Good evening, and welcome. Less than 24 hours from now and for the third time in under four months, former President Donald Trump will appear in court as a criminal defendant. This for his arraignment in washington on federal charges related to his alleged actions to overturn the results of the 2020 president ial election. The grand jury indictment handed up late yesterday alleging the expresident s actions amounted to a conspiracy to defraud the United States to obstruct and impede the january 6th congressional proceedings where the votes were tallied and certified and a conspiracy against the right to vote. All of it according to special counsel jack smith built on destabilizing lies about Election Fraud tonight, we are learning more about six unindicted and unnamed coconspirators in the case,. Trump denying any wrongdoi his legal team tipping their hand as to how they may defend against the charges. Garrett haake leads us off tonight with the very latest. Reporter former President Trump tonight thanking his supporters for standing by him in the face of what he is slamming as a new unprecedented indictment mr. Trump now accused of leading a conspiracy in a desperate bid to hang on to power after losing the 2020 election, pursuing what special counsel jack smiths prosecutors say was a, quote, criminal scheme culminating in the violence of january 6th, though the indictment does not charge mr. Trump with inciting the riot. The department of justice has remained committed to ensuring accountability for those criminally responsible for what happened that day. This case is brought consistent with that commitment. Reporter mr. Trump facing four felony counts, conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiring and attempting to obstruct an official proceeding and conspiracy against peoples right to vote and have their votes counted. The indictment says then President Trump knowingly spread lies about the election adding, the defendant had a right to claim falsely that he had won, but that he went too far pursuing, quote, unlawful means of discounting legitimate votes and subverting the Election Results the indictment lists six unindicted and unnamed coconspirators including, according to their attorneys, Trump LawyersRudy Giuliani and john eastman, who first allegedly tried to overturn the results in seven states including in georgia where the former president was recorded pressing the secretary of state for help. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, because we won the state. Reporter when that failed, allegedly moving on to enlist the Vice President to use his ceremonial role on january 6th to fraudulently alter the Election Results prosecutors say mr. Trump repeatedly pressured mike pence including in a Christmas Day phone call when pence refused, mr. Trump allegedly telling him, quote, youre too honest. Sadly, the president was surrounded by a group of crackpot lawyers that kept telling him what his itching ears wanted to hear. Reporter and later the indictment says attempting to use the angry crowd summoned on the 6th to pressure pence more directly. The indictment says mr. Trumps own attorney general and white House Counsel told him he had lost, but tonight his defense attorney insists mr. Trump Still Believes he won and was acting on what his lawyers had told him. Everything that mr. Trump requested to be done was done with the advice of counsel, was done with lawyers giving him advice. Those lawyers are going to come in and testify. Reporter arguing the charges against the republican frontrunner are from a partisan prosecutor. So now we have the criminalization and the weaponization of Public Policy and political speech by one Political Party over another reporter presiding over the case will be federal judge tanya chutkan, an obama appointee known for handing out longer prison sentences in january 6th cases than prosecutors have requested. Mr. Trumps arraignment is scheduled for 4 00 tomorrow hell likely arrive and leave underground, and with no cameras in federal court, the public may only see his motorcade. Lester and, garrett, let me briefly change gears. A lot of people on edge at the capitol after reports of a shooting what do we know about all that . Reporter thats right. Police received an unsubstantiated active shooter call prompting evacuations and a lockdown of some Senate Buildings no shooter was found, but the mood here on the hill just a few blocks from the courthouse remains tense. Lester all right garrett, thanks very much now to the former president s response blasting his latest indictment as politically motivated, but mr. Trumps former Vice President is now taking new shots at his old boss Kristen Welker with that part of the story. Reporter tonight, former President Trump firing back accusing federal prosecutors of targeting him again because hes the strong republican frontrunner against President Biden, posting, why didnt they bring this case 2. 5 years ago . They wanted it right in the middle of my campaign thats why the dramatic third indictment of mr. Trump with a potential to shake up the gop race some rivals are starting to sharpen their tone including mr. Trumps former Vice President , mike pence, who is cited in the indictment refusing his boss request not to certify President Bidens election win anyone who puts themself over the constitution should never be president of the United States, and anyone who asks someone else to put themselves over the constitution should never be president of the United States again. Reporter but mr. Trumps Top Republican challenger, Florida Governor ron desantis, criticizing the indictment that could land with a jury in deep blue washington, d. C. A d. C. Jury would indict a ham sandwich and convict a ham sandwich if it was a republican ham sandwich i think americans need to be able to remove cases out of d. C. Reporter House SpeakerKevin Mccarthy dismissing the indictments as dojs attempt to distract from republicans investigation of the biden family finances. With each new indictment, mr. Trump has expanded his lead making his growing legal peril a regular rally talking point. Our enemies want to stop me because i am the only one who is going to be able to stop them. Reporter but while his legal battles have been a political boost, theyve also taken a financial toll, draining mr. Trumps Campaign Cash his Main Political Action Committee spending 20 million on legal fees this year tonight, voters reacting im delighted, absolutely delighted if ever he has earned and deserved something, its another indictment for me it will not affect how i vote. If hes on the ballot, my plan is to vote for him. For me its about the economy. And kristen joining me here in the studio. Kristen, a lot of democrats think mr. Trump is the easiest matchup, but you have new reporting which sounds like a warning from former president obama. This happened during a june lunch with mr. Obama and President Biden. Two sources familiar with the discussion tell us mr. Obama vowed to help President Biden win reelection, but also stressed the continuing strength of former President Trumps base Kristen Welker, thank you. All right, joining me now is chuck rosenberg. Hes a former federal prosecutor and an nbc news legal analyst chuck, good to see you. Theres a couple themes coming from the defense in this case. One is that there was no intent, that mr. Trump was simply relying on the advice of counsel what do you make of that argument . Well, advice of counsel is a real defense. You see it from time to time, but for mr. Trump to rely on it, he would have had to have been completely candid with his lawyer and relied on his lawyers advice in good faith. Candor and good faith could prove to be stumbling blocks for mr. Trump here. And what about the other theme that theyre pushing, which is that its a matter of free speech, that the president could say what he wanted to say . Well, speech designed to commit a crime or to commit a fraud is not speech that is protected by the first amendment. You cant lie on your tax return or solicit money for your ponzi scheme or instruct a colleague to destroy documents subpoenaed by a grand jury and claim that that is protected speech it is not. All right, chuck rosenberg, thanks for being with us. A federal jury in pittsburgh decided today that the sentence should be death for the man who killed 11 people in an antisemitic attack on a synagogue in 2018. Kathy park is in pittsburgh tonight reporter tonight, jurors unanimously handing down a death sentence for Robert Bowers, who carried out the worst antisemitic attack in u. S. History the final phase of the trial coming to a close, nearly two months after the same pittsburgh jury found bowers guilty on all 63 federal charges including hate crimes for the murders of 11 worshippers at the tree of life synagogue in 2018. Bowers hardly reacted to the verdict while survivors and family members of the victims say this day brings a measure of peace i feel like a weight has been lifted, and i can breathe a sigh of relief reporter in the same room where they waited for updates on loved ones on the day of the shooting, the group reunited again and found comfort in each other were all members of a club that we never chose to be members of, but were all bonded for the rest of our lives. Reporter carol black survived the bloodshed by hiding behind a metal door but lost her brother in the attack. If you can sum up in one word your emotion when the verdict was read, what would that be relief. They came to the proper decision in my opinion. Reporter in a final push to spare his life, bowers defense team pointed to his troubled past, but prosecutors reminded jurors of the 11 lives violently stolen nearly five years ago replaying chilling 911 calls from inside the synagogue that day as he gunned down worshippers during Shabbat Services today the u. S. Attorney saying bowers targeted the congregants because they were jewish. The evidence in this trial proved that the defendant acted because of white supremacist, antisemitic, and bigoted views. Reporter tomorrow the judge will formally sentence Robert Bowers to death, and we anticipate an emotional day with victim impact statements lester all right, kathy park, thank you. In dayton, ohio, a hostage standoff came to an end early today with Police Fatally shooting two suspects, who had hijacked a parked semi truck with the driver inside. Police said as officers approached the truck, they were fired on they returned fire hitting both suspects, one male, one female, who died at a hospital the driver received only minor injuries. Now, to the dueling economic narratives playing out with new strong data on jobs and more voices saying a recession is not in the cards, and yet markets falling today after Credit Rating agency fitch stripped the u. S. Of its aaa status citing political dysfunction. Heres tom costello. Reporter from his juicery named after his grandmother, chris good has his hand on the pulse of the kansas city economy. Hes convinced its time to expand into a wholesale juice provider to whole foods. Well, our economy in kansas city is growing i think, as you all know, and we as a Small Business are also growing in concert with that growth. Reporter chris goods good news is also reflected in new jobs numbers adp reports 324,000 private jobs added in july, 73 coming from Small Businesses from its solid economic growth, receding inflation, and unemployment near a 54year low, one of main streets biggest banks, bank of america, today joined the fed and reversed its prediction for the economy, paraphrasing john lennon, imagine no recession, its easy if you try, but the optimism comes as Credit Rating agency fitch downgrades the u. S. From aaa to aa plus citing the insurrection, political polarization, and growing debt and given the kind of deterioration and governance and unwillingness to really tackle these issues, we dont think that they deserve a aaa anymore. Reporter the white house quickly pushed back on the downgrade. What theyre doing is punishing the cleanup crew when the guy who wrecked the room is long gone, and sorry, but that just doesnt hold water. Reporter the ceo of Jpmorgan Chase on cnbc reassuring investors the u. S. Economy is very robust this is the most prosperous nation on the planet its still the most prosperous nation on the planet. So, tom, clearly theres some good economic news, but a lot of people at home are still dealing with i guess what could be called everyday inflation. Reporter yeah, especially at the gas pump the National Average for gas is now 3. 80 a gallon thats up 27 cents in a month. Analysts blame russian and opec cuts and extreme heat slowing Refinery Operations in the u. S. , and, meanwhile, higher Interest Rates are making it more expensive to buy a home. 30year rates are now averaging more than 7 , lester. All right, tom, thank you. In 60 seconds, a kidnapped woman escapes from a makeshift cell in a mans Garage Police say the suspect is now under arrest and is being investigated for other alleged sexual assaults the disturbing details next the fbi is asking for the publics help tonight after it says a woman who was kidnapped escaped from a cinder block cell at a home in oregon now, investigators are trying to learn, are there more victims out there . Heres Erin Mclaughlin reporter tonight, in oregon the fbi releasing these chilling photos of the makeshift cell used to shackle a woman they allege was kidnapped and sexually assaulted by this man, 29yearold Negasi Zuberi the married father is now in police custody. The disturbing evidence uncovered to date points to an individuals ongoing and escalating pattern of violence targeting women. Reporter Authorities Say his alleged victim escaped hours after being locked in this cinder block cell by punching her way through this metal screen door with bloodied hands. And she ran out into public, flagged down the first vehicle she could find. Reporter according to the criminal complaint, in midjuly zuberi hired the victim as a prostitute in seattle, then claimed to be an Undercover Police officer, even showing her a badge, before placing her in handcuffs and leg irons and driving her 450 miles away to his residence in klamath falls, oregon, where the fbi alleges it recovered these chilling notes including one that reads, operation takeover, writing, make sure they dont have a bunch of people in their life. The day after the alleged kidnapping, zuberi was arrested following a 45minute standoff in a walmart parking lot in reno, nevada the fbi now extending its investigation to at least 12 states where the suspect has previously lived using several different aliases. It is believed he may have used several different methods to gain control of his victims to include drugging their drinks. Reporter tonight state and federal Officials Say they believe there are more victims and urging others to come forward. Erin mclaughlin, nbc news and coming up, the alarming impact of Global Warming as a river that brings water to millions evaporates the stakes for all americans in our series, climate challenge. Back now with the alarming news about a critical water lifeline for the western u. S. A new study finding the Colorado River basin has lost trillions of gallons over the years as temperatures rise. Miguel almaguer with more in our series, climate challenge. Reporter as one of the nations most precious resources continues to dwindle, tonight a new Study Confirms what researchers long feared, over a period of 21 years, the vital Colorado River basin has lost 10 trillion gallons of water due to warming temperatures the Staggering Amount is enough to fill lake mead, the nations largest reservoir, which today is dangerously depleted how concerned are you by what youve seen . I would say that this is a wakeup call in terms of climate changes impact on water availability for the colorado basin. Reporter with humancaused climate change, Greenhouse Gases pushing temperatures up, the Colorado River has seen a 10 decrease in flow, compounding an exisisting emergency, a lack of water for the west do you think this crisis is only going to worsen . I think in the long term, yes. Reporter snaking through seven western states, the overtaxed river provides Drinking Water and irrigation to 40 Million People the evaporating water supply could mean more restrictions and inflated costs for farmers passed along to americacross the country. I think its difficult for people to accept the fact that we just dont have the ability to extract more water out of the system. Were going to have to reduce our use reporter even after a winter of record rain, researchers say the deluge isnt enough to reverse two decades of climbing temperatures. Tonight, as the snowpack evaporates and water levels drop, concern is rising along the colorado miguel almaguer, nbc news there is more ahead including the mystery over this viral video. Is it a bear or person dressed as one the wild story coming up finally tonight, the curious video from china that has sparked a worldwide debate over what exactly it is that people are seeing at a zoo. Janis Mackey Frayer has the bear necessities. Reporter tonight the bare facts about a question igniting the internet, is this sun bear at a zoo in china really a bear, or is it a human in disguise the uproar over this viral video showing a bear named angela on hind legs with impressive posture, lumpy hips and waving. Its quite a unique behavior for sun bears. Not a lot of other bears stand on their back legs as often reporter zoo officials deny theres anything fishy we asked the Deputy Director [ speaking nonenglish is the bear real or fake i promise its real, he said. Seeing is believing people can come and see for themselves. But across social media, the debate will not be tamed it looks too fishy to me. Reporter despite a Statement Released on angelas behalf saying, some people thought the way i stand up looks too human, so i will stress again, im a sun bear bear in mind, there is precedent for impostors here, like in 2013 when a chinese zoo was caught trying to pass s off a dog g as a lionon expeperts say mamalayan sun bears with their colored chest fur are just smaller and slimmer than most other bears. The extra skin is a really important adaptation for sun bears, so its actually to avoid predators. Reporter still, the zoo is in no rush to escape the spotlight. Attendance is up 30 as visitors claw their way to bear witness to all the hype janis Mackey Frayer, nbc news, beijing. Ill let you talk about it among yourselves because thats nightly news for this wednesday thanks for watching. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night, everyone [cheers and applause] he came from somewhere back in her long ago the sentimental fool dont see tryin hard to recreate what had yet to be created once in her life she musters a smile for his nostalgic tale never coming near what he wanted to say only to realize it never really was she had a place in his life he never made her think twice as he rises to her apology anybody else would surely know hes watching her go what a fool believes he sees no wise man has the power to reason away what seems to be is always better than nothing than nothing at all what a fool believes [cheers and applause] kelly all right, everybody, thank you and welcome to the Kelly Clarkson show, give it up for my band the all [cheers and applause] that was the doobie brothers grammywinning song what a fool believes off of their grammywinning album minutebyminute fund backed what mack fact to the doobie brothers were not actuali did not know, feel a little hurt by it, lied to. I feel like to come its fine. Our first guest is not a liar and is one of the greatest actresses around, seriously one of my favorite humans on the planet, she won and oscar this year for the eyes of tammy faye, her new movie is called the good nurse in theaters tomorrow and on netflix october 26, say hello, she is excited to Jessica Chastain [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] [cheers and applause] you look beautiful jessica thank you so much bread im so happy to be here. Kelly i am super stoked. Jessica first time on your show. Kelly and i watch you so much in everything you do, like one of my favorite, zero dark thirty when they go dark. You are so good she was literally, i was referencing her before the door open. I do not even say her name and she was like so excited. Well i just jessica i told everyone that i was nervous to meet you, because i just adore you. Kelly oh, my gosh, the feeling is mutual. We can be friends. Im going to tell everyone. Congratulations on your oscar again, that was incredible. You have like a place you keep wards . Jessica well, it is in like an office room on a bookshelf. Kelly see, people make fun of me, but i feel like a tool if i put it out one of my friends as men to me, because you walk into his house and they are right there. Jessica like a spotlight. Kelly at the piano, its amazing and i love it, but its so exciting, you earned it and you did it. I love it. But this started out, i did not know about you, so you went to julliard, but you went on a scholarship that Robin Williams paid for. Jessica i know. What an incredible human being. Kelly did you meet him . Jessica i sadly did not come to the scholarship was a huge deal, the first person in my family to go to college in a paper all my schooling in me to be able to go home for christmas and see my family, these books and everything. And every year i wrote a letter to thank him and i never got to meet him and i was in l. A. And i had like a meeting with an independent film director, like fred segal or something in a cafe and i told him the story and all of a sudden Robin Williams walked into the restaurant area, and i was like oh, my gosh, he was like you had to say high. And i was like okay, im going to let him enjoy his meal first, dont rush over there. Kelly thats polite. Jessica but in the middle of the meal he jumped up and ran out and i jumped up like i was going to chase him and then i was like i dont scare him and i did not go up to him and i always regret that, because i never had the opportunity to meet him and i say to people any time someone comes up to me im always like, thank you for coming up, because this happened to me once where i had an opportunity to meet someone that he really wanted to talk to any didnt take it, so now whenever someone comes up to me im so happy to say hi to them. Kelly and especially, he probably wouldve loved that to see where his money went, you know . Jessica after i tackled him. Kelly you had a reason to go up. You want like the rest of us that are like we are just fans you had a really solid reason. Im sorry you did not get that, but its really good lesson. For all of us to really take advantage of the moment. So i just love this, because you are so classy to me and you are like this amazing actress, and you love real housewives . Jessica im obsessed. Isnt everyone . Kelly i genuinely dont watch, what is your favorite part about it . My friends love it. Jessica i like to find the characters, when i did my most violent year i binge watched real housewives of new jersey. Kelly i love that that was you know what i should do, new jersey. Jessica and what i love about to that show is they have really eccentric people and because of my nature on being on television its all magnified, so all of these interesting things about them are so much bigger and i feel it for my characters. Kelly thats incredible. Whats your favorite one . Jessica ive so many favorites, but i think Beverly Hills might be the metric, and i love garth cell. Im obsessed. I need a friend like her. She is so honest all the time. And i love her. She doesnt care about anything. Kelly all of my friends are honest, i could use a liar. All of my friends are brutally honest. Im just kidding, i love that. But i hear that you like to mess with people onset