Top Story with Tom Llamas - Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Episode Date: September 4, 2025

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

Tonight as we come on the air, the deadly tram disaster unfolding in Portugal. Horror on a streetcar, popular with tourists, derailing and crashing into a building, killing at least 15 people in the center of Lisbon. Emergency crews working to pull out people trapped inside what went wrong. Also tonight, Florida moves to eliminate vaccine mandates. The state's attorney general comparing the requirements to slavery. Will this put children's health at risk? And will other states follow suit? Fast-moving wildfires erupting across central California, homes and businesses up in flames.

A historic gold rush town completely destroyed the battle to get the upper hand tonight. Epstein survivors pushing for action on Capitol Hill with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. The MAGA Republicans joining Democrats pushing for answers. A woman scammed out of $60,000 confronting an alleged con man that tends face to face after she was tricked into thinking she was helping a retired veteran and his injured dog. How did this image appear to show murder suspect Luigi Mangione modeling a T-shirt end up on a fast-fashioned website? We're asking those questions tonight.

And the heroic rescue caught on camera, a family saved from their overturned car after getting trapped in rushing floodwaters, their incredible escape. Plus, just in 24 hours from now, the NFL season kicks off right here in Philadelphia, the Super Bowl winning Eagles taking on the Cowboys, the new rules and technology this season. And the question on everyone's mind, Will Taylor Swift perform at the halftime show? Top story. Starts right now. And good evening from Philadelphia. We begin tonight with that deadly disaster involving a popular streetcar in Lisbon, right in the middle of rush hour. Officials say at least 15 people

are dead, another 18 injured. New video from the scene showing a dust cloud rising from the destroyed tram. Firefighters say it appears a loose cable sent that car careening down a hill, smashing into a building collapsing on impact. Moments after the crash, people seen running up the hill desperately, desperate to help any victims they could find. Passengers on another tram just feet from the crash site scrambling out of their tram cars' windows. You see it right here. The incident drawing a massive emergency response, ambulances and police cars swarming the scene, and those rescue workers you see appearing to carry someone from the mangled remains of the car. That tram, a popular tourist attraction in Portugal's capital, one of three of its kind across the city.

And tonight, that city's mayor announcing three days of mourning for the victims. Keir Simmons tonight leads us off with the latest. Tonight's the twisted remains of a terrifying and deadly crash, a tram popular with tourists, destroyed, after careering down a steep street in Lisbon, Portugal. This video shows the minutes after the crash, dust clouds in the air, frightened passengers fill the streets. The tram that collapsed on impact, visible as others run to help. When I looked back, I saw the crash, this witness says.

Because of the curve, it tipped over and crashed into the building. It made a huge crash. It was packed. Here, desperate people tried to help, pulling it debris from the deadly accident. officials say at least 15 were killed, 18 injured. Another tram arriving a short time later, people rushing to jump out of it. Firefighters say it appears a cable came loose, sending the tram hurtling down a hill before slamming into the building.

The timing could not have been worse, 6 p.m., the middle of rush hour, as people headed out to enjoy a late summer evening. Police say those killed and injured include international travelers. Tonight, people who were trapped have been freed, and we've learned, among those injured, a child, Tom. All terribly sad. Kier Simmons leading us off tonight with that deadly disaster. Back here at home, we had to Florida now, which just announced a plan to eliminate all vaccine mandates. The first state in the nation to make this move coming as many in the medical community are warning it could have a dangerous impact on public health. NBC's Ann Thompson has a story.

The battle lines over vaccines tonight drawn along state borders. Florida now planning to eliminate all vaccine mandates, even for schools, although shots will still be available. State Surgeon General Joseph Latipo. Every last one of them is wrong and drips with disdain and slavery. Who am I as a government or anyone else or who am I as a man standing here now? to tell you what you should put in your body. Among the vaccine mandates that could be erased, measles, chicken pox, polio, and hepatitis B.

Medical experts are alarmed. I will continue to accumulate more and more unvaccinated people living in Florida who are under age five, who will over time become a walking time bomb in terms of a potential outbreak. Three other states, California, Oregon and Washington are forming a health alliance to provide their own vaccine recommendations.

Citing the recent firings of experts at the CDC, they say the agency has become a political tool that increasingly peddles ideology instead of science. The Department of Health and Human Services rejecting that claim, saying policy will be based on rigorous evidence. Now even Republicans on Capitol Hill doubt if HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. can rebuild trust. And Thompson joins us tonight. live from New York. And is there any kind of timeline to when these mandate rollbacks

could go into effect? No, Tom. There is not. And one catch here is that some of these mandates are actually law. So it's going to take the state legislature to step in and reverse the mandate for that to happen. Governor DeSantis at the press conference today said he had not spoken to any state legislators before making this announcement today, but that he would be working with them in the future. Also, tonight, we have heard from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, both of whom are opposed to eliminating these mandates, saying it will put lives at risk, and also it undoes decades of progress in public health. Tom? All right, Ann Thompson for us tonight, Ann, we thank you. Also breaking tonight,

multiple wildfires are raging across California. Flames tearing through a historic Gold Rush Town, thousands of acres scorched prompting evacuations. Right now the weather is still a major concern. We're going to have more on that in a moment. But first, here's Liz Kreutz from the fire zone. Tonight's central California, the center of multiple active wildfires. At one point, 22 burning all at once. So many that officials have dubbed it the TCU Lightning complex and are using numbers to identify the individual fires instead of names. The mega blaze now scorching more than 13,000 acres with no containment. The vegetation this time of year is pretty dry, right? It's just a very combustible

environment. The most destructive of the fires, the so-called 6-5 fire, which ignited late Tuesday near Yosemite National Park after a lightning storm and quickly spread through Tuolome County forcing evacuations as it tore through Chinese camp, a small historical gold rush town that was settled around 1850 by Chinese miners. It's gone. This is what you have. You know, what's left. Images showing the aftermath, a post office among several structures destroyed. The Beale family owns the Chinese camp store and had to get out within minutes. While their home and business survived, they're worried about the recovery. What does it like to see so much of the town destroyed? I just feel so bad when I see on the new, it's just really want to cry.

I just, it's all my fan. The fire among dozens of blazes burning across the state amid dry, hot, and in some places stormy conditions that prompted 10,000 different lightning strikes Tuesday. In Los Angeles, firefighters last night rushing to stop a brush fire, threatening homes in the Hollywood hills, water drops helping to knock it down. Meanwhile, in Washington State, the rattlesnake fire burning over 4,000 acres. This, the stunning view from a U.S. Air Force plane dropping retardant over the flames as fire danger continues across the west. All right, with that, Liz Croyd's joins us tonight from China. Chinese camp, California. Liz, as you know, we were just there last week. I saw those dry conditions up close. Are firefighters making any progress getting these fires in the region contained?

I mean, Tom, they're certainly working on it. There are hundreds of firefighters right now battling this complex, let alone all of the fires across the state. Right now, this complex remains zero percent contained, according to the latest update from Cal Fire. There's no active fire burning in this town right now. This is Chinese camp, the Gold Rush Town, but a lot of destruction. This historic Wells Fargo, the original post office in the town that is burned. And this is one of many of the historical structures. This is a home built in the 1800s that is now destroyed and officials are telling us at risk of potentially collapsing and crumbling. So right now this entire town remains evacuated. There is no power and still more fires raging across the region,

Tom. So many residents there in California can't catch a break. All right, Liz Croyd's and her team on the fire line tonight. For more on the fires, burning out west. Al Roker joins our coverage tonight in Philadelphia. Al, I understand the conditions there out west. Not great for the firefighters. That's right. Drowd conditions. There's no rain in sight. Liz mentioned all these lightning strikes over 10,000 yesterday. And we're going to unfortunately see more of that. In fact, if you take a look, we're looking at 47 large wildfires that are burning right now. And that's not even counting the smaller fires that are in the region. And we've right now got red flag warnings from Spokane all the way down

to all tourists. A lot of lightning still, Tom, going to be a big problem. But the problem with that is it's dry lightning. Those are the strikes that caused the wildfires with almost no rain attached. Yeah, incredible when you see all those fires out west. All right, we're going to take a turn now. We are here in Philadelphia for the NFL kickoff. Big game tomorrow. We have beautiful skies tonight. Might be a different story tomorrow, though, all right. There is a change coming. We've got a frontal system that's pushing in that's going to bring much cooler air from the Great Lakes all the way into the Midwest and then here into the northeast. A low severe risk, but brief downpours as possible. As this moves into Thursday night, you're going to be

looking at those stronger storms. Probably second half of the game will see some problems there, Tom. Okay, could make for an interesting game, but we'll look at the way and see it. And here's the forecast for you. Shower's likely, 74 degrees. Ah! All right, there's go. And one more bit of news, we're tracking a hurricane out west. That's right. We've got Kiko right now, Hurricane Kiko. And this system right now, Category 4 storm, it'll probably weaken. However, as it moves its way to the west. It's probably going to threaten Hawaii sometime next week as we watch that. But we've also got some activity out in the tropics in the Atlantic. We could be looking at this area, this development, could be upwards of 80% of a chance of development likely later this week.

If it does become a tropical system, Tom, it's going to be Gabrielle. Okay, you're going to stay busy all week. Al. We appreciate you being here tonight. You bet. Next, we want to turn to Washington, another twist in the battle over the Epstein documents. Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Galane Maxwell's abuse appearing on Capitol Hill today as Democrats and some Trump allies banded together in a push for all the documents to be made public. NBC's Hallie Jackson has that report. A rally tonight and a rallying cry. We will never be silenced again. On Capitol Hill, pressure building on GOP leadership to back the release of more Epstein documents in a rare alliance between MAGA allies and Trump foes.

What if this was your sister? What if this was your daughter? Republican Thomas Massey and Democrat Roe Kana leading the effort to get enough signatures to force a vote to compel the DOJ to release all files. Three Republican women splitting with the rest of their parties so far to back it. One, leaving a meeting with survivors visibly emotional. Nancy Mace, who shared her own story of sexual assault, later saying she had a panic attack after listening to their stories. Despite the White House calling any support a very hostile act toward the administration, Kana nodding to those Republicans. Republicans backing. They won't be part of a stunt or a hostile like.

This is about standing with survivors. If all Democrats sign on, as expected, only two more Republicans would be needed to force a vote. And as survivors called on members to do so, GOP lawmaker Victoria Sparts watched alongside us after still undecided. This is an issue that's important for a lot of American people, so I need to learn a little bit more. President Trump, today, trying to downplay the spotlight on it all.

This is a Democrat hoax that never ends. Thousands of pages of documents have been given, but it's really a Democrat hoax. Mr. President Donald J. Trump, I am a registered Republican. There is no hoax. The abuse was real. Survivors now pledging to compile their own so-called list of people they saw in Epstein's circles, as one told us yesterday. We'll compile our own list and seek justice for, you know, on our own. I mean, I think that's what's going to happen next. House leaders and the White House say this particular congressional effort is basically redundant, pointing to a parallel push for documents by the Oversight Committee.

That investigation, receiving a symbolic seal of approval from the House today. Tom? Hallie Jackson for us tonight. Hallie, we thank you. Our next guest is one of those Epstein survivors who spoke today in Washington. Joining us tonight here on Top Story is Annie Farmer, who was just 16 years old when she was flown to New Mexico to spend a weekend with Epstein. and Maxwell and was abused. Annie, we thank you for joining us tonight. I do want to play some of what you said at the news conference on Capitol Hill, and we'll talk more on the other side.

Let's take a listen. For so many years, it felt like Epstein's criminal behavior was an open secret. Not only did many others participate in the abuse, it is clear that many were aware of his interest in girls and very young women and chose to look the other way

because it benefited them to do so. Passing this Epstein transparency bill is one important step that can be taken to prove to Americans that the government does not side with sexual perpetrators. Annie, some of our viewers may be watching this, watching everything that's happened over the last few months, and they may ask themselves, Epstein is now dead, right? He killed himself in prison. Galane Maxwell is locked up behind bars, and yet you and the other victims, the other survivors, your struggle continues every single day. Why are you still fighting there on Capitol Hill? now?

Yeah, I think that there's so much that has not, we have so many questions that have never been answered for us. So we're fighting because there are still people that were involved with these crimes that have never been held accountable. And I think people spoke to so many reasons why it would be helpful for us individually to have this information, but also for the American people, because there have been systematic failures over and over again in this case that need to be addressed. And if we don't really understand what happened, how can we prevent those from happening again and how can we keep children safe in the future?

And then, Annie, you and some of the other survivors are looking to compile your own client list. We heard that in Hallie's report. How do you plan to go about doing that? And what do you plan to do with that information? That's a new idea that's been introduced. And I think it's just been born out of the frustration with this question that people keep asking in the media. You know, we want the names or there's so much focus on a list. The idea is that, actually, we have turned over these names.

People have reported these names to the FBI, to the government. People, these names are known, and they're not just people that participated in the abuse, but also the people that helped this operation continue, that enabled, that financed it. And so, you know, I think it's important to understand that we are demanding accountability and that if nothing is done, that some of these names, you know, we have them, and they could be released. And then, Annie, you were one of the only victims who got to confront Epstein during his bail hearing back in 2019, and you testified against Maxwell at her sex trafficking trial using your full name. Did you ever expect years later you would still have to be speaking out and advocating for yourself and other victims?

No. I did not think that we would still be talking about this the way we are, but I know why. You know, it's because they, we still haven't gotten answers. I mean, what's unfolded recently with Gieland Maxwell was a huge shock, the fact that she was given a platform and brought in for questioning the way that she was. And even more disturbing that she was, you know, transferred to this prison camp, something that's completely unprecedented for someone like herself that's committed these types of sex crimes. So, you know, I did not expect that we would be here, but I, but we're here and we are not going anywhere. I know you reached out to the Department of Justice and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche when you found out he was sitting down with Maxwell. Did you ever hear back from anyone?

I have not. And then you heard President Trump today put out that message that a lot of this is all a hoax. What do you say to that? Yeah, I mean, listen, I think he, his people that were very fundamental to his campaign got people fired up about this issue. It did not seem at that time that they believed it was a hoax. Even once he had taken office, people in his part, in his administration were saying, we have these files, these files will be released.

So at that time, it did not seem that they believed it was a hoax. When we were meeting yesterday with members of the House Oversight Committee, they said that was one of the most well-attended meetings that they had ever had. And someone said something similar at the press conference today. I think that turnout by lawmakers, by the media, is because of the interest that the American people have in this. And it's overwhelming that they support transparency, and they support us in this fight. So I don't believe they think it's a hoax, and I'm not sure why he continues that narrative. If you could talk to President Trump, what would you tell him?

I would tell him to do the right thing. I think that there's clearly here the right side of history to be on, and that is not, protecting perpetrators, not continuing the systematic failures of the government that have happened over and over again here, but actually doing something different, releasing this information. You know, we want to know why was my sister's 1996 FBI report? Why was nothing done at that time? I think for those of us seeing so many people that have been harmed since that time, I can't tell you how heartbreaking that is to think this didn't have to happen. What went wrong? And I think we all deserve those answers.

Annie Farmer, I know you've been dealing with this since you were 16 years old. We thank you for coming on Top Story tonight. I know we will stay in touch. Thank you so much, Tom. Staying in Washington as President Trump ramps up his crime crack down across the country. His latest possible target, New Orleans, saying this about the Big Easy at a news conference today. We're going to be going to maybe Louisiana and you have New Orleans, which has a crime problem. We'll straighten that out in about two weeks.

It'll take us two weeks. than D.C. For more on this, I want to bring in NBC's Peter Alexander from the White House tonight. So Peter, just yesterday the president was talking about going to Chicago. Now it's shifted to New Orleans. What changed? Tom, it's a good question. The president, as you heard, clearly looking to expand this crime crackdown,

saying now that he might send those National Guard soldiers to New Orleans, that, of course, is a blue city and a red state. The president's saying the state's Republican governor has asked for it. He suggested he would send those troops to New Orleans rather than Chicago. where Illinois's Democratic governor, J.B. Pritzker, has been a big vocal opponent of the idea. Pritzker, for his part, again, today said the troops are not wanted, not needed there. He called on Chicagoans, Pritzker did, to be ready with their iPhones to record any immigration enforcement efforts by ICE agents if they are spotted in the city. Pritzker says as soon as this week. We heard from the vice president J.D. Vance today.

You'll remember the president yesterday said, we're going in to Chicago. Vance today said, there are no immediate plans to send National Guard troops to Chicago. And as it relates to New Orleans, more specifically, that city time remains among the most dangerous cities in the country. Halfway through this year, murder rates there have dropped significantly compared to previous years, but violent crime there remains pretty prevalent. And then, Peter, we're also learning about a major ruling in the Trump administration's ongoing legal battle with Harvard that came down late tonight.

Yeah, that's right. A federal judge in Boston ordered the Trump. administration to unfreeze nearly $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard. The judge conceded that Harvard has been plagued by anti-Semitism in recent years and should have done a better job the judge writes of dealing with the issue, but argues there is little connection between the research affected by the grant terminations and anti-Semitism. The judge saying that a review made it difficult to conclude anything other than that the Trump administration was using anti-Semitism. Dysemitism in the judge's words as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically motivated assault on the country's premier universities and was doing it in a way that the judge says went against the First Amendment. We reached out to the White House tonight. They shared a statement with us as well, saying that they plan to appeal. They call the decision egregious. And they insist, Tom, that the school remains ineligible for grants in the future. The question to remember, of course, is how we got here. And this is all after Harvard filed that.

when the administration announced in April that it was going to be freezing billions of dollars in grant money because the university refused to comply with its demands that included auditing viewpoints of the student body. Some other universities have been on the receiving end of this as well. We'll see how this may affect them or what they may do going forward as well. Peter Alexander, our thanks to you, still ahead on top story tonight. The woman given the chance to confront the man she accuses of being part of a scheme tricking her out of nearly $60,000. You'll see it as it happens. Another celebrity break in this time actress Tracy Ellis Ross was the target, what police say thieves took from her home. And the popular online fashion

retailer, Sheehan, facing questions tonight after accused killer Luigi Mangione appeared to show up modeling clothing on their website. How did this happen? Plus tonight we come to you live from Philadelphia. The steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art made famous, of course, by one of Philly's proud of sons, Rocky Balboa. And just one day, the NFL season kicks off right here in the city of Brotherly Love. And we've got a special preview as the Eagles begin their title defense with the voices of football on NBC, Mike Tariko, and Chris Collinsworth. Stay with us.

Top story. We're back in a moment. We're back now with the confrontation between a 70-year-old woman and the man accused of stealing and spending tens of thousands of her money. dollars of her money that she thought she was sending to a military veteran. NBC's George Sir Lee spoke to the Florida Sheriff who brought those two to face face. Now looking at her face, how does that make you feel? I feel bad. You're not looking at me. Face to face. This is a dramatic moment, a 70-year-old Florida woman out $60,000 in an online scam, confronts the man and authorities

say played a role in the crime. How many other people did you spend their money? I'm done. That's all the money I got. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office arresting and extraditing 56-year-old Corey Woodall from North Carolina to Florida, where he now faces charges of organized scheme to defraud and grand theft. When you defraud my residents here, we take that really, really serious. Sheriff Mike Chitwood says he wanted to send a clear message with the release of the video of Woodall's arrest. If you scam one of my elderly residents and I could bring your ass back here, you're coming back to face the music. According to investigators, the scam all started with an email, the victim replying to an ask about raising money for a wounded military dog.

The victim under the impression she was in contact with a four-star general who eventually asked her to send $30,000 in cash to an address in North Carolina, plus an additional $30,000 in cryptocurrency and gift cards. Authorities in North Carolina and Florida say they track the hard cash to Woodall. This is people's lives. You don't have to use a gun to destroy somebody's life, you know, just going out and putting somebody in financial ruin, we have to take these things seriously. Authorities say Woodall spent $30 grand on a lawnmower, trailer and car, and later reported spending the cash to police in North Carolina in an unusual attempt to cover his tracks, according to investigators, telling authorities he wanted to scam the scammers that sent him the money. As far as tactic goes, how unique is that in your book? That's the first. Woodall remains in custody at the Volusia County Jail on $230,000 bonds.

No information on attorney was available, his alleged victim, telling him she wants her money back. Well, I'm going to tell the judge that demand you give me my money back, and I don't care if it comes a dollar a week. You're going to pay me back. You heard her right there. George joins us tonight from Miami, and George, they're still looking for the person who poses the four-star general? Yeah, that's right, Tom. Sheriff Chitwood saying that he actually sent an email to that individual saying, hey, we're coming to find you, even sending him that confrontation video directly to his inbox.

Now I ask Sheriff Chitwood if that tactic usually helps in trying to find these people that are accused of scamming. He said, no, it doesn't. But frankly, he now knows that he's being hunted and he's encouraging to turn himself in. Tom. Yeah, and then before you go, that guy could be facing other charges as well, right? Yeah, that's suspect that they currently have in custody. Well, apparently, according to Sheriff Chitwood there, his goal. is apparently part of a larger, is being accused of being a part of a larger money laundering

scheme there in North Carolina. So he may very well heading back there to face charges related to that. And apparently he also towed deputies there in North Carolina. The only reason he did this in the first place was that he was actually being manipulated by the Mexican cartel. And that's why he took the money and he spent it in the first place. So there's obviously a lot more investigating that needs to be done on that side. But Sheriff Chip would message very loud and clear, Tom, that he wants anyone tied to this initial scam here to be held accountable. Tom. George Solis, our thanks to you. Still ahead tonight on Top Story, the king of all media's uncertain future as the country awaits what's next for Shock Jock Howard Stern. And the European

Union banning a key ingredient commonly used in gel nail polish. It has fans of the nails asking, is the U.S. next? But first, Top Story's top moment, Novak Djokovic showing some different moves on the court. The tennis star celebrating his latest win with an impromptu performance of the dance from the movie K-pop Demon Hunters in honor of his daughter's birthday. Take a look. And here's the instant replay. This is Jogovic's moves compared to the original from K-pop Demon Hunters. Not bad he can move. Stay with us. More news on the way. We are back now with Top Stories newsfeeds, starting with survivors and families of victims killed in the Lewiston-Main mass shooting, filing a lawsuit against the federal government.

The suit alleges the U.S. Army could have stopped one of its reservists from carrying out the deadliest shooting in that state. 18 people were killed and more than a dozen others were injured when a gunman opened fire. at a bowling alley and local bar back in 2023. The legal filing says the army was aware of the gunman's declining mental state and did nothing in response. And the Los Angeles woman known as the ketamine queen pleaded guilty to charges a connection to actor Matthew Perry's death. Javasin Sangha pleaded guilty to five counts including distributing the ketamine that led to Perry's fatal overdose. She faces a max prison sentence of 65 years. Her sentencing is set for this December. Also in L.A. police searching for the thieves who broke into the home of actress Tracy

Ellis Ross. The LAPD telling our affiliate, burglars shattered a glass door and took off with more than $100,000 worth of handbags and jewelry. Ross was reportedly out of town at the time. The burglary marks the latest incident in a string of celebrity home break-ins in this year. And a jet crashing through a fence at a suburban Chicago airport coming within inches of a roadway. Take a look. The aircraft slid off the runway while landing at Wheeling Chicago. Executive Airport. Two people were on board at the time. No injuries were reported. The FAA, of course, is investigating. And a dramatic rescue caught on camera after a family was left trapped on their truck as they tried to escape flood waters in New Mexico. Video shows a police officer crawling across a ladder to reach a woman stuck with her child and her dog. Look at this. You can see the violent waters rushing all around them, a construction vehicle holding the car in place as the officer carefully guided them to safety. Next tonight to the controversy over a shocking image on fast fashion retailer Sheehan's website. Here's that image which appears to show Luigi Mangione, the man accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year,

modeling a shirt. That image has since been taken down. And NBC Savannah Sellers joins us now with a statement just in from the Chinese-based company. Savannah, this is both disturbing and likely illegal. What is Sheehan saying about the image? Yeah, Tom, I mean, a lot of reaction about this online, which is really. really what brought it to Sheehan's attention. They said as soon as it was discovered, it was taken down, as you mentioned. Also saying there's this whole investigation going on now, Tom, they actually explicitly said the image in question was provided by a third-party vendor and was removed immediately upon discovery. They also say that they have these stringent standards for all listings on their platform. They say that they are conducting this thorough investigation, and they also

say that they're going to strengthen their monitoring processes. They're going to take also appropriate action, they say, against this vendor, Tom. But again, it's this photo. We are looking into whether or not was this potentially generated with AI. Was it Photoshopped in some way? Of course, Mangione is in federal custody while he is awaiting that trial on all those charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to. But Tom, as you mentioned, quite disturbing and certainly a talker with people online. Yeah, and then Savannah, you mentioned this third-party vendor selling the T-shirt,

and I know you've done some digging into who exactly they are. Yeah, Tom, so they mentioned that this image came from a third party. What does that really mean, right? I mean, how, in essence, did this photo of somebody who, in federal custody end up online in this way. So essentially what has happened here is that Sheehan, right, you go on this website, you can buy a shirt from there. It's available there to purchase. They, of course, are getting that shirt from somewhere. So this is the vendor that was providing them with that shirt. And also essentially what Sheehan is saying is providing them

with the imagery, essentially like the marketing materials for that shirt. We were actually able to see on the website an archived version of that site that has now been taken down that showed the image exactly which vendor that was. If you then go to that vendor's website, Tom, I mean, it's a little sketchy, to be honest with you. It looks like most of those images on that website are AI generated or at least sort of computer generated in some way, not all actual real people modeling any clothing here. Also, it lists an address, excuse me, in Detroit as like its sort of headquarters. That address does not actually seem to exist when we emailed to ask for any clarity.

The support email, it bounced right back. So Tom, definitely a little interesting going on with the company that actually provided these images again, according to Sheehan. All right, Savannah Sellers for us tonight. Savannah, we thank you. And tonight is one of radio's most iconic voices searching for a new home. Speculation is mounting over Howard Stern as his mega contract with Sirius XM is set to expire soon. His show promoted his return yesterday, but he never made it on the air. Here's NBC Stephanie Gosk.

The Howard Stern show goes on hiatus every summer. Don't ever prank me again. But this time, rumors are swirling the 71. one-year-old, one of the original radio shock jocks, might not be coming back. Speculation began in August with tabloid reports that Stern was not renewing his contract with Sirius XM. So the show hit back. Howard Sturred, fired, canceled. Is it really by-bye-booie? Promising he would respond to the headlines. Howard Sturred will speak. Tuesday, September 2nd. But that day came and went with no appearance. Now the show says he will return next Monday.

Stern is at the end of a five-year contract reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Sirius XM and Howard Stern have not responded to request for comment. But analysts say the media landscape has changed, especially in the last five years. Sirius XM has been investing hundreds of millions of dollars in other podcast deals. And Stern's importance to Sirius XM may have diminished. You have to understand that maybe Howard Stern isn't as unique or as unusual as he previously was for this company. And he certainly was unique. In the early days, pushing the envelope with body, sexes, jokes.

Honey, let me see those boobs. And wild stunts. But in recent years, the show evolved, at times focusing on polarizing issues like vaccines. Their freedom. I want my freedom to live. And the election. I believe the entire future of this country right now. It's literally on the line.

Now his fans, many who have tuned in for decades, are eagerly waiting to hear what Howard Stern will say. next. Since Stern signed his contract five years ago, Sirius XM has diversified its talent base. They've cut deals with famous podcasters as well as gotten into sports, which media analysts say has made Stern less important to the company. Tom? Stephanie Gosk, we thank you. And when Top Story returns, the defiant show of force oversees leaders of China, North Korea, and Russia. Standing side by side for a massive military parade, conversation caught on a hot mic and what those world leaders were talking about. And the ban in Europe for a certain chemical used in some of those wildly popular gel nail

polishes, is it safe to use and could it happen in the U.S.? Stay with us as our show continues from Philadelphia tonight. We're back now with the show of force in Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping, alongside Russian leader Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, attending a massive military parade in Tiananmen Square, the gathering of major U.S. rivals and adversaries, prompting a response from President Trump. NBC's Janice Mackie Freyer has this report from China tonight. Tonight a choreographed show of force. China's biggest military parade showing off new generation weapons, including nuclear missiles, huge underwater drones, and powerful lasers capped off with doves and

balloons. From where we are, six square miles are in complete lockdown with the country and the world watching not only the show, but who's watching it. On the balcony, China's President Xi Jinping flagged by Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong-un, a first to see the Western adversaries together. At one point, a hot mic picking up a conversation between Putin and Xi. Putin appearing to say human organs can be continuously transplanted. You can achieve immortality. She appearing to muse that this century, humans may live up to 150 years. Asked about it later, Putin saying there is hope human lifespan can increase considerably.

The parade highlighting shifting alliances, China and economic lifeline to both Russia and North Korea. Kim, now a partner in Russia's war against Ukraine. President Trump posting, please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. as you conspire against the United States of America. I thought it was very, very impressive, but I understood the reason they were doing it, and they were hoping I was watching, and I was watching. Kim Jong-un grabbed the spotlight here,

arriving on a bulletproof train with his daughter, tapped as a possible successor. This lavish parade happening as China's economy is struggling. Still in the speech, she insisted China's rise is unstoppable. China is eager to project itself as the leader of this group seeking an alternative to a world order long dominated by the U.S., and they're warning the U.S. and the West not to challenge them. Tom. Janice Mackie Freyer, thank you. Staying overseas now with Top Story's Global Watch, starting with new footage from that devastating landslide in western Sudan.

Here you can see crowds searching for survivors while digging through piles of mud and rubble. So far, we're told they've only found one person alive. An armed group that controls the area says at least 1,000 people were killed. It's believed to be one of the deadliest national disasters in that country's history. A new video capturing the moment a luxury yacht capsizes and six, just minutes after being launched into the water, take a look at this. The vessel about to take its maiden voyage off the shore of Turkey, slowly falling over, we should say tipping over, landing on its side. At least one person has seen fleeing the boat as it continues to sink.

The cause remains under investigation. And Pope Leo getting revved up for charity in St. Peter Square today, the Pope signing his name on a custom BMW motorcycle set to be auctioned off for a non-profit organization. Crowds of bikers cheering him on as he checked out the bike. The proceeds will go to a children's charity in Madagascar. Next tonight, a new warning overseas has Americans asking, are manicures really safe? The EU banning the use of an ingredient found in most gel nail polishes citing health concerns. Kaley Hardtung explains what it means back here at home. A new ban in Europe has people polishing up on their manicures. You need to throw away all your gels. Trimethylbenzoil diphenyl phosphine oxide, or TPO for short, is a chemical found in most gel nail polishes.

It helps speed up the dry time as the polish hardens under UV lighting, giving nails an extra glossy finish that does not chip easily. The European Union first announced the new regulation back in May, saying the substance can be toxic for reproduction and declaring it should no longer be allowed in cosmetic products. However, health experts say the EU regulation was influenced by a study on animals, not humans. Why is America not banning it to? If these other places is saying that it's harmful, they need to ban it here too. The ban now fueling conversations here in the U.S. on whether it's safe to use. When we're making that sort of evaluation in the states, we're really looking to see, like, what is the exposure? What is the real risk? As a dermatologist, if a client comes to you with concern, are you telling them to avoid gel manicures? I am not, you know, I always tell my patients, I'm here to give you information, and then this really is a personal and individual decision because I don't have evidence that it is truly harmful.

In a statement, the nail manufacturer counsel on safety says, safe and effective alternatives to TPO are already on the market. market. Clients can continue to enjoy gel manicures with confidence. Globally, the gel nail polish market is valued at nearly $2 billion. Initially introduced in the 1980s, gel nail polish had a breakthrough in popularity nearly 30 years later when Shalak arrived on the scene and had nails looking polished to perfection for weeks longer than your standard polish. But some salons are already seeing customers change their habits. We definitely have been seeing a trend of people not doing gel. Tina Wang is the owner of Lenula in Brooklyn, a nail salon that says it only uses non-toxic polishes.

But some gel options still include TPO. Someone who's worried about it, I would just say, don't do it. We have this other gray polish that lasts almost as long, is almost as durable, and it's pretty good for most people. Still ahead on top story, the premier fans of the office have been waiting for. We'll break down what to expect on Peacock's spin-off the paper dropping tomorrow. Plus, the NFL season countdown, what you need to know before tomorrow's first game here in the city of Brotherly Love. We'll be right back from Philly. Stay with us. We're back now with the moment fans of the office had been waiting for for years.

A spinoff called The Paper set to drop on Peacock tomorrow following the antics of co-workers at a struggling local newspaper. All 10 episodes will be available to binge at once. And as NBC's Chloe Malas explains, the show will feature some new faces and at least one returning favorite. For nine seasons, the office charmed and kept fans laughing all around the world. The Emmy Award winning show led by Steve Carell showcased the fictional everyday antics of Dunder Mifflin, a paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I feel God in this Chili's tonight. Now the creators of the hit show are back 12 years after the finale with a spinoff.

supplying audiences with a new kind of paper. Oh my God! Okay, it's happening. Everybody stay calm. Welcome, volunteers to your first staff meeting as reporters for the Toledo Truth Teller. Aply titled The Paper. The show follows a struggling local Ohio newspaper, the Toledo Truth Teller, and it's eager but unseasoned editor played by Donald Gleeson, who stopped by the Today Show this morning. It was the same documentary crew from the office, and they go, they are following what happened. It's under Mifflin. They end up in Toledo. The local newspaper, there's a new boss.

You're the boss when I arrive, but there's a new boss who's just arrived. He's trying to get the paper back on its feet again. The new series also stars Sabrina Impatchitore, who rose to fame on season two of the White Lotus. Don't be so suffocating. And there's a familiar face on this newspaper staff. Not again. I'm not agreeing to any of this. Use that.

Former office star Oscar Nunez returns as Oscar Martinez. And fans are here for it. The office is back. The series which premieres Thursday on NBC's streaming platform, Peacock, hoping to recapture the same success as its predecessor. There's been a lot of buzz around it because the office was such a huge phenomenon. Variety TV critic Aramiday Tanubu watched the show and says that the paper, similar to the office, finds its footing along the way. Things really sort of rev up and you're like, oh, this is what I'm used to and this is what I remember. showing off an ensemble cast and their new office antics.

And we're clapping, we're clapping, and Chloe Malas joins us again from New York. Chloe, before the show is even out, big news about a season two. Tom, that's right. The show has already been renewed for a second season, and it hasn't even premiered yet. But fans, they're really hoping for cameos. I am a huge office fan. I've watched every single season more than once. And fans like myself were hoping for Steve Carell or just.

John Krasinski to make a cameo on the paper. And also you, Tom Yamis, we think that you should be a broadcaster who goes and leads their news meeting at this newspaper. What do you say? Chloe, I think that's a great idea. I love the office and I think the paper is going to be great as well. I'm looking forward to the premiere. All right, Chloe, we thank you so much for that. Finally tonight, the countdown to kick off. It's why we're here in Philadelphia tonight. The NFL season starts tomorrow where the Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champs, their quest possibly for another ring. They started against the Dallas Cowboys. Earlier today, I spoke to NBC's Mike Dorico and Chris Collinsworth, who gave us a play-by-play of what to expect. The Vince Lombardi Trophy is headed to Philadelphia. Football is back. The NFL kicking off the season with a major rivalry, the Eagles Cowboys. The Philadelphia Eagles, the defending Super Bowl champs, but they don't want to use the word repeat. Why is that? It's their mentality. I think they

realized that any energy spent celebrating last year won't do them a bit of good starting on Thursday night against Dallas. So it's the right coach and the right city to just be focused on going forward. So while everybody celebrates the moment in the stadium, team will be in the tunnel, then they'll be out onto the next step. It's just the best. You get Philadelphia, you get the Rocky theme, you get Sylvester Sloan in the past, and you get, they're crazy here about their football. I mean, they're just crazy. Crazy with me sometimes is what they do. But it's, it's, it's, it's, as exciting and opening night as we could have. And Dak Prescott has a first down.

This season, watch out for a few new rules. Among them, new technology for measuring first downs. It basically will digitally be able to tell you where the line to gain is. And did they reach the line to gain or not and spot the ball appropriately on those circumstances. It should speed up the game as well as be more accurate. The chain gains is still going to be there this year as a backup. Walking in for the touchdown is Ray Davis, the rookie.

As far as teams to watch. A lot of people talking about Baltimore. A lot of people also talking about the bills. Yeah, we have Sunday night the game that could be the AFC championship game. Hope nobody in Kansas City heard me say that. But Buffalo and Baltimore have been right there. Maybe they're at the wrong place at the wrong time because of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs and how the good they've been.

But Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, the last two MVP's in the NFL, both teams you could honestly say we'll see in Santa Clara at Super Bowl 60. So blockbuster matchup and two of the teams to watch all year. count the chiefs out. A lot of people obviously always talking about Mahomes and Travis Kelsey, maybe the most talked about athlete now. Do the chiefs have a chance? Oh, yeah. I mean, take the Super Bowl aside. That was one of the best defensive teams that we saw all year. Philadelphia just caught them, right? I mean, it just happens in the NFL. They just got them. It's 34 to nothing against the champs. In the third quarter, that's like it's just impossible for

that to have happened. So I think Kansas City is going to come back. a bit motivated this year. I think Travis Kelsey is going to come back a bit motivated this year. Patrick Mahomes and they certainly have the team to do it. I just don't know if they want to see that Philadelphia Eagles bunch again because that was an overpowering

performance, the likes of which we really haven't seen in a Super Bowl. Mike, I'm going to be a little biased here since I have you. My Miami Dolphins. There's a little bit of offseason drama there. There are questions about Tyreek Hill, questions about Tua, and if the coach can bring them all together. Will that be one of the big storylines you think?

issues. No doubt. I think this is a year they're going to have to prove it because there are a lot of star players. A couple of years ago, they were hot. They were a great story and you felt like the dolphins were back and last year it fell flat. So that's a lot of pressure now. Coach, quarterback, receiver, everyone, you better be at your best because in that division with Buffalo, it's hard to be the best and they cannot afford to take a step back this year. And the question on many minds. I really want you to dig deep in here. Look into your crystal balls.

It's a Super Bowl. Is Taylor Swift playing the halftime show? I give you each one answer. Go for it. You go first. Go ahead. I don't think so because I don't think she wants to do it while Travis is still playing. I hope so.

That would be fantastic. Just could not be more fun, so I hope so. That's one hot take. Mike, give me your take. I agree with my partner 100%. I don't think she'll do it while Travis is still playing, especially since they're engaged now. But if I'm wrong, that's fine.

Works for us. I'm all for calling the first half and sitting back and watching a tail of Swift concert. And a big thanks to our friends, Mike and Chris, for their analysis. And a reminder from kickoff to the Super Bowl, the NFL is on NBC all season long. Coverage of the Cowboys Eagles kickoff game starts at 7 p.m. Eastern tomorrow only on NBC and Peacock. We thank you so much for watching the special edition of Top Story Tonight. Reporting from Philadelphia, I'm Tom Yam. Stay right there. More news on the way.