Showing no signs of slowing down the marathon man inspiring america. This is nbc nightly news with lester holt good evening, everyone. With Recreational Marijuana use now legal in 19 states, it has been easy to forget pot is still very much illegal under federal law, where the drug is classified right alongside lsd and heroin but tonight President Biden declaring its time to right the wrongs of what he called a failed approach to marijuana, announcing he is pardoning all prior federal offenses of simple possession of marijuana and asking states where most pot convictions take place to do the same potentially impacting thousands. Its an effort to end what the president sees as unfairness in simple Marijuana Possession cases where he says black and brown people are more likely to be prosecuted. And he also wants a hard look taken at how the government classifies pot, which for now is regarded as more serious than fentanyl Kelly Odonnell has details. Reporter today, President Biden changed the lives of thousands of americans, 33 days before the midterm elections. No one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana. Reporter the president granted a full pardon for simple possession of marijuana as a federal crime. Weldon angelos has been advocating for this clemency. Having this pardon is going to allow these individuals to move on with their lives. Reporter but there have been no outward sign this dramatic move was coming. The president held unrelated events in new york state aboard air force one, he used his pen to wipe out these prior federal convictions. An estimated 6,500 people convicted from 1992 to 2021, and thousands more who live in the district of columbia angelos previously had his own conviction pardoned and met with biden officials on this policy society has determined that cannabis is not a crime. So the federal government needs to catch up with the rest of the nation. Reporter advocates say these convictions lead to real world barriers in jobs and housing that have been a greater burden in minority communities. Candidate biden in 2020 promised to take action on marijuana convictions. Marijuana conviction. Automatically that should be expunged so when you get asked a question have you ever been convicted, you can honestly say no, because you have to put it down now on a job application. Reporter laws and attitudes have changed 19 states and the district of columbia permit marijuana use for adults medical marijuana use is legal in 38 states and d. C the president is urging governors to grant similar pardons, and his administration will review whether marijuana should still be classified with drugs like lsd under federal law. And kelly joins me live now kelly, the president is not decriminalizing marijuana . Thats right. He doesnt have that Power Congress would have to change federal law on Marijuana Possession and the president is clear there must still be strict laws on trafficking, marketing, and selling marijuana to underaged users. Lester Kelly Odonnell, thank you. A prominent member of the proud boys pleaded guilty to seditious conspiracy today for his role in plotting the january 6th attack Jeremy Bertino is the first proud boys member to plead guilty to that charge. Officials say bertino has agreed to cooperate with the Justice Departments investigation with a little over a month until the midterms, a growing firestorm in georgia over Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker. The woman who says walker paid for her abortion is now making a new allegation which walker is strongly denying Yamiche Alcindor is there. Reporter after a Campaign Event in georgia, tonight Herschel Walker defiant. Im not going to back down. Stakes are way, way too high. Reporter following the latest twists and the controversy surrounding the Republican Senate candidate and former football star the daily beast reporting the unnamed woman who alleged walker paid for her abortion more than a decade ago says she is also the mother of one of his children previously, she provided the news outlet with a receipt from an Abortion Clinic as well as a check and a get well card she says are from walker she has not revealed her name citing privacy concerns, and nbc news has not verified her story nor the documents. Walker, an abortion rights opponent, again strongly denying the accusation i know this is untrue i know nothing about a woman having an abortion. Reporter but walkers son christian has fiercely criticized his father. Dont lie on the lives youve destroyed and act like youre some moral family man. You should care about that, conservative reporter today we pressed walker whats your reaction to people so close to you, the mother of your kids saying that youre lying. What is your reaction to people so close to you saying dont trust you . Just like what i just said. The democrat are desperate for this seat. Its important your family. Very desperate. I love my family i always love my family. Im going to win this race. Reporter the daily beast says the anonymous woman, a registered democrat, who says he had a yearlong relationship with walker thinks his denials are, quote, ridiculous Many National republicans standing by walker, slamming it as a democratic distraction from issues like inflation and crime. Herschel walker is going to win that race. This is an effort for democrats to hold on to power. Reporter but some republicans starting to voice their unease. Even the most staunch republicans i think are rattled at the continued flow of information. Reporter meanwhile voters in georgia sounding off its 100 true. We dont know the whole story. Im voting for herschel. He made a mistake. The only reason Herschel Walker is on this ballot right now is because he supports trump. If you support trump, you can have any kind of morals in this country. Reporter today walkers opponent, democratic senator Raphael Warnock called these allegations, quote, disturbing, and he has reiterated his support for abortion rights. Next week, both men are scheduled to face off in a debate lester yamiche, thank you. Up to new reporting that hunter biden could potentially face federal criminal charges. Ken dilanian explains. Reporter tonight, new signs hunter biden could face criminal charges. The Washington Post reporting federal agents believe they have a plausible case to charge the president s son with tax crimes, and also with lying on a gun application when he said he wasnt using Illegal Drugs citing people familiar with the case the final decision about whether to file charges rests with the top federal prosecutor in delaware, who is appointed by president trump. The Justice Department declined comment. Nbc news has not confirmed the report bidens lawyer saying prosecutors in this case are diligently and thoroughly weighing not just evidence provided by agents, but also all the other witnesses. Hunter bidens business dealings have repeatedly come under fire, including taking a lucrative position on a Ukrainian Energy companys board while his father was Vice President an nbc News Analysis of information on his laptop showed he and his firms were paid 11 million from 2013 to 2018, including by chinese and ukrainian Firm Last Year hunter biden insisted he did nothing wrong. I will be cleared of any wrongdoing. Reporter his lawyer said he paid a 2 million tax debt President Biden has repeatedly said he was not involved in his sons business dealings. The white house tonight is declining comment. Lester ken dilanian in our washington newsroom, thank you terrifying moments today along the las vegas strip, where police say an attacker went on a stabbing rampage with a large kitchen knife in front of a wynn casino at least two people were killed, six others injured, three in Critical Condition tonight a suspect is in custody. Police say the motive is under investigation, but it appears they say unprovoked. Now to the disaster in florida and the still rising death toll from Hurricane Ian. Many people remain desperate for help more than a week after the storm hit. Sam brock is there for us. Reporter eight days in, and the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Ian is still hard to comprehend. Sheriffs deputies canvassing this trailer park in lee county with mailboxes but no residents. What we need is some kind of housing, temporary. Reporter the death toll now sits at more than 130, the highest from any florida storm since 1935 more than five times the u. S. Death toll from hurricane andrew, a category 5 30 years ago. Ians rapid storm intensification, residents remaining behind, and a massive population growth in southwest florida all likely playing a role 49yearold liz maguire was among those lost there is going to be a huge hole. Reporter her mom susan says she was a foundation of love for her family has it sunk in yet yes were sitting here in her house, and shell never be here again im looking at her things. Yeah, its sunk in. Reporter liz was a mother and a grandmother. She just enjoyed everything. Reporter she suffered a medical emergency during the storm and called for help, but First Responders couldnt reach her. She was found with her cell phone in her hand. Susan last spoke with her daughter that afternoon. She always ended every conversation with i love you. I love you, mom. I love you too, sweetie. If you pick anything the last thing to say to a person, that would be it. Reporter back where susan lives on hardhit pine island, supplies are still being brought in by helicopter and the conditions are only expected to get more challenging. Many of the bridges that serve as a lifeline for southwest florida are unusable on a typical day, some 80 truckloads worth of materials and supplies would pass right through here but now that wont happen for months lester all right, sam brock, thank you. In thailand, the deadliest mass killing ever in that country. A former Police Officer with a gun and a knife attacked a day care center, killing 34 people, 24 of them children. Then he fatally shot himself at his home where his wife and son were also found dead Authorities Say he was fired previously for drug possession now to the war in ukraine and the extraordinary lengths some russians are taking to avoid president Vladimir Putins draft. Two russian citizens sailing hundreds of miles to u. S. Soil to request asylum. And inside ukraine, our nbc news exclusive tonight with the top official leading the u. S. Effort to help rebuild. We get more now from cal perry reporter tonight, more russians fleeing putins war following that crush of traffic along russias borders, now two russian men arriving in alaska by boat, requesting asylum, saying they too are fleeing military service on the battlefield, ukrainian troops press their offensive, while russia lashes back once again targeting civilians. Ukraine saying a rocket attack killing at least three people in a residential building in zaporizhzhia, while in kyiv, usaid administrator Samantha Power here to spearhead the effort to rebuild. The challenge must be immense to rebuild a country while its fighting a war. Yeah. And i hear a lot of build back better its interesting you start to see this government and really, theyve done this from the beginning but increasingly, walking and chewing gum at the same time. Reporter even during our interview, the sounds of war break through. We have provided now more than 25 billion in a combination of military Security Assistance reporter all of it coming after that startling report in the New York Times about this deadly car bomb attack in russia back in august the victim, darya dugina, the daughter of a Prominent Russian nationalist. According to the report, u. S. Intelligence agencies believe parts of the Ukrainian Government authorized her assassination and fear it could widen the war. Nbc news has not confirmed the times report, and tonight a top ukranian official suggesting that russia was behind the attack lester cal perry, thank you. In 60 seconds, soaring crime and understaffed police departments. A controversial plan to have civilians pick up the slack in one major r city, nextxt tonight, investigators are pouring over a grisly crime scene. Four members of family, including an 8monthold baby were killed after being kidnapped. Miguel almaguer is following this miguel, what do we know about this well, lester, authorities have not officially released a motive, but say its possible the suspect may have known the family, and that the familys atm card was used after the heinous crime. On monday, investigators say Jesus Salgado forced two brothers out of their Business Office at gunpoint in the city of merced, zip tying their hands behind their back before returning for a young mother and her 8monthold daughter the family was then driven away in a truck all of their bodies were found two days later in a Central California orchard investigators have not said how the family was killed, but the suspect is talking to police the sheriff says the suspect has a long criminal history and deserves the Death Penalty lester just an awful crime all right, miguel, thank you new orleans, one of many cities seeing a dramatic rise in murders, is now taking a controversial approach to combatting its shortage of Police Officers. Hiring civilians Gabe Gutierrez is there. Reporter seventh grader byron kelly was just 13 years old when he was shot and killed in new orleans earlier this year ive just been praying. And i keep telling myself, dont cry, dont cry. Reporter his mother carla thomas says its been hard to get ahold of the Police Officers working the unsolved case. I have called them. I have sent them Text Messages i have like none, nothing. Reporter police did not respond to our interview request. The homicide rate in new orleans is soaring, up 40 just this year now the big easys taking drastic measures, hiring civilians to help with policing, including detective work like going to crime scenes to gather evidence this is also to reduce some of the work load currently placed on our patrol and district personnel reporter a good idea no, not really. Reporter mike glasser, who heads up one of the citys Police Unions, blames plummeting morale for a crushing shortage of about 600 officers. From seattle to st. Louis, atlanta to philadelphia, major cities across the country are also reporting a cop staffing crisis. If were going to send civilians in there that are unarmed, inexperienced, untrained for what it turns into, thats dangerous for them and its dangerous for the public reporter highlighting the crime problem, during our brief interview today someone broke into a car in the Police Unions own parking lot is the city safe the city of new orleans is one that is grappling with violent crime, like many other cities throughout the country. Reporter democratic mayor Latoya Cantrell blames the pandemic slowing down the court system as well as aggressive prosecutors for the spike in crime but her critics also blame her and her are mounting a recall effort. The recall organizers in my view are absolutely unfair, but are demonstrating their democratic rights. I have led on key issues that no other mayor has. Reporter the mayor recently suggested that the officer shortage could impact mardi gras she has since walked that back, lester. Gabe gutierrez in new orleans, thanks. Next, retailers overstocked. A much, much different picture from last year how you can save this Holiday Season it is not even halloween, but the Holiday Shopping season is already here, and its far different from last year when just about everything seemed in short supply here is emilie ikeda reporter as we enter the Holiday Shopping season, a new story is emerging at americas ports, as Companies Worldwide experience economic whiplash with skyhigh inflation cutting into shoppers buying power, some shipping companies are now canceling trips. U. S. Shippers saying theyre seeing a 20 drop in ocean free orders, a sharp contrast to last year when big retailers hired private vessels to transport goods. Based on the items on the water right now and what is being processed in, retailers are anticipating a customer that is not going to be spending quite as much. Reporter this week, the wto warning global trade is losing momentum the picture for 2023 has darkened considerably. Reporter still, there is room for the consumer to benefit this Holiday Season. Major retailers are now trying to clear their shelves that this year are overstocked nike says its north america inventory is up 65 compared to last year that means steep discounts for bargain hunters. Everyone is looking for a deal right now were trying to stretch our money as far as we can possibly stretch it. Reporter to lure in cautious customers, retailers, including kohls and targets jumpstarted their deals today. And for the first time, amazon will hold a second prime daylike event within one year so when sorting through the savings, shopping experts say compare prices online. Look for retailers who offer Price Matching and use a cashback credit card to stretch your dollar the furthest as inflation curbs the power of your paycheck. Emilie ikeda, nbc news, new york and up next, the 100yearold marathon man inspiring america. Finally, we want to introduce you to a 100yearold who has truly gone the distance and shows no sign of slowing down maggie vespa with inspiring america. Reporter runners often strive to outpace time the nice thing about running at this age reporter mike fremont defies it is that there is very little competition reporter at 100, the retired cincinnati engineer and great grandfather of four logs five to ten miles three times a week you are so sweet reporter his 14mile a minute pace only slowed by a span youre an inspiration to a lot of people. Does that feel weird to hear youre a celebrity its a little embarrassing. Reporter with 60 marathons under his feet, mike boasts four world records. Fastest marathons for his age at 80 and 90. Fastest half marathons at 90 and 91 running started as therapy in his 30s after the loss of his first wife so i started to run and it worked. Reporter decades later, after battling cancer, mike went vegan. And with the encouragement of his second wife marilyn, ran marathon after marathon. What do you think is fueling it . I think he cant quit reporter proving her point, his other hobby, canoeing. Of course. For people who think at 100 a person should be slowing down, what do you say to that . I think they ought to be speeding up. Reporter proof no matter your age, your best time may still lay ahead. Maggie vespa, nbc news, cincinnati and he just keeps going thats nightly news for this thursday thank you for watching im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other good night, everyone lifefe is busy. Soso, come to o shell and d t ththree thingsgs done at o o. First, f fill up with shellll vpower n nitro to help kekeep your enengine rurunning likeke new. Nice thenen save up w with the fuel rewewards progrgram anand never papay full prire for r gas again. N. Oh w wow and,d, finally, snack up to save e even more e at the p. Thats grereat makeke the most t of the stop you u need to mamake with shs. Waitit theres s three of m . Awesomome next on nbc bay area news tonight, what really happened to the family in Merced County . Their grief is being thought right now. Ief is being thought this is almost overwhelming. I just about started solving it my cell. We get the inside story from the sheriff. Is there a search for a second suspect and how the Community Supporting the family. Is there a penalty on display . The protester tackled during the 49ers game is in touch with santa clara police. Are legal experts weigh in on whether he has a case. The blue angels are taking flight. We will show you the practice runs ahead of their big shows