looks fan that's ek this weekend. >> enjoy the weekend. >> hope to see you at 6:00. >> bye, bye. on the broadcast tonight, striking back. after the brutal killing of an american hostage, did the u.s. just open the door to air strikes against isis in syria? triple threat, flash floods, high winds and extreme heat. severe weather hitting and for millions a dangerous weekend ahead. price wars. cell phone companies launch a big new fight for your business. and it could mean big savings for you and your family. and against all odds, an incredible survival story. he barely lived through not one but two plane crashes. learning to walk and talk all over again, now he's living his dreams. "nightly news" begins now.

good evening. i'm lester holt sitting in tonight for brian. will syria soon be in play as the u.s. steps up its attacks on isis militants? just days after the execution murder of american journalist james foley, the obama administration acknowledged that the islamic state militant group is more dangerous than it was just six months ago. and signalled the u.s. will not be restricted by borders suggesting it is prepared to carry the fight from iraq next door into syria. of course isis doesn't recognize borders either. but for now the u.s. has only attacked a group inside iraq. more than 90 strikes so far with several more today. but are the margins in this conflict about to be widened? nbc's kristen welker is traveling with the president in martha's vineyard and has more on today's developments. kristen. >> reporter: lester, good evening. today the u.s. government said

the execution of james foley is the first terrorist attack by isis against the united states and signalled u.s. military engagement could be ramped up. pentagon video captures u.s. air strikes destroying an armored truck today, part of the obama administration's ongoing campaign against isis military advances in iraq. and this afternoon the white house signalled the mission could expand to target isis terrorist havens in neighboring syria. >> not going to be restricted by borders. we've shown time and again that if there's a counterterrorism threat, we'll take direct action against that threat if necessary. >> reporter: officials repeated today that the group behind the brutal beheading of american journalist james foley has now grown into a global threat. >> they pose a greater threat today than they did six months ago. and we're taking it very seriously. >> reporter: a source familiar with the administration's planning says the pentagon has been drawing up a number of options for military involvement in syria, which could include air strikes, more arms to the moderate rebel forces and intelligence sharing with european allies and partners in the region. >> the president hasn't, you

know, been presented with specific military options outside of those that are carrying out the current missions in iraq. but we would certainly look at what is necessary in the long-term to make sure we're protecting americans. >> reporter: a year ago the president began facing criticism when he opted not to retaliate after the assad regime had used chemical weapons, crossing a red line mr. obama had declared earlier. >> there's no easy pathway here in dealing with isis. it's going to be long-term. it's not going to be solved through a series of air strikes whether it's in iraq or syria. >> reporter: as washington weighs its options, the world continues to mourn with the family of james foley. on the "today" show this morning, their grief was palpable. >> we had so many people praying for jimmy. and jim's strength and love was the answer to prayer. jim was held up by all that prayer. >> reporter: british security forces sources tell nbc news

they have significantly narrowed the field of suspects in their hunt to find james foley's killer. lester. >> all right, kristen. thanks. now to our chief foreign correspondent richard engel who has been covering isis and this crisis in syria since the civil war there began and isis became a major force. he's near the turkey/syria border. you heard what u.s. officials had to say today. where does this go from here? >> reporter: good evening, lester. for two days in a row now senior u.s. officials, white house officials, military officials, are both suggesting that this goes into syria. and the reason why is simple, the current policy of just carrying out attacks in iraq isn't working. most of syria's -- most of isis's bases, most of their weapons are across the border in syria. so if you just attack in iraq, you leave the militants with a safe haven in syria. something significant happened, lester, last month. you remember there was that raid to rescue the hostages, delta force flying in covered with -- covered by fighter jets.

what was significant about this is unfortunately the mission failed, they weren't able to recover the hostages. but defense officials said that otherwise it went off flawlessly. it was a perfect operation. that means that the planes, the helicopters, entered syrian air space. and they weren't fired upon. also, the syrian government didn't complain. clearly it saw the planes, it saw the helicopters entering and leaving. there was a fire fight, there were people killed, it knew what happened. it didn't even talk about it. that could be perceived by many that the bashar al assad regime didn't mind that the u.s. operate in syria as long as it was going after isis and not the regime. >> interesting analysis. richard engel, thank you. tonight, the pentagon calling on russia to immediately remove a convoy that's made its way into ukraine. russia claims it's a humanitarian mission. trucks with food and supplies to

areas held by russian-backed rebels. ukraine says it's a direct invasion. nato also condemned the move. in this country we're keeping an eye on a triple threat of severe weather threatening millions as we head into the weekend. torrential downpours swept through a good swath of the country today causing major flooding in the midwest. and in the south extreme heat and severe storms with damaging winds have several states on alert. nbc's kerry sanders is in burbank, illinois, for us tonight. kerry. >> reporter: good evening, lester. the rain here was not a surprise. but so much of it that it created a flood was unexpected. quick moving storms dumped nearly ten inches of heavy rain on parts of the midwest early this morning. stretches of highway under waist-deep water had to be closed as cars were nearly swept away. in illinois drivers scrambled for alternate routes. dozens were stranded when roads

in and around chicago submerged. >> hopefully my car will start. i'm letting it dry out. >> reporter: the worst of it, in the chicago suburb of burbank where flooding left several square miles of this residential neighborhood under waist-deep water. and for some like jim reed the only way to navigate was by boat. >> there ain't much we can do today until this water goes down. >> reporter: schools here were forced to close just as the school year begins. >> it rained really hard for like until 4:00 in the morning. school was flooded really bad. >> reporter: in indiana dozens of drivers made wrong turns into treacherous waters. those flooded roads also made it difficult for firefighters to get to a burning building. flooding is not just a problem in the midwest. from upstate new york to western pennsylvania creeks unexpectedly overflowed into homes. >> and it went right through the garage. busted right through the walls. there's a hole in the back of the house. >> reporter: across the country

in washington state heavy rains triggered mudslides, which blocked highways stranding some motorists overnight. in arizona and southern california it was the lack of moisture and strong wind that created a blinding dust storm. earlier this week the phoenix area was hit hard by stormy weather resulting in flash floods and costly damage to the roads. and in the south brutal triple digit temperatures are a concern heading into this weekend. today, the georgia high school association advised coaches to make sure everyone got extra water breaks during practice. weather channel forecasters tell nbc news that texas, oklahoma, portions of kansas and also arkansas are going to see these hundred-plus degree temperatures tomorrow. meantime for the folks who live here, it's going to be a miserable weekend because when the water finally recedes, there's going to be a lot of

clean up. most of the homes here, lester, have basements. >> kerry, thank you. now to the situation in ferguson, missouri. after another night of relative calm and peaceful protests on the streets there, we're learning more tonight about the grand jury now meeting in secret. nbc's ron allen has our report from ferguson. in an unusual step today, court officials revealed the composition of the grand jury investigating whether officer darren wilson will face criminal charges for shooting and killing michael brown. twelve jurors, including three african-americans, 25% officials point out, in a county that's about 18% black. among the evidence they'll consider, conflicting eyewitness accounts. some claiming the officer was the initial aggressor when he stopped brown for walking in a roadway. >> it looked like he was trying to force him into the police car or at least force him to stop walking. >> reporter: this caller to local radio said the officer told her brown was not trying to surrender. >> he said all of a sudden he started to bum rush him.

he started coming at him full speed, so he just started shooting. and he just kept coming. >> eyewitness accounts are generally reliable as to the crux of the matter, but the details are often mistaken. and that's especially true in a sudden shocking event. >> we don't feel like the system is fair. >> reporter: also today tough new demands from the young people of ferguson at a forum calling for an extensive investigation of police practices throughout the st. louis area. >> we're tired of being racially profiled and singled out. we want to be treated like citizens of the united states of america. >> reporter: calls for justice still ringing out as calm prevailed on the streets for a third consecutive night. >> that's kind of heavy. hi. >> reporter: and just down the street from where brown was killed, neighbors helping neighbors. >> you got it? >> reporter: volunteers under a blistering sun bringing much-needed supplies. but so much turmoil in the neighborhood, residents are still staying close to home. >> it's hopeful they bring this stuff here. >> it's too crazy out there. >> it's way too crazy. >> reporter: there is some good

news. officials say schools will reopen on monday, a big concern here monday's the same day michael brown's family will lay their son to rest. lester. >> ron allen tonight, thank you. in virginia a federal corruption trial involving the former governor has suddenly turned into a governor's mansion soap opera. the man once considered a potential running mate for mitt romney in 2012 has been on the witness stand publicly humiliating his wife of 30 years. mcdonnell says she was the one who went behind his back seeking money from a wealthy businessman in the exchange for supporting a diet supplement business. tom costello has the report. >> reporter: at his public corruption trial, a humiliating defense for this once-rising star of the republican party. >> is it challenging? is it tough to be up there? >> i'd rather be fishing. >> reporter: former virginia governor bob mcdonnell says he's moved in with the family priest as he blames his wife maureen as

he blames his wife maureen for erratic behavior that ultimately led to their legal and financial troubles. in exchange, williams admits he showered virginia's former first couple with money and gifts. a $20,000 new york shopping spree, a rolex watch, dresses, handbags, luxury vacations and paying for their daughter's wedding reception. both deny any wrongdoing. >> 38 years in public service, i never thought i'd be having to testify in a trial like this. >> reporter: throughout the trial. mrs. mcdonnell has sat quietly as governor mcdonnell's attorneys say she was the one who sought the money and the gifts and the two could not have conspired together because they were barely talking, marriage dysfunctional. they aired some embarrassing dirty laundry. a 2012 letter from the former first lady's staff in which they demanded she stop berating them. a 2011 e-mail in which the governor says to his wife, i am so spiritually and mentally exhausted from getting yelled at. >> not only is mcdonnell

throwing his wife under the bus, it's a london double-decker bus. this is totally unprecedented in the history of american politics. there's never been a governor and first lady indicted together. >> former businessman jonnie williams has already testified under immunity that he believes the governor only helped his company because of the cash and gifts. if convicted the governor, his wife or both could go to prison. tom costello, nbc news, washington. there's a lot more ahead here tonight. the price you pay for cell phone service. companies launch a big new battle to get your business and it could mean some big savings. and later, a rescue mission on the highway caught on camera. we're back now and as

we're back now and as promised a new battle in the wireless war. cell phone carriers offering deals that would have been unheard of just a few years ago as they compete even harder for your business. and it could mean big savings. we get the story tonight from nbc's peter alexander. >> so make the switch to t-mobile. >> reporter: welcome to the wild world of wireless, where the nation's carriers are now at war for your business. in washington, d.c. jordan smith's cell phone contract expires today, so he's shopping around for a new and better

deal. chances are he'll find one. >> it is because i'm saving money. >> reporter: nice to be fought over. >> every day. i wish more people would fight for me. >> reporter: while verizon and at&t are the industry leaders, sprint is offering unlimited minutes, text and data for $60. the same plan on t-mobile is $80. these days several of the carriers are offering to cover the cost so you can switch companies and no contracts. the challenge for cell phone companies is simple. virtually everyone who needs a phone already has one. that leaves them with just one option to grow, luring customers from rivals. that's good news for your wallet. even better, consumer reports says the average customer's paying roughly half what they did five years ago from $100 a month to $50. so how do these price wars work? >> one, they're driving prices down. two, they're making the bills a lot easier to decipher because they've separated the phone from the actual service. and three, those contracts that are confining everyone are

disappearing. >> reporter: still you need to sign up. customers can keep the same number, but you may have to pay for a new phone. and you still have to do your homework. >> while the prices are going down, they make it very difficult for consumers to comparison shop. they break down the data plans very differently. >> reporter: and make sure the carrier you choose has good service where you live. >> can you hear me now? >> reporter: after all, if you can't hear me now -- >> hello? >> reporter: -- what good is a cheaper plan? peter alexander, nbc news, washington. we're back in a moment with news tonight about something millions of kids look forward to finding underneath their pillows.

tonight, thousands of sailors are on their way to the western pacific and middle east. families gathered earlier this morning to say good-bye as the carl vincent carrier strike group set off from san diego. several vessels and a nine and a half month long deployment for about 6,200 sailors. the navy says the deployment is to conduct security operations at sea. we have an update tonight on a show now we've been telling you about, the little league

world series. it's the end of the road for superstar pitcher mo'ne davis and her philadelphia team though she and her teammates leave with a lot to be proud of. they were defeated by the jackie robinson west team from chicago's south side who will now face a team from nevada in the u.s. championship game tomorrow. feeling the pinch just like millions of american families, there's word tonight that the tooth fairy is on a budget. new survey shows the average cash payout for every lost tooth placed under the pillow has gone down about 8% since last year to $3.40 a tooth. and an amazing rescue caught on camera on the 710 freeway in los angeles. strangers risking their own lives running on the freeway to save a dog that was loose during rush hour yesterday. drivers worked together to create sort of a fence and protect the dog and corral it in. a motorcycle road next to the dog for a bit until the woman could scoop it up to safety on foot.

when we come back, an inspiring survivor story from maria shriver, a teen who barely made it through two plane crashes. an unimaginable tragedy, living to see his dream come true.

finally tonight, one of the most unbelievable stories of survival you will ever hear. an inspirational teenager who barely lived through a pair of tragedies that claimed the lives of those closest to him. never once refusing to give up fighting for his life or pursuing his dreams. here's nbc's maria shriver. >> reporter: at 19 years old, austin hatch has braved more adversity than most do in a lifetime. >> i think it really comes down to character. just being able to, you know, persevere in the midst of tragedy, in the midst of adversity. >> reporter: raised in a loving family, the 6'6" teen was a star basketball player who dreamed of playing for the university of michigan, his mother's alma mater. >> from an early age that was a bond we shared. >> reporter: but when austin was just 8 years old, tragedy. his father, steven, an avid pilot, was flying the family in their small plane when it crashed upon landing, killing his mother and his two siblings.

austin and his dad became each other's lifelines through their grief. >> i'm what kept him going. and he's definitely kept me going. >> reporter: but just eight years later the unthinkable. he and his dad were in another plane crash that killed his father and stepmother and left austin with severe brain injuries. did you ever think like, i'm not going to be able to make this? >> no. never. >> reporter: even with his family gone, austin didn't give up. re-learning how to talk and walk, building up his basketball skills with a private coach. >> my dad and mom raised me to be an uncommon man. the uncommon man gets up at, you know, at 5:00 in the morning to workout, to get stronger when no one else is. and it takes an uncommon man to

do that when no one's looking. >> reporter: now austin's dreams are coming true. he's on a full basketball scholarship at u of m. and this week he played in his first game. when you asked yourself the question why me, what was the answer you came up with? >> asking yourself that question, it doesn't do any good because, i mean, you know the time that you could spend wondering and thinking why me, that's time that you could have spent working, working your tail off to get better. >> reporter: his success a lesson to anyone facing the impossible. maria shriver, nbc news, los angeles. a remarkable and inspiring young man. that's our broadcast for this friday night. thank you for being with us. i'm lester holt in for brian. i'll see you a bit later on this evening for "dateline." and of course i'll be here all weekend. good night everyone.

nbc bay area news begins with breaking news. that breaking news, the devastating loss for a well-known, local charity after flames ripped through their donation yard. i'm raj mathai. >> i'm jessica aguirre. let's show you what it looked like. up in flames, donations that were sitting in the yard of a non-profit. the fire destroyed at least trucks. it started right after 4:00 in the staging area where workers collect donations. this is on alfred street.

nbc bay area is live at the scene with nearby workers and what they saw. luckily, there weren't anybody but the people working there and firefighters were able to knock it down pretty fast. >> reporter: that's right. it is friday evening. people are headed home a little earlier than normal at this area. so it looked like that the workers here had already gone home for the day. but for workers who were still in the area working the fire was a little scary with the winds picking up. it was unclear which direction the flames would go. the fire is mostly out now. but this is what it looked like earlier. this is the distribution and donation services for hope services. the fire chief tells us that it looks like a truck was caught on fire, then it spread. several vehicles, some landscaping, trees, donation bins were fully engulfed in flames. the fire started around 4:00. access at first was a