How rescuers finally got him out. Countdown to the oscars. On the red carpet, and behind the scenes. The controversy. The chris rock factor. And a beefed up oscar. The awards new look. And good evening. Thank you for joining us on this sunday. Im tom llamas. And we are counting down to the oscars tonight, but also super tuesday, just two days away. The high stakes showdown. Republican frontrunner donald trump, under fire tonight. The race issue exploding. Critics demanding he denounce the ku klux klan. Marco rubio on a relentless attack, calling trump a conman. As senator ted cruz goes even further, suggesting trump wont release his tax returns because he has possible mob ties. Abcs mary bruce starts us off tonight. Donald trump reporter tonight, donald trump on the defensive, forced asked if he condemns the ku klux klan and its former grand wizard, david dukes call to vote for trump. Im just talking about david duke and the ku klux klan here. But i dont know anything. Hon honestly, i dont know david duke. I dont believe ive ever met him. And i just dont know anything about him. Reporter the backlash was swift. His rivals pouncing. We cannot be a party that nominates someone who refuses to condemn the ku klux klan. We cannot be a party that does that. Reporter ted cruz tweeting, really sad. Donald trump, youre better than this. We should all agree, racism is wrong. Kkk is abhorrent. Trump fired back, noting this previous response. I didnt even know he endorsed me, david duke endorsed me . Okay, all right. I disavow, okay . Reporter trump is poised to win big on super tuesday. Which includes six southern states. Trump boosted by his huge endorsement from former rival chris christie. The new jersey governor was challenged today on his change of heart about the frontrunner. Endorse ban of having noncitizen muslims no, thats not what im saying. Im saying thats only one piece of an overall approach you disagree with that . I said that very plainly. Reporter with just two days until the next contest, the rival campaigns have turned into attack machines. Hammering trump for not releasing his tax returns, speculating about what hes hiding. There have been multiple media reports about donalds business dealings with the mob, with the mafia. Reporter trump says he plans to release the tax returns, just not now, because of an ongoing irs audit. And tom, here tonight, marco rubio hoping to get some more momentum heading into tuesday, but he has a long way to go. And making it harder, donald trump just nabbed another big endorsement. He now has the backing of alabama senator jeff sessions. Tom . A big endorsement for trump tonight. All right, mary, thank you. Now, to the democrats. Hillary clinton, riding that wave of momentum into super tuesday. Clinton winning South Carolina by almost 50 points. Receiving huge support from a voters. Bernie sanders vowing not to give up the fight, promising to challenge clinton until the very end. Abcs david wright with the Clinton Campaign in arkansas tonight. Reporter in nashville, today, a scene straight out of abcs scandal. The actor who plays the president made a show of telling the candidate who hopes to be president about Donald Trumps latest gaffe. You heard about his latest. What has he done now. He wouldnt disavow the kkk and david duke because he didnt know who david duke was. Oh, thats pathetic. Reporter clintons huge victory in South Carolina has put a new spring in her step, heading into super tuesday. She has more delegates and more momentum than Bernie Sanders, as sanders freely admitted to george. We got decimated, george. We got decimated. Reporter clintons mood, buoyant. Im actually kind of looking forward, if im fortunate enough to with be the nominee, debating any one of them. Pointedly making nice. The republican rhetoric. I think we need more love and kindness. Reporter now, most of the super tuesday states are right here in the south, and that should play to Hillary Clintons strengths. But it plays into the expectations game, so, if Bernie Sanders is able to score a few big unexpected wins, well, the momentum of this race could change again. And david, on that point, lets get right to abcs chief White House Correspondent jonathan karl. Jon, whats senator Sanders Point . Reporter well, its a narrow path. He has to do much better than expected on super tuesday. He has to show that he can win in the south, or come really and then, he has his eyes on the the biggest delegate stake of all. He thinks he can win there. But you know, thats not until june. And if he doesnt do better before then, hell be out of it. Were less than 48 hours from do you think this kkk controversy hurts donald trump . Reporter the honest answer on one hand, hes retweeted White Supremacists in the past and not faced much of a backlash, but i think this could be different. Look at the way his rivals immediately pounced on it. And look at the way he felt the need almost immediately to come out and clarify and say, yes, i disavow david duke. Republican primary voters will tolerate a lot, but i dont think they will tolerate outright racism. Jon, thank you. Stay with abc news for full coverage on super tuesday. Special editions of Good Morning America and world news tonight, George Stephanopoulos and the entire Powerhouse Political Team on the air, beginning at 10 00 p. M. Eastern, tuesday night. And we do move on now to virginia, the Deadly Police shooting making National Headlines tonight. A rookie officer shot and killed her first day on the job. Two other officers wounded. Her Police Cruiser today, you see it there, turned into a memorial with black bunting, a wreath placed on the hood. The alleged gunman, an army staff sergeant, assigned to the pentagon. Investigation tonight. Reporter tonight, a Police Department in the tight knit community it serves devastated by a shocking loss. Prince william county, virginia, officer Ashley Guindon killed in the line of duty on her first day on the job. When news came that she passed, it was it hit us. We werent expecting it at all. Reporter Authorities Say the officer responding to a 911 call, reporting domestic abuse. I just want to be clear. Do we have officers involved in a shooting . We have three officers that have been shot. Reporter it was here in this quiet upscale neighborhood that rookie cop Ashley Guindon and two others approached that front door. Police say almost immediately the suspect confronted them, opening fire, and they all went down. I saw the officer laying right there, holding his leg, i figure he got shot. Harris saying he heard three gunshots. Police identifying the as army assigned to the pentagon. Investigators saying hamiltons wife was found dead inside the home. His 11yearold son also home but not hurt. The two other officers are expected to recover. Now, officer guindons squad car, draped in black to honor the rookie lost too soon. Ronald hamilton is expected to appear in court tomorrow. He is facing two murder charges, murder in the first and capital murder, making him eligible for the Death Penalty if convicted. Tom . Incredibly sad story. Okay, gloria, thank you. Overseas tonight, the fragile ceasefire in syria. Reports of russian air strikes hitting targets in the cities of aleppo and raqqah. Syrian families caught in the middle, hoping the truce holds long enough for muchneeded humanitarian supplies to arrive. Abcs Alex Marquardt in the region for us tonight. Reporter air strikes today in northern syria. Just one of a growing number of incidents threatening this fragile truce. Both sides accusing the other of but tonight, it has largely held for a second day. The fight continues against isis and al qaeda, but in much of syria, theres a calm that hasnt been felt for years. Still at risk, the almost half a Million People living under brutal sieges. In one town, local doctors say dozens have died from starvation. We tried to visit today, with government permission, but were turned away, told that mortar and sniper fire made it too dangerous. But the United Nations is now trying to capitalize on the quiet, to ramp up deliveries of aid across the country. The u. N. Says if this truce holds, they can do more, better and faster. That will be tested tomorrow morning, when the first aid convoy is scheduled to go out since this temporary ceasefire started. Tom . Alex marquardt for us tonight. Alex, thank you. Back here at home, a plane crash in pennsylvania. The 87yearold pilot plunging into the trees, reporting engine trouble just after takeoff, suddenly trapped in midair. Abcs phillip mena on the rescue effort to get him back on the ground. Reporter dangling from the branches, this small plane left hanging from a tree, nose down, after a frightening crash. The only person on the plane, the pilot. 87yearold herbert bartell, waiting hours to be saved. While rescue crewed figured out how to get him down. Police say bartell had just taken off when he ran into trouble. The engine started to sputter and he lost control. So, he tried to do a uturn, but he lost control and it went into the trees. Reporter stuck up in the tree, bartell managed to call 911, but it took nearly four hours to get him down, because of all the branches in the way. The whole time there. He was conscious, alert, oriented the whole incident. Reporter bartell escaped with only minor injuries. Think by the end he was a little anxious to get out. Reporter phillip mena, abc news, new york. Now, to hollywood. The Academy Awards about to get under way tonight. The star Power Building on the red carpet. Business about to arrive. Everyone picking their favorites to win. Abcs amy robach at the dolby theatre. Amy . Reporter hello from hollywood, tom. The excitement is building as the stars begin to make their way down the red carpet. It does not get more glamorous than this. This is a night when hollywood truly shines and as far as the awards go, well, hollywood loves an underdog, so, dont count anyone out. Its his sixth nomination, but this year, Leonardo Dicaprio may not walk away empty handed. That bear attack in the revenant may give leo the lock for the best actor award. Newcomer brie larson is leading the best actress pack. Sylvester stallone may land a knockout in the best supporting the alicia vikander, best supporting actress. Guess. Accounting firm pricewaterhousecoopers know the results of tonight. And, so, right now, it is certainly hollywoods best kept secret and well all just have to wait. Tom . Well be tuning in. All right, amy, thank you. And its not just the oscar nominees getting all the attention this year. A lot of attention over who was left out. The controversy over lack of diversity sure to be a topic on stage tonight. Lets get right to Robin Roberts, counting down to the oscar. Reporter hello there, tom. The oscars have finally arrived, and we are right in the thick of it here at the dolby theatre. The movers and shakers of the film industry, and, of course, the stars are starting to make their way in, and we congratulate all of the nominees. This year, so much of the attention on those who were not nominated. The lack of diversity among the nominees, setting off, as you know, a firestorm. Host chris rock making it clear, he will not shy away from the controversy, tweeting see you sunday. Blackout oscars. And tonight, so many are wondering just how far chris the issue. Were going to have it all and were going to have interviews with some of this years nominees, of course. All in our oscar preshow countdown to the oscars. Thats coming up right after world news tonight. Tom . It is shaping up to be an incredible night. Robin robin, thank you. Still ahead tonight, danger on the roadways. Drivers forced to do more than keep their eyes on the road. Debris flying right at them. How to stay safe. And protests erupting in an american city. The Police Shooting sparking outrage and the investigation tonight. What if one piece of kale could protect you from diabetes . What if one situp could prevent Heart Disease . One. Wishful thinking, right . But there is one step you can take to help prevent another serious disease. Pneumococcal pneumonia. If you are 50 or older, one dose of the prevnar 13 vaccine pneumococcal pneumonia, an illness that can cause coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and may even put you in the hospital. Even if you have already been vaccinated with another pneumonia vaccine, prevnar 13 may help provide additional protection. Prevnar 13 is used in adults 50 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 a severe allergic reaction to the vaccine or its ingredients. If you have a weakened immune system, you may have a lower response to the vaccine. Common side effects were pain, redness or swelling at the injection site, limited arm movement, fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain, less appetite, chills, or rash. Get this one done. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about prevnar 13 today. Its easy to love your laxative hydrates, eases and softens so you have peace of mind love your laxative. Miralax. Whatcha doin . Just prepping for my boss party in a couple weeks. What are those . Whiten way better than paste. Crest 3d white whitestrips. Whiten 25 times better than the leading whitening toothpaste. Id say. Someones making quite an impression. Crest 3d white whitestrips. The way to whiten. Welcome back. Tonight, sudden impact. When objects fly off other vehicles on the road, putting many peoples lives in danger. Just this weekend, a huge chunk of ice from one car smashed through the windshield of another on a roadway near detroit. You protect yourself . Heres abcs linzie janis. Nowhere. Objects like this mattress. There it goes reporter or this tire, flying straight at you. Through your windshield. Amanda mcdonagh was driving with her 2monthold on a highway near detroit saturday when ice flew off the car in front of her. And just shattered our windshield. Reporter luckily, no one was hurt. But tom catanko, driving on an indiana highway last week, came inches from death. Its a little sore. Reporter when a fivepound metal spring came off a semi, sailing through his windshield. It happens more than you think. Debris triggering roughly 50,000 crashes a year. Claiming nearly 450 lives. To prevent accidents like this one, caused by a mattress landing in the road, experts say aware. Trust your instincts. Increase your following distance. Make sure that no vehicles are beside you, which gives you ample room in case you have to veer into another lane. Reporter and if you dont have that escape route, experts say the best thing to do is to drive through that debris and try not to slam on your brakes. Tom . All right, linzie, thank you. And when we come back, a halftime show surprise you wont want to miss. What was in this giftwrapped box that had one little boy jumping for joy . And an arena full of basketball fans on their feet. Some of them in tears. And this years oscar statues. The winners may notice a change. Why oscars looking a bit more buff. Stay with us. With my moderate to severe ulc ive colitis, the possibility of a flare was almost always on my mind. Thinking about what to avoid, where to go. And how to deal with my uc. To me, that was normal. 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Police say they were trying to break up a fight between two men when one of them allegedly attacked an officer with a that person, a 16yearold black male, was shot and is now in critical condition. Shortly after, an angry crowd began hurling rocks at police. Several arrests were made. The mayor calling this a tragedy. Turning to sports now. A record night on the basketball court. The Golden State Warriors steph curry launching the gamewinning shot from about 35 feet away. You saw it there. Less than a second left in overtime when that happened. Curry breaking the record for most threepointers in a season with 288 so far, tying the record for most threepointers last night in a game, 12. And beating Oklahoma City along the way. Now, to a little boy showered in gifts by his favorite basketball team. But thats only part of the story. The phoenix suns wanted to cheer up little kaya bella, who had been missing his father, a soldier deployed for a long time. Then came this big box. And guess who popped out . Daddy what a moment. The crowd erupted watching the no doubt, the best present ever. And now, to the Academy Awards. And it looks like oscar may have a personal trainer. The actual statue is getting a makeover this year. Theyve been revamped with more muscles, refined jawline and hairline. The subtle features look more like the original statues did in 1929. They will also be hand cast in bronze, like the originals, before getting that 24karat gold finish. And more oscars ahead. Those acceptance speeches. Tonight might be a bit shorter. Turning up the music never really works when the oscar winners are in the moment. So, the academy has a new plan this year to help speed things up. Question is, will it work . Pain. Urgent diarrhea. It could be ibsd. New prescription xifaxan is an ibsd treatment that helps relieve your diarrhea and abdominal pain symptoms. 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Reporter an oscar win is a big moment in anyones life. Like when Jennifer Connelly con supporting actress in 2002. You dont want to forget anyone. Still, nothing sinks the heart litany of thank yous. Thank you to all of our magnificent cast. Reporter there was al pa economy in pachino in 1993. If you indulge me for a down. Has pacinos star power. As will farrell and jack black youre boring look at Catherine Zetajones shes snoring reporter this years oscar producers, david hill and reginald hudlin, hope theyve hit on a plan to perk up 2016s 45second acceptances. A scroll at the bottom of the screen that will name all the names a winner needs to thank, as they explained to abcs lara spencer. And they dont have to fumble with a list. They dont have to find the glasses. Oh, my god. You know, its like, look. You can thank more people, you can thank the same people. You can thank your cat. Make a statement. Reporter the hope is for unmistakable moments of emotion and deeply felt appreciation. The kind that have become part of oscar legend. Who could forget cuba gooding jr. s wrapup from the oscars in 93 . I just want to oh, here we go. Okay, the studio, i love you, and Cameron Crowe and tom cruise i love you, brother reporter and if the orchestra never has to play anyone off the stage, audiences around the globe will all be feeling, well, really grateful. Chris connelly, abc news, los angeles. And we hope tonight has lots of moments just like that. Excitement is building for the Academy Awards. The red carpet starting to fill up. Dont miss Robin Roberts preshow oscar special coming up, and then the 88th Academy Awards right here on abc. A complete wrapup of the oscars on gma tomorrow morning. David muir right back here tomorrow night. Im tom llamas in new york. Good evening, everyone. Im Robin Roberts. Welcome to the biggest night in hollywood were live on the most famous red carpet in the world. Taking you every step with us. Heres a view you dont usually get to see. Tonight, the biggest stars in the universe are here for the 88th annual Academy Awards. You can see the photographers are. And so is michael strahan. Wonderful. It is great to be here. And you look amazing. Thank you, thank you. Were going to have a great time. Because, this is hollywood, super bowl and the excitement starts right now. Life is full of dreamers. Some dream of falling in love. Others dream of changing the world