Nightly news with Brian Williams reporting tonight from the winter Olympic Games in sochi, russia. Good evening. After the second full day of competition at these olympic winter games here in sochi. And the robust russian flame is burning brightly for the athletes of team usa. A strong showing today as the pace has now picked up. Despite concerns about security, which, as youll hear, were back in the news today, the news from here was for the most part about the americans achievement in two of the new olympic sports. While we should tell you for those planning to watch in primetime, were only going to be talking about those results that have already been widely publicized today. To start us off here tonight, Chris Jansing is back with us. Reporter a couple of free spirited americans won gold in the extreme sport called slopestyle. One of them, the most successful woman in the sport who spent last night calming her nerves with incense and meditation, the other a 20yearold who loves junk food or, hayes p as he put snacks and who hasnt been to the gym since september. Hes on the course. Reporter americans soared, flipped and twisted into olympic history sweeping the medals in the new snowboard slopestyle. California Jamie Andersons finish was nearly flawless. Im just so thankful i was able to do my best and win a gold medal. Blind blowing right now. Reporter anderson was the favorite, but many championed Sage Kotsenburg was the surprise and the home crowd in utah went wild. Today sage was munching pizza and showing off the medal he won with wild tricks like this, 4 1 2 spins. I had never done it before in my life. I winged it on that one. Reporter how do you do that in an olympic final . I dont know. Thats my thought process. Reporter organizers suggested they do know why some of the venues look so empty, despite statements that 92s are of tickets were sold. A lot of people, they suggest, are showing up late. Russians like to come to the event not prior by as close as possible. Reporter figure skating is drawing crowds and photos of Ashley Wagner went viral, one after her performance, the other reacting to her scores, but they were good enough to help the americans get into the new team skating finals where they pulled off an upset, taking the bronze. I cant believe that just happened at the Olympic Games. Reporter even a photo op with president Vladimir Putin and this photo, the adorable sister act from canada. Justine and chloe dufourlapointe winning gold and silver in moguls. A moment of sheer astonishment and unfettered joy. Its just amazing. Its not like two or three. Its like, one and two. Thats it. Its so rare. Its just so beautiful to have this moment but not alone. Reporter there was good news today, too, for the host russians who were shut out yesterday but won their first medals today. 15yearold female figure skater looks to be one of the breakout stars of these games, brian. She sure does. Chris jansing, starting off our coverage tonight. Thanks. A note again about these continued concerns over threats to the games. Texas republican congressman michael mccaul, who is the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee Said in an interview this morning that its highly likely, as he put it, there will be an attack in this region during the Olympic Games, though outside the immediate area of sochi. Congressman mccaul said, quote, theres a high degree of probability that something will detonate, something will go off. Again, though, he said its most likely to happen outside the ring of security surrounding the sochi games. Our own Richard Engel tells us tonight u. S. Security Officials Say the congressmans claim is not based on any new intelligence. They say the threat level remains the same as it was before these games got under way. Now, back home in the u. S. Tonight to the Pacific Northwest where the weather has emerged as a big issue in the lives of millions of people, many of whom are being urged to stay home until a major ice storm in the region blows over. Nbcs joe friar is in portland, oregon tonight with more on this story. Joe, good evening. Reporter good evening, brian. After three days of snow came freezing rain, adding a layer of ice to roads and paralyzing much of the region. Tonight, things are gradually improving on the interstate. Many are electing to stay home and stay safe. Give it a push. Go ahead. Reporter so disruptive is the winter storm thats blasting the Pacific Northwest, early this morning the city of portland sent its firstever wireless Emergency Alert to cell phones, urging all residents to stay indoors today and not travel due to ice. Many oregon drivers have abandoned their cars on idle highways, roads so bad at least two mothers had no other choice than to give birth to their babies in the back of ambulances. Paramedic Jesse Fitzpatrick helped to deliver one of the babies. We were just trying to get to the hospital, but didnt quite make it in time. Reporter the state just doesnt have enough road equipment to keep up. We wouldnt want to spend the money maintaining that equipment for snow storms that only happen once or twice a year. Reporter falling tree limbs weighed down by ice are adding to the danger. The tree came down and went right across our truck. Were dodging trees coming down. Reporter even portlands popular transit trains came to a halt. What are you nervous about . Getting to the airport so we dont miss our flight. Of course, the flight might be canceled when we get there. Reporter service is slowly returning, and a train showed up offering the popkins hope theyll make their flight. We measured a foot and a half in our backyard. Reporter others simply gave up on machines and relied on manpower. Its really good. When youre done, youre not facing a drive home. You just walk through your front door. Reporter this massive burst of moisture stretched along the west coast dumping snow in seattle and heavy rain in Northern California causing long delays, up to three hour, at San Francisco airport. But offering some hope for a region parched by extreme drought. While this is welcomed and it is a godsend, we need so much more to have a chance at being able to save many of our crops. Reporter as for icecovered oregon, most heeded the warning and stayed indoors today, but the roads are expected to stay treacherous come monday morning. Forecasters say the worst of it appears to be over. More rain is expected this week. People here just hope its not more freezing rain. Brian . All right. Joe friar in portland for us, joe, thanks. In the south tonight, all eyes are on atlanta and the next weather system that will roll through that region. A winter storm watch has been issued for the area. It includes the city of atlanta, which youll recall was paralyzed a few weeks back by a 2. 6 snowfall. Governor of georgia eventually had to apologize for the reaction and lack of preparation following that storm. This next system is predicted to bring snow and ice combination their way starting tomorrow night and running through wednesday. The chief executive of aol has received a big wave of criticism for remarks he made while announcing a change to the companys benefit plan. He talked about the high cost of health care and, in doing so, he cited two aol families who had relied on their benefits to pay the medical bills for what he called distressed babies. One of those two mothers is speaking out. The ceo, tim armstrong, has reversed himself. We get our report on all of it tonight from nbcs kristen dahlgren. Reporter for deanna faye, every day with her daughter is a miracle. Little mila was born more than three months premature. On her first day we were told we had im sorry, a onethird chance of her dying before we would ever be able to bring her home. Reporter fayes husband works for aol. Last week Ceo Tim Armstrong announced in his town hall meeting that it was changing its 401 k benefits saying in addition to the rising cost of health care it had paid a million each for what he called two distressed babies born to aol staffers. He didnt name the baby, but they knew. It was sort of impossible to process that he was talking about my daughter, who was home with me at that time. You know, to hear her labeled a distressed baby. And to me there did sound like the implication that somehow we were greedy consumers of health care benefits, that we had kind of gobbled up more than our share of the pie. Reporter faye wasnt alone in her shock. The internet lit up with criticism, and aol quickly did an aboutface, restoring its original 401 k policy. In a letter to the staff, armstrong said, i made a mistake and i apologize for my comment last week at the town hall when i mentioned specific healthcare examples in trying to explain our decisionmaking process. Today, nbc news reached out to aol and a Spokesman Says armstrong has apologized personally to the family. He has spoken in very heartfelt ways about how badly he feels for having caused us this hurt. And i accept that. Reporter but for faye, who wrote an article in slate magazine that has now gone viral, its about her baby. I think its important to have the National Conversation about Health Care Spending that we are having, but i also think its important to keep in mind the lives that are sometimes, you know, so tiny, so vulnerable, so perilous that are really what were talking about. Did you have a good night, baby . Reporter a mom putting a face on a National Conversation. Kristen dahlgren, nbc news, new york. In florida tonight, that states stand your ground law is in the news once again at a murder trial involving a white man, who shot and killed a black teenager. The trial resumes tomorrow. Our report tonight from nbcs mark potter. Reporter 47yearold michael dunn is accused of murdering 17yearold jordan davis and trying to kill three of his friends during an argument over loud music in this Jacksonville Store parking lot. The sounds of gunfire caught on camera. Oh, my gosh somebodys shooting. Somebodys shooting out their car. I swear to god. Hes shooting. Reporter prosecutors say dunn ordered the teens to lower their music in their suv after complaining to his fiancee. And what did the defendant say . I hate that thug music. Reporter but Authorities Say when the teens refused and davis cursed him, dunn fired ten shots. Pointed that pistol at the car full of unarmed teenagers and continued to pull the trigger. Reporter the defense argues davis threatened dunn with a weapon, dunn telling police he acted in selfdefense. A shotgun come up or whatever. It was fight or flight. Reporter but investigators say no weapon was found in the car, and that dunn left the scene and never called police. The defense attorney suggests the teens may have ditched the weapon and that police didnt search for it. Jordan davis mother says she still cant believe why her son was killed. What do you say . Over loud music, your child is dead . Over loud music . Reporter its drawn comparisons to the Trayvon Martin case, which triggered widespread discussion of floridas stand your ground selfdefense law. Former u. S. Attorney kindal coffee says even if stand your ground isnt cited this time, the basic principle still applies. If you fear death or serious injury, you can stand your ground and kill somebody. Reporter a case of selfdefense or anger out of control . If convicted, dunn could face life in prison. Mark potter, nbc news, miami. We have a followup tonight on a situation in syria where u. N. Officials and aid workers came under fire yesterday, as they started the plan to evacuate people in the besieged city of homs. This was supposed to be a third day of a ceasefire, but even as 600 people were able to get out today they did so darting to waiting u. N. Vehicles that were carrying white flags in between explosions and audible small arms fire. Its estimated there are still a thousand more refugees inside the old portion of the city, which has largely been reduced to ruin. Still ahead for us tonight, the big scare here at the games today and suddenly the risk of head injuries is front and center once again. And later, traveling across this vast and beautiful land on one of the worlds most famous trains. Mary carillo takes us on the two most storied rails in the world. Back here in sochi tonight. This years olympics, just like back at home in the nfl, more than ever were hearing more and more talk about the danger and prevention of head injuries. At the Womens Slopestyle snowboarding finals a 23yearold czech athlete came down so hard after a fall that it cracked her helmet open. Shes said to be okay. But its another reminder of the head injury danger faced by athletes. More tonight from kevin tibbles. Banged up my shoulders. Got a lot of concussions. Few concussions here. Hit my head a couple of times on the ice. And gave myself a pretty bad concussion. Reporter they compete at the highest of levels, but often just beneath the surface oh, no reporter a hidden and dangerous adversary. Caitlyn cahow was at the top of her game and then came the hit. I got crushed, i got blind side hit. I didnt see it coming. And that was it. Reporter a law student, she found she could no longer read, concentrate or even form sentences. Forced to take a year off school. I was a 26yearold person with a harvard degree in law school, twotime olympian and i couldnt do basic daily functions. Reporter kevin pierce was a halfpipe favorite for vancouver when he fell from the sky. My life was so set and was so certain. I was a snowboarder and i was going to snowboard. Reporter now he only boards for fun. Slow down reporter competition too dangerous. This was the wakeup call for me. Reporter these days he can be found raising awareness, helping others, helping himself. Still kind of talking about what ive had to come through and what ive had to overcome. Its been a huge, huge one for me. Reporter at the olympic training center, this doctor says athletes of any sport are at risk, even this javelin thrower who tripped and fell during a windup in practice. Whenever im ready . Whenever youre ready. Reporter his team is constantly looking for troubling signs. Most athletes who experience concussions dont lose consciousness. Concussions can lead, potentially, to longterm deficit later in life. We need to be vigilant as Health Care Providers to make sure that we watch each person as an individual. Reporter the danger of concussion changes with each new sport and new and more challenging maneuvers. And there it is reporter after extensive rehab, caitlyn cahow was clear to compete. But instead she made the hardest decision of her life. When youve been the best in the world at something, it becomes an addiction. You want to keep achieving that, you want to get that high from being the best and from winning. Its really difficult to walk away from that. Reporter recognizing that one more hit could bring with it a life of repercussions, she made the tough decision to hang up the skates. Kevin tibbles, nbc news, chicago. Were back in a moment with a look back at what so Many Americans were settling down to watch at right about this exact time 50 years ago tonight. A rapidly escalating scene in the waning seconds in lubbock, texas, Oklahoma State versus texas tech when Oklahoma State allamerican marcus smart committed a foul, went out of bound, tumbling into a crowd. Thats when he confronted a man who appeared to Say Something to him, then push really did come to shove and it briefly got ugly. Smart was handed a technical and sat out the remainder of the game. Late today came word he has been suspended for the next three games. A nice touch on this sunday as we mark the 50th anniversary of the beatles first visit to america. The ed sullivan theater on broadway in manhattan has made the marquee out front exactly as it was 50 years ago as millions of americans tuned in to see the wacky mop tops. We didnt know theyd go on to change the world in their own way. A landmark for mixed breeds, specifically the dog variety. They were allowed to compete in a special competition before the annual westminster kenl Club Dog Show in new york. They have a plight euphemism for mutts there. Called allamerican dogs. While this doesnt mean membership in the fancy dog community, its a start. Its a first, especially for the 225 dogs who were competed and judged in agility drills, husky mix named roo took the top honors in the category. When we come back here tonight, the ride few of us will ever get to take, the view of this vast country only a lucky few get to see. We have a beautiful story to take us off the air tonight. It takes us on a journey that few of us will ever get the chance to experience during our lifetime. And its one of the peak experiences for anybody visiting russia, especially those that have the money and the time to take the longest and most beautiful train journey on this planet, the extraordinary and legendary transsiberia railway. Tonight, mary carillo takes us along for the ride. Reporter at moscows train station, the russian anthem signals the daily departure of the fabled transsiberian railway. It takes you through the most breathtaking and unforgettable terrain on earth. Theres certainly no train ticket like the one for the transsiberian railway. The number two train starts here in moscow and finishes in vladivostok. It takes just under a week to cross two continents, seven time zones and nearly onethird of the planet. Conceived by czar nicholas iii to construct the russian empire to its vast asian territories, construction began in 1891. Workers braved extreme winters in the east and tiger attacks in the west. Finally, completing the massive rail line 25 years later. The feat was celebrated by this faberge egg. A gift from czar nicholas ii to his wife. Those who work on the transsiberian rail today consider themselves part of that proud russian tradition. Translator my father was a train driver. My grandfather worked on the railroad. I had this dream since i was a child. Reporter all right. Here we go. On to vladivostok. Youre awesome. On your way to vladivostok, the train hugs the banks of one of russias true wonders, lake baikul. The deepest lake in the world, it holds a quarter of the earths fresh water. Premium seat across the land with all the bells and whistles will run you just over 1,000. But no matter what the price of your passage is, the view is first class. Even after 22 years on the job, the trains supervisor is still stunned by the view. Do you get used to the great beauty of your country or can you still look out the window and be surprised . Translator every time the view from the window is different. Each trip amazes me. The nature, the beauty, as you can see for yourself. Reporter a Majestic View on a train once called the finest jewel in the czars crown. Mary carillo, nbc news, moscow. That does it for us on this sunday night. Thank you for being here with us. Im Brian Williams. Reminder, prime time coverage begins tonight at 7 00, 6 00 central. Another reminder, full coverage of all the overnight competition when america wakes up tomorrow morning on today. We hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. For all of us here, good night. A weather alert across the bay area. Heavy rain still coming down in some locations. We have live team coverage. And a new olympic sport proves to be gold fort americans as team usa is dominating the slopestyle course. Did you feel blindsided by the president . Brian boitano tells us how his life has changed. Thanks for joining us on this rainy sunday night. The storm is not finished. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the north bay tonight until 9 00 tonight. There was lots of
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