Supreme Court rulings, Deadly Florida alligator attacks — NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas - June 30

[0:01] Tonight, historic Supreme Court decisions, justices handing down a major blow to President Trump's immigration agenda. [0:08] The high-stakes ruling upholding birthright citizenship, striking down the president's controversial executive order, [0:14] banning automatic citizenship to babies born to undocumented immigrants. [0:18] The other big ruling, letting states ban transgender women and girls from playing on female sports teams. [0:25] Also breaking tonight, the hazmat scare outside Philadelphia, a train with hazardous materials on board, [0:31] you see it there derailing, cars flying off the tracks, people nearby told to shelter in place. [0:37] A life-threatening heat wave scorching nearly 200 million this holiday week, plus explosive wildfires in the West. [0:44] This doorbell cam in the eye of the firestorm. Al Roker is tracking it all. [0:49] The chilling 9-1-1 call after a deadly alligator attack in Florida. [0:53] What we're learning about the woman killed after going for a swim. [0:56] President Trump's financial disclosure just released. The billion dollars he's earned from crypto. [1:03] Serena Williams back in action. The 23-time Grand Slam champ falling just short in her first singles match in years. [1:11] Daring rescue. Look at this. First responders forming a human chain to save a driver from this sinking car. [1:17] Surprise passenger. A driver discovering a black bear sitting in the front seat of his truck. [1:24] And our series, Great Americans. The retired Air Force lieutenant colonel keeping the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen alive. [1:31] Inspiring younger generations to take flight. [1:34] Nightly News starts right now. [1:36] This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamez. [1:43] Good evening. I'm Hallie Jackson in for Tom tonight. [1:45] And we are coming on the air with the historic day at the Supreme Court. [1:49] Crowds outside for major rulings on two controversial issues that could affect thousands across the country. [1:55] The justices dealing a big blow to President Trump's immigration agenda. [1:59] Ruling he cannot ban automatic citizenship for babies born to undocumented immigrants in this country. [2:05] That's a right that has been guaranteed under our Constitution for more than 150 years. [2:10] And in a win for President Trump, the high court deciding states can ban transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports. [2:19] The president's been pushing for a ban since the campaign trail. [2:22] The reaction tonight? Intense with new questions about what happens from here. [2:26] Laura Jarrett starts us off with that landmark birthright decision. [2:29] Tonight, the U.S. Supreme Court dealing a major blow to President Trump's immigration crackdown. [2:35] Striking down his controversial executive order that sought to ban automatic U.S. citizenship for babies born to undocumented immigrants. [2:45] The president today slamming the court's decision as too bad for our country. [2:49] While immigration advocates celebrated it. [2:52] The fact is that if you're born here, you're an American citizen, period. [2:56] The president has long railed against birthright citizenship enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution passed after the Civil War. [3:04] This was not meant for Chinese billionaires to have their children become citizens of our country. [3:13] This was meant, or other rich people, poor people. [3:16] This was meant for the babies of slaves. [3:20] But today, Chief Justice John Roberts writing for the majority, reaffirming the long-settled understanding of the 14th Amendment, [3:28] guaranteeing citizenship to all children born in the U.S. and subject to its power, with limited exceptions. [3:35] Writing, quote, [3:36] In dissent, Justice Samuel Alito calling the ruling a serious mistake that preserves a powerful incentive to enter or remain in this country illegally. [3:53] The executive order, if allowed, could have potentially impacted more than 250,000 babies born in the U.S. every year to non-citizens. [4:03] 13-year-old Mia expressing relief today that families like hers can now stay together. [4:09] This is our home. We belong here. [4:13] Laura is joining us now. [4:14] And, Laura, even though some Republicans are pushing already to respond to this ruling, it looks pretty unlikely they'd succeed. [4:19] It does, Hallie. They're facing an uphill battle based on today's ruling. [4:23] It's clear Republicans would need a constitutional amendment to pass this, which, of course, requires a supermajority in Congress, [4:30] as well as action by state legislatures. Hallie. [4:33] Laura, Jared, thank you. [4:35] To that other landmark ruling now, this one, a win for President Trump. [4:39] With a conservative majority ruling states can ban transgender women and girls from playing on female sports teams. [4:45] Here's Stephanie Gosc. [4:46] Tonight, President Trump calling it a big win, while civil rights advocates slam it as a blow to transgender rights. [4:55] The Supreme Court's conservative majority upholding state laws banning transgender girls and women [5:00] from playing on female sports teams in public schools. [5:04] Justice Brett Kavanaugh writing, [5:05] Allowing only biological females to play on women's and girls' teams can reduce the risk of physical injury and ensure fair competition. [5:15] But the ACLU, representing the two transgender athletes in the case, calling the decision devastating. [5:21] It's not just about winning trophies. It's about learning life lessons. [5:24] Twenty-seven states currently ban transgender women and girls from participating in female sports, [5:30] with an NBC News poll last year showing over 75 percent of Americans support those bans. [5:37] Macy Petty-Charles celebrating today's decision. [5:42] She competed against a transgender athlete and hopes more states will pass bans. [5:47] I would hope that it would embolden every state to protect those female athletes, [5:50] and I hope that they themselves are emboldened today to take action, to speak up for what they know is right. [5:55] But critics of the ruling see a silver lining. [5:58] So you see this as a loss, but not as big of a loss as it maybe could have been. [6:05] Absolutely. They didn't write a ticket, you know, for the other side to claim that you can discriminate [6:10] against transgender people in all other contexts. [6:14] Stephanie is joining us now. And, Steph, for states that do allow transgender athletes in women's sports, [6:19] they can keep that in place, right? [6:21] Yeah, Hallie. This Supreme Court decision does not compel them to change their laws, [6:25] but there are already lawsuits in some of those places to try and force bans. Hallie? [6:31] Stephanie Goss, thank you. [6:33] Also tonight, we are following a major hazmat scare just outside Philadelphia after a freight train derailed, [6:38] sending emergency crews racing to make sure nothing dangerous was leaking. [6:42] NBC10 Philadelphia's Deanna Durante is on the scene. [6:44] This is the scene outside Philadelphia tonight after a freight train derailed, [6:50] sending more than a dozen cars off the tracks. [6:53] New video showing some of the cars overturned and twisted across the rails. [6:58] It happened around 2 this afternoon with first responders and hazmat crews rushing to the scene. [7:03] There were 72 total cars. [7:06] The concern at the time was that three were designated as hazmat material. [7:10] The initial threat was that there could have been a leak. [7:14] Officials warning the train was carrying hazardous materials. [7:16] There was an alcohol substance in one, and I believe an acid in another. [7:21] Nearby residents and businesses were ordered to evacuate and others to shelter in place, [7:26] close their windows, and turn off the air conditioning. [7:29] But we're very thankful that nothing is leaking, and there was no passengers on the freight train whatsoever. [7:34] That evacuation order now lifted after no leaks were found. [7:37] A spokesperson for the train company telling NBC News no one was hurt as crews remain on scene working to clear the twisted train cars from the tracks. [7:47] Deanna is joining us now from the scene. [7:49] Deanna, sounds like we still don't know how the train derailed in the first place. [7:54] That's going to take some time. [7:56] The work right now that's happening, about a quarter mile from where we're standing, roads still closed here, [8:00] is to get those twisted cars off the tracks. [8:04] Once that happens, investigators can then take a look at the ground below those cars, the tracks themselves, [8:09] and determine what caused this. [8:11] Anything from speed to weather could be a factor here. [8:13] In the meantime, it has been a nightmare for commuters, those trying to get home by car and those trying to get home by rail. [8:20] A commuter line has been shut down for most of the day. [8:22] Hallie? [8:24] Deanna Durante, thank you. [8:25] Now to the dangerous heat wave set to bake some 170 million people, with the Midwest already boiling. [8:31] And the heat in the West is fueling fast-moving wildfires across that region. [8:34] Deanna Griffin has the latest. [8:37] Tonight, a massive heat wave is baking half the country, [8:40] with temperatures expected to soar into the high 90s across most of the Northeast and Midwest. [8:46] And it'll feel even hotter. [8:49] The heat index already topping 100 in Chicago, St. Louis, and Milwaukee, [8:53] where crews battling a massive fire are on reduced work cycles. [8:57] We're encouraging them to take their coats off, cool off, rehydrate, get some water. [9:02] We are also increasing their recovery time. [9:07] And in Philadelphia, World Cup organizers will be scaling back viewing schedules at several fanfests. [9:13] Out west, these are the extremely dry, windy conditions fueling massive wildfires. [9:20] This ring camera video capturing the ferocious Aspen Acres fire in Colorado. [9:25] It's crazy. [9:26] Forcing hundreds to evacuate and destroying more than 150 structures. [9:31] In Utah, evacuees allowed back into the Cottonwood burn zone for the first time. [9:37] We had five minutes to get what we could. [9:40] It was moving pretty quick. [9:41] It was very quick. [9:42] It sounded like a freight train. [9:43] It was unreal. [9:44] Jim Stetler and Cindy Abbott, who managed campgrounds on the mountain, lost everything. [9:48] This community has been just by far the strongest, most wonderful, supportive community that I've ever been in in my life. [9:57] A dangerous double threat hammering more than half the country. [10:02] Dana is with us live from Beaver, Utah. [10:05] And Dana, it doesn't look like there's much relief for firefighters anytime soon. [10:10] Yeah, exactly. [10:11] And, Hallie, officials are concerned as temperatures increase, creating drier conditions, [10:14] the governors of both Colorado and Utah now warning people to be mindful in how they celebrate to prevent starting new fires. [10:22] Here in Utah, most fireworks are now banned. [10:25] Hallie? [10:26] And smoke protection critical, too. [10:28] Dana Griffin, thank you. [10:29] Let's get right to Al Roker now, who's tracking this dangerous heat. [10:31] And, Al, it's going to get worse before it gets better, right? [10:35] Unfortunately, Hallie, you can see this dome of high pressure. [10:37] That's causing the problems. [10:39] Plus, we've got what we call these ridge riders coming up and over that. [10:43] And so we're looking at strong storms firing up from the northeast into the Rockies. [10:48] Heat indexes tomorrow, triple digits, Boston, Louisville, Little Rock, down to New Orleans. [10:53] Tomorrow, that expands into New York with a heat index of 108, 105 in St. Louis. [10:59] Louisville is going to feel like 111. [11:01] And, as you can see, right through the July 4th weekend, dangerously warm temperatures with triple-digit air temperatures and factor in that humidity. [11:09] Hallie, we're talking heat indexes well into the 100s. [11:12] We'll have the latest tomorrow morning on Today. [11:14] Hallie? [11:15] A busy few days for you, Al Roker. [11:17] Thank you. [11:18] Breaking late tonight now, President Trump releasing his financial disclosure forms. [11:22] And they're revealing huge profits from cryptocurrency. [11:26] Gabe Gutierrez is at the White House. [11:27] And, Gabe, we're talking about more than a billion dollars from crypto here? [11:30] Yes, Hallie. [11:31] The president reported earning at least $1.2 billion in 2025 from crypto and meme coin-related businesses. [11:39] That includes more than $588 million from sales by World Liberty Financial, the crypto firm whose co-founders include the president and his sons. [11:48] The Trump administration has loosened restrictions on the crypto industry. [11:51] But the White House insists this is not a conflict of interest and that the president's actions have been in the best interest of the American people. [11:59] This financial disclosure is 927 pages. [12:03] And the Trump organization telling NBC News the breath and death of this filing further underscores our commitment to transparency. [12:11] Hallie? [12:11] Gabe Gutierrez of the White House. [12:13] Thank you. [12:14] We are back in 60 seconds with a terrifying story out of central Florida. [12:17] The woman killed in an alligator attack and the dramatic 911 calls from her friends. [12:23] And Serena Williams' singles comeback. [12:25] How the player many consider the greatest ever performed today at center court. [12:30] Plus, the human chain in Virginia as first responders work together to save a driver from a sinking car. [12:35] We're back with new developments in a deadly alligator attack in Florida. [12:44] Officials now identifying the victim as we're hearing for the first time the desperate 911 calls in the moments after the attack. [12:51] And a warning here, that audio is difficult to listen to. [12:54] Here's Liz Kreutz. [12:55] Tonight, we're hearing the urgent 911 call after a woman was attacked and killed by a massive alligator in central Florida. [13:04] Officials identifying the victim as 31-year-old Brittany Clark, who authorities say was hiking at a state park outside Orlando with her boyfriend and best friend Sunday [13:16] when they stopped to swim and cool off in a shallow river about three feet deep. [13:20] It was then that the massive alligator struck, her friends frantically calling 911. [13:26] Somebody got bit by a gear. [13:28] Bad. Real bad. Please hurry. Hurry. She's losing a lot of breath. [13:32] Over the next 10 minutes, the operator stays on the phone as Clark screams out in pain while her friends try to move her to safety. [13:38] I can't move. No, it's okay. We're good. [13:41] No, we're not. [13:42] And how bad is the bite? [13:44] Horrible. Her arm is okay. Almost is a disokay. Both her arms. Both her arms. [13:48] Both her arms are in. [13:50] Are off, like, basically. [13:52] As they wait for help, you can hear the increasing desperation. [13:58] Eventually, first responders arrive, but sadly, the injury's too great. [14:02] Officials say Clark died on her way to the hospital. [14:04] And tonight, Brittany's boyfriend tells us she was an amazing, strong, and caring person who loved being out on the water. [14:10] He says never in a million years could he have expected this nightmare. [14:14] Hallie. [14:15] A nightmare indeed. Liz Kreutz, thank you. [14:17] We are back in a moment with much more, including history on the court as Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon. [14:23] Plus, a man's surprise encounter with a bear riding shotgun. [14:27] How he and the bear reacted next. [14:29] Back now with a moment both historic and disappointing at Wimbledon today. [14:36] 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams stepping out onto center court for her first singles match since she retired in 2022. [14:44] The legend coming from behind to force a decisive third set, but she couldn't get all the way there, falling just short of victory. [14:51] But, get ready to see her again. [14:53] She'll be back Thursday for doubles with her sister Venus. [14:56] We'll be watching. [14:58] And take a look at this dramatic water rescue in Virginia. [15:00] Somebody trapped inside a sinking car in Fairfax County. [15:04] You see these first responders. [15:05] They're forming a human chain. [15:07] Some of them on land. [15:08] Others wading into the water to try to reach the driver in time. [15:12] They did. [15:13] They pulled that person out and managed to bring them back safely to land. [15:16] And in Colorado, take a look at this, a man shopped to find a surprise passenger in his front seat. [15:22] Look, he opens the door of the pickup. [15:24] That's a wild bear popping its head out. [15:26] It doesn't leave, so the guy gets a plank. [15:28] He pokes it. [15:29] That kind of does the trick. [15:30] Took a couple of pokes with the bear jumping out, getting chased away. [15:34] No word yet on how that bear got inside. [15:37] When we come back, our series Great Americans. [15:40] The legendary Tuskegee Airmen broke racial barriers in World War II. [15:44] Now, how one of their descendants is helping the future take flight. [15:49] Every night this week, as we approach the 250th anniversary of America, [15:56] we are ending our broadcast with our series Great Americans. [16:00] And tonight, Tom has the story of how the Tuskegee Airmen, [16:03] the legendary black fighter pilots from World War II, [16:06] are shaping this country even today. [16:09] Our Great American tonight, retired Air Force pilot Alex Cole. [16:12] In the air, pilot Alex Cole knows he's flying on the shoulders of giants. [16:21] My great uncle was an original Tuskegee Airman. [16:23] Pilots, train the Tuskegee way, go on to earn high praise and wide acclaim. [16:29] The Tuskegee Airmen were America's first group of black aviators, [16:34] serving in World War II during a time of racial segregation. [16:37] Squadron after squadron out of Tuskegee, flying P-40s first, tough little planes, [16:43] then striking with thunderbolts. [16:45] And I recognize that for not the strides that they went through, [16:49] that I wouldn't be here where I am today. [16:51] Lieutenant Colonel Cole's journey began with the Air Force, [16:54] serving two decades with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. [16:58] Then he became a presidential pilot, [17:00] flying vice presidents and senior cabinet officials [17:03] during the Bush and Obama administrations. [17:05] This is the age that we started wanting to learn how to fly. [17:09] Lieutenant Colonel Cole, now retired from active duty, [17:12] has a new mission, working with kids at Legacy Flight Academy. [17:18] Are you guys ready to fly? [17:19] His goal? To inspire the next generation of aviators. [17:23] In my heart, it's about teaching them that there is an opportunity out here [17:29] to learn, do something that you may not have thought about [17:32] and expose them to that so that they can dream. [17:35] For some, those dreams already taking flight. [17:39] It was fun. [17:40] I got to take off and I was like a thousand feet in the air. [17:46] I'm excited to just like feel how it is to be a pilot. [17:50] I find it interesting to try new things and I am pretty interested in aviation. [17:56] Wow. [17:57] The limitless possibilities of the sky. [17:59] Looks so different from up here. [18:01] Cole says, echo the ever-expanding potential of the American dream. [18:06] Keep flying. [18:07] We're in this continuous growth process of learning about who we are as a country, [18:12] learning about our history, sharing our history and growing from that point. [18:15] They didn't know what the future would be, [18:17] but many hoped they'd get the chance to fly and fight in the air. [18:21] History rooted in the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen continuing to soar. [18:25] The main thing I love about America is our diversity and I love how beautiful our country is. [18:32] We're a beautiful country and a powerful one that tries to set the standard. [18:36] We don't always meet it, but our effort is to try to set the standard for the rest of the world. [18:42] A beautiful thought and a truly great American. [18:45] That's Nightly News for this Tuesday. [18:47] I'm Hallie Jackson. [18:48] For all of us here at NBC, thanks for watching and have a great night.