From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with brian williams. Good evening. Its not often the director of the cia invites reporters and cameras inside that fortress, the repository of secrets just outside washington. Then again its not often the cias own people are accused of torturing prisoners, even if it was in the days after an attack on our nation that killed thousands of innocent people. While he criticized those who went outside the bounds, the director today wouldnt talk about torture. And he had no answer for the larger question, are we better off . Its where we begin again tonight with our chief Foreign Affairs correspondent, andrea mitchell. Reporter the cia is fighting back. Going public in an unprecedented Live Press Conference from the agencys secretive headquarters in langley, virginia. Cia director john brennan, invoking 9 11. This agency did a lot of things right during this difficult time to keep this country strong and secure. Reporter while acknowledging some of the tactics since abandoned were abhorrent, he challenged the reports conclusion that harsh interrogations did not help find osama bin laden. Do you think the bin laden case can be attributed in some part to enhanced interrogation techniques, or torture . The detainees who were subjected to enhanced interrogation techniques provided information that was useful and was used in the ultimate operation to go against bin laden. Reporter brennan says its impossible to know whether the cia could have gotten key intelligence without the harsh techniques. Its an unknowable fact. Reporter senator Dianne Feinstein watching from capitol hill live tweeted in part, study shows it is knowable. Cia had info before torture, readthereport. While president obama calls what happened torture as ive said before constituted torture in my mind. Reporter his cia director would only call it eits, short for enhanced interrogation techniques. Waterboarding, slamming people against the wall. We are not contemplating at all getting back into the Detention Program using any of those eits. Reporter morale is a problem here after the senate report. The cia director acknowledged concern and dismay among the workforce, but says they remain focused on their mission. Obama is standing firmly by his cia director, one of his closest advisers. The president wakes up every morning pleased to know that john brennan and the men and women of the cia are at work. Reporter brennan admits that the cia was unprepared to run the interrogation program. And that some officers went too far. Tonight, that has given adversaries like russia the chance to crow. Moscow is saying it is shocked by gross Human Rights Violations by the american authorities. Brian . Andrea mitchell back in our d. C. Newsroom to start us off tonight. Andrea, thanks. Again tonight we turn to this huge storm crippling parts of the west coast. After months of zero relief from severe drought, californians are getting hit hard by the kind of rain they havent seen in years. Hundreds of thousands are without power right now. Nbcs Miguel Almaguer has been out in it all day. Tonight hes in hardhit San Francisco. Miguel, good evening. Reporter brian, good evening. For the past 14 hours, we have seen stead rain here in San Francisco. The city by the way, in some parts is under water. This storm delivering a vicious onetwo punch. Not just the rain but also the wind. Chaos this morning on the streets of San Francisco. A transformer explosion, leading to widespread power outages. Mass gridlock shutting down the nations fifth biggest city. Downtown shut down with no traffic signals. Freeways were a mess. So much fog and rain drivers could barely see. 140 Flights Canceled at sfo. The weather too dangerous for ferries to alcatraz. Those iconic cable cars grounded across the city. Overnight the bay area was pounded. The rain flooding streets, the wind snapping power lines. By sun up 226,000 were in the dark without power. A lot of damage down there. Reporter no lights, no heat, no school or work. It would have been much better if i had known i didnt need to come to work. Reporter smashing waves battered the Pacific Coast all day long. Monster swells topped 20 feet. In the sierra mountains, up to three feet of snow. Whiteout conditions expected tonight. Near lake tahoe, hurricaneforce winds, enough to surf on. They were kayaking in wine country. Some vineyards are under water. Flash flooding threatened to sweep drivers off the road. Blame it on the Pineapple Express. The Pineapple Express is a nickname for an Atmospheric River of moisture that develops down near the Hawaiian Islands and it carries heavy precipitation up to the Pacific Coast. Reporter in Washington State a bridge collapse. Others are threatened tonight. Erosion washed away two homes. A third teeters on the edge. This is incredible. And this was winddriven waves over the top of my deck. Wiped everything out. Reporter in part, what makes this storm so dangerous is how slowly it is moving. In some regions its dropped up to 12 inches of rain overnight. Now its moving to southern california. In parts of l. A. , there were wildfires last month, there could be mudslides. Brian . Miguel almaguer in San Francisco for us again tonight. Miguel, thanks. We turn now to this massive electronic attack against Sony Pictures. Just today even more embarrassing, and make no mistake, stolen internal documents were put out there for all the world to see. But this raises concern that goes well beyond a movie studio in hollywood. It goes to every user of email. We get our report tonight from nbcs stephanie gosk. You want us to kill the leader of north korea . Yes. What reporter seth rogen and james franco hit the red carpet, for the premiere of the interview. They wont be interviewed themselves. Sony pictures isnt inviting tv and print reporters to an event that is supposed to be all about publicity. In the wake of the cyber attack the hollywood giant is in damage control. Every day facing new revelations. Like the email exchange between sony cochairman amy pascal and movie producer scoot rudin, reported by buzz feed. In it racially tense speculation about president obamas taste in movies. Today amy pascal issued an apology saying in part, the content of my emails to scott were insensitive and inappropriate, but are not an accurate reflection of who i am. Rudin apologized as well. Private emails written in haste can result in offense where none was intended. I am deeply sorry. Across hollywood emails are drying up. And the phones are ringing again. They know if theres anything sensitive or anything that they dont want to be read by the whole world, theyre shifting those conversations to the phone. Reporter but this hack is not just email. Ed lee is the managing editor of the tech website recode which partners with nbc news. They have access to the documents. The hackers they claim they downloaded almost 100 terabytes of data. Reams and reams of it. Reporter 100 terabytes are equal to 100,000 gigabytes, or roughly the data that can be stored in 781 of the most expensive new iphones. Its kind of the wikileaks of hollywood right now, isnt it . Its a little bit like that. The difference is they are clearly out to damage sony and its going to hurt the company in ways we havent seen yet. Reporter whether its a media giant or any other business, privacy is vital. Now Sony Pictures and hollywood itself are exposed. Stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york. Another woman has come forward to accuse bill cosby of drugging her. This time the allegations are in vanity fair magazine. This time its a woman who grew to prominence as a history making supermodel. We get our report on this tonight from National Correspondent kate snow. Reporter Beverly Johnson was a Ground Breaking figure, a supermodel in the 1970s. Now shes joining more than two dozen women who publicly accuse bill cosby. She was a supermodel, she was the first black woman to appear on the cover of vogue. She does not have anything to gain by coming out and making an accusation. In fact, she probably has a lot to lose. Reporter johnson says she thought she was auditioning for a part on the cosby show when she went to cosbys new york brownstone in the mid 80s. She claims cosby insisted she drink a cappuccino. I knew by the second drink of the drink cosby had given me i had been drugged and drugged good. She says she expected cosby would expect her to bend at his will, she fought back. He yanked her down the stairs, she says, and shoved her into a cab. An attorney for cosby had no comment on these latest allegations. Johnson says even when she heard other women come forward, she still struggled with whether to tell her story. A voice in my head kept whispering, black men have enough enemies out there already, they certainly dont need someone like you, an African American with a familiar face and a famous name, fanning the flames, she writes. She says she thought about trayvon martin, Michael Brown and eric garner. Were living in an era where those young men were seen as thugs. So she wanted to combat the skepticism of black males identity on the one hand, while holding this horrible secret on the other. Reporter johnson writes, i reached the conclusion that the current attack on African American men had absolutely nothing to do with bill cosby. He brought this on himself. Johnsons story comes one day after a defamation lawsuit against cosby. Cosbys attorney responded to that suit saying we are very confident we will prevail in this proceeding. But the court of Public Opinion is already judging him. Kate snow, nbc news, new york. We turn now to whats going on in washington. You might call it tonights chapter of your congress at work. Congress has a midnight deadline to pass a giant spending bill to keep the government funded and avert another shutdown. In plain english its a massive mess, an attempt to get enough votes to pass something that may now anger too many lawmakers to pass anything. We get the very latest from capitol hill tonight from nbcs kelly odonnell. Reporter as a gentle snow fell on the capitol, House Speaker john boehner was in no mood for any threat to the 1 trillion government funding deal. And i do expect it to pass. But, listen, if we dont get finished today, were going to be here until christmas. Reporter but a democratic revolt was on. This is a ransom. This is blackmail. You wont get a bill unless wall street gets its taxpayer coverage. Reporter the outrages over proposed changes to financial reforms that would permit big banks to take high risk investments, using Bank Deposits insured by taxpayers. A lastminute addition that surprised many democrats. Who are angry not only at republicans but their own president too. And im enormously disappointed that the white house feels that the only way they can get a bill is to go along with this. Reporter but privately president obama was already calling lawmakers and dispatched his chief of staff to capitol hill to lobby for the 1600page bill. Pelosi fired off an email to colleagues, claiming they had the leverage to fight to make late changes to this huge package. A deal that would keep the government running for a year. Hammered out by both democrat and republican negotiators. It does fulfill some of the many of the top line priorities that the president himself has long identified. Reporter but the liberal wings newest star, senator elizabeth warren, was pushing back too. This is not about partisanship. This is about fairness. Reporter democratic votes are so essential because a block of house conservatives already said they wouldnt support it either. Now, tonight both parties say they have a backup plan, passing a kind of shortterm bandaid that would keep the lights on beyond the midnight deadline. Brian . Kelly odonnell on capitol hill. Thanks. Still ahead for us tonight, a lot of understandable questions from women who are in the thick of the fight after this new Breast Cancer study that says a lot of patients are getting radiation treatment longer than they need. We sometimes say around here, if you dont like the results of the newest study from the world of health and medicine, just wait for the next one to come out. Well, this weeks study however was no laughing matter. Its about Breast Cancer treatment and a finding that many women are getting Radiation Therapy for much longer than they need. And it may make for a confusing time for some who are in the middle of the fight at a time when treatment standards have been slow to change. We get our report tonight from our chief medical editor, dr. Nancy snyderman. Hi hello. How are you . Reporter at the Breast Cancer Survivors Network center near atlanta today, volunteer rebecca single remembers her experience with radiotherapy for early stage Breast Cancer was grueling. Youre too tired to do anything after. Reporter her experience is typical, but need not be. A new study finds a shorter course of treatment is not being used despite being just as effective. This shorter treatment delivers a higher daily dose but over just three to four weeks. Its more convenient, has no more side effects and is less expensive than the longer course of treatment. At this san antonio Breast Cancer symposium today, experts say, despite strong evidence doctors have been slow to change how they treat patients. We are going to believe longer is better and more is better when it comes to cancer treatment. But the evidence tells us for some women less is actually more. Reporter today at nyus cancer center, 57yearold Arlene Shaner is happy to be getting the shorter course. What questions should a woman ask her physician about radiation options . So definitely a patient should ask about the possibility of shortening the classical six or seven weeks of regular therapy and ask would she be fitting the criteria for shorter programs. Reporter so when you thought three to four weeks versus six to seven weeks, what does that mean . It means that theres a much closer end point. That i will be able to go back to thinking about my real life, my notcancer life. Doctors say the study shouldnt confuse women but should, in fact, enlighten them and give them the courage to ask their doctors, can a shorter course of radiation treatments work for me. Were talking about individualization. And this makes sense. Important story tonight. Nancy, thank you as always. Were back after a break. In a moment with an amazing discovery tonight, hundreds of years after it was believed hidden by a man named paul revere. Golden globe nominations are out. And while you might want to see the entire list of nominees on our website, the biggest nomination getters were the films bird man and boyhood. Where the tv noms are concerned one critic said today its clear theyre watching the new stuff. Some of the old stalwarts have faded away. No nominations for modern family. Transparent was nominated along with two netflix series. Fresh evidence tonight of what weve become as a nation. Only 64 of respondents in a new New York Times poll say they still believe in the american dream. Thats the lowest result in almost 20 years. Speaks to deep pessimism about our upward mobility. A lot of Americans Still feel held down by debt. The feds report nearly 20 of americans with credit records thats close to 43 Million People are carrying unpaid medical debt. Its more than half of all credit debts. Some people blame it on confusion over payments to Insurance Companies and hospitals. And theyve made a happy discovery in boston completely by accident. What may be the oldest time capsule anywhere in our country. They it were excavating during repairs to the state house when some coins fell out of a green box. They say it might be the one that was buried in 1795 by paul revere and sam adams before he was a boston lager. We all get to find out whats in it when it gets opened next week. When we come back, that moment when young people learn that the sky is truly the limit. Its tonights making a difference report. Good evening. Im meteorologist jeff ranieri. Were tracking the strong storm across the bay area. Well let you know when it moves out and full storm coverage in a few minutes. Well see you then. Most pilots will tell you they remember the moment when they first pulled back on that yoke and it seemed like the plane itself wanted to fly and then they were in the air. But you dont get to that moment without hours of direction, discipline, dedication, exactly what so many young people need to chart a course through life. We get tonights making a difference report through one of our resident pilots, nbcs ron mott. Clear for takeoff. Reporter learning to fly isnt for the timid, what with all those buttons and moving parts. Looking good. Reporter not to mention the lingo, the cramped quarters, and the occasional gut check, the crosswind landing. But for these high school seniors, fear isnt a motivator. Failure to accept daunting challenges is. Cant lives on wall street, which means if you cant do it, you wont do it. You dont just learn how to fly, you learn how to think. Overall its one of the best experiences you can have. Reporter their confidence echoed here every thursday, inside an old converted fire house in a tough new jersey neighborhood outside newark. Theyre members of the eagle flight squad, nonprofit with the military bent, turning out private pilots since 1975. It was started by the reverend russell white, a former Police Officer who didnt like the options facing a lot of young people around here. Theres only three things out here in the streets, jail, hospital and cemetery. Which one do you want . Three takeoffs and landings within 90 days, correct . Reporter leadership, discipline and order are gospel here as much as fuel checks and touchandgos. Wanted to fly ever since i can remember. Reporter hundreds of alumni like this pair of United Airlines pilots make a point to stay in touch with each new class, making whats possible with preparation and focus. I would not be a pilot without eagle flight and reverend white, because this program exposed me to aviation. Reporter while flying certainly is the draw for eagle flight squadron. What we want to do is find out what are you going to do with your life, thats what were talking about. Your life. Reporter its how one source outside the plane they care about most. Ron mott, nbc news, east orange, new jersey. Thats our broadcast on a thursday night. Thank you for being here with us. Im brian williams. We, of course, hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. Goodnight. Nbc bay area news begins with a micro climate weather alert. Right now at 6 00, one of the most anticipated storms in recent memory hits the bay area. As expected, its packing a punch. Never seen anything like this. Roads overcome by rain and homes and businesses filled with water. Youve got 4 inches of water. Strong winds knocking out power and dealing crushing blows. It felt like an earthquake. The whole house was shaking. Despite the chaos, some people finding a way to enjoy this storm. Want to show you a live look at the radar now. You can see a lot of green, which means the storm isnt quite done with us yet. Good evening and thanks for joining us. Im jessica aguirre. Im raj mathai. Weve been on most of the day with coverage. This is in san jose. The roof collapsed at this safeway store. We have a team of reporters across the region. Lets begin with jeff ranieri in studio with us. Like we said, its not done yet. You know, the real thing that were so concerned about at this hour is in a fourhour time that weve been here just tracking at least throughout the afternoon, team, we have seen this storm system move little to nowhere. Our flooding threat remains very high at this hour. You can see the areas of orange and yellow on the radar. That is the heaviest rainfall were tracking. The good news, marin and
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