Now it is almost over, but today is february 29th and that means it is leap day. Specifically, you notice, february and on the 20th but the extra day only happens every four years and so did the birthdays for those of born on leap day like baby blake harper, made his debut just after midnight at the Kaiser Permanente antioch medical center. Nine pounds, six ounces, steel blue eyes. And one of several little tykes born in the bay area today. Congrats to them. My parents told me i was born during a blizzard. There you go. Clouseau blake, he is not in the sierra but like can say there was a big storm when he was born. Clear this is the kind of weather for you, then. You have that blizzard in the sierra. Tomorrow we will see some scattered rain here across the bay area. We will see some scattered chances and the possibility of some thunderstorms into saturday. Things should then taper off on sunday with dry weather and some sun by monday. It is cold so bring that jacket along with that umbrella and drive safe tomorrow. Tonight, the dramatic split screen. President biden and former President Donald Trump making dueling visits to the border mr. Biden and mr. Trump separated by only about 300 miles along the texas border, clashing over immigration, an issue dominating the 2024 campaign the president slamming republicans for killing a bipartisan border bill. Mr. Trump blaming the crisis on the Biden Administration our team on the border also this evening, israeli troops accused of opening fire on a crowd waiting for aid in gaza and killing more than 100. Israel disputing that, saying many were trampled while looting trucks all as gaza reaches a grim milestone an estimated 30,000 dead the wildfire raging in texas, now the largest in state history. More than 1 million acres burned were in the fire zone the lifethreatening winter storms slamming the west coast blizzard warnings in california for up to ten feet of snow defense secretary lloyd austin on the hot seat the heated moments as House Republicans grilled him on his secret hospitalization. The cheaper choice when it comes to popular weight loss drugs, but what are the health risks and our exclusive. Nfl star damar hamlin after surviving that heart scare on the field. Were there as he surprises a teen athlete who shares a special bond announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt good evening and welcome. The race for president still officially in its primary season leapfrogged straight into the issue at the heart of the 2024 race the two frontrunners traveling to the southern border, making duelling appearances on what could be a defining battleground in this campaign President Biden and former President Trump each standing in the shadow of mexico today, separated from each other by hundreds of miles, but exchanging salvos over an issue impacting more and more American Cities on the border and beyond the president calling out House Republicans for sinking a bipartisan border bill and extending an offer to mr. Trump, saying, we can do it together. The former president blaming mr. Biden for border chaos, calling it a joe biden invasion our Gabe Gutierrez has late details reporter facing criticism over his handling of the immigration crisis, President Biden making his second trip to the southern border while in office. Its real simple. Its time to act reporter arriving in brownsville, texas, blasting House Republicans for tanking a bipartisan Border Security bill at the urging of former President Trump. Its the toughest set of Border Security reforms weve ever seen in this country its time for the speakers and some of my republican friends in congress who are blocking this bill to show a little spine. Reporter the president with this message directly for mr. Trump. Join me or ill join you in telling the congress to pass this bipartisan Border Security bill. We can do it together. Reporter earlier, the republican frontrunner landed about 300 miles away in eagle pass, texas this is a biden invasion over the past three years. Reporter arguing President Biden could end the crisis on his own, slamming what he calls mr. Bidens lax border policies for causing it so we had remain in mexico remember that . You cant come into our country. And we had no more catch and release. Our catch and release, we released them in mexico reporter mr. Trump pointing to recent high profile crimes allegedly committed by migrants, including the murder of georgia Nursing Student laken riley. Joe biden will never say laken rileys name, but we will say it and well remember it. Were not going forget her. Reporter an nbc news review of available crime data shows crime has dipped in cities that received the most migrants should President Biden have gone to a different part of the border i believe so. I think it probably would have been best to go thats very busy, like arizona or california reporter a record 8. 6 million migrants have crossed into the u. S. Since President Biden took office. The Border Patrol union telling us mr. Biden should not have reversed trump border policy. They were very effective for us as Border Patrol agents in securing the border. Reporter an nbc news poll shows 57 of americans say mr. Trump can best secure the border just 22 say biden will beyond the political split screen, desperate migrants in mexico wait to cross here in brownsville, monica from el salvador waits for a bus with her 3yearold son she tells us the journey was hard, and that she spent four months waiting in mexico for an appointment for an initial asylum screening through an app on her phone now, shes off to meet family in houston, as the border battle in washington intensifies. And gabe, a win for the white house today in its legal battle with texas regarding the border reporter thats right, lester. Today, a federal judge temporarily blocked the controversial law in texas that would have allowed local police to arrest migrants suspected of being in the state illegally. The governor says he will appeal, and the case could eventually make its way to the u. S. Supreme court lester all right, Gabe Gutierrez, thank you a deadly incident today in northern gaza during a Food Distribution effort. But how it happened is in dispute tonight this as the Health Ministry now puts the gaza death toll from the war at over 30,000 raf sanchez has late details. Reporter tonight, bodies carried away on donkey carts after a deadly encounter while palestinians gathered to receive humanitarian aid but how it happens is in dispute our camera crew was there before 4 00 a. M. As hundreds of people came to the gaza coast waiting desperately for the delivery of food israel less military saying this drone footage was taken soon after, showing a crowd surging around aid trucks a palestinian eyewitness tells nbc News Israeli Forces started firing at people gathering in front of a checkpoint before the trucks arrived, and kept shooting later as the crowd rushed towards the aid. The hamasrun Health Ministry says more than 100 people were killed, hospitals flooded with gunshot victims. But israels military saying many died, not from israeli bullets, but in a stampede around the trucks. And that israeli troops only opened fire later at a specific group threatening their position do you have any evidence to support your claim that this crowd posed a threat to israeli troops . If you approach armed soldiers in a war zone and there is a threat and they fire warning shots in the air, the best thing to do is to turn around and walk away. Reporter and tonight, the u. N. Warning that one in four gazans are just a step away from famine. Moussa is 6 months old, barely older than this war but in his tiny body, signs of a short life with little food in a sense, he is lucky. Doctors say eight other children died this week from malnutrition and dehydration, all at this one hospital. Not far away, sami al masri trying to feed her kids by frying pancakes out of barley feed meant for donkeys. Her children dodging bullets to find firewood words cant describe the tragedy were living in, she says and President Biden now says he no longer thinks a ceasefire by monday is likely lester all right, raf, thank you. Here at home, that massive and deadly wildfire in texas became the biggest fire in the States History today, burning more than 1 million acres. Our guad venegas is there. Reporter tonight, the texas panhandle engulfed in a deadly ring of fire as firefighters race to beat back the flames of what is now the largest wildfire in the lone star States History. The Smokehouse Creek is the biggest of four active wildfires ravaging the state its already burned through more than a million acres, leaving apocalyptic scenes like this in its wake entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. For paul blankenship, home wont ever be the same the flames took his mother, joyce. They had already blocked the roads off, so, i wasnt able to get in there to her. Reporter the colossal blaze is just 3 contained today, a surreal scene in fritch, texas freezing temperatures led to a snow flurry coating the ashes. Its a help to firefighters still extinguishing hot spots, but the weather may not stay helpful for long its basically a product of low relative humidity, dry fuel conditions, and really, really high winds. This was my art studio. Reporter its already too late for melanie. Her home is gone now, shes worried about the Historic Hotel she manages. I looked at my house, i said goodbye, and thank you, because i knew that i was not going to return. Reporter until the flames subside, the hotel is putting up fire crews and evacuees for now, the fire rages across these vast farmlands, scorching crops and forcing some farms to release their cattle to escape the blaze. Its really going to hurt, and all the ranchers around it, its going to be devastating for our community. Reporter with more high winds forecast in the coming days, this battle is far from over and guad, do firefighters have enough help or do they have to go outside to bring in more folks . Reporter well, lester, federal firefighters are on the way, and President Biden says air tankers are also coming to texas to help fight this blaze there has been a break in the wind conditions giving firefighters that edge. But forecasters say the heavy winds are expected to come back over the weekend lester all right, guad, thank you. And in Northern California tonight, blizzard warnings are in effect for the Sierra Nevada mountains, with heavy snow already creating chaos on some roads. 5 to 10 feet of snow possible by sunday, with wind gusts between 60 and 100 Miles Per Hour travel will be extremely dangerous, if not impossible. In alabama, state lawmakers passing new protections for ivf, after that States Supreme Court decision that found frozen embryos are children sent shockwaves across the country. Senior Legal CorrespondentLaura Jarrett is here. Laura, this would only be a temporary fix, if you will yes lester, lawmakers today acknowledged these bills are not a longterm solution instead, theyre meant to shield ivf patients and doctors from civil suits during the course of fertility treatments where embryos could be damaged or destroyed the goal, of course, to give clinics in the state enough comfort to resume ivf procedures that have been on hold for more than a week. But the bills do not clarify whether the frozen embryos should be considered children, the crux of the state supreme courts ruling, potentially leaving a legal gray area. Nevertheless, the governor is expected to sign the proposed legislation as soon as next week, lester. All right, thank you, laura just in tonight, a major turn in the case of the air nationa guardsman accused of leaking pentagon secrets. Jack teixeira is expected to change his plea to guilty, according to court papers teixeira, who was arrested last april, is accused of using his top secret clearance to access classified material and then posting it in a chat forum a combative hearing today in congress, where defense secretary lloyd austin was questioned about his recent hospitalization and failure to disclose it to the president and others for days Courtney Kube has more reporter defense secretary lloyd austin in the hot seat today. It was a failure of leadership. Reporter House Republicans grilling austin for not telling the white house he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, underwent surgery for it, and weeks later was hospitalized with serious complications. I find it very concerning that the secretary could be hospitalized for three days without anyone else in the Administration Even noticing either the president is that aloof, or you are irrelevant which one is it, mr. Secretary . Its neither. Reporter democrats were more forgiving. You want to know what accountability is accountability is having to come and sit in front of people and their outrage and their drama. Reporter the secretary emphasizing that someone was always in control. There was never a laps in authorities or command and control. Reporter but acknowledging a breakdown in the notification process. We did not handle this right, and i did not handle it right. Reporter although austin took responsibility, he also said he assumed his staff would manage it i never directed anyone to keep my hospitalization from the white house. Reporter on monday, the pentagon releasing a summary of a classified review that blamed the lack of notification in part on a lack of written guidance, but also on staff not wanting to pry into austins health. The review recommending new procedures if any American Worker did what you did, they would be fired reporter and the questions still remains. Why did it take the pentagon three days to tell President Biden his defense secretary was in intensive care . Courtney kube, nbc news, the pentagon with just one day to go, the house passed a stopgap funding bill today to avert a partial government shutdown. The bill keeps much of the government open through next friday, and the rest open until march 22nd republicans and democrats are far apart on funding decisions for major departments like the pentagon and Homeland Security in 60 seconds, with the new class of weight loss drugs soaring in popularity, not everyone can get them and now more people are turning to an alternate option but is it safe well look at that, next Oprah Winfrey announced she is stepping down from the board of weight watchers, after going public about using weight loss drugs. These medications are wildly popular, though the cost has led many to seek out cheaper compounded versions. But are they safe . Cnbcs melissa lee reports. You want to keep the same length . Reporter for new jersey hairstylist kelly fatigan, maintaining a healthy weight was never an issue, until she had a child. I had my son, and we all know after 30, things kind of start to change. Reporter she wanted to try ozempic, the diabetes medication that is also shown to be effective and popular for weight loss. But the reality was at 800 a month, it wasnt something that was sustainable for me reporter when theres a nationwide shortage for a drug like ozempics active ingredient semaglutide, the fda allows for whats known as compounding, the art of mixing in medications. Im on my way right now get my first shot. Reporter she was able to get her hands on compounded semaglutide, first from a local med spa for 300 a vial, then an online site she loads the syringes herself. I was just told to sanitize the top of it each time. Pull back a little bit. Reporter robin wagner is a professor at the uconn school of pharmacy and teaches proper compounding techniques when theres a need and there is a profit, people will get involved in compounding. Reporter dozens of compounding pharmacies across the country are mixing their own versions of compounded semaglutide. And while some of the facilities are inspected by the fda, the drugs they make are not. The agency has issued warnings that compounded versions of semaglutide may carry more risk and negative side effects the big issues with obtaining compounded semaglutide is i dont know where these molecules are coming from i dont know how pure they are what else is being added . Reporter social media sites like tiktok are flooded with influencers plugging promotions for various compounded medications. I do have a discount code. Youre going to use my code, lauren50. Reporter our team wanted to see how easy it was to get compound semaglutide. We tried eight different telehealth sites that didnt require any blood work using our real health information, we shouldnt have been approved, and all but two sites did turn us down but with one, after a quick consult with a doctor im qualified. Okay, five questions, and thats it. Great. This nausea kind of sucks. Reporter kelly has documented her experience on tiktok and is now sponsored by a telehealth company. She says shes comfortable with the choice shes made. I feel like when you feel like you have no other options, you jump for it and do whats necessary. Reporter for her, the reward outweighing the risk for nbc news, melissa lee, new york. And for more, watch big shot the ozempic revolution tonight at 10 00 p. M. Eastern on cnbc up next for us, as electric cars made in china boom in popularity, the white house announces an investigation into whether theyre compromising drivers data the Biden Administration is taking a major step toward blocking smart cars made in china from roads here in the u. S. , citing a possible threat to National Security. We get more from andrea mitchell. Reporter tonight, the u. S. Raising alarms about chinese smart cars, fearful beijing could use its software to spy on american drivers its like an iphone on wheels. Reporter citing National Security, commerce secretary Gina Raimondo is launching an investigation into the threat the car knows your location it knows your patterns, everywhere youre going, your routes its a huge amount of information. Reporter would you go so far as to ban their technology it depends. It depends what we learn. Reporter do you have that authority . Yes, yes. We can do everything from mitigating all the way to banning. Reporter chinas foreign Ministry Says that would overstretch the concept of National Security. As chinas ev sales are booming, one of its companies has now passed tesla as the worlds biggest seller but china faces steep tariffs trying to sell in the u. S. , which has it looking to mexico. If china can set up final Assembly Plants in mexico, it can then export those vehicles to the United States for far lower costs, and that gives them equal footing in terms of the u. S. Market reporter or even an advantage chinese carmakers get government subsidies and easier access to key battery materials. That helps them sell evs for thousands less than those made by American Companies its not a cover for trade sanctions and protectionism . No. Reporter in the guise of National Security no, this isnt that this is National Security, protecting americans. Reporter so they know whos tracking them when they get behind the wheel andrea mitchell, nbc news, washington and next for us tonight, our exclusive. The nfls damar hamlins tenderhearted surprise visit to a young athlete. Finally, our nightly news exclusive. The nfls damar hamlin and his surprise for a young athlete. Priscilla thompson on the heartfelt connection they share. Reporter zeke menkins had big dreams of becoming a military pilot and playing football but around sixth grade, that all changed. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to sleep reporter the cause, a leaky heart valve that would have to be replaced with a mechanical one what went through your minds in that moment i just kind of thought, his world is going to come crashing down. Reporter on blood thinners for life, zekes football dreams were over. When they told you you werent going to be able to play football again, what was that like for you probably one of the most devastating moments of my life. Reporter devastated, but not defeated now 16, zeke is a track star, with new passions lik marching band and choir, and dreams of becoming an airline pilot. His story inspiring someone else so how you feeling about this surprise . Im feeling super excited. Reporter Buffalo Bills safety damar hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field last year. Im super proud of him, of being able to shift gears and still, you know, display your passion for other things that you love in the world wheres zeke reporter hamlin inviting zeke to join abbotts heartmates team youre our first pick in the draft, so there you go reporter for those impacted by heart conditions. Its just a community that we built to allow people to know that youre not alone. Reporter did you experience any of that loneliness or isolation . Yeah. I still do its something ongoing. Reporter a lifelong journey of healing hearts priscilla thompson, nbc news, midlothian, texas. What a great moment glad we could share it thats nightly news for this thursday thank you for watching im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night [cheers and applause] children behave thats what they say when were together and watch how you play they dont understand and so were running just as fast as we can holding on to one anothers hand trying to get away into the night and then you put your arms around me and we tumble to the ground and then you say i think were alone now there doesnt seem to be Anyone Around i think were alone now the beating of our hearts is the only sound look at the way we gotta hide what were doing cause what would they say if they ever knew and so were running just as fast as we can holding on to one anothers hand trying to get away into the night and then you put your arms around me and we tumble to the ground and then you say i think were alone now there doesnt seem to be Anyone Around i think were alone now the beating of our hearts is the only sound i think were alone now there doesnt seem to be Anyone Around i think were alone now the beating of our hearts is the only sound [cheers and applause] kelly all righty, welcome to the Kelly Clarkson show. Give it up for my band, yall. That was a worldwide hit for tiffany in the 80s, and it was also used 20 years earlier which i did not know it was a cover. I didnt know that. Anyway, it was first recorded by tommy james and they knew. [laughter] lets get to our first guest. This is the 15th season of his hit bravo show what what happens live, which you can also see on peacock. He has a bunch of honors including two peabody awards, and an emmy award and a spot on this bestdressed list. Also the first time that i walked out of our new york set, our first show so i get to announce this. Please welcome andy cohen. [cheers and applause] hello we called each other. Andy new york kelly. I love you in new york. Kelly i love me in new york. I love it here. Andy i knew it. Kelly i was slightly terrified that it was my decision to move this many people to a different state. Andy moving to new york is like it is choosing to engage in life. Kelly i didnt realize. From missouri. I never knew that. [cheers and applause] missouri is in the house today. This is a be of if this is a big, huge jump to nyc. What was it like when you first moved here . Andy my first day in new york city i saw andy warhol on the street