Thursday, September 17, 2026

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1:03And now the homes around it evacuated. Flames and thick black smoke pouring from the crash jet. Just feet from a home. The pilot ejecting just before going down. The urgent evacuations over concerns of a hazardous chemical leak. Mid-air emergency. The fire shooting out from a plane engine. The passenger flight forced to turn back to Las Vegas. Life-threatening flash floods. Neighborhoods washed out in Indiana. First responders in Arizona using a helicopter to rescue drivers trapped in those rushing waters. Right now, investigators piecing together how this news chopper suddenly went down killing the beloved crew inside. Plus, new video of the deadly crash that the helicopter was covering at the time. That driver now charged with murder. Alarming IVF mix up a devastated couple. Speaking out after learning their child has the wrong biological father. The bombshell accusations against King Charles involving Princess Diana.

2:06Her brother said he sounded elated soon after her death. How the palace is firing back. Data center divide a massive site to power artificial intelligence moving into this neighborhood and pushing flood waters onto homeowners' properties. The retirees who say their dream home is now ruined. And there's good news tonight. The beloved school custodian whose car broke down, getting surprised with the new ride. That the news starts right now. This is NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas. And good evening. We thank you for joining us on this Thursday. We begin with that fire, we F-16 crash in Michigan. And now the urgent evacuation of homes nearby because of the danger. This was the scene in the moments after that crash. You can see the huge fire sending a thick plume of smoke into the sky. Right next to a home in northern Michigan, outside of Traverse City.

3:07Miraculously, the pilot managed to make it out alive. But now the crash has also sparked a race against time to evacuate homes and businesses nearby due to concerns about a hazardous chemical spill. That incident comes as we're learning more about this separate incident. Look closely. You can see passengers playing their flying over lost Vegas and the flames just shooting out from the engine. This is a slow down video now inside and you see the terrifying images. passengers saw the sparks forcing the pilot to turn around. We'll get to that with Tom Costell in a moment. But we begin with Courtney Cuby on that fighter jet crash in Michigan. Tonight new video showing the fiery aftermath. An F-16 fighter jet crashing just feet from a house. The jet still inflames with pieces of wreckage strewn across someone's yard. It was going down. I mean, there was no doubt about that. The authorities tonight ordering an evacuation around the crash zone. And I was like, I need to get my girls out of here. Nicole Conrad shooting this video saying the kids first noticed the military jet above them.

4:08Here a big boom. And then I see a colorful parachute and the sky floating down in the sky. Tonight Texas military official saying an F-16 jet from the Texas Air National Guard crashed during a routine training mission and that the pilot successfully ejected. Michigan officials saying the pilot is in stable condition in the hospital. His shoot never fully opened. It was like a mushroom. While tonight authorities ordering everyone within one mile of the crash site to evacuate, due to a hazardous chemical spill related to the plane crash. All his new audio reveals another pilot telling Air Traffic Control that the F-16 may have hit a bird. We might have pleased my face making a bird and see if they may have lost any of the F-16s. Courtney Cuby joins us now live. Courtney, do we know more about why they're evacuating that one mile zone around the crash site? Yeah, authorities have not publicly released more information, but jets like F-16s in addition to fuel contain a hazardous chemical called hydrazine. It can be both toxic and flammable and it often leads authorities to take extra precautions

5:13in the case of a crash. Tom. Courtney Cuby leading us off. Now to those scary moments for passengers on board a flight taking off from Las Vegas when flames began spitting out of one of those engines. Tom Costello joins us down. Tom, this was all caught on tape. Yeah, that's right. This was a valerous flight from Las Vegas to Guadalajara, Mexico. The plane had just taken off when the right-side engine began spitting bursts of fire. The FAA says the pilots reported a possible engine fire than returned safely back to Vegas. A aviation expert said this looks like a classic case of a compressor's stall shortly after takeoff, almost like a car back firing when the air flow is disrupted. And in this case, it may have happened after the engine ingested one or more birds. It can be very scary for passengers looking out the window who see those flames. Typically pilots shut down the affected engine then they return to the airport. In this case, the FAA says it will investigate, Tom. Tom Costello, for us, Tom, thank you in the Midwest. Flooding rains are inundating neighborhoods as we speak. And in the Southwest, first responders used helicopters to have rescue people trapped in

6:18their vehicles. Millions of Americans are now under flood alerts. Our Morgan Teske is tracking it all. Tonight, torrential rain creating havoc across the country. In Indiana, the Wabash River swelling to flood stage. This aerial view showing a neighborhood south of Fort Wayne under water. People working together to push this vehicle to dry land. Rosanna Stantz daughter's basement inundated. She probably lost everything in her basement, her furnace, water heater, all the things. To the west. Parts of the Phoenix area receiving more than a third of their yearly rain in just a few hours Wednesday. In Maricopa County, flash floods trapping two people in their 80s inside their vehicle. First responders on the ground, unable to reach them. A sheriff's helicopter finally swooping in to bring them to safety. Rising waters hitting the Phoenix Metro area so hard. First responders even used their vehicles to push stranded drivers out of the flood waters. And in northern California, a different kind of battle.

7:19Crews racing to contain a growing wildfire near Lake Tahoe. The forest and fire, prompting officials to issue evacuation warnings for families in parts of two California counties. An authorities shutting down part of Interstate 80. Tonight the California Highway Patrol saying there is no estimate on when it may be safe enough to reopen Morgan Chesky in BC News. Out of that deadly helicopter crash in LA, federal investigators are on the ground looking into the news helicopter accident that killed two beloved members of our NBC Los Angeles family as well as a pedestrian on the ground. And late today, the NTSB talking to Steve Patterson about the investigation so far. Tonight, peace by peace. Federal investigators slowly removing the wreckage of news chopper for. Hauling it to a secure facility in Phoenix, we just spoke to NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson. What specifically would help you when you're looking at the physical aftermath of the wreckage? Sometimes even small things like a bolt or a cable that's overstressed or

8:25shows somewhere. All of these can be important data points. This dashcam video showing the chopper falling with the NTSB asking the public for any new images they might have. The accident happened Tuesday during breaking news coverage in LA. Photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marcenu were in the air covering this deadly accident where a car ran into a bus. Avoid the intersection of Nordop and the Soto for the next several hours. When something suddenly went wrong, the NTSB says this video shot in the chopper before the crash. We'll be key evidence. We're going to be able to get a lot of information with that sound spectrum analysis and all that video information to determine just what kind of emergency the pilot was dealing with. A third victim, 29-year-old Eddie Gutierrez-Mahia, was killed on the ground. His family telling Telemundo he was just visiting for a couple of days from Guatemala when tragedy struck.

9:26Antenite, there's new video of that deadly accident that preceded the chopper crash. You can see a driver speeding toward the intersection before slamming into the bus. Two people on the bus were killed. Now prosecutors charging the driver of the car, 36-year-old Bailey Reos, with murder. Antenite, new tributes for our colleagues, including Moreno, who is just engaged. Her family writing, we find comfort in knowing that Eliana left this world, doing the very thing she loved, we are infinitely proud of her. That alarm inside the cockpit so terrifying to hear, Steve. And now we know when the NTSB should have a preliminary investigation and the report done. Tom, we expect an initial report in about the next 30 days. We watched that chopper being hauled away. I can tell you the damage is immense. The NTSB tells me though, they are confident they will come to a conclusion. Tom. Steve Patterson for us, Steve. Thank you for that. We want to tell you now about an alarming story at a Florida with there's been another IVF mixup. This time, a couple learning soon after their daughter was born that her biological father was a

10:30different man. Kate Snow has this story. Natalie and Joshua Strong were thrilled when their second round of IVF worked, but what happened the day after their daughter Ava was born was devastating. I mean, this is going to affect us for the rest of our lives. We got to figure out how we're going to tell Ava one day. A nurse told them Ava's blood type was B positive, but her parents' blood types are both negative. It was the best day of my life and then when that hit us, it took all the happiness away. A DNA test later confirming there was a probability of 0% that Joshua was the biological father. The Strong say they've heard nothing from their clinic, Brown Fertility in Jacksonville. They don't know who the biological father of their child is. They're now suing that clinic. We just wanted answers. We wanted to figure out how this could possibly happen. NBC News has reached out to the clinic for comment, but has not heard back. The Strong's attorney says this is happening more than anyone knows. There are more laws and regulations that the

11:34local hair salon than there are in these utility clinics and something has changed. This law firm also part of a high profile case involving a different Fertility clinic in Orlando where a couple gave birth to a baby who was not biologically theirs. The Strong's daughter is 15 months old now walking and running. Joshua breaking down at the press conference today. He says every day he struggles with emotions. You do have sadness and anger and in the same day you also have joy and love. It's just a whole lot to deal with, but we love her very much. Kate Snow, NBC News. We head overseas now in the new allegations today from Princess Diana's brother, claiming that King Charles soon after Diana's death sounded, quote, elated the palace firing back at the book's claim in uncharacteristically harsh language. Here's Kelly O'Donnell. Tonight Royal Revelations. Harry, how are you feeling by your uncle's foot? New family drama exposing nearly 30-year-old wounds.

12:37Early excerpts in the Daily Mail from a new book by the brother of Princess Diana that paints an unflattering portrait of King Charles. Charles Spencer writes about the dark days around Diana's death in that 1997 car crash, recounting a phone call within Prince Charles. He sounded giddly elated like a lottery winner. I remember thinking at the time. And claims tempers flared over funeral planning. And this poignant procession, William and Harry, just boys, walked behind their mother's coffin. Spencer writes that Diana would not have approved. Claiming Charles went nuts and said, that's the problem with your family. They've got no bloody sense of duty. Diana's brother described Charles' reaction to the tragedy, calling it pent-up contempt for Diana. And claiming Charles had said this, rest assured, will forget her soon enough. The palace usually ignores tell all books.

13:37But not this time. His majesty is mindful that the pain of fraternal grief can cloud reason, affect judgment and color memory in ways others do not recognize. The memoir, do out next Tuesday. Kelly O'Donnell, NBC News. When we return in 60 seconds, the data center next door, the massive facility, moving in that some people say, is ruining their neighborhood and bringing massive flooding with. Hey, it's Dan Cummins. If you're into the weird, the wild, and the downright bizarre, check out my podcast, Time Suck. Each week, I dive into shocking stories, like the rise of the next-hymn cult, the origins of conspiracies like QAnon, and the San Francisco Witch Killer murders. With deep dives and dark humor, Time Suck brings you the stories that will fascinate you, make you laugh, and fill your head with lots of strange facts. New episodes drop every Monday. Join the cult of the curious, follow Time Suck wherever you get your podcasts. Avoiding your unfinished home projects because you're not sure where to start, Thumbtack knows homes, so you don't have to.

14:38Don't know the difference between Matt Paint Finish and Satin, or what that clunking sound from your dryer is. With Thumbtack, you don't have to be a home pro. You just have to hire one. You can hire top rated pros, see price estimates, and read reviews all on the app. Download today. I'm Serena Williams, and I'm healthier on row. I've lost 34 pounds in a year with GLP1's diet and exercise. On row, you can access GLP1 options, including the first FDA-approved GLP1 pill for weight loss. Go to row.co-slash-journey to see if you qualify. 14-20% average weight loss in one year in non-diabetics, with obesity or overweight, with a weight-related medical condition, versus 2.2% to 3.1% in placebo art. Rx-only to stay informed about serious side effects, go to row.co-slash-safety. Back now with our new series, The Data Center Debate, the facilities that fuel the artificial intelligence boom have become a lightning rod for politicians and big tech companies behind them. Tonight, our Stephanie Goss travels to West Virginia to see up close why some people there say

15:40a new data center is destroying their neighborhood. Project monarch broke ground in Mason County, West Virginia, back in April. It's said to be one of the largest data centers in the country. Just feet from Randy and Marsha Frames backyard. Construction equipment rolling right through the view from their porch. It used to be a soybean field. What has this done to your day, Randy? Randy, it's destroyed it. It is basically destroyed it. I'm looking at you, Randy, and your heart looks broken in me. Oh, yeah. It is. It's going to be. Go. The first phase of this project will generate two gigawatts of power, but the company says it will have the potential to expand to four times that amount. So what does that mean practically? That's enough electricity to power the entire city of Los Angeles in the middle of the summer. The neighbors started leaving after the flood in May, nearly five inches of rain in two days,

16:40submerging yards and crawl spaces. The data center company, Enscale, says they're fencing on the construction site failed. Did you have water coming through here? It came through at Silk Fence. Enscale paid for the flood damage and has bought or is offering to buy the 56 homes in this neighborhood at more than their market value. But the Frames who have lived here for 42 years don't want the deal. Why are you still here? Because it's our home. You know, they look at it as a house. We're going to buy your house. It's not a house. This is a home. Jason Bechtel is from this county too. He was raised here and now works for Enscale as the data center site manager. To be able to stay home and to work on a project of significance like this, it's a great thing to be a part of. Enscale says the project will boost West Virginia's economy with more than $80 million in tax revenue, create hundreds of jobs, and electric bills won't go up because the data center will

17:40generate all of its own power. Why should the people who live in this neighborhood be happy about this? Can we look at those benefits from a community perspective from what we are going to bring to this area? Enscale says it is spending over a million dollars in community outreach, including donating money to the county sheriff's department, ambulance service, and school system. But the distrust in tech companies and AI runs deep. A recent NBC News poll found that 69% of Americans oppose data center construction in their local area. Empty, empty, empty. All of these houses are empty. Empty. Jim Pyle lives down the street from the frames. The other company said we want to be good neighbors to you. Well, I had a whole lot of good neighbors already and they're gone. This small neighborhood is caught in the middle of a global race to master AI. Those who are still here say they feel like the collateral damage.

18:43Stephanie Gossk NBC News, Mason County, West Virginia. All right, we're back in a moment with the scary school bus crash in Texas with more than a dozen people on board. Stay with us. Do you love hair raising allegedly true stories about the paranormal? Then you should summon the podcast scared to death. It's the popular horror series with more than 60 million downloads to its name. And it's co-hosted by me, Dan Cummins. And me, Lindsay, co-host, and also Dan's wife. Each week on Scared to Death, we share bone-chilling tales from old books and creepy corners of the web and even some submitted by our listeners all designed to make you want to sleep with the lights on. Think you can handle the horror? Tune in to Scared to Death every Tuesday at the stroke of midnight to find out. Avoiding your unfinished home projects because you're not sure where to start, Thumbtack knows homes so you don't have to. Don't know the difference between Matt Paint finish and satin or what that clunking sound from your dryer is. With Thumbtack, you don't have to be a home pro.

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20:49Finally, there's good news tonight. He's a janitor at an elementary school whose truck broke down, getting to work was tough. Once he had to walk five miles, so the parents, kids, and faculty came together and took care of a man who was always taking care of them. They pulled up with a red bow, a truck ready for its new owner, a surprise for beloved school janitor who was a child. For beloved school janitor, Ronald Harrison. To the kids at this elementary school in Cleveland, Tennessee, he's known as Mr. Ron. You can hear that cheer him on as he takes in the emotional surprise. Two weeks ago, his 30-year-old truck broke down. He started asking for rides and once even walked five miles to work. So, his school community stepped in, rallying to get him back on the road,

21:51raising the money for a new ride. That moment right there, that just to know that everybody pulled together the way they did and they thought enough about me to do that for me. That was a huge moment. His colleagues say he goes above and beyond for the job, and that he's one of the kids' favorite faces at school. I told the children, as soon as you get home, or the moment you're around your parents, please tell them. From the bottom of my heart, tell Mr. Ron says, thank you. I'm indebted to you and thank you so much. You didn't have to do that, but you did. And I'm so grateful for that. Nice ride, Mr. Ron. That's Nightly News for this Thursday. I'm Tom Yamas. We thank you so much for watching tonight and always. We're here for you. Good night.

22:56Having lots of choices sounds like it would be great. Who doesn't want more flavors of ice cream? It turns out the answer is us. Too many choices can make us anxious, overwhelmed. I'm Shankar Vedantam, host of the Hidden Brain Podcast and YouTube channel. Each week, Hidden Brain brings you fascinating science-backed insights about human behavior. So the next time you have to choose, choose Hidden Brain on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or HiddenBrain.org.