Morning News NOW Full Broadcast – March 28

right now on Morning News Now a recovery mission now a salvage operation the remains of two construction workers along with a black box pulled from the water following the catastrophic freighter collision and collapse of Baltimore's key bridge. It is difficult to overstate the impact of this collision. uh, the private party that is found responsible will be held accountable. Now there are new questions about what went wrong and how it could have been avoided. Also this

morning

we will bring you the latest from the political world paying tribute to Joe Liberman, the former senator. and the BP candidate died at the age of 82.

We will review his life and his historic career in Washington. In addition, contagion is worrying about measles cases. It is increasing in the US as vaccination rates decline. What doctors want you and us to know. We're flipping the script with Abbott Elementary star William Stanford Davis, that show was his big break and now, at 72, he says his Hollywood career is just getting started. An inspiring conversation that we hope to bring to you a little later this Thursday

morning

. It's good to have you with us. I'm Joe Frier. Savannah is out. Let's start with the bridge collapse in Baltimore, where the recovery mission has now become a salvage operation.

Officials say it is no longer safe for divers to navigate or operate. Around the debris created by the Fallen Francis Scott Key Bridge, the NTSB released new video giving us a closer look at the damage left behind after a cargo ship crashed into the bridge abutment early Tuesday morning. . Divers recovered the ship's data recorder. The Port of Baltimore yesterday found two victims who were inside a red van when the bridge collapsed. Four others are presumed dead and still missing. The investigation into the accident is expected to take up to 2 years. The NTSB chairman leading the INV investigation says crews are working to salvage whatever they can, our only focus at the scene is collecting perishable evidence that documents the scene, they're taking photographs, they're taking any type of components. electronics or components, whatever goes away once the scene is cleared, we need to collect that information.

For our investigation, we have

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coverage this hour, including our conversation with a former Navy diving chief to help the chief better understand the recovery mission, but let's start with NBC News correspondent Antonia Hilton in Baltimore. Good morning, Antonia, what's new in the investigation? As this salvage operation begins and what more are we learning about the contents of what was on the ship. Good morning Joe, well we know that investigators are now boarding the ship after for the first few hours they were unable to do so and we know that there are about 56 or more dozen containers with potentially hazardous materials, oil, other flammables, we also know, Of course, there are still immense amounts of cargo and other goods that they will surely be searching for records. what they know can still be saved there and then we know that they had access to the trip data recorder and you know it's essentially some kind of black box that you would hear about on a plane and what they're going to do is we've already brought it back. to a lab and they're going to use that data to essentially create a timeline of everything they know about what was happening with and inside the ship in the moments leading up to this tragic collision. and you should listen to some of the words from the chairman of the NTSB, who has been very clear with reporters here that this is a very methodical and sometimes slow information-gathering process.

Take a look at 56 hazardous materials containers. 764 tons of hazardous materials, mostly corrosive, flammable, some of the hazardous materials containers were broken, we have seen Shear on or Sheen, sorry, shine on the um Waterway, local, state and federal authorities are aware of that and they will be in charge of addressing them. Officials have been very clear here, Joe, that it's going to take a while, and they're not downright comfortable at this point giving an exact timeline or estimate for when things like the port, or jobs that depend on this area, might be open. and this local economy will get back to normal and that's because every step of this is going to be very complicated, the cleanup effort and the information retrieval effort, you know, everything really is going to be a multinational investigation as they coordinate with different corporations and companies involved in this in just this boat here, so the one thing that people seem to be very sure about is that we have a long road ahead of us right now Joe and Antonio, let's talk about the victims that two were They recovered yesterday and two others have been identified.

What are we learning about those who lost their lives in this tragedy? Well, we learned last night from the governor and other officials here that they recovered two victims in a pickup truck submerged about 25 feet. in the water the victims were Alandro Hernandez Fuentes uh 35 years old and Doran Castillo Cabrera 26 years old and NBC News has had the opportunity and also had the opportunity to speak with relatives, loved ones. Friends of the victims we have learned that they are men, fathers from places like Guatemala, Honduras , El Salvador and Mexico, where they came here to strengthen their families, you know, contribute to this country and to the Baltimore community, and you know the people here just received an outpouring of love and support for these grieving families. and the immigrant community here has also stepped up the organizations that give them support rights, you know, the friendship church and all the community bases here, they're trying to step up right now and offer people supportive counseling, uh and and just an opportunity to process all of this as a real thank you to their memory and the service they provided that night trying to make repairs to this bridge, something that everyone in this area would benefit from and people don't want that to be the case.

Forgotten Joe, no doubt, we are also thinking of his friends and family Antonia, thank you very much for your report this morning for more information. Now we're joined by former Navy Diving Chief, retired Captain Bobby Scoy, thank you very much for joining us, you know? Now that this has moved from this search and rescue to a salvage recovery mission, what does that mean for search teams? Well, thanks for having me, Joe, and I also want to extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the various divers. That's always our priority is to recover the victims so that the families can have closure, but even though SW changed to a salvage recovery, I think the divers will still have in the back of their minds that the priority is to bring. recover those victims, but as you move into the salvage phase, the divers are going to have to switch modes and think about the stability of the debris field and how they're going to start lifting that structure up to the surface and that's a game of completely different ball, they're going to have to survey the scene and figure out the safest way to get the rig around that structure and bring it to the surface and get it out of the way, and that's going to take a lot. of engineering skills and a different type of diving that changes from scuba diving, which allows them to move freely in the water, they will probably have to bring a surface-mounted diving helmet for protection, possibly underwater cutting, which is a completely different skill . set and um and then of course a bunch of cranes and equipment barges on top so it's a huge operation and there's so many challenges that they face.

How long could this recovery mission take? It's going to take weeks, possibly months. I think about the large scale operation I was involved in, tww flight 800, it took us four months to get most of the plane, although it was deeper water, we're talking relatively shallow water here, no more than 50 feet , so the depth of the water is not that bad um and the structure is all um in one place and we know where the whole structure is but this is very heavy um rubble the concrete and metal are very heavy and everything it's interconnected um so that's going to raise some issues um just so you know in my opinion we're talking at least many weeks, maybe even a few months from now um but I'm sure that unified command is going to Build a team with a lot of experience, whether commercial. or government um and get to work as quickly as possible okay Bobby Scolly thank you very much for joining us this morning we appreciate your expertise it's my pleasure former US senator and Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Liberman , died at the age of 82, his family says. who died yesterday after suffering complications from a fall, the four-term senator from Connecticut began his career as a centrist Democrat and was the first Jewish American on a presidential ticket along with Al Gore in 2000.

He later became an independent endorsing his Republican friend John. McCain on his 2008 White House bid NBC News congressional correspondent Julie Cirin is here with us in New York to talk more about the senator's legacy. He is someone known as a centrist and with a long and complex career, why is he remembered? almost this morning, so many things, I mean, his Senate career was 24 years, as you said, he was the first Jewish member of the Senate, he was also the first American Jew to be on a presidential ticket as a vice presidential candidate by far. time. in 2000 and then became the first newly Jewish or American member to run for president, true, he was unsuccessful four years after he was on Al Gore's ticket, but look, his time in the Senate was truly transformative and he You could see that from the memorial statements yesterday from Republicans and Democrats, he forged alliances between both parties, he spoke out in favor of the US invasion of Iraq after 9/11, you know, he really led a lot of important legislation and, most recently, was the public face of the No Labels effort to try to get this Unity ticket for 2024, so he really touched all sides of politics, you know he could reach across the aisle, maybe sometimes he could even annoy Democrats with the things that he said or the positions that he took, what were the things? that was the most important thing to him, the issues that he focused on, well, look, you know, he really changed, of course, his affiliation to an independent Democrat in 20 2006, in part because he didn't have the support of the Democratic party after that, as I said, he supported the invasion of Iraq, he sided with fellow Republicans like John McCain, Lindsey Graham, his two close friends when he was in the Senate, but even though he was an independent, he was still a Democrat on economic issues. , on climate issues, on a lot of social issues, you know, after 9/11.

He really was the legislative father, so to speak, of the Department of Homeland Security, this was an agency that he felt was very important to create after the terrorist attacks in this city, all those years ago, but later many criticized him for his position . in the way that President Obama's signature legislation, the Affordable Care Act, for example, tries to take back certain parts of that when it's a public option, etc., and also angered Democrats in 2008 when he endorsed to John McCain in Barack Obama, who was his new colleague at the time in the Senate, so he really transformed politics.

He is a rare voice. We don't see many like him now, yes, exactly, and they also remember him as such. Are we listening to Al Gore at all this morning we are and do you know that Al Gore actually chose Joe Liberman as his running mate, do you really know after all the accusations against Bill Clinton who, to be clear, Liberman was a fan of his administration and I want to read you a part of What Al Gore Said Today you see on your screen. He said Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country.

He was truly a gifted leader whose affable personality and strong will made him a force to be reckoned with. and you know Gore chose him because Liberman was an independent voice, he spoke very strongly on those accusations against Bill Clinton with Monica Lewinsky causing sort of a rift with a lot of Democrats even though she ultimately voted not to convict him in the Senate trial, but it was truly an independent voice and certainly Al Gore saw him as such as well. Very good, Julie Cin. Thank you so much. I'm glad to see you this morning. Thanks for joining us.

Former President Trump is escalating social media attacks against the judge over his hush money in New York. case less than a day after the judge issued a partial gag order in Tuesday's ruling, Judge Juan Maran said Trump should refrain from making public statements about court staff, witnesses and other figures in the case, but not mentioned tojudge or the judge's family. and it didn't take long for Trump to take to his social media platform Truth Social in a series of posts. Trump labeled Michan an enemy and repeated his call for the judge to recuse himself from the case.

He also targeted the judge's daughter for working. In progressive politics, Trump claimed that it is completely impossible for him to get a fair trial last August. Maran declined to recuse himself from the case and said he is confident in his ability to be fair and impartial. NBC News legal analyst Danny Sabalos joins us now with More on this, so Judge Danny Maran issued this gag order, but it looks like Trump can be found a loophole, you could say, I want I mean, tell us about that and how common a gag order like this is, it's a topic we've talked about a lot.

In recent months, on the one hand, gag orders are quite rare and are always controversial because they pit several different types against each other. Directly conflicting competing constitutional concerns, on the one hand, are the freedoms of the First Amendment, the freedom of expression, but on the other hand, the court needs to preserve the right of the accused and the public to a fair trial, which is somewhat ironic because here the person threatening a fair trial is arguably the person who the amendment was designed to protect, which is Donald Trump, but yet that's what gag orders do and that's why they're always controversial because they're always violating some constitutional concern and in a case like this. the judge actually did it.

I think it was wise to leave that loophole, which I think was probably deliberate because gag orders, their constitutionality depends not only on who you're protecting, but who you're targeting, so, for example, lawyers are Those are easier to muzzle because we are officials of the Court, we have already consented to that type of control, on the other hand, members of the press are much more difficult to muzzle, they will almost always be unconstitutional as a prior restraint, so do you expect that Is the judge going to modify the gag order to include himself or his family or do you think he's going to say no?

I'm fair game. I'm not going to join in on this. I don't believe it. I think the judge. will keep the gag order as it is, but I think Donald Trump will continue to push the envelope. Yes, you could call this a loophole, but I don't think it was accidental. I think the judge deliberately left a margin for himself after all. Judges are politicians, uh, they are scrutinized, but let me make it completely clear that there are two reasons why what Trump is doing is a horrible idea. Number one, uh, you should never criticize judges because I think ethically, at least for a lawyer, it's not right, but number. two, it's a horrible idea for your case because you turn the judge against you and I know a thing or two about annoying judges so I can tell you it's not a good idea and I've regretted it every time I've done it.

I myself have trouble believing that Danny, I have no idea that all the judges love you, so you brought this up, there is a problem here, you are balancing safety with the right to free speech and First Amendment rights, especially when the person on trial is a former president who is running for president again, but if Mr. Trump violates the gag order, what are some of the sanctions that could apply here? a judge has several different remedies. there is this inherent power of the court to control the courtroom and protect people like the Witnesses. and juries, which is vitally important and that will also address the factors of whether a gag order is valid or not, so it has everything from a verbal reprimand or all the way to the other end of the spectrum, incarceration. find someone in criminal contempt and send them to jail, but I have to tell you something Joe, no judge wants to try to send Trump to jail for contempt or violating a gag order, it would be an administrative nightmare, no judge wants that and I think Trump knows that and I think that's why he's pushing the limit.

He will be fined $10,000, whatever it's worth, it's money well spent in his mind. And I think he's just daring these judges to send him down to the holding cell, and I just don't think any of them would want to do that. I certainly wouldn't do it if he were a judge. Okay, Danny Savalos. I appreciate him joining us this morning. Thanks, as always. The White House says Israel wants to postpone a meeting with US officials. Discussing Israel's planned ground offensive against Rafa in southern Gaza earlier this week, Prime Minister Netanyahu canceled a visit to Washington by a senior Israeli delegation because instead of vetoing a UN Security Council resolution that called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages.

The United States abstained; the State Department says it hopes to persuade Israel not to attack Rafa, which is home to more than a million displaced Palestinians. We believe it is important that that meeting take place. As we have said, we believe the plan that Israel has said. What you intend to follow regarding Rafa would be a mistake that would have a huge terrible impact on the civilian population there and would weaken Israel's security and we believe that there is a better way and we want to have the opportunity to present that better alternative to Israel, let's bring in the correspondent NBC News international Raph Sanchez, who is in Tel Aviv, so, Raph, do we know why Israel is reversing its decision to participate in this meeting?

Do US officials hope they can still try to stop this ground attack on Rafa, yes Joe, real whiplash here, Prime Minister Benjaman Netanyahu very publicly canceled this meeting and then quietly tried to reschedule it now that he was hosting a couple of Republican senators in Jerusalem spoke to the media yesterday and said he could cancel that meeting. As a message to Hamas, now the logic is not entirely evident, but it seems to be saying that you are not going to allow Hamas to wait diplomatically for Israel and wait for the United States to push Israel to a ceasefire without releasing those hostages the fact That he is now trying to reschedule this meeting could be an indication that he is concerned about the tensions in the US-Israel relationship at the moment.

He may also have canceled this meeting partly for internal political reasons to show that he is standing firm. For the Biden Administration something that is important to many of Yahoo's right-wing voters is the policy in terms of substance here, the fact that it looks like this meeting is going to be rescheduled suggests that Israel is going to postpone any major ground defense in Rafa at least until the other side of this meeting, although it is not at all clear that American officials will be able to dissuade the Israeli government from moving forward in Rafa, as you have heard the Prime Minister say time and time again.

He believes the only way Israel can win this war is by attacking the terrain in Rafa in a major way to destroy what he says are four Hamas battalions hidden in the city. The Biden Administration's goal is to try to convince you that there is a more surgical, more targeted approach that Israel can take and that will still achieve its goals, but it will save those millions of civilians sheltering in Gaza, so Raph Even though this ground offensive has not yet begun, Israel has been bombing Rafa for months. Our NBC News team and aaza captured video of the latest Israeli airstrike that hit homes there, what else can you tell us about that and what is the general situation right now in Rafa?

Yes, Joe, so you're seeing the consequences of the attacks that happened. From Tuesday to Wednesday, as you said, Israel has not yet entered Rafa, but it has been shelling heavily for a long time. 11 people were killed in these attacks, according to Witnesses who spoke to our incredibly brave NBC colleagues who are on the ground in Rafa right now, part of the reason these attacks are so deadly, Joe, is that several of them They happen at night, so people are asleep, there is no time to go out between 3 and 4 in the morning in some cases and also just when you have over a million people packed together.

Rafa, even if Israel is targeting very surgically, the chances of civilians being caught in that bombing are very high, it is also worth saying that these attacks occur approximately 24 hours after the UN Security Council approved that resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza called on Hamas to immediately and unconditionally release the hostages and this is just a really grim reminder of how little impact the Security Council resolution is actually having, on the basis that Jeff Raph. He also wanted to ask her about the UN human rights expert on the issue. occupied Palestinian territory this week published a report that said there were reasonable grounds to say that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, now you are talking about the threats that you are receiving, what is happening here, so this is a similar argument to the one you heard in South Africa. do before the international court of justice basically when you look at the scale of the civilian casualties, when you look at the scale of the devastation in Gaza and when you look at some of these statements made by Israeli officials, especially in the early days of The War Talks to cut off all food and water.

This expert maintains that there is a reasonable case that Israel is committing genocide. Listen to what he said yesterday. They have always attacked me since the beginning of my mandate. I'm not saying it's been a pleasant journey, most of the pain comes from where I have to observe, monitor and investigate day by day, um, yes, to receive threats that Israel's executive and military leadership and soldiers have intentionally distorted using Bellow's principles. Verive their protective functions in an attempt to legitimize genocidal violence against the Palestinian people Joe. I must say that Israel is saying that this report is an obscene inversion of reality.

They are completely discarding it. This expert is also not an unofficial official in the sense of being the boss. from one of the main UN agencies is an outside expert is controversial has a history of picking fights on Twitter and was condemned for some comments she made last year suggesting that October 7th was not an anti-Semitic attack Jeff R, thank you very much For your report, I appreciate it. Now it's time for your Morning News Now. Weather forecast. Our good friend Bill Karens is here with us with a look to the future. Bill, good morning, oh, good morning, Joe and I'm going to trust you because you're an exceptional presenter. and reporter, you've noticed it's been a little wet this March.

I noticed it was raining, my journalistic skills kicked in, and I noticed it was wet when I arrived. Yeah, and you're not alone, the east coast has been soaked, soaked this. tomorrow and now we are entering almost record territory in some areas, so Providence Rhode Island so far in March, not including what has rained since midnight, we are almost at 10 Agnes, it is already the second rainiest March that we have registered. We're not going to beat the all-time record that was in 2010. I don't know what happened there. I go back and look at 16 inches of rain, so we're not going to top that, but we're going to get another one. probably about an inch and a half to two inches with the storm that's currently underway so as we go through the day today here it is 2 pm so you'll notice the rain is ending in areas of South Carolina and it still pours rain in the Outer Banks areas all the time.

I walk through the sounds of alar and pamco right through the coastal region without warning Washington DC we also have a baseball game uh the Orioles game will be at 3 in the afternoon it looks like the rains will end around that time and then more consistent rain will continue from New York From York to Boston, even during the afternoon rush, from the Jersey Shore, Long Island to New England, you will return home in the rain today and it is pouring rain all afternoon in northern areas of M because we have had recent rains. We have flood alerts that are active, we haven't had any serious flooding so far but we think later today some of the higher totals will come in and that's when the rivers might rise a little bit so there will be additional rain on top of what that already exists.

He had another inch possible in the Newber and North Virginia Beach areas. New York City not much more. It seems like DC is almost done. Boston, though another inch and a half as we go through the day today. So how does all of this play out as we move forward? We are heading into the weekend, on Friday, we see the exit of the storm. Beautiful Friday from the now plains to the east coast, the next big storm will arrive to the west, that's where we will have to deal with Saturday with risk of flooding, some storms in areasof Southern California and then when we get to Sunday that mess is headed to the Rocky Mountains but it looks like a really nice Easter Sunday for the East Coast, much of the South shouldn't have any problems either uh problem areas if we're there There will be areas, let's say you know from Chicago to Indianapolis and all other areas to the south should be fine as far as sunlight goes.

Bill will give you a tour of the studio this morning. Bill, it's good. I have you with us thank you very much okay much more to come here on the morning

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now later this hour he is flipping the script with the breakout role of him on the hit show Abbot Elementary. My conversation with actor William Stanford Davis, who says he waited decades for his first big break after the hiatus is sentencing day for so-called cryptocurrency king turned convicted fraudster Sam Bankman released let's break down what wait next stay with us it's a day of reckoning for convicted CEO Sam Bankman released Former cryptocurrency king will be sentenced in a New York court this morning for his role in the multimillion-dollar fraud that led to the collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX in November.

The 32-year-old was found guilty by a federal jury of fraud and conspiracy Prosecutors want the banker freed to serve up to 50 years in prison and a US lawyer called it one of the largest financial frauds in the history of America here, with more like Brian Chung, NBC News business and data correspondent, so Brian, first of all, gives us a reminder of how we got to this point here, yes, we have to go back to 2022, when this large crypto exchange where people traded Bitcoin and other types of currencies collapsed spectacularly now, CEO at the time Sam Bankman released him, he was supposed to have used $10 billion in client funds to finance a lavish lifestyle in the Caribbean and then I also used the money to try to make some risky bets that ultimately didn't work out, leading to the collapse of this company.

Now, fast forward to about four months ago in November when a court found him guilty of seven charges including fraud and conspiracy, today will be the end of that entire court procedure in the form of that sentence, now the challenge here is whether they should continue or not what the prosecutors recommend is 40 to 50 years in prison or, if they want to follow what their lawyers argue, it should be a maximum of six and a half years, so where does the judge fall in the middle and that is left to be? Seen, we will find out later.

Do we have any idea what the judge might do? What are the options here? Could SPF contrition play a role here? Well, I mean, certainly, that's what his lawyers are hoping for, right, if Sand Bank Ben can show the judge or has already shown the judge that he feels guilty about the whole situation, then maybe they'll give him a longer sentence. lenient now again, it will probably be between those 6 and a half or 40 to 50 years, but again, it will depend on how they view the merits of the case. Now those who are arguing again from the prosecutor that he should spend many decades in prison have pointed out the tens of thousands of people who have lost much, much. of money again, it was 10 billion in client funds that were staked by FTX and you know, the accusation is that if he was so callous and was using that money to rub shoulders with celebrities and have fun in the Caribbean, then that's not the case.

It doesn't show that he really feels guilty about it, but his lawyer says that actually if you look at his diary that was presented in the record, you can see a photo of a person who has deep social anxiety, very, very worried about whether he could really whether or not to fit into those social circles, so that's going to be a big part of the decision, what about that $1.010 billion? Yeah, well, I mean, there's a court in Delaware right now because there was a bankruptcy trustee that was created after the collapse of this company in 2022 that's been trying to find a way to recover the billions of dollars that were lost. , they have not recovered dollar for dollar, they have recovered a good amount and they say based on the filings that they will compensate people who have legitimate claims in terms of how much money they will receive, how long does it take Joe?

That's still an open question, certainly, investors pay a lot of attention to that, okay, Brian Chung, we. I know you will stay at this all day long. Thank you so much. We are seeing from the inside the crisis that is developing in Haiti. Administration B faces increased pressure from advocates to extend protected status to Haitian immigrants who are trying to flee their country. or have already arrived in the U.S., but officials told NBC News there are no plans to change course. The effort to suspend deportations comes as gang violence in Haiti increases and wreaks havoc on communities there.

NBC News correspondent Ellison Barber spoke with worried mothers at an orphanage. The violence in Port-au-Prince is relentless. Police and gangs fight in the streets of Haiti's capital as innocent people hide and run for cover. We traveled to the north of the country, where we are, more than 5 hours away by car from Port-au-Prince. the doors of missionary life International orphanage and birthing center no gunshots heard children laughing playing dreaming what you want to be when you grow up she says she wants to be a doctor outside the birthing center mothers are waiting to check on Sarah L She is only 3 months old, she is John's fourth child, the first girl they like brothers they really like having a sister she tells us she is a nurse but she doesn't have a job now she has a pharmacy but not these days They don't sell much and it's hard to get supplies .

You can see that they have things here, but it's a little lacking, partly because most of the ports in this country are currently controlled by gangs and that means getting help to the people who need the most medical supplies for places like this. It is very difficult for all families here to find drinking water or buy food. It's a Herculaneum foot. Have you ever had a time when you were worried about not being able to stay with her children? safe every day she tells me every day we pray that God keeps us safe it can be fixed because they say they don't want to live in a Haiti like this we need help they want some help from the international community to restore security But finally they tell me we, The real change will come from the Haitians, we don't like people giving us fish, teaching us how to fish.

Jean says they are capable of doing it themselves. Ellison Barber NBC News, let's learn more about the pressure the Biden administration faces over its treatment of Haitian immigrants. by National Security Correspondent Julia Angsley So Julia, hundreds of human rights groups have approached the Administration to pressure them to rethink how to handle Haitian immigrants. First, please explain to us what you are asking for and what the current policy is. Well, Ellison's article. It perfectly lays out many of the reasons why they are calling for more protected status for Haitians already living here, as well as for Haitians who are trying to flee.

The Biden administration has banned Haitians at sea who are trying to flee and has sent them back when to send them back, they are not sending them to Porta Prince, but other than that they say that could be safer, but what these 481 organizations say is exactly what Lisn experienced, it's really nowhere because the country is very unstable, so they say that. The United States should suspend its policy of repatriating Haitians it intercepts at sea and should allow people already here to remain under temporary protected status, allowing them to live and work here legally, just as they did after the earthquake in 2010 and also just as they did this summer with Venezuelans, they say that the crisis in Haiti right now is much worse than the crisis in Venezuela was in July but that the Biden Administration was simply under political pressure to grant that status so that cities like New York could get Venezuela running again they say the moment right now in Haiti is so dire that they should change course, so how is the Biden administration responding to all this pressure?

What are officials hearing from us? Look, I think there are a lot of people saying this. it's a really difficult place where there are no easy options some people described it as heartbreaking some people said look I don't really have a way to defend this policy but we're not going to change it essentially, DHS is going to continue with their even though they're not doing flights of deportation to Haiti at this time, but they have not been formally suspended, it is basically that they do not have a place to land a plane inside Port-au-Prince because the gangs have taken over the airport. now they continue to intercept people at sea, they don't grant TPS, they have absolutely no plan to change course, Joe, they say they always look at contingency plans, but right now the US is leaning more towards the state department , trying to grant them.

They say the United States remains the number one provider of humanitarian assistance to Haiti and they have been able to provide more than 100 million, approximately $170 million since October 2022, helping 1.5 million Haitians, but those advocates say look hard of what's happening in Haiti, right? now it's because of a history of bad U.S. policies that have propped up certain governments, um, and that they think that the U.S. should now be able to take in these Haitians fleeing violence that they say is partially caused by us, in what situations. Is temporary protected status usually granted? Do we have an idea why not here?

Yes, it is usually granted if there has been some kind of major catastrophe and you wouldn't want to deport someone to that country, which could cause political unrest, it could also be a major natural disaster like the 2010 earthquake why not here they don't want to cause more migration now that doesn't seem like it makes any sense because what the TPS does is it means everyone who is here on a certain date if you did March 28, 2024, that means that no Haitian who comes tomorrow could stay here legally, but what they think it does, and I've heard this in the past in other countries, is that they think the message is misinterpreted and creates more of a survey. factor for more immigrants thinking well, if I can enter, they will extend it, they will change that date and then I will have the same luck as my friends, my family, who arrived in the United States, so they do not grant me. in this case because they do not want to encourage greater Haitian migration.

It's something President Trump has falsely claimed is already happening. There really has been very little immigration to Haiti from Haiti to the United States since this crisis broke out in late February. But they don't want to send any signal that they are encouraging Haitians to come to the United States and very quickly defend immigrants, what are they saying about that? Well, they say that and some terms that I cannot repeat here, but that simply does not hold up, that is not true, these people are desperate and that it is so difficult to leave Haiti, they say that for the lucky ones who can get on a sailboat because they cannot they don't even have fuel to the power of a real motor boat that those people should be taken in and given immediate assistance and be taken in and granted asylum in the United States okay Julia Angley as always we appreciate your report thank you for the growing threat that measles cases will increase.

As vaccination rates drop, we'll talk to a doctor about how you can keep your family healthy next on the Morning News. Now, welcome back, the CDC is tracking the rising number of measles cases in the US as vaccination rates continue to fall. has recorded 64 cases in 17 states, that number is higher than the total of 59 cases recorded in 2023, a sign that as vaccination rates decline, the highly contagious viral disease poses a growing threat. Abby Dodge of Kansas City takes a closer look at doctors in the Metro We don't have waiting rooms

full

of measles patients. The most recent case was tracked through KCI by a Liberty resident in mid-January, but the state of Missouri is taking note of an increase in cases nationwide.

Cities such as Chicago and Miami have reported multiple cases in children. Dr Todd Fristo is a St Luke's family doctor. I don't think we want to scare people and turn them into Oh, we're all going to make them aware of measles and have kinds of problems, but make people aware of it, doctors recommend children. They receive their first dose of MMR between 12 and 15 months, which has a 93% protection rate. The second dose increases that rate to 97%. ChildrenThey generally receive their second dose between the ages of 4 and 6. Dr. Fristo says he has received more questions about vaccines. In recent years it is very important as health professionals to validate their concerns, that does not mean agreeing with all their concerns but rather you validate them and understand that they are truly concerned about the well-being of their family or friends. children or your loved ones measles is a highly contagious virus if I have measles and I show up to a meeting with 10 other colleagues who have not been vaccinated or have not had measles before up to nine of them can contract the virus, you say You forgot your phone in that meeting and come pick it up an hour or two later.

The measles virus is still floating in the air, so it is very easy to contract if you are exposed to someone with me. A vaccination rate of 95% is recommended for herd immunity. dhss in Missouri says public schools are reporting a 90.5% MMR vaccine rate for kindergartners this school year, down from 95.4% in 2016, some pediatric offices are requiring all patients to be vaccinated. Dr. Fristo says sometimes it takes a few visits before patients feel comfortable with a vaccine, it's just all about being respectful to that other person and listening to their concerns and then trying to guide them to accurate sources of information. .

Abby Dodge, thanks for that report, so let's call NBC News medical fellow Dr. OE Sall to learn more about this, so let's talk about it. How is measles detected in children? What makes it more likely to spread and contract? Yes, Joe, anyone who is not vaccinated is at risk of getting measles and the reason we know we hear about this more in children in terms of these outbreaks is a couple of times, um. First of all, most adults actually have immunity to measles in this country. Secondly, when we talk about what kids do at school, you know that a lot of them are very congregated, they share things, there are a lot of germs flying around.

So that's another reason we hear so much about this in children, but also Joe children are at the highest risk for serious illness, particularly those under five. Now some adults are included in this as well, those over 20 and those with You know, compromised Imuno conditions, um, but as you heard in that package, if you walked into a room, you can imagine yourself in kindergarten if you're anyone. who has measles and you walk into a room and there are 10 unvaccinated people in that room nine. Many of them are likely to get sick, so this is a really contagious disease and why everyone is very alert about this and that's incredibly eye-opening to know how contagious it is, what are the risks associated with measles and the symptoms. of measles.

First, you know? fever, rash, cough, you know things that we also see with other viruses, but really the risk, the reason we're so concerned about this, Joe, about one in five unvaccinated people can be hospitalized, about 1 in a thousand can be developed. entis or inflammation of the brain, I mean, about 1 to 3 in a thousand, this disease is fatal and there is something Another thing that is unique to measles that I think a lot of people should know and a lot of people don't know is that if you get measles and you recover, measles can actually weaken your immune system, making you more likely to get things you would normally struggle with, like pneumonia or other bacterial infections, so a lot of complications go with it.

Beating childhood measles really was like a public health success story and you know this year we have only seen 64 cases, it could be a higher number, but it is still worrying, the most worrying thing is seeing a 5% drop in vaccination in 5 years, which is kind of what opened the door here if we see another 5% drop in another five years, what could it be? Yes, so there we have it. Some numbers on this Joe, so 95%, as you heard in that report, is the kind of gold standard we want for your immunity, meaning the spread can be kept at bay.

Nationally, we're now seeing that number drop to 93%, which it doesn't. It doesn't seem like a big drop, but if you know a small percentage of that, it's still a big number, about 250,50,000 kindergartners are at risk just from that small drop in vaccination, so you know this is a vaccine that, unlike others. vaccines, if you get the vaccine, you're less likely to transmit it, so it's something that you know you get between 12 and 15 months, another dose between four and six months or between four and six years, and fortunately most of adults I have received the vaccine in this country, Dr.

Oal, I appreciate your experience. Thank you for joining us this morning. We are going to regulate AI along with the new rules that the White House just announced. That could affect how federal agencies use the technology. Stay with us. Morning News Now, welcome back this morning, the White House just rolled out its first set of government-wide guardrails for AI CNBC sylan hanau has that and other money holders savan good morning Hi Joe, good morning, yes , so the White House presented new requirements for the federal use of artificial intelligence this morning Agencies that want to use AI will have to appoint AI directors and establish governing boards within two months.

The Biden administration will also require them to establish safeguards for the use of emerging technology and public annual reports. on how they are managing AI risk Tik Tock is bringing its fight for survival to American TVs, the social media company launched a $2.1 million ad campaign with a message for senators to block the bill of the House that would effectively ban the app in the US, according to analysis The company in impact Tik Tok plans to

broadcast

the ads in Nevada, Montana, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Ohio. All five states are represented by vulnerable Senate Democrats running for another term.

People in New York, Massachusetts and Minnesota can also expect to see ads and maple syrup from Canada. Supply is at its lowest level in 16 years, but thankfully you won't have to find an alternative for your pancakes anytime soon. The stockpile located in Quebec only contains about 7 million pounds of syrup right now, the lowest since 2008, industry officials. They say supply has been affected by high international demand for syrup, as well as warmer weather that disrupted production, but for now they are not predicting any supply issues for customers. Oh my gosh, Joe, what am I going to put on my chicken pancakes and waffles? and waffles Be happy, I hope there are no problems in the near future, savan, thank you very much, I appreciate it, you have it coming.

We're flipping the script with actor William Stanford Davis, best known as Mr Johnson on the hit show Abbott Elementary as he tells what a big break he is. It was worth the long wait of decades. You're watching the morning

news

. Now we're back with some news that has Beehive buzzing. Of course, we're talking about Beyonce, who just released the track list for upcoming country album, Cowboy Carter. Includes a cover. from Dolly Parton's 1970s classic, Jolene, as well as a guest appearance from legend Willie Nelson Now, as we reported, Queen Bee is ready to tap into the country genre in this follow-up to her album Smash Hit the Renaissance, but Beyoncé He says it's not a country album.

It's a Beyonce's album, Cowboy Carter, will be released at midnight in our series, flipping the script with people on screen on stage and behind the scenes highlighting diversity. Enter William Stanford Davis. His friends call him Stan, but these days he is better known as Mr Johnson. The janitor from ABC's award-winning comedy Abbott Elementary is just one of many funny characters on the show that centers on a group of teachers and staff at a public school in Philadelphia. Now Stan is 72 years old and says he's been waiting his whole life for him. for a role like this, proof that hard work and patience really pays off Mr.

Johnson, sorry to interrupt whatever this is, but these kids need to stay with you, well, it looks like AA changed this day of the day free FIS bu to The Breakfast Club, how? was life right now for you Stan oh man uh it's uh it's like I'm living in a dream I'm still in Pitch mode myself it's fair to say it took me a few years to achieve this dream just a few but you know it's any dream that worth dreaming worth putting in time, work and effort the plot vickens how old were you when you decided I was going to move to Los Angeles and try to break into Hollywood?

I came here when I was 32 years old, now I'm 72, 40 years old, yes, sir, yes. I worked in a brick factory and then worked as a short-order cook at a truck stop. I worked as a telemarketer. He drove a limousine. I was driving some of the people I work with. Now I can draw whatever it takes to keep him out of my head, sir, he's bald. His big break came a few years ago when he auditioned for the role of school janitor, Mr. Johnson, at Abbot Elementary School. He was only supposed to appear in the pilot, but the show's creator and star, Quinta Brunson, kept bringing him back by making him a series regular.

The man behind the mop finally got to the top. I cried, my wife cried, my dog ​​cried, I thought the neighbors were going to call the police with so many things. There is noise in my house, what has Quinta Brunson meant to you? Oh man, there are no words to describe, she is such a kind person, just smart and kind, and like I told her at the end of the first season, I said Quincy, you changed my life, you know everything. What you want to be is a working actor, that's all I ever wanted to be, all these things that have happened, all these accolades and things that are, just, uh, man, sometimes I get emotional thinking about the story that it tells.

Abbott Elementary about how important it is. that because maybe it is a story that many people have not had the opportunity to see before, this story should be told when I was in elementary school because it has not changed much teachers are important, they are more, they are as important as doctors, they are as important as police, you know, and because they impact lives, they change lives like, for example, how to change my life when I meet teachers in the world, they tell me how much truth there is in what we're doing along with the comedy you know. , no we don't want to get political in any way, we just want to tell the truth about what is happening in schools and how important they are, oh whose cat is this?

Don't know. I just found him here, he's not moving. I think I'll ask the lunch lady for some bacon to try to attract him. Cats are Pescatarians. Are you telling me this cat believes in God? There is a giant Abbot Elementary School sign near Time Square. huge and you're in it, have you seen that yes, I have done it? I'm on a billboard in Time Square. Can you believe some friends have sent me photos? I never thought that when I see a bus go by. Going by with a show on the bus. I'm like, "Oh my God, look what happened, what is this?

This is incredible. So at 72 years old, do you feel like your career is just beginning? I feel like it's just beginning. um, Abid is." part of the journey I'm really praying it's part of the journey I hope it's not destiny Every actor would like to do it until they can't do it anymore and that's how I feel it, as we say in the streets I'm going to ride until the wheels fall fall when I asked him what advice he would give to an aspiring actor of all ages Davis quoted Duke Ellington saying there are two rules in life: number one, don't give up, number two, never forget rule number one , William Stanford Davis is certainly proof of that, that will be enough for this hour of the morning news, but stay with us, the news continues right now.

Good morning, I'm Joe PRI. Savannah is on assignment right now on the morning news, now that we've taken over the show. outside, outside our studio and outside 30 Rock, that's because of what's across the street, here you see, which is Radio City Music Hall, some of the biggest artists in the world have taken the stage there, the Radio City Rockets have their Christmas Spectacular there every year, but today it is the center of the political universe. President Biden is holding a huge star-studded fundraiser. Two former presidents, former Presidents Clinton and Obama, along with a cavalcade of celebrities, will be there, a sign that the race for the White House is truly over.

Accelerating not only the effort to try to get voters but also to try to raise money. Today millions of dollars could be raised. I want to bring our chief correspondent from theWhite House, Gabe Gutiérrez, who came here, to New York, do you know Gabe? Normally, on a rainy Thursday like this that alone would slow down traffic in Midtown. We are about to see a traffic nightmare when they close many of the roads here, yes that's right Joe, this whole area will be closed in no time. it's actually already ramping up and as you said, the Biden campaign is billing this as the first historic event of its kind, the campaign expects about 5,000 people to be here and they expect the event to raise over $25 million, but the former President Trump has other plans This morning, the Biden campaign is preparing to host a star-studded fundraiser with three presidents, Biden, Obama and Clinton, in a conversation moderated by late-night host Steven Coar.

The event will also feature appearances by Lizo Queen Latifa and Ben Platt, among other celebrities such as Democrats. They set their sights on the general elections. I have never been more optimistic about our future. I know I'm only 40 for 2+ one. The president's poll numbers are going up, but they are still shaky at this point in 2020. Biden was leading Trump. By an average of six points, most polls now show a statistical tie or a Trump lead, so the president and vice president are intensifying their travel. Former President Obama is also taking an increasingly active role in the campaign as the presumptive GOP nominee for The president says he wants to repeal the entire ACA.

Mr. Trump responds by saying that he does not want to end Obamacare, only improve it, even though he had previously repeatedly said that he wanted to replace it. We are repealing and replacing Obamacare as the former president escalates his attacks on the judge presiding over his hush money trial in New York. He is also trying to highlight violent crime in the city and plans to attend the wake of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller, who was shot and killed this week in the line of duty. Today, both candidates are heading to high-profile events, another split-screen moment as the campaign heats up.

So far, Democrats have outpaced Republicans when it comes to fundraising. I have to imagine this will help with that. Yes, certainly the Democrats have done it in the last two. It's been going really well for me for months, the cheapest tickets to this event at this iconic venue have been around $250, but the biggest contributions, Joe, have actually come from people who have donated up to $500,000, which is a huge price. Okay, Gabe Guer. I appreciate your reporting this morning, good to see you here in New York, let's move on to the latest from Baltimore, we are learning new information this morning about that deadly collision involving a cargo ship that involved the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the bodies. of two victims.

They have been pulled from the water, but crews have called off the search because conditions are too dangerous and are now switching to a rescue operation. NTSB officials have been able to board and speak with some crew members on the ship. NBC News Senior Correspondent Tom Costello has the latest from Baltimore, yes, good morning, so we have a lot of moving parts here in the port of Baltimore, for starters, this is now a salvage operation, They have now decided that it is simply too risky to try to go in and find the individual bodies. of those who have died and are still in the water, so they will have to bring in huge cranes to lift the superstructure and remove it from the water, while at the same time they must prioritize opening this port as quickly as possible. possible, but the immediate focus today at this hour here in Baltimore is on the families of the six who died in Baltimore this morning.

A clearer picture is now emerging of the disastrous accident that brought down the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Researchers have addressed ntsp for the first time. The freighter is still covered in mangled metal, it's just complete devastation along with the crew's initial interviews, investigators have now downloaded the ship's voice data recorder or VDR, the initial timeline shows the alarm began to ring at 1:24 a.m. m. Tuesday, 2 minutes later, the ship's pilot made an urgent call for nearby tugboats to assist. The pilot radioed back a minute later saying the ship had lost all power. Traffic cameras showed the ship approaching the bridge before the feed cut out 2 minutes later when the massive ship crashed into the span the ship was missing.

There are no tugboats to help him navigate through the waters before she hits the bridge. That's right, it's a straight, straight shot across the canal, so there are no tugboats with uh. At that point, the police dispatch audio shows officers radioing to stop traffic less than 30 seconds after that distress call showing officers arguing over the crew on the bridge in the moments before the collapse. Once you get here, I'll go get the workers at the Key Bridge and then stop the OU, the entire bridge just fell almost 25 feet below the water surface. Dive teams discovered a van with two victims inside.

Authorities have now called off the search for the four remaining victims, calling it a rescue operation and saying the water is simply too treacherous and full of dangerous debris. Maryland's governor shares how one survivor managed to escape the ordeal and literally saw the bridge fall right after walking away. It was because it was a first responder who was telling him to move away from the bridge now the focus shifts to the difficult task of reopening this vital port with 8,000 workers directly affected and concerns about supply chain disruptions. We were concerned about the implications that will extend beyond the immediate region and TSB investigators today hope to return to the bridge to interview. the two local pilots who were on board to try to navigate in their direction and the ship's direction, I should say, through the harbor at the same time, the Army Corps of Engineers was talking about bringing a lot of people with a lot of experience and this huge crane to eventually get the remains out of the water there's no timeline for when this port could open we're talking weeks at least uh and in the meantime rebuild the bridge probably years ago okay Tom thank you very much this morning assembly gang The violence in Haiti continues and Haitians and foreigners fear for their safety and plead for help to evacuate the country.

So far, the US government has helped hundreds evacuate NBC's Ellis and barbers reports from the Dominican Republic on the border with Haiti. The violence in Prince's Port is relentless so far this month, with more than 33,000 people forced to flee the capital city this morning. Fierce violence continues to plague the PTO. Prince's criminal gangs are escalating their rampage against citizens and critical infrastructure, causing chaos across the country, once a sanctuary for children. This school was intentionally set on fire by armed gangs according to UNICEF. The United States is evacuating its citizens almost daily, but with the country's largest international airport closed, most Haitians cannot leave.

Americans Missy and John Tenon are working tirelessly to try to get their adopted teenager back. Haitian children at home begging screaming at the top of their lungs just saying please help us get our children out of this deadly situation over 480 human rights organizations are asking the Biden Administration for a new temporary protected status designation for Haans in the United States and a pause on deportations, but three US officials told NBC News that the Biden administration does not plan to change course at the Mission Life International birth center we met mothers trying to care for their newborns with their country on the brink of famine because gangs currently control most of the ports in this country and most of them are closed.

Humanitarian aid. Medical supplies don't arrive as fast as they're really needed in places like this. Sarahel is only 3 months old. She is the fourth child of Jean Erand Kad. Jean tells us that she is a nurse, but. She doesn't have a job right now and finding clean water or affordable food is a Herculean feat. Have you ever had a time when you worried that you wouldn't be able to keep your children safe every day? She tells me every day. Pray that God will keep us safe This week, the Biden administration approved a proposal to provide the Hades National Police with weapons, ammunition, body armor and helmets, all coming from a Department of Homeland Security stockpile, worth $10 million and has Joe, okay, Ellison, thank you very much, former Connecticut senator and Democratic vice presidential candidate, Joe Lieberman, has died at the age of 82, known as someone who would work in all games.

Liberman became an independent and formed strong alliances with other centrists in Congress NBC News Senior White House Correspondent Kelly O'Donnell takes a look back at Senator Lieberman's storied career dedicated to public service and his deep personal faith. Joseph Lieberman was a four-term U.S. Senator from Connecticut and a history man as the first Jewish American on a presidential ticket Al Gore's running mate in 200 tonight I am very proud to run as your candidate for Vice President of the United States Senator Lieberman died in New York a statement from his family said his death was due to complications from a fall Hawkk in defense his support for the Iraq war cost him among Democrats Liberman became an independent and later founder of the organization No Labels and His friendship with John McCain was part of his break with the Democratic Party.

I'm here to support John McCain because country matters more than party, a Liberman Orthodox Jew often makes it to critical votes in the Senate moved by faith and a desire for common ground, all thanks to Kelly O'Donnell for that report, join us now to talk more about Senator Liberman's legacy is Eugene Scott, he's a senior political journalist at axios, good to have you with us, so Senator Liberman served 24 years in the US Senate . and spent 16 years in state government before that. What is his legacy? You know, Joe, his legacy is primarily being an independent thinker. I tend to think about that. him as the Democratic version of John McCain, in terms of being a Maverick and not being afraid to go against his party, but the reality is that he did it in a way that probably attracted quite a bit of criticism from those. uh in his party because he did it so publicly and boldly in ways that had real consequences and captured headlines in a way that many Democrats would prefer uh they wouldn't uh you know, find themselves in the middle of the fact that he went from the top of the ticket.

Democrat to this independent as someone who endorsed John McCain, you were known for reaching across the aisle, how did that affect your work in the Senate? Well, it was very beneficial initially, because you know, the Senate is a very small body, so Democrats often work with Republicans to get things done. I mean, at least that was the norm when Liberman was in the Senate, but because things are so close and people know each other, the criticism that he received frankly was because he was so uh. Criticizing some people in his party was hard to ignore. I mean he was in the Senate as a Democrat and he didn't support the Democrat who was running for the Senate.

Sorry, running for president from the Senate was no small feat. matter and it made it very difficult for him to work with other Democrats in the Senate uh as his career continued let's talk about his life more recently his no labels group is this group that is trying to get a third party candidate to run so far not successful in that effort, but how does that influence the current elections? How does that also influence Liberman's legacy? Well, you could say he's making his legacy a bit of a mixed bag. I mean, in his last days he was doing everything he could to find someone who could apply. against Joe Biden and Donald Trump, something that the Democrats you know are probably not going to forget for quite some time yet, keep in mind that no label has not been successful, they have really struggled to find someone and he has made the case that they want him .

I know of a split-party ticket, perhaps a Democrat running for president or a Republican running for vice president or vice versa, but nevertheless he spent his final days not endorsing the sitting president, although it's worth noting that while his last term in office Senate was as independent,He registered as a Democrat when he was in Connecticut and moved to New York, so he believes he was still pretty consistent and faithful with his support for the party even though many of the people in the party don't agree at all. Right, Eugene Scott, thank you very much for joining us this morning, I appreciate your time, now we move on to a disturbing new trend that has been popping up all over social media.

Several women in New York City reported being beaten in broad daylight while simply walking down the street. NBC News Senior National Correspondent Stephanie GS is taking a closer look at this growing number of assault personnel. Good morning. Hello Joe, good morning. What's striking about these stories is how similar they are over the past month among several young women here in New York City. I have described being hit in the head in the middle of the day just walking down the street, a few falls, and even suffering concussions. Stories are heroin. I was literally walking and a man came up and punched me in the face, oh my god it hurts.

What a bad college student, Michaela Tonado, says she had just gotten out of class in Manhattan, so she punched me in the face while she was walking home. He hit me right on the cheekbone. This does not hurt as much as a concussion. She says she didn't see him. You come, you have some visible signs, you have a black eye, but Michaa, emotionally, how do you feel? No, it's been very, very difficult, I think he hits me in waves, a lot of crying because it was really scary, the NYPD confirms they are investigating. At least four similar cases like the one shared on social media In one of them, police say a 40-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault.

I was punched in the head, in New York City, in Time Square, but police have not linked the cases to the videos. In recent days, dozens of accounts of alleged assaults have appeared online. NBC News has not been able to verify all the videos, the disturbing story has emerged at the same time, there have been a series of violent crimes in the In response to the city's busy subways, the National Guard has been called in to search bags and 1,000 Additional NYPD officers are now riding the trains as well, but the mayor rejects the idea that crime is rampant in this city and expresses concern that social media is stoking fears.

I know a city out of control because I visit some of them in this country. This is not one of them. 77% of Americans believe crime is increasing according to a Gallup poll. Misdemeanor assault crimes in VA are up 10% from this time last year. New York City, but in most places the FBI says violent crime is down. I'm really scared to go back to school. I've been putting it off as much as possible, but I'll have to come back sooner or later the night the NYPD issues a statement. Joe says the person they arrested is a repeat offender, he has actually been arrested three times in the last six months for similar crimes, he is what the police call a repeat offender and I had conversations with the NYPD not only about this story but also about others. including the spate of subway crimes that has been going on, they say one of his biggest problems is repeat offenders and do you have any idea why this person is doing this or is it just hard to say right now?

It's hard to say that they also He also said that he is not the same person, he understood it, they believe that at this moment he is not the same person. Very good, Stephanie. Thank you so much. I appreciate your report. Well, let's check in with meteorologist Bill Karens with your morning news forecast. It's opening day, so it's time for Bill to play. It's hard for me to imagine some places like you know around the country, with snow and rain and everything, it may not be a big opening day, but yeah, but it's a big day for some families and some. fans it's like a holiday like they get off work, school, it's like a tradition in some families so on opening day the forecast hasn't cooperated for a few games and those games have already been postponed and those were the games of the Phillies against the Braves and Mets. the game has already been postponed we also have rain in the Baltimore area and cloudy Dam conditions that's the first game of the day we think it's going to move it'll be cloudy we're going to have that game in just you know bundle up uh Chicago looks okay for the first home game with white socks there in Cincinnati looks pretty good, some of these are on the domes here so the Tampa game is obviously okay, same with the world champion Houston uh Texas Rangers 72 degrees, that sounds like a beautiful start to the season.

Kansas City is looking great, we're going to watch the Red Sox games with the Mariners, some rainy weather, they should be able to get that too at Otani Los Angeles, the headlines will be on that when they face the Cardinal 65 no. The problems in La Phoenix look good, San Diego looks good too, so a lot of games will be played without weather problems, of course, they will cancel the ones that had to be and all because of this, this rain that runs down the east coast, we have had some here. It is raining very hard in eastern North Carolina right now, we have constant rain in the Boston area.

I check the delays at the airport, they are working well, we haven't had too many major issues so far and as the day progresses. It just remains sad and damp. I don't think we're going to rain hard enough to cause significant flooding, but if you're spending this afternoon, especially driving on I95 here from Providence, the loop on the outskirts of Boston, that's where the steady rain will be the city of New York, it will end around 7 to 8:00 p.m. m. but it's going to be light and it looks like it's almost over in Washington DC, so the flood watch continues from Providence to Boston, Bangor main to Portland, from Northfork Virginia Beach to the Newburn area, still under those floods.

Observations and additional rain DC looks like you're almost done Raleigh, you're almost done too, it's really going to be the outer banks in areas of Down East Maine and also the southern parts of the New England coast that will have the most stable status. rain so what does it all mean? I mean, as we get closer to the Easter forecast weekend, the storm clears up, so Good Friday is looking very nice, we'll call it spring. Delight here uh they haven't seen the sun in a couple of days in many areas here on the east coast. so that should be good in the middle of the country continues, today is a beautiful day, no problems tomorrow until Friday, the next storm comes west, that's the one that will cause some problems in California next weekend, the Saturday, we will have a risk of flooding. in some isolated areas maybe some debris flows it's not like the big storms we had during the winter, but for this time of year it's a little unusual so it also snows at high altitudes and as we get to Easter Sunday, the storm system starts to head into Arizona, the four corners region, snow in the higher elevations, California will start to slowly clear up, kind of depressing, and you know 59 degrees in Los Angeles with clouds and rain is not the best Sunday forecast for Easter, but at least the most intense.

Steady rain will end the beautiful weather, although it continues across the South and East Coast. After a pretty miserable March, it looks like we're going to start, the trend towards April is looking much better, Joe, and it can't. you look worse yeah I was just about to say we'll take it okay Bill thank you so much I appreciate it so much more for coming on this hour of the morning news including this morning's mega mystery who won that jackpot in the billion dollar lottery in New Jersey, but first. After the holidays, it's a different kind of spring break that may not include beaches or palm trees, but there's still plenty of sun.

The travel boom over the upcoming solar eclipse that now has the FAA warning passengers of more delays, stay with us, welcome back. It's been a busy spring break travel season, but the FAA predicts things will get even busier, with the agency warning that rural towns like Radar Base in Texas and Russellville in Arkansas will become hotspots. ; They may not be Miami Beach, but they're rated. among the best places in the country to glimpse the total solar eclipse that will cast a shadow over all of North America in about a week and a half NBC News correspondent Jesse Kur joins us now from another eclipse hot spot that is Cleveland Jesse Cleveland Have you ever been so busy during spring break?

What could travelers expect over the next week both at the beach and throughout the Midwest? Yes, Joe. I think this is definitely not your typical spring break season because unlike when everyone is trying to get to the Sun many of us are trying to get away from the Sun, they want to see that thing disappear behind the mood when we have that solar eclipse on April 8th when you look at that road right in some of the cities along the way Dallas Indianapolis Cleveland, where I am, uh, Burlington, Vermont, Buffalo, New York, these are all cities that some people will probably scratch their heads if They will look and see all the flight traffic they are going to receive, but the FAA says that in the period leading up to the eclipse, where we expect the peak of the spring break travel season, almost 100,000 flights combined between next Thursday and Friday in the days leading up to the eclipse and the FAA says some of the airports along this path are going to We're seeing unusually high traffic for this time of year, so they're asking people to be on the lookout for the possibility of tourism delays. from Eclipse.

So what days do we think will be the busiest when it comes to travel? Yes, we talk. Thursday and Friday today too, the FAA says over 50,000 flights are expected today alone and then again on Thursday and Friday which is the peak, look at the numbers, there are almost 100,000 combined on those two days next week, the eclipse will be on April 8, so this is right before eclipse weekend and I can tell you that here in the Cleveland area, for example, there are multi-day events planned, so this is not just Monday when it happens the eclipse, there will be things happening all weekend, so people can be expected to, you know, continue with the influx and the lead-up to the day of the actual eclipse.

Yes, they won't just go for a day, but they'll soak in everything they can around the eclipse. So how can people travel safely? and remind us what NASA recommends to everyone, no matter where you are, to protect yourself during this eclipse, yes, so a couple of things to keep in mind, you will be outside until that moment of totality, it is sunny, so have sunscreen , have protective clothing like you. I would if you spend a lot of time outdoors, but eye protection is absolutely paramount during the eclipse. The only time NASA says it's safe to look directly at the sky with the naked eye is when the sun is completely uh, obscured by the Moon, that's the time of totality, so make sure you know when totality is happening At every other time during the eclipse, when it is a partial eclipse, you must have your eyes covered, otherwise you risk serious eye injuries, so there are special lenses you must have, there is an ISO classification to be aware of. to NASA's information about this on their website and if you're going to use a telescope, binoculars, a camera, you need a special filter for those things that you don't use. ecse glasses with your telescope because that can damage your eye too, so no joke, you want to make sure you have the proper protection if you're going to enjoy it safely.

Jeff and Jesse, do you know in case the people in the clips from a few years ago, when we went through all this, if they keep their glasses on, I guess maybe you shouldn't wear them, you know? So it's funny that we asked NASA about Joe and it turns out that they say that you can use your eclipse glasses again, so if you have glasses from 2017, I have a pair. I was in Carbondale, Illinois for that eclipse and I still have the eclipse glasses, they can still be used according to NASA as long as they haven't been used. damaged, so if you kept the souvenir from 2017, make sure it is in good condition.

You know you can test it by looking at a light in your room, for example, like a desk lamp, something like that to see as a test. just you know, gradually make sure they're working properly and there's no visible damage, punctures, anything like that, but as long as they're in good shape they can still be used Joe, that's okay, good to know, Jesse kers, many thank you. let's go to the international news now starting with the latest that a new wave of aerial bombs came out of Ukrainerussians hit the town of harke for the first time in almost two years NBC's claudo labanga joins us with that and other global headlines claudo good morning good morning Jo, that's right Local right-wing authorities in Ukraine said at least one person or One civilian was killed and 16 others injured after Russia carried out a series of airstrikes on the city of K.

Now the airstrikes have hit several potential buildings and caused widespread damage. Strategic city and region while crossing the front line between Russian and Ukrainian forces. The latest airstrikes follow an escalation of attacks by Russia, including a recent missile bombardment on the capital Keev that caused severe damage to the country's energy infrastructure. Now let's go to Colombia where authorities announced that they seized almost four tons of cocaine worth more than $113 million, now the cocaine shipment was seized from a ship in the Colombian Caribbean Sea in a joint operation between the Colombian Navy, The Colombian Air Force and the joint interagency task force of the United States Southern Command after a dramatic chase that extended for several miles, the ship was finally intercepted off the island of San Andrés, three people who were at board of the speedboat were detained.

Authorities say this is the largest cocaine seizure of the year so far, at least well. Let's send the world's tent to Thailand, which could become the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize equal rights for marriage partners of either gender. Now, on Wednesday, the lower house of parliament overwhelmingly passed a marriage equality bill that changes the words men and women and husband and wife to individuals and marital couples, effectively paving the way for equal rights for heterosexuals. and lgbtq more layers the bill is now widely expected to be approved by the senate and the king before it becomes law, again john ok great to see That Claudo, thank you very much for a hateful encounter on Idaho that sheds a sobering light on March Madness celebrations this morning after halftime.

The Utah players who police say were targets of several off-court racial outbursts. We have more on that. investigation below we now return with outrage over alleged incidents of racism in Idaho, University of Utah women's basketball coach says team received several racial threats while in town to kick off March Madness here's NBC News correspondent, Dana Griffin, racism is real and it happens and it's horrible, what was supposed to be an exciting start to the NCAA tournament turned into a shocking racist experience for the Utah women's basketball team as they walked from their hotel to a nearby restaurant, the vehicle passed and several racial insults were heard.

Shouted out by the occupants of the vehicle, the team made up of black, white and Latina athletes was staying in Cordelane Idaho. 35 minutes from the Spokane Washington Arena, surveillance video shows the team inside the restaurant and then leaving, but not the actual incident after dinner, it happened again. According to the police report, the drivers of two trucks revved their engines and screamed. Coach Lynn Roberts addressed the incident Monday night after their loss to Gonzaga so our players and staff didn't feel safe in an NCA tournament environment, it has ruined the NCAA and Gonzaga helped the team move to a new hotel as a security measure the FBI says they are prepared to investigate the young women who endured racial insults during their visit.

I offer my sincerest apologies at a press conference on Monday to denounce the interrupted hate. out of service after a man the mayor described as a known white supremacist interrupted this press conference, the area has a long history of racial conflict, the latest, a new stain, many locals want to know what part of this is not what we are is not what I want to represent Dana Griffin NBC News Three years ago, the NBC News family celebrated a very special moment when our colleague Kristen Welker and her husband John announced they were having a baby with the help of a mother substitute Little did the moderating president know how Many people the story would touch, including Fox sports host Aaron Andrews, this morning Kristen tells us more about their connection and how it led Andrew Andrews to use his platform to help families explore fertility options in surrogacy.

Hi, I was so touched when I heard Aaron Andrews on The Today Show last summer say that my story brought him some comfort during his own fertility and surrogacy journey, so we connected by phone shortly after the birth of his son and now finally We both met, now mothers, with the help of the angels. We say: you know how much I cried for you and how much I have cried. Honestly, I got emotional this morning thinking about this conversation, a conversation that was months in the making. I remember Kristen Walker's ad on her show, you two broke down and I actually saw that. the morning after Mac was born because that just hit me, one of the things that really touched me was that you talked about the fact that sharing my journey really gave you strength because I see myself in you, chrisen, the video of you moderating like debates after you're expecting bad news or maybe you just got it, that's me, I can tell you every stand-up I've ever done at a football game where I got the news that it didn't work out, I'd be talking about Tom Brady going for this record and my record is you know I was still failing.

Aaron faced some dark times, a battle with cervical cancer and 9 years of IVF. He would have chest pains every time he waited for the call if it worked and he knew it wouldn't work. He resorted to surrogacy. Did you feel like it's a surreal moment to think of someone else taking care of your child? I knew I had no choice. Sergy's first attempt failed, devastating the couple, but shortly after there was a second attempt. Aaron was hearing that Priceless sound in an instant, all he wanted to hear was that it was good and strong and cool.

He was videotaping it for Jared and then I ran downstairs because I got a call from the Dallas Cowboys player. We have Green Bay Dallas that weekend for a big matchup on Sunday. I think people don't realize surrogacy. You are so excited to have a child. Yes, but that doesn't necessarily take away your sadness about not being able to. carrying the child, have you experienced that I have been a little insecure and worried that maybe my bond with him is not as good now because I didn't carry him? There have been thoughts like that. I had those thoughts too and those thoughts. leave once he starts talking really yeah my surrogate is amazing she's a real life angel so I know if she couldn't do it she I'm so glad she did.

Aaron, her husband Jared, and her surrogate welcomed baby Mac in June of last year. year when you finally realize that this miracle has arrived and is in front of you. What is that moment like? Well, when you get yelled at, it's not that special. Would you like it? Know? I feel like Sally Fields and Steele Magnolia. you know what your mother went through to have you um no it's a miracle Andrew now cherishes every minute with his son during his off season he's like Mike McCarthy The head coach of the Dallas Cowboys said I wonder where he got it from he's vocal um he's got it There's a lot to say and I'm like him, he's all me, all Aaron, who he always is.The interviewer, how have you thought about explaining to Margot what your trip was like?

So I already talked to Margo about her special trip. Did that start? Actually, when she turned two, I started FaceTiming her surrogate and every time we see someone who's pregnant, I say. This mom can carry the baby in her tummy, but M M had a boo in her tummy, so a special angel carried Margot and now she knows her surrogate's name, she says it, she says it with pride and have you thought about how ? I'm going to talk to him, yes I can't wait to tell him, but Aon and I are very aware that surrogacy is a privilege and out of reach for many, it's hard enough emotionally and then you add the finances to it.

Aaron used the my cause my cleats NFL initiative to shine a spotlight on the Baby Quest nonprofit that provides money for infertility and surrogacy treatments. His shoes have her family's fingerprints next to them. surrogates I think people don't need to feel ashamed of having a surrogate or looking for other help and I think you started it and I appreciate you so much for that, I appreciate you because I have to say that when you spoke up, I felt less alone so thank you and I really want to say that the best part of this. Aon and I are now committed to finding ways to make fertility services more accessible to families across the country.

Again, great Kristen and Aaron, thank you both for sharing. their stories like New Yorkers need to see more price increases the cost of driving in Manhattan is about to rise that's because the transportation board approved a controversial plan to charge drivers for congestion the idea is to reduce traffic and pollution in the city although now it is causing a great reaction. Reporter Andrew CF of our New York affiliate, wnbc, has the details promised for years, as the solution to gridlock and an antiquated subway system gives us the tools, we will get it done. The MTA board today voted strongly yes.

It is a true victory for our city and for our region with only one opponent. I'm going to vote against. The motion is approved. The 11:1 approval means congestion pricing gets the green light unless there is a court order. Cars face a toll of $15 and trucks face a toll of $24. and $36 starting June 15 the only exemptions school buses commuter buses and essential government vehicles we are not talking about Commissioners Vehicles we are not talking about elected officials Vehicles that are specifically and categorically not exempt travelers on the larger mass transit system of the country have been I promised that the $15 billion raised by congestion pricing will modernize the system.

We'll see, we'll see if it happens. I would love to see it. Drivers have been told their new expense is worth it because the roads will be unclogged. We have to adjust. The overall cost of living is expected to rise, but opponents who point out that next week a federal court will hear a lawsuit from leaders of New Jersey and the New York City Teachers Union, whose president predicts that the stagnation will be transferred to other neighborhoods, they say it will depend on the courts. To avoid enormous environmental injustice, the judicial process was scheduled to be resolved before congestion pricing began.

We are pretty sure of the result. Our thanks to Andrew CF for that report. Stay with us. I have much more morning news. Now, just after the break, welcome back soon, you may need to take a closer look at the price tags at your neighborhood Dollar store. Dollar Tree announced this week that there will be a new price cap in stores over 300. Items will now be priced between $150 and $7, according to the company's most recent earnings call. NBC News senior business correspondent Christine Romans has more on what's behind the increase. Hey, once upon a time there was Penny Candy, the dime store, and of course today.

Dollar stores may be a sloppy assortment of items, all super cheap, but inflation and a new wealthy clientele have come for those price tags. Everything is a dollar so everyone leaves happy, call it the dollar is stored at Dollar Tree. True dollar prices are a thing of In the past, the discount giant is raising prices again on some items up to $7. The company also announced that sister brand Family Dollar will close nearly a thousand stores starting this year . Tell me the truth? Will you still shop at Dollar Tree when prices rise to $7 per item Shoppers take to social media to complain about higher prices.

Right now I'm so sick of everything. Okay, rename the rich tree. Fortune Tree on a call with investors last week, the company said it would expect a $5 bag of dog food next to a 125 bag of pet treats, calling it multi-price assortment, the reason being a combination of inflation and an influx of higher income customers who can better afford it, why are there people making $100,000 a year or more shopping at a dollar store, so there are a lot of price pressures that are affecting consumers, they come out to buy goods and services and look for places to cut back, it's been a few years since things were actually a dollar at the dollar store after 35 years, in 2021 it became a minimum dollar price. a125 in DollarTree now over 300 new items will range from $150 to $7, other famous cheap deals are also undergoing recent changes.

Trader Joe's is raising prices on individual bananas from 19 to 23 cents and what's up with that $150 Costco hot dog and soda combo according to axios an? The outgoing Costco executive says proof of membership will soon be required at some outdoor food courts at Dollar stores. The most likely price increases will be on pet food and personal care items, once you get the consumer in the door, they will. buy more than a penny for many cash-strapped families when it comes to deciding between going to the supermarket or the dollar store think about what you plan to buy, canned goods, for example, might be cheaper on sale at a grocery store normal. or a Big Box store, but for household items like wipes or diapers, a dollar store may be the best option.

Okay, good advice Christine, thanks, even more money news now that the Department of Labor just released its latest unemployment numbers. CNBC sylan hanau is here to break it down along with other news affecting your wallet Sylan, good morning Hi Joe, good morning, yes we are getting a new read on the economy. Initial claims for unemployment benefits total 210,000, which is still less than the 21,000 expected by economists. you know, we're seeing some sort of strength in the labor market Market um, we'll see what this means for the FED um, at the next meeting, okay, Walmart is reportedly withdrawing and resubmitting antitrust paperwork related to its deal of 2.3 billion dollars to acquire TV.

From the manufacturer, the move is intended to give federal agencies more time to review the proposed acquisition, that's according to an SECC filing that also says the decision follows informal talks with the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice. Walmart announced the deal in February, raising retail hopes. to grow your highly profitable advertising business through Vizio's free streaming service and if you've ever ordered a hot dog and wished you could wash it down with water, you're in luck, 7-Eleven has teamed up with Miracle czer to create a line . from Sparkling Waters that will include a flavor based on the convenience store's Big Bite hot dog.

If you're not feeling so adventurous, you can try a more traditional flavor like lemon lime or sweet orange Joe. I think I just vomited in my mouth. a person who wants water for a hot dog wants that name. I, oh God, I don't really know, oh no, I guess someone wants it. I'll try almost anything but it's not that true, not thinking about it is just disgusting. Well, we'll see how it goes, thank you very much, you got that right, the vast majority of us who have to go to work this morning, a person from New Jersey could collect a billion dollar Lottery jackpot.

Now it has been more. It's been over 32 hours since the winning Mega Millions ticket was sold, no one has yet come forward to claim it. NBC News correspondent Emily Aeta is on the case. Hello, well I live in New Jersey and I can tell you who definitely didn't win the lottery. The officials know where. and when the winning ticket was bought and even who sold it, but the person who is now $1.13 billion richer remains a mega mystery. The Garden State just got a little greener. Who won the lottery ticket on Tuesday in Neptune Township, New Jersey?

Jackpot in the millions, but this morning's question of $1.13 billion who signs the back of the ticket right now, take a picture of it, make a copy and keep it in a safe place. A 2020 New Jersey law allows lottery winners to remain anonymous and James Carrey. encourage the winner to do just that, tell only your closest loved ones that you were this lucky winner and then I urge you to go out and talk to a lawyer and maybe a financial advisor while the winner remains a mega mystery this morning There were so many. the people who came i can't remember they always say like you know you're the lucky one i'm going to win get a ticket i'm going to win Tianabombata is the closest anyone has won she printed the winning ticket at this store just less than an hour after for him to sell one to his own mother, should have been my ticket.

I said, you're going to sell the winning ticket and what did she do? She sold the winning ticket that the new billionaire didn't use. randomly selected numbers via Quickpi, but instead I chose them individually six life-changing decisions, let's see if I can make you a billionaire tonight with $1.13 billion, this marks the fifth largest prize in Megamillions history By purchasing the ticket, the winner opted to receive 30 annual prizes. Payouts will start at $11.5 million after taxes Sam Rossi has his own winning ticket for $10 and is ready to try his luck again. I'm buying a Powerball ticket here, it's good luck, I'm sorry to tell you, Sam, you didn't win Powerball either. but no one else did either, so the jackpot is now $935 million.

By the way, the store that sells the winning ticket also gets a prize. The store owner is donating his $30,000 to a local food bank to get you that close to selling. that winning ticket for your mom Emily, thank you so much baseball fans, your time is finally back, it's MLB Opening Day, but what kind of changes are there in the rules list this season and what can fans expect when Do the players take the field? let's get into the batter's box next welcome back whoopy Goldberg has confirmed that Sister Act 3 is still in development after it was initially announced in 2020.

He told PEOPLE that the long-awaited film is still to come and added that the original hit is leaking out. The film was released in 1992 and then a sequel was released the following year. Sister Act was also turned into a musical on Broadway for this new film. Goldberg is said to be reprising her role as Dolores and is co-producing with Tyler Perry and, as you may have guessed. No release date or start of filming has been announced yet, but we're certainly looking forward to this time finally coming, it's time for baseball fans to rejoice, grab those peanuts and Cracker Jack, today of course, It's Opening Day across MLB, so cue those dreams of your favorite team that won it all in the Boys of Summer Fall Classic is finally back in action after a busy offseason.

NBC News correspondent Morgan Chesky joins us now from the home of the reigning World Series champions, the Texas Rangers. Morgan, good morning and Joe, good morning, no. better place to be than inside the stadium on opening day, so many baseball fans are excited to see the sport finally return and even though the first pitch of the 2024 season hasn't even been thrown, I have to tell you Joe there are new rules. uniforms and more than enough drama to start the extra innings this morning. Baseball fans are now just hours away from the official start of Opening Day.

I'm leaving today, tomorrow and Friday. Soul South Korea will host a soft pitch between the Dodgers and the Padres, but today is a hitter for the other MLB team it's a religious holiday for me the 2023 World Series champions the Texas Rangers will present their championship banner The manager four Time World Series winner Bruce Bochi tells his team to soak up every second how special it's going to be when you look up and see Banner coming down, I mean, chills, you know, they'll go down your spine. The new season also brings new rules focused on speeding up the pace of play.

Mound visits a tight 5-4 any pitcher who warms up. Now I must face at least one batter and the polarizing pitch clock was reduced from 20 to 18 seconds with runners in base players' uniforms changing too designed for performance and that's a sweltering summer heat, but not all, including players and fans, are giving them the green light. I don't know what to think of them and The show must go on for the Dodgers $700 million man sh Otani, the two-way superstar, is still dealing with the fallout of a betting scandal involving his longtime performer and, if the baseball is not enough, some fans will have a show.

San Francisco's Oracle Park is also launching unique lights for night games. We will be the first MLB ballpark to have floodlights in San Diego. How about playing pickle ball at Padre's Park? If you're hungry, hold the beer and the Cracker Jacks executive. chefs now run The Grill in many stadiums the Seattle Mariners offer crab pizza while white-sock fans can enjoy Smash Burgers patties and yes, Jack and Coke float and return here they live in Arlington The humble but beloved nacho Stadium Joe a little Baseball Trivia for you, this beloved dish actually made its Major League debut here in a Rangers game in 1976 and you know those new rules are going into effect this year.

I checked the rule book, there is absolutely nothing that says I can't eat some nachos and enjoy them for breakfast on opening day. I got it, it's beautiful, no cheese allowed on your shirt or anything and everything is really bigger in Texas, including the nachos. We're fine Morgan, thank you very much, happy opening. day that will do so for this hour of the Morning News. Now the news continues thanks for watching, stay up to date with the latest news and top stories on the NBC News app or follow us on social media.