a few folks. The rest of you will become my faithful. Track down those traitors and banish them from the game. We got one. It's her. There's a heath suspicion on you.

I don't know who I can trust. We're stirring the pot. It's fun, isn't it? I'm having a blast. Everyday people, Chris, they're going to be celebrities in their own right soon enough. Real talk. Real talk. I just love Alan Cummany. Anything he does on this show, I just giggle and laugh so much.

But no, this is a brilliant concept. This show's been out for several seasons. Normally, reality stars, just different stars that are part of the cast. This time, 80,000 applicants. 80,000 applicants, they chose 22 everyday Americans from a pilot to a bookkeeper, you name it. They are competing for $250,000 in cash dollars, okay? I think it's a great twist on this series that people already love. And it airs on NBC on Thursdays and then the next day on Peacock.

That's right. I gotta get that in. Let me talk about music now. You've got Dominic Fike, rapper singer, back with a new single from his upcoming album. This is Small Town. Here it is. Small Town-based New Orleans, a place like steak and coffee. Bounced up like rays of water.

Stay up really just talking. Okay, very chill vibes on this one, Chris. Right? I'm into it. I'm a huge fan of Dominic Fike. Some folks might recognize him. He was in season two of Euphoria. Go back in your memory bank.

He was in there as an actor. This is his third album, How to Quit Smoking. I think it's a brilliant album, a great lead single. And just like he kind of genre bends with hip hop and pop. Right. A little alternative. I love that you can't really put him in a box. Somebody who else was out with a new song is somebody who had one of the biggest earworms of like the turn of the I don't know the 2010s

Yeah, call me maybe get ready. You're gonna see it in here you know who wasn't you was unavoidable Carly Ray Jepson She's got a new one now called Versailles here's that you have music she's still doing her thing and I love the lyrics this is off of her Eighth studio album. It's so crazy 15 years later after Call Me Maybe she is still out her putting out music and has this very loyal fan base people love her music. I'm a big fan of hers and 24 tracks. It's like a double album. You can't go wrong. Oh my god, prolific for sure. Just like you, Chris Witherspoon, always right here on top story. Thank you so much for helping us figure out what has been truly. Appreciate you. Have a great weekend. You too, Chris. Appreciate all you for watching and I hope you have a great weekend. I'm Hallie Jackson here in Washington. Thomas back Monday and I'll see you over on NBC News for Sunday at Nightly News.

Stay right there. We've got much more on the way.