Major airport. Bracing for Severe Weather, hail hitting the mid atlantic. Tens of millions at risk in the plains. Al roker is here. The armorer on the rust movie set, Hannah Gutierrezreed sentenced. The judges harsh words. The mothers from kansas missing for weeks. Now four people charged with murder. Stun guns, burner cell phones, the shocking and elaborate new details alleged in police affidavits. Defacing our National Parks, Police Searching for the men Seen Damaging Ancient Rock Formations. And one on one with Caitlin Clark, the greatest College Shooter ever ready to go pro when the wnba draft tips off tonight. Announcer this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening and welcome, everyone, in a moment he had desperately tried to delay or derail, donald trump took the defendants seat in a manhattan courtroom today for the start of his first criminal trial, a historic moment for a former american president that brought him practically face to face with a stream of prospective jurors. New yorkers who could potentially determine his fate, none so far, however, has been seated. Mr. Trump faces 34 Felony Counts of falsifying business records, revolving around hush money payments to cover up an alleged affair with a porn actress. The former president has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied an affair. Before todays questioning of prospective jurors got underway, the judge made it clear that the Presumptive Republican president ial nominee was expected to be in court every day of the trial. The judge also making an important ruling over the admissibility of the infamous access Hollywood Tape in the trial. Senior Legal CorrespondentLaura Jarrett has late details. Reporter donald trump sitting in a manhattan courtroom today watching the process of whittling down a pool of hundreds to a jury of 12 with 6 alternates, people who will soon sit in judgment of the former president , the first to ever face a criminal trial. Were not going to be given a fair trial. Its a very very sad thing. Reporter 200 people summoned to the courthouse today, questioned about their backgrounds, media preferences, and views on mr. Trump, in deep blue manhattan, many jurors swiftly dismissed for saying they cannot be impartial. The judge driving home the stakes of the unprecedented moment for the presumptive gop nominee, warning mr. Trump today, if he fails to show up, he risks arrest. Mr. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the 34 counts of falsifying business records. A low level felony, but the Story Prosecutors seek to tell, more sordid and sweeping, previewing their central theme today of a president ial campaign rocked by the release of the infamous access Hollywood Tape, fueling mr. Trumps determination and prosecutors telling to buy the silence of stormy daniels, allegedly directing Michael Cohen to pay her 130,000 so she wouldnt go public saying she had sex with mr. Trump, something he maintains never happened. The former president later Reimbursing Cohen through a series of checks, allegedly doctoring his companys internal records to cover it all up. That payment was to hide damaging information from the voting public. The Participant Scheme was illegal. Reporter the judge ruling prosecutors cannot play the access Hollywood Tape at trial but can introduce what he said. Mr. Trumps team expected to highlight how the previous d. A. And federal prosecutors declined to press charges in this case, while mr. Trump lambastes the case as a democratic conspiracy to hurt his reelection chances. This is a persecution like never before. Nobody has ever seen anything like it. And again, its a case that should have never been brought. Its an assault on america. Reporter the trial, expected to stretch on six to eight weeks and feature testimony from cohen, daniels, members of trumps inner circles like former aide hope hicks and possibly mr. Trump himself. I would testify, absolutely. Reporter the risk of crossexamination substantial. But the more immediate threat possible violations of the gag order, prohibiting mr. Trump from attacking trial witnesses. And, laura, weve spoken a lot about the calendar here. This is just the first criminal case mr. Trump faces this year. Reporter yes, lester, he faces three other criminal cases across three different jurisdictions but none of those given all of the delays and appeals is ready to go to trial, which means this one in manhattan may be the only one that proceeds to a jury before november. In the meantime, Jury Selection will continue for the next couple of days if not weeks here, lester. Laura jarrett, thank you. I want to bring in hallie jackson, in addition to the legal risks there is the Political Risk for mr. Trump as this trial plays out. Reporter yeah, thats right, lester, listen, he hopes to use this case to his political advantage, and that worked for him in the primary. We saw his legal issues rally republicans around him. They helped him raise money. Hes even fundraising off of this case again tonight. But, keep in mind, we are in the general election now, and this is where hes got to appeal to independents. About half of them say they believe tcase charges are serious. And other recent polling suggests if mr. Trump is convicted its President Biden who could get a boost. Were seeing tonight mr. Trump clearly frustrated that he has to be at court for these proceedings, but all of it highlights just how extraordinary this moment is. A Block Buster Collision of the court and the Campaign Trail that makes donald trump the candidate indistinguishable from donald trump the criminal defendant. Lester. All right. Hallie jackson, thanks. Lets turn to tonights other top story, israel saying today it will respond after iran launched that barrage of missiles and drones, almost all of them shot down by israel. Richard engel is in israel with the latest. Reporter 48 hours after iran attacked israel with hundreds of drones and missiles, israel tonight is vowing to strike back. An israeli official telling nbc news a response could be imminent. While touring a base that was lightly damaged, the only known damage in israel, the Chief Of Staff of the israeli army today said iran will face the consequences for its actions. We will choose our response accordingly. Reporter that announcement came after Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu held a second war Cabinet Meeting in two days. Throughout his career, netanyahu has advocated for a tough approach against iran, including military action, and this is a Pivotal Moment for him. A senior israeli official telling nbc news that the cabinet agreed that a Military Response is needed to show deterrence. But that it should avoid provoking a regional war and be coordinated with the United States. Easier said than done. Israel is promising to respond even though President Biden told netanyahu not to escalate further because with u. S. Help, israel shot down 99 of irans missiles and drones. The u. S. Even led a hastily organized coalition to defend israel that included jordan and the uk. The day before irans attack, President Biden warned iran not to strike. Mr. President , what is your message to iran in this moment . Dont. Reporter but iran isnt listening either. Soon after, the iranian drones and missiles were heading toward israel. We watched as israeli Missile Defense systems were in action over jerusalems old city, holy for billions of jews, christians, and muslims. For the last several minutes, weve seen these flares streaking all across the skies over jerusalem, and now for the first time were hearing the airraid sirens. The pentagon says it shot down around 100 of the drones and missiles. Iran says its done, that the barrage was its only response to israels deadly air strike on Irans Embassy compound in syria, but iran warned today that any israeli reprisal would be met by an immediate counterstrike. Tonight, there are fears that the long Running Shadow War between iran and israel is breaking out into the open with the United States right in the middle of it. And, richard, there is still some anxiety of real escalation occurring tonight. Reporter there absolutely is. There had been a sense here that after israel with u. S. Help shot down nearly all of irans incoming drones and missiles that this crisis could be contained, yet once again, The Middle East is on edge, bracing for a possible regional war, and these next several days will be critical as israel calibrates its response. Lester . All right, Richard Engel in jerusalem, thank you. Tonight the white house is trying to prevent a wider war in the region after irans attack on israel. It comes as protests broke out coasttocoast here at home against President Bidens policies in the israelhamas war. We get more from gabe gutierrez. Reporter tonight, the pressure is mounting on the Biden Administration over the war in gaza. Hundreds of propalestinian protesters today blocked traffic on new Yorks Brooklyn bridge with several arrests. Oh, good. Reporter police say protesters near Chicagos Ohare International airport today substantially delayed travelers, and on san franciscos golden gate bridge, multiple arrests after protesters snarled traffic there for hours. The demonstrations come as President Biden touts what he calls an unprecedented Military Effort to defend israel. Together with our partners, we defeated that attack. Reporter in the oval office today, he met with iraqs Prime Minister, as he tries to deescalate tensions in The Middle East. Were committed to a ceasefire that will bring the hostages home, and prevent any conflict from spreading beyond what it already has. Reporter the president spoke with Prime Minister netanyahu this week and following irans attack, urging restraint, a Senior Administration official tells nbc news the president told netanyahu to take the win and that although the white houses commitment to defend israel is ironclad, the u. S. Would not participate in offensive operations against iran. I ask you bluntly, if Israel Retaliates against iran, will the u. S. Support that . To answer bluntly, im not going to get into hypotheticals. We dont want to see a wider conflict. Reporter today the white house stressed iran did not provide warnings to the u. S. About its time frame for launching an attack on israel. Some republican critics argue the Biden Administration has emboldened iran. Its time for the commander in chief to lead allies and partners in an International Effort to impose meaningful cause on iran. And, gabe, amid all of this, there are new questions about that u. S. Aid package for israel. What can you tell us . Reporter yes, lester, House Speaker mike johnson is facing intense pressure to bring israel and ukraine funding up for a vote after sitting on it for months. Late today, he told gop lawmakers that he planned to do it this week in separate bills. Lester. All right. Gabe, thank you. Now to an update in the rust Movie Set Shooting with armorer Hannah Gutierrezreed sentenced to 18 months in prison. She was found guilty of Involuntary Manslaughter for the killing of cinematographer halyna hutchins. Gutierrezreed made an emotional plea in court but the judge gave her the maximum sentence, citing her lack of remorse. Also tonight, were watching what could be days of Severe Weather. This was the scene in arlington, virginia, where there was large hail this afternoon. The threat continues there tonight. Al roker is here, and, al, the plains and midwest are under some serious threat right now. Lester, we already have severe thunderstorms going on, Thunderstorm Watch along the mid atlantic states. Weve also got Tornado Watches down through texas. The risk for Severe Weather tonight, weve got right now 27 Million People at risk from north platte to wichita, Oklahoma City and abilene. Were also looking at the risk of overnight tornadoes that are twice as deadly from Abilene Up To omaha. Then we move into tomorrow, more people at risk, 26 million with wind gusts of 60 miles per hour, and again, that tornado risk for ef2 or stronger. Rainfall amounts, lester, were talking anywhere from 1 to 3 inches, locally upward to 5. Lester . All right, al, thank you. The fbi has opened up a criminal investigation into the cargo ship that slammed into the Francis Scott key bridge in baltimore causing it to collapse last month. Federal agents boarded the nearly thousand footlong ship this morning with search warrants. Sources say the investigation will look into events before the collapse and possible mechanical problems. In 60 seconds, new Details Behind two mothers killed in oklahoma, and the Evidence Police are looking at against four suspects, including the grandmother of one of the victims children. Plus, what investigators found in the suspects search history. Next. History. Next. Until i got clearer skin with bimzelx. Most people got 100 clear skin. Some after the first dose. Serious side effects, including suicidal thoughts and behavior, infections and lowered ability to fight them, liver problems, and inflammatory bowel disease, have occurred. Tell your doctor if these happen or worsen, or if youve had a vaccine or plan to. start to get yourself back, with bimzelx. Ask your dermatologist about bimzelx today. When anyone in this house wears white, it doesnt stay white for long. White . To soccer . Im not gonna slide tackle. But now with tide oxi white, we can clean our white clothes without using bleach. It even works on colors. I slide tackled. I see that. Tide oxi white. Feeling claritin clear is like. [cat meow] is she . Letting her imagination run wild even though she has allergies. Yeah. We are back with new details about two kansas women believed to be missing moms, whose bodies were found in oklahoma today. Four people are in custody this evening. Sam brock has more on the possible motive. Reporter after a multiweek search for two kansas women, 27yearold veronica butler, and 39yearold jilian kelley, Tonight Oklahoma authorities revealing the discovery of two bodies in rural oklahoma, believed to be the missing moms. On behalf of the entire fbi, i want to express our sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of veronica and jilian. Reporter the Pair Left A Small Kansas town in late march, Court Documents show, to pick up butlers children for visitation at a Birthday Party with kelley only there to supervise the visit. When they didnt show up for the party, butlers family went looking and found her abandoned car which uncovered evidence of a severe injury, including blood on the roadway and butlers glasses near a broken hammer. Its absolutely devastating. They were both young and vibrant and they deserved more. Reporter now, four people are behind bars charged with murder, kidnapping and conspiracy. Including the childrens grandmother, tifany adams, who Authorities Say was in a years long custody battle with butler. State investigators saying the grandmother had later purchased five stun guns and three prepaid cell phones. Those phones then pinged at the last known location of butler and kelley at the time of their disappearance, according to police. The Teen Daughter of one of the suspects telling authorities her mom was part of a selfproclaimed Antigovernment Group they called gods misfits and told her things didnt go as planned, but they would not have to worry about butler again. And tonight, the suspects who remain here behind bars have not been assigned counsel. Police say butlers children at the center of this Custody Dispute are out of harms way. Lester. Sam brock, thank you. Were back in a moment with the alarming news about coral reefs worldwide. Can anything be done to help . 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My symptoms have improved, helping me go from expecting less to experiencing more. My name is mike. And this is my camzyos moment. Call your cardiologist today and see if a camzyos moment may be in your future too. Were back now with alarming news about our changing seas. Two scientific groups saying today that coral reefs are experiencing a worldwide bleaching event. Its all due to recordbreaking ocean temperatures. Bleaching can lead to mass coral death and experts warn this could be the worst event like this ever recorded. Also tonight, new video of two men damaging Ancient Rock Formations here in the west. Now authorities are asking the public to help find them. But its just the latest incident of visitors damaging sensitive sites. Liz kreutz has more. Reporter its a moment all caught on video. Hes going to fall. Reporter two men Seen Damaging Ancient Rock Formations at nevadas Lake Mead NationalRecreation Area outside of las vegas. The vandals not once but twice knocking massive red stone boulders off a cliff last week at the popular red stone dunes trail. A young Girl Standing behind them screaming out as the rocks come toppling down. Authorities with the National Park service are now investigating and seeking the publics help to track down the two men. According to the parks web site, the delicate rocks are millions of years old. Officials say vandalism at federally protected sites like this can result in Felony Charges including fines and jail time. Bad behavior is something park rangers have been dealing with for years. In 2013, boy scout leaders cheered as they toppled over an Ancient Rock Formation in utah. The men were sentenced to a year of probation and a fine. More recently in 2022, zion National Park reported widespread vandalism with people leaving graffiti on the historic sandstone. Rangers posted this video cleaning up the spray paint. Now as officials search for the men responsible for this irreparable damage at lake mead, a reminder that Breaking Park Rules comes with consequences. And, lester, this is a serious offense. According to park officials these men could face potentially several months in prison and thousands of dollars in fines. Lester . Okay, liz, thank you for that. When we come back, Caitlin Clark has already sealed her place in basketball history. Tonight she joins the pros for our oneonone interview next. Breathe better in as little as two weeks. Dupixent is an addon treatment for specific types of moderatetosevere asthma thats not for sudden breathing problems. Dupixent can cause allergic reactions that can be severe. Get help right away if you have rash, chest pain, worsening shortness of breath, tingling or numbness in your limbs. Tell your doctor about new or worsening joint aches and pain, or a parasitic infection. 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Finally, its a historic draft day for the wnba with Caitlin Clark set to captivate fans with her much anticipated debut. And as she told our stephanie gosk, shes ready for an even bigger stage. Reporter at the wnba draft tonight, the stars of College Basketball get a ticket to the pros. Women matter. We work just as hard as the men. I mean, im just happy to be in this position. Reporter how exciting is to start your professional career with this kind of Energy Around the league . Yeah, i mean, its honestly incredible. I was just excited to get here and get it started. Reporter at the front of the line, iowas Caitlin Clark. This is a dream. This is something i wrote down on a piece of paper when i was in like second grade. Get a basketball scholarship, play in the wnba. Reporter her recordbreaking final season in the ncaa Turbo Charging interest in the womens game. The Indiana Fever is first up in the draft. I heard that Season Tickets are going like blazes in indiana. Have you heard that rumor . I have heard that rumor. I dont know the exact numbers, but i think theyre selling pretty well. Reporter shes just that much fun to watch. Every time you go to take one of those logo threes, i think to myself, shes not going to make that. You dont have confidence in me . I know i should. I should have confidence. But then you make it. What goes through your mind right before you take that shot . I think the biggest thing is just confidence. I think sometimes, like i feel like im closer to the basket than i really am. Reporter shes also unflappable or seems to be, even on saturday night live. Caitlin clark. [ applause ] thanks for having me. Reporter her poise and skill creating legions of young fans. Who do you want to see . Caitlin clark. Reporter all of the little kids, most of them little girls who are so inspired to play basketball because of you. What does that mean to you . I think thats the reason you do it. To see them scream your name or have your jersey on. Thats something that never gets old. Reporter the jersey is going to change, but the excitement isnt going anywhere. Stephanie gosk, nbc news, brooklyn. And that is nightly news for this monday. Thank you for watching, everyone. Im lester holt. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night. Please take care of yourself and each other. Good night