Stone updating its list of the 500 greatest songs of all time what do you think about the Brandnew Number one announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with Lester Holt good evening, everyone the debate over covid Booster Shots may be coming to a head an Fda Advisory Panel Set to meet tomorrow to examine key questions. Whether a third dose of the Pfizer Vaccine is safe or even necessary for everyone theyre critical questions and a source of rare open disagreement among covid experts. The booster is backed by the biden administration but regarded with caution by even some within the fda. All this comes as the u. S. Struggles to administer first doses. Just over 54 of americans are fully vaccinated, and Vaccine Mandates are facing more and more challenges, which well get to in a Moment Miguel Almaguer starts our coverage. Reporter divided over the science, tonight just hours before the Fda Advisory Committee is set to vote on the future of boosters, members of the agency are voicing both Support And Opposition over a third dose of Pfizers Vaccine with the Stage Set for a controversial decision, pfizer says their Data Shows Booster Shots are needed six months after the second dose as protection from infection begins to wane but its vaccine continues to be highly effective in preventing hospitalization and serious illness, its most critical function this debate over boosters, does that erode public the public confidence in vaccines its normal for scientists to not necessarily have consensus around a specific issue the problem is were in a very toxic environment now because of all of the aggression coming from antivaccine groups, and they use any kind of difference in opinion as a wedge issue. Reporter with volumes of Vaccine Data now public, a new study in the new England Journal of medicine did find effectiveness of a booster dose, but other scientists writing in the lancet say current evidence does not therefore appear to show a need for boosting in the general population it has made people feel that the vaccines arent working when they are still working. Reporter dr. John moore worries the message has been muddled, in part by the White House. In august get a booster shot. Reporter and earlier this month those eligible will be able to get a booster right away reporter the president told americans to get their third dose before regulators even reviewed the research, mostly coming from israel where boosters have been widely given. If the fda did authorize the use of a booster, the cdc would still have to determine who qualifies for one. The israeli data that ive seen that were released overnight does support the idea of boosting for the Over 60s its much more of a gray area for younger people, particularly younger than the 50s thats what the debate is going to center around, does it the data justify the Decision Reporter Tonight the question, do boosters get us ahead of the virus or is the third dose ahead of the science . Miguel, help me understand here. About Two Million americans have already gotten a third dose, most of them immunocompromised. Are they seeing any safety issues with those . Lester, all the clinical Data Shows there are no real safety concerns. The Side Effects from the third dose are similar to the second. The question here, are Booster Shots really necessary, especially as other countries are short on supply. Lester that may be getting closer to an answer. Miguel, thank you. One of the least vaccinated states, idaho expanded Hulk Health Care rationing statewide today amid a surge of Covid Hospitalizations this comes as debate intensifies over Vaccine Mandate. Two dozen republican Attorneys General warning the White House of legal action if the proposed mandates take effect here is gabe gutierrez. Reporter from Florida To Arizona to New York, Vaccine Mandate legal challenges are mounting yes, there will be some individuals who will try to defy this. There will be Court Decisions that will appeal. Reporter this week, a federal judge in New York temporarily halted a Vaccine Mandate for Health Care workers in the state, claiming a religious exemption after some of them sued but the president is doubling down on his plan to require all private businesses with more than 100 employees to mandate covid vaccines or weekly testing these policies are what the science tells us we need to do theyre going to save lives. Reporter Los Angeles County will soon require proof of vaccination or a negative Covid Test at indoor bars, clubs and wineries i am not antivax, but to not be able to be given the option when sending our children to school and going to businesses, going to establishments, going to entertainment seems crazy. Reporter legal experts say there is strong precedent for vaccine requirements, especially for Government Workers private Business Mandates could also stand under Emergency Powers given to osha, although Court Battles are likely still, in some parts of the country, enforcing mandates of any kind seems daunting, especially if schools reopen. You right there, you clown. Reporter in council bluffs, iowa, police were called to a School Board Meeting as the parents erupted in protest over the Districts Decision to mandate masks. Here in New York, some restaurants and neighborhoods with low vaccination rates are struggling. I dont think anyone should be segregated as far as where they can eat. Reporter as they start to enforce the citys Vaccine Mandate for indoor dining. Do you think it should be the job of Small Business owners to police Vaccine Mandates i dont think should it be the job of the business owner, but there is no other way, i think. Reporter as the Vaccine Mandate debate rages, new covid cases are dropping slightly nationwide, but reaching unprecedented levels in the northwest. Lester gabe gutierrez, thank you for that also tonight, were tracking severe storms bringing dangerous Flash Floods to the washington, d. C. Metro area and virginia some areas seeing over an inch of rain in 20 minutes. Amazing images coming in cars under water, highways shut down the risk for lifethreatening flooding continues throughout the night new Revelations Tonight about tensions in the biden administration over the withdrawal from afghanistan. A new book claiming President Biden resisted calls from his secretary of State And Defense secretary to keep troops there longer Kelly Odonnell with that story Reporter Tonight the president s national Security Team on defense, pressed to explain new claims that President Biden rejected advice to keep troops in afghanistan longer, according to an upcoming book by Bob Woodward and robert costa. I wont confirm or deny whats in the book. Reporter the authors write that last march, Secretary Of State Antony Blinken called from brussels to say heres what im hearing, mr. President. A blast in quadraphonic sound from nato allies concerned about a u. S. Withdrawal according to the Woodwardcosta Book Reporter blinken questioned today by nbcs andrea mitchell. Views that we listened to not only very carefully, but we shared directly with President Biden, and they very much factored into our thinking and into the decisions he made. Reporter the president has come under fierce criticism for a chaotic withdrawal that includes the deaths of 13 u. S. Service members. There is nothing low grade or low risk or low cost about any war. Reporter the book contends Defense Secretary austin had urged President Biden to extend the mission with u. S. Troops in order to buy time for negotiations with an Exit Plan in three or four stages. We followed a rigorous process the president made his Decision Reporter the White House would not say whether President Biden accepted or rejected recommendations on afghanistan, but that he took in nonsugarcoated, sometimes conflicting Advice Lester all right, kelly, thank you. Now that historic Space Flight the four civilian astronauts on the inspiration 4 mission completed their first round of scientific research traveling 5 1 2 times around the earth before going to bed for the night. Kerry sanders has the latest. Reporter 357 miles above Planet Earth Tonight four everyday americans in process of proving that Space Travel for the rest of us is possible three, two, one ignition and liftoff. Reporter the Wednesday Liftoff was flawless the falcon 9 rocket separated at 2 40. The booster then kicked in, propelling the Dragon Capsule into orbit watching it all from florida, 8yearold slater bushman, a pediatric Cancer Patient at st. Jude, just as st. Jude Physician Assistant and now astronaut Hayley Arceneaux was when she was ten. Going through it, we needed some hope to cling on to. Seeing Hayley Shoot into space like that, my god, if thats not a symbol of hope. Reporter in mankinds history, only about 600 people have gone to space, but never an allcivilian crew. I think those Guys Last Night kicked the door open to orbital commercial Space Flights. Reporter there may be a commercial Space Race with Virgin Galactic and blue origin, who both recently went suborbital, but the great achievement here celebrated by all. Tonight the crew in weightlessness has already started to gather scientific data that is hoped will aid future Space Travelers. Unlike the extraordinary Human Specimens that are nasa astronauts, the inspiration are for our average americans. How does Space Travel affect their hearts . How is their blood impacted by radiation . Are their cognitive abilities impaired their Laundry List of work will occupy a significant portion of their threeday mission. Spacex Founder Elon Musk tweeted that he has spoken to the crew, and theyre all Okay Splashdown is scheduled for Saturday Lester glad to hear its going well kerry, thank you in just 60 seconds, a prominent south Carolina Lawyer arrested tonight after allegedly trying to stage his own murder well have details coming up. That south Carolina Lawyer who allegedly tried to stage his own murder was arrested today on charges related to the scheme the latest chapter in a bizarre series of events that included the killing of alex Murdaughs Wife and son. Catie beck has the latest reporter in a tan jumpsuit, handcuffed and shackled, Alex Murdaugh faced a judge and criminal Charges Twitching and looking uncomfortable, the prominent south Carolina Attorney now a defendant in the low Country Court System he knows all too well. Murdaugh surrendered the authorities in Hampden County before noon thursday, booked and charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, and filing a false Police Report charges stemming from what investigators believe was a staged Suicide Attempt on september 4th, claiming murdaugh instructed 61yearold Curtis Smith to kill him, a plot to ensure Murdaughs Son could collect on a 10 Million insurance claim after his death. He is not a danger to the community the only person he is a danger to is himself. Reporter at his bond hearing, prosecutors argue murdaugh was a Flight Risk with significant means who should be tracked by gps sometimes those who have everything and who are suffering a possible fall from grace are actually more of a concern than a hardened criminal. Reporter the judge ruled murdaugh could return to rehab on a 20,000 bond without gps. This after murdaughs lawyers again detailed their Clients Life dismantled by opioid abuse and the pain of grieving a Wife And Son brutally murdered. That detail causing murdaugh to shed tears at the table for murdaugh, its the latest in a chain of devastating events with several investigations and civil litigations pending, including the murder of his Wife And Son, possibly misappropriating millions from the family law firm, and the 2018 death of the murdaugh longtime housekeeper who allegedly fell at the murdaugh home. Tonight murdaugh is headed back to rehab, but his legal woes are likely far from over catie beck, Nbc News and in another deepening mystery, new Body Cam shows a missing 22yearold Woman weeks before she vanished on a Crosscountry Trip with her fiance. The video shows a distraught Gabby Petito telling utah officers she and fiance Brian Laundrie had been fighting that morning. A witness had reported the two had been arguing. Petitos family lost contact with her in late august. Laundrie has been named A Person Of Interest his attorney says he has been advised not to speak on the matter now to the record migrant surge, and another Baby And Toddler found abandoned at the border, just as the Texas Governor Tonight is demanding President Biden shut down border crossings. Nbcs Julia Ainsley has more. Reporter the image is heartbreaking two children abandoned at the u. S. Border a 2yearold girl from honduras and her 3monthold baby brother, spotted by Border Patrol agents along the Rio Grande river. The 3monthold was still in his Baby Car Seat the simple color caught their eye and we were able to rescue these children. Reporter its just the latest incidents of children abandoned during the record migrant surge, like these two young ecuadoran girls thrown over a 14foot border wall, and the 10yearold nicaraguan boy found by agents walking alone and crying in the Rio Grande valley. It is very taxing on us as agents to constantly see stuff like this happening. Reporter the incident comes as Border Patrol reveals an august for a second straight month they encountered more than 200,000 migrants trying to cross the southern border. Thats a 21year high, though the total has dipped slightly from last month earlier this summer, we saw agents trying to keep up with the massive numbers, just at this one bridge along the Rio Grande i do think that what were dealing with is much different than what weve dealt with in the past. Reporter it was in the hundreds when we were there tonight officials say the number of migrants under that bridge is now in the thousands, and the Texas Governor is demanding the biden administration shut down six border crossings. As for those children, Border Patrol said thankfully they did not require medical attention, and theyre now in the custody of Health And Human Services lester all right, Julia Ainsley, thank you up next, why you my want to start your Holiday Shopping right now in the price you pay. I see trees of Green Red roses too i see them bloom for Me And You music so i think to myself oh What A Wonderful World we now know who the host of Jeopardy will be, at least until the end of the year. Sony Pictures Entertainment announcing Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings will split hosting duties for the rest of 2021 last month Mike Richards stepped down as the late alex Trebeks Successor after offensive comments he made in the past came to light. Summer isnt officially over yet, but already the Holiday Shopping crush is here. Stephanie Ruhle Tonight explains why you might want to start buying your gifts now in the price you pay. Reporter christmas is One Hundred days away you hear it every year start your shopping early. But this time with widespread supply shortages, its for real. I want to get ahead of everything. Reporter Jamie Stevens in miami is the mother of three collegeaged daughters. Do you normally shop this early no, i think about it and procrastinate but this year im not procrastinating. Reporter she and her husband run a Battery Distribution Business and know firsthand how hard it is to get supplies because of how covid has slowed the supply chain. Already she has seen some items not available. Getting started early certainly makes me feel better because i know that im going to get what i want, or at least im able to make those lastminute changes earlier than december 20. Reporter jamie joins an estimated 51 Million holiday shoppers who plan to start buying gifts this month thats up from 46 Million last year. If there are certain items that are on your Wish List or your kids or familys Wish List this year, youre going to want to scoop them up early to avoid potential outofstock issues. Reporter items likely to be in high demand but low supply, anything with a Computer Chip like Video Games and appliances artificial trees, ornaments and wreaths are expected to be harder to find and cost more because of shipping delays. And those toys your kids are talking about . All those hot Holiday Toy items, thats going sell out the quickest reporter and to limit crowds, retailers like target are promoting deals over several weeks instead of one day, like black friday. But this year, if you see something you want before then, dont put it off until tomorrow. It might not be there. And stephanie, on behalf of fellow procrastinators, any benefit in waiting this out some things arent even available yet think about it winter clothes, Snow Gear those things youll have to wait for but this year it is all about flexibility. If youre not insistent on one specific item and you can be a little flexible, waiting it out, you will find some sales, and you should find some stuff in stock. All right, stephanie. Thanks very much up next, the debate over the greatest songs of all time whats at the top of your list . Finally, the new list out that had a lot of us here Today Debating and quietly humming what is the best song ever its kind of thing bound to spark arguments. Best song ever we know what beyonce fans might say thunder only happen when its raining or if you love fleetwood mac, both of those songs, by The Way, making the top 20 of Rolling Stone magazines first update to its 500 greatest songs in two decades. Some songs i like to think we can all agree belong there do you remember september ranked number 65 in what turned out to be a pretty strong showing for the 70s staying alive music from the 70s isnt just big with people who were alive at the time. Its also big with young people. Reporter Rolling Stone polled 250 artists and musicians to come up with the rankings this list has plenty of classics youd expect i want to hold your hand my girl, my girl, M Girl but more than half of this years alltime songs were not on the original list in 2004 caught in a bad romance so who leads The Way . At number 5, nirvana with The Lights Out its less dangerous unseated from the Number One spot he held in the last ranking, a Bob Dylan Classic came in fourth like a Rolling Stone a Sam Cooke Favorite in third. Change going to come public enemys fight the power in second fight the power and at Number One respect, find out what it means to me arethas 1967 hit named the greatest song of all time its a song with an incredible message that still resonates today. Sure, there will be plenty on this list to debate, but who will debate the soul is due her respect. Which song will you be humming tonight . Thats nightly news for this thursday. Thanks for watching. Im Lester Holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night more americans watch Nbc News than any other News Organization in the world. Im raj mathai. Next on Nbc Bay Area news tonight, the rules are changing. Kids 12 and over might have to be vaccinated to go on to campus. Two of the Bay Areas biggest districts are considering this new covid mandate. Were going to break down the rules and the pushback. Also, will Lake Tahoe ever really be the same . Water clarity, tourism and housing, the mayor of south Lake Tahoe is with us tonight. We will explain why a viral Tiktok Challenge is leading to vandalism at local schools. Plus, a Surprise Concert in san francisco tonight by a legendary Bay Area band. Just 20, but you have to be