Is nbc nightly news with brian williams. Good evening. A potential cheating scandal involving one of the great teams and great quarterbacks in the history of the game continues to consume a colossal amount of time and attention surrounding the industry of football that is the nfl. Late today tom brady took questions from the press saying several times he had no knowledge of it or role in it. If baseball is our national pastime, football is something closer to an obsession. Last years super bowl was the mostwatched Television Broadcast of any kind in television history. The game between the seahawks and the patriots will be played ten days from now. And today was consumed by allegations that the patriots had an edge in getting there. We begin with nbcs ron mott at the home of the patriots in foxborough, mass. Hey, ron, good evening. Reporter good evening. An extraordinary day here at the stadium. Tom brady and Bill Belichick answering dozens of questions about this socalled deflategate controversy. And they both said they dont have a clear explanation for what happened. Quarterback tom brady is used to being in the spotlight. I felt like we won the game fair and square. Reporter though not on the hot seat especially on social media labeled a cheat. You have never knowingly played with a football that was under 12 and a half pounds of pressure . No. Is tom brady a cheater . I dont believe so. I mean, i feel like ive always played within the rules. I would never do anything to break the rules. Earlier patriots coach Bill Belichick said he was shocked to learn about the deflated ball controversy saying hes never concerned himself with the feel of a football in four decades of coaching. Im trying to coach the team. Thats what i want to do. Toms personal preferences on his ball footballs are something that he can talk about in much better detail. And information than i could possibly than i could possibly provide. Reporter with 2007s spygate and the halfmillion fine he paid for videotaping an opponents signals during a game, belichick once again faced a barrage of questions. Ive told you everything i know. Ive told you all that i can tell you. Ive told you everything i know. Reporter what remains unknown is who of the ball runners on the patriots sideline had access to the footballs after the referees certified them before the game. Exnfl ball runner eric hester. Theres only one or two ball boys that are responsible for the balls before and during the game. Reporter and while in 2011 tom brady expressed his preference for a softer football, former nfl quarterback joe fiesman says its not necessarily a disadvantage. I never concerned myself with that. If i could hold it and throw it, i was happy with it. Reporter during todays practice brady and his teammates prepared for the big game ahead while their leader tries to keep his eyes on footballs biggest prize. I think this is something well address but at the same time i think were focusing on trying to go out and beat the seahawks. Reporter now, when asked whether anyone from the nfl has talked to him about deflategate, tom brady clearly said, no, which is only adding mystery to what the league says its reviewing tonight, brian. That was the odd development from that press conference today. Ron mott up in foxborough tonight. Ron, thanks for starting us off. Now we go to the west where weve been covering a very growing and worrisome measles outbreak. Which just today appears to have spread to yet another state. This one started with several visitors to disneyland, and now parents of unvaccinated Young Children are tonight being warned to stay away. Our report tonight from nbcs hallie jackson. Reporter when it comes to the spread of measles, its a small world after all. The outbreak that began at disneyland has now expanded to arizona, along with colorado, oregon, utah, washington and to mexico. As California Health officials issue a warning for those who arent vaccinated and especially kids too young for the vaccine. I would recommend those children, infants, are not taken to places were vaccinated so no concerns. Reporter but some park employees are not. So disneys offering free shots and immunity tests to its workers. The park now monitoring about 100 colleagues of the five employees who came down with measles. An outbreak disney says could have happened anywhere unvaccinated people come into contact with a highly contagious virus. When parents come to you and say they dont want their children vaccinated, how do you talk to them about vaccination . I try to let them know that the fears are misplaced. That multiple studies have shown the safety of vaccines, how effective they are. Everything else my kids bring home, the last thing i need is measles. Reporter but susan lawson will not immunize her children against measles after she says her daughter had a severe and life changing reaction to the vaccine. Does my childs life mean less than a vaccine childs life . I dont think so. Reporter the conversation online, heated. Dont be an idiot. Vaccinate your kids. Measles can kill. Practice responsible parenting. In Orange County one high School Banned two dozen unvaccinated students from attending class during finals week. Experts say its the best way to contain the spread of measles especially in areas where clusters of parents decide not to immunize their kids. It could cover an entire Community Within a matter of weeks. Thought they wiped out 15 years ago now an outbreak growing bigger, faster. Hallie jackson, nbc news, los angeles. Late word from overseas tonight of the passing of a major figure in the middle east, King Abdullah of saudi arabia has died at the age of 90. Our chief Foreign Correspondent Richard Engel is with us tonight. Richard, good evening. Talk about this and the impact. Reporter well, the impact could be quite significant. State television in saudi arabia reported that he died, he was 90 years old, he died of pneumonia. Hed been ill for some time. Hes supposed to be buried in saudi arabia in a states funeral tomorrow afternoon and to be succeeded by his halfbrother king solmon who himself is 80 years old. King abdullah will be remembered at home for reformer but mostly for maintaining stability in saudi arabia through the chaos of the arab spring and taking steps to lower oil prices. Richard, other news in the middle east today is the government of yemen has officially fallen. This is news for us because the rebels in charge while not enemies of the United States per se are not friends either in a region thats been a mess for some time. Reporter right now we have two countries in the Arabian Peninsula where their future is very uncertain. In yemen the president resigned his house was surrounded by rebels and he effectively threw in the towel. He decided he didnt want to fight anymore. The question is the current government, the president that now just resigned, was very cooperative with the United States in fighting against al qaeda. And al qaeda in yemen has been a very aggressive presence. Its not clear that the rebel group will be so cooperative. All right. Richard engel on all things foreign tonight. Richard, thanks. At this time last night we were in havana having traveled there with the most senior u. S. Officials to visit there in decades and where today the socalled normalization talks got underway while the u. S. Military base that is part of that island stole some of the attention. Our chief Foreign Affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell remains there and has our report from havana tonight. Reporter cuba is a country ready for change. Optimism is everywhere. Hope and smiles on the faces of american and cuban diplomats today. But on the opposite end of the island the story making waves back home, at the u. S. Naval base at guantanamo bay, the base commander fired, captain John Nettleton relieved of command after an alleged affair with the woman on the base. Hes being investigated by ncis about the death of her husband whose body was found floating in the bay. Her husband itself an heir to cuban in 1998 when the u. S. Took control. Cuba has long demanded it back. Just one more argument in more than a century of disputes. But now the angry billboards and protests outside the u. S. Intersection, the future American Embassy are gone. Antiamerican slogans like this one replaced by billboards promoting tourism. Complicated negotiations on trade, travel, banking and internet access, and the u. S. Diplomat says human rights. We do have differences in that subject, profound differences with the cuban government. And it was part of the conversation today. Reporter her cuban counterpart. This process is about establishment of civilized relations between two countries with profound differences. Reporter just a beginning today says former cuban diplomat carlos alzugara. What do you think is going to be the hardest bridge to cross . We have to abandon our mentality of speech and not react and try to see things as they really are. And the u. S. Has to abandon the idea that somehow cuba can be pushed around. Reporter well, the u. S. Diplomatic said to be having breakfast with cuban dissidents first thing tomorrow. Making it clear that on some things brian, cuba and america will agree to disagree. Brian. Andrea mitchell from our broadcast location in old havana. Thanks. A meeting of two potential heavyweights for the gop nomination for president , jeb bush landed in Salt Lake City today for a private sitdown with mitt romney. Sources tell nbc news this was a previously scheduled and casual meeting planned well before both men expressed interest in entering the race in 2016. Last night people in new york city called 911 because they thought the west side of the city was somehow on fire. It turned out to be a colossal fivealarm fire across the hudson river in new jersey. It is still burning. Firefighters are still at it tonight. It started yesterday afternoon at 4 30. Hundreds of families have lost everything, schools are closed. Officials say it started by accident and spread incredibly quickly. Nbcs Anne Thompson has our report. Reporter it was a monstrous inferno, flames ripping through the avalon at edgewater apartment complex destroying 240 units forcing 1,000 people to flee their homes. 500 have nothing to go back to. This morning at a local hotel this morning at a local hotel, mara talbot and two of her three children tallyied their losses. We have no ids. We didnt take jackets. Reporter cole is applying to medical school. Im worrying about my College Books and resources and things like that. Reporter all consumed in a fire so massive you could see from manhattan last night and smell it this morning. I just got up thinking in the middle of the night im like what is that smell . Reporter so the complex was up to code. Officials say the construction of the building allowed the fire to move quickly. Roofs built with tresses that are inexpensive but pose dangerous challenges in fighting fire. Its very difficult because once its in the walls and floors, lightweight construction youre chasing it and thats what we have to do. We have to start ripping open things and fight it. Reporter this fire was destructive but not deadly. Four people were hurt, two firefighters and two civilians all suffered minor injuries. Safe, but many like the talbots not secure. I feel like it will work out somehow. Reporter facing a future they never imagined. Anne thompson, nbc news, edgewater, new jersey. And still ahead tonight, a state of emergency in one of the most beautiful parts of our country. A pipeline burst spills thousands of gallons of cancercausing agents into a water supply. A frozen river now making for a difficult cleanup mission. And later, its just a great excuse to hold a Charity Event and look at some great faces along for the ride. If you have high Blood Pressure like i do, many Cold Medicines may raise your Blood Pressure. Thats why theres Coricidin Hbp it relieves cold symptoms without raising Blood Pressure. So look for powerful Cold Medicine with a heart. Coricidin hbp. woman the constipation and belly pain feel tight like a vise. How can i ease this pain . man when i cant go, its like rocks piling up. I wish i could find some relief. announcer ask your doctor about linzess a oncedaily capsule for adults with ibs with constipation or chronic idiopathic constipation. Linzess is thought to help calm painsensing nerves and accelerate bowel movements. It helps you proactively manage your symptoms. Do not give linzess to children under 6, and it should not be given to children 6 to 17. It may harm them. Dont take linzess if you have a bowel blockage. Get immediate help if you develop unusual or severe stomach pain especially with bloody or black stools. The most common side effect is diarrhea, sometimes severe. If its severe stop taking linzess and call your doctor right away. Other side effects include, gas, stomacharea pain and swelling. Bottom line, ask your doctor about linzess today. Difficult mission unfolding tonight on the Yellowstone River. A large oil spill that has dumped toxic chemicals into the water. People who live near it became alarmed when they could actually smell and taste oil in their drinking water. Now responding crews are having a tough time figuring out how to clean it up under a frozen river surface. Nbcs Miguel Almaguer has our report tonight from glendive in montana. Reporter at the family cafe in glendive, its bottled water only and limited refills. People are probably afraid to come out and eat. We tell them out front well sell them bottled water. Reporter the town draws water from the Yellowstone River. Locals say they could smell, even taste oil in their drinking water. Our dogs wont even drink the water. They were outside eating snow. Reporter the epa is searching for what they cant see beneath this frozen sheet of ice, at least 40,000 gallons of crude oil. Frankly, i dont expect well get much oil out of the river. Reporter the Yellowstone River weaves across much of montana, at least this section is polluted with oil. Its a state of emergency. The 12inch pipe owned by Bridger Pipeline ruptured beneath the river. Oil spewed until engineers shut it off, but it reached glendives Water Treatment plant. Sheens of oil have been spotted 40 miles downstream. With benzine, the cancer causing chemical detected in the water at three times greater than federal standards allow, bottled water is being trucked in. For this fragile ecosystem, its the regions second spill in just over three years. Cleanups can take years and cost tens of millions of dollars. Its going to take us some time to figure out what caused this, but we will find out what happened and do everything we can to make sure it doesnt happen again. Reporter tonight, the ruptured pipeline has been capped, but the longterm effects to wildlife and the environment may not be known for years. Miguel almaguer, nbc news, glendive, montana. Back in a moment with the surprise announcement today from an american champion. Also, the accident involving one of the great treasures of the planet and the botched repair job that followed, sadly. Take care of your most important parts with centrum. Multivitamins expertly designed with nutrients people dont get enough of from food alone. Centrum. For the most important parts of you. Take a closer look at your fidelity green line and youll see just how much it has to offer, especially if youre thinking of moving an old 401 k to a fidelity ira. It gives you a wide range of investment options. And the free help you need to make sure your investments fit your goals and what youre really investing for. Tap into the full power of your fidelity green line. 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Our worldclass service earned usaa the top spot in a study of the most recommended if youre current or former military, or their family, see if youre eligible to get an Auto Insurance quote. Two deaths to report tonight, one of them a giant in the state of kentucky. Wendell ford was both governor and a u. S. Senator who over four terms rose to the number two post in the democratic leadership. Seldom pictured without a cigarette, he was an unabashed champion of the tobacco and coal industries. He was 90 years old. And vince camudo has died, a hugely successful designer and marketer of womens wear. He was cofounder of nine west. Vince camuto was 78 years old. Jeff gordon, one of the bestknown names in nascar and at 43 years of age among the elder statesmen of the sport, has announced hes going to part the famous 24 car after this coming season. He is a fourtime series champion coming off a great year, third alltime in victories. He has survived and prospered in a dangerous game. Says he may still race parttime. To many of us kale will always be a great former nascar driver while bacon may be a national treasure, but the folks who write the zagat guides to restaurants and dining say these two foods are over. Their 2015 survey of Dining Trends considers bacon and kale are dead. They say many customers are just over both of them. Some other interesting stats, 81 of diners say theyve sent a dish back to the kitchen and an equal number admitted theyve eavesdropped on the table sitting next to them. Leave it to drug smugglers on the u. S. Mexico border to come up with their next mode. Of Delivery System in keeping with the times they have turned to drones, one of which recently crashed on the california side after being overloaded with meth. The dea says smugglers have been using this Drone Technology for several years. And one of the great relics of the ages has suffered irreversible damage, a crucial piece of the king tut burial mask broke off. 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How do you have any stress when you got, you know, that unconditional love. Reporter j. D. Whitaker and his dog, hercules, are on a mission to visit every Service Memorial in america. But you know what they say, its not where you end up its how you get there. And in this case its whether youre wearing goggles. A documentary about side car dogs in america. I think theres two reasons to have dogs in the side car. One, because you dont want to go anywhere without the dog. And the second reason is because its so cool. Reporter the film followed 18 riders and their dogs, most of them rescues, exploring why they do this. Or as they put it, why not. People love dogs and side cars. Its kind of a match made in heaven. If youre not a dog person, you probably dont get it. Its hard to explain the intrinsic comfort and joy that you get from having your buddy along with you on a trip. Hey, pup. Go ahead and stand up. Reporter in the documentary d. And hercules ride the tour of honor. We met them near their home in north carolina. If i started riding away without him, hed chase me down the road. He would. I guarantee you. Reporter j. D. Discovered side cars in egypt carting around radio equipment for the air force. I got hooked on side cars. Came home and i built one to take my kids out. Kids grow up. Of course they want to bring their dog, so the kids are gone all you got lefts the dog. Reporter the dog and the road. What really hit me was such a Diverse Group of people, Diverse Group of dogs and were all speaking with one voice. Reporter and one trusty companion. Jacob rascon, nbc news. That is our broadcast on a thursday night. Thank you for being here with us. Im brian williams. We of course hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. Good night. Night. Technology has improved our lives, in small ways. In big ways. But what about this . Couldnt this be better too . At redfin we asked ourselves the same question. 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