A new covid test may have the answer. The crisis within the pandemic with so many struggling financially, heartbreaking scenes at food banks facing almost unprecedented demand. Holiday Shopping Reimagined what stores are doing to make shoppers feel safe trying to preserve a little holiday magic. Meghan markles deeply personal revelation about her Pregnancy Loss her message to so many families who have been through the same experience and remembering a soccer legend, Diego Maradona one of the greatest players of all time. This is Nbc Nightly News with lester holt. Good evening. Im kate snow in for lester tonight President Trump announced today he will grant what he called a full president ial pardon to his former National Security adviser michael flynn. Flynn was the only white house official to be convicted as part of the russia Investigation Led by Robert Mueller he was also an early supporter of mr. Trumps president ial campaign the move ending a long, drawn out legal battle and coming after repeated complaints from the president that his ally was being mistreated we begin with Kelly Odonnell at the white house. Reporter Tonight A Show of president ial power undimmed by his electoral defeat President Trump wiping out the conviction of his former National Security adviser michael flynn. Who had pleaded guilty to lying to the fbi in a russian investigation. The president on twitter, it is my great honor to announce that general michael t. Flynn has been granted a full pardon i know you will have a truly fantastic thanksgiving the president s clemency was anticipated bu still striking as he long complained that flynn had been mistreated by the Justice Department. We went through two and a half years of ruining peoples lives like general flynn and many others. Ruining their lives. Reporter fired in 2017 for lying about his contact with the russian ambassador, this year flynn asked to withdraw his guilty plea and the Justice Department attempted to drop its case but a judge had not signed off leaving flynn in legal peril. Separately today President Trump used his voice to air grievance, even desperation. This election has to be turned around. Reporter the president on speakerphone as hi lawyer Rudy Giuliani appeared before Pennsylvania Republican State Legislators to make complaints about election procedures. This was an election that we won easily we won it by a lot reporter minutes later in wilmington, President Elect joe biden offered a starkly different message. Lets be thankful for democracy itself. Reporter Biden Called For Unity and compassion acknowledging the many hardships brought on by covid this Holiday Season. We need to remember were at war with the virus, not with one another. Reporter President Trump has now used his pardon power 29 times and commuted another 16 sentences with flynn hes used that special power to help a personal friend and political ally that the white house has referred to as a innocent man who should not have been prosecuted the flynn family offered thanks but House Speaker nancy pelosi called this Pardon An Act Of Grave Corruption kate Kelly Odonnell, thank you. Lets get right to nbcs pete williams. Pete, does this mean no more legal trouble for flynn . Sure seems to end the legal saga for him that lasted nearly the entire Trump Administration he is lately waiting two months for the judge to rul on whether the Justice Department could drop the case Attorney General Barr decided that flynns false statements to the fbi were not material to any open investigation and therefore were not illegal but its not clear tonight how broad this pardon is even if it does leave the door open to other charges like failing to report his lobbying for turkey its highly doubtful th Biden Administration would pursue them. Kate pete williams, thank you. Health experts are sounding the alarm tonight about the concerning number of americans who are traveling during this worsening pandemic, a level of travel not seen since the covid crisis began. Heres nbcs tom costello reporter despite a raging pandemic and a skyrocketing death toll americans are on the move this thanksgiving from miami headed north. So far being here has been safe. Everybodys following the rules. So that no problem. Reporter to new york headed west. I really want to see my family. My dads really sick so it just needed to happen. Reporter roughly a Million People flying each day since friday even as the cdc urges americans to stay home aaa projects 48 Million People are hitting the roads. This family keeping a tight Bubble Driving to wisconsin. We want to stay safe and thats why were absolutely staying within our inner circles. And just going to our cabin. Reporter while cars and planes may be lower risks, experts worry about airports, restaurants, trains, rental car shuttles, meals with family and friends. The nations top docs warn we will likely pay a devastating price if hospitalizations soar as they did after memorial day, july fourth and labor day. This is clearly a superspreading event and we can see a surge of cases on top of the current surge in a couple of weeks. Reporter 18 states plus d. C. Now require out of State Arrivals to be tested or self quarantine but the cdc is now considering dropping the self quarantine time from two weeks down to seven to ten days. The accumulating data suggest that we dont have to wait 14 days we know that the average person will get sick about five days after their exposure. Reporter back at the nations airports tonight tsa agents are behind plexiglass and keeping travelers separated. Toms with us tom, i know you have some tips if you must travel reporter experts say wear a mask, wear Eye Protection if you can. On board dont use the restroom stay seated. Dont eat or drink and keep this mask on until youre in the rental car or your home. All right tom costello, thank you. For those traveling or planning thanksgiving outdoors lets bring in al roker. Hows tomorrow shaping up theres a pretty strong lean of storms making their way to the east thats going to bring rain in on for the east coast on thanksgiving mild in the mid sections of the country. Cool out west. Moving to friday nice and warm dry, sunny from the northeast through the great lakes. Heavy rain develops along the coast and continues on saturday. Sunny and dry in the east with warm weather continuing into out west and into the plains for folks returning home on sunday soggy through the south. Mild in the east sunny and dry out west happy thanksgiving, kate. Happy thanksgiving to you, al. As the covid crisis deepens new restrictions are taking effect across the country as hospitals already overwhelmed are bracing for far more patients also overwhelmed many food banks the night before thanksgiving. Heres miguel almaguer. Reporter as americans prepare for thanksgiving, tomorrow will be no holiday for those fighting covid 261,000 lives lost in a battle nurse erin is trying not to bring home. One of the things that we have been struggling with is what we do with our kids if we feel like it comes to a point when we cant keep them safe. That includes potentially sending them to live with a relative away from us. So stay home please reporter to slow covids spread theres a growing but confusing list of restrictions, landing in california from out of state you will be asked to quarantine for 14 days. Flying to illinois, no statewide mandate but if you arrive in chicago you may need to quarantine or face up to a 7,000 fine. But there seems to be little enforcement in pennsylvania the governor may have found it easier to ban Alcohol Sales at bars and restaurants by 5 00 p. M. Today. The biggest day for drinking is the wednesday before thanksgiving lets forego that. Just one time. Reporter with some hospitals at capacity the fda just authorized a new Antibody Test that could measure no just if you have protection from the virus but how much help arrives too late for many families, Cliff Anderson lost his mother maryann. We said, mom, it was okay to go. And then we had to decide keep it away. That was really hard reporter tonight amid so much staggering loss, a reminder many of us still have much to be grateful for miguel almaguer, nbc news. Im sam brock in miami. If a picture tells a thousand words the images outside food banks all over america could write a novel on need. Now due to the virus, you know, the money is not there. Reporter it is an ongoing pandemic putting a crisis into focus. In miami, people waiting online for hours. If it werent for these sites, would you be able to get food on the table . Not really. Reporter Feeding South Florida has seen demand double. We went from serving 706,000 food insecure to over 1. 5 million families in need of assistance. Reporter at this food site in miami the line started at 11 00 last night behind me there are about 600 people i the parking lot waiting to come and get their meal once they hit that number, everyone els is redirected to another location an estimated 50 Million People will be food insecure this year and 17 million kids or 1 in 4 a situation only set to worsen as federal dollars are about to dry up a real reminder. It will help you to at least go to the end of the month and survive. Reporter of whats at stake sam brock, nbc news. Americans struggling with the pandemic and Economic Hardship were front of mind for joe biden as he realized he would be president he spoke about that moment in his exclusive interview with lester. What was the moment when you heard that you were projected i was confident we were going to win this election i really was because i was so certain the American People were going to speak out. People are really, really, really, really, really worried and concerned and they want something done, both sides, and i after 30 lawsuits were thrown out in rapid succession i was convinced it was just a matter of time it was going t happen and thats why i decided just to move on as if i were the nominee and do the business i would do within my power from the day the election occurred and thats why ive moved along as if im the president. So to act like you on it . Yeah. Because i believe we did and i think its important to send a message that of confidence and surety and let people know what i will do give them some glimpse into what i will do. Thats why i started off with the Covid Decision and who i appointed and putting together that group. I think people are just looking, is somebody taking this seriously. And i am deadly earnest about what i want to do and i believe, i truly believe that i we, i can unite this country. I think the countrys so hungry for it, including a lot of republicans. You can see lesters full interview with the President Elect online at nbcnews. Com. Diego maradona got his first soccer ball at the age of 3. He slept with it all night and grew up to be a global superstar. Maradona died toda of a heart attack at just 60 years old and tonight sports fans around the world are in mourning. Heres gabe gutierrez. Reporter he was one of soccers greatest legends, cheered by millions around the world in 1986 maradona led argentina to soccers World Championship and later attributed this controversial goal to the hand of god. He also played professional soccer in europe and was not known for his humility once urging italians to cheer for argentina over italy during world cup semifinals but maradona would struggle with his fame battling an addiction to cocaine and developing Severe Health problems later in life. The incredible drama of his global career captured in an hbo documentary released last year. He is remembered as a revered athlete and a troubled soul, a man who according to argentine legend emerged from the womb kicking. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news. In europe, where the strategy to control a second wave of the covid pandemic looked much different than here in the u. S. , leaders announced success this week and an easing of strict lockdowns. As Richard Engel explains now, th message was a simple one, stay home to save christmas. Reporter theres finally something to celebrate at the end of grim 2020 the lights tonight are on down paris street. On londons Oxford Street in dublin. And in madrids royal botanical gardens. Christmas in europe this year is a go. Saved by preemptive lockdowns. Most of europe closed three weeks ago leaving schools open but shutting nearly everything else. Christmas of course is more than just a holiday. Its essential for many retailers and getting to it is giving people a goal, a collective feeling that if they sacrifice now maybe theres a present at the end of it its been working. The uk announced restrictions will be loosened for the holidays with up to three households allowed to get together. Tis the season to be jolly but it is also the season to be jolly safely reporter in spain Christmas Parties up to six are due to be allowed. In germany, up to ten. No limit on the number of children. France is keeping most of its lockdowns in place until December 15th and only dropping curfews for christmas and new years eve its a Covid Christmas and europe hopes not to have to pay too big of a price for it. Richard engel, nbc news, london. In just 60 seconds, Shopping Reimagined, how stores here this holiday are trying to make us feel a little safer if we shop in person covid has many Brick And Mortar retailers fighting for their lives this Holiday Season jo ling kent tells us survival means Thinking Outside The Box and the store. Reporter the Holiday Shopping rush feels so very different in the pandemic as online sales surge with discounts already on for weeks malls are trying to lure in customers in safely and restore some of that traditional Shopping Magic before possible new lockdowns hit. Everythings closing really soon. And i just wanted to see everything in person before i made the purchase online. The kids like to see the toys, like to see their clothes. They like to have a hands on experience. Reporter the pressure is on online Holiday Sales expected to surge 33 compared to last year. Thats two years of growth in one season thats why in california malls like South Coast Plaza are moving outside, transforming Parking Garages into temporary Shopping Areas allowing customers to knock out their list by appointment only. Here at Westfield Mall you can steer clear of crowds by making reservations for individual stores in their mobile app show up at your appointed time and get Shopping Shoppers are also taking advantage o Outdoor Markets full of Small Businesses like the Winter Village in new york. I think its the atmosphere right . Theres a whole kind of excitement. Seeing whats in the baskets. Getting inspiration. Reporter balancing the holiday spirit with safety in this unprecedented season of giving. Jo ling kent, nb news, los angeles. Were back in a moment with Meghan Markle going public with a deeply personal loss, trying to help others its a powerful message thats resonating with so many families tonight. Meghan markle sharing the news of a Pregnancy Loss this year heres erin mclaughlin. Reporter Meghan Markle gives intimate details of her Pregnancy Loss writing in an emotional essay for the New York Times how it happened in july while she was holding baby archie. I felt a sharp cramp i dropped to the floor with him in my arms, humming a lullaby to keep us both calm. I knew as i clutched my Firstborn Child that i was losing my Second Markle describes watching prince harrys heartbreak as he tried to hold the shattered pieces of mine up to 1 in 4 of all pregnancies ends in miscarriage. I think this gives people the ability to feel its okay to talk about it its okay to encourage people to get support. Reporter markle recalls a Grueling Royal Tour to south africa and this moment with a journalist. Not many people have asked if im okay. Reporter she writes i realized that the only way to begin to heal is to first ask, are you okay . Markle encourages us to ask the question of others, writing loss and pain have plagued every one of us in 2020 adding for the first time in a long time as human beings we are really seeing one another. Are we okay . We will be erin mclaughlin, nbc news, los angeles. Are you okay . Up next, americans thankful this holiday in spite of covid and because of it. Christofer as we head into thanksgiving in the middle of a pandemic americans are still finding plenty of reasons to be grateful for what they have and what they can give my name is orion jean im in fifth grade and im from ft. Worth, texas. Im just thankful that all of these things that have happened they have made me stronger as a person so in a way, in a very strange way, the coronavirus has kind of made us better and more prepared for whats happening, what will happen next. My name is ben hurdle im a u. P. S. Drive in maple grove, minnesota. Theres always beautiful things in the world. Dont give into darkness or fear theres beauty everywhere. My name is eric hail i teach first and second grade i remain grateful and hopeful because every time i look in the eyes of the students i serve i know they need me now more than ever so its my duty and my obligation to give them fivestar service regardless of the pandemic. Im dr. Dhaval desai. Im the director of Hospital Medicine at emmy st. Josephs hospital time and time again im reminded that im not doing this alone im doing this with others who have the same mission as me and that really makes me feel the most thankful for what i do on a daily basis. Its hard to stay positive about the things that you still do have but sometimes thats what you need to do to stay happy and stay focused and thankful so much wisdom. Thats nightly news on thi wednesday. Thank you for watching for all of us here stay safe and have a great night. Right now at 6 00, less than 24 hours away from our thanksgiving feasts and families are making tough decisions across the bay area. Look around. Look at your loved ones. What if you never saw them again . The one local family that says its worth taking the risk despite a painful experience with coronavirus. And as we head into thanksgiving, we are looking at some dropping temperatures and a little bit of wind. Ill have all those details coming up. And feeding people with need this Holiday Season. Because im sick, im definitely not able to work my main job. The huge demand in the bay area and how you can still help. Plus im overwhelmed with your just the magnificence the reason a bay area teenager got a phone call from Vice President elect kamala harris. The news at 6 00 starts right now. Good wednesday evening. Thanks so much for joining us. Im janelle wang. And im jessica aguirre. Were also following two highprofile stories. Raj joins us now. More about a San Francisco woman, raj. Yeah, that woman who recently lost her father to covid is turning her grief into action. Well show you how and interview that young artist in san jose who got that Surprise Phone Call from the Vice President elect. Well see you in a few minutes. Okay. Thanks, raj. All right. Bringing down the hammer, Santa Clara County Health Officials are offering another dire warning as they step