On this Saturday night,NFL tragedy:what caused a football star to snap
killing his girlfriend before turning the gun on himself at the stadium right
in front of his coach
Deadly bus crash:the driver got lost and slammed into an airport overpass
How could it happen?
Extreme weather :they are bracing for impact again tonight on the west coast
Heavy rain, flash floods and snow ,while much of the country is about to hit record highs
Help wanted:why in this economy are some big American brand names having a tough time
filling thousands of open jobs
And women warriors:they are breaking barriers
Battle tested and every bit as tough as the guys
From NBC news world headquarters in New York
This is NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
Good evening,there is deep shock and sadness tonight in Kansas City, Missouri and across
much of the football world after a horrible tragedy that has left an NFL
star player and his girlfriend dead in an apparent murder-suicide
Police say Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovon Belcher shot the 22-year-old
woman before heading to the stadium that he was expected to play in tomorrow afternoon
It was there he turned the gun on himself
NBC's Tom Trung joins us from outside Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City
Tom, Good evening.Lester, Good evening to you
Arrowhead stadium is a symbol of pride for this city and the Kansas city
Chiefs but there is a lot of sorrow here right now after a deadly day
ended not far from where I'm standing
Shortly before 8:00 this morning, gunfire erupted at this Kansas city suburban home
When we arrived, a lady came out and said her daughter had been shot
by her boyfriend several times inside the residence
We went in the residence. She was taken to the local hospital where
she died a short time later
Just ten minutes later at Arrowhead Stadium a man with the gun
We got a call here at Arrowhead Stadium to the practice facility
regard to a person who was in the parking lot armed with a hand gun
When the officers arrived, when they were pulling up they actually observed
a black male who had a gun to his head and he was talking to a couple coaches
Then shots rang out
As officers pulled up and began to park and that is when they heard the gunshot
It appears the individual took his own life
Police identified the shooter as Jovon Belcher a linebacker with the
Kansas City Chiefs
The victim has been identified as his 22-year-old girlfriend Cassandra
Perkins and mother of his 3-month-old child
We heard that they had been arguing in the past as far as recently
they've been arguing before the shooting occurred this morning
The 25-year-old Belcher graduated in 2008 from the University of Maine
Undrafted, he made it to the NFL the hard way
He played every game since joining the Chiefs in 2009
His last conversations were with his coach and general manager
apparently thanking them for all they had done for him before
pulling the trigger
A statement released this afternoon by the Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt reads
in part, our collective hearts are heavy with sympathy, thoughts, and prayers
for the families and friends affected by this unthinkable tragedy
As for the team, the murder-suicide scars a 1-10 season filled with injuries
and disappointment,but on this day wins and losses are put in perspective
And the aunt of the victim Cassandra Perkins released a statement
saying our family has suffered a tragic loss
My heart goes out to my family as well as his family
Lester, the stadium will reopen tomorrow when the Chiefs host the Carolina Panthers
No doubt right now this is a challenging time for this city and
of course the organization
All right, Tom Trung in Kansas City tonight starting us off, Thank you
Now to another still developing story.This one in Miami where investigators
are trying to figure out how a bus driver got lost, ended up at the airport
and slammed the bus into an overpass.At least two people have died,many more
are hurt. NBC's Craig Melvin has the latest.
Police say the passengers, more than 30 of them, were part of a church group
most of them elderly.
Fire rescue crews had to use the jaws of life to cut a huge hole in the side
of the bus to access the patients.The front of the bus is so heavily damaged
that crews could not get into the bus.
Officials say the driver went past two large signs warning drivers about the
low overpass.
We're still not sure why he did not see the clearance sign which would've told
him that his bus was too tall for the area where he was driving.
Nearly 30 people were hurt, three of them critically.More attention has been
given to bus safety in recent years,sparked by sometimes fatal accidents.In March
of last year 15 people were killed when a bus in New York city fell from an
elevated highway and slammed into a utility pole, which peeled its top off.This
summer a tire blew out on a bus going from Chicago to St. Louis,killing one and
injuring dozens.As officials begin their investigation into what happened today
the bus company says it has never had an accident like this before.
They just rent the bus and we take them over there.That's what he was trying
to do so I don't know what happened.
As for the driver, he was interviewed by police at the scene of the crash.It's not
known what he told them.Craig Melvin, NBC news, New York.
We turn now out West where northern California and parts of Oregon are bracing
for impact tonight from a third round of heavy storms. Many areas have been
hard hit by flooding in recent days, and tonight one California county is
preparing for what could be a disaster. NBC's Miguel Almaguer is in the mountain
town of Truckee, California along that city's rising river.Miguel,good evening!
Lester,good evening.Tonight this area is under a state of emergency.The Truckee
River runs for 121 miles between California and Nevada and officials say it's not
a question of if but when will this river flood.Along the Truckee River rising
water and concern.Tonight the Marsico family is hoping to save their home of 50
years.A rock and dirt beam may help keep the water away but today this family is
moving out.
That's important.
Carolyn Marsico has seen her home, this area flood before.
It's a helpless feeling. Cause there is nothing else you can do.There is nothing.So you
just do what you can.
With river water that could rise seven and a half feet with tomorrow's oncoming
storm, Russia County has already declared a state of emergency.This mountain
community, bracing for the worst.
I mean,there is no getting around that
For four days, the West has been hammered by rain, wind, and snow.In San Francisco
this week, flooding.In Los Angeles,trees and traffic have been the biggest problem
Up and down the coast, surf advisories are in effect.
It is going to be nasty.Very heavy rain could lead to river flooding, flooding on
the roads.It could just be dangerous to be out and about.
Another punch from a series of storms still on the move and once again threatening
homes.Earlier today Nevada's governor also toured this river for some perspective
and they're not just worried about flooding here but up and down California,there
are flood watches in effect and the weather while it is supposed to get bad
tomorrow already today at SFO delays topped two hours.Lester.
Miguel Almaguer,northern California tonight.Thank you.
Meantime on this first day of meteorlogical winter much of the country is
about to feel record warmth for the start of December. Meteorologist Kim
Cunningham joins us from the Weather Channel headquarters.Kim, good evening
Good evening,Lester and it's typical a lot of times when you get that rainy
weather in the west further east you get the warmth, you get the record highs
That's what we saw today.These are just some of the cities that did see
records. Oklahoma City, Dallas 83.That was a record. Houston 82.That was a
record for you. We're talking about records that were broken from the 70s
Corpus Christi 86 degrees. Now the reason we're seeing this is because our
jet stream is so far to the north. Notice the trough and the dip in the jet
stream over here on the west.That's why we're seeing the storms,but in response
we're seeing the ridge building in.That's when we see the record warmth. We'll
see a little break in the pattern at least the Northern Plains,looks like
sometime next week.But Sunday more record highs will be broken including getting
close and in St. Louis we could see records falling here.So looks like a
warm start to December at least for the next week or so at least for the South
Lester back to you.All right,Kim,thank you.
As we turn overseas now more than 100,000 people took to the streets of Cairo today
himself sweeping powers
From Egypt, NBC's Jim Maceda now with the latest on that showdown
This was President Morsi's day
Tens of thousands of his Muslim Brotherhood and other islamist supporters
They needed to show up in big numbers to slow the opposition's momentum and did not
disappoint.I think the numbers you see today show the true legitimacy is with President Morsi
he said. They applauded Morsi's controversial decree giving him near absolute
which human rights experts warn could seriously limit
freedoms of speech, religion, and women's rights
They are against Islam and don't want Islamic law said this protester
Meanwhile, in Tahrir Square several hundred tired Morsi opponents tried
to keep up their spirits
Mohamed Sayedi has lived in a ten for nine days and remains defiant
We will keep to ask our rights from the president
The opposition promises an indefinite campaign of mass protests, strikes and civil
disobedience until Morsi rescinds decree and annuls the draft constitution
These protesters secular and liberal have this message for the world: We are not going
to accept a new dictator ruling us anymore
panel that wrote it
Immediately after that opposition leaders said tonight that their struggle would
Lester. Jim Maceda in Cairo Thank you
In Mexico a day of change and protests as a new president was sworn in
which killed more than 60,000 people in the six years
Outside there were clashes with police as thousands protested the election
in which Pena Nieto won with only 38% of the vote.
His victory represents the return of the party that had long dominated
Mexican politics.
Tonight people around the world are marking the 25th anniversary of the
World AIDS Day,
research and education has come in the past quarter century.
And a Live look now at the White House tonight a giant red ribbon
hanging from the north protico, reminding us all the work still ahead to find a cure
Still ahead as NBC Nightly News continues on this Saturday evening
Help wanted, thousands of open jobs at some big brand name companies in this economy
How come they are having such a hard time finding people to fill them
And later, all signs point to victory for a team that overcame incredible
odds to win the championship
with the christmas demand should come as good news to many Americans who
have been sitting on the sidelines in this weak job market.
NBC's Michelle Franzen tells us why.
and UPS are struggling to hire enough workers to meet the demand.
We're hiring 50,000 seasonal associates across our entire network in the US to help meet demand.
thousand jobs are still waiting to be filled, including positions at its largest hub in
The jobs pay between $8.50 and $12 an hour and some companies are even offering cash
incentives to employees for referrals.
Analysts say the challenge for those looking for work? taking a temporary position that
may not turn into a full-time job.
You run the risk of losing those unemployment benefits for that period and if it doesn't
become a full-time job, then you have to go through the rigmarole of going back onto
unemployment benefits
UPS estimates it will move a record 527 million packages between Thanksgiving and
buying.And with just over three weeks left to shop, companies will be under even more pressure
to deliver your packages even if they can't fill those jobs.
Michelle Franzen, NBC news, New York.
off on plans for new checking account fees that could have affect some ten million
customers by the end of the year.
The Wall Street Journal reports the Bank of America will hold off on implementing the new
fees until late next year.
as the guys. Retired the colors
first nuclear powered aircraft carrier officially retired from active duty.
The USS Enterprise is one of the most decorated ships in the history of the NAVY, serving
This week the ACLU filed a federal lawsuit to lift the ban on women
in combat in the U.S. military
While women are permitted to fly fighter jets and attack helicopters
pentagon policy prohibits female soldiers and marines from serving
in direct ground combat roles
But as U.S. military leaders struggle over how to bring women into ground
combat training, two young women soldiers have already proven
they've got what it takes
We get their story tonight from our chief pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski
Come on, man
It's grueling, downright brutal, and at times borders on physical torture
I'm beat.Why are you letting go?
It is the Sapper Leader Training Course for combat engineers conducted
in the back woods of Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, it's one of
the toughest combat schools in the army
This is a dirty, nasty, tough course, and it is going to test you
in ways that perhaps some people just don't want to be tested
And the only combat training of its kind that accepts women
First lieutenant Audrey Motin and second lieutenant Carly Turnidge
have signed up to try to earn the coveted title SAPPER
Both are graduates of west point
Motin was in the seventh grade on 9/11, she decided then she would join the army
I'm just very competitive and in the back of my mind I'm like, you can do this
Turnidge comes from a strong military family. Her father was a green beret
I'm still here to prove myself and prove that I can
do the same things the guys can do
But here each must prove herself not as a woman but as a soldier
It has to. The standard doesn't change just because they're woman
Over 28 days with little sleep or food these 38 soldiers will go through living hell
It's all part of pushing them to their limit and beyond
If i can do it, I can do it. If i can't, then i tried my hardest
That includes the buddy rappel. Motin ropes down a hundred-foot
cliff with a wounded soldier strapped to her back
Then runs for cover with soldier and all
Turnidge easily pulls it off and earns a high five from her battle buddy
Anybody with the right mindset can definitely do it
These sappers don't get any slack.If they can't cut it they're out
No excuses, no exceptions -- men or women.But the worst is yet to come
It's 4:00 a.m. morning drills with the 400 pound boat
I think we've identified the weakest link.
He's right here.Right here in front of me
Motin takes some heat.Back straight
You still have your butt in the air
Daylight brings no relief. Turnidge and Motin are determined to gut it out
Seven men have already quit but they're hanging on with 14 days to go
Jim Miklaszewski, NBC news, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
Mik is gonna continue his reporting tomorrow night
When he will show you what happen next, even more grueling
tests in the home stretch of training
That's Pope Benedict XVI and that's a lion cub
he's petting in a hall at the Vatican
The circus came to town for a papal performance
Thousands of clowns,acrobats and puppeteers from around the world
Even a big top tent and a carousel in Saint Peter's Square
When we come back, they were small scrappy teens that beat the big
guys to win it all, that's not what make this team so special
Finally tonight an example from the fields of play about how to get past seemingly
insurmountable challenges and about the rewards that follow when you pull it off
NBC's Mike Taibbi has the story tonight from Los Angeles
They were an undermanned high school football team from Fremont, California
Only 19 players from a small school, and they're under sized, not one player even 200
pounds which made their run to a 10-2 record and elite championship something special
But the CSD Eagles overcame an even bigger obstacle on the way to Friday night glory
That's because CSD stands for California School for the Deaf
That's right. Every player and coach Warren Keller, too, is deaf
We want to prepare the kids the best we can for the rest of their lives
Get them, no matter what happens on the field and how much we push
them we want to prepare them for their real life
Small but quick, the Eagles were pushed to practice fast and play that way
The hurry-up offense with each snap within seven seconds of the referee's spot
We set up fast. we snap the ball fast
And what do you know? It worked
One bigger opponent after another bit the dust. Almost all of them public schools
And the Eagles turned deafness into an advantage, using sign language and color
coded sideline boards to call plays that athletes who can hear couldn't figure out
They have a medium of communication that's very simple
They can talk to each other and they don't have to create a new language
where as a matter of fact we might be at a disadvantage
It is tough enough growing up deaf, but over the space of a dozen
football games, these kids proved their mettle and their equality to
the hearing world and to themselves. Motivation?
They think we're nothing, that they can beat us and that
we won't beat them and they have a big ego
And reward.We shocked them and then they realized oh, yeah. deaf kids can play
For their extraordinary season, " Sports Illustrated" has honored the Eagles
as one of the country's accomplished underdogs
More important, what these young athletes have already won
What happened on the football field applies in real life
I'll always remember playing football here
Of course I feel like it's going to help me become a better man
A message sent and received loud and clear
Mike Taibbi, NBC news, Los Angeles
That's NBC nightly news for this Saturday
I will see you tomorrow morning on Today
We leave you tonight with the look at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree
and a lot of folks enjoy this evening
Have a great night everyone