Nightly News Full Broadcast - March 28

tonight new images and our new report on the final moments before the deadly bridge collapse in Baltimore our first close-up images of the freighter under the remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge two construction workers found dead four others missing and presumed dead new dash camera video of them on the bridge hours before the collision and One Survivor's wife now revealing what they were doing when the ship crashed, plus the emotional tributes on the Orioles' opening day, all so that tonight the suspect in stabbing attack that killed four people in Illinois in court among victims a 15-year-old girl and a mailman what suspect says made him angry former banker crypto tycoon Sam freed sentenced to 25 years for massive fraud his apology in court before learning his fate on East Coast soaking rain and flooding jeopardize 2024 race President Biden shares stage tonight with Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at star-studded fundraiser just a few kilometers away former President Trump at the wake of a New York police officer murdered while campaigning on the issue of crime the mission to protect the Giants of the sea within the new whale trafficking control and while the

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papers of the small town disappear, Harry Smith takes us to Maine, where the local

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is getting a Lifeline.

This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Hol. Good evening and welcome. Tonight we're going to take a closer look. However, in the precarious remains of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge and the runaway container ship that brought it down, our team with the Army Corps of Engineers stepped out today as they prepare for the formidable challenge of clearing the Canal block this tonight, special team is on the way. to begin work as the search continued for the bodies of four missing workers, the wife of one surviving worker told NBC News that my husband doesn't know how to swim, it's a miracle he survived, authorities also revealed they have begun interviews with a captain and crew of the container ship, but the NTSB now says its final report detailing the probable cause of the accident may take two years in Baltimore, a city still in shock.

Oreo fans participated in a moment of silence at the team's Tom Costello home opener. Latest developments from the water accident scene with the Army Corps of Engineers and the first close-up look at the massive container ship Dolly and the wreckage of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, above it, Dolly's bow crushed under a huge piece. of steel weighing between 3 and 4,000 tons, we have one of the largest cranes arriving here tonight on the east coast of the sea and picking up 1,000 tons at a time, the water is so murky and dark that divers and drones have struggled to get a clear view.

Submerged under the rubble, the remains of four bridge repair workers who are still missing. This dash cam video shows them on the bridge a few hours before the disaster. The wife of Julio Cantes, who survived, tells NBC News that the workers were on a break in their cars when the bridge hit. suddenly collapsed surprisingly centus survived even though he can't swim the Army Corps of Engineers will now take a leading role in cleaning up and reopening the ninth busiest port in the United States this is the challenge they need to clear a stretch of 700 feet right here to allow boats in and out, but it's not just over the water, of course, it's under the water and all that twisted bridge, that metal under water, is very sharp and poses a potentially lethal threat to boats and divers working underwater.

This work is very relentless and planning must be done. in extreme detail and that is the work that is being carried out today potentially very dangerous incredibly dangerous again today a team of NTSB investigators on the ship interviewing the captain of the pilots and members of the ship's crew the black box of the Ship shows alarms going off at 1:24 a.m. indicating a loss of power the ship's pilot made an urgent call to the tugs and they will drop anchor it's raining it's slippery of course we have the hazardous materials uh we have containers that are open uh we certainly have structural damage everywhere with massive cranes and barges arriving as soon as tonight experts believe it could take a month to clean up the wreckage when the green button is pressed and incident command gives the order for those cranes to start lifting it out of the water, it will go faster than most of people can expect, but the unprecedented size and scale of the work, we certainly understand the demand to get this port up and running and open again, we will do it, but we will do it safely and Tom, you are getting a better idea of ​​how involved is this cleaning operation.

It's going to be yes, that's right, the Army Corps tells me that a

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y loaded boat like the Dolly will be between 12 and 18 inches off the bottom of the river and the depth is 50 feet, so they need to clean everything off the bottom. from the bottom to the sand because, otherwise, any residue could represent a lethal risk for future ships moving there. Lester, yes, hard and dangerous work, Tom, thank you, today even President Biden acknowledged what he called a brutal stabbing attack in Rockford, Illinois that killed four. people and injured seven others prosecutors say suspect blames drug use for sudden attack here's Maggie Vespo tonight as Rockford struggles to understand the Carnage attacker charged in Wednesday's deadly stabbing spree Christian SoDo, 22 years, in court facing 13 first-class charges. degree murder to home invasion by police, they say a rampage spanning five crime scenes ensued in this northern Illinois community.

They say SoDo attacked 11 people in total, killing four, including a mother and her son, a mail carrier on his route and a 15-year-old girl. Jenna Nukem Jenna died. saving her sister and her friend Prosecutors say today that the Spree began when Soto visited a friend at the first house who, he said, gave him laced marijuana. Soto said he became paranoid after drug use, he said he pulled a knife out of the kitchen and proceeded to stab Jacob and Ramona died from there, they say he attacked randomly driving his truck toward Lawns breaking into a house where three teenagers were watching a movie grabbing a bat and started swinging it hitting all the female victims Darlene Weber says SoDo came at her back door attacking her and her children she looked at me she had the biggest smile in the world on her face she was smiling she looked like the devil incarnate they say that the family dog ​​Brandy bit SoDo on the leg while Weber's son was fighting him and I grabbed a syrup bottle and started hitting him with it.

I'm not even joking if it wasn't for him. I don't think he'd be here talking to you right now. Not really, he was terrifying tonight. A woman who identified herself as Soto's mother told NBC News that he is a loving person and that he has never hurt anyone before. We never felt threatened by him. We can't believe that's my son Maggie Vaspa. NBC News Rockford Illinois here in New York. This sentence was 255. years in prison today for Sam Bankman freed former crypto king whose FTX exchange collapsed cnbc's Kate Rooney has details convicted on seven criminal counts of fraud and conspiracy last November today freed Sam Bankman learned of his fate sentenced to 25 years in federal prison just a couple of years ago, the released banker was a young billionaire living in the Bahamas and running the FTX crypto exchange, wielding influence in Washington and seeking celebrity endorsements, then it all fell apart, It looks like they are filing chapter 11 for FTX and their sister hedge fund collapsed, clients left.

Unable to access his funds the freed banker long maintained that he had done nothing wrong. I never tried to commit fraud against anyone, but today in court the freed banker was remorseful and told the judge that he made selfish decisions and added that he haunts me every day. the CEO of Ft TX said I was responsible, the judge admonished the released banker saying that there is a risk that this man will be in a position to do something very bad in the future and added that in his 30 years he has never seen a performance like that of the trial of the banker Freed. testimony saying that when he wasn't outright lying he was evasive how are you feeling today?

Banker Freed's parents stand solemn outside the courthouse saying in a statement that they are heartbroken and will continue to fight for our son. Lawyers for banker Freed say they plan to appeal. It was really really hard, I mean I couldn't sleep, seil cavi lost $2 million when FTX imploded today and he says he's still waiting to get that money back. I think it's a closure in some ways, but I don't think it

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y reflects the financial situation. and the emotional toll on customers, Kate, when FTX crashed there were real questions about the future of cryptocurrencies, how are they doing now?

At the time last year, Sam bman Freed's fraud was seen as irreparable damage to the industry, but a year and a half later this FTX drama unfolded. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are now back at all-time highs. Lester Kate Rooney thanks you in the dramatic dash cam footage of a deadly Texas school bus crash, footage showing the moment a cement truck crosses the center line and hits the bus, causing it to overturn. last Friday more than 40 preschool students were on board one died along with a driver of a car behind the bus no charges have been laid tonight much of the east coast continues to see steady, soggy rain in an area stretching from Carolina to Maine 12 million people remain under flood watch until early tomorrow Rainfall will range from 1 to 3 Ines now in the race for the White House with President Biden attending a star-studded fundraiser in Manhattan with two of his predecessors here's Gabe Gutierrez tonight President Biden arrives New York Side by side with his former running mate under heavy security Biden campaign hosts star-studded fundraiser a Hall of Presidents at Radio City Music Hall Biden Obama and Clinton with celebrities like Lizo and Queen Latifa the campaign says the event will raise less than $25 million as Democrats set the stage for the general election.

I have never been more optimistic about our future. I know I'm only 40 years old, 2+1, but a new poll shows former President Trump performed well in a head-to-head matchup. -head clash and that only 38% of Americans approve of President Biden's handling of the economy only 30% on immigration we are here today the president's visit to Manhattan sparked protests over the war in Gaza AIDS has said that former President Obama, like many Democrats, has been worried President Biden could lose, but last summer, during a private lunch at the White House, NBC News reported that the two men discussed what was at stake in 24 Former President Obama has now taken an increasingly active role in the campaign as Democrats Tonight Show a united front against the former president.

Trump, as you know, Joe is an extraordinary friend and partner. He was by my side for eight years. Mr. Trump is just a few miles away today, attending the wake of New York police officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed this week during a traffic stop. The mayor of New York City. says the suspect had more than 20 previous arrests the former president met today with Officer Diller's wife and his one-year-old son we have to stop him we have to get back to law and order we have to do a lot of things differently Because of that this is not working, this happens too often, Gabe, let's get back to Biden's fundraising.

It comes as Democrats are doing very well in fundraising. Yes, that's right, Lester, over the last few weeks the Democrats have far outpaced the Republicans when it comes to fundraising, but these pro-Palestinian Protesters, you can hear them in the background amidst this heavy security, continue making their voices heard at this event. This is something the Biden campaign has to deal with. Lester, okay, thanks, in just 60 seconds, sunless fun, why? Next eclipse is turning cities like Cleveland and Buffalo into spring break hot spots, disappearing law next, FAA says spring break travel will soon peak as next solar eclipse fuel a tourism boom in some unlikely places, here's Jesse Kers, it's that time of year and Airports are packed with flights during thespring break season when it's not for spring break, it's horrible, completely horrible, even though spring break is in full swing.

The busiest time of the flying season is still days away, we'll just accept it and move on, the FAA hopes. air travel to Peak next Thursday and Friday with nearly 100,000 flights combined some Americans hope to glimpse the April 8 total solar eclipse Clips heading to destinations like Dallas Indianapolis Cleveland and Buffalo Airfares and hotel rates are soaring in cities along the way is like Super Bowl prices week after week hotels have gone up about 550% in cities like Jackson Missouri, where it will cost on average more than $600 per night in Erie Pennsylvania, it's almost $800. This Airbnb map shows Eclipse weekend bookings, they're not just here spending. in hotels, but they will host the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, many other wonderful things happening in bars, restaurants and other places in the community, but the grace of a city for influx, some officials recommend that the people stock up on water, food and fuel and the FAA warns that airports in the path of totality could see unusually high traffic in addition to delays and adding flights could also be diverted.

Cleveland airport is recruiting, we have more people available at the front of the house to make sure you know the lines are moving this spring break instead of running into the sun, many Americans are hoping to see it go Jesse kersch NBC News Cleveland Up next As we continue a new program that helps ships stay away from the gentle giants of the sea Could it help save endangered ships? whales a continent away with our climate challenge series for years our friend Anne Thompson has reported on the risk whales face in the waters they share with cargo ships and fishing lines tonight she tells us about a new approach to protecting These giants of the sea quickly peak a dorsal fit like endangered killer whales in the Salish Sea off Seattle that weigh up to 11 tons, they can be difficult to spot.

Oh my goodness, boats are supposed to stay 400 yards away in the miles of canals and straits that cross the US-Canada border, including Puget Sound. This is very much a working waterway. Last year, some 300,000 commercial ships passed through these waters. The water is where 23 different species of whales, bodies and dolphins swim. Sightings of those species called locations now tracked in a new program run by the U.S. Coast Guard and this is the hub. This is what Lieutenant Commander Margaret Woodbridge gives us a rare look inside the cation desk is like an air traffic control center, but for ships, somehow, yes, instead of radar, it seems we have another killer whale report here the coast guard is based on sightings it looks like 1 2 3 four five we really hope to take advantage of all those eyes in the water and get that information into this database and alert system from the container ship MC saona so we can report to that greater maritime traffic when there are whales nearby.

It's all done in applications that even the coast guard uses on the cutter. ad Deli was seen today at 10:20 20 yes about 40 minutes ago 40 minutes ago that's where we're heading slowing down those boats is key to the whales' survival says Noah's Lyn Barry does geography put them on a possible collision course ? there is a challenging geography here we have many islands we have small channels pinch points where whales and ships want to share these waters applied in a similar way to the North Atlantic right whales off the east coast that we told you about last year is that a calf yes, the calf is one of the five right whales reported dead this year two due to collisions with ships one trapped in fishing gear now this early warning system in the Pacific there was a killer well away from its port B can draw a new direction, here we go help protect top predators on both coasts a Thompson NBC News Seattle and until next night good news on the front page har Smith travels a newspaper route through Maine and the mission to save a beloved source of local news 1987 we finally did this tonight Harry Smith with the Maine news on the vital role and a lifeline for local news in Ry in Central Maine, many customers consult the Lewiston Sun Journal with their breakfast.

Locals have trusted it since 1847, but like many local newspapers, its future was anything but secure, it's been tough, I mean, it's no secret, advertising spending has dropped exponentially, our subscriptions have dropped. Sun Journal editor Jod Jalbert has lived in Lewiston his entire life. We did our best not to pull resources out of our newsrooms, but everyone was stretched thin until last summer, when the Sun Journal, four other major dailies and 16 weekly newspapers were sold to the National Trust, a non-profit organisation. for profit, for local news. Thank God, now it was a great relief. A great relief.

The newsroom was static. We are so grateful to have Mara Hoffman leading our evening. Dash executive editor Judy Meyer introduced us to a newsroom full of seasoned journalists who knew exactly what to do last October, when a gunman opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar. Almost everyone in this newsroom is here. bold in that bowling alley we've been to, we know where it is, we know the people who were involved and I think we addressed it because this is not a crime story, it's a crime against our community, where we compiled a story. The Sun newspaper continues to operate 5 months later, long after the rest of us have left town as a local newspaper through high school sports.

It generates interest just like restaurant news and we publish birth notices in our newspapers. Who does that? Not everyone loves the newspaper, although some do. Elected officials Community leaders are like a pest, says Meyer, there are a lot of shenanigans that can happen in the dark and that happens when you don't have local journalists following what's going on. Mayers has trusted the Sun Journal for more than 175 years because of the trust they still can and do have. Insured delivery driver Beth Colmes will ensure that you receive your copy even at your back door. An excellent story and a topic near and dear to all of us who practice journalism.

Harry, that's your last news for the night. you're leaving us what's next, it's time to move on and I'll be heading to Iowa this fall to teach at my alma mater Central College in Pella. I'm going to teach a course on curiosity, so we appreciate all the opportunities we've had here at NBC and especially thanks to you, thank you and curiosity really defines who you are, that constant pursuit of history, we appreciate everything you've done, many thank you, thank you, okay, that's Nightly News. thanks for watching everyone. I'm Lester Holt, take care of yourselves and each other.

Bye, thanks for watching. Stay up to date on breaking news and top stories on the NBC News app or follow us on social media.