Top Story with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Episode Date: September 18, 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Breaking news tonight as we come on the air, three officers shot and killed two others in critical condition in Pennsylvania. The suspect allegedly opening fire, just as police were serving a warrant. At least five officers shot in the line of duty, helicopters airlifting those injured to area hospitals, the new details just in. And breaking right now, ABC is pulling Jimmy Kimmel live indefinitely following his remarks after Charlie Kirk's death, what we're learning. Also tonight, the former CDC director's urgent warning St. America's public health system is headed to a very dangerous place, telling senators she believes RFK Jr. fired her because she refused to sign off on new vaccine recommendations before seeing the evidence, something he denies. Pump and pageantry overseas King Charles rolling out the red carpet for President Trump with a carriage procession, colorful flyovers, and a lavish banquet as protest against the visit, shut down central London. The body discovered inside a car belonging to singer David identified as a 15-year-old girl who had gone missing. The chilling new details just coming in.

Balls of fire exploding out of a plane engine, the pilot, forced to abort takeoff at Boston's Logan Airport. What happened next? And the cream of the crop, you'll meet the youngest farmer in the U.S., who at just 10 years old, is already being offered a full ride to college, how she's planting her own path for a bright future. Plus, the Fed cuts interest rates, what it all means for the cost of your house, car, and credit cards. Top store starts right now. We begin tonight with some breaking news in the entertainment world. ABC confirming to NBC news in a statement that their signature late-night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live will be preempted indefinitely.

The network did not provide a reason for their decision, but Kimmel has come under fire in recent days for his comments in the wake. of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The news also comes after one of Kimmel's late-night rival, Stephen Colbert, announced that CBS would be ending his broadcast, the late show next year. For more on this, I want to bring in Brian Steinberg's senior TV editor for Variety. I also want to let our viewers know. We're going to cue up that sound that apparently got Jimmy Kimmel

in some trouble with his network. I'm being told by our control room. Brian, give us a second here. We do have that sound. I want to play the clip. Let's listen now. We hit some new lows over the weekend. with the Maga Gang desperately trying to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it.

Okay, those are part of the comments there. Brian, this story just broke. There's a lot we don't know. We want to be very upfront with our viewers here. You've been reporting this out. Get our viewers up to speed. What do you know and what have you confirmed? We know ABC has pulled the show indefinitely what has happened, apparently, Tom, is that one of the nation's largest station owners, Next Star, before Disney made its announcement, said they were going to take Kimmel off their ABC stations for this foreseeable future because of those remarks. So this is a major distributor of ABC's programming across the nation, New Orleans, Salt Lake City, places like that, 32 different ABC stations, is my understanding. That, no doubt, play a very big decision in ABC's factoring. Yeah, Brian, but even if it was 32 stations and Disney, which owns ABC, stood by Jimmy Kimmel, they would have still run it in the other stations, even the stations they owned themselves because they own a series of stations. Do we know what happened in between Next Star making that announcement and Disney pulling it off the air completely? We have not gotten to those people yet, but I talked to folks at Next Star, I did not get much beyond their release, their announcement.

It sounds like, I don't know if there was consumer backlash at their stations. I don't know if Disney felt that they had to get out of the argument as soon as possible, given the current climate about speaking out on these matters. But it sounds like, you know, this is a tough time for broadcasters. Everything they say is parsed by both right and left, and it is not easy to navigate. So for our viewers that maybe don't know Next Star, and again, it's not only, I think, the largest station group, it's going to become even larger after their acquisition, if it all goes through, of the Tegna stations. But talk to our viewers about Next Star. What do we know about Next Star? And do they have any type of political leanings?

Well, Next Star is a giant TV station owner. Also owns a CW network. It owns News Nation. The cable news network, but sometimes it's tagged as being a little right-leaning. I would suspect there is more of a right-leaning demeanor from corporate than not. But the News Nation does kind of go that way. And that is an emblematic of, I think, a lot of media-comers. companies are trying to navigate an environment where the White House has a lot to say about

media affairs. Yeah, you know, Jimmy Kimmel has been no friend to President Trump that much we know. What is that relationship like? Because he has been sort of somewhat fearless in his criticisms of President Trump over both terms. Yes, Kimmel has been one of more outspoken people. In the first term, he got very exercised about health care, and that kind of led to being more politically outspoken overall. Kimmel is the longest serving of the three current. hosts, I believe, and, you know, is said to be nearing a decision about whether he's not continue doing it or not. I think he's probably pretty fearless at this point. He takes summers off. He's probably, you know, felt he probably has, I think he's mastered the format.

He's a very great speaker. He has a lot of following. But yeah, this is stuff that tends to, you know, get people upset. And when you're a broadcaster, you do have to navigate all audiences, not just yours. Yeah. And President Trump has made it a point to also go after Jimmy Kim. in tweets and, of course, posts on Truth Social, correct? Yes, he has. And Kimmel has sparred with Sean Hannity on Twitter and other places as well. So, you know, he's no stranger to kind of tilting at conservative opinion makers. I understand we have more of the comments that Jimmy Kimmel made that they're still working on it.

As soon as we have those comments, we're going to bring it to our viewers there. Brian, how surprised were you about this? And talk to me sort of about the evolution of the story. We had heard a couple reports early on that Next Star had made this move, but then the news dropped right before our nightly news tonight at 6.30 that Disney was going to preempt it indefinitely. And we really don't even know what that means, right? We don't. I think there's probably a sense of like, you know, let's see how things work out in next couple of days. And it'd be far to see Kimmel not returning. But keep in mind, this is a different environment for late-night TV shows. Their economics are not as robust as they once were. You know, CBS earlier this year announced that Cold

bear would go off the air after this May. Those shows are not as sturdy as they once were. And I guess, you know, the hosts and their comments get parsed right and left every day and generate some controversy, making it harder to kind of attract advertisers to some of them. And we should mention, Brian, as well, to remind our viewers that Disney recently engaged in a payment to President Trump and his library for, I think, somewhere around $60 million for comments that were made on ABC News. the settlement was, what do we know about that payment? We know $60 million, George Stephanopoulos discussed a trial outcome

and got some of the facts, nuances, incorrect. And so while the case was very weak, Disney, at the end of last year, so I had to settle it, $16 million to the President's Library Foundation and Fund. And, you know, other companies, CBS did that in terms of a 60-minute lawsuit that was going on with Trump as well. A lot of companies have tried to, you know, I guess, make these things go away, and letting them faster. It is a matter of these legal matters,

not being the strongest bills, but being enough to come up the work for the media companies at a time when the move to streaming is really reducing the strong economics of the sector. Yeah, we have the state, we have the, excuse me, I should say, Jimmy Kimmel's comments that night,

a little bit of a longer cut to kind of understand what he was saying. Let's roll that now. In between the finger pointing, there was grieving. On Friday, the White House, flew the flags at half staff, which got some criticism,

But on a human level, you can see how hard the president is taking this. I condolences on the law to your friend, Charlie Kirk. May I ask, sir, personally, how are you holding up over the last day and a half, sir? I think very good. And by the way, right there, you see all the trucks? They've just started construction of the new ballroom for the White House, which is something they've been trying to get, as you know, for about 150 years. And it's going to be a beauty.

Yes. He's at the fourth stage of grief. construction, demolition, construction. This is not how an adult grieves the murder of someone he called a friend. This is how a four-year-old mourns a goldfish, okay? So, Brian, again, there's still a lot we don't know, but we think it was potentially that monologue, the comments made in that monologue that sort of set off this series of events. Yeah, clearly the remarks made during the monologue are at the center of the issue. And I think and media companies are just a little less easy, able to resist government pressure right now.

Yeah, Brian Steinberg from Variety, who has this story up right now. You can read his byline at Variety. Again, ABC right now, Disney preempting Jimmy Kimmel for the foreseeable future. That story breaking tonight. Brian, we thank you for joining our coverage here on Top Story. We're going to turn now to that other breaking news that we're following tonight. Multiple police officers shot and killed in Pennsylvania. And the video showing the chaotic moments after a man allegedly opened fire on officers.

serving him a warrant, shooting five of them. Authorities say three people were killed and two aren't critical but stable condition. First responders rushing to that scene. You see them here, including a medical helicopter that airlifted multiple officers to the hospital. Here's a look at where the shooting took place. It's in North Kodora's township in York County,

roughly three hours from Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro speaking at the hospital just moments ago with a plea to his community. This kind of violence isn't okay. We need to do better as a society. We need to help the people who think that picking up a gun, picking up a weapon is the answer.

Okay, and with that, officials confirming the FBI is now involved and on the scene. Aaron McLaughlin leads us off with the latest on the investigation. Tonight in York County, Pennsylvania, a suspect opened fire shooting five police officers, according to three people familiar with the matter. before the shooter, who has yet to be named by officials, dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. I heard gunshots. I'd like to preemptively say that there are many details, which at this point we are not prepared to release.

I can confirm that there were five law enforcement officers who were shot today. Three fatally. Sources tell NBC News, police had apparently been serving a warrant when the suspect opened fire. The chaos captured on police dispatch. We have one officer down, class one. First responders flooded the scene in rural Pennsylvania. Numerous police and EMS units responded to the scene. And a shelter in place was ordered at local schools as a precaution and later lifted.

Fortunately, there have been no children injured in any way. This kind of violence isn't okay. We need to do better as a society. And the lieutenant governor tonight wrote, send prayers to the officers and those involved in the shooting, advising the public to stay away from the area. Aaron McLaughlin joins us live tonight from Pennsylvania. Aaron, do we know how those other two officers are doing?

Yeah, well, according to officials, those officers have been admitted to a local hospital. They are in critical but stable condition. Now, in terms of this ongoing investigation, authorities say they are still in the nascent stages, but noting that the FBI has been called in to help. Tom. Okay, Aaron McLaughlin on that breaking story. Aaron, we thank you. We head to Washington where the former CDC director told, Congress. She was fired by RFK Jr. because she refused to rubber-stamp new vaccine policies.

She also said Kennedy called CDC employees, quote, horrible people who are killing children. NBC's Ann Thompson following today's dramatic hearing. I believe preventable diseases will return. And I believe that we will have our children harmed for things that we know they do not need to be harmed by. Polio, measles, diphtheria, whooping cough. The stakes laid bare. by fired CDC director, Dr. Susan Menares, over the future of the nation's vaccine policy. In August, 29 days after he called her scientific credentials unimpeachable, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

dismissed his hand-picked Senate-confirmed choice over vaccines. He just wanted blanket approval. And if I could not commit to approval of each and every one of the recommendations that would be forthcoming, I needed to resign. Minars told the Senate committee she refused to pre-approved the decisions of a vaccine advisory panel without science or data. Several new members of that committee, selected by Kennedy, share his vaccine skepticism. I was fired for holding the line on scientific integrity, but that line does not disappear with me. Two weeks ago, Kennedy told another Senate committee, Minars lied about her firing.

You tell the head of the CDC that if she refused to sign, sign off on your changes to the childhood vaccine schedule that she had to resign. No, I told her that she had to resign because I asked her, are you a trustworthy person? And she said no. Menars also said Kennedy disparaged the nation's top health agency. He called CDC the most corrupt federal agency in the world, emphasized that CD employees were horrible people. He said that CDC employees were killing children and they don't care.

He said during the COVID outbreak, CDC told hospitals to turn away sick COVID patients until they had blue lips before allowing them to get treatment. Menars said Kennedy's assertions are not true. Some committee Republicans zeroed in on the COVID vaccine. Does the COVID vaccine reduce hospitalization for children under 18? It can. It doesn't. Doctor and committee chairman Bill Cassidy wants to hear from Kennedy himself. I think Secretary Kennedy has to come and address this specifically.

Okay, Ann, joins us tonight. And there was a lot of discussion about tomorrow's meeting of that vaccine advisory panel. What is on the agenda? Well, on the agenda, Tom, is the vaccine for measles, mumps, rebella, and chickenpox. That's one vaccine, along with the hepatitis B shot, and then on Friday it'll take up the COVID-19 shot. But Menares was asked about that meeting, and what she fears about. And she said she was actually nervous because she said when she last talked to RFK Jr., he told her that the schedule for childhood vaccines would change in September. Tom?

Okay, Ann Thompson for us, Ann, we thank you. We're going to stay in Washington with that major announcement from the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates today by a quarter point. That move expected to impact everything from mortgages to credit card rates to car loans. NBC News Senior Business Correspondent Christine Romance has the details. the country's central bank making a long-awaited pivot. With downside risks to employment having increased, the balance of risks has shifted. Fed Chair Jerome Powell announcing a quarter-point rate cut the first in nine months and putting the focus squarely on the softening U.S. labor market.

Powell seemingly less concerned than before about the risk of a return to runaway inflation, even though price increases have accelerated over the past four months. Powell acknowledging challenges for the overall economy. There are no risk-free paths now. Markets closing mixed for the day, as the Fed indicated, two more cuts are likely to come this year, impacting everything from mortgage rates and auto loans to credit card interest. In my view, Chair Powell indicated that he's caught between a rock and a hard place. The 12 voting members for the Fed today as much a story as the way they voted, among them Lisa Cook, who President Trump attempted to fire last month. An appeals court blocked the move, allowing her to remain.

The sole dissenting vote today, Stephen Myron, who wanted a bigger cut, and is one of President Trump's top economic advisors, now filling a short-term opening at the Fed. His appointment, part of growing concerns over the influence of politics on the central bank, something Powell dismissed. We're strongly committed to maintaining our independence, and beyond that, I really don't have anything to share. Christine Romans joins us tonight from Washington. Christine, everyone's going to be asking the same thing tonight.

across America. How does this affect their bottom line? Lower borrowing costs, Tom. In anticipation of that cut today, mortgage rates have already dropped the lowest level in three years. You've already seen demand for refinancing, spiking. And, you know, that might continue if the Fed cuts rates further, interest rates further. Another couple of times is what they're penciling in. All of that allows people to borrow money more cheaply, Tom. Okay, Christine Roman's always great to see you. Thank you. We want to head overseas down to the UK and that lavish royal welcome for President Trump. the first American president to be honored with a second state visit.

He was hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla, but many are talking about the role Prince William and Princess Cape Play today. Gabe Gutierrez is there tonight. Tonight, President Trump receiving a royal welcome like no other. 1,300 British military personnel, 120 horses, and a spectacular flyover. in red, white, and blue, marking an unprecedented second state visit to the U.K. by an American commander-in-chief. At historic Windsor Castle, the president and first lady immediately

greeted by Prince William and Princess Kate. Then King Charles and Queen Camilla. The king honoring the president by allowing him to walk ahead as they reviewed the troops. With tariffs and wars in Ukraine and Gaza, the focus of talks tomorrow, the British today, first deploying Tiara Diplomacy. Tonight, a lavish white-tide banquet for the president, with a table 50 yards long. This is truly one of the highest honors of my life. And a toast from the king. Allow me to propose a toast to President Trump and the First Lady.

The pomp and pageantry largely insulated. From this protest about 25 miles away. NBC's Ralph Sanchez was there. These demonstrations have brought central London to a complete standstill. Protesters here say the red carpet should not have been rolled out for President Trump. But outside Windsor Castle, British Trump supporters urging the President to make England great again. He's really turning the U.S. around and we hope he has some influence over here in the UK. Gabe Gutierrez joins us tonight from Buckingham Palace and Gabe President Trump is set to meet with the UK's Prime Minister tomorrow.

Yeah, that's right, Tom. We'll meet with the Prime Minister tomorrow at his country residence, and several things are on the agenda. The White House eager to announce some business dealings as well and announce further cooperation on AI and nuclear energy. Meanwhile, the president and the First Lady staying tonight at Windsor Castle. And Tom, a lot of people are still talking about the interaction between the president and Princess Kate, who sat next to him at that white tie banquet. The president calling her radiant, healthy and beautiful in his toast. and also predicting a very successful future for her and Prince William. Tom.

Okay, Gabe Gutierrez, Gabe, good to see you. Back here, we're going to turn back now to the Charlie Kirk killing. One week after the conservative activist's murder, Utah Valley University reopened to students. Many of those students worried about their own safety as they step back on campus. And the last video recorded by Kirk before his death just released. Morgan Chesky is on the ground again for us in Utah.

tonight one week after students scrambled for their lives following the assassination of conservative activist charlie kirk today Utah Valley University reopening for students in a somber return just doesn't feel real the shooting scene now marked by an American flag I just feel like my heart is kind of broken Utah's governor Spencer Cox praying with students and staff none of you asked for this but I I need you to know that this is a special place. It comes after that first court appearance by Kirk's alleged assassin. And your message to the campus to Utah today? My message is that we are resilient, that we can be better. But there is still fear here. You thought twice about putting that hat on today. Yeah.

Why? Just because, I mean, if there's so much violence and I feel like it's usually political, and I don't want to get in the middle of a. the university president tonight security and safety are paramount to us and will be all as the last video Kirk recorded before he was murdered was released it starts with you getting registered or vote the message of the 31-year-old who was married with two young children still resonating with students here I want to kind of make a difference I want to do something in my community more now like he kind of inspired that in me Morgan Chesky joins us tonight from

Orem, Utah. And Morgan, we also know Charlie Kirk's funeral is now set for this week. And what more do we have on that? Yeah, Tom, it's slated for 11 a.m. at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. And just within the last few hours, we've learned that President Trump and Vice President Bance are confirmed speakers there following Erica Kirk. Tom. Okay, Morgan Chesky for us on the campus again. Still ahead on top story, the new details after a decomposed body found inside a Tesla registered to singer David. Maine's identified as a 15-year-old girl who went missing, what we're learning. Plus, growing questions in Mississippi tonight after a black student's body was discovered hanging from a tree

on campus, his family demanding answers. And the scare on the runway flames shooting out of a plane's engine as it was about to take off. What happened? Straight ahead. We're back now with a chilling update on the story we've been following out of Los Angeles. The body the trunk of a Tesla. Registered to the popular singer David has now been identified as a teenage girl who had been reported missing more than a year ago. NBC's Liz Croix has the latest. Tonight, more than a week after a body was found inside an impounded Tesla registered to the singer who goes by the stage name David, Los Angeles investigators identifying the remains as 15-year-old Celeste Revis, the same girl who was reported missing last year, according to the Riverside County

Sheriff's Office. Police first found the team. The teen's decomposed body on September 8th, after being called to a Hollywood tow yard because of a foul odor coming from the Tesla, which wasn't pounded after a person reported the car abandoned. Law enforcement sources say the remains were not intact, and according to the medical examiner, it appeared the girl, who was described as having wavy black hair and weighing about 71 pounds, had been dead inside the Tesla for an extended period of time. The singer David, whose real name is David Anthony Burke, rose to fame. on TikTok and is currently on tour. A spokesperson for the artist did not respond to NBC News' request for comment today, but last week said the 20-year-old

was fully cooperating with the authorities. The LAPD is not calling the death criminal, saying in a statement that at this time, the agency does not have a crime classification from the corner as to the mode or manner of death. Thus, we do not have any suspect information at this time. Liz joins us from Los Angeles. Liz, our viewers are going to be watching this.

They're going to have a lot of questions. This is a strange case. David has been out on tour this summer and has performed in the days since the body was found. But tonight he's canceled the show. Do we know why? Yeah, Tom, he has not said anything. All we know is that he had a show schedule for tonight in Seattle. And about an hour or so ago, the website on the theater change and said it was canceled.

He has other shows planned later this week in San Francisco and also back here in Los Angeles on Saturday. So far, those appear to be moving forward. They have not said if they're canceled. say the big question here is, is there any connection between David and this victim? Did they know each other? Had they had any kind of relationship right now? We've asked authorities, and they have not yet said if they believe there was any kind of connection, Tom. Okay, Liz, Croyd's on this mystery.

Liz, we thank you for that. Still ahead tonight on the show, the terrifying attack at Yellowstone, a solo hiker rushed to the hospital after trying to fight off a bear. What happened there? Plus, weight loss shots have been game changers, but can pills be just as effective? the new data just out about a new drug. But first, top story's top moment and a surprise for one beloved custodian

at a medical office in California. Robin, originally from Ecuador, is known as the person in the office who always celebrates his co-workers, bringing them flowers on their birthdays. So when he got his U.S. citizenship recently, his co-workers wanted to pay him back, and it surprised him with this.

Hi. Hey, Robin. Bye-bye. Goodbye. Congratulations, Robbins! We're so proud of you! Oh, my boy. Thank you.

We're so proud of you. Robin said his favorite part of the celebration was the split Ecuadorian and American flag to represent his two homes. Congratulations to Robin and on his new U.S. citizenship. We stay with us tonight. We got more on the way. We're back with a disturbing story we're following out of Mississippi.

Authorities are investigating the death of a young black student at Delta State University whose body was found hanging from a tree on campus, sparking outrage online and throughout the local community. Right now, University Police, who are leading the investigation with help from local law enforcement, saying there are no signs of foul play. But Trade Reade's family is demanding answers. Here's the school's president speaking earlier today. While the preliminary report of the Bolivor County Coroner's Office indicates no evidence of foul play,

we recognize that this is not only about facts. It's about emotions and it's about feelings. And the way this loss and how it was discovered affects people's lives. NBC's Aaron Gilchrist is tracking the latest from Atlanta. Aaron, walk us through the investigation, what authorities say they found and how trade reads families reacting tonight. So, Tom, as we understand it right now, and the investigation is very much still underway into what exactly happened here, but it was Monday morning, around 7.30 in the morning, when a professor discovered Trey Reed's body hanging from a tree near some of the sports fields there at Delta State University. That, of course, began the process of trying to figure out exactly what happened here. We understand from the coroner in the county where this happened, the local county coroner, put out a statement yesterday, to offer some explanation of what happened after police initially said that they believed that this was not a case involving foul play.

The coroner putting out this statement that said that Trey didn't have any cuts or bruises, no broken bones. And you see at the bottom of the statement there, he said there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death. Now, we know at this point that Trey Reed's body is in the hands of the state medical examiner. They will do the official autopsy in this case to determine a cause. and manner of death. The police department at the university did say that there is video of the incident or video that they are using as a part of the investigation. They didn't

really characterize what that video may show, whether it was something from a surveillance camera on campus or in some other format. At the same time, Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney, says that he's been retained to represent Trey Reed's family. He put out a statement today after hearing that there is video that is a part of the investigation saying that the family demands that they'd be allowed to see any video, and at the same time, they're commissioning an independent autopsy so that they can try to uncover the truth about what happened to Trey. So this is very much, Tom, in the early stages of the investigation and trying to figure out exactly what happened to this young man and why. And Aaron, this case has understandably drawn a lot of

attention from across the country. When you hear about a young black man found hanging from a tree, it is a painful reminder for many of the horrors of the Jim Crow South. How are leaders in that community responding. You're right, Tom. And we have to remember that this is Mississippi. This is where Emmett Till was lynched back in the 50s. This is a community that has had a long history with violence against African Americans, as has been pointed out by legislators from the state of Mississippi. There have been other instances referenced on social media posts of black men having been found in similar situations, and according to these posts, the cases were determined to be suicides.

We don't know exactly what this particular case is, but it's drawing up all these feelings and these conversations, these accusations in some instances. And the NAACP even posted on its social media accountability, it was Instagram, a statement saying that they want to know more. They want there to be a thorough investigation into this case. And near the bottom of this post that says that we offer the... this piece of history with a level of certainty. Our people have not historically hanged ourselves from trees, that statement from the NAACP. And so emotions are running high on this, Tom,

and we anticipate that the medical examiner in the next, as soon as tomorrow, could put out some information about the cause and manner of death in this case, and that may answer some questions. Or quite frankly, Tom, create more. Right. And as soon as we have that information, we will bring it to you. Okay, Aaron, we thank you for your coverage on that story. It is time now for Top Story's news feed, and we start with the Georgia's Secretary of State, Brad Raffsenberger, announcing he's running for governor. Back in 2020, you may remember, he pushed back on President Trump's request to, quote, find enough votes to overturn the presidential election after he lost in the battleground state. Georgia's current governor, Brian Kemp, is in his second term and his term limited. And four West Coast states are breaking with the CDC on COVID-19 vaccination guidelines and issuing their own recommendations.

California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii are recommending the shots for everyone six months and older who want one. The new guidelines are similar to what the CDC recommended under the previous administration. The four states formed a group called the West Coast Health Alliance after the CDC rolled back COVID vaccine recommendations. And for the first time in four years, a bear attacked a hiker at Yellowstone National Park. The 29-year-old man was hiking alone on a trail when the bear caught him by surprise. Park officials say he tried to use bear spray to ward it off, but the animals said, still left him with injuries to his arm and chest. The trail was shut down, and the man is expected to fully recover.

Okay. And an alarming scene at Boston's Logan Airport flames shooting from a Swiss Airlines plane on the runway. Look, you can see a ball of fire erupting there behind the plane. Passengers say they heard a loud boom and felt the aircraft chult forward before. It came to a stop. It happened last night as the flight was preparing for takeoff. The FAA is now investigating. And the National Toy Hall of Fame announcing this year's top finalists,

Some notable contenders, Connect 4, Battleship, the 90s hits like Furby and Tickle Me Elmo, battling it out as well. Even snow, like what falls from the sky during winter. Slime making the cut, you can vote for your favorite online. The winners will be announced in November. Okay, time now for Top Stories Health Check and the new weight loss pill that could be a game changer. Pharmaceutical company Nova Nordisk out with a study on their new drug, an experimental alternative to GLP1 injections. It comes on the heels of Eli Lilly's FDA approval of their weight loss drug last month.

Here's Emily Aketa with what you need to know. Injectable GLP-1s have transformed millions of people's weight loss journeys, but the race to bring needle-free options to market, now heating up. As Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk demonstrated in a new study that its pill form can achieve similar efficacy, finding over 64 weeks, clinical trial participants lost 13.6. of their body weight and an estimated 16.6% if continued. Having this available with the same efficacy, the same safety that gives patients a choice and that will expand the number of patients that we can serve with anti-based medication. Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Martin Lang says they're

expecting FDA approval for the daily pill in a few weeks or months. Are you prepared for a rollout to meet extremely high demand. Short answers, yes, we are prepared for a full-scale launch in U.S. It comes a month after competitor Eli Lilly shared successful clinical trial results for its weight loss pill. Neither drugmaker has named a price point, though experts believe it will be cheaper to make. I think that that's what they're trying to compete for is not only cheaper and accessible, but best weight loss options with decreased side effects.

Emily Aketa joins us now in studio. So talking about those side effects, what do we know about the side effects for the pill? Yeah, so the study shows that the side effects do appear to be in line with what we've seen with those injectables. So think diarrhea, vomiting, some GI pain, also nausea as well. But there are some concerns from some doctors that because we're talking about a daily pill as opposed to the weekly injectable, could that make room for more inconsistent usage? Could people stop taking certain doses because they want to reduce some of the discomfort? As always, it will have to be a conversation with doctors when this does hit the store shelves.

All right, Emily, Akita for us. Emily, thank you. Thanks, Tom. All right, next to nine on top story, the Trump administration, taking new steps to overhaul the legal immigration process. Starting with reintroducing a revamped civics test, which will now ask more questions to prospective U.S. citizens, testing their knowledge on topics like the Constitution, the symbolism behind the stars and stripes, and American history from the Declaration of Independence to 9-11. NBC senior Homeland Security correspondent Julia Ainsley joins us tonight. And Julia, you've looked through the new and old versions of the test, so what are the changes?

Well, there's about 25% more content now, Tom, and most of that has to do with American history. They've increased a number of questions from 100 to 128, and the number of questions that people have to get right now has increased. It used to be that test takers had to get six out of 10 questions right. Now they have to get 12 out of 20 questions. spokesperson for the agency that rolled this out, Tom, said they want to make sure that people who are applying to be U.S. citizens are fully assimilated and have a grasp on reading and writing and speaking the English language. And then, Julia, the current test has a 92% pass rate. Do you think this will lower the percentage? And are there other changes we can expect moving forward?

Based on that language that they rolled out today when they unveiled the new revisions to the test, it seems like they are trying to make it more rigorous, Tom, possibly so that fewer people pass. They say this is the first of many changes. They're also bringing back neighborhood investigations where they can talk to neighbors of people who are applying to be U.S. citizens. And the officers who are assessing whether or not people will pass the test are also being told to look for good moral character, not just the absence of bad behavior. All in a number of measures that are being implemented now, Tom, to try to cut down on the number of people who might pass this test and raise the bar higher. All right, Julia Ainsley for us, Julia, always great to have you. Thanks, Tom.

Still ahead on top story, when Orca's attack, a pot of Orca's sinking a yacht full of tourists off the coast of Portugal, why experts say they believe these terrifying incidents keep happening? And all eyes on the United Kingdom, where President Trump and the First Lady have been getting the red carpet rollout, will break down the biggest moments of the day and what we know about the meetings happening behind closed doors. Welcome back to Top Story. We have your royal fix tonight. So we're going to turn back to the United Kingdom where President Trump and First Lady Melania have been treated to a royal red carpet visit by the British monarchy. The president's historic second state visit has included a carriage ride, a military parade, and an elaborate state dinner. For more on the pomp and circumstance at Windsor Castle, joining us tonight is Vanity Fair's royal correspondent, Katie Nicol from Buckingham Palace. Katie, so great to have you on the broadcast tonight. I want to start with your new piece in Vanity. Vanity. We're going to put it up on the screen for our viewers here. It's titled, Why Prince William and Kate Middleton were the first to greet President Trump and Melania during their state

visit. They also had a private audience with the Trumps. Now, explain to our viewers, why was this significant? Well, good evening. It's lovely to be with you. Thank you for pulling up the article. It is hugely significant to have the Prince and Princess of Wales so involved with a state visit. It's not the first time that the Prince of Wales has met a visiting head of state. He did it with Macron in the summer. The Princess of Wales was obviously there as well this afternoon or this morning to meet them as they arrived in Windsor. But I think what's been so interesting about this is they're not just here for that sort of official welcome and to then introduce the visiting heads estate to the King and Queen. They are staying. They are there at this evening

state dinner and Melania. The First Lady is going to have some time with Princess Catherine tomorrow. They're going to be doing an engagement together at Frogmore. There was a private audience we understand earlier on today. The palace weren't going to give us any details of that. But this is clearly a special relationship, not just between President Trump and the king and queen, but between President Trump and William and Catherine. And don't forget, of course, when Trump was over in France for the reopening of Notre Dame, Prince William was there representing the king. And they had an unprecedented 40-minute meeting there, which we're told was very warm and very cordial. So theirs is a relationship that's already had a chance

to flourish. And that feels like it's coming into full bloom during this state visit. Well, Katie, let's cut through it a little bit, right? How do we interpret this? Is this because this is the new generation of royals and they want to make sure they maintain that relationship with the U.S.? I think there is very much a sense of wanting to look forward and cementing these ties? I mean, we've just heard the king and President Trump speak about this special relationship. Now, this special relationship is nothing new. It's spanned. decades. But it feels more important than ever. We have a new government. We've got a king who's three years into his reign, but who is living with cancer. We've got a very active, present,

prominent Prince of Wales. And I think we've seen in William a very keen and capable statesman and someone with whom these relationships with these leaders on the international stage is clearly important. So yes, to answer your question, I definitely think there is a sense of forward-looking, wanting to connect with that younger generation, the next generation of royals as well. Okay, let's also stay in the present, right? That's very important, especially these days. Let's talk about the present king, King Charles, of course, some huge moments with President Trump and First Lady Melania there, treated to a carriage procession with King Charles and Queen Camilla before they were treated to the largest military parade. For a foreign leader, I think, in modern history, there was that moment when President Trump and King Charles were seen sort of laughing together.

What does it say about their relationship between President Trump and the King? And again, you know, we have to highlight this is the second time that they sort of roll out this red carpet for President Trump. Well, I think the fact that it is the second time really does say so much. I mean, no other president has been afforded such a privilege. And Trump had everyone laughing this evening at the dinner because he said he hoped he would be the only, the first and the last president, to enjoy such a warm welcome and such a unique invitation by British. but I know he is an anglophile. He loves the royal family.

I mean, he loved the late Queen Elizabeth. Much was made of that special relationship. And I'm told the Queen, the late Queen Elizabeth, rather liked Donald Trump. We don't know what the current King makes of Trump, but we do know that he was very much looking forward to that private audience that has happened today. An opportunity for them to meet behind closed doors.

Details may well come out at some point, but I'm told that climate and the environment environment were high on the agenda of the King's wish list in terms of things that he wanted to speak about. And there is obviously a very comfortable relationship, a worn rapport. And I think that was very much captured both in the King's speech this evening at the state dinner, but also in President Trump's. And then I do want to talk to you about the state dinner, right? Because the pictures were quite epic. We were seeing them as they were fed live back here to New York. I think a lot of the world was watching if they like the royal family and seeing what was there. Talk to us about maybe

some of the moments that we didn't notice. We of course saw, obviously, the first family there, but also Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was seated to the other side of the king, Secretary of the Treasury, Besant, next to Queen Camilla, and First Lady Melania and Prince William together. How much of the seating arrangement is symbolic and how much of it is strategic, and take as much time as you want, because it truly was pretty interesting to watch and see how this played out along that long table. Do you know what, that nothing is by accident at all. And actually, it was very interesting that the royal family released a video ahead of the state banquet, showing the king and the queen, checking the table placings, making sure that everything was beautifully laid out,

you know, having a very, very much a personal touch in all of this. I was told and reported in Vanity Fair that the king oversaw this itinary, he was very involved with it. This is not just something that courtiers lay on and the king and queen go along with it. They are very actively involved. And so that seating arrangement, that table plan, is hugely important because this opportunity for royalty and politics to mix is absolutely unique. It is something that Britain is able to pull off. We talk about that soft power, that diplomacy, that soft power of the royals. And it's hugely important because they are able to have conversations with world leaders, with politicians, without being political with a capital piece.

So it's hugely important. And I think that what's happened this evening is going to pave the way for a very easy rapport between the government, with British Prime Minister, Sekeir Starma, and Donald Trump tomorrow at Chekker's. That is the crucial role that the royals play in all of this. I think the fact that there is very much a love affair here going on, a bit of a love in, just makes it so much easier. Before we go, because we only have about 30 seconds, a lot of people are going to be one. Wondering about the style and the fashion. Anything stand out to you? Well, we've seen the queen wearing Fiona Clare, one of her favorite designers twice today.

I personally loved Melania's outfit when she came out off of the jet in her burberry trench coat. To me, that was just the first lady saying, you know, we mean business. And of course, she was prepared for the weather. You have to excuse my hair blowing around all over the place. But it is blustery here. The fact that they managed to keep those hats on as they landed on the helicopter. We're all watching the fashion. We've seen the Princess of Wales clutching a Chanel bag and Melania wearing Dior. So, you know, the fashion stakes are high. I think people sometimes consider these things are not important, but they are particularly at the state banquet tonight.

I mean, it was jewels, it was tiaras, it was royal family orders, sashes medals, the whole lot. It is a spectacle. It's very special to witness. That it was. Vanity Fair's Royal Correspondent, Katie Nicol. We thank you so much for joining Top Story. Now, to Top Stories Global watch dramatic video out of Ukraine, capturing the moment a Russian drone destroyed a building in Harkiv.

Take a look at this. You could see the drone striking a university building, sending smoke and debris into the air. At least four people were hurt. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy says Russia has launched more than 3,000 drones at his country this month alone and dropped roughly 2,500 bombs. An update tonight on the death of Russian opposition leader, Alexi Navalny. His wife says foreign lab tests confirmed he was poisoned before he died in an Arctic penal colony last year. Russia's prison service reported Navalny died after feeling sick at the facility where he was serving a combined sentence of more than 30 years. Navalny survived a poisoning attempt back in 2020.

And investigators in Egypt are searching for a 3,000-year-old gold bracelet that went missing from a museum. Take a look at this. The bracelet apparently once belonged to a pharaoh. Authorities say it was last seen in the museum's restoration lab. They sent photos of the bracelet to airports, border crossings, and ports to try to prevent people from smuggling it out of the country. And a startling attack off the coast of Portugal, a pot of orca whales ramming a tourist yacht, biting its rudder, and ultimately causing it to sink. Both incidents part of a troubling rise in encounters between orcas and humans in recent years. NBC's Molly Hunter explains. Heart-stopping video, a pot of orcas swarms a tourist sailboat.

ramming the vessel repeatedly, circling the boat carrying five people over the weekend about five miles off the coast of Portugal. In video shared by the Portuguese nautical center Terra Incognita, you can see the crews start to panic, and the boat eventually goes under, the bow tipping into the water and sinking. The Portuguese Navy says all five people were safely rescued without injury. And later that day, the Navy says another incident with the same pot of orcas. It's part of an uptick. Over the last five years, hundreds of orca run-ins have been recorded, mostly here, off the coast of Portugal and Spain. The encounters can be alarming.

They are the top predator of the ocean, literally as though Tyrannosaurus rex has got its eye set on you. But experts say they're not targeting humans. The orcas often sink their teeth into boat rudders, getting pulled along, but rudders aren't designed for that kind of force. They're not out necessarily doing harm to boats, but it is a behavior that is causing harm ultimately. Iberian orcas are critically endangered. Scientists say the population number fewer than 50. Orcas are the largest member of the dolphin family. They can grow 32 feet long and weigh six tons, living as long as 90 years. Back in May of 2023, a sunset sail dramatically interrupted by a pot of orcas, destroying the rudder, piercing the hole. The trend started back in 2020, and scientists still

don't know exactly why. I think the reality here is they are targeting boats, and it seems to be a play behavior engaged by young males, but it's a behavior that has gotten out of hand. Molly Hunter, NBC News. Molly Hunter, our thanks to you. When Top Story returns, meet the youngest farmer in America. At just 10 years old, she's already reaping what she sews, scoring a full ride to college. Her story, that's next. Finally tonight, a 10-year-old farmer in Georgia

is now the youngest certified farmer in the U.S. with a backyard garden that's changing her life. Her green thumb already securing her a full-ride scholarship to college. Caitlin Ross from our Atlanta station, WXIA, has her story. The path to success isn't always paved. I'm picking some cherry tomatoes. For Kendall Ray Johnson, it's planted, watered, and grown. Tomatoes over here, warmels over there.

In this backyard, the fruits of her labor aren't just measured in crops, but confidence. Yeah, this one's good. At just 10 years old, she's the youngest certified farmer in the country. We have our first brown egg. And now she's celebrating something even bigger. What is this? South Carolina State University awarded Kendall Ray a full-ride scholarship. These are super sweet white hankets.

Not for sports, but for agriculture. I literally was like, we do that? That could be done? Her mom, Ursula, says Kendall is leading their family farm. They're not quite ready yet. And leading by example. She just wanted to grow. And once she found her love of just wanting to grow, I think that blossomed into what you see today.

In Georgia, where agriculture is the state's top industry, Kendall Ray's story is planting seeds of change. What do I want for my future? Well, I want 100 acres of land. Her dreams growing as fast as her farm. You can also check if it's hollow. And inspiring others to grow alongside her. Keep growing, keep being amazing. You do you. In South Fulton, Georgia, Caitlin Ross, NBC News. We thank Caitlin again for that story, and we thank you for watching Top Story Tonight. I'm Tom Yamison, New York. Stay right there. More news on the way.