NBC Nightly News Full Episode - March 14

>>> TONIGHT THE DEADLY DUST. STORM WHIPPING ACROSS TEXAS. THE WALL OF HIGH WINDS CAUSING. FATAL CRASHES AND TIPPING OVER. SEMITRUCK AFTER SEMITRUCK. VEHICLES PILING UP ON THE. HIGHWAY AND THE DANGEROUS TRAIL. OF WRECKAGE AND DANGEROUS. WILDFIRES RIPPING THROUGH HOMES. THE POWERFUL STORM SYSTEM. PUTTING 113 MILLION AT RISK.

ALERTS FOR OVERNIGHT TORNADOES. AND BASEBALL-SIZED HAIL. THE FIRE ABOARD AN AMERICAN. AIRLINES PLANE. THE DISTRESS CALL FROM THE. COCKPIT AS PASSENGERS EVACUATING. ON TO THE WING AND RUNNING FOR. THEIR LIVES THROUGH THE SMOKE. A KEY WITNESS TALKING TO. AUTHORITIES ABOUT THE MISSING. STUDENT ON SPRING BREAK. HE MAY HAVE BEEN THE LAST PERSON. TO SEE HER. JESSE KIRSCH IS IN THE DOMINICAN. REPUBLIC WITH THE LATEST. ANOTHER COLUMBIA STUDENT.

PROTESTER ARRESTED BY FEDERAL. AGENTS AND NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO. OF THE ARREST OF PROTESTER. MAHMOUD KHALIL. MARKETS BOUNCING BACK AFTER A. WILD WEEK IN RESPONSE TO. PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRADE WAR. THE PRESIDENT GOING AFTER THE. PROSECUTORS THAT CHARGED HIM. SPACEX CREW READY TO GO ON A. MISSION TO BRING HOME ASTRONAUTS. BUTCH WILMORE AND SUNI WILLIAMS. AND THE GOOD NEWS, MUSIC AND.

HOPE COMING BACK TO KIDS. IMPACTED BY THOSE L.A. WILDFIRES. >> THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS". WITH LESTER HOLT. >>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME. AS WE ENTER A VOLATILE WEEKEND. OF SEVERE WEATHER STARTING IN. TEXAS WHERE FIERCE WINDS CREATED. PERILOUS CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD, PARTICULARLY FOR 18-WHEELERS. THAT HAVE PROVEN TO BE NO MATCH. FOR SEVERE DUST STORMS. AMARILLO, TRUCK AFTER TRUCK. SUCCUMB TO THE CONDITIONS.

DRIVERS LOSING CONTROL. RIGS TUMBLING ON TO THE SIDES. FIRE ALERTS IN TEXAS AND IN. OKLAHOMA. 25 MILLION PEOPLE FACING A FIRE. RISK TONIGHT AND 113 UNDER THE. THREAT OF SEVERE WEATHER. FORECASTERS PREDICTING A. MULTI-DAY THREAT OF EXTREME. WEATHER. WE WILL GET THE LATEST FORECAST. IN A MOMENT.

BUT LET'S START IN TEXAS WITH. PRISCILLA THOMPSON. >> Reporter: THE STUNNING POWER. OF THE STORM SEEN ON A HIGHWAY. NEAR AMARILLO, TEXAS. MASSIVE WIND GUSTS KNOCKING OVER. TRACTOR TRAILERS. ONE AFTER ANOTHER AFTER ANOTHER. HERE POLICE STOPPED TO TRY TO. ASSIST. THERE WERE AT LEAST THREE FATAL. CRASHES, AMONG TWO DOZEN ACROSS. WEST TEXAS.

THE POWERFUL STORM SPARKING. APOCALYPTIC SCENES, REDUCING. VISIBILITY TO ZERO ACROSS. SEVERAL INTERSTATES. CAUSING THIS MANGLED PILE OF. CARS AND TRUCKS. AN AMBULANCE SEEN HERE CRUSHED. AFTER A COLLISION. AND THIS PILE-UP ON I-27 WHICH. WAS SHUT DOWN. THE BLINDING CONDITIONS FUELED. BY MORE THAN 80 MILES PER HOUR. WINDS.

CORINA GARCIA WAS IN THE MIDDLE. OF IT ALL. >> THERE WERE ROCKS FLYING. AROUND AND ONE HIT MY. WINDSHIELD. >> Reporter: THOSE DESTRUCTIVE. WINDS FUELLING FIRES IN LAKE. TANGLEWOOD, TEXAS. THIS BLAZE STEPS FROM HOMES AND. BUSINESSES. TONIGHT OTHERS FORCING. EVACUATIONS IN SEVERAL COUNTIES. ACROSS TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA. >> WHAT A WILD SCENE. THIS IS NOT OVER FOR TEXAS YET. >> Reporter: THAT IS RIGHT. LESTER.

AMARILLO'S MAYOR DECLARED A. LOCAL STATE OF DISASTER THERE. AND THERE ARE MORE THAN 175,000. PEOPLE ACROSS TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA. WITHOUT POWER DUE TO THE STORMS. THIS KICKS OFF A WEEKEND OF. POTENTIAL SEVERE WEATHER FROM. MEMPHIS TO MISSISSIPPI. >> THIS HISTORIC STORM IS ON THE. MOVE, AND NOW WE ARE VERY. CONCERNED WITH THE TORNADO. OUTBREAK TONIGHT AND DURING THE. DAY ON SATURDAY ALSO. WE HAVE OUR FIRST TORNADO WATCH.

WE WILL WATCH THE STRONG STORMS. THROUGH MISSOURI, LATE TONIGHT. FOR AREAS LIKE MEMPHIS THROUGH. MISSISSIPPI, AND THEN TOMORROW, NOT ONLY CAN WE HAVE TORNADOES. BUT MAYBE STRONG LONG TRACK. TORNADOES. ONES THAT STAY ON THE GROUND FOR. MANY, MANY MILES AND ARE. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AREAS FROM JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI. THROUGH CENTRAL ALABAMA. MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE YOUR. FAMILY SAFETY PLAN IN PLACE IN. CASE A BIG STORM HEADS YOUR WAY. THEN IT MAKES IT WAY TO THE EAST.

COAST MAKINGS IT WAY TO I-95. >> IN DENVER AN AMERICAN. AIRLINES 737 WAS CONSUMED BY. FLAMES WITH PASSENGERS POURING. OUT OF EMERGENCY EXITS MINUTES. AFTER THE PLANE WAS FORCED TO. MAKE AN EMERGENCY LANDING. MANY ARE ALREADY RATTLED OVER A. STRING OF AIR TRAVEL MISHAPS. >> Reporter: IT WAS A HARROWING. SCENE. PANICKED PASSENGERS FLEEING ON. TO THE WINGS OF AN AMERICAN.

AIRLINES PLANE, THE ENGINE FULLY. ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND BLACK. SMOKE BILLOWING AROUND FAMILIES. WAITING TO BE RESCUED. GROUND CREWS SCRAMBLING TO THE. SCENE, EVACUATING PASSENGERS. WITH SLIDES. THE BOEING 737 DEPARTED FROM. COLORADO SPRINGS, QUICKLY. DIVERTING TO DENVER AFTER THE. FAA SAID THAT THE CREW REPORTED.

ENGINE VIBRATIONS. >> A LOUD THUD AND A LOT OF. VIBRATION SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. >> Reporter: THEY WERE ON BOARD. WITH THEIR TWO DAUGHTERS, SPLIT. UP ON DIFFERENT ENDS OF THE. PLANE AND RECALLED THE MOMENT. THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE AND. TERROR INSIDE AS SMOKE FILLED. THE CABIN. >> HOPE I GET OUT OF THIS PLANE. IN TIME AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT. BLOWUP. >> Reporter: THE PASSENGERS WERE.

SAFELY DEPLANED AND 12 WERE. TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH. MINOR INJURIES. IT IS THE LATEST IN THE STRING. OF RECENT AIRLINE INCIDENTS FROM. A CRASH LANDING UPSIDE DOWN IN. TORONTO LAST MONTH WHERE. EVERYONE SURVIVED TO THE PLANE. THAT COLLIDED WITH A HELICOPTER. OVER THE POTOMAC LEAVING 67. DEAD. >> COMMERCIAL AVIATION IN THIS. COUNTRY IS STILL INCREDIBLY. SAFE. I WOULD NOT HESITATE TO FLY.

I DO UNDERSTAND THE PUBLIC'S. NERVOUSNESS ABOUT THIS. I MUST TELL YOU THE GOOD NEWS. ABOUT THE DENVER EVENT IS THAT. THE SYSTEM WORKED. >> EVERYONE ON BOARD IS THANKFUL. TO BE BACK ON SOLID GROUND AND. REUNITED. >> SOON AS WE WERE ALL TOGETHER. IN THE TERMINAL, YEAH. QUITE THE RELIEF. >> YOU NOTED THERE WERE SOME. THAT WERE INJURED. WHAT ARE THEIR CONDITIONS? >> ALL 12 TREATED AND RELEASED.

FROM THE HOSPITAL. >> STEVE PATTERSON IN DENVER, THANK YOU. MORE THAN EIGHT DAYS AFTER A. COLLEGE STUDENT VANISHED ON. SPRING BREAK, THE PARENTS OF A. KEY WITNESS CLAIM THEIR SON HAS. BEEN DETAINED.

>> THE HIGH WA IOWA MAN AT THE. CENTER OF THE SEARCH WHOSE. FAMILY CLAIMS HE HAS BEEN. DETAINED IN THE DOMINICAN. REPUBLIC AND SUBJECT TO. QUESTIONING WITHOUT THE PRESENCE. OF OFFICIAL TRANSLATORS OR LEGAL. COUNSEL UNTIL WEDNESDAY AND HAS. ALLEGEDLY REMAINED IN HIS HOTEL. ROOM UNDER POLICE SURVEILLANCE. AND FOR DAYS THEY CALLED HIM A.

PERSON OF INTEREST. THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC POLICE. SAY THEY DON'T USE THAT TERM. HIS FAMILY SAY HE HAS BEEN TAKEN. TO THE POLICE STATION AND. INTERROGATED FOR LONG HOURS. NBC NEWS EXCLUSIVELY OBTAINING. THIS PHOTO FROM AN INTERVIEW HE. GAVE INVESTIGATORS ON WEDNESDAY. AND NBC OBTAINED A TRANSCRIPT. AS SHE WALKED IN THE WATER, I. NEVER SAW HER AGAIN.

THE TWO WERE PART OF A GROUP. TAKING SHOTS OF PINK TEQUILA, WENT TO THE BEACH, WINDING UP IN. WAIST-DEEP WATER, TALKING AND. KISSING A BIT AND A BIG WAVE. SWEPT THEM OUT TO SEA. I SWALLOWED A LOT OF WATER HE. RECALLED. HE SAYS HE EVENTUALLY GOT HER TO. SHORE, BUT THEY WERE STILL IN. KNEE-DEEP WATER. I ASKED IF SHE WAS OKAY. I DID NOT HEAR HER ANSWER. I STARTED TO VOMIT ALL OF THE.

SEA WATER I SWALLOWED. I THOUGHT SHE GRABBED HER THINGS. AND LEFT. I FELT BAD AND TIRED. SAYING HE WAS SURPRISED TO LEARN. SHE NEVER RETURNED TO HER ROOM. WHEN ASKED IF HE WENT TO. AUTHORITIES OR THE HOTEL HE SAID. MY LAWYERS ADVISED ME NOT TO. ANSWER THAT AND I AGREE WITH.

THEM. MORE PROTESTS ERUPTING AT. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY DAYS AFTER. ACTIVIST AND PROTEST LEADER. MAHMOUD KHALIL WAS DETAINED AND. SET TO FACE DEPORTATION. HERE IS EMILIE IKEDA. >> Reporter: TONIGHT PRESIDENT. TRUMP'S CRACKDOWN ON. PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTS RAMPING. UP, IMMIGRATION AGENTS TAKING A.

SECOND STUDENT INVOLVED IN THE. COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. DEMONSTRATIONS IN TO CUSTODY. LEQAA KORDIA, A PALESTINIAN FROM. WEST BANK WAS ARRESTED FOR. OVERSTAYING HER EXPIRED STUDENT. VISA. ANOTHER STUDENT HAD HER VISA. REVOKED AND USED THE HOME APP TO. SELF DEPORT. FURTHER FUELLING PROTESTING.

CALLING FOR THE RELEASE OF. MAHMOUD KHALIL. HIS LEGAL TEAM RELEASING THE. BLURRED VIDEO OF HIS ARREST. FILMED BY HIS WIFE FROM THE. WEEKEND. DESCRIBING AS KHALIL FELT LIKE. HE WAS KIDNAPPED. >> IT IS HORRIBLE. >> THE DHS SAID HE LED. ACTIVITIES ALIGNED TO HAMAS. MARCO RUBIO WARNING TODAY --. >> WE WILL LOOK FOR PEOPLE WE. WOULD NEVER HAVE ALLOWED IN TO.

THE COUNTRY ON STUDENT VISAS. >> Reporter: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY. IS AMONG DOZENS OF SCHOOLS. FACING MOUNTING PRESSURE TO. FOLLOW DEMANDS OF THE TRUMP. ADMINISTRATION. THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF. HEALTH IS TERMINATING $250. MILLION OF FUNDING TO COLUMBIA.

THAT IS IT. WE CAN'T STUDY IT OR IMPROVE. DEATHS DURING THE POST PARTOM. PERIOD. >> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF. EDUCATION ANNOUNCING. INVESTIGATIONS INTO MORE THAN 50. SCHOOLS FOR ALLEGED RACIAL. PREFERENCES IN EDUCATION. PROGRAMS AND SCHOLARSHIPS. >> THANK YOU. ON WALL STREET A RALLY AFTER ONE. OF THE WORST WEEKS IN YEAR AS.

THE DOW WAS UP 674 POINTS TODAY, THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR FOR THE. S&P 500 AND NASDAQ. NOW TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S RARE. VISIT TO THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. TOUTING PROGRESS ON THE BORDER. AND GOING AFTER PROSECUTORS WHO. CHARGED HIM. EFFORTS TO AVERT A GOVERNMENT. SHUTDOWN SPARKED DIVISIONS. GOVERNMENT DEMOCRATS. >> Reporter: TONIGHT PRESIDENT. TRUMP WITH A RARE VISIT TO THE. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, GOING. AGAINST LONG-HELD WHITE HOUSE.

PRACTICE. T LONG HELD WHITE HOUS. PRACTICE. KEEPING DISTANCE FROM THE DOJ TO. PRESERVES IT INDEPENDENCE. BUT FOR IN MR. TRUMP WIELDING. HIS INFLUENCE IS HIS MISSION. >> WE ARE TURNING THE PAGE ON. FOUR LONG YEARS OF WEAPONIZATION. AND SURRENDER TO VIOLENT. CRIMINALS. HE REPEATED FAMILIAR ACCUSATIONS. ABOUT THE SURGE OF CAREER.

PROSECUTORS LINKED TO JANUARY 6. CASES AND INVESTIGATIONS OF MR. TRUMP. TODAY THE PRESIDENT CALLED FOR A. FOCUS ON GANGS, DRUGS AND. VIOLENT CRIME. >> WE LAUNCHED AN ALL-OUT WAR ON. FENTANYL TRAFFICKERS AND IT IS A. WAR WE ARE GOING TO WIN. CHUCK SCHUMER STUNNED HIS PARTY.

BY RELUCTANTLY BACKING A GOP. FUNDING BILL TO PREVENT A. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AT MIDNIGHT. >> IF THE GOVERNMENT WERE TO. SHUT DOWN DOGE HAS A PLAN IN. PLACE TO EXPLOIT THE CRISIS FOR. MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION. >> I THINK IT IS A HUGE SLAP IN. THE FACE AND A WIDE SENSE OF. BETRAYAL IF THINGS PROCEED AS.

CURRENTLY PLAYING OUT. >> WE OPPOSE THE RECKLESS. REPUBLICAN SPENDING BILL. >> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT. STOKED THE FIRE, POSTING SCHUMER. SHOWED GUTS AND COURAGE. DESPITE DEMOCRATIC FRICTION. SCHUMER DELIVERED ENOUGH VOTES. TO KEEP THE GOVERNMENT OPEN. >> THEY JUST HELD THE VOTE IN. THE SENATE. >> THAT IS RIGHT. THE LIGHTS STAY ON. THE PRESIDENT SAID HE IS.

IMPRESSED BY SCHUMER'S EFFORTS. THE TOP DEMOCRAT SAYS HE. BELIEVES HE HAS THE CONFIDENCE. OF FELLOW DEMOCRATS DESPITE. TODAY'S EFFORTS. >> IN 60. >>> WE ARE BACK WITH NASA AND. SPACEX LIFT OFF, CREW-10 MAKING. THEIR WAY TO THE INTERNATIONAL. SPACE STATION ALLOWING. ASTRONAUTS BUTCH WILMORE AND. SUNI WILLIAMS TO COME HOME AFTER.

THEIR TEN-DAY MISSION TURNED. INTO A NINE-MONTH STAY. TOM COSTELLO WAS AT THE KENNEDY. SPACE CENTER. WHAT IS THE LATEST? >> Reporter: PICTURE PERFECT. LAUNCH HERE AT 7:03 EASTERN TIME. UNDER MAGNIFICENT WEATHER. CONDITIONS. THEY NEEDED TO GET OFF TODAY. CREW-10 ON THEIR WAY TO THE. INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION. TWO AMERICANS ON BOARD, ONE. JAPANESE ASTRONAUT AND ONE. RUSSIAN. IT IS A 28-HOUR JUNIOR OURNEY T.

STATION. IN THE EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. HOURS THEY WILL OPEN UP AND. FLOAT INTO THE SPACE STATION. THAT IS THE MOMENT THE FOUR. ASTRONAUTS ON CREW-10 JOIN. CREW-9. AFTER A FEW DAYS OF HAND OFF. OPERATIONS, CREW-9 WILL BE. ALLOWED TO GET INTO THEIR SPACE. SHIP AND BEGIN THEIR JOURNEY. BACK TO EARTH, INCLUDING AS YOU. MENTIONED BUTCH AND SUNI. THE IDEA IS THEY WOULD PROBABLY. LEAVE MID-WEEK, SPLASHING DOWN.

THURSDAY IN THE GULF OR. ATLANTIC. >> STILL AHEAD TONIGHT FROM. CHIPS TO. >>> BACK NOW WITH HOW YOUR. NEIGHBORHOOD CONVENIENT STORE. MAY BE CHANGING. A DIP IN SALES FORCING THE. INDUSTRY TO COMPETE FOR SALES IN. A NEW WAY.

HERE IS MORGAN CHESKY IN OUR. SERIES "THE PRICE YOU PAY.". >> Reporter: THEY PROMISE. CUSTOMERS A ONE-STOP SHOT BUT. CONVENIENT STORE CUSTOMERS ARE. FINDING PROFITS HARDER TO COME. BY. AT HIS LOS ANGELES 7/11 THE. OWNER IS PUSHING NEW DEALS. >> SOME PEOPLE ARE PICKY ABOUT. THEIR STUFF. THEY HAVE IN MIND WHAT THEY ARE. GOING TO GET IN THE STORE AND. PICK THAT AND LEAVE.

>> Reporter: SALES FALLING 4%. OVER THE PAST YEAR. POPULAR SNACKS DOWN 6%. REFRIGERATED ITEMS, NEARLY 7%. >> THE YOUNGER ME WOULD GRAB. EVERYTHING, SPICY, SWEET, SALTY, SOUR. BUT THE OLDER THAT I GET, THE. MORE THAT I REALIZE I AM MORE. COGNIZANT OF HOW IT MAKES ME. FEEL. >> Reporter: NOT JUST HEALTH. CONSCIOUS CONSUMERS. ANALYSTS SAY THAT AN UNCERTAIN. ECONOMY IS FORCING STORES TO.

OFFER MORE THAN PRE-PACKAGED. TREATS. AS TASTES CHANGE SO IS STORE. STRATEGY. MANY ARE OFFERING HOT MENU. ITEMS, OFTEN AT SIGNIFICANT. DEALS. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF. CONVENIENT STORES SAYS HOT FOOD. DEMAND IS SURGING, MAKING UP. NEARLY 30% OF ALL SALES. >> EVERYTHING IS DOLLAR BEHIND. YOU. >> Reporter: DEALS FRONT AND. CENTER, TAKING NO CHANCES IN A. CHANGING INDUSTRY. MORGAN CHESKY, NBC NEWS, LOS.

ANGELES. >> COMING UP, GOOD. >>> FINALLY, THERE IS GOOD NEWS. TONIGHT IN LOS ANGELES. A SURPRISE THAT IS HELPING. STUDENTS IN ONE COMMUNITY HIT. HARD BY THE WILDFIRES COME BACK. TO LIFE AND HITTING ALL OF THE. RIGHT NOTES. HERE IS GADI SCHWARTZ. >> Reporter: THE L.A. FIRES. STOLE SO MUCH.

AMONG THE ASHES, THE AUDITORIUM. AT ELLIOTT ARTS SCHOOL, INSTRUMENTS LOST AND MUSIC. STUDENTS LEFT SILENCED. >> I PLAYED SO MANY SHOWS HERE. MY DAD WENT TO THAT SCHOOL. MY GRANDMA. THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN IN MY. FAMILY. >> Reporter: THE 13-YEAR-OLD. LOST HIS SCHOOL AND HIS HOME. >> IT WAS AN EXPLOSION LIKE A. FLASH. I WAS WORRIED. I PACKED UP STUFF THAT I CARE. ABOUT LIKE CLOTHES, MY GUITARS. >> Reporter: YOUR GUITAR.

HIS GUITAR AND PICKS, SOME OF. THE FEW ITEMS HE SAVED FROM THE. FLAMES. >> I HAVE BEEN SO CONNECTED TO. MUSIC. I HAVE NOT REALLY BEEN ABLE TO. LET GO OF IT. I LOVE PLAYING IT. I LOVE LISTENING TO IT. >> Reporter: NOW AFTER HIS CLASS. RELOCATED TO A DIFFERENT. SCHOOL --. >> GUITAR CENTER HAS A BIG. SURPRISE. >> Reporter: GIFTS FROM THE. GUITAR CENTER MUSIC FOUNDATION. MORE THAN A DOZEN GUITARS, AMPS,

AND EVEN A DRUM SET FOR THIS. ROCK AND ROLL BAND CLASS. >> WHAT DO YOU THINK? >> I LIKE IT. >> Reporter: HELPING THE YOUNG. MUSICIANS FIND THEIR RHYTHM. AGAIN. >> BEAUTIFUL NEW GUITARS. >> Reporter: FIRE IS NOT GOING. TO STOP YOU FROM LEARNING. A HARMONY FOUND IN HEALING IN. MUSIC. YOU KNOW IT DOES NOT FEEL LIKE. ELLIOTT IN THIS SCHOOL, ABOUT. YOU WHEN YOU ARE ALL PLAYING.

DOES IT SOUND LIKE ELLIOTT? >> YEAH. IT DOES. >> Reporter: HEAVY METAL RIFFS. THAT MIGHT JUST BE THE. SOUNDTRACK OF REBUILDING. GADI SCHWARTZ, NBC NEWS, LOS. ANGELES. AND THAT IS "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR. THIS FRIDAY. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. I'M LESTER HOLT. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND. EACH OTHER. GOOD NIGHT.