erin mclaughlin, nbc news. >> if you or anybody you know is struggling, you're not alone. there is help. you can reach the suicide and crisis lifeline 24/7 by call organize texting 988. you see it there on screen. we'll be right back. >>> we're back with those confrontations between stars and one particular security guard at the cannes film festival. this is maciel appearing to push the guard away on the red carpet. just the day before singer kelly rowland got into it, appearing to scold the same guard. it's not clear what led to these exchanges. >>> to rome now, where pope francis celebrating world children's day is paving the way for an italian teenager and gamer to become the first millennial saint. marissa parra has the story. ♪ >> reporter: 50,000 children from around the world joining pope francis for the very first world children's day in rome days after the vatican cleared the path for what could be the youngest saint of this generation. carlo acutis, an italian teenager who died in 2006 of leukemia, now credited by the church for two miracles for helping heal two

erin mclaughlin is there. erin, where do things stand right now? >> reporter: lester, columbia university has officially sent a letter to the nypd, inviting them on campus, and we are now in a side street, next to the university, and we watched as dozens of police officers entered the campus, followed by large buses. you can see over there, students looking outside their windows, we're moving forward with the press. they're allowing us to access closer and closer to the campus to see what is going on. tonight, tensions at columbia university reaching a new high with the school threatening expulsion. after pro-palestinian protesters stormed the historic hamilton hall overnight, renaming the building hen's hall after a 6-year-old palestinian girl killed in gaza. student journalist joseph zuluoga was on the scene. >> i think when one of the protesters broke one of the windows, i think that's when it set in for all of us that history was unfolding before our eyes. >> reporter: in a statement today, the university said this is about responding to the ac

the cdc calls it one of the most important advances of the 20th century, but as erin mclaughlin reports, it's the latest front in the culture wars. >> reporter: abby smith is extra careful about brushing her son's teeth. now that her local tap water no longer contains fluoride. after community members in union county north carolina came forward to express concerns, the county commission voted 3-2, to remove it. >> i didn't even know that there was a fight against fluoride. >> reporter: she's now scrambling to figure out what to do next for her two small children. >> we're going to have to talk about possibly supplementing. >> reporter: the dentist is alarmed. she says fluoride, a naturally-occurring mineral, should be added to public water to help develop strong teeth, especially for small children and those without access to a dentist. toothpaste with fluoride, she says, is not enough, because the fluoride needs to be ingested. >> we know that fluoride works. all the journal articles have shown that. there's a 25% reduction in children and adults' decay. >> reporter: despite being the

but as erin mclaughlin reports, it's the latest front in the culture wars. >> scrub, scrub, scrub, readyushing her son teddy's teeth, now that her local tap water no longer contains fluoride after community members in union county, north carolina, came forward to express concerns. the county commission voted 3-2 to remove it. >> i didn't even know that there was a fight against fluoride. >> reporter: she is now scrambling to figure out what to do next for her two small children. >> we're going to have to talk about possibly supplements. >> reporter: dentist meg lochary is alarmed. she says fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, should be added to public water to help develop strong teeth, especially for small children and those without access to a dentist. toothpaste with fluoride she says is not enough because the fluoride needs to be ingested. >> we know that fluoride works. all the journal articles have shown that. there is a 25% reduction in children and adult decay for people that are in community fluoridated water. >> reporter: despite being the norm for decades, the nationwide f

lester. >> erin mclaughlin, thank you. >>> and on friday, it will be two years since the deadly school shooting in uvalde, texas. today victims' families announced new legal action against the city and many of the officers involved. tom llamas is here. tom, what are they asking for? >> lester, good evening. tonight the families who lost so much ready to fight back announcing a $500 million federal lawsuit against more than 90 officers from the texas department of public safety and the uvalde school district. their call for justice coming nearly two years after a gunman killed 2 teachers and 19 students inside robb elementary school. body cam footage inside the school shows officers fumbling with keys, hesitating to move in, and waiting in the hallways as children were killed inside of those classrooms. the school district acknowledges the lawsuit and says it's opening to exploring a resolution. the texas department of public safety tells nbc news, it does not comment on pending litigation and, lester, the families today also announcing a settlement with the city of uvalde for $2 millio

erin mclaughlin has late developments for us. >> reporter: tonight, the crackdowns on college campuses continue. in new york city, two more schools inviting the nypd to clear pro-palestinian encampments, at nyu and the new school where demonstrators turned their backs on police. >> who is in charge? anybody in charge here? >> reporter: more than 50 arrested. today police pointing to disturbing leaflets they say they found during both crackdowns, one of which included violent threats, and at portland state university in oregon, new video shows damage done during the occupation of its library, and today at columbia university, president minouche shafik releasing this video message. >> a group of protesters crossed a new line with the occupation of hamilton hall. it was a violent act that put our students at risk, as well as putting the protesters at risk. >> reporter: this week's raid raising new questions about outside involvement. the university reports that of the 44 arrested in the building, 13 were unaffiliated with the university. among them was 40-year-old james carlson, a longtim

erin mclaughlin, nbc news. >> certainly our condolences go out to grayson's family and loved ones.you or someone you know are struggling, there is help. you can reach the national suicide prevention lifeline 24/7 by dialing or texting 988, or sing88 9 lifeline.org. we'll be right back. here's charmin ultra strong. ahhh! my bottom's been saved! with its diamond weave texture, charmin ultra strong cleans better with fewer sheets and less effort. enjoy the go with charmin. you are bountiful. your skeleton can support two times your weight. it's in your nature to stand strong. supplement your bones with high-absorption magnesium. nature's bounty. it's in your nature. one bite of a 100% angus beef ball park frank and you'll say... ...hello summer! oh yeah, it's ball park season. feeling sluggish or weighed down? could be a sign that your digestive system isn't at its best. but a little metamucil everyday can help. metamucil's psyllium fiber gels to trap and remove the waste that weighs you down... so you can lighten every day the metamucil way. skincare can start in the laundry room. th

erin mclaughlin, nbc news. >>> that's "nightly news" for this friday. thanks for watching.ease take care of yourself and each other. look at the massive billion dollar project happening in the south bay. why it's critical to protecting the anderson dam against earthquakes

erin mclaughlin starts our coverage. >> reporter: tonight police crackdowns continue on college campuses across the country. at the university of wisconsin, madison, clashes. four officers injured and dozens of pro-palestinian protesters arrested. >> we plan to be here until our demands are met no matter what. >> reporter: while jewish students say, they also want their voices heard. >> but we just wanted to show that we're here and that we're not scared. >> reporter: at the university of texas, dallas, tents taken down. meanwhile, columbia university says it had no choice but to call the police. the police are making their way onto the campus. dozens of officers. overnight more than 100 were arrested on campus. police releasing this video with no audio showing officers in riot gear taking back control of the historic hamilton hall and the encampment. >> i was terrified. >> reporter: this student says he was on campus during the raid to stand in solidarity with the protesters occupying the hall. >> whatever happened to our peers who were inside hamilton, many of whom we know and are frie

erin mclaughlin, nbc news. >>> nice to see smiles in a place of such sadness.s" for this friday. thanks for watching. i'm lester holt, please take care of yourself and each other. baked in a flurry of cinnamon sugar and paired with a sumptuous caramel dip. an odyssey of flavor. just enough fine words. this feat cannot wait, right? available for a limited time only at round table pizza in san francisco. on the right track? that's debatable. 're tting san francisco's mayoral candidates in the hot seat, watch the together sf action and grow sf mayoral debate. monday, may 20th at 6 p.m. rsvp to stream it live at sf action. org don't be denied the settlement you deserve. denied why? it was only a small fender bender. what do you mean a small fender bender? are you serious? yeah. after reviewing your file, we're denying your injury claim. what? i still have all these bills, and i'm still in pain. if you've been injured in an auto accident, call me first before you speak with the insurance adjusters. they are not your friends. we'll get you the settlement you deserve.

here's erin mclaughlin. these images shocked the world. babies struggling to survive, sparking international calls to save them. six died during the siege at al-shifa hospital, according to doctors. nbc news was there when 31 babies dehydrated and sick, were evacuated to rafah and then to cairo, but a little girl remained behind at the al emirati hospital in gaza, known only as malak arabic for angel, named after the angel who saved her life. many children in gaza. schiff by angeles back then, doctors told nbc news that malak had survived much more than the siege. her neighborhood had been bombed. her family killed. unbalance found this baby in the tree. our family died. malak was just two days old when she arrived at al-shifa, an orphan, remarkably stable, her condition only deteriorated during the siege. when doctors say they were forced to prepare her formula using contaminated water. it's been four months since the evacuation and malak is thriving thanks to amal abu khalil, a doctor at the al emirati neonatal unit. doctor cottle watche

nbc's erin mclaughlin is here with more on what we know about this. erin, good morning. just a tragic story here. >> reporter: joe, good morning. golf fans are mourning the shocking and sudden death of two-time pga tour winner grayson murray as family and friends continue to learn more, the cause of death remains unknown. >> just overwhelming sadness. we've just learned news. >> reporter: cbs sports broke into their coverage of the charles schwab challenge. >> grayson has passed away at the age of 30. >> reporter: murray had withdrawn from the tournament late in the second round friday, reportedly telling his fellow players he didn't feel well. >> he told them that he was done. >> yeah. >> that he was going to withdraw. >> reporter: the cause of death remains unknown. >> this is a really, really -- this is a really hard day. >> reporter: yesterday afternoon pga tour commissioner jay monaghan released a memo to the membership calling the news devastaing writing, the pga tour is a family. when you lose a member of your family, you are never the same. >> one of the elements

here's nbc's erin mclaughlin. >> reporter: abby smith is extra careful about brushing her son teddy'sthat her local tap water no longer contains fluoride after community members in union county, north carolina, came forward to express concerns, the county commission voted 3 -2 to remove it. >> i didn't know there was a fight against fluoride. >> reporter: she's scrambling to figure out what to do for her two small children. dentist meg lacry is alarmed. it should be added to water to help small teeth. tooth paste with fluoride is not enough. it needs to be ingested. >> there's a 25% reduction of children and adult decay for people in community flor ri nated water. >> reporter: in the wake of covid and the anti-vaxx movement, pitting dentists. >> i hope you consider leaving the fluoride in the water for the most vulnerable. >> reporter: against activists. >> how can we knowingly lower the population's iq. >> reporter: the local chair of the right wing group moms for liberty pointed to a canadian study that showed lower iqs, the author acknowledges more research is needed. >> fluoride i

erin mclaughlin has the details. >> reporter: abby smith is extra careful about brushing her son teddy'sr contains fluoride. after community members in union county, north carolina, came forward to express concerns, the county commission voted 3-2 to remove it. >> i didn't even know that there was a fight against fluoride. >> reporter: she's now scrambling to figure out what to do next for her two dentist meg alarmed. she said fluoride should be added to public water to help develop strong teeth. especially for small children and those without access to a dentist. toothpaste with fluoride is not enough because the fluoride needs to be ingested. >> we know that fluoride works. all the journal articles have shown that. there's a 25% reduction for adults and children in communities with fluoride water. >> the nationwide debate is reaching new heights in the wake of covid and the anti-vaxx movement pitting dentists like lockery. >> i hope you consider leaving the fluoride in the water for the most vulnerable population. >> against activists. >> how long can our society bear the cost of knowi

. >> let's get to erin mclaughlin at columbia for us this morning. she was there at the standoff unfolded and police cleared the building. erin, good morning. >> savannah, good morning. the nypd says it took them two hours to clear columbia university of protesters. i was there overnight as dozens of police dressed in full riot gear entered the building. crowds gathered chanting and booing. this morning police say more than 200 were arrested. overnight in new york city, a tense drama unfolding at columbia university. police in riot gear swiftly taking back anti-war. using a swat style truck to enter hamilton hall by force. >> the building is heavily fortified. >> reporter: police video showing the officers clearing the building, eventually taking about 100 people in custody. the dramatic end coming hours after officials revealed what they called evidence of professional agitators trying to create chaos on campus. there were also protests and arrests at the university of new york overnight. at ucla clashes between pro israel and pro palestinian demonst

here's nbc's erin mclaughlin. these images shocked the world. babies struggling to survive, sparking international calls to save them. six died during the siege at al-shifa hospital, according to doctors. nbc news was there when 31 babies dehydrated and sick, were evacuated to rafah and then to cairo, but a little girl remained behind at the al emirati hospital in gaza, known only as malak, arabic for angel, named after the angel who saved her life. many children in gaza. schiff by angeles back then, doctors told nbc news that malak had survived much more than the siege. her neighborhood had been bombed, her family killed, unbalanced, found this baby in the tree. our family died, malak was just two days old when she arrived at al-shifa. an orphan, remarkably stable. her condition only deteriorated during the siege, when doctors say they were forced to prepare her formula using contaminate water. it's been four months since the evacuate mission and malak is thriving. thanks to amal abu khalil, a doctor at the al emirati neonatal unit. doctor cott

our friend erin mclaughlin explains. the koala, one of the world's most famous species, can be found in the wild of australia. koalas are related to kangaroos. they're not bears, they're marsupials. koalas are often referred to as koala bears because they look cute, like a teddy bear. however, they are actually marsupials, which means that the females raise their offspring in a pouch. did you know a newborn koala is called a joey and the baby stays in its mother's pouch for several months after birth? the san diego zoo in california has the largest collection of koalas outside of australia. here in san diego, we have a climate similar to their native australia. koalas live high up in the trees. what do they like to eat? eucalyptus leaves. we can grow all of the eucalyptus that these koalas need to survive, but the eucalyptus trees take a lot of energy for them to digest, so they sleep a lot. koala sleep 18 to 20 hours a day when they're not sleeping, they're usually climbing trees. fun facts about koalas. they have two t

. >> erin mclaughlin is covering the case for us. good morning. >> guys, good morning.ourt yesterday. the state denied the defense te claims they're withholding information. the judge admonished both sides and decided to close a future discovery hearing. all this as the clock keeps ticking with no trial date set. >> the court should ask itself here? >> blasting the state of idaho, claiming prosecutors are withholding information, including key pieces of a video described in the charging affidavit that allegedly what is the state trying to try here? >> blasting the state of idaho, claiming prosecutors are withholding information, including key pieces of a video described in the charging affidavit that allegedly shows a car matching kohberger's at the scene of the murders. >> we have received little, tiny pieces of that. >> kohberger's lawyers arguing a hearing to compel that discovery and more should be open to the public. prosecutors insist it should be closed and deny it is keeping materials from the defense. >> the characterization that we are consciously withholding