Nightly news begins right now. Good evening. Just three weeks on the job, attorney general Jeff Sessions is caught in a growing political and legal fire storm over his silence about contacts with the russian diplomat. Sessions announced he will step aside from the investigation into russian meddling in the election. It still leaves open why he omitted such contacts during his Senate Confirmation hearing in january. Pete williams is at the department of justice and has details. Pete. Reporter lester, after day of calls from some democrats for him to resign, Jeff Sessions said he has concluded he must bow out of makiny russians attempt to influence the elections. He said he is doing it to avoid the appearance of a conflict. Good morning, mr. Sessions. Reporter the attorney general said he sought the advice of Career Justice Department officials beginning several days ago before making todays dramatic announcement. I believe those recommendations are right and just. Therefore, i have recused myself in the matters that deal with the trump campaign. Reporter Jeff Sessions campaigned extensively with donald trump and was a campaign advisor. During his confirmation hearing he was asked about Campaign Contacts with russians in light of russias attempt to influence the election. Im not aware of any of those activities. I have been called a surrogate at a time or two, and i did not have communications with the russians. Reporter sessions talked twice last year with russias ambassador to the u. S. In july while speaking at a convention and in september and a oneonone conversation in his Senate Office at a time when russian influence with constantly in the headlines. Sessions insist he did not mislead the question because he understood the question about the campaign but wishes he answered differently. Retrospect, i should have slowed down and said i did meet one russian official a couple of times. That would be the ambassador. Reporter some legal experts say he may not have committed perjury but should have been more clear. I dont believe it would appropriate to prosecute him for perjury but he could have been more candid. Reporter today sessions said he has no recollection of talking to the ambassador about the campaign. The conversation was about terrorism and ukraine. With sessions recused, the acting Deputy Attorney general, dana boente, takes over the case. Pete williams at the justice department. Peter alexander. The commander in chief touring the uss ford aircraft commander today. Standing by his attorney general. Asked whether he had confidence in Jeff Sessions his answer. Total. Reporter and whether he thought the attorney general testified truthfully. I think he did. Reporter mr. Trump adding he wasnt aware sessions spoken to the russian ambassador. They only learned from a reporter shortly before the story broke. Today top aide Reince Priebus and steve bannon skipping the president s trip staying to help manage the sessions fall out. I think its just best in this case he recuse himself. I think the attorney general should further clarify. I think he will need to recuse himself. Reporter top the fact the top cop in our country lied under oath to the American People is grounds for him to resign. For the good of the country, attorney general sessions should resign. Reporter democrats also raising questions about the timing of sessions september meeting with ambassador. Just three days after president obama said sanctions on russia shouldnt be rolled back. Senator Dianne Feinstein cast doubt on sessions claim he didnt remember much about the meeting. Most recently seen here in the president s address to Congress Tuesday night. This particular ambassador is hard to forget. To say that he couldnt remember is just simply not believable. Reporter it was conversations with the same ambassador that led to the firing of Michael Flynn last month. While the white house is depending sessions, his testimony under oath remains under scrutiny with critics going to this 1999 claim where he called perjury claims against clinton serious allegations. In america and the Supreme Court and American People believe no one is above the law. Reporter were learning about another meeting between two of the president s closest advisors and the same russian ambassador. Michael flynn and the president s soninlaw both met with him at trump tower in december. White house aides say it was a brief courtesy meeting and at the russians request. Lester. Thanks. Lets bring in our political director chuck todd. This time yesterday the focus was on the president s address to congress. A day later its back on russia. It doesnt go away. How do they free themselves of this . This story is consuming their presidency. If theyre not careful, it will consume the entire legislative calendar. It will make it harder to redo obamacare and tax reform. They may get to the point the Trump White House will want an into this because the drip, drip, drip where you have a day of distractions here, youll have republicans on capitol hill saying im tired of this. Can we remove this investigation from congress at this point . Put it into independent hands and you can buy time and compartmentalize it. You can move on and do some governing. If they dont do this, its going to consume this presidency. All right. Chuck todd tonight. Thank you. One more quick note. Two more cabinet picks were confirmed today. Ben carson has been sworn in as secretary of housing and urban development after passing by a vote of 5841. Former texas governor, rick perry was confirmed by the senate as energy secretary. Now to major debut on wall street today. The Company Behind the wildly popular messaging app snapchat went public and saw the value skyrocket to 35 billion. It made billions for the companys 26yearold ceo who had the foresight to turn down an offer from facebook years ago. We have details. Reporter the app known for its disappearing messages making a permanent mark on wall street today. It went public on the new york stock exchange. Shares soared 44 . Investors are banking on the apps youth appeal. How many times are you snapping a day . Sometimes in conversation then like upwards of 20. I send snapchats a couple of times day. Reporter founded by now 26yearold evan spiegel in his stanford dorm room. You can send and re can disappear after ten seconds. You dont have to worry about someone digging through it. Pulling up some embarrassing photo from middle school. Reporter the majority of users are 1834. Checking the app more than 18 times day. Spending about 30 minutes a day snapping. On facebook, you want to be in touch with as many people as you can. On snapchat its about your intimate relationships. The people who you would show how silly you are. Reporter the ceo is compared to facebook founder. Zuckerberg wanted to buy for 3 billion in cash three years ago. Spiegel turned him down. Light speed was the first partner in snap and now they are cashing in. Hes always had this ability to understand what users want. The company now worth about 35 billion. Impressive numbers for a business that has yet to turn a profit. Nbc news, new york. In nashville this evening an urgent manhunt for a killer. The family of a nurse fatally stabbed by an intruder in her own home is pleading for help to find her murder. They are hoping security video will help them crack the case. We have the latest. Reporter tonight the manhunt for the hooded figure this this Surveillance Video is intensifying. Police suspect he was checking for unlocked cars, minutes before he snuck into an apartment complex and stabbed Tiffany Ferguson to death. She had a heart for nursing. Reporter her roommate heard the screams and called 911. We felt safe. We never felt like this could happen. Reporter so safe she says, they planned the sign a new yearlong lease later [000 10 58;00] instead, according to police, the burglar entered the apartment through an unlocked door and raided it for valuables when he came upon the 23yearold. This does appear to be random act. A very rare, random act of violence in this particular area. Reporter her twin sister says tiffany was the best of us. She had a heart for people and wanted to help those less unfortunate. To know her was to love her. She worked at this nashville hospital for years, an intensive care nurse after graduating from college in alabama. As they plan her funeral, family and friends are remembering a life cut short. A woman with a contagious smile. She loved to dance. She may not be the best, but this was my best friend, you know, amazing nurse and a daughter and an aunt and a twin. Just a good person. The best person. Reporter they now help lead police to her killer. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news. Across much of the country its beginning to feel like spring from record daily highs to the warmest winter on record. Much of the nation is thawing out. With the early warmth comes concerns. Miguel almaguer explains why spring arriving early in some places isnt always good news. Reporter in a city where change doesnt come easy, spring has sprung in washington, d. C. The famed Cherry Blossoms set to hit peak bloom in midmarch, the earliest since 1990. Scientist track the arrival by the blossoming of certain plants but warmer weather can complicate the growing season for farmers, throw a wrench in the ecosystem and bring misery to allergy sufferers. This early spring is one part of the fingerprint of Climate Change and its understand the different effects that our changing climate might have on us. Reporter much of the country is seeing spring weeks ahead of schedule. Boston then. Boston,000. Its really nice to be out now. 000. Its really nice to be out now. 000. Its really nice to be out now. N000. Its really nice to be out now. Ow000. Its really nice to be out now. Its really nice to be out now. Its really nice to be out now. Its really nice to be out now. Reporter in texas the blue bonnets are out. In south florida, some of the warmest winter on record. Did Punxsutawney Phil get it wrong . Six more weeks of winter it shall be. Reporter for the first time in 48 years more snow in seattle than minneapolis this year. For the first time in nearly 150 years, no snow on the ground in chicago during january and february. Just take a look at these temperatures as we make our way in through march. A huge portion of the country expecting warmer temperatures. Reporter according to the calendar winter wont end for three weeks. For many it feels like summer is just around the corner. Miguel almaguer, nbc news, los angeles. Fighting cancer. New hope if you or someone you love is battling fatigue that comes with treatments. What new Research Says you should try first before turning to drugs. Also the big scare involving a passenger plane at one of the busiest airports in the nation. And the wolf huffed like you do sometimes, grandpa . Well, when you have copd, it can be hard to breathe. It can be hard to get air out, which can make it hard to get air in. So i talked to my doctor. She said. Symbicort could help you breathe better, starting within 5 minutes. Symbicort doesnt replace a rescue inhaler for sudden symptoms. Symbicort helps provide significant improvement of your lung function. Symbicort is for copd, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It should not be taken more than twice a day. Symbicort contains formoterol. Medicines like formoterol increase the risk of death from asthma problems. Symbicort may increase your risk of lung infections, osteoporosis, and some eye problems. You should tell your doctor if you have a heart condition with better breathing. Watch out, piggies child giggles symbicort. Breathe better starting within 5 minutes. Get symbicort free for up to one year. Visit saveonsymbicort. Com today to learn more. Were back now with medical news about fighting cancer and fighting those debilitating side effects from treatments that the patients need to help them get better. Researchers say theres a better option besides medicine that helps to ward off fatigue and body aches as kristen hlgren explains. Reporter 27yearold opera singer amy has been active. Im trying to increase my endurance. Reporter when stage 4 Breast Cancer met her the fatigue was devastating. Your body feels heavy. You feel weak like your arm weighs 100 pounds. Its difficult. Reporter so on those days when she just cant imagine getting out of bed, what does she do . I just tell myself, you know that youll feel better once you start moving. For her doctor, shes a great example of why they recommend exercise even before medications to battle fatigue. It keeps her mood elevated, stimulates sleep, appetite and shes cruising through her treatments. Reporter traditionally doctors may have recommended rest. A new analysis published in the journal of the American Medical Association says exercise is the best way to fight cancer related fatigue. Psychological treatment like therapy is recommended. They dont need to run a marathon. This is about 150 minutes of exercise a week. You can get that in multiple ways. Reporter for amy not every day is a run. Stretching, yoga, some walking on the treadmill. Reporter doing something is key. How do you do it . I dont know. I just do. Helping her body and mind cope with cancer. Kristen dahlgren, nbc news, rochester, new york. Were back in a moment with something you dont see every day during the commute to the Nations Capital. Atol. Ol. Did you make that . I did. Nt. Hey, come look what lisa made. Wow. You grilled that chicken . Yup i did. Nt. Mhm, lisa. You roasted this . Uhuh. Nt. Introducing smartmade by smart ones. Real ingredients, grilled and roasted using the same smart cooking techniques you do. You own a grill . Smartmade frozen meals. Its like you made it. And you did. Nt. [ pidaddy lets play sorry kids. Feeling dead on your feet . Ive been on my feet all day. Dr. Scholls massaging gel insoles have a unique gel wave design for outrageous comfort dr. Scholls. Feel the energy my hygi. A mouthwash. O try. So i tried crest. It does so much more than give me fresh breath. Crest prohealth mouthwash provides all. Of these benefits to help you get better dental checkups. Go pro with crest mouthwash. Checkup . Nailed it this this this this is my body of proof. Proof of less joint pain and clearer skin. This is my body of proof that i can take on psoriatic thritis with humira. Humira works by targeting and helping to block a specific source of inflammation that contributes to both joint and skin symptoms. Its proven to help relieve pain, stop further joint damage, and clear skin in many adults. Humira is the 1 prescribed biologic for psoriatic arthritis. Humira can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections and cancers, including lymphoma, have happened; as have blood, liver, and nervous system problems, serious allergic reactions, and new or worsening heart failure. Before treatment, get tested for tb. Tell your doctor if youve been to areas where certain fungal infections are common, and if youve had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. Dont start humira if you have an infection. Want more proof . Ask your rheumatologist about humira. Whats your body of proof . A scare on the ground at Ohare Airport in chicago. A Maintenance Team was working on an plane when the engine burst into flames. No passengers on board and no injuries. The airline is investigating the cause. Theres a new sheriff in town at the u. S. Department of interior. Ryan zinke saddled up this morning and rode to his first day of work in the Nations Capital on horse back. He hails from montana and is an avid outdoors man. He was sworn in yesterday and 500 million acres of public land including national parks. A pair of best buddies in kentucky have gone viral by reminding us that true friendship is color blind. When 4yearold jax needed a haircut on the left, he asked for a buzz cut like his friend on the right because they thought it would make them seem identical. The story took off when jaxs mom posted the photo on social media. They had a master plan. They wanted to make their preschool teacher unable to tell them a part. When we come back the middle schooler lighting up the internet with his slam dunks and inspiring america. The market. Redict 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. Invest with confidence. Anyone ever have occasional y constipation,diarrhea, gas or bloating . She does. She does. Help defend against those digestive issues. Take Phillips Colon Health probiotic caps daily with three types of good bacteria. 400 likes . Wow try Phillips Colon Health. Just head shoulders . gasp i thought it was just for, like, dandruff new head shoulders. Cleans, protects and moisturizes to. Its not head shoulders, its the new head shoulders your body was made for Better Things than rheumatoid arthritis. Before you and your rheumatologist move to another treatment, ask if xeljanz is right for you. Xeljanz is a small pill for adults with moderate to severe ra for whom methotrexate did not work well. Xeljanz can reduce joint pain and swelling in as little as two weeks, and help stop further joint damage. Xeljanz can lower your ability to fight infections, including tuberculosis. Serious, sometimes fatal infections, lymphoma and other cancers have happened. Dont start xeljanz if you have an infection. Tears in the stomach or intestines, low blood cell counts and higher liver tests and cholesterol levels have happened. Your doctor should perform blood tests before you start and while taking xeljanz, and monitor certain liver tests. Tell your doctor if you were in a region where fungal infections are common and if you have had tb, hepatitis b or c, or are prone to infections. Xeljanz can reduce the symptoms of ra, in a oncedaily pill. Ask about xeljanz xr. Finally tonight a small town kid with big talent. He can slam dunk and hes not out of middle school yet. Thats not the biggest thing about him. Hes in our inspiring america report. Reporter the kid has the moves of a natural, but were not talking college hoops. This is middle school ball in tiny washington, iowa. Our 63 phenom is 14yearold trasean willis. This clip has burned up the internet. I can do things. Reporter an 8th grader who does it all with his right arm because he was born missing the left one. I guess you thought that would slow him down. Not on your life. Hes still humble, wants to help people. He doesnt let anything get to him. Reporter after school he is tutoring elementary kids and plans on mentoring another boy missing an arm. There are people that were born without a limb reaching out to me saying i inspired them. They do sports too. I told them thanks. I said thanks and they can do whatever they put their mind to. Reporter for the middle school coach, he sets an example each time he flies through the air. When up an obstacle in front of you, how am i going to overcome that . He does that. Reporter here he is scoring a touchdown and hes preparing to have his hand full for high school. Im going to do football and basketball and most likely track. And homework. And homework. And homework. Do you think you are a better kid because youve had this disability . No. I think im a good kid because my parents raised me right and pushed me to be the best i can. Reporter making fast break around lifes obstacles makes this young man a winner in anyones play book. Kevin tibbles, nbc news, washington, iowa. That will do it for us on a thursday night. Im lester holt. For all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. Nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. Fios is not cable. Were wired differently. Maybe thats why weve been ranked highest in Customer Satisfaction by jd power 4 years in a row. And now you can love fios too. Get our best offer of the year. 150 meg internet with equal upload and download speeds, tv and phone. All for 79. 99 per month, for the first year with a twoyear agreement. Plus get hbo for a year and free multiroom dvr service for two years. Do you guys still talk . You and brad . We with the tabloids going crazy over whether exes jennifer and brad are in touch again, time for sanity about the situation. Im natalie morales. When these stories blow up, how