Hundred since it opened in 1924. More than 68 Million People have been on the ride. The boardwalk is going to be celebrating the historic coaster all summer long. Visitors will be able to ride it for a dollar every wednesday through august. Theres going to be fireworks marking the anniversary this saturday night. One of the most popular wooden roller coasters in the country cost 50,000 to make in 1920. Wow. I love hearing the screaming and then the wood tonight, the showdown now set. Joe biden and donald trump agreeing to meet facetoface for two debates before the election. After months of uncertainty, the candidates agreeing to just two televised debates in june and september. Mr. Biden saying, make my day, pal. Mr. Trump firing back, i am ready and willing, and the comment by senator mitt romney making headlines that President Biden should have pardoned mr. Trump. Also tonight, the attempted assassination, a man walking up to slovakias Prime Minister shooting him multiple times. Aides pushing the wounded politician into a car, and a man tackled on the ground. The Prime Ministers condition tonight. The barge slamming into a bridge in galveston, texas, causing a partial collapse and unleashing an oil spill. One Community Island cut off. Opening statements in the bribery trial of senator bob menendez. The defense suggesting those gold bars didnt belong to menendez, but to his wife. A heartstopping new dash cam video from a semi truck as a crash sends it dangling off a bridge. The recordbreaking filibuster in missouri as democrats wage a battle over abortion rights. And the athletes dominating the world of womens golf and swinging for a shot at gold in the paris olympics. Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening, and welcome. Not one, but two president ial debates are on the books tonight after an exchange of verbal taunts more akin to a prize fight promotion. President biden and former President Trump have agreed to televised oneonone debates, the first happening june 27th and, notably, without a live audience. The second one, september 10th. The arrangement first proposed by President Biden was quickly accepted by mr. Trump, who refused to take part in this years republican primary debates. The first of the showdowns timed by the Biden Campaign to take place before early voting begins. In the time being, the debate among pundits will likely be over which candidate has the most to gain or maybe lose. White house correspondent Peter Alexander now with how it all came together. Before i get started reporter tonight the stage is set for the first tv confrontation between President Biden and former President Trump in more than three years. The agreement punctuating a dizzying day of dealmaking. The president posting this video responding to weeks of pressure from mr. Trump for a debate. Donald trump lost two debates to me in 2020. Since then he hasnt shown up for a debate. Now hes acting like he wants to debate me again. Well, make my day, pal. Reporter the president taunting his rival over his manhattan hush money trial thats kept him in court four days a week. So, lets pick the dates, donald. I hear youre free on wednesdays. Reporter there are traditionally three debates, the president offering two. Mr. Trump, who refused all of the primary debates, quickly saying yes and pushing for more writing, im ready and willing to debate crooked joe at the two proposed times. I would strongly recommend more than two debates and, for excitement purposes, a very large venue. Just tell me when. Ill be there. Within hours a pair of debate dates were set, one in late june, another in september. Both sides bypassing the commission on president ial debates proposal for three fall showdowns. President bidens decision comes after former President Trump repeatedly challenged him to debate. You can see, we have an empty podium right here to my right. You know what that is . Thats for joe biden. Im trying to get him to debate. Reporter the june 27th faceoff with no audience will come at a critical moment in the race with recent polls showing mr. Trump in a strong position in some key battleground states, and shortly after the former president s criminal trial is expected to wrap up. Today senator mitt romney, a fierce trump critic, arguing the president should have pardoned mr. Trump. I would have immediately pardoned him. Id have pardoned President Trump. Why . Well, because it makes me, President Biden, the big guy and the person i pardon the little guy. Reporter the debate is certain to be a bitter battle with the president and his predecessor trading insults. The worst president s, take them, give me the ten worst names, they havent done the damage to our country that this total moron has done. Reporter and from mr. Biden just today the guy has sort of lost his mooring. He seems like the guy who just doesnt know what the hell hes doing anymore. Reporter in an already unprecedented campaign, the first crucial clash now the earliest in modern history. And, peter, to be clear, this means this happens before the conventions . Thats right, likely even before mr. Trump has picked his Vice President ial nominee here. The former president is now saying that he accepted an offer for a third debate in october. The Biden Campaign, though, they are brushing that off, lester, telling me no more games, no more chaos, in their words, President Biden will do two debates. All right, peter, thanks very much. A world leader is fighting for his life after a brazen assassination attempt in broad daylight. Keir simmons now with late details on whats being called a politically motivated ambush. Reporter tonight, a tense europe shaken again, gunshots, and a possible glimpse of the shooter, then slovakias Prime Minister staggers to his car hit in the stomach, his security bundling him inside. I heard three shots, this woman says, and then he fell next to the barrier. Tonight, robert fico airlifted to the hospital is in a lifethreatening condition. Moments after the attack, police handcuffing a man. The countrys president says a suspect has been arrested. I am shocked, she says. Its an attack on our democracy. Tonights attack coming after a spate of political assassination attempts. In 2022, japans former Prime Minister, shinzo abe, was shot dead in the street. A year later, an assassins gun jammed as he targeted argentinas then Vice President , and in january, a south korean Opposition Leader was stabbed in the neck. Last month ukraine claimed it foiled a russian attempt to assassinate president zelenskyy, but slovakias prorussian Prime Minister had run for reelection opposed to military aid to ukraine, only to uturn months later. His politics divisive. Thousands protesting in the streets over plans to bring the state broadcaster further under government control. Officials say the attacker had political motivations amid ever escalating tension in europe, but exactly why he did it is still not clear tonight. Lester. All right, keir simmons tonight, thank you. Another bridge accident today, this time in galveston, texas, where a barge crashed into a crucial causeway. It comes as federal officials grapple with the recent baltimore bridge collapse. Heres priscilla thompson. Reporter tonight, another scary scene on americas waters. A possible boat that hit the bridge and a power line down and maybe fuel in the water. Reporter a barge crashing into a bridge, this time in galveston, texas, closing the only road to a small island community, and causing an oil spill. Our Emergency Management is requesting Fire Department hazmat. Theyre advising that theres fuel oil leaking into the water. Reporter the barge holds about 30,000 gallons. Officials say its unknown how much oil has leaked. The barge owner, Martin Petroleum, says it broke loose from its tow and drifted into the bridge. The accident comes after the dali cargo ship crashed into Baltimores Francis scott key bridge in march plunging the bridge into the water, killing six. So, were here today reporter the ntsb chair on capitol hill today. Yesterday we released our preliminary report, which shows that the dali experienced four total power outages. Reporter investigators finding the pilots lost control of the massive vessel right before the collision. The recent rash of barge bridge accidents including pennsylvania and iowa all raising safety concerns. The ntsb now warning states to examine their infrastructure before its too late. I keep reiterating this, if you own a bridge, if a state owns a bridge or other entity owns a bridge, look at the current structure. Do a risk assessment. You can do that now. Priscilla joining us now. Were there any injuries, and whats the status of the oil leak . Reporter lester, Officials Say there were no injuries, and Martin Petroleum says that leak has been stopped. The ntsb and the coast guard are now investigating as tonight this bridge and the waterway remain closed. Lester. Priscilla thompson, thank you. Here in new york, Opening Statements today in the corruption trial of one of the most powerful u. S. Senators, democrat bob menendez of new jersey. Hes accused of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes. Jonathan dienst was in federal court. Reporter today new jersey democratic senator bob menendez walking into federal court where prosecutors allege he put his own greed ahead of his country. In Opening Statements, calling him corrupt, accusing him of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in payoffs including gold bars, a mercedes convertible, and other items as part of a widespread bribery scheme. For years Robert Menendez has betrayed the people he was supposed to serve by taking bribes, the prosecutor told the jury. Among the charges, prosecutors allege menendez acted as a Foreign Agent accepting payoffs to help egypt get more military aid and abusing his position as the chair of the Senate ForeignRelations Committee by allegedly helping a new jersey man get a multimillion dollar business deal approved by the egyptian government. This was not politics as usual. This was politics for profit, the prosecutor said. Menendez has pleaded not guilty. His attorney telling the jury today, he was not an agent of the egyptian government, but an American Patriot who took no bribes. Menendez previously said that over 400,000 in cash the fbi found in his home in suit jackets, a safe, and shoes was just money he took out of the bank over 30 years. I have withdrawn thousands of dollars in cash from my personal savings account, which i have kept for emergencies and because of the history of my family facing confiscation in cuba. Reporter and the menendez defense today suggesting his wife nadine was responsible for the gold bars found in their home saying, they were in her closet. He did not have a key to that closet and did not know of the gold bars in that closet, the defense attorney said. And jonathan joins me now. Nadine menendez has also been charged here. Thats right, lester. Nadine menendez has pleaded not guilty. She will go on trial separately this summer due to illness. Meanwhile, a businessman who earlier pleaded guilty is expected to testify against senator menendez. All right. Jonathan, thank you. With the war in the middle east raging, the israeli Prime Minister revealing what he expects the offensive against hamas battalions in rafah to look like and that it would last for weeks, even as he acknowledges the rift its causing with the u. S. And spoke to cnbc sara eisen. Reporter tonight, with israeli troops pushing further into rafah, Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu underscoring in an interview with cnbc, israel is moving forward with its assault there and soon. The intense part of the fighting, the smashing of the battalions, is just weeks away. It doesnt take that long. So, its a matter of weeks until this is over . The rafah operation, if continued as we planned, is a matter of weeks, not months and not years. Reporter netanyahu undeterred by the growing and vocal opposition from the united states. Yes, we do have a disagreement on gaza, rather on rafah, but we have to do what we have to do. Reporter after President Biden vowed last week to stop sending certain offensive weapons to israel if they invade rafah, tonight signs u. S. Military support for israel is continuing. A u. S. Official says the Biden Administration has notified congress theyre advancing a potential 1 billion arms sale to israel. The arms transfer wouldnt happen for several years. Meanwhile, pressure on netanyahu isnt only coming from other countries, its also coming from within. Netanyahus defense minister criticizing him today for his indecision on who will govern gaza and pushing against any notion of Israeli Military rule if and when hamas is ultimately defeated. Three u. S. Officials say a giant floating dock that will be used to deliver food and other aid will reach gaza tonight. Itll be installed over the next 24 hours, and distribution of that aid should begin in the coming days. Lester. Sara eisen, thank you. In 60 seconds, the marathon filibuster in missouri. Whats behind the intense legislative fight. And the dramatic video from inside a semi truck as it dangled from a bridge next. Dangled fr a bridge om if you have Chronic Kidney Disease you can reduce the risk of kidney failure with farxiga. Because there are places youd like to be. Farxiga can cause serious side effects, including ketoacidosis that may be fatal, dehydration, urinary tract, or genital yeast infections, and low blood sugar. A rare, lifethreatening bacterial infection in the skin of the perineum could occur. Stop taking farxiga and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of this infection, an allergic reaction, or ketoacidosis. Farxiga spring into savings this moving season with pods. Save up to 25 now on moving and storage. And see why pods has been trusted with over 6 million moves. But dont wait, save up to 25 now. Visit pods. Com today. Salonpas lidocaine flex. A super thin, flexible patch with maximum otc strength lidocaine that contours to the body to relieve pain right where it hurts. And did we mention, it really, really sticks . Salonpas, its good medicine. Some pretty dramatic new i some pretty dramatic new images in to us tonight from the dash cam of a semi as a collision sends it dangling off a bridge over the ohio river in louisville as the driver inside yells in terror. That driver later rescued by firefighters, who rappelled down. The other driver involved has been charged with causing the crash in march. Well turn now to the battle being waged in missouri. Democrats breaking the state Senate Record for longest filibuster in a fight fueled by the issue of abortion rights. We get more from yamiche alcindor. Reporter missouri has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. The state senates republican majority wants to keep it that way. Were going to protect our constitution. Were going to protect it from the abortionists. Reporter but tonight democrats are fighting back. Missourians need to wake up and understand that this is an attack on them. Reporter democrats speaking for more than 50 hours during a marathon filibuster trying to block a republicandriven bill that, among other things, would make it harder to amend the states constitution. Supporters of abortion rights say theyve gathered enough signatures for a separate ballot measure in november that would protect access to abortions. We have these outside groups coming into our state pouring money in, going to the urban areas, getting signatures, completely circumventing our rural voices. Reporter but if the republican proposal is passed before november enacting the abortion amendment would not just require a simple statewide majority, but also majorities from five of the states eight districts. The reason that republicans are so committed to silencing peoples voices at the ballot box is because theyre afraid that missourians are going to come out in support of restoring their reproductive rights and their access to abortion in missouri. Reporter across the country in at least seven states, every time the issue has been put to voters through a ballot initiative, abortion rights have been expanded. Lester, the filibuster ended early this evening after a republican senator moved to send the bill back to committee. Democrats say if a similar version of the bill comes back, theyre prepared to filibuster again. All right, yamiche, thank you. Coming up, why so many families are struggling to keep up with the soaring cost of child care and the lengths theyll go to for their kids. Version of the theyre prepared to filibuster again. All right, yamiche, thank you. 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Jardiance is really swell the little pill with a big story to tell Financial Markets set new records today following the april Inflation Report showing prices rose 3. 4 year over year, a slight cooling from the previous month, but still well above the feds target of 2 . Areas hitting americans hard include housing, up 5. 5 , car maintenance, up 7. 6 , and child care, up more than 4 . As Christine Romans reports, that cost of living is forcing many parents to make drastic choices. Hi. Reporter in cambridge, wisconsin, sara and Kevin Montour live on seven acres, have good jobs as nurses, a new baby summit and toddler canyon, but this American Dream comes with a huge bill. Child care eats up one entire paycheck. You have your career just kind of beginning. Youre not fully established. Youre building your family, and its kind of just you feel like you just cant really get ahead. Reporter after a lot of thought, they made a very tough call. Kevin will stay at home with the kids for now while sara works as a nurse anesthetist. I did not think that i would be a stayathome parent ever really. Right. Yeah. Yeah. Big surprise. Reporter in the midwest day care for two children tops 23,000 a year, more than housing. In fact, child care is more expensive than housing in threequarters of the country. Is anyone getting rich in child care . No, definitely not me. You can ask my husband. Can you do this . Reporter child care providers say they feel the squeeze too. Heather murray owns art house preschool. She charges up to 15,000 a year for infant care. When someone is paying 13,000, 15,000 a year for child care, its going to staff. Yeah, its going to staff. If we want welleducated people taking care of your children, youre going to have to pay them more than 12 an hour. Reporter she pays 18 to 20 an hour, well above the National Median to keep her experienced staff. Her supply costs are up too, everything from diapers to wipes to paper towels. Murray has been lobbying state lawmakers for funding as covidera subsidies run dry. Finish my sentence, the current model for child care in america is not working. We need funding. What are you doing . Reporter what does work for art house parent and i. T. Project manager Stephanie Franz is a child care stipend from her employer. I want to be a good role model for my daughter and really show her that she achieve anything she wants, but that would not be possible without, you know, affordable, highquality child care. 7 49. Lets go put our stuff in the car. Reporter but those Corporate Benefits are rare. Restaurant owner rebecca and her husband, a metallurgist, lean on her parents to help with daughter scarlets day care bills. Mortgage, child care, thats your top two . Yeah, mortgage and child care. Its literally survival. I like that one. Reporter for the montours, the cost of child care is changing their lives. I dont think anybody our age is thinking when theyre in their early 20s, i have a couple of years before i have to save for day care. Like, thats not thats not a thought. Right, yeah. But i guess it should be. Reporter Christine Romans, nbc news, cambridge, wisconsin. When we come back, meet the next generation behind the revolution on the golf course and vying for a shot at paris gold. Shot at pa. Is is steve. Th steve takes voquezna. This is steves stomach, where voquezna can kick some acid, heal acidrelated damage to the esophagus called erosive esophagitis, and relieve related heartburn. Voquezna is the first and only fdaapproved treatment of its kind. 93 of adults were healed by two months. Of those healed, 79 stayed healed. And voquezna can provide heartburnfree days and nights. Other serious stomach conditions may still exist. Dont take if allergic to voquezna or while on products with rilpivirine. 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Reporter also atop the leaderboard, alison lee, the daughter of korean immigrants. I never saw them use a penny to purchase something for themselves. It was always, save money so we can afford playing in events and continuing what i love to do. Reporter for a game built on tradition, historically male dominated with little diversity, the landscape has changed. Six of the top 25 female players in the world are Asian American. What would you say is behind this trend . Yeah, i mean, we have some phenomenal Asian American players. I think a lot of it is in 1998 se ri pak sort of took the world by storm winning the u. S. Open in dramatic fashion. And there it is we had women like michelle wie, who was a superstar from the time that she was 13. Reporter trailblazers who teed up the next generation, and these players now hoping to earn a spot on team usa for the paris olympics. Do you ever step back and reflect on how far your family has come . Definitely. It kind of puts everything in perspective again of, like, wow, weve come such a long way, and were not done yet. Reporter kathy park, nbc news, los angeles. And thats nightly news for this wednesday. Thank you for watching. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. Watching. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. [cheers and applause] somebodys heine is crowdin my icebox somebodys cold one is givin me chills guess ill just close my eyes oh, yeah alright flip on the telly wrestle with jimmy something is bubbling behind my back the bottle is ready to blow say it aint so your drug is a heartbreaker say it aint so my love is a life taker dear daddy i write you in spite of years of silence youve cleaned up found jesus things are good or so i hear this bottle of stevens awakens ancient feelings like father stepfather the son is drowning in the flood yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah say it aint so your drug is a heartbreaker say it aint so my love is a life taker [cheers and applause] kelly thank you so much [cheers and applause] it just happens. I have never been cool in my life until now, welcome to the Kelly Clarkson show, give it up for my band along with rivers cuomo that was say it aint so off their 1994 self titled album, often called the blue album. Its crazy to think it came 30 years ago now. They are now celebrating its anniversary and we will be chatting about it later because we get to talk and not only saying im so excited to. Its time to welcome our first guest, shes an incredible actress, businesswoman and mother, her new movie is called mother of the bride to. You can catch it on netflix, say hello to Brooke Shields [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] hello kelly im going to be smiling the whole time for what just happened for me. Where all smiling because of it kelly oh, my god. You are almost in emptynesters