From nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. Im tamron hall, in for lester. He was the last of americas first astronauts. John glenn, the former astronaut and u. S. Senator has died in ohio at the age of 95. Tonight, he is being remembered not just for what he accomplished, but also for what he helped the dreaming beyond the stars. Tributes are pouring in tonight, including from president obama, who said, the last of americas first astronauts, has left us, but propelled by their example, we know that our future here on earth compels us to keep reaching for the heavens. On behalf of a grateful nation, god speed, john glenn. Tom costello has more on his extraordinary life. Two, one, zero. Reporter john glenn was more than an american hero. For more than half his life, he was a 20th century icon, perhaps best known for what happened on february 20th, 1962. Two, two, one, zero. Reporter the First American to orbit the earth and put america back in the space race with the soviet union. Roger, zero g and i oh, the view is tremendous. Reporter the late t. J. Omalley was at the nasa controls that day. Range operations, go. The green light is on. Reporter until he died, he kept the button he pushed to send glenn into orbit. I hit that button and said, may the good lord ride all the way. God speed, john glenn. Reporter john glenn returned to a heros welcome. And invitations to this universe in which we live increases, may god grant us the wisdom and guidance to use it wisely. Reporter his roots were always firmly planted in ohio, born in cambridge, went to a local college and married his childhood sweetheart annie. He flew combat missions in world war ii. He shot down three migs in korea. In 1997, a coasttocoast super sonic record, los less than three and a half hours. These are the men who reporter then the early days of the astronaut corps, later immoralalized in the movie the right stuff. Glenn was someone who could walk down the street in mid town manhattan, and have cabbies say, hey, john, how you doing . Reporter after a career in business, glenn was elected to the u. S. Senate in his home state of ohio in 1974. John glenn needs you. Reporter and made an unsuccessful run then in 1998, nasa came calling again. At the age of 77, john glenn got his wish to return to space, aboard the shuttle discovery. Booster ignition, and liftoff of discovery. Reporter astronaut Steve Robinson was on the same mission. He savored the whole thing. He didnt make a big poetic deal about it at all. John glenn was the most honest and straightforward and clearthinking imagine. Reporter a lifetime of achievement and national service, honored with both the congressional gold medal and the president ial medal of freedom, the countrys highest civilian awards. John her shell glenn, pilot, astronaut, businessman, husband, and father. And an marriage original. Tom costello, nbc news, washington. We make a turn to a dangerous blast of Winter Weather and a deadly pileup in michigan, in temperatures plunging. Al roker will be here in a moment, but first details from nbcs kristen dahlgren. Reporter in michigan today, the deep freeze turned deadly. We have onstar reporting a 30vehicle crash, with injuries. Reporter three people killed, when dozens of cars piled up in whiteout conditions. Traffic snarled for miles. Almost collided into an suv myself. Reporter survivors lucky to walk away from the tangled mess. The ground was snow whiteout, i think were all contributing factors. Reporter another multivehicle accident near erie pennsylvania, shut down parts of interstate 90 and sent several people to the hospital. In upstate new york, a funnel cloud. Along with blowing snow and slippery roads. We had to drive really slow. Reporter even the professionals had trouble. Some areas could see more than two feet of this lakeeffect snow. Its warm. Reporter out west, another storm system, places like salem and portland, oregon, under a blanket of snow and ice. Schools and city offices closed and flights canceled. An arctic blast, hitting hard across much of the country. Walla walla, washington, just 16 degrees this morning. Boulder dropped to 3, and casper, wyoming, a bone chilling 30 below. Thats 44 degrees lower than normal. And its far from the polar vortex could plunge temperatures even lower next week. Tonight the snow piles are growing, along with the realization winter is just getting started. And some places here in upstate new york have already seen more than a foot of snow, tamron. As for the major pileups, crews say theyll be working well into the night to get those cleaned up. Thank you very much. Al roker is here, its cold and its about to thats right. And weve got to get rid of this lakeeffect snow thats coming across all five great lakes and dumping a lot of snow in a very quick period of time. Through saturday morning, we expect to see the leeward side of lake superior, one to two feet. Same at lake erie. Two feet or more for lake ontario. Another storm coming onshore in the pacific northwest. With rain and snow, its going to be a fastmover. It will continue across the count cleveland, into new york city by sunday morning, bringing snow and rain and slick roads. An air mass that begins up in siberia, makes its way down into the plains, 20 to 30 degrees below average, coldest on wednesday, next wednesday in chicago, 6, 34 in nashville, thursday in new york city, 29 degrees. And tamron, winter doesnt start officially for another 13 days. Al, thank you very much. Breaking news officer has died after an altercation that sent authorities on a massive manhunt to catch a killer. It all came to a dramatic and violent end today. We get more now from nbcs kerry sanders. Reporter tonight, a Georgia Community in mourning. Shortly after americus Georgia Police officer nick smarrs flagdraped coffin arrived at the funeral home, word that a second officer had now di who had clung to life for a day, died in the intensive care unit. The two, best friends. Jody was there for nick. He heard him dispatched to that call, he knew he was nearby, and he responded. Reporter the two cops were childhood buddies, went to the Police Academy together. Both killed by minquell lembrick. Late this morning, following an intensive manhunt, a dramatic conclusion, 26 hours after the gunman shot both officers and went the cop killer, desperate and holed up in the back room of a house, three miles from the initial shooting committed suicide. Lem brook had a lengthy record 32 pages long. He was a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and he wreaked havoc on this community. Reporter investigators say smarr and smith each got off one shot even after they were blindsided by the gunman while responding to a the police chief said the incident was captured on a body cam. It tells us they both did exactly what theyre trying to do, and what they were supposed to do. Reporter both officers were to be married soon. Officer jody smith, engaged to his best friend, officer nick smarrs sister. Tonight, their families and fiancees here at the hospital are devastated. Tamron . Kerry sanders, thank you. A student remains in Critical Condition after his alleged role in a terrifying video appears to show him swinging knives before he was shot by a Campus Police officer, who is now on routine administrative leave as our Stephanie Gosk explains. Its reignited the debate over how to best protect our nations schools. Reporter the scary scene at Hug High School in reno started as a fight between students. In a cell phone video, a swung two knives as students circled. An armed School Officer confronted him. The officer fired a single shot. The 14yearold dropped to the ground. He just shot the kid. Reporter amy hacinto has two daughters at the high school. I think the cop did what he needed to do to protect the other students around that were in danger at the time. Reporter today the superintendent commended the medical and safety response. Both of those plans lawyer for the family of the injured students is raising questions about the use of lethal force. We believe options were available to Law Enforcement that were not pursued. The incident here in reno fuels an ongoing debate over the level of security needed in our schools. On the rise since the 1999 shooting at columbine high school. 43 of Public Schools now have some form of security personnel. 16,700 high schools have armed oer least once a week. Dj is a friend of the student who was shot. I think the police are way out of line for having lethal rounds at school. But he had knives. He was threatening kids, potentially. 4,000 volts of electricity from a taser gun would have dropped that kid. Reporter protecting students in moments like this is everyones priority. But as violencea campuses increases, we still dont agree on the best way to do it. Stephanie gosk, nbc news, reno nevada. Now to the president ial transition, another trump is drawing scrutiny tonight. This time his nominee to lead the labor department. Meantime, theres new fallout after the president elect went after a union boss on social media. Nbcs katy tur has all the latest. Reporter on high in trump tower, the president elect is filling out his cabinet. Today with an eye on jobs, jobs, jobs. Fastfood billionaire Andrew Puzder is trumps pick for labor secretary. And anothe the ceo of carls jr and hardees, puzder said raising the federal minimum wage means cutting jobs. When you raise the cost of hiring lowskilled and young workers, you really price them out of their jobs. Reporter puzder is also open to automation, saying last spring, machines, unlike people, never take a vacation, they never show up late, and never file suit. Some democrats called it a war on labor. Bosses, not of the workers. Reporter this as trump who sold himself as a champion of the American Worker is attacking a union leader, tweeting chuck jones has done a terrible job representing workers, after jones accused trump of lying when he said he saved carrier jobs from going to mexico. The people were probably with the understanding they were going to have a job. Because trump, pence, or nobody else said 550 jobs are going to mexico. He had to announce that the next day so that people would understand. Reporter trump bragged he saved 1,100 jobs, while jones who says hes now being threatened by trump supporters, said the number is closer to 800. Carrier agrees. On the factory floor, mixed emotions. For jasmine jones, disappointment after learning her job wouldnt be saved. Its like a bombshell. Very disappointing. Reporter earlier today, donald trump of the stabbing there. Tonight hell continue his thank you tour here in iowa. This as mgm confirms that donald trump will remain as an executive producer of the apprentice when it returns to air next year. Tamron . Katy, thank you very much. Hillary clinton was back in the public eye today after mostly laying low post election. Clinton received a standing ovation from former Senate Colleagues at an event for retiring Senate Minority leader harry reid. She called fake news an epidemic that needs got a laugh when she joked about her recent photo on a hike in the woods. Still ahead, its highly contagious and spreading rapidly. Whats behind the worst mumps outbreak in a decade. And why you should be especially concerned if you have a child in college. Also, convenience or annoyance. The debate over what the government may start allowing on passenger planes. Funding scientific breakthroughs, advancing public policy, and providing local support to those living with the disease and their caregivers. But we wont get there without you. Visit alz. Org to join the fight. [burke] at farmers, weve seen almost everything, so we know how to cover almost anything. Even a rodent ridealong. [dad] alright, buddy, dont forget anything [captain rod] happy Tuesday Morning captain rod here. Its pretty hairy out on the interstate. Traffic is literally crawling, but there is some movement on the eastside overpass. Getting word of another collision. [burke] it happened. December 14th, 2015. And we covered it. Talk to farmers. We know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. . We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum . . . If you have moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, introducing Otezla Apremilast . Otezla is not an injection or a cream. Its a pill that treats plaque psoriasis differently. With otezla, 75 clearer skin is achievable after just 4 months, with reduced redness, thickness, and scaliness of plaques. And the otezla prescribing information has no requirement for routine lab monitoring. Dont take otezla if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Otezla may increase the risk of depression. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression dal thoughts, or if these feelings develop. Some people taking otezla reported weight loss. Your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. Side effects may include diarrhea, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, and if youre pregnant or planning to be. Ask your dermatologist about otezla today. Otezla. Where a health alert. Cases of mumps have hit a tenyear high according to the cdc. Its spreading on College Campuses as kids are buckling down for finals. Now new concerns it could spread even more when the students come home for the holidays. Heres nbcs anne thompson. Reporter the mumps virus, the scourge of american schools. From College Campuses in new york obviously dont share drinks. Elementary schools outside dallas. Pumps is highly contagious. So its kind of a new wrinkle. Reporter this mumps outbreak covers almost every state. 332 cases in counting. With flulike symptoms, mumps is spread by infected saliva, where young people live, play, and learn in close quarters. Theyre sometimes started by those who are undervaccinated or unvaccinated, and theyre sustained by some who have waning immunity to the reporter the vaccine works. The cdc says one dose is 78 effective and two doses, 88 . But over time, the effectiveness may diminish. So when you think about college students, its been 10, 15 years since they had their kindergarten dose of vaccine. Reporter the university of missouri is urging its students to get a third dose of the vaccine. Its seen 193 cases this semester, including freshman antibiotics. Claire was confined to her dorm room for five days. Her roommate moved out. I think more than anything, people are scared about getting sick, because no one has time to get sick right now. Reporter to stop the spreed, along with vaccinations, doctors say cover your sneeze and cough and wash your hands, to ensure a healthy end to the year. Anne thompson, nbc news, new york. Were back in a moment with why knowing where you stand. Its never been easier. Except when it comes to your retirement plan. But at fidelity, were making Retirement Planning clearer. And it all starts with getting your Fidelity Retirement score. In 60 seconds, youll know where you stand. And together, well help you make decisions for your plan. To keep you on track. . Time to think of your future . I switched to sprint their Network Reliability is now within 1 of verizon. And, with sprints new unlimited plan, you have the freedom to do virtually whatever you want. Well, then mama is gonna text. vo switch and get unlimited mobile optimized data, talk, and text 20 per line folks out there whose diabetic nerve pain. Shoots and burns its way into your day, i hear you. To everyone with this pain that makes ordinary tasks extraordinarily painful, i hear you. Make sure your doctor hears you too i hear you because i was there when my dad suffered with diabetic nerve pain. If you have diabetes and burning, shooting pain in your feet or hands, dont suffer in silence step on up and ask your doctor sent you. A new debate erupting tonight over whether passengers should be able to make phone calls during flights. The Transportation Department is reportedly proposing rules that would allow each airline to decide whether passengers can make inflight phone calls, but it would also require airlines to tell customers cell phone conversation at 30,000 feet. For the first time in decades, Life Expectancy has fallen. Americans are now expected to live on average, 78. 8 years according to the cdc. Thats a drop of more than a month, the first significant decline since 1993. Whats to blame . The report cites an increase in eight of the ten leading causes of death, including Heart Disease and strokes. And baby makes eight for rock legend the 73yearold Rolling Stones front man and his girlfriend melanie welcomed a baby boy today in new york. Jagger already had seven children from their teens to their 40s. According to mick jaggers reps, both parents are delighted and mother and baby are doing well. When we come back, the musthave toy this holiday season, and the parents desperate to get their hands on it. 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Whats your body of proof . You cant predict the market. But through good times and bad. At t. Rowe price. Weve helped our investors stay confident for over 75 years. Call us or your advisor. T. Rowe price. Its the Little Things in life that make me smile. Spending the day with my niece. I dont use super poligrip for hold, because my dentures fit well. Before those little pieces would get in between my dentures and my gum and it was uncomfortable. Even well fitting dentures let in food particles. Just a few dabs of super poligrip free is clinically proven to seal out more food particles so youre more comfortable and confident while you eat. So its not about keeping my dentures in, its about keeping the food particles out. Try super poligrip free. Finally tonight, the shopping days are ticking away this holiday season. And theres one toy that seems to be on every childs list. Theyre going for hundreds online. Nbcs Kevin Tibbles joins some desperate parents on the hunt for the elusive hatchimal. Reporter way too cold and way too early, yet here they come. . . Reporter not pilgrims seeking the holy grail, but parents in search of one of these things, a hatchimal. I cant believe that we got one today. Reporter what is a hatchimal . Funny, you should ask, cared for, eventually cracks open to reveal a little furry thing that your child will adore. Shes going to be pretty excited on christmas morning. Reporter toy hysteria seems to happen every year around this time. There was the Cabbage Patch craze. Theres no biting, kicking, scratching. Reporter tickle me elmo mania. Elmo, elmo reporter and the furby frenzy. All driving parents to every toys r us from here to timbuktu. But when greedy folks on ebay started jacking up the 60 price tag, hundreds of dollars, dottie of new jersey hatched a rant on youtube. Have you no soul . Do you not know what it was like to be a kid . I think its wrong. Its wrong to take advantage of parents who just want to make their kids happy on christmas morning, i dont think you can put a price on that and you shouldnt. Reporter stores like toys r us are stocking the shelves and are wisely restricting sales to one per customer. Good news for adorable, 18monthold isabella. For her, a fuzzy thing in an egg is just too cool for words. [ squeals ]. Reporter Kevin Tibbles, nbc news, chicago. Adorable. That will do it for us on this thursday night. Dont forget, football nbc. Im tamron hall in for lester who will be back tomorrow. Ill see you tomorrow on today. And for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and goodnight. Tomorrow on today. And for all of us at . Everything is awesome . . Everything is cool when youre watching a screen . . Everything is awesome . . When youre sharing a meme . . A voice remote, . Show me angry kings . . . You know whats awesome . Everything . . Apps that please, more selfies . . Endless hours of the best tvs . . Brand new apps, shows to go . Xfinity the future of awesome. Nbc sports, home of the olympic games, the nhl, premi league, the chase for the r sprint cup and primetimes number one show, sunday night football, only on nbc. It is a frigid thursday t in kansascity. The nfc west, taking center stage. Derek carr, in top form, dur the raiders sixgame winning streak. Now, they face alex smith and the divisionrival chiefs, who can take top spot in the division with a victory toni. Do what we do. Were not letting up. Division rivals