>>> TONIGHT, THE
RALLIES AND MEMORIALS
ACROSS THE NATION ONE
YEAR AFTER THE DEATH
OF GEORGE FLOYD.
MOMENTS OF SILENCE AND
MARCHES FROM COAST TO
COAST IN MEMORY OF THE
MAN WHOSE MURDER
TOUCHED OFF A RACIAL
RECKONING IN AMERICA.
TODAY FLOYD'S FAMILY
MEETING WITH PRESIDENT
BIDEN AT THE WHITE
HOUSE.
THE PRESIDENT'S
DEADLINE FOR CONGRESS
TO PASS POLICE REFORM
IN FLOYD'S NAME, WHERE
THAT EFFORT STANDS
TONIGHT.
AND SCARY MOMENTS NEAR
MINNEAPOLIS AS GEORGE
FLOYD SQUARE, A GUNMAN
OPENING FIRE.
>>> THE MEMORIAL DAY
RUSH IS HERE.
IT'S EXPECTED TO BE
THE BIGGEST TRAVEL
HOLIDAY SINCE THE
PANDEMIC HIT, BUT IT
COMES AS UNRULY
PASSENGER BEHAVIOR
SURGES.
ONE FLIGHT ATTENDANT
ATTACKED, LOSING TWO
TEETH.
>>> PROMISING NEWS
FROM MODERNA.
ITS COVID VACCINE SAFE
AND EFFECTIVE FOR 12
TO 17-YEAR-OLDS.
BUT WHEN COULD YOUNGER
KIDS FINALLY GET A
SHOT?
>>> THE REPORT
BREAKING AS WE COME ON
THE AIR.
THE GRAND JURY
CONVENED AND EXPECTED
TO DECIDE WHETHER TO
CRIMINALLY INDICT
FORMER PRESIDENT
TRUMP.
WHAT WE'RE LEARNING.
>>> THE FIRST SUMMIT
ANNOUNCED BETWEEN
PRESIDENT BIDEN AND
VLADIMIR PUTIN AMID
RISING TENSIONS.
>>> NEARLY A YEAR
AFTER THE REMAINS OF
HER CHILDREN WERE
FOUND, A COUPLE NOW
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
>>> AND A HEALTH
ALERT.
THE SURGE IN TICKS
THIS SUMMER.
>> Announcer: THIS IS
"NBC NIGHTLY NEWS"
WITH LESTER HOLT.
>>> GOOD EVENING.
IN THIS DIGITAL AGE,
WE'VE BECOME USED TO
CELL PHONE VIDEO
EXPOSING THE SOFT
UNDERBELLY OF
POLICING.
BUT NO IMAGE HAS BEEN
MORE JARRING THAN THE
SLOW AND EXCRUCIATING
DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD
CAPTURED ON A
MINNEAPOLIS STREET
CORNER ONE YEAR AGO
TODAY.
HIS LIFE SQUEEZED OUT
OF HIM BY A POLICE
OFFICER.
TODAY HIS MURDER AND
ALL THAT IT CAME TO
SYMBOLIZE WAS
REMEMBERED BY MANY IN
THIS COUNTRY,
INCLUDING PRESIDENT
BIDEN, WHO MET
PRIVATELY WITH FLOYD'S
FAMILY AT THE WHITE
HOUSE, WHERE HE HAD
HOPED TO MARK PASSAGE
OF A POLICE REFORM
BILL NAMED FOR FLOYD.
THAT BILL, HOWEVER,
STILL HELD UP IN
CONGRESS TONIGHT.
FLOYD'S ENCOUNTER WITH
POLICE, WHICH BEGAN
WITH HIS QUESTIONING
OVER A COUNTERFEIT
BILL, ENDED WITH HIS
DEATH, IGNITING A
PROTEST MOVEMENT THAT
SPREAD ACROSS THE U.S.
AND BEYOND AND STILL
RESONATES TONIGHT.
GABE GUTIERREZ HAS
DETAILS.
>> Reporter: TODAY
ACROSS THE COUNTRY,
MOMENTS OF SILENCE
COMMEMORATING THE
AGONIZING 9 MINUTES
AND 29 SECONDS A
POLICE OFFICER KNELT
ON GEORGE FLOYD'S
NECK.
>> IT WAS A MURDER,
AND WE NEED TO BE
REMINDED THAT WHAT
HAPPENED TO HIM WAS
NOT AN ACCIDENT.
>> Reporter: IN
WASHINGTON, FLOYD'S
RELATIVES MET WITH
LAWMAKERS.
>> GOOD MORNING,
EVERYONE.
>> Reporter: INCLUDING
HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY
PELOSI AND LATER
PRESIDENT BIDEN.
>> IF YOU CAN MAKE
FEDERAL LAWS TO
PROTECT A BIRD, WHICH
IS THE BALD EAGLE, YOU
CAN MAKE FEDERAL LAWS
TO PROTECT PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
>> Reporter: A FEDERAL
POLICE REFORM BILL HAS
STALLED IN THE SENATE
BECAUSE OF REPUBLICAN
OPPOSITION TO CERTAIN
PROPOSALS SUCH AS
RESTRICTING QUALIFIED
IMMUNITY, MAKING IT
EASIER TO SUE POLICE
OFFICERS.
>> HE DID LET US KNOW
HE SUPPORTS PASSING
THE BILL, BUT HE WANTS
TO MAKE SURE IT'S THE
RIGHT BILL AND NOT A
WORSE BILL.
>> Reporter: THIS
MORNING IN
MINNEAPOLIS, CHILLING
MOMENTS AS GUNSHOTS
RANG OUT NEAR WHERE
FLOYD DIED.
IT'S UNCLEAR WHY.
POLICE SAY AT LEAST
ONE PERSON WAS SHOT
AND WENT TO THE
HOSPITAL.
STILL IT WAS A DAY OF
REFLECTION.
IN THE PAST YEAR,
THERE HAVE BEEN
CHANGES AT THE STATE
LEVEL.
AT LEAST 3,000
POLICING-RELATED BILLS
HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED
IN LEGISLATURES.
MORE THAN 30 STATES
HAVE ENACTED NEW
POLICE OVERSIGHT AND
REFORM LAWS.
BUT MORE THAN 1,000
PEOPLE IN THE U.S.
HAVE DIED FOLLOWING
POLICE ENCOUNTERS
SINCE FLOYD'S DEATH.
WHAT HAS CHANGED IN
AMERICA?
>> NOTHING.
NOTHING HAS CHANGED.
>> Reporter: WE SAT
DOWN WITH THREE WOMEN
WHO NOW SHARE AN
UNWANTED BOND.
GEORGE FLOYD'S
SISTER, BRIDGIT, IS
HOPEFUL ABOUT THE
SOCIAL JUSTICE
MOVEMENT.
VASHZ
>> WHAT HAS CHANGED
THE MOST IS UNITY
THROUGHOUT THE
COUNTRY.
>> Reporter: ALI SA
CHARLES FINLEY IS THE
SISTER OF BOTHAM JEAN
WHO DIED WHEN A WHITE
DALLAS POLICE OFFICER
MISTAKENLY ENTERED HIS
APARTMENT AND SHOT
HIM.
SHE WAS CONVICTED OF
MURDER.
HAS CONGRESS MOVED
QUICKLY ENOUGH ON
POLICE REFORM?
>> NO.
>> IS THAT A BROKEN
PROMISE TO YOU?
>> OF COURSE IT IS.
>> Reporter: GWEN CARR
IS THE MOTHER OF ERIC
GARNER, WHO DIED IN
2014 IN NEW YORK CITY
FOLLOWING A POLICE
CHOKE HOLD.
THAT OFFICER WAS NOT
CHARGED.
>> PEOPLE THINK IT'S
OVER.
IT'S NOT OVER WITH
BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL
KILLING OUR CHILDREN.
>> GABE, DESPITE THOSE
GUNSHOTS EARLIER
TODAY, IT APPEARS
PEOPLE ARE STILL
GATHERING THERE AT THE
SQUARE.
>> Reporter: YES,
THAT'S RIGHT, LESTER.
TODAY WAS A MAJOR
MILESTONE FOR
MINNEAPOLIS BUT
THERE'S A LOT ON THE
HORIZON FOR THIS
COMMUNITY.
SENTENCING FOR DEREK
CHAUVIN IS NOW
SCHEDULED FOR LATE
NEXT MONTH, LESTER.
>> GABE GUTIERREZ
TONIGHT, THANK YOU.
>>> A HUGE INCREASE IN
TRAVEL IS EXPECTED AS
WE HEAD TOWARD
MEMORIAL DAY WITH
MILLIONS PLANNING TO
FLY OR HIT THE ROAD.
THE TSA URGING
PATIENCE WHILE
OFFICIALS CITE AN
ALARMING INCREASE IN
BAD BEHAVIOR ON
PLANES.
HERE'S TOM COSTELLO.
>> Reporter: FROM THE
HIGHWAYS TO HIGH
ABOVE, EXPECT THE
BIGGEST EXPLOSION IN
GETAWAY TRAFFIC SINCE
THE START OF THE
PANDEMIC.
AAA PREDICTS UP 60%
OVER LAST YEAR.
>> INCREDIBLE NUMBERS
OF PEOPLE.
I'VE NEVER SEEN THE
CHARLOTTE AIRPORT SO
CROWDED.
>> Reporter: THIS PAST
SUNDAY, NEARLY
1.9 MILLION PASSENGERS
MOVED THROUGH THE
NATION'S AIRPORTS, THE
MOST SINCE THE
LOCKDOWN BEGAN.
WITH AIRLINES
REPORTING MUCH
STRONGER THAN EXPECTED
BOOKINGS, THE TSA IS
ADDING 6,000 MORE
OFFICERS THIS YEAR.
THE ADVICE FOR
PASSENGERS, EXPECT
LONGER LINES, FEWER
EMPTY SEATS.
AND WITH 50% OF
AMERICANS STILL NOT
YET VACCINATED, MASKS
ARE STILL REQUIRED FOR
EVERYONE IN AIRPORTS
AND ON PLANES.
THE TSA SAYS THERE ARE
NO PLANS TO CHANGE
THAT YET.
MEANWHILE, THE FAA
REPORTS ANOTHER
ALARMING JUMP IN
UNRULY AND DANGEROUS
BEHAVIOR.
FIST FIGHTS, DRINKING,
VERBALLY AND
PHYSICALLY ASSAULTING
FLIGHT ATTENDANTS.
2,500 CASES SO FAR
THIS YEAR.
1,900 INVOLVING MASK
DISPUTES.
A SOUTHWEST AIRLINES
FLIGHT ATTENDANT LOST
TWO TEETH DURING AN
ASSAULT ON SUNDAY.
SOUTHWEST'S CEO SAYS
THE ASSAULTS HAVE
REACHED AN INTOLERABLE
LEVEL.
60 TSA OFFICERS ALSO
ASSAULTED THIS YEAR.
THE HOMELAND SECURITY
SECRETARY TODAY.
>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO
TOLERATE BEHAVIOR THAT
THREATENS THE
WELL-BEING OF THE
PUBLIC, THE EMPLOYEES
THAT BRAVELY ARE ON
THE FRONT LINES TO
FACILITATE THE TRAVEL
FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO
WANT TO REUNITE WITH
FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
>> Reporter:
INTERFERING WITH A
FLIGHT CREW IS A
FEDERAL OFFENSE.
FINES UP TO $35,000,
JAIL TIME, AND
POSSIBLY BANNED FOR
LIFE FROM FLYING.
LESTER.
>> TOM, WHAT CAN YOU
TELL US ABOUT THIS DO
NOT TRAVEL ADVISORY
FOR AMERICANS GOING TO
JAPAN JUST AHEAD OF
THE OLYMPICS?
>> Reporter: YEAH, THE
CDC AND THE STATE
DEPARTMENT SAYING DO
NOT TRAVEL TO JAPAN.
THEY'RE IN A STATE OF
EMERGENCY.
CASES ARE UP.
DEATHS ARE UP.
VACCINATION RATES
VERY, VERY LOW.
BUT THE IOC SAYS THE
OLYMPICS ARE STILL ON,
LESTER.
>> TOM, THANKS.
>>> TODAY MODERNA
ANNOUNCED RESULTS OF
ITS VACCINE TRIAL FOR
KIDS AGES 12 TO 17 AS
MORE THAN 164 MILLION
AMERICANS HAVE NOW
GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE
DOSE.
DR. JOHN TORRES JOINS
US NOW.
JOHN, THE MODERNA
RESULTS APPEAR TO BE
POSITIVE.
>> YES, LESTER.
THIS IS GREAT NEWS.
AN FDA AUTHORIZATION
WOULD GIVE THE U.S.
A SECOND VACCINE FOR
ADOLESCENTS AND
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE
THE COUNTRY'S SUPPLY.
ALMOST 4,000 KIDS WERE
IN MODERNA'S TRIAL AND
THE COMPANY SAYS NOT A
SINGLE ONE WHO GOT
BOTH DOSES ENDED UP
SICK, MAKING IT 100%
EFFECTIVE.
SO IF IT'S GIVEN
EMERGENCY USE
AUTHORIZATION, WE
COULD SEE IT IN
PHARMACIES THIS
SUMMER.
>> AND WHERE DOES
APPROVAL STAND NOW FOR
YOUNGER KIDS?
>> Reporter: WELL,
PFIZER AND MODERNA ARE
CURRENTLY IN CLINICAL
TRIALS FOR CHILDREN 6
MONTHS TO 11 YEARS OLD
BUT EXPERTS SAY THEY
PROBABLY WON'T BE DONE
UNTIL THE END OF THE
YEAR.
LESTER.
>> DR. JOHN TORRES,
THANK YOU.
>>> JUST BREAKING,
PROSECUTORS IN NEW
YORK HAVE REPORTEDLY
CONVENED A GRAND JURY
TO CONSIDER POSSIBLE
CRIMINAL CHARGES
AGAINST FORMER
PRESIDENT TRUMP, HIS
COMPANY, AND ITS
EXECUTIVES.
PETE WILLIAMS IS
FOLLOWING THIS FOR US.
PETE, WHAT DO WE KNOW?
>> Reporter: LESTER,
THIS IS THE NEXT STEP
THAT PROSECUTORS WOULD
TAKE IN PURSUING
POSSIBLE CRIMINAL
CHARGES.
IT DOESN'T MEAN
CHARGES WILL BE FILED.
IT DOES MEAN THE CASE
IS ENTERING A NEW AND
NOT UNEXPECTED PHASE.
THE D.A. IS
INVESTIGATING A HOST
OF ISSUES INVOLVING
THE TRUMP
ORGANIZATION'S TAXES,
HOW IT REPORTED ITS
ASSETS TO GET LOANS,
AND HOW TOP EXECUTIVES
WERE PAID.
THIS DEVELOPMENT
REPORTED BY "THE
WASHINGTON POST"
SUGGESTS THE D.A.
BELIEVES THERE'S
EVIDENCE OF A CRIME,
BUT IT WILL LIKELY BE
MONTHS BEFORE WE FIND
OUT WHETHER THIS
RESULTS IN ANY ACTUAL
CHARGES.
LESTER.
>> ALL RIGHT.
PETE WILLIAMS IN
WASHINGTON TONIGHT,
THANK YOU.
>>> IN JUST 60
SECONDS, WE'LL HAVE
DETAILS ON THE
BIDEN/PUTIN SUMMIT
JUST ANNOUNCED AND THE
>>> HIGH TENSION
LIKELY NEXT MONTH AS
PRESIDENT BIDEN
ANNOUNCED HE'LL MEET
WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT
VLADIMIR PUTIN FOR THE
FIRST TIME.
KRISTEN WELKER HAS
DETAILS.
>> Reporter: THE
HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT
BETWEEN PRESIDENT
BIDEN AND PRESIDENT
PUTIN COMES AS
TENSIONS ARE AT THEIR
HIGHEST LEVEL IN
YEARS.
>> I'VE SPOKEN WITH
HIM A NUMBER OF TIMES.
>> Reporter: THE BIDEN
ADMINISTRATION
IMPOSING SANCTIONS FOR
RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE
IN THE 2020 ELECTION
AND FOR THE SOLARWINDS
CYBERATTACK.
BUT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS
ALSO FACING BIPARTISAN
CRITICISM FOR HANDING
PUTIN A POLITICAL WIN
BY REMOVING SANCTIONS
AGAINST A RUSSIAN
COMPANY THAT WILL
ALLOW THE COMPLETION
OF A GAS PIPELINE
PUTIN WANTS.
TONIGHT REPUBLICAN
SENATOR BEN SASSE
SAYING INSTEAD OF
TREATING PUTIN LIKE A
GANGSTER WHO FEARS HIS
OWN PEOPLE, WE'RE
GIVING HIM HIS
TREASURED PIPELINE AND
LEGITIMIZING HIS
ACTIONS WITH A SUMMIT.
THIS IS WEAK.
TONIGHT WE PRESSED THE
WHITE HOUSE.
>> WHY NOT WAIT UNTIL
THEY'VE SHOWN SOME
GOOD FAITH ON SOME OF
THESE ISSUES BEFORE
SETTING UP A SUMMIT?
>> WE PROPOSED THE
SUMMIT BECAUSE WE FEEL
THAT IT IS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE
FORWARD OUR NATIONAL
INTERESTS AND OUR
AGENDA.
>> Reporter: AMONG THE
TOPICS THEY'LL
DISCUSS, RUSSIAN ALLY
BELARUS AND ITS FORCED
LANDING OF A RYANAIR
PLANE.
LESTER.
>> KRISTEN WELKER AT
THE WHITE HOUSE
TONIGHT, THANKS.
>>> IN THE MIDDLE
EAST, SECRETARY OF
STATE BLINKEN MET WITH
ISRAELI AND
PALESTINIAN LEADERS
TRYING TO MAKE SURE AN
EGYPTIAN-BROKERED
CEASE-FIRE HOLDS.
ANDREA MITCHELL IS IN
JERUSALEM TONIGHT.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT
SECRETARY OF STATE
BLINKEN PLEDGING
$112 MILLION IN
EMERGENCY AID TO
REBUILD GAZA AND
MEETING WITH
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY
PRESIDENT MAHMOUD
ABBAS, SIDELINED BY
THE TRUMP
ADMINISTRATION.
>> WE WILL WORK WITH
PARTNERS TO ENSURE
THAT HAMAS DOES NOT
BENEFIT FROM THESE
RECONSTRUCTION
EFFORTS.
>> Reporter: BLINKEN'S
OVERALL MISSION,
CEMENTING THE FRAGILE
CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN
ISRAEL AND THE HAMAS
MILITANTS WHO RUN
GAZA.
ISRAEL'S PRIME
MINISTER, BENJAMIN
NETANYAHU, WARNING --
>> IF HAMAS BREAKS THE
CALM AND ATTACKS
ISRAEL, OUR RESPONSE
WILL BE VERY POWERFUL.
>> Reporter: I ASKED
SECRETARY BLINKEN WHAT
ASSURANCES HE'S
GETTING FROM BOTH
SIDES.
DID YOU GET ANY
COMMITMENTS FROM PRIME
MINISTER NETANYAHU TO
NOT EVICT PALESTINIANS
FROM THE EAST
JERUSALEM
NEIGHBORHOODS, AND DID
YOU GET ANY ASSURANCES
FROM THE PALESTINIAN
AUTHORITY TODAY THAT
THEY COULD HAVE ANY
INFLUENCE OVER GAZA?
>> ANY STEPS THAT
EITHER SIDE TAKES THAT
EITHER RISK SPARKING
VIOLENCE OR, OVER TIME
AND ULTIMATELY
UNDERMINE THE PROSPECT
FOR RETURNING TO THE
PURSUIT OF TWO STATES,
WE OPPOSE.
>> Reporter: BUT A
THIRD-GENERATION
RESIDENT OF DISPUTED
EAST JERUSALEM IS NOT
HOPEFUL.
>> NO.
OUR LIFE BEFORE THE
CEASE-FIRE AND AFTER
THE CEASE-FIRE, IT'S A
LOT -- IT'S THE SAME.
>> Reporter: BLINKEN
SAYS HE WANTS ISRAELIS
TO STOP EVICTING
PALESTINIANS AND
DEMOLISHING THEIR
HOMES AND PALESTINIANS
TO STOP INCITING
VIOLENCE AND PAYING
TERRORISTS IN PRISON.
NO PROMISES FROM
EITHER SIDE.
LESTER.
>> ANDREA MITCHELL IN
JERUSALEM, THANK YOU.
>>> AS THE MANHUNT
CONTINUES HERE IN
CALIFORNIA FOR THE
SHOOTER WHO KILLED
THAT 6-YEAR-OLD BOY IN
A ROAD RAGE ATTACK,
NEWS OF ANOTHER ROAD
RAGE SHOOTING IN D.C.
WITH THAT, HERE'S
MIGUEL ALMAGUER.
>> Reporter: THE
GRAINY SURVEILLANCE
VIDEO HAS NO AUDIO BUT
CAPTURES THE MOMENT A
MOTORIST DRIVEN BY
ROAD RAGE JUMPS OUT OF
A SILVER MASERATI AND
OPENS FIRE ON ANOTHER
VEHICLE IN WASHINGTON,
D.C.
MOMENTS LATER, THE
SUSPECT UNLOADS ON
ANOTHER DRIVER IN A
CAR JUST OFF-SCREEN.
ONE WOMAN WAS SHOT AND
TWO CHILDREN IN HER
CAR COULD HAVE BEEN
KILLED.
IT HAPPENED JUST DAYS
BEFORE 6-YEAR-OLD
AIDEN LEOS WAS KILLED
IN THE BACK SEAT OF
HIS MOTHER'S CAR AFTER
ANOTHER INCIDENT OF
ROAD RAGE IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA.
>> HE JUST DIDN'T
DESERVE THAT.
NO ONE DESERVES THAT.
>> Reporter: WITH A
$150,000 REWARD
OFFERED AFTER AIDEN'S
DEATH, POLICE
CONDUCTING BOTH
INVESTIGATIONS HAVE
RELEASED FEW DETAILS
AND MADE NO ARRESTS.
OVER THE LAST 12
MONTHS, AT LEAST 25
DEATHS HAVE BEEN
CONNECTED TO ROAD RAGE
SHOOTINGS.
A GROWING NUMBER OF
VIOLENT CONFRONTATIONS
HAVE BEEN CAPTURED BY
CAMERAS, AND NOW
POLICE IN WASHINGTON,
D.C. AND SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA HOPE VIDEO
AND WITNESSES CAN HELP
SOLVE THEIR CASES
BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE
GETS HURT.
MIGUEL ALMAGUER, NBC
NEWS.
>>> NEARLY A YEAR
AFTER THE REMAINS OF
HER TWO CHILDREN WERE
FOUND IN IDAHO, LORI
VALLOW DAYBELL AND HER
HUSBAND, CHAD DAYBELL,
HAVE BEEN INDICTED ON
TWO COUNTS OF FIRST
DEGREE MURDER.
CHAD DAYBELL WAS ALSO
INDICTED IN THE MURDER
OF HIS FORMER WIFE.
>>> TEXAS IS ABOUT TO
BECOME THE LATEST
STATE TO LET PEOPLE
CARRY A HANDGUN PRETTY
MUCH WITHOUT
RESTRICTIONS.
MORGAN CHESKY NOW WITH
THAT STORY.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT
IN TEXAS, GETTING
HANDS ON A HANDGUN
ABOUT TO BECOME EVEN
EASIER.
LAWMAKERS IN AUSTIN
PASSING HOUSE BILL
1927, ALLOWING ANYONE
21 AND UP WHO IS
LEGALLY ALLOWED TO BUY
A HANDGUN.
NO LICENSE NEEDED.
>> ANYTHING THAT
ALLOWS OUR LAW ABIDING
CITIZENS TO PROTECT
THEMSELVES AND THEIR
FAMILY IS A GOOD
THING.
>> Reporter:
NATIONWIDE, SIMILAR
HANDGUN MEASURES
ALREADY EXIST IN 20
STATES.
IN TEXAS, THE LAW
ELIMINATES NOT ONLY
THE LICENSE BUT ALSO
THE WRITTEN TEST,
TRAINING, AND STATE
BACKGROUND CHECKS.
DOES THIS MAKE YOUR
JOB HARDER?
>> I THINK IT DOES.
>> Reporter: MIKE MATA
IS PRESIDENT OF THE
DALLAS POLICE
ASSOCIATION.
>> SUPPORTERS WILL SAY
MORE GOOD GUYS WITH
GUNS MAKES YOUR JOB
EVEN EASIER.
>> WELL, MY ANSWER TO
THAT IS HOW DO I KNOW
YOU'RE A GOOD GUY?
YOU MIGHT GO TO A
SCENE AND NOW YOU HAVE
THREE, FOUR, FIVE
PEOPLE THAT ARE OPENLY
CARRYING A FIREARM.
>> Reporter: THE BILL
ALSO TURNING ATTENTION
TO RECENT MASS
SHOOTINGS.
JUST LAST MONTH, A
GUNMAN OPENED FIRE IN
BRYAN, TEXAS, USING A
HANDGUN TO KILL ONE
CO-WORKER AND WOUND
FIVE OTHERS.
AND DESPITE THE BILL'S
POPULARITY, AT GUN
RANGES LIKE THIS ONE,
STATEWIDE POLLS STILL
HAVE 58% OF TEXANS
OPPOSED.
GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT
SAYS HE'LL SIGN THE
BILL AS SOON AS IT
HITS HIS DESK.
LESTER.
>> MORGAN, THANK YOU.
>>> UP NEXT, THE
>>> A NEW ALERT AS THE
WEATHER GETS WARMER.
KRISTEN DAHLGREN NOW
ON THE EXPLOSION IN
POTENTIALLY
DISEASE-CARRYING
TICKS.
>> Reporter: ON A
RECENT EXPEDITION IN
COASTAL CONNECTICUT,
THIS RESEARCHER WAS
AMAZED.
>> 200 LONG HORNED
TICKS ON MYSELF.
THAT'S WITHIN TWO
MINUTES.
>> Reporter: THE
LONGHORNED TICK FIRST
FOUND IN THE U.S. IN
2017.
IT'S KNOWN TO
DEVASTATE LIVESTOCK.
RESEARCHERS ARE STILL
INVESTIGATING WHAT IT
COULD PASS TO HUMANS.
HE ALSO FOUND GULF
COAST TICKS, COMMON IN
THE SOUTHEAST, NOW
SPREADING INTO NEW
ENGLAND.
OTHER RESEARCH SHOWS
BLACK-LEGGED TICKS
SIMILAR TO ONES KNOWN
TO SPREAD LYME DISEASE
ARE NOW PROLIFIC NEAR
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
BEACHES.
SCIENTISTS CALLING
THIS YEAR THE PERFECT
STORM.
A MILD WINTER AND
ABUNDANT RAIN JUST AS
PEOPLE ARE HEADING
OUTSIDE IN DROVES.
DOCTORS RECOMMEND
WEARING LIGHT-COLORED
CLOTHING, TUCKING
PANTS INTO SOCKS AND
SPRAYING WITH
REPELLENT.
CHANGING CLOTHES AND
SHOWERING ASAP.
AND ALWAYS DO A TICK
CHECK ON YOU AND YOUR
CHILDREN.
THE LAB IS USUALLY
SENT 3,000 TICKS A
YEAR FOR TESTING.
THEY'VE ALREADY GOTTEN
2,200 IN THE FIRST
FIVE MONTHS OF 2021, A
SIGN TICKS ARE OUT IN
FORCE AND A WARNING
MORE MAY BE ON THE
WAY.
KRISTEN DAHLGREN, NBC
NEWS.
>>> NOW TO AN ISSUE
THAT HASN'T GOTTEN
ENOUGH ATTENTION AMID
THE PANDEMIC, THE
SURGE IN
OPIOID-RELATED DEATHS.
HERE'S MORGAN RADFORD.
>> Reporter: STUCK
INSIDE DURING THE
PANDEMIC, SABRINA HART
TURNED TO AN OLD
HABIT.
>> I GOT ME SOME
HEROIN.
I WENT INTO THE
BATHROOM, SNORTED IT.
>> Reporter: ONE THAT
NEARLY LEFT HER DEAD.
HOW DID THE PANDEMIC
AFFECT YOUR DRUG USE?
>> WELL, I WAS CLEAN
FOR FIVE YEARS.
I HADN'T TOUCHED
ANYTHING.
I SAT AT HOME EVERY
DAY.
I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO
DO.
I THINK IT WAS ALL THE
STRESS THAT WAS IN MY
HAND, AND I JUST
PICKED IT BACK UP LIKE
I HAD NEVER LEFT IT.
>> Reporter: NEARLY
200 AMERICANS ARE
DYING EVERY SINGLE DAY
FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES,
AN INCREASE OF 34%
DURING THE PANDEMIC,
LEADING TO THE HIGHEST
ONE-YEAR DEATH TOLL
FROM OVERDOSES EVER
RECORDED.
HOW BIG DID THE
PROBLEM GET IN THE
PANDEMIC?
>> BETWEEN APRIL AND
MAY OF 2020, OUR
NUMBERS TRIPLED.
>> TRIPLED?
>> YES.
>> Reporter: HERE IN
WEST VIRGINIA, THE
STATE WITH THE HIGHEST
OVERDOSE DEATH RATE IN
THE COUNTRY, CABELL
COUNTY WAS ONCE THE
EPICENTER.
IS THIS WHAT PEOPLE
AROUND HERE ARE
HEARING ALL DAY?
>> YEAH.
>> Reporter: THAT'S
WHY LOCAL OFFICIALS
BUILT QUICK RESPONSE
TEAMS LIKE THIS ONE,
COMPLETE WITH A POLICE
OFFICER, EMT,
TREATMENT COUNSELOR,
AND FAITH LEADER.
SO THIS IS THE QUICK
RESPONSE VEHICLE?
>> YEP.
>> Reporter: TO BRING
HELP WHERE IT'S NEEDED
MOST.
>> THEY'RE NOT GOING
TO COME TO US, RIGHT?
SO WE FOUND THAT IT'S
BEST TO GO TO THEM.
>> HOW DO YOU FIND THE
PEOPLE WHO OVERDOSE?
>> EVERY TIME AN
AMBULANCE IS
DISPATCHED ON A CALL,
WE HAVE TO GO --
>> I HAVE TRACK MARKS
THERE, THERE.
THIS IS A TRACK MARK.
THIS IS A TRACK MARK.
>> Reporter: FOR
COURTNEY, WHO JUST GOT
OUT OF PRISON IN
AUGUST FOR POSSESSION,
THE PANDEMIC BECAME A
PERFECT STORM.
>> COVID HIT, AND
EVERYTHING'S BEEN
DIFFERENT.
>> YOU THINK THAT
PLAYED A ROLE, THE
PANDEMIC?
>> YEAH.
ISOLATION, CAN'T GO
NOWHERE, CAN'T DO
ANYTHING.
THAT'S WHEN YOU'RE
STUCK IN YOUR HEAD.
WHEN YOU'RE BY
YOURSELF AND NOBODY'S
AROUND AND THINKING,
THINKING, THINKING,
YOU OBSESS.
>> Reporter: FOUR DAYS
BEFORE OUR INTERVIEW,
COURTNEY OVERDOSED
AGAIN.
>> YOU HAD AN O.D.
SATURDAY?
>> YEAH.
SATURDAY IF I WOULDN'T
HAVE JERKED WHEN I
DID, I'D BE DEAD.
>> Reporter: BUT
THANKS TO HUNTINGTON'S
QUICK RESPONSE TEAM --
>> HOW ARE YOU?
>> I'M FINE.
>> Reporter: SHE AND
OTHERS LIKE HER ARE
FINDING THEIR WAY
FORWARD.
DO YOU HAVE HOPE?
>> I HAVE HOPE.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE HOPE.
>> Reporter: MORGAN
RADFORD, NBC NEWS,
HUNTINGTON, WEST
>>> BEFORE WE GO, WE
WANT TO SHARE THIS
IMAGE OF A POIGNANT
MOMENT.
GEORGE FLOYD'S
DAUGHTER ENTERING THE
WHITE HOUSE TO VISIT
WITH THE PRESIDENT
TODAY ON THE
ANNIVERSARY OF HER
DAD'S DEATH.
A PERSONAL TRAGEDY FOR
HER AND ONE THAT IS
STILL JARRING AND
SHAPING THIS COUNTRY.
WHAT HAPPENED ONE YEAR
AGO WAS SHOCKING IN
ITS BRAZENNESS, THE
KNEE, THE SEEMING
INDIFFERENCE BOTH TO
GEORGE FLOYD'S
SUFFERING AND THE
CAMERAS AND CITIZENS
WHO BORE WITNESS.
IN THAT ROUGHLY TEN
MINUTES OF VIDEO, WE
SAW A LEGACY OF ABUSE
SUFFERED BY BLACKS AT
THE HANDS OF POLICE
OFFICERS.
A SHOCK TO SOME WHO
SAW IT.
A REALITY TO OTHERS.
HARDLY ANYONE COULD BE
UNAFFECTED, AND IT
DEMANDED CHANGE.
AND WE'VE SEEN IT IN
SOME OF THOSE POLICE
REFORM AND
ACCOUNTABILITY BILLS
AND LAWS PASSED SINCE
THEN.
BUT THE ROOTS OF
BEHAVIORAL CHANGE, HOW
WE SEE AND TREAT EACH
OTHER, ARE NOT SO
EASILY LEGISLATED.
THE IGNORANCE THAT HAS
FUELED A WAVE OF
ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE
AND ANTI-SEMITIC
ATTACKS IN THE MONTHS
AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S
MURDER SHOW JUST HOW
FAR WE MUST TRAVEL TO
ACT BETTER, TO BE
BETTER.
WE'VE ALSO SEEN MORE
VIOLENT ENCOUNTERS
BETWEEN POLICE AND
BLACK INDIVIDUALS.
NONE EXACTLY LIKE THE
OTHER.
SOME MET WITH SWIFT
ACCOUNTABILITY.
OTHERS LEFT TO
QUESTION UNDER A LACK
OF TRANSPARENCY.
TRUST ABUSED OVER TIME
IS NOT EASILY
RESTORED.
>> GEORGE FLOYD!
>> SAY HIS NAME.
>> GEORGE FLOYD!
>> GEORGE FLOYD DIDN'T
DIE FOR AN IDEA.
HE WASN'T A MARTYR FOR
A CAUSE.
HE WAS MURDERED UNDER
THE COLOR OF
AUTHORITY.
AND TO FORGET THAT AND
HIM IS TO IGNORE WHAT
WE SAW WITH OUR OWN
EYES AND IGNORE THE
NEED TO PRESS FORWARD
FOR CHANGE.
>>> THAT'S "NIGHTLY
NEWS" FOR THIS
TUESDAY.
THANK YOU FOR
WATCHING, EVERYONE.
I'M LESTER HOLT.
PLEASE TAKE CARE OF
YOURSELF AND EACH
OTHER.
GOOD NIGHT.
