Attackers trial. Backlash against that judge. Nightly news begins right now. From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc lester holt. There is turmoil with law makers. The man many thought on track for the job shocked the political establishment when he bowed out of the race to become speaker of the house. Who succeeds current Speaker John Boehner raises the spector of a possible spending showdown and another government shutdown. National correspondent Peter Alexander is on the story for us tonight. Reporter it was a political bombshell just hours after Kevin Mccarthy made his final pitch to replace john boehner as house speaker. The California Republican stunned colleagues by pulling out of the race. We should put this conference first. I think there is something to be said for us to unite. We probably need a fresh face. Reporter under fierce opposition from Party Conservatives and criticism for his speaking skills. Today is the day that should really look to and the pressure mount to actually let the people have a say. Strong, englishlike words. Reporter mccarthy recognized he risked a humiliating defeat on the house floor late they are month and admitted damaging his own candidacy with comments suggesting the House Benghazi Committee was politically motivated to hurt hillary clinton. What are her numbers today . That wasnt helpful. I could have said it much better. Reporter the same forces that propelled political outsiders including donald trump to the top of the gop president ial field are fueling the revolt among some republicans in congress. This week a conservative republican warned any candidate for leadership who committed misdeeds should withdraw from the race, but mccarthy dismissed that as his reason for exiting. No. Come on. Reporter the abrupt announcement threatens congress ability to meet a series of critical deadlines and a shutdown looming if a budget deal isnt struck. Democrats could barely stifle their glee. Any news they would like to discuss . Reporter to capitol hill. You think its a mess. It is a mess. Reporter so now what . Boehner agreed to stay until election for his replacement is held. One potential speaker who republicans could rally around is paul ryan. Tonight nbc news confirms he is boehners top choice but aides to ryan insist he is not interested. Lester. Peter alexander, thank you. The rain has long passed but the people of South Carolina simply cant catch a break. There are now evacuations in place right now. All that water from days of epic rainfall is essentially racing out toward the sea leaving still more dams breached and many other threatened and coastal communities are about to bear the brunt of it. Gabe gutierrez is in South Carolina with late details. Reporter new evacuations tonight as flood fears mount along the carolina coast. Days after the historic rain, 70 dams are now in danger. So far 14 have breached. The water now flowing east. Residents in the Coastal Community of georgetown are bracing for a second round of flooding. When nature overwhelms you, doesnt matter how great you design it. Its going to fail. Reporter in South Carolina, about 1. 2 million gallons fell per person. These Railroad Tracks suspended in the air, the ground beneath them washed away. Devastation is just unbelievable. Reporter also hard to believe, the incredible stories of survival. I went down in the her grandson clung to a cross after her car skidded into a ditch near a church and waited five hours until rescuers pulled them to safety. Thank you so much for saving us. Reporter 27yearold amber lloyd fell into a drain pipe at the height of the storm. In the water i kept telling myself, amber fight. Reporter she wasnt breathing when three county detention officers pulled her out and performed cpr. She now gets to thank them with her daughter autumn. I never believed in angels. I absolutely believe them now. Reporter boil water advisories across the state. Its sad nobody has clean water. We have been through the first big weave. We br to go through the second big wave. Reporter the governor is warning the flood waters could threaten several counties for up to 12 days. Here in columbia, a bit more rain is forecast into the weekend as a massive cleanup effort is under way. Throughout the state, more than 350 roads and bridges are shut down. Lester. Gabe gutierrez, thank you. Authorities in sacramento are hunting for the people involved in a violent confrontation with an American Hero in the streets. U. S. Airman Spencer Stone, hailed for stopping a terrorist attack many in france saving dozens of lives was rushed into surgery today after a brawl caught on camera here at home. Reporter it started as an arg ute outside a bar in sacramento and quickly became a brawl. Surveillance video from a store across the street appears to show American Hero Spencer Stone fighting with more than one person. Two groups of people pushing, shoving and throwing punches before eventually scattering as the thrice cruiser arrives. Investigators say stone was stabbed multiple times in the upper body. This is dent is a very unfortunate altercation between who are enjoying the night life in midtown sacramento. Reporter what a different scene than just a month ago when sacramento welcomed stone home as a hero, credited with helping thwart what might have been a massacre onboard a highspeed train headed to paris. The president of france awarded stone and his friends the countrys top medal the legion of honor, then an audience at the white house. Tonight in a sacramento hospital, stone is in stable condition after undergoing surgery. Childhood friend and fellow hero Alex Scarlatos tweeting, everybody send prayers to the stone family today. An American Hero who may have stopped a terror plot recovering from another knife wound this time in his home hundred, nbc news, los angeles. The war in syria has entered a dangerous new phase with russias military involvement and word today that some of the russian cruise missiles fired from hundreds of miles away veered offcourse landing far from their intended targets. Its the air space the russian missiles flew through that rattled the u. S. Commanders. The latest developments now from chief Foreign Correspondent richard engel. Reporter russias intervention into syria is escalating by the day. So are the risks, including confrontation with the u. S. Senior defense officials tell nbc news that four of the 26 cruise missiles russia fired at syria from the caspian sea yesterday landed short in iran. Russia and iran deny it. Apparently there were no casualties what really has u. S. Military officials worried is that washington wasnt informed before the launch. Even though the missiles traveled through air space where american aircraft are operating. Already at least two u. S. Planes had to be diverted to avoid confrontations with russian aircraft. There has been u. S. russian consultation, socalled deconflicting meetings, but they dont seem to be working. Whats worse, the russians secretly recorded the Video Conference and showed it on television. Washington is also fuming at russias choice of targets in syria, mostly antiassad rebels, some backed by the u. S. We have not and will not agree to cooperate with russia so long as they continue to pursue this misguided strategy. Reporter the problem is washington and moscow are effectively two different wars, the u. S. Bombing to stop isis, Vladimir Putin bombing to keep assad in power, and because these wars overlap, a mistake could escalate quickly and badly. Syria has been an open wound more than four years and now bringing the u. S. And Russian Military dangerously close to each other, closer than in decades. Richard engel, thank you. A controversial remark online has media titan Rupert Murdoch under fire. The powerful man whose empire includes fox news fired off his thoughts on bene carson, president obama and what it means to be an african mesh commander in chief. Many took to be inflammatory comments on race. Hallie jackson has more. Reporter hes one of the worlds biggest media moguls who runs the show behind the scenes, but fox news owner Rupert Murdoch now finds himself in the headlines. Apologizing today after sending this tweet calling bene carson terrific, then adding what about a real black president who can properly address the racial divide . The backlash online over real black president immediate. The reason its a problem is there is no one way to be black. Theres no one singular authentic way to be black. Rupert murdoch, by pretending he knows the real way is doubling the offense. The 4yearold finds both president obama and bene carson charming, tweeting he meant no offense. Carson didnt take any. I know Rupert Murdoch. Hes not a racist by any stretch of the imagination. Is president obama a real black president . Hes the president and black. The controversy highlighting what it means to be black in the white house. There is no question being a black candidate for the presidency brings an extra burden on you. It aint fair, but it is true. Reporter president obama has lately used his platform to push for more dialogue on race relations. Bene carson has a different message. I was asked by an npr reporter why dont i talk about race that often. I said its because im a neurosurgeon and its time for us to move beyond that. Reporter a message that seems to appeal to his supporters, propelling carson to frontrunner status, a headliner on murdochs media hallie jackson, nbc news. Action is being taken to bring a water emergency in flint, michigan, to an end. Impeachment havent been able to trust the water in their taps the better part of the year after the city made a change to save money but ended up contaminating part of the water supply with lead. Ron mott tells us more. Reporter liane says her 4yearold son suddenly stopped growing last year and weighs less than his twin garrett. She blames flints Drinking Water with officials who repeated repeatedly claimed it was safe. Both my children have been exposed. The one with the compromised immune system has blood poisoning. Reporter his lead level tripled. Youve become a scientist living here. For months, she tested the familys water for any signs of chlorine to ward off harmful bacteria. Zero chlorine. What does that tell you . Being that my water is not safe. I knew that. Reporter the elevated levels of lead have been flowing from her taps. After a flood of complaints from residents and businesses about Water Quality more than a year leading to protests, boil advisories and filter giveaways giveaways, authorities including michigans governor gave in announcing flint was returning to detroits supply. The realization of increased lead exposure and a rise in the number of children with elevated blood lead levels was devastating for our community. Reporter School Children will undergo a series of lead tests. Those with higher levels will get treatment. These water woes are the latest in a string of setbacks for a cashstrapped city all too familiar with them. A city whose fortunes sank with the down turn in the auto industry. A bid to save money has cost flint much more. Im all for whats doing in the best interest of our city. If youre going to do this, make sure its safe and they didnt. Reporter while the switch from the flint river back to detroit system is welcomed news indeed, residents must wait another two weeks before that hookup is completed. Ron mott, nbc news, flint, michigan. The army veteran hailed as a hero in the shooting rampage at an Oregon College is out of a hospital. He was shot seven times while trying to protect others from the gun fire. Community colleges held a moment of silence marking a week since the massacre. Tomorrow, president obama will travel to oregon to meet with victim ss families, gun right supporters claim to protest his visit. Still ahead, harsh words in the courtroom for a woman who says she is afraid to face her alleged abuser. The outrage at the judge who ordered her off to jail for it. The little boy who found an everyday superhero on his block. No maria . There are thousands of ways into the complex health care system. And choosing unitedhealthcare can help make it simpler with our 24 7 nurseline. 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Its an emotional scene on camera, the woman pleading for the judge to understand, the judge having none of it. Reports. Reporter in a florida courtroom earlier this year, a victim of domestic leniency. Nbc news disguised her voice. I beg you please. Reporter she refused to testify against her husband who she alleged choked her and held her at any of point. The court was holding why didnt you show up to court . You think you have anxiety now . You havent seen anxiety. Reporter judge Gerri Collins came down hard. Violated court order did not do anything for you. I find you in contempt to court and sentence you three days in the county jail. Reporter prosecutors struck a deal with the womans husband getting him to plead no contest to simple battery, with a 16day jail sentence. Without her testimony. The video of the hearing has spread online. Worrying advocates of Domestic Abuse victims. I understand that the state wants to take criminals and get them off the streets, but you dont do it by revictimizing a victim in this manner. Reporter a spokesperson says the judge cant comment on pending or in pending cases, but the state Attorney Says victim testimony is key to prosecuting such im begging you please. I already issued my order. Reporter many wonder why the judge was so tough on someone the court already knew was a victim. Stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york. Back in a moment with one of the most epic traffic jams weve ever seen caught on camera. It may make you appreciate your commute. Hold the phone. Because at t and directv are now one which means you can access your dvr at the dmv. Change channels while he changes pants. You dont have to be a couch potato, you can be a train potato and let them watch all the shows they love, inside the ride that you really kind of hate. P introducing the all in one plan. Only from directv and at t. 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We serve new england. Together. Eversource. There is sad news out of lewis tonight. Legendary chef paul prudhomme. He popularized spicy Cajun Cuisine across america achieving International Fame on tv including a show on pbs and several bestselling cookbooks. Owe introduced the world to the turduken. He passed away after a brief undisclosed illness. He was 75 years old. If you just walked in the door after a brutal afternoon commute home, take comfort. It probably wasnt this bad. Epic traffic jam with thousands going nowhere fast on one of chinas businessiest roadways. In this case it was a perfect storm. Holiday traffic combined with foggy weather and a new checkpoint that forces 50 lanes to merge into 20. The rock and roll hall of fame is about to get the new additions. We have the list of the finalists. Among firsttime nominees, janet jackson, steve miller, chicago and the cars. Cheap trick, lose lobos and chaka khan. Those who make the cut will be announced in december. 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Jake reese, day to feel alive jake reese, day to feel alive jake reese, day to feel alive finally tonight, a heart warming story about two best buddies who neither snow nor age can separate. A postman and his side kick known for putting their own stamp on friendship. Heres kerry sanders. Reporter some kids dreams of being spiderman or batman. But 4yearold carter admires a different superhero. Its time for mr. Mailman. Reporter the mailman. I see him. Reporter every day right outside his window. Hes right there. Reporter postman mike. Nine years on the job but only one route like this. Hey, buddy. Reporter a most unusual friendship. Ready to help me . Im going to need a lot of help today. Okay. Reporter the cheerful mailman. What are you doing in the road . Hey. Reporter and his little buddy. Good work. Reporter the invisible mailman to most of us to your son is everything. Hes a hero. You are going to get fired, buddy. Whats fired mean . Reporter here getting bills has never been so much fun. Love you. Love you. I can reach this one. Reporter to carter, the entire postal system is just one man, mike. Good job. He sent a letter to one of his grandparents in texas and handed it to me one day. There, buddy. He said ive got a long way to drive. You have a package. Reporter to explain how it works, the letter carriers much knoxville invited to pintsized postman to their sorting center. Whose house is this . Ours. Reporter a first class friendship. We deliver the mail. Reporter a forever stamp of approval delivered. Kerry sanders, nbc who needs email with knows two on the love it. Thats going to do it for us on a thursday im lester holt. For all of us at nbc news, thank you for