Top Story with Tom Llamas - Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Episode Date: May 14, 2025

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

Tonight, the fast-moving flooding emergency in Maryland and the growing threat to millions more across the northeast. Roads turned into rivers in elementary school overwhelmed with water. The race to rescue trapped students and the dangerous rains about to pick up yet again. Plus, the unprecedented wildfires in Minnesota, the all-out battle to stop them. Star Witness testifies the woman allegedly attacked by Sean Diddy Combs in this video on the stand today. Her dramatic testimony about their violent arguments and what she says really happened during that infamous hotel fight. On the world stage, President Trump in Saudi Arabia securing hundreds of billions of dollars of investments in the U.S. and the surprise announcement

lifting sanctions on a Middle Eastern country. High stakes hearing, the Menendez brothers' best chance for freedom playing out in a California courtroom today. We hear from the DA fighting to keep them locked up. New fluoride ban. The FDA working toward prohibiting the use of fluoride tablets for children to prevent cavities is a nationwide ban on fluoride in water next. The head of the FDA joins top story. Police stand off with children. The chilling images from above, two children playing with a loaded gun, how police used a drone to safely disarm them. And facing her attackers, Kim Kardashian's emotional testimony in Paris describing the terrifying hours she was tied up and robbed the moment she says she thought she was going to die. Plus the huge reversal

from the major leagues, what it means for towering baseball figures Pete Rose and shoeless Joe Jackson. Top story starts right now. Good evening. I'm Ellison Barber in for Tomie Tonight, the flash flood emergency unfolding in Western Maryland as severe storms threatened millions across the Mid-Atlantic. And right now, we're learning about the desperate rescue at an elementary school. More than 100 kids and teachers forced to evacuate as water quickly rushed into the building at Western Port Elementary.

Video showing just outside of that school, a dumpster floating as well as several cars, the entire parking lot just completely inundated. This is another vantage point. point. We're told emergency crews strapped life jackets on to students before evacuating them by boat. But at this hour, much of the region is still dealing with that massive rainfall. Violent waters quickly rushing in and rising, taking over neighborhoods and overcoming front porches. That rare flash flood emergency issue just along the border of Maryland and

West Virginia. This same system responsible for a tornado that ripped across northeast North Carolina earlier today. You can see the significant damage it left behind, and the danger is far from over as storms charge across the eastern seaboard. NBC meteorologist Bill Karen starts off our coverage. Tonight, a life-threatening flash flood emergency in Western Maryland. Trapping 150 students and 50 adults inside Western Port Elementary School. Yeah, it is floating. Allegheny County Emergency Services says floodwater breached the second floor of the school. Cars and debris seen floating in the school parking lot as people waited through waste deep water to get to the school entrance. There are some kids on the boat now.

Authorities say they safely evacuated everyone inside the school by boat, transporting them to the other side of the flooded railroad tracks where students were reunited with parents. One child carried out on an adult's shoulders in chest deep water. School officials say students at several other schools cannot be evacuated and will be with school personnel until, emergency services determine they are able to be transported safely. The rising water rushing through the streets. Pouring into residential structures. The National Weather Service declaring a particularly dangerous situation in Western Port and neighboring communities urging residents to seek higher ground now.

As the dangerous situation unfolds out east, multiple wildfires raging in Minnesota. They are zero percent contained at this time. These are dangerous fires that are still moving, still threatening. The governor calling in the National Guard as three major fires burning more than 20,000 acres near Duluth. Officials say at least 80 structures have burned. It is nerve-wracking. This is our world. This is what we have. I retired here. This is my forever home. Michael Christensen and his wife among the dozens of families told to evacuate. So far, no injuries have been reported. But authorities say fires of this nature are really. rare for Minnesota. The weather the last few days is just really unprecedented. Really low humidity,

high winds that has allowed fires to spread really quickly. And Bill Cairns joins us now in studio. Bill, I want to get back to that flash flood emergency in Maryland. How severe is the threat at this hour? Yeah, we're not done. We're starting round two, Alison. We have torrential rain in the mountainous areas of Virginia in Maryland. These are the same areas that we showed you those flooding pictures from. So the ground is saturated. Rivers are already high. high, and we have numerous flash flood warnings, even in Ohio now, West Virginia, and this is the area near Charlottesville, Virginia, that I'm watching, you know, rainfall rates are increasing.

All of this bright red on the map is about one to two inches of rain that will fall in an hour's time, and this is all heading up to those areas where those children were rescued, too. So this is going to be a situation that will be unfolding well after dark tonight. Computers are hinting at at least one to two inches of additional rainfall in all of these areas. So, Allison, those kids are safe and back with their parents, but we still still. have numerous other homes and communities tonight that'll be threatened by the flash floods. NBC's Bill Cairns, thank you. Key testimony today in Sean Diddy Combs' federal sex trafficking trial.

The prosecution calling their star witness, Combs' former girlfriend Cassie Ventura, to the stand. Her testimony graphic and at times disturbing. NBC's Chloe Malas was in the courtroom and has the latest. Eight months pregnant Cassie Ventura on the stand today, describing a complicated and abusive relationship with Sean Diddy Combs that began when she was 21. He controlled a lot of my life, Ventura said, calling Combs a scary person. Ventura testifying that they had violent arguments where he would mash my head, knock me over, drag me, kick me. She said a few months into their relationship, Combs suggested hiring an escort to have sex with her while he watched.

My stomach churned, Ventura said. I was confused, nervous, but also loved him very much and wanted to make him happy. Combs called these choreograph sexual encounters freak-offs. Ventura today detailing how she and Combs would stay awake for days, taking drugs and having sex with strangers. She said at one point they happened weekly. The freak-offs became a job and there was no space to do anything else, she said. Ventura said she was often the one who hired the escorts, who were paid up to $6,000. She described how Combs' security and staff were always around, bringing supplies to freak-offs, baby oil and drugs. Ventura testified that the freakoffs made her feel disgusting and humiliated, but she says she feared Combs would become violent if she said no. His eyes would go

black, she said, and the version I knew of him was no longer there. Prosecutors showing the jury this video obtained by CNN showing Combs beating Ventura in the hallway of a hotel after she says she tried to leave a freak off. When asked how many times he'd thrown her like that, Ventura said too many to count. She has to give us the circumstances. Who directed these sex acts to happen? You know, how did she feel when they were happening? Did she want them to occur? Were they against her will? Those are all the elements that the prosecutors are going to have to prove to make their case. Combs is charged with five counts, including sex trafficking and racketeering. Lawyers for the music mogul acknowledge she's engaged in violent behavior and drug use, but say the acts at the center of this

case were all consensual. Several of Combs' family members were again in court today, including including his mother. At one point, Combs gesturing towards them, with his hands shaped as a heart. And we're joined now by Chloe Malas and NBC News legal analyst Danny Savalos. Chloe, let me start with you. You were outside of that courthouse now. You were inside the courtroom all day today. What were the demeanors of Combs and Ventura like? Take us behind the scenes a little bit. Yeah, I actually want to start with Combs' family. So right before Cassie Ventura's testimony, there was a break. went outside the courtroom, and all of his children, six out of seven of them, were standing in a prayer circle. Some of their mothers were there, and they were all standing like this,

praying for their father right before Cassie took the stand. Cassie crying for part of the testimony, but when she cried, it had to do with when she was reminiscing about her relationship with Combs, which is understandable. It's the first time they've been in the same room together in several years, and they were together for over a decade. Now, Combs, usually he's smiling, jovial, looking over at his family. Like you said, like I said in my piece, he like did the heart symbol to his family. Today, stress, looked over at them in between Cassie's testimony when they came back from a recess and his eyes, he widened them, and he let out this visible exhale. So a totally different combs in the courtroom today, very nervous. Danny, let me ask you, because

in a lot of ways, Cassie Ventura is a quote-unquote star witness for the prosecution, right? Like a very big get. How effective has she been as a witness for the prosecution based on what you've heard so far? Cassie is a star witness, but she may not be the most essential witness. And here's what I mean by that. When you look at the elements of the crime, and you saw Christy Greenberg talking about some of them, she certainly is helpful to testify as the atmosphere of coercion that went on there. But consider this.

If Combs is charged with trafficking. and prostitution crimes and transportation and native prostitution. All they really need is an escort to take the stand and say, I was paid and I was transported across state lines. Cassie Ventura is important, and she really sets the tone more than anything. Prosecutors are using her, yes, to describe an atmospheric coercion. But the entire story makes Combs look like a terrible person. And prosecutors, particularly federal prosecutors, are very good at mining that kind of evidence

and putting it in front of a jury. Right. And we've heard Danny the defense make this argument of saying, look, you might not like what he does in his personal life. He's been violent. He's done this. He's done this. But that's not what we're here for. This is a federal case. And you mentioned the charges he is facing. We can put those up on screen for viewers to see. It's racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Did anything we've heard from Cassie thus far back up those particular charges? Or is there still more to come from the prosecution? Absolutely. A lot more to come. The trafficking, you have to have force, fraud, or coercion. You certainly heard some of that from Cassie Ventura. You've heard testimony already about and even from escorts. That is critical because both the transportation for prostitution and the trafficking, those are elements. And so that kind of commercial sex acts are going to be essential to the case. So Cassie Ventura really, the work that she does for the prosecution, in my view, is more about creating this atmosphere. of what a terrible person, Sean Combs is. And yes, the defense is going to have to argue, you may think he's a jerk, but he is not guilty of these crimes and the government has not met their burden.

But so far, they're doing a pretty good job. Chloe, talk to us about when we could see Cassie Ventura back on the stand. She is going to be there tomorrow, right? Yes, we'll see her testify again tomorrow, and it could go through the end of the week. Ellison. Chloe Malas and Danny Savalos, thank you both.

Overseas, President Trump kicking off his tour of the Middle East today with a visit to Saudi Arabia. Trump receiving a lavish welcome from the Crown Prince from a fighter jet escort into the Capitol to a state dinner. And the major announcement Trump made there about dropping sanctions against Syria. NBC's Garrett Haake is on the ground in Riyadh with the president. President Trump tonight, the guest of honor at a lavish Saudi Arabian state dinner. Capping off a day of spectacle and statecraft. Saudi fighter jets escorting Air Force One into Riyadh, where the president was met by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The motorcade escorted by an honor guard on horseback. The president touting new deals, with the Saudis agreeing to buy $142 billion of American military equipment. Part of what the White House says is a $600 billion investment in the U.S. You'd have been creating tremendous numbers of jobs in the United States. The president noting a better than expected inflation report, now down to 2.3 percent compared to a year ago, the smallest increase in four years, and bringing with him a host of top American business executives, including Elon Musk and the CEOs of Amazon, Coca-Cola, and NVIDIA, and announcing he'll lift sanctions on Syria's new government at the urging of the Saudi Crown Prince. I will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria. in order to give them a chance at greatness.

Oh, what I do for the Crown Prince. But the President facing new Republican criticism after accepting an offer of a $400 million Boeing plane from the Qatari government, though the White House and Qatar say the plan is not yet final. The plane poses significant espionage and surveillance problems, but I certainly have concerns. Nikki Haley posting it, quote,

implies the President and the U.S. President and the U.S. can be bought. If this were Biden, we would be furious. And the Trump organization, now run by the president's sons, has recently struck development deals in each nation he's visiting after swearing off foreign dealmaking during his first term. Trump Tower, Jeddah, coming soon. This trip also comes a day after a diplomatic win for the president. Securing the release of Idan Alexander, the last living American hostage held by Hamas. Don holding up a sign saying, thank you President Trump. His parents speaking today.

It is wonderful to have it down home. Really a gift from God to watch him, Hagiael, his brother and his sister, knowing that his suffering is over. And Garrett Haig joins us now from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is traveling with the president tonight. Garrett, this is just the first stop of President Trump's trip through the Middle East. Where is he headed next? Yeah, a busy couple of days ahead, Ellison. Tomorrow morning, the president will meet with leaders of other Gulf countries here in Saudi Arabia. And we are told, meet at least briefly with the new president of Syria, a stop or an appearance made more important by his announcement today of the lifting of sanctions.

Then it's on to Qatar, where the visit will follow a similar format, a series of bilateral meetings with that country's leader, and a state dinner there tomorrow night. He'll visit the air base in Qatar on Thursday, then wrap up the trip. with a visit to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, another country with which the U.S. has close military ties and if the president gets his way, even closer economic ties by the time he heads back to the United States. Ellison? NBC's Garrett Haig, thank you.

And some breaking news out of the baseball world, the league reinstating Hall of Fame eligibility for several former players, including legendary Cincinnati Reds player Pete Rose, who was banned from the honor after an investigation revealed he was placing bets while playing for and managing the team. The decision today comes eight months after Rose's death.

NBC news correspondent Sam Brock has this report. For baseball's all-time hit leader, Pete Rose. Two-one bits from Schaultz into the left center. There it is. An end to a multi-decade effort to get reinstated into Major League Baseball after Rose agreed in 1989 to go on its permanent ineligible list amidst an investigation into his gambling on the sport. Commissioner Rob Menfred, writing, it's an unprecedented issue in the modern era as Mr. Rose is the first person banned to die while still on the ineligible list, adding, a person no longer with us cannot represent a threat to the integrity of the game.

I want baseball and Pete Rose to be friends. That's all I want for it. So I can say, I'm not an outsider looking at. Rose, who died last September, acknowledged in an autobiography, and in this interview with ABC's Charlie Gibson, he did bring. the cardinal rule of the sport as manager, though he says he never bet against his own team. Did you bet on baseball? Yes, I did, and that was my mistake. Rose's attorney celebrating today's news. He went through life as the scarlet letter of what happens when you bet. You couldn't face a bigger price than he did.

The player known as Charlie Hustle for years had many supporting his reinstatement, including President Trump. Today's announcement included 16 other now reinstated MLB figures, among them, though, stained by the Black Sox scandal of 1919, including shoeless Joe Jackson. And Sam Brock joins us now in studio. So Sam, in terms of Pete Rose, what are the next steps here? So Pete Rose is reinstated back in Major League Baseball. This doesn't mean he's getting into the Hall of Fame, which of course is the big question. And all this, Allison, there's a historical committee that looks at who's going to be eligible for the ballot. And then a specific committee that looks at players that were impacted before 1980, right? This is not your traditional run-of-the-mill process. They're going to look at that.

And then of the 16 members of that committee, 12 of them, or 75% need to vote for Rose. And the reality is baseball is a sport that's very strict about its rules, its history, its culture. We just don't know whether or not the writers, in this case, where the committee members are going to be okay with Pete Rose being in the Hall of Fame. But from a credential standpoint, there's no question. All right. NBC, Sam Brock. Thank you. Next tonight, New Mexico Police speaking with NBC News about a frightening standoff between officers and officers and

two young boys armed with a gun. That encounter captured on camera showing the moment's authorities swoop in and arrest the kids with the help of a drone. NBC's Morgan Chesky has more. Tense moments near Albuquerque, New Mexico. Put it down, baby. Just drop it, buddy. Put it down, babe. You're okay. Deputies in a standoff with two young boys, a drone's camera capturing both sharing a loaded firearm. Let's not do that. Let's take our hand off, buddy. Let's put it on the ground. When the seven and nine-year-old don't comply, officers use a non-lethal round to fire a warning shot. Drop it! Drop it! Drop it now! In seconds, it's over. The drones view allowing deputies to close in and disarm the boys without anyone getting hurt. Drop it now. Drop it. I don't have the gun. I don't have the gun. The February incident highlighting the growing use of drones in law enforcement.

Knowing what you do now, If the drone wasn't available in this situation, where does that put your officers? It puts them straight into a deadly force encounter, where we don't want them. So without that drone, we wouldn't have real-time information coming into us. While critics raise concerns over privacy, Sheriff John Allen calls drones a valuable tool, telling NBC news they're becoming standard protocol during standoffs. We don't have time to surveil people. They're just not flying around in the area and patrolling.

They're only going there up on request or if it's a certain priority calls. Saving lives when every second matters. There's always improvements you can look for, but we save lives, and that's what it's all about. Morgan Chesky. And Morgan Chesky joins us now from Los Angeles. Morgan, we also learned these two young boys are actually brothers, right? What else do we know about this situation? Yeah, the sheriff was very candid, Ellison, about this particular call, telling us that this address is one that he's

his deputies have been called out to at least 50 times in recent years, acknowledging the fact that the father of those two boys is now in police custody. He is a convicted felon, and so there are likely to be charges here of a felon being in a possession of a firearm, that handgun being the very weapon that those boys were able to gain access to in this incident that was all caught on camera. No official charges yet to be filed. Sheriff telling us that this is still very much an active investigation, but crediting that drone again, Ellison, for being an incredibly valuable tool that ended this story without anyone getting hurt.

Allison? Morgan Chesky, thank you. And we're back at a moment with two major court hearings today. Kim Kardashian on the stand her tearful testimony about the moment she was tied up and robbed, how she faced down her alleged attackers, and the Menendez brothers' best chance for freedom. The request from their lawyers yesterday, or today rather, that could set them free without an additional parole hearing. Plus, living the dream. The man who quit his job learned to sail and is now on an adventure around the world joined by his cat and millions of online

followers. It was an emotional day of testimony for Kim Kardashian. The fashion icon and reality star sitting face to face with her attackers in a French court, detailing the terrifying moment she was tied up at gunpoint and robbed back in 2016. NBC's Raf Sanchez is there. Tonight, Kim Kardashian making an emotional appearance in a Paris court. Testifying for five hours against the gang accused of holding her at gunpoint, tying her up, and stealing nearly $10 million of her jewelry. I was sure that was when they were going to shoot, So I said a prayer, she told the court. I absolutely thought I was going to die.

Kardashian describing the night in 2016 when robbers disguised as police burst into the luxury apartment where she was staying. A nightmare she'd relived before. And he grabbed me and pulled me towards him, but I wasn't wearing anything underneath. So I was like, okay, this is like the time I'm going to get raped. Kardashian telling the court that her hands, mouth, and feet were tied with tape. And that after the robbers left, she hid. in the bushes, fearing they could return, saying, I didn't know what was in their mind, so I was not going to take any chances. After today's hearing, her lawyers addressing the media.

What was it like for your client after nearly nine years to come face to face with the people who allegedly put her through this? It was a heroic effort on her part. Obviously, she testified this was a devastating experience for her. It fundamentally changed the arc of her life. The 10 defendants nicknamed the Grandpa Gang, because many of them are in their 60s and 70s. In the French criminal justice system, defendants don't plead guilty or not guilty the way they do in the U.S. But some have admitted responsibility, including Omar 8 Kadesh, known as Old Omar. The 69-year-old, now deaf and mute, wrote a letter of apology, which was read aloud in court. Kardashian tearing up as she offered her forgiveness, but said his actions had changed her life forever.

And Raf Sanchez joins us now from Paris. Raf Kim also described what she says are the long-term impacts this robbery has had on her life. What did she say in regards to that? She basically said this robbery changed everything, Alison. For starters, she used to post on social media in real time, where she was, what kind of jewelry she was wearing. She says she believes this armed gang used those social media posts to track her. down. So she says she doesn't do that anymore. And in terms of security, she used to have maybe one bodyguard for her entire family party when she was traveling. That was the situation

in 2016. She and her sister Courtney were sharing a bodyguard. That bodyguard was out with Courtney while Kardashian was on her own at the apartment. She says now their family doesn't go anywhere without multiple bodyguards. And that even for a family as wealthy as theirs, that is a pretty substantial financial burden. Allison. NBC's Ralph Sanchez in Paris, France. Thank you. When Top Story returns courtroom drama, the new motion from the Menendez brothers' lawyer today, how reducing their sentence to a manslaughter charge would likely let them walk free. Plus, taking action, the head of the FDA joins Top Story, his announcement today that could

restrict the use of fluoride for children. And we are back now with Top Stories News Feed. The man accused of hitting and killing a sheriff deputy and retaliation for his son's death appearing in court today. Rodney Hinton Jr. pleading not guilty to a Cincinnati in a Cincinnati courtroom to charges for murder and aggravated murder. He allegedly targeted the deputy hours after seeing body camera video of an officer involved shooting that left his son dead. The deputy he is accused of hitting was not involved in that shooting. Hinton faces the death penalty if convicted. His trial is scheduled to begin in February.

And a large fire in Baltimore that impacted Amtrak service continues to burn today. It began last night with a multi-story mattress warehouse. Firefighters say there is concern of a potential building collapse. They are now working on a demolition plan. The fire impacted Amtrak service and left some passenger stranded overnight. no injuries reported. The cause is still under investigation. And a Kansas City Chiefs fan known as Chiefsaholic sentenced to more prison time for his bank robbery spree. Xavier Babu Dar, given another 32 years from an Oklahoma judge, he is already serving a 17 and a half year sentence for robbing

banks in multiple states across the South and the Midwest. Prosecutors say he used the stolen money to finance his social media status and gambling habit. He pleaded guilty. His Crimes and Chiefs fan persona were the subject of a documentary last year. Sports Illustrated unveiling one of its 2025 swimsuit cover models, actress Selma Hayek, the Oscar-nominated star revealing her picture this morning on the Today Show. She says she never thought a woman who looked like her would be on the cover, let alone at age 58. The other three cover models are Olympic gymnast Jordan Childs, gymnastics and influencer Olivia, gymnast and influencer Olivia Don and then model Lauren Chan who founded the plus-sized clothing brand

in a Los Angeles courtroom today the Menendez brothers appeared virtually for their resentencing hearing a judge deciding whether Eric and Lyle Menendez should get a chance at freedom after serving more than 30 years for the murder of their parents NBC's Dana Griffin has the details good evening we have breaking news here from Van Nuys California where the menendez brothers have been resentenced to 50 years to life in prison, ultimately making them eligible for parole. It was an astonishing moment in court, emotional and gripping at times when both brothers got to speak to the judge and to their families. Lyle went first saying, I killed my mom and dad.

I do not blame my parents. He got emotional at times. He says, even after I killed my father, I still had his voice in my head. And he went on to say, I promised to never use violence to solve a problem again. Eric went on to say that he has had, that he has profound sorrow to everyone in his family. He says, my actions were cruel and cowardly, both brothers saying that there was no excuse for these murders and that they take full accountability. Now, the judge acknowledged that these crimes were horrible, but he also noted that he was just as shocked by the letters of support from prison officials, including one lieutenant who in 25 years has never written a letter of support for any inmate. The judge's decision now leaves the next fateful phase in their resentencing in the hands of the parole board who will ultimately decide if they should be paroled.

And then that needs to go to Governor Gavin Newsom, who will ultimately sign off on whether Eric and Lylemanendez, who were convicted for killing their parents in that horrific shotgun murder back in 1989, are now eligible for parole again, just an extraordinary last half hour of this hearing. We thought it would go on until tomorrow, but the judge kept us a little bit longer past the closing time for court. And at this moment, Lyle and Eric Menendez are one step closer to their freedom. I want to bring in Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hockman, his office presenting the case that the Menendez brothers should not be resentenced at this time. D.A. Hockman, thank you for joining us. Your team chose not to call any witnesses of their own in the hearing today. Walk us through. Why not? So we've laid out an entire factual record that shows that the district attorney's position for the Menendez resentencing is not never, it's not yet, that the Menendez brothers have not fully and completely accepted responsibility for all the lies that they told in connection with their crimes, the lie of self-defense, where they said that the reason they killed their parents was not because of sexual abuse, but because they believed their parents were going to kill them that night of August 20th, 1989. We showed that that self-defense defense was a complete lie.

They had a free-planned alibi. They bought the shotguns two days before. They staged the killing to look like a mafia hit, including shooting their father through the back of the head, their mother at point-blank range on a cheek after reloading, and then shooting them in the kneecaps afterwards to stage it like a mafia hit, and then basically said, we don't know who killed our parents, but we want them dead.

So at the end of the day, what we said is that the Menendez brothers, when they fully and sincerely accept full responsibility for their actions and that their risk level goes from moderate, which is what just came through the door, through the comprehensive risk assessments, back to low for a risk of violence, that at that point they would qualify and should qualify for resentencing, but we're not there yet. Let's talk about that risk assessment because the judge today clarified that resentencing would only be taken off the table if there was a presumption that the brothers would would commit a specific list of high-level crimes.

He said things like murder or rape. You have pointed to the most recent risk assessment analysis that found the brothers recently broke prison rules by smuggling cell phones inside to the facility as a reason not to re-sentence at this time. And you just cited that one there again. Do you really believe that the details of that risk assessment, a non-violent offense, sneaking cell phones into the prison,

means the brothers present a moderate risk of committing violent crime. again if they're released? The issue is not what I think, but what four board-certified psychologists who actually prepared that comprehensive risk assessment actually think. And what they said is that the Menendez brothers

were willing to commit rule violations while in a highly structured environment awaiting resentencing, that if we actually put them out in the public without any structure at all, that the risk of violence, which used to be low, which used to be low, has now been increased to moderate. Again, the Menendez brothers, if anything, should have been on their best behavior as they're awaiting

resentencing. Instead, they smuggle cell phones into the facility. They admit to Eric Menendez admits to purchasing drugs for other inmates. He admits to years before committing tax fraud for other inmates. Again, they should be on their best behavior. They're not. And that's why the board-certified psychologists have determined that they're not ready for resentencing at this point. Okay, understood on that. Let me have you respond to something we have

heard from the Menendez brothers attorney, Mark Grigeros. He told NBC News that he is pushing for the brothers to be resentenced on a lesser conviction of voluntary manslaughter, which would not require a parole hearing. Theoretically, that could get them released immediately given time already served. What do you think about that? Is there any scenario where things are right now from your perspective and the fact that they have not changed their position on claiming this was in self-defense. Do you think a modification to a manslaughter conviction is something that you and your office would be open to or consider fair? Absolutely not, because it's completely against the facts. In fact, the jury found that these killings were deliberate, they were willful,

and they were premeditated. They relied on all the evidence before the crimes or the Menendez brothers set up these murders. During the crimes, when they executed a plan to stage this hit like a mafia hit and after the crimes, when they methodically got rid of the evidence and they came up with a whole bunch of scenarios, including it being a mafia hit, to shield themselves from responsibility for these murders. None of that factual pattern backs up a voluntary manslaughter conviction. And in fact, it's a bit of a desperate move by the defense to try and stretch or break the facts in order to fit that type of charge.

And the brothers did not testify today. What do you make of that? Do you think they should have taken the stand? The decision on whether a defendant testifies is a very personal decision that's made between that person and their lawyer. Whether they decide to testify or not, it's additional facts that the judge then has to consider. One of those facts we've said is if the menendezes ever came fully clean with all their criminal actions, deceits, and lies, and did it sincerely and unequivocally, the judge should consider that.

The fact that they've chosen not to do that at this hearing, I think also should be considered by the judge. All right, and we will see what the judge decides in due time. DA, Nathan Hockman, thank you so much for your time tonight. We really appreciate it. Thank you very much. And we're back in just a moment with the man in charge of keeping America's food and drugs safe,

his new action to make baby formulas safer and his controversial move on fluoride products today. us living all nine lives to their fullest, the cat on a sailing adventure of a lifetime, and the fans following every nautical moment. Tonight, the FDA announcing two new initiative, which could have major impacts on the health of America's children, a new study of the nutrients and baby formula, and new actions to take prescription fluoride drops and tablets off the market. These fluoride products are typically prescribed by dentists or

pediatricians for kids at higher risk of tooth decay and cavities, often the result of drinking water without fluoride. It comes as the health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., has fought to take fluoride out of drinking water supplies across this country. Joining us now to discuss all of it is Dr. Marty McCarrie, the new commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. McCarrie, thank you so much for taking the time to join Top Story. We really appreciate it.

Let's talk about these prescriptions. You have said these prescription fluoride products pose a risk when ingested by children because they could interact with healthy gut bacteria, which we know is important for things like digestion, as well as just our general immune system. With this announcement, the FDA also cited some other studies suggesting that fluoride is associated with thyroid problems, weight gain, and sometimes a decreased IQ.

And yet the CDC has also described the U.S.'s use of fluoride in community water as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. They say it reduced tooth decay by roughly 25% in adults and children. What are the major concerns you have with these particular products? Well, good to be with you, Allison. You know, we have to look at the overall child when we talk about health, not just the dentition of the child. Parents should adopt good dental hygiene for their children.

toothpaste with fluoride, fluoride rinses, avoiding excess sugar, but giving kid an ingestible prescription fluoride tablet, which right now it is being given to kids as young as six months of age, is doing damage to the microbiome. And we know altering gut health in a child can have long-term consequences. There was also a study in JAMA, our top medical journal, that summarized 74 studies on fluoride and found an association between cognitive problems like lower IQ and fluoride in the drinking water. So there's enough cause here to say, let's put the brakes on ingesting fluoride. Let's get some more scientific review. And today the FDA announced that we are planning to take action should that scientific review go in the direction that the studies are suggesting.

And to be clear for our viewers, we're talking about specifically these pursuously. prescription right now, prescription products. This isn't something the average person would have seen at a drug store in their neighborhood. Let me ask you how this will actually play out, because I understand the FDA has started the review of these fluoride products, and that review is set to be done by the end of October. After that review, theoretically the drugs could be removed from the market. Are you talking about having a formal ban of these products, or would this just be a recommendation from the FDA asking manufacturers to not sell it?

them. Look, if this review that we're planning to do in the next couple months does not affirm what we are already seeing in the medical scientific literature emerging as a significant safety concern to children, we are planning to withdraw prescription ingestible fluoride from the marketplace. Kids that are six months of age where their teeth have not even emerged yet. But would that be a formal ban or recommendation? Because they're very different. I'll tell you, Alison, in my opinion, prescription fluoride is on the market illegally. It was never FDA approved. Okay, but vitamins also are FDA approved. Yeah, but just to help me understand, would it be a ban? Like, could we see government action? Would you need Congress involved in that van? How will it actually play out?

Look, we are going to tell the companies to remove prescription digestible fluoride. These are chewable tablets for kids six months of age throughout their childhood to remove that from the market. We do not believe that the claims on the packaging match any scientific support, and we're going to ask them to remove it from the marketplace. Understood. Critics have said that banning these products could be the first step to banning fluoride more broadly in the U.S. And some people, as you know, are concerned about a ban like that, given the widely celebrated health benefits of safe and small fluoride use. Do you believe that fluoride in any dosage is, and of itself, dangerous?

Well, look, I can tell where you're going with this question because you made a big assumption there that it's safe and it reduces cavities. I'm looking respectfully, Dr. McCarrie, I'm looking at data from the federal government, including some agencies that you work with. I mean, according to the EPA, 0.7 milligrams per liter is the optimal level for fluoride in drinking water. but it has been deemed safe to consume water with up to two milligrams per liter of fluoride. So I'm just asking you broadly, given that, do you agree with that assessment? And since there are people who are saying, hey, we're worried this could be banned outright,

do you believe fluoride in and of itself in the dosages that we see used, that it's unsafe? Look, I believe the CDC website that says that the fluoridation of water is one of the greatest public health achievements in history is misinformation. It is messing up the gut microbiome of children. Gut health is driving overall health. And when you have a surge of chronic diseases, you have to look at what's altering the gut microbiome. It's unnecessary antibiotics, it's ultra-processed foods, it may be other environmental toxins and chemicals that appear in our food supply today. Why else are we seeing such a rise in chronic diseases that were rare a generation ago? One in five women now has an autoimmune disease.

38% of kids have diabetes or pre-diabetes. Attention deficit disorders now like 1 in 12 kids. One in seven are taking medications. Our nation's children are sick. Why does Europe have 3% of their drinking water fluoridated? And we're giving chewable, ingestable, concentrated fluoride tablets on a prescription basis to six-month-olds. It is messing up their microbiome.

The data are clear. If you think it's fluoritis safe, read the 2024 Cochrane review. Cochran is the highest authoritative body in all of clinical medicine, and it has said that there's no association between fluoridated water and cavity rates in permanent teeth. But my question for you was specifically if you think it is dangerous to consume it. I know that there are multiple countries in Europe, Italy, France. It is altering the microbiome. Why have I had patients in my career at Johns Hopkins have all this chronic abdominal pain and digestive problems? And they go to Italy, They're suddenly cured of their condition.

So you believe it is unsafe for the American population to consume any amount of fluoride? Medically unsafe. Fluoride is not driving our chronic disease epidemic. But when you look at the cumulative exposure of all of these things that alter the gut microbiome, it may very well be associated with some of these chronic diseases. And I think the FDA should be erring on the side of safety when it comes to children. Okay, well, let me move on now and ask you about the FDA's new plan to analyze the nutrients in baby formula. Walk us through that.

What exactly are you and the other scientists involved planning to look at with this? Well, look, as a part of Secretary Kennedy's initiative called Operation Storic Speed, we have been asked at the FDA to look at the heavy metals that appear in infant formula and baby formula. We've been asked to look at alternatives to the standard products. There's been very little innovation in the baby formula space. And when you get very few product types on the market, sometimes you're more at risk for shortages when there's not as much competition. Moms today want baby formula without seed oil.

They want baby formula without added sugar. And if there's a demand for that, we think the FDA should be facilitating the approval of safe and effective baby formula that we know nourishes babies if the data is perceived. presented by the companies to show that. It's been, there's been very little innovation in this space. As a matter of fact, the way the FDA works, there's a recipe where you have to include some of those ingredients in order to sell it on the marketplace. It's called a monograph.

So we want to see more baby formula products come to market to meet that consumer demand. And we are convening the world's top experts on baby formula on June 3rd at the FDA. And we're going to have a public roundtable. talking openly about everything we're doing. I've been going on media, nonstop, explaining our rationale with everything from fluoride in concentrated tablets given to babies to what we're doing on AI, reducing animal testing. We are changing the way inspections are done overseas, so they're not scheduled. They're surprise inspections. I've been on the job six weeks now. We're trying to be very forthcoming and transparent about every single thing we're doing.

And that's why the baby formula expert roundtable on June 3rd is going to be public. We will mark that in our calendars, and we certainly appreciate you, taking the time to speak with us and go through some questions while we have you. I do also want to ask you about the measles outbreaks across the United States with cases reported now in at least 30 states this year. Your boss, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been skeptical of the MMR vaccine in the past. He now says it is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus. but at the same time, we have also seen and heard him pushing some false claims that it has not been safety tested. It is something that is largely accepted as safe and effective. It became widespread used in America in the 1970s.

So let me just ask you, as the head of the FDA, do you recommend the measle vaccine? Look, I believe vaccines save lives, and I believe any death from a vaccine preventable illness is a tragedy. And I do think it's curious, though, the way people are trying to peg the measles outbreak to Secretary Bobby Kennedy, who's focused on children's health. No, we're not trying to peg it. I'm just trying to understand where your administration stands on vaccines. Well, I mean, he went right to Secretary Kennedy. Well, he's the main. He's the head of the department, you know. These men and I'm not talking about one community. He's been there. Okay. He has been there. He has been there for a few months. If you look at those severe cases in the Mennonite communities, that Mennonite community has been there.

has not been vaccinated since 1800 when Benjamin Waterhouse invented. A lot of people live in this country, and there are right now at least 10 active outbreaks in the United States. That's not just the Minanites. My question for you is do you recommend the measles vaccines as the head of the FDA, the agency that regulates vaccines. Do you recommend the MMR vaccine for most Americans? Yes or no? As the head of the agency in charge. I know you want me to recite.

I know you want me to recite some catechism, but I answered your question. I answered your question. I wish you would have the same enthusiasm to address the 20 million kids that are sick with chronic diseases in the United States right now. 20 million kids, we're talking diabetes, asthma, obesity, insulin resistance. We have a chronic disease epidemic. And if you could take 5% of your enthusiasm around this one topic of MMR, which I've already addressed with you here

and focus on what we're doing to try to make food healthier for kids to try to increase the number of cures and meaningful treatments that we're trying to deliver to Americans at the FDA. That would be appreciated. Respectfully, sir, I'm enthusiastic about all of it and I would be happy to talk with you

and your agency any time you would like and I hope you will join us again. Thank you for your time tonight. Stay with us. We will be right back. Tonight, a man, his boat and his cat on a trip around the world, how a scary medical diagnosis prompted him to reexamine his life and leave his job to try and live out his dream on the open seas. 29-year-old Oliver Widger has done something many only fantasize about. Leaving his job in Oregon last year. I work a corporate job at a tire shop. I absolutely hate this. life. And taking a leap of faith. Yeah, I'm going to buy a sailboat and I'm going to sail around

the world for the rest of my life until I die. And this is day one of crossing the Pacific Ocean and sailing from Oregon to Hawaii. Setting out to sail first across the Pacific and then around the world. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. I am. Along the way, he's been dazzled by dolphins. Dolphin right there. Oh! Oh! and stunning sunsets. But look at this. His only crew member, his cat, Phoenix. Tell us about Phoenix.

How long have you had Phoenix? I've had her seven years. She found me in a dumpster at my job. She's going to walk all over the keyboard. Oliver spoke to us from his boat in the middle of the ocean, about halfway along his journey to Hawaii. I'm like 12 days out, something like that. He says it was about of neck pain,

roughly four years ago that set him on this path. I had a doctor tell me, she was like, I've done this for 20 years, and I've never seen anything like that. Your neck looks like it's somebody who's over 115 years old. Widger tells us he was diagnosed with cliphole fail syndrome, where two or more neck bones are fused together. It's a rare condition that can sometimes result in paralysis. And that just like was like a punch in the gut.

I just like started like looking at my own mortality and like being like, well, what am I? This actually sucks. Like this sucks. You know what I mean? I don't want to do this. He says he liquidated his 401k and used all of his savings to buy a boat. I tried to fix it. It didn't work. The seas have at times humbled him. And day five is the spiciest by far.

From big waves in sea sickness. Somehow my cat is doing much better than I am. To getting locked in the boat's engine compartment alone. A huge wave came and it slammed shut. Fortunately, I had a wrench with me. I popped off the hinges to get out. And that was the second scariest thing of my life. But from the lowest lows to the highest highs.

My man is going from Oregon to Hawaii. Oliver's journey has struck a court. Like, I don't think he understand how many people he aspiring right now. I too can escape the loop that I've been living in. More than one million people following his trip on Instagram alone. It's been amazing. It feels like winning the lottery. Now Oliver and Phoenix looking forward to doing repairs and getting much needed R&R in Hawaii before setting off on their next adventure.

I've worked so hard for so long and I'm just going to like snorkel for like 30 days and like just look at fish and then French Polynesia is next. And thank you so much for watching Top Stories. Stay right there. More news is on the way.