Transcripts For KNTV NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt 20240928

Tonigh tonight, the staggering Death Toll as helene barrels up southeast after leaving 4 Million without power. A Monster Category 4 storm. The impact across 15 state. More than 40 dead. Historic flooding. In tennessee, dozens trapped on a hospital roof. Airlifted out. A Flash Flood Emergency in atlanta. Hundreds rescued across the region. Tom llamas in the Storm Zone tonight. Also breaking, Kamala Harris making her first visit to the border as the democratic nominee. Now shes hitting back at Donald Trump over immigration. And mr. Trump meeting ukraines president zelenskyy. Vowing to negotiate a deal to end Russias War thats, quote, good for both sides. Israel striking Hezbollahs Headquarters in beirut. The target, the groups top leader. Richard engel on the ground for us. Prime Minister Netanyahu under pressure for a ceasefire. His defiant Message Today to the u. N. The Hacking Attack on the Trump Campaign linked to iran. Who the u. S. Has now charged. New York Mayor Eric Adams pleading not guilty to federal corruption charges. The mounting calls for him to step down. The beloved twotime Oscar Winner and star from harry Potter And Downton abbey, remembering Maggie Smith. And live from New York, snls new season kicking off celebrating 50 years of laughs. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with lester holt. Good evening, and welcome. The impact of Hurricane Helene has been nothing short of devastating. Its wide footprint leaving an indelible and tragic mark across more than a dozen states from florida where it made landfall to the carolinas and beyond. The Fastmoving Hurricane blamed for at least 42 deaths across the region and fears that number could grow. Helene slamming ashore overnight with winds of 140 miles per hour driving a Storm Surge 15 feet high. The fierce winds and heavy rains inundating roads forcing a dramatic Air Lift of patients from a tennessee hospital. Tonight, Helene Continuing to weaken, but the situation still very critical in many places. Historic and catastrophic flooding continues. Atlanta recording its first Flash Flood Emergency on record. Through it all millions are still without electricity tonight. Tom llamas reports tonight from the Storm Zone. Reporter tonight, helene no longer a hurricane, but still taking homes and lives. The massive hurricane that slammed into florida overwhelming first responders, rescues along the East Coast from florida to south carolina. In tennessee, a hospital sending out an sos when it became surrounded by water, patients stranded, forced onto the roof and airlifted out. Helene made landfall on floridas gulf coast, but the impact stretching 1,000 miles across 15 states killing dozens. Overnight, desperate residents hosting previews of what daylight would bring and in Clearwater Fire departments battling Flash Floods and flames, searching for those stranded. Anybody in your house . Reporter with that massive hurricane now comes the massive response. Local, state, and federal resources all allocated towards florida and the full power, of course, of the u. S. Military. Here in keaton beach, devastation as far as you can see. A lot of memories here. A lot. Reporter boats tossed onto land and homes completely flattened. Its just sad. Reporter Janine Mcmullen raised her family in keaton beach. Her house is still standing, but half of it is underwater. I told my oldest grandson this morning that i was pretty sure my house was gone. He said itd be all right and that as long as we were all safe, and we are. Reporter after crushing the gulf coast, helene moved north. In north carolina, cars submerged and roads vanished amid extreme flooding not seen in almost a century. Nbc News George Solis is there. Here in asheville, the flooding is catastrophic. Homes, businesses, completely swallowed by a river days ahead of helenes arrival. Reporter in georgia, swift Water Rescue teams ushering this woman and her baby to safety. Nbcs Priya Sridhar is on the ground. This is one of several neighborhoods in atlanta completely underwater. Its unclear exactly when this water will recede so people can return to their properties and begin to assess the damage. Reporter in Southern Georgia Our Priscilla Thompson talked to a homeowner who narrowly escaped helene he high winds. What made you get in the hallway . When the first tree crashed on top of the house. Reporter Bill Lost 15 trees in his yard. He had just finished repairing his house from the last hurricane. A similar story back in florida. I didnt realize we would have this much damage, but its nothing that we cant fix. Reporter paul Millards Business was destroyed for the second time in just 15 months. It really hit me in the heart, to be honest with you. We worked so hard to bring this building where it is and to see this happen again. Reporter but among all the destruction, a bit of relief. Unable to evacuate the staff of tampa general hospital, set up a Ninefoot Aqua Fence to protect patients as the water rushed in, turning the building into an island, the fence held. All right, lets go to tom now live from keaton beach. Tom, some have truly lost everything. Reporter yeah, lester, Take A Look behind me. Here you have boats on top of homes, and tonight we have our drone over keaton beach. You can see the extent of the damage. Im told many people here dont have insurance. They did at one point but were backtoback hurricanes and insurance rates skyrocketed, and people could no longer afford that, so now you have a new hurricane, no insurance, the home is destroyed, and now theres no money to rebuild, lester. All right. Tom llamas, thank you. Now to Vice President harris making a trip to the Southern Border Set to Proposal Asylum restrictions but facing a new round of criticism from former President Trump over information just revealed by immigration authorities. Gabe gutierrez is in arizona. Reporter tonight, Vice President harris landing in arizona for her first trip to the southern border in three years. Also facing new criticism from former President Trump as the immigration and Customs Enforcement Director sent a letter to lawmakers revealing more than 13,000 migrants previously convicted of homicide are currently free inside the u. S. And ive been saying this from the beginning of the harris biden disaster. What theyve done to our country with this is inexcusable. Reporter a source familiar with the data tells Nbc News, many entered the country prior to the biden administration and that i. C. E. Lacks resources to find them. All of it after trump earlier today met with ukrainian president zelenskyy. A great honor to have you. Thank you very much. Thanks so much. Reporter trump calling it a great meeting. I also have a very good relationship, as you know, with president putin. I think that we can work out something that is good for both sides. Reporter meanwhile, here in rural cochese county, arizona, a senior Campaign Official says harris will propose tighter Asylum Restrictions than President Biden. Theres been a record 10 Million illegal Border Crossings since harris and President Biden took office. We do have a broken immigration system, and it needs to be fixed. Reporter still crossings have dropped dramatically in recent months, and harris is slamming trump for killing a bipartisan Border Bill earlier this year. How frustrating was that for you . Absolutely frustrating. Reporter Harris Supporter and former Sheriffs Deputy Dania Acosta voted for trump in 2016 but now says hes relying on fear. Thats really sad that people are being used as pawns for political reasons. Reporter this has been in your family for more than 100 years. 128. Reporter the rancher John Ladd says the Biden Harris Administration should never have ended trumps restrictive border policies. Trump had it figured out. Reporter he took us to a Border Fence constructed during the Trump Administration showing us where smugglers have cut it repeatedly and skeptical of Harris Promise to support the border. Thats baloney. An absolute lie. She doesnt care about the border. Reporter while harris is trailing trump on immigration, shes polling better on the issue than President Biden. And her campaign believes a trip like this to a Swing State like could be crucial. Lester. All right, gabe gutierrez, thank you. In the Middle East new Air Strikes by Inside Lebanon including one apparently aimed at the leader of hezbollah as prime Minister Netanyahu told the united Nations Israel will not stand down. Richard engel is in lebanon tonight. Reporter the israeli Air Strikes were so powerful, they shook all of beirut and an israeli official tells Nbc News, the target was the leader of hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah in a headquarters underground. Hezbollah quickly said the attack was a failure. Iran, which backs hezbollah, said nasrallah is safe, but neither offered any proof. I have a message for the tyrants of tehran. If you strike us, we will strike you. Reporter this strike came just one hour after israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a fiery speech at the u. N. Promised an open war on hezbollah, which has been attacking Northern Israel with rockets and drones since the Hamas Massacre on october 7th. As long as hezbollah chooses the path of war, israel has no Choice And Israel has every right to remove this threat and return our citizens to their home safely, and thats exactly what were doing. Reporter israel has recently dealt a series of heavy blows to hezbollah, boobytrapping its communications, killing senior commanders, and Bombing Suspected Weapons sites. I visited one earlier today. Hezbollah says this was a Motorcycle Repair Factory at a fuel storage location. It was directly hit by two israeli Air Strikes. It completely destroyed the area. You can still smell the burning fuel. It is still smoking and scenes like this are spreading now all across lebanon as israeli Air Strikes in the south and in the east and in beirut are intensifying. Nasrallahs death would be a major setback for hezbollah group, which is a sworn enemy of israel and the united states. And which has many rivals Inside Lebanon. Israeli officials say its too early to tell if nasrallah was killed, and Tonight Israel has begun a new round of Air Strikes in beirut, lester. Thank you. The Justice Department announced charges against three iranian operatives accused of hacking into the Trump Campaign and stealing documents. Heres ken dilanian. Reporter tonight, the Justice Department charging three men it calls iranian government hackers with a plot to stoke discord and erode confidence ahead of the u. S. Election. The 37page Indictment describing a wideranging Hacking Campaign alleging the men targeted Trump Campaign officials email, stealing internal documents including Debate Prep and shopping them to the News Media and the biden harris campaign. The defendants own words make clear that they were attempting to undermine former President Trumps campaign in advance of the 2024 u. S. Presidential election. Reporter the alleged hackers facing terrorism, fraud, and Identity Theft charges. They work for irans revolutionary Guard Corps according to the indictment. All three live in iran likely outside the reach of u. S. Law enforcement. The iranian government has denied involvement. U. S. Officials are battling Propaganda And Disinformation efforts, not just out of iran, but also russia and china. Microsoft saying this staged video of men beating up a woman in a Trump Shirt was cooked up by a russian Troll Farm to discredit Kamala Harris. Matthew olsen is the dojs top national security official. Theres no question that our adversaries, iran, russia, china, they view our election as a moment of vulnerability for us, and thats only going to increase as Election Day approaches. Reporter garland said theres no Evidence Anyone on the Biden And Harris campaigns replied to the emails offering them stolen trump documents. Lester. All right, ken, thank you. Here in New York the mayor of americas largest city, Eric Adams, appeared before a federal Judge Today and pleaded not guilty to bribery, fraud, and other charges. Laura jarrett is here now. How did it all play out in court . Lester a pretty remarkable scene if you think about it. A man once a former Police Captain now the sitting mayor of new York City going down for processing just like any other defendant. A mug shot, fingerprints all ahead of his arraignment. He pleaded not guilty in court while outside of court his Defense Team already sort of previewing where theyll go with the Case And Move aggressively and try to file a motion to dismiss as early as next week. And there are signs this is an active investigation. And potentially widening, and Nbc News confirming according to three sources one of mayor adams top deputies, a top adviser, was actually raided today. Her phones were seized as she was landing here in the u. S. Now, her attorneys say she is fully cooperating. Were going to follow this as theyre back in court next week. All right, laura. Thank you. Coming up, tens of thousands of port workers set to strike. 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Reporter Port Officials preparing for a shutdown at midnight monday. All activity in the court of New York and New Jersey with regards to containerized Cargo And Automobile cargo will cease. Reporter the United States Maritime Alliance representing shippers in ports blamed the unions repeated refusal to come to the table and bargain. A strike could cost up to 4. 5 billion a day. Everything from Canned Goods and chocolate, car parts, and electronics move through these ports. Some of the biggest retailers import goods here like walmart, samsung, and Home Depot are affected. This man hauls shipping containers. It touches every grocery store cart, right, and every Family Budget if you really game it out. 100 . Were looking at the possibility of empty store shelves. Were looking at the possibility of homes stopped being built because Theres Lumber and steel needed. Reporter the president has the power to break the strike, but the White House is saying he is not considering doing that. Retailers you mentioned. Will it affect the Holiday Shopping Season . Retailers have been stockpiling goods for the Holiday Shopping Season, but if they move forward with the strike here, Supply Chain experts tell us for every day the ports are closed, it can take up to five days to catch up, lester. All right, christine, thank you. Up next our tribute to the legendary dame Maggie Smith from Harry Potter to Downton Abbey just ahead. And how do i keep my protection against covid19 up to date . With a covid shot this season, designed for recent variants. You can get your Covid19 Shot when getting your flu shot, if youre due for both, as recommended by the cdc. The fresher, the better. Ask your Healthcare Provider about getting this Seasons Covid19 Shot when getting your flu shot. Hey, get your head in the game, son. About getting this seasons covid19 the scout from Football College is up in the stands. Maybe id rather go to school for insurance. I didnt raise no insurance man. 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Most common Side Effects include runny nose, sore throat, common cold symptoms, flu or flulike symptoms, back pain, high Blood Sugar, and redness, pain, or bruising at the injection site. Talk to your doctor about repatha. The City Hall insiders have a formula grow the system, exploit the system. Take mark farrells record. After receiving the largest ethics fine in City History for breaking campaign laws. Mark authorized a commission almost every year he was in office. He was even caught taking donations from people he would then appoint to commissions, including a felon convicted of bribery. San franciscos challenges demand urgency, not more of the same failed insiders. Back now with a historic honor for a tennis legend. Billie Jean King now the first individual female athlete to be awarded the congressional gold medal. King, the 39time Grand Slam champ, Who Famously Beat Bobby Riggs in 1973s Battle Of The Sexes is being recognized for Advocating Equal Rights on and off the court. And the acting world has lost a legend. Maggie smith, who won two oscars and then a whole new generation of fans with the Harry Potter movies and Downton Abbey has died. Meagan fitzgerald now on her extraordinary career. When i call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the Sorting Hat on your head. Reporter Maggie Smith, one of the worlds most revered actors, a star on stage, screen, and film. Smith burst onto the scene in the 1950s winning her first Academy Award for her dramatic role in the prime of miss Jean Brodie in 1970. Im a teacher first last and always. Reporter her role as a loser. I need another drink. The last one wore off in the lift. Reporter won her another oscar. I just really cant believe it. Were ready for you now. Follow me. Reporter smith was arguably most known for two roles later in her career, Professor Minverva Mcgonagall at the magical School Hogwarts in the Harry Potter movies. That was bloody brilliant. Reporter and as the dowager, the countess of grantham in Downton Abbey. At my age, one Must Ration ones excitement. Reporter smith, mother to two sons, was gracious and humble around fame with countless awards and recognition over more than six decades but perhaps the most meaningful of all, damehood. An honor given to her by the late queen elizabeth. Dame Maggie Smith at 89 years old remembered by legions of fans. Meagan fitzgerald, Nbc News, london. And well take a short break here. Coming up, live from New York, its Saturday Night. The good news is next. Ty pe 2 diabetes . Discover the ozempic® trizone. Nbcs Saturday Night. I got the power of 3. I lowered my a1c, cv risk, and lost some weight. In studies, the majority of people reached an a1c under 7 and maintained it. Im under 7. Ozempic® lowers the risk of major cardiovascular events such as stroke, heart attack, or death in adults also with known Heart Disease. Im lowering my risk. Adults lost up to 14 pounds. 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Reporter the not ready for primetime players have given us memorable characters. Hello, im barbara wawa. Reporter both real and imagined. Well, isnt that special. Reporter with fearless comedians. Tough as nails. [ laughter ] reporter who never needed a stunt double. Heres you, heres me. Theres you. Theres reporter how do you sum up snls impact on culture . They werent going to pander to the audience. They were going to produce material that they thought was cool. I dont have a mean bone in my body. Reporter No One spared from thar slapstick skewering. Strategery. Certainly not politicians. I can see russia from my house. [ laughter ] reporter with moments that generate laughs and Court Controversy like when Sinead Oconnor ripped up a picture of the pope. At times the show was criticized for a lack of diversity. But it remains a Launching Pad for alist stars. Ego nwodum hopes to follow in their footsteps as she starts her seventh season. Ill meet more of my comedy heroes. Reporter just like sally omalley after half a century, snl still kicking. Joe fryer, Nbc News, New York. The fun times return. That is nightly news for this friday. Thank you for watching. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. Thank you, father. Superstar