bob costas. bob, thanks so much for being with us tonight. we appreciate it. >> okay. >>> turning overseas now. new revelations about the german co-pilot who killed himself and 149 others by deliberately crashing a plane into the french alps back in march. a preliminary report revealing he may have practiced his ghastly plan or come close to carrying it out on the flight right before. nbc's bill neely has details. >> reporter: it was deliberate mass murder, a full plane programmed to dive and crash. but co-pilot andreas lubitz had tried it before hours earlier setting the same plane to hit the ground. >> it was a repeat of the action he did on the flight. >> reporter: the first official report reveals an even more calculating, erratic man. the flight recorders from the plane's first flight to barcelona showed the captain left lubitz alone in the cockpit an hour and 20 minutes into the flight. in the four and a half minutes before he returned, lubitz repeatedly set the altitude control to 100 feet. its lowest setting. five times. but he switch

let's go to bob costas. >> all right, tom.ain or shine here we are again for the 14th time now since 1978 and the third time in the last four years we leave the preek witness a horse that has at least a chance at the triple crown. and like california chrome a year ago in a certain sense not a surprise considering the fact that american pharoah was, after all the favorite at the kentucky derby and again the favorite here today. and beyond that, he is also in the stable of the sport's best known trainer bob baffert and he is ridden by perhaps the hottest jockey in the sport, victor espinoza. still, the belmont with its mile and a half distance, as you guys were discussing is not just the final jewel of the triple crown, it's the longest race as well against a field that always includes at least some horses who have skipped one or both of the first two legs, thus coming in fresher. as they say, the belmont is the true test of a champion it's a test that american pharoah will now prepare to take. still plenty more coverage of the

let's go to bob costas. >> all right, tom.ain or shine here we are again for the 14th time now since 1978 and the third time in the last four years we leave the preek witness a horse that has at least a chance at the triple crown. and like california chrome a year ago in a certain sense not a surprise considering the fact that american pharoah was, after all the favorite at the kentucky derby and again the favorite here today. and beyond that, he is also in the stable of the sport's best known trainer bob baffert and he is ridden by perhaps the hottest jockey in the sport, victor espinoza. still, the belmont with its mile and a half distance, as you guys were discussing is not just the final jewel of the triple crown, it's the longest race as well against a field that always includes at least some horses who have skipped one or both of the first two legs, thus coming in fresher. as they say, the belmont is the true test of a champion it's a test that american pharoah will now prepare to take. still plenty more coverage of the

bob costas is here. >>> deadly tornadoes. a ferocious outbreak tearing across the country carving a path of destruction. 49 million americans on high alert. what's behind the extreme weather? >>> in cold blood. charges including capital murder for suspects accused of gunning down two police officers. >>> the bin laden raid. an explosive report accuses the u.s. government of not telling the truth about what happened. tonight the white house hits back hard. >>> and getting personal. michelle obama like we have rarely heard her before. deeply candid about race and the private pain she's endured. "nightly news" begins right now. >>> good evening. the other shoe has just dropped in pro football's deflategate scandal. the nfl late today announcing super bowl-winning new england patriots quarterback tom brady will be suspended for four games. >> reporter: for days it's been the most debated, discussed and dissected topic if court. what punishment would the nfl hand down for reigning super bowl mvp tom brady. late this afternoon the

bob costas of nbc sports joins me now by telephone. bob, so much of this was made at the time. in football, how big a sin is this and is the league now compelled to take harsh action? >> the league is compelled to take action. i'd be very very surprised if tom brady was suspended for even a game but i think he's going to be hit with a substantial fine. and based on precedent for other violations by other teams, probably the patriots will lose a draft choice or two. but it won't be a first round draft choice. this falls into the category if you look at it objectively of gamesmanship. not that it should be approved of but if some other team that was less successful with a quarterback less glamorous and less in the discussion of among the all-time greats and with a coach less controversial than bill belichick, i think it would be regarded as just eh one of those things. but because it's the patriots because they have people who love them and like any team that's that successful people who detest and resent them it was a much bigger deal and especially because it led up to the supe

bob costas, thanks. have a good broadcast. >> thanks. >>> tonight, millions of americans are feeling the effects of a sudden onslaught of allergies all at once. it's being called a pollen tsunami, a spring season of misery being played ironically on the brutal winter that was. nbc eanne thompson has the report. >> reporter: spring has sprung, and so has the pollen. you can see it and hear it. >> there we go. >> reporter: as allergy sufferers unite in misery? my eyes get really itchy and they feel a little bit swollen. >> reporter: today on this hospital rooftop in suburban chicago this doctor recorded the highest tree pollen count. >> going to be heavier in the next few weeks. >> reporter: a pollen tsunami sweeping across the country with the upper midwest and northeast getting hit worst. traverse city michigan, the most uncomfortable, but not record breaking. >> it's about as bad as it normally is. >> reporter: long snowy winter accelerated pollen production in grasses and trees. i always think of this

bob costas weighs in. >>> self-defense? man who shot at george zimmerman saying he only did it because he felt threatened. we'll hear from both sides. >>> and going, going, gone. the picasso that smashed the

bob costas weighs in. >>> self-defense? man who shot at george zimmerman saying he only did it because he felt threatened. we'll hear from both sides. >>> and going, going, gone. the picasso that smashed the record f

bob costas is here. >>> deadly tornadoes.break tearing across the country carving a path of destruction. 49 million americans on high alert. what's behind the extreme weather? >>> in cold blood. charges including capital murder for suspects accused of gunning down two police officers. >>> the bin laden raid. an explosive report accuses the u.s. government of not telling the truth about what happened. tonight the white house hits back hard. >>> and getting personal. michelle obama like we have rarely heard her before. deeply candid about ra

. >> bob costa says he thinks brady will face tough punishment from the nfl. >> in light of the attacks on the commissioner and the nfl for being in some cases too soft i think if they go soft or people think they are on the glamour boy of the league and on the super bowl champions, there will be hell to pay. i think he'll be sus spenlded for the first time the only game that the whole country watches that particular night when the super bowl champions have the honor of hosting the first time. i think he'll get at least a one-game suspension. >> jon stewart said what a lot of folks are thinking. >> if you think i wouldn't chastise you if you committed these acts while on my team if you think i wouldn't, that would be correct. >> well the wells report did clear the patriot's ownership and the head equipment manager. >>> imagine our congressional elections with seven parties that decide who our president would be. that's like election day in the uk which just finished. votes are being counted and david cameron is sitting pretty. it's not final but early returns and exit polling indicate h

bob costas is here. >>> deadly tornadoes. a ferocious outbreak tearing across the country, carving a path of destruction. 49 million americans on high alert. what's behind this extreme weather? >>> in cold blood. charges including capital murder for suspects accused of gunning down two police officers. >>> the bin laden raid. an explosive report accuses the u.s. government of not telling the truth about what happened. tonight the white house hits back hard. >>> and getting personal. michelle obama like we have rarely heard her before deeply

bob costas says all of this could set audiotape big ticket event if they can hold on without tom brady. >> if he serves the four games, they have their by early in the season. the sixth game is week six. he would return against the indianapolis colts, the team that blew the whistle on him in that game the very team that started the whole thing. also, get used to the game jimmy garoppolo. he is the second round pick out of eastern illinois where he broke all of tony romo's records. they open against pittsburgh and they're at buffalo and buffalo is pretty good. they should beat jacksonville at dallas. by the time tom brady gets back they could be one and three. >> the owner says it exceeds any expectation and the team gives support to tom brady. >>> the country's tornado outbreak has turned deadly. five deaths. one in arkansas and four in texas. from the air in van texas, it looks like a bomb went off. a twister packing 155 miles an hour winds hit the team. >> this is something you only see in movies. seeing where these homes stood. they're not there anymore. >> and just east of dallas t

. >> nbc spores sportscaster bob costas thistle face tough punishment from the nfl. >> in the year the nfl has had, and the attacks on its and the attacks on its integrity and attacks on roger goodell for going too soft, if they are going soft or perceived as going soft on the glamor boy of the league and the super bowl champions there will be hell to pay. i think he will be suspended for the first game, the that thursday night game when the super bowl champions have the honor of hosting the first game. i think he will get at least a one game suspension. >> people in public life wind up becoming targets for various reasons. here is tom brady. a wealthy guy and married and four super bowls. i think some people want to take a shoot atom brady because seems like his life is too perfect. >> on today's show john stewart said what a lot of fans are thinking. >> if you think i wouldn't chastise you while on my team, a new york giants uniform, if you think i wouldn't chastise you for that, that would be correct. >> so, imagine our congressional elections with five parties that decide who our p

here's bob costas. >> i think it's a product both of the behavior and brady's unwillingness to fully cooperate with the nfl which they resented. >> now brady says he will appeal his punishment. the league has also fined the patriots $1 million and the team will lose draft picks during the next two years. at 5:00 a.m. "nbc 10's" vai sikahema will be joining us with a closer look at the significant can't significance of brady's 4 game suspension. >>> a robber smashed this window and grabbed the register. it happened around 2:00 this morning. police have found the suspect and took him into custody. right now they're waiting on a warrant to search the suspect's home trying to find that stolen cash register. >>> new this morning, police have given us photos of a suspected shop lifter who attacked a grocery store worker. this guy was trying to make off with a cart filled of $900 worth of stuff at the acme. when the employee tried to stop him. he attacked the worker. the man in the second photo was also involved. if you recognize either suspect call the police. >>> happening today in atlant

he's bob costas on the appeal. >> the commissioner can hear the appeal himself but he could also decide to refer it to an independent arbitrator. that might play well in the court of public opinion. he could be saying see, look? let someone else verify for you that i have been thorough and fair. that is up to the commissioner. the four-game suspension gives them a little bit of a pad. let's say under whatever process the appeal results in a reduction, at least then it's not going from two games to one. it's four to three or two and there's still teeth in it. >> if after the appeal the four-game suspension stands brady would return to action on october 18th against who else but the indianapolis colts, the very team that turned into the underinflated footballs in the first place. made for television. meanwhile robert craft released a statement which reads in part despite our conviction that there is no tampering with footballs. it was our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league. today's punishment however far exceeded any reasonable expectation. tom brady has our unconditi

bob costas joins us tonight. >>> take cover. millions with watches and warnings throughout the night. and it's just getting started. >>> alone in the cockpit. chilling revelations that the pilot who deliberately crashed the passenger plane may have been on the flight before. >>> and sibling rivalry. prince george is the most famous toddler in the world, but how will he share the spotlight with his little sister? "nig

. >> we're joined by bob costa calling the yankees game. a lot of questions today about whether it was cheating comes down to what would you tell a child playing pop warner. cheating or wink wink part of the game? >> it's not unique to patriots and football. this sort of thing has been going on a long time. it is a rule. let's say someone is off sides on a play in football. you don't say does it affect the play that happened on the other side of the field? you assess the penalty. the patriots knowingly broke a rule. how important is that rule? is it egregious as other forms of cheating? did it have the impact on performance that steroid use or other forms cheating would have? i don't think so. would tom brady still be just as great without it? yes, i do. they knowingly broke an established rule. last night lester i told you i thought they'd lose draft choices and they'd be fine. i didn't think he'd be suspended. i rethought that. in light of the year the league has had and attacks on roger goodell for being too soft. i think if they go too

bob costas on nbc's nightly news says commissioner roger goodell was under pressure not to underinflate the punishments. >> the nfl has been under a lot of heat for player misbehavior, team misbehavior, unrelated to this particular type of offense, but it still creates a kind of atmosphere and there's been heat on commissioner roger goodell, so in that sense the patriots and brady are victims of the atmosphere surrounding the lead and their marquee status. >> reporter: phillies fans had mixed reactions to the sanctions. >> i think they went easy on him. if they give ray rice two games for beating his girlfriend now wife but give tom brady four games, really? >> i don't know if the punishment really fits that with what they've been suspending other players for. >> they don't need to cheat. that makes it worse, in my opinion. if they didn't need to they did it anyway, it's just arrogance. >> reporter: patriots' owner bob kraft issued a statement tonight. that coming up in sports. for now, i'm john clark. >>> tonight we're learning more about george zimmerman's most recent run-in involving

bob costas joins us tonight. >>> take cover. tornadoes already spotted on the ground.potential path from texas to nebraska with watches and warnings throughout the night. and it's just getting started. >>> alone in the cockpit. chilling new revelations tonight that the pilot that deliberately crashed a passenger plane may have practiced it on the flight before. >>> and sibling rivalry. prince george is the most famous toddler in the world, but how will he share the spotlight with his little sister? "nightly news" begins right now.

bob costas joins us tonight. >>> take cover. tornadoes already spotted on the ground.lions in the potential path with watches and warnings throughout the night. and it's just getting started. >>> alone in the cockpit. chilling revelations that the pilot who deliberately crashed a passenger plane may have practiced it on the flight before. >>> and sibling rivalry. prince george is the most famous toddler in the world, but how will he share the spotlight with his little sister? "nightly news" begins right now.

>> and by the way, by the way, bob costas would have asked the question. >> come on. w costas like you know costas. >> go ahead. i can't let that go by. bob is the best of the best so i won't let you go with that one. >> maybe he is. maybe i shouldn't have taken that shot. make a long story short. do you think he knew the balls were deflated? >> well i don't think he did because if he said in his press conference that he didn't have anything to do with it and he didn't order or ask anybody to do it and that he plays by the rules, then i guess you know, look there's a lot of testimony that tom had given to the ted wells and the investigators and very much of it according to the agent is not included in this report. and don spoke on that extensively, tom brady's agent and he is wondering why all of that testimony didn't make it to the final report. >> all right, jim. we'll leave it right there. i didn't mean to put you on the spot. my best to bob, as well. when you have a cocktail with him later. >>> joining me now with reaction is sport ss one nfl correspondent peter sc

bob costas is here onset to break down the star quarterback's big punishment.llenge all across america. here we go! check out escape and find out why ford is the brand more people buy and buy again. wow! that's a four-cylinder? i thought it was a six. i definitely feel the ecoboost in the ford escape. that's like a sports car. i just opened my trunk with my foot. i prefer, without a doubt, the escape over the cr-v. take the ecoboost challenge at your ford dealer. and for a limited-time get an escape with zero percent financing for sixty months plus seven-fifty cash if you own a ford or qualifying competitive vehicle. you know our new rope has actually passed all the tests. we're ready to start with production. ok, are you doing test markets like last time? uh, no we're going to roll out globally. ok. we'll start working on some financing options right away. thanks, joe. oh, yeah. it's a game-changer for the rock-climbing industry. this is one strong rope! huh joe? oh, yeah it's incredible! how you doing team? jeff you good? [jeff] i think i dropped my keys. [an

bob costas is here. >>> deadly tornadoes. a ferocious outbreak tearing across the country carving a bath of destruction. 49 million americans on high alert. what's behind the extreme weather? >>> in cold blood. charges including capital murder for suspects 'kuzed of gunning down two police officers. >>> the bin laden raid. an explosive report accuses the u.s. government of not telling the truth about what happened. tonight the white house whhits back hard. >>> and getting personal. michelle obama like we have rarely heard her before. deep

bob costas piece that led into this said that would have been a nice out for patriots. say yeah you got me everybody does it we won't do it anymore. they've instead chosen to fight this and deny the obvious. the report said we've got you and coming after you. patriots instead of saying yeah you got us continue to claim they didn't do anything wrong, paint themselves as a victim. i think that's why the sanctions were as hard as they were. in terms of actual advantages i don't play the game. everything i'm told is a slightly more deflated ball is easier to pass secure throw. when you arm enemies, and they have many with this weaponry, they can come after you. that's what's happening now. >> thanks for joining us today. >> thanks andrea. >>> overseas king solomon of saudi arabia did speak to president obama tomorrow about the decision not to come this week to the summit. can the summit be effective without america's most important gulf ally? he'll be represented by the crowned prince. i'm joined by ben at the white house. thank you very much. i know you are saying no snub

costas. >> so go ahead. but i can't let that go by. bob is the best of the best. i'm not going to let you go by with that. >> maybe he is. maybe i shouldn't have taken that shot. do you think he knew the balls were deflated? >> well i don't think he did. because if he said in his press conference that he didn't have anything to do with it and he didn't order or ask anybody to do it and he played by the rules, then i guess, you know -- look there's a lot of testimony that tom had given to the -- to ted wells and the investigators. very much of it according to the agent is not included in this report. and don yee spoke on that extensively yesterday, tom brady brady's agent, and wants to know why that didn't make it to the report. >> i didn't mean to put you on the spot. i'll talk to you later. joining me with reaction is nfl correspondent peter schragger, and eric coleman. eric i'm trying to figure it out. for the life of me in baseball there's a ball. the umpire holds the balls. he makes sure they're the same. in basketball the referees hold the ball. in hockey, th

conference after this was first discovered afc championship and i think there was an interview with bob costas during the super bowl and even last week given a chance to say i never did that. he really didn't do it. his agent is defending him. he'll appeal. i think he'll get it cut from four to two games. >> thank you for your insight. i appreciate it. still to come under review and on edge. will a wisconsin police officer face charges today in the killing of an unarmed teenager? we'll take you to madison next. ♪ ♪ when you're living with diabetes steady is exciting. only glucerna has carbsteady clinically proven to help minimize blood sugar spikes. i'm a bull rider make it part of your daily diabetes plan. so you stay steady ahead. let's take a look at your credit. >>i know i have a 786 fico score, thanks to all the tools and help on experian.com. so how are we going to sweeten this deal? floor mats... clear coats... >>you're getting warmer... leather seats... >>and this... my wife bought me that. get your credit swagger on. become a member of experian credit tracker and find out your fico sc

bob costas weighs in. >>> self-defense? the man who shot at george zimmerman saying he only did it because he felt threatened. we'll hear from both sides. >>> and going, going, gone. the picasso that smashed the record for all art sold at auction. today, tuesday, may 12 2015. >> announcer: from nbc news this is "today" with matt lauer and savannah guthrie live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >> good morning, everyone. welcome to "today" on this tuesday morning. >> as we hope this morning, our hearts and prayers go out to the people in nepal. >> another major earthquake has hit. it's our top story. breaking news out of nepal. another earthquake causing death and injuries and buildings to collapse. katy good morning, what can you tell us? >> reporter: good morning. right now we know there are building collapses. but that number is expected to rise. this was a 7.3 centered close to mt. everest and 51 miles from kathmandu which as you know is devastated from the april 25th 7.8 quake which killed more than 8,000 people. thi

bob costas weighed in on suspension saying we have to consider the context of the decision.a bad couple of years for the nfl with bountygate, with the bullying scandal, with domestic violence and with child abuse and the way the nhl has ruled in some of these cases was sometimes perceived as random and sometimes even perceived as incompetent and roger goodell wanted to make sure he got this right? >> do you think he got this right? >> i think it's excessive, al. i think that one game would have been plenty. as jim pointed out the weight of the football doesn't affect how a quarterback plays, and i don't think this affected the outcome of any game, i don't think scores would have been different if the footballs were -- had a higher psi, so i do think it's excessive, and i think we probably will see a reduction when -- when the appeal goes on. >> all right. steve karnacky jim fassel and joe sullivan thank you for your time tonight. >> thank you. >>> straight ahead, it's official. the obamas pick chicago south side for the presidential library. what will the future hold? and la

bob costas weighs in. >>> self-defense.he man who shot at george zimmerman claimed he only opened fire because he felt threatened. zimmerman telling a much different story. we'll hear from both sides. >> the picasso that just smashed all records for the price sold at auction, tuesday, may 12, 2015. >>> from nbc news, this is "today," with matt lauer and savannah guthrie. live from studio 1a in rockefeller plaza. >>> good morning, everyone. welcome to "today" on a tuesday morning. >> as we open this tuesday morning our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of nepal. >> can you imagine what they've been through and now another major earthquake has hit. breaking news out of nepal where this damaging new quake struck overnight causing deaths and injuries and causing buildings once again to collapse. nbc's katy tur, what do we know? >> there are buildings, mudslides and 42 people killed so far, but that number is only expected to rise. this was 7.3, centered on namche and 51 miles from kathmandu which as you know is devastat

bob costas weighs in. >>> self-defense.man claimed he only opened fire because he felt threatened. zimmerman telling a much diffen

bob costas weighed in on the nfl's punishment. >> it's a product of the behavior and brady's unwillingness to fully cooperate with the nfl which they resented but also the time frame in which it took place. the nfl has been under a lot of heat for player misbehavior, team misbehavior. it still creates a kind of atmosphere and there's been heat on commissioner roger goodell so the patriots and brady are victims of the atmosphere surrounding the league and of their own status. >> brady will miss the first four game of the 2015 season including the primetime kick off game versus the pittsburgh steelers. his first game back week six against the colts. brady's ageneral calls the discipline ridiculous and says he will appeal. brady has three days to appeal the suspension to roger goodell. robert kraft said while he disagreed he would accept any discipline. but on monday he said it's too severe and brady has his unconditional support. this is the second time the patriots have been punished for violating rules. in 2007 they were fined for taping practices and trying to learn their play signals. as

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. >> let's talk about what bob costas said about legacy for tom brady this morning.nk about that. >> do you think this tarnishes golden boy image? >> a little bit. still a first bhal lot hall of famer. would have done pretty much what he did with inflated or deflated footballs. this is not barry bonds using steroids. >> so when he becomes hall of fame eligible will we care about this, steve? >> reporter: well, some people will. in terms of like his eligible for the hall of fame his selection, i don't think it will affect his ability to get in there on the first ballot. but it is certainly fair to say that this plus spygate a number of years ago plus a number of other things about the patriots and how they always under bill belichick kind of play close to the edge, maybe a little bit over the edge sometimes. there are an awful lot of people out there who will always put an asterisk next to this era in the history not just of tom brady, but the patriot. where the salary cap era of nfl the era of parity, so much evenness in the league for the pair yots over the last 15

listening to bob eagle of the contra costa water district talk about the release a lawn, get a water rebate program. >> lawns use a lot of water. they are a major user of water. >> reporter: eligible users get one dollar for every foot of landscape replaced up to $1,000. you must have an inground irrigation system. the program is not for backyards and not retro active. it is one of several rebate programs around the entire bay area. >> i don't qualify because i don't have an inground sprinkler system. >> reporter: even if you don't qualify, you can switch out your lawn to water wise perennials like salias or sage. steven wexler in pleasant hills say salvias come from similar climates and one established in a garden, they only need to be watered every two weeks. >> they are adaptable to our seasonal rain changes and if we are without rain five months they can survive it. >> reporter: and you will save money on your water bill. >> i hope we get el niÑo later on this year. i'm doing a lot to conserve saving water in the shower and the sink. >> reporter: christina rendon, ktvu fox 2 news