months, days before the fda is expected to decide whether to authorize them and ns now dead from covid. president biden expressing great confidence in top general mark milley after a new book claimed milley secretly reached out to a chinese general during the trump presidency the former president firing back. the remnants of hurricane nicholas soaking the gulf coast. california governor gavin newsom beating back the effort to recall him the stunning twist. the attorney shot in the head now accused of plotting the attack himself. and the countdown to tonight's historic spacex launch. >> announcer: this is "nbc nightly news" with lester holt >> good evening. we know them from another arena, celebrated gymnasts, olympians. but today they sat tearfully in front of a different audience in a senate hearing room simone biles surrounded by fellow gymnasts, telling

senators we have been failed, the young women accusing the fbi of turning a blind eye to their complaints of sexual abuse at the hands of team dr. larry nassar in 2017 nassar pleaded guilty to abusing 10 of the more than 265 women and girls who have come forward to say they were molested he is serving up to 175 years in prison. tonight the emotional call for accountability for those the women accuse of protecting a serial child molester rather than them. anne thompson was in the hearing room and has our report >> to be clear, i blame larry nassar, and i also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse. >> reporter: simone biles and her three fellow gymnasts told the senate judiciary committee in words searing and emotional how adults failed them, ignoring for more than a year their claims of sexual abuse

by team usa dr. larry nassar >> i don't want another young gymnast, olympic athlete, or any individual to experience the horror that i and hundreds of others have endured before, during, and continuing to this day in the wake of the larry nassar abuse >> reporter: the women particularly blamed the fbi. mckayla maroney testified in 2015 she told an agent what nassar did to her in excruciating detail before she told her mother >> i began crying at the memory over the phone, and there was just dead silence. i was so shocked at the agent's silence and disregard for my trauma after that minute of silence, he asked "is that all?" >> reporter: the fbi didn't officially open an investigation until nearly a year after it first learned of the allegations. >> the fbi made me feel like my abuse didn't count and it wasn't a big deal.

>> reporter: aly raisman described how the bureau's inaction haunts her it's estimated nassar abused at least 70 gymnasts after the fbi was first told >> it was like serving innocent children up to a pedophile on a silver platter >> i'm deeply and profoundly sorry >> reporter: fbi director christopher wray, who did not lead the bureau at the time told the committee that the two agents who lied about their actions are no long were the bureau. one took retirement. the other was fired. he added reforms are already under way. >> we want to take the pain that occurred here and use it as a catalyst to teach people the importance of doing the work in the right way. >> reporter: but maggie nichols and her fellow gymnasts want more maggie, what is justice? >> i think justice is holding those accountable who failed us continuously and continue to fail us, and those who didn't protect us throughout

our gymnastics career and throughout our childhood. >> rked. >> how m watch. these women are asking for accountability so is there any chance any of the fbi agents involved could face charges for making false statements to investigators? >> there is, lester. lying to the fbi is a crime. but so far the justice department has declined to prosecute the two former agents involved officials from the justice department were invited to today's hearing but declined to attend, and the gymnasts say that makes them feel as if the doj doesn't care lester >> anne thompson in washington, thank you. let's turn to the pandemic now and some sobering numbers out tonight. 1 in 500 americans have died from covid-19, and about 1 in 8 have now been infected according to an nbc news count. this comes as the fda is expected to decide within days about vaccine booster shots. here is miguel almaguer

>> reporter: tonight, the battle over boosters as vaccine makers make their case ahead of friday's fda review of pfizer's booster shot for the general public >> and there you go. >> reporter: today both pfizer and moderna releasing reams of new data and research in their 52-page report, pfizer says boosters are needed six months after the second dose, saying the added shot may be an urgent emerging public health issue, citing data from israel showing individuals vaccinated in january had a more than twofold increased risk for breakthrough infections versus those vaccinated in april. >> but the question is not about how the vaccines are doing today or last month. it's really how are they going to do this winter. >> reporter: the president of moderna telling nbc news their vaccine also shows waning protection against infection over time >> your data shows protection is dipping, but americans who are fully vaccinated are still protected from

hospitalization. so why are boosters necessary? >> we do know as we get to a very large number of breakthrough cases, some of them do become severe, and some them do lead to hospitalization and death. so we think that as the numbers get larger, there will be a substantial number of severe cases that will start to crop up. >> reporter: it's not just moderna and pfizer pushing a third dose >> eight months after your second shot, get a booster shot >> reporter: almost a month ago, the white house announced its plan for a booster program, but a new lancet study and other experts say the science still isn't clear. >> all done. >> reporter: arguing while more of the fully vaccinated are suffering breakthrough infections, they are rarely hospitalized and nearly never die from the virus >> what if americans wait what if they go a year before getting a booster shot will that do harm? >> i don't think it will do a great deal of harm if we wait as long as a year to get that booster we're going to continue to monitor how well these

vaccines keep us out of the hospital. that's their main job. and so far that's holding up very well >> reporter: with our nation still in the midst of a deadly pandemic now approaching its 20th month, tonight a broad push, but no full consensus on boosters and whether a third shot is really needed now. and miguel, in addition to boosters, any update on vaccines for kids under 12? >> well, lester, pfizer will likely get approval first it can still be as early as october when shots are available for children 5 to 11 years old. the president of moderna told us today they could get the green light just a few weeks later. lester >> all right, miguel, thank you. the country's top military officer is facing a strong backlash tonight after a new book claims he made calls to china without telling former president trump. kelly o'donnell is at the white house with the latest >> reporter: america's top general taking political fire, but tonight president biden with a clear

defense of army four star mark milley, chairman of the joint chiefs. >> i have great confidence in general milley. >> reporter: milley under scrutiny after explosive claims in a new book by bob woodward and robert costa, including milley convening top officers after the january insurrection to review nuclear launch protocols milley reportedly telling them, no matter what you were told, you do the procedure, you do the process, and i'm part of that procedure. milley also sought to reassure a top chinese general that the american government is stable, then reportedly telling the u.s. adversary, "if we're going to attack, i'm going to call you ahead of time. it's not going to be a surprise." some republican officials said milley should be fired for going around an elected commander in chief. >> the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, a military leader basically ignoring the constitution, deciding he is going to call a potential adversary and an enemy of the united states and collude with them.

>> if true, there is a word for it, and it sure seems like treasonous activity to me. >> reporter: 41 years in uniform former president trump chose milley for joint chiefs chairman in 2018 last year milley apologized for this controversial event, walking with mr. trump after protesters were cleared with tear gas. tuesday, the former president said he never planned to attack china and slammed the milley call >> that's treason, number one number two, it's totally ridiculous i never thought of it. >> reporter: today the white house call milley a patriot >> i don't think the president is looking for the guidance of members of congress who stood by while the president of the united states and the leader of their party fomented an insurrection and many of them were silent. >> reporter: today a spokesman for general milley confirms that call to china's top general took place, adding these conversations are regular and vital to avoid unintended conflict and that general milley continues to act in the tradition of civilian control of the military

lester >> kelly o'donnell, thanks in california, there is new political life for governor gavin newsom tonight after he survived that recall election by a wide margin. jacob soboroff is in northern california. jacob, it's a victory for the governor, but he's got big challenges ahead >> that's right, lester here in california governor newsom handily defeated the recall attempt to remove him from office he called that no vote a validation of his policy priorities, including strict covid restrictions the pandemic was the top issue that helped push newsom to victory among democratic voters who have a 2-1 margin in this state now voters on both sides of the aisle are expecting the governor to step up to address noncovid crises crippling california, including record wildfires, violent crimes, and a growing homelessness epidemic. tonight the recall is behind the governor, but he is already gearing up for the gubernatorial election one year away. lester >> jacob soboroff, thank you. louisiana is under

a state of emergency tonight as the remnants of hurricane nicholas soak the gulf coast. six million people under flash flood watches from louisiana to the florida panhandle. the system expected to bring as much as 10 inches of rain to the region through friday. in just 60 seconds, a murder mystery and what authorities say was a $10 million plan by a prominent lawyer to have himself killed. authorities say was a plus our interview with the astronauts about to kick off a new era in space ogress with my mental health. so when i started having unintentional body movements called tardive dyskinesia... ... i ignored them. but when the movements in my hands and feet started throwing me off at work... i finally had to say, 'it's not ok.' it was time to talk to my doctor about austedo. she said that austedo helps reduce td movements in adults... ...while i continue with most of my mental health medications. (vo) austedo can cause depression, suicidal thoughts, or actions in patients with huntington's disease. pay close attention to and call your doctor if you become depressed, have sudden changes in mood, behaviors, feelings, or have suicidal thoughts.

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alex murdaugh directed a scheme for smith to kill him this comes after the unsolved murder of alex's wife and son at the family home in june alex has denied any involvement in the crime. murdaugh's attorney telling "today" show his client, in rehab for opioid addiction, wanted his son to collect on a $10 million life insurance wanted to help his son. >> reporter: the staged shooting came one day after murdaugh had resigned from his family firm facing allegations he misappropriated millions but for murdaugh it's the latest in a chain of devastating events. a 2015 cold case into the death of 19-year-old stephen smith recently reopened due to evidence gathered while investigating the murdaugh double murder no member of the murdaugh family has been named a suspect police also investigating the 2018 death of gloria satterfield, the murdaugh's housekeeper, who allegedly suffered a fall at their home in 2019 alex's son paul murdaugh, now

deceased was charged with boating under the influence after a crash in 2019 that left 19-year-old mallory beach dead mark tinsley, attorney fohese are being overlooked >> i think the common thread here is wealth and influence. there are two systems of justice one way the haves have a certain level of accountability and the have-nots have a different level of accountability >> reporter: many unanswered questions a community eager for answers. catie beck, nbc news, columbia, south carolina also tonight, the historic launch. spacex sending the first all civilian crew into orbit. kerry sanders is in cape canaveral >> three, two, one >> ignition and liftoff -- >> reporter: history made this evening. >> god speed inspiration 4. >> four so-called civilian astronauts now orbiting the globe, their mission scheduled to last three days. >> officially the inspiration 4 crew are

now on their way to space. >> reporter: space x founder elon musk believes this will one day be routine >> the long-term vision is space flight becomes airline like you buy a ticket and you go >> reporter: if space travel is to reach those heights, it begins tonight with these four a 51-year-old ph.d in geoscience, a 29-year-old physician's assistant, an aerospace engineer and a billionaire entrepreneur >> in a little less from 12 minutes we're going to go from being idle on the pad to traveling 17,500 miles an hour. >> reporter: they'll reach 357 miles from earth, the greatest distance since nasa went to the moon almost 49 years ago. >> i'm the first black female pilot of a spacecraft it means that i can now be that role model for the next generation >> reporter: when haley arceneaux was up 10, doctors at st. jude treated her for bone cancer. she will be the first to ever go to space with a prosthetic.

>> 19 years ago, when i don't were worried that you were losing your hair to chemo, would you dog remember you without hair, and now you're going to outer space could you even imagine that you would be given this opportunity? >> i never could have imagined that i would be going in a rocket, launching off a planet, and getting to represent so many kids along the way. >> reporter: the inspiration 4 crew is now in space as they launched into space, they went first past the international space station, then past the orbit of the hubbell telescope. they're now beginning their orbit of earth, 15 a day they will get incredible sunrises and sunsets. lester, this is a mission that opens a new door >> it's been an exciting year in space. kerry, thank you up next, what's behind the latino population boom in areas you might not expect areas you might not expect.

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tonight marks the start of hispanic heritage month, and we're taking a closer look at the new latino landscape across the country. immigrants expanding across more regions than ever before gabe gutierrez has more from new hampshire. >> reporter: it is new england postcard perfect, and in nashua, new hampshire, a new boom is under way. >> i think the american dream is constantly changing. >> reporter: oscar villacis is now one of more than 59,000 latinos who live in this state in the last decade, its total population

grew by less than 5%, while the hispanic population skyrocketed 62%. oscar's mother was a factory worker, his dad a handyman and for this ecuadoran american, the journey has been a struggle. have you felt prejudice here >> absolutely. >> reporter: that's why last year oscar launched his own local radio show, called first gen americans. >> you should be speaking english. >> reporter: after a woman was caught on video yelling at immigrants do you consider this home >> i do, for the most part. >> reporter: for the most part. why not completely >> because as we try so hard to fit in, we do an amazing job sticking out. >> reporter: for years, oscar has gotten his hair cut at a barbershop owned by rafael almonte from the dominican republic rafael from the dominican re new hampshire isn't the only state luring latinos because of jobs and affordable housing. north dakota has seen a 148% jump. south dakota 75% vermont, louisiana and tennessee are not far behind.

>> we come to this culture with a dream and after a while, you feel like you're part of this united states. >> reporter: in 2010, new hampshire was 94% white. ten years later, that's dropped to 88%. how has nashua changed over the last two decades? >> well, we've become more inclusive, more diverse. i think we've -- we've become a richer community. >> reporter: for oscar villacis, that diversity means much more than just new restaurants, new faces or even a new language it's a new mentality >> until we understand as a whole country and we're seen as americans, i think that there is still a great opportunity that we can come together to solve a lot of these issues, and it starts right here within our community. >> reporter: "our community," he says, no someone else's. gabe gutierrez, nbc news, nashua, new hampshire. >> and for more on the new latino landscape, visit our interactive website at nbcnews.com.

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ask your doctor about eliquis. finally, a family walk one 5-year-old and his parents will never forget along the world's longest hiking trail, spanning 14 states here is rehema ellis >> reporter: it's an adventure of a lifetime >> you ready to start? >> yep >> reporter: josh and cassie sutton left virginia last year with their young son harvey, hiking the appalachian trail. how does harvey

describe what they did? >> fun and hard. >> reporter: they went 2100 miles in 209 days to 2100 miles in 209 days to do something special as a family. how many miles did you have average a day >> we started out eight to ten, but most of the trip we were doing 13 to 15 miles a day. >> reporter: was it a surprise to you that you could walk so many miles in one day >> no. >> reporter: harvey soared, energized by skittles and peanut butter they endured drenching rain. >> my feet are sop-sop-sopping wet. >> reporter: howling winds. >> we made it, woo >> reporter: even deep snow. >> up to harvey's belly. ♪ happy birthday to you ♪ >> reporter: along the way, harvey turned 5 cassie, would you do this again >> i wouldn't do it a second time, but i would always do it the first time. >> reporter: harvey, would you do this again? >> yes. >> reporter: no doubt from one of the youngest ever to finish america's

grueling trails. >> what do you think >> awesome. >> reporter: making family memories he'll never forget rehema ellis, nbc news. >> that's one hardy family that's "nightly news" for this wednesday thank you for watching, everyone i'm lester holt. please take care of yourself and each other. good night ♪ ♪ ♪♪ well sometimes i go out by myself ♪

♪ and i look across the water ♪ ♪ and i think of all the things what you're doin' ♪ ♪ and in my head i paint a picture ♪ ♪ are you shoppin' anywhere ♪ ♪ change the color of your hair ♪ ♪ are you busy ♪ ♪ and did you have to pay that fine ♪ ♪ you was dodging all the time ♪ ♪ are you still busy ♪ ♪ 'cause since i've come home ♪ ♪ well my body's been a mess ♪ ♪ and i miss your ginger hair ♪ ♪ and the way you like to dress ♪ ♪ won't you come on over ♪ ♪ stop makin' a fool out of me ♪ ♪ why don't you come on over valerie ♪ ♪ valerie ♪

♪ oh valerie ♪ ♪ valerie ♪ ♪ why don't you come on over valerie ♪♪ [cheers and applause] >> kelly: welcome to "the kelly clarkson show"! all week we are here in the heart of new york city! we love new york, y'all! ♪♪ we love new york ♪♪ i can't tell you how awesome it is to have real people back in the audience. i really can't say it enough. it's just a completely different energy and vibe. thank you for being here. please give it up for my band y'all!

with "valerie," featuring the one and only amy winehouse. we love the horns today. and a very special person in her aud at nbc 4 new york, janice, what's up? welcome to our show, why did you want to hear it? >> that song a sort of a calming song for me. it's very free and easy and a soulful, sort of like you, and it makes me feel like a warm front coming through, you know? and i know that's what your audience is about, making your audience feel warm and welcoming. you know, like a welcoming. you know, like a sunny day when it's 70 degrees every day, like the forecast i want to give all the time. >> kelly: electric hope you

are like this at all family dinners. it's like a balmy afternoon. >> but it's like that, it's just the song that sounded like you, sounded like kelly clarkson. >> kelly: i love that song! it is fun as a vocalist to sing that song. it's got a cool vibe. i love that song. you know the city quite well, what's one thing everybody should do when they are here? >> i work at 30 rock, so the top of our building is atop the rock and that's the observation deck at 30 rock and the view is spectacular. you can see north, south, east, west, all over manhattan, the burros, brooklyn, queens, the bronx, and on a great day with wonderful clouds and blue sky, whatever it is like outside. get some of it. >> kelly: thank you so much! all right, y'all, i am super excited about today -- >> tim: kelly. >> kelly: oh, hi! tim gunn, i am such a big fan.

>> tim: and i of you, so good to be here. >> kelly: you will always be baileywick, like from "sophia the first" if you have kids, every time i hear it, i am like it's baileywick. >> tim: is so that you were here in new york so i had to come by and say welcome! so glad to have you here. >> kelly: i was going to call you because i was noticing all of the cool fashion in the city and i was wondering what were tim gunn's top tips for conquering new york with style. do you maybe have a few? asking for a friend. >> tim: i'm always filled with tips especially what not to do, but also what to do. and as someone from los angeles, i just have to say you should never leave home here without an extra pair of shoes. it may sound strange, but we are not to los angeles. >> kelly: i see these girls walking around in heels. >> tim: we have subway steps and unpredictable weather and we are constantly chasing taxis, so we need a good pair of shoes and we need to be able to change out

of them as well. >> kelly: so carry those with you in a bag. okay, check, what else? >> tim: the number two item is you must have a tote bag containing all of your needs for the day. >> kelly: done, i am a woman. >> tim: we are walking city, so we packed the tote for what the needs are for that particular day and off we go. >> kelly: i got you, any other tips? >> tim: yes, and this is just loosening up and feeling free, what i love most about the city -- >> kelly: got it. >> tim: when it comes to fashion, anything goes. you can be exuberant and avant-garde. you can be minimal and quiet. this city does not judge you for how you express yourself and how you present yourself. >> kelly: i do love that. i love that you can walk around the city and you see you just all walks of life. all different types of personalities. i love that the city embraces that. it came from a city where it was

very weird to do the smallest thing. >> tim: oh, yeah, usually. >> kelly: i know, but i love that. it's inspiring, just it's like a flag of like freedom and that feeling of really being able to be free and be yourself. i love a good city like that. >> tim: we want you to be who you are, and that's a beautiful thing. >> kelly: thank you for stopping by! tim gunn, everybody! >> tim: i am so thrilled that you are here with a real audience, they are a beautiful audience. >> kelly: we are so happy to have them, goodbye, bailey wick. >> tim: goodbye, kelly, have a great show. >> kelly: get ready for one hell of a good time, y'all. he's the guy who holds the record for longest running daytime host and most paternity tests. maury povich is in the house along with his lovely wife connie chung. they are so cute.