Transcripts For KNTV NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt 20170126

Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. Whether you grew up watching her as laura petrie or Mary Richards or part of the generation that discovered her in nighttime reruns, the news of the death of Mary Tyler Moore likely struck you like it did many of us here with a sense of sadness and nostalgia. In a career that spans tv an stages with she will be best remembered for two sitcoms in which her character symbolized the changing perceptions of women in this country. Tonight there is reaction from hollywood and beyond. Who can turn the world on with her smile reporter Mary Tyler Moores smile lit up two of televisions most beloved sitcoms of the 60s and 70s. As laura petrie, a flustered stay at home wife and mother. And later upending tv gender stereotypes as a career woman in the Mary Tyler Moore show. Youve got spunk. Well, yes. I hate spunk reporter born in brooklyn in 1936, moore landed her first job out of high school. Im happy hot point. Reporter appearing in appliance commercials as the hot point elf. At 17 she married richard meeker, then lost her job when she became pregnant at 18 with her only son richie. Its no use, pete. Im just fed up. Reporter she returned to tv as a guest star on various series until joining the cast of richard diamond, private detective. Grab your pencil. Reporter but her big break came in 1961 when she became dick van dikes tv wife. Oh, rob reporter show creator carl rhiner today fondly recalling her audition for the role. She read the first line and i heard a ping in her voice that absolutely tickle ld me. Hi, guys. Reporter in 1970, she reappeared on tv as Mary Richards on the Mary Tyler Moore show produced by her own company mtm. Her character broke the mold for women in tv sitcoms. She was single, over 30, employed, and actually spent the night with a man. Why are you here . Well, i havent seen you in a month or so, and i oh, no. Oh, you didnt think that the only reason that i was here was to reporter and instead of family, she had coworkers and friends. Its a long way reporter from former costar ed asner, i will never be able to repay her for the blessings that she gave me. And from carol burnett, one of the sweetest, nicest people i ever knew. Mary tyler moore struggled at times in her private life. There was alcoholism. About the early 70s that i began to drink to the point where i thought about it as a solution. Reporter but its the funny moments we cherish and remember most. The spunky, ambitious, and hopelessly optimistic mary. Youre going to make it after all according to her publicist, Mary Tyler Moore died in a hospital in connecticut today in the company of friends and her husband of 33 years. She was 80 years old. We turn now to another major story were following tonight. President trump acting on his campaign vow today to crack down on undocumented immigration. Signed executive orders to begin construction of his longpromised wall along the u. S. Border with mexico and strip federal funding from socalled sanctuary cities. Our White House Correspondent Hallie Jackson has details. Reporter his signature slogan becoming one of his supporters favorite phrases. Build that wall. Build that wall. Build that wall. Reporter now Donald Trumps set to start. Immediate construction of a border wall. Reporter today the president signing executive orders to direct money to Start Construction of his border wall with mexico. The wall, the wall. Everyone loves the wall. Reporter making good not just on that Campaign Promise but on his pledge to crack down on sanctuary cities. Places that dont prosecute immigrants for living there illegally. Now blocking almost all federal funding to those areas. On beefing up immigration enforcement, today hiring 15,000 more agents. And after campaigning repeatedly with people whose loved ones were killed by undocumented immigrants, establishing a new office to advocate for those victims. Out of all of it, his walls the most notable and by far the most expensive. An independent government report says fencing alone could cost an estimated 8. 3 million per mile. Democrats estimating the total cost to build and secure the wall at 14 billion. Whos going to pay for the wall . Reporter not according to mexico. The president today acknowledging taxpayers will probably have to foot the bill first while waiting for a reimbursement putting pressure on mexico to pay up by possibly threatening to penalize remittan krerks ces, money sent back home from immigrants here. President trump not backing off that controversial plan or his controversial comments during the campaign about torture. As far as im concerned, we have to fight fire with fire. Reporter President Trump today reiterating where he stands on illegal methods like waterboarding in an interview with abc news. I want to do everything within the bounds of what youre allowed to do legally. Do i feel it works . Absolutely, i feel it works. Reporter still the president s promising to listen to his top intelligence and defense officials who have both disavowed torture techniques. And after making false claims about widespread voter fraud, the president s promising a major investigation. Late tonight nbc news has learned from a source familiar with the plans, he could take president ial action as soon as tomorrow on that. But its not clear how hed actually implement it or through which agencies. Lester . Hallie jackson at the white house for us tonight. Thank you. There are reactions around the country this evening to President Trumps actions on immigration. Here in new york a massive protest has erupted against his wall plans and policy makeovers. And to the south, our Gadi Schwartz found a mix of responses in one of the places most profoundly affected along the border the president wants to seal with that wall. Reporter for over a thousandmile stretch, the texas border has no walls, no fence. Every day along the rio grande, Border Patrol agents intercept a surge of mostly women and children from Central America crossing in rafts seeking refuge from violence. Today the national Border Patrol Council Applauding President Trumps plan saying now they can do their jobs. In the border town of nogales, arizona, the news of trumps wall spread on both sides of the 20foot tall iron fence. On the mexican side, anger. Nobody likes trump over here. Everybody hates him. Reporter and today on the u. S. Side, families coming to speak to those they wish they could hug without metal bars. Its going to be hard to see again. Or maybe never see again. Reporter many asking why mexicans should have to pay for a wall they dont want. I think its ridiculous. It separates the family and then its a just a waste of money. Its kind of a joke to us. Reporter at the Central Plaza in laredo, texas, some latinos joke about the wall. They dont think it will be effective, but they may take the work it brings. We dont feel like traitors for helping trump. Its a wall thats going to bring us a lot of prosperity economicwise. Reporter along the 2,000mile u. S. mexico border, reactions to the wall are mixed. In ft. Hancock where a fence stops in the middle of farmland, ranchers, trump supporters, welcome the idea. I think we need to stop people from coming in illegally. Reporter but the lieutenant with the Sheriffs Office has his doubts. Do you think that trump can build a wall . I dont know. I dont see it. When i see it, ill believe it. Its going to be too much money. Reporter and tonight many critics pointing out that signing an executive order is one thing, building a 2,000milelong wall is another. The United States and mexico sharing an extremely long border with some very difficult terrain. Lester . Gadi schwartz for us tonight in arizona. Thank you. Theres big news from wall street where the Dow Jones Industrial average has crossed into record territory crossing the 20,000 mark for the first time. Closing at 20,068, to be exact. A lot of people wondering how long this rally will last. Heres nbcs tom costello now with what it means for your wallet. Reporter it happened just as they were ringing the opening bell. After months of toying with 20,000, the Dow Jones Industrial average finally crossed the line. The dow represents 30 of the nations biggest companies. If youd invested 50,000 in the dow when the market hit a bottom back on march 9th, 2009, your money would have tripled by now to 150,000. Just since election day, the dow is up 9 . Leading the charge, manufacturing and banking stocks. Goldman sachs alone up 30 . On wall street, theyre betting on lower corporate taxes and fewer regulations. How much of this is an endorsement of what the stock market believes will be Donald Trumps policies . Well, i believe it is theres a lot of it right now. I think the investors feel very positive about the future. Reporter but its not just the trump factor. Corporate earnings and an improving Global Economy have also helped. So what should average americans do with their retirement accounts . Joanne wills was meeting with her Investment Adviser outside of boston today. What should i do with my money . Reporter debra brede is telling clients to invest gradually as the market fluctuates. If youre in the market fully invested, i strongly suggest you stay in the market even though we could have pullbacks along the way. I still think longterm stocks are a great place to be. Reporter back on wall street, 18 years after first hitting dow 10,000 they were breaking out the dow 20k hats today. The question tonight is whether small investors who may have gotten burned and then got out of the stock market during the Great Recession might be tempted to get back in. Right now just 10 of the wealthiest americans own 82 of the nations stocks. Lester . All right. Tom, thank you. Lets turn overseas now for an nbc news exclusive as we assess the world reaction to the new american president. Last night Richard Engel had the word from beijing. Tonight we have access inside north korea with the Nuclear Program that could test President Trump early on. Bill neely is in pyongyang with north koreas warning to the u. S. Tonight. Reporter from kim jonguns defiant and unpredictable regime, a direct challenge tonight to President Trump. Cancel your military exercises on our doorstep. They are the root cause of tension on the korean peninsula, he says. The joint u. S. south korean exercises are due to begin in weeks. In a rare interview with this secretive regime, the man who deals with u. S. Affairs told me america cant stop north korea. We will match American Nuclear weapons, he says, with our own. North korea, he warned, is ready to test launch its first longrange missile. Is the launch imminent . Itll be carried out at any time, he says. Before taking office, President Trump tweeted, it wont happen. If it does, it would be another step towards north koreas goal of building a Nuclear Weapon able to hit the u. S. West coast. A former north korean diplomat who defected to the south says kim jongun must go and the u. S. Shouldnt make any missile deal or cancel exercises. That is really a trap, you know, which kim jongun, you know, wants. Reporter north korea carried out two dozen missile tests and two Nuclear Tests last year. There is no sign that that intensity of testing will end this year. And that is a test for President Trump. North korea has challenged a new president before, test firing a missile soon after president obama took office. Here in north korea, the regime says it will judge President Trump by what he does. Hes sending general james mattis to south korea on his first overseas trip as the new u. S. Defense secretary. There is no sign that the new president will back down against an old enemy here. Lester . Bill neely from north korea tonight. Still ahead, stunning allegations. The nations largest Student Loan Service accused of taking advantage of customers and illegally driving up costs. The lawsuit that could impact one in every four student loan borrowers in this country. Well tell you what you need to know. Also, high anxiety 15 stories off the ground as First Responders attempt a pretty daring rescue. Back now with startling news concerning the largest student loan collector in the nation. Navient which serves about one in every four student loan borrowers in this country has been slapped with three lawsuits claiming it misled and cheated customers out of billions. Nbc News Business correspondent jo ling kent has the details. Reporter when Matt Portwood wanted to study music in college, he borrowed 41,000 in private loans from navient, then known as sall sallie mae. But then after his dad died, he could no longer afford to pay when his Interest Rate jumped to as high as 21 . I did everything i could to make good on my end of the bargain. Reporter navient recommended he stopped paying temporarily called forbearance. Portwood said he was not told interest would still pile up. What was originally a 41,000 loan has ballooned to 127,000. I used to beat myself up. You know, why didnt you ask more questions . I just didnt know. Reporter navient declined to comment on his case but after thousands of similar complaints, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and several state attorneys general filed suit last week. Navients priority was their profits over student borrowers best interests. Reporter the lawsuits allege the company failed borrowers at every stage of repayment. What we saw consistently was that people were not getting counseling when they were struggling to make their loan payments. Reporter navient denies all the allegations calling them unsubstantiated, unjustified, and politically motivated. The company says their borrowers are 31 less likely to default than those with other companies. Navient also says its called for improvements to the system but says the government has failed to take steps to simplify it. Its affected my ability to, you know, buy a home, to get a car loan. All the normal daytoday things that adults have to do. Reporter if youve got problems with a navient loan, ask about a repayment plan based on your income. Put all complaints in writing and contact your attorney general. As for Matt Portwood, he hopes he can reach a settlement and get on with his life. Jo ling kent, nbc news, danville, indiana. Were back in a moment with surprising revelations about kids and having a pet in the home. Some awfully terrifying moments high above dallas today when two window washers were left dangling from the 15th story of a highrise after their scaffolding dropped out beneath them. Firefighters got both workers to safety. One rescuer even rappelling down the building to render aid. Its unclear why the scaffolding may have failed. A homeowners nightmare in montgomery country county, pennsylvania. Take a look at this. A giant sinkhole opening up right in front of their yard collapsing part of the road leaving a pickup truck dangling on the edge. Local Officials Say its still unclear what caused the ground to give way in the middle of the night. They poured cement in the hole to try and stabilize homes nearby. And a new study that might surprise some but probably not anyone whos ever loved a dog. Researchers of the university of cambridge say kids like their pets more than their siblings. They get more satisfaction from their relationships with their pets and no surprise here, they get along better. Of course whens the last time your sibling ate your slippers . Something to think about. When we come back, remembering a trail blazer who inspired generations of women including one who youre about to hear from. Next at 6 the president signs his First Executive order on immigration. Jess vo the bay area students who believe the w the president signs his First Executive order on immigration. The bay area student who believed the plan will shatter lives. A woman out thousands of dollars in home repairs. We close tonight with a final word about Mary Tyler Moore and Mary Richards, the character she played on her iconic 70s sitcom. An american classic making millions laugh each week and inspiring a generation of women to succeed including our own andrea mitchell. Reporter Mary Richards, the pathbreaking, allamerican single career girl. Yes, girl. Not woman. This was 1970, after all. I would like to know why the last associate producer before me made 50 a week more than i do. Oh, because he was a man. Reporter an inspiration to all of us who broke through in an age where bosses were gruff and women were told we didnt belong in the newsroom. It does seem youve been asking an awful lot of personal questions that dont have a thing to do with my qualifications for this job. You know what . Youve got spunk. Well, yes. I hate spunk reporter tonight so many news women tweeting their tributes to someone so iconic she once inspired this spontaneous moment on the today show. Youre going to make it after all reporter her life felt real to us as we watched the first mention of the pill on a sitcom. Dont forget to take your pill. I wont reporter and climbing the career ladder with conflicted feelings about being the token woman. What would you say if the station manager kept trotting in groups of people saying this is our woman executive . What do you say . Oh, usually, hi. Reporter a role model even for oprah. Oprahs tribute an elaborate imitation. Mary later surprising oprah on set. You had no idea what youve meant to me. Yes, i think i do. Reporter we hope so, mary, because you helped us believe we could make it after all. Andrea mitchell, nbc news. And thats going to do it for us on a wednesday night. Im lester holt. For all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. We know we have a big fi ahead of us. Runs 07 raj take vo right now at 6 the bay area reacts to presiden its a fight. We know that we have a big fight ahead of us. The bay area reacts to President Trumps immigration crackdown and more changes are on the way. President trump following through on his key Campaign Promise, and its led to worry, across the bay area tonight. The president pledging to build his much promised wall along the mexican border, to hire 500 new Border Patrol officers and triple the number of ice officers. Mr. Trump says the construction of the wall makes both the u. S. And mexico safer. And that it will actually improve relations between the two countries. Were in the middle of a crisis on our southern border. The unprecedented surge of Illegal Migrants from Central America is harming both mexico and the United States. Mexico official the arent buying it, though. The issue of who will pay for the wall is still unsettled. President trump signed another executive action as well, cracking down on sanctuary cities. And soon plans to stop Syrian Refugees from coming to the u. S. We have a team of reporters covering the bay area impact of President Trumps orders. We begin with damian