ABC World News Tonight Full Broadcast - March 30, 2024

Tonight, several stories developing as we take to the air, the terrifying moments aboard a United Jet that was experiencing severe turbulence while attempting to land, the incident comes as millions of people fill airports for the Holiday Rush efforts to take place. are being carried out to clean up the remains of the bridge collapse in Baltimore. in the tons of shattered steel and authorities in several states are stepping up efforts to crack down on squatters first. Millions fly through the skies and roads. TSA is already experiencing its biggest travel day of the year so far. Travel figures reach levels seen at the height of the Thanksgiving rush and winter holidays amid the crisis of the flight from Tel Aviv was diverted while trying to land at the New York airport with several passengers suffering severe turbulence treated for motion sickness roads were also packed despite higher gas prices our team tracked it all expected weather impacts west over 20 million Americans on alert for possible flooding as powerful storm CrossCountry hits southern California winter weather alerts from the California mountains to parts of the Rocky Mountains creating hazardous driving conditions eastward-stretching system expected to impact the Northeast early next week our weather team will time all the unprecedented effort 24 hours a day.

Rescue effort begins in Baltimore. Officials bring in heavy equipment and begin the process of moving millions of tons of debris from the Key Bridge. Our team speaks to one of the last people to pass. that bridge before it collapsed his first television interview abroad the urgent effort to bring aid to Gaza three ships loaded with 400 tons of much-needed food set sail from Cyprus amid dire warnings of famine Israel's Brit clenet a determined Pope Francis prepares for Easter He returned for services on Sunday amid renewed concerns about his health. The repression against illegal occupants of homes. New York Georgia Alabama trying to make it easier for homeowners to repossess their property in hopes of joining Florida in changing the law and criminalizing the practice.

The Oregon man is lucky to be alive. an out-of-control saw blade is getting too close for comfort and America is strong

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the young baseball player what it took to get to his Field of Dreams his message to live each day to the

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est from ABC World Headquarters News in New York this is

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good evening, thank you for joining us this Saturday. I'm Mary Bruce, on behalf of Johnson. We start tonight with a terrifying air scare just as millions of people hit the roads for the busy holiday weekend. Several people fall ill after a United Airlines flight from Tel Aviv. to New York New Jersey encountered high winds and turbulence, that flight was diverted approximately 70 miles north to Stewart International Airport, some passengers complained of nausea, discomfort and chest pain, that plane eventually refueled and landed on its original destination, Newark International Airport, all of this came as the TSA. recorded the highest number of passengers of the year so far, more than 2.7 million, on Thursday, surpassing travel on the Friday before Christmas and the day before Thanksgiving, and air travel is expected to become even busier as millions take to the skies ahead of the ABC solar eclipse.

Phil Lipof takes us tonight from New York International Airport tonight Airport ports across the country packed with passengers lots of congestion um sometimes the TSA is screening over 2.7 million people on Thursday alone heading into the end of holiday week, making it the busiest day this year So far, more passengers than the Friday before Christmas and the day before Thanksgiving last year. What about the crowds? Lots of people traveling with you. Yes, our plane was definitely

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er than it was supposed to be, but the holiday weekend was not without incident. A United flight. from Tel Aviv to Newark making an unscheduled stopover diverting Friday night to Orange County, New York after encountering severe turbulence, yes it's pretty early today, and they said the flight was pretty rough arriving in Newark, but We had several ambulances here from Newor and Several surrounding agencies in a statement said that one passenger died due to a medical incident and some other customers were treated by medical personnel for possible motion sickness, they informed our crew that there were several people on the plane complaining of nausea and chest pain due to this. turbulence the plane will finally arrive in Newark and if you are traveling this weekend you will spend more on gas prices.

Slowly increasing throughout the year with the average hovering around 353 per gallon, which is up 19 cents from last month's average and three cents from this time last year and Phil Lipoff joins us from New York International Airport and Phil even before this busy weekend is over, the FAA now has an advisory for next week and they are right, the FAA predicts that next week will be the busiest of the travel season. spring break and a reminder, as you mentioned, there is a lot of excitement around this total solar eclipse happening on April 8th, many people are making trips just for that, so travelers can expect limited parking, even delays in airports right during eclipses. road from Texas to Maine Mary will be something to see Phil, thanks, now we turn to the weather and millions on Alert in the west as a major storm brings flooding and heavy snow.

This video captures the swirling storm approaching the coast and it is intense. Snow is battering the San Bernardino Mountains in Southern California, causing low visibility and stranded drivers. Let's go straight to Britney Bell from our WABC station in New York. She's tracking everything. Britney, time for us. Well Mary, parts of California will see heavy rain and heavy snow. For the rest of the weekend, let's look at the latest alerts. The flood warning continues for Southern California. In addition, the winter alert extends from California to the Rocky Mountains. Look at Arizona, the entire state under a wind advisory.

Gusts over 40 mph are possible, so it's still pretty. messy in EAS or Sunday in the west, but nicer the further east you go, places like Oklahoma City and Nashville, high temperatures near 80 Dees and mostly dry, but serious threat also moves east on Monday , numerous severe storms are possible, stretching from Texas to the end. Indiana could produce damaging winds, hail, and very large tornadoes. Mary, it's okay, Britney, thank you. We now turn to urgent rescue and recovery efforts in Baltimore. These massive cranes are now being used to remove the remains of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Crews are working around.

The clock after the deadly bridge disaster and tonight we hear from a motorist who says he was one of the last to cross the bridge before it collapsed. Here's J obrien from ABC tonight, 5 days after the collapse, the first pieces of debris from the Francis Scott. Key bridge blocking Baltimore Harbor now in the process of being removed, the start of a grueling process, as divers and other crews prepare to cut pieces of tangled steel out of the water, a task made more difficult by dangerous debris sharp metallic and electrical. Cables were sent flying when that container ship lost power upon hitting the bridge.

We are talking about remains. We're talking about pieces of the Key Bridge that are in the water. State leaders cannot say when the shuttered port linked to 8,000 jobs will reopen, saying their focus is on recovering the bodies of four missing construction workers, presumed dead, who blocked a vital highway, leaving people like Larry DeSantis , the head baker at Herman's Bakery in Lurch, every day for 16 years. Larry taking the Key Bridge back and forth overnight. hours between his two jobs Larry told us that he was one of the last people to cross that bridge just before it collapsed, what was it like watching that video?

Yeah, it was, well, like I said, it makes me think, you know, I mean, me. m I'm very lucky, you're lucky to be alive not exactly not exactly I mean, if I had arrived a minute later I wouldn't be here, the locals are still recovering from Pam rig, one of several who got their first glimpse of the Baltimore today . Skyline without the Key Bridge is different from seeing it on TV and then seeing it in real life, even though we are far away, we still feel that this collapse has such a big impact on this community.

Jay O'Brien joins us live from the Francis Scott Key Bridge and Jay, what's the latest on the search for the missing workers Mary, the remains of two of those construction workers have been recovered, but divers have had to temporarily suspend the search for the others because of how dangerous conditions officials say have been. Here in the water right now, clearing all remaining debris is essential to that ongoing search effort. Mary and we, of course, are thinking of your families tonight. Jay, thank you and tune in this week tomorrow morning. Martha Radit speaks with Maryland Senator Chris Van Holland. on those recovery efforts in Baltimore and abroad now late tonight that ceasefire talks will resume tomorrow between Hamas and Israel, this as President Biden faces criticism for continuing to send billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel as part of a long-standing agreement and as a three-ship convoy heads to Gaza to deliver food and other supplies amid concerns of famine in the ABC Brick Clenet region in Tel Aviv tonight Tonight the Biden Administration sends a new round of weapons to Israel despite a gap over an anticipated military offensive in southern Gaza President Biden has reportedly given the green light to billions of dollars in weapons as part of a long-standing agreement data The Washington Post reported that the new arms transfer includes 2,000-pound bombs linked to airstrikes in Gaza that caused mass casualties that some Democrats had been urging Biden to halt US military support until Israel allows the delivery of the aid it Gaza is desperately needed, where the UN warns that famine is imminent.

It comes as a convoy of aid ships sets sail for Gaza today with 400 tonnes of food. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder speaks to me. on the phone saying it's not enough. Help is coming to malnutrition. Kids like kids who are paper thin. Yes, mothers and grandmothers are standing next to these desperately emaciated children, but there is an intersection 10 or 15 minutes away. This is what is so frustrating on the streets of Gaza. children sell whatever they can to avoid hunger sh Muhammad says he is trying to earn money so my brothers and I can eat speaking from a makeshift camp in Rafa Nima Asha's family is among the 1.3 million people displaced people who could be evacuated if there is an Israeli Ground invasion the city is already facing Israeli bombing you don't know when they are going to attack you our neighbors have been killed they were sleeping peacefully and they were killed so every night we think we could be the next Mary Israel says that their objective is to destroy the capabilities of Hamas and we are told that a delegation will leave for Cairo tomorrow to talk again with Hamas about the release of those hostages and a ceasefire.

Maria, all eyes will be on those conversations. Brit, thank you. Pope Francis is back at work today presiding over the Easter Vigil which comes after skipping a Good Friday procession to preserve his health before the busy Easter Sunday. The 87-year-old pontiff has faced multiple health problems in recent months and now needs a wheelchair or cane to get around here is ABC's inz DEA Cera Tonight, Pope Francis presides over the solemn Easter Vigil on Christmas Eve in Rome, About 6,000 people pack St. Peter's Basilica, the Pope sitting most of the time early delivering a 10-minute homily and in the darkened Cathedral returning to the spotlight after skipping the walk. of the procession of the Cross in the last minute of Good Friday, the Vatican says he must preserve his health before the weekend's events, the Pope shakes hands, smiles and looks cheerful as he leaves the Saturday service, the The pontiff is 87 years old and has recently suffered from mobility and respiratory problems.

Last month he contracted the flu and was taken to the hospital for tests, but the Pope maintains that he did nothas any serious illness. This week she seemed to be in good health as she read her prepared remarks in full on Wednesday and washed the feet of prisoners on Maundy Thursday performing the ritual service from her wheelchair earlier on a Friday, leading a 2-hour service in the St. Peter's Basilica and we also look forward to seeing the Pope deliver a message of hope and peace at tomorrow's Easter Sunday Mass, where he will offer his blessings to a packed crowd.

St Peter Square among over a billion Catholics around the

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Mary, okay Enz, thanks here in the US, a growing crisis in America between squatters and homeowners is causing some states to take action energetic. Florida is now the first state to criminalize squatting. The issue will soon follow others. More now from ABC's Jacqulyn Lee tonight's growing crackdown on squatting New York, Georgia and Alabama are working on legislation to join Florida in criminalizing the Brazen Act this week. You won't be able to take someone's private property and expect to get away with it. nationwide squatter laws state-to-state VAR no nationwide enforcement directive if a homeowner discovers a squatter the authorities' hands are tied because it is considered a civil matter if you touch me again two moms in Los Angeles They found this out the hard way after a squatter commander this $3 million property down the street you know it's a constant problem out there they're helping themselves to packages from neighbors in the city of New York under state law a squatter is considered a tenant after 30 days and because it is a dispute between landlord and tenant the landlord is forced into a lengthy court process to evict them a squatting incident in New York became an investigation of murder 52-year-old woman found in duffel bag after discovering squatters in her late mother's vacant apartment squatters call themselves flash criminal types Shelton who calls himself the squatter Hunter says he helps landlords of housing across the country to get rid of squatters by moving in with them and squatting the squatters.

I have a house and Are you telling me that someone can come in and set up shop and not have to leave? Yes, I have had many cases where people are simply on vacation. You call the police and they just say, "Look, I live here and you." You have a civil matter on your hands Mary, when a landlord takes a squatter to court, it can take years and thousands of dollars to simply get them evicted. What does the new Florida law do? It distinguishes between a tenant and a squatter, allowing authorities to remove the squatter. immediately takes effect July 1 Mary, it is a huge challenge to address this growing problem.

Jacqueline, thank you now for an emotional day here in New York, thousands of mourners gathered to pay their final respects to fallen NYPD officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed earlier this week. during a routine traffic stop in Queens, NYPD officers join the procession to a church on Long Island Diller, a three-year veteran of the NYPD, leaves behind a wife and son a year away, there's still much more to come here on World News Tonight this Saturday. Dramatic Gulf of Mexico Rescue, Coast Guard Pulls Lone Kayaker to Safety, and Terrifying Fog Nearby Caught on Camera Why Oregon Man Is Lucky to Be Alive Next Night Dramatic Northern Rescue Florida, the Coast Guard locates a kayak lost in the Gulf of Mexico, after an exhaustive search of hours, the crew members were repelled from a helicopter to reach him, friends and lifeguards who helped in the search for Chris, smelly, former South Carolina quarterback and father of four, who is expected to recover and stay in Florida 10 people.

They were rescued when their airboat capsized in Everglades National Park. Officials say the boat turned suddenly, causing passengers to fall into the water. The ship landed on its side. One person was treated at the scene for minor injuries. The operator of the airboat was arrested. Officials say he lacked proper certification and an Oregon man is shaken but alive after a very close call. Take a look at a surveillance camera that shows the man entering a convenience store, right behind him, a huge 4 foot long saw blade rolling violently in his path, the impact so powerful that it shook the store, a local natural gas company says the blade appears to have come loose during a repair that was pretty close and when we return nearly a billion dollars on the line as tonight's Powerball lottery jackpot, Soares and superstar Caitlyn Clark and their Iowa Hawkeyes. keep dancing the

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comes straight to the index now in the

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to the final four this afternoon, the number three LSU Tigers pulled off an upset over number two UCLA by coming from behind in the exciting final minutes of the game and just before we arrived in the air Caitlyn Clark's Iowa hawkey dominates Colorado's number five to continue dancing Clark is playing in his final college season hoping to avenge last year's loss in the title game and wants to be almost a multi-millionaire The prize Tonight's Powerball biggest is $935 million that no one has matched all six numbers since New Year's Day to get those tickets and when we come back, the young first baseman's return to his Wyatts team is about more than just baseball and Finally, tonight, Strong America, the young man who has faced the toughest challenges by returning to his Field of Dreams since he was a child Jacob Fagundes has loved baseball the field as a second home to him it is like my place of comfort It's a place where I feel understood I feel like I belong This week the 17-year-old was Back on the field playing for the L Damante High School miners who accomplished an extraordinary feat over the past four years.

Jakee has been fighting for his life after being diagnosed with a rare blood cancer. I took it very hard, but my goal the whole time was just to get back on the field. Jacob's coach has nothing but admiration for him. Jacob is a warrior so he's been through more than any of these kids can even consider. or think I just told myself I'd rather be me than someone I love after part time dozens of rounds of chemo Jacob went into remission but then another curveball was thrown at him. I received a new diagnosis. I'm going out again to beat cancer this time the doctors told Jacob that he needed a bone marrow transplant.

Luckily for him, his older brother Joey complied. It turned out to be a perfect match, my brother had to save my life and he is a big reason why I come here every day after four years keeping his passion for baseball alive and the hope that he has returned as a first baseman. I am grateful for the opportunity. being able to wake up and play this game every day tonight Jacob sharing this message something I learned from this trip is to never take life for granted you have to live every day like it's your last because you never know when it will be and keep swinging for the fences keep swinging for those fences Jacob, thanks for watching I'm Mary Bruce, have a great night, thanks for making World News Tonight with David Mure, the most watched newscast in the United States.