and we want you to meet these birdies. meet aurora. eclipse. equinox and solstice. which ones? which yeah, i don't know. they're named after the day they were born. which is earth day. the mama bird annie has lived at uc berkeley's bell tower for eight years now at the campanile and last month these chicks hatched two boys. two girls. last week, the club that supports them cal falcons as the public to help name them and the earth day names got the most votes. nature in action right there. yeah. super all right. thanks very much for watching. nightly news is next. we're back at six. hope you can join us then. tonight the record travel rush for memorial day weekend and the severe weather threat that remains. the tsa reporting nearly three million travel screenings on friday, the most ever recorded. roads across the country jam-packed.

>> traffic has been really bad. this fiery crash backing up traffic for hours in boston. plus, the risk that remains, 22 million under severe weather threats from texas to illinois. the emotional homecoming for an american who was detained in turks and caicos. >> i feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. plus, new hope for other americans still detained. overseas, several climbers dying on mt. everest due to treacherous conditions at the top of the world. a setback in gaza. american ships supporting efforts to get humanitarian aid into the region through a u.s.-built pier washing ashore. rapper nicki minaj apparently arrested in amsterdam. >> i'm not going in there. i need a lawyer present. >> what happened at this airport and how it impacted her concert tonight. the fast food value meal wars heating up. how burger king is planning to compete to win back inflation-weary customers.

and where are the summer blockbusters? why this year could be a summer bummer at the box office. this is "nbc nightly news" with jose diaz-balart. >> good evening. memorial day weekend is getting off to an historic start. the tsa says it's screened nearly three million people yesterday, that's a record. and on the roads, aaa says 38 million people are set to drive during this three-day weekend. but the real curve ball, for half the country it's the weather. 22 million people are under threat of strong tornadoes, damaging winds, and large hail across the heart of the country. that number will double tomorrow. and as we come on the air, more than four million people are under tornado alerts from texas to kansas that could bring 80 mile-per-hour winds, even dvd-sized hail. priscilla thompson starts us off in oklahoma city which could be in for a rough night.

>> reporter: the great american getaway is in full swing tonight and shattering records. >> i think it's pretty packed for 5:00 a.m. >> reporter: the tsa reporting the highest number of passengers ever screened in a single day friday, almost three million across the u.s. and it's not just the skies that are jam-packed. >> traffic has been really bad. it's backed up, and it's taking us a long time to get there. >> reporter: according to aaa, more than 38 million are expected behind the wheel this holiday weekend. >> it's been really bad honestly. >> three cars on fire -- >> reporter: this fiery crash inside a boston tunnel sent drivers running out on foot, backing up traffic friday just as some vacationers were leaving town. and the hottest destination for the 44 million traveling -- beaches. >> so nice to feel the sun on your skin. >> reporter: but it could be dangerously hot in places like texas where seven million are under heat alerts with temps expected to soar into the triple digits.

and the outlook is not sunny everywhere. >> not a question of if we're going to see tornadoes, it's a question of when we're going to see tornadoes. >> reporter: 22 million from texas to illinois are in the bull's-eye for giant hail, high winds, and potentially deadly tornadoes. >> whoa, man. >> reporter: residents in oklahoma still recovering from 26 reported tornadoes this month including nine in the last week alone. now bracing for more. >> seems like we've had definitely some late nights, staying up watching the radar for hours at a time. but yeah, we're ready for it. >> reporter: do you feel like tonight will be another one of those nights? >> i think so. >> reporter: a nationwide pattern of unrelenting spring storms now proving to be a dark cloud as millions take to the roads and skies to kick off the unofficial start of summer. >> priscilla joins me from oklahoma city. that region bracing for what could be a tough night.

>> reporter: yeah, jose. we're already seeing significant storms in northwest oklahoma with that system headed right this way. already a tornado watch has been issued for this area including oklahoma city as tonight residents remain on high alert. jose? >> priscilla thompson in oklahoma city, thank you. let's get latest forecast from nbc news meteorologist angie lassman. what's the rest of the weekend looking like? >> unfortunately the severe weather threat doesn't let up through monday. we've already got some of these thunderstorms firing up and leaving us with more intense storms targeting the central plains through the rest of the evening hours tonight. we've got all of the hazards on the table, especially concerned about those dangerous nocturnal tornadoes after dark. we know what kind of killers those are. destructive hail up to five inches, and on top of that the damaging wind gusts over 80 miles per hour. by tomorrow, it's the ohio valley and the midwest that we'll watch for all of those same threats. specifically nashville to cincinnati and including st. louis with once again those strong winds over 75 miles per hour.

by monday, memorial day, it's the east coast that the risk arrives for. we'll see all of those strongest storms targeting the mid-atlantic as we get through the rest of the holiday weekend. >> angie lassman. thank you so much. now to pittsburgh and an emotional homecoming for an american tourist who was jailed in turks and caicos. tonight that release is raising hopes for other americans who are still detained there. marissa parra has details. >> reporter: bryan hagerich is finally free to claim the hugs he's been waiting for. >> i feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. >> reporter: the pennsylvania father of two reuniting family overnight after facing but avoiding 12 years in a turks and caicos jail. >> you think you're on this beautiful island, but there's nothing beautiful about it when you don't have your family. >> reporter: he spent three months unable to leave turks and caicos which has a strict law surrounding firearms and ammunition or getting caught with unauthorized possession carries a minimum 12-year sentence.

on vacation with his family, he accidentally left bullets in his luggage from a hunting trip. after hagerich pleaded guilty a local judge sentenced him to 52 weeks, 12 months suspended because of what she called exceptional circumstances including the accidental nature and his lack of criminal background. >> it's the best day. >> reporter: u.s. lawmakers had flown down to turks and caicos earlier this week in support. >> and they played such a huge part in bringing me home and hopefully the others are soon to follow. >> reporter: three other americans on the island awaiting their own fate on similar charges including sharitta grier and ryan watson who say nothing was intentional. >> i was so scared, like i was in shock. i couldn't believe it. >> you see beaches and sand and palm trees, and it's now become my prison. >> reporter: hagerich all too familiar, ordered to pay $6,700 for his own release amid what a family spokesperson said was a $100,000 financial toll. >> my biggest concern is

coaching my kids' baseball games tomorrow. that is such a relief. >> reporter: his return home priceless. marissa parra, nbc news. overseas, treacherous conditions on mt. everest have claimed yet another life, one of several deaths this week at the top of the world. dana griffin has more. >> reporter: after summitting the world's highest peak this week, tragedy when two climbers plummeted into the void when a treacherous icy ridge collapsed. take a look at this. you see a bottleneck of climbers packed on a narrow pathway a few feet wide. after the snow gave way, you see one climber using a safety rope to pull himself back up. so far five mt. everest climbers have died this season according to nepali officials. british climber daniel patterson and his guide are still missing and feared dead. their expedition company writing "we remember and honor their enduring spirits." patterson's partner is holding out hope, posting on social media, "time is of the essence

in a situation like this, and we are mobilizing every resource we can to locate dan." what's the likelihood of survival here? >> minimal. >> reporter: ian taylor is a mountaineer who has guided climbers but says he won't be going back. >> when i climbed 16 years ago, there was maybe four climbers above me. now when i see the pictures of 100 people up there, it doesn't make sense to me. you can't get back past people, move around people. yeah, your life is on the line. >> reporter: experts say changing climate conditions, overcrowding, and a lack of experience are to blame for what's turning into a dangerous and deadly spring summit season. >> it takes a lot of years to understand snow pack, and if people don't know what they're looking at or dealing with, especially when people are under pressure and stress, they may not be aware of what they're actually doing at those elevations. >> reporter: a challenge experts hope will force policy change to prevent accidents at the top of the world. dana griffin, nbc news.

in the middle east there has been a major setback on u.s. efforts to get aid into gaza. severe weather and choppy seas forcing four u.s. army vessels to run ashore with two anchored on a gaza beach and the other two on israel's coast. these vessels were supporting the mission to transport aid through a pier built by the u.s. military. also developing overseas, rapper nicki minaj was apparently arrested in amsterdam earlier today while she was traveling to uk concert scheduled for tonight. meagan fitzgerald has details. they said i have to get in this van and go to the precinct with them. >> reporter: nicki minaj sharing the dramatic moments with the world. >> where am i going? for what? >> reporter: the rapper, songwriter, and actor live moments at the airport in streaming on instagram these

moments at the airport in amsterdam. police appearing to tell the 41-year-old star politely she's under arrest. >> i'm not -- >> we will bring you to the police station. >> for what? >> because you are carrying drugs. >> i'm not carrying drugs. >> okay, but it's not a question -- i think -- >> i'm not carrying drugs. number one, when i came here, my -- >> go inside. >> i'm not going in there. i need a lawyer present. >> reporter: police saying they would help minaj make it to her upcoming performance on time before escorting her into this vehicle and closing her in. the artist was on her way to her next concert in manchester, england. ♪ the 12-time grammy nominated and multi-platinum-selling artist catapulted to stardom with hits like "super bass." ♪ >> and "star ships." ♪ i'm a barbie girl ♪ >> recently releasing "barbie world" with ice spice for the box office hit "barbie." nbc news asking dutch authorities if they arrested the rap star.

police only confirming that they arrested a 41-year-old american woman after being found in possession of soft drugs. and hours later posting on social media the woman was issued a fine and released. >> so what about that concert scheduled for tonight in the uk? >> reporter: yeah, jose, that show had to be canceled. the announcement coming two hours after the concert was set to begin. and worth noting that minaj's scheduled to be performing back in amsterdam in early june. jose? >> meagan fitzgerald in london. thank you. still ahead, the fast food battle for your money. it's heating up. what burger king is doing so you can have it your way for less. .d unintentional movements in his face, hands, and feet called tardive dyskinesia, or td. so his doctor prescribed austedo xr— a once-daily td treatment for adults. ♪as you go with austedo♪ austedo xr significantly reduced dan's td movements.

some people saw a response as early as 2 weeks. with austedo xr, dan can stay on his mental health meds- (dan) cool hair! (vo) austedo xr can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, or actions in patients with huntington's disease. pay close attention to and call your doctor if you become depressed, have sudden changes in mood, or have suicidal thoughts. don't take if you have liver problems, are taking reserpine, tetrabenazine, or valbenazine. austedo xr may cause irregular or fast heartbeat, or abnormal movements. seek help for fever, stiff muscles, problems thinking, or sweating. common side effects include inflammation of the nose and throat, insomnia and sleepiness. ♪as you go with austedo♪ ask your doctor for austedo xr. ♪austedo xr♪ [tense music] one aleve works all day so i can keep working my magic. just one aleve. 12 hours of uninterrupted pain relief. aleve. who do you take it for? ...and for fast topical pain relief,try alevex. we thought we climbed every mountain, and then...

ll cool j. turkey club. thank you, thank you. i know. keep it together. progressive can't save you from becoming your parents, but we can save you money when you bundle home and auto with us. -wow, you're tall. -ugh. before my doctor and i chose breztri for my copd, i had bad days. [cough] flare-ups that could permanently damage my lungs. with breztri, things changed for me. breztri gave me better breathing. starting within 5 minutes, i noticed my lung function improved. it helped improve my symptoms, and breztri was even proven to reduce flare-ups, including those that could send me to the hospital. so now i look forward to more good days. breztri won't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems. it is not for asthma. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it. don't take breztri more than prescribed. breztri may increase your risk of thrush, pneumonia, and osteoporosis. call your doctor if worsened breathing,

chest pain, mouth or tongue swelling, problems urinating, vision changes, or eye pain occur. can't afford your medication? astrazeneca may be able to help. ask your doctor about breztri. we are back with president biden's message to grads at the west point military academy. the president highlighting his commitment to israel, ukraine, and allies in the indo-pacific region, telling more than 1,000 graduating army cadets that the military has never had to address so many global challenges at once. in the business world, burger king is just the latest fast food chain to slash prices, fighting to win back customers struggling with the cost of living. erin mclachlan has more. ♪ have it your way ♪ >> reporter: this summer, burger king will let you have it for less. announcing its new $5 value meal.

so what's on the menu? it will include one of three sandwiches, nuggets, fries, and a drink. the offer rolling out after news mcdonald's has plans for its own $5 limited time deal. >> i mean, this is absolutely expected from burger king. it's kind of aggressive because they're going to start it earlier and keep it longer. >> reporter: it's part of the ongoing fast food fight for your dollars. >> why is it so expensive? >> reporter: after industry-wide prices jumped nearly 28% from 2019 to 2023 outpacing overall inflation. >> it's getting out of hand. >> reporter: the deals a drastic effort to get diners through the door. so how low will the burger wars go? at participating wendy's, starting on tuesday and lasting for six days you'll be able to buy a burger for just a penny with any purchase. all you have to do is register on the app or website. analysts are pointing to increased packaging and labor costs for the price hikes, but the sticker shock is causing many customers to pull back. >> we've seen traffic pretty

broadly at fast food restaurants in particular really coming down this year. they need to devote some of their marketing attention to value to tell the customer we hear you, we are doing something about it. here's a $5 meal deal. >> reporter: it's not just fast food franchises scrambling to address the pain that years of inflation have inflicted on customers' pocketbooks. this week target announced it's slashing prices in about 5,000 food, beverage, and other essential items, while walmart introduced a new premium grocery brand with most items under -- you guessed it -- $5. the price point penny pinchers hope will lead to a long-awaited summer of savings. erin mclachlan, nbc news, new york. we're back with the summer bummer this year at the box office after last year's blockbusters. plus, the special midair surprise this boy got. and an unforgettable graduation. and wayfair's big mel day clearance is here now!

it's the talk of the town. right now through may 28th, get up to 70% off everything home. save on finds for indoors and out. plus, score surprise flash deals that'll make your day. and get it all with fast shipping straight to your door. save up to 70% off wayfair's memorial day clearance now through may 28th, and kickstart your summer with savings! ♪ wayfair every style, every home ♪ uhhh. katie! i knew i'd find you here. i know, it's wild. i'm you from the future! anyway our doctor figured it out. all that constipation with belly pain that keeps coming back, it's ibs—c. she said linzess could help you get ahead of it. whatta you say? yess! get ahead of your ibs—c with linzess. linzess is not a laxative. it's a once—daily pill that helps you get ahead of your symptoms. it's proven to help you have more frequent and complete bowel movements. and helps relieve overall abdominal symptoms...

belly pain, discomfort, and bloating. do not give linzess to children less than two. it may harm them. do not take linzess if you have a bowel blockage. get immediate help if you develop unusual or severe stomach pain, especially with bloody or black stools. the most common side effect is diarrhea, sometimes severe. if it's severe, stop taking linzess and call your doctor right away. these aren't all the side effects. imagine...what could relief from ibs—c mean for you? talk to your doctor and say yess to linzess. learn how abbvie and ironwood could help you save. ( ♪ ♪ ) start your day with nature made. the #1 pharmacist recommended vitamin and supplement brand. i brought in ensure max protein with 30 grams of protein! those who tried me felt more energy in just two weeks. -ugh. -here, i'll take that. woo hoo! ensure max protein, 30 grams protein, 1 gram sugar, 25 vitamins and minerals. and a new fiber blend with a prebiotic. (♪♪) salonpas lidocaine flex.

a super thin, flexible patch with maximum otc strength lidocaine that contours to the body to relieve pain right where it hurts. and did we mention, it really, really sticks? salonpas, it's good medicine. we are back with sad news for disney fans after one of its main songwriters died today. richard sherman was 95 years old. he was half of the sherman brothers songwriting duo best known for composing songs for movies like "mary poppins" and "the jungle book." he won two oscars, three grammys, and had 24 gold and platinum albums. this weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and

this year's movie season is already off to a slow start. the big question -- whether we will be seeing any blockbusters like we saw last year. we have the story. it's one of life's mysteries, sir. >> reporter: memorial day weekend has typically debuted blockbusters like 2022's "top gun: maverick" which smashed box office records. >> i've never felt power like this before. >> reporter: franchise films like 2016's "x-men apocalypse," and classics like 1984's "indiana jones and the temple of doom." >> fortune and glory, kid. fortune and glory. >> reporter: but this weekend may feel a bit different with films like "furioso" from the "mad max" franchise. and the animated family flick "garfield." >> will this be a record-breaking memorial weekend not by a long shot. at least we'll get the momentum going in the right direction. >> reporter: the summer's slow start partially because it's one of

the few in recent years without a marvel debut to kick off the season. >> not having a marvel movie has allowed or made it so that the industry now has to play catchup, and the pressure is on for every movie going forward to deliver the goods. >> reporter: this summer's kickoff films, universal's "fall guy." >> i'm a stunt guy. >> reporter: and paramount's "if." so far bringing in just over a combined $100 million domestically. experts say this summer could see total ticket sales barely crossing $3 billion, compared to last summer's $4.1 billion domestic haul driven in large part by "barbenheimer" excitement. >> okay. >> remember this day -- >> reporter: entertainment analyst chris witherspoon says this summer's leaner slate is partly due to the hollywood writers and actors' strikes last fall. >> no one was working for 148 days in hollywood. a lot of folks at the major studios decided to push their

slate back to 2025. >> hello. >> reporter: there's still hope. disney's "inside out 2" -- >> a new emotion. >> i'm sorry. >> reporter: and "deadpool and wolverine." >> come again. >> reporter: as well as "despicable me 4" from universal pictures which shares a parent company with nbc are expected to draw large audiences. >> ah. >> the jury is still out on how well the summer of '24 is going to turn out, but i think we're going to have a great summer for the moviegoer. >> reporter: nbc news, new york. when we come back, there's good news tonight about how soccer brought these fans together with the bond of a lifetime. lifetime. i'm a guy who lost a bet. and my dignity. get out of the way! as if watching my team lose wasn't punishment enough. what are you looking at huh... it's a one speed. hahaha. hahaha. and if you have cut rate car insurance,

odds are you'll be paying for that yourself. so, get allstate and be better protected from mayhem... like me. hey, i'm walking here! choose advil liqui-gels for faster, stronger and longer-lasting relief than tylenol rapid release gels because advil targets pain at the source of inflammation. so for faster pain relief, advil the pain away. my grandfather's run meyer the hatter for over 75 years now. he's got so many life experiences that he can share. finding the exact date on ancestry that our family business was founded, was special to share with my grandfather. you don't get that moment every day. alice loves the scent of gain so much, she wished there was a way to make it last longer. say hello to your fairy godmother alice, and long-lasting gain scent beads. part of the irresistible scent collection from gain. before my doctor and i chose breztri for my copd, i had bad days.

[cough] flare-ups that could permanently damage my lungs. with breztri, things changed for me. breztri gave me better breathing. starting within 5 minutes, i noticed my lung function improved. it helped improve my symptoms, and breztri was even proven to reduce flare-ups, including those that could send me to the hospital. so now i look forward to more good days. breztri won't replace a rescue inhaler for sudden breathing problems. it is not for asthma. tell your doctor if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure before taking it. don't take breztri more than prescribed. breztri may increase your risk of thrush, pneumonia, and osteoporosis. call your doctor if worsened breathing, chest pain, mouth or tongue swelling, problems urinating, vision changes, or eye pain occur. can't afford your medication? astrazeneca may be able to help. ask your doctor about breztri.

there's good news tonight. you know, so often the good news just doesn't get as much attention as the bad, so every saturday we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. these are just some of those stories this week. >> we would like your help in >> we would like your help in helping -- >> something special happened aboard frontier airlines flight this week. take a look. [ cheers ] it's a graduation celebration for little xavier joelle from orlando, florida. [ cheers ] >> he had to miss his kindergarten commencement so the crew marked the moment with photos and a walk down the aisle in his cap and gown. >> yay.

>> for his mom, well, that kindness had her heart soaring. >> it was very emotional. i -- i felt so happy for him that amount of kindness that was shown to him. you know, it restored my faith in humanity. >> there was a surprise, too, for graduate malik herd of the university of west georgia. >> a special guest from kosovo -- >> he gets his diploma then stops in shock when he sees his military mom who traveled more than 5,000 miles from her deployment in kosovo just to make his day. [ applause ] >> and here's another military reunion that brought us to tears. that's 19-year-old janio chaka falling into the arms of his mom jacqueline.

he just finished his grueling army basic combat training, the first in his family to enlist. mom and dad absolutely overwhelmed with joy and pride. and talk about teamwork, ohio soccer superfans were vip guests at a recent columbus crew game. heidi honored for donating her kidney to hytham last year after he got sick and needed a transplant. they were total strangers until she heard about him from other columbus crew fans. the two even watched the game together in the hospital, sparking a friendship they say will last a lifetime. how do you thank someone like her? >> it's impossible to put into words. we hug a lot. we cry a little. but we're mostly really happy to see each other, and i'm so grateful.

>> the columbus crew family throwing them this party they will never forget. did that change you in any way? >> it brings our community closer together. it's just that -- again, hard to put in words, but that faith in humanity is through the roof. >> i've really come to consider that helping others with what we can is so important. there's no other word than overwhelming. our community has really come to hold us, to embrace us through this journey. >> heidi and hytham say they're going to keep cheering on the columbus crew team and hope to attend more games together in the future. that's "nbc nightly news" for this saturday. hallie jackson will be here tomorrow night. i'm jose diaz-balart. thank you for the privilege of your time, and good night. ood n.

for the gunman. plus i want to live in a city that's thrive and i want to live in a city that's safe from oakland's top cop to city council candidate lauren armstrong launches his comeback as he hopes to take on a new role for the city and food, music and culture all wrapped in one colorful festival. the party is on in san francisco as carnaval kicks off. the news is six starts right now. thanks for joining us. i'm terry mcsweeney. gia has the night off and we begin tonight with that developing story on the peninsula. police in belmont