three years later, he came back and killed. new reporting on the fighting in gaza. is israel reporting to flood hamas tunnels with sea water? what new satellite images tell us. plus, another day, another censure, what was once rare punishment gets handed down again, this time against a democratic congressman who falsely pulled a fire alarm. it's the third censure this year. and pro trump fake electors, nevada, the top republican officials facing felony charges. our nbc news reporters are following all of the latest developments. we begin in las vegas with nbc's dana griffin, and those new details on a college campus shooting that killed three people. what more, dana, are we learning about the suspect? >> reporter: we've learned the suspect's name, 67-year-old anthony polito. as you mentioned, he unsuccessfully sought employment here at unlv. if that's part of the motive, investigators haven't said so. right now on campus, we are looking over our shoulders through this breezeway, which leads to the building where the shooting occurred. we've seen the coroner staff here taking pictures, looking around. we've also seen several students in what appears to be staff members being escorted into nearby buildings, possibly to get belongings. i interviewed a student moments ago. he told me that the students that live on campus are being housed in a separate building, kind of big enough to house so many -- a ton of students. they're sleeping there. he lives off campus. he tells me that he was on the 5th floor of this building when that shooting happened. he says he feared for his life, texted his mom, telling her that he loved her, and didn't think he was going to make it. he says he was actually meeting a professor in that professor's office. the professor left to go to the restroom. he says he has not seen or heard from his professor since, and believes and is afraid that the professor may be one of the victims. again, investigators have not released those details, but that's the sentiment we're getting here. there's a lot of questions. fear, anxiety. a lot of people came to the school because they felt they would be safe. this is another scar on this community that has experienced now another mass shooting. the last one, 2017, the deadliest shooting in modern american history. we've heard from professors, students, parents. listen to what they're telling us. >> we heard the clips of a semiautomatic weapon. it was a very disturbing thing to hear. >> i honestly didn't think i was going to make it out of there alive. >> we can't even send our kids to school without worrying if something like this is going to happen. >> reporter: we've also interviewed, one of my colleagues interviewed a student that was inside that building and experienced the 2017 mass shooting that killed some 60 people at that concert in vegas. let's listen to what he told our colleague, steve patterson. >> i was involved in something like this. i was at the route 91, the shooting october 1st. >> reporter: you were at the mass shooting in 2017? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: you were at the music festival? >> yes, sir. >> reporter: you were in the crowd. >> i was working one of the concession stands. >> reporter: you heard those gunshots? >> yes. >> reporter: what were you thinking then? >> it was the same thing, fight or flight, trying to get low, trying to get down. >> reporter: fight or flight, and i think a lot of students felt that. the other student i interviewed said he was looking around for things. this is where we are, chris, mass shootings are supposed to be very rare, but the fact that you've got one student who has now lived through two, that's too much, chris. >> one is too much. but we are hearing over and over again is that there are students now, more and more, for whom they are having multiple brushes with death from shootings. and i keep thinking about the kids you talked to or student you talked to last hour. this is supposed to be best time of your life, not the end of it, dana griffin, your reporting has been so great. thank you so much for being there. we appreciate it. let's go overseas where authorities had been bracing for a march of ultranationalists. hala gorani is there for us. what is latest on that, and israel's plans, we understand they're thinking about flooding the tunnels with sea water? >> reporter: i'll start what's going on in jerusalem, it was calm, a group limited to 200 participants of extreme right wing nationalists some of whom are calling for essentially the destruction of the mosque itself and complete jewish control over what they call the temple and the muslims call haram shareef. police have cordoned off the street. on that front, looks like things are calm, in gaza, the health ministry is reporting that more than 17,000 people have now been killed since october 7th. the situation in khan younis is dire. we are seeing bombardments over russia. the question about whether or not israel is considering using sea water to flood tunnels they say are being used by hamas is one that is very much open here in israel. authorities are not confirming it. though nbc news, as you mentioned, has reviewed satellite imagery that compares the situation on october 8th with the picture on november 30th. and according to experts it appears as though some sort of pipe, some sort of pipe system or network has been connected to the sea water. will they use it to flood the tunnels? there are of course operational tunnels about what that would mean, and also humanitarian questions about what it would mean for civilians and for any potential hostages held in those tunnels. as i mentioned, the israelis are saying we will not comment on any operational plans, but interestingly, they have not denied that that's a possible tactic that they might use, chris. >> hala gorani, thank you for that. now to capitol hill where the house has censured a member of congress for pulling a fire alarm on the day of a key vote. nbc's sahil kapur is reporting from capitol hill. so censuring used to be a rare form of punishment. this is the third this year, although only the fifth, i think, of the 21st century. anyway, tell us what's going on and what the reaction has been? >> reporter: chris, the vote was 214 to 191, just three democrats joined republicans in favor of this censure resolution. the author of the resolution, congressman lisa mcclean of michigan, accused bowen of deliberately pulling a fire alarm, but opening a door he wasn't supposed to in order to obstruct the house vote. bowman said he wasn't trying to obstruct the vote. he was trying to rush to the vote. he has noted that he has since apologized for it, took responsibility and settled the issue with d.c. by paying a $1,000 fine. the ethics committee voted against it. bowman did what he was supposed to. he stood there as the speaker read the votes out loud. mcclain has endorsed donald trump, which gives her no credibility on law and order. >> mr. speaker, this is a profoundly stupid resolution. under republican control this chamber has become a place where trivial issues get debated passionately, and important ones, not at all. what a waste of time and money. they have turned this place into a joke. they came into the majority talking a big game. but have delivered nothing. not a single damn thing. >> reporter: now, chris, before this one in the last four decades, there had been just two censures in the last five months there have been three censures. let's put up the list of the members of congress who have been censured over the past decades. this is a more routine thing in the house. it's not just censure, it's impeachment resolutions. they are privileged. they used to be rare. now thrown around like confetti because the house has become a rankero to the best of your recollection -- rankerous place. nbc's natasha korecki has the latest, one of the witnesses for the prosecution in this case is going to be one of donald trump's former attorneys. tell us about it. >> reporter: that's right, ken chesebro was listed on the witness list, attached to the indictments that were returned yesterday. now, there has been some reporting, including in the "washington post" last week that chesebro was cooperating in different cases. we've seen a version of this case in different states. this one is happening now in nevada. but on the prosecution's witness list is ken chesebro, which is of course significant. he's close to the president. he's the former attorney, and he's accused of helping master mind this whole fake elector scheme. now, you know, we're seeing images of the gop chair there, michael mcdonald. one thing that's pretty significant here is that the gop hierarchy in nevada was just charged with trying to derail an election and give an advantage to donald trump. that same gop hierarchy is going to be running the presidential primary caucuses in nevada in just two and a half months, and these are just charges, so there's nothing stopping trwarw. >> natasha korecki, thank you for that. and coming up, did last night's fiery republican debate change any hearts and minds in the state that votes first next year? you've got to hear what some voters have to say about it. we'll head to iowa in 60 seconds. in 60 seconds. are provider about the number one prescribed h-i-v treatment, biktarvy. biktarvy is a complete, one-pill, once-a-day treatment used for h-i-v in many people whether you're 18 or 80. with one small pill, biktarvy fights h-i-v to help you get to undetectable—and stay there whether you're just starting or replacing your current treatment. research shows that taking h-i-v treatment as prescribed and getting to and staying undetectable prevents transmitting h-i-v through sex. serious side effects can occur, including kidney problems and kidney failure. rare, life-threatening side effects include a buildup of lactic acid and liver problems. do not take biktarvy if you take dofetilide or rifampin. tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines and supplements you take, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney or liver problems, including hepatitis. if you have hepatitis b do not stop taking biktarvy without talking to your healthcare provider. common side effects were diarrhea, nausea, and headache. no matter where life takes you, biktarvy can go with you. talk to your healthcare provider today. it's maybe the only thing that really matters about last night's presidential debate, did any of the vast majority of those who backed donald trump see anything that would make them switch their support? >> the fifth guy, who doesn't have the guts to show up and stand here, he's the one who as you just put it is way ahead in the polls. >> is he fit or isn't he? >> you have your thing. >> i don't have my thing. he's the thing is he fit? >> we don't -- >> you're talking about him being 80 years old. is he fit? >> ron. >> governo desantis, let him finish. >> is he fit? >> we have an opportunity -- >> guys, no talking over each other. >> the debate was filled with insults, one liners, and as you saw at times, it was a bit of a brawl, very little of it was aimed at the front runner which brings us back to are any voters questioning whether to vote for trump now? particularly in the state that will vote first, just 39 days from now. we sent nbc's priscilla thompson to iowa to find out. also with us, matthew dowd, former chief strategist for bush, cheney, 2004. you went to a watch party. did voters see anything that would make them want to switch support? >> reporter: i watched the debate with two dozen iowa republicans and independents, and after it was over, that was the exact question i asked them. did anything you saw on that stage last night make you change your mind, and not a single hand in that room went up. it feels like at this point there are a lot of voters who are already pretty dug in on who they'll be supporting. i want to play a little bit of some of those conversations. >> i thought there were a lot of fireworks going on. it was interesting to watch the candidates interact, and trump is still the winner. >> vivek is the splashiest. >> trump wins again, but we love vivek. >> my ideal would be trump/vivek ticket because vivek would be the ideal assassination insurance for trump. if they took trump out, they would get trump squared in vivek. >> reporter: and, chris, that's exactly what i heard from so many folks in the room, trump or vivek ramaswamy. there were also nikki haley supporters there. she took a lot of heat in the debate, but in the end, they still felt like she was just positioned to win the general election. i'll tell you one name that didn't come up in the room last night, governor ron desantis, but we are at his event today in cedar rapids, building behind me, talked to voters as they were going in, and a lot of those folks still undecided. i spoke to folks who were supporting senator tim scott, and are now giving ron desantis a look. none of the people i talked to in the line headed into the event today watched the debate last night. we have seen the ratings going down. and a lot of people are saying they don't need to see the debate. they're hearing more of the same they heard in the first debate, they want to hear from the candidates in iowa. >> that's the one thing that hasn't changed from the beginning of time, the iowa voters expect you to talk to them directly. that's so interesting, priscilla, thank you. >> so much to dig into. but look, we heard folks saying ramaswamy for number two. he doesn't want to be vp, at least he says he doesn't. he does sound a lot like trump. he spouts a lot of debunked conspiracy theories. just a few examples. >> why am i the only person on the stage who says january 6th looks like it was an inside job, that the government lied to us for 20 years about saudi arabia's involvement in 9/11, that the great replacement theory is not some grand right wing conspiracy theory. >> in spite of the folks who watched the debate with priscilla, he hasn't really moved in the polls, so what's his end game here? >> well, i mean, who knows with the guy who has that size of an ego in the course of this. he certainly hasn't made any friends of anybody on stage or probably anybody as part of the sort of republican infrastructure that would support candidates in this. my guess is that he hopes that donald trump becomes the nominee, and then he has either a place on the ticket or a place in the cabinet. that's my guess of where he is on this. it is so telling, as i liste to that report from iowa, something i have said all along is, one, donald trump has a solid base of support, and it's only increased over the course of four debates. he hasn't attended one of. he's gone from 20 points ahead in iowa to 25 points ahead in iowa. the other thing, it's striking listening to that report is that the guy that spouts the most outrageous crazy conspiracy theories that have been completely debunked is the second pick for many of those candidates that support donald trump. that is terribly concerning. >> so you're going to be shocked to hear this, given what you just said, but we have just been told by a source very close that there is no chance, no shot that donald trump will attend one of these two newly announced debates. i'm trying to figure out if you're running against him what you do now. let me give you one example. we heard a little snippet in the beginning of chris christie raising the age question. desantis refusing to answer if trump is fit. but on the campaign trail, he said, oh, trump has been wedded to the teleprompter, he's lost all the zip on his fast ball. why would you say that on the campaign trail but then dance around it on the debate stage? >> i think they have figured out, i guess, that they don't -- they're in fear of trump's base, which seems to be over 50% of the vote in this. and, you know, if you're a strategist for donald trump or donald trump in the course of this, just think about this from 2016. 2016 where he won the republican nomination, at this point in time, 40 days before iowa, donald trump was 4 points behind in iowa, and only 10 points up nationally. it was a very close race. today he's 25 points ahead in iowa, and 45 points ahead nationally in this. so why would you put yourself in a debate that could be sort of disruptive to that momentum that he's carried and that solid base of support here in the course of this. what is amazing to me is these candidates who the biggest forums they have for wins this race are the debates. they're more important than advertising, more important than visits, because they talked to the most voters at one time who have the potential to vote in the republican caucus and primary in this. none of them with the exception of chris christie understand that this race isn't for second place. all of them think they're acting like this is for second place, the only thing that has changed is who is second and who is third. ron desantis was second for a long period of time, closer to trump, and then nikki haley in some of the polls in new hampshire, she's vaulted up to second. they all seem to be fighting over mayor of munchkinland, and are unwilling to understand that the problem is the wicked witch of the west, and they keep having this debate and this conversation among themselves, when the person they should be running against is donald trump. it's amazing to me. >> matthew dowd, please stay with us, we have more to talk about. >> thank you. just ahead, a texas judge's decision after a pregnant woman was forced to take her baby's lethal diagnosis to court. that's coming up next. ext. ever e would be an emblem of what small communities can achieve. trying to give a better life to people that don't have the means to do it. si mi papá estuviera vivo, sé que él tuviera orgulloso también de vivir de esta viviendo una vida como la que estamos viviendo ahora. es electricidad aquí es salud. when you have chronic kidney disease... ...there are places you'd like to be. like here. and here. not so much here. farxiga reduces the risk of kidney failure which can lead to dialysis. ♪far-xi-ga♪ farxiga can cause serious side effects, including ketoacidosis that may be fatal, dehydration, urinary tract or genital yeast infections, and low blood sugar. a rare, life-threatening bacterial infection in the skin of the perineum could occur. stop taking farxiga and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of this infection, an allergic reaction, or ketoacidosis. when you have chronic kidney disease, it's time to ask your doctor for farxiga. because there are places you want to be. if you can't afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. ♪far-xi-ga♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ granted an emergency order allowing an abortion for 31-year-old mother of two, katie cox whose fetus has been diagnosed with an almost always fatal condition. this is the first case where a pregnant person is asking a court for an emergency abortion since roe v. wade was overturned. kate cox and her husband broke down in tears as the judge granted the emergency order and said the idea that miss cox wants desperately to be a parent and this law might actually cause her to lose that ability is shocking and would be a genuine miscarriage of justice. nbc's marissa parra is following this, and davis law professor, mary ziegler. walk us through everything that happened in court today, and tell us what happens now. >> as you mentioned, this is historic, the first attempt to seek a court-ordered abortion since the overturning of roe v. wade, but far from the first legal battle since dobbs. it's important to remember the emergency nature of all of this. that was a major factor in not just the decision but the me line. some background here, kate cox is 20 weeks pregnant, you see her on he