here's brian williams. >> good evening. us >>> good evening, in a moment here we'll go to the white house where the president of the united states has asked to speak to the nation. he's going to talk about afghanistan, which is often called this nation's longest war, coming up on ten years since 9/11 now that bin laden is dead. the president tonight's going to announce a first step toward a promise of a drawdown. a thousand americans have died since his inauguration. tonight he'll announce the first 10,000 americans home by christmas, then 23,000 more by the end of september, 2012. basically the same number as went there during the surge, now starting their way home. watching with us tonight, moderator of "meet the press," david gregory. ton get too political, but the headlines tonight are already saying this is more than the president -- than the pentagon wanted, that's good. >> yeah, officials have said just that. this is the president trying to strike a balance. it helps with the left, takes on the military and gets in t

brian? >> pete williams at the court tonight. pete, thanks. >>> in news from outside the confines of earth, if you felt something strange earlier today about 1:00 in the afternoon eastern time, it's explainable. we had a close call today with an asteroid, the size of a small house, and by close call, we mean just 7,500 miles over the atlantic. again, in space terms, that's close enough to muss up your hair. it passed so close to the earth it was within the orbit of communications satellites and spacecraft. and it was close enough to earth that our gravity actually pulled it toward us enough to change its route as it passed us by. astronomers who only saw this one coming five days ago now tell us, of course, there was nothing to worry about all along. >>> when we come back here tonight, meet the woman tied for the gop lead in iowa, which is exactly where she kicked off her campaign for the presidency today. >>> and later, marshaling what resources she can, one generous american making a difference for some very grateful kids. akin

. >> reporter: today we talked to veteran canadian sports caster named of all things brian williams. he's actually more like the bob costas of canada. he is their olympic host and hosted us during the olympics. last night he was leaving the arena after the hockey game with his wife and walked right into it. >> well, i can tell you there's anger in this country, not just here, brian, on the west coast, but right across the country. this is a city that prides itself on being prepared and staging big events, the best winter olympics ever. as i walked down the street, they said mr. williams tell them this isn't vancouver. >> vancouver was just in the global spotlight as host city for the last winter olympics. and those of us who were there conveyed through our coverage the image of a friendly, liberal, peaceful and polite place. disdain on that image fueled the national anger across canada. >> we understand and empathize with those in our community who are mourning the loss of the stanley cup and those here at home and across the country who are mourning the loss of the reputation we hav

join nightly news with brian williams next. he has the sit-down interview with bono and the edge from u2. >> see you at 6:00. bye-bye.

it's amazing when i do it, too. >>> thanks for joining us, nightly news with brian william is next. >> bye-bye, see you at 6:00. i want to crush more cars. i want to sell more tea cups. ♪ i need help selling bread. ♪ i want to sell more crabs. [ male announcer ] you know where you want to take your business. i want to design more buildings. [ male announcer ] in here, small business solutions from at&t can get you there. like the at&t all for less package, starting at just $70 per month, voice plus broadband. it's the at&t network. helping you do what you do... even better.

>> well, brian williams, how just played there, brian williams said that he didn't cover the anthony weiner story because he had more compelling things to cover. this was one of the more compelling things he had to cover. >> bill: the bells and stuff. >> sarah palin mangled the paul revere story. i don't think if she says she didn't. she did. but why did nbc and the others make a bill deal out of it, because it's fun for them to bash sarah palin because it's sport. >> exactly it's sport. >> bill: i'm going to stick up for the governor he did tell the british you better knock it off. you better not try to seize the guns because if you do there is going to be a big problem which, of course, ensued. we will give her the benefit of the doubt as we try to do with everybody, bernie. >> i wasn't aware of that. >> bill: it's true. in a moment, forensic experts say there was death, death in casey anthony's car. as the prosecution closes in on the accused baby killer. we will have the latest. then reese witherspoon and john edwards highlight pinheads and patriots tonight after these messages.

then we did it and we asked brian if he would do it just brian williams, he's -- >> of course. >> so he said, yeah, i'll come down and do it. and now he's addicted. he's hooked because he's great at it. and he just destroys. it's just -- you know, he plays the straight man so perfectly. >> the big break for you obviously was "saturday night live." when you were growing up, i knew you worshipped the show, watched it all the time. >> yeah, that was it. >> when you discovered you had the possibility of being on it, what was that moment like for you? >> i think it was like -- you know, i actually auditioned for the show, i dropped out of school, college, went to l.a. to join the groundlings like the second city of l.a. improv group. i learned how to act with other people because when you do stand-up you don't know how. i got to audition for snl and i did the troll bit, i did the celebrities impersonating -- endorsing the troll dolls. i would do bill cosby, the thing about the troll you take the -- and do whatever, you know. so i'd do the whole bit and i bombed. like you were saying, it w

williams with "nbc nightly news." >>> here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. hear reaction from john mccain about the firestorm he caused tieing illegal immigration to the devastating wildfires. >>> singer la toya jackson opens up about her famous family and her brother's sudden death. keep it on this channel continuing local news, weather, sports and more. thanks for watching

and tonight, watch brian williams with nbc nightly news. >>> finally, look at what's coming up this morning on the "today" show, the latest on the wild fires raging in arizona and the river flooding swallowing homes across the plains. and the exclusive interview of a teacher captured on video punching a student and has now been cleared of charges. now keep it on this channel for continued local news, weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of today, today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. find out what's next for newt gingerich after friction on the campaign trail leaves the gop contender's top aides to call it quits. >>> and the irish singing trio the script performs live on the plaza for the summer concert series. >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

williams with nbc nightly news. >>> finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on "the today show". the parents of 20-year-old missing college student, lauren speier speak out about her disappearance, and hear from parents of an 11-year-old girl who fell to her death from an amusement park ferris wheel. keep it here for weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today" just yourself first stop of the day today on your nbc station. of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

i'm brian williams. we're reporting tonight from our nbc news washington bureau. we'll look for you back in new york tomorrow night. good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >> good evening and thanks for being with us tonight. >> and i'm raj matha sgli not so fast. that's the word from state controller john chung who is holding the paychecks of california lawmakers who thought they had agreed to a new budget last week.

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. the duchess of york, sarah ferguson talks about going from royalty to reality on her new tv show. >>> and as meredith vieira prepares to say farewell to "today" matt, al and the gang share their favorite moments of the past five years. >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. the very latest on the casey anthony murder trial as her mother breaks down on the witness stand. >>> and paris hilton is live on the plaza to talk about her new reality show on oxygen, "the world according to paris." >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

i'm brian williams. leste w >>> good evening on this friday. i'm raj mathai. i'm vicky. jessica has the night off. >> there are seven days of agony for friends and family of a missing nursing student from hayward. many are gathering for a vigil at the same spot where michelle lay's car was found. let's bring in george who joins from yous hayward.

i'm brian williams and we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. to see you right back here tomorrow evening. good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. a live report on the growing concerns over the u.s. dismal economic picture. and for all you die hard boy band fans, the new kids on the block and the back street boys, now known as nkotbsb take the stage for a joint performance live concert. >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. the latest on the twitter scandal surrounding congressman anthony weiner as calls for his resignation mount. >>> and the latest details in the casey anthony case after witnesses contradict each other on the stand. >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac --

williams with "nbc nightly news." and finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. the latest on the resignation of congressman anthony weiner and a teacher who claims to have an on-line relationship with him speaks out. >>> country music star kenny chesney takes the stage for the "today" summer concert series. keep it on this channel for local news, weather, sports and much more. i'm veronica de la cruz. thank you for joining us on "early today" just your first stop of the day on your nbc stations. stop of the day on your nbc stations. have a terrific weekend. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

tonight be sure to watch brian williams with "nbc nightly news." >>> finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. watch a live report from the frontlines of the fight against wildfires threatening the los alamos national lab. two-time oscar winner tom hanks is live in studio talking about his new romantic comedy "larry crowne." keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

williams with "nbc nightly news." the very latest on the anthony weine scandal as his wife returns from an overseas trip, and he faces new calls to step down. >>> details on arnold schwarzenegger's mistress who is finally speaking out about their affair and love child. >>> and now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc stations. the day today on your nbc stations. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

be sure to catch brian williams with nbc nightly news, and here's a look at what's coming up later on the "today" show. the latest on the casey anthony murder trial as her father breaks down on the witness stand. >>> and a live report from monaco as rumors swirl about prince albert's royal wedding this saturday and whether the bride-to-be tried to flee. >>> and now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today." just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one.

. >> to go to our correspondent in athens, brian williams. prime minister papandreou wants to reshuffle his cabinet. is not going to make a difference? >> it might take a little bit of pressure off. there is a lot of speculation. one of the people who would go would be the finance minister. the head of greece's largest bank would be a possible replacement for him. >> why has the opposition not agreed to unity government? >> the main opposition -- the conservative opposition wants the whole deal renegotiated. they said they would consider joining a national unity government if an agreement was made with the -- and the wohlhoe eu-imf deals are renegotiated. that is their deal for joining in the unity government. >> who will be hit by the new austerity measures? >> it goes through every strata of society. you will have higher taxes on property, civil service are want to take even bigger cuts, shopkeepers are going to pay even more taxes. the measures to really go through each and every strata of greek society. >> brian, we hear that a big proble

tonight be sure to watch brian williams with "nbc nightly news." finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. ann curry sits down with the latest addition to the republican presidential field, former utah governor jon huntsman. and a live report from south africa on the historic visit of first lady michelle obama and her daughters sasha and malia. >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thank you for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a

tonight be sure to watch brian williams with "nbc nightly news." finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. chris christie talks about landmark pension reform and whether he's changed his mind about running for president. >>> and grammy winner bruno mars rocks the plaza in the "today" summer concert series. >>> now, keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today." just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. watch matt lauer and al roker report live from rome as matt gets an audience with pope benedict xvi. >>> "idol" fever hits the plaza when "american idol" scotty mccreery and runner-up lauren alaina perform live at a special concert. >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc nightly news, and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later today on "the today show". republican congresswoman, michele bachmann is now officially running for president, and today she goes one-on-one with matt lauer. and shia labeouf talks about his latest action adventure "transformers 3." now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

. >>> tonight be sure to watch brian williams with "nbc nightly news." >>> and finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. after the judge in the casey anthony murder trial abruptly called for a recess over the weekend, could a plea deal be in the works? and the fonz himself, actor henry winkler shares some of the most humorous and heartfelt stories from his new book. >>> and now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and much more. i'm veronica de la cruz. thank you so much for watching "early today." just your first stop of the day, today, on your nbc station. have a great monday.

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with "nbc nightly news." and finally here is a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. the very latest on the scandal surrounding congressman anthony weiner, as more photos emerge. >>> and the 10-year-old girl who wowed audiences last summer on "america's got talent" performs live in studio. and now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today." just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one.

williams with "nbc nightly news." finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. teen superstar justin bieber is live on the plaza to talk about how he is using his global fame to help others, and michael phelps will be in studio to celebrate olympic day and make a special announcement. now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today," just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

. >> for more on the greek debt crisis, would go to our correspondent in athens, brian williams. we asked about the prospect of more austerity measures. >> people at this moment are protesting in the square just outside of parliament. there are more protests planned saturday and early next week. until the greeks actually here with the latest austerity measures are, people are still waiting to see if this catches fire, this protest movement, or if it remains the level it is now. >> how can the prime minister convince his people that with this next installment and the cuts involved, the crisis could be coming to an end soon? >> that is the trouble for the prime minister, he does not just have to convince the greek people, he has to convince some of his own politicians. about 16 of them have sent a letter to him saying they are not happy with the austerity measures that have been proposed, and they have asked to go through them line by line so they can have a vote on them. the prime minister only has a majority of 12 parliament, so he is on a very fine balancing act. >> thank you ve

tonight be sure to watch brian williams with "nbc nightly news." here's a look at what's coming up later on "the today show", the very latest in the casey anthony murder trial as the prosecution rests and lawyers for casey begin presenting their case. >>> and funny man jim carrey stops by to talk about his new bird-brained comedy "mr. poppers penguins." >>> now keep it on this channel for continuing local news, weather, sports, and more. i'm lynn berry. thanks for watching "early today" just your first stop of the day today on your nbc station. the day today on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

i'm brian williams. we hope to see you back here tomorrow night. good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >>> a middle school field trip results in a criminal investigation after some shocking allegations. good evening, everyone, i'm jessica aguirre. >> and i'm raj mathai. we start with a disturbing story. the district attorney says he's never seen anything like this before. allegations of a gang rape. a group of boys, all 14 years old and under, raping two 12-year-old girls. we bring in elise

. >> nightly news with brian williams is next. we will see you after the stanley cup finals. good night!

and tonight be sure to watch brian williams with nbc "nightly news." >>> and, finally, here's a look at what's coming up later this morning on the "today" show. take a look back at ann curry's important stories and groundbreaking interviews on her first official day as co-anchor. find out the latest on new york congressman anthony weiner as more colleagues call for his resignation. keep it on this channel for weather, sports and more. i'm lynn barry. thanks for watching "early today," your first stop of the day, today, on your nbc station. today," your first stop of the day, today, on your nbc station. have a good one. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com

we're joined on the line by brian williams who was following of sense for us and athens. >> good evening. >> we have seen these protests before. can they make a difference just before this vote ofonfidence? >> i think the aim is to keep the pressure on all the politicians. these protests have been going on nonstop for more than two weeks. the figures that are given is 20,000 protesters. that is actually misleading. a tens of thousands more people have tried to get to the square and they have been kept out of by a ring of steel that the police have put in the parliament. >> he is about to speak. do you think he's going to say the necessary words and get a yes vote in this vote of confidence. >> i think he has a majority of five seats. we have heard nothing in these hours of any defections. i think he will definitely get the vote of confidence. the big test and in many ways, these protests are a dress rehearsal, will come next week when parliament votes on the actual austerity measures. that is when u could get politicians deciding to. i don't want my finger on a bill that will impose more

i'm brian williams and we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening, good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >>> good evening and thanks for joining us on this thursday. i'm raj mathai. >> and i'm jessica aguirre. getting the feds out of the pot-busting business. an east bay lawmaker is upping the marijuana debate by saying that states should be able to make and enforce their own pot laws. barbara lee tonight pushing a federal bill that would allow people to grow and sell pot in states that make it legal.

brian williams will be here tomorrow. i'm lester holt reporting from new york. for all of us here at nbc news, goodnight. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com i'm diane dwyer. we begin with the deadly train accident. federal investigators wrapped up a news conference moments ago. speed may have been a factor in the crash. semitruck traveled faster than the speed limit we're told. we're told there are still 28 people who purchased tickets for that train and as of now are still unaccounted for. it's also possible they were not on the train at the time of the accident. officials are concerned that at least some of them may have died. six people are confirmed dead. one of the dead is the driver of the truck. we're told he worked for john daly's trucking in nevada, a company with seven safety violations but not involving the same truck. authorities also say the train was traveling at 78 miles an hour before the crash. the speed limit in that area of nevada for the train is 80 miles an hour. >> the motor carrier operations team has been reviewing records on the compa

i'm brian williams. we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. good night. -- captions by vitac -- www.vitac.com >>> good evening, everyone, i'm jessica aguirre. >> and i'm raj mathai. we begin with developing news tonight and it's good news. the frantic search for a missing 1-month-old baby girl is over. was it a planned child abduction or a car theft gone wrong? either way, the baby is back with her mother. we bring

i'm brian williams. and we hope to see you right back here tomorrow evening. good night. >>> good evening and thanks for joining us. >> it was supposed to be a regular call. a house fire, but it turned into a tragic loss for the san francisco fire department. a 21 year veteran lost his life battling the blaze today. as you can imagine, an emotional day for firefighters across the bay area.

brian williams will be here tomorrow. i'm lester holt reporting from new york. for all of us here at nbc news, goodnight.

now brian williams is next for "nightly