NBC Nightly News Full Episode - April 24

Dangerous storms, including monster tornadoes, have been reported across the heartland, particularly in Oklahoma, Iowa, and Kansas, with millions on alert. An EF-4 tornado, with winds potentially reaching 200 mph, caused immense destruction, nearly wiping out Enid, Oklahoma, and impacting Vance Air Force Base. Despite the severity of the damage, everyone in the directly hit areas reportedly survived. The storm also produced rare twin tornadoes. A violent stretch of weather is expected to continue through the weekend and into next week, with new tornado warnings issued for Oklahoma. Adding to the natural disasters, wildfires are still raging out of control across the South, with over 120 homes destroyed in South Georgia and nearly a thousand more at risk. Crews are fighting the flames from both air and ground. In international news, a significant development is underway as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan to restart talks with Iran's foreign minister. President Trump indicated that the Iranian regime is making an offer. This comes amidst growing economic pressure on Iran from a U.S. blockade of its ports, which has resulted in an estimated loss of $435 million in oil revenue per day for Iran. The U.S. has turned around 34 ships and, for the first time in decades, has three aircraft carriers operating in the Middle East. While Iran's foreign minister is in Pakistan for talks with Pakistani officials, a meeting with U.S. representatives is not yet scheduled. Domestically, the Justice Department has made a stunning reversal, dropping its criminal investigation into outgoing Fed Chair Jerome Powell. This decision came despite President Trump's earlier insistence that the investigation should continue. The probe was dropped following pressure from Republican Senator Thom Tillis, who had vowed to block the nomination of Kevin Warsh, the new Fed Chair nominee, until the investigation into Powell was closed. Powell had faced criticism from President Trump for not lowering interest rates, and the investigation focused on massive cost overruns at two Fed building renovations. A federal judge had previously ruled that there was essentially no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Powell. The Fed's Inspector General will now scrutinize the building costs. In another development from the Justice Department, the Trump administration is bringing back firing squads for federal executions, lifting a moratorium placed by the Biden administration. This move aims to streamline the process and speed up executions, reintroducing forms of execution beyond lethal injection. The FDA is moving to fast-track research into three experimental psychedelic drugs to treat PTSD, major depressive disorder, and treatment-resistant depression. This decision follows a presidential order for expedited review, with the hope that these treatments, which have shown life-changing potential, can save countless lives. One veteran shared her experience with psilocybin-assisted therapy, describing a physical lifting of weight and a reduction in alcohol cravings and anger. While steps will not be skipped in ensuring safety and effectiveness, approval could come later this year. If approved, these drugs would be administered in a clinical setting under medical supervision, not available for home use. A disturbing discovery has been made in the case of two doctoral students who vanished in Tampa, Florida. One student's body was recovered, and his roommate has been arrested in connection with the case. Dive teams are actively searching for the missing female student. The arrested suspect is facing multiple charges, including unlawfully holding or moving a dead human body in unapproved conditions. In Texas, Camp Mystic, where 25 campers and two counselors died in floods last year, must make major changes to issues like emergency and parent notification plans to meet full compliance before it can reopen this summer. The camp has 45 days to make corrections and resubmit its plans. The program also featured an installment of "Great Americans," honoring tennis legend Billie Jean King. A 39-time Grand Slam winner, King reflected on her relentless pursuit of equality in women's sports and her wish for a more inclusive America. Growing up in a middle-class family, she realized at a young age that her gender would limit her opportunities, particularly in sports like baseball. After being introduced to tennis, she saved up to buy a racket and promised herself that if she ever became number one in the world, she would work to make the world a better place. King formed the Women's Tennis Association and fought for equal pay for women at the U.S. Open, often facing ridicule for challenging the male-dominated sport. She famously "rocked the boat" in 1973 by accepting the "Battle of the Sexes" challenge against Bobby Riggs, which she won in straight sets, watched by 90 million people. Her approach to life, "one ball at a time, staying in the process," became her mantra. King, who is also a part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, continues to advocate for equality and inclusivity, seeing America as a land of opportunity.