NBC Nightly News Full Episode - March 25

Breaking tonight, the new warning from the head of the TSA that airports may need to close if the funding crisis isn't resolved soon. The agency's leader saying these are the worst TSA lines in history. More hours long waits today as the deal on Capitol Hill to resolve it falls apart. Is there any end in sight also breaking right now the mangled wreckage of that plane at LaGuardia just removed from the runway and the fire truck turned upright. A second landmark social media verdict today, Meta and YouTube found

negligent for failing to keep children safe from being addicted to their apps. Parents celebrating as the decision came in couldn't open the floodgates for other cases. New explosions across the Middle East as Iran appears to reject president Trump's 15 point plan to end the war and could the president's new trip to China signal a new clue on the war's timeline. Plus the announcement from the US Postal Service. The surcharge they're about to add due to those high gas prices. Savannah's gut wrenching first interview since her mom's abduction, her powerful words

about the agony she and her family are facing, describing how she wakes up every night, imagining her mother's terror, her plea to anyone with information tonight. Shocking new body cam video of the wife in Hawaii, moments after she said her husband tried to kill her on a hike. You'll hear what she told officers when they arrived on the scene.

Bizarre kidnapping arrest, a mother accused of abducting an 11-year-old who she claims bullied her daughter. How she's defending her actions tonight. A moment we've never seen before at the White House. The humanoid robot walking side by side with the first lady. And there's good news tonight.

A heartwarming surprise for a sixth grade teacher marking a major milestone in her fight against cancer. Nightly News starts right now.

This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas.

And good evening, we begin tonight again with the travel nightmares unfolding at airports across the country and the new big warning from the head of the TSA. If her agency isn't funded soon, some airports may need to close down entirely and look at

this some of what officials today are calling the worst lines in TSA history from New York to Atlanta to Houston. And yesterday we report on optimism on Capitol Hill that a deal to end the crisis was close. But today that optimism has collapsed with the 2 sides once again far apart, meaning it could be awhile before we

stop seeing scenes just like this, and all of it could get even worse with Easter in the peak of the spring break travel season just around the corner and tonight we're learning about the desperation of those TSA

officers as they go without paychecks. Some taking on second jobs, sleeping in their cars, even selling blood and plasma. Our Ryan Nobles is following it all tonight from Capitol Hill.

Tonight, TSA saying travelers are facing the worst security lines in the agency's history. Massive backups from Houston to New York to Atlanta and warning warning small airports

might have to close. We are being forced to consolidate lands and may have to

close smaller airports if we do not have enough officers and now the gridlock

stretching to Capitol Hill with lawmakers still at an impasse over restoring funding for the Department of Homeland Security to get TSA officers

paid and back to work as we enter the height of the spring break travel season.

I'd vote to open up TSA right now. I don't care how we do this, one at a time, five at a time. I don't care. We need to shut them out. We need to get them reopened.

Republicans have offered a plan to restore the vast majority of the department's budget, including TSA, and offered to put off funding for ice immigration enforcement for later negotiations, but Democrats saying no without changes at ice like banning masks, what is it that you want to see in these negotiations.

I would like to see the reforms to ice.

Tonight Democrats making a counter offer that would restore funding while making changes at ICE. But Republicans have already rejected their proposal. As 40 days into the shutdown, the chaos is growing. NBC's Priscilla Thompson is in Houston.

Here at Bush Intercontinental, DHS is helping with crowd control. There are only two terminals with general security checkpoints open here. Some passengers moving between them, hoping for shorter lines and still finding an hour's long

wait. How early did you arrive? We got here about 10 o'clock. Oh, it's about 9 45 for two o'clock flight. More than 11% of TSA workers called out yesterday. The average is 2%. And Ryan, back to your reporting from Capitol Hill. We're seeing more signs that this shutdown is not going to end any time soon. Yeah, that's right, Tom.

Republicans say that the Democratic counterproposal contained nothing new, so they're not even going to offer a response. A sign of just how entrenched these two sides are, with a two-week congressional recess looming.

Tom?

Ryan Noble's leading us off. There's also some breaking news to get to tonight following that deadly crash at LaGuardia Airport that claimed the lives of two pilots when an Air Canada Express jet crashed right into a fire truck. NBC San Brock has been covering the

crash and joins us tonight from LaGuardia. Sam, we can see that plane is now no longer just there behind you. Yeah Tom, that's right. There was an imperative to move the plane from the runway so they can get LaGuardia running again back at full capacity. And as you can see, it's no longer there. This is video sped up from just moments ago where crews were physically moving that plane from the horrific crash site over to a nearby hangar. Now Air Canada says that once it's secured in the hangar, they can begin the process Tom of reuniting passengers with their bags and their belongings. Well at the same time that fire truck earlier today was also pulled out in the hangar, they can begin the process, Tom, of reuniting passengers with their bags and their belongings.

Well, at the same time, that fire truck earlier today was also pulled upright. Once it is, you will see there just a giant cavernous hole in the middle, incredibly reflective of how powerful the crash impact truly was.

Now, the NTSB, guys, still has access to the pieces and to the to the pieces into the plane itself that portion, the physical portion of the investigation continues. This is the

airlines also says that four passengers and crew members are now remaining in

the hospital. Tom back to you. All right, Sam Brock with that big update Sam, we thank you. This is also breaking tonight, a major court ruling today with massive implications for social media companies in America, a jury ruling that meta and you to work deliberately addictive to a minor Laura Jarrett has our story.

Families crying tears of joy outside a Los Angeles courthouse today after a jury returned a historic verdict against tech giants meta and you to. Big Tech your gig is over. In a first of its kind case surrounding the question. Our social media platforms

dangerous for minors the jury finding meta the parent company of instagram and youtube negligent in designing their platforms to be addictive. A now 20 year-old woman who says she developed depression and anxiety from using social media as a kid awarded awarded $6 million in damages. Parents and attorneys celebrating the landmark win. We've sent a message with this

that you will be held accountable for the features. Internal company records on full display over the course of this five-week trial, some suggesting Instagram wanted to maximize the time kids spend on the app. Metta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the jury the company's goals changed over time, emphasizing its newer safety features for teens. But grieving parents who say they lost children to the dark side of social media huddled over a phone watching today's verdict come in.

For many, this trial has served as a referendum on what they see as the dangerous and addictive features of these platforms.

We've been screaming on the top of roofs about for years.

YouTube owner Google saying this case misunderstands YouTube and that the platform is not a social media site. Meta saying tonight teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app. Both companies now vowing to appeal. It all comes on the heels of another verdict Meta says it will appeal. A New Mexico jury awarding the state $375 million on Tuesday against the company for

creating a breeding ground for child sex predators.

Laura joins us now live in studio. Laura, let's go back to that video we saw in your story. Those parents huddled around the phone. This case today was about one single victim, but there are many families out there that are looking for action as well.

Tom, there are more than 1,500 other cases against Meta and other tech companies just like this one waiting in the wings. We're talking parents, school districts, states. That's why this case matters. It offered a playbook of how to win.

Okay, Laura Jarrett for us. Laura, we thank you for that. Now to President Trump's 15-point proposal to end the war with Iran, which the Iranian regime tonight says it's rejecting, all as we could be getting a new clue about how long U.S. airstrikes might last. Here's Gabe Gutierrez.

Tonight, with the war escalating across the Middle East, amid new attacks in Kuwait, Iraq, and Israel, Iran has rejected the latest U.S. peace plan, according to Iranian state television.

Have these talks hit a dead end?

They have not. Talks continue, they are productive.

Late today, Iran's foreign minister claimed there were no official talks. Still, NBC News has learned the Trump administration sent Iranian officials a 15-point plan to end the war through Pakistani intermediaries, according to two regional sources and a U.S. official. They're not going to have a nuclear weapon. That's number one. That's number one, two, and three. Today, Iranian state television, citing an unnamed senior official, said Iran had responded negatively to the proposal

and detailed five demands to end the war, including a halt to aggression and assassinations by the US and Israel, plus complete control over the Strait of Hormuz. The White House warning Iran would be hit harder than before if there's no deal.

President Trump does not bluff and he is prepared to unleash hell. Iran should not miscalculate again.

Also, after previously rescheduling his Beijing meeting with China's President Xi Jinping, President Trump today announcing a new date, May 14th and 15th. The White House was pressed on whether that's a signal for when the war might end.

Again, as I've said, we've always estimated approximately four to six weeks, so you can

do the math on that.

As he considers his next move, Three Current and a former U.S. official tell NBC News that the military now compiles a daily highlight reel for the president that shows a video montage of the most successful strikes on Iranian targets over the previous 48 hours. The officials say he's also updated about the war through conversations with top military

and intelligence advisors.

All right, Gabe joins us now live. Gabe, I know you have some new reporting just in about Iran reacting to all of this.

Yes, Tom, the Iranian foreign minister is now acknowledging Iran has received messages from the US through intermediaries, but that he does not consider that a formal negotiation. Meanwhile, tomorrow here at the White House, President Trump is set to hold his second cabinet meeting of

the year. Okay, we'll be watching. Gabe, we thank you. We are hearing tonight from our friend and colleague Savannah Guthrie her first interview since the disappearance of her mother Nancy she bravely opens up about the daily agony and heartache and once again pleading for help in finding her here's Liz Kreutz.

And to think of what tonight and anguish Savannah opening up in her first interview nearly 8 weeks since her mother Nancy's

shocking abduction. Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. Yeah, we are in agony. It is unbearable. And to think of what she went through. I wake up every night in the middle of the night,

every night, and in the darkness, I imagine her terror. And it is unthinkable. But those thoughts demand to be thought. And I will not hide my face. But she needs to come home now.

This just a portion of Savannah's heart-wrenching conversation with her former Today Show co-anchor, Hoda Kotb.

There is a desperation and also a steeliness about Savannah. I mean, she's hoping that somebody,

whoever this person is, will see something and say something.

Hoda says Savannah told her she believes God is holding her hand, and that even through this nightmare She's determined not to let anyone steal her joy

I was sort of marveling that she was able to sit there with an outfit on have a conversation and Also have just direct thoughts about what what she sees going forward

And Tom Hoda says in the interview Savannah also addresses the latest in the investigation. A reminder that if you know anything, you can contact the FBI tip line 1-800-CALL-FBI. Tom?

And please call that tip line if you have any information. You can see much more of Savannah's interview with Hoda tomorrow and again on Friday on Today and right here on Nightly. We have dramatic body camera tonight showing the moments after a woman in Hawaii says her husband tried to kill her while on a hike. You'll hear what she told police

moments after the alleged murder attempt. Steve Patterson was in court again today in Honolulu and a warning, the video you're about to see is disturbing. This is the moment a responding officer arrives to the grisly aftermath of a cliffside attack and sees Ariel Koenig appearing to struggle to walk. Two nurses hiking that day help her. Police body cam video playing out in front of

the jury for the first time. Prosecutors say it's another key piece of evidence supporting their case that a Maui doctor tried to kill his wife. The video shows Ariel being treated, her head bandaged.

Her head was like, it was like something

that he was holding against me.

Prosecutors say Dr. Gerhardt Koenig tried to push his wife off a cliff before striking her several times with a rock as she fought for her life.

Arielle taking the stand yesterday.

And we had this moment of like, he seems like he takes a deep breath and then he just starts hitting my face and my head with a rock.

But the defense argues she started the scuffle, the volatile end to a faltering marriage, what they describe as a months-long inappropriate relationship with a colleague.

She came after him, started kicking, punching, they end up on the ground. The evidence will show Ariel Koning says many untrue things about what happened. And she did so, you will see, to get the upper hand in the coming divorce and

custody case. An eyewitness recounting the attack. When you first got there, did you see the man doing anything? Yes, he was hitting her with a rock. Legal experts believe the eyewitness testimony in this case could be damning. But in a trial that could go on for weeks, a source close to the case believes Dr. Koenig

could take the stand as early as next week.

Tom?

All right, Steve Patterson, following the developments. When we return in 60 seconds, the mother accused of taking a bullying case into her own hands, and some say too far. Prosecutors say she kidnapped a student to force him to apologize to her daughter. We'll have more next. We're back now with some shocking allegations in Utah where a mom is accused of taking a bullying problem into her own hands

and briefly kidnapping an 11 year old to apologize to her child. Here's Emily

Akeda. Tonight this Utah mom could face jail time for allegedly kidnapping an 11-year-old boy for bullying her daughter at school. The boy's mother, Amberly Colazzo, says her son is traumatized by the incident.

Grabbed him by the arm and said he was going with her to apologize to her daughter, and then she put him in her vehicle.

It happened last September in Provo, according to court documents which detail how 40 year old Shannon Tafuga allegedly drove around looking for the boy wanting to confront him about bullying her child. She made him get into her vehicle

before taking him to her home to have him apologize and threatened to have her husband beat him up. And they basically opened the door

and told me to get the S out and he

ran all the way home to Fuga, who the city says no longer works as a crossing guard at the children's school, is now facing second-degree felony kidnapping and aggravated child abuse charges. These are serious charges.

They are very serious charges. I think we recognized from the outset that this isn't your typical child kidnapping case. This is not the way to address bullying or to try and stand up for your child.

Tafugo's attorney calls the allegations not accurate and a symptom of quote, an erosion of traditional family values where children were once held accountable by their own parents. She'll appear in court next month.

Tom.

All right, Emily, thank you. When we return tonight, why the war with Iran has the cost of shipping a package with the post office on the rise, we're going to explain. Plus, the surprise visitor at the White House, Melania Trump making quite an entrance and making history.

We'll explain.

We are back now with new impacts on the war with Iran here at home. The US Postal Service announcing it's raising postage prices by 8% for packages, but not letters, impacts on the war with Iran here at home. The U.S. Postal Service announcing it's raising postage prices by 8% for packages, but not letters, because of the higher fuel costs. It begins in late April and will run through January of 2027. Also today, look at this,

an unusual guest visited the White House. Watch this, an AI-powered humanoid robot that talks, walking with the First lady for a summit aimed at expanding digital access for children. The first lady called the robot the first American made humanoid guest in the White House when we come back tonight, the huge surprise for a beloved teacher fighting cancer. How her school

celebrated her courageous battle. you'll see next.

hard after 100 cancer treatments.

Teacher Tammy Phillips walked into the school gym. Not expecting this massive surprise. The sixth grade teacher at Sargent Public Schools in Central Nebraska has been battling cancer and just finished her 100th treatment. The milestone celebrated throughout the school, teachers wearing special 100 glasses and students offering messages of support and hope.

We are proud of you. I was given a very short period of time to live. I told myself that I want to hit a goal of 100 treatments. And I met that goal, and I'm still here.

And I know it's due to all the support I have.

The surprise milestone celebration organized by Tammy's stepdaughter, Shaley, who is also a teacher at the school.

Tammy means everything more than words.

I can't even explain what she means to me.

Tammy's fight against the disease is ongoing, but she's doing well, bolstered by this celebration and the community that loves her.

I just am thankful that I have all these people in my corner because with this disease, nobody fights alone.

And if I can inspire one person with my story to keep going then I've

done my job. Tammy you keep fighting hard. All right that's nightly news for this Wednesday. I'm Tom Yamas. Thanks so much for watching. Tonight and always we're here for you. Good night. We thank you for watching and remember stay we're here for you. Good night. We thank you for watching and remember stay updated on breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app or watch live on our We're here for you. Good night.