college murders ahead of his first court appearance. the father of one victim speaking out. how he feels about potentially coming face to face with the alleged killer. new images of the crowd fleeing after the new year s eve machete attack on nypd officers. the suspect now charged. was it a terrorist act? new troubles as holiday travelers make their way home. why thousands of flights are canceled or delayed again. actor jeremy renner airlifted to the hospital after he was critically injured in a snow plowing accident. what we re learning. and our tribute to a tv trailblazer. the legendary barbara walters. announcer: this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. good evening. it is good to be back with you and happy new year. this holiday season that has seemingly been bookended with severe weather is spawning some new and dangerous threats tonight. as we come on the air, tornado watches are in effect, stretching from east texas to arkansas and louisiana. already we
hot-button political issues at the center of his papacy, opposing same-sex marriage and women priests. critics accused him of not doing enough in the church s sex abuse scandal. but today those waiting in line remembered him personally. he remains a fundamental person for my life. and it s important for me to be here in rome. it is like when a father dies his sons go to him. reporter: felipo toso took an overnight trip from venice to rome this morning to be one of the first. how was it? amazing. it was not important to see but to be. and to be here. reporter: mark patorek, an american catholic living and work in rome, had the rare chance to visit pope benedict lying in rest at his convent home on sunday. i ve been bringing people to rome for 20 years. he was the highlight of all my time in rome. reporter: history will remember benedict as a traditionalist who bucked centuries of tradition, retiring