T. E de floodinn t investigation into nine Student Deaths at the same university. Whats behind it . Your health tonight, and the major finding. The watch that can detect abnormal heart beats while youre awake and while youre sleeping. The major headline involving quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Is he about to make his nfl comeback . And america strong tonight. The surprise gift. The moment she opens that front door. And youll see it right here. And good evening from the Nations Capital tonight. And we are here because of this moment in history. The start of impeachment hearings for President Trump. Only the fourth president to face these proceedings. Millions watching on television today, and there was a surprise. New evidence not heard before. Two witnesses, two career diplomats chosen by the democrats as the first two appear here. And that unexpected revelation from the top u. S. Diplomat in ukraine, bill taylor. A west point grad, a vietnam vet. Today, he reveal what a staff member told him about a phone call President Trump allegedly made the day after that infamous call with the new president ofe. Th n alleged call and what the president was asking about. Now that staff member who says he heard the president has already been called to testify here on the hill. Abcs mary bruce leads us off from washington tonight. Reporter after weeks of questioning behind closed doors, today, the impeachment battle burst into the open with millions of americans watching. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you are about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, to help you god . Reporter democrats calling their star witness, the top u. S. Diplomat in ukraine, bill lay tor, a vietnam veteran who served every u. S. President since ronald reagan. Taylor testified he had a clear understanding ukraine would not receive nearly 400 million in military aid until they publicly announced an investigation into President Trumps political rival. To withhold that assistance for no good reason other than help with a Political Campaign made no sense. It was counterproductive to all of what we had been trying to do. It was illogical. It could not be explained. It was crazy. Reporter taylor brought with him new information, raising new questions about the president s personal involvement. Taylor indicating that trump himself was checking in to see whether ukraine was launching those investigations. Taylor explaining he recently learned that just one day after the president s phone call with ukrainian president zelensky, trump followed up with the u. S. Ambassador to the eu, gordon sondland, the trump megadonor who had become his pointman on ukraine. In the presence of my staff, at a restaurant, ambassador sondland called President Trump and told him of his meetings in kiev. The member of my staff could hear President Trump on the phone asking ambassador sondland about the investigations. Ambassador sondland told President Trump that ukrainians were ready to move forward. Following the call with President Trump, the member of my staff asked ambassador sondland what President Trump thought about ukraine. Ambassador sondland responded that President Trump cares more about the investigations of biden. Reporter chairman schiff seizing on those words. Overhear mr. Sondland on the phone, overhear the president on the phone with mr. Sondland, is that right . Thats correct. So the president must have been speaking loud enough. This was a cell phone, i take it . It was a cell phone. The president must have been speaking loud enough for your staff member to be able to overhear this . It was. And i think you said that after the call, when your staff asked ambassador sondland what President Trump thought of ukraine, his response was that President Trump cares more about the investigations of biden. Is that right . And burisma, yes, sir. Reporter taylor testified that sondland was part of an irregular channel of diplomacy, led by the president s personal attorney, rudy giuliani. Republicans pressing him. In fairness, this irregular channel of diplomacy, its not as outlandish as it could be. At the witness table by Top State Department official george kent. Giulianis shadow diplomacy was running counter to Americas National interest. What interest do you believe he was promoting, mr. Kent . I believe he was looking to dig up political dirt against a potential rival in the next election cycle. Ambassador taylor, what interests do you believe he was promoting . I agree with mr. Kent. Reporter eager to defend the president , republicans repeatedly noted that taylor and kent never spoke to the president directly, that they were relying on secondhand information. You werent on the call, were you . You didnt listen into the call . I did not. You never talked with ctaff . I never did. You didnt meet the president . That is correct. You had meetings two of those they never heard about as far as i know. There was no reason for it to come up. President zelenskiy never made the sr wiuelve u theirir witnessorter republd on the end result, that the white house did release the hold on that military aid, saying it shows trump did nothing wrong. Security assistance was provided to ukraine without the ukrainians having done any of the things they were supposedly being blackmailed to do. Reporter but democrats say the money only started to flow after congress launched an investigation and the whistleblower filed the complaint. Mary bruce with us live on the hill tonight, watching with us all day long here. And mary, lets get back to that unexpected testimony you reported on here today. Bill taylor testifying one of his staffers overheard a phone call the day after that controversial call with the president of ukraine and that staffer saying he could hear President Trump through the phone. Hes now been called to testify, the staffer . Reporter his name is david holmes, and he is expected to be here on friday, answering questions behind closed doors. He is likely to be grilled about what he overheard on that conversation. And david, lawmakers are also likely to want to talk to the man who the president was allegedly talking to, gordon sondland. He never mentioned that conversation to lawmakers. And he has revised his testimony once before. The question now, will he revise it again when hech thes here publicly next wednesday . David . Well be here. Mary bruce with us all day long. Mary, thank you. And just a short time ago, President Trump responding to what unfolded here today in washington. The president welcoming the president of turkey to the white house, just weeks after that sudden decision to pull u. S. Troops out of a key part of syria. Turkey then moving in on u. S. Allies, the kurds in syria. But tonight, the president answering questions on impeachment, denying that claim of a phone call the day after his call with ukraines president. Abcs chief White House CorrespondentJonathan Karl across town at the white house tonight. Reporter as the first open impeachment hearing unfolded on capitol hill, the president s a wt. Its a hoax. Reporter after it was over, the president , in a joint News Conference with the president of turkey, was asked what he thought of the hearing. I hear its a joke. I havent watched. I havent watched for one minute, because ive been with the president , which is much more important, as far as im concerned. This is a sham. And it shouldnt be allowed. Reporter he was also asked about bill taylors new claim that one of his aides overheard President Trump asking Ambassador Gordon Sondland about the investigations. I know nothing about that. First time ive heard it. The one thing ive seen that sondland said was that he did speak to me for a brief moment and i said, no quid pro quo under any circumstances, and thats true. And the other, ive never heard this. Do you recall having a conversation with i dont recall. No, not at all, not even a little bit. So, lets get to jon karl, live at the white house tonight. And jon, lets go Bigger Picture here, because as these televised impeachment hearings begin, this white house knows what theyre dealing with. A democratic house, a Republican Senate and were now less than a year from election day. So, what are your sources telling you, what are they bracing for . Reporter well, the bottom line from the white house perspective is that nothing changed today. House democrats are still on the road to impeaching the president , but not a single republican has shown any indication of breaking ranks. That means, david, without significant, dramatic changes, theres no way the senate would vote to remove the president and his fate ultimately will be determined by voters next november. David . Jon karl, thank you. And friday morning, another key witness, the former ambassador to ukraine, marie yovanovitch, who was removed from her post, she will testify before the american people, friday morning at 9 00 a. M. Eastern, right here on abc. But we do move on tonight, to other news, and the recordbreaking cold, and the horror that played out in massachusetts. A devastating fire in the middle of all of this. The heartbreaking toll tonight. A firefighter was killed just after he saved two other firefighters as they fought the flames amid this bitter cold. Abcs gio benitez tonight from worcester, massachusetts. Reporter tonight, that deadly fire breaking out in freezing weather. Firefighters in worcester, massachusetts, rushing in to battle a fouralarm blaze. People still inside and also a baby on the third floor. Reporter record cold temperatures dropping into the teens, wind chills below zero. Heavy fire conditions trapping members of ladder five. Four firefighters taken to the hospital. Tragically, lieutenant jason menard did not survive. Lieutenant menard heroically and selflessly saved his crew. Reporter this firefighter saluting as the Fire Department lowered its flag to half sta. First responders paying tribute as the procession carrying lieutenant menards body passed by. He leaves behind a wife and three children. As always, our worcester firefighters will stand strong by their family. Reporter and just hours after that fire, the department on the scene of another blaze. And david, temperatures here will be in the teens again tonight. Meanwhile, the Firefighters Union says lieutenant menards family planned to go on vacation this morning. Instead, theyre planning a heros sendoff. David . Were thinking about that community tonight. Gio, thank you. Lets get right to ginger zee, because there is relief coming, not a moment too soon. Ginger . Reporter david, you know its cold when new orleans, gulf port, mississippi, baton rouge all among the cities that were wint. Anitsoing toe urilly you , neyork ci but by friday, things really warm up. Above freezing in chicago and detroit. New york city, 52. 55 for washington, d. C. Warmer than average along the east coast going into next week, david. Ginger zee with us again tonight. Ginger, thank you. Were going to turn next tonight to the American Teacher killed in the Dominican Republic. She was found dead in her apartment. Her hands and feet tied. And tonight, authorities on what was missing from her home. Heres abcs victor oquendo. Reporter tonight, authorities in the Dominican Republic investigating the gruesome murder of American Teacher patricia ann anton. The 63yearold was found strangled inside her apartment on the north side of the island tuesday. Police say her hands and feet were tied up. Her laptop, tv, phone and other items stolen. Anton worked at tres Mariposas Montessori for the past six years. The school saying they are completely heartbroken over this completely heartbroken over this loss. Her brother in law writing on facebook, she dedicated her life to helping children. Her death is a tragedy. David, no arrests have been made. Officials are urging anyone with any information to come forward. David . Victor, thank you. Overseas tonight, to a remarkable and alarming scene playing out in venice. The worst flooding there in more than 50 years. People wading through the water across st. Marks square, one of the most popular Tourist Spots in the world. Tonight, the mayor declaring a state of emergency now from what hes calling the apocalyptic rising water there. Heres abcs maggie rulli tonight. Reporter tonight, tourists suitcases floating away in venice. The mayor declaring a state of emergency, saying the city is on its knees. Famous landmarks like 1,200yearold st. Marks basilica inundated. Water flowing through the church. My life, this was the first time like this. Reporter st. Marks square now a swimming pool. Hotels and shops turned into canals as water rushes through buildings. Clhing, allhe things in thegrery stor verdestn reporter the floods are blamed for at least two deaths. And venices mayor is blaming the worst flood his city has seen in more than 50 years on climate change. Now, venice is used to seasonal flooding, but this was the secondhighest in recorded history. David, damages are expected to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. David . Just incredible images tonight. Maggie, thank you. And back here at home now, and to a quarterback sidelined after his protests, but now quarterback Colin Kaepernick may be returning to the nfl. Hes expected to work out in front of sever weekend. He hasnt played in nearly three years. The lions, the falcons, the dolphins among the teams saying theyll be watching. Heres abcs paula faris. Reporter tonight, the nfls stunning announcement that Colin Kaepernick will work out for teams on saturday and several teams announcing theyll attend. We try to do that. Reporter kaepernick who hasnt played in nearly three years, surprised by the news. Tweeting, im just getting word from my representativing that Nfl League Office reached out to them about a workout. Ive been in shape and ready for this. The former star creating a racial inequality. Kaepernick filed a grievance against the nfl alleging collusion after no team would sign him, eventually settling to undisclosed terms. But his former teammate erik read, who also filed a grievance, questioning the leagues motives. Iteelsr and david, because the workout falls on a saturday, the day before gamedame, most head coaches and general managers will not be able to attend, but kaepernick says hell be ready. David . Paula, thank you. And here in washington, news tonight about Supreme CourtJustice Ruth Bader ginsburg. Justice ginsburg missing oral arguments because of an illness today. A spokesperson says shes home with a stomach virus. Ginsburg announced she was being created for pancreatic cancer in august and everyone here in this town pulling for the justice. There is still much more ahead on world news tonight this wednesday. The alarming number. Nine students dying at one school. The investigation under way tonight, the same university. The theory on what could be behind the deaths. I. Also, your health tonight, and the major finding that got our attention today. The watch that could deticket abnormal heartbeats while youre awake, while youre sleeping. Well have more on that. And setting the stage for a jeopardy rematch. Jeopardy james and who hes about to face again. A lot more news ahead tonight. A lot more news ahead tonight. Ill be right back. We know a thing or two because weve seen a thing or two. A ernie lost rubber duckie . burke you mean this one . ernie accidents . I am okay by the way burke decause an accident . Maybe. Accident, grover . grover bert how do you know all this stuff . burke just comes with experience. all muppets yup. We are farmers. Bumpadum, bumbumbumbum aleve it. With aleve pm. Pain happens. The only one to combine a safe sleep aid. And the 12hour pain relieving strength of aleve. So. Magic mornings happen. Theres a better choice. Aleve pm. Like very high triglycerides, can be tough. You diet. Exercise. But if youre also taking fish oil supplements, you should know, they are not fdaapproved, they may have saturated fat and may even raise bad cholesterol. To treat very high triglycerides, discover the science of prescription vascepa. Proven in multiple clinical trials, vascepa, along with diet, is the only prescription epa treatment, approved by the fda to lower ri,ne presc approvedepa vascepa. To lower vascepa is not right for everyone. Do not take vascepa if you are allergic to icosapent ethyl or any inactive ingredient in vascepa. Veemorther medical conditions and about an affect blood clotting. 2. 3 of patients reported joint pain. Ask your doctor about vascepa. Prescription power. Proven to work. Next tonight here, to your health. And a new study involving the apple wap. It shows it is 84 reliable in detecting an irregular heartbeat. Could it save lives . Heres will carr. Reporter for ed dentel, a husband and a father with an active lifestyle, his apple watch, according to his doctor, may have saved his life. He kind of laughed, hes like, do you own apple stock . Im like, no, i dont hes like, okay, you may want to consider buying some. Reporter according to study at stanford funded by apple, the apple watch reliably detects atrial fibrillation, a serious form of irregular heartbeats. Afib can lead to blood clots, strokes, even heart failure. The study says apples afib alerts turned out to be 84 accurate. Tried it on my left wrist, on top, afib legft. Wrist on bottom, afib. Right on top afib afib afib. I looked at it and said, there might be something to this. Reporter researchers say the watches likely saved people from strokes, even death. Doctors say an apple watch is a great health tool but shouldnt replace your normal visits. They say, if you combine both, you can see great results. David . Will carr, thank you. When we come back here, disturbing news on an american campus. Nine Student Deaths under investigation this semester alone. Th of information. A wealth of perspective. A wealth of opportunities. Thats the clarity you get from fidelity wealth management. Straightforward advice, tailored recommendations, cientinvesting strategies, from fidelity wealth management. And a dedicated advisor to help you grow and protect your wealth. Fidelity wealth management. The way you triumph over adversity. And live your lives. Thats why we redesigned humira. We wanted to make the experience better for you. Now theres less pain immediately following injection. Weve reduced the size of the needle and removed the citrate buffers. And it has the same effectiveness you know and trust. Aserin nfectie common and if youve had tb, hepatitis b, are prone to infections, or have flulike symptoms or sores. Dont start humira if you have an infection. Ask your doctor about humira citratefree. Heres to you. To the index of other news. The alarming investigation at the university of southern california. Nine students dying this semester. Police sources telling abc news they are focused on whether some of the deaths were caused by drug overdoses. Authorities waiting for toxicology results. News tonight about that Fraternity Death at Washington State university pullman. Authorities identifying the freshman, 19yearold sam martinez. They say frat members were performing cpr when paramedics role. And the big jeopardy rematch. Jeopardy james going up against emma boettcher, the librarian who ended his 32game winning streak, now facing off in the tournament of champions. When we come back tonight, the surprise just inside that front door. Youre about to see it. [sneeare you ok . Fles] yah, its just a cold. Its not just a cold if you have high blood pressure. Most cold medicines may raise blood pressure. Coricidin hbp is the. 1 brand that gives. Powerful col of millions of americans during the recession. So, my wife kat and i took action. We started a Nonprofit Community bank with a simple theory give people a fair deal and real economic power. Invest in the community, in businesses owned by women and people of color, in affordable housing. The difference between words and actions matters. Thats a lesson politicians in washington could use right now. Im tom steyer, and i approve this message. When you retire will you or will you just be you, without the constraints of a full time job . You can grow your Retirement Savings with pacific life and create the future thats most meaningful to you. Which means you can retire, without retiring from life. Having the flexibility to retire on your terms. Thats the power of pacific. Ask your financial professional about pacific life today. Strong. A stunning act of kindness that began with a simple question, just three words. Heres abcs steve osunsami. Reporter two best friends in suburban philadelphia walked up to this small suv in a superstore parking lot, noticed all this womans belongings and her two dogs. And they asked her, is everything okay . Are you okay . We want to talk to you. We want to help you. Reporter 70yearold Lynn Shutzman told them she was fine, but she wasnt. Expensive medical bills had forced her to live out of her car. And the shelters wouldnt take pets. Melissa akacha and jennifer husbandelsier refused to just walk away and took her story to next door, the social media site for neighbors. Does anyone know anything about the elderly woman and her two dogs . They learned she was a retired pharmacist, and that neighbors wanted to help. People immediately started bringing blankets, meals and food for the dogs. And just ten days later, they raised enough money for this, a studio apartment, with the rent paid for the next two years. Oh, my gosh. It was lifealtering. One of the most meaningful moments in our lives. Reporter and tonight, she tells us that everything is truly okay. Steve osunsami, abc news, atlanta. We are so happy for lynn tonight, and grateful for the generosity of strangers. Im david muir. I hope to see you right back here tomorrow night. Good night. Succumbed within 24 hours. This met all of the clinical criteria for Vaping Associated death. And is our first in marin county. Also the first in the bay area to die from complications related to the use of ecigarettes. Thanks for joining us. Im ama daetz. Im dan ashley. This makes it 40 deaths across the united states. This is the fourth death so far in california. There are now more than 2,050 confirmed illnesses. According to the Marin County Health department, the woman was a previously Healthy Woman who began vaping six months ago