From nbc World Headquarters in new york, this is nbc nightly news. Reporting tonight, tamron hall. Good evening, we begin tonight with yet another controversial comment from a gop candidate for president. And this time its not donald trump. Dr. Ben carson is now under fire for comments he made today to our own chuck todd on meet the press. Carson saying he does not believe a muslim should be president. His remarks now another distraction for the republican party. Nbcs Holly Jackson joins us with more. Good evening, tamron. Ben carsons campaign tells me he probably will reach out to members of the Muslim Community, as tonight theres new fallout from those comments, with one Group Calling on carson to drop out of this race altogether. From a typically softspoken candidate, a response making lots of noise today, after ben carson was asked on meet the press whether a president s faith should matter to voters . If it fits within the realm of america and consistent with the constitution, i have no problem. So you believe that islam is consistent with the constitution . No, i dont i do not. I would not advocate that we put a muslim in charge of this nation. I absolutely would not agree with that. The comments, seizing the spotlight in the republican race. The constitution provides that there should be no religious test for public office. And im a constitutional. Reporter article 6 states no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office. That clause cited by Muslim American advocates who are now calling on carson to withdraw from the race. It shouldnt be just american muslims who are calling for mr. Carson to withdraw, or at least to repudiate these kinds of unamerican comments. It should be our nations political and religious leaders, from all parts of the political spectrum. Reporter carsons Campaign Today clarifying his remarks. Saying, while carson has Great Respect for the Muslim Community and believes the muslims should be allowed to run, he just doesnt believe the American People are ready for that. Just last week donald trump didnt denounce a questioner who called muslims a problem in the u. S. Today elaborating. I have friends that are muslims. Theyre great people, amazing people. But, we certainly do have a problem. I mean you have a problem throughout the world. Whats the problem . Well, you have radicals that are doing things. I mean, it wasnt people from sweden that blew up the world trade center, jake. Reporter trump, still the gop frontrunner after last weeks debate, according to an nbc Online Survey but he didnt pick up much support. Carly fiorina did, emerging as the clear winner. And in a different poll taken before he made his controversial remarks today, ben carson dropped five points. These now the top tier stangds. The rest of the field barely registering. Some republican candidates, when asked about a potential muslimamerican president , pointed out it would ultimately be up to the voters to make that decision. And according to a poll out this summer, 60 of americans say they would back a muslim candidate. Theres less support among republicans. 45 . Tamron . All right, hallee, thank you very much. In arizona were learning more about the Evidence Police say led them to a suspect in custody tonight charged with some of the highway shootings in the phoenix area. This as the mans family says the wrong person is behind bars. We get the latest tonight from nbc. Reporter shaking his head as the charges were listed. Four counts of endangerment Reporter Police say the suspect Leslie Allen Merritt jr. A 21yearold landscaper terrorized drivers along i10. He was arrested friday night at this walmart. All i have to say is that im the wrong guy. I tried telling the detectives that. My guns been in the pawn shop for the last two months. I havent even had access to a weapon. Reporter his bond set at 1 million. I could never afford that bond. I got two kids. Reporter police say merritts gun was linked to the first four of the highway shootings. And according to a court document, the gun was not in pawn status during the time of the shootings. The crime lab testfired the firearm pawned by what we believe to be mr. Merritt. The testfired bullets were matched to bullet fragments from four casings over the last weekend in august. Reporter investigators say merritt sold the gun to this arizona pawn shop. Today the pawn manager didnt want to go on camera, but said they assisted with the investigation. Merritt was no stranger to guns. He even posted this video of him shooting on facebook. His father says merritt is innocent. My son would honestly, literally, take the shirt off his back and give it to someone if he felt they were in need. Reporter meanwhile another person of interest, oscar munoz arrested last week on unrelated charges, has been released from jail. His charges dropped. The manhunt began three weeks ago. Rob earth mcdonald narrowly missed being struck while driving his bus. I want him to know that he almost took me away from my wife and my two kids. Reporter but there are still seven other incidents along i10 that need to be solved, and the 50,000 reward for information and the warning for drivers will remain for now. This week more details are expected to be released in this case, including when this gun may have been pawned. Investigators are also still looking into the possibility of copycat shooters. Tamron . Thank you very much for that report. A close call off the coast of texas this weekend after a boat caught fire and four people found themselves in a very dangerous situation. Thankfully there were others nearby who came to the rescue. Nbcs Janet Shamlian has that story. Reporter horrifying moments as cell phone video captures a boat engulfed in flame off the coast of galveston. Thick, black smoke. The vessel was completely engulfed in flames. By the time we arrived on scene. Reporter College StudentMichael Marquez was captaining a charter boat nearby. Immediately he cut the fishing lines and raced over to the burning vessel. I was just praying to god. I was saying blows dont blow up. Please dont blow up. Reporter on board and among the flames, four people, including a child, unsure of what to do. We were screaming, you know, throw the kid. Throw the kid. Get him in the water. That was my priority was to get him safe and on my boat. Reporter the 6yearold in a life jacket picked up first. Then his mom was rescued. A second charter captain also sped to the burning boat, and rescued the father. You take a oath as a captain that youre going to help somebody if their lives are in danger. So take that pretty seriously. Reporter the captain rescued by a third boat had a few bumps and bruises. Its always a big deal to see someone with a fire on a boat, so i knew we had to get them off of there quick. Reporter with the coast guard now on the scene, everyone was safe. What triggered the fire still unknown. With kids aboard the vessel, i felt like that was my goal was to get them to safety. And absolutely, id do it again, without any hesitation. Reporter good s samaritans who in a frightening life or death moment raced toward danger, instead of away. Janet shamlian, nbc news, houston. From california tonight, an update on the battle against wildfires in that state. Officials say more than 10,000 firefighters are still battling ten active wildfires. The socalled valley fire in Northern California is now half contained. But has consumed more than 75,000 acres, and burned almost 900 homes. And the butte fire has now burned over 70,000 acres and 500 houses. It is now 70 contained. Those fires are among the most destructive in californias history. As the humanitarian crisis grows on in europe, secretary of state john kerry said today the u. S. Will take in more refugees than previously announced. 85,000 next year, and 100,000 in 2017. Activists urge the country to accept even more. Meanwhile, the struggle by thousands of migrants and refugees trying to make it to western europe continues today along the border between hungary and croatia. Nbcs bill neely is there. Reporter this is what desperation looks like. Trapped for days, migrants storm a train. Theyve little idea of where its going but they want to escape to germany. Thousands of them. Police try to hold them back. Theres chaos as a man tries to drag his child on board, and fails. Left behind, wives, children. To keep order Croatian Police have separated most men from their families. The biggest problem that we have here is that families are being ripped apart. Reporter the police simply cant cope. So many refugees are sick. This little girl from syria has a fever. Thankfully a father, too. There are just so many. More than 20,000 migrants passing through this one Railroad Stop alone. The police are here to make sure the migrants get out. Theyre not wanted here, or in any of the neighboring nations. And theyre now in a race to reach any friendly country before the doors close. I want to continue my study in germany. Reporter most are young men, but so many are children. Living outside in plunging temperatures. Unfortunately, we sleep here, on the ground. Without anything. It was very cold. Suddenly the weather has turned to cold, and raining. Reporter seranoy, her name means flower, was born a refugee on the road three weeks ago. No home, and no country to call her own. Yet. On croatias border with hungary, troops have moved in. The hungarians toughening their hard line, building more fences to keep migrants out. But still they come, every day, finding new escape routes. Tonight, like every night, ready for the next train to a new life. Some, of course, never make it this far. Two boatloads of migrants overturned off greece today. Many are missing. Many drowned, including four children. Europes leaders are bitterly divided over how to solve this. They failed so far. They will, however, have another emergency summit to try to solve this. But not until wednesday. Tamron . All right, bill neely, thank you very much. Two americans are free tonight after being held for nearly six months in yemen. 45yearold scott darden from louisiana, and 54yearold sam feron from michigan arrived in oman tonight after that country helped secure their release by rebels fighting yemens government. A third american is still being held. In cuba today, hundreds of thousands of people came to see and hear pope francis on the second day of his historic visit to that country. And the pope came face to face today with fidel castro. Who suppressed religion for decades under the communist revolution. Nbcs Anne Thompson has our report tonight from havana. Reporter as the icon to the communist takeover, pope francis rolls into havanas revolution square to celebrate sunday mass. A living symbol of inspiration for many of the cuban people. What is driving that enthusiasm . I guess the hope. The hope. We have a lot of hope. Reporter and why do you have hope . What makes you hopeful . Its not only what hes saying, but what hes doing. Reporter dora lopez says shes impressed by the popes efforts to improve relations between cuba and the u. S. Theyre trying to help, that has been affecting the cuban economy. Reporter in 90 degree heat and 91 humidity 300,000 listened to francis encourage them to serve others. The mass was not without incident. Three protesters rushed the popemobile. They were taken into custody. Their leaflets tossed into the sky. And one man thrown to the ground. It is not clear what they were protesting. The relative freedom of the church in this once atheist country has been hardwon. Mass is now celebrated openly. And the church is filling the holes in cubas great social safety net with programs like this. For children with mental and physical challenges. The approach embodied by francis is criticized by some. Miriam, a cuban dissident and human rights activist calls it why. Its the able to be able to exchange views, to get close to the people, to interact and to influence. Influence on the people, but influence on the government. Reporter today this pastoral visit had its political moment. Meeting between raul castro and a halfhour private meeting with his brother, former cuban leader fidel castro. More evidence of how francis appeal seems to transcend the church. The pope of the people. Not only catholic, but of the entire world. Reporter now, tomorrow, pope francis leaves havana and heads to rural cuba. And one of this countrys holiest sites. Then he turns his sights to the united states. Tamron . All right, arne, thank you very much. When nightly news continues on this sunday the threat of cyber ataks has Americas College campuses beefing up Americas College campuses beefing up computer s romantic moments can happen spontaneously, so why pause to take a pill . And why stop what youre doing to find a bathroom . With cialis for daily use, you dont have to plan around either. Its the only daily tablet approved to treat erectile dysfunction so you can be Ready Anytime the moment is right. Plus cialis treats the frustrating urinary symptoms of bph, like needing to go frequently, day or night. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and medicines, and ask if your heart is healthy enough for sex. Do not take cialis if you take nitrates for chest pain, as it may cause an unsafe drop in Blood Pressure. Do not drink alcohol in excess. Side effects may include headache, upset stomach, delayed backache or muscle ache. 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Thats because universities are looking for ways to prevent hackers from gaining access to vital information. More from our justice correspondent pete williams. Reporter at tpenn State University security is tighter this fall, not on the streets or in the dorms, but inside the schools vast Computer Network tying to the its 24 campuses. Its a response to a hacking attack on computers at the Engineering School that lasted undetected for more than two years. University Officials Say the breach exposed student i. D. S and passwords and potentially information on advanced research for the department of defense and other clients. We have a lot of really smart people here doing stateoftheart research. They are making discoveries that have the potential to be transformational. They also have the potential to have great commercial value. Reporter the school says the hack attack originated from china. But couldnt say whether it was state sponsored. Penn state is by no means alone. The Nations College campuses, especially those doing advanced research, are tempting targets for cyber attackers looking for valuable ideas to steal. How often does this happen . Ask a leading cyber detective. From 2006 to 2013, 550 universities have reported some type of data breach. Reporter Michael Oppenheim is Computer Security firm fireeye says hackers in china, beyond seeking the latest research, might also be looking for people to spy on. Could be, you know, used for traditional espionage reasons, you know, human intelligence collection. They might want to try and collect information on students of that university, or possibly faculty or the professors of that university. Reporter other recent targets, the universities of virginia and connecticut now among schools spending more to beef up their cyber defenses. At rutgers in new jersey, school Officials Say theyll spend up to 3 million on Computer Security, one reason for bumping up tuition. Back at penn state students now face a more secure process for logging in to the Computer System using two forms of i. D. As universities struggle to keep information open to young minds, but not to prying eyes. Pete williams, nbc news, state college, pennsylvania. And when we come back, we pull the curtain back on the lives of rich and famous and gained dog mmmm. Weve been together since 2012. Dinner is absolutely our favorite time together. I do notice that someti