Protesters arrested in new york, and what the nypd says about an officer accidentally firing his gun during a raid at columbia. The democratic congressman and his wife indicted on federal charges. They say theyre innocent. What theyre accused of doing for bribes. A grim discovery in the search for two australians and an american missing on a surfing trip. Three bodies found in mexico. The future of air combat. Unmanned Fighter Jets Piloted by a. I. And michelle yeoh, Katie Ledecky, and other big names at the white house to receive the nations top Civilian Honor. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with lester holt. Good evening, and welcome at the end of what has been an especially dangerous and destructive week of weather across big sections of the country, including 130 reported tornadoes since last friday, and tonight, floods, the parade of Severe Weather leaving parts of Southeast Texas under heavy flooding tonight. Torrential rains have inundated communities, sending major rivers rising to flood stage, stranding residents, some requiring urgent rescues. Parts of the region have seen a foot of rain in the last 24 to 36 hours. Some over 15 inches of rainfall in the last five days. It has been a fearsome spring, the country tonight wrapping up a fifth straight week with a Severe Weather outbreak, coming off an april that saw a near Record Number of tornado reports, and now tonight, 11 Million People from texas to oklahoma to arkansas, and louisiana are under flood watches. Kathy park joins me now. Kathy, this flood threat is far from over. Reporter lester, thats right. As you can see, the fastmoving floodwaters are still moving through neighborhoods like this one in texas. Typically this would be a backyard, but it has been transformed into a lake several feet deep. Tonight, millions in texas in the crosshairs of catastrophic flooding and dangerous tornadoes. Oh, my gosh. Reporter in the past 24 hours, dramatic Lightning Strikes like this one caught on camera. Oh, my god. Hes going into the water. Oh, my god. Oh, my god. Reporter and nearly a foot of rain in the houston area stranding drivers, even washing away roads and part of this nursery. Its hard to tell exactly how much weve lost, but it will be estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars of product washed away. Reporter in harris county, officials declaring a disaster and urging residents to evacuate thursday night or prepare to stay for days. This threat is ongoing, and its going to get worse. It is not your typical river flood. Reporter dozens have been rescued so far. Help reporter and one family escaped by swimming to safety as the Rushing Waters filled their home. When i seen it lift our refrigerator up and i could sit on it and float around my house like a surfboard, thats when i told her its timesurfboard, thats when i totally just said its time to go. Reporter 14 rivers at major flood stage including san jacinto. To go. Reporter 14 rivers at major flood stage including san jacinto. So, if you open your front door, i mean, the river is right there. It is. Reporter this woman says shes still repairing the damage from 2017 brought on by hurricane harvey. How tough is it to see this type of damage again . Im just crestfallen. I dont know if i can get back up again. I really dont. Reporter now, she and so many others are reliving the nightmare as they brace for more Severe Weather expected to last through the weekend. Kathy park, nbc news, conroe, texas. A onetime top adviser to former President Trump, hope hicks, testified for the prosecution today in mr. Trumps hush money trial. She recalled the crisis in his president ial campaign when the access Hollywood Tape became public. Vaughn hillyard now with late details. Reporter she was one of former President Trumps most trusted advisers. Hope, we want hope. Reporter but today hope hicks walked into court as a prosecution witness in her old boss hush money scheme trial. Mr. Trump without smiling stared on, first directly at her before turning his attention toward a monitor and papers in front of him. Hicks today admitting she was nervous. At one point becoming emotional, tearing up and needing a break. Hicks telling prosecutors, the release of the access Hollywood Tape weeks before the 2016 election was a crisis. I was concerned, very concerned, she said. Everyone was just absorbing the shock of it, hicks testified, adding, its impact on women voters was a major concern. Prosecutors say the release of the tape helped propel the hush money scheme. Hi. Reporter but mr. Trump today arguing none of it is related to the charges hes facing, that he allegedly disguised reimbursements to Michael Cohen for Hush Money Payments to Stormy Daniels as Legal Expenses in his companys internal books. Mr. Trump, whos pleaded not guilty, Slamming A Corrupt Ancient and highly political attack that he says has nothing to do with this fake case. Im not allowed to comment on any of that. As you know, im under a gag order. I was very interested in what took place today. Reporter on crossexamination, hicks was asked about a Wall Street Journal report days before the 2016 election on payments allegedly made to karen mcdougal. She said, mr. Trump did not want the paper delivered to his home that day. She said, he really values mrs. Trumps opinion, and saying of Michael Cohen, he likes to call himself a fixer. Its only because he first broke it that hed fix it. Notably, hicks testified she was not engaged in negotiations, nor was aware of the Hush Money Payments before they were made and saying she had nothing to do with the trump organizations business records. Former President Trump left the courthouse tonight to head down to palm beach for a major republican retreat. With just six months until the general election, hes expected to see several of his possible vp picks there. Lester. Vaughn hillyard, thank you. Across america new propalestinian demonstrations, and more people arrested on College Campuses as more details emerge about just who took part in some of the protests. Erin mclaughlin has late developments for us. Reporter tonight, the crackdowns on College Campuses continue. In new york city, two more schools inviting the nypd to clear propalestinian encampments, at nyu and The New School where demonstrators turned their backs on police. Who is in charge . Anybody in charge here . Reporter more than 50 arrested. Today police pointing to disturbing leaflets they say they found during both crackdowns, one of which included violent threats, and at Portland State university in oregon, new video shows damage done during the occupation of its library, and today at columbia university, president Minouche Shafik releasing this video message. A group of protesters crossed a new line with the occupation of hamilton hall. It was a violent act that put our students at risk, as well as putting the protesters at risk. Reporter this weeks raid raising new questions about outside involvement. The University Reports that of the 44 arrested in the building, 13 were unaffiliated with the university. Among them was 40yearold james carlson, a longtime figure in the anarchist world according to a senior Law Enforcement official. Hes also being investigated for a possible hate crime after he allegedly set fire to an israeli flag at columbia last month. Hes pleaded not guilty to charges of trespassing. This Student Protester was not part of the group that occupied hamilton hall. The cause of the student body is to call for divestment from bombs that are dropping on our family and friends. I think the Police Violence has only strengthened the. Central mission. Reporter tonight, students and faculty are outraged over the use of force after an officer accidentally discharged his firearm during the raid inside hamilton hall. There was nobody in danger. There was nobody struck, and for us this is an accidental discharge. Reporter meanwhile on the west coast, the ucla campus is also rattled after the intense crackdown yesterday. Student protester, blair battle, was among the more than 200 arrested. The police got the order, they start to move in. With their batons they start to push and shove. After about ten minutes of that or so, im knocked down, and i cant get back up. Reporter and last night back at columbia, the traditional prefinal scream was relocated to outside shafiks residence as a form of protest. What i take to be the kind of, like, Existential Despair and frustration that theres simply no way that they can be heard. Reporter erin mclaughlin, nbc news, new york. The Justice Department has indicted a prominent congressman, democrat Henry Cuellar of texas and his wife for bribery after a twoyear investigation. Ryan nobles is at the capitol. Ryan, the congressman is now responding. Reporter thats right, lester. Prosecutors allege that Congressman Cuellar and his wife were part of an elaborate scheme taking as much as 600,000 in bribes from foreign Business Interests in exchange for cuellar using his powerful perch in congress to do among other things steer u. S. Policy in favor of the country of azerbaijan. In fact, prosecutors plan to use Text Messages between businessmen from that country and the democratic congressman as evidence at trial. Now, cuellar, for his part, denies the charges of bribery and Money Laundering and says that he will not step down. Lester. Ryan nobles, thank you. The fbi says three bodies have been found in mexico. It comes as officials look into what happened to an american and two australian brothers who went on vacation and havent been heard from for almost a week. Blayne alexander reports on what authorities are saying. Reporter tonight in mexico, a remote Surfers Paradise has become the grounds of a growing mystery after three travelers disappeared. Now, mexican officials are questioning at least three people they believe may have been involved. Late today Authorities Say they have located three bodies in the area. Mexican officials have identified the three missing men as american jack carter and australian Brothers Jake and callum robinson. According to the family, they were last heard from on saturday and were in the area on a surfing trip. The Attorney General for Baja California, mexico, says officials found a cell phone that may have belonged to one of the missing men and other evidence including a white pickup truck. Among the missing, callum robinson, a professional Lacrosse Player and along with his brother, jake, an avid surfer according to social media pictures. In a facebook message, their mother says, the three men never showed up to check into their airbnb, now pleading for any information. With its picturesque pacific beaches, the mexican peninsula of Baja California has become hugely popular among surfers, but as recently as last summer, the u. S. State department has urged americans to reconsider travel to the Mexican State citing crime and kidnapping. Tonight, mexican Officials Say they are working with authorities in the u. S. And australia. Blayne alexander, nbc news. The new jobs report is out. The u. S. Economy adding 175,000 jobs in april falling short of expectations, and the Unemployment Rate ticking up to 3. 9 , but experts say the slowdown in job growth could help ease inflation and lead the fed to cut Interest Rates this year. An unmanned chinese spacecraft blasted off today headed for an unexplored part of the moon today. Janis Mackey Frayer was at todays launch and reports on the new space race. Reporter its one of chinas most Ambitious Space Missions yet, to the Far Side Of The Moon to bring back samples of lunar rock from a basin never before explored. Were roughly a mile and a half from the launch site. You can feel the ground shake as they have liftoff. If this mission is successful, it will mark a first. The Unmanned Mission called change6 marks a major milestone here. Chinas goal, to put chinese astronauts on the moon by 2030. All countries should explore, develop, and use outer space peacefully, said this Mission Official adding, theres no need to worry too much about competition. But with the u. S. And other nations also setting sights on the moon, experts see a new sort of global space race. The head of u. S. Space command recently said, china is moving at breathtaking speed in space. Those ambitions have also created a booming industry here with thousands of space Enthusiasts Crowding Beaches near the launch site. When did you come here . Three days ago. Youve been camping here for three days . Yes, yes. Reporter i want to see the strength of my country, she said. The 53day mission aims to return with five pounds of lunar debris that Scientists Say could unlock secrets around the moons origins and possibly have an impact far beyond here. Janis Mackey Frayer, nbc news, hainan, china. In 60 seconds, on this Kentucky Derby weekend, is it safe for the horses at Churchill Downs after a grim racing season last year . Whats being done to keep them safe . Weekend, is it safe for the horses at Churchill Downs after a grim racing season last year . Whats being done to keep them safe. But shingrix protects. Only shingrix is proven over 90 effective. Shingrix is a vaccine used to prevent shingles in adults 50 years and older. Shingrix does not protect everyone and is not for those with severe allergic reactions to its ingredients or to a previous dose. An increased risk of guillainbarre syndrome was observed after getting shingrix. Fainting can also happen. The most common side effects are pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, muscle pain, tiredness, headache, shivering, fever, and upset stomach. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about shingrix today. And upset stomach. [ gasps ] way days coming wayfairs biggest sale of the year is back for three days only may 4th through 6th. Get excited to get up to 80 off. Ooo, yes. Plus score Free Shipping on everything. [ grunting ] [ bell rings ] and surprise flash deals. All way day long wayday starts may 4th so mark your calendar. And start filling your cart wayfair. Every style. Every home. The Kentucky Derby returns to nbc this weekend as it celebrates its 150th anniversary, and this year after several tragedies on the track, the sport has made changes aimed at keeping the horses safer. Heres jesse kirsch. Reporter the horn, the hats, and, of course, those horses. Rich strike has done it. Reporter theyre all synonymous with the Kentucky Derby, but this weekends run for the roses comes with added scrutiny after 12 horses died at Churchill Downs last spring, none in the derby itself. It is a gorgeous horse. Just big and strong. Reporter chloes dream was fatally injured in an Undercard Race on derby day. Brook smith was his owner. It just can happen, and its tragic when it does. Reporter regulators investigated, clearing Churchill Downs and finding no medical history pattern, but they did find that more intense racing and exercise schedules increased risk. The deaths expediting some changes. Using an expanded veterinary team, veterinary records, and a. I. To predict horses that might be at risk for injury to make sure that we dont miss any horse that shouldnt get into the starting gate. From the moment they get in their stall, theyre under 24 7 surveillance. Since last saturday. Reporter Churchill Downs equine medical director, dr. William farmer, said that medical supervision began earlier this year. Were continually trying to improve. It doesnt take an injury to push along change. Reporter meanwhile brook smith is back at Churchill Downs. Another one of his horses, sierra leone, is a contender in tomorrows derby. You turn this terrible tragedy into opportunity and an opportunity to be better at what you do. And theyre into the stretch. Reporter the goal, making the fastest two minutes in sports the safest. Jesse kirsch, nbc news, louisville, kentucky. And coming up for us here tonight, a glimpse into the cockpit of the future. Flying americas warplanes with a. I. Instead of pilots next. Cas warplanes with a. I. 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Its called vista, an unmanned Fighter Jet Piloted by Artificial Intelligence flying headtohead in a dogfight with a manned f16 even outperforming the human pilot. Defense Officials Say the u. S. Is the only military in the world with this technology, successfully flying a jet with Artificial Intelligence, and this is the first time cameras have been allowed to see it. Up till now there has not been a pathway for Machine Learning agents to control the, you know, flight Critical Systems of an aircraft. Reporter on thursday the air force secretary made an unannounced trip to Edwards Air Force base suiting up and going for a ride in a Mock Dogfight flying nearly the Speed Of Sound separated by just 1,000 feet from the manned fighter jet. He says the Technology Still needs work. We still have a ways to go with it, but making good progress. Reporter but some test pilots arent sure. This Artificial Intelligence, this robot, and theyre so new, and we dont really understand fully how they work. So, you dont trust the aircraft to be flown by a. I. At this point . No, not really. Reporter like drones, they could fly ahead of manned aircraft during Combat Conducting strikes too dangerous for human pilots, but unlike drones, the computer will be charge, not an Operator Thousands of miles away, and even though humans will still be involved in making key decisions, this raises serious questions. Is that a possibility really, this kind of Technology Going rogue . I think its too early to say it is or it isnt. Do you ever see a point of fully autonomous weapons, so u. S. Air force aircraft that are fully autonomous weapons . Were not going to unleash killer robots on the battlefield to kill anything they want. Thats not going to happen. Were going to make sure that we comply with the laws of war. Reporter kendall says the future is not far away. A. I. 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Clarence jones, who helped write Martin Luther king jr. s I Have A Dream Speech and legendary activist medgar evers whose family accepted his award posthumously. A patriot was gunned down by the poison of white supremacy, but his spirit endures. Reporter also honored, michelle yeoh, the first person of asian descent to win an oscar for best actress, and ellen ochoa, the first hispanic woman in space. 27 years old, olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky has already won seven gold medals, and as she told lester yeah, i mean, im competing against myself. I hold myself to a very high standard. Reporter well, today she took a break from training for this summers paris games to accept this hardware. Among all of your accomplishments, where does this rank . This one is right up there at the top. You know, ive won some gold medals, but to receive recognition from the white house, from the president , its a tremendous honor. [ applause ] reporter an honor like no other. A high standard, indeed. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news, the white house. And thats nightly news for this friday. Join Kristen Welker on sunday for a new Meet The Press here on nbc. Thank you for watching, everyone. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. I80 Snarling Traffic in both directions. Were going to have the latest on this situation unfolding right now. Plus, two San Jose Police officers are recovering after being shot. What we know about the gunman and the moments before shots were fired. And waymo is expanding