Right now. Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening, trying times in the south tonight. Fire, water and tornadoes, part of twin deadly disasters that have struck over the last 48 hours. Violent storms spawned twisters overnight, killing five people in two states, including tennessee. Which isti exploded the night before in the great smoky mountains. And today we learned three more bodies have been recovered from the scorched ruins, bringing the death toll to at least seven. Weve got it all covered, starting with nbcs jacob rascon in alabama. Tornadoes reported in six states and nowhere was hit harder than here in rosalie, alabama. Im standing inside what used to be the towns only shopping plaza. The owner climbed out while several of his neighbors did not survive. Barrelling through the southeast, dozens of tornadoes reported from florida to mississippi. Late today, pictures showing a possible funnel cloud near atlanta. Threatening a major metropolitan area. Its devastating. I mean, it breaks my heart. Overnight the town of rosalie, alabama, devastated. The one shopping plaza, reduced to piles of wood and bricks. The owner, greg day, astonished to be alive. Nearby, another survivor, bob wright, hoping to find pictures of his family members, who did not make it. I lost two, my brothers boy, his daughter, and that boys, his boys girlfriend. Their mobile home tossed across the highway. Three people died, two hospitalized. Including cynthia wright. How do you remember them . How do you hope people good old people. Thats about all i can do, buddy. 31 reported tornadoes in two days. The path of destruction spreading over 550 miles. And i thought we were going to die last night. Including through polk county, tennessee, where jennifer young, her husband and two sons barely escaped. My husband saying theres a tornado coming. Theres a tornado coming. Get the kids, grab the kids. Their neighbors, not so back in alabama, hope after a family of seven took shelter inside the Day Care Center they own. The twister leaving nothing but the bathroom. The family recovering in a nearby hospital. The healing and the cleanup only just beginning. Jacob rascon, nbc news, rosalie, alabama. This is Kerry Sanders with our first upclose look at damage in gatlinburg, one of the areas hardest hit by the flames. In the aftermath of the frantic chaos, tracking down those stillunaccounted for. No ones heard from alice haggler since the fire raced through her neighborhood. My mother call immediate frantically, that the house was on fire. We got disconnected. And because of that, i havent heard if her since. Then, theres michael reed. Still waiting for news. Looking for my wife, constance. And my daughter, lily. Who is nine. And my other daughter, chloe, who is 12. The greatest fear . Those missing could be dead. Today, the death toll rose to at least seven. This morning, muchneeded rain began to fall in the droughtstricken smokies. But it was too little, too late. 17,000 acres here burned. Gerry morgan lost all her mothers keepsakes, including photos, treasures that took on extra meaning after her mom died recently from cancer. Silver ware. Everythings gone. The morgans escaped as the flames engulfed their driveway. They thought the Fire Department had the blaze under control. When you look at this, can you believe this . No. We thought they would be able to stop it. You prayed . I yes, i prayed that theyd stop it. Devastation that goes on for blocks here just beyond downtown gatlinburg, today the rain caused problems of mudslides and rock slides. Forecasters say tonight the threat of rain here with thunderstorms and through the south will continue, but by tomorrow it should be gone. Which will allow folks at least some here in gatlinburg to come back in and begin cleaning up. Lester . All right, Kerry Sanders in tennessee, thank you. There are new developments sparked violent protests. Prosecutors have decided not to charge an officer for the killing of Keith Lamont Scott in charlotte, North Carolina in september. Authorities maintain scott, whose wife recorded the confrontation, had a gun on him. Nbcs Gabe Gutierrez has the latest. Dont shoot him. Dont shoot him. More than two months after this dramatic video stunned the nation, today the District Attorney announced that brent vincent, the Charlotte Police officer who shot and killed Keith Lamont Scott, its my opinion that officer vincent acted lawfully when he shot mr. Scott. The shooting sparked nights of violent unrest here. Social media catapulted the story into the national spotlight, based on false information, the prosecutor says. According to state investigators, initial witness accounts that scott was holding a book proved to be false. His wifes statement she didnt know he owned a weapon, also false according to messages the month before about a firearm in his possession. And they say witness claims that it was a white officer who shot scott are also untrue. Police say they were trying to serve a warrant to a different man at an apartment complex when they saw scott with a gun and marijuana. Investigators say scott ignored commands to drop the weapon at least ten times. Keith, dont you do it. Did you shoot him . Did you shoot him . He better not be [ bleep ] dead. The prosecutor also new surveillance video, of scott at a nearby Convenience Store shortly before the deadly encounter. The bulge you see here is consistent with the holster and gun that was later described by officers and located at the scene. What appears to be a holster also seen on a freeze frame from a police camera. Scotts family is planning a there fore, how do you jump from an open carry state to now theres imminent danger. Aggravated imminent danger and therefore deadly force should be used. The scott family is asking that any protests remain peaceful. Thank you. Were learning more information about what may have caused the tragic plane crash in south america that killed 71 people. Six miracle survivors found in the wreckage. In the past hour, we got new video of the team on board the doomed flight before takeoff, in high spirits for their upcoming championship. Traffic control audio reveals the pilots urgent final words repeatedly saying he was running out of fuel. We get the latest from nbcs kir simmons in colombia. In colombia and brazil, memorials, instead of a soccer match. In the brazilian teams empty locker room, flowers and candles. And tonight, a stunning recording obtained by the associated press. Apparently between the control tower and the pilot. Suggesting the players were asking for priority in our approach. We have a fuel problem. The controller tells the pilot he can start his approach in seven minutes. Two minutes later, the pilot again asked to land. But is told theres an aircraft below. She asks, how much time do you have to stay put . Fuel emergency the pilot responds, im asking for immediate descent. A short time later the pilot says the plane is in total elic fuel. The aircraft slams into the side of a hill. Short of medellin airport. They should have had a minimum of 45 minutes reserve fuel. And they only held for seven or eight minutes. So its obvious that they were well into that reserve fuel. Flight attendant Jiminez Suarez told doctors here the lights in the plane went out and then impact. Three players survived. The teams backup goalie still survived this . Yes, i am. Among the 71 who perished, a player pictured last week finding out his wife was pregnant. His future as a father and the hopes of an entire team wiped out. Keir simmons, nbc news, medellin, colombia. Politics, the ongoing drama of whos in, whos out of president elect Donald Trumps incoming administration. During the campaign, trump repeatedly promised to drain the swamp. In our nations as our Halle Jackson explains, hes choosing washington, d. C. And wall street insiders to stack his team. He won the white house, partly by promising a purge in washington. We are going to drain the swamp. But now, the president elects latest cabinet picks panned by democrats. Quote so much for draining the swamp. Accusing him instead steven mnuchin, officially announced today as Donald Trumps choice to head the treasury department. Feeling terrific. He was trumps chief fundraiser. A hollywood financier behind movies like mad max, and a former Goldman Sachs banker who today pushed back against criticism he took advantage of homeowners during the financial crisis by buying a failing bank. We bought it from the government in a highly competitive sixmonth auction. We saved a lot of jobs and we for corporate loans. Trumps Transition Team argues theres no one better to help reform the tax code than privatesector picks like mnuchin and like newly named commerce nominee, billionaire investor wilbur ross. So far, almost all the president elect administration picks have ties to washington or wall street. And now its insider and former trump critic, mitt romney, who is in the hunt to lead the state department. Over a dinner of steak, scallops and frog legs. He did something i tried to do and was unsuccessful in accomplishing, he won the general election. And he continues with a message of inclusion and bringing people together. Today the president elect is announcing that in a couple of weeks he plans to explain how he will in his words, get completely out of Business Operations for the trump organization, with one big question being whether hell still have an ownership stake. That will be his first than four months. Halle, thanks very much. President elect also poised to make an announcement tomorrow, delivering on a promise to save jobs at an indiana company. Carrier air conditioning says its reached a deal to keep 1,000 jobs in the state, half the number carrier was planning to shift to mexico but what was the strayedoff . Nbcs Kevin Tibbles has reaction from employees. Shift change in indy. Carrier workers leave saved. A different mood from last februarys announcement that 1400 jobs were being moved to mexico. To move production from our facility in indianapolis to monterey, mexico. Back then, candidate donald trump pounced. If i were in office right now, carrier would not be leaving indiana. That i can tell you. That i can tell you. Following negotiations over thanvi from the president elect. We will keep our companies and jobs in the u. S. Why did carrier reverse course . Well details have not been released, sources familiar with the negotiation say carrier will receive tax incentives from the state where Vice President elect mike pence is governor. Sources add carriers parent company, United Technologies, a major defense contractor now avoids angering the new administration. 10 of united comes from the u. S. Government and the pentagon is United Technologies single biggest customer. Robert james who has made furnaces for 18 years, has questions, too. We need to know whats behind it. Is there anything thats going to be asked of the union. But for jt bray, raising a young family relief. Some people are saying its a christmas miracle here. We get to keep our jobs and ill be happy. The kids will be having a good christmas, we wont have the y tomorrow the president elect and governor pennsylvania will be here to tour the carrier plant and talk to its workers. Lester . Kevin tibbles in indianapolis, thank you. Still ahead, new details in a kidnapping mystery that has captured much of the nations attention. What a mother of two is now telling police about the suspects she says held her ia. Its a serious disease. My doctor said the risk is greater now that im over 50 yeah. Yaha. Just one dose of the prevnar 13 . Vaccine can help protect you from Pneumococcal Pneumonia an illness that can cause coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and may even put you in the hospital. Prevnar 13 . Is approved for adults 18 and older to help prevent infections from 13 strains of the bacteria that cause Pneumococcal Pneumonia. You should not receive prevnar 13 . If you have had if you have a weakened immune system, you may have a lower response to the vaccine. The most common side effects were pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, limited arm movement, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, joint pain, less appetite, vomiting, fever, chills, and rash. Get this one done ask about prevnar 13 . At your next visit to your l finished. Umm. You wouldnt want your painter to quit part way. I think you missed a spot. So when it comes to pain relievers, why put up with just part of a day . Aleve, live whole not part. Painter you want this color over the whole house . . Fifty years ago, humpback ales were nearlyxtinct. To protect them. Making the right decisions today for your longterm financial future can protect you and your family, and preserve your legacy. Ask a Financial Advisor how retirement and Life Insurance solutions from pacific life new details in a bizarre mystery in california. Authorities are hunting for two kidnappers who abducted a mother and held her for three weeks. Investigators say she showed signs of torture and starvation. When she was found on the side of a highway, 150 miles from her home. Heres nbcs gotti schwartz. Six days after Sherri Papini was found chained and beaten, investigators finally have a more detailed description of the two Hispanic Women suspected of kidnapping her at gunpoint as she went for a jog near her home. Spanish. The majority of the time. Of her captivity. The suspects concealed their faces. Papini spent hours giving interviews to detectives. I will confirm that the suspects did brand her. What could that mean . Maybe a method of torture. It could mean a way of control or exerting control over a person. Her husband, keith papini telling People Magazine in a statement that his wifes nose was broken, her hair chopped in beatings. Writing she was thrown from a vehicle with a chain around her waist, attached to her wrists with a bag over her head. The same bag she used to flag someone down when she was able to free one of her hands. There are still so many Unanswered Questions so far no motive or information on where she was held for three weeks. And why her kidnappers released her on thanksgiving day. Investigators now working with a sketch artist as detectives compare papinis states, while papini recovers with her family by her side her husband crediting his wifes survival with her will to stay alive. Gotti schwartz, nbc news, redding, california. Up next here tonight, the manhunt for a thief caught on camera. Striking gold in a such as kidney, liver or bleeding problems. To help protect yourself from a stroke, ask your doctor about xarelto. Theres more to know. . . . . Say that again. You might not know the name, but for sure you know the burger. The man behind the big mac has died. Michael James Jim Delligatti has died. He created the menu item 50 years ago when he decided that customers wanted a bigger sandwich. It Went National in 1968 and his son says he ate one every day. So who knows it might be the secret to a long life. Jim delligatti was 98 years old. A tv legend has force behind many beloved shows, including the Mary Tyler Moore show which starred his thenwife and business partner. And lou grant rhoda and he helped turn fortunes around at nbc during his time as chairman. The Network Launched blockbusters like cheers family ties. He was 90 years old. Police are on a manhunt for a thief caught on camera stealing a pot of gold taking a bucket filled with 1. 6 million in gold flakes from an armored truck here in new york while the guard was distracted. Police dont think he even knew what was inside the 86pound bucket until he opened it. Hes now believed to be hiding out in florida. Coming up next, work versus family. The Popular American brand making sure employees never have . . With advil, youll ask what sinus headache . What stiff joints . What time of the month cramps . What nighttime pain . The worlds 1 choice what pain . Advil. . . I found a better deal on prescriptions. We found lower copays. And a free wellness visit. New plan. Same doctor. Im happy. Its medicare open enrollment. Have you compared plans yet . Its easy at medicare. Gov. Or you can call 1800medicare. Medicare open enrollment. I did it. You can too. . . . . One smart choice leads to the next. . . The new 2017 ford fusion is here. Its the beauty of a wellmade choice. . . Finally tonight, its one of the toughest things for parents, returning to work after having a child. The Popular American outdoors brand easier for moms and dads on the company payroll. Because its got the kind of parental perks you almost never see these days, heres nbcs jolynn kent with more. For hans cole every day is take your child to work day. My office is just about 100 feet away from the child care center, so i can look out my window and see him playing out in the playground here. Outer wear brand patagonias day care is the squealing, laughing heart of its corporate headquarters. Theres this understanding that children are part of life and a part of work. Moms nurse in meetings, while any parent can swing by for a quick hello. Im going to meeting. Just wanted to give awe big kiss. The company says offering this kind of inhouse child care for 33 years is not a distraction, rather than an investment thats paid off. 100 of moms returning to work after leave we figure we recoup over 90 of our costs. Parents paying 1200 a month for child, a priceless deal for senior director jenna around the world. Wherever she goes, her daughter and caregiver go, too. All paid for by the company. It allows me to excel in my job. But it allows me to excel in my life, really. Patagonias model is rare. Onsite subsidized child care in the u. S. Has dropped from 9 in 1996, to just 2 in 2016. Often what youll find in the marketplace is that people understand that something can be positive. But theyon the tools in terms of how to implement it. Tyler wellborns mom, susan, brought him to day care at 18 months, now 30 years later, he designs wetsuits for patagonia and has standing breakfast dates with mom at work. It allowed me to not worry about where my kids were when i was busy. Its kind of like an extension of the family. Full circle for a company you are watching 12 news. We all know that president elect donald trump is an extremely wealthy man. He does business all over the world and soon he will be leader of the three world. That is where it gets complicated. Tonight we are verifying why trump needs to split from his businesses. Businesses that carry his name. The media were the only ones making a big deal about his businesses. Today he changed his mind. We verified several reasons of why he would want to get out of the businesses that bear his name. His businesses are still kind of fuzzy to voters. I have no idea. Reporter they agree on one thing. You follow the law and be an ex billionaire business night to tycoon should stick to one job, being president. It looks like he agrees. He tweeted wednesday that legal documents are being drawn up to remove him from his Business Operations. Trump said its a visually important not to have a conflict of interest. I think it will be a conflict of interest between him and the business but the family. Reporter those conflicts start down the street from the white house