Top Story with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, February 8, 2023

Episode Date: February 9, 2023

The death toll from the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria soars past 12,000, bomb threat cleared the courtroom and temporarily halted Alex Murdaugh's murder trial, a new study finds CTE in nearly 92% of former NFL players examined, the new movement on TikTok that's convincing users what they shouldn't buy, and the small sideline reporter with a big heart taking the sports world by storm.

Tonight, the desperate search for survivors as the death toll in Turkey and Syria continues to climb. More than 12,000 lives lost in that devastating earthquake. Crews still digging through the rubble, miraculously finding people still alive after three days of being trapped. A member of Syria's white helmets joins Top Story tonight with an update on those rescue efforts on the ground. Back here at home, the severe weather threat heading into tonight. Heavy rains and flooding reported tornado watches now in effect. Bill Karen standing by for us. Ready to run. President Biden taking his message from last night state of the union on the road, rallying in a critical swing state. Is this the start of a 2024 bid for the White House?

Plus the new war of words on the Republican side. What former President Trump is saying his potential primary challenger, Ronda Santis did. The scary moment at the Alec Murdoch murder trial, the courtroom, evacuation. after a bomb threat was called in what this means for the rest of the proceedings. Plus, the racist next door? Ring camera footage showing a woman repeatedly harassing her neighbors and hurling racist insults, which she has now been charged with more than a year after the verbal assault started. And the Pee-wee sideline reporter, taking the sports world by storm, we'll introduce you to the 10-year-old phenom, shocking NFL stars with his interviewing skills.

Let's just hope he doesn't come from my job. job. Top story starts right now. And good evening back in New York City, and we begin top story tonight with the desperate search for survivors in Syria and Turkey. After that devastating earthquake, we told you the scope of this tragedy was almost impossible to put into words when the death toll stood at 3,000. And tonight, an unthinkable 12,000 have now been confirmed dead. But 72 hours After that initial quake, the people of Turkey and Syria are still somehow holding on to hope. And that's because of moments like this, rescue teams, still pulling people out of live, including many young children, even after three days, families just waiting on words from their loved ones, huddled around campfires.

Many of these people now with nowhere to go and temperatures there are still falling fast. Aid workers from dozens of countries scrambling to try to bring help, but this is just one of the hurdles they're facing to get there. Roads like this one in Syria, you can see it completely torn apart by the power of the quake. The scope of the devastation, best seen from the sky right here. You see this, the satellite image showing what would be the epicenter before the earthquake hit. All of those red spots right there, you see are roofs or homes or buildings. And now look at this, the same spot, many of those structures reduced to rubble. The scope of this humanitarian crisis is just enormous.

We are covering all signs of this tonight. Straight ahead, we'll talk to a member of the white helmets on the ground in northern Syria searching for survivors tonight. But first, let's get right to NBC's Gabe Gutierrez, who's made his way to Turkey. Gabe, you have seen a lot in your career as we see these mounds of debris behind you. What is it like on the ground there tonight? Tom, it is remarkable to witness. The scale of this disaster is just overwhelming.

sense of where I am. There is an urgent search and rescue mission going on right now. It's happening around the clock, not just here in this city, but in multiple cities across southern Turkey and northern Syria. Just a few moments ago, we were given the all clear because previously we have been told to stay quiet because those rescue crews are listening for any signs of life underneath that rubble. And again, this is happening across this region. Tonight, about 72 hours after those catastrophic earthquakes, more remarkable rescues in Turkey and Syria. This newborn survivor hoisted from the rubble. Another young girl pulled out to applause and her grandfather's relief.

This one-and-a-half-year-old rescued and then reunited with her father. Jubilation amid the horror. the horror. That horror stretches far and wide here. Today, we traveled to Kahaman Mirash, the epicenter, a city that endured both the initial 7.8 magnitude quake and its devastating aftershocks. These satellite images show the city before the quakes and after. Now, it is as miserable as it is frigid. It's a chaotic scene. There are people huddled here in the cold. Some are crying. Multiple buildings on this block of collapse, and there's an active search and rescue operation on their way.

But every few minutes, they discover another body, and another family is crushed with agony. How critical is every minute here? Every second counts, this rescuer says. Looking on is 17-year-old Tunahin-Nar, who tells us that these five of his extended family members have been found dead here, that these three others are missing. He's in shock. One big white lights, everywhere were white. I looked and the chair was shaking so bad. Across the border in Syria, at least 300,000 people have been displaced.

And while there are signs of hope like this family who was rescued, crews are also digging this mass grave for those who were not as fortunate. Today, Turkey's President Erdogan, the devastation and publicly acknowledge problems with the initial response. This woman tells us she's waiting to hear from missing loved ones, and it's difficult to accept what's happened. And just within the last few minutes, we've heard from a search and rescue team from Israel that they've just made contact with a woman who's trapped inside that building.

We meet her anxious father and brother who've already lost other relatives. How hard is it to know that she is still trapped in there? worse than death, he says. And for so many here who are suffering, tonight is expected to get even colder. And with that, Gabe Gutierrez joins us now from Gaziantep, Turkey. Gabe, that last rescue you highlighted there in your story. Do we know how that trap family is doing? And if we have any idea when they'll be rescued? Well, Tom, unfortunately, we've lost contact with that family. But at last check, they were still trying to reach that woman, her legs. were trapped underneath that rubble and they couldn't get her out, but they were hopeful that they would be able to get her out. But Tom, if I can just show you right here, the temperatures are bitterly cold now, and residents here are settling in for another cold night.

You see them burning fires right there. Again, such cold temperatures with these search and rescue teams working around the clock, and people here are just waiting for any sort of news that they can possibly hang on to because these rescues, again, are just... It's a situation where there's just this overwhelming sense of desperation, and they don't know when this might be over, Tom. Little to no power, no heat, and utter devastation everywhere you look. Can you give our viewers a sense of how widespread this devastation is? Because from what we understand, it's not just contained to one town. It's several cities there in Turkey.

Yeah, it's at least 10 major cities in southern Turkey as well. As northern Syria, as I mentioned in my report, more than 300,000. thousand people in Syria alone are displaced. And there's a state of emergency for the next three months here in Turkey. But this is extremely widespread, Tom. And I should also mention that U.S. search and rescue teams are also here on the ground. They made it to southern Turkey today, and they are now on the move to some of the most effective regions. But Tom, as you can see behind me, the need here is just so overwhelming. It's difficult to fathom how this international rescue effort will be able to get to all these places with this race against time now underway.

Tom. Gabe Gutierrez and his team reporting in there from southern Turkey. As Gabe mentioned, this devastation stretches into northern Syria. And for more on the tragedy there, White Helmets Volunteer. Ismail Al-Badula joins us now from Idlib province. Ismail, as you've been conducting these rescues, what are you seen up close? I have seen Tens of families beneath the rubble

It's not different from Turkey We the massive scale of rubble The mountains of rubble We're dealing with the same With the same scale of rubble Our efforts haven't stopped Which we're raising the time We're racing the time

We're working around the clock To save those who are trapped We're hearing voices, we're hearing calling for help from under the rebel, but we are afraid that we will lose them all. That situation in general, it's a very tragic, because it's happened in the middle of the winter. And the winter here is harsh, too harsh of the people called no electricity, nothing. Idlib is a rebel-held province, torn apart by war there. Things were already desperate, and there is no type of government response because of what's happening with the war in Syria.

How are you getting any help, and how much more help do you need? Up to now, we haven't received any help. No one entered northwest Syria. We need urgent help, actually, like any country that have... like this disaster. We need heavy equipment. We need generators for the electricity, medical supplies,

mobile clinics, maybe. For those who lost their houses, they need shelter. Ismail al-Badula from the white helmets there in Syria? Ismail, thank you. Back here at home, we are watching the radar very closely, and our weather teams are on standby, because tonight there is a tornado threat looming over the Mississippi Valley and the Gulf Coast.

More than 10 million Americans at risk as thunderstorms and flooding hit the region. New video shows a car being pulled from floodwaters in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Drivers forced to navigate the roads. Some have turned to rivers. That's not too bad there. Our Bill Cairns, though, is tracking that serious threat for us tonight. Bill, how are you doing tonight? Well, Tom, I mean, we have another winter storm where we're not talking about snow or sleet or ice.

This is tornado threat once again, just like back in January. So 10 million people at risk from Little Rock all the way down to New Orleans, up to many areas of Memphis. It's this area in orange that would be the greatest risk of seeing a strong tornado or two in the next five to six hours. That's the target time. We've started our event. So far, no reports of any tornadoes, no damage or anything. But again, over the next five to six hours, it's possible. And we have our tornado watches. One expires at 9 o'clock. One expires at 11 o'clock. So the sun is long set and it's dark out. And these thunderstorms are rolling all the way through Mississippi now and eventually heading up here. towards Memphis. We have one tornado warning south of McComb, and that's the only one currently,

so we'll keep an eye on that if we have any damage reports out of that area. Flash flooding, we showed you those pictures. That's been a major problem, two to five inches of rain during the day today. Additional rainfall ending in Arkansas, but down along the Gulf Coast, isolated flash flooding. And there's also numerous other problems with this storm. Wind will be a huge one, and a little bit of snow, not a lot, but kids will get a snow day here. It'll be slick for travel, southern portions of Wisconsin and eastern Iowa. And the windy conditions will catch a lot of people by surprise tomorrow, especially in the Ohio Valley. High wind warnings, Indianapolis, all the way up through areas, Toledo, Cleveland, back

to Buffalo. We will have people thousands without power because of this storm tomorrow, Tom. All right, Bill, Karen, for us, Bill, we appreciate it. Okay, next to these tense moments inside the courthouse during the double murder trial of former lawyer Alex Murdoch, a telephone bomb threat forcing the judge to order an evacuation, sending people rushing out of the building. NBC's Blaine Alexander has the details. I have the jury go to the jury room for a recess.

Tonight, the so-called trial of the century has faced yet another spectacle. A bomb threat called into the courthouse, abruptly disrupting the high-profile double-murder trial of former prominent South Carolina attorney, Alec Murdoch. Ladies and gentlemen, we have to evacuate the building at this time. Jurors and attendees were rushed out of the building as police dogs and officials moved in, sweeping the area. All of it happening just moments after a witness took the stand. The head of courthouse security poked his head in the door. He climbed the steps, talked to the judge. The judge sent the jury out and announced the evacuation.

According to court officials, the call came from an anonymous man who said there was a bomb in the judge's chambers. The courthouse was cleared and trial resumed two hours later. Counsel, you may proceed. Murdoch is facing trial for allegedly killing his wife and adult son in 2020. 21. Prosecutors say his motive, trying to earn sympathy and distract from a slew of financial crimes. But Murdoch's attorneys argue there is no direct evidence tying him to the murders, adding that the state has more evidence about financial misconduct than about guilt in a murder trial. Today, jurors heard from Murdoch's former paralegal who testified that she raised

concerns about Murdoch's finances, but after the murders did not pursue them further. What was the reaction of the people in the firm to this terrible news? There was two reactions. First was scared. We were like, please lock our doors. You know, we're scared. Who is the same dad? Is it a client retaliating? Is it, you know, aimed at Ehrlich? Is it aimed at the firm? We didn't know. We just had so many questions.

Were you at all concerned about finding out what happened at these Ferris fees after that happened? What Ferris fees? What Ferris fees? Yeah, what Ferris fees. And that was the furthest thing on my mind. And court will resume at 9.30 tomorrow morning. Now, initially the trial was expected to wrap up potentially by this Friday, but now we're told that it will likely go longer, possibly another two weeks. Tom. Okay, Blaine, we thank you for that. We moved out of politics. President Biden out on the road today after last night's spirited state of the union address, the president sounding more and more like a candidate preparing for a re-election campaign. NBC's Kristen Welker, Hasbrook. Tonight, President Biden taking his State of the Union message on the road.

Last night, I reported on the state of the union. It is strong. To Battleground, Wisconsin, a state he won last time by just 20,000 votes. Well, hello, Madison, hello, laborers. And last night's address, sounding a lot like a warm up to another presidential run. Let's finish the job. We've got to finish the job. But let's finish the job. Despite polls showing most Americans think the country is on the wrong track, Mr. Biden striking an upbeat tone. I've never been more optimistic about our future.

The fiery address sparking a raucous response from Republicans, including when Mr. Biden called on Congress to tackle the fentanyl crisis. But the line that brought the biggest backlash, accusing Republicans of wanting to cut popular entitlements. Some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset. I'm not saying it's a majority. The remark sparking outrage, including from conservative firebrand, Marjorie Taylor. Green. Today, the president firing back. Marjorie Taylor Gridd another stood up and said, liar, liar. Mine's been a liar, liar, house on fire.

The cuts were only officially proposed by a single Republican Senator Rick Scott last year and rejected by other Republicans, including GOP leaders. The president was saying is something that he knew was not true. I just spent an hour with him. I've said it many times before. Social Security and Medicare are off the table. In one of the most powerful moments, a pause from both sides of the aisle when the president acknowledged the parents of Tyree Nichols. The faith of God, she said her son was, quote, a beautiful soul, and something good will come of this.

But Republicans criticizing the president for making only passing mentions of China, the border crisis and crime, and accusing him of being hijacked by the, quote, radical left. The dividing line in America is no longer between right or left. the choice is between normal or crazy. All right, Kristen Welker, joins us now. Kristen, what was the sense inside of the White House after the president's state of the union address? Well, Tom, it's a good question. The White House is feeling emboldened tonight after the speech. They believe the president was feisty.

They think he had some savvy, unscripted moments, which they believe may help counter the narrative of some Americans, some voters who are concerned about his age and his agility. But look, here's the reality also. A recent poll shows 71% of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. So that's really the president's challenge now to sell his message and also to start implementing some of the policies he signed into law over the past two years so that people start to feel it in their pocketbooks because right now they say they just are not feeling it, Tom. Yeah, and on that point, 80 years old, but he definitely showed a little bit of spunk last night.

And now he's taking the show on the road, as you were talking about, somewhat of a blitz. the vice president, members of the cabinet, all out on the road, pushing the Biden agenda. Yeah, Blitz is a good word for it, and it continues tomorrow when President Biden travels to another critical battleground state, Florida, where he's expected to focus on those all-important topics of Medicare and Social Security that have become such flashpoints over the past 24 hours. And, of course, the state also notable because it's home to two potential 2024 contenders. Former President Trump, who's already announced, he's running for office, and Governor Ron DeSis. Now, look, as for the rest of the president's cabinet, really, Tom, it's all hands on deck.

Nearly a dozen cabinet members crisscrossing the country. The vice president will play a prominent role as well. She will be in Minnesota tomorrow, Tom. Okay, Kristen Walker for us. We turning out to that other big moment out of the state of the union. Republican Senator Mitt Romney appearing to confront freshman Republican congressman George Santos, who's facing calls to resign after he admitted to line about much of his background. Romney then slamming Santos as a, quote, sick puppy to reporters.

Santos now firing back online. NBC's Ali Vitale reports. A tense exchange mere minutes before the president's arrival. Cameras capturing this moment between Senator Mitt Romney and embattled Congressman George Santos. He shouldn't have been there. He shouldn't be in the... Look, he's a sick puppy. He shouldn't be there. Romney, clearly disturbed by Santos, speaking to reporters about the interaction just after the address. I didn't expect that he'd be standing there trying to shake hands with every senator in the President of the United States. Given the fact that he's under ethics investigation, he should be sitting in the back road and staying quiet.

While there have been many complaints about the freshman congressman, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy says the Ethics Committee has not formally opened an investigation, but it isn't ruling one out. Among potential targets to probe, a letter from a prospective aide to the committee accusing Santos of sexual harassment. CNN reporting Santos denied the allegations. His office has not responded to NBC's request for comment. Amid the mounting controversies, Santos recused himself from committee assignments last week. Not enough for some Republicans, though, like Romney. He shouldn't be in Congress, and they're going to go through the process and hopefully get him out, but he shouldn't be there, and if he had any shame at all, he wouldn't be there.

R. Garrett Haik tried catching up with Santos today. Mr. Santos, what did you make of this substance of Mitt Romney's critique that, given all the lies and scandals, you shouldn't have been anywhere near the state of union last night? While not commenting on camera, Santos did take a swipe at Romney on Twitter. The former 2012 Republican presidential candidate, not the only one laying into Santos. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi explaining that the political realities of Republicans' type majority may be why they're mostly silent on Santos. If they had a 20-vote margin, he'd be gone.

This isn't about values or ethics or anything else. This is just practical politics. All right, Allie Vitale joins us now from Capitol Hill. Allie, you know, I was sort of surprised watching this moment unfold yesterday as we were live on the air because Senator Romney, he's usually a gentleman, he's soft-spoken, his brand is sort of elder statesman, almost vanilla. So this had to be kind of a shock to a lot of people over there. Yeah, Tom, you can count me with you among the surprised when we saw not only what Senator Romney did, but the unabashed way that he came out and said, yeah, that's exactly what I said to Congressman George Santos. I think it also speaks, though, to the frustration that we've seen from Senator Romney over the course of the last five or so years as he has seen his party become something that, for him, a former standard bearer, just doesn't recognize anymore. And then Santos is not just facing the heat from Romney, the people from his district are also weighing in there in Washington?

Yeah, yesterday, about 30 or so constituents came up here to Capitol Hill to express their displeasure with the congressman. And he has long said, Tom, that he's not going anywhere and that it's up to the voters to decide that. That very well may be true because they will get their chance come November if something doesn't happen between now and then. But nevertheless, these constituents were up here trying to deliver a letter to his office. Apparently he was in the office but didn't come out. And that had constituents extremely frustrated. I just think the important thing for all of us to keep in mind is I know it seems like every other day we get a new headline about George Santos. But really, if the Ethics Committee is investigating, that's going to be one of the key things to look out for, as well as if there's any potential legal exposure, like an indictment, that could end up forcing Republican leadership's hand.

Ali, Vitale for us tonight. Ali, we appreciate it. Now to the latest on that Chinese surveillance balloon and new information we are learning tonight. Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, revealing that the balloon shot down over the weekend was just one part of a larger program to target not only the U.S. Here's what Secretary Blinken had to say. the only target of this broader program, which has violated the sovereignty of countries across five continents. All right, that sounds familiar. It's because we reported it right here on Top Story last night. Andrea Mitchell was the one who had that news.

She joins us now here on the show again tonight. So, Andrea, the Secretary of State essentially confirming some reporting you had last night, and it shows the magnitude of how widespread the surveillance China was conducting with these balloons, which we should remind viewers China first said was a weather balloon. Yeah, China said it was a weather balloon, but that clearly was not true. The balloon was moving, tacking as a sailboat would, you know, going across Alaska, then across Canada, and down into Idaho. This is not a weather balloon that is just drifting along.

In any case, the U.S. plans to make some of the intelligence public in the coming days, and Congress is going to be briefed tomorrow. They've been waiting for that briefing and hold public hearings tomorrow. And so this crisis still grows between the U.S. and the world's only other superpower. And the fact is also that we asked Secretary of Lincoln today, where he was asked whether or not Xi Jinping knew about this and was actually fueling this crisis. And he said, it doesn't matter who knew. In other words, whether it was just the military, whether the president of China knew about it,

he said it doesn't matter who knew. They violated our airspace. This is a violation of international law. And the NATO Secretary General standing next to him said that they also have intelligence now that they're getting from the U.S. clearly. China has been sending balloons over European countries as well. But Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines. We're talking about dozens of countries, 40 countries that they know of already around the globe.

You know, Andrew, we're always lucky to have you on this show because of the depth of your reporting. You've covered international relations for decades now. Looking at the big picture here, how would you describe our relationship with China? Is it the worst it's been in the time since you've been covering other countries? Or have there been moments like this throughout your time as a reporter? There have been moments like this. But there was the shootdown some years ago, a collision, rather, with a U.S. spy plane, you know, close to China. And that had to be worked out.

They took some of our crew members hostage or imprisoned them. And we had an ambassador who happened to be a retired military guy, and he, you know, was managing that crisis. But there have been other crises. There were live fire exercises. bad, though. The good thing is that the President of the United States and China's president up until now have tried to repair it. You know, there were a lot of tensions after Nancy Pelosi went to Taiwan, and now Kevin McCarthy is going to go to Taiwan, and that's going to exacerbate it all over again. But they are trying to repair it because they need each other. Yet the White

House believes, the State Department believes, that China needs us more than we need them. And just tonight, just tonight the president was telling Judy Woodruff on PBS on the news hour in Wisconsin that he believes that China is aware, for instance, on Ukraine, that if they went overboard and really started re-arming Russia, for instance, that he warned President Xi, you need American businesses to invest in you. And look at how Russia is suffering by being sanctioned. Do you really want to be sanctioned? So that's the kind of conversation they were able to have.

They had it most likely again in Bali in November at the G20, and that was setting up the Blinken meeting with Xi Jinping. Now that's off. The question is, how soon can it be repaired? Right now, they're not even taking calls from our defense secretary. All right, Andrea Mitchell, we thank you for that. Now to the war in Ukraine where Russia launched new missile strikes. Ralph Sanchez and his team in Harkiv, when the missile struck there,

here he is with the latest. Daylight revealing the aftermath of the latest Russian strike on Harkiv, a missile hitting a public park in the middle of the night. I've just heard two major explosions here in Harkiv. We can see that there's smoke rising from a building just a couple of hundred meters away from us. Another missile hitting an industrial facility, according to the governor. The strikes coming just hours before President Zelensky made a surprise visit to the U.K. Only his second trip outside Ukraine since Russia's invasion began almost one year ago.

And we really know the victory, the victory will change the world. Zelensky addressing Britain's parliament and urging NATO to give his country fighter jets. Combat aircrafts for Ukraine, wings for freedom. The president also receiving a royal welcome at Buckingham Palace from King Charles. Well, we've all been worried about you and thinking about your country for so long. In eastern Ukraine, the city of Izum relishing its freedom after being liberated by Ukrainian forces in September. But an investigation by Human Rights Watch found that while Russia has used landmines extensively during the war, Ukraine also spread thousands of rocket-fired anti-personnel landmines in and around Izum while it was under Russian occupation.

Sometimes known as butterfly mines, they can be tempting for children to play with. Small. It's a unique butterfly or petal shape. It can become interesting colors. This week, 14-year-old Maria and six other children were injured when one of them picked up a mine. Shrapnel tearing into her foot and leg and slicing into her cheek. Was it very painful? It was unexpected. We were very scared. Because of fear, we didn't feel any pain, she says. They were lucky. At least 185 people have been killed by mine so far, Ukraine says. Human Rights Watch says, based on the location, it's likely the kids were hurt by a Ukrainian mine.

Can the use of these kinds of mines constitute a war crime? Certainly. Antipersonnel landmines are indiscriminate weapons. That means they cannot distinguish between a civilian or a combatant. Their use is prohibited under international humanitarian law. Ukraine's foreign ministry saying Ukraine fully implements its international obligations while Russian occupants commit the war crimes and that it's committed to demining. Maria's generation may still be facing danger from these weapons long after this war is over. And Tom, going back to those strikes in Harkiv, our team are fine. Fortunately, no injuries were reported anywhere in the city. But the missile that fell on a public park sent shrapnel like this flying through an area where just hours earlier families had been gathering.

Tom. Ralph Sanchez with a compelling report tonight, Raf, thank you for that. Still ahead, a woman caught on a ring camera, repeatedly hurling racist insults, at her neighbors, what she's now been charged with. Plus, former President Trump taking aim at a potential 2024 challenger, what he's accusing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of doing while he was a high school teacher. And the new trend taking over TikTok, we all know what influencers are, but have you heard of de-influencing?

We'll explain. Top story, just getting started on this Wednesday night. We're back now with a year-long. nightmare for one family in St. Louis. A woman captured on a ring camera, allegedly making racist threats to the people inside. The family says she returned multiple times and even broke into their home with a hammer. So why did it take police or prosecutors a year to take action? Stephanie Goss has this one. Tonight, 54-year-old Judy Klein is facing multiple charges, including first-degree burglary and unlawful use of a weapon. Get out. You're illegal. You don't

belong on America. The charges come a full year after the St. Louis prosecutor says she used a hammer to break into the basement of the Suarez's home. My dad said that she lifts her arm up and was going to hit him with the hammer. Fatima Suarez says her father and four-year-old sister were threatened. My sister was the one that actually saw her first. I mean, what could have happened? But Klein was not charged with any crime after the arrest. American citizen, angry at you.

And then she returned four more times. In March, stealing mail, according to the family. The family says they went to police, and again, no charges. Frustrated and worried, Fatima posted the videos online. I know you didn't buy this house. You don't have enough money. This week, her posts started getting a lot of attention. I'm not going to let this woman just keep harassing and putting my family's life in danger.

After our interview today, charges were announced. A source close to the investigation says back in January, the police classified the break-in with the hammer as nonviolent and didn't hand over evidence. The St. Louis Police Department did not respond to a request for comment on how the case was handled. NBC News's attempts to reach Klein were unsuccessful. What do you want to have happened now, Fatima? I want her put away. She needs help because I really don't believe she's in her right.

state of mind. Her family has lived the last year in fear, she says. Tonight, they may no longer need to. Stephanie Gosk, NBC News. Shocking, it took police that long. Okay, we thank Stephanie for that one. We move now to a growing movement on TikTok. Users pushing back against the steady stream of influencers, telling followers what to buy and getting paid for their partnerships. Now the so-called de-influencers hoping to convince users to wait before they click purchase. NBC's Valerie Castro has this one. TikTok made me buy it. TikTok made me buy it.

It's a common confession across the platform, videos capturing the halls of popular products while racking up billions of views. Everything can be found in my Amazon storefront. Influencers encouraging followers to buy what they promote. Easy graphic eyes with just one eyeliner, let's go. One influencer sending TikTokers into a beauty backlash, popular makeup artist Michaela Nogera,

giving her review of a L'Oreal mascara in a partnership ad. This literally just changed my life. It's this L'Oreal telescopic lift. Not everyone was convinced the look was all L'Orielle. Maybe she did have false he's on. Accusing her of wearing false eyelashes. Worldwide Mascara Gates scandal. Loreal and Nogera didn't respond to an NBC news request for comment.

But some users say the incident shows a breakdown in trust on the platform and are fighting back with the hashtag de-influencing, a trend calling attention to over-consumption and overspending. Let me de-influenced you beauty edition. The hashtag quickly gaining more than 115 million views. They're ready with me while I de-influence you from buying trendy items part two. Tick-Tocker L. Gray fully embracing the movement, calling out what she says is a push to purchase fueled by the platform's algorithm. I think it does push content on you really quickly and product consumption on you really quickly. Probably scroll through 200 or more, all recommending a different product or an Amazon storefront or some gadget. A report from digital research firm Insider Intelligence projects 33 million U.S. users will

make a purchase on the platform this year as TikTok continues to roll out and scale up its e-commerce TikTok shop. And that's not even counting the millions of purchases made in stores driven by influencers. Michaela's video, initially only labeling the partnership in small font and a hashtag, but TikTok now adding a clearer label so users know. they're actually watching an ad. The company telling NBC News, quote, TikTok has strict policies to protect users

from fake, fraudulent, or misleading content, including ads, also saying they'll remove any content that violates its guidelines. I think it called into question, like, okay, are these people being genuine about the products that they're recommending to me? Overspending coach Paige Pritchard says part of the de-influencing trend

is realizing what those products can and can't do. I want you to know that if your life does not look like the lives of the influencers that you see on this app, it is okay. When you buy a product, really what you're buying is like the promise of a future emotional experience that you think that product is going to deliver to you. It's really never going to change your life in the way that you think it's going to. Elle, hoping fellow users think twice about what they're buying and who they can trust. We're now mindful of just how much sponsored content is out there and the entire economy behind

these influencers. Okay, Valerie Castro joins us now. So Valerie, how do I get in contact with that overspending coach? It seemed like she had some good tips. In all seriousness, you do have some tips for us about TikTok and any social media when you're sort of compelled or you feel the impulse to buy. So that overspending coach is also on TikTok.

And some of the tips that she shared with us are think about the product a month from now. Are you still going to want that product or would you rather have that money in the bank? Another tip is to wait 24 hours before you hit buy because after that, if you've forgotten about it, you probably didn't need it in the first place. And take a look at what you already have.

In most cases, especially when it comes to beauty products, you probably have a lot of those items at home that you haven't even used up, and you probably don't really need it anymore. So you stop and you look at what you have, and it's going to stop you. I don't know about that, but I think the 24-hour one is definitely a good one. You know, in all seriousness, there's been a lot of reporting and concerns about TikTok, but more about privacy concerns and the app security. And it's getting banned, especially when it comes to federal agencies and with lawmakers.

More and more states have banned the app on state-owned devices. A lot of universities have banned it on campus. Congress also banned it on government devices. And the worry is that it will allow access to user data. There are growing bipartisan calls to ban it in the U.S. altogether. And in response to that, the company created a U.S.-based trust and safety team just in December. But it's an ongoing issue and we'll continue to track it as the platform just keeps growing in popularity. Right.

But buying extra mascara, maybe the least of your worries when it comes to TikTok. All right. Great story, Valerie. Thank you for that. When we come back, the massive recall on a popular cleaning product. Nearly 5 million bottles recalled over concerns they could cause serious infections. The labels to look out for next. All right, we are back now with Top Stories News Feed, and we begin with the latest on the investigation into the death of Tyree Nichols. New documents show one of the fired officers, Demetrius Haley, took. photos of Nichols after he was beaten by police and then texted at least one image to multiple people. He's allegedly the same officer who forced Nichols out of his car and pepper sprayed him in the eyes. The documents are part of a request by the Memphis Police Department to make

sure the fired officers can no longer serve anywhere else in the state. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is responding to social media attacks by former President Trump. The former president reposted a photo on his platform, Truth Social, that accused DeSantis of grooming teenage teenagers. girls and drinking with his students while he was a high school teacher. Speaking at a press conference today, DeSantis brushing it off saying he has, quote, thick skin, adding he doesn't smear other Republicans. A consumer alert tonight, nearly five million bottles of Fabuloso Cleaner are being recalled over a bacteria risk.

The recall affects five different scented versions of the cleaner made from December 14th, 2022 to January 23rd, 2023. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says they may contain a potentially harmful bacteria that can cause infection in humans. There is more information on our website, NBCNews.com. You know the name and now you can go to the law school. A Florida University has renamed their law school in honor of attorney Ben Crump. The St. Thomas University College of Law in Miami will now be known as the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. It is the first law school in the country named after a practicing black attorney. The school's president says the renaming is the

latest step in their effort to bridge relations between the legal profession, law enforcement, and Miami's diverse community. All right. Now, now, an alarming new data by Boston University, revealing more than 90% of the former NFL players they studied had the brain disease known as CTE. We spoke to the doctor behind that report who says more has to be done to protect athletes. NBC's Stephen Romo has more. later. Oh my goodness. Tonight as the Super Bowl nears staggering new statistics out showing just how much danger football players are in. The latest figures from Boston University show nearly 92% of former NFL players they studied were diagnosed with CTE, a condition with symptoms that can include

depression, anxiety, impaired judgment, violence, dementia, and suicidal thoughts. It's a problem for current players. It's a problem for players who've retired. And it's not going away unless we do something about it. Former NFL player Philip Adams had stage two CTE when he went on a rampage that killed six people before he took his own life in 2021. He's a good kid. He was a good kid. I think the football mess him up. Neurologist Dr. Ann McKee is the director of Boston University's CTE Center and diagnosed Adams after he died. A lot of times the symptoms are difficult to understand there's violent tendencies, impulse control issues. There may be very severe depression with suicidal thoughts. CTE was first discovered in an NFL player in Pittsburgh Steeler Hall of

Famer Mike Webster in 2005. But the first public acknowledgement from the NFL on the risk of brain disease for players didn't come until a 2016 congressional hearing. Dr. McKee's research shows that a number of retired NFL players were diagnosed with CTE. So they're the answer to that question is certainly yes. In the following years, the NFL did implement concussion protocols. Those protocols still evolving. This season, when Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tungo Viola suffered this hit, it knocked him unconscious with his hands frozen. He was eventually carted off the field. In the following weeks, the league revising its rules for concussions. The NFL did not return our request for comment, but in 2016, the league did announce a new

play smart play safe initiative with a hundred million dollars going to prevention and treatment of head injuries. But Dr. McKee saying she's not just worried about professional players with years of exposure to these hits. No huddle and throw and what a hit. I never prepared myself in my career to see young adults in their 20s, sometimes even in their teens, people who have not reached the age of 30 coming into the brain bank with CTE. And we've seen it nearly a hundred times. All right, Stephen Romo joins us now in studio. And Stephen, one of the interesting things this report found, they say even without a concussion, NFL players can still get CTE. Yeah, that's one of the interesting things I found as well. It's not just the concussions because those people

get medical treatment when they get hit that hard, they get a concussion. But it's these smaller hits over time that are cumulative. That damage builds up and causes CTE. And one of the things the doctor told us is they're trying to find a test that can use blood or maybe spinal fluid so people can know because right now they have to wait till post-mortem until they can actually see the brain to diagnose CTE. She says if that test happens, it can be a game changer for athletes. Stephen Romo, we thank you for that. Now to Top Stories, Global Watch. We start on the other side of the planet and some high seas. Nearly four tons of cocaine discovered in the Pacific Ocean. New Zealand authorities intercepting the Batman label drugs at what they say is a drop point for

smugglers. They say the drugs you see them here have an estimated street value of 316 million. million dollars. Authorities believe they were from South America and were likely headed to Australia. Protest taking over the streets of Paris, but this time over a pesticides ban. Farmers from across France, you see it here, driving hundreds of tractors into the capital city of Paris. They're protesting a ban on a certain type of pesticide that they say leaves crops exposed to disease. Environmentalists who support the measures say the pesticides damage soil and wildlife. And experts are sounding the alarm over melting glaciers, a recent found about 15 million people around the world are at risk of something called a glacial

lake outburst. This is when excess water caused by melting glaciers causes lakes to burst, sending water and debris rushing down mountains. They have killed tens of thousands of people in the past. More than half of the people currently at risk are concentrated in just four countries, Pakistan, China, Peru, and India. All right, coming up, a major update on that eyedrop warning we told you about last week. Now, two brands of eyedrops being recalled linked to a potentially deadly eye infection. What doctors want you to know next. All right, we are back now with the latest on that eyedrop warning we first told you about last week.

Two eyedrop brands now under a voluntary recall over a possible contamination with a deadly bacteria as doctors continue to see patients with dangerous infections. NBC's Ann Thompson has more. The FDA warning is for two over-the-counter eye. eye drops, EsriCare artificial tears and Desrylum artificial tears. Stop using them immediately, says the government, and don't buy any more. Then it got red, real red. Judy Gregory and her daughter, Kim, wish they had known that last summer when Judy says she used the EsriCare drops and develop symptoms. I could see still then when I first went to the doctor. It was just like, I think it was

just like it felt like something was in it. Judy spent nine days in the hospital until the infection in her left eye cleared. She still has her eye, but not all of her vision. She's like miserable. I can't do anything. So she's even having a hard time enjoying any type of life. Officials say the drops could be contaminated with what the government calls a rare and extensively drug-resistant strain of bacteria. Dr. Darlene Miller of Miami's Baskin-Palmer Eye Institute says it is very aggressive. Is this a fast-moving? bacteria? If they don't seek emergency help, it can destroy the eye within 48 hours. The government's identified 55 cases in 12 states. One person died and there are five reports of vision loss.

Symptoms include sensitivity to light, eye pain, and blurry vision. How quickly do they need medical treatment? As soon as they have any of those symptoms, they need to present to their provider either to the emergency rooms or to their physician, their ophthalmologists, immediately. I'm frustrated. I can't get out on my own. As for Judy, surgery is in her future to restore her eyesight and independence. Anne Thompson, NBC News. When we come back, we'll switch gears and a big surprise for a young reporter. You may remember this now viral sideline report. Well, this compassionate interview were getting noticed by NFL players who are now sending him on one very big assignment.

We'll explain next. To cover the news, you have to be in it. We'll take you to the front lines of the story, bringing your news feed to live. Streaming live every night. It's your news playlist. Top Story with Tom Yamas, weeknights at 7 on NBC News Now.

Finally tonight, the kid reporter asking football stars some big personal questions. His pro-level reporting has racked up millions of views, and now it's landed him one very special ticket. Sam Brock has this one. Wait, should I do my introduction? You may remember Jeremiah Fennell, who at just 10 years old, went viral last month with this sideline interview. Now I'm here with Devante Adams, wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders. He's got 95 receptions for 1,443 yards. He's got 14 touchdowns, and he averages 15 yards per catch. The Raider Superfan getting noticed for dishing out those rapid stats and also...

What is one of your greatest memories in your childhood? How he quickly makes the interview bigger than football. I want to make my mark as being different from any other reporter or broadcaster out there. His aspirations for a career behind the mic started when doctors told Jeremiah's family that he couldn't play contact sports because of a brain condition, that personal story, also influencing his own interview style. But I like to talk to people about their personal. stuff. They're personalized. And that's not what a lot of other reporters do out there.

And that quality was on full display after the father of Raiders running back Josh Jacobs had emergency heart surgery. Jeremiah opened his interview with this question. I just wanted to tell you face-to-face that I'm praying for your dad and your entire family. And I just wanted to ask you, how are you all doing? Oh, man, we've been doing good. My dad's doing good. Man, man, I appreciate that. And I definitely felt that, you know what I'm saying, on a personal level. Jeremiah is known on social media by his handle Jeremiah 1 and 5. And on his YouTube, where he does play-by-plays of Raiders games. Stidham throws a deep ball.

He's caught by DeVantz. Hey, Adams. He was wide, oh, and he's out of bounds inside the 35. And on top of it. And his online fame, getting him a trip to the Pro Bowl, where his compassion for the players leading to this surprise during one of his interviews. That's for you, buddy. Going to the Super Bowl.

You're going to the Super Bowl. And I was so excited. I was so happy. This kid reporter now on his way to the biggest game of the year. It's going to be amazing. You earned it. And Jeremiah signing off with this report. This is Jeremiah reporting live from the Pro Bowl practice in Allegiance Stadium.

And I have struck some great interviews. As you can see, I'm going to the Super Bowl this year. And I'm hoping I'll get to strike some more interviews with stuff. Lon Dix, Tyrieu, Peel, Peymanning. You never know, but I'm really excited. Jeremiah, you have earned that spot. We look forward to all of your reporting at the Super Bowl. That does it for us tonight.

I'm Tom Yamas back in New York. Thanks so much for watching Top Story. But stay right there. More news on the way. Thank you.