at the game against the washington capitals. >> very nice he bleeds teal. >> pack home. where he belongs. >> thanks for joining us. lester hot lester holt joins us next on nightly news. president obama asked for new war powers in the fight against isis after the death of an american aid worker. why six months into the fight is the president now asking for congress' okay? outraged after the killing of three muslim students in a storied college town. the question tonight, was it an argument over a parking spot or was it a hate crime? the american sniper trial opens in texas. and as chris kyle's widow takes the stand, the ominous message her husband texted a friend on the day he died about the man now on trial for his murder. and $500 million up for grabs. tonight's the night one of the largest jackpots in america history and lines are growing all across the country. "nightly news" begins now.

>> announcer: from nbc news world headquarters in new york this is "nbc nightly news." reporting tonight, lester holt. good evening. with the grief still palpable in this country over the death of a young arizona woman held captive by isis, president obama today asked congress to authorize the use of force against the terror group. the request at first glance may seem academic given that u.s. warplanes have been pounding isis targets since last summer. but the president's request for a three-year campaign against isis carefully spells out what the fight will and will not look like including under what circumstances american boots will step foot in the combat zone. senior white house correspondent chris jansing joins us now with full details. hello, chris. >> reporter: good evening, lester. the president's critics have been calling for this more authorization since the first fighter jets went up over iraq. but the november election that gave republicans control of both

houses of congress had leaders in both parties agreeing that now is the time for a substantive debate over a war the president vows isis will lose. almost six months after the u.s. began a bombing campaign against isis, president obama is formally asking congress for permission to continue the war against a group he says poses a great threat to national security. >> i'm optimistic it can win strong bipartisan support. and we can show our troops and the world that americans are united in this mission. >> reporter: the proposed authorization would be limited to three years, but could allow the fight to expand beyond syria and iraq to wherever isis goes. and will be in the most contentious part of the debate no offensive ground combat operations. but the plan would allow the ground forces to hunt down the enemy, like the raid that killed osama bin laden. or try to rescue american hostages, like the unsuccessful attempt to free 26-year-old american kayla mueller back in july.

the resolution mentions mueller by name, as well as three other americans murdered by isis. and late today nbc news confirmed the mueller family asked the white house to commute the sentence of a convicted al qaeda prisoner in exchange for kayla, but the white house with a policy of not negotiating with terrorists didn't approve the trade. her death is lending new urgency for congress to act, so is the inspirational letter that was smuggled to her family where she wrote "i have been shown in darkness light. and have learned everyone in prison one can be free." the draft legislation comes weeks after unusually close negotiations between the white house and congress. but it will be difficult to thread the needle. vocal republicans doubt enough to contain isis if we're going to authorize use of military force, the president should have all the tools necessary to win the fight we're in. >> reporter: and many democrats worry it opens the door to a wider war. >> the language pertaining to ground troops, which is very broad, very ambiguous. none of us really know what

enduring offensive combat operations means. >> reporter: setting the stage for a potentially divisive debate with a unified goal, to take down a barbaric enemy. the senate foreign relations committee will hold hearings on the authorization when congress comes back from a recess at the end of the month. a vote could come as early as march. lester? >> all right, chris, thank you. we're joined now by our political director moderator of "meet the press," chuck todd. chuck, we have a presidential resolution around the corner. it would extend into the next term. what does that mean for the debate? >> it's healthy for the american democracy. the elected leaders should have to go on the record on where they stand on use of force and where it's done and when it'sjustified. this will force presidential candidates, potential commanders in chief, who will inherit if this new authorization is approved, will inherit this power if they take the oath of office. so it's very healthy for the american voter. now, the question's going to be is this going to happen. and you said it was academic because if they don't pass

anything the president still can keep conducting this power. but this is what you need to watch out for. what kind of case, how well does the administration sell a theory apart from this policy. going after isis in iraq has been fairly successful. going after isis in syria has not. how they define their ability to get this done is going to determine whether republicans in particular will support this resolution. >> chuck todd, good to have you here. >> thank you. >> one more note from washington late today, the house passed a bill that approves construction of the keystone pipeline. the senate previously approved the bill which now goes to the president who has threatened a veto. in matters closer to home, a shocking triple murder in the college town of chapel hill, north carolina, is being called a hate crime by the victims' family. all three victims were muslim. but authorities don't believe that was the reason they were gunned down. nbc's mark potter is in chapel hill for us tonight. mark, good evening. >> reporter: good evening, lester. the shooting suspect lived in the upstairs condo there, the victims on the first floor behind him. police say this may have simply

been a fight over parking spaces. showing no emotion, 46-year-old craig stephen hicks came to court today facing first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting to death three of his young neighbors. it occurred late yesterday afternoon in a quiet chapel hill condo complex. residents called 911. >> i just heard gunshots. i don't know what building it came from, but i heard kids screaming. >> reporter: a family member says a witness told him that they were shot in the head execution-style. the victims were muslim who had grown up in america. they're identified at a 23-year-old deah shaddy barakat, a dental student at the university of north carolina who'd planned a trip this summer to help syrian refugees. and the woman he'd just married in late december, 21-year-old yusor abu salha about to start dental school. also killed, her sister, 19-year-old rizan studying

architecture at n.c. state. because of islamic faith there was immediate concern the victims were targeted because of their religion. >> this is a hate crime from the neighbor. all children spoke they were uncomfortable with. >> reporter: a chapel hill police and other authorities say they believe the shootings were the result of a parking dispute at the condo. >> the events of yesterday are not part of a targeted campaign against muslims in north carolina. >> reporter: the suspect's wife agreed it was a dispute over parking. >> i can't say with my absolute belief that this incident had nothing to do with religion or victims faith. >> reporter: tonight at the condo complex, residents are mourning the loss of three young neighbors. as the university of north carolina tonight a candlelight vigil is planned and there's widespread grief throughout this small college town.

lester? >> mark potter, thank you. an emotional first day of testimony in the trial of the man accused of murdering chris kyle, the former navy s.e.a.l. who inspired the hit movie "american sniper." the defendant is now officially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. and after opening statements, kyle's widow took the stand. the report tonight from nbc's jacob rascon in stephenville, texas. >> reporter: the defendant who walked into the courtroom today looks a lot different than the marine corps veteran arrested two years ago. back then the d.a. told the jury eddie ray routh shot two men in the back who were there to help him. >> one time in the side, one time in the stomach. >> reporter: that night, routh's sister called 911. >> he says he killed two guys, they went to a shooting range. he's acting all crazy. he's psychotic. >> reporter: the defense told the jury routh is not responsible for his actions that day.

>> he was in the grip of a psychosis. >> reporter: a psychosis so severe, the defense said, routh feared for his life. >> he thought, in his mind at that point in time that it was either him or them. >> reporter: the world is watching the american sniper trial just as it watched the movie which depicts kyle coping with post-traumatic stress by helping others struggling. kyle's widow taya took the stand first, not looking at routh, fighting back fears. describing her friendship final moments with her husband and phone conversation just before he died. i could tell something was up, she said. he was just quiet. and then the tragedy, which the prosecution argues routh could have easily prevented. >> he admits he murdered these two men, that he abused drugs

and alcohol that morning. and that he knew that what he was doing was wrong. >> reporter: taya says the last time she saw her husband they said, quote, we love each other" and gave each other a hug and kiss. just before it happened saying in a text to a friend "this dude is straight up nuts." lester? >> jacob rascon tonight, thanks. the captain who wrecked the cruise ship costa concordia three years ago and then abandoned ship while passengers and crew were still on board has been convicted of multiple counts of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years behind bars. 32 people were aboard the ship. the captain told the court he's been turned into a scapegoat. now a follow-up to an investigation news investigation. the navy has ordered new safety measures on the mh53-e

helicopter just days after nbc reported on numerous accidents involving these choppers. 30 members of the navy have died aboard sea dragons over the years. now certain components implicated will undergo a more rigorous inspection process. but there are no plans to take the sea dragon out of service until at least 2025. as millions in and around the city of boston continue to dig out from under six feet of snow, the embattled head of that city's transit system, beverly scott, announced today she's stepping down in april. she's come under fire after trains were halted for over a day after historic snowfall. meantime tonight much colder across a much bigger part of the country, bone-chilling cold. nbc meteorologist dylan dreyer is in boston tonight with the forecast. dylan, what are we looking at here? >> reporter: well, lester, the sun came out earlier this afternoon, but it's going to take more than an afternoon of sunshine to get rid of all this snow. look at this. this car is just completely buried under this mound of snow. so it's good news that the next clipper system moving in

tomorrow night is only going to produce about an inch of snow. no problem at this point. but the cold air is going to continue to settle in. by friday morning it stretches all the way down into the carolinas starting off today in the 20s. we have another clipper moving in for saturday. that one has potential to strengthen bringing heavy snow from new york to new england. the european model is more aggressive producing another foot of snow across parts of new england. but the american model puts the heavier snow up across maine but still keeps boston in that 9 to 12-inch band of snow. really at this point, lester, i don't know what we could possibly do with another foot of snow. we'll see how the models play out over the next couple days. >> dylan dreyer in boston, thanks. now to a story many of you were talking about tonight. one for us that not only hits close to home but in our home. nbc anchor brian williams has been suspended for six months without pay.

deborah turness said on thursday january 20th, brian misrepresented events which occurred while he was covering the iraq war in 2003. it then became clear, she says, that on other occasions brian had done the same while telling that story in other venues. she adds this was wrong and completely inappropriate for someone in brian's position. in a statement nbc universal ceo steve burke said, by his actions, brian has jeopardized the -- but he had it. brian deserves a second chance and we are rooting for him. and now if i may on a personal note say, it's an enormous difficult story to report. brian is a member of our family, but so are you, our viewers. we will work every night to be worthy of your trust. we'll take a break now. much more still ahead on this wednesday evening. scandal rocks the little league world series as the u.s. champions, the pride of chicago, are stripped of their title for breaking the rules. also, the excitement building in the lines growing

tonight, half a billion dollars up for grabs.

little league is supposed to be a place where kids build character and learn to play for love of the game. but tonight the american little league champs are champs no more. stripped of their title. but it's not the kids who are accused of bending the rules. it's the adults entrusted to lead them. the report tonight from nbc's john yang. >> say thank you for all the support. >> reporter: they were a

storybook team. african-american kids from chicago's south side who made it to the little league world series as u.s. champs, and even went to the white house. today, it came crashing down. prompted by a complaint from a suburban coach, an investigation stripped jackie robinson west of its title because some players lived outside the team's geographic boundaries. manager darryl butler was suspended. he couldn't be reached for comment today. in a statement, the head of little league international called it a heartbreaking decision. what these players accomplished on the field is something kids can be proud of, but it is unfortunate that the actions of adults have led to this outcome. players' parents are angry. >> as a mother had no idea that there were boundaries and there were rules beyond living in the city of chicago. >> reporter: their children, heartbroken. >> me and my teammates, we worked hard all year long. and we went down there to play baseball. and we weren't involved in anything that could have caused

us to be stripped of our championship. but we do know that -- we know that we're champions. our parents know we're champions. and the teams know we're champions and chicago knows we're champions. >> reporter: today's ruling gives the title to mountain ridge little league from los vegas. >> i was happy to get the title but sad for jackie robinson little league. >> reporter: one analyst says violations are not uncommon but often go undetected. >> every time you go to a little league tournament, or another amateur tournament for that matter there's always a buzz in the crowd among the families and fans about another team having a kid who's not eligible. >> reporter: at jackie robinson west home field today, a team supporter cleared away snow. >> we're going to stand with them. we're going to stand behind them. >> reporter: for him, the achievement of these young men undimmed by controversy. john yang, nbc news, chicago. we're back in a moment with a vital mission to space that's had trouble getting off the ground.

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a spacex falcon 9 rocket successfully launched late this evening carrying a satellite bound for the far reaches of space. the goal, positioning the satellite nearly a million miles from earth to keep watch for solar storms heading for our planet. this was the third try for spacex. the private company had to scrub two previous attempts in part due to weather. hall of fame college basketball coach jerry tarkanian has died. he led the unlv runnin rebels to four final four appearances winning a national championship in 1990. he was noun for chewing on a towel during games. his teams were flashy just like las vegas, the city in which they played. he had a complicated history with the ncaa including a $2.5 million settlement after he accused the organization of trying to run him out of college basketball. his health had declined in recent years, including a heart attack in 2012.

jerry tarkanian was 84. in south korea, a massive pile-up involving about 100 cars left a mass of twisted metal along a bridge near the country's main airport. at least two people were killed, more than 60 injured as vehicles slammed into one another in a violent chain reaction. it's unclear what started the pile-up, but the weather was foggy at the time. there wasn't a car accident that stopped traffic today in downtown boston. it was a boat of all things that got stuck in the tall snow banks along the streets. the boat a 43-foot yacht, being towed by a tractor-trailer to the new england boat show. crews eventually dug it out and got it back on its way. when we come back, lines across the country of people thinking about one thing. what would you do with half a billion dollars?

a measles scare. thousands could have been exposed after an infected passenger traveled during the rush hour. also attempt to stop a spike in burglaries might leave another part of town vulnerable. the news is next. folks across the country have come down with a serious case of powerball fever. that's because half a billion dollars is up for grabs in tonight's drawing, the fifth largest lottery jackpot in american history. lines are long for tickets, but possibly none longer than the line at the lotto store in nipton. it's so long it fills up our

frame. we get the latest from nbc's hallie jackson. >> reporter: waiting since sunrise will be worth it if somebody in this line actually wins the fifth biggest jackpot in u.s. history. >> it doesn't come around that often. >> reporter: sure, half a billion dollars may not buy what it used to. >> feeling lucky? >> reporter: you'd need to hit powerball 157 times to get as rich as bill gates, even winning only once gives you one-thousandth of apple's $700 billion market cap. and you still wouldn't have enough to build the newest nfl stadium. just half of it. but if you're more into basketball, $500 million is plenty. >> i'd buy a michael jordan rookie card. >> reporter: and it's enough to buy these new englanders a break from the bitter cold. >> first thing i would buy is a beach house. and a few jet skis. hoping you have the magic touch, my friend. >> reporter: magic may help, because hate to be a downer, the math will not.

the odds of winning, 1 in 175 million. you have a better chance of getting attacked by a shark, or flesh eating bacteria. and you're more likely to date a supermodel or have 11 toes than win tonight's powerball. you know the odds are against you, yet here you are dropping two dollars. >> right. >> reporter: why? >> i'm feeling lucky today. >> reporter: hey, we can't all hit the jackpot. but one of us could. >> i got great expectations. >> reporter: that plus some great luck could pay off. >> i'm going to give good karma. >> reporter: it probably won't, but point is, it could. hallie jackson, nbc news, los angeles. that will do it for us on this wednesday night. i'm lester holt. for all of us at nbc news, thank you for watching. good night.

right now at 6:00 who was exposed. questions tonight for thousands of bart commuters who may have been riding on a train with a passenger with measles. if there's one infected rider, could there be more? heightened concern tonight after tens of thousands were potentially exposed for three solid days. tonight, the health department is attempting to track down

riders who came in contact with that infected commuter. we're live at the bart station in lafayette. >> reporter: that's right, jessica. health officials want commuters to took bart from lafayette to san francisco last wednesday to friday to know that they may be at risk for measles. tonight, that's got a lot of people feeling on edge. >> i take bart every morning. >> reporter: laura is feeling mighty alarmed after learning she and other commuters may have come in contact with a person infected with measles. the health department says someone infected with measles took bart into and out of the city last wednesday through friday ex-posing tens of thousands of others to the highly contagious virus. >> they traveled on the same exact bart train i was