From nbc news World Headquarters in new york this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. After further review there is a scientific explanation for those underinflated footballs the new England Patriots used in last weeks playoff victory over indianapolis. Coach Bill Belichick who after claiming to know nothing about the controversy during a thursday News Conference unexpectedly went before the cameras again this afternoon, this time with a lot to say about what the team discovered in its own tests and how those footballs likely ended up the way they did. Nbcs Kristen Welker is following todays Surprising New developments in the saga. Reporter a defiant patriots coach Bill Belichick known for his distaste for facing the press said he had to speak out today to set the record straight. I believe now 100 that i have personally and we have as an organization have absolutely followed every rule to the letter. Reporter the team has under fire for the controversy known as deflategate, allegations the patriots knowingly used underinflated footballs which some find easier to handle in last sundays victory against the indianapolis colts. Today Bill Belichick said the culprit was the weather, not his team. We all know that air pressure is function of the atmospheric conditions. Reporter at issue, reports 11 of the 12 game balls were underinflated below the 12. 5 pounds per square inch or psi allowed. Today Bill Belichicks team simulated the exact conditions in which temperatures at times hovered around the 40s. The result. We found once the footballs were on the field over an extended period of time in other words they were adjusted to the climatic conditions that they were down approximately 1. 5 pounds per square inch. Reporter in a telephone interview, tim gay, a physics professor at the university of nebraska said its plausible. A drop in temperature can result in a drop in temperature. If we use the basic laws of physics, thats completely consistent with a deflation of as much as three pounds. Reporter the patriots have consistently insisted they havent done anything wrong. On thursday Quarterback Tom Brady faced tough questions. Is tom brady a cheater . I dont believe so. Reporter as the nfl conducts its own investigation, belichick made it clear hes done talking for now. Im embarrassed the talk about the amount of time that ive put into this relative to the other important challenge in front of us. Reporter that challenge, the super bowl now just one week away. Kristen welker nbc news washington. Millions of people in the northeast part of the country woke up this morning to the biggest snowstorm of the season. And all that comes with it. Car accidents, Power Outages and big air travel delays. And its looking like theres more to come for the start of the workweek. We have two reports beginning with Kristen Dahlgren who has been driving to the storm all day and joins us now from New Hampshire. Kristen, good evening. Reporter good evening, lester. After a sometimes harrowing day on the road we were able to make it all the way from new jersey to here in New Hampshire where you can see some of these backroads still covered in snow. The snow here has slowed but that just means the cleanup is under way. The fast moving storm pushed across the northeast today blanketing towns from pennsylvania to massachusetts. Im ready, you know. Ive lived in new england all my life. Its not any different. Reporter in secaucus new jersey a snowplow driver was injured when the top deck of a parking garage he was clearing collapsed. Officials are trying to determine if the weight of the snow and plow may have been a factor. In massachusetts nearly 3,000 salt trucks and plows were out on the roads. Icy conditions caused this box truck to overturn near southboro, slowing traffic to a crawl. Slick roads caused some drivers to spin out. Early this morning we set out on our journey in stanhope new jersey where four inches of snow had already fallen. It really is a mess out here. You can see our point of view what im seeing is im driving here. When we met plow driver Richard George hed already been at it for hours. The trucks been sitting and ready all winter. Reporter by afternoon more than 160 accidents were reported across new jersey. Along our route we passed through six states hitting slippery sleet along the way. About 1 30 we crossed over into massachusetts. Theyre not moving snow anymore, but they still are dropping salt and sand on the roads trying to keep things from freezing and getting really dangerous. This is the same system that swept across parts of the southeast earlier this week dumping snow in texas and new mexico. And leaving a trail of ice in places like boone, north carolina. The storm impacting travelers across the country. At airports more than 1,600 delays and 300 canceled flights, mostly in the northeast. Frustrating for some but for others like joe candella, the snow is a welcome sight. Its been pretty mundane. This is hopefully the start of future snowstorms. Reporter be careful what you wish for, joe. Even as people here lester are digging out, everybodys already watching to see whats next. Back to you. All right, kristen, safe travels to you and your team. For more on where this storm is headed and whats coming next lets bring in Weather Channel meteorologist mike seidel in andover, massachusetts for us. Mike. Reporter good evening, lester. This storm is heading out and winding down this evening, then our attention turns to the next one which could impact millions by monday night and tuesday. Take a look. It starts off as what we call an alberta clipper. Its a clipper because it moves fast. There it goes across the midwest sunday into the midatlantic and off the coast where it transitions into a noreaster later monday and tuesday fired up by the jet stream wind energy. The clipper itself wont have much moisture to work with so were not looking at big totals. Mostly one to three inches from chicago into d. C. But the timing for washington is not good. Monday mornings rush hour. Then the storm blows up along the coast monday night and tuesday. Heavy snow. And many of you could be digging out of a foot or more of snow from philly to new york city to boston. And this will have colder temperatures and more wind increasing impact as we head through the first of the week. Lester. Mike seidel thank you. F16 fighter jets scrambled to two passenger planes at atlantas airport. Following what was a credible bomb threat. Both planes landed safely and were evacuated. Bomb squads and canine units were sent in to search the planes. The fbi is investigating the matter. Tonight, isis has taken another one of its captives this time a japanese hostage. Our chief Foreign CorrespondentRichard Engel joins us from istanbul tonight. Richard, good evening. Reporter good evening, lester. The japanese government hasnt authenticated the latest video from isis but its demand shows the legacy of the iraq war is far from over. Isis seems to be changing the style of its hostage videos. This time the group posted a picture of japanese freelance journalist holding what appears to be a photograph of his fellow japanese hostage beheaded. In an audio message that accompanied the photograph, goto says hell be next. His mother recognized his voice. His face looked extremely nervous, she says. I think he feels gravely about what is to come. This is no time to be optimistic. But isis isnt asking for money anymore. Its dropping a 200 million ransom that japan wasnt paying anyway. Instead, isis now wants her. Shes a failed suicide bomber whos been held in jordan for years. Demanding her release makes it abundantly clear that isis although it may seem new goes right back to the american war in iraq. Back in 2005 her husband stormed into a Wedding Party at a hotel in aman jordan blew up a bomb and killed nearly 40 people. The assassin was send by al zarkawi, americas number one enemy in iraq at the time. Her vest didnt go off and she was arrested. Isis leadership hasnt forgotten about her because they are also disciples of zarkawi eventually killed by american air strike. In fact u. S. Military officials tell nbc news that nearly all of isis most Senior Leaders are iraqis and that 70 of them including al baghdadi were once held. For isis the iraq war never ended. They simply moved to the chaos of syria, metastisized and are still fighting still making demands. Isis has been open to prisoner swaps in the past. It exchanged some of its prisoners for turkish hostages. But its unclear if a prison swap will happen in this case. The number of measles cases linked to the disneyland theme park continues to grow. With it the outbreak is reigniting the debate over vaccinations. Now one of the nations top medical organizations is weighing in and issuing a new call to parents. Nbcs Hallie Jackson has our report tonight. Reporter the Measles Outbreak that started at the happiest place on earth is spreading to more places with four new cases reported in arizona, in addition to those in six other states and mexico. More than 60 confirmed cases believed to be linked to two disney theme parks in southern california. The disease can cause complications or even death. One out of 20 will develop pneumonia, which can be life threatening and certainly its a cause for concern. Reporter the highly contagious virus can spread fast among people who have not been vaccinated. When fiona stones son had a medical situation and could not get the measles shot she relied on others having the immunity. My personal feeling is for everyone to have their child vaccinated. Reporter but the latest outbreak has once again put a spotlight on those who dont vaccinate. Some get measles vaccine and have no problem. Other people have complications and Severe Health problems from use of measles vaccines. Reporter still, most Doctors Point to studies showing the measles shot is safe and serious complications rare. The American Academy of pediatrics is urging parents to vaccinate their children saying a vacation to an Amusement Park or trip to grocery store, Football Game or school should not result in children becoming sickened by an almost 100 preventable disease. Use common sense. If youre concerned about going to a particular place and your childs not protected, get protected. Reporter the best way to stop measles in its tracks before it spreads even more. Hallie jackson nbc news, los angeles. Less than a month into 2015 but for the gop all eyes are on the 2016 president ial race. Today, some of the biggest names in republican politics descended on iowa in hopes of winning support among the partys conservative base. Nbcs Kelly Odonnell has our report tonight from des moines iowa. Reporter hundreds of iowa conservatives lined up early to kick off a republican search party. Todays summit begins the 2016 iowa caucus season. Reporter billed as the iowa freedom summit, a showcase of potential candidates brought together by iowas outspoken congressman steve king. Do you believe that the next president of the United States is going to be speaking from this stage to you today . Reporter an allday rally of conservative personalities Like Tea Party favorite ted cruz. If you say you oppose the president s unconstitutional executive amnesty, show me where you stood up and fought. Reporter to a newer voice, neurosurgeon ben carson. We cannot allow the progressives to shut us up through political correctness. Reporter with sleeves rolled up Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker sounded like hes already in. Im hopeful to Work Together with you to help us provide that kind of leadership that is new and fresh and bold and aggressive thats been proven. Reporter showman more than candidate donald trump used a News Conference and the stage to try to preemptively fire mitt romney and jeb bush from the race. So you cant have romney he choked. You cant have bush reporter neither romney nor bush was here today, but bush hinted at his plans in california friday night. Im seriously considering the possibility of running. Reporter Chris Christie came to claim that he and his record are conservative enough for iowa republicans. Thank you very much. Reporter and Texas Governor rick perry told this iowa crowd he is looking at 2016. Perry was briefly interrupted by protesters who shouted him down upset about conservatives use that disagree with the president s reforms for immigration. Lester. Kelly thanks. Tomorrow on meet the press chuck todd will speak with yet another potential 2016 candidate former governor mike huckabee. When nbc nightly news continues on this saturday a piece of meet the worlds newest Energy Superpower. Surprised . In fact, america is now the worlds number one natural gas producer. And we could soon become number one in oil. Because Hydraulic Fracturing Technology is safely recovering lots more oil and natural gas. Supporting millions of new jobs. Billions in tax revenue. And a new century of American Energy security. The new Energy Superpower . Its red, white and blue. Log on to learn more. 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. 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You ride a harley you feel you are owner of the world. You enjoy every moment. Reporter nowhere will you find a prouder owner of a harley davidson. Before the revolution there were thousands of hogs on the island. Now just a few hundred. So how does a distinctly american brand survive for more than half a century here in castros cuba . Ingenuity. They called themselves harleyistas motorcycle lovers gathering for years showing off their rides from the 40s and 50s in a country long ago shunned them as symbols of american imperialism. Owning harley is like an art. Reporter an art almost lost. The trade embargo solved the import of harleys and their replacement parts. This is a german spe dom ter and this part is russian . Yeah. Reporter he saved up ten years to buy his dream ride. So youre basically jerry rigging this thing. Yeah. These kind of bike are classic. Okay after 70 years this bike running well. Thats amazing. Reporter now on the streets of havana as cuba and the u. S. Struggle to overcome decades of mistrust there is new hope. And for Louis Gonzalez. Its your dream to open a shop here in havana . Yes. Reporter its a dream that means much more than spare parts. When you have a harley your harley is part of the family too. Reporter an addiction he says that allows him to feel free. And in cuba that may be the most sought after ride of all. Gabe gutierrez, nbc news havana. When we come back remembering a legend. A man you get sick you cant breathe through your nose suddenly, youre a mouth breather. A mouth breather well, put on a breathe right strip and shut your mouth. Cold medicines open your nose over time, but add a breathe right strip and pow, it opens your nose up to 38 more. So you can breathe and do the one thing you want to do sleep. Add breathe right to your Cold Medicine shut your mouth and sleep right. Breathe right. And look for the calming scent of new breathe right lavender in the sleep aisle. 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I have bayer aspirin. Im not having a heart attack, its my back. I mean bayer back body. It works great for pain. Bayer back body provides effective relief for your tough pain. Better . Yeah. Thanks for the tip baseball has lost one of its gems. Hall of famer ernie banks whose passion for americas pastime and his beloved cubs was nothing short of. Mr. Cub symbolized the hopes and perseverance of long suffering chicago fans. We get more tonight from nbcs janet shamlian. Reporter the name synonymous with the team he played for, ernie banks and the chicago cubs. A windy city institution, a power slugger who belted in 529 homers over a 19year run. He did it ernie banks got number 500 sunshine. Fresh air. We got the team behind us. So lets play too. Reporter that line lets play too, became his signature. An expression of the eternal optimism one must have to cheer for the cubs. Despite the awards hall of famer, 11time allstar and the National Leagues mvp two years running, ernie banks never played one game in the post season. The cubs infamous championship drought is the longest in major league baseball. After starting in the negro League Number 14 came to chicago in 1953 as a shortstop in the teams first africanamerican player. He never suited up for anyone but the cubs. Two years ago banks received the nations highest civilian honor, the president ial medal of freedom. And today president obama famously a Chicago White sox fan said this about ernie banks. Somewhere the sun is shining, the air is fresh, his teams behind him and mr. Class, mr. Cub, is ready to play too. Even as a team ernie banks never left home. Forever endearing him to his fans. Janet shamlian nbc news houston. Up here. And the wolf was huffing and puffing. Kind of like you sometimes, grandpa. Well, when you have copd it can be hard to breathe. 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If you cant afford your medication, astrazeneca may be able to help. What makes thermacare different . Two words it heals. How . With heat. Unlike creams and rubs that mask the pain, thermacare has patented heat cells that penetrate deep to increase circulation and accelerate healing. Lets review heat, plus relief, plus healing, equals thermacare. The proof that it heals is you. Meet the worlds newest Energy Superpower. Surprised . In fact, america is now the worlds number one natural gas producer. And we could soon become number one in oil. Because Hydraulic Fracturing Technology is safely recovering lots more oil and natural gas. Supporting millions of new jobs. Billions in tax revenue. And a new century of American Energy security. The new Energy Superpower . Its red, white and blue. Log on to learn more. I have the flu with a runny nose. [coughs] better take something. Theraflu severe cold wont treat your runny nose. Really . Alkaseltzer severe cold and flu relieves your worst flu symptoms plus runny nose. [breath of relief] oh, what a relief it is. Mommy hey [rob] so weve had a tempurpedic for awhile, but now that we have the adjustable base, its even better. [evie] i go up. Heeeeyyy. [alex] when i put my feet up on this bed my stress just goes away. [announcer] visit your local retailer and discover how tempurpedic can move you. Finally tonight, its been part of americas Popular Culture for decades, the airstreamed travel trailer. Lately it seems like they cant make enough of them. Heres nbcs kevin tibbles. Reporter this is the sound of an American Dream being built one rivet at a time. Something about that kind of crafted american authenticity hand built that people respond to. Reporter for more than 80 years the airstream has been synonymous with adventure and style. Devotees even hold rallies in the far regions of the world. But the real heart of an airstream beats here in middle america, Tiny Jackson Center ohio where these days they cant make enough of them. Here they say a sure sign the economy is taking a turn for the good is when these sleek, silver american icons start rolling off the line and people are lined up to own one. From the molding of the aircraft Grade Aluminum to the construction outfitting the interior each trailer is an immediately recognizable work of industrial art. Making Phyllis Richardson and her teammates proud. Theres none other that has the quality of it so we consider that a legend. I do. I do. Like it started yesterday. Reporter this trio of craftsmen have worked here a combined 148 years. And they know their customer. When they reach that retirement age, they want to get out and experience life and travel and see the world. But you get up in the morning and you want to go down the road you go down the road. You want to stay another day where youre at stay there. But its just living life. Reporter low gas prices, recovering economy and baby boomers retiring has helped production jump to 50 trailers a week. The plant is expanding to get that number to 75. When people feel confident enough to go to rv shows and plunk down 20, 30 50 70,000 on an rv they have to be feeling pretty good about their economic future. Reporter rolling off the line a gleaming symbol of the open road. Just bring your map and a dream. Kevin tibbles, nbc news Jackson Center ohio. Thats nbc nightly news for this saturday. Im lester holt reporting from new york. Ill see you tomorrow morning on today and right back here tomorrow evening. Have a good night everyone. Our indepth interview is the american sniper widow. Hi everybody. Welcome to access hollywood, weekend edition. So much criticism directed towards american sniper charge it with glorifying a killer and now in an exclusive interview with access hollywood, chris widow reveals the hero she knew and the message she gave Bradley Cooper shortly before he died. I know when he talked to bradley he said you know you will do great. Only one thing. When you come to texas i have to tie you up in the back of my truck and knock some of the pretty off out of. Bradley laughed of course. Reporter as chris widow explains, chris and bradley only had one conversation before chris died. Allegedly murdered by a vet with ptsd in 2013. It was a tragic end to a complicated life in which chris served 4 tour of duty and was called the deadliest sniper in u. S. History. Chris had such a baby face and he got carded for alcohol until he was 29 years old. Through his time in serving he had a harder look with him. His temper was a littl short fused. A little more withdrawn sometimes. I guess i just need a minute i guess i just need a minute. Reporter american sniper portray a mental change the