Saturday, October 3, 2026

0:007 million Californians depend on community health clinics for their care, but Proposition 44 cuts billions from clinics. Under 44, hundreds of clinics will close, and health services will be eliminated. That's why Prop 44 is opposed by nurses, doctors, and patients. Vote no on the clinic shutdown proposition. No, on 44. Add paid for by no on Prop 44. Stop the attack on patients in community health clinics, sponsored by California Primary Care Association Advocates. Add Committee's top funders ultimate health services in California Primary Care Association Advocates. In the fight against Alzheimer's, now matters more than ever. Because now we have treatments, treatments that could change everything, but now is no time to stop. Now we've got momentum, so now we use it. Now we seize the moment. Now we turn the tide. Now we make a difference and make some noise. Now is the time to get up, get out and join the movement. At the Alzheimer's Association walk to end Alzheimer's, held over 600 communities nationwide, and we need you with us, because now is the time for hope. Join the fight at ALZ.org slash walk.

1:00Tonight, new revelations about the co-pilot attacker who tried to fly a jet bound for Israel into the ground. What we're learning tonight, the thought the alleged fly Dubai attacker, plus how authorities say he used an ax like this to injure the pilot and one of the hero passengers speaking out to our reporter. Developing right now, the urgent search to find a medical jet that vanished off the coast of Massachusetts, six people on board. Where did it go? Dramatic new video of a confrontation with one of the men accused in the Cornell Sexual Salth case, as questions grow over how the case was handled. NBC News learning the local district attorney did not review some information before deciding not to bring charges. This just in, Tennessee's prison chief stepping down, through that botched execution of a death row in me. Tens of millions on alert for dangerous heat in the west, as Gulf Coast states deal with heavy rain like this. President Trump rallying in red states in a final push before the critical midterm

2:03elections as he faces growing signs of trouble in the polls. Fighting back, our rare inside look at NATO's operation to protect Europe from Russia and prevent another country from becoming the next Ukraine. The billionaire philanthropist at his record-breaking donation to Carnegie Mellon University, telling me why he did it and his hope it will revolutionize higher education. And there's good news to him. About an emotional meeting and the special bond these two will share for us. Nightly news starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz Balard. Good evening. We begin tonight with new information about the co-pilot suspect who investigators say tried to fly a jet bound for Israel into the ground. US officials briefed on the investigation, providing NBC News with this photo of the co-pilot. A citizen of Oman, who multiple sources say, has a troubling past. According to authorities, he used a small ax like this, typically kept in the

3:06cockpit to attack this man, the pilot, and attempt to hijack the plane. Raufsachez is following it all for us tonight and start us off. Tonight we're learning more about the fly Dubai co-pilot who came within seconds of carrying out an alleged 9-11 style tariff law. And the failure by security screeners to catch his history of extremism. His name is Hamam Al-Hamami and this is his photo according to US officials briefed on the investigation. He's a citizen of Oman, now in custody in the UAE. Authorities there say he used a small ax like this, standard emergency equipment in many airline co-pets to assault Captain Smith-Machar and try to hijack the plane. He's shouting, he's stepping the pilot, he's stepping the pilot. Zveek Amanis was sitting in row one with his family, his wife taking their daughter to the bathroom when she saw the struggle in the cockpit. I heard my daughter shouting crying,

4:06daddy we don't want to die, we don't want to die. This was the trigger that fooled me to run and and to the cockpit. You can see Amanis here, his shirt stained with blood. We are punching him, kicking whatever we can until he is surrender actually. The Israeli passengers overpowered Hamam, tying him up with headphones cables. One says they heard him speak. I'm telling them kill me kill me because he didn't succeed of his mission to kill us. Hamam, he previously posted on social media about killing Jews according to an Israeli official and multiple sources briefed on the investigation say he was removed from a pilot job in Oman because of concerns over his radical ideology. But somehow he was still hired by fly Dubai. The airline declining to answer questions but says it's supporting the ongoing investigation. It could easily be the 9-11 for the Israeli country. I don't believe that it would be any second chance for this kind of

5:10miracle. Miracle Deed Raft joins us now live from Tel Aviv Raft. We're learning more about the attack. Yeah, Jose the captain who's now recovering in hospital says the copilot told him he was going to pray at the back of the cockpit. Suddenly he felt this huge blow to his head. He initially thought it was some kind of catastrophic damage to the plane. But then he realized the copilot was attacking him with the axe. Jose. Raft Sanchez, thank you. Here at home we're monitoring an urgent search to find a missing medical jet that vanished off the coast of Massachusetts. Jesse Kirsch has the latest. Tonight the US coast guard scouring the Atlantic trying to find an air ambulance that suddenly vanished near an end-tucket with six people on board. Roger, you're coming in the lines. Okay, you declare emergency. According to the FAA, the small Gulfstream G100 jet similar to the one pictured here was flying from Bermuda to Boston overnight around 1 a.m. the plane disappeared. Flight tracker flight

6:11aware showing a roughly 13,000-foot drop air traffic control losing contact asking another plane for help. We looking near sea cast to sea. You can see the aircraft out there. It's one of the two four zero. The coast guard scrambling by air and sea. The pilot air traffic in the water and the question is, what's happening to the top one tracking data shows the flight was operated by Canadian company latitude air ambulance, which tells NBC News the plane was carrying out a medical evacuation and that the organization has an emergency response plan in place for anything that might happen on their missions. But tonight the fate of those on board remains a mystery. And Jesse joins us live. Jesse, we're learning more about the nationalities of the six people on board. That's right. Jose, a source familiar with this situation tells me a patient and the patient's son both Bermuda citizens are among those on board and on social media. Canada's Minister of Transport Stephen McKinnon writes that four Canadians are also among those missing. Jose.

7:13Jesse Kirsch, thank you. And now to the growing questions about the investigation into rape allegations at Cornell, including potential evidence that was never reviewed by the local prosecutor Valerie Castro. Look, are you not like embarrassed to be here? Tonight video showing a dramatic confrontation with Julio Loops, one of them and accused in the Cornell sexual assault case. I'm not going to talk about all this right now. You don't know. Yeah. And I hope you never will because you're just just staying perfect. Loops denying his involvement. Everyone in Cornell is ashamed of you. Like that group tie is just fine. Nothing. The accused students attorney responding in a statement in part, plaintiffs council has masterfully manipulated the media narrative and the consequences are now very real. Mr. Loops was publicly accosted and is being condemned before the evidence has been fully heard. It's the latest fallout as more revelation surface about the local district attorney's actions before deciding not to move ahead with criminal charges and be seen news reviewing law enforcement documents showing while

8:16police had gathered witness interviews and tips. Tomkins County DA Matthew Van Houten declined to look at new information beyond the accusers initial six page statement given to police. When reached for comment Friday, Van Houten responding in a statement in part, the interviews were each of the frat members declining to speak on the advice of their attorney. There was nothing to review. Two years ago, a female student now known as Jane Doe first reported to campus police multiple members of the Chi-5 fraternity had sexually assaulted her at a party. She was completely intoxicated. She was given drugs. She was unable to consent to anything. Jane Doe has since filed a civil suit against seven of the men. Her attorney telling Armaggy Vespa Friday his client continues to suffer. How's Jane Doe doing? Not well. This is upended her life in such a tragic way. New York governor Kathy Hogan blasting the DA's handling of the matter. Now appointing state attorney general Latisha James as special prosecutor over the recently

9:19reopened case. Van Houten says he will cooperate with the attorney general. In a lengthy video statement released late today, Cornell president Michael Kotlakov saying, quote, what happened to Jane Doe in 2024 is deeply disturbing and will weigh heavily on our community for years to come. He reassured the campus community that an independent review by an outside law firm will now take place. Jose. Valerie Castro, thank you. Just in tonight, Tennessee's governor says the head of the state's prisons is resigning after that botched execution earlier this week. Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strata will step down this month after death throw in made Christa Pikes execution failed on Wednesday. The state is still investigating what went wrong. Pikes attorneys say she's on a ventilator, but remains unconscious. Also tonight millions are under heat alerts from a dangerous October heatwave. Dana Griffin has the latest tonight tens of millions in the West facing extreme conditions. As a dangerous late season

10:24heatwave grips the region. How hot is it out here? It is. In Southern California, temperatures pushing into the triple digits. I mean, we're talking 20 to 25 degrees above average for many areas here. And the biggest concern isn't just how hot it gets, but how long the heat sticks around. It's hot, but it's going to be hot for several days. Why is that coat so concerning? It's concerning because heat related illness can be a cumulative issue, and that's when we see more deaths. Doctors urging people to limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day and look out for one another. Stay hydrated, stay covered, take breaks, keep an eye on those around you. This says more than 250 firefighters are battling the bullfire north of Lake Tahoe in Washoe County, Nevada. The blaze igniting Friday, crews facing rough terrain as they fight it from the ground in the air. Meanwhile, Gulf Coast states dealing with heavy rain for days, two million people now under flood alerts. Southeast Louisiana bracing for a

11:27soggy weekend. Have you ever expected close to the coast? Couldn't get over six inches of rain there. Back here in California, water handed out as thousands of fans packed Dodger Stadium for game one of the National League Division series between the Braves and Dodgers teams taking the field in triple digit temperatures. Beta Griffin joins us live outside Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Dana, what are conditions there like right now and how long is this heat expecting to last? Jose Los Angeles reached 103 degrees today and it definitely feels like it. The Dodgers had encouraged fans to prepare for hot weather and this extreme heat warning is expected to last through Thursday evening. Jose. Hey, DeGryffind, thank you. Tonight, President Trump is hitting the campaign trail in the final push before the midterms. Julie Serkin is traveling with the president and has this report. President Trump marking one month until voters deliver their verdict on his first two years in

12:29office campaigning in Ohio tonight after back to back rallies in Alabama and Texas. I'm here to say hello. I love you and I'm coming really as a sign of respect. So states he won in the 2024 election just close your eyes and pretend them on the ballot. The president enticing his supporters to the polls with the promise of a cash payment. If the Republicans win, you will each have $5,000 in your pocket and economic success. Core our country. Congress would need to approve that payout, but the president did give you as service members a holiday bonus last year. His other proposed cash gifts have not panned out, including $2,000 tariff checks and money from doge cuts. And new today, using an existing fund, the Trump administration announcing a one-time $90 payment for more than 20 million seniors on Medicare to help offset higher healthcare costs, a key issue for voters. The president declaring,

13:30Remember, this is the golden age of American. Our nation is doing better now than ever before. But a majority of Americans 59% disagree. The economy top of mind. They're on war driving oil prices higher and diesel critical for farmers hit especially hard. But it's going to end very soon and oil is going to come plummeting down lower. Jose in a new court filing, the Trump administration insisted does have the authority to ban three news outlets from accessing the White House. The next step in this case is a hearing set for next Thursday. Jose. Julie Sorkin, thank you. Still ahead tonight. A rare insight. Look at how NATO is protecting other European countries from potential Russian attacks. Seven million Californians depend on community health clinics for their care. But Proposition 44 cuts billions from clinics. Under 44, hundreds of clinics will close and health services will be eliminated. That's why Prop 44 is opposed by nurses, doctors and patients. Vote no on the clinic shutdown proposition. No,

14:31on 44. Add paid for by no on prop 44. Stop the attack on patients and community health clinics sponsored by California Primary Care Association Advocates. Add committees top funders ultimate health services in California Primary Care Association Advocates. Do you love hair raising allegedly true stories about the paranormal? Then you should summon the podcast scared to death. It's the popular horror series with more than 60 million downloads to its name and is co-hosted by me. Dan Cummins and me Lindsey co-host and also Dan's wife. Each week on Scared to Death, we share bone-chilling tales from old books and creepy corners of the web and even some submitted by our listeners all designed to make you want to sleep with the lights on. Think you can handle the horror? Tune in to Scared to death every Tuesday at the stroke of midnight to find out. I don't know about you, but I get pretty excited when football season rolls around. That's why I always make a stop at total wine and more before kickoff. Whether it's craft bourbon, cold beer, or ready to drink cocktails, it's easy to build a lineup that keeps everyone happy.

15:33And when I'm getting everything ready for game day, it's nice knowing I'm getting the lowest prices. Make total wine and more part of your game day tradition. Spirts are not sold in Virginia and North Carolina. Drink responsibly, be 21. Back now with a rare look inside a high stakes operation by NATO to protect Europe from Russia as countries try to prevent potential attacks. Richard Engel. On a military base in the small Baltic nation of Lithuania, near the Russian border, NATO troops are training for the worst. For an alarm that could come at any moment, signaling the start of a Russian invasion of a NATO country, potentially triggering a massive global crisis or even a new world war. The pilots rush to their jets and take to the skies, showing their capacity to defend the Baltic states and prevent them from becoming the next Ukraine. They want to show that they are willing and able to stand up to Russia. And the reason they're doing it right now is the number of Russian attacks into NATO territory.

16:39Since September 2025, a NATO official tells NBC News NATO forces have had to scramble fighter jets around 400 times in response to Russian drones, missiles and jets entering NATO territory. You never can trust a neighbor like Russia or Belarus. Each time Russia denied responsibility or blamed Ukraine, but Russian pilots have been witnessed violating NATO airspace. And Russian drones have been recovered. President Trump has expressed serious doubts about NATO calling into question its most fundamental principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all. Welcome to their rescue, but they will never come to hours. Statements like that and Putin's aggressive actions are making Europeans extremely nervous. Governments in Europe are now also putting out instruction manuals telling people what to do should Russian troops invade. These were released by the governments of Latvia, Lithuania,

17:40Estonia and Sweden. They warned people how to act should Russian troops suddenly show up, how to behave, how to stockpile food. NATO was set up to prevent another world war through deterrence, but its members increasingly worry Putin isn't deterred, and that they are on their own. Richard Engel and DC News, Latvia. And we're back in a moment with that record breaking donation to Carnegie Mellon University and why Ken Griffin hopes it will revolutionize higher education and create the leaders of tomorrow. Download the series 6th STEM app for over 425 channels of ad-free music, sports, entertainment and more.

18:42Subscribe now and get 3 months free. Offer details apply. It's nice knowing I'm getting the lowest prices. Make total wine and more part of your game day tradition. Spirits are not sold in Virginia and North Carolina drink responsibly, be 21. I'm Hannah. I've lost 75 pounds in 20 months with GLP1s plus diet and exercise. On row, I've gone from struggling to run a mile to running farther every day. You can access FDA-approved GLP1s online. Get the support you need to reach your weight loss goals. Go to row.co-slash-weight to see if you qualify. I'm a paid row partner. 20% average weight loss in one year and non-diabatics with obesity or overweight with a weight-related medical condition versus 3.1% in placebo arm. Our acts only. To stay informed about serious side effects, go to row.co-slash-state. We're back with that record breaking donation from

19:46hedge fund creator and manager Ken Griffin giving more than $3 billion to Carnegie Mellon University. The largest gift ever by an individual in the history of higher education. I spoke with Griffin and Carnegie Mellon's president about what that money is going to and what it means for South Florida and the future leaders of the world. You are literally putting billions of dollars into the higher education equation. Why? So the American voter believes that higher education must deliver more. We need to go back to the foundational building blocks of what makes a great country and nothing makes a country great like being at the forefront of knowledge, of innovation, of research. Are you on the side of AI is going to be the destruction of the human race? Or are you on the side that AI should completely revolutionize for the better, the human race?

20:52Well, actually, you have two narratives here that are really quite different and the answer is probably somewhere in the middle. We do need to focus in having the right guardrails to make sure that these tools and the hands of bad actors are contained and controlled in terms of what consequences can be. But for choice, I'd much rather live in a world of AI than a world without. Our well-being and national security are going to require bringing people with deep expertise in different areas. And when you bring scientists, engineers, ethicists, people will understand humanities and social science. Artist, we will get better solutions. And that is going to be what we're going to do in Miami. Carnegie-Benz and University of Miami will be up and running by 2028 with more than 3,500 students expected to enroll. When we come back, here's good news. Tonight about an emotional meeting and the life-saving bond these two will share forever.

22:00There's good news tonight. So often, the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday, we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. And these are just some of those stories this week. Emma is now officially Kinsur free! Just listen to those two. That six-year-old Emma Hallshouse walking up to home plate with her cousin, Indianapolis Clowns catcher, Joe Lydall. After a two-year battle, she got to celebrate being cancer-free with hundreds of fans cheering her on. From Boston to Atlanta, to this preschool and dance. We saw six preschool teachers get a very special honor.

23:00So we want to present to you the early educator of the year, 2026. After 24 years in the classroom, teacher Angela Levings was brought to teach. It's a day I'll never forget. Oh my goodness! Outside Chicago, an incredible homecoming, a decade in the making. Oh! That's Vanessa Antonino, holding her Chihuahua floor for the first time since she went missing 12 years ago. Vanessa says she thought about floor every single day since she went missing. When I saw her, I felt completely, a piece of my heart was back with me. And this may be the first time Christine Todd and Chris Becker meeting, but they're already bound by the ultimate gift.

24:00Our friends at NBC Chicago first met Christine three years ago when she needed a kidney. Way back! And got creative to find one, posting on social media, making posters, and sharing her story at this white sock scheme. Which led her to not one, but two potential donors. One of them was a perfect match. Chris Beck, high school biology teacher in Virginia, who had already donated part of his liver to a young girl. I do it because I want the world to be a better place. It will always forever be a part of me, a part of my family. But then it turned out this connection sparked a life-saving chain reaction. That's Chicago donor Marney Pomeroy, the other donor who came forward to help Christine. After Chris helped Christine, Marney decided to donate anyway, saving five more people. It's knowing that I put some good out there in the world. We need more of that. Now I believe in beard clothes. You're my beard clothes. A priceless gift from two heroes,

25:04and living proof that kindness can change and save lives. That's MBC Knightland News for this Saturday, the Great Halligestion. We'll be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diaz-Bolaart. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good night. When you do hard things with people, you're connected for life. Monday on Today, the game that gave us city hope. The fans were buzzing. Drew Vries opens up to hold it 20 years after football's return to New Orleans. Monday on Today. Only Kelly Riepa can ask me this question. I'm flipping the script and saying what's really on my mind.

26:05We're seeing a different side of you. It's a little bit more honest. When the cameras go off, the real fun begins. My hair down over here. Hey, this is an off-camera podcast. So it's a map. It doesn't even matter. It's unfiltered conversations and unexpected confessions. My mom says, Woody, I knew you're dead. Stop the press. I would like to volunteer to administer any and all DNA tests. Maybe that should be part of the show. Let's talk off camera with me, Kelly Riepa. You just put that in my universe. Listen and follow wherever you get your podcasts.