   TRUMP'S 
   FORMER CHIEF ADVISER 
   INDICTED ON 
   FEDERAL FRAUD CHARGES.
   STEVE BANNON ACCUSED 
   OF AN 
   ALLEGED SCHEME TO RIP 
   OFF 
   DONATIONS TO BUILD A 
   BORDER 
   WALL.
   THE 150-FOOT YACHT 
   WHERE HE WAS 
   ARRESTED.
   HIS PLEA IN COURT 
   LATER TODAY 
   AND OUR CORRESPONDENT 
   INSIDE THE 
   OVAL OFFICE GETTING 
   REACTION 
   FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP. 
   >>> ALSO, JOE BIDEN, 
   THE BIGGEST 
   MOMENT OF HIS NEARLY 
   50-YEAR 
   CAREER, READY TO 
   ACCEPT HIS 
   NOMINATION ON THIS 
   FINAL NIGHT 
   OF THE DNC AND MY 
   ONE-ON-ONE 
   WITH JILL BIDEN. 
   A FIRST LOOK AT HER 
   HUSBAND'S MESSAGE.
   >>> THE WILD FIRING 
   TURNING 
   DEADLY IN CALIFORNIA.
   NEW EVACUATIONS.
   TENS OF THOUSANDS HAVE
   NOW FLED THEIR HOMES.
   OVER 100 BUILDINGS 
   DESTROYED. 
   >>> TWO TROPICAL 
   SYSTEMS ON A 
   POTENTIAL COLLISION 
   COURSE WITH 
   THE U.S.
   AL ROKER WILL BE ALONG
   TO TRACK. 
   >>> THE BATTLE OVER 
   SCHOOLS, TEACHERS IN 
   MAJOR CITIES
   THREATENING TO STRIKE.
   WHAT THEY'RE 
   DEMANDING. 
   >>> WAS A PROMINENT 
   RIVAL OF 
   VLADIMIR PUTIN 
   POISONED.
   CHILLING VIDEO FROM 
   INSIDE A PLANE.
   THE MAN HEARD 
   SCREHT ON 
   A HOT MIC USING A 
   HOMOPHOBIC 
   SLUR. 
   WILL HE KEEP HIS JOB?
   >>> AND THE TEEN 
   ACCEPTED TO NOT
   ONE BUT 65 COLLEGES. 
   >>> THIS IS NBC 
   "NIGHTLY NEWS" 
   WITH LESTER HOLT.
   >>> GOOD EVENING, 
   EVERYONE.
   ADD ANOTHER BIG NAME 
   TO THE STRING OF TRUMP
   INSIDERS WHO RAN AFOUL
   OF THE 
   LAW.
   STEVE BANNON ABOARD A 
   YACHT 
   ALONG THE CONNECTICUT 
   COAST.
   THE PRESIDENT'S CHIEF 
   FORMER 
   STRATEGIST ACCUSED OF 
   FRAUD.
   RELATED TO HIS ROLE IN
   A CAMPAIGN TO HELP 
   FINANCE THE 
   PRESIDENT'S 
   CONTROVERSIAL BORDER 
   WALL.
   BANNON APPEARING IN 
   COURT LATE 
   TODAY.
   OUR GEOFF BENNETT HAS 
   LATE DETAILS.
   >> Reporter: ANOTHER 
   FORMER 
   TRUMP CAMPAIGN BOSS 
   TONIGHT 
   FACING FEDERAL 
   CHARGES.
   STEEF BANNON, HIS 
   FIRST CHIEF
   STRATEGIST IN THE 
   WHITE HOUSE 
   ARRESTED OFF THE COAST
   OF 
   CONNECTICUT THIS 
   MORNING ABOARD 
   A 150-FOOT YACHT HE 
   DOES NOT 
   OWN.
   PROSECUTORS SAY THE 
   66-YEAR-OLD 
   ALONG WITH THREE 
   OTHERS RAISED 
   MORE THAN $25 MILLION 
   IN A 
   CAMPAIGN THEY SAID 
   WOULD GO 
   ENTIRELY TO BUILD 
   SECTIONS OF 
   THE SOUTHERN BORDER 
   WALL. 
   >> EVERYTHING THAT 
   THIS COMPANY 
   IS DOING, BUILD A 
   WALL, IT IS 
   ALL TO SUPPORT 
   PRESIDENT TRUMP 
   AND WHAT PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP IS 
   TRYING TO DO TO GET A 
   PHYSICAL 
   BARRIER ON THE 
   SOUTHERN BORDER.
   IF YOU JOIN IT AND WE 
   GET IT OUT 
   TO YOUR FRIENDS IT 
   WILL BE A 
   MULTIPLIER AND WE'LL 
   ACTUALLY 
   NOT JUST GET A WALL 
   BUILT, WE'LL 
   SAVE THIS COUNTRY. 
   >> Reporter: BUT THE 
   GOVERNMENT 
   SAYS THEY TOOK 
   HUNDREDS OF 
   THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS 
   FOR 
   THEMSELVES.
   BANNON'S VIRTUAL 
   ARRAIGNMENT TODAY
   CAPTURED IN THIS COURT
   SKETCH.
   STEVE BANNON WAS ONE 
   OF THE 
   ARCHITECTS OF 
   PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
   2016 PRESIDENTIAL 
   CAMPAIGN.
   MR. TRUMP DISTANCING 
   HIMSELF FROM BANNON 
   TODAY
   WHEN PRESSED BY NBC 
   NEWS. 
   >> MR. PRESIDENT, WHAT
   IS YOUR 
   REACTION TO THE 
   INDICTMENT OF 
   YOUR FORMER CAMPAIGN 
   AID STEVE 
   BANNON?
   >> WELL, I FEEL VERY 
   BADLY.
   I HAVEN'T BEEN DEALING
   WITH HIM 
   FOR A LONG PERIOD OF 
   TIME AS 
   MOST OF THE PEOPLE IN 
   THIS ROOM 
   KNOW.
   HE WAS INVOLVED IN OUR
   CAMPAIGN.
   HE WORKED FOR GOLDMAN 
   SACHS.
   HE WORKED FOR A LOT OF
   COMPANIES.
   BUT HE WAS INVOLVED 
   LIKEWISE IN 
   OUR CAMPAIGN AND FOR A
   SMALL 
   PART OF THE 
   ADMINISTRATION, VERY 
   EARLY ON.
   I HAVEN'T BEEN DEALING
   WITH HIM 
   AT ALL.
   I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT 
   THIS 
   PROJECT OTHER THAN I 
   DIDN'T LIKE 
   WHEN I READ ABOUT IT I
   DIDN'T 
   LIKE IT.
   I SAID THIS IS FOR 
   GOVERNMENT.
   THIS ISN'T FOR PRIVATE
   PEOPLE.
   IT SOUNDED TO ME LIKE 
   SHOW 
   BOATING AND I THINK I 
   LET MY 
   OPINION BE VERY 
   STRONGLY STATED 
   AT THE TIME.
   I DIDN'T LIKE IT.
   IT WAS SHOWBOATING AND
   MAYBE LOOKING FOR 
   FUNDS.
   BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO SEE
   WHAT 
   HAPPENS.
   I THINK IT'S A VERY 
   SAD THING 
   FOR MR. 
   BANNON. 
   >> RESPECTFULLY, SIR, 
   IT IS NOT 
   JUST STEVE BANNON.
   IT'S ROGER STONE. 
   IT'S MICHAEL FLYNN.
   IT'S RICK GATES, PAUL 
   MANAFORT, MICHAEL 
   COHEN.
   WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT
   YOUR JUDGMENT?
   >> WELL, I HAVE NO 
   IDEA.
   >> Reporter: WHILE 
   PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP SAYS HE KNEW 
   NOTHING ABOUT 
   THE FUND-RAISING 
   EFFORT, A 
   LONG-TIME ALLY TOLD 
   "THE NEW 
   YORK TIMES" IN AN 
   INTERVIEW LAST 
   YEAR THAT THE 
   PRESIDENT SAID THE 
   PROJECT HAS MY 
   BLESSING, AND YOU 
   CAN TELL THE MEDIA 
   THAT.
   >> SO I DIDN'T KNOW 
   THAT.
   I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT 
   BANNON'S 
   INVOLVEMENT.
   IT WAS SOMETHING THAT 
   I VERY MUCH FELT
   WAS INAPPROPRIATE TO 
   BE DOING. 
   >> Reporter: STEVE 
   BANNON'S 
   COURT HEARING ENDED 
   TODAY WITH 
   HIS ATTORNEY ENTERING 
   A PLEA OF 
   NOT GUILTY ON HIS 
   BEHALF.
   HE WAS RELEASED ON A 
   $5 MILLION 
   BOND WITH RESTRICTIONS
   AGAINST 
   PRIVATE JET OR YACHT 
   TRAVEL.
   LESTER?
   >> GEOFF BENNETT AT 
   THE WHITE 
   HOUSE.
   THANK YOU. 
   >>> NOW TO JOE BIDEN'S
   BIG NIGHT 
   IN THE MIDDLE OF HIS 
   THIRD RUN 
   FOR THE WHITE HOUSE, 
   HE IS NOW 
   HOURS AWAY FROM 
   ACCEPTING HIS 
   PARTY'S NOMINATION FOR
   PRESIDENT.
   IT COMES AFTER FORMER 
   PRESIDENT 
   OBAMA'S DENUNCIATION 
   OF 
   PRESIDENT TRUMP LAST 
   NIGHT.
   AT THE DEMOCRATIC 
   NATIONAL CONVENTION.
   HERE'S PETER 
   ALEXANDER.
   >> Reporter: AFTER 
   NEARLY 50 
   YEARS IN POLITICAL 
   OFFICE, 
   TONIGHT JOE BIDEN 
   CAPTURES THE 
   PRIZE THAT'S ELUDED 
   HIM TWICE 
   BEFORE.
   FORMALLY ACCEPTING HIS
   PARTY'S PRESIDENTIAL 
   NOMINATION.
   HIS CAMPAIGN RELEASING
   THIS 
   VIDEO THAT WILL PLAY 
   TONIGHT. 
   >> PASSIONATE 
   ARGUMENT, A 
   SYMPATHETIC LISTENER, 
   A 
   WILLINGNESS TO MAKE 
   ADJUSTMENTS 
   AND ACCOMMODATIONS TO 
   BRING 
   PEOPLE ONBOARD. 
   >> Reporter: BIDEN, 
   HIS AIDS 
   TELL US, WILL FRAME 
   THE ELECTION 
   AS A BATTLE FOR THE 
   SOUL OF THE 
   NATION.
   BIDEN'S SISTER TELLS 
   NBC NEWS 
   THE 77-YEAR-OLD WOULD 
   NOT HAVE 
   RUN AGAIN IF NOT FOR 
   PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP WHO TODAY 
   CAMPAIGNED NEAR 
   HIS RIVAL'S HOMETOWN 
   OF 
   SCRANTON, 
   PENNSYLVANIA. 
   WARNING OF A DANGEROUS
   COUNTRY IF BIDEN WINS.
   >> THINK OF THE 
   SMOULDERING
   RUINS IN MINNEAPOLIS, 
   THE 
   VIOLENT ANARCHY OF 
   PORTLAND, THE 
   BLOODSTAINED SIDEWALKS
   OF 
   CHICAGO AND IMAGINE 
   THE MAYHEM
   COMING TO YOUR TOWN 
   AND EVERY 
   SINGLE TOWN IN 
   AMERICA. 
   >> Reporter: ONE OF 
   THOSE 
   INTRODUCING BIDEN 
   TONIGHT, HIS 
   SON HUNTER WHOSE 
   CONTROVERSIAL 
   BUSINESS DEALINGS 
   OVERSEAS HAVE 
   MADE HIM ONE OF 
   PRESIDENT 
   TRUMP'S FAVORITE 
   TARGETS.
   OTHER SPEAKERS TONIGHT
   ATLANTA MAYOR AND PETE
   BUTTIGIEG.
   IT FOLLOWS A SCATHING 
   AND AT 
   TIMES EMOTIONAL SPEECH
   FROM 
   FORMER PRESIDENT 
   OBAMA, IN TERMS 
   RARELY USED BY ONE 
   PRESIDENT BY 
   ANOTHER CALLING OUT 
   HIS 
   SUCCESSOR BY NAME AS A
   THREAT TO 
   OUR DEMOCRACY. 
   >> DONALD TRUMP HASN'T
   GROWN 
   INTO THE JOB BECAUSE 
   HE CAN'T.
   AND THE CONSEQUENCES 
   OF THAT 
   FAILURE ARE SEVERE. 
   >> Reporter: OBAMA 
   EMBRACING 
   BIDEN AS A BROTHER 
   WHILE ARGUING 
   THE PRESIDENT'S ALLIES
   ARE 
   TRYING TO MAKE VOTING 
   AS TOUGH 
   AS POSSIBLE.
   >> THAT'S HOW A 
   DEMOCRACY 
   WITHERS UNTIL IT'S NO 
   DEMOCRACY 
   AT ALL.
   AND WE CANNOT LET THAT
   HAPPEN.
   DO NOT LET THEM TAKE 
   AWAY YOUR 
   POWER. 
   >> Reporter: THE NIGHT
   ALSO 
   FEATURING A LINEUP OF 
   ACCOMPLISHED WOMEN, 
   FOLLOWED BY 
   BIDEN'S HISTORIC VP 
   CHOICE, 
   KAMALA HARRIS, SHARING
   HER 
   PERSONAL STORY. 
   THE DAUGHTER OF JAY 
   MAY CAN AND INDIAN 
   IMMIGRANTS REMEMBERING
   HER LATE MOTHER.
   >> SHE PROBABLY COULD 
   HAVE NEVER 
   IMAGINED THAT I WOULD 
   BE 
   STANDING BEFORE YOU 
   NOW AND 
   SPEAKING THESE WORDS.
   I ACCEPT YOUR 
   NOMINATION FOR 
   VICE PRESIDENT. 
   >> Reporter: A MOMENT 
   THAT 
   INSPIRED PRINCESS 
   SAMSON, A 
   SPELLMAN COLLEGE 
   STUDENT. 
   >> SOMEBODY THAT LOOKS
   LIKE ME 
   MIGHT BE IN, YOU KNOW,
   ONE OF 
   THE HIGHEST POSITIONS 
   IN THE 
   LAND. 
   >> Reporter: HARRIS 
   ALSO ARGUED 
   PRESIDENT TRUMP'S 
   LEADERSHIP HAS 
   COST LIVES AND 
   LIVELIHOODS. 
   >> THE CONSTANT CHAOS 
   LEAVES US 
   ADRIFT.
   THE INCOMPETENCE MAKES
   US FEEL 
   AFRAID.
   THE CALLOUSNESS MAKES 
   US FEEL 
   ALONE.
   IT'S A LOT.
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   PETER JOINS ME NOW.
   PETER, YOU ARE GETTING
   SOME NEW 
   INFORMATION ABOUT HOW 
   BIDEN IS 
   PREPARING.
   >> Reporter: YEAH, 
   LESTER.
   BIDEN WAS HERE AT THIS
   SITE THIS 
   AFTERNOON AFTER THREE 
   PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS
   HE'S BEEN 
   IMAGING THIS SPEECH 
   FOR YEARS.
   BUT TONIGHT IT WILL BE
   A VERY 
   DIFFERENT SETTING.
   JUST HIM A TV CAMERA, 
   VERY FEW 
   PEOPLE IN THE ROOM AND
   NO LIVE 
   AUDIENCE FOR HIM TO 
   FEED OFF OF.
   >> ALL RIGHT, PETER.
   THANKS.
   >>> AND FOR MORE ON 
   JOE BIDEN'S 
   SPEECH, WE ARE JOINED 
   NOW BY HIS 
   WIFE DR. JILL BIDEN.
   DR. BIDEN, THANK YOU 
   FOR BEING 
   WITH US TODAY. 
   >> YOU'RE WELCOME. 
   THANKS FOR HAVING ME 
   ON.
   >> Reporter: I DON'T 
   KNOW IF THE 
   VICE PRESIDENT LETS 
   YOU PEEK 
   OVER HIS SHOULDER, BUT
   TO THE 
   EXTENT YOU CAN, CAN 
   YOU GIVE US 
   A PREVIEW OF WHAT HIS 
   MESSAGE 
   AND THEMES WILL BE 
   TONIGHT?
   >> SURE.
   I MEAN, WHAT YOU ARE 
   GOING TO 
   FEEL TONIGHT IS YOU 
   ARE GOING TO 
   FEEL JOE'S OPTIMISM, 
   HIS ENERGY, 
   HIS EMPATHY, YOU KNOW,
   ALL OF 
   THOSE THINGS.
   BUT I'M NOT --
   BUT, LESTER, YOU ARE 
   GOING TO 
   HAVE TO WATCH. 
   >> OKAY, UNDERSTAND.
   NOW, HE HAS BEEN 
   KNOWN, AS YOU 
   KNOW, SOMETIMES TO 
   TALK HIMSELF 
   INTO CORNERS, GOING 
   OFF SCRIPT 
   AND SAYING THINGS THAT
   MAY 
   DIVERT FROM THE 
   MESSAGE HE WANTS 
   TO DELIVER.
   IS THAT SOMETHING THE 
   TWO OF YOU 
   TALK ABOUT, SOMETHING 
   YOU HAVE 
   ANXIETY ABOUT?
   >> OH, GOSH NO.
   YOU KNOW, HE KNOWS 
   EXACTLY WHAT 
   HE WANTS TO SAY.
   HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHERE
   HE WANTS 
   TO TAKE THIS COUNTRY.
   AND THAT'S WHAT YOU 
   ARE GOING TO 
   HEAR TONIGHT.
   >> I THINK MOST PEOPLE
   GET THE 
   IDEA OF HAVING A 
   VIRTUAL 
   CONVENTION, OWING OF 
   COURSE TO 
   THE VIRUS BUT 
   CAMPAIGNS 
   SOMETIMES ARE WON OR 
   LOST IN
   THAT ABILITY TO GET 
   OUT THERE, 
   TO MEET PEOPLE, TO 
   FRESH THE 
   FLESH.
   HAVE THE TWO OF YOU 
   DISCUSSED 
   YOUR RISK TOLERANCE 
   THIS 
   CAMPAIGN SEASON FOR 
   GETTING 
   OUTSIDE DELAWARE, 
   GETTING OUT TO 
   SOME OF THE 
   BATTLEGROUND STATES?
   >> WELL, YOU KNOW, 
   LESTER, WE 
   ARE GETTING TO 
   THOUSANDS AND
   THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE 
   EVERY SINGLE 
   DAY.
   WE'RE VIRTUALLY GOING 
   INTO 
   THREE, FOUR, FIVE 
   STATES A DAY.
   BUT, YOU KNOW, WE WANT
   NOTHING 
   MORE THAN TO BE ABLE 
   TO GET OUT 
   THERE AND TALK TO THE 
   PEOPLE.
   SO ONCE THE EXPERTS 
   SAY IT'S 
   SAFE, WE'RE GOING TO 
   BE OUT ON 
   THE TRAIL. 
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   WELL, DR. JILL BIDEN, 
   ALWAYS 
   GREAT TO TALK TO YOU.
   THANK YOU FOR TAKING 
   THE TIME 
   FOR US TODAY. 
   >> THANKS.
   ALWAYS LOVE TALKING TO
   YOU, 
   LESTER, THANK YOU. 
   >>> AND BE SURE TO 
   JOIN US FOR OUR 
   SPECIAL CONVENTION 
   COVERAGE ON THIS FINAL
   NIGHT AT 10:00 EASTERN
   HERE ON NBC.
   >>> I NEED TO TURN NOW
   TO THOSE DEADLY
   WESTERN WIDE FIRES IN 
   CALIFORNIA 
   WHERE TENS OF 
   THOUSANDS HAVE 
   BEEN EVACUATED AND 
   HUNDREDS OF 
   STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN 
   DESTROYED.
   MIGUEL ALMAGUER IS ON 
   THE FRONT 
   LINES.
   >> Reporter: AS WILD 
   FIRES TEAR 
   THROUGH HOMES TODAY, 
   CREWS ARE 
   FACING 100 ACTIVE 
   FIRES ACROSS 
   CALIFORNIA, MORE THAN 
   20 OF THEM 
   MONSTROUS INFERNOS.
   NEAR NAPA VALLEY TEAMS
   ARE 
   LOSING GROUND. 
   >> WITH ALL THE FIRES 
   BURNING 
   THROUGHOUT THE STATE, 
   LIMITED 
   RESOURCES, IT MAKES IT
   EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
   >> Reporter: EXPLODING
   AGAIN 
   OVERNIGHT MORE 
   EVACUATIONS IN A 
   HELL STATE.
   TENS OF THOUSANDS 
   FLEEING 
   FLAMES.
   SOME STILL UNACCOUNTED
   FOR. 
   >> I HAVE TWO 
   CONFIRMED BURN 
   PATIENTS.
   WE'RE STILL SEARCHING 
   THE AREA 
   FOR A POTENTIAL 
   ADDITIONAL FIVE. 
   >> Reporter: MOVING AT
   FEROCIOUS 
   SPEEDS ACROSS NORTHERN
   CALIFORNIA, FLAMES 
   JUMPING AN
   EIGHT-LANE INTERSTATE.
   >> THE FIRE WAS LOUD.
   IT WHISTLED.
   YOU COULD HEAR TREES 
   FALLING.
   IT WAS THE SCARIEST 
   THING.
   >> Reporter: DEVOURING
   THE 
   MOUNTAINS ABOVE SANTA 
   CRUZ, THE 
   FIRE IGNITED 
   COMMUNITIES OUTSIDE 
   SAN FRANCISCO.
   FOR THE LAST SEVERAL 
   HOURS, IT'S 
   BEEN A CAT AND MOUSE 
   GAME WITH 
   FIREFIGHTERS TRYING TO
   CATCH UP 
   WITH HOT EMBERS THAT 
   WERE 
   TRAVELING THROUGH THE 
   AIR FOR 
   MILES.
   THEY'RE LOSING HOME 
   AFTER HOME.
   IN THE SMOKE-FILLED 
   SKIES NEAR 
   FRESNO, THE FIRE FIGHT
   TURNING DEADLY WHEN A 
   WATER DROPPING 
   HELICOPTER WENT DOWN.
   VETERAN PILOT AND 
   FAMILY MAN MIKE CORNEA
   GAVE HIS LIFE 
   PROTECTING OTHERS.
   >> IT WON'T BE THE 
   SAME WITHOUT 
   HIM.
   HE CHANGED SO MANY 
   PEOPLE'S 
   LIVES.
   PEOPLE ARE GOING TO 
   MISS HIM.
   >> Reporter: WITH SOME
   OF THE 
   WORST AIR QUALITY ON 
   THE PLANET 
   CHOKING LARGE SWATHS 
   OF THE 
   STATE, TONIGHT 
   COMMUNITIES MUST 
   WAIT AND WATCH, THE 
   SUNSETTING 
   ON ANOTHER DESTRUCTIVE
   DAY.
   FOR NOW THERE REMAINS 
   NO 
   OFFICIAL NUMBER ON THE
   TRUE 
   SCOPE OF THE DAMAGE, 
   ONLY ASH.
   WHILE THERE IS NO 
   QUESTION HOME 
   AFTER HOME WAS LOST, 
   ENTIRE 
   COMMUNITIES WERE ALSO 
   WIPED OFF 
   THE MAP.
   LESTER?
   >> HATS OFF TO 
   FIREFIGHTERS 
   THERE.
   MIGUEL, THANK YOU VERY
   MUCH.
   >>> TWO POTENTIALLY 
   DANGEROUS 
   WEATHER SYSTEMS ARE 
   BREWING IN 
   THE TROPICS AND 
   EXPECTED TO GAIN 
   STEAM AS THEY MOVE 
   TOWARD THE 
   U.S.
   AL ROKER IS FOLLOWING 
   IT ALL FOR US.
   AL, WHAT'S THE LATEST?
   >> Reporter: LESTER, 
   WITHIN THE 
   NEXT 24 HOURS, WE MAY 
   HAVE TWO 
   NAMED SYSTEMS MAKING 
   THEIR WAY 
   TO THE GULF.
   13 AND 14, 650 MILES 
   EAST OF
   THE ISLAND AND 155 
   MILES EAST OF 
   NICARAGUA.
   ONE SYSTEM BECOMES A 
   CATEGORY 
   ONE STORM, THREATENING
   FLORIDA.
   THE OTHER THE GULF 
   COAST OF 
   TEXAS.
   EITHER WAY, WE'RE 
   GOING TO HAVE 
   TO WATCH IT ALL 
   WEEKEND LONG.
   LAST TIME WE HAD A 
   SITUATION 
   LIKE THIS, LESTER, WAS
   1959.
   THE WEEKEND WILL TELL 
   THE BIG
   STORY. 
   >> ALL RIGHT.
   I KNOW YOU'RE KEEPING 
   YOUR EYE 
   ON IT, AL.
   THANKS VERY MUCH. 
   >>> WORD TONIGHT THE 
   TRUMP 
   ADMINISTRATION HAS 
   FORMALLY 
   DECLARED TEACHERS 
   ESSENTIAL 
   WORKERS.
   BUT AS THE PRESIDENT 
   CONTINUES HIS PUSH TO 
   REOPEN IN PERSON 
   SCHOOLS, TEACHERS IN 
   SEVERAL CITIES ARE
   THREATENING TO STRIKE.
   ANN THOMPSON EXPLAINS.
   >> Reporter: ASK 
   TEACHERS WHAT 
   THEY DID ON THEIR 
   SUMMER 
   VACATION, AND MANY 
   WILL SAY 
   WORRY. 
   >> I HAVE TWO PARENTS 
   IN CARE.
   BUT TURNING MY SCHOOL 
   INTO A
   COVID LABORATORY IS 
   NOT THE 
   ANSWER. 
   >> YOU COULD BE THE 
   PERSON THAT 
   BRINGS IT HOME TO YOUR
   FAMILY 
   AND AFFECTS YOUR WHOLE
   FAMILY. 
   >> IT'S JUST NOT -- 
   IT'S NOT SAFE.
   >> Reporter: THAT FEAR
   DRIVING 
   DETROIT TEACHERS TO 
   OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE
   A 
   POTENTIAL SAFETY 
   STRIKE.
   IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE
   PUBLIC 
   SCHOOLS ARE SET TO 
   OPEN THEIR 
   DOORS IN THREE WEEKS, 
   TEACHERS 
   ARE THREATENING TO 
   STRIKE AS 
   WELL. 
   >> WE HAVE TO PROMISE 
   THE 
   PARENTS AND TEACHERS 
   OF NEW YORK 
   CITY THAT WE WOULD 
   STAND AND 
   FIGHT IF WE FELT A 
   SCHOOL WAS 
   UNSAFE.
   AND THAT IS A PROMISE 
   WE ARE 
   GOING TO KEEP. 
   >> Reporter: THE UNION
   REPRESENTING ABOUT 
   120,000 
   SCHOOL EMPLOYEES 
   ISSUING A 
   THREE-PAGE CHECKLIST, 
   INCLUDING 
   NO CONTACT 
   THERMOMETERS, 
   SANITIZING SPRAYERS, 
   EXIT AND 
   ENTRY PROTOCOLS FOR 
   STUDENTS AND 
   STAFF AND UPGRADED 
   VENTILATION
   SYSTEMS.
   THAT'S WHAT'S KEY FOR 
   THIS 
   ELEMENTARY 
   SCHOOLTEACHER. 
   >> MOST OF THE WINDOWS
   DO NOT 
   OPEN MORE THAN A FEW 
   INCHES. 
   >> Reporter: MOST OF 
   YOUR WINDOWS DON'T 
   OPEN MORE THAN A FEW 
   INCHES?
   >> IF THEY OPEN AT 
   ALL.
   SOME DO NOT OPEN AT 
   ALL.
   SO THAT'S A VERY BIG 
   CONCERN FOR 
   THE TEACHERS. 
   >> Reporter: TODAY 
   MAYOR BILL de 
   BLASIO PROMISED TO 
   OPEN WINDOWS 
   AS PART OF HIS SAFETY 
   PLEDGE 
   INCLUDING BETTER 
   VENTILATION, 
   FREE COVID TESTING FOR
   STUDENTS AND STAFF AT 
   CITY-RUN SITES, PLUS A
   30-
   DAY SUPPLY OF PPE AT 
   ALL 
   SCHOOLS. 
   >> WE ARE GOING TO 
   MAKE SURE 
   THESE SCHOOLS ARE SAFE
   AND 
   READY. 
   >> OF THE NATION'S 
   NINE LARGEST 
   DISTRICTS, ONLY THE 
   BIGGEST, NEW 
   YORK CITY, IS STARTING
   WITH AN 
   IN PERSON OPTION.
   AS TEACHERS INSIST 
   SAFETY IS 
   NONNEGOTIABLE.
   ANN THOMPSON, NBC NEWS
   NEW YORK. 
   >>> IN 60 SECONDS, THE
   DEEPENING 
   MYSTERIES AS A 
   LONG-TIME CRITIC 
   OF VLADIMIR PUTIN 
   FIGHTS FOR HIS 
   LIFE.
   WAS HE POISONED?
   >>> AND A
   >>> BACK NOW WITH A 
   HISTORY 
   UNFOLDING IN RUSSIA.
   WAS A PROMINENT OF 
   VLADIMIR 
   PUTIN POISONED BEFORE 
   HE GOT ON 
   HIS FLIGHT?
   RICHARD ENGEL WITH THE
   LATEST ON HIS 
   CONDITION AND THE 
   DISTURBING VIDEO FROM 
   INSIDE THAT AIRPLANE.
   >> Reporter: ALEXEI 
   NAVALNY, THE 
   KREMLIN'S MOST 
   OUTSPOKEN CRITIC 
   AND ANTICORRUPTION 
   NAME AND 
   SHAMER DRANK TEA 
   BEFORE BOARDING 
   A FLIGHT FROM SIBERIA 
   TO MOSCOW.
   IN MID-AIR HE WAS 
   SUDDENLY VERY 
   ILL, MOANING IN AGONY.
   THE PLANE MADE AN 
   EMERGENCY 
   LANDING.
   NAVALNY WHEELED TO AN 
   AMBULANCE AND TAKEN TO
   THE HOSPITAL.
   HIS SPOKESWOMAN SAID 
   SHE 
   SUSPECTED THE TEA WAS 
   POISONED 
   BY AN UNKNOWN TOXIN.
   IT IS UNCLEAR IF THIS 
   IMAGE 
   SHOWS THE POISONING.
   A DOCTOR CONFIRMED
   HE WAS STABLE IN A 
   COMA ON A 
   VENTILATOR.
   ACCORDING TO HIS 
   LAWYER, HE WAS ALREADY
   POISONED IN
   POLICE CUSTODY LAST 
   YEAR.
   ANOTHER TIME HE HAD A 
   GREEN DYE 
   THROWN AT HIS FACE.
   HE SAID IT NEARLY 
   BLINDED HIM.
   NAVALNY HAS BEEN 
   ARRESTED TIME 
   AND TIME AGAIN AND 
   MANY OF 
   PUTIN'S CRITICS HAVE 
   MYSTERIOUSLY BECOME 
   ILL OR DIED.
   POLITICIAN BORIS 
   NEMTSOV WAS 
   SHOT AND KILLED NEAR 
   THE 
   KREMLIN.
   AN ACTIVIST WAS 
   POISONED TWICE 
   AND SURVIVED.
   AN INVESTIGATIVE 
   JOURNALIST WAS 
   SHOT DEAD IN HER 
   APARTMENT 
   BUILDING.
   A KGB WHISTLEBLOWER 
   HAD A 
   RADIOACTIVE POISON 
   SLIPPED IN 
   HIS TEA IN LONDON.
   HE DIED.
   RUSSIA DENIED 
   POISONING NAVALNY, 
   EVEN WISHED HIM WELL 
   AND 
   PROMISED AN 
   INVESTIGATION IF IT 
   WAS POISONING.
   >> Reporter: NAVALNY 
   EXPRESSED 
   SUPPORT FOR THESE 
   PROTESTERS HERE IN
   NEIGHBORING BELARUS 
   WHO SAY 
   THEIR RUSSIAN-BACKED 
   PRESIDENT 
   STOLE THE RECENT 
   ELECTION.
   THESE DEMONSTRATORS 
   PLAN TO HOLD 
   A MASS GATHERING THIS 
   WEEKEND. 
   IT COULD DRAW 100,000 
   OR MORE.
   LESTER?
   >> THANK YOU. 
   >>> BACK HOME, A MAJOR
   NEW 
   DEVELOPMENT OF THE 
   FLINT WATER 
   CRISIS.
   THE STATE OF MICHIGAN 
   AND OTHER 
   DEFENDANTS AGREEING TO
   PAY $600 
   MILLION IN A 
   SETTLEMENT WITH 
   RESIDENTS WHOSE HEALTH
   WAS 
   HARMED BY LED TAINTED 
   DRINKING 
   WATER.
   UNDER THE DEAL,
   >>> THE DEFENDING 
   SUPER BOWL 
   CHAMPS ARE MAKING A 
   CHANGE, 
   THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
   PROHIBITS FANS FROM 
   WEARING 
   HEADDRESSES INSIDE THE
   STADIUM 
   AS WASHINGTON'S TEAM 
   DROP
   >>> FINALLY, A YOUNG 
   MAN WORKED 
   SO HARD.
   HE GOT INTO 65 
   COLLEGES.
   WHILE HE CAN'T GO TO 
   CAMPUS, HE 
   HAS STILL FOUND A 
   VALUABLE 
   LESSON.
   KATIE BECK HAS 
   TONIGHT'S 
   INSPIRING AMERICA.
   >> Reporter: OPENING A
   COLLEGE ACCEPTANCE
   LETTER, A SURPRISE 
   WORTH THE 
   WAIT.
   >> IT WAS A VERY GOOD 
   FEEL GOOD 
   MOMENT AND STILL IS, 
   AND I'M 
   JUST BLESSED AND 
   THANKFUL. 
   >> Reporter: IT WAS A 
   MOMENT 
   REPEATED 65 TIMES.
   HOW DOES YOUR MOM FEEL
   ABOUT ALL 
   THIS?
   >> SHE WAS MORE THAN 
   PROUD AND 
   VERY EXCITED FOR ME.
   >> Reporter: THE 
   INDIANAPOLIS 
   STUDENT WITH THE 
   HASHTAG 
   #NOSLEEPINMYSCHEDULE.
   A FOUR SPORT ATHLETE, 
   AN EAGLE SCOUT, AND AN
   ADVOCATE AGAINST GUN 
   VIOLENCE WHO WORKED A 
   JOB, TOO.
   HIS TOP CHOICE, HOWARD
   UNIVERSITY, WHERE
   HE PLANS TO STUDY 
   ASTRO PHYSICS, 
   A DECISIVE WIN 
   FOLLOWED BY A 
   LOSS.
   NO ON CAMPUS LIFE. 
   THANKS TO COVID-19.
   >> YOU JUST GOT TO 
   KEEP LOOKING 
   TOWARDS WHAT THE 
   BETTER IS OR 
   LIKE, YOU KNOW, THINGS
   WILL GET 
   BETTER.
   YOU HAVE TO HOLD OUT 
   HOPE. 
   >> Reporter: A LESSON 
   FOR LIFE, 
   EVEN BEFORE THE FIRST 
   DAY OF 
   CLASS.
   KATIE BECK, NBC NEWS. 
   >> WHAT A TERRIFIC 
   STORY.
   HE WILL DO GREAT 
   THINGS. 
   >>> THAT'S "NIGHTLY 
   NEWS."
   JOIN US FOR OUR 
   COVERAGE OF THE 
   DNC BEGINNING AT 10:00
   EASTERN 
   HERE ON NBC.
   THANK YOU FOR 
   WATCHING, 
   EVERYONE.
   I'M LESTER HOLT.
   PLEASE CONTINUE TO 
   TAKE CARE OF 
