Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news with brian williams. Good evening. And on this eve of christmas eve, the weather is making news with so Many Americans on the move. Because of this, the mass of weather east of the rockies to the eastern seaboard, its going to be a mess for so many. And as of tonight its turned violent. Weve had twisters on the ground with watches and warnings in place through 11 00 p. M. Tonight. Theres a lot to this system, and its going to affect well over half the nations population before its out of here after christmas. Its already impacted air travel. There are reports of fatalities as a result of these tornadoes. We begin tonight with nbcs tom costello. Reporter it was a rare december tornado touching down in southern mississippi, moving right through the town of columbia, knocking out power to thousands, flipping over vehicles and damaging dozens of homes and businesses. We had reports of debris falling out of the sky. Reporter this weather chaser is there. The trees were all completely snapped. Buildings completely destroyed. Ambulances flipped on top of another car. Reporter tonight the Marion CountyGeneral Hospital is without power and transferring patients to other hospitals. All part of a massive weather system that brought tornadoes to louisiana and torrential rains to tallahassee. The delays have been building all day. The flight aware misery map showing the eastern and southern cities with the most red. The same airports expected to get even worse as a bigger storm moves in tomorrow. Our dallas flights delayed, so i think we might be in danger of missing our connection to palm springs. Reporter at new Yorks Laguardia airport, an aircraft fender bender only complicated a foggy wet day. The wing tip of a southwest 737 torn off after hitting the tail of an american 737. No injuries. While in chicago, a winter storm watch starts tomorrow. You just get on the plane and you just hope that you land where youre supposed to be going. Reporter it was only a few weeks ago when a tsa staffing foulup led to impossibly long security lines at midway airport. Today the tsa chief promised hes fixed that problem. It was a mistake that was made. I have high confidence that that will not be repeated anyplace across the 450 airports where tsa provides security. Reporter but this week its the weather that seems determined to slow down travelers. Already today weve had more than 4700 delays, but tomorrows going to be the big problem day. Every major hub in the east and the south likely to be affected. Christmas eve travel could be really difficult. Tom costello at dca, Washington National airport, a busy place tonight. Tom, thanks. Theres a lot to this weather system. And for the damage its already done it has a lot of ground to cover as Christmas Day neers. Dylan dreyer is out on Rockefeller Plaza tonight. Reporter good evening, brian. It is going to be a very busy night down south with several tornadoes that have already been reported. The tornado watch is in effect until 11 00 tonight. Tomorrow were going to see the Severe Threat of storms spread from florida up into South Carolina where we could again see isolated tornadoes and damaging wind gusts. All up and down i95 tomorrow we are going to see off and on heavy rain from the south extending all the way up into new england and on the backside of this storm were expecting about 3 to 6 inches of snow in chicago. So who gets the White Christmas . Definitely in and around the great lakes because of this storm, we have white on the ground already because of an earlier storm this week back in the rockies, and across Northern New England on the backside of this storm as it pulls away late in the day on christmas, there could be just enough flakes for folks to peek out the window and say, hey, look, its snowing on christmas. Dylan dreyer with some of her closest friends on the plaza. Sony pictures has changed its mind. It will release the film that has caused so much trouble. It will be shown on screens where theater operators are willing and able to show it. While sony remains under this electronic attack believed to be commissioned by north korea. We get our report tonight from Hallie Jackson in los angeles. Reporter its a twist that has hollywood applauding. The interview back on theater marquees. Some screenings sold out in an hour. I was looking for a bluray copy. I was going to stand up for free speech as well as for creativity. Hello north korea reporter sony announced it will release the interview on Christmas Day to small independent theaters like the historic plaza in atlanta. I dont thing anybody in this country wants to be told what we can see and what we cant see. Reporter its a dramatic aboutface for sony. Last week the studio pulled the controversial comedy which features a fake plot to kill the north Korean Leader after larger chains refused to screen it. Sonys decision appeared to end the cyber attack against it, a hack the u. S. Government pinned on north korea which denies the accusation. Sony ceo says we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free peach. A rebuttal to the critics who implied sony caved to north korea. Yes, i think they made a mistake. Reporter now, the white house says the president is pleased with the release of the interview because it allows people to make their own choices about the film. The movies costars are celebrating that choice. James franco posting, victory. The people and the president have spoken. Seth rogen tweeting, freedom has prevailed. Sony didnt give up. It has become such a lightning rod and a free speech issue that there was a whole class of people that wanted to be able to pay to see this movie. Reporter sony may still stream the film on video on demand even though a message threatened to retaliate if that happens. A town that thrives on drama now bracing for more. While many critics who have seen the movie mostly panned it, insiders expect theaters to be packed inside with people watching this film out of principle. Its estimated 300 cinemas could screen it on thursday. One Theater Owner called it the best Christmas Gift anyone could give. Hallie jackson at the foot of the Hollywood Sign for us live tonight. Thanks. With so many people in the air right now and about to flight, we are learning tonight about a stunning breach in security at the airport. A baggage handler for Delta Airlines has been arrested and charged with helping to smuggle guns including an ak47, into the passenger cabins of commercial flights. Prosecutors are calling this truly frightening and, quote, a wakeup call for our nation. A report tonight from our justice correspondent pete williams. Reporter police in new york say Surveillance Video shows this man walking off a flight at jfk airport two weeks ago with 16 handguns in his backpack. Guns he carried on board a Delta Airlines flight in his carryon. And they say hes been doing it undetected for five years, smuggling guns into new york city where theyre hard to buy. I hope that this is a wakeup call for the nation because we avoided a potential disaster here. Reporter police say the gun runner, mark henry, bought guns online in atlanta and gave them to eugene harvey, a Delta Airlines baggage handler in atlanta. Investigators say harvey took the guns to work, getting into the delta employee parking area with his Airport Security badge. On december 10th, henry was seen going through tsa screening in atlanta with a mostly empty backpack. Police say the two later met in this airport restroom where harvey handed over the guns he sneaked in and henry boarded a flight with the guns in his backpack. Most u. S. Airports have the same security arrangement atlanta does. Airport employees undergo a background check to get a security badge but are not screened when they enter the terminal. Security experts say imposing such a requirement is not realistic. Youll have to hire tens of thousands more tsa personnel and youll have to buy tons of equipment. Youre going to have to redesign the flow of an airport just for that to happen. Reporter tonight a Homeland Security official says procedures are being reviewed to see if changes are in order. Pete williams, nbc news, washington. We received word late tonight Vice President joe biden will indeed attend the funeral this weekend for one of the two new York City Police officers murdered on saturday. This evening, landmarks all along the skyline of new york, including rockefeller center, the christmas tree, will dim their lights for a few minutes in memory of the officers. While tension persists in the streets below. We get our report tonight from nbcs stephanie gosk. They believed in making this city better. Reporter today new york city stopped at 2 47 to mark the moment officers wenjian liu and rafael ramos were gunned down. Were torn right now, broken and we dont know. Reporter officers lius tearful widow thanked supporters. This is a difficult time for both of our families. Reporter mayor bill de blasio calls for an end to protests over Police Tactics until after the funerals are held. Law enforcement officials link those protests to saturdays rampage. Detectives say 28yearold suspect Ismaaiyl Brinsley had video on his cell phone of this december 1st demonstration against police. New yorks Police Commissioner with matt lauer. Quite obvious that he was targeting these two Police Officers was a direct spinoff of this issue of these demonstrations. Reporter but brinsley also had a long criminal record and a history of mental illness. Before he killed the officers and himself, he first shot his exgirlfriend. Protest organizers say they are not to blame and tonight theyre back on the streets. This man helped organize the demonstration. To stop now would only feed into their narrative that these protests have contributed to some sort of climate of violence or chaos, which we believe is untrue. Reporter what is undeniably try is that two officers died senselessly. And the city is left wondering how to keep it from happening again. Stephanie gosk, nbc news, new york. This was a big day for the american economy. The dow went above 18000 for the First Time Ever and finishing there on strong economic news. The government reported the fastest Third Quarter growth in more than a decade. And it has risen largely on the shoulders of more confident american consumers. Our report on this development tonight from nbcs john yang. Reporter at the crowded Christmas Market in downtown chicago, the miring family is an engine of economic growth. Theyre spending. Usually i get my shopping done, then im kind of done. I think ive been spending more the last few days because i keep buying. Reporter strong Consumer Spending is a big reason why the gdp report grew a robust 5 in the Third Quarter. Also today the Consumer Confidence index hit an eightyear high. Whats behind it . For one, the longest consecutive declining gas prices on record. It means an extra 1100 in the pocketbook of an average family of four. Plus job growth. More than 2. 6 million new jobs so far this year. On pace to be the best in 15 years. Thats driving big ticket purchases like new cars. This year the best sales in eight years. On wall street today the dow powered to record heights. It really doesnt say anything about what the future could be. Reporter the gdp report could signal more lasting change. This number really demonstrates the economy is back on its feet and should be running literally for the next year or two. Reporter its all put shoppers in a holiday mood. I feel a little bit more in the spirit to go out and hit some sales. Reporter for the economy, thats the gift that keeps on giving. John yang, nbc news, chicago. Still ahead on this tuesday evening, the power of prayer. Our report about the physical benefits got a lot of viewers talking last night. Tonight, the changes doctors say are actual visible in the brain during prayer. Also, our making a difference report, an extraordinary christmas gathering and the army of volunteers who make it happen. At panera bread, our hearty allnatural turkey chili is back in season. Slowcooked with turkey raised without antibiotics, tart tomatillos, chilies, carrots, edamame and more. The savory spice of the chili pairs perfectly with the black bean hummus and the fresh crunch of napa cabbage blend in our southwestern chicken flatbread. And it all comes together in a you pick two made just for you. Only at panera bread. I have the worst cold with this runni better take something. Dayquill cold and flu doesnt treat your runny nose. Seriously . Alkaseltzer plus cold and cough fights your worst cold symptoms plus your runny nose. Oh, what a relief it is. [ male announcer ] the rhythm of life. [ whistle blowing ] where do you hear that beat . Campbells healthy request soup lets you hear it in your heart. [ basketball bouncing ] heart healthy. [ mm. ] great taste. [ tapping ] sounds good. Campbells healthy request. Mm mm good. ® as we mentioned before the break, theres been a lot of interest expressed in the report we aired here last night about the growing medical evidence behind the power of prayer. Inspiring to so many especially give this time of year. Tonight the skeptics get their say in the conclusion of our twopart series on this topic from nbcs cynthia mcfadden. Reporter does prayer heal . Dr. Andrew newberg says hes got proof it does. Witness the brain on prayer. You can see its almost all red here when the person is just at rest, but you see it turns into these yellow colors when shes actually doing prayer. Reporter dr. Newberg injects a radioactive dye in his subjects to see what happens when they pray. He says each time something fascinating takes place. So would you go so far as to say prayer can heal . Absolutely it can heal. There are changes in different neurotransmitters, the chemicals in our brain, that help to release serotonin and dopamine in the brain which can help reduce pain. Reporter the book is part of the hundreds of studies in the past decades as the medical establishment takes a new look at religions role in modern medicine. But not everyone is sold. The brain changes when you eat chocolate. Reporter critics like dr. Richard sloan says while the brain does change during prayer, there is no proof that those changes create healing. The brain changes when anything happens. Your brain is changing right now as you listen to me and my brain is changing as you ask me questions. Theres nothing special about showing brain changes when people pray. Reporter dr. Sloan is the author of blind faith, the unholy alliance of religion and medicine. Theres no doubt in anybodys mind that religious practices bring comfort to a great many people. But they shouldnt practice religion because its like some sort of a cosmic vending machine in which you deposit a coin and get a health benefit. They should practice religion because it resonates with them. As far as we know, it is not a cure for cancer, it is not going to cure somebody of heart disease. We cant tell people to pray in order to get better. That doesnt make sense. The reason it works is because its part of the persons belief system. Reporter dr. Newberg does hope his research will foster understanding about the mysteries of belief. Cynthia mcfadden, nbc news, philadelphia. Were back in a moment with a big change at cocacola. Something a lot of people have been saying for years. Dad,thank you mom for said this oftprotecting my future. You. Thank you for being my hero and my dad. Military families are uniquely thankful for many things, the legacy of usaa Auto Insurance could be one of them. If youre a current or former military member or their family, get an Auto Insurance quote and see why 92 of our members plan to stay for life. So im going pro. [ male announcer ] new crest tartar protection rinse. The only rinse that helps prevent tartar buildup and cavities. A little swishing. Less scraping. Yes [ male announcer ] new crest prohealth tartar protection rinse. It helps you escape the scrape. Tartar protection rinse. Is a really big deal. U with aches, fever and chills theres no such thing as a little flu. So why treat it like its a little cold . Theres something that works differently than overthecounter remedies. Attack the flu virus at its source with prescription tamiflu. And call your doctor right away. Tamiflu is fda approved to treat the flu in people 2 weeks 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. Children and adolescents in particular may be at an increased risk of seizures, confusion or abnormal behavior. The most common side effects are mild to moderate nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor about tamiflu and attack the flu virus at its source. After an exciting harrowing College Football game last night, the miami beach bowl became one of the ugliest chapters in College Football easily this season. Brigham young and memphis got into a huge brawl after memphis won the game. Some downright barbaric behavior on both teams, swinging helmets, players got stomped, blindsided but a full arm sucker punch got the most attention. The incident prompted a lot of talk, especially in utah about byus standards