Kate snow. Good evening. It happened so suddenly, so quickly, last evening just as people were sitting down to dinner, the rain started pounding Ellicott City, maryl d maryland, and didnt let up for several hours. The flash flooding that followed turned deadly and left behind scenes of utter destruction. The states Lieutenant Governor said it looked like a movie disaster scene with the worst of it right on main street. Tammy leitner is there and starts us off tonight. Reporter it happened in an instant. Get inside get inside get inside reporter powerful floodwaters sweeping through historic Ellicott City on a busy saturday night. Theres people in the water oh, my god oh, my god reporter diners in this restaurant watching in horror as people hung on to cars floating down main street. Inside that car, a woman trapped. You have to reporter residents jumped into action, forming a human chain to get her to safety. I will never forget seeing that video of the human chain saving that person out of that car. Ill never forget that, because that tells me what people in Ellicott City are like. Reporter in all, 120 people had to be rescued. Two persons lost their lives. Six inches of rain in two hours was too much for Ellicott City. It took a direct hit. The water receded fast, but the damage was already done. Cars flipped on to each other, streets ripped apart, businesses destroyed. Its just devastating to see some of the businesses that are totally gone, totally gone. Like, i dont even know where to start. Reporter Maryland Governor larry hogan declaring a state of emergen emergency. For residents victimized by mother nature, recovery will be a long time. I just want to come and hug people and let them know that were all going to be with them and were going to help them get back to normal. Reporter we got a chance to walk down part of main street where most of the damage happened. There is chunks of the road that are just completely missing, dozens of cars upended, and the front of buildings just ripped off. In one case, you can actually see the river rushing underneath where a storefront used to stand. Kate . Just unreal. Tammy leitner, thank you. The war of words intensified today in the president ial campaign over comments made by and about the parents of a Muslim American soldier killed in iraq. They appeared at last weeks Democratic National convention. As donald trump tried to clarify what he said, Hillary Clinton went on the attack. Andrea mitchell is with the Clinton Campaign in ohio and has our report. Good luck, hillary. Reporter Hillary Clinton wrapping up her bus tour in ohio today. Lets give her a round of applause reporter at a predominantly black church near cleveland, tearing into donald trump for comments about captain khan and his family. Trembling before those who escaped those other americans. Reporter then at an iconic road stop on the way to columbus, grandpas cheese barn, drilling down on trumps remarks. What do you think it says about his character . Just reinforces the doubts that any american should have about his campaign and the potential candidacy that hes offering to the american people. Reporter trumps attempt to clarify saturday night. In a statement, calling captain khan a hero to our country, but saying the real problem, the radical islamic terrorists who killed him and other radicals trying to enter the u. S. Khans father reacting today on meet the press. It sounds so disingenuous because of his policies, because of his rhetoric of hatred, of division, of dividing us. Reporter and khans mother in todays washington post, after trump suggesting she was silenced at her Democratic Convention appearance, writing because without saying a thing, all the world, all america felt my pain. I am a gold star mother. Whoever saw me felt me in their heart. A point bill clinton made to me on the bus tour. I dont know that i have anything else to say. Shes a gold star mother and his father was powerful and its taken everything out of what the mother has. Reporter Hillary Clinton chiming in. For them to launch an attack as he did on captain khans mother, a gold star mother, i dont know where the bounds are. Reporter captain khans burial at arlington, the same day as Ronald Reagans funeral, was noted on nightly news that night. He died on june 8th. Captain khan was 27 years old. Reporter tonight, americans paying tribute at his grave site. Thank you for your sacrifice, yes. Reporter completing her bus tour here, clinton called on republicans to, in her words, put country over party, given Donald Trumps latest comments. Kate . Andrea mitchell, thanks so much. This firestorm over comments from donald trump just the latest. Analysts say hes consistently kept to a playbook that seems to have controversy as its cent centerpiece. Katy tur has been following the campaign from the start and has more on the pattern tonight. Reporter facing yet another whirlwind of condemnation, donald trump is sticking to his script, refusing to apologize, spinning the accusation, and trying to change the subject. Weve been here before, when he claimed mexico was sending racists and criminals over the border theyre rapists. Reporter when he refused to call john mccain a war hero. I like people that werent captured, okay . Reporter when he read senator Lindsey Grahams cell phone on live tv. And he gave me his number. Reporter when he accused george w. Bush of being responsible for 9 11 and fought with the pope five days later. For a religious leader to question a persons faith is disgraceful. Reporter this june, weeks of turmoil surrounding his attack on a federal judges heritage hes a mexican. Were building a wall between here and mexico. Reporter gone after trump repeatedly called Elizabeth Warren pocahontas, congratulated himself on being right about radical islam following the orlando massacre, and implied president obama sympathized with terrorists. Is he avoiding having to show any real substance . This entire campaign has not been about substance, hasnt been about policy. Just because donald trump is uncomfortable competing on those grounds. Hes much better with a quippy sound bite, with a reality show format, and we have been operating on his terms. Reporter in the past two weeks alone, four different controversies, the most recent his war of words with the khans, the outrage taking questions away from questions on Donald Trumps call on russia to intervene with american politics and changing his relationship with vladimir putin. In 2013 i do have a relationship with him, and i think its very interesting to see whats happened. Reporter today i have no relationship with putin. I dont think ive ever met him. I never met him. Reporter it all begs the question if weve been here before, what will donald trump say next . Katy tur, nbc news, new york. There are new details tonight about the worst hot air balloon disaster in u. S. History. 16 people were killed when a balloon caught fire and crashed this weekend in central texas. Some of the victims have now been identified. Janet shamlian is there tonight and has our report. Reporter this is the last known photo of the hot air balloon at sunrise on saturday, taken by erica gonzalez. To me, it just seems they couldnt climb. They were stuck right above the tree line. Reporter moments later, the unthinkable. The the balloon bursting into flames and plunging to earth, killing pilot skip nichols and his 15 passengers. The ntsb says the balloon traveled eight miles before striking a highpowered transmission line. And investigators have found what may be the biggest help, a number of passenger electronics. And the Fbi Evidence Response Team was able to locate 14 personal electronic devices, including cell phones, one ipad and three cameras. Reporter investigators say there was low cloud cover, about 500 feet. Would you have flown with a 500foot minimum on saturday . No. Reporter why not . Because it doesnt give you room to get out of things that are in front of you. Reporter sports balloonists say the power lines, 170 feet tall, can be almost invisible from altitude. Tonight, portraits of the victims, including dr. Mark and sunday rohan of san antonio. They were newlyweds. He and sunday were the cutest couple. Everybody rooted for them. They really were. I mean, she was the sweetest thing and matt was, you know, adored her. Reporter scheduled to play in a Beach Volleyball tournament after the balloon ride, he texted friends about the ride this has been rescheduled a dozen times for weather and i didnt think it would happen. Soon after, this photo, his last communication, a picture of sheer tranquility sent 12 minutes before the end. Investigators left the scene here for a period of time today, not because their work was finished, but because they said they had a very important and heartbreaking job to take care of, and that was to go meet en masse with the victims families and tell them what they had found. Kate, back to you. All right. Janet shamlian, thank you. Beyond flint, michigan, another American City tonight is dealing with the problem of water tainted by lead. This time, its the Public Schools in portland, oregon, where the water coming out of many of the faucets and water fountains has been found to have elevated levels of lead. We get more from National Correspondent miguel almaguer. Reporter signs of a water crisis at portland Public Schools. Water fountains turned off, bottled water handed out. You cant even do your job yeah reporter for parents and teachers, outrage when tests leaked to a local newspaper showed lead levels above the epa standards. Weve been all drinking gallons and gallons of sink water because we didnt know where does the buck stop when it comes to notifying parents that lead levels are high . Well, clearly, it stops with the superintendent. Reporter and it did. Superintendent carol smith announced her early retirement the same day an independent investigation found the district failed to provide clean Drinking Water to students and staff. And now tests show high lead levels at the least 75 portland Public Schools. The federal standard for lead in Drinking Water is 15 parts per billion, but at one high school, fountains came back at more than 300 parts per billion. And at one elementary school, a sink tested at more than 2,500 parts per billion. The districts acting ceo has promised bottled water for the entire school year, but permanent fixes could be a long time coming. Its just, we dont have the resources to do all the fixes. Its going to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Reporter the district is offering voluntary lead screening for students and staff. Of the few hundred tests, 21 have seen elevated levels in their blood. Lead has also been found in schools in boston, newark, and los angeles. This summer, as parents prepare to send their kids back to school, theyre asking whats in their water. Miguel almaguer, nbc news, portland, oregon. And the u. S. Is dealing with the ripple effects of another kind of crisis, this one in venezuela, where a crippled economy has thousands of people leaving that country in search of a better life. Kerry sanders has more on that. Reporter it looks like a marathon, but thats a march of the desperate, crowds on a bridge walking through venezuela to colombia in search of food. This woman says we dont have food, we dont have medicine. In oilrich venezuela, anger towards the government simmering for more than a decade is now on the rise. The opposition seeking to remove president Nicolas Maduro from office say maduro and hugo chavez are to blame. The crisis for lifes basic necessities producing a crime wave, and increasingly, venezuelans losing hope headed to the united states. U. S. Government statistics reveal more than 12,000 venezuelans visiting the u. S. Last year opted to overstay their visas rather than return. Victoria lorzada came here two years ago legally, leaving behind family and friends in search of the bare necessities. Food, soap food, soap. Reporter rice. Tooth base. Reporter toothpaste . Basic things that you need to live. Reporter at a warehouse in miami, venezuelan refugees come in search of help. Donations here give folks like Andrea Molina whats needed to set up a new life. Translator we arrived with two suitcases filled with dreams and hope. Reporter parrissa andrade, who left venezuela 30 years ago, now runs the venezuela awareness foundation. They dont have money to buy basic things. For example, plates, coffee maker. They dont have nothing. Reporter one reason so many come to florida with so little money is the venezuelan government only allows its citizens to bring 300 cash and spend only 700 on their credit cards, which means whatever wealth they may have is left back in venezuela. Kerry sanders, nbc news, miami. Still ahead tonight, muslims attending catholic mass today. The show of unity in a country rocked by terrorism. Also, in a changing neighborhood, a program that helps longtime residents become helps longtime residents become part of the transformation. You doyoull see whatet but in youre really made of. After five hours of spinning and one unfortunate ride on the gravitron, your grandkids spot a 6 foot banana that you need to win. 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Reporter church bells tolling across france today, carrying a powerful message, calling together the faithful, muslims and christians alike, to show unity, solidarity, in the face of unspeakable terror. Muslim worshipers welcomed at mass today, young and old, in habibs and jijans. They sang, prayed and gathered. They are first of all brothers before becoming enemies. Reporter this shellshocked country has been reeling from bloodshed on its shores. In the past year alone, brutality at the bata clan, a nightmare in nice. But tuesdays murder of an 85yearold Catholic Priest by two isisinspired teens was aimed at the most sacred and vulnerable of targets. Isis wants a war of religions, listing churches as targets in its propaganda magazine. The brutality of the two attackers shot dead by french police, condemned by the muslim community. They take our religion and do horrific things, this woman says. We are against these barbaric acts made in our name. Today, that message rang clear, france determined to hold on to its values liberty, freedom and brotherhood. Nbc news, london. When we come back, one mans astonishing jump into history. Romantic moments can happen spontaneously, so why pause to take a pill . Or stop to find a bathroom . Cialis for daily use, is the only daily tablet approved to treat erectile dysfunction so you can be Ready Anytime the moment is right. Plus cialis treats the frustrating urinary symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently, day or night. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. Do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, or adempas for pulmonary hypertension, as it may cause an unsafe drop in blood pressure. Do not drink alcohol in excess. Side effects may include headache, upset stomach, delayed backache or muscle ache. 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Hes the one in yellow. A parachute. The professional skydiver steered himself 25,000 feet down into a huge net, becoming the first person to jump out of a plane without a parachute or a wing suit and live to tell about it. In another stroke of luck, somebody up in New Hampshire bought the only Winning Ticket in last nights powerball drawing. It was the eighth largest jackpot at 487 million. The ticket was sold at a supermarket in tiny raymond, New Hampshire. Of course, realizing a dream takes many paths. For some longtime residents of one neighborhood in cincinnati, its about the chance to become entrepreneurs as they watch their neighborhood change. Heres olivia sterns. Reporter over the rhine in cincinnati, booming and bustling. William thomas grew up here and remembers when his hometown looked much different. I remember i was walking up this way up the street and the cop said, do not go up that way. Reporter today, newcomers have renovated Old Buildings and brought in new business. Just within five years, it is probably the most popular place for Young Professionals and for folks across the whole city to move to. Reporter but the poorer people who have lived here for years still struggle. These three College Friends are hoping to inspire the lifelong residents of this community to become entrepreneurs and prosper along with their neighborhood. What were attempting to do is make sure we give them the ability to get in the game and play an active role, instead of sitting in the cheap seats just watching it all happen. Reporter they offer locals lowcost courses in Business Basics and affordable retail space for popup shops. Every year, graduates get to pitch their ideas for a 10,000 grand prize. This gallery isnt going to be like your regular gallery. So, just hire me as a webbased platform. My mobile brand is a food experience. And thats what theyre coming with, a dream and a hope that they can create a better life for themselves and a better life for their family. Reporter last year, Anton Kennedy won. Those are very different. Reporter now hes testing out a new clothing line in the popup shop after years of struggling to make ends meet. They gave me confidence and information i needed to be able to be a great businessman. So, without mortar, i wouldnt be who i am today. Reporter a testament to the belief that these new businesses will bind this community together. Olivia sterns, nbc news, cincinnati. And up next, these boys of summer are breaking another kind of barrier. Get your sneaker game on at kohls. Get your active game on at kohls. Built a sandcastle . Id . Ha, no, i switched to geico and got more. More . 24 7 access online, on the phone or with the geico app. That is more. Go get some mud. All that more has to be why theyre the secondlargest auto insurer. Everybody likes more. Mhm, i think so. Geico. Expect great savings and a whole lot more. Finally tonight, as the u. S. And cuba repair their relationship, some youth baseball teams from here and there are breaking that longstanding barrier, all while playing the game they love. Morgan radford has their story. Reporter all eyes on the prize. The sound of patriotism o say can you see and a little healthy competition. Here in West Hartford, connecticut, 14 cuban Baseball Players stepped to the plate. For what may very well be the biggest game of their lives. When asked how it felt to be here in the united states, they said it was an honor to represent their country. Before this all happened, this just wasnt a possibility, the realm of possibility for a cuban kid. I never could have thought i would be playing with kids from cuba in my hometown. Reporter but this is a reunion of sorts. Last spring, players from West Hartford, connecticut, boarded a plane to cuba with 700 pounds of baseball equipment and school supplies, donating them to 14yearold boys just like them. Now, team cuba is here. For ten days, the cuban players are staying with their West Hartford families, touring iconic sites like cooperstown and fenway park and meeting legends who broke barriers for both teams. Could you have imagined this moment 20, 30 years ago . Nope. Everybody in this work is supposed to have a chance. Reporter a chance to build futures and mend oncebroken relationships. Even though our governments feud, that doesnt mean we should. Theyre really nice people. Reporter did they give you some competition . Yeah reporter a home run for them, a home run for history. One, two, three reporter morgan radford, nbc news, West Hartford, connecticut. Good summer fun. That is nbc nightly news for this sunday night. Lester holt will be in tomorrow. Im kate snow reporting from new york. Ill see you tomorrow at 3 00 eastern on nbc. For all of us here at nbc news, have a great night. It was surreal. I was reeling from shock that my parents were gone. A devoted couple killed in the home they shared with a museums worth of collectibles. The civil war, guns of all kinds. Was there any connection between the memorabilia and the murder . Question is, who is going to benefit by these two deaths . Jessica was the only child. Shes the sole heir. The sole heir. But wait, hidden among the treasures, something odd. It was the most important piece of evidence. A clue pointing to the most surprising and calculating killer. Someone with a sick mind is all i know. Im lester holt and this is