NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Full Episode - Oct. 14

[0:01] Tonight, we're live from Detroit in Battleground, Michigan, [0:05] on the ground for this make-or-break Senate race [0:08] with the election just weeks away. [0:10] Control of the Senate could all come down [0:12] to the all-out brawl in the Great Lakes state. [0:16] Polls as close as they can be. [0:18] I go one-on-one with progressive Abdul al-Sayed [0:21] finally answering this question. [0:24] What is a bigger threat to the U.S., Israel, or Iran? [0:28] And Preston, his Republican challenger... [0:30] He tells me that you are basically a rubber stamp [0:32] to President Trump. [0:33] What do you say to that? [0:33] It's part of the reason. [0:35] And we talked to voters about the issues [0:37] they're grappling with [0:38] in one of the most critical races this year. [0:41] Also breaking tonight, Temple targeted. [0:44] Police arresting this man, [0:45] accused of planning a mass shooting [0:47] at a Hindu temple near Chicago, [0:50] accused of opening fire, but his gun jammed. [0:53] The powerful funnel cloud tearing across Texas. [0:56] The video just coming in. [0:58] Chaos on the battlefield. [0:59] The new video of a man hit by a Russian strike [1:02] in Ukraine as the country accuses Elon Musk's SpaceX [1:06] of limiting Internet and undermining their defenses. [1:10] Elon Musk responding tonight. [1:12] New details about Pope Leo's recovery [1:14] and his lung cancer diagnosis. [1:17] Cold case arrest. [1:18] The story that made national headlines 15 years ago. [1:21] The woman who vanished after an appearance [1:23] on the People's Court. [1:25] Her fiancé now charged. [1:27] New images of a giant sinkhole [1:29] swallowing this van in Los Angeles. [1:31] How did this happen? [1:33] What NFL legend Terry Bradshaw is telling NBC News [1:36] about his future in TV. [1:38] Is he retiring? [1:40] Nightly News starts right now. [1:43] This is NBC Nightly News. [1:46] Decision 2026. [1:48] On the road to the midterms. [1:50] Reporting tonight from Michigan, [1:52] here is Tom Yames. [1:54] And good evening. [1:56] We are live from Detroit tonight [1:58] in Battleground, Michigan. [2:00] Just behind me here as the sun is setting, [2:02] the Detroit skyline. [2:04] But ahead for this state, [2:05] three more weeks of an all-out, [2:07] down-to-the-wire, bruising fight for the Senate. [2:09] All because this is the state [2:11] that could determine control of the Senate. [2:13] We came here to speak to voters [2:15] about the issues driving their decisions, [2:17] from rising prices to health care [2:20] to the wars in the Middle East. [2:22] Pulling back to the big picture, though, [2:23] Democrats need to flip four seats [2:25] in order to win back the Senate. [2:27] And they are performing surprisingly well [2:29] in deep red states like Texas and Iowa, [2:32] even Kansas. [2:33] But see that blue there? [2:34] That's Michigan. [2:35] And Democrats are defending an open seat here [2:38] in what was considered a safe win [2:40] is now as close as can be. [2:42] Look at this. [2:43] Recent polls show only a one-point difference [2:45] well within the margin of error. [2:47] So what changed? [2:48] A progressive and, to some, [2:50] controversial candidate, Abdul al-Sayed, [2:52] won the nomination. [2:53] Electrifying young voters here, [2:56] but also turning off some Jewish voters. [2:59] I pressed al-Sayed about why it is so close [3:01] as Democrats elsewhere are surging [3:04] and as Michigan hasn't elected a Republican senator [3:06] in more than 30 years. [3:08] And I go one-on-one with his opponent, [3:10] Mike Rogers, who Democrats suggest [3:12] will just be a rubber stamp to President Trump. [3:15] The two candidates engaged in a bitter battle [3:18] with no sign of letting up. [3:20] Tonight, the bitter Senate showdown [3:23] in Battleground, Michigan, Democrat Abdul al-Sayed [3:27] taking on Republican Mike Rogers. [3:29] Mike, listen, man, if you can't say the name, [3:31] it's Abdulrahman, keep the name out your damn mouth. [3:33] He wants to represent Palestine. [3:36] I want to represent Michigan. [3:38] A Republican has not won a Senate seat here [3:40] since 1994. [3:42] But now, polls are showing a very tight Senate race, [3:45] and you can see it in neighborhoods. [3:46] This home with an Abdul for Senate sign, [3:49] and just next door, you see it in the front lawn, [3:52] Mike Rogers for U.S. Senate. [3:54] Tonight, we spoke with al-Sayed. [3:56] Why do you think it's so tight? [3:57] I think it's tight because it's Michigan, right? [3:58] At the end of the day, people are trying to figure out [4:00] who actually is going to stand up for them. [4:01] And I think when you look at Mike Rogers [4:03] and the fact that he's rubber-stamped a president [4:05] who's got historically low disapproval, [4:08] you can see why we consistently lead. [4:11] We also met up with Rogers. [4:13] I just spoke with Dr. Abdul al-Sayed. [4:15] He tells me that you are basically [4:17] a rubber stamp to President Trump. [4:19] What do you say to that? [4:20] Nonsense. [4:21] I mean, I've called an end to the Iran war. [4:24] I've called for an end to wrap up these Canadian tariffs. [4:28] So I'm going to do what's right for Michigan, [4:30] Michigan first. [4:32] Rogers now accusing al-Sayed of lying [4:34] in this interview when NBC's Kristen Welker [4:37] asked about ties to the Islamist movement, [4:40] the Muslim Brotherhood. [4:41] You don't have any ties? [4:42] No. [4:43] And your family doesn't? [4:44] No. [4:44] But newly revealed past tweets [4:46] from al-Sayed's half-sister [4:48] appearing to call his answer into question. [4:50] These tweets have emerged now. [4:52] Had an amazing talk with my mom [4:53] about her activism in the Muslim Brotherhood [4:55] during the early 70s while she was in college. [4:58] Hashtag respect. [4:59] My family has long been an MB. [5:00] Let me finish. [5:01] Praying for all my family that supports the MB in Egypt. [5:03] Can you just explain it? [5:04] Yeah, Tom. [5:06] It's funny to me. [5:07] I was born in 1984 down the street in Rochester Hills. [5:10] I was raised here in Michigan, went to the University of Michigan, [5:13] rebuilt the health department in this city, [5:14] led the health department in this county. [5:16] And you want to ask me about what was happening in Egypt in 1970? [5:19] Are you serious? [5:19] I get it. [5:20] But you were asked a question and you gave an answer. [5:21] This is kind of like the same. [5:23] Yeah, I'm telling you. [5:24] I have no ties. [5:25] We have no ties. [5:26] So your mother had no ties? [5:27] I have never had these conversations with my mother. [5:29] I wasn't raised by my mother. [5:30] So you were unaware? [5:31] But I'm just telling you that, like, [5:33] you're using hearsay evidence from a tweet. [5:35] It's just not serious. [5:36] It's just not serious. [5:37] But you've also gone after the president for truthfulness. [5:39] You've also gone after the president for truthfulness. [5:41] So when people ask you a question, [5:42] they all do expect the truth. [5:43] And do you think, do you think, [5:44] are you insinuating that somehow I was lying? [5:46] I don't know. [5:47] That's why I'm asking you. [5:48] And I'm telling you I was not. [5:49] And al-Sayed has faced scrutiny over this debate answer. [5:52] Who do you think is a bigger threat to the United States, [5:54] Israel or Iran? [5:56] You have 60 seconds. [5:56] And again, Rick, I'm just going to say [5:58] that that's a ridiculous hypothetical. [5:59] So you do think Israel is as big as a threat? [6:01] I just want to nail you down to this. [6:03] When we look at our situation in the world... [6:04] You think they're equally a threat to the U.S.? [6:06] When we look at our situation in the world, [6:08] there is actively more war in the world [6:09] because of what Israel is pushing us into. [6:13] We should never have fought a war with Iran, right? [6:15] I agree that Iran is a dangerous threat. [6:18] That's not a question. [6:19] But I also think that when you ostensibly have an ally [6:23] that's pushing you into war [6:24] with the country that is threatening you, [6:25] that does not make you any safer. [6:27] You think they're both a threat? [6:28] You think they're both a threat? [6:29] Yes. [6:29] There's no... [6:30] Look, we pay... [6:31] Last month alone, we paid $2.8 billion [6:33] for 2,000-pound bombs for a foreign government. [6:36] Right. [6:36] Do you think that makes us safer? [6:37] Is that good for us? [6:38] And al-Sayed going after Rogers [6:40] over the economy and the Iran war, [6:43] which now Rogers says should end [6:45] after initially supporting it. [6:47] This all goes back to the fact [6:48] that we've got a tariff war with Canada [6:50] who provides a whole lot of our diesel, [6:52] and then we've got this war in Iran. [6:54] We never should have fought this war in the first place. [6:56] My opponent backed it. [6:57] I oppose it. [6:58] We pressed Rogers. [6:59] President Trump asked you to run in this race. [7:01] He wanted you to be the senator from Michigan. [7:04] If he asked you to do that, [7:05] how are you going to stand up to him [7:06] once you do get elected [7:07] and make sure you put Michigan first and not MAGA? [7:09] Well, I don't even understand [7:11] the premise of your question. [7:12] Okay. [7:12] He said he wanted the best candidate to run [7:14] who could win this state for Republicans. [7:17] I'm the best candidate that could run [7:18] that is actually going to win this state for Republicans. [7:21] No one else has been able to go in [7:23] and have these conversations with Jewish Democrats. [7:26] Same with African Americans in the city. [7:29] Al-Sayed has attacked Rogers [7:30] over his personal finances, [7:32] alleging he and his wife cashed in [7:34] off their government work. [7:36] What do you say to those allegations? [7:37] My money came from cybersecurity work [7:39] after I left Congress. [7:41] When you build a company [7:42] and you sell a company, [7:44] it's a great American part of this economy, [7:47] and I'm blessed to have been a part of that. [7:49] The challenge for Republicans like Rogers, [7:51] voters' frustration with the economy [7:53] and the high cost of living. [7:55] We went to the Royal Fresh Market [7:56] in northwest Detroit. [7:58] Delilah? [7:59] Yes. [8:00] Is this where I can get a joy cake? [8:01] Yes, it is. [8:02] At her bakery, Delilah Reynolds Fields [8:04] sells joy cakes. [8:06] That's very good. [8:06] Thank you. [8:07] So this is why you're famous here. [8:08] Um, I don't know about the famous part. [8:11] I don't know about that part. [8:12] A combination of pound cake [8:14] and sweet potato pie for $9.99. [8:17] What did it start out as [8:18] when you first started doing this? [8:19] When I first started out, [8:20] it was like $5.99. [8:22] $5.99. [8:23] Now $9.91. [8:23] That was several years ago. [8:25] She had to increase prices [8:26] because of inflation [8:27] and new fuel fees from her suppliers. [8:30] She's voting for Al-Sayed. [8:31] You think President Trump's policies, [8:33] whether it be with the economy [8:34] or the war in Iran, [8:35] has it made your life tougher? [8:36] I think it's made it tougher for everybody, [8:39] more specifically gas prices. [8:41] But the Rogers campaign [8:42] believes this tight race [8:43] could come down [8:44] to a critical voting demographic, [8:47] Jewish Democrats like Sarah Bennett. [8:49] You're a Democrat [8:50] and you're supporting Mike Rogers. [8:51] Why? [8:52] Correct. [8:52] I'm a lifelong Democrat. [8:53] I don't think I've ever voted Republican. [8:56] Um, but I am a mom, [8:58] a Jewish mom, [8:59] and I'm voting with my heart. [9:00] And I think that Mike Rogers [9:01] will keep our Jewish community safe. [9:04] And I don't think the same about Abdul Al-Sayed. [9:06] Earlier this year, [9:07] a terrorist drove a car with explosives [9:09] into a synagogue here [9:11] that included a daycare [9:12] packed with children [9:13] and open fire [9:15] in what the FBI called [9:16] a Hezbollah-inspired terror attack. [9:19] Al-Sayed then saying this [9:20] about the attacker. [9:22] It was wrong [9:22] and he never should have done it. [9:24] Hurt people hurt people. [9:25] He later apologized after backlash. [9:28] Bennett says [9:28] he was making excuses [9:30] for a terrorist. [9:31] She showed us the sign [9:32] she placed in her yard. [9:34] That sign says [9:35] hurt people help people. [9:37] So explain that. [9:39] Hurt people should help people, [9:41] make the world a better place. [9:42] There is no justification [9:44] for a terrorist attack. [9:45] We showed a photo [9:46] of her sign to Al-Sayed [9:47] and asked how he would respond. [9:50] Well, look, [9:50] I wish it was true [9:51] that hurt people [9:52] always help people. [9:53] I'd love to live in that world. [9:54] I want us to understand [9:56] pain for what it is [9:56] and end the cycle of violence [9:58] that we see anywhere [9:59] against anyone. [10:00] People really fixated [10:01] on those four words [10:02] and I realized that [10:03] it was not the right thing [10:04] to have said at the time [10:04] and so I apologize [10:06] for what I said. [10:07] But here's the thing [10:07] I want us to understand. [10:08] It is important for us [10:10] to understand that right now [10:11] we can either come together [10:13] to save our democracy [10:14] or we can allow folks [10:16] who want to rubber stamp [10:16] the worst policies [10:17] from Donald Trump [10:18] and his agenda [10:19] that is raising our prices [10:20] for everything from gas [10:21] to groceries. [10:22] And the choice [10:23] is ultimately ours. [10:24] And we're going to have [10:26] much more from Michigan [10:27] later in the broadcast. [10:28] We want to turn out [10:29] to some breaking news [10:30] out of Illinois. [10:31] A teenager is under arrest [10:32] tonight after authorities [10:33] say he tried but failed [10:35] to carry out a mass shooting [10:36] at a Hindu temple [10:37] in Aurora. [10:39] Shaq Brewster is covering [10:39] this one for us [10:40] and Shaq authorities say [10:41] he actually tried [10:42] to open fire. [10:44] And Tom authorities [10:45] are also saying [10:45] the seriousness [10:46] of this alleged plot [10:47] cannot be overstated. [10:49] According to court documents, [10:50] 19-year-old Alexandros Paparakis [10:52] drove to the largest [10:53] Hindu temple in Aurora [10:55] on Sunday [10:55] and fired his gun [10:56] but it jammed. [10:58] Prosecutors say [10:58] after fleeing [10:59] he tried to fix the rifle [11:01] and sent a manifesto [11:02] to a co-worker [11:03] calling himself [11:03] a sociopathic [11:05] white supremacist [11:06] neo-Nazi [11:06] filled with hatred. [11:08] Police arrested [11:09] the teenager [11:09] outside his home [11:10] recovering an AR-style rifle, [11:12] at least 300 rounds [11:14] of ammunition [11:14] and a tactical vest. [11:16] Paparakis is facing [11:17] felony charges [11:18] of making a terroristic threat [11:19] and unlawful possession [11:20] of weapons. [11:21] A judge today [11:22] ordered him held in jail [11:23] until trial. [11:24] Tom? [11:25] All right, Shaq, [11:26] we thank you for that. [11:27] Elon Musk tonight [11:28] pushing back [11:29] on allegations [11:29] from Ukraine [11:30] that his company [11:31] SpaceX [11:31] is limiting [11:32] Internet services [11:33] in the war-torn country [11:35] putting Ukraine's [11:36] defenses at risk. [11:37] Gabe Gutierrez [11:37] is at the White House. [11:39] Ukraine, [11:42] first the warning sirens, [11:44] then another sound. [11:48] This man surviving [11:49] the Russian strike [11:50] in Kharkiv [11:50] as the war [11:51] enters a bloody [11:52] and increasingly [11:53] volatile phase. [11:55] Ukraine now accusing [11:56] Elon Musk's SpaceX [11:57] of hurting its ability [11:58] to defend itself [11:59] by limiting [12:00] the military-grade [12:01] Internet service [12:02] called Star Shield. [12:03] A Ukrainian member [12:04] of Parliament [12:05] with this message [12:06] tonight from Musk. [12:07] Stop playing [12:08] the bull-t games. [12:10] It costs hundreds [12:11] and thousands [12:12] of Ukrainian lives. [12:13] Musk saying, [12:14] quote, [12:14] Star Shield systems [12:15] are owned and controlled [12:16] by the U.S. government. [12:17] Any limits on speed [12:18] or usage [12:19] are decided [12:20] by the U.S. military [12:21] and ultimately [12:22] the president [12:23] of the United States. [12:24] It all comes [12:25] as four Ukrainian [12:26] and European officials [12:27] tell NBC News [12:28] the lack of advance [12:29] warning by the U.S. [12:31] ahead of two Russian [12:32] missile strikes [12:32] on Kyiv this week [12:33] has sparked confusion [12:35] over the status [12:36] of U.S. intelligence sharing. [12:38] Ukraine's President [12:39] Zelensky today [12:39] saying he feels betrayed, [12:41] slamming President Trump's [12:42] deal to buy Russian diesel. [12:44] It's a pity [12:45] that we are losing, [12:47] we are losing [12:48] strong partner. [12:51] President Trump, [12:51] meanwhile, [12:52] has denied the U.S. [12:53] stopped sharing [12:54] intelligence with Ukraine. [12:56] We are helping them [12:57] and we are sharing intel. [12:59] We want the war to end. [13:01] But tonight, [13:02] there has been no response [13:03] from the White House [13:04] about those new allegations [13:05] of limiting Internet service [13:07] in Ukraine. [13:08] Tom? [13:09] Gabe Gutierrez [13:10] at the White House for us. [13:11] Now to a dangerous situation [13:12] unfolding across Texas [13:13] and the Plains. [13:15] A massive funnel cloud [13:16] spotted near Fort Stockton [13:17] in West Texas [13:18] knocking down trees, [13:20] look at that, [13:20] and branches. [13:21] It comes after flash floods, [13:23] swamped roads in Oklahoma. [13:25] We head to the Vatican now [13:26] where Pope Leo is recovering [13:27] following lung surgery [13:29] and his cancer diagnosis. [13:31] Anne Thompson is outside [13:32] the Vatican for us tonight. [13:33] Anne, the Pope is on the mend tonight, [13:35] but there is some big news as well. [13:38] There is, Tom. [13:39] First to the Pope's health, [13:41] he is recovering [13:42] from that lung cancer surgery. [13:44] The Vatican says he was up [13:45] walking around today eating [13:47] and he even can celebrate mass [13:48] in a private chapel [13:49] at the hospital. [13:51] He also sent a message [13:52] to the Conference on Marriage [13:53] and Families thanking people [13:55] for their prayers and their work. [13:57] But from Peru tonight, [13:59] where Leo plans to visit next month, [14:01] the first indication [14:02] that his recovery [14:03] may impact those plans. [14:05] The Peruvian president [14:06] telling reporters today [14:08] that she understands [14:10] the Pope's recovery [14:11] will take several weeks [14:12] longer than expected [14:13] and that could lead [14:14] to changes in his trip, [14:16] which includes visits [14:17] to Uruguay and Argentina. [14:19] There is no word tonight [14:21] from the Vatican [14:21] on her remarks. [14:23] Tom? [14:23] Anne Thompson with that [14:24] major update. [14:25] Anne, we thank you. [14:26] When we return tonight [14:27] live from Michigan, [14:28] the cold case [14:29] just broken open [14:30] in Florida [14:31] involving the woman [14:32] who vanished hours [14:33] after this People's Court [14:35] appearance. [14:36] And what NFL great [14:37] Terry Bradshaw [14:38] is saying about retiring [14:39] from broadcasting. [14:41] And as we go to break [14:42] this look at beautiful [14:43] Ann Arbor here in Michigan, [14:45] nightly news [14:46] live from this state [14:47] back in just 60 seconds. [14:53] We're back now [14:54] with a major update [14:55] in a Florida murder mystery [14:56] gone cold. [14:57] Michelle Parker went missing [14:58] nearly 15 years ago [14:59] on the same day [15:01] she appeared with her ex-fiance [15:02] on the People's Court. [15:04] Authorities now are arresting [15:05] and charging him. [15:06] George Solis [15:06] on how they cracked the case. [15:09] Tonight, the break [15:10] in a case gone cold [15:11] for nearly 15 years. [15:13] Dale Smith. [15:14] Michelle Parker [15:15] and her ex-fiance [15:16] Dale Smith Jr. [15:17] appearing on the People's Court [15:19] over a lost engagement ring [15:20] on November 17th, 2011. [15:22] Any of the problems [15:23] that we've ever had [15:24] it's always been [15:25] alcohol related. [15:26] That same day [15:27] she dropped their children [15:28] off at his home [15:29] and then went missing. [15:30] Smith, now arrested [15:32] and facing a second degree [15:33] murder charge [15:34] in connection [15:34] with her disappearance. [15:36] This case never stopped [15:37] being a priority. [15:38] Investigators say [15:38] they reviewed evidence [15:39] and found new clues. [15:41] New evidence was found [15:42] using advancements [15:44] technology, especially [15:45] in our digital forensics. [15:47] We were able to better [15:48] interpret that evidence [15:49] today than what we were [15:51] able to do back in 2011. [15:52] The case garnering [15:54] national attention [15:55] as investigators found [15:56] her car and her phone. [15:58] I'm hoping that maybe [15:59] there's a fingerprint [16:00] that shouldn't be on there, [16:02] meaning like not my sisters [16:03] or the twins. [16:04] Smith was the only named [16:06] suspect in the case [16:07] but was never criminally charged [16:08] and denied having anything [16:09] to do with her disappearance. [16:11] Today, investigators say [16:12] they also re-examined [16:14] his testimony [16:14] and found conflicting statements. [16:17] And very specific questions [16:18] were asked of him [16:19] numerous times [16:19] over the years [16:20] where he gave different answers [16:22] to those same questions. [16:24] The state attorney says [16:26] murder charges could be upgraded [16:27] as this case moves forward. [16:29] Meanwhile, the search [16:30] for Parker's remains [16:31] is ongoing. [16:32] Tom? [16:34] George, thank you. [16:35] We're back in a moment [16:36] with the massive sinkhole [16:37] that opened up [16:38] in Southern California [16:39] swallowing a cable van. [16:41] The windshield wiper's still running. [16:43] Stay with us. [16:43] Welcome back. [16:48] A massive surprise [16:49] on a Southern California street. [16:51] Take a look at this. [16:51] A giant sinkhole [16:53] swallowing a cable van [16:54] in Los Angeles. [16:56] Officials say it opened up [16:57] after a large water main [16:58] broke early in the morning. [16:59] The company says [17:00] the employee who was [17:01] inside the van is okay. [17:02] And NFL legend [17:03] Terry Bradshaw [17:04] raising some eyebrows [17:05] telling Arcade Snow [17:07] that he realizes [17:07] that his TV career [17:09] is, quote, [17:09] coming to an end. [17:11] It's still unclear [17:11] exactly when it might wind down, [17:13] but it comes 42 years [17:15] after he started [17:16] his NFL analyst career [17:17] when he retired [17:18] from playing pro football [17:19] back in 1984. [17:21] That's Nightly News [17:22] for this Wednesday. [17:23] I'm Tom Yamas. [17:24] We thank you so much [17:25] for watching this special edition [17:26] of Nightly News. [17:28] Tonight and always, [17:29] we're here for you. [17:30] Good night. [17:31] Good night. [17:31] Good night. [17:31] Good night.