Top Story with Tom Llamas - Monday, September 9, 2024

Episode Date: September 10, 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 state of emergency in California as wildfires explode in size. The powerful inferno burning out of control, even forcing firefighters on the front lines to retreat. The flames engulfing homes, cutting off roads, and forcing thousands to evacuate. The race against time to get these fires under control and why the situation could get even worse. Also tonight, the possible hurricane forming in the Gulf. Tropical storm franz seemed gaining strength, set to make landfall as a hurricane. The Gulf Coast on high alert facing the threat of dangerous floods and destructive winds. Meteorologist Al Roker standing by with the latest track and the timing.

Ready to rumble, Vice President Harris and former President Trump just a day away from squaring off on a debate stage. The final preparations underway before the two come face to face for the very first time. Tyreek Hill exclusive. The Miami Dolphins star-wide receiver speaking to NBC for the first time since he was forcefully detained on the side of a highway just before the season opener. Video is showing hills surrounded by officers and handcuffed face down on a highway. What's he saying about the encounter and the officer now placed on leave? The passing of a legend, beloved actor James Earl Jones, known for his role in the field of dreams and the iconic voice of Darth Vader, has died at the age of 93. We look back at his incredible career, both on and off the camera.

Governor to the rescue dramatic video showing the moment New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu saved a man choking on a lobster roll during a seafood eating contest. And what he did, the person who was choking after receiving the heimlich that might surprise you. Plus, remembering 9-11, a retired flight attendant on an incredible mission to honor the victims of the terror attacks, including some of his former colleagues, his emotional tribute. pushing a beverage cart all the way from Boston to Ground Zero and the health update tonight from Princess Kate as she battles cancer, the new announcement about her treatment and her next steps towards recovery. Top story starts right now.

And good evening. Tonight it is a race against the clock to get raging wildfires under control out west. California Governor Gavin Newsom even activating the National Guard to help battle those flames. Dramatic video, we want to show it to you tonight right here, flames whipping across a California mountainside. Look at it's forcing the firefighters to run from the fire lines because they're just too dangerous. The boils fire just northwest of Sacramento leaving neighborhoods in ruin, homes and cars

engulfed in just a matter of seconds. The wildfires triggering evacuation warnings for thousands. And in Southern California, take a look at this, the line fire erupting, filling the sky with smoke and putting more communities in the threat zone. Even several schools in San Bernardino were forced to close until conditions ease up. It's hard to breathe with all that smoke in the air. Wildfires in Nevada scorching thousands of acres. This video showing the view from above as first responders race to douse the flames from the air.

And this isn't the only major weather story we're tracking. That's right. Look at this. Tropical storm Francine is setting its sights on the Gulf Coast. The storm expected to rapidly intensify into hurricane strength. and then make a sharp right turn before making landfall. Meteorologist Al Roker has more on the timing and the track, what's at risk. But first, we start tonight with NBC's Dana Griffin. Tonight, chaos on the fire line. Extreme heat, fueling dangerous and volatile conditions, forcing crews to fall back.

More than a dozen wildfires are burning across the west, from Idaho to Nevada and Southern California. 60 miles east of Los Angeles, the line fire quadrupled in size over the weekend, forcing thousands to flee their homes. We did just get in order to leave, so we're packing up and leaving soon. The 20,000-acre inferno burning so hot, it created its own thunderstorms, generating erratic and heavy winds, sparking hundreds of lightning strikes. Three firefighters have been injured and tens of thousands of homes are threatened as a record-breaking heat wave continues to bake Southern California.

Because of steep, rugged terrain, fire crews are having to battle this mostly from air. Take a look. You can see them dropping water to extinguish flames. The air attack critical across multiple states. In Northern California, the Boyles Fire erupted with overwhelming speed, quickly destroying dozens of homes and vehicles, leaving these burnt out shells. Keep going, guys. In Reno Saturday, horses make a run for it. Oh, the baby.

Escaping the Davis fire that destroyed multiple homes and upended the presidential campaign season. Vice presidential nominee Tim Walls canceling tonight's rally. The brush is consistently exposed to triple-digit temperatures. It just dries out. It's ready to burn. A changing climate causing record-breaking temperatures and drier conditions. Fuel for dangerous summer wildfires. All right, Dana Griffin joins us tonight from San Bernardino, California.

Dana, talk to us about the conditions. what is the air like and of course the fire line that we're all tracking yeah well tom the air is very thick we've got ash falling on us this white charred ash that's coming from off the the hillside just behind us this fire has been so unpredictable that the california national guard is now deploying resources new evacuation orders have been issued today and just look behind me on this ridge we have seen some active fire activity all day there you go you see that flare right now This is what we're seeing here, and this has been happening for several hours, and the concern is that this part of this, this part of the San Bernardino National Forest will likely go up possibly just because of the activity. It's so unpredictable. That's why crews have been fanned out on all sides of the fire. Right now, the fire is only 3% contained. It has burned some 20,000 acres, and it still threatens 36,000 homes that are spread out across this area. All right, Dana Griffin, leading us off tonight here on Top Story for more on this wildfire emergency and tropical storm Francine, which we're also taking a look at. It's taking shape in the Gulf right now. Al Roker joins us tonight. Al, let's start out west. Are those conditions going to get any better for those fighting those fires? Well, here's the good news, Tom. Temperatures are going to be a little cooler. Bad news is humidity levels aren't going to be going up, so it's still going to be dry and there's still dry lightning out there. So they've got to worry about that. And the thing we're most worried about right now,

we've got Tropical Storm Francine, 435 miles south-southwest of Cameron, Louisiana, 65-mile-per-hour winds, northwest at 7, going to be hanging out in the Gulf where we have record warm Gulfwater temperatures. And as you can see, we've got hurricane warnings, hurricane watches for all of the Louisiana coastline tropical storm watches for the Texas coast. This thing hasn't really gotten itself together yet, so we have to watch it very closely. The possible impacts, damaging winds, storm surge, heavy rain and flash flooding, makes land. Some landfall somewhere between Lake Charles and New Orleans, sometime Wednesday afternoon with 100 mile per hour winds, and then continues all the way up into the Mississippi River Valley. We're talking 8 to 12 inches of rain, but of course the big problem and the big killer, that's where we see most of our deaths, the storm surge.

And that storm surge from Cameron, Morgan City, all the way to just about Grand Isle, 5 to 10 feet. So damaging winds, rain, and of course we can't rule out tornadoes as well. This is going to be a developing situation, Tom, and we'll continue to track it. Back to you. All right, Al Roker for us, Al, we appreciate that. We want to move on now to the massive manhunt, now entering its third day after a gunman opened fire along a major highway in Kentucky. The incident unfolding over the week, and you may have heard about it as police say the suspect shot at least a dozen vehicles at random, leaving five people seriously injured. Our Priya Shrether has more.

Tonight, the manhunt continues for a suspected shooter in Laurel County, Kentucky. Our goal is to apply steady pressure and wearing Mr. Couch down. According to newly released court documents obtained by NBC News, a woman called 911 30 minutes before the shooting to warn that 32-year-old Joseph Couch had texted her that he was, quote, going to kill a lot of people and then, quote, kill myself. Authorities say Couch bought an AR-15 and a thousand rounds of ammunition at this store before he drove eight miles away and allegedly began randomly shooting at car. on the interstate. Officials say Couch served in the Army Reserve. According to the documents, officers began tracking Couch's phone, which led them to his car. Nearby, they found a green army-style duffel bag with his name on it and several magazines of ammunition. Shana Lowry says her truck was struck in the gunfire. All I could think about was my children

and my significant other, you know, in the real reality that I couldn't be here. Now, dozens of law enforcement agents are scouring the densely wooded area. We'll search until we can find him until we exiled all resources. Priya Shreather, NBC News, London, Kentucky. We want to turn out of some breaking news in the Idaho quadruple murder case, a legal win for accused killer Brian Koberger in court. A judge agreeing to move the trial, siding with Koberger's defense, who argued he couldn't receive a fair trial in Leda County,

the murders occurred. The 29-year-old is accused of killing four college students. You see them right here at a house near the college campus in November of 2022. For more on all of this, Laura Jarrett joins us now. So Laura, the judge said this would be the most difficult decision of his career, I guess, as a judge. Explain why he made the decision. So he's citing a couple different reasons, Tom. He's saying the media tension around this case is just too hot. Remember, it has been one that had drudged up all kinds of amateur detectives. He also is saying that the trial itself may not even be safe. He thinks they don't have the resources to do jury selection properly. It's going to be roughly a three-month trial, and so he's moving it out of town,

but he's not saying where he's moving it to, which is really notable. You know, this is interesting, right, because I'm looking at our notes here for our producers. There's been a docu series, true crime specials. We've obviously covered it. Every network has covered it. Is this going to make a difference? You know, it's been an argument that prosecutors have tried to say. This is not just Laetoc County. This is a national case. But obviously, I think the judge was so moved by the fact that this town simply just doesn't have a jury pool that you might think of in a town like Boise would have, right? So we're talking about the difference between 40,000 people and 300,000 people. Now, again, it's not going to be up to him where this goes.

The Supreme Court is going to be the one that decides. In the introduction, we said this happened in 2022. I mean, time has flown by, not for the families of those victims. Will this delay the case even further? It might. The case is currently set to go to trial in June, and the families have already been waiting long. enough. The new judge is going to be the one that ultimately decides the win, in fact, he faces a trial. All right, Laura Jarrett for us tonight here on Top Story, Laura, we always

appreciate it. Next night to power in politics, and we are only one day away from that critical debate between Vice President Harris and former President Trump. The two presidential candidates making final preps before their highly anticipated first showdown. NBC's Peter Alexander is in Philadelphia, previewing it all. Tonight, Vice President Harris touching down in Philadelphia, her face-to-face with former President Trump just 24 hours away. How are you doing? Campaign sources tell NBC News

Harris and her team are focusing on ways to needle Trump, to provoke him, and that she's studied past Trump debate clips. It's time to turn the page on the divisiveness. It's time to bring our country together. But a key challenge for Harris trying to present herself as the change candidate when she's also the incumbent VP.

A new poll shows more than 60% of likely voters want a major change from President Biden. More than half of those voters say Trump will bring that change, but only 25% say Harris will. Meanwhile, the former president at Mar-a-Lago doing what sources describe as informal debate prep, among those advising him, former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. We're run by stupid people, and we found that out at the debate with Joe. How did that work out? And we're going to find it out again on Tuesday night.

A crucial challenge for Trump winning back more women voters. But this warning today from Trump rival turned supporter, Nikki Haley. Donald Trump and J.D. Vance need to change the way they speak about women. You don't need to go and talk about intelligence or looks or anything else. Just focus on the policies. This will be Trump's seventh general election debate. Harris is first, and it could be their only showdown. Notably, the two have never met.

Trump left town before President Biden's inauguration. Tom. All right, Peter Alexander for us at the debate site. We appreciate it. For more on what we should expect from the presidential candidates tomorrow night, we are joined tonight by Democratic strategist Amisha Cross, a good friend, a top story. And Danielle Alvarez is a senior advisor to the Trump campaign. Danielle, welcome back. I want to start by putting up this new polling from the New York Times in Santa College for our viewers. You see right here, former President Trump up by only 1% within the margin of error. And those are what the margins look like across most of the important swing states.

And when asked about what the most important issues are, take a close look at this, right? For voters, 28% said the economy, 14 said abortion, 14%, 13% said immigration, and then ask, who do voters trust to do a better job on each of these? Take a close look at these on the issues. You see Harris has a big lead when it comes to abortion. She also leads when it comes to democracy. Trump leads big on the economy and immigration. So, Amisha, I'm going to start with you.

Can Harris win this election? If two out of three most important issues to voters, she loses to former president? in Trump? Well, as you know, this election is going to be decided within the margins from a few swing states. And they think that for VP Harris, it is making sure that her messaging is known on immigration, as well as the economy. And talking about building the middle class out, talking about the housing policy that ensures that individuals who are working every day are able to afford homes, in addition to lowering costs. We know that costs, largely because of price gouging and private sector greed, have grown out of control.

for many Americans across this country. It is making sure that those plans are honed in, that people are buying into the rhetoric, but also the policy changes surrounding those things. I absolutely think that she can't. Be mindful. She's running a very different race than Joe Biden was. She's running a drastically different one than Donald Trump has. Donald Trump has been running for president for the past year and a half.

We could probably say he's been running since 2020. This is someone who's been running a little over a month. She has a very truncated campaign to do a lot of messaging and get a lot out about her policies. She's up for the task. Abortion was the second most important issue. The former president has gone back and forth on reproductive rights. Is the campaign concern at all? This is going to hurt them going into 2024 on election night.

Well, the president has been incredibly clear about his position on abortion and that it should be returned to the states. He supports the Reagan rule exceptions for life, life of the mother and others. And really, the other thing that I would point out is that this election is also about those core issues that matter to voters. And that includes, according to the New York Times, Siena poll and many other public polls, the economy. It includes, again, that housing affordability. It includes immigration and the open border. And what I would point out is that Kamala Harris has been in office for the last three and a half years. She is tied to that Harris-Biden administration.

And so when she says turn the page, what is she trying to turn the page to? She is currently in office. She is currently failing voters. And President Trump is the only one who can return to low prices, the only one who can secure the border, and the only one who can bring peace through strength at home and abroad. Amisha, how much do you think we're going to hear about abortion rights during the debate tomorrow night?

I think we're going to hear about it early and often. Abortion rights are one of the type issues across this country, particularly for women. We're talking about reproductive rights broadly because we know that there have been attacks on IVF and other forms of fertility advancement as well. But I think that because women make up, what, 54% of the American electorate, the largest portion of the electorate in this country, there is no way around talking about

reproductive rights. And even though Donald Trump says that he gave it up to the states, we know that was with a wink and the nod when he decided to appoint people to the Supreme Court who were going to get rid of Roe v. Wade. That's why we have such a patchwork of policies across this country right now. Danielle, you know, I wonder Tulsi Gabbard, former representative Tulsi Gabbard, is now helping former President Trump with the debates. Can you describe what exactly her role is and why the former president thought this was a good idea in the campaign? Well, President Trump does not do traditional debate prep, like Kamala Harris, who has been hauled up preparing for the debate.

He goes out on the campaign trail, has unscripted moments, talks to rallies, speaks at rallies with tens of thousands of patriots. He does tough interviews, press gaggles. I mean, he travels the country in battleground states, and what he prefers to do is have policy discussions like he did when he was getting ready for the debate against Joe Biden. He's doing similar now, having important policy discussions ahead of this debate and those important issues. What about, do you know the role of Tulsi Gabbard, like I had asked initially, what exactly is she doing? She's a part of those policy discussions with President Trump, again, focusing on those key issues like bringing down inflation, which she has a plan for closing the border, and those issues that are most important to voters.

Amisha, Harris spent the weekend preparing for the debate, including practicing with stage and TV lighting, I'm being told. Is there a risk of over-preparing? You know, she hasn't really done the town halls or the big news conferences like other candidates historically have done. I know this is a truncated campaign, but there has been time for that. She's chosen not to do them. Do you think that's going to impact her performance? No. We're talking about somebody who is a veteran debater, somebody who's a strong debater, somebody who is a former prosecutor.

She knows how to speak to and reach audiences from multiple different demographics. But in addition to that, she has something in her toolbox. She's having conversations with Hillary Clinton. She's having conversations with individuals who have debated with Trump before. He's the person who on this stage has been the, who has debated more than anybody else who's ever run for president. So she does have that to look at and a lot of roles of tape to see. But in addition to that, I think that she is understanding of the type of debater that Donald Trump is. he is non-traditional. He is someone who will lie and keep lying. He is also someone who does

not follow, he doesn't follow rules. So I think that she's adapting to the person that she is debating. This is not a traditional presidential debate, and I don't think that she's going to come at it that way either. Danielle, the former president, you mentioned he's not, or he's preparing, I should say, in the way he likes to prepare. What is a good night for Donald Trump? I mean, what does that look like tomorrow night for him? Well, one, I would point out that President Trump is preparing by talking to voters, something that Kamala Harris is not doing. As was just previously stated, she's talking to Hillary Clinton and those who have debated the president before.

She's not talking to the media or answering questions, and she's certainly not talking to voters. And so I think that the bar is incredibly high for her, again, because she's been hiding the ball for 50 days since ascending the throne. All she has done is a CNN interview for 16 and a half minutes. So I think that the president has to come out strong, has to stay focused on the key issue. But then isn't the bar, Daniel, I'm sorry not to interrupt you, but then isn't the bar higher for your candidate for former President Trump by saying that? Because, you know, the Republicans are criticizing Kamala Harris and pointing out correctly that she hasn't done the town hall. She's done one interview since becoming the nominee, one major interview.

But doesn't that then raise the bar for former President Trump who has had the most experience in debates and modern history of any presidential candidate? He has. He's an absolutely incredible debater. We saw what he did against Joe Biden delivering that knockout punch. We know that he is going to be disciplined. Again, his focus has been and will continue to be those core issues. His job is to hold Kamala's feet to the fire to make sure that she talks policy, to make sure that she answers questions when she said to CNN that her values haven't changed, that

we really get down to what those values are. That's the president's task to really make sure to hold her feet to the fire and to be able to talk about those core issues that voters have told us are most. important to them. Danielle Alvarez and Misha Cross, always great to have you both on. We appreciate it. And a programming note, tomorrow night I'll be in Philadelphia with a special edition of Top Story from the Spin Room Live ahead of the big debate.

And you can watch more coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern right here on NBC News. Now we are going to carry the simulcast of that debate. Next to the passing of a Hollywood legend tonight, James Earl Jones, the trailblazing actor, who was the voice behind Darth Vader and starting countless classic films, has died at the age of 93. Steve Patterson tonight on his life and legacy. I shall pray for you. For over 70 years, he graced stage and screen with a voice that commanded attention. Don't you try and go through life, worry if somebody like you or not.

James Earl Jones was born in rural Mississippi in 1931. As a child, he developed a debilitating stutter. You never get over it, really. You simply learn how to work around it. Just want to block in them keeping them off me. keeping him off me. His breakthrough Tony-winning performance came as boxing champ Jack Johnson in the Great White Hope, which was later turned into a movie.

I am your father. But it was a two-and-a-half-hour voiceover session for George Lucas that changed his life. The role propelled him, or at least his voice, to worldwide fame as Darth Vader in Star Wars. For the next 40 years, he excelled on stage, winning a second time. Tony Award. James O. Jones. And on the big screen, a Navy Admiral in the hunt for Red October. I was never here.

In the Lion King. You are more than what you have become. And the voice of all baseball fans in Field of Dreams. People will come, Ray. People will most definitely come. May I have your attention, please? On screen and in life, James Earl Jones was a king. The goal wasn't to be a billionaire, to be a Hollywood star, to be a part of good storytelling.

The goal was about that. He found his voice, and we got a legend. Steve Patterson, NBC News, Los Angeles. An incredible, incredible actor, and what a legacy in Hollywood. Still ahead tonight, the NBC News exclusive, with NFL star Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins wide receiver speaking to our Jesse Kirsch one day after he was forcefully detained by on his way to Miami's home opener, which he actually scored a touchdown in, what he says happened in the moment before the video shows him on the ground. Plus, convicted sex offender

Harvey Weinstein in the ICU, why officials say he was rushed from a New York prison to the hospital. And the emotional farewell to the NHL's, to the NHL's Johnny Goodrow and his brother Matthew, the powerful eulogies given by both their wives as loved ones and federal NHL players gathered for their funeral. Stay with us. Back now with a big NBC News exclusive, NFL star-wide receiver Tyreek Hill speaking out after being forcefully detained by police on his way to the Miami Dolphins home opener. That traffic stop now under investigation. NBC's Jesse Kirsch has it. It went from zero to 60 immediately. Tonight, NFL star Tyreek Hill is speaking out.

The Miami Dolphins wide receiver and his wife sitting down exclusively with NBC News one day after he was forcefully detained and handcuffed by Miami-Dade police on his way to the Dolphins' home opener. I was opening my door and I was going to get out, you know what I'm saying? But I felt like they wanted me to move fast. Did they immediately put you in handcuffs or immediately? Like they felt like I was a threat, you know, and I don't see why they felt like I was a threat. The police union says Hill was pulled over for dangerous driving, but was never under arrest. He wasn't cooperative. Handcuts were put on him after a short time. He was issued two citation. Sounds like you very much dispute what the police union is said.

I mean, you know, everybody has their own size, their own version, you know, and I feel like they do that, you know, to kind of protect, you know, the officer. You think you were speeding? I have no idea. I have no idea. Like, but I wasn't going like 80 or 70 or 60. surprising to me that I got pulled over. Miami-Dade Police launched an internal affairs investigation, saying one officer has been placed on administrative duties, adding officials are reviewing available body camera footage. After the incident, Hill played and scored a touchdown, celebrating like this. What message were you hoping to send with that celebration?

Like I said, man, you got to learn how to laugh and have a good time. Now, he hopes he can work with police in the wake of this incident. If I wasn't Tyreek Hill, Laura knows I probably would have been. You would have been locked up. I don't like dividing people, man. I like bringing people together. That's the way my parents are always raised. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, Miami.

Okay, we want to take a turn now to the funeral for NHL star Johnny Goddrell and his brother, Matthew, 11 days after they were both killed by a suspected drunk driver. They're widows who are both pregnant, delivering poignant eulogies, remembering their husbands as caring and devoted men on and off the aisle. eyes. Sam Brock has his story. I love you, John, so much. Tonight, the heartbreaking tributes for a pair of brothers, the hockey world, lost far too soon. To my babies, daddy loves you all so much, and you have the best daddy in the world.

Family, friends, coaches, and teammates gathering for the funeral of Columbus Blue Jackets All-Star Johnny Goddrow and his younger brother Matthew, both killed by a suspected drunk driver while biking late last month in South Jersey on the eve of their sister's wedding. I urge everyone to never drink and drive. Call a ride. Please do not put another family through this torture. As the suspect awaits a court hearing this Friday, today's services the culmination of 11 days of unrelenting grief. Crowds of supporters gathering Sunday in Delaware County, Pennsylvania to pay their respects. I've been here quite a while, a few decades, and I've never seen this volume of cars and people and outpouring.

The two brothers played together at Boston College, and by all accounts, were part of a larger brotherhood, inside and out of their immediate family. To John's teammates, from growing up at Hollydale to Boston College to the NHL, he were a huge part of John's happiness. He was a guy's guy and loved being around all the boys. John, known as Johnny Hockey, was the father of a baby boy and girl, his wife, Katie, revealing in her eulogy that she's pregnant with their third child. We're actually a family of five. I'm in my ninth week of pregnancy with our third baby. A total surprise, but again, John was beaming and so excited. Her husband adored by his family and former teammates, like hockey legend Yarramir Yager. Who posted about Goddreau? Unfortunately, life can be sometimes unbelievably cruel. Thank you, Johnny

Goddrow, that you were here and you gave hope to all those guys by your unbelievable performances that they can succeed at the world-class level in the NHL. As for Matthew, a husband and hockey coach, his passing comes before the birth of his first child trip, a go-fund me page for the young family, raising more than $650,000. I'm so thankful God gave us a child. A little Maddie to run around for life to carry on his legacy. Trip will know how much his father loved him. Two brothers who died as they lived side by side, devoted to their families above all else. Sam Brock, NBC News.

All right, when we come back, we're going to take a turn, some scary moments happening at an eating competition in New Hampshire. And they were caught on camera as a man was choking on a lobster roll. He was saved thanks to the governor of the state of New Hampshire's quick thinking. We're going to explain all of us and show you the videos coming up right after this. All right, we are back now with Top Stories News Feed. Convicted sex offender Harvey Weinstein rushed from jail to the hospital for an emergency surgery. Weinstein's legal team says the disgraced movie mogul underwent heart surgery this morning to alleviate a build-up of fluid on his lungs and heart.

He is now in the intensive care unit. was due back in court this week as prosecutors worked to secure a new indictment against him on sex crimes after his conviction was overturned in April. The trial has begun for three former police officers charged in connection to the death of Tyree Nichols in Memphis. Former officers are charged with depriving the 29-year-old of his rights through excessive force, failure to intervene and conspiring to cover up what happened. Nichols' parents also in court today saying they won't be content until all the officers involved in their son's death are found guilty. The governor of New Hampshire caught on camera saving a man from choking during a lobster

rule eating competition. Watch this. The video shows the contestant signaling for help as he begins to choke. Then Governor Chris Anunu comes from nowhere, performs the Heimlich maneuver until first responders took over and dislodged the stuck lobster. The contestant is okay. And get this, he went right back to the eating contest after the incident. Pretty crazy.

All right, Beyonce, notably absent from this year's nominations for the Country Music Award. The singer released her first full-length country album, Cowboy Carter, in March, her lead single, Texas Holddom, becoming the first song by a black female artist to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. Beyonce shared on Instagram earlier this year that the album was born out of criticism she faced when she first entered the country genre. Her team has not yet responded to request for comment. Okay, we want to turn now to another NBC News exclusive we have in this broadcast. It's been seven years since the infamous Fire Festival, marketed as a luxury, music event, but when the thousands of attendees arrived, they found only disorganization and disrepair. The founder announcing he's relaunching the failed festival after spending

four years in prison for the first one. Our Savannah Seller sat down with Billy McFarlane's talk about Fire Festival 2 and how he plans to make things right. Fire Festival was billed as an ultra-glamorous music festival getaway, but instead descended into chaos with leaky tents, bad food, and little water. This is an absolute disaster. The man behind it, Billy McFarland. I kept digging myself into a deeper and deeper hole. Released from prison in 2022 after serving four years for wire fraud,

he's back with promises of a legitimate festival. For someone who made it to the Bahamas for Fire Festival 1, they were sleeping on a wet mattress in a tent, little food, little water. How would you convince them to buy a ticket to Fire Festival 2? I think it's hard because there are people who were legitimately hurt and let down from Fire 1. So there's a lot of work that needs to be done to repay those people. Many are skeptical McFarlane can pull it off for obvious reasons. But tonight he says he has dates and a location next April on a private island in Mexico.

There's a nearby mainland with all the infrastructure of the hotels, the restaurants, the bathrooms. So all that's already built. And most importantly, there is a big festival company who is fully designing, developing, and executing Fire Festival, too. What is the island? Can't mention the island name yet. Who is this partner? Kenna not the partner yet, but we will soon. Have the conversations at least begun with any musical acts?

We haven't booked any talent for Fire 2. He says his role this time is marketing the festival, not planning it. Legally, there's nothing stopping him from that. Do you think a fair amount of people want to go just to see if it's going to fail? again? I think there's a large number of people who want to go to Fire 2 because they're unsure of the outcome and they would like to have a front row seat no matter what happens. McFarlane owes $26 million to investors. He says 10% of profits from Fire 2 will go toward paying that off. All right, Savannah Sellers joins us once again in studio. So Savannah, I know you explained it in the story, but what

exactly is he doing for this Fire Festival too? I thought one of the most telling things that he said was the best way to make sure that guests are safe and secure is to make sure that I have nothing to do with their safety or their security. He says he is completely bowing out when it comes to an operational perspective. That's what this big partner is there for, to ensure that people sleep in safe places, eat in restaurants, things like that. He is really about the adventure aspect, is what he calls it. He says that he is, of course, helping to market this. I think fire generally and Billy being attached to it is a huge piece of people buying tickets. He knows, even if that's some people who want to see if it's going to fail again.

But that's as big job, as well as he says, finding other activities for people to do, taking planes around to these other nearby islands, live fighting on the beach. He's working on those details. Okay, live fighting is what you said. Yes, karate combat. Yeah. So is there any assurances for the people that may go to Fire Festival, too? I mean, because of the disaster that happened the first time, look, it could make a lot of money.

It could be hugely successful. But will there be assurances for the people that travel? Because a lot of these people are young people. Yeah, that's a really good question. And right now, to our knowledge, no. There's nothing specific, nothing out of the ordinary from, you know, any music festival where something could happen, you know, a weather event or some type of pandemic, something like that. Obviously what happened with Fire Festival and was neither one of those things. But for now, he says there's nothing special. He does, though, say he's working right now actually to try to, in his words, make it right for people who had tickets to the first Fire Festival. How he will do that, he's not sure yet. They may be invited to some events. A select group of them may be invited to come to Fire Festival too. So he's kind of trying to go back and dot those eyes and cross the those T's in some way, but no special assurances, and it's definitely a gamble, especially with the tickets not being cheap, ranging from 1,400 to 1.1 million. And he says he has interest

for that million dollar ticket, so we'll have to see. All right, Fire Festival 2, we shall wait and see. Savannah Sellers, always great to have you here. We want to turn out a top story's global watch and the deadly typhoon slamming Vietnam. We do want to warn you, some of these images are graphic. We start with this video showing the moment a busy bridge collapses, a truck seen falling into the water below, more than a dozen people missing. The storm also triggering dangerous flash flooding and landslides. At least 64 people have been killed. The same storm also killed more than 20 people in the Philippines and four in China.

An update tonight, Venezuelan opposition leader, Edmundo Gonzalez, has arrived in Spain seeking asylum. Gonzalez landing at a military base in Madrid days after Venezuelan authorities issued a warrant for his arrest. Gonzalez challenged the disputed election victory of President. Nicolas Maduro and is seen by the U.S. in many other countries as the winner of that July election. And Princess Kate sharing an update on her cancer battle. In a new video alongside her husband and children, Kate announced she completed chemotherapy and will begin to make

limited public appearances. The princess expressed relief completing treatment after a difficult nine months. Both Kate and King Charles were diagnosed with cancer this year, but have not disclosed the type. Okay, coming up, the future of the iPhone, Apple unveiling the highly anticipated iPhone 16 and announcing its AI features. But those who get the first batch will have to wait a bit longer for the new technology. We'll explain next.

We are back now with today many Apple fans have been waiting for. The tech giant unveiling its new line of iPhones, but it's not the hardware that's getting attention. It's what's inside or not inside just yet. Brian Chung explains. Tonight, Apple CEO Tim Cook offering a grand vision for the future.

The most advanced iPhone we've ever made. Which looks a lot like the present. The new iPhone 16 nearly identical in shape and size to the 15, just with a slightly larger screen on the pro models. But behind that familiar face is Apple's Big Ben. We are thrilled to introduce the first iPhones designed from the ground up for Apple intelligence. Apple now promising a smarter, more personal Siri,

as well as gen mojis, a way for users to create custom emojis like a cowboy frog. It's a big step for the iPhone, which introduced Siri with the iPhone 4S 13 years ago. More recent models have largely been the same informed, so beginning with last year's iPhone 15 pros and today's new iPhone 16, Apple is leaning into AI features to give a new boost to sales. So if you want these AI capabilities, Apple is asking you to shell out a good amount of money to get them. A challenge for Apple, balancing privacy concerns as it rolls the software out. Even though Apple has historically released software updates alongside the new phones, Apple

execs say iPhone 16 buyers will have to wait. The first set of features will be available in beta next month, with more features rolling out in the months to come. The most disappointing thing about the iPhone 16 models is that these AI features do not come out of the box. Apple, hoping it can convince shoppers to buy a smartphone on the promises of it getting smarter. All right, Brian Chung joins us now in studio. So Brian, run that bias again. So they're going to release this new iPhone, but the AI features won't be on it? Yeah, so usually what Apple does is that when they release a new phone, it will come out simultaneously with the new software, not the case with Apple AI.

So basically what they're saying is that if you buy the iPhone 16, you're going to have to do a software update sometime after that to get some initial features of Apple intelligence. But then they're not going to roll them all out even in one go. you might not access some of the more advanced functions until even perhaps next year. So this is definitely something that's got some people raising their eyebrows. Even Joanna Stern from the Wall Street Journal was saying it's pretty disappointing. So if you want to do the gen mojis, you know, where you can generate, I want a crocodile on a skateboard, you might have to wait a few months to be able to do that. You like the animals on like doing different sports.

I noticed you have the dinosaur and a surfboard. Yeah, I mean, that's what I want to do. Wait, so Brian, how much does this phone cost then? Yeah, well, this phone is going to cost. It depends on what model you're getting. The basic iPhone 16 is going to be $800. the iPhone Pro Max, the largest one physically and also most advanced, is going to be $1,200. That's not necessarily out of range from the previous line of models that they've released in years past,

but that's definitely a pretty penny. And some folks that I've talked to have said, look, if you don't need to upgrade your phone, you probably don't need to at this new one. Yeah, you wonder if people are going to skip this generation and wait till everything's on there, see how it goes, and find out. Okay, Brian Chung, always great to have you here, man. Thank you. When we come back, a special journey in memory of the victims of 9-11, a former flight attendant

walking an airplane beverage card from Boston to lower Manhattan to honor those who died 23 years ago this week. He joins Top Story next and tells us why it's so important for him to do this year after year. Stay with us. We are back now with one man's incredible 200-mile journey on foot. Former flight attendant Paul Veneto pushing a beverage car through towns big and small to honor his colleagues who were killed on September 11th. Here's a look at where it all started and where he's ended up tonight.

Staring down a 200-mile journey by foot, Paul Veneto sets out from Boston with only one thing on his mind, his former co-workers. See, I get emotional. That's the only reason I do it. The retired flight attendant pushes a beverage card in tribute to the airline crews who lost their lives on September 11th. Veneto was working on United Flight 175 on the night. of September 10th, 2001, just hours before it was hijacked and flown into the second tower. I get off the plane the night before at 8 o'clock, and then this coup that I knew on 175 got on the next morning to do the trip that I just finished. Now in its fourth and final year, Polly's push is a mission to walk the path of each of the four

flights that were hijacked. In honor of the colleagues and friends, he calls the first, first responders. Police fired strange as janitors. Everybody helped out on that day and afterwards, but I would never hear anything about the heroics of these crew members. I couldn't understand why. This year, the path is out of American Airlines Flight 11. Polly's push started at the Boston Public Gardens 9-11 Memorial on August 18th, and will end at Ground Zero in New York City on September 11th. His journey, at times, taking him into the woods of Massachusetts, across a multi-lane highway in Connecticut and through small towns in New York, sometimes stopping for a quick pep rally, or an impromptu roadside concert, neighbors, school kids, police officers, and firefighters

cheering him on and at times walking that path with him. I heard Paul. He was coming back through town. I just knew I wanted to join him, give him someone to walk with. As he takes this journey one step at a time, never forgetting the people he pushes for. I always say it. I'm just the guy pushed the car. And Paul Veneto has made his way to New York City finally. He's on the home stretch of his journey. And earlier tonight, he joined me from the 9-11 Memorial. Paul, first off, thanks so much for joining top story tonight. After weeks of walking, talk to us about how you're feeling tonight. I feel pretty good, to be honest with you. I'm surprised how good I feel. I could probably

push that beverage card back to Boston if I had to. So yeah, I'm pretty pumped up. You're strong guy. As we mentioned before, you started this nonprofit to honor your coworkers and friends. Why is it so important that you do this for each flight path of 9-11? Well, I knew when the buildings came down that day that I would need to do something. I had a burning feeling inside me that told me that these guys weren't going to get the recognition of what they were able to accomplish on those airplanes. You know, they were going to hand in combat up there with the cabins sprayed with mace. I knew that families needed to be comforted and know that these guys were really American heroes.

They weren't trained to go into combat, but we know that from the phone calls, that were made off those planes, that's exactly what they were doing. So I needed to draw enough attention that would get national news because their families lived all over the country. And if I rode a bike or ran a marathon locally in Boston, it wouldn't reach these family members of these crews. So I thought of this idea a year after 9-11 pushing the beverage cart, and I'm so grateful I was able to do it on the 20th anniversary,

and now here I am continuing to complete all four airplanes. with the first one that day, which they were the first, first responders of 9-11, American 11. So it's pretty cool to be back here now. I never planned it to happen this way, but, you know, I'm just so grateful I'm able to do it. I've got a team of people behind me that support me and the public that's been, you know, fabulous along the streets. I'm so grateful for them coming out with their kids and having them make signs and root me on. Yeah, Paul, that's actually what happened up to 9-11.

Yeah, that's actually how I heard about the story. Somebody saw you on the street and sent your information over to me. When you look over behind you at that massive gaping spot where the Twin Towers one stood, you have your cart there, you know, your loved ones, your colleagues also died there. What is that feeling like tonight? Well, I try really not to think about it, to be honest with you. I know that this is a sacred place. You know, I just try to stay focused on comfort and their families that were left behind.

There was so much pain for all of us that day. I'm just the guy pushing the cart, hopefully, to bring recognition of these heroes and so that their family members, you know, realize that their loved ones were up there, not just killed by terrorists, but fighting to protect the people on the plane and us on the ground, really. You know, to be standing here with knowing that those buildings were right behind me is, it's even hard when you said that. You know, I wanted to turn around and look, but I didn't do it because I know it would make me emotional.

You know, now that I've made it 220 miles, it really still hasn't hit me. I know that September 11th is until Wednesday, but when I get here is what I'm supposed to get here, and that's September 11th. So I'm just grateful that I can have the opportunity to talk. about these guys and really what they were able to accomplish. What do you, when you push that cart for all those miles and it is truly incredible, what is going through your mind? Are you thinking about them? Are you thinking about other things? Well, I have their pictures on top of the cart, the crew members that I knew from Flight 175.

You know, a lot of things go through my mind, but I can tell you, every step that I take while I'm pushing this thing, I realize I have every option in the world to make it here. I have police. escort me, fire escort me. People motivate me on the street. I think about those guys on that airplane that morning. Every step I take, I think of them because they didn't have the options that I have. So nothing will stop me from getting here because I have all these options. They didn't have options that morning. But we know what they were able to accomplish is just mind-bargling to me. It really is. They needed to be recognized by the whole world for what they were able to accomplish. I don't know how they did it. To this day, I still don't know how they

over, you know, running through those cabins sprayed with mace and relaying messages to each other. So one of the flight attendants can call the ground and give us the information that was going on up there. So, yeah, it's not a big deal. I'm just a guy pushing the car. I'll tell you right now, it's a mental thing for me. It's not a physical thing. No, I hear you. And it's good you're doing this, so we never forget what happened on 9-11. And we never forget, like you said, all those brave airline workers that were there that day as well. I do want to ask you, this is the final journey. So what is next, for Polly's push. You know, I don't know.

I try not to think of the future. I never thought about being here again. I accomplished what I said I was to do the first time I did it. I needed national attention, like I said. But I knew that something would click if it was what it was, and I have an idea what might happen on the 25th anniversary, which I'd like to do, is have all the communities from Boston all the way to the Ground Zero in New York take part in pushing it.

the schools, the police, the fire, and I'd give the beverage card to each town along the way for as many days as they need to, and we could all take part in it and be like we all did after 9-11 come together, because that's the emotional part of what I'm doing this, is seeing neighbors talking to each other, you know, so hopefully that would, you know, all the fire and police along the way this time, I've said that absolutely take part in it, so hopefully that would be something that we can all do on the 25th anniversary. Pauli Veneto, you do a lot of good work. We appreciate what you do, and we thank you for taking the time to talk to us on Top Story.

We'll be thinking about you and all your colleagues and all those who died on 9-11. Thank you. I appreciate it. And we thank you for watching Top Story tonight. I'm Tom Yamerson, New York. Stay right there. More news on the way.