Transcripts For KTIV NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt 20151215

Hundreds of women say it severely damaged their hair. Nightly news begins right now. Nounkts announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening, im kate snow. Its being called unprecedented, the massive shutdown of the Second Largest School District in the nation because of a credible, serious 38 of a large scale attack, or so it was first described. Over 900 schools closed, searched room by room. Hundreds of thousands of students affected. A chaotic day in los angeles. Then we came to learn new york city received a similar threat. Both now being called hoaxes. And new yorks Police Commissioner says l. A. Overreacted. But with the attacks in San Bernardino still fre in their mind, imagine being the official who has we have late details. Reporter shortly before 7 00 a. M. , police were mobilized and the decision was made public. The nations Second Largest School District saying it received a credible threat, aabruptly shutting down all campuses just before the morning bell. They said that it wasnt no school due to a bomb threat. Its very scary. Reporter the unprecedented decision is what many woke up to. Breaking news of the massive districtwide shutdown of lausd schools. Reporter the them came by email. A person claiming to be a High School Senior ready with an army to attack schools with guns and bombs. Los angeles is just 65 miles from San Bernardino, where 14 were killed in a terror attack less than two weeks ago. I think the circumstances in the neighboring San Bernardino, i think what has happened in the nation, i think what happened internationally, i as going to take the chance with the life of a student. Reporter the police chief said the threat was specific to all los angeles schools. The implied threat was explosive devices. The specific threat was attack with assault rifles and machine pistols. Eporter while the chief stood by, the superintendent, privatelily los angeles Officials Say they advised against closing schools, saying the decision was premature and a bad move. The coordinated sweep for l. A. Schools for bombs a massive undertaking. Lausd spans 710 square miles with more than a thousand campuses and several hundred thousand students, many about to take final exams. We have to live through this and live this way. Trying to see if terrorists are going to come and get us. Reporter with School Busses suddenly turned around, many had nowhere to go. Staff and parents complained notification came too late. Tonight, anthony to his fouryearold son aj why fear has gripped the region and now his school. He doesnt know like whats going on in the world, like with what happened in paris and San Bernardino. Hes just happy all the time. Reporter tonight Law Enforcement officials are still checking campuses for suspicious devices. Meantime a 17yearold student was struck and killed byy truck afafr he was crossing an intersection. Its unclear if that student was headed to or from campus after the school closures. Kate . Miguel, thanks so much. It appears a new normal is emerging after the attack in San Bernardino, as a majority of americans now say terrorism is their number one concern. And with that as the backdrop, we saw a tale of two cities today, and the very different ways that new york and los angeles reacted when the threats came in. Heres our justice correspondent Pete Williams on how it all went down. Reporter children in the nations largest Public School city headed to class today, even though police said a nearly iceland threre identical threat was emailed to schools there. New yorks Police Commissioner said l. A. Overreacted. We would be concerned with overreacting. Well stay aware, well staley involved. But we at all costs cannot start overreacteding. Reporter several Law Enforcement Officials Say the writer of both emails claiaid to be a High School Senior who was bullied and claimedo have an army of supporters who planted Pressure Cooker bombs and had assault rifles and pistols. The writer claimed to be a radical muslim but made mistakes in referring to islam, a phony threat, new york authorities concluded, because the same person could not be a student in two places at oncece the l. A. Schools chief made the decision and then consulted police, who Officials Say recommended against closing the schools. But there was a unanimous view about how serious the these are very high stakes. You know, were not making a decision about the color of a car or where were going to eat for dinner here. These are this is the safety of our children. There is no more imimrtant decision. Reporter how to respond in an era of terrorism, and when schools have been the scenes of mass shootings, has become a huge challenge. Schools are experiencing threats locally, from students, nonstudents, as well as s. W. A. T. Ing threats that send shock waves of panic throughout schools. Reporter investigators say syed farook might have been considering attraction on schools. Tonight the fbi is trying to figure out who sent the threats. Theyve been sent to an email Service Provider in the u. S. Thats been popular with on line pranksters. Pete williams in washington tonight, ank you. The candidates the final gop debate of the year. Nbcs Peter Alexander reports a highly anticipated showdown is expected on the vegas strip. Reporter the republican candidates are bracing for a freewheeling and fiery slugfest in tonights final debate of the year, the first with ted cruz at number 2, taking shots from donald trump. The Heated Campaign season boiling over as the trump show rolled into vegas overnight. We should have been doing that for the last seven years. I give him credit. Reporter trumps contentious rally repeatedly interrupted by protestors. In the five weeks since the candidates last shared the stage, the world has changed. Paris and San Bernardino fueling new concerns about terrorism and national security, igniting debates over Syrian Refugees and trumps on muslims entering the u. S. You have the radical islamic extremists, theyre pouring in. Reporter all of it reshaping the race, with contenders competing to show who is toughest. We will carpet bomb them into oblivion. A unique threat. Its not just foreigners coming into the u. S. Its homegrown extremists. Reporter that threat has exposed ben carsrss lack of Foreign Policy experience, despite this statement posted to facebook today. I sure hope we get a lot of questions about Foreign Affairs and national defense. If so, slam dunk. Reporter establishment favorite jeb bush may be setting a record for futility, with millions of dollars in tv ads but still only posting single digit supports. Chris christie has visited las vegas 50 looking to impress a national audience. The next republican date isnt until the middle of january, after the holidays. Just two weeks before the iowa caucus. Back to you,u, kate. Peter alexander out in vague as. As the republicans duke it out, Democratic Front runner Hillary Clinton detailed her own plains for the white house late today, specifically her strategy for taking on isis. As nbcs Andrea Mitchell reports, clinton saved some of her toughest talk for the republicans taking aim at her tonight. Reporter with fear of another San Bernardino or a parisstyle attack in the u. S. , now a top worry for americans, Hillary Clinton took on donald trump and the republicans for their rhetoric, accusing them of becoming a tool for isis recruitment. Promising to carpet bomb until the desert glows doesnt make you sound strong. It makes you sound like youre in over your head. To stop isis foil plots. Enlist Silicon Valley to stop online recruitment. Empower muslim communities on the front line. But while clinton likes to portray herself as a grown up bluster and bigotry are notot credentials for becoming commander in chief. Reporter critics say she too is vulnerable for policies in iraq, libya, and syria that helped spawn isis, and for failing to help counter islamic propaganda online. Plus the war in syria has complicated u. S. Plans. Defense secretary ash carter accused russia of bombing the antiassad rebels, not isis. There are those not working in the right direction. Obviously that includes russia. Reporter while john kerry in moscow tried to per swayed Vladimir Putin that to all of the civilized world. In a clear shot at president obama, Hillary Clinton also said its not enough to contain isis, as obama once said. She said isis has to be defeated. Back to you, kate. Andrea mitchell in washington. High drama in baltimore today. Jurors in the trial of the first of the Baltimore Police officers charged in the death of freddie gray told a judge t ty were deadlocked and could not reach a verdict. But the judge sent them back to deliberate further. Grays neck was broken after he was arrested and put in the back of a police van earlier this year. His death of course triggering days of protests and civil unrest. Officer William Porter is charged with manslaughter, among other crimes. He faces up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Another day of weather extremes across the nation. Records are being shattered but in very different ways. On opposite sides of the country, record breaking snow in the west, and record breaking high temperatures here in well hear more from nbcs dylan dreyer. Reporter this mornings commute in colorado a mess. Hundreds of flights cancelled. The same storm dumped nearly a foot of snow in parts of montana. And in salt lake city, more than 9 inches fell, more than all of last winter. In the east, the other extreme. Today, boston warmer than las vegas. And new york milder than phoenix. Here in central park, we reached a record high of 68 degreest 1 00 a. M. And its not just new york city breaking records in the middle of the night. Philadelphia hit 69 degrees. Wilmington, delaware, 68. And providence, rhode island reached 64 by 4 00 a. M. The weather extremes all thanks to a strong el nio. Although the seasonal forecast called for warmer than normal conditions through the wind for the northern u. S. , that doesnt mean on any given day we cant have a cold outbreak in winter storm. Reporter in vermont, 11 of the are open, a serious economic blow. Christmas is a really important holiday for us and its not looking so good. Reporter but for shoppers, warm temperatures are bringing the savings. At walmart, coats on sale for 80 f. A change in the jetstream will bring cooler temperatures to the northeast this weekend. By next week, the warmth will be back, just in time for the First Official day of winter. Dylan dreyer, nbc news, new york. Still ahead tonight, high tech hope for those diagnosed with brain cancer. The experimental device showing great promise that could give these patatnts something that want so badly more time. Also celebrities swear by it on tv but now hundreds say a popular hair care line has some terrible Side Technology empowers us to achieve more. It pushes us to go further. Special olympics has almost five million athletes in 170 countries. The microsoft clouddallows us to immediately be able to a aess information, wherever we are. To track their personal best. With microsoft cloud, we save millions of man hours, and thats time that we can invest in our athletes and changing the world. The flu virus hits big. With aches, chills, and fever, theres no such thing as a little flu. And it needs a big solution an antiviral. So when the flu hits, call your doctor right away and up the ante with antiviral tamiflu. Prescription tamiflu is an antiviral that attacks the flu virus at its source ananhelps stop it from spreadingngn the body. Tamiflu is fda approved to treat the flu ineople two weeks of age and older whose flu symptoms started within the last two days. Before taking tamiflu, tell your doctor if youre pregnant, nursing, have Serious Health conditions, or take other medicines. If you develop an allergic reaction, a severe rash, or signs of unusual behavior, stop taking tamiflu and call your doctor immediately. May be at an increased risk of seizures, confusiononor abnormal behavior. The most common side effects are mild to moderate naua and vomiting. Antilu . Go antiviral with tamiflu. Hey mcmellin you gellin . Im gellin and zinfandellin. And so is my new bride, helen mcmellin im so happy my eyes are wellin dr. Scholls massaging gel insoles are so soft they make yououfeet feelelutrageously comfortable. Im gellin youre so not gellin dr. Scholls did you know that Good Nutrition is critical for brain health . Brain food, hmmm. Ensure has b vitamins that help support brain health now thats smart nutrition. Ensures complete balanced nutrition has 26 vitamins and minerals and 9 grams of protein. Ensure. Take life in. You totaled d ur brand new car. Nobodys hurt, but there will still be pain. It comes when your Insurance Company says theyll only pay three quarters of what it takes to replace it. What are you supposed to do . Drive three quarters of a car . Now if you had Liberty Mutual new car replacement, i guess they dont want you driving around on three wheels. Smart. With Liberty Mutual new car replacement, well replace the full value of your car. See Car Insurance in a whole new light. Liberty mutual insurance. Were back with a promising advance in the battle against cancer. A device that uses electric waves to targetethe most aggressive type of brain cancer. Tonight, we meet a woman who hopes it can buy her more time with the people she loves. Nbcs Janet Shamlian has the first part of our special serious of reports target cancer chasing a cure. Eporter amy has gotten used to her new headgear which she sometimes covers with a hat or wig. Diagnosed with glioblastoma, shes trying a new treatment for those with the deadliest form of brain ncer. It sends electric wawas to the brain, preventing cancer cells from multiplying. Its worn almost round the clock and is used with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. It cant cure patients like amy. But the study shows it can add five precious months to their lives. This is the firir Clinical Trial in a decade to lengthen the lives of patients with glioblastoma. We do expect now that it has been fda approved that the use will be more frequent anddore widespread. This is always connected to the wires. Reporter amy has been wearing the cap and battery pack since october. Its doing its job while the 41yearold does hers. You did your check, reporter teaching math to middle schoolers in rochester, new york. I feel truly blessed that technology and treatments are growing every day, and that i have an opportunity to beat cancer. Reporter the device is expensive, as much as 20,000 a month. And yet priceless. Prolonging life. The mri. Reporter after a devastating diagnosis. Janet shamlian, nbc news, new york. Tomorrow in our ries we go inside loss alamos to see how the Top Secret Nuclear weapons lab came forefront of groundbreaking research that could change the fight against cancer. Were back in a moment with a state of emergency declared in a toxin. If you could see your cough, its just a cough. Youd see how often you cough all day and so would everyone else. New robitussin 12 hour delivers fast, powerful cough relief that lasts up to twelve hours. New robitussin 12 hour cough relief. 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If you have high Blood Pressure like i do, many Cold Medicines may raise your Blood Pressure. Thats why theres coricidin hbp. It relieves cold symptoms without raising Blood Pressure. So look for powerful Cold Medicine with a heart. Coricidin hbp. Phil oh no. under his breath hey man hey peter. unenthusiastic oh. Ha ha ha joanne . Is that you . Its me. You dont look a day over 70. Am i right . Jingle jingle. If youre peter pan, its what you do. If you want to save fifteen percent or more on Car Insurance, you switch to geico. You make me feel so young. Its what you do. You make me feel so spring has sprung. A state of emergency has been declared in flint, michigan, after high levels of l l were found in childrens blood. The mayor calls it, disaster. He blames lead contamination in the with regard to supply after a cost cutting decision last year to switch from using detroits system to using the flint river. That decision was reversed in october. People there are warned not to drink unfiltered tap water. A Class Action Lawsuit has now been filed over a popular hair care line that so many people use. Many youve seen those commercials on tv featuring celebrityies for wen hair care. As Stephanie Gosk reports, hundreds report wen products have a startling sidee effect hair loss. Reporter the promises are bold. Get beautiful, healthy hair with wen, created by hollywood stylestist chaz dean. But customers are saying its a nightmare. Their hair is f fling a class actioio suit against the stylist and the Marketing Company accuses the company of not warning customers that the products contain an ingredient or combination of ingredients that cause significant hair loss. Now testimonials like these are popping up. My hair is coming out. Reporter nbc news could not verifyy the claims. In a statement, the company says it will vigorously fight the allegations, writing in part, there is no Scientific Evidence whatsoever to support any claim that our hair Care Products caused anyone to lose their hair. There are many reasons why individuals may lose their hair, all unrelated to wen hair Care Products. Today both sides say they are working towards a settlement. Lets face it. If youre having a bad hair day, its a bad day. Reporter for wen and some of its customers, this may be the worst day imaginable. Stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york. When we come back, a fond farewell to a has been a f fend of generations of nbc watching footbtbl together is greaea. But i think women would agree. Huddling with their man after the game is nice too. The thing is, about half of men over 40 have some degree of erectile dysfunction. Well, viagra helps guys with ed get and keep an erection. Ask your doctor if your heart is healthy enough for sex. Do not take viagra if you take nitrates for chest pain or adempas for pulmonary hypertension. Your Blood Pressure could drop to an unsafe level. To avoid longterm injury, seek immediate medical help for an erection lasting more than four hours. Stop taking viagra and call your doctor right away if you experience a sudden decrease or loss in vision or hearing. Ask your doctor about viagra. Available ininingle packs. [ coughing ] [ sneezing ] a cold can make you miserable. Luckily, alka seltzer plus cold and cough liquid gels. Rush liquid fast relief to your tough cold symptoms. Fast, powerful liquid gels think k ur heartburn pill works fast . Take t t zantac it challenge zantac woror in as little as 30 minutes. Nexium can take 24 hours. When heartburn strikes, take zantac for faster relief than nexium or your money back. Take the zantac it challenge. Did you know that Good Nutrition is critical for brain health . Brain food, hmmm. Ensure has b vitamins that help support brain health now thths smart nutrition. Enenres complete balanced nutrition has 26 vitamins and minerals and 9 grams of protein. Ensure. Take life in. At planters we know how to throw a remarkable holiday party. Just serve classy snacks and be a gracious host, no matter who shows up. Do you like nuts . Dave, im sorry to interrupt. I gotta take a sick day tomorrow. Dads dont take sick days, dads take nyquil severe the nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, we live in a world of mobile technology, but it is not the device that is mobile, it is you. Real madrid have about 450 million fans. Were trying t give them all the feeling of being at the stadium. The microsoft cloud gives us the scalability to communicate exactly the content that people want to see. It will help people connect to their passion of living real madrid. To help traffic roll past railroad crossings. A potential price break for drivers issued certain speeding tickets in sioux city. And a top democrat stumps for suppppt for one president iti candidat finally tonight, the end of an era here at nbc news, and for millions of viewers who have welcomed Willard Scott into decades on the today show, delivering the weather and more than a few laughs, and so many birthday wishes. Tonight we are wishing him the best as he sets off on a welldeserved retirement. Nbcs harry smith looks back. Good morning, willie. Im singing to my jane while standing in the rain. Reporter Willard Scott was born to be a broadcaster. During 35 years on the today show, he wore many hats and never failed to deliver a smile. At 16 he was an nbc page in washington, dc. We are the joy boys reporter and became a partner in the best radio show ththe, and was even the first ronald mcdonald. Then the today show called. Willard scott joining the today family for the first time. Reporter overnight Willard Scott became a household name. At the water cooler, america would say, Willard Scott did today . We watched willard have fun across the country and around the world. I think im a good representative for Middle America on this program. Im the kind of everyman. Reporter an everyman who could stop an inaugural parade. He could even stop a jogging president. Could you believe this . Reporter and in n the next breath wish happy birthday or happy anniversary to folks who had earned it. At the today show, he was a friend to all and more than a mentor to al roker. If i had not had the blessing of meeting Willard Scott, then i wouldnt be doing this today. Hes been like a father to me. Reporter this morning the today crewewished happy trai toheir retiring friend. Im going over yonder. Where is yonder . Over here. Reporter a for all seasons. Harry smith, nbc, new york. Wishing willard all the very best. That will doot for us on this tuesday fight. Im kate snow. For all of us at nbc news, thanks for watching have a great night. Im sheila brummer. Matt breen hashe night off. Sioux city is trying to make it easier to navigate rail traffic through town. Last week we told you about a proposed plan is to build a viaduct over 18th street. It would begin at floyd boulevard and end east of the intersection of 18th street and steuben street. Once the viaduct is completed, the existing crossing would permanently close. The 11th street crossing would could also be closed, which is causing controversy among business owners. Ktivs tommie clark visited those owners and has more would affect them