Stay Tuned NOW with Gadi Schwartz – April 7 | NBC News NOW
>> THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR >> THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR BLACK WORKERS SEEMED TO SINK TO A RECORD LOW OF 5% IN MARCH. THAT’S JUST THREE YEARS AGO. IN COMPARISON, WE SAW THAT AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF AT LEAST 17%. WHAT’S BEHIND THIS HUGE WHAT’S BEHIND THIS HUGE TURNOVER? >> A LOT OF HIRING IN THE SERVICES SECTOR, WHICH HAS MORE BLACK EMPLOYEES IN IT, BUT ALSO YOU SAW THAT UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR BLACK WOMEN EVEN LOWER THAN THAT, CLOSE TO 4%. THAT, CLOSE TO 4%. THAT’S VERY GOOD, SO YOU’RE SEEING A LOT OF HIRING THERE. BIG LABOR
FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE AMONG BLACK WORKERS. ALL OF THOSE ARE VERY GOOD SIGNS. A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES STARTED BY AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE PAST YEAR OR SO, AS WELL, ANECDOTALLY. THAT’S A VERY GOOD SIGN. MEMBER COMING OUT OF THE GREAT FINANCIAL CRISIS, BLACK ON IMPLEMENT TOOK ABOUT A DECADE TO NORMALIZE. THIS IS GOOD GIVEN WHERE WE WERE JUST TWO YEARS AGO. >> ADAM SILVER, THANKS SO MUCH. >> A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS >> A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK OF BRUSHFIRES. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE ON THAT IN JUST A
SECOND. BUT FIRST, THE SOUTHEAST IS GETTING HIT WITH HEAVY RAIN RIGHT NOW AND IT’S EXPECTED TO PUT A DAMPER ON THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. JOINING ME
THIS AREA, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE WINDY CONDITIONS, WIND ADVISORY DOES INCLUDE COLUMBIA AND EXTENDING OUT TOWARDS GUSTA AND ORANGEBURG. TOWARDS GUSTA AND ORANGEBURG. THAT’S SOMETHING TO KNOW. WE COULD SEE SOME ISOLATED GUSTS EVEN SIS 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE RAIN, THAT’S GOING TO BE THE OTHER BIG ISSUE. WE SEE ALL OF THIS MOISTURE DRAPED ALONG THAT SAME FRONT. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE SAME SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR DAYS AND DAYS. THIS IS OUR FINAL PUSH OF THE SYSTEM BEFORE IT MOVES OUT OF THE PICTURE. IT’S A STATIONARY FRONT THAT’S
JUST HANGING OUT BUT ALONG IT AND AHEAD OF IT THERE IS SOME RAIN THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAP INTO IN TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND. WEEKEND. WE’LL WATCH FOR THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME FLOODING WITH MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF RAIN OVER ALREADY SATURATED GROUND, AT LEAST THROUGH SATURDAY. CHARLOTTE, ATLANTA, EXPECT BUSY TRAVEL HUBS FOR FLYING OR MAYBE PASSOVER OR EASTER, IT’S GOING TO BE A COUPLE OF SPOTS THAT YOU’RE GOING TO WANT TO WATCH, JUST IN CASE YOU HAVE ANY OF THOSE PLANS THROUGH THE REST OF THE WEEKEND. WE’LL SEE ANYWHERE FROM MAYBE 3 TO 5
INCHES OF RAIN, THOSE ISOLATED AMOUNTS COULD BE EVEN HIGHER. IF YOU LIVE ON THE WEST COAST IT WILL ACTUALLY BE A WARM-UP. THE SIERRA SNOWMASS, WE’LL WATCH FOR SOME FLOODING CONCERNS WITH THOSE WARMER TEMPERATURES SETTLING IN FOR THE WEST. THE MIDSECTION OF THE COUNTRY LOOKS GREAT ON SATURDAY. PERFECT CONDITION, PARTS OF MISSOURI AND KANSAS INTO THE 70s. HOW ABOUT EASTER? RABBIT BAY 55 DEGREES. PASSOVER, MISSOURI, 71 DEGREES FOR EASTER. TO APPEALS 52 DEGREES, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE AREA. THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY THE PLACE TO BE. IF YOU LIVE SOMEWHERE LIKE WILLIE, FLORIDA,
82 DEGREES BUT YOU’RE GOING TO HAVE TO CONTEND WITH THAT LEFTOVER RING THAT WILL BE IN PLACE. >> HOW ABOUT FLOWERPOT, ARIZONA? >> I LOVE IT. HOPPERS, MONTANA. INCREDIBLE. LET’S TALK A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THIS RED FLAG WARNING. WHAT EXACTLY IS GOING ON? THAT’S SOMETHING WE SEE A LOT OF HERE ON THE WEST COAST BUT EAST, IS THIS TOTALLY OUT OF THE NORMAL? >> IT’S KIND OF LIKE ON THE WEST COAST THEY WERE DEALING WITH ALL OF THAT RAIN AND EVERYBODY DIDN’T KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE THEY DON’T SEE IT ALL THAT OFTEN. ON
THE EAST COAST TODAY, IN PLACES LIKE HARTFORD, BOSTON, NEW YORK, YOU MAY HAVE HAD SOME OF THOSE ALERTS. RED FLAG WARNING, WHAT DOES IT MEAN? IT BASICALLY MEANS THE INGREDIENTS ARE ALL THERE FOR SOME OF THESE BRUSHFIRES STARTING. WE COULD SEE THE LOW HUMIDITY, THE ELEVATED WINDS POTENTIALLY CAUSING FIRES TO CATCH OR MAYBE EVEN SPREADING QUICKLY, THESE FIRES THAT ARE ALREADY IN PLACE. WHAT DO THEY MEAN BY A RED FLAG WARNING? BASICALLY JUST DON’T START ANY OTHER FIRES, AND CAMPFIRES. NOT THE DAY TO DO THAT. WE WILL SEE THESE WINDS OUT OF THE NORTHWEST, ANYWHERE
FROM 25 TO 35 MILES PER HOUR AND IT DOES LAST THROUGH 8:00 P.M. SOMETHING TO KNOW IF YOU ARE IN PARTS OF NEW YORK, EXTENDING INTO BOSTON, HARTFORD, ALL OF THOSE LOCATIONS. NOT THE DAY TO HAVE THAT BACKYARD BONFIRE. >> MAYBE ORDER OUT INSTEAD OF A BARBECUE. >>> STILL HAD THE SOUR, SCIENTIST OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN HAVE DISCOVERED A FISH THEY THINK IS FROM SOME OF THE LOWEST DEPTHS IN THE OCEAN, AND LUCKY FOR US, THEY CAUGHT IT ON >>> IN ITALY THE FORMER PRIME >>> IN ITALY THE FORMER PRIME MINISTER IS IN THE
HOSPITAL TONIGHT. HE DEVELOPED A LUNG INFECTION FROM LEUKEMIA AND DR. SAID HE’S HAD THAT LEUKEMIA FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW. THAT’S AN ANNOUNCEMENT THAT SENT SHOCKWAVES ACROSS THE ITALIAN POLITICAL COMMUNITY. CROWDS HAVE BEEN GATHERING OUTSIDE HIS HOSPITAL TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT. >>> POPE FRANCIS IS POWERING THROUGH HOLY WEEK AFTER THAT HEALTHCARE HE HAD LAST WEEK WHICH LEFT HIM HOSPITALIZED. YOU SEE HE’S BACK TO BUSINESS AS USUAL FOR THE MOST PART. HE DID SKIP TONIGHT’S GOOD FRIDAY PROCESSION BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER IN ROME. IT’S THE FIRST TIME HE’S EVER IT’S THE FIRST TIME HE’S EVER
DONE SO BUT THE VATICAN HASN’T ANNOUNCED ANY OTHER SCHEDULE CHANGES JUST YET. >>> PROTESTS OVER PENSION REFORMS CONTINUE. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE RETURNED TO THE STREETS THIS WEEK VENTING OUT THEIR ANGLE AND FRUSTRATION. EMMANUEL MacRON’S CONTROVERSY PENSION REFORMS. DECISION TO RAISE THE RETIREMENT AGE TO 64 HAVE BROUGHT PEOPLE TO THE STREETS FOR MONTHS NOW. THAT IS AROUND THE WORLD IN ABOUT 80 SECONDS. TONIGHT IN ISRAEL, A VIOLENT TONIGHT IN ISRAEL, A VIOLENT EXHALATION WHERE AT LEAST ONE PERSON HAS BEEN KILLED AND SEVERAL OTHERS ARE IN TEL AVIV. POLICE SAY A CAR RAMMED INTO PEOPLE
AT A SEASIDE PARK BEFORE FLIPPING OVER. ALL AS TENSIONS HAVE BEEN ESCALATING FOUR WEEKS. ISRAEL FORCES HIT LEBANON AND THE GAZA STRIP WITH AIRSTRIKES EARLIER TODAY AND ISRAEL SAID THE AIRSTRIKES HIT THE PALESTINIAN MILITANT GROUP, HAMAS, IN BOTH SOUTHERN LEBANON AND GAZA. THE ATTACK COMES AFTER MILITANTS FIRED DOZENS OF ROCKETS INTO ISRAEL. ALL THIS HAPPENING JUST DAYS AFTER ISRAELI FORCES RAIDED THE OUTBOX A MOSQUE TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW. NEWSMACK FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT RAF SANCHEZ HAS MORE. >> THIS HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLY FAST MOVING DAY HERE IN THE HOLY LAND. IT HAS FELT AT TIMES LIKE
THINGS ARE SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL. LET’S START WITH THAT ATTACK IN TEL AVIV. IS REALLY POLICE ARE SAYING AT 9:45 P.M. LOCAL TIME, A MAN RAMMED HIS CAR INTO THE PROMENADE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY. HE APPARENTLY MOWED DOWN SIX PEOPLE, INJURING FIVE AND KILLING ONE. THE ITALIAN GOVERNMENT IS TONIGHT CONFIRMING THAT THE YOUNG MAN HELD IN THIS ATTACK WAS AN ITALIAN CITIZEN. WAS AN ITALIAN CITIZEN. NOW THE ALLEGED ATTACKER IS A PALESTINIAN CITIZEN OF ISRAEL, A PALESTINIAN WHO LIVES INSIDE A PALESTINIAN WHO LIVES INSIDE THE BORDERS OF ISRAEL, HOLDS ISRAELI CITIZENSHIP. HE WAS
KILLED AT THE SCENE BY POLICE WHO SAY THEY ARE STILL INVESTIGATING THE EXACT MOTIVATION, TRYING TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED HERE. THE ATTACK IN TEL AVIV COMES A COUPLE HOURS AFTER A SHOOTING ATTACK IN THE OCCUPIED WITH, WHICH KILLED TWO ISRAELI SISTERS. THEIR MOTHER IS IN THE HOSPITAL TONIGHT IN CRITICAL CONDITION, FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE, AND ALL OF THIS COMING AFTER ISRAEL CARRIED OUT AIRSTRIKES IN BOTH GAZA, BUT ALSO MORE USUALLY, IN SOUTHERN LEBANON OVERNIGHT AND THIS MORNING. ISRAEL SAYS IT WAS TARGETING FACILITY BELONGING TO THE HAMAS MILITANT GROUP, WHICH IT BLAMES FOR THIS
BARRAGE OF ROCKET FIRE FROM LEBANON INTO ISRAEL ON THURSDAY. THAT WAS THE ARGEST BARRAGE OF ROCKETS WE HAVE SEEN SINCE 2006. THE STAKES REALLY RAISED IN THIS ATTACK. PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU TRYING TO BALANCE DELICATELY AS HE DECIDED HOW TO RESPOND, TRYING TO HIT BACK AGAINST THESE PALESTINIAN MILITANT GROUPS WITHOUT TRIGGERING AN ALL OUT WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND ARMED FACTIONS IN LEBANON. THE UNITED STATES IS SAYING IT STANDS BY ISRAEL AT THIS MOMENT AND SUPPORTS ISRAEL’S RIGHT TO DEFEND ITSELF. DEFEND ITSELF. BUT IT ALSO HAS CONCERNS, ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE HEAVY HANDED TACTICS USED BY ISRAELI FORCES
AT THE EL OXO MOSQUE IN JERUSALEM EARLIER THIS WEEK, WHERE WE SAW ISRAELI FORCES STORMING INTO THE THIRD HOLIEST SITE IN ISLAM. WAS NOT >>> YOU KNOW OW IN FISH STORIES THERE’S ALWAYS ONE THAT GOT AWAY AND OF COURSE THERE’S NO VIDEO OF IT. NOT THIS TIME. SCIENTISTS ARE PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THIS FISH CAUGHT ON A DEEP-SEA CAMERA, SAYING THIS UNKNOWN SAILFISH SPECIES WAS RECORDED AT A DEPTH OF MORE THAN FIVE MILES UNDERWATER. THAT IS A NEW RECORD FOR THE DEEPEST FISH EVER FILMED. IT LOOKS LIKE IT DOESN’T HAVE ANY SCALES OR FINS WERE KIND
OF LIKE WINGS SWIMMING THROUGH THE BLACK ABYSS DOWN THERE. RESEARCHERS FOUND THE FISH IN THE BOTTOM OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S DEEPEST TRENCHES OFF THE COAST OF JAPAN. THE TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT DISCOVERY FOR 15 YEARS, AND JUST TO QUICKLY GIVE YOU A PERSPECTIVE ON HOW DEEP WE ARE TALKING, MOUNT EVEREST, THE TALLEST MOUNTAIN PEAK ON THE EARTH, IS JUST OVER 29,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL. THIS DISCOVERY WAS MADE AT OVER 27,000 FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL. LET’S BRING IN WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST AND EXPERT FORREST GALLANT. HOW BIG OF
A DEAL IS THIS WEIRD LOOKING FELLOW THERE? >> IT’S A PRETTY BIG DEAL BECAUSE THIS IS THE DEEPEST WE’VE EVER SEEN LIFE ON PLANET WE’VE EVER SEEN LIFE ON PLANET EARTH, SO TO KNOW THERE ARE FISH DOWN THERE, THERE ARE ORGANISMS DRIVING WITHOUT ANY PHOTOSYNTHETIC IMPACT, WITHOUT THE LIGHT PENETRATING AND ALLOWING THEM TO REGENERATE IS A HUGE DEAL. IT’S SORT OF LIKE STUDYING AN ALIEN, REALLY. ALIEN, REALLY. >> I’M A BIG FAN OF YOUR PODCAST. I KNOW YOU AND THIS GUY PATRICK WILL SOMETIMES COMBINE ANIMALS TO FIGHT EACH OTHER. I THOUGHT OF THAT WHEN I
SAW THIS FISH. THIS IS LIKE A HAIRLESS CAT MEETS A BAT MEANS I DON’T KNOW, MEETS A BAT MEANS I DON’T KNOW, AN EEL OR SOMETHING. WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING, IT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE A FISH. WHAT DO YOU SEE? >> IT’S A BIZARRE LOOKING CREATURE AND SNAIL FISH ARE VERY UNIQUE. AS A DEEPWATER SPECIALIST, THEY HAVE SKELETAL REDUCTIONS. THEIR BODIES ARE MADE UP ALMOST ENTIRELY OF WATER. ENTIRELY OF WATER. THEY HAVE THESE VERY ODD TENDRILS AND SMALL EYES BECAUSE THERE’S NOT REALLY MUCH TO SEE DOWN THERE. THEY REALLY ARE LIKE AN OTHERWORLDLY CREATURE THAT LOOKS
LIKE SOME AMALGAMATION OF ALL KINDS OF SPECIES SHOVED INTO ONE TO MAKE THIS CRAZY LOOKING ANIMAL. >> HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THAT? POP QUIZ. >> IF I WERE TO LOOK AT THAT I’D SAY IT’S GOT THE HEAD OF A FRENCH BULLDOG WITH THE TAIL OF FRENCH BULLDOG WITH THE TAIL OF AN EEL AND THE SKIN OF A HAIRLESS CAT. FRANKLY IT’S HIDEOUS. >> YOU ARE JUST SAYING THAT BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW POPULAR THOSE FRENCH BULLDOGS ARE NOW. THOSE FRENCH BULLDOGS ARE NOW. I KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING. HOW DOES THIS SURVIVE UNDER THAT MUCH PRESSURE?
27,000 FEET UNDERWATER IS INSANE. >> IT IS INSANE. THE REASON THOSE ORGANISMS ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE UNDER SUCH GREAT DEPTH IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO AIR POCKETS. THEY HAVE NO GASES IN THEIR BODY. THEY ARE MADE UP ENTIRELY OF WATER, WHICH IS NONCOMPRESSIBLE. SO AS IT GOES DOWN DEEPER, THE PRESSURE DOESN’T ACTUALLY AFFECT THE FISH, BECAUSE THERE IS NO GAS TO COMPRESS. IF A HUMAN WERE GOING DOWN TO THAT DEPTH, OUR LUNG CAPACITY WOULD BE TINY, LIKE A PINHEAD. WOULD BE TINY, LIKE A PINHEAD. OUR LUNGS WOULD IMPLODE AND BE CRUSHED. SAME WITH OUR SKULLS
AND AREAS OF OUR BODY THAT HAVE GAS POCKETS. THESE FISH DON’T HAVE ANY AIR CAVITIES OR GAS CAVITIES IN THEIR ENTIRE BODY, ALLOWING THEM TO SURVIVE AT SUCH GREAT DEPTH. >> WHAT ELSE DO WE NOT KNOW ABOUT THE DEEPEST PARTS OF THE SEA RIGHT NOW? >> YOU KNOW WHAT WE DON’T KNOW IS THAT — IS EVERYTHING, QUITE FRANKLY. HUMANS HAVE NEVER BEEN TO SUCH GREAT DEPTHS. WE’VE NEVER SEEN MUCH DOWN THAT DEEP. SO EVEN JUST UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS FISH IS THERE, THAT’S A BREAKTHROUGH. AND WHAT ELSE COULD BE DOWN THERE? ARE THERE LARGER ORGANIZATIONS? I
SEE ISA PODS IN THAT VIDEO WHICH ARE LARGE CRUSTACEANS FREE SWIMMING IN THE BACK OF THAT VIDEO. WHAT ARE THE OTHER SPECIES THAT ARE CAPABLE OF LIFE AT SUCH EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND EXTREME DEPTHS AND EXTREME PRESSURE, AND HOW THAT UNDERSTANDING COULD ACTUALLY HELP US UNDERSTAND LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE. BECAUSE THE DEEP-SEA IS QUITE SIMILAR TO THE VACUUM OF SPACE, REALLY. IT HELPS US GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW LIFE COULD BE OUT IN THE UNIVERSE. >> NOW YOU’RE SPEAKING MY LANGUAGE. WHEN ARE WE GOING FISHING? >> LET’S GO, GODEY. YOU TELL ME, MAN. OUR COMPANY
IS FANTASTIC. IT JUST DID A WHOLE DEEP-SEA THING WITH CAMERAS LIKE THIS FILMING DEEP-SEA CREATURES IN SOUTH AFRICA. THE SPECIES DOWN THERE ARE HARD TO PICTURE, AND I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE YOU WITH SOME TIME AND SHOW YOU WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. >>> THANKS FOR JOINING US. >>> THANKS FOR JOINING US. WE ARE 30 MINUTES PAST THE HOUR, SO LET’S GET YOU CAUGHT UP IN 30 SECONDS. VICE PRESIDENT, HARRIS IS IN NASHVILLE TO MEET WITH THE EXPELLED DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS. A MAJORITY OF THE NASHVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS SAY THAT THEY WILL VOTE TO REINSTATE TWO OF
THOSE LEGISLATORS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. JOB NUMBERS ARE ROUTED. EMPLOYMENT IS UP BY NEARLY A QUARTER OF 1 MILLION POSITIONS IN MARCH, AND A QUICK LOOK AT YOUR FORECAST, HEAVY RAIN IN THE SOUTHEAST AND FLOOD ALERTS ARE IN EFFECT FOR 5 MILLION PEOPLE FROM TEXAS AND PEOPLE FROM TEXAS AND MISSISSIPPI. >>> BRAKING JUST HOURS AGO, A FEDERAL JUDGE IN TEXAS HAS HALTED THE FDA’S APPROVAL OF THE ABORTION PILL, MIFEPRISTONE. IT WON’T TAKE EFFECT IN SEVEN DAYS IN ORDER TO GIVE THE GOVERNMENT TIME TO APPEAL. NOW THAT ROE V WADE IS OVERTURNED, THIS MOVE COULD HAVE
A SWEEPING EFFECT ON ABORTION ACCESS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. JOINING US NOW FOR MORE ON THIS IS NBC’S DASHA BURNS. WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE JUDGE’S ORDER SAY AND HOW DID WE GET HERE? >> THIS COULD BE THE MOST CONSEQUENTIAL RULING ON ABORTION SINCE THE OVERTURNING OF ROE V WADE, AND THIS CAME LATE IN THE DAY ON GOOD FRIDAY. AND LET’S TAKE A STEP BACK REALLY QUICKLY AND JUST REMIND FOLKS WHAT THIS CASE IS ALL ABOUT. SO A GROUP OF ANTIABORTION MEDICAL ANTIABORTION MEDICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND DOCTORS SUED THE FDA IN THIS CASE, SAYING THAT THEY DID
NOT ADEQUATELY EVALUATE THE SAFETY OF THE DRUG MIFEPRISTONE, WHICH IS USED IN MEDICATION ABORTION, WHEN THEY APPROVED IT BACK IN 2000. AND ALSO SAYING THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE EXPANDED ACCESS TO IT BACK IN 2021, DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHEN THEY ALLOWED DOCTORS AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO PRESCRIBE MIFEPRISTONE VIA TELEMEDICINE. SO THE FDA ARGUING THAT LOOK, WE’VE HAD THIS DRUG ON THE MARKET FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS. MILLIONS OF WOMEN HAVE TAKEN THIS DRUG SAFELY. THIS CASE DOESN’T HAVE ANY MERIT. WELL WE JUST GOT THIS DECISION FROM THE JUDGE IN TEXAS, AND HE CITED, FOR
THE MOST PART, WITH THE PLAINTIFFS IN THIS CASE. HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THE JUDGE TODAY. THE PLAINTIFFS WERE ASKING FOR A PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION IN THIS CASE, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY ASKING THAT THE JUDGE TAKE THE DRUG OFF OF THE MARKET WHILE THE CASE CONTINUES TO MAKE ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURT. THE JUDGE DID SO, BUT HERE’S WHAT HE SAID. IT’S A LITTLE BIT WONKY AND I’M NOT A LAWYER, SO BEAR WITH ME HERE. HE SAID HE IS GOING TO SUSPEND THE FDA’S APPROVAL OF THE DRUG IN 2000. SO ESSENTIALLY IT’S AS THOUGH THE
FDA NEVER APPROVED THE DRU . BUT HE IS GIVING THE GOVERNMENT SEVEN DAYS TO TAKE THAT RULING TO THE FIFTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. SO THEY HAD SEVEN DAYS TO GET A STAY. SO FOR SEVEN DAYS, NOTHING HAPPENED. IF WITHIN SEVEN DAYS THE COURT OF APPEALS DOESN’T DO ANYTHING, OR SIDES WITH THE FDA, OR SIDES WITH THE PLAINTIFF, THEN THIS DRUG DOES GET PULLED OFF THE MARKET. SO THAT MEANS RIGHT NOW, FOR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS, A WHOLE LOT OF FOLKS ARE PRETTY DARN CONFUSED. A LOT OF CLINICS ARE IN FLUX, AND A LOT OF
PROVIDERS ARE GOING TO BE UNSURE WHAT TO DO, WHAT ACTIONS THEY CAN AND CAN’T TAKE, AND THIS JUST ADDS TO THE TURMOIL WITHIN THE INDUSTRY, THE FOLKS WHO ARE SEEKING ABORTIONS, THE FOLKS WHO ARE PROVIDING ABORTIONS NOW. >> SO A RULING THAT HAS MASSIVE IMPLICATIONS, AND ALSO A RULING THAT PASSES THE BUCK WITH A SEVEN DAY DEADLINE HERE. WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN THAT GOES TO THE COURT OF APPEALS? >> IT’S A GREAT QUESTION, SO THE COURT OF APPEALS COULD AGREE WITH THE TEXAS JUDGE AND SAY HE’S RIGHT. IN THAT CASE, WHAT’S LIKELY GOING TO
HAPPEN HERE ULTIMATELY IS THIS IS GOING TO GO TO THE SUPREME COURT. BUT IF WE DON’T HEAR WITHIN SEVEN DAYS, THEN THE RULING FROM THIS TEXAS JUDGE STAYS AND MIFEPRISTONE IS NO LONGER APPROVED BY THE FDA. THAT APPROVAL IS ESSENTIALLY SUSPENDED. AND THEN THE LEGAL FIGHT CONTINUES. BUT I THINK FROM ALL OF THE BUT I THINK FROM ALL OF THE LEGAL FOLKS THAT I TALKED TO ABOUT THIS, THIS FIGHT IS ULTIMATELY GOING TO HEAD TO THE SUPREME COURT. THE QUESTION IS WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT DRUG, WHETHER IT STAYS ON THE MARKET IN THE MEANTIME, AND
THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS STILL CONFUSING TO FOLKS AND REMAINS TO BE SEEN. >> DOSHA WITH THE STORY THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT A LOT NEXT WEEK. THANKS SO MUCH. >>> THIS STORY IS SOUNDING MORE AND MORE LIKE A TRUE CRIME PODCAST COME TO LIFE, BUT WITH SHOCKING VIDEO. A CALIFORNIA DERMATOLOGIST WHO ALLEGEDLY TRIED TO POISON HER HUSBAND WITH DRAIN CLEANER COULD FACE NINE YEARS IN PRISON. ABC’S ERIN McLACHLAN WITH NEW VIDEO IN THE CASE. >> Reporter: THESE SCREEN GRABS FROM A HIDDEN CAMERA RELEASED BY PROSECUTORS ALLEGEDLY SHOW A CALIFORNIA DERMATOLOGIST TRYING
TO POISON HER UNSUSPECTING HUSBAND BY POURING LIQUID DRAIN CLEANER INTO HIS TEA LAST JULY. 45-YEAR-OLD EMILY U OF IRVINE, CALIFORNIA WAS INDICTED EARLIER THIS WEEK ON THREE FELONY COUNTS OF POISONING AND ONE FELONY COUNT OF DOMESTIC BATTERY WITH CORPORAL INJURY. LAWYERS FOR HER HUSBAND SAY IT’S THE CULMINATION OF YEARS OF ABUSE. >> THE EVIDENCE IS GOING TO SHOW THAT SHE WAS A LONG-TERM PERPETRATOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE , BOTH PHYSICALLY, VERBALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY ABUSIVE TOWARD DR. CHEN AND HIS CHILDREN. DR. CHEN AND HIS CHILDREN. >> Reporter: DR. CHEN, A RADIOLOGIST ALLEGES IN APRIL OF 2022, HE
FIRST STARTED TO NOTICE A STRANGE CHEMICAL TASTING HIS MORNING LEMON TEA. SOON AFTER, ACCORDING TO HIS LAWYER, HE BEGAN SUFFERING FROM ESOPHAGITIS, STOMACH ULCERS AND GASTRITIS. CHEN INSTALLED CAMERAS IN THE KITCHEN AND ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS IN JULY SAYS HE CAPTURED HIS WIFE POURING A SUBSTANCE OUT OF A BOTTLE OF LIQUID DRAIN CLEANER INTO HIS TEA. HE THEN COLLECTED SAMPLES OF HE THEN COLLECTED SAMPLES OF THE TEA AND TURNED THEM OVER TO IRVINE POLICE. TESTING CONFIRMED THE SUBSTANCE WAS CONSISTENT WITH LIQUID DRAIN CLEANER. >> I DON’T THINK SHE WAS TRYING TO KILL HIM. I THINK
SHE WANTED HIM TO SUFFER. >> Reporter: YOU DENIES ALL THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HER, WAS ARRESTED, CHARGED, AND IS CURRENTLY FREE ON BOND. HER ATTORNEY CONTENDS THE DRANO WAS BEING USED TO COMBAT AN AUNT PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING, AUNT PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING, AND ALL OF THE ALLEGATIONS SHOULD BE VIEWED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF A TROUBLED MARRIAGE AND DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS. >> DR. CHEN BASICALLY ENGINEERED THESE EVENTS IN ORDER TO TAKE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF DR. YU IN FAMILY COURT. >> ERIN McLACHLAN, NBC NEWS. >>> TODAY SUPREME COURT JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS IS DEFENDING HIMSELF AGAINST AN ONSLAUGHT
OF SCRUTINY OVER DECADES OF TRAVELING IN LUXURY. THIS COMES AFTER AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT DETAILING THOMAS ACCEPTED A LUXURIOUS TRIP FROM A CONSERVATIVE MEGA DONOR FOR YEARS. WE ARE TALKING PRIVATE PLANES AND YACHTS. CRITICS SAY ALL OF THAT COULD BE AN ETHICS VIOLATION AND IN A STATEMENT, THOMAS WRITING I HAVE ALWAYS SOUGHT TO COMPLY WITH THE DISCLOSURE GUIDELINES. THESE GUIDELINES ARE NOW BEING CHANGED AS THE COMMITTEE OF THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE FOR THE ENTIRE FEDERAL JUDICIARY JUST THIS PAST MONTH ANNOUNCED NEW GUIDANCE. AND IT IS OF COURSE MY INTENT TO FOLLOW THIS GUIDANCE
IN THE FUTURE. NBC NEWS HAS NOT INDEPENDENTLY CONFIRMED PROPUBLICA’S REPORTING. HERE WITH MORE IS NBC NEWS’S LAURA JARRETT. >> JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS NOW ON THE DEFENSE, ISSUING A RARE STATEMENT ABOUT HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH A TOP REPUBLICAN DONOR. THOMAS NOW SAYS THAT HE’S ALWAYS SOUGHT TO COMPLY WITH THE FEDERAL LAW THAT REQUIRES JUSTICES TO REPORT THEIR FINANCIAL TIES AND EXTENSIVE GIFTS AFTER THAT EYEBROW RAISING REPORT FROM PROPUBLICA SHOWED TWO DECADES WORTH OF SWANKY TRIPS ALL PROVIDED BY REAL ESTATE MAGNATE HARLAN CROW. THE SUPREME COURT, REMEMBER IT DOESN’T HAVE ETHICS CODES OF CONDUCT, AND UNDER THE LAW,
THE JUSTICES DON’T HAVE TO DISCLOSE MEALS OR PRIVATE STAYS AT HOMES. HOMES. THOMAS SAYS HE WAS ADVISED PERSONAL HOSPITALITY WAS EXEMPT FROM THE DISCLOSURE RULE, BUT INTENDS TO FOLLOW THE REVISED GUIDELINES, WHICH MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR NOW, TRIPS ON PRIVATE PLANES MUST BE REPORTED. JUSTICE THOMAS ISN’T THE FIRST TO HAVE FACED SCRUTINY IN THE PAST FOUR ETHICS ISSUES, BUT THIS ONE FIGURES TO HAVE TRIGGERED SOMETHING OF A NERVE, AND A RARE PUBLIC STATEMENT FROM THE JUSTICE. SO DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ARE LIKELY UNDETERRED FROM CALLING FOR A BILL THAT WOULD REQUIRE THE COURT TO ESTABLISH A MORE
FORMAL CODE OF CONDUCT. BUT THE CHIEF JUSTICE HAS SAID THEY EFFECTIVELY DON’T NEED ONE, LEAVING HIS COLLEAGUES TO POLICE THEMSELVES. BACK TO YOU. >>> IN LOUISIANA, A FIGHT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS COMING TO A HEAD. ONE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THERE, SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO A CHEMICAL PLANT THAT THE EPA HAS SAID HAS BEEN EMITTING DANGEROUS TOXINS FOR QUITE A WHILE, IS FACING A LOT OF SCRUTINY. NBC’S CYNTHIA McFADDEN HAS MORE IN AN EXCLUSIVE REPORT. >> OUR WORK ISN’T DONE. >> Reporter: 18 MONTHS AGO, THE NEWLY APPOINTED HEAD OF THE EPA, MICHAEL REGAN, TOOK WHAT HE CALLED
A JOURNEY TO JUSTICE TOUR THAT BROUGHT HIM HERE. >> I VOWED THAT EPA WOULD TAKE ACTION. >> Reporter: HE RETURNED TO MAKE GOOD ON THAT PROMISE, PROPOSING A STAGGERING SLATE OF EMISSION STANDARDS FOR 80 TOXIC CHEMICALS. >> WE ARE SETTING A SAFETY STANDARD THAT WE BELIEVE IS THE LOWEST YOU CAN SET THAT IS DETECTABLE WITH TECHNOLOGY. >> Reporter: INCLUDING >> Reporter: INCLUDING CHEMICALS BEING EMITTED FROM THE CHEMICAL PLANT HERE IN RESERVE. LAST TIME HERE WE MET GEORGE AND HIS GREAT-GRANDMOTHER, MARY HANSEN, WHO HAD BEEN BATTLING FOR YEARS TO GET THE PLANT NEXT TO GEORGE’S ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL TO STOP EMITTING WHAT THE EPA HAS LONG SAID ARE UNSAFE LEVELS OF TWO OF THOSE TOXIC CHEMICALS. >> ONE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS SAYS IT’S LIKE SENDING THE KIDS TO A GAS CHAMBER EVERY DAY. >> EXACTLY. >> Reporter: WE ALSO MET ROBERT TAYLOR, WHO HAD BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS. HE DIDN’T HAVE MUCH CONFIDENCE THE EPA WOULD DO ANYTHING. THE EPA WOULD DO ANYTHING. SO WHEN THE AGENCY CALLED THE NIGHT OUR STORY AIRED AND SUGGESTED WE MEET UP WITH MICHAEL REGAN IN LOUISIANA, WE AGREED. >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MR. TAYLOR SAID TO ME THE
FIRST TIME I CAME TO VISIT WAS THAT THIS WAS A — >> THERE WERE NONE OF THESE FACILITIES IN BEVERLY HILLS. THERE IS NO COINCIDENCE IF YOU LOOK AT WHO WAS ON THE FRONT LINE. MOST OF THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE BLACK, BROWN, ARCHRIVAL OR LOW INCOME. SO THERE’S A CONSISTENT PATTERN HERE. >> IF THE NEW STANDARDS ANNOUNCED ARE PUT INTO EFFECT, THEY BECOME MUCH MORE ENFORCEABLE. >> I THINK WHAT ANGERS A LOT OF PEOPLE IS THE PLANT HAS BEEN EMITTING AT THESE HISTORICALLY HIGH LEVELS FOR YEARS NOW. WHY NOT SHUT THE PLANT DOWN WHY NOT SHUT
THE PLANT DOWN WHILE EVERYTHING ELSE IS BEING SORTED OUT? >> WE ARE USING EVERY TOOL IN OUR TOOLBOX, AND IF I HAD MORE POWER, TRUST ME, I WOULD USE IT. ARENA HE TOLD US IT’S REDUCED EMISSIONS AND SAYS IT’S BREAKING NO LAWS, DENYING IT’S PUTTING THE FOLKS WHO LIVE HERE IN ANY INCREASED RISK FOR CANCER. >> I WISH THAT WE COULD MOVE >> I WISH THAT WE COULD MOVE MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT GEORGE, TO PROTECT MR. TAYLOR, TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO YESTERDAY. >> Reporter: THEY SAID TODAY
HAS FILLED THEM WITH HOPE. >> WHAT’S THE BEST PART OF TODAY? >> WE GOT THE ATTENTION OF OUR POLITICIANS. >> IT’S NOT OVER. >> IT’S NOT OVER BUT WE WILL BE IT’S OKAY TO HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS AROUND THESE TOPICS. >> Reporter: BUT FOR SOME THERE IS VALUE IN KEEPING THE OLD WHILE ALSO MAKING SOMETHING NEW. >> I DON’T THINK FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO HATE THIS AND THE PEOPLE THAT THINK IT’S GOING TO CHANGE THE MOVIE. I THINK THIS IS ONLY GOING TO ENHANCE IT AND MAKE IT BETTER. >> GIVEN
THE SURPRISE IN THE MAIL IS ALWAYS EXCITING BUT WHAT IF THAT PACKAGES FROM THE TOM HANKS? NBC BOSTON HAS THE STORY OF ONE LUCKY BUSINESS OWNER IN MASSACHUSETTS. >> COMING THROUGH THE DOOR WITH A BIG BOX, SO I CUT IT OPEN, STARTED OPENING THE BOX UP. >> Reporter: THEY SAY LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES. YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO GET GO >> I SEE LIKE A GREEN TOWEL WITH THIS LOGO ON IT. THE SECOND I SAW IT I YELLED OUT, TOM HANKS. >> Reporter: THAT WAS THE CASE FOR TOM FURRIER AS
ARLINGTON TYPEWRITER SHOP RECEIVING THE GIFT OF A LIFETIME ON TUESDAY OUT OF THE BLUE FROM TOM HANKS. >> MY APPRENTICE WAS OUT THERE CLEANING THE MACHINE, I SAID GET OUT HERE, TOM HANKS JUST GET OUT HERE, TOM HANKS JUST SENT US SOMETHING. >> Reporter: THIS TYPEWRITER, A 1960 OLYMPIA S M4 SENT TO STEIN BY THE FAMOUS ACTOR. >> IT’S RIGHT IN THE FRONT HERE, TOM HANKS. >> Reporter: ALONG WITH A PERSONAL NOTE. >> TOM HANKS HERE. I AM PRESENTING YOU WITH THIS TYPEWRITER. >> Reporter: ASIDE FROM HIS HOLLYWOOD CAREER, HANKS IS KNOWN TO COLLECT AND
GIFT TYPEWRITERS TO PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD. THE WORLD. AND WHILE THIS ONE NEEDS A LITTLE WORK, FURRIER HAS MORE THAN FOUR DECADES OF THAT. >> I LOVE FIXING THEM. I LOVE GIVING THEM BACK TO PEOPLE AND SEEING HOW EXCITED THEY ARE. >> Reporter: LIKE WORDS ON PAPER THAT TRANSCEND TIME — >> IT NEVER GETS OLD. >> Reporter: THIS IS A TIMELESS PIECE THAT FURRIER SAYS HE, TOO WILL PASS ON. >> I DO HOPE THIS TYPEWRITER COMING TO YOU IS YOURS NOW. TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT AND HELP KEEP IT DOING ITS JOB FOR ANOTHER 100
YEARS. ANOTHER 100 YEARS. SIGNED, TOM HANKS. >> ALL ABOUT THAT. >>> STILL TO COME, WHAT DO YOU THINK IT TAKES TO FIX A BRIDGE? SOME TOOLS AND CEMENT, MAYBE SOME THICK WIRES. BUT HOW ABOUT HUMAN HAIR? WEIRD, RIGHT? WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU RESEARCH IS BEING DONE RIGHT NOW TO SEE IF HUMAN HAIR COULD BE A CONCRETE >>> IT’S TIME NOW FOR SOME OF >>> IT’S TIME NOW FOR SOME OF THE OTHER HEADLINES WE ARE WATCHING TONIGHT. IN INDIANA, COPS WERE ABLE TO RESCUE SIX PEOPLE INCLUDING A BABY FROM A HOUSE FIRE. BUDDY CAM FOOTAGE
CAPTURING THE EXACT MOMENT THE BABY WAS RESCUED FROM A SECOND STORY WINDOW. TAKE A LOOK. >> I GOT HER. I CAN PULL THE HANDLE UP SO I I CAN PULL THE HANDLE UP SO I CAN HOLD ONTO IT NOW. CAN HOLD ONTO IT NOW. LOOKS GOOD, YET. LOOKS GOOD, YET. BABY IS COMING DOWN. >>> BACK IN 2021, THE U.S. WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN WAS BLASTED AS CHAOTIC AND ILL PLANNED. YESTERDAY THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE RELEASED A REPORT THAT ASSESSED THE WITHDRAWAL AND BLAMES PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR THE CHAOS, BUT THAT CLASSIFIED REPORT IS STILL UNDER REVIEW BY
THE HOUSE STILL UNDER REVIEW BY THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE. >>> COFFEE LOVERS, YOU MIGHT WANT TO LISTEN. REMEMBER THAT NEW OLIVE OIL INFUSED STARBUCKS DRINK? SOME CUSTOMERS ARE COMPLAINING OF STOMACH ISSUES. ONE EVEN DESCRIBING THE DRINK AS A, QUOTE, LEGIT LAXATIVE. YIKES. >>> HERE IN CALIFORNIA, SALMON SEASON HAS BEEN CANCELED. NEXT YEAR’S FISHING SEASON IS A NO GO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 14 YEARS. A FEDERAL REGULATORY GROUP MADE THE CALL AFTER DROUGHT CAUSED A POPULATION DECLINE. >>> IN UTAH, BEGAN LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYONS HAVE BEEN CLOSED BECAUSE OF AVALANCHES. MORE THAN 30 AVALANCHES HAVE
SPILLED INTO BOTH CANYONS IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS AND ALL THIS COMES AS UTAH IS EXPERIENCING COMES AS UTAH IS EXPERIENCING RECORD-BREAKING SNOW. >>> NOW THIS NEXT STORY IS A LITTLE BIT OF A HEAD SCRATCH HER. HUMAN HAIR MIGHT SOON BE USED TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WEIRD, I KNOW. BUT THE RESEARCH IS UNDERWAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY. THEY ARE LOOKING AT HOW HUMAN HAIR COULD BE USED FOR MUCH NEEDED REPAIRS TO STRUCTURES AND BRIDGES, AND AUSTIN HAS THIS STORY YOU’VE GOT TO SEE TO THIS STORY YOU’VE GOT TO SEE TO BELIEVE. >>
Reporter: MAYBE YOU DON’T USE THE BRIDGE OVER AN INTERSTATE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS. MAYBE JUST THE ONES THAT OVER A CREEK. STILL THERE’S ENGINEERING THAT GOES INTO IT TO KEEP THINGS FLOWING. >> FIBERS FROM PLANTS AND ANIMALS TOO MANY STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS. >> Reporter: AT THE UNIVERSITY >> Reporter: AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, STUDIES ADAPT TO CHANGING TIME INCLUDING BRIDGES AND OTHER STRUCTURES. ACCORDING TO FEDERAL DATA, FAYETTE COUNTY HAS 197 BRIDGES, 153 OF THOSE LISTED IN FAIR CONDITION. SO WHAT IF WE TOLD YOU THAT HUMAN HAIR IS BEING LOOKED AT AS A COMPONENT TO
FIXING DETERIORATING STRUCTURES. >> A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT TO USE EVERYTHING. SO THIS COULD BE ONE OF THOSE MATERIALS USED IN THE CONSTRUCTION. >> SO THIS HUMAN HAIR HAS TO BE CLEANED TO CLEAR IT OF ANY RESIDUE. >> HIM A LOT OF THESE FIBERS YOU CAN USE FOR ANYTHING THAT YOU WANT. >> IT DOES SOUND STRANGE THAT HAIR IS A FIGHTER REINFORCEMENT. YOU CASES THE AVERAGE STRENGTH OF HUMAN HAIR IS ABOUT 30,000 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH, WHICH IS ANOTHER ADDED BENEFIT. >> IT’S INEXPENSIVE AS A RAW MATERIAL FOR US AND WE CAN FORM ANY SHAPE WITH IT
ONCE WE ARE ANY SHAPE WITH IT ONCE WE ARE DONE WITH OUR STUDY. >> Reporter: AND EXTENSIVE, SURE. STRANGE TO HEAR? MAYBE THAT, TOO. BUT IT COULD HELP SOLVE A PROBLEM IN THE COMMONWEALTH AND BEYOND. >> AND HAIRS TO THAT. >>> STILL TO COME, ONE OF OUR FAVORITE SEGMENTS, THE BEST OF THOSE STORIES, THE BEST HUMAN BEINGS HAVE TO OFFER, AT LEAST IN OUR OPINION. TONIGHT WE GOT THIS BEAUTIFUL STORY OF A NEONATAL INTENSIVE PRESS NOW, STREAMING WEEKDAYS AT 4:00 P.M. AT 4:00 P.M. ON NBC NEWS NOW. >>> FINALLY IN TONIGHT’S EDITION OF THE BEST
OF US, A EDITION OF THE BEST OF US, A NURSE IN INDIANA IS SETTING A NEW STANDARD OF CARE AFTER SEEING 18 MOM STRUGGLING WITH HER NEW TRIPLETS. NBC’S MAGGIE VESPA SHARES THEIR REMARKABLE STORY. >> A THERE. WAIT UNTIL YOU GET TO MEET CATRINA MULLEN AND HEAR HER IN QUIBBLE STORY. HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FULL DISCLOSURE, ALL TOLD HER SHE WAS NOT. BUT AFTER DECADES AS AN NICU NURSE WORKING WITH YOUNG, SCARED AND SOMETIMES TEEN MOMS AND PARENTS, SHE WAS INEXPLICABLY DRAWN TO THIS SMALL FAMILY, ENOUGH TO MAKE A SMALL FAMILY, ENOUGH TO MAKE A
HUGE CHANGE. >> Reporter: THERE ARE SOME HOMES WHERE THE MOMENT YOU WALK IN, YOU ARE PART OF THE FAMILY. IN THIS INDIANAPOLIS LIVING ROOM RULED BY THREE TODDLERS — >> THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU >> THAT’S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE A BIG FAMILY. >> Reporter: CATRINA MULLEN PHRASES IT DIFFERENTLY. >> YOU’RE PART OF THE CHAOS. >> Reporter: CHAOS CATRINA NEVER DREAMED OF. IT STARTED BACK IN AUGUST 2020, WHEN A TIMID 14-YEAR-OLD SORAYA SMALL FIRST ARRIVED AT COMMUNITY HOSPITAL NORTH, PREGNANT WITH TRIPLETS. >> TELL ME ABOUT THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW SORAYA? >> I KNEW
THE BACK STORY THAT >> I KNEW THE BACK STORY THAT SHE WAS A YOUNG MOM AND I JUST THOUGHT MAN, HOW HARD THAT WOULD BE. I WAS 18 MOM. >> KATRINA, A SEASONED NICU NURSE, WAS DRAWN TO THE TEAM, WHO GAVE BIRTH LARGELY ALONE TO THREE PREEMIES. SORAYA, SERENITY AND SAMARI, BORN AT 26 WEEKS, WEIGHING LESS THAN TWO POUNDS EACH. >> THE NICU IS LOUD AND SCARY. THERE’S LOTS OF ALARMS AND WIRES AND BEEPS AND IVS AND VENTILATORS, AND ALL THESE THINGS THAT I KNEW SHE DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON. AND THEN SHE HAD
— >> KATRINA’S INSTINCT WAS SO SPOT ON. >> I WAS SO CONFUSED BY THE SIRENS ON THE THING, I DIDN’T UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS BEEPING. >> Reporter: CATRINA MADE CARING FOR THE SMALL FAMILY HER MISSION, HELPING WITH ADVICE ON FEEDING AND DIAPERS, AND EVENTUALLY GIVING OUT HER CELL PHONE NUMBER, WHICH SORAYA USED FOR ENDLESS QUESTIONS, EVEN AFTER TAKING HER BABIES HOME TO LIVE WITH AN AUNT. >> I DIDN’T HAVE MY OWN MOM, SO IT’S BASICALLY ALL I EVER HAD. >> Reporter: CUT TO APRIL 2021, WHEN HEALTH PROBLEMS BROUGHT BABY SAMARI BACK TO THE HOSPITAL AND
TRIGGERED A CALL TO CHILD SERVICES, WHO DECIDED THE TEEN AND HER TRIPLETS NEEDED FOSTER CARE UNLESS SOMEONE COULD TAKE THEM IN. SORAYA GAVE THE SOCIAL WORKER ONE PHONE NUMBER. >> WITHOUT A MOMENT’S HESITATION I SAID YES, BECAUSE I DIDN’T WANT HER, AFTER EVERYTHING SHE’D ALREADY BEEN THROUGH, TO HAVE TO BE SEPARATED FROM THEM. >> Reporter: WITH THAT, CATRINA, ALREADY A SINGLE MOM OF FIVE, TOOK IN A NEW MOM OF THREE. >> HOW DID YOU EVEN HAVE THE BANDWIDTH TO SAY YES TO THAT? >> I DID IN. I DIDN’T, BUT MY — I ALWAYS I DIDN’T,
BUT MY — I ALWAYS SAY MY HEART IS BIGGER THAN MY CHEST CAN HOLD. >> Reporter: AS THE NEW FAMILY FOUND THEIR FOOTING, SORAYA WORKED TOWARD HER HIGH SCHOOL DEGREE, AND SUDDENLY THESE ONCE STRANGERS TRANSFORMED INTO A FOREVER FAMILY, WITH KATRINA OFFICIALLY ADOPT THINGS SORAYA AS HER LEGAL DAUGHTER AND CHEERING HER ON WHEN THE NOW 17- YEAR-OLD WAS ACCEPTED TO YEAR-OLD WAS ACCEPTED TO COLLEGE ON ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP. BEING A GRANDMA. BEING A GRANDMA. >> Reporter: HOPING TO PAY IT FORWARD ONE DAY AS SHE STUDIES TO BE A SOCIAL WORKER AND HELP OTHER TEEN MOMS. >>
I WANT TO TELL PEOPLE, OLD PEOPLE, YOUNG PEOPLE, EVEN IF YOU ARE A MOM YOU CAN STILL DO THIS. >> Reporter: PROOF THAT FAMILY IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT AND THAT THE KEY IS EMBRACING THE CHAOS. >> THIS IS A SUCCESS STORY AND THE SUCCESS REVOLVES AROUND HER. I JUST GAVE HER A PLACE TO PUT HER ROOTS WHERE SHE NEEDED TO GROW. >> Reporter: SHE SHARED THE NEWS OF ADOPTION DATE ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE AND NO SURPRISE, THAT STORY INSTANTLY WENT VIRAL AND THE FAMILY HOPES IT MAKES PEOPLE RETHINK LOOKING INTO FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION
AND PERHAPS THEIR EXPECTATION OF YOUNG MOM AND YOUNG PARENTS, ESPECIALLY IF WE ALL DO A LITTLE MORE TO HELP EACH OTHER.
