Top Story with Tom Llamas - Thursday, April 6, 2023

Episode Date: April 7, 2023

Tennessee GOP expels Democratic lawmakers over gun protest, Israeli military says dozens of rockets were fired from Lebanon, dermatologist indicted and accused of poisoning her husband with drain cleaner in tea, police search for 26-year-old missing mother in Minnesota, and remembering NBC News journalist David Bloom 20 years after his death.

Tonight, breaking news, a historic showdown over gun control in Nashville. Three Democratic lawmakers facing expulsion at the hands of their colleagues after taking part in a gun safety protest at the state capital in the wake of the elementary school shooting that left six people dead. Crowds showing up to show their support for the embattled representatives. A shocking moment, one of those lawmakers managed to survive the vote to kick her out. Trail of destruction. At least five people killed and many more injured after an EF2 tornado ripped through rural Missouri. The deceased all killed inside of a single home. Maggie Vespa is there on the ground with their devastated surviving relatives.

Withdrawal blame game, a new report from the Biden administration blaming former President Trump for the botched exit from Afghanistan in 2021 months after he left office. Why Mr. Trump's top advisors are claiming that blame lies solely with the current president. Overseas Israel rocked by the largest missile attack in nearly 20 years, a day after Israeli forces stormed a mosque. Airstrikes reported moments ago over Gaza, Graf Sanchez in Tel Aviv again for us tonight. Plus, wife's poison plot, a California woman accused of killing her husband by putting Drano in his tea. the video that allegedly shows her caught in the act. And roaring back to life, a volcano that killed more than 20,000 people in the 80s on the verge of erupting once again, why some residents in the danger zone are refusing to evacuate.

Top Story starts right now. Good evening. I'm Gabe Gutierrez in for Tom Yamas. We begin Top Story tonight with the dramatic scene. unfolding in the Tennessee state capital at this hour. Members of the State House holding a vote to decide the fate of these three Democratic lawmakers after they staged a gun safety protest on the House floor. Their Republican colleagues accusing them of disorderly behavior, but the crowds of gun control advocates greeting them as heroes. Their protests, a direct response to the shooting at a Nashville elementary school that left six people, including three children, dead. The

first lawmaker standing up for a vote, Representative Justin Jones expelled from the House by a vote of 72 to 25. But in a stunning twist, Representative Gloria Johnson surviving her vote by a tally of 65 to 30. Johnson asked why she was able to retain her seat while her colleague, who is black, was not, had this to say. I will answer your question. It might have to do with the color horse kid. Johnson, emotional, as she embraced Representative Jones in the halls of the Capitol as lawmakers decided the fate of their colleague, Representative Justin Pearson. Priscilla Thompson is at the Capitol, following all of the late-breaking details and leads us off. Outrage tonight in Nashville, in reaction to Republican-led efforts to expel three Democratic lawmakers from the state legislature. I hear by declare a representative Justin Jones of the 57 representative district expelled from the House of Representatives of the 113th Assembly of the state of Tennessee.

The three Democrats in question, state representatives Justin Jones, Gloria Johnson, and Justin Pearson were accused of disorderly behavior following their participation in a demonstration on the House floor last week. We need action. We need action. They joined advocates calling for stricter gun safety measures following the mass shooting, the Nashville private school that left six people dead on March 27th. Their chance with a bullhorn from the podium in the House well led to today's showdown. We called for you all to ban assault weapons and you respond with an assault on democracy. While Tennessee's Constitution allows for any member of the state legislature to be expelled with a two-thirds vote, it has only happened three times before.

Demonstrators today filled the halls of the state capitol. But arguments from Democrats did little to sway the Republican supermajority. This does not seem like America. To expel voices of opposition and assent is a signal of authoritarianism, and it is very dangerous. The Republican Speaker of the House says today's actions were about the rules. They did break rules by going to the well and showing that they were at the well. They were speaking. They pulled out a bullhorn and ruled out of order before there was a receipt.

But protesters here told us they felt today's vote was a distraction from the urgent issue of gun violence. What's happening in Tennessee right now is a quaint, and our legislators are not listening to what we are saying. And Priscilla Thompson joins us now from the Tennessee State Capitol with the breaking news. And Priscilla, just an incredible development. Gloria Johnson keeping her seat while her colleague Justin Jones was just expelled. How were protesters reacting? Right. She narrowly survived that vote. And you heard the crowd behind me erupting in cheers whenever that was announced and they began to chant Gloria, Gloria, Gloria. Folks here really looking for that win after being here for hours throughout the day. And of course, seeing that vote go in the other way for Representative Justin Jones. And I should point out that when that vote happened, people began to shout shame, shame, shame. And of course, now they are waiting to see what will happen to the third lawmaker here, Justin. And Priscilla, it is hard to ignore the optics here.

Of course, Justin Jones, a black state representative, Gloria Johnson is white, obviously. Just a few moments ago, she said that it may have had something to do with the color of their skin. Is that something you're hearing from protesters as well? And what's been the reaction to that development? Yeah, that is something that we have heard from protesters here. We overheard one person saying they saved the white lady. And so that is certainly a mood and a feeling on the ground here.

And I will point out that when Representative Jones was speaking on the floor earlier today as he was defending his case, he accused Republicans of treating him as though he was a, quote, uppity negro who needed to be put in his place. And so you feel the underlying racial tension here at one point, some of those lawmakers calling this a, quote, political lynching. So that sort of dynamic is certainly not. lost on so many people here, both the lawmakers and the demonstrators who have turned out in support of them, Gabe. Some very strong language there, Priscilla. And Justin Jones now, he will be outside of the legislature.

Depending on whether the third legislator is expelled, what can they do? What can they run for office again? Yeah, so they can run for office again. What will happen at this point is that any of those seats that are now open because lawmakers have been expelled. It will be on the governor to set a date for a special election, and any of the lawmakers who have been expelled will be eligible to run in that special election. We already know that the Tennessee Democratic Party has said that they will back whatever lawmakers are expelled, and they do expect that they will be able to win again and reclaim

these districts. But in the meantime, we've already heard Representative Justin Jones saying that he intends to continue to fight this battle working alongside demonstration. to ensure that there is ultimately action on gun reform here in Tennessee, Gabe. Priscilla Thompson with the breaking news in Tennessee. Priscilla, thank you. We're also following that severe weather that has ravaged the south and the Midwest. Another deadly tornado reported this one in rural Missouri. Heartbroken communities now left to pick up the pieces yet again. Maggie Vespa has the story. Tonight, America's severe weather saga stretches on, leaving another family, This time in rural Missouri, in unimaginable pain.

I've lived here over 30 years. Nothing like this. David Shipley lost four family members, including his 16-year-old daughter, as well as a good friend. All killed by yesterday morning's EF2 tornado that decimated a now shattered trailer on his Glenn Allen property. Today, as loved ones sifted through the rubble, Shipley admitted the loss hasn't hit him. Taking everything I got to hold it back so right, you know, it'll hit when it does look out. In addition to the five killed, five more were wounded in yesterday's storm.

That tornado, packing winds well over 100 miles per hour, close to 90 homes, were damaged or destroyed. President Biden called Missouri's governor vowing federal support. The long road to recovery beginning today. How would you describe the damage from what you've seen? Unbelievable. The thing is, you know, yeah, we, you know, the folks in our kids, went through it last week. We're going through it. People were going through it in Alabama. You know, and it's going to happen next week. Indeed, Missouri's misery marking the latest chapter in a catastrophic year. I've never seen a windier year ever, ever in my life than this winter.

The same system slamming Illinois and Kentucky in Louisville and EF1 tearing storefronts to shreds. The coroner confirming a flying tree branch hit and killed a 30-year-old man, walking his dog. In all seemingly endless waves of severe weather leaving dozens dead across the Midwest and South. Tonight, the warnings continue with millions in Texas bracing for possible flash floods and in the northeast more severe storms. Meanwhile, in Glen Allen, David Shipley walks the footprint of that trailer where his family tried to take shelter in utter disbelief about their fate. How do you feel like you'll like move forward from the I mean, can you even think about that right now?

No, not really. I don't know. 25 law enforcement agencies, including the firefighters who worked at this fire station, led the search and rescue operations going decimated door to decimated door here in Glen Allen. They tell us now that operation is effectively over. They don't expect the death count to rise. At this point, they're shifting their focus toward recovery. Gabe.

Maggie, thank you. And as Maggie mentioned, the storm system is now marching east. So let's get right to NBC News. meteorologist Angie Lassman, Angie, what's the latest on this track? It continues to move east and it continues to be problematic when it comes to flooding concerns and severe weather concerns in different parts of the country, though. So let's start with those severe thunderstorm watches that are in effect right now, including places like Washington, D.C., Richmond, and as far south as Norfolk,

we're going to continue to see the potential for some really strong winds, 60, 70-mile-per-hour gusts, and even some hail. We've already had plenty of wind reports from that area and a whole lot of lightning and even some heavy rain working through. And this is the area that it includes through the rest of the evening. The good news is the threat for tornadoes really low. That doesn't mean that we couldn't see an isolated spin-up, but it looks like we'll get through the rest of the evening hours

with just dealing with those strong winds and potentially some hail. Meanwhile, down south, we're still dealing with some flood watches. Shreveport included in that, it extends into parts of eastern Texas. This is where we're going to see multiple rounds of heavy rain. So those are just the flood watches we're seeing right now. But I think as we get into tomorrow, even as we get into Saturday, those flood watches will be extended into parts of the southeast as we have multiple rounds of heavy rain working through still with this same system. Here's what we're expecting when it's all set and done.

You can see where we're dealing with the orange. That's about three inches. We could see isolated amounts up to six inches, though. Really problematic when we're talking about an area that's already fairly saturated from the past a couple of weeks of rain. And this is something that we'll deal with into your Friday and Saturday plans. Just watch this. If you're in places like Atlanta, Raleigh, Charleston, that's all going to be tough for travel ahead of Easter weekend. Angela Asman, thank you. A lot of rain to watch out for, but thankfully the tornado threat has dissipated. Angie, thank you. Now to Washington, a new national security report, largely blaming the Trump administration for the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan

two years ago. Kristen Welker is at the White House with details. Tonight, nearly two years after the deadly and disastrous American withdrawal from Afghanistan, those stunning images of Afghans desperately chasing U.S. planes. and the airport terror attack, which killed 13 U.S. service members, the Biden administration releasing its after-action review, trying to pin much of the blame on former President Trump, who had left office eight months earlier, including citing sharp drawdowns of U.S. troops. It is also undeniable that decisions made and the lack of planning done by the previous administration significantly limited options available to him.

Though acknowledging the Biden administration should have started the evacuation earlier, despite facing withering criticism, President Biden at the time called the withdrawal a, quote, extraordinary success. No nation. No nation has ever done anything like it in all of history. And today, this pushback from a White House spokesperson. For all this talk of chaos, I just didn't see it. Not from my perch. I just won't buy the whole argument of chaos. It was tough in the first few hours. But a former top Trump official tonight firing back. They came in, took the plan that we had, and just botched it. It is outrageous for them to somehow try and blame anyone but Joe Biden. We pressed the White House. Does the president take responsibility for the withdrawal and everything that happened thereafter?

He's the commander-in-chief, and he absolutely has responsibility for the operations that our men and women conduct. and the orders that he gives. Meanwhile, in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan tonight, women face new oppression, and Afghan interpreters who help the U.S. are in hiding. We asked Jeff Fanaf, a veteran, trying to get translators out about the report. It doesn't do enough to take full ownership of the continued problem,

looking forward to save the 160 to 200,000 of our Afghan partners who were left behind. And Kristen Welker joins us now from the White House North Lawn live. And Kristen, bottom-line it for us. What is the significance of this summary of the Pentagon Review? Well, Gabe, first of all, the importance of the findings is that the administration has now acknowledged there were mistakes made, including that they just didn't evacuate people quickly enough.

According to this White House summary of the Pentagon Review, that practice has now changed. They cite the war in Ukraine as an example of when the administration very publicly called for evacuations before people's lives were at risk. Still, though, Gabe, this summary is controversial because it aims to place the blame on former President Trump, as I just laid out, Republican Congress, and Michael McCall called that, quote, disgraceful and flat out insulting, gives you a sense of some of the backlash they're getting so far. Yeah, quite the blame game, Chris.

And has there been any update on those, update on trying to get those U.S. interpreters out? Yeah, well, Jeff Faneff, whom I interviewed in the piece you saw there, says his group has gotten about 2,500 allies out of Afghanistan so far and hopes to help at least 1,000 more this year. But again, big picture, think about it. They're an estimated 150 to 200,000 who are still there facing dire circumstances, even the threat of death in some cases. So there is immense urgency to get these allies to safety and soon. Gabe.

Kristen Walker at the White House. Kristen, thank you. We're also following breaking news out of Gaza, where Israel's military is carrying out air strikes. The strikes come after dozens of rockets were fired into Israel by Lebanon. and what's believed to be a response to an Israeli police raid at a mosque in Jerusalem. The escalating violence coming during Passover and Ramadan. So let's get right to Raf Sanchez, who joins us now from Tel Aviv.

And, Raf, what's the latest on these strikes in Gaza that we're hearing about? Well, Gabe, Israeli jets are hitting targets belonging to the Hamas militant group. The Israelis say they have so far struck tunnels and weapons manufacturing facilities inside Gaza. that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed to retaliate for those rockets fired from Lebanon earlier in the day. And he said the rockets were fired by Hamas and other Palestinian groups. Now there are sirens going off in southern Israel, which suggests that those Palestinians in Gaza are firing back.

And the fear here is that what started in Jerusalem spread to Lebanon and now be spreading further into Gaza. And, Raf, the airstrikes are coming after the biggest strike on his. Israel from Lebanon, as you mentioned, since 2006. So just how many rockets were launched, and has anyone taken responsibility for those attacks? So 34 rockets fired, 25 of them intercepted by Israel's air defense systems. That's according to the Israeli military. No group has yet taken responsibility, but the Israelis are pointing the finger at Palestinian groups who are operating in southern Lebanon.

The complicating part of this from an Israeli perspective is when, When they launch strikes in southern Lebanon, they risk bringing Hezbollah, the very powerful Lebanese militant group, into the fight. So Israel is looking for a way to strike at these Palestinian groups without triggering an all-out war with Hezbollah. Gabe. And, Raf, quickly. Has the U.S. responded to any of the violence in the last 24 hours?

Yeah, so the U.S. has said they are very concerned about what happened at the Alaksa mosque in Jerusalem, where you saw Israeli police going into the third holiest site. in Islam, beating Palestinians inside. Police say they had no choice because Palestinians had barricaded themselves inside. But the U.S. is also saying that Israel has the right to defend itself from rocket fire like the kind we've seen from Lebanon and that the U.S. stands with Israel in moments like this. Gabe. Raf Sanchez and Tel Aviv, Raf, thank you.

They're also growing tensions tonight between the U.S. and China. After House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers met with Taiwan's president. A bipartisan congressional delegation also traveling to Taipei, despite strong condemnation from Beijing. Courtney Kubi is there with details. Tonight, despite threats from China, including this warship seen off the coast, a top delegation of American officials arriving in Taiwan for critical high-level talks. The bipartisan group meeting with Taiwan's Vice President Lai and later this weekend, President

Tsai, after her historic visit with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California. California. Taiwan is grateful to have the United States of America by outside. China blasting the show of support from the U.S. for Taiwan, vowing to firmly defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity. China says the island democracy of Taiwan is part of its territory. The United States stands by you and will protect you. Tonight, a top House Republican, Michael McCall, saying the U.S. needs to arm and train

Taiwan's military. While Taiwan's vice president says they are already on the front lines of combating China's authoritarianism, U.S. intelligence says China's president Xi has instructed his military to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. We met Enoch Wu, a former Special Forces soldier, now using his training to prepare Taiwan's civilians to be ready. It was important for us to stand up a volunteer corps trained in crisis response. He believes the threat of an invasion is higher now than ever. If you can't defend it, it's not yours. Protecting Taiwan, protecting our home is our own responsibility.

And Courtney Kubi joins us now from Taiwan. And Courtney, you've been there on the ground for days. So what's the response to the U.S. delegation there? And what's the feeling surrounding any anticipated military action? So the Taiwanese government and people are thrilled with the show of unity that they've already gotten. with the meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in California yesterday on Wednesday. With this delegation who's here now, they've already met with Vice President Lai. They're scheduled to meet with the Taiwanese president once she gets back from her transit in the U.S.

So the show of unity has been very well received. The Chinese, on the other hand, are very upset about that show of unity. You know, of course, that there is this one-China policy. Because of that, China believes that any kind of show of unity between the U.S. Taiwan violates that policy and threatens their sovereignty. We've heard a lot of fiery rhetoric out of the Chinese government already. We've seen a little bit of military movement so far. They've put an aircraft carrier south of us here in Taiwan. They've got a couple of Coast Guard ships that are patrolling the Taiwan straight. But it's nothing compared to what we saw after

then-speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's visit here last summer. There's a lot of belief that we could see more action, more military force. But so far, it's been relatively muted on that respect. Courtney Kubey in Taiwan for us. Courtney, thank you. Staying overseas now, Russian court is set to hear an appeal on the detention of jailed American journalist Evan Gerskiewicz. The Wall Street Journal reporter was detained last week

and accused of spying a charge of the paper and the Biden administration vehemently deny. The Moscow city court has said it would hear the appeal on April 18th. Former U.S. ambassador to Russia and NBC News International Affairs analyst Michael McFaul joins us now. And Ambassador McFaul at the hearing, the court could uphold Gerskovich's continued detention, could order him move to another jail, or allow him house arrest, or even grant him bail. Which scenario do you think is the most likely?

That they'll keep him in jail. I think the other are highly unlikely. That doesn't happen very often in that system. I hope, of course, it would. But my prediction is they'll keep him right where he is. And the U.S. government has called for Gerskovich's immediate release, the Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken said Wednesday. He had no doubt that the journalists had been wrongfully detained. So how are these circumstances different than those of Brittany Griner, who was arrested on drug charges? Well, he's being accused of espionage, right? He's being accused as a spy that's a much higher crime with longer-term sentencing. If, God forbid, it should come to that. The State Department is,

working through their process to make him designated as wrongfully detained. And when you do that, that then puts a special person and a special part of the State Department involved in the negotiation around him. There are two other Americans, for instance, that are held. One, Paul Wheelan has that designation. The other, Mark Fogel, doesn't for reasons I don't quite understand. But once he has that designation, if you will, escalates it into a more serious negotiation between the two countries to try to get them out.

And Ambassador, with the release of Griner, the Biden administration, has demonstrated a willingness to engage in prisoner swaps. Is that their only option here again, or is there anything else they can try? You know, there may be some things they can try, but I don't think this will be solved unless it's a political decision. Remember, there's no rule of law in Russia anymore under Vladimir Putin. I'd be shocked if through due process or a real, legal process. Evan Gerskowitz was released. So tragically, I think, the Biden administration is going to face a really hard decision about trading again. I supported the last trade. It was a hard call, but I think it was the best of really bad outcomes. And tragically, they're right back to having

to try to decide for a journalist who just was doing his job. And what's also very different about this, it's important to remember he was registered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a registered journalist for doing his job, which makes it, I think, all the more outrageous that they decided to arrest him. Ambassador McFaul, thank you so much for joining Top Story. Back here at home in the alarming report detailing decades of church sex abuse in the Baltimore Archdiocese, the Maryland Attorney General's office making the report public after a four-year investigation. The author is uncovering hundreds of alleged child abuse cases and calling out church officials who they say not only covered up the abuse, but in some cases paved the way

for it to continue. George Solis says more. Far worse than ever imagined. New and harrowing details following a four-year investigation into Maryland's Catholic Church, now revealing the scope of sex abuse and torture going back 80 years. Today, certainly in Maryland, is a day of reckoning. The revelations in the middle of Holy Week coming in the form of a heavily redacted 466 page report by the Maryland Attorney General's office. Yet it still details how 156 clergy and other church officials throughout the Archdiocese of Baltimore tormented more than 600 children from the 1940s to 2002. This is a full accounting. There are details of repeated, tortuous. terrorizing, depraved abuse.

On Wednesday, abuse survivors descending outside the Maryland Attorney General's office. I'm actually more in shock than relief. We've waited four-plus years for this. He's been in jail now for 26 years, but that's only been half justice. The other half has been today with the release of this report where we can expose the hideous cover-up of the Archdiocese of Baltimore. The report authors note, the staggering pervasiveness of the abuse itself underscores the culpability of the church hierarchy. The authors going out to call out church officials who not only covered up abuse, but in some cases paved the way for it to continue.

Among some of the cases, disturbing details, including a deacon who admitted to abusing more than 100 children. Another priest who even after psychiatric treatment still went on to abuse as many as 20 boys. That has weakened some people's faith, and I think we have to recognize that's what scandal does. It gives people a reason not to believe. A lot of people, though, have been saddened, but they are steadfast. The Archbishop of Baltimore, William Lorry, weighing in, calling the report shocking and soul-searing, inviting parishioners to take a second look at the church, saying they've made, quote, Radical changes to make sure it never happens again.

I've experienced from people in the pews a lot of love and support, especially during these days. And I do think that people love their priest. And our priests have worn a very heavy burden with this as well. As do the victims, some who are left knowing their abusers may never see a day in court. But tonight say, at least. someone is finally listening. It's been a long, long haul. It really has.

Now, the report has called on Maryland lawmakers to help amend the state's statute of limitations for reporting child sex abuse. Now, it has garnered some support. Maryland's governor vowing to sign it, but it is expected to be challenged by the Catholic Church in the courts. Meanwhile, the Attorney General's office continues to investigate setting up a hotline for victims of child sex abuse to come forward. Gabe?

George, Elise, thank you. Still ahead tonight. urgent search for a missing mother in Minnesota. The 26-year-old last seen more than a week ago, what was found at her home that's putting police on high alert. Plus, the California doctor allegedly caught on camera trying to poison her husband with Drano, the charges she's now facing. And the shocking video showing a driver speeding towards a state trooper

what we're learning about the person behind the wheel and how that trooper stop the dangerous situation. Stay with us. We're back now with the shocking images of an alleged poisoning. A dermatologist in California accused of poisoning her husband by pouring Drano into his tea. She insists she was using it to kill ants. But this week, a grand jury indicted her on felony charges. Ayala Charles has more.

These surveillance images allegedly show what poison, caught on camera. A California dermatologist now indicted by a grand jury charged with attempting to repeatedly poison her husband with Drano by pouring it into his tea. Officials announced UAU, known as Emily, faces three felony counts of poisoning and one felony count of domestic battery with corporal injury. He's husband of a decade, radiologist Jack Chen, allegedly caught her in the act three separate times last July via video cameras he set up in the family's kitchen. They actually set up video in and audio in almost every room of the home, which ended up recording the acts of abuse by Dr. Yu. In a restraining order, Chen filed last year, he wrote the

video show him taking a sip of his still hot lemonade, covering the cup with saran wrap, and then of Emily taking the draino from under the sink, removing the covering to pour the draino, and then replacing the cellophane. He'd installed the cameras after initially noticing a strange taste in T's, according to the district's attorney's office. His attorney also says he was diagnosed with gastritis and stomach ulcers last summer and started wondering if there might be a sinister cause. I don't think she was trying to kill him. I think she wanted him to suffer. After the cameras captured the alleged poisoning, Chen gave samples of the tea to the Irvine Police Department, who turned them over to the FBI for testing. They confirmed that the substance was consistent

with liquid drain cleaner. The couple married in 2012 and have two children under the age of 10. Chen's attorney alleges you abused the whole family. The evidence is going to show that she was a long-term perpetrator of domestic violence, was physically verbally and emotionally abusive toward Dr. Chen and these children, and we're hoping that this is going to be the first step in resolving this. And it's just a horrible set of circumstances for everybody. In response, Hughes Attorney says she was using the Drano to bait ants, not poison her husband, in that he set her up.

The Orange County District Attorney, writing, Our home should be where we feel the safest. Yet, a licensed a medical professional capitalized on her husband's daily rituals to torment her husband. Since filing the temporary restraining order, Dr. Chen's attorney says his client has sole legal and physical custody of the children, and that Dr. Yu has limited visitation over the weekend. We're going to hopefully act as an example for others to be able to be more forthcoming and to try to stop this cycle of violence and understand that they're, is no shame in seeking help if they're a victim of domestic violence.

And Naila Charles joins us now from Los Angeles. So Naila, what's next for Dr. You? Gabe, the indictment requires her to self-report to California's medical board. That board will determine if she will be allowed to continue to practice. But if she's convicted on all accounts here, she could face up to almost nine years in prison. Her arraignment right now is set for April 18th. Gabe. And Naila, we heard from U.S. attorney-in-law earlier. You spoke with him who, and he says her actions have some sort of regular explanation. You touched on this, but tell us more. Right. So U's attorney says her husband engineered everything to get a leg up in divorce court. On top of saying that the Drano

lemonade mix was ant-bait, the lawyer is disputing that Dr. Chen even drank it, saying he never went to the emergency room. Gabe? Hi, Ayala, Charles, thank you. Now to the desperate search for a missing 26-year-old mother in Minnesota. Madeline Kingsbury was last seen on Friday with the father of her children dropping their kids off at daycare before going home. NBC's Valerie Castro has more on the nearly week-long search and the mystery surrounding her disappearance. Tonight, a family's desperate search for a young Minnesota mother of two who police say mysteriously vanished last week, and they say she could be in danger. We believe Maddie's disappearance is involuntary, suspicious, and we are all concerned for her safety.

26-year-old Madeline Kingsbury was last seen at her home in Winona, about 115 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Her sister speaking at a press conference Wednesday. Please help us find Madeline, the children need their mother. We need our daughter, our sister, our aunt, and our best friend back. Investigators say last Friday morning, Kingsbury and the father of her children dropped the kids off at daycare around 8 a.m. And they both returned home. The father of her children who was questioned by police then left around 10 a.m. in their 2014 Chrysler Town and Country minivan. And when he returned around 1.30, police say Kingsbury was gone. But in that three and a half hour time frame, police say a vehicle similar to the couple's minivan was caught on surveillance,

leaving the area and then returning. It's unclear who was behind the wheel. We believe the van remained parked in the driveway of Maddie's residence. from 1.30 p.m. on. Nothing to date has indicated that Maddie left the residence on foot or in another vehicle. Police say Kingsbury never showed up for work and what they found in her home even more concerning. Inside the residence investigators located Maddie's phone, the jacket she had been wearing earlier in the morning along with her wallet and ID. Police calling on the public for help, issuing maps and asking them to focus searches on these specific areas, check out any buildings and property for disturbances, and scan home surveillance video for anything unusual.

We will remain loud about this and continue to advocate for Madeline any way, shape, or form. Her family, grateful and hopeful. This community has really rallied around us and so many wonderful people have traveled from all over the state and beyond to come and help find my sister and we're beyond grateful and we're truly touched. Police say a large coordinated search is in the works for Friday, and the family has announced a reward of $50,000. Police have not named any suspects or persons of interest in this case. We ask police if the father of Madeline's children has been ruled out as having anything to do

with her disappearance. Police tell NBC News that's not information they can. share at this time. Gabe. Valerie, thank you. When we come back, an update on the death of a beloved star from the wire. Actor Michael K. Williams died of a drug overdose in 2021. A man just pleaded guilty in connection to his death. Stay with us. Back now with Top Stories News Feed, and we begin with the hate crime. investigation in New York City. Surveillance video shows two bystanders helping a 44-year-old man

after police say he was punched in the face and stabbed in the leg in the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan. Multiple suspects reported the yelling homophobic remarks at the victim before the attack. He was taken to the hospital. He is expected to be okay. So far, no arrests have been made. Video shows the terrifying moment. A driver attempted to run over a state trooper in Texas during a high-speed chase. Dash cam shows a car speeding down a Maverick County Highway when it suddenly makes a sharp right turn nearly running over a trooper as he dives to safety.

The officer was laying down speed-hulting spikes when that driver nearly clipped him. Luckily, he was not hurt. That suspect, who allegedly was involved in a human smuggling operation, was arrested and charged. An update on the investigation into the overdose death of actor Michael K. Williams. As part of a deal, Irvin Cartagena pleaded guilty to charges in connection to Williams' death. The 39-year-old was seen on surveillance video selling a dose of

fentanyl-laced heroin to the Wirestar back in 2021, just one day before he died. Cases against three other men are still pending. And Honda is recalling more than 500,000 CRVs over rust concerns. Safety regulators say road salt can cause the car's frame to rust and erode, possibly leading to the detachment of rear suspension parts and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall effects models made from 2007 through 2011. Dealers are offering to install support braces if needed. Honda may even buy back cars if they're severely damaged. Turning now to the ongoing divide over abortion in this country, a new law in Idaho getting condemnation from Abortion Rights Advocates, NBC's Blaine Alexander, has the latest.

It's been nearly 10 months since the end of Roe v. Wade and the beginning of abortion access falling solely under state control, with major developments in four states this week. In Idaho, the governor signed a controversial new law, making it a felony for non-parent adults to help a minor cross-state lines for an abortion, the first law of its kind nationwide. Planned Parenthood is slamming the measure, as extreme, saying it will put young people in dangerous and isolating situations.

What would you say to critics who call this unnecessarily cruel? I think, again, it's important that we protect the life of the unborn child. When it comes to minors, what the legislation requires is that parents essentially be informed. In Florida, protests and arrests after the state Senate passed the so-called Heartbeat Protection Act, reducing abortion access from 15 weeks to six. If you vote for this ban, things will get worse. Women will die. For 50 years, the killing of innocent children has been legal.

Legal does not equate to right. It all comes amid a pair of victories for abortion rights advocates. In Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a repeal of the state's abortion ban on the books since 1931. Abortion rights are now enshrined into our state constitution. And in Wisconsin, abortion was at the heart of Tuesday's high-stakes election for a seat on the state's Supreme Court, now set to be filled by the liberal candidate, all but ensuring abortion access in the state. Wisconsin voters have made their voices heard. Tonight, several more states are considering legislation that would either expand or restrict access to abortions. Blaine Alexander, NBC News.

An update now on a story we first brought you last month, the fifth week. Ford Elementary School in Reserve, Louisiana is located next door to a plant emitting what the EPA has long said was a likely carcinogen. Tonight, Cynthia McFadden is back in reserve with the head of the EPA as he addresses the problem. Our work isn't done. Eighteen months ago, the newly appointed head of the EPA, Michael Wegan, took what he called a Journey to Justice tour that brought him here.

I vowed that EPA would take action. Today, he returned to make good on that promise, proposing a staggering slate of emission standards for 80 toxic chemicals. We're setting a safety standard that we believe is the lowest you can set that is detectable with technology. Including chemicals being emitted from the Denka plant here in reserve. On our last visit here, we met George and his great-grandmother, Mary Hampton, who's been battling for years to get the Denka plant next door to George's Elgin.

elementary school to stop emitting where the EPA has long set are unsafe levels of two of those toxic chemicals. One of your neighbors says it's like sending the kids to a gas chamber. Exactly. Exactly. We also met Robert Taylor, who'd been fighting with her for years. He didn't have much confidence the EPA would do anything. So when the agency called the night our story aired and suggested we meet up with Michael Regan and Louisiana, we agreed. One of the things that Mr. Taylor said to me the first time I came to visit was that this was a sacrifice zone. What I can tell you is there are none of these facilities in Beverly Hills. There's no coincidence. If you look at who's on the front lines, most of these individuals

are black, brown, or tribal, and or low income. So there's a consistent pattern here. If the new standards announced today are put into effect, they become much more enforceable. I think what angers a lot of people is, though. The Denka plant has been admitting at these historically high levels for years now. Why not shut the plant down while everything else is being sorted out? We are using every tool in our toolbox. And if I have more powers, trust me, I would use them. Denka told us it's reduced emissions and says it's breaking no laws,

denying it's putting the folks who live here at any increased risk for cancer. I wish that we could move more expeditiously to take action to protect George, to protect Mr. Taylor, to do all the things that we want to do yesterday. As for Bob and Mary, they said today has filled them with hope. What's the best part of today? We got the attention of our politicians. It's not over. It's not over.

We'll be here with the ends. I tell them all the time I was here from day one, and be there to day zero. Cynthia McFadden, NBC News, Reserve, Louisiana. And now the top story's global watch in the deadly flooding in northern Peru. Video shows one of those massive mudslides ripping through the area of submerging cars and even people. At least two people have died. Officials say a month's worth of rain has fallen in just two days, destroying homes and crops. And in France, another day of massive protests and strikes against President Macron's

contested pension reform. New video shows a restaurant in Paris that is said to be a favorite of Macron's set on fire. Thousands taking to the streets in cities across the country again the protest of change in the national retirement age. Talks between union leaders and government officials have failed. And when we come back, ready to erupt, a historically deadly volcano roaring back to life in Colombia, why some residents in its path say they are unable to evacuate. stay with us

now to the where a volcano that erupted in the 80s is leaving more than 20 or that left 20 more than 20,000 people dead could be erupting again in the next few days authorities are preparing as best they can to avoid another tragedy

Wadvenegas has the latest After 37 years, one of the world's deadliest volcano in recorded history is awake and could erupt once again. Located in Western Columbia, the Nevada del Ries left an estimated 25,000 dead in 1985 after triggering a massive mud flow that buried entire villages. We have the first pictures now from that catastrophe in the South American country of Colombia, or a volcano erupted during the night once, possibly twice, killing as many as 15,000 people, perhaps. perhaps as many as 25,000. Survivors pulled from the mud left homeless as international aid had to be sent to Colombia.

Tragic images reminding authorities of the dangers of a new possible eruption after volcano activity increased in the last few days. The Colombian Geological Service recording a significant increase in seismic activity with the highest number of daily earthquakes since 1985. The alert level there now set to orange which means an eruption could occur in the next few days or weeks.

Solicitor firmly to the councils local, to gestion of risk, of the councils regional, agilize the evacuations preventivas that are ordinaled. An estimated 2,500 families live in the riskiest areas with the country's president calling for evacuations that present a challenge for residents and authorities. This resident defied the orders unwilling to leave her crimes, and animals behind.

The government is now airing this public service announcement to prepare residents as best they can, but just like with other forces of nature, the unpredictability of an exact forecast will have many in limbo. The only certainty is that another eruption could be deadly once again for many. And Colombia's civil defense agency

has activated hundreds of volunteers, ready to jump into action if necessary in the next few days, with seismic activity now registering earthquakes as high as 3.9 on the Richter scale at the volcano. Gabe? Quad, thank you. And when we come back, remembering a very special member of the NBC News family,

correspondent David Bloom, dying suddenly in Iraq 20 years ago today. We'll take a look back at his remarkable career and his legacy, living on through his family. That's next. And finally, tonight, we're remembering one of our own. Twenty years ago, our NBC News Cotley, David Bloom, died while on assignment in Iraq due to a blood clot.

Lester Holt sat down with David's wife and producer to talk about his tragic death and the legacy he left behind. This is the U.S. Army's third infantry division. We're with the second brigade, the 315 infantry. It's where he liked to be on the big story, out front, David Bloom, rolling into combat on live TV with the Army's third infantry division, trailed by a customized satellite truck known as the Bloommobile. Basically what we've done is we've established the ability to transmit live from this vehicle using a pretty sophisticated camera which can be outside the vehicle and take the bumps and the jars. Paul Nassar was David's producer on the journey. We're just rolling along. It's nighttime now.

The difference with the BlueMobile is it was the first time that you had live television on the move in the middle of an invasion. Rocket, rocket, rock, time we're under attack right now. David traveled aboard a cramped tank recovery vehicle. What was your level of concern about him going off and working in a battlefield? I was very concerned, and what I knew about David, though, is that. That's the only place he would be. He really had a calling to be a journalist. His wife, Melanie, worried about the war.

Unaware, he faced another threat. Two nights before his death, he had called me, and he said, you know, I just can't sleep another night in that tank with my knees, pulled up to my chest. I've been having these leg cramps. What no one, including David, knew he had developed a blood clot. The day that he died, he kind of woke up and, you know. And he said that he wasn't limping anymore. It had gotten much better. And we were all relieved.

But what was evident now is that the blood clot had moved from behind his knee to other parts of his body. Specifically, his lungs were a pulmonary embolism proved fatal. David was just 39 and left a wife and three young daughters behind. After David's passing, Melanie committed herself to increasing awareness about deep vein thrombosis. DVT, the condition that took David's life and affects hundreds of thousands of lives each year. 50% of the time there are signs of a clot in your leg, and those signs can be swelling, redness, pain, cramps, in David's case. But 50% of the time, it's silent, and you don't really know that the clot is there. The message, she believes, is getting through.

I think changes have been made. now are aware when they get on planes to get up and walk around, stretch their legs. Do you think his story has ultimately saved lives? I know that it has saved lives. I really do believe that. And David dedicated his life to informing the American people in his role as a journalist. And I couldn't think of a better legacy for him than to inform the American people about what took his life. David's legacy still inspiring journalists around the world, including me.

Our thoughts tonight are with his family. And thanks so much for watching Top Story. I'm Gabe Gutierrez in New York. Stay right there. More news now is on the way.