>>> TONIGHT, THE POTENTIAL BREAKTHROUGH ISRAEL ON THE BRINK OF A DEAL TO FREE DOZENS OF HOSTAGES HELD BY HAMAS. ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU URGING THE CABINET TO APPROVE A DEAL TO HALT THE FIGHTING FOR FOUR DAYS AND FREE ABOUT 50 WOMEN AND CHILDREN FROM HAMAS IN EXCHANGE, 150 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS WOULD BE FREED, ONE FOR EVERY THREE ISRAELI HOSTAGES RELEASED PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY CONFIRMING A DEAL IS VERY CLOSE AND WHAT ABOUT THE NEARLY 200 OTHER HOSTAGES HAMAS IS BELIEVED TO BE HOLDING? >>> ALSO TONIGHT, THE DANGEROUS ESCALATION THE PENTAGON SAYING A U.S. WARPLANE KILLED SEVERAL IRAN-BACKED MILITIA MEMBERS AFTER AMERICAN FORCES WERE ATTACKED BY A BALLISTIC MISSILE IN IRAQ WHAT WE'RE LEARNING. >>> THE MASSIVE STORM MOVING EAST, DISRUPTING THANKSGIVING TRAVEL. THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS CANCELED OR DELAYED. AL ROKER IS TRACKING IT >>> NORTH KOREA CLAIMING IT HAS SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED ITS FIRST SPY SATELLITE. HOW THE U.S. IS REACTING TO THAT NEWS. >>> THE DRAMATIC BODY CAM. AN OFFICER ENTERING AN OHIO WALMART AFTER A GUNMAN OPENS FIRE. FOUR PEOPLE INJURED. WHAT POLICE ARE SAYING >>> THE MYSTERY ILLNESS SPREADING TO DOGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. >>> AND THE BIG SISTER AND THE LITTLE SISTER, AND THE AUDITION THAT LANDED THEM IN THIS YEAR'S MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE >> Announcer: THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT >>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE AS WE COME ON THE AIR, A TENTATIVE DEAL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REACHED, OUTLINING TERMS OF FREEDOM FOR SOME OF THE ISRAELI HOSTAGES KIDNAPPED AND HELD CAPTIVE BY HAMAS, ACCORDING TO A SENIOR U.S. OFFICIAL AND A SOURCE FAMILIAR WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS TONIGHT, PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU MEETING WITH HIS CABINET IN A LATE-NIGHT SESSION ON THAT POTENTIAL AGREEMENT THAT SOURCES TELL US INCLUDES THE RELEASE OF 50 WOMEN AND CHILDREN, ISRAELI HOSTAGES HELD BY HAMAS, IN EXCHANGE FOR THE RELEASE OF 150 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS HELD BY ISRAEL THE AGREEMENT ALSO CALLS FOR A TEMPORARY PAUSE IN FIGHTING BETWEEN THE SIDES, AND THE CURTAILMENT OF ISRAELI DRONE OVERFLIGHTS. THE MOST ANTICIPATED DETAILS, HOWEVER, THE POTENTIAL TIMING OF ANY HOSTAGE RELEASE, AND WHO WILL BE AMONG THEM, IS UNKNOWN AT THIS HOUR. PRESIDENT BIDEN EARLIER TODAY REPEATING HIS BELIEF A HOSTAGE AGREEMENT WAS NEAR SEVERAL ISRAELI AMERICANS ARE COUNTED AMONG HOSTAGES TAKEN BY HAMAS DURING THE GROUP'S OCTOBER 7th TERROR ATTACK ON ISRAEL MOST NOTABLY, A 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL. KEIR SIMMONS IS IN ISRAEL WITH WHAT WE KNOW AT THIS MOMENT. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, AFTER 45 DAYS, HELD BY HAMAS, SOME HOSTAGES INSIDE GAZA ARE FINALLY COMING HOME. A TENSE ISRAELI CABINET MEETING SIGNING OFF ON THE FRAMEWORK OF A DEAL. WHICH MULTIPLE SOURCES, INCLUDING A SENIOR U.S. OFFICIAL TELL NBC NEWS WOULD FIRST SEE HAMAS RELEASE 50 OF THE ESTIMATED MORE THAN 230 HOSTAGES HELD CAPTIVE IN GAZA. THE RELEASED HOSTAGES WOULD BE WOMEN AND CHILDREN ONLY AND FREED DURING A FOUR-DAY PAUSE, THEY SAY. IN RETURN, ISRAEL WOULD RELEASE 150 PALESTINIAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN PRISONERS CONVICTED, AN ISRAELI OFFICIAL SAYS, A ACCOMPLICES IN TERROR OFFENSES THE DEVELOPMENTS COME AS PRESIDENT BIDEN EARLIER TODAY EXPRESSED OPTIMISM ABOUT A DEAL WHICH WAS NEGOTIATED IN QATAR. >> WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS INTENSIVELY FOR WEEKS. >> Reporter: THE HOSTAGES WERE TAKEN ON OCTOBER 7th, AFTER HAMAS TERRORISTS MURDERED OVER 1,200 ISRAELIS, INCLUDING ENTIRE FAMILIES. 3-YEAR-OLD AMERICAN ABIGAIL IDAN WITNESSED BOTH OF HER PARENTS EXECUTED BEFORE SHE WAS KIDNAPPED. >> I HAVE THE NUMBER 45, AND IT'S 45 DAYS THAT WE HAVE NOT KNOWN. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, WE SPOKE TO HER GREAT AUNT THE FAMILY STILL DESPERATELY WAITING FOR ANY KIND OF NEWS >> HER BIRTHDAY IS ON FRIDAY SHE'S TURNING 4. AND TO JUST IMAGINE THAT SHE COMES HOME AND IS WITH HER FAMILY IS -- IS -- IS OUR LIGHT RIGHT NOW. IN SUCH A VERY DARK AND TERRIBLY, TERRIBLY HORRIFIC PERIOD. >> Reporter: HOPEFULLY SHE'S FREE TO TURN 4 LIKE ANY OTHER KID >> EXACTLY ANY CHILD THAT IS TURNING 4 SHOULD TURN 4 WITH THEIR FAMILY. THEY SHOULD NOT BE A HOSTAGE IN GAZA. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABDUCTED. THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE SEEN THEIR PARENTS BE MURDERED. >> Reporter: BUT THE AGREEMENT WOULD MEAN THE MAJORITY OF HOSTAGES INSIDE GAZA, INCLUDING MEN, WILL NOT COME HOME IN THE FIRST WAVE OF RELEASES DEVASTATING NEWS FOR THE FAMILY OF 22-YEAR-OLD OMER, WHO SAYS HE IS IN NEED OF MEDICATION >> IT'S REALLY HARD FOR US BUT WE'RE WAITING FOR ALL OF THEM TO COME BACK. >> Reporter: KEIR SIMMONS, NBC NEWS, TEL AVIV. >>> AND THIS POTENTIAL AGREEMENT COMES AFTER WEEKS OF INTENSIVE TALKS INVOLVING THE U.S. AND SEVERAL MIDDLE EAST COUNTRIES. GABE GUTIERREZ IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE TONIGHT. GABE, WHAT MORE DO WE KNOW >> Reporter: LESTER, PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU SAID LATE TODAY THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN'S INVOLVEMENT IMPROVED THE TENTATIVE DEAL, WHICH NOW INCLUDES THE POTENTIAL RELEASE OF MORE HOSTAGES THE PRESIDENT HAS HAD HIS FINGERS CROSSED LITERALLY AFTER WEEKS OF GRUELING ROUND-THE-CLOCK NEGOTIATIONS THE U.S. HAS BEEN COORDINATING NOT JUST WITH ISRAEL, BUT QATAR AND EGYPT, AND IT'S EXPECTED SOME ISRAELI AMERICAN CITIZENS COULD BE AMONG THAT FIRST WAVE OF HOSTAGES THAT WOULD INCLUDE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WE'RE EXPECTING MORE DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE. ALSO A PRIORITY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION, MAKING SURE MORE AID GETS INTO GAZA 20,000 GALLONS OF FUEL WENT IN WITHIN THE PAST 24 HOURS, BUT HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS SAY MUCH MORE IS NEEDED WHEN ASKED TODAY WHETHER THE WHITE HOUSE BELIEVED HAMAS, WHICH THE U.S. CLASSIFIES AS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, WAS SERIOUS DURING THESE NEGOTIATIONS, A SPOKESMAN SAID WE KNOW WHO WE'RE DEALING WITH HERE, WHICH IS WHY WE'RE BEING VERY, VERY CAREFUL. LESTER >> GABE GUTIERREZ AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THANK YOU. >>> AND WHILE THERE ARE FEARS FOR THE FATEFE-AND-H STRUGGLE IS PLAYING OUT, THIS ONE INVOLVING PREMATURE BABIES CAUGHT IN GAZA. INSIDE HOSPITALS ALLEGEDLY USED BY HAMAS. ERIN McLAUGHLIN WITH A OF THE HOSTAGES, ANOTHER LIFE-AND-DEATH STRUGGLE IS PLAYING OUT, THIS ONE INVOLVING PREMATURE BABIES CAUGHT IN GAZA. INSIDE HOSPITALS ALLEGEDLY USED BY HAMAS. ERIN McLAUGHLIN WITH A STORY OF HEARTBREAK AND HOPE >> Reporter: THEY CALL HIM MEJUL, ARABIC FOR UNKNOWN, DISCOVERED FOLLOWING AN AIR STRIKE IN GAZA CITY. THE DOCTORS HERE FEAR HIS FAMILY IS DEAD "NO ONE HAS COME FORWARD TO CLAIM HIM," HE SAYS. MORE THAN A WEEK AGO, THE WORLD FIRST MET MEJUL AT THE BESIEGED AL SHIFA HOSPITAL, ALONG WITH MORE THAN 30 OTHER PREMATURE BABIES. >> RPGs, AK-47s. >> Reporter: ISRAEL, THE U.S., AND THE EUROPEAN UNION HAVE CONDEMNED HAMAS AS USING HOSPITALS FOR BASES FOR MILITARY OPERATIONS, AND FOR USING PALESTINIAN CITIZENS AS HUMAN SHIELDS, WHICH HAMAS DENIES EVENTUALLY, HELP ARRIVED. 31 BABIES EVACUATED. HYPOTHERMIC, DEHYDRATED, AND STARVING, YET ALIVE. ALTHOUGH TWO DIDN'T SURVIVE THE TRIP TO EGYPT. MEJUL STAYED IN GAZA AS THEY SEARCHED FOR HIS FAMILY, ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS, INCLUDING LITTLE ANAS STATTA "IF WE DIE, WE ALL DIE TOGETHER," HIS FATHER SAYS THE STATTA FAMILY KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE TORN APART. THE VIOLENCE FORCED HIS FAMILY SOUTH, LEAVING ANAS ALONE IN AL SHIFA FOR MORE THAN 40 AGONIZING DAYS, THEY WAITED "WE LOST HOPE," HIS DAD SAYS "WE THOUGHT THAT'S IT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO SEE OUR SON. BUT TODAY, ANAS STATTA IS GOING HOME. "WE FOUND HIM," HIS GRANDMA SAYS "I CAN'T DESCRIBE THIS HAPPINESS. TONIGHT, AT LEAST FOR THIS FAMILY, THERE IS TEARS OF JOY AND SMILES IN GAZA AS FOR MEJUL, IF NO ONE CLAIMS HIM, DOCTORS SAY, HE'LL BE SENT TO AN ORPHANAGE, LIKE SO MANY OTHER BABIES IN GAZA LESTER >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. >>> AND ALSO TONIGHT ANOTHER ATTACK BY MILITANTS ON U.S. FORCES IN THE REGION THIS TIME IN IRAQ, PROMPTING A STRONG RESPONSE COURTNEY KUBE IS AT THE PENTAGON WHAT ARE YOU FINDING OUT ABOUT THIS, COURTNEY >> Reporter: LESTER, TONIGHT, THE U.S. MILITARY FIRING BACK AGAIN, AFTER ANOTHER ATTACK ON A BASE WITH U.S. PERSONNEL LEFT AMERICANS INJURED AND A BUILDING DAMAGED ON MONDAY, THE PENTAGON SAID IRANIAN-BACKED MILITIA GROUPS FIRED A CLOSE-RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE AT THE AIR BASE IN IRAQ THE MISSILE HIT AN EMPTY BUILDING, BUT SEVERAL U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS REPORTED MINOR INJURIES DEFENSE OFFICIALS SAY THE BALLISTIC MISSILE IS AN ESCALATION OVER THE OTHER 66 RECEN ATTACKS IN IRAQ AND SYRIA USING DRONES AND ROCKETS. A U.S. MILITARY AC-130 GUN SHIP LIKE THIS ONE SPOTTED THE LAUNCH AND STRUCK THE MILITANTS' VEHICLE, KILLING SEVERAL FIGHTERS AND LATE TONIGHT, TWO MORE RETALIATORY STRIKES SOUTH OF BAGHDAD, HITTING THE MILITIA GROUP'S OPERATION CENTER, AND A COMMAND AND CONTROL FACILITY MORE FIGHTERS BELIEVED KILLED THERE, AS WELL. LESTER >> COURTNEY KUBE AT THE PENTAGON, THANKS >>> NORTH KOREA HAS APPARENTLY LAUNCHED ITS FIRST MILITARY SPY SATELLITE, AFTER TWICE FAILING TO DO SO EARLIER THIS YEAR. IT WAS LAUNCHED USING A BALLISTIC MISSILE THAT FELL INTO THE SEA. EXPERTS SAY RUSSIA MAY HAVE HELPED NORTH KOREA OBTAIN THE MILITARY SPY TECHNOLOGY THE WHITE HOUSE CONDEMNED THE LAUNCH >>> HERE AT HOME, POLICE IN OHIO RELEASING DRAMATIC BODY CAM FROM A SHOOTING INSIDE A WALMART. THE OFFICER SEEN ENTERING WITH HIS GUN, SEARCHING THE STORE, AND FINDING THE 20-YEAR-OLD GUNMAN DEAD FROM AN APPARENT SELF-INFLICTED GUNSHOT. AUTHORITIES SAY FOUR OTHERS WERE INJURED. THREE ARE NOW IN STABLE CONDITION THE FOURTH IS IN CRITICAL BUT STABLE CONDITION. THE MOTIVE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION. >>> WE'RE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON THE WEATHER TONIGHT, AND HOLIDAY TRAVEL, AS THE STORM PUSHES EAST FROM THE MIDWEST, WITH RAIN AND SOME SNOW IN THE MIX. AL ROKER IS TRACKING IT AL, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING >> LESTER, THIS IS A REAL MESS. IT STRETCHES FROM PANAMA CITY ALL THE WAY UP INTO NEW ENGLAND. AS WE GET TO THE NORTH, A MIX OF RAIN AND SNOW, A TREACHEROUS MESS AND THE RAIN WILL GET OUT OF HERE BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND EVENING, BUT BEHIND IT, GUSTY WINDS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH THE NIGHT. BECAUSE OF THAT, STRONG DELAYS IN BOSTON FOR TOMORROW. BUT NEW YORK ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CHARLOTTE COULD BE SEEING SOME DELAYS I-90, I-95, I-80, AND I-81 ALL DEALING WITH WET WEATHER. AS WE LOOK INTO THANKSGIVING DAY, THINGS CALM DOWN IN THE EAST IT WILL BE CHILLY. PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ALONG THE EAST COAST HEAVY SNOW IN THE ROCKIES AND SUNSHINE OUT WEST HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYBODY. LESTER >> AND AL, HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU, AS WELL. THANKS >>> THE WEATHER SLOWING DOWN SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S BUSIEST AIRPORTS AND HIGHWAYS. TOM COSTELLO IS FOLLOWING IT ALLTER, THIS IS E PROBLEM. TOM, HOW'S IT LOOKING? >> Reporter: LESTER, THIS IS A PROBLEM. WE'VE GOT INCREDIBLE TRAFFIC HERE BECAUSE WE'VE HAD INCREDIBLE RAIN ALL OF THIS IS BOTTLENECKING INTO AIRPORTS, SO, SOME OF THESE FOLKS STUCK IN TRAFFIC WILL NOT MAKE THEIR FLIGHTS. BUT AS IT RELATES TO FLIGHTS, 3,700 DELAYS RIGHT NOW. WE'VE ONLY GOT A COUPLE DOZEN CANCELLATIONS. MAKE NO MISTAKE, THOUGH, THIS IS AN AIRLINE STRESS POINT ACROSS THE EASTERN U.S., THAT HEAVY RAIN IS TESTING TRAVELERS' OVER TH DAYS. >> W PATIENCE TODAY, ON CLOGGED HIGHWAYS, AS 49 MILLION AMERICANS DRIVE OVER THE COMING DAYS - >> WHATEVER HAPPENS, WE'RE JUST GOING TO ROLL WITH IT >> Reporter: -- TO LONG AND WINDING AIRPORT SECURITY LINES. >> IT'S JUST A LOT A LOT OF PEOPLE. A LOT OF JUST CHAOS. >> Reporter: 5 MILLION PEOPLE FLYING THROUGH TODAY AND TOMORROW >> WE KIND OF GO INTO THIS KNOWING THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A REAL BUSY TRAVEL TIME >> GROUP 2, PLEASE PROCEED. >> Reporter: CHICAGO O'HARE, THE NATION'S FOURTH-BUSIEST AIRPORT, IS UNITED'S MEGA HUB, WITH 850 INBOUND AND OUTBOUND FLIGHTS EACH DAY >> SHE CAME INTO FOX 27 >> Reporter: IT'S A 24/7 LOGISTICAL JUGGLE. >> UNITED 1849, PARK CHARLIE 27 >> Reporter: FROM MEDICAL AND MECHANICAL ISSUES TO WEATHER, CATERING, FUELING, CREW SCHEDULES, FLIGHT DELAYS, PASSENGER, AND LUGGAGE REROUTES >> EVERYONE IN HERE IS ENGAGED AND CONNECTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN KEEP THE AIRLINE ON SCHEDULE. >> Reporter: HIGH STRESS ON THE GROUND AND HIGH ABOVE SO THIS IS AN AREA MOST PEOPLE DON'T GET TO SEE IT'S THE RAMP TOWER FOR UNITED HERE AT O'HARE >> UNITED 64, TAXI BRAVO SIERRA TAXIWAY ALPHA. >> Reporter: THE CONTROLLERS HERE ACT AS TRAFFIC COPS, DIRECTING HUNDREDS OF PLANES MOVING ON UNITED'S RAMP. ALL OF THE GROUND TRAFFIC IN THE ALLEYS BETWEEN THE BRAVO AND THE CHARLIE CONCOURSES AND THEN DEPARTING FLIGHTS ARE TURNED OVER TO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. >> 364 RAMP NORTH PORT BRAVO LINE TO PARKING BRAVO 1. >> Reporter: THIS FEELS LIKE A PRESSURE COOKER JOB UP HERE >> IT CAN BE BUT USUALLY, YOU'RE TOO BUSY TO NOTICE. >> Reporter: DAVE HEISINGER IS THE RAMP TOWER MANAGER. >> ANYTHING FROM A BLOWN TIRE TO A BROKEN AIRPLANE OR SOMEBODY MAKING A WRONG TURN CAN TAKE THE FIELD FROM RELATIVELY QUIET TO CHAOS >> Reporter: THE BIG TEST COMES SUNDAY. NEARLY 3 MILLION FLYERS NATIONWIDE SETTING A NEW RECORD TOM COSTELLO, NBC NEWS, CHICAGO. >>> IN 60 SECONDS, THE NEXT FRONT IN THE BATTLE OVER ABORTION RIGHTS, IN A STATE WITH ONE OF THE STRICTEST ABORTION BANS IN THE COUNTRY. >>> AS THE 2024 CAMPAIGN HEATS UP, ABORTION RIGHTS ARE EXPECTED TO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE IN NEXT YEAR'S RACES AND NOW GROUPS IN MORE STATES ARE LOOKING TO PUT THE ISSUE ON THE BALLOT DASHA BURNS TAKES US TO MISSOURI. >> Reporter: WEEKS AFTER OHIO VOTED IN FAVOR OF ABORTION PROTECTIONS, ACTIVISTS ARE HOPING TO CONTINUE THAT MOMENTUM IN A STATE WITH ONE OF THE STRICTEST BANS IN THE COUNTRY. >> LOOKING AT OHIO AND 18 COUNTIES THAT VOTED FOR TRUMP VOTED TO APPROVE ABORTION RIGHTS THAT'S NOT A FLUKE THAT'S A PATTERN >> Reporter: TWO COMPETING GROUPS ARE LOOKING TO PUT ABORTION ACCESS ON THE BALLOT IN MISSOURI IN 2024, ONE OF THEM LED BY A REPUBLICAN. >> I'M FROM MISSOURI. >> Reporter: JAMIE CORLEY IS BEHIND THE PROPOSAL THAT WOULD ALLOW ABORTIONS UP TO 12 WEEKS AND ADD EXCEPTIONS FOR FATAL FETAL ABNORMALITIES, FETAL ABT RAPE, AND INCEST, IF REPORTED TO A HOTLINE. SOME PEOPLE WATCHING THIS MIGHT SAY WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON >> RIGHT, RIGHT. I AM A REPUBLICAN, AND I AM ALSO PRO-CHOICE I THINK WE NOW KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY MORE LIKE ME THAN ONE WOULD THINK. >> Reporter: A MORE PROGRESSIVE GROUP WANTS TO ALLOW ABORTIONS LATER IN A PREGNANCY. WHY NOT TRY FOR SOMETHING MORE EXPANSIVE? >> IT GOES BACK TO WHAT IS PASSABLE TODAY. WOMEN ARE TRULY -- THEIR LIVES ARE AT RISK WHEN THEY'RE PREGNANT IN MISSOURI WE NEED SOMETHING THAT CAN PASS, AND WE BELIEVE THAT VOTERS WILL SUPPORT THIS. >> Reporter: BUT SHE IS FACING OPPOSITION BOTH FROM GROUPS THAT WANT TO KEEP THE BAN IN PLACE -- >> IN MISSOURI, WE ARE A PRO-LIFE STATE, AND WE'VE BEEN A PRO-LIFE STATE FOR 50 YEARS. >> Reporter: -- AND GROUPS THAT WANT MORE ABORTION PROTECTIONS, LIKE PLANNED PARENTHOOD >> THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD LIMIT ACCESS AT AN ARBITRARY GESTATIONAL AGE REALLY DOES SAY THAT WE AREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT'S ACTUALLY THE LIVED REALITY AND WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW. >> Reporter: ISN'T 12 WEEKS BETTER THAN NOTHING? >> I'M JUST GOING TO SAY NO, IT IS NOT. >> Reporter: VIEWS ON ABORTION OFTEN DEFY PARTY LINES. SO THE QUESTION IS, WHAT WILL VOTERS SUPPORT? ALLIE RAND IS A CONSERVATIVE CATHOLIC MOM OF FIVE. SHE SAID SHE NEVER IMAGINED SHE WOULD SUPPORT ABORTION RIGHTS UNTIL SHE EXPERIENCED COMPLICATIONS WHILE PREGNANT WITH TWINS. >> IT WAS TERRIFYING IT FELT VERY -- LIKE I HAD NO OPTIONS HERE. IF SOMETHING WERE TO GO WRONG, WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO? >> Reporter: WHAT DID THAT FEEL LIKE, TO KNOW THAT IN THE STATE WHERE YOU -- >> LIVE. AND I LOVE LIVING IN MISSOURI. >> Reporter: THAT YOU HAD NO CHOICES >> IT'S JUST A REALLY HELPLESS FEELING IT ALMOST MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE IF YOU CHOSE TO LEAVE THE STATE, THAT YOU'RE A CRIMINAL >> Reporter: HER TWINS WERE BORN HEALTHY, BUT SHE SAYS SHE NOW SUPPORTS ABORTIONS UP TO 12 WEEKS. DASHA BURNS, NBC NEWS, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI. >>> AND NEXT, WHY ARE DOGS IN AT LEAST A DOZEN STATES GETTING MYSTERIOUSLY ILL >>> BACK WITH NEWS OF A MYSTERIOUS DOG ILLNESS THAT CAN BE LETHAL AND IS BEING SEEN IN A GROWING NUMBER OF STATES VETS ARE STRUGGLING WITH HOW TO TREAT IT WE GET MORE FROM MIGUEL ALMAGUER. >> Reporter: THE MYSTERIOUS RESPIRATORY ILLNESS IS INFECTING DOGS AT A WORRISOME RATE, AS VETERINARIANS NOW SCRAMBLE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE POSSIBLE BACTERIUM PATHOGEN, AND MORE OWNERS BELIEVE THEIR PETS HAVE BEEN INFECTED >> JUST BEEN A BRUTAL SIX WEEKS. EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR THEM, NOTHING REALLY WORKS. >> Reporter: DIANE SWANSON SAYS HER GOLDEN RETRIEVER GUS BECAME SEVERELY ILL LAST MONTH >> THE NIGHT BEFORE LAST, I THOUGHT FOR SURE THAT WE WERE GOING TO LOSE HIM. IT WAS JUST ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS ALL NIGHT LONG THAT HE COULD NOT CATCH HIS BREATH AND WOULD JUST WAKE UP JUST GASPING >> Reporter: WITH SYMPTOMS SIMILAR TO KENNEL COUGH, VETS SAY THE SUSPECTED NEWLY DISCOVERED BACTERIUM CAN QUICKLY PROGRESS TO PNEUMONIA AND SEVERE RESPIRATORY DISTRESS >> THERE IS A VERY SMALL SUBSET OF THE AFFECTED ANIMALS, AT LEAST BASED ON REPORTS HERE HEARING FROM CLINICAL VETERINARIANS, THAT WILL DEVELOP A SECONDARY BACTERIAL INFECTION, AND THAT CAN BE SEVERE. >> Reporter: WITH THE GROWING NUMBER OF CASES BEING REPORTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT'S FEARED THE BACTERIA IS SPREAD WHERE DOGS CONGREGATE, LIKE KENNELS, DOGGIE DAY CARE FACILITIES, OR DOG PARKS. >> IT'S LIKE COVID FOR DOGS. >> Reporter: SYMPTOMS INCLUDE A COUGH, FEVER OR INTERMITTENT LOSS OF APPETITE. EXPERTS SAY THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOUR PUP IS TO LIMIT THEIR EXPOSURE TO OTHER DOGS FOR NOW, AND TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE UP TO DATE ON THEIR VACCINES, ESPECIALLY FOR RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES. LESTER >> ALL RIGHT, MIGUEL, THANKS >>> THE POWERFUL BOND THAT BRINGS THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE THAT'S NEXT. MICK, KEITH, ANDE BOYS KICK IT OFF APRIL 28th IN HOUSTON. >>> AND FINALLY, AS WE COUNT DOWN TO THURSDAY'S BIG EVENT, WE MEET A BIG SISTER AND A LITTLE SISTER WHOSE BOND HAS TAKEN THEM ALL THE WAY TO THE BIGGEST THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION OF THEM ALL. HERE IS JOE FRYER. >> OH MY GOODNESS. >> THANK YOU >> Reporter: THEY'RE NOT RELATED BY BLOOD, BUT 16-YEAR-OLD SOPHIA AND HER MENTOR ARE MOST DEFINITELY A MATCH. >> OH, MY GOSH. >> THIS IS SO CUTE. >> Reporter: PAIRED TOGETHER FOUR YEARS AGO THROUGH BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS. >> BEFORE I MET CONCH, I WOULD SAY I WAS A REALLY TIMID PERSON. BEING WITH CONCH, IT'S HONESTLY CHANGED MY LIFE >> Reporter: CONCH, WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU HEAR THAT? >> IT'S ALL THAT I WANTED IT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY. >> UKULELE >> Reporter: THEY BONDED OVER THEIR LOVE OF THE UKULELE ♪ WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS ♪ >> Reporter: THIS IS THE AUDITION VIDEO THAT SCORED THEM A TRIP FROM SAN JOSE TO NEW YORK WHERE THEY'RE NOW PREPARING TO BE PERCHED ON THE CHRISTMAS TREE FLOAT AT THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, PART OF MACY'S PARTNERSHIP WITH BIG BROTHERS/BIG SISTERS. >> MY WHOLE FAMILY REALLY GREW UP ON WATCHING THE MACY'S PARADE, SO IT'S EXCITING TO BE HERE. >> Reporter: EXCITING AND MEANINGFUL, ESPECIALLY AFTER CONCH WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER. >> I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD BE HERE FOR MANY REASONS AND TO BE HERE WITH SOMEONE IN MY LIFE WHO I HAVE COME TO SEE AS MY LITTLE SISTER AND MY REALLY GOOD FRIEND, IT'S JUST AMAZING. >> Reporter: WHAT ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW? >> EMOTIONAL I'M SO GLAD THAT I HAVE CONCH AND I'M GLAD THAT I WAS THERE FOR HER, AND I'M SO APPRECIATIVE OF HER NOW. >> Reporter: A MATCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR JOE FRYER, NBC NEWS, NEW YORK ♪ >> AND A GOOD TIME FOR US TO LET YOU KNOW, YOU CAN WATCH THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, STARTING AT 8:30 EASTERN RIGHT HERE ON NBC. THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS TUESDAY THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, EVERYONE I'M LESTER HOL