>>> AMERICA ON THE
MOVE THIS MEMORIAL
DAY.
NEARLY 40 MILLION
AMERICANS HITTING THE
ROADS AND SKIES.
THE MOST SINCE THE
PANDEMIC STARTED.
PLUS THE MASSIVE
CROWDS GATHERING FOR
THE INDY 500.
CAMPGROUNDS BOOKED FOR
MONTHS.
IT'S THE START OF THE
NEW NORMAL.
BUT JUST HOW SAFE IS
IT?
>>> PLUS, THE CDC'S
NEW SUMMER CAMP
GUIDELINES FOR KIDS.
WHO DOES AND DOES NOT
NEED MASKS?
THE RAPIDLY SHIFTING
RULES PROMPTING LOTS
OF QUESTIONS FOR
FAMILIES.
>>> THE DEEP DIVIDE
OVER THE DEADLY
CAPITOL RIOT.
REPUBLICANS BLOCKING
THE COMMISSION TO
INVESTIGATE THE
JANUARY 6th ATTACK.
>>> NEW CLUES.
THE POSSIBLE MOTIVE
BEHIND THAT DEADLY
MASS SHOOTING AT A
CALIFORNIA RAIL YARD.
AND THE EMOTIONAL
MESSAGE FROM THE WIFE
OF ONE OF THE VICTIMS.
WHAT SHE TOLD HER
HUSBAND JUST BEFORE HE
DIED.
>>> ALSO, HELP WANTED.
NOT ENOUGH WORKERS TO
FILL JOBS AT CAMPS,
WATER PARKS,
RESTAURANTS AND MORE.
WE'LL TELL YOU WHAT
COULD BE CAUSING THE
CRISIS AND WHAT IT
COULD MEAN FOR YOU.
>>> FREE AT LAST.
THE PRISONER FINALLY
RELEASED AFTER NEARLY
30 YEARS BEHIND BARS
FOR A MURDER HE SAYS
HE DIDN'T COMMIT.
>>> AND THE HEROES
WITH THAT SPECIAL
MISSION, WATCHING OVER
THE TOMB OF THE
UNKNOWN SOLDIER.
>> Announcer: THIS IS
NBC "NIGHTLY NEWS"
WITH LESTER HOLT.
>>> GOOD EVENING.
I'M KRISTEN WELKER IN
FOR LESTER.
TONIGHT, THE GREAT
GETAWAY HAS BEGUN.
WITH HALF OF ALL
AMERICAN ADULTS NOW
FULLY VACCINATED AND
MOST STATES HAVING
LIFTED COVID
RESTRICTIONS,
AMERICANS ARE
PREPARING FOR THE
BIGGEST TRAVEL HOLIDAY
IN THE LAST YEAR.
DESPITE THAT NEW SURGE
IN GAS PRICES, TENS OF
MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE
EXPECTED TO HIT THE
ROADS.
THE AIRPORTS PACKED
TOO.
WE ALSO HAVE BRAND NEW
GUIDANCE FROM THE CDC
ON SUMMER CAMPS TO
TELL YOU ABOUT,
INCLUDING WHETHER YOUR
CHILD STILL NEEDS TO
BE WEARING A MASK
OUTDOORS.
BUT FIRST, LET'S START
WITH THE TRAVEL RUSH.
NBC'S TOM COSTELLO
STARTS OUR COVERAGE
TONIGHT.
>> Reporter: FRIDAY
NIGHT AND AMERICA'S
LONG-AWAITED GREAT
ESCAPE IS FINALLY
UNDER WAY.
FROM CLOGGED ROADWAYS
TO PACKED BEACHES AND
COOL MOUNTAIN
GETAWAYS.
WITH HALF THE
POPULATION RECEIVING
ONE DOSE, NEARLY 40
MILLION AMERICANS ARE
EXPECTED TO TRAVEL
THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND.
>> JUST LOOKING
FORWARD TO A LITTLE
BIT OF NORMALCY AGAIN.
>> IT WAS A LONG TIME
COMING, AND IT IS
ABOUT TIME.
AND IT'S A PERFECT
TIME OF YEAR TO START
ANEW.
>> Reporter: AAA SAYS
AN ESTIMATED 34
MILLION ARE ON THE
ROADS ALONE, EVEN WITH
THE NATIONAL AVERAGE
AT THE PUMP UP MORE
THAN A DOLLAR FROM A
YEAR AGO WHEN THE
ECONOMY TANKED.
AIRPORTS ARE NOW
BREAKING POST-PANDEMIC
PASSENGER RECORDS.
NEARLY 2 MILLION
PASSED THROUGH TSA
CHECKPOINTS ON
THURSDAY ALONE.
NBC'S BLAYNE ALEXANDER
IS AT THE NATION'S
BUSIEST AIRPORT.
>> HERE IN ATLANTA
AIRPORT OFFICIALS
EXPECT TO SEE 1.5
MILLION PEOPLE TRAVEL
THROUGH THIS HOLIDAY
WEEKEND.
THAT'S THE BUSIEST
IT'S BEEN SINCE
DECEMBER OF 2019.
>> Reporter: AND AT
THE NATION'S PREMIER
WEEKEND AUTO RACE
SPECTATORS WILL BE
BACK IN THE STANDS.
NBC'S TOM LLAMAS IS IN
INDIANAPOLIS.
>> HERE AT THE INDY
500 THEY'RE EXPECTING
MORE THAN 130,000 FANS
ON RACE DAY, WHICH IS
SUNDAY.
IT'S GOING TO BE THE
LARGEST SPORTING EVENT
ANYWHERE ON THE PLANET
SINCE THE ONSET OF THE
PANDEMIC.
ORGANIZERS FEEL THEY
CAN KEEP THE EVENT
SAFE, BUT THEY WANT TO
MAKE SURE FANS FOLLOW
THE RULES.
>> Reporter: BUT WITH
MOST INTERNATIONAL
TRAVEL STILL OFF
LIMITS THE SUMMER'S
HOTTEST TICKET MAY BE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS.
THE NATIONAL PARKS
ALREADY SEEING
RECORD-BREAKING
NUMBERS.
>> WE KNOW THAT MANY
OF THE MOST POPULAR
NATIONAL PARKS BOTH
CAMPGROUNDS AND
LODGING IN AND AROUND
PARKS ARE FULLY BOOKED
OR NEARLY FULLY BOOKED
THROUGH LABOR DAY
WEEKEND.
>> Reporter: AT
COLORADO'S CHERRY
CREEK STATE PARK
CAMPERS AND RVs HAVE
BEEN SHOWING UP ALL
DAY.
>> IT'S GOING TO BE A
BRAND NEW WORLD I
THINK.
I THINK IT'S A NEW
START.
AND MIGHT AS WELL JUST
GET OUT AND HAVE FUN.
>> FEELS GOOD TO GET
OUT AND FEEL REGULAR
AGAIN.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT
FROM COAST TO COAST
THE GREAT AMERICAN
RELAPSE IS UNDER WAY.
>> AND TOM, THIS IS
GOOD NEWS FOR THE
TRAVEL INDUSTRY?
>> Reporter:
ABSOLUTELY.
THE SURGE WE'RE SEEING
OF PASSENGERS HAS GOT
THE AIRLINES
RECOVERING MUCH FASTER
THAN EXPECTED.
THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH
PLANES RIGHT NOW.
MEANWHILE, RESTAURANTS
AND THEME PARKS ARE
COMING BACK EVEN
FASTER THAN THEY
EXPECTED, KRISTEN.
>> ALL AS THE NEW
NORMAL GETS UNDER WAY.
TOM COSTELLO, THANK
YOU.
>>> AND JUST AS THE
SUMMER KICKS OFF, THE
CDC RELEASED NEW
GUIDANCE ABOUT WHICH
CAMPERS NEED TO WEAR
MASKS AND WHICH DON'T.
HERE'S STEPHANIE GOSK
WITH WHAT FAMILIES
NEED TO KNOW.
>> Reporter: FOOTLOOSE
AND MASK-FREE FOR KIDS
THIS SUMMER?
NOT EXACTLY, SAYS THE
CDC.
TODAY RELEASING
REVISED GUIDANCE FOR
MASKING AT CAMP.
THE AGENCY HAD SAID
UNVACCINATED CAMPERS
SHOULD WEAR MASKS
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
NOW SLIGHTLY REVISING
THAT TO "IN GENERAL,
PEOPLE DO NOT NEED TO
WEAR MASKS WHEN
OUTDOORS, WHETHER THEY
ARE VACCINATED OR NOT.
UNLESS THEY ARE IN
CROWDED OUTDOOR
SETTINGS OR DURING
ACTIVITIES THAT
INVOLVE SUSTAINED
CLOSE CONTACT."
WITH MOST CAMPERS
UNDER THE AGE OF 12
AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR
THE VACCINE YET, CAMPS
ARE LEFT TO DECIDE FOR
THEMSELVES WHAT
ACTIVITIES ARE SAFE,
AND THE GUIDANCE IS
VAGUE.
>> ONE SIZE DOES NOT
FIT ALL FOR EACH OF
THESE CAMPS.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE
TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT
THE RATES OF
VACCINATION AMONG
THEIR STAFF AND AMONG
THEIR OLDER CAMPERS.
>> Reporter: IN NEW
YORK THERE WAS A MASK
REQUIREMENT FOR SUMMER
CAMPS UNTIL THIS WEEK.
NOW MASKS ARE JUST
ENCOURAGED.
AT CRESTWOOD COUNTRY
DAY CLUB ON LONG
ISLAND PARENTS AND
STAFF ARE RELIEVED.
>> THERE IS AN AWFUL
LOT OF PENT-UP DESIRE
TO HAVE CHILDREN GET
BACK TO CAMP.
>> KIDS THAT WANT TO
GET BACK TO CAMP AND
PARENTS THAT WANT
THEIR KIDS TO GET BACK
TO CAMP.
>> I'M NOT SURE WHICH
IT IS MORE SO.
>> Reporter:
CRESTWOOD'S DIRECTOR
SAYS MASKS WILL NOT BE
REQUIRED OUTSIDE.
GIVING THE KIDS, HE
SAYS, A CHANCE TO HAVE
A REAL SUMMER.
STEPHANIE GOSK, NBC
NEWS.
>>> AND NOW TO THAT
DRAMATIC VOTE IN THE
SENATE.
REPUBLICANS BLOCKING A
COMMISSION TO
INVESTIGATE THE
JANUARY 6th CAPITOL
ATTACK, ALL AS
PRESIDENT BIDEN
UNVEILS HIS SWEEPING
AND COSTLY BUDGET
PROPOSAL.
CHIEF WHITE HOUSE
CORRESPONDENT PETER
ALEXANDER HAS LATE
DETAILS.
>> Reporter: NEARLY
FIVE MONTHS AFTER THAT
VIOLENT SIEGE OF THE
CAPITOL, TONIGHT
SENATE REPUBLICANS
SLAMMING THE DOOR ON
THE CREATION OF A
BIPARTISAN COMMISSION
INTO THE ATTACK.
DEMOCRATS SAY THE
FORMER PRESIDENT IS TO
BLAME.
>> OUT OF FEAR OR
FEALTY TO DONALD TRUMP
THE REPUBLICAN
MINORITY JUST
PREVENTED THE AMERICAN
PEOPLE FROM GETTING
THE FULL TRUTH ABOUT
JANUARY 6th.
>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS
NEEDED 10 REPUBLICAN
VOTES, BUT ONLY 6
SIGNED ON.
AMONG THEM ALASKA'S
LISA MURKOWSKI.
>> AN INDEPENDENT
COMMISSION IS
IMPORTANT.
IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE
CONGRESS.
BUT I THINK IT'S ALSO
IMPORTANT TO THE
COUNTRY.
>> Reporter: MANY
REPUBLICANS CONCERNED
A COMMISSION WOULD
ALIENATE TRUMP
SUPPORTERS, DISMISSING
THE PROPOSAL AS A
POLITICAL EXERCISE.
ARGUING LAW
ENFORCEMENT AND
CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES ARE ALREADY
INVESTIGATING THE
RIOT.
>> THERE'S NO NEW FACT
ABOUT THAT DAY WE NEED
THE DEMOCRATS'
EXTRANEOUS COMMISSION
TO UNCOVER.
>> Reporter: THAT DEAD
END AS PRESIDENT BIDEN
TODAY REVEALS HIS NEW
BUDGET PROPOSAL,
CALLING FOR
$6 TRILLION IN FEDERAL
SPENDING, THE LARGEST
SUSTAINED SPENDING
LEVEL SINCE WORLD WAR
II, INCLUDING MAJOR
INVESTMENTS IN
INFRASTRUCTURE AND
SOCIAL PROGRAMS.
REPUBLICANS CALL IT
TOO EXPENSIVE AND TOO
EXTREME, NOTING WITHIN
10 YEARS THE
PRESIDENT'S PLAN WOULD
INCREASE THE U.S. DEBT
TO 117% OF THE SIZE OF
THE ENTIRE ECONOMY.
>> THE DEBT BECOMES SO
LARGE IT'S MORE THAN
100% OF YOUR GDP.
THERE'S NO COMING BACK
FROM THAT.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE
VENEZUELA OR CUBA.
>> Reporter: TONIGHT
THE WHITE HOUSE IS
DEFENDING ITS SPENDING
AS FISCALLY
RESPONSIBLE,
ARGUING IT'S NECESSARY
TO HELP THE U.S.
RECOVER FROM THE
PANDEMIC AND TO MAKE
THE COUNTRY MORE
COMPETITIVE INTO THE
FUTURE.
KRISTEN?
>> PETER ALEXANDER AT
THE WHITE HOUSE.
PETER, THANK YOU.
>>> AND WE WILL BE
BACK IN JUST 60
SECONDS WITH NEW CLUES
AND A POSSIBLE MOTIVE
IN THAT DEADLY MASS
SHOOTING IN
CALIFORNIA
>>> WITH THE
HIGH-STAKES SUMMIT
BETWEEN PRESIDENT
BIDEN AND RUSSIAN
PRESIDENT VLADIMIR
PUTIN JUST WEEKS AWAY,
AN URGENT NEW CRISIS
AT THE FOREFRONT.
ANOTHER HACKING
AGAINST THE U.S.
GOVERNMENT BEING
BLAMED ON RUSSIA.
OUR PETE WILLIAMS HAS
THE LATEST ON THE
INVESTIGATION.
>> Reporter: THE
LATEST ATTACK HIT THE
STATE DEPARTMENT'S
AGENCY FOR
INTERNATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT, USAID,
WHICH DISTRIBUTES
AMERICA'S FOREIGN AID.
THE HACKERS INSERTED
MALWARE THAT SENT WHAT
APPEARED TO BE GENUINE
USAID E-MAILS TO MORE
THAN 150 RECIPIENTS
INCLUDING HUMAN RIGHTS
GROUPS AND OTHER
ORGANIZATIONS THAT
HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF
RUSSIA'S PRESIDENT
VLADIMIR PUTIN.
IN A BLOG POST
MICROSOFT SAYS THE
ATTACK CAME FROM A
THREAT ACTOR CALLED
NOBELIUM, ORIGINATING
FROM RUSSIA.
THE SAME GROUP BEHIND
THE HUGE SOLARWINDS
ATTACK THAT TARGETED
THE DEPARTMENTS OF
HOMELAND SECURITY,
ENERGY, COMMERCE,
DEFENSE, TREASURY AND
STATE AND THOUSANDS OF
AMERICA'S BUSINESSES.
THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
HAS SAID NOBELIUM'S
HACKING IS THE WORK OF
RUSSIA'S FOREIGN
INTELLIGENCE SERVICE.
THIS TIME MICROSOFT
SAYS AUTOMATED SYSTEMS
BLOCKED MOST OF THE
MALICIOUS E-MAILS AND
MARKED THEM AS SPAM.
BUT THE RUSSIAN ATTACK
COMES LESS THAN THREE
WEEKS BEFORE PRESIDENT
BIDEN IS SCHEDULED TO
MEET PUTIN IN GENEVA.
>> WE NEED CLEAR RULES
OF NATION-STATE
CONDUCT IN CYBERSPACE
AND THEN CLEARLY
STATED CONSEQUENCES
FOR VIOLATIONS OF
THOSE RULES.
>> Reporter: LAST
MONTH BIDEN IMPOSED
MODEST SANCTIONS ON
RUSSIA FOR THE
SOLARWINDS ATTACK BUT
SAID HE WAS PREPARED
TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION
IF THE HACKING DIDN'T
STOP.
SECURITY EXPERTS SAY
THIS LATEST ATTACK WAS
INTENDED TO GATHER
INTELLIGENCE ON
PUTIN'S OPPONENTS, BUT
IT WAS STILL GOING ON
WITHIN THE PAST FEW
DAYS, SUGGESTING U.S.
SANCTIONS HAVEN'T MADE
MUCH DIFFERENCE.
KRISTEN?
>> PETE WILLIAMS IN
WASHINGTON.
PETE, THANK YOU.
>>> INVESTIGATORS IN
CALIFORNIA MAY BE
ZEROING IN ON A MOTIVE
FOR THE MASSACRE IN
SAN JOSE AS NEW
DETAILS HAVE EMERGED
ABOUT THE GUNMAN WHO
KILLED NINE CO-WORKERS
AT A RAIL YARD AND THE
MASSIVE ARSENAL HE HAD
AT HIS HOME.
MIGUEL ALMAGUER HAS
THE VERY LATEST
TONIGHT.
>> Reporter: CHILLING
ONLY BECAUSE HE
APPEARS CALM,
INVESTIGATORS SAY THIS
SURVEILLANCE VIDEO
CAPTURES THE GUNMAN
AFTER HIS FIRST
MURDEROUS RAMPAGE AND
BEFORE HIS SECOND.
AT HIS HOME, 25,000
ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION,
MULTIPLE WEAPONS AND
MOLOTOV COCKTAILS.
A MOTIVE COMING INTO
FOCUS.
A FEDERAL LAW
ENFORCEMENT SOURCE
CONFIRMING THE SUSPECT
WAS DETAINED BY U.S.
CUSTOMS IN 2016 AFTER
RETURNING FROM
OVERSEAS FOR
POSSESSING BOOKS ABOUT
TERRORISM AND FEAR AND
MANIFESTOS AS WELL AS
A MEMO FILLED WITH
HATRED TOWARD HIS
WORKPLACE.
THE TARGETED SHOOTING
BEGAN WEDNESDAY
MORNING.
>> HE KILLED THEM ALL.
WHO HE WANTED, HE MADE
SURE THEY WERE DEAD.
>> Reporter: THE NINE
MEN WHO WENT TO WORK
AND NEVER CAME HOME
REMEMBERED BY A SEA OF
LOVED ONES.
>> IT WAS HORRIFIC.
>> Reporter: TARA
FRITCH LOST HER
HUSBAND, ALEX.
SHE WAS AT HIS
HOSPITAL BEDSIDE AS HE
SLIPPED AWAY.
>> I JUST SAID I LOVE
YOU, I DON'T WANT YOU
TO GO, BUT I KNOW YOU
HAVE TO.
AND IT'S OKAY.
WE'LL BE OKAY.
AND HIS HEART STOPPED.
>> Reporter: IN
SEPTEMBER THE FRITCHES
PLANNED TO RENEW THEIR
VOWS ON THEIR 20th
ANNIVERSARY.
>> I'VE LOST
EVERYTHING.
I DON'T WANT TO BE
HERE WITHOUT HIM.
>> Reporter: MIGUEL
ALMAGUER, NBC NEWS,
SAN JOSE.
>>> WELL, TONIGHT A
PHILADELPHIA MAN WHO
SAYS HE WAS WRONGLY
CONVICTED OF MURDER IS
GETTING A SECOND
CHANCE, AND HIS FIRST
TASTE OF FREEDOM IN
ALMOST THREE DECADES.
RON ALLEN HAS HIS
STORY.
>> Reporter: AFTER
NEARLY 30 YEARS IN
PRISON ERIC RIDDICK
TONIGHT IS A FREE MAN.
>> JUST HAPPY TO SEE
EVERYBODY.
I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE
TO ENJOY MY FAMILY.
THIS IS AMAZING.
A LITTLE OVERWHELMING.
>> Reporter: RIDDICK,
NOW 51, STILL CLAIMS
HE HAD NOTHING TO DO
WITH THE MURDER OF HIS
BEST FRIEND WILLIAM
CATLETT IN NOVEMBER OF
1991 IN PHILADELPHIA.
>> DID YOU KILL WILL
CATLETT?
>> Reporter: LESTER
FIRST TALKED TO
RIDDICK FROM PRISON
THREE YEARS AGO AFTER
HEARING ABOUT HIS CASE
FROM RAPPER MEEK MILL
AFTER HIS RELEASE FROM
PRISON.
>> I'VE NEVER, EVER
TAKEN A HUMAN LIFE.
>> Reporter: TODAY A
JUDGE AGREED RIDDICK
HAD BEEN WRONGFULLY
CONVICTED.
EVIDENCE THAT MIGHT
HAVE PROVED HIS
INNOCENCE NOT PROVIDED
TO HIS ATTORNEYS.
ALIBI WITNESSES WHO
SAID RIDDICK DID NOT
COMMIT THE CRIME NEVER
TESTIFIED.
THE ONLY WITNESS WHO
SAID RIDDICK FIRED THE
FATAL SHOTS HAS SINCE
RECANTED HIS STORY.
THROUGH IT ALL
RIDDICK'S MOTHER
LEADING THE FIGHT TO
FREE HER SON.
>> THE WAITING,
KNOWING THAT HE'S
INNOCENT, NOT BECAUSE
I'M HIS MOTHER SAYING
HE'S INNOCENT, BECAUSE
WE DID THE LEGWORK.
>> Reporter: RIDDICK'S
NUMEROUS APPEALS
REJECTED UNTIL A NEW
REVIEW BY THE
PHILADELPHIA D.A.'S
CONVICTION INTEGRITY
UNIT.
TODAY SAYING THEY
BELIEVE RIDDICK WAS AN
ACCOMPLICE TO THE
MURDER BUT DID NOT
FIRE THE FATAL SHOTS.
RIDDICK AGREED TO
PLEAD NO CONTEST TO
THIRD-DEGREE MURDER
AND WAS FREED BECAUSE
HE'S ALREADY SERVED
29 1/2 YEARS.
YOU'RE NOT FULLY
SATISFIED WITH THE
OUTCOME TODAY?
>> I'M NOT, NO.
I'M HAPPY HE'S GETTING
RELEASED AFTER 29
YEARS IN JAIL.
BUT I THINK THAT THE
EVIDENCE SHOULD ALWAYS
RULE THE CASE AND THE
EVIDENCE IS THAT HE'S
NOT GUILTY.
>> Reporter: RIDDICK
VOWING TO CONTINUE THE
FIGHT.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF
OTHER INNOCENT MEN IN
PRISON.
>> Reporter: FOR
OTHERS BEHIND BARS
CLAIMING LIKE HIM THEY
DESERVE TO BE FREE.
RON ALLEN, NBC NEWS,
PHILADELPHIA.
>> A LONG AND
EMOTIONAL JOURNEY
THERE.
>>> WELL, NOW TO AN
UPDATE ON A STORY WE
TOLD YOU ABOUT JUST A
FEW WEEKS AGO.
A 10-YEAR-OLD BOY FROM
NICARAGUA PART OF THE
SURGE OF UNACCOMPANIED
MIGRANT CHILDREN WHO
APPROACHED A BORDER
PATROL AGENT CRYING,
SAYING HE'D BEEN
ABANDONED, TODAY WAS
REUNITED WITH HIS
MOTHER IN TEXAS.
THEY PLAN TO LIVE WITH
FAMILY IN FLORIDA.
EMOTIONAL REUNION.
>>> AND THERE'S
GROWING CONCERN THIS
SUMMER WITH MANY
BUSINESSES SAYING THEY
CAN'T FILL THOSE
SUMMER JOBS.
STEPHANIE RUHLE
TONIGHT ON WHY AND
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
FOR YOU AS YOU HIT THE
ROAD.
>> Reporter: MEGAN
SALLY BUTTINGER CAMP
H
HILLCROSS ESPECIALLY
FOREIGN STUDENTS WHO
NEED J-1 VISAS TO BE
CAMP COUNSELORS.
THEY HAVE ONLY ONE
CONFIRMED AND ARE
WAITING ON 23 MORE.
>> US NOT BRING OUR
INTERNATIONAL STAFF
OVER IS SOMETHING THAT
KEEPS US AWAKE AT
NIGHT.
>> Reporter: BECAUSE
OF COVID THE U.S. HAS
A BAN ON TRAVEL FROM
33 COUNTRIES, MANY OF
THEM WHERE THESE
WORKERS COME FROM.
THERE'S ALSO A BACKLOG
TO PROCESS J-1 VISAS.
WITHOUT ALL THE
COUNSELORS FROM
OVERSEAS ACTIVITIES
LIKE SWIM LESSONS AND
GYMNASTICS COULD LOOK
DIFFERENT THIS YEAR.
WITH CURRENT STAFF
DOING DOUBLE DUTY.
BUT LACK OF VISAS FOR
INTERNATIONAL WORKERS
IS CAUSING PROBLEMS
FOR ALL SORTS OF
BUSINESSES ACROSS THE
COUNTRY.
EMPLOYERS RELY ON J-1
FOREIGN WORKERS DURING
PEAK TOURIST SEASON.
>> THEY WORK TYPICALLY
IN PLACES WHERE THERE
ARE LABOR SHORTAGES
AND AS A RESULT THEY
ACTUALLY HELP KEEP
AMERICANS EMPLOYED IN
THOSE PLACES.
>> Reporter: LAST
MONTH OVER 500
COMPANIES URGED THE
SECRETARY OF STATE TO
DEFER PARTS OF THE
VISA PROCESS, CALLING
THE SITUATION A
CRISIS.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT
SAYS IT'S WAIVED SOME
INTERVIEWS TO SPEED UP
THE PROCESS.
>> IT'S GREAT THAT THE
STATE DEPARTMENT TOOK
THAT ACTION, BUT IT'S
NOT ENOUGH.
>> Reporter: KALAHARI
RESORTS OWNS FOUR
WATER PARKS AND HIRES
ABOUT 700 OVERSEAS
WORKERS.
THIS SUMMER MAYBE 100.
>> THE J-1 VISA
PROGRAM IS VITALLY
IMPORTANT FOR TOURISM
IN AMERICA.
>> Reporter: TO FIND
EMPLOYEES THEY'VE
OFFERED BONUSES,
RELOCATION PACKAGES,
EVEN HOUSING.
FOR SALLY THE ISSUE IS
A PERSONAL ONE.
>> I CAME OVER ON A
J-1 VISA.
LITTLE DID I KNOW I
WOULD END UP MARRYING
THE CAMP DIRECTOR'S
SON.
>> Reporter: SUMMER IS
HERE.
WILL THE WORKERS BE?
STEPHANIE RUHLE, NBC
NEWS, NEW YORK.
>>> NEXT, AN EXCLUSIVE
LOOK AT A
>>> TONIGHT NBC NEWS
HAS EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
TO THE FIRST
TRANSPLANT CLINIC FOR
AFRICAN-AMERICANS, AN
IMPORTANT FIRST FOR
COMMUNITIES OF COLOR
WHO OFTEN STRUGGLE TO
GET ACCESS TO HEALTH
CARE.
MEGHAN FITZGERALD HAS
MORE.
>> Reporter: THIS IS
LIFE FOR 31-YEAR-OLD
DAWN BOWEN.
ONCE INDEPENDENT AND
THRIVING IN HER
CAREER, NOW SHE SPENDS
NINE HOURS A DAY
GETTING DIALYSIS.
>> MY BODY IN SOME
WAYS HAS TURNED
AGAINST ME.
>> Reporter: DAWN WAS
DIAGNOSED WITH STAGE 3
KIDNEY FAILURE IN
2018.
DOCTORS TOLD HER SHE
WOULD NEED A
TRANSPLANT.
BUT THREE YEARS LATER
SHE'S STILL WAITING.
>> WHAT DOES WAITING
FEEL LIKE?
>> LIKE A ROLLER
COASTER, AN EMOTIONAL
ROLLER COASTER.
>> Reporter: DAWN'S
EXPERIENCE IS ALL TOO
COMMON AMONG PEOPLE OF
COLOR.
STUDIES SHOW THAT JUST
26% OF BLACK PATIENTS
WAITING FOR AN ORGAN
RECEIVE ONE.
BUT FOR WHITE PATIENTS
THE NUMBER IS NEARLY
DOUBLE.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF
DATA THAT SHOWS THAT
BLACK PATIENTS ARE
LESS LIKELY TO GET
REFERRED TO A
TRANSPLANT CENTER AND
ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET
LISTED AND THEREFORE
TRANSPLANTED.
>> Reporter: DR. DINEE
SIMPSON IS ONE OF JUST
TEN BLACK FEMALE
TRANSPLANT SURGEONS
PRACTICING IN THE U.S.
AFTER SEEING THE
WIDENING DISPARITY SHE
STARTED THE FIRST AND
ONLY PROGRAM IN THE
COUNTRY THAT HELPS
AFRICAN-AMERICANS
RECEIVE ORGANS.
>> THE MISSION IS TO
WORK WITH THEM TO
OVERCOME THOSE
BARRIERS, GET THEM ON
THE LIST, GET THEM
TRANSPLANTED.
>> Reporter: BARRIERS
LIKE THE LACK OF
ACCESS TO PHARMACIES,
HEALTHY FOODS AND
SPECIALTY CARE.
SIMPSON SAYS EVERY
PATIENT IS EVALUATED
BY A COMMITTEE LOOKING
TO ENSURE THE ORGAN
WILL BE PROPERLY CARED
FOR.
>> IF A RIDE IS A
BARRIER TO THEM
GETTING TO THEIR
APPOINTMENTS WE'LL
WORK TO FIGURE OUT HOW
TO GET THEM A RIDE.
IF THEY NEED TO
DEMONSTRATE THAT THEY
HAVE AROUND-THE-CLOCK
SUPPORT, WE'LL HELP
PIECE TOGETHER A
SOLUTION.
>> Reporter: SINCE THE
PROGRAM STARTED THREE
YEARS AGO AT
NORTHWESTERN, THERE'S
ALREADY BEEN AN 18%
INCREASE IN BLACK
PATIENTS LISTED FOR A
TRANSPLANT.
NOW SIMPSON OPENED A
NEW CLINIC IN
CHICAGO'S SOUTH SIDE.
>> THIS IS WHERE WE
NEED TO BE.
IT'S GOING TO CREATE
AN OASIS OF CARE.
>> Reporter: GIVING
HOPE TO PEOPLE LIKE
DAWN.
>> I'LL GET THE CALL,
HEY DAWN, WE FINALLY
FOUND YOU THAT KIDNEY.
AND I'M GOING TO BE
LIKE YES, I AM READY,
LET'S GET THIS PARTY
STARTED.
>> Reporter: OPTIMISM
THROUGH EQUITY THANKS
TO A TEAM COMMITTED TO
GIVING ALL PATIENTS A
FAIR SHOT.
MEGHAN FITZGERALD, NBC
NEWS, CHICAGO.
>> THAT TEAM MAKING A
BIG DIFFERENCE IN A
LOT OF LIVES.
>>> AND WHEN WE COME
BACK, THOSE WHO SERVE.
A SOLEMN MISSION TO
GUARD THE TOMB OF THE
>>> FINALLY TONIGHT,
AS WE BEGIN THIS
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
WE TAKE YOU TO
ARLINGTON NATIONAL
CEMETERY AND A LOOK AT
THOSE GUARDING
AMERICA'S UNKNOWN
HEROES.
AARON GILCHRIST
REPORTS.
>> Reporter: ON ONE OF
AMERICA'S MOST
HALLOWED GROUNDS, A
TOMB HOLDING THE
REMAINS OF THREE
AMERICAN HEROES AS THE
INSCRIPTION SAYS,
"KNOWN BUT TO GOD."
>> AND IT WAS SO
POWERFUL.
IT JUST CHANGED ME.
>> Reporter: RICHARD
AZZARO WAS DRAWN TO
SERVICE AS A TEENAGER
WHEN HE FIRST SAW TOMB
GUARDS WALK THE MAT IN
FRONT OF THE TOMB OF
THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER.
HE WOULD ENLIST IN THE
ARMY AT THE AGE OF 17,
ON TRACK TO SERVE IN
SPECIAL FORCES.
BUT HE WAS DRAWN TO
THE OLD GUARD, THE
SOLDIERS WHO WATCH
OVER THE TOMB, A
MISSION THAT HE CALLED
MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY,
AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY
DEMANDING, A MISSION
TOO IMPORTANT TO EVER
FAIL.
>> IT'S ABOUT
AMERICA'S SACRED DUTY
TO NEVER, EVER FORGET
THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED
AND SACRIFICED ON
BEHALF OF AMERICA IN
TIMES OF WAR OR ARMED
CONFLICT.
>> Reporter: THE TOMB
OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER
WAS DEDICATED 100
YEARS AGO.
IT'S THE FINAL RESTING
PLACE OF AN UNKNOWN
AMERICAN FIGHTER FROM
WORLD WARS I AND II
AND THE KOREAN WAR.
NOW AT 76 RICHARD
STILL VIVIDLY
REMEMBERS A MOTHER
ONCE SPEAKING TO HIM
ABOUT HER SOLDIER SON
AS HE MARCHED.
>> SHE TOLD ME HOW
GRATEFUL SHE WAS FOR
WHAT I WAS DOING,
TAKING CARE OF HER
SON, THE WAY A MOTHER
THANKS YOU FOR TAKING
CARE OF HER BABY.
AND I SAID I'LL NEVER
FAIL YOU.
>> Reporter: OVER THE
YEARS ONLY 688
SOLDIERS HAVE STOOD
WATCH 24 HOURS A DAY
IN ANY TYPE OF
WEATHER.
FIVE HAVE BEEN WOMEN,
INCLUDING RUTH
ROBINSON, A MEMBER OF
THE SOCIETY OF THE
HONOR GUARD,
PRESERVING THE MEMORY
OF THE TOMB AND THE
UNKNOWNS.
>> TO ME THERE WAS NO
HIGHER HONOR THAT I
COULD DO IN MY
MILITARY CAREER THAN
TO GUARD THE UNKNOWN
AND THEN TO LATER ON
SHARE THEIR STORY.
>> Reporter: A SACRED
DUTY TO KEEP SERVING
THOSE WHO MADE THE
ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
AARON GILCHRIST, NBC
NEWS, ELLICOTT CITY,
MARYLAND.
>> AND WE HONOR ALL OF
THEIR SACRIFICES THIS
WEEKEND.
THAT IS "NIGHTLY NEWS"
FOR THIS FRIDAY.
PLEASE BE SURE TO
CATCH THE LATEST
EPISODE OF "NIGHTLY
NEWS" KIDS EDITION
TOMORROW MORNING ON
NBC.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR
WATCHING.
I'M KRISTEN WELKER.
HAVE A HAPPY AND
HEALTHY MEMORIAL DAY
WEEKEND.
