fios. a network ahead. on the broadcast tonight, crackdown. tonight, a growing dilemma for america as the violence in and killing get worse in syria. what should the u.s. do? rampage in seattle. the search for a killer who opened fire in a cafe, the latest on this developing story. security breach. how did a man just out of prison skip security and walk onto an airplane without a ticket? sdploo getting carded. with the cost of college already skyhigh, millions of students are getting pushed into payment cards with big fees most don't know about. >> and wonder kid. how do you spell success. the little girl who stole the show at the national spelling bee. "nightly news" begins now.

good evening. i'm lester hold, in for brian tonight. amid the intermalsh outcry over the massacre of over 100 villagers in syria last week, u.n. observers announced the massacre of 13 other people. with the situation inside syria tumbling out of control and growing fears of an all-out civil war, the obama administration today moved to tighten the economic screws on the assad government while casting doubt on the prospect of a negotiated peace. how far will and can the u.s. go. arming rebels is off the table. andrea mitchell has been following details from washington. >> as more atrocities akerr each

day, the obama administration today imposed new sanctions on syria but said rebels would cause a bigger war. another atrocity today. 13 bodies, hands bound, found in a village. and for the first time, they led reporters into no man' land. we won't show you all of what they saw. women with their faces slashed, children with their eyes gouged. they chant, we'll cut assad's throat, claiming the killers who ravaged this predominant lly sui village were shiite. >> we're writing on their foreheads. >> in the face of this horror, critic's called kofi annan's diplomacy feckilous. there's no sign assad will give up power and the rebels are

responsible for hula. >> those who committed the crime, they did it on purpose to ignite civil war. >> syria is still getting money and bepp weapons from vladimir putin's militimilitia. >> in the face of all this, mitt romney argues the u.s. should help the rebels. but doesn't say how. >> the world looks to america to lead. and we have been sitting in the back burner hoping things would become arranged in a way that was attract sk to the world, but frankly what is happening in syria is unacceptable. >> others including john mccain say the u.s. should arm the rebels, but the white house believes the only real options to to squeezed saad. for those advocating arming the opposition, they ought to consider the consequences of the approach and ask who are they

arming inside the syrian opposition. you know and we know it's not a unified opposition. there are some extremist elements mixed in there. sglin fact, today, the administration ramped up the criticism saying iran is helping syria and helping the militias. they say the president is not considering military action and still hopes he can change vulat mere putin's mind when they meet at a summit next month. now to a story still developing tonight in seattle today, six people were shot in two separate shootings leaving four dead. last night, we reported on the explosion of gun violence in chicago, which has long battled gang vile js, but this evening, authorities in seattle are grappling with an apparent unrelated string of shootings in the last few weeks. >> police say there's no indication at present that the

two incidents are related. an sfroafternoon shooting that the life of a woman near city hall following a burst of morning gun fire in a coffee shop. in that shooting, three dead and one wounded, no clear reason why and the suspect on the run. >> we don't have a good idea of where he might be so we're telling neighbors in the area to please be extra cautious, keep your doors locked, keep your windows locked. >> i'm in total disbelief and shock. >> today's shootings are just the latest incidents involving gun fire in a city that despite gun fire has been safe. last year, there were 20 murders in seattle, this year, 19 already, and memorial day weekend was marred by 50 rounds of gun fire. justin was shot dead by a stray bulls. last mupthd, a culinary student

named nicole westbrook was killed by a single stray shot as she walked home with her boyfriend. it's become a political issue with indemands that gun violence be faced for what it is. >> this is the number one public health issue we have. >> in the university neighborhood where the coffee shop shooting took place, shops were locked down. >> so evil and hideous because it happens at any given time. >> in today's shooting, no suspects or solutions at hand. mike teibe. a 747 cargo jet clipped the tail of a commuter plane at chicago's o'hare. the wing tip of an eva freighter struck the smaller plane's tail. none of the 18 passengers on the flight were injured. >> there was a scare of a

different type, a man out of prison on parole managed to board an american airlines flight with no ticket. how could it happen? the united airlines commuter jet, san diego to los angeles, was moments from takeoff. the flight attendant counted the passengers, there was one too many. one man boarded without a ticket and never went through airport security. >> he just got out of jail yesterday, was on parole, and he told the officer, all he want today do was go home. >> they say the suspect walked through baggage claim and pushed open this emergency door that opens to the tarmac. though the suspect in san diego never went through a tas checkpoint like this one, the recent report said breaches big and small happened at airports all across the country. they say on average there are seven security breaches a day.

>> how in the world does this kind of stuff happen at an airport? airports are secure facilities. >> a terminal was shut down for 30 minutes after a passenger left security before completing the screening process. two years ago at newark airport, passengers were stuck for six hours after a man ducked past security to kiss his girlfriend good-bye. >> someone pushing open an emergency exit door in an airport is considered a breach. i think the bottom line is travelers are pretty safe. >> earlier this month on capitol hill, tsa officials were questioned whether the agency has adequately addressed security mistakes. >> the fact is a breach is a breach. >> the tsa points out with nearly 2 million people flying every day, the number of breaches is relatively small. meanwhile tonight, the parolee in san diego who tried to sneak on a plane is charged with trespassing and is back in jail.

migill almaguer. >> we have been reporting on a massive fire burning out of control in new mexico's guiela national 40. it is consuming more than 170,000 acres. it's burning in a remote area and not threatening people, but the rugged terrain makes it hard to fight it. >> back to overseas, to the middle east, and israel remains focused on the continuing threat posed by iran's nuclear program. the israeli defense minter made that point repeatedly to our richa richard engle. >> good evening, lester. here in israel, the threat of iran's nuclear program is still as immediate as ever. the possibility of an israeli strike is still on the table. i stat down with the charge of

the military who called it a ritual in self delusion. israel is breaking its silence of iran's nuclear talks. >> i'm not sure that they're serious about it. >> the defense minter said iran is just buying time, that it's still working toward a nuclear weapon, and israel won't stand for it. >> we're committed to do whatever it takes to prevent iran from turning into a military power. a nuclear weapon. >> u.s. military officials have said they oppose an attack on iran, too provocative and unpredictable, but he said an israeli strike is still on the table. >> at what stage does israel decide they can't live with this threat? >> we'll call you. you don't expect me to give you a date or time, and we all hope that it will be solved through

sanctions or diplomacy. we would be happy to wake up and see that it was over like a bad dream, but it probably won't happen and a decision will have to be made. let's assume they will be made. >> by israel? >> we expect the whole world. >> iran claims it's negotiating in good faith, that it doesn't want nuclear weapons, but the u.n.'s nuclear watch dog said iran has increased their high grade uranium by nearly a third in the last three months. >> whoever thinks dealing with iran is tough right now should close its eyes and think what will happen in four or five years when we have to deal with a nuclear iran. with the consequences. >> the next round of iran talks is scheduled to take place in moscow next month. but clearly, this country has lost confidence in the process. lester. >> richard engle in tel aviv

tonight. also tonight, former libeerian president charles taylor has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for what the international court described violent crimes in history. murder, rape, and torture thousands of people in that nation's civil war. myanmar opposition leader aung song chuchi getting a welcome today. she was afraid the government would not allow her to come back. this, her first trip abroad in almost 25 years, will test whether the government of myanmar is really serious about reform. >> and nelson mandela made a rare public appearance today to help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the african national congress. a party that helped bring an end to apartheid. mandela turns 94 this july. still ahead as "nightly

news" continues, what millions of college students don't know about their debt cards may be costing them a bundle wrorb. >> and later, rediscovering what may be the most famous family feud of all time. really? 25 grams of protein. what do we have? all four of us, together? 24. he's low fat, too, and has 5 grams of sugars. i'll believe it when i--- [ both ] oooooh... what's shakin'? [ female announcer ] as you get older, protein is an important part of staying active and strong. ensure high protein... fifty percent of your daily value of protein. low fat and five grams of sugars. see? he's a good egg. [ major nutrition ] ensure high protein... ensure! nutrition in charge! fight both fast with new tums freshers! concentrated relief that goes to work in seconds and freshens breath. new tums freshers. ♪ tum...tum...tum...tum... tums! ♪ [ male announcer ] fast relief, fresh breath, all in a pocket sized pack. [ male announcer ] fast relief, fresh breath, i've been a superintendent for 30 some years at many different park service units across the united states.

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access their financial aid funds, but at what price? here is rehema ellis. >> for many students, college is the first opportunity to exercise freedom and responsibility. and some get a reality check when they access their financial aid using a campus debt card. one public interest group said itted can put some of their funds at risk. >> we don't think that a single dollar of financial aid money should be spent on bank fees. >> a new report reveals almost 900 colleges with almost 9 million students have a debt card rangement with a financial institution. in some cases, dispersing millions of student loan dollars left an pamentds. the biggest company in the business is higher one, reaching 4.3 million students. their fees include $50 if you fail to verify your identity in the allotted timeframe.

up to $10 a month for six months of inactivity. 50 cents per debt transaction, but on its website, they also explain how students can avoid their fees. and in a statement to nb clrx news, says, students working with higher one are never charged fees to receive their tuition refund and will always have an option to have the funds distributed into a bank account of their choosing. miami-dade college said complaints have been few, adding the service provides our students with greater alativeties and provides them their funds much sooner than when the college was processing them in-house. financial advisers say students must watch their own bottom line. >> they have easier access to their account than students of a generation ago, and they need to play close attention to those numbers or they're going to rack up fees. >> it's one of their first lessons in financial literacy and managing debt. rehema ellis, nbc news, new york. a quick look at wall street

where stocks finished lower as worries about europe, spain in particular, took center stage again. the dow was down more than 160 points. the nasdaq lost more than 33, and the s & m 500 was down. >> the dow was on draak for its biggest lost since may of 20 sten, down 6% on the month. up next here tonight, the little girl who went up against kids twice her age today and made some history. looking for a better place to put your cash? here's one you may not have thought of -- fidelity. now you don't have to go to a bank to get the things you want from a bank, like no-fee atms, all over the world. free checkwriting and mobile deposits. now depositing a check is as easy as taking a picture. free online bill payments. a highly acclaimed credit card with 2% cash back into your fidelity account. open a fidelity cash management account today and discover another reason serious investors are choosing fidelity.

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she is just 6 years old, a second grader from virginia, totally adorable, and now she's a record setter. with poise and confidence today, laurie ann madison became the youngest competitor in the history of the national spelling bee. a little adjustment of the mike and she was all business. >> hi, laurie ann. >> hi. >> dirageable.

>> dierageable. >> d-i-r-i-g-a-b-l-e. dirigable. >> applause for laurie ann and then high fives. sadly, she misspelled her next word, meaning a bird's crop. she didn't qualify for the semifinals, but we think it's fair to say she's still a winner. >> one of the greatest guitar players who ever lived has died. doc watson was an eight-time nominated grammy folk musician. born in the blue ridge mountains and blind from the age of 1, he taught himself to play what were traditionally if fiddle parts of folk songs on his guitar. he went on to record 60 albums and influenced countless artists, president clinton awarded him the national medal

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who would have thought that the big entertainment hit of this memorial day week would involve a family feud that started in the 1860s. hatfields and mccoys drew a huge number monday night with 14 million viewers. it's the second most watched nonsports show in basic cable history after high school musical 2. anne thompson has more on why americaned are loving this long-running fight. >> the hats, the beards, and the dirt may obscure the hollywood star power, even kevin costner, but the lure of the hatfields and mccoys is still irresistible. >> it's not folklore, not a story. it's a fact. >> bonita mccoy lyons and a desedent of asa mccoy. she treasured the gun as well as the recognition her name brings in places like paris.

>> a gentleman there said oh, a mccoy. from where? >> from the bang-bang mccoys. >> the real life drama that erupted over a stolen pig. >> a pig thief. >> included romancz, betrayal, murder, revenge, and legal issues that went all the way to the u.s. supreme court. >> it's a question of littleireitations building and then igniting and then all hell breaking loose. >> their story is woven into america's popular culture in a song made famous by waylon jennings. ♪ like the hatfields and the mccoys ♪ >> cartoons immortalized them from bugs bunny. to the prehistoric flintstones. >> it's from that hillbilly jethro hatrock. >> then the game show. >> let's finish the family feud.

>> in 1979 pitted the real hatfields and mccoys against each other, playing for a pig. >> let's play the feud. >> today, the families are united on facebook, holding an annual marathon that attracts 500 people to the hills where their ancestors fought. this summer, it's once again america's favorite drama and there's no arging over that. anne thompson, nbc news, new york. >> that's our broadcast for this wednesday night. thank you for being with us. i'm lester holt, in tonight for brian. matt lauer will be sitting in here tomorrow. hope you'll join us. have a good night, everyone.