Search for survivors. A week after helene made landfall, the growing desperation. The deaths from the storm soaring beyond 200. Inside the urgent mission to deliver relief to cutoff communities. And our interview with the administrator of fema. Is aid flowing fast enough . And just in, the verdict in the federal trial of three former Memphis Police officers in the Beating Death of Tyre Nichols. The controversy for a New York republican congressman. A Photo Servicing of him in black face for halloween nearly two decades ago. Kamala harris responding in battleground, wisconsin with Liz Cheney, the former Republican Congresswoman and fierce critic of Donald Trump, as the former president hits the trail in another key swing state. Plus, his wife, Melania Trump, coming out in support of Abortion Rights. Her dramatic break from her husband. Our report on the Texas Death Row inmate, convicted in the shaken Baby Death of his daughter. But was it based on outdated science . Did you harm your daughter, nicky . No, sir, i did not harm my daughter. The fight to stop his execution. And our Nations Capital has about 700 park, and he is on a mission to visit every last one. Announcer this is Nbc Nightly News with lester holt. Good evening and welcome. Misery and still more loss in the southeast almost a full week after Hurricane Helene swept through the region, causing the catastrophic flooding that ripped apart so many communities. At least 215 people are now reported dead in six states, and that number is almost certain to rise. Helene now the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland United States since katrina almost two decades ago. Rescues still going on almost seven days later. Sam brock is following this still unfolding tragedy from asheville, north carolina. And sam, so many people are still unaccounted for. Reporter yeah, lester, that was the real revelation right now. Buncombe county saying that figure went from 4 yesterday to 200 tonight. But with homes and debris on the road like the ones behind me, and the communication gap, its a figure that is constantly fluctuating. Almost seven days after Hurricane Helene battered large stretches of the south, the search for those unaccounted for continues as new stories of survival come to light. The water rose so fast and got so strong that i just had to grab a post and hold on. Reporter the devastating Death Totals only expected to grow. So far at least 215 fatalities now confirmed across six different states. From floridas pinellas county, with around a dozen drownings, so georgias statewide suffering recording more than 30 fatalities. Then there is north carolina, where more than 100 have died. And searchandrescue efforts have taken some miraculous turns. Former Nascar Driver Greg biffle using a private helicopter to deliver supplies, spotting a stranded survivor only because he was hoisting a mirror. Also in the mountains, employees of skyfire Ai Firing up their drone and showing us how they work with governments and even private companies to locate the missing. Aid for local Law Enforcement to help Search And Rescue, to help find routes to better get aid in and out. Reporter we take a Birdseye View of the destruction in burnsville, north carolina, an hour outside of asheville. Is this the area theyve been searching . There has been a lot of Search And Rescue in this area. I know its been very difficult for them to get up here. This is one of the areas theyre saying still needs a lot of supplies to get moved in. Reporter on this day, choppers, likely med evacs, fly overhead as the Skyfire Team shows us roads that have been buckled, broken, and chopped off. All the while families wait. Weve had conversations with people who havent seen their Loved Ones in a week, and thats completely heartbreaking. Reporter their efforts even helping companies like cvs who determine Road And Bridge status so they can get medications to patients in need quickly and search for several employees who were unaccounted for following the storm. The damage on the ground in this case an Access Bridge by a local quarry thats all but gone indicative of the challenges that lie ahead for restoring infrastructure like water. Swannanoa Fire Chief addressing it. There arent words to describe it. I dont know how long this is going to take. Reporter for so many tonight, the road is long but their mere survival is something to celebrate. The front door pushed in. It pushed in the back door. From 30 seconds it went from the ground to neck level. Reporter sam brock, Nbc News, asheville, north carolina. Now is dee anne criswell, Fema Administrator. Joining me now is deanne criswell, Fema Administrator. Administrator criswell, thank you for being with us. I know you were back in the air in a chopper today. Are you seeing places that you simply cant get to on the ground still . Lester, we are. Were seeing communities that are still isolated and having a difficult time getting commodities. Talking to local officials and hearing about how theyre getting Food And Water up into some of these more isolated parts of their communities. But were seeing everybody come together. Local, state, federal, nonprofit, private sector really coming together to make a difference. As the lead Federal Agency on the ground there, whats the order of priority right now . It is still life safety. There is a lot of Search And Rescue teams here on the ground. We want to make sure were getting them into the communities. The next one is the commodity delivery. Keeping that flow of commodities moving into the communities, making sure were reaching people that perhaps havent been reached yet. And then the next Big One is going to be the water restoration. Once we can get that water restored, we know a lot of people are going to be able to start their recovery process. You mentioned a search mention. A Recovery Mission right now. Are you accounting for those . We have not heard from since the beginning of all this. Thats the big focus for the state and all the local officials here is making sure that they do account for everybody. And so theyre still searching and trying to make sure weve reached everybody. We hope to find more and reunite those who havent been accounted for with their Loved Ones. Let me quickly ask you about what people should expect from fema right now. You know there is frustration. Whats your response . Weve been moving commodities, people, resources into these areas since before the storm hit. We are going to continue to bring those resources in, listening to the local officials. One of the reasons im here, so i can see firsthand whats needed. And people should know that we are going to be here until every person has everything they need. All right, deanne criswell, the Fema Administrator earlier today. And just in tonight, the Split Verdict in the federal trial in the police Beating Death of Tyre Nichols during a Traffic Stop in 2023. Rehema ellis is with us. Rehema, tell us what happened in court. Lester, it was just moments ago the verdicts came down for three former Memphis Police officers accused of federal civil rights violations in the case of Tyre Nichols. The case stems from a Traffic Stop last year. Police approached nichols for reckless driving, according to a statement from the Memphis Police department. Officers say nichols tried to run away, and then a, quote, confrontation occurred. The 29yearold died a few days later. The three former officers were among the five fired after last years beating, which sparked a national outcry. In todays verdict, all three were convicted of charges of witness tampering. Demetrius haley was guilty on four of six charges, including a lesser count involving bodily injury. Lester . Rehema ellis, thank you. Turn to a story just breaking, a controversy involving new York Congressman Mike Lawler shown in a photo in black face wearing a Michael Jackson Costume two decades ago. Hallie jackson is following this. Halle, lawler already responding this evening . Yeah, lester, he is. He is not denying the authenticity of the photo which was obtained by the New York times. He says it happened at a College Halloween Party in 2006. He was 20 years old. The times Reports Lawler was wellknown on campus as a big fan of jackson. Lawler telling Nbc News tonight, and im quoting here, my costume was intended as the sincerest form of lattery. For anyone who takes offense of the photo, he adds, i am sorry. Lawler seen as a rising Republican Star in Deep Blue New York with his House Race one of the most closely watched in the country, key to gop chances of Keeping Control of the chamber. Lawlers democratic opponent has not yet commented. Lester . Hallie jackson, thank you. Now to the race for president with former President Trump speaking on the economy in Battleground Michigan today, while Vice President harris is in wisconsin with a prominent republican, former congresswoman Liz Cheney. Here is gabe gutierrez. Reporter she was once one of the most conservative members of congress, but tonight Liz Cheney is standing alongside Vice President harris. This year i am proudly casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris. Reporter the Vice President campaigning today in ripon, wisconsin, the birthplace of the republican party back in 1854. He, who violated the oath to uphold the constitution of the United States of america. And make no mistake, who, if given the chance, would violate it again. Meanwhile, former President Trump slamming Yesterdays Release by a judge of new evidence from special Counsel Jack Smith in the now delayed January 6th case, including trump allegedly responding so what to reports Mike Pence was in danger. This was a weaponization of government, and thats why it was released 30 days before the election. There is nothing new in there. Reporter Trump Today in Battleground Michigan blaming harris for the ongoing Port Strike that is threatening to raise prices. Kamala harris has unleashed Nothing But Chaos and suffering for american labor with historic inflation. Shes made life excruciating for the Blue Collar workers. Reporter here in battleground wisconsin, trump supporters we spoke to are deeply skeptical of cheney, who lost her race in a landslide. Do you think Liz Cheney speaks for the republican party . No. Absolutely not. Reporter but jerry eiler, who once voted for trump, now backs harris. Did Donald Trump drive you away from the republican party . Absolutely. Im totally disillusioned with the way the Maga Group has gone and all the people who stand there and like pretend his lies are truth. Reporter while harris has received the most support from organized labor, earlier today the International Association Of Firefighters voted not to endorse any candidate. Thats seen as a blow to harris just weeks after the Teamsters Union did the same. Lester . All right, gabe, thanks very much. There is Breaking News on the dockworkers strike that has shut down major ports along the East And Gulf coasts. Lets bring in Tom Costello. Tom, what do we know . Breaking in the last few minutes. The 45,000 longshoremen have agreed to suspend their strike because the maritime alliance, essentially the employers have agreed to now a 62 pay hike, up from their first offer of 50 . So theyre suspending the strike until midjanuary. And that means there should be little to no disruption on getting goods to store shelves. And this now will end well before the election. Lester . All right, Tom Costello with that Breaking News, thank you. In 60 seconds, Melania Trumps defense of abortion Melania Trumps defense of Abortion Rights, break in if youre living with hiv, imagine being good to go without Daily Hiv pills. Good to go off the grid. Good to go nonstop. With cabenuva, theres no pausing for Daily Hiv pills. For adults who are undetectable, cabenuva is the only complete, longacting Hiv Treatment you can get every other month. Its two injections from a healthcare provider. Just 6 times a year. Dont receive cabenuva if youre allergic to its ingredients or if youre taking certain medicines which may interact with cabenuva. Serious Side Effects include allergic reactions, postinjection reactions, liver problems, and depression. If you have a rash and other allergic reaction symptoms, stop cabenuva and get medical help right away. Tell your doctor if you have Liver Or Kidney problems, mental health concerns, and if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or considering pregnancy. Some of the most common Side Effects include injectionsite reactions, fever, and tiredness. With cabenuva, youre good to go. Ask your doctor about switching. There is a divide between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump on Abortion Rights, and now Melania Trump is weighing in. Here is garrett haake. Reporter tonight the Trump Family A House Divided on the issue of Abortion Rights. Former first lady Melania Trump defending them in an unreleased memoir writing, quote, restricting a womans right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body. According to a Guardian Report unconfirmed by Nbc News. And mrs. Trump posting today there is no room for compromise when it comes to these essential rights that all women possess from birth, individual freedom. Reporter her position in stark contrast to that of her husband, the republican president ial nominee, who opposes federal Abortion Rights while supporting exceptions for rape, incest and if the Mothers Life is in danger, saying restrictions should be left to the states. Former President Trump regularly boasting about the repeal of roe v. Wade, falsely claiming majorities supported that decision. Democrats, republicans, and everybody else, and every legal scholar wanted it to be brought back into the states. Reporter despite the their disagreement on Abortion Rights, Melania Trump remains a strong supporter of her husband who spoke out late tonight. We spoke about it. And i said you have to write what you believe. Im not going to tell you what to do. You have to write what you believe. You have to stick with your heart. Ive said that to everybody. Reporter but tonight the Harris Campaign highlighting the split between the trumps, releasing a statement that reads in part, sadly for the women across america, mrs. Trumps husband firmly disagrees with her, and blaming former President Trump for Abortion Restrictions in republicanled states, saying it, quote, threatens their health, their freedom and their lives. Garrett haake, Nbc News, saginaw, michigan. Next up for us tonight, a man on Death Row who would be the first to be executed for a conviction tied to shaken baby syndrome. Now the Lead Detective says a Grave Injustice was done. Silly woo hey try new robitussin soft chews. Packed with the power of robitussin. In every bite. Easy to take cough relief, anywhere. Chew on relief, Chew On A Robitussin heres to getting better with age. Heres to beating these two every thursday. Help Fuel Today with boost high protein, complete nutrition you need, and the flavor you love. So, heres to now. 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