Transcripts For WRC NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt 20160616

Right now. Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. It has become a familiar ritual of a Current National tragedy. The president traveling to comfort famili families. President obama and Vice President biden placed bouquets after privately consoling those most deeply impacted. By sundays nightclub terror attack. This as we learned of the messages the killer sent during the deadly siege including some to his wife. From orlando heres nbcsmy gal almaguer with details. Reporter they brought 49 roses. One for each of the victims. President obama and Vice President joe biden meeting with survivors and families who lost loved ones. Seeing the heartbreak here first hand. Today once again as has been true too many times before, i held and hugged grieving family members and parents. And they asked why does this keep happening. Reporter the president s private meetings including First Responders who risked their own lives to save others. Its got to be tough to know that i made the decision on whether or not this person was going to be transported to the hospital or dead on the scene. Reporter the horror of the mass shooting still raw. Did you know your husband was going to do this . Reporter tonight weve learned from a source close to the gunmans wife Noor Zahi Salman and omar mateen exchanged Text Messages during the rampage. She wondered, where are you. He said, do you see whats happening. She replied, no. He would add, i love you babe. We now know the gunman who murdered 49 and facebook during the bloodshed. In this letter senator ron johnson writes, omar mateen searched pulse orlando and shooting as victims lay dying. A senior Law Enforcement official tells nbc news during the massacre mateen posted, you kill innocent women and children by doing air strikes. Now taste Islamic State vengeance. Armed with two weapons during the shooting, an employee at this gunshop tells us mateen tried to buy ammo and body armor here two months ago but was turned down because something felt wrong. Meantime the funerals for the victims began today. Juan guerrero had just finished his first year at college. Tomorrow his boyfriend killed by his side will also be laid to rest. The first of 49 funerals in a city overwhelmed with grief. Tonight a friend of the gunmans wife tells nbc news Noor Zahi Salman has turned over all of her Electronic Devices to the fbi. The fbi also told her that she was photographed buying ammunition with her husband at a walmart. That source says she has agreed to take a polygraph and has hired lawyers. Thank you. As the president met with those families today, senator john mccain ignited a firestorm in washington that quickly spread saying the president was directly responsible for that attack because of his decision to pull out of iraq. Mccain quickly moved to clarify his remarks in an interview with nbcs hallie jackson. Reporter just after president obama landed in florida to offer condolences, senator john mccain on capitol hill blaming him for the orlando shooting. Barack obama is directly responsible for it. Because when he pulled everybody out of iraq, al qaeda went to syria, became isis. Reporter democrats pouncing on the rhetoric with mccain in a tough reelection fight calling his comments proof Senate Republicans are puppets of donald trump. From the senator. He bears responsibility. I want to be clear. Are you back tracking on your statement . Im not back tracking on anything. I am saying that the president of the United States actions actions were responsible because of the full withdrawal of troops from iraq. Reporter the white house not responding to mccain. Only pointing to the president s emotional remarks today. With the debate now intensifying with the link between terror and gun control. The weapon of choice for shooters in the United States is no longer an ied. Its an assault weapon. We have to take that seriously. Reporter democratic senator chris murphy fresh off a 15hour filibuster leaving the floor only after getting a promise congress will consider gun control amendments monday. But none of them look likely to go anywhere. For now republicans insisting democrats have the r their priorities backwards. And stopping isis. Reporter the Sticking Point . Gop concerns over how to keep people on the terror watch list from buying guns if they shouldnt have been on the list in the first place. Just cant have a secret list prepared by secret people that deny somebody a constitutional right to bear arms. Reporter Many Americans now turning their attention not just to gun control but to terrorism after the orlando shooting. Our new nbc News Survey Monkey online poll finds one in four now ranks terror as the issue most important to them right now. Twice as many as last week. Lester . Hallie jackson on capitol hill, thank you. Now to the shocking deadly alligator attack at disney world. Beaches remain closed at the resort after a gator killed a 2yearold boy there. Today disney said its considering changes to its safety signs as we learn of more counts of gators in and around the theme park. Lets get more from nbcs gabe gutierrez. Reporter today questions swirled about whether disney world gives parents enough warning about mountain. Jennifer venditti of mississippi never thought to keep her kids away from the same water where 2yearold lane graves was snatched tuesday night. We were just sitting at that exact spot. Reporter last year david heiden of San Francisco says two alligators chased his son at disneys coronado springs resort. You assume that this is disney and youre safe and your kids are safe. Reporter today around the lake where the boy was attacked beaches were closed. Nbc news found a variety of signs warning park goers not to swim but making no mention of alligators. Other signs did warn guests not to feed the wildlife but the image shows a bird. But one sign near a swamp did say florida is a natural wildlife habitat. Do not feed or go near the alligator. Thomas scalaro has represented clients in unrelated disputes against disney. We entrust ourselves to disney. We entrust ourselves to their to their reasonableness and their common sense. They absolutely failed this family in that regard. Reporter today a Prayer Service in the nebraska hometown of the graves family. In a written statement today, disney said, we are conducting a swift and thorough review. This includes the number, placement, and wording of our signage and warning. Disney is probably one of the most concerned companies for the safety of their guests. But from time to time tragedy does happen. Reporter before this weeks death, the last known alligator attack at disney world was almost 30 years ago. Paul santa maria was only 8 years old and survived. It grabbed my leg and started to thrash me aroundside to side and then try pulling me backwards into the water. I was very fortunate to come out of it. Reporter late today the medical examiner ruled the toddler died from drowning and traumatic injury. State wildlife officials pulled a couple more alligators frhe but so far they have not determined which one grabbed the boy. Lester . All right, gabe. Thank you. There are shock waves across the uk and around the world tonight after a rising star member of parliament, a young mother of two was brutally ambushed and killed after a meeting with constituents. And theres a growing mystery about the suspects motive. Nbcs bill neely has details from london. Reporter jo cox was an aid worker turned lawmaker. Her life spent helping others. But no one could help her when a man brutally stabbed and then shot her on the street in broad daylight. She just died as a result of her injuries. Reporter Police Quickly arrested a 52yearold man who they say is their only suspect. His motive is unknown. The shock almost beyond words. For this to happen is just im proud i was made in yorkshire. Reporter jo cox was 41. A mother of two elected just last year and rising fast. Star. Our communities have been deeply enhanced by immigration. Reporter she championed immigrants in an area with many and was killed in a country where guns are few and gun laws strict. There are conflicting reports from witnesses that her killer may have shouted put britain first as he attacked her. She was shot preparing to meet constituents. Echoing the attempted murder of former congresswoman Gabby Giffords who tweeted she was absolutely sickened at this assassination. Coxs husband tweeted this picture of her saying shed have wanted that our precious children are bathed in love. And that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her. Politicians united tonight in a shocked country. Bill neely, nbc news, london. Now to a stark warning here at home from the director of the cia over the threat from isis. John brennan t battlefield have not put a dent in the groups ability to carry out terror attacks. And he warns theyre already planning more carnage in the west. Nbcs Richard Engel has the story. Reporter isis is bigger and more widespread than al qaeda ever was. And isnt getting weaker. According to an especially sober cia assessment today. Our efforts have not reduced the groups terrorism capability and global reach. Reporter the cia director also warned isis is now trying to stage its fighters into position for more violence. Isil is training and attempting to deploy operatives for further attacks. Reporter militants may already be on the move. A senior u. S. Counterterrorism official told nbc news that more than 30 isis fighters have been dispatched from syria to turkey. Site of previous attacks and also the main gateway for isis fighters to and from the west. After the orlando massacre, president American People gains against isis are coming through an intensive air campaign and more American Special forces in iraq and syria. This continues to be a difficult fight, but we are making significant progress. Reporter while the cia director today also spoke of progress, he said so far there hasnt been enough of it to make isis any less dangerous. Why the increased concern now . It appears isis wants to make a big splash during the muslim holy month of ramadan. Which lasts until early july. The group has specifically called on its supporters to carry out attacks in their home countries. Since then theres been orlando and the murders of a Police Officer and his wife in france. Lester . Richard engel in istanbul, thanks. Also overseas tonight, investigators say they have now located and retrieved the cockpit voice recorder from the doomed egyptair jetliner that went down in the mediterranean while on a flight to paris from analyzed to see if it can shed light on what happened and what the pilots were saying. Crews are still searching for the other black box, the flight data recorder. Ntsb investigators who normally work in these labs are headed to egypt to provide assistance downloading the voice recorder data. It is a sweltering hot day across much of the country with a heat wave putting some 66 Million People under heat advisories or warnings by this weekend. And while hot, dry conditions are also fueling a number of wildfires exploding in size and forcing hundreds to evacuate. Nbcs Gadi Schwartz is on the fireline. Reporter scorching heat across the west. These are the days firefighters dread. In Southern California near Santa Barbara, evacuations. We have nowhere else to go. Reporter while ridges are burning above historic ranches. Burning in and area notorious for life and property loss. And fuels that have not burned for over0 gullies below, growth that hasnt burned in decades have to be cleared before the flames sweep through. Wave after wave of massive tankers dropping retardants to contain the spread. Thats an enormous drop. Reporter in new mexico near the states largest city, more than 12,000 acres burning threatening mountain communities where dozens of homes have been evacuated. And in arizona the cedar creek fire burning more than eight square miles. The first major heat wave of 2016 putting firefighters on alert across the west. As noaa today marked 15 straight months of record heat. 66 Million People under some sort of heat alert. The humidity in the plains and midwest will make it feel like its around 105. In the southwest through the weekend, we will be approaching alltime record highs. Reporter and tonight Santa Barbara expecting strong winds and the likelihood of more evacuations. Cant outrun them. Especially if the wind whips up. When they tell you to get out, get out. Reporter and lester, that fire that you see creeping down the hillside is burning right above the exxonmobil refinery thats down here in this valley below. Employees have been evacuated. And the other concern out here is this freeway. This is the 101 freeway. It was shut down last night and could be shut down again tonight. Lester . Could be a long, hot summer. All right, gadi, thank you. Still ahead tonight, why people in one of americas biggest cities will now pay more for soda and other drinks. Is this a game changer that other cities may follow . Also the alarming headlines of the cdc about babies born in the u. S. With zikarelated birth defects. [000 15 43;00] gary, gary, gary. I am proud of you, my man. Making simple, smart cash back choices. With quicksilver from capital one. 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New alkaseltzer heartburn relief gummies. Enjoy the relief. A controversial move today as philadelphia became the first major u. S. City to pass a socalled soda tax on sugary and other kinds of drinks. Similar proposals have been defeated in more than 30 cities and states. But as nbcs rehema ellis explains, the new tax in the nations fifth largest city may be a sign of things to come. Do you really believe this was all about the kids . Reporter in the city of brotherly love today this tax will help. Reporter confrontations over a new tax on sweetened drinks. The ayes are 14, nays are 4. Reporter the city council passing an historic bill that can set precedent for other cities nationwide. The new tax . 1. 5 cents per ounce. Thats 30 cents extra per 20 ounce bottle or fountain drink. And that includes soda, diet soda, energy, and sports drinks. Iced teas and some juices and lemonade. Raising more than 400 million over the next five years paying for schools, parks, and health services. The Beverage Industry waged a multimilliondollar campaign against the tax. Many products could double in price. The people that can least afford to pay it will be the ones that are paying a higher proportion of it. Reporter what do you say to your critics who call this is a regressive tax and say it will hurt poor communities more than anything . Well, its kind of hypocritical, frankly, because the big Soda Companies have been marketing to poor neighborhoods for generations. Reporter while dozens of cities have tried and failed before, the Winning Strategy this time focused on funding more childhood programs rather than philadelphians are divided. I dont drink sodas, but theyre taxing other stuff too. I dont feel thats right. I think its great. And were going to get the kids hopefully started off on the right foot. Reporter the nation will be watching to see if philadelphia is the start of another revolution. Rehema ellis, nbc news, philadelphia. Up next, who was just picked to replace the star of broadways hottest show . E the star of broadways in was making it hard to sleep and open up on time. Then i found aleve pm. The only one to combine a sleep aid plus the 12 hour pain relieving strength of aleve. Now im back. Aleve pm for a better am. And every day you promise toor protect them. Love. Off is here to help with proven protection against mosquitoes. Trust our family to protect yours. Sc johnson, a Family Company they keep telling me drink more water. Exercise more. I know that. Try laxatives. I know. Believe me. Its like ive. Tried. Everything my chronic constipation keeps coming back. I know that. Tell me something i dont know. vo linzess works differently from laxatives. Linzess treats adults with ibs with constipation, or chronic constipation. It can help relieve your belly pain, and lets you have more frequent and complete bowel movements that are easier to pass. Do not give linzess to children under 6 and it should not be given to children 6 to 17. It may harm them. Dont take linzess if you have a bowel blockage. Get immediate help if you develop unusual or severe stomach pain, especially with bloody or black stools. The most common side effect is diarrhea, sometimes severe. If its severe stop taking linzess and call your doctor right away. Other side effects include gas, stomacharea pain and swelling. Talk to your doctor about managing your symptoms proactively with linzess. The cdc says three babies have been born in the u. S. With birth defects caused by zika. And effects from zika were also seen in three other pregnancies that ended. In all 234 pregnant women with zika in the mainland u. S. Are being monitored. We should note all these cases resulted from travel outside the u. S. None was contracted here. Theres word tonight that might make fans of broadways biggest for tickets even more than before. Hamilton creator and star Linmanuel Miranda confirms hell leave the show on july 9. His alternate javier munoz will take over fulltime. Up next, strangers opening their hearts and their homes after the orlando attack. Once i left the hospital after a dvt blood clot. What about my wife. What were building together. And could this happen again . I was given warfarin in the hospital, but wondered, was this the best treatment for me . I spoke to my doctor and she told me about eliquis. Eliquis treats dvt and pe blood clots and reduces the risk of them happening again. Not only does eliquis treat dvt and pe blood clots. But eliquis also had significantly less major bleeding than the standard treatment. Knowing eliquis had both. Turned around my thinking. Dont stop eliquis unless you doctor tells you to. Eliquis can cause serious, and in rare cases, fatal bleeding. Or abnormal bleeding. If you had a spinal injection while on eliquis call your doctor right away if you have tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness. While taking eliquis, you may bruise more easily. And it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop. Seek immediate medical care for sudden signs of bleeding, like unusual bruising. Eliquis may increase your bleeding risk if you take certain medicines. Tell your doctor about all planned medical or dental procedures. Eliquis treats dvt pe blood clots. Plus had less major bleeding. Both made switching to eliquis right for me. Ask your doctor if its right for you. When my doctor prescribedbad, medicationan opioid. It really helped but it came with some baggage opioidinduced constipationoic. Sooo awkward. You sound like youre ready for the movantalk opioids block pain signals. But they can also block activity in the bowel, causing constipation. Movantik can help reduce constipation do not take movantik if you have a bowel blockage or a history of them. Serious side effects may include a tear in your stomach or intestine. And can also include symptoms of opioid withdrawal. Common side effects include stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, gas, vomiting, and headache. Tell your doctor about any side effects and about medicines you take as movantik may interact with them causing side effects. Im so glad i had the movantalk with my doctor constipated by your prescription Opioid Pain Medication . Ask your doctor if movantik is right for you. If you cant afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. A difference is brought to you by ace, the helpful place. Finally tonight, the kindness of strangers in the wake of a terror attack in orlando. Nbcs joe fryer with our making a difference report. But i see your true colors reporter its the reality weve come to expect at mass shootings. The gun is fired one second. Acts of kindness born the next. Tell me the good news. Reporter in the supply room of an orlando business were going to get into the house right now. Reporter volunteers field calls and messages from the relatives of the victims now descending upon the city. Tell me whats happening here. Angels are at work. Reporter it started with a facebook post. Realtor christian west howard offering a few properties. It just kept getting posted and reposted. I was like im going to need more room. We need to get them in a house. Reporter now theyre coordinating housing, transportation, whatever the families need. We know we cant give their siblings back. We cant give their children back. But we can make Everything Else seamless. Reporter jetblue is giving free seats to the immediate family of those killed or injured. On a viral post a Flight Attendant shares the story of luis omar ocasiocapo. His grandmother was traveling for the funeral and everyone on the flight wrote a message. The Flight Attendant writes as they deplaned, every Single Person stopped to offer her their condolences. Some just said they were sorry. Some touched her hand. Some hugged her. Some cried with her. Excuse me. Reporter no gesture is too small. Thank you very much. Youre welcome. Reporter 6yearold Madison Lindsey is handing out homemade cards covering the darkness with welcome splashes of color. Entirely whats going on, but she knows people are sad. Reporter a single act of evil far outnumbered by countless acts of good. Joe fryer, nbc news, orlando. And that will do it for us on this thursday night. Im lester holt. For all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching and good night. Holt. For all of us a lights, camera, access. I sat next to her at dinner that night, and, um