Top Story with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Episode Date: January 14, 2026

Tonight's Top Story has the latest breaking news, political headlines, news from overseas and the best NBC News reporting from across the country and around the world Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tonight, the new clashes on the streets of Minneapolis over the ice shooting, and now the legal battle about how to handle the investigation with some prosecutors resigning in protest. The violent confrontations not letting up, a demonstrator shoving an officer. A cloud of tear gas choking protesters, plus those stunning resignations at the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office. Also tonight, House Republicans pushing to hold the Clinton's in criminal contempt of Congress for refusing to testify in the Epstein inquiry, why they dissoning. decided to skip their depositions. And President Trump's profane reaction when he was heckled about Epstein late today. West Wing actor Timothy Busfield surrendering to police

as he faces child sex abuse charges, what he told cameras as he turned himself in. Double murder plot trial, the au pair taking the stand, testifying against the man she had an affair with, her former boss who was accused of killing his wife and another man, what she's saying about the elaborate alleged scheme. Massive gas station explosion, fireball sent sky high, sending people running for their lives. Inside the secret tactics,

major U.S. tech companies are using to build AI data centers. We're on the ground in Kentucky as the heated battle over purchasing farming land intensifies. And scary moments caught on camera, a man rushing into saved toddlers who had wandered into traffic. Where were their parents? Plus, the latest major coaching shakeup in the NFL, why the Steelers head coach is stepping down after nearly two decades with the team. Top story starts right now. And good evening. We begin tonight with that turmoil in Minneapolis. Now spilling over into the Justice Department.

Multiple prosecutors resigning over the handling of the deadly ice shooting last week as clashes on the street escalates. So much happening in the Twin Cities, including this video, capturing the moment an officer tackles someone to the ground before other officers and civilians pile on. Dramatic encounters like this happening on sidewalks and intersections and right out of outside homes throughout the day. And there was this moment, ice officer smashing the window of a car, dragging a woman out by her arms and legs, and detaining her. Agents appearing to unleash pepper spray directly into people's faces, protesters trying to use buckets to stop the spray of tear gas. And as we mentioned, another battle brewing over the investigation into this deadly confrontation

from last week, three federal prosecutors resigning over concerns with the direction of the case, according to a source familiar with the investigation, at least three prosecutors. It comes as the Trump administration and a temporary protected status for Somalis in the U.S., telling them they must leave by the middle of March. Minnesota, of course, has the largest population

of Somalis in the country. NBC's Shaq Brewster has been following it all today and leads us off from Minneapolis. Tonight, new clashes between anti-ice demonstrators and federal law enforcement in Minneapolis. Here, a protester shoves in officers. who detains him. Officers appearing to use tear gas and pepper spray. Today we met Sarah Lechner. This is your neighborhood. Yeah, I got pepper spray all over me. It's the first time

I've had pepper spray. I couldn't see to walk home hardly. DHS argues protesters have been impeding law enforcement. I think that there's quite a degree of Trump derangement syndrome here. There's ice hysteria that we're seeing here. All happening less than two blocks from where Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer. Tonight, there's an FBI investigation into the incident, but at least three prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota have resigned over their concerns with the direction of the investigation, a source familiar with the resignations, told NBC News.

And a federal law enforcement source tells NBC News those resignations were triggered in part by Justice Department leadership pressure to investigate Good and her widow's connections to activist groups. Renee and Rebecca's really good people. The father of goods late husband tonight speaking to NBC's Kathy Park. I mean, I seen the video. The car did hit him. I mean, you know, there's just so many things we could say.

Could he not chotter? Everything is just sad. The Trump administration also revoking temporary protected status for Somalis in the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem posting temporary means temporary. We're putting Americans first. State Senator Zaneb Mohammed says her community feels targeted. What does this announcement mean for those families? It means that those families are going to be ripped apart.

You have people who've been here for 30 years. And Shaq joins us tonight from St. Paul. Shaq, I know you're tracking all the events that are happening there outside the ICE headquarters in St. Paul. We can see the demonstrators there. And even though we're covering this night by night, they're showing up. And it sounds like some of their demonstrations are going to evolve. They're doing something called an economic blackout in the coming days. That's exactly right, Tom.

There's no sign that these protests are ending anytime soon. I'll let you take a look at the group that we're seeing here tonight here outside of that federal facility in St. Paul. And you mentioned these protests are going to expand. Protesters announcing today that they are having an economic boycott. That means no school, no work, no shopping. That is set for later this month. By the way, Department of Homeland Security also telling us the latest numbers in their operation, confirming to NBC News that 24-100.

100 people have been arrested in the Minneapolis area since late November. That is exactly what these folks here are protesting. All right, Shaq Brewster with that new reporting tonight for us, Shaq, we thank you for that. To Washington now, where former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, says they will not testify as part of the House Oversights Committee investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. And now the chairman of that committee says he will move to hold them both in contempt of Congress. NBC's Ryan Nobles has more. tonight former president bill clinton and his wife former secretary of state hillary clinton are facing the prospect of being held in contempt of congress this after failing to appear for a

closed door deposition as part of the house oversight committee's investigation into the geoffrey abstein scandal i think it's very disappointing uh as a result of bill clinton not showing up for his lawful subpoena the clinton's informed the committee they had nothing material to offer the investigation and In a letter to Chairman James Comer, they argued his subpoenas were legally invalid, writing every person has to decide when they have seen or had enough and are ready to fight for this country, its principles and its people, no matter the consequences. For us, now is that time. The former president has long denied any wrongdoing, but Republicans point out that Clinton has repeatedly appeared in photos and documents connected to Epstein, arguing he has information to provide.

No one's accusing Bill Clinton of any wrongdoing. We just have questions. Most Democrats we spoke to today either avoided the question or defended the Clinton's decision to skip the deposition. But Democrat Ro Kana, who wrote the law to force the DOJ to release all the files, had a different take. Do you think the president should have appeared? He should appear. I have always said that this needs to be transparent. Everyone involved should be providing an explanation. And I have conducted this in a way that doesn't single out Republicans or Democrats? Ryan Noble soon joins us tonight from Capitol Hill.

And Ryan, I know you have a few different headlines you're tracking for us here on Top Story. The first being I want to ask you about some type of incident that happened in Detroit with the president, a protester appearing to confront him over Jeffrey Epstein. Let us know what happened. Yeah, that's right, Tom. And the video that we've obtained from TMZ, which originally obtained the video, appears to show this protesters screaming at President Trump and calling him. him a pedophile protector. The president responds by yelling an expletive of his own and then flipping

his middle finger. The White House defending the president tonight, saying that the protester was in a, quote, fit of rage and that the president delivered an unambiguous and appropriate response, Tom. And then before you go, I know there's news tonight that's just coming out about the push to release all of the Epstein files. Yeah, that's right. Some members of Congress, including Rokana, who I spoke to earlier today, have asked a judge in New York to appoint a judge in New York to appoint a special master that would oversee the Department of Justice's compliance with the release of the Epstein files. Well, that judge responded to them today saying that he is looking at the case. He's asked for arguments both for and against and could issue a ruling on whether or not a special

master will be appointed very soon. Tom. Ryan, before you go, and I want you just clarify this for our viewers, because I'm sure there's going to be confusion out there tonight. We come on the air a lot and say they've released the Epstein files. How many more files are there still left? A lot, Tom, more than two million, perhaps. And that's part of the problem. And one of the reasons that members of Congress are pushing for this special master to review the process is that there's no clear indication just how many files that the Department of Justice has in their possession. The members of Congress that I've spoken to believe that perhaps maybe only three to five percent of the documents that the Department of Justice have and their possession have been released.

So there is a lot more that still needs to be made public. Ryan Noble's for us tonight. Ryan, we thank you. for that. Tonight, the search for Hollywood actor Timothy Busfield is over. The former West Wing star surrendering to police in New Mexico now charged in connection to a child sex abuse allegation on the set of a TV series. The actor leaving a video message defending himself. You'll hear it in a second as he turned himself in. Chloe Malas has the latest. Tonight, Hollywood star Timothy Buzzfield ending a days-long search by law enforcement by turning himself in to New Mexico police. The actor now charged with sexual contact of a minor and child abuse. Buzzfield speaking to TMZ as he surrendered

to authorities. I'm going to confront these lies. They're horrible. They're all lies. And I did not do anything to those little boys. And I'm going to fight it. The actor was a staple of primetime television for decades. What are you working on? Best known for his roles in the West Wing and 30-something in movies like Field of Dreams. When did these ballplayers get here? According to court documents obtained by NBC News, the alleged abuse happened on the set of the Fox series The Cleaning Lady, in which Buzzfield directed and acted. Brothers featured in the show told their therapist when they were 11 years old about inappropriate contact from Buzzfield on set, who they referred to as Uncle Tim, and that it began when they were seven years old, according to the affidavit. One of the boys alleged Buzzfield touched both his genitalia and bottom. The affidavit alleges that the behavior went on for almost two years.

When asked by investigators if he ever had any physical contact with the boys, and if he ever picked them up and tickled them, Buzzfield said it was, quote, highly likely that he would have. Later saying, quote, I don't remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn't be too uncommon for me. Tonight, Buzzfield's lawyers saying his client did not do anything wrong and denied his client was on the run. Telling NBC News, quote, he was across the country and had to travel by car to New Mexico, adding, he wants to turn himself in because he wants to clear his name. name and reputation. Busfield's wife, actress Melissa Gilbert, known for her role in Little House on the Prairie, deactivated her social media after the accusations came to light, telling NBC news she stands with and supports her husband. Okay, Chloe Malas joins us live in studio. Chloe, a lot to ask you about here. First, Busfield remains behind bars. He hasn't bonded out or anything

like that. That's right. So tomorrow he's going to appear before a judge, and the judge is going to decide whether or not to release him or keep him in custody. But the DA has said that they are going to bring formal charges and that they want him to remain behind bars until trial. So this could mean that Buzzfield will remain in custody for several months. Or the judge could say, you know what, there's not enough here. We're going to let you go. We also want to mention NBC is pulling a law and order SVU episode because he was in it. Yeah, he was a guest star. It was supposed to air this Thursday night and instead that replacing it with next week's episode. So again, like if he's cleared of all of this, will that episode ever see the light of day? Maybe so. But remember, you know,

networks, they cannot be too careful. We saw that after the Me Too movement, where immediately, like, the first thing you do is you start kind of plugging the hole immediately, right? Like cutting the cord with people until you see what happens. But again, you know, innocent until proven guilty, and we'll see what happens here. Okay, Chloe, we thank you for that.

Tonight, President Trump is encouraging anti-government protesters in Iran to take to the streets and promising them that help is on the way. This, as the death toll rose by nearly 2,000 in just 24 hours. has the latest. Hillary think. Iran's crackdown is far deadlier than previously reported. A human rights group today upping the confirmed toll from around 600 to more than 2,500. And now President Trump is promising help is coming.

Keep protesting. Take over your institutions, if possible, and save the name of the killers and the abusers. His help is on its way. But not everyone in the Middle East is keen for a quick. regime change in Iran. Multiple U.S. and Middle East officials telling NBC news, Israel and some Arab states are encouraging President Trump to hold back on any large-scale strikes at least until the Iranian government is weaker. One Arab officials saying there is a lack of enthusiasm from the neighborhood for American military action in Iran right now. But if President

Trump does pump the brakes, it could be fatal for the demonstrators who are now being rounded up in the thousands and around 100 forced to make televised confessions to crimes that could be punishable by death. People are arbitrarily detained, and then suddenly they're appearing on state television after being coerced into a confession under oftentimes physical or psychological torture. All right, Richard Engle joins us again tonight from Washington. Richard, something you noted in your report, that lack of enthusiasm for U.S. intervention in Iran from other countries in the region. Talk to us about that and how will that influence President Trump's decision? Well, lack of a real will to have a quick operation. Iran has many enemies in the Middle East.

Israel, of course, but also Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states. There are many countries in the Arab world that would like to see this government in Iran go and be replaced with something else, a different system, whether it's the monarchy, a democracy, a different kind of dictatorship. but this government definitely has a target on its back. But they also don't want to see chaos. They don't want to see civil war. They would rather see a plan. So it's not that they are rushing to defend Iran

because they want to keep it in power. But look where Iran is situated. It sits exactly between Afghanistan and Iraq. And everyone in the Middle East knows what happened. Everyone in this country knows what happened when there was U.S. military action in both Iran and Afghanistan. ended with wars in both country, lengthy wars, U.S. military occupation. So if you're going to do it,

you better have a plan. All right, Richard, stand by for us. I also want to bring back NBC's Yasminuvenuvenu, who's been doing a lot of good reporting. She has friends and family in Iran. Phone lines back up today. What have you learned? So the landlines are back up and running. You can't call in, but individuals can call out of Iran. And what's happening really across the country is wellness checks happening overseas. And what I mean by that is you have Iranians calling family overseas and not really sharing much because there is a lot of worry that folks are listening in on their phone conversation. So what we're hearing essentially is I'm doing well. I'm not participating in anything that's happening. You know, I should just be left alone. I'm just trying to

live my life. I want to take care of my family. That's much of the conversation that is happening on the surface level when it comes to communication with these land lines that are back open. Mobile lines are still down. The internet is still at a blackout. Starlink as of a couple of hours ago, I was communicating with some folks in the ground is still up and running, though they are, as we talked about yesterday, walking around the country and gathering up those satellites so that folks can't access those VPNs. I think when it comes to communication, it is important to understand that for Iranians, getting the story out to the rest of the world is crucial in keeping the momentum and the fight going, especially as they hear, as Richard reported on, the support they're getting from the West now. Richard, we know that you've reported that the U.S. State Department has recommended to Americans there to get out of Iran.

Is that even possible? How can one do that? Are flights coming in and out, or is it no way to get out right now? Land borders are open, and Americans, as you said, have been told to leave the country. And in the past, land borders, particularly with our media, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran has quite a few borders, have remained open. open. So it is not that the entire country is trapped. And what you were just talking about with Yasmin is, I think, reflective of these two competing goals that the Iranian government is trying to achieve. It wants to crush this revolt. It wants to find the satellite devices, the Starlink devices. It wants to cut off the protesters' ability to communicate and organize and get their pictures out. But they are also trying to project to the Iranian people this idea.

of normalcy, that the people on the street don't represent the average Iranian, that they are somehow rebels in society who are working for Israel in the United States, and that life is still kind of normal and the government is under control. If you seal all the borders, don't allow people to talk to each other, rumors spread, panic spread, and it actually could work against the government. So they're trying to do two things that are almost impossible to reconcile by keeping controls but trying to claim that there's normalcy at the same time. Yes, I have two questions for you.

The first being the president sent that message to Iran. What do you think, or how do you think they interpret that? I think they heard it. Iranians want to understand within the country that they have the support of people outside the country, that if in fact they go full bore as they feel as if they are doing now because their backs are up against a wall and they feel like they have nothing to lose, that they're going to have support of the West and especially from a country like the United States. I also think that what we're seeing inside the country picking up off of what Richard just talked

about is a real sense of unity. While the government wants to project a sense of normalcy, the only people that are believing there's any sense of normalcy are the people outside the country that have no access to what is actually happening on the inside. For the folks that I've been speaking to, they've said, listen, people may be coming out of their house during the day, but they are terrified at night. But they are uniting around this movement. Just quickly, this one anecdote I heard from a woman that just landed back in London on a flight last night from Iran told me about something that happened in her neighborhood in which you had protesters running down the street and Basij, which is kind of the local security forces,

we're chasing them with guns. And people, young, old, opened up their homes for these protesters to allow them in, to give them refuge. And in that moment, they started chanting death. to Hamenei, right? The Supreme Leader. If you remember back in 1979, the chant was death to America. Yeah. That has now switched to death to hominey, uniting really around this movement and wanting change because they feel like they have no other choice. Yeah, Trump has been vague about what that support is and whether it'll be military strikes or something else. How long can this movement hold on for? I think so, I mean, listen, I have no idea. I wish I knew that answer. But I think that so long as they feel as if they're getting the support for,

from outside the country that they have, that there feasibly could be a leader rising amidst all of this, they will continue. But again, Tom, I think it's important to note because they are in such a desperate spot economically, especially, and we have seen Iran be crushed under the weight of those sanctions. And so they really feel like they have no other choice

but to continue to move. And the way I've been explaining to folks is really kind of a death by a thousand cuts, right? This is on top of the protests we saw after the killing of Massa, Aminni, the protest during the, during the Arab Spring, right? This is kind of death by potentially a thousand cuts. Yasman, we thank you so much for being here. Richard, the same to you. We're going to be back in a moment with more news, terrifying footage of a police ambush. A gunman allegedly firing explosive shots.

You see them there. And an officer just sitting in his cruiser, what happened? Plus the Opaire Affair double murder trial, you heard it right. Dramatic testimony as prosecutors allege a Virginia father killed his wife and another man as he carried on a relationship with that woman. The Opairettaire. pair. And actor Kiefer Sutherland arrested in Hollywood. What we're learning about his alleged altercation with an Uber driver? That's ahead. We're back now with some dramatic video out of South Carolina, police officer ambushed with explosive rounds, but remarkably surviving. George's release has the details. The explosive moment caught on camera. This surveillance video released by the South Carolina

law enforcement division or sled showing a car slowly creeping through a parking lot at the Greenville County Law Enforcement Center around 1 a.m. Sunday night, and then suddenly shots are fired. A ambush-style attack against a Greenville City officer. According to investigators, the firework-like effect you see in this surveillance video coming from incendiary rounds meant to inflict maximum damage, the bullets containing a chemical mixture designed to spark a fire when hitting hard surfaces. Photos released by sleds showing the bullet holes and singed door of the officer's car. The suspect later identified as 42-year-old David Lane, then led police on a chase, according to Sled. After an exchange of gunfire and a car crash, Lane found dead in his vehicle.

A coroner's report saying the cause of death has been determined to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Tonight, the investigation into the shooting continues. Authorities say the wounded officer is okay and was released from the hospital. George Police joins us live from Miami and George. Have police said anything more about why this suspect may have done this? Yeah, Tom, investigators remaining tight-lipped. However, some reporting from our affiliate there in South Carolina, WYFF. They actually received some complaints about this suspect, David Lane, as early as January 1st, and while authorities went to investigate him at his home, they found nothing that warranted in arrest. However, this investigation is still very much ongoing, including how he may have gotten his hands on some of that incendiary explosive ammunition.

Tom? Yeah, some wild weapons there. Okay, George, we thank you for that. Now to a double murder trial in Virginia making headlines across this country. Brendan Banfield is accused of killing his wife Christine and a stranger, Joseph Ryan, at their home in 2023, as part of an elaborate scheme to be with the family's opair, Juliana Perez Maguiluels. He's pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors alleged Banfield set up an account on a sexual fetish site

and lured Ryan to the couple's home with a plan to frame him for his wife's death. They say once Ryan was in the house, Banfield shot him. They say he then stabbed Christine in the neck using the family. this knife presented in court. Banfield then allegedly directed the O'Pair to shoot Ryan one last time, according to the state before calling 911. The O'Pair now the prosecution's key witness

agreeing to cooperate with investigators in exchange for pleading guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter. He said he wasn't going to hire anybody because that is something that throughout investigation can be discovered easily. and that he had heard of a website called Fat Life. Okay. Bainfield's defense arguing prosecution of taking advantage of the opair

and that Christine set up the fetish site profiles herself. I want to bring in NBC News legal analyst Misty Maris to break down this case for us. Misty, obviously a lot going on there. They're fighting this sort of theory Bantfield's attorneys are, fighting this theory of that he set up this catfishing website on that fetish website, I should say, catfishing on this website, and that the wife somehow had done it. Is this defense going to hold up? So in the opening statement, the defense laid it out. And they said that police and investigators actually manipulated the evidence in order to fit into this catfishing narrative

that prosecutors are putting forward. And one of the pieces of evidence that we expect to see is the initial investigative digital forensic report, which said that Christine Bannfield had access to her devices before she died. So, Tom, this is where the O-Pair's testimony becomes so critical to explain away that theory. The defense is presenting these alternative explanations for what was found as opposed to this prosecution narrative. The O-Pair obviously is a central character in all of this, but it seems like both the prosecutors and the defense are saying she's not the most reliable witness. Explain the strategy. Well, so prosecutors need her because there's a whole lot of evidence here, but somebody has to explain this intricate, premeditated plan that

Banfield and she came up with in order to facilitate this killing. She's the only one in a position to do that, but prosecutors had offered her a deal where she pled guilty to a misdemeanor. So whenever you have a cooperating witness, Tom, the credibility is going to be taken into account, and it's something the defense is really going to focus on. She gets off. She gets off with just a misdemeanor. She gets off with a misdemeanor. And, time served is the recommendation for prosecutors. So think about this. October 2023, she's been behind bars, provided she continues to cooperate with prosecutors. She will just have time served. She won't serve any additional time behind bars. How does the case hold up so far? I mean,

it looks like prosecutors put out a case with a lot of evidence. Do they have it? Will they win this case? Well, it's an absolute compelling case. It's got so many twists and turns, but it's really going to rise and fall with the Opaire tying together. some of this other evidence. I think we're not going to hear from Banfield. It's really unlikely he'll testify. So the only way for the defense to overcome this mountain of evidence is to really poke holes in the credibility and present these alternative theories for the jury to understand. Remember, prosecutors don't have to prove motive, but they're certainly talking about motive here through the OPEO because a jury is going to want to know why would somebody do this? Why wouldn't

you just get a divorce? Yeah, if the allegations are true, this is an incredibly gruesome case, which I'm sure we're going to learn more about. for that. Still ahead on the broadcast, the emotional outburst during the Uvaldi shooting trial. The sister of one of the teachers killed, escorted out of the courtroom now banned from the trial. So what happened here? We'll tell you. Plus two teens arrested in California after video captured them surfing on top of a moving train, incredibly dangerous. But first, top story's top moment and one pup that's not afraid to take a seat at the table serving as a reminder that dogs really can act just like their owners. Take a look at this.

Our dog sits with us every morning for breakfast without fail. Yeah, yeah. He's just here with us. He's watching the Today Show. That dog has excellent taste. We know that. One well-mannered dog with a great, great taste, we should say, in morning television. Can't say that enough.

We hope he tunes in the top story next. Stay with us. More news on the way. President Trump today hitting the road to tout his progress on the economy. highlighting new inflation numbers while visiting a Ford factory in Michigan. But the trip comes as he's under pressure back in Washington over the DOJ investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Here's Gabe Gutierrez. Tonight, President Trump hitting the road.

They're building more plants in the United States because of tariffs. Touring a plant that makes F-150 trucks with Ford executives in Michigan. That's what these policies are doing for Ford. We're going to actually expand one of our existing plants. The trip comes as the president, and faces growing bipartisan backlash over the Justice Department's criminal inquiry into Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Hopefully he'll be out of there. Tied to his Senate testimony last summer about cost overruns on the Fed's multi-billion dollar renovation of its DC headquarters,

which does not draw on taxpayer dollars. Powell says it's retribution for not doing what the president wants, and amid the inquiry, Trump tonight renewing his pressure on Powell to lower interest rates. He's undermining the faith and credit of the United States of America. Something like this is not helpful to either the economy or trying to keep the temperature down politically. Meanwhile, the president pointing to new numbers showing inflation steady at 2.7%. Overall grocery prices up 0.7% since last month. Beef prices up 1%.

Megs, though, have dropped 8%. Gas prices at a 4-year low. The president touting progress. Even his recent polls show many Americans skeptical of his handling of the economy. The results are in and the Trump economic boom is officially begun. With that, Gabe Gutierrez joins us from the White House. Gabe, on the issue of affordability, the president turning to an unlikely ally? Yes, right, Tom.

The president actually calling a progressive Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren, a longtime opponent to try and speak about the issue of affordability. And he's also trying to renew a campaign promise by capping credit card interest rates at 10% for $4.4.4. one year, although it is unlikely how much, how far that policy will go. Today we did hear from House Speaker Mike Johnson, also Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who both seemed to throw cold water on that idea, Tom. Gabe Gutierrez, for escape, thank you. In Texas today, emotional moments during the trial of former Yuvaldi police officer Adrian Gonzalez charged with child endangerment in connection with deadly school shooting in 2022. As the sheriff deputy wrapped up his testimony, a family member of one of the victims began shouting in court. Take a listen.

You know who went into the fatal funnel? My sister went into the fatal funnel. Did she need a key? Why do you need a key? Ma'am, go ahead. You're not. Y'all are saying that she didn't lock her door. She wanted to the fatal funnel.

She did it. Not you got her. I want to bring in NBC's Ryan Chandler, who's been following that trial for us. Ryan, you can hear the emotion in her voice. How are the families of the victims feeling during this trial? I can't imagine to be hearing about all this evidence. once again. Well, they're just heartbroken, Tom.

It is gut-wrenching for them to relive every second of that terrible day. And you saw those emotions boil over today. Let's first understand that term that was shouted out in court today. Fatal Funnel was a crucial term in trial today. It's a tactical term that refers to an area of danger for a police officer, an area they want to avoid if they're trying to breach a room or confront a gunman, where there's low visibility or port cover like the doorframe to a classroom with a gunman inside. The defense trying to impress upon the jury all of the difficulties that Gonzalez would have

faced if he tried to breach that classroom and confront the gunman. But Tom, the contrast there is infuriating for these families who see an armed and trained police officer outside the classroom trying to keep himself and his fellow officers safe, while their loved ones are inside, many of them already shot by the same gunman. So it's infuriating to hear the defense try and parse that argument, and you saw that emotion come to the forefront today. That sister there, sister of Irma Garcia, a teacher who was killed in the shooting, has been banned from the rest of trial, Tom. And then Ryan, another key moment in court today. Jurors watched a video of Gonzalez being interviewed by Texas Rangers for the first time.

What do we learn in that video, and how central is that to this trial? Well, it could prove very critical, Tom. This is really the first and only time that we hear Gonzalez, in his own words, recount his actions that day. And in it, we hear him admit that he made mistakes. He says that he was told by a coach on campus that the shooter is over there pointing to an area that Gonzalez said he never actually saw the shooter in. We hear Gonzalez say that he heard gunshots and was with other officers at the time, but they ended up retreating. At one crucial point, Tom, we hear the investigator ask Gonzalez, quote, did anyone in that group of four, four other officers, say, hey, we need to go down this hallway and we need to find this shooter? Gonzalez said, no, it did cross our mind, but we just never, we were just covering each other, he says.

So you can see how hard that can be for the families to hear. The question here now, Tom, is what are the jury here? Right. Ryan Chandler, our thanks to you. Time now for Top Stories News Feed, a check of what else is happening around. around this great country. The Supreme Court hearing arguments today challenging state laws banning transgender girls and women from playing on school athletic teams. The separate cases involved two transgender athletes who are suing Idaho and West Virginia over the restrictions

after more than three hours of arguments today. The High Court's conservative majority appeared likely to uphold the state bans. A decision is expected by early summer. And Emmy Award winning actor Kiefer Sutherland has been arrested after an altercation with the ride chair driver in the Hollywood area. Police telling NBC, Los Angeles, it happened early Monday morning. They say the 59-year-old star is accused of assaulting a ride-chair driver

after entering the car. No major injuries were reported and jail records show Sutherland was released on a $50,000 bond with a court date set for February 2nd. NBC is out to Sutherland's reps, but we have not heard back. Two teens in Southern California

arrested after video captured them surfing on top of a train. You can see one of them standing on the barreling train as another appears to be laying down. This is happening around the San Diego area and the San Diego Sheriff's Department saying deputies tracked down the 18-year-olds. After multiple people reported the incident, both teams were cited and released. And some dramatic videos showing a Florida man rescuing two toddlers who wandered into the middle of oncoming traffic. Here it is.

The dash cam video captures the man running into the road, signaling cars to stop, and scooping up the little girls and carrying them to safety. The man told her affiliate that children's parents were staying at a house nearby and were apparently unaware of how they gotten out. Okay. Moving on, tonight the family of that murdered Ohio couple speaking out for the first time since the wife's ex-husband was charged with their murder and telling our era McLaughlin new details about their previous marriage. Tonight, Spencer and Monique Tepe's brother-in-law tells NBC news. When the family first learned, the couple had been murdered. Only one possible suspect came to mind.

Monique's ex-husband, Michael McKee. She was terrified because he had retent her life on multiple occasions when they were married. Rob Misla sharing with NBC News what he says Monique Tepe told him about her brief and troubled marriage to McKee. His account backed up by a second family member. So she wasn't shy about talking to people about traumatic experiences that she had with her ex and just how emotionally abusive he was to her. It affected her to this day. The vascular surgeon is now charged with two counts of aggravated murder.

Officials allege he shot and killed the TEPPs in their Columbus, Ohio home. Misla says Monique and Mackey abruptly divorced in 2017 after less than two years of marriage because Monique was so worried. Court documents cite incompatibility. Mizla says he's unaware of whether he had made any recent. threats. Do you know if the abuse was ever physical? I don't. A public defender representing McKee says he intends to plead not guilty. If any of us had known that these threats were actually grounded in possibility, we all would have acted differently. Aaron McLaughlin joins us tonight

from Chicago with the latest on this story. Aaron, good to see you there. The community is also really gathering around the Tepe family this time. Yeah, that's right, Tom. Rob Mizzle, told me that the tepies were buried yesterday in a small private somber ceremony. He told me that it was one of the toughest days for him so far. The idea, he said, of returning to everyday life after this enormous tragedy is daunting. He said the funeral was a much bigger event. More than a thousand people attended, this tremendous outpouring of love and support for the family. He said it was a big show of just how special this couple was. Tom. All right, Aaron McLaughlin first. Aaron, we thank you for that.

Coming up on Top Story, another big coaching shakeup in the NFL. Mike Tomlin out after 19 seasons with the Steelers. We'll break down his sudden exit and the other changes across the league. Plus, our deep dive into an AI data center and the lengths some big tech companies are going to keep details secret from the public. Stay with us. We're back now with a new look at the wide-ranging impacts of the AI boom. Tech companies are racing to meet surging demand, and they're turning to rural communities,

to build new data centers. But they're not just offering landowners huge sums of money. They're also asking them to sign NDA, swearing them to secrecy. Our Brian Chung traveled to Kentucky to talk to one farmer who says that level of secrecy is just one of the reasons he refused the multimillion-dollar deal laid on his table. Quiet country living brought families like father and son Tim and Andy Crozer to these rolling hills, in Mason County, Kentucky. They just want to be out in the country where it's quiet and they can watch the wildlife.

They've tended to cattle and hunted here for more than 30 years. But now that quiet is under threat from a billion dollar data center project that could soon rise just over that ridge. I don't want any part of it being anywhere near here. Why? For one, I don't want to look at it. Our power is going to double in price, and we don't have enough energy right now to even supply Maysville through the winter.

They have to buy power from the grid. Last spring, the grocers were offered more than $8 million to sell all 250 acres of their land. That's 35 times what they bought it for in 1988. This is a good amount of money. Yeah, but I don't really care how much they. offer I'm not I'm just not telling when they asked for details about the project they were given in NDA instead the mystery guy slides a paper forward and says sign this non-disclosure agreement and we'll start answering questions and we say well that's a non-starter. County officials telling NBC news they

sign non-disclosure agreements with the same company last spring hoping to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in investment from one of the top five tech companies in the US building out its AI infrastructure they agreed to keep the company's name secret. But for the grocers, the silence rang louder than the money. How does that make you feel? Handcuffed. I mean, I think they're trying to, you know, protect the potential company from us. It's all going to be a done deal before we can do anything about it.

Experts studying data center projects like this one across the country say this kind of secrecy isn't accidental. It's strategic. They're using these agreements to try and grease the skids and try and avoid to the extent that they can, that community input that could slow things down. But already in Mason County, the community is giving its input. After online Facebook groups pieced together what was coming to their town. What's out there, they don't want us to know. If they were totally transparent, they wouldn't need the NDAs. It leaves everybody in this county not knowing what they're up against.

That's how I feel. At this zoning meeting, frustrations boiling over. No discernible accountability. Construction chaos and hazards. Air, water, noise pollution, water quality, pressure issues, possible electric grid issues as well. This is something that has got to be more open. And the residents of Mason County are not alone. Data Center construction is booming nationwide to fuel the growing demand for artificial intelligence,

with hundreds of new projects announced last year alone. We found more than 20 cases across 16 states where NDA, were signed between local officials and data center developers. Many of them look similar to this NDA from a town in Minnesota, saying the company should be given a reasonable opportunity to prevent disclosure of the confidential information. Six of the largest tech companies building data centers across the country all declined to comment or did not respond to questions about the use of NDAs in data center projects. For the grocer's no details meant no deal. But Mason County officials tell us 18 of the 20 people.

approach did sign property purchase agreements. We said no. A lot of other people said yes. But no amount was enough to convince them to give up their sanctuary off the Ohio River. Let me just look all around here. Why would anybody want to give that up? For some mystery purpose to some mystery company?

Yeah. For any company. And with that, Brian Chung joins us tonight here in studio. So Brian, are there any efforts there in Mason County? County, Kentucky, to stop these efforts? Any updates on that? Yeah, well, the latest that we've heard are that the townspeople that oppose this project are preparing to ask the county to set up a moratorium on this project while they try to review some of the environmental concerns, as well as some of those concerns about what data

and what information about this project is actually available to the public. Obviously, the NDAs are a big sticking point for them. A lot of them have other environmental concerns. A lot of them are saying we don't even oppose having a data center in our county. Why can't they just put it on land that might be owned by the utility or owned by the county itself? These are all questions that they want them to just take more time on as opposed to try to jam it through the process, which they feel is not fair or transparent. I know as I've traveled the country, I've heard from other local journalists that in their areas, everyone's sort of covering this story. This is very emblematic of what's happening across the country, right?

Yeah, absolutely. And it's not just Mason County. I think that what you're seeing there is playing out in a number of communities where these massive companies, in some cases, also unknown to those communities, are trying to build up these massive projects. There's an interesting stat that comes from Data Center Watch. This is a research firm that's kind of put together by an AI security company. And they say that between March and June of last year, that is the most updated data that we have. There were 20 projects totaling almost $100 billion that were either delayed or completely botched because of these communities that are pushing back. So in some cases, you have these communities that are winning against these companies.

I think the question, Tom, is if there is a project that's NICS somewhere, do they just go to another community and the whole process starts again? And offer more money. and offer more money. That is definitely something that's playing out right. Brian Chung, great story by you and the team. We appreciate it. Thanks. Okay, we're going to head overseas now for Top Stories Global Watch and a check of what else is happening around the world. We're going to start with some fiery explosions in the Philippines. Video shows flames and smoke billowing from a gas station before a massive fireball erupts sending people screaming and running into the street. Officials say one person was heard and multiple buildings were damaged.

This happened Sunday in the southern part of the country. No word yet on what caused that blast. Prosecutors in South Korea are seeking the death penalty for the country's former president. Yun Suk Yule is in jail right now, charged in connection to declaring martial law in late 2024. Speaking at court today, Yun slammed the investigation saying they've been manipulated and distorted. A verdict is expected to be delivered next month. And Spanish police releasing new video of what they're calling their largest seizure of cocaine on the high seas. They say officers intercepted this boat carrying roughly 22,000. pounds of cocaine. As you can see here, the packages were buried in a shipment of salt that was

apparently headed from Brazil to Europe. Police say they arrested 13 people on board. Back here at home to the latest NFL team throwing up a now hiring sign, long-time Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announcing he is stepping down following the team's wild card loss to the Texans last night. Tomlin's departure means nine head coaching jobs open league-wide. That's nearly 30 percent of the league. For more on the coach. and Carousel, I want to bring in NBC News Sports editor Greg Rosenstein. Greg, so great to see you. Welcome back to Top Story. Mike Tomlin has led the Steelers for 19 seasons. He's a Super Bowl winner, has never had a losing season. So this has come of a bit of a surprise. What is he saying

about the decision to leave the team? So Mike Tomlin issued a statement saying he didn't actually provide real reasoning for it besides thanking coaches, fans, executives and owners of the franchise. little bit surprising. He's been with the franchise for 19 seasons. He's made the playoffs 13 times, a Super Bowl winner. But I think maybe the pressure eventually got to him for a team that's constantly looking to win Super Bowls. He would get them to the postseason, but not over the hump. And I think that might be the reason. Quarterback Aaron Rogers had a disappointing performance last night. Would a new head coach have to start from scratch, but with a new quarterback and obviously taking over a team? Yeah, I do think the Pittsburgh Steelers should look in a different direction.

direction. Aaron Rogers is not a long-term answer here. He threw for under 150 yards last night against a really tough Texans defense. But, you know, the Steelers need somebody long-term. The only issue is where do they go? They could bring back Aaron Rogers for one season and maybe groom the next guy. They could bring in a free agent or draft this season. But I think a lot of it's going to come down to who the Steelers hire as a head coach because they're going to have a certain direction they want to go in. I mean, and it sounds like Aaron Rogers has done too. Likely is retiring. When you hear nearly 30% of the league is hiring, that number sounds high, but put this in a context, turnover in this level is not unusual come January. But, I mean, we're talking about so many teams.

It's not so unusual. Last year, I believe it was eight coaching hires made. So, you know, in terms of the total, I don't think it's a huge number. But at the same time, I think it's based around which franchises are available. The Steelers never comes available. It's been 19 seasons, as we previously said. The Ravens are going a different direction with John Harbaugh. So you're getting some premier franchises looking for their next hire.

Yeah, my dolphins are looking for a new head coach, too. We'll see if Tomlin is going to be interviewing with them or taking a year off. John Harbaugh, also another legend out there coaching out after 18 seasons. Is that a name a lot of these teams will also be trying to hire? I think John Harbaugh is definitely going to be near or at the top of lists for different franchises. is similar to Tomlin, he is a consistent winner. He won a Super Bowl. He gets the Ravens to the postseason nearly every season.

And with him looking around, I think he reportedly is interested in the New York Giants. I think that could be an interesting option. They have a young quarterback in Jackson Dart, Leak neighbor is the top receiver, very young stars coming up. So obviously the Giants haven't been that great this season. But if they had somebody like John Harbaugh, they could take the next step. So, yes, he's one of the top options available, and rightfully so. Greg, always great to see you.

We thank you, my friend. Still to come tonight an update on a top moment. We brought you recently the emotional surprise for a substitute teacher after students gifted him a brand of new pair of shoes that went viral. They were vans, you remember. Well, there's a big update tonight that's coming up next. Finally, tonight a high school class who stunned their teacher with new sneakers getting a sneaky surprise of their own. The emotional moments caught on video. At Providence High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, Jeff Swiskood teaches his senior English

class about Shakespeare. What then? Why then Tisters? But even the Bard can't compete with the dramatic surprise this group of students had in store for their beloved substitute teacher. A brand new pair of vans, the shoes he wears every day. It just means a lot that people think of me. I just do what I love and love what I do.

And they're the reason why I come every day. Kalia Shaq filmed the now viral video. I think it touched so many people because a lot of people can resonate with the fact that they've had a teacher that has impacted them. The video even catching the attention of Vance. It's amazing what you guys did. The company launching its own surprise, gifting the group of 12th graders a shopping spree. including a gift card for their very own pair of sneakers. Reminding us all that celebrating each other always makes you feel head of the class.

That does it for us tonight. Thanks so much for watching Top Story. I'm Tom Yamis in New York. Stay right there. More news on the way.