>>> TONIGHT, ALL EYES ON A NEW YORK CITY GRAND JURY AS DONALD TRUMP EXPECTS TO BE ARRESTED JUST HOURS FROM NOW. THE NEW WITNESS TESTIFYING TODAY IN THE PROBE INTO HUSH MONEY PAID TO AN ADULT FILM STAR WHO SAYS SHE HAD AN AFFAIR WITH TRUMP. THE FORMER PRESIDENT SAYING HE'LL BE ARRESTED TOMORROW AND CALLING FOR PROTESTS. HOUSE REPUBLICANS RALLYING BEHIND HIM. HOW THEY'RE TARGETING THE MANHATTAN D.A. AND OUR NEW REPORTING, WHAT THE SECRET SERVICE WILL DO IF HE'S INDICTED. >>> ALSO TONIGHT, CHINA'S PRESIDENT XI MEETING IN MOSCOW WITH VLADIMIR PUTIN. A MAJOR SHOW OF SUPPORT FOR RUSSIA. WILL CHINA GIVE RUSSIA LETHAL AID ON THE BATTLEFIELD IN UKRAINE? >>> THE DEADLY SHOOTING AT A TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL. ONE STUDENT IN CUSTODY. WHAT POLICE ARE SAYING TONIGHT. >>> OUR NBC NEWS EXCLUSIVE. THE TEACHER SHOT BY A 6-YEAR-OLD STUDENT SPEAKING OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME. HER DIFFICULT ROAD TO RECOVERY. >>> THE RALLY ON WALL STREET AFTER TWO TROUBLED BANKS FOUND NEW OWNERS. WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR MONEY. >>> THE U.N. WARNING HUMANITY IS ON THIN ICE. WHAT A NEW REPORT SAYS MUST BE DONE NOW TO AVOID THE WORST OF CLIMATE CHANGE. >>> BUSTER MURDAUGH BREAKING HIS SILENCE. WHAT HE NOW SAYS ABOUT THE DEATH OF A HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATE. >>> AND THE POWERFUL CONNECTION THESE GIRL SCOUTS SHARE THAT'S INSPIRING AMERICA. >> Announcer: THIS IS NBC "NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT. >>> GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. WE ARE ON SOMEWHAT OF A LEGAL WATCH TONIGHT INVOLVING FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP. SOMEWHAT IN THAT THE GROWING SENSE OF EXPECTATION HAS BEEN FUELED MAINLY BY MR. TRUMP HIMSELF WITH HIS UNVERIFIED CLAIM OVER THE WEEKEND THAT HE WOULD BE ARRESTED ON TUESDAY. THE MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS BEEN PRESENTING EVIDENCE TO A GRAND JURY CONCERNING THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND A POTENTIALLY UNLAWFUL HUSH MONEY PAYMENT TO AN ADULT FILM ACTRESS. BUT THE OFFICE HAS NOT COMMENTED ON THE TIMING OF A DECISION ON WHETHER TO PROSECUTE. IN THE ABSENCE OF NEWS, KEY REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN RUSHING TO MR. TRUMP'S DEFENSE AND VILIFYING DEMOCRAT PROSECUTOR ALVIN BRAGG. BUT TONIGHT EVEN MANY OF HIS LOYALISTS ARE DISCOURAGING TRUMP SUPPORTERS FROM TAKING UP THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S CALL TO PROTEST. IT'S WHERE WE START TONIGHT WITH GARRETT HAAKE. >> Reporter: THE MANHATTAN D.A.'S OFFICE TONIGHT ON THE VERGE OF A FATEFUL DECISION, WHETHER TO INDICT A FORMER PRESIDENT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY. A CASE CENTERING AROUND DONALD TRUMP'S ALLEGED EFFORT TO KEEP AN EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR SECRET BY PAYING HUSH MONEY TO STORMY DANIELS. IN THE LAST WEEK GRAND JURORS HEARING DUELING ACCOUNTS. FORMER TRUMP FIXER TURNED FIERCE TRUMP CRITIC MICHAEL COHEN ALLEGING MR. TRUMP GAVE HIM $130,000 IN 2016 TO BUY DANIELS' SILENCE. >> THIS IS ABOUT DONALD TRUMP BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR HIS OWN DIRTY DEEDS. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. >> Reporter: WHILE TONIGHT COHEN'S FORMER LEGAL ADVISER ROBERT COSTELLO ASKED TO TESTIFY AT THE REQUEST OF MR. TRUMP'S LEGAL TEAM, BLASTING COHEN'S CREDIBILITY. >> IF THEY WANT TO GO AFTER DONALD TRUMP AND THEY HAVE SOLID EVIDENCE, SO BE IT. BUT MICHAEL COHEN IS FAR FROM SOLID EVIDENCE. >> Reporter: THIS WEEKEND THE FORMER PRESIDENT MAKING HEADLINES, PREDICTING HE'D BE ARRESTED AT THE INVESTIGATION'S CONCLUSION AND CALLING FOR PROTESTS. TONIGHT HOUSE REPUBLICANS RALLYING TO HIS DEFENSE, SLAMMING DEMOCRATIC D.A. ALVIN BRAGG, VOWING TO QUESTION HIM BEFORE CONGRESS. >> PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCED HE WAS GOING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN, AND SUDDENLY HERE THEY GO. NOW THEY'RE COMING AFTER HIM FOR SOME ALLEGED BOOKKEEPING ERROR? YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME. >> Reporter: TRUMP'S TOP POTENTIAL REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL RIVAL TAKING A DIG AT THE PROGRESSIVE PROSECUTOR. >> THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF PURSUING A POLITICAL AGENDA. >> Reporter: BUT ALSO A VEILED SHOT AT THE FORMER PRESIDENT. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT GOES INTO PAYING HUSH MONEY TO A PORN STAR TO SECURE SILENCE OVER SOME TYPE OF ALLEGED AFFAIR. I CAN'T SPEAK TO THAT. >> Reporter: LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN NEW YORK CITY HAVE BEEN MEETING TO PLAN A SECURITY RESPONSE TO ANY PROTESTS. AND HOW TO HANDLE THE POSSIBLE SURRENDER, FINGERPRINTING AND INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE OF A FORMER PRESIDENT. THE SECRET SERVICE WOULD ACCOMPANY MR. TRUMP THROUGHOUT THAT PROCESS, A SOURCE FAMILIAR TOLD NBC NEWS, AND DO EVERYTHING THEY COULD TO KEEP HIM OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW. >> GARRETT, YOU'RE OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE HERE IN NEW YORK. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME SECURITY CONCERNS THERE. >> Reporter: THERE HAVE, LESTER. AND NYPD IS PREPARING. BUT WHILE MR. TRUMP HAS URGED PEOPLE TO PROTEST IN HIS DEFENSE, OTHER INFLUENTIAL REPUBLICANS HAVE URGED THEIR SUPPORTERS TO STAY HOME. AND THAT MESSAGE MAY BE WINNING OUT. A PLANNED RALLY HERE TONIGHT HAS SO FAR DRAWN ONLY ABOUT 20 PEOPLE. LESTER? >> GARRETT HAAKE IN NEW YORK. THANK YOU. >>> ANOTHER MAJOR STORY THIS EVENING, CHINESE PRESIDENT XI JINPING MEETING WITH RUSSIA'S VLADIMIR PUTIN IN MOSCOW TODAY. A SIGN OF DEEPENING TIES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AS THE U.S. EXPRESSES CONCERNS CHINA WILL GIVE RUSSIA LETHAL AID TO USE IN UKRAINE. HERE'S KEIR SIMMONS. >> Reporter: TONIGHT THE IMAGES PRESIDENT PUTIN HAS BEEN WAITING FOR. JUST DAYS AFTER THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT ACCUSED THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT OF WAR CRIMES, A MAJOR SHOW OF SUPPORT FROM THE LEADER OF THE WORLD'S SECOND LARGEST SUPERPOWER. PRESIDENT XI CALLING PUTIN HIS DEAR FRIEND. PRAISING HIS FIRM LEADERSHIP. PREDICTING HE'LL WIN ELECTION NEXT YEAR. PROMISING TO DISCUSS A CHINESE PEACE PLAN. THE U.S. AND UKRAINE ON THE SIDELINES. WATCHING AND WARNING THE WORLD THAT CHINA MAY STILL SEND LETHAL WEAPONS TO RUSSIA AND NOT TO BE FOOLED BY PROPOSALS FOR A CEASE-FIRE. >> CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE REMOVAL OF RUSSIAN FORCES FROM UKRAINIAN TERRITORY WOULD EFFECTIVELY BE SUPPORTING THE RATIFICATION OF RUSSIAN CONQUEST. >> Reporter: OVER THE WEEKEND PUTIN ATTEMPTING TO PUT HIS PERSONAL STAMP ON TERRITORY ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED BY RUSSIA. HELICOPTERED IN TO MARIUPOL, UKRAINE. EVEN DRIVING HIMSELF. THE KREMLIN CAMERA CAPTURING HIM MEETING LOCALS UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS. A WOMAN HEARD HECKLING HIM, SAYING "THIS IS ALL FOR SHOW" AS ANOTHER WOMAN TELLS PUTIN ON CAMERA "IT'S A PIECE OF HEAVEN HERE NOW." BUT THIS IS WHAT MARIUPOL LOOKS LIKE IN DAYLIGHT. A CITY WHERE RUSSIAN FORCES BOMBED A THEATER, KILLING HUNDREDS, AND A MATERNITY HOSPITAL, PREGNANT WOMEN AMONG THE VICTIMS. PUTIN VISITING A NEW APARTMENT BLOCK, TELLING RESIDENTS SORRY TO BOTHER YOU, WHILE UKRAINE TONIGHT BRANDING PUTIN A CRIMINAL RETURNING TO THE SCENE OF THE CRIME. STILL TODAY'S MEETING A DIPLOMATIC VICTORY FOR PRESIDENT PUTIN. TONIGHT RUSSIAN MEDIA IS REPORTING THE TWO MEN WILL SIT DOWN FOR A SEVEN-COURSE MEAL. THE FORMAL TALKS BEGIN TOMORROW. >> KEIR, PUTIN APPEARS TO BE AIMING TO GET AS MUCH MILEAGE AS HE CAN OUT OF THE SUMMIT. BUT FOR CHINA'S LEADER IT SEEMS THERE'S A FINE LINE TO WALK HERE. >> Reporter: WELL, THAT'S RIGHT, LESTER. CHINA WILL BE HOPING TO SUPPORT RUSSIA, ITS MASSIVE NEIGHBOR, ASSERT ITSELF ON THE WORLD STAGE AGAINST AMERICA, AND MAINTAIN ITS ECONOMIC TIES WITH THE WEST. THAT IS NOT EASY. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT. KEIR SIMMONS, THANK YOU. >>> IN TEXAS TODAY A DEADLY SHOOTING AT A HIGH SCHOOL NEAR DALLAS. ONE STUDENT WAS KILLED, ANOTHER WAS INJURED WHEN A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE AT LAMAR HIGH SCHOOL IN ARLINGTON. POLICE SAY A THIRD STUDENT WAS ARRESTED AND IS FAC CAPITAL MURDER CH. POLICE HAVE NOT PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECT, BECAUSE HE IS A MINOR. >>> NOW TO OUR NBC NEWS EXCLUSIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE VIRGINIA TEACHER WHO WAS SHOT BY ANA 6-YEAR-OLD STUDENT IN JANUARY IS SPEAKING OUT ABOUT HER DIFFICULT CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY >> Reporter: TONIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME, ABIGAIL ZWERNER IN HER OWN WORDS. IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, THE TEACHER EXPLAINING THE CHALLENGES SHE FACES AFTER BEING SHOT BY A 6-YEAR-OLD STUDENT IN FRONT OF HER CLASS >> HOW DO YOU FEEL HOW HAS YOUR RECOVERY BEEN GOING IN. >> I'VE BEEN DOING OKAY IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING. I'M GOING THROUGH A LOT OF OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES SOME DAYS ARE NOT SO GOOD DAYS WHERE I CAN'T GET UP OUT OF BED. SOME DAYS ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS WHERE I'M ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF BED AND MAKE IT TO MY APPOINTMENTS BUT FOR GOING THROUGH WHAT I'VE GONE THROUGH, I TRY TO STAY POSITIVE, YOU KNOW, TRY TO HAVE A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON WHAT'S HAPPENED AND WHERE MY FUTURE'S HEADING. >> Reporter: WOUNDED IN HER LEFT HAND AND CHEST, THE 25-YEAR-OLD S SAYS SHE HAS UNDERGONE FOUR SURGERIES, THE MOST RECENT ONE FOR HER BANDAGED HAND THAT SHE CAN'T FULLY USE. >> FIRST GRADE STUDENT. I KNOW WHERE THAT STUDENT IS >> Reporter: EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE NEWPORT NEWS VIRGINIA PROSECUTOR DECIDED NOT TO CHARGE THE 6-YEAR-OLD BOY SAYING HIS AGE AND INABILITY TO UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL SYSTEM MADE IT PROBLEM AT E PROBLEMATIC. THE BOY'S ATTORNEY SAYS HE WELCOMES THE PROSECUTOR'S DECISION. WE HAVE NOT HEARD FROM SCHOOL OFFICIALS >> THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED IT WAS PREVENTIBLE >> Reporter: IN A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER THIS YEAR, ZWERNER'S ATTORNEY SAID AT LEAST THREE WERE WARNED THAT THE BOY HAD A GUN. ZWERNER SAYS SHE WILL MAKE THAT CASE IN CIVIL COURT WHERE HER LAWSUIT IN TWO WEEKS. ANNE THOMPSON, NBC NEWS. >> AND YOU CAN SEE MUCH MORE OF THAT INTERVIEW TOMORROW ON "TODAY." >>> TURNING NOW TO THE RALLY AGAIN ON WALL STREET AFTER TWO TROUBLED BANKS FOUND NEW OWNERS FOLLOWING THE SUDDEN COLLAPSE OF SILICON VALLEY BANK. BRIAN CHEUNG JOINS US NOW. BRIAN, THE MARKETS REACTED POSITIVELY TO THIS NEWS. >> YEAH, LESTER, AFTER CONCERNS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A ROUGH DAY FOR WALL STREET BROADER MARKETS BOUNCED BACK KNOWING SOME BANKS FELT CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO BUY OTHER BANKS. IN THE U.S. FLAGSTAR BANK BOUGHT PORTIONS OF SIGNATURE BANK, THE NEW YORK-BASED FIRM THAT COLLAPSED A WEEK AGO. SILICON VALLEY BANK HAS YET TO FIND A BUYER, BUT THE FDIC SAID MONDAY THERE WAS INTEREST FROM MULTIPLE PARTIES. MEANWHILE, OVERSEAS THE SWISS GOVERNMENT BROKERED A DEAL FOR UBS TO SAVE THE TROUBLED FIRM CREDIT SUISSE. ITS SIZE MADE IT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BANKS IN THE WORLD, PROMPTING U.S. OFFICIALS TO APPLAUD ITS RESCUE. AND DESPITE RECENT SHOCK WAVES IN THE STOCK MARKET, NO MORE U.S. BANKS HAVE FAILED IN THE LAST WEEK AND EXPERTS POINT OUT, LESTER, EVEN IF YOUR BANK FAILS YOU'RE COVERED UP TO $250,000. >> ALL RIGHT, BRIAN, THANK YOU. >>> NOW TO A DIRE WARNING TODAY ABOUT OUR PLANET'S CHANGING CLIMATE. A NEW U.N. REPORT SAYS WE ARE ON A DANGEROUS TRACK FOR EVEN MORE CATASTROPHIC HEAT, WAVES, FLOODING AND DROUGHT OVER THE NEXT DECADE. TO AVOID THE WORST EFFECTS GREENHOUSE GASES WOULD HAVE TO BE CUT IN HALF BY 2030, PRIMARILY BY SHIFTING AWAY FROM FOSSIL FUELS. >>> AN AMERICAN HELD HOSTAGE IN AFRICA FOR SIX YEARS HAS JUST BEEN FREED. U.S. AID WORKER JEFFERY WOODKE IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY A GROUP CONNECTED TO ISIS IN 2016. A U.S. OFFICIAL TODAY SAID THE 62-YEAR-OLD FROM CALIFORNIA IS IN NIGER FOR MEDICAL EVALUATION. MEANWHILE, CONDITIONS OF HIS RELEASE HAVE NOT YET BEEN REVEALED. WOODKE'S WIFE TALKED TO HIM THIS MORNING, AND HIS FAMILY SAID HE IS THRILLED TO BE FREED. >>> TONIGHT MARKS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR A WAR THAT BROUGHT DOWN THE REGIME OF SADDAM HUSSEIN. 20 YEARS SINCE THE 2003 U.S. INVASION OF IRAQ. CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT RICHARD ENGEL COVERED IT ALL, AND HE'S BACK IN BAGHDAD AGAIN FOR US TONIGHT. >> Reporter: 20 YEARS AGO TONIGHT THE UNITED STATES INVADED IRAQ, LAUNCHING A FEROCIOUS BOMBING CAMPAIGN DUBBED "SHOCK AND AWE." ♪♪ WHAT'S HAPPENING IN TODAY'S IRAQ IS EQUALLY SHOCKING. THIS WAS ONCE ONE OF SADDAM HUSSEIN'S PLEASURE PALACES, WHERE HE WOULD HOLD BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND EVENTS FOR HIS SONS AND DAUGHTERS. IRAQIS WERE TERRIFIED OF THIS PLACE. THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED IN, OF COURSE. AND NOW IRAQIS HOPE THAT THIS WILL BECOME THE CENTER OF NIGHTLIFE FOR THE NEW IRAQ. ♪♪ >> Reporter: SADDAM WOULD BE ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE IF HE COULD SEE HIS PALACE NOW. >> HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED? >> A LOT OF THINGS CHANGED. PEOPLE HERE USED TO LIVE IN WAR. NOW COME TO IRAQ AND SEE THE LIFE IN IRAQ. >> Reporter: A CULTURAL REVOLUTION IS UNDER WAY HERE. NOOR DAOUD IS ONE OF IRAQ'S KARATE CHAMPIONS, EMPOWERING A NEW GENERATION OF GIRLS. >> I WANTED TO DELIVER A MESSAGE TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO OUR SOCIETY THAT GIRLS CAN DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. >> Reporter: IT'S BEEN A LONG, HARD ROAD TO GET HERE, WITH TRAGIC FATAL MISTAKES. AMERICAN TROOPS INVADED TO FIND WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION THAT NEVER EXISTED. THEY STAYED FOR THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS TO STOP A CIVIL WAR TRIGGERED BY THE INVASION. AROUND 4,600 AMERICANS DIED HERE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND IRAQIS. IN 2006 I WENT TO A BAGHDAD ORPHANAGE AND MET MARWA, ALIYAH, AND SORWA. THEIR PARENTS WERE EXECUTED DURING THE FRENZY OF RELIGIOUS CLASHES IN THE CHAOS OF SADDAM'S OVERTHROW. EVERY DAY THERE WERE MORE WAR ORPHANS. >> THE GIRLS ARE STILL VERY CLINGY, CLEARLY IN NEED OF A LOT OF AFFECTION. >> Reporter: I MET MARWA AGAIN THIS WEEK. SHE'S MARRIED AND HAS FOUR HEALTHY CHILDREN. BUT HER LIFE NEVER RECOVERED. "MY LIFE DIDN'T GET BETTER. WE DON'T HAVE A FUTURE," SHE SAYS. MARWA BLAMES IRAQ'S RAMPANT CORRUPTION, WHICH IS LEAVING MANY IN POVERTY IN A COUNTRY RICH WITH OIL. BUT BAGHDAD IS UNDOUBTEDLY SAFER NOW. AMERICAN TROOPS HAVE BEEN REPLACED BY AMERICAN TOURISTS. WHAT KIND OF RECEPTION ARE YOU GETTING? >> I MUST TELL YOU, I FEEL LIKE A ROCK STAR HERE. ALL THE WOMEN AND ALL THE -- ALL THE LOCAL PEOPLE WANT TO TAKE PICTURES WITH US. >> Reporter: NOT LONG AGO THIS ANCIENT BAZAAR WAS BLOWN UP BY A SUICIDE BOMBER. NOW TOURISTS CAN VISIT, RELAX AND RECONNECT WITH THE CRADLE OF CIVILIZATION, CUT OFF FROM THE WORLD BY VIOLENCE FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES. IRAQ STILL FACES MANY POLITICAL CHALLENGES. SADDAM HUSSEIN IS GONE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOW DOMINATED BY IRAN. LESTER? >> RICHARD ENGEL IN BAGHDAD, THANK YOU. JUST AHEAD IN 60 SECONDS BUSTER MURDAUGH SPEAKS OUT. WHAT THE SURVIVING SON OF CONVICTED MURDERER ALEX MURDAUGH IS NOW SAYING ABOUT THE MYSTERIOUS >>> THE SURVIVING SON OF CONVICTED MURDERER ALEX MURDAUGH IS SPEAKING OUT, DENYING LINKS TO THE 2015 DEATH OF A FORMER CLASSMATE. THAT CASE HAS SINCE BEEN REOPENED AS THE TEEN'S FAMILY SEARCHES FOR ANSWERS. CATIE BECK REPORTS. >> Reporter: SANDY SMITH HAS LIVED WITH UNEXPLAINED LOSS FOR EIGHT YEARS. >> IT'S BEEN A ROUGH, ROUGH, ROUGH ROAD. >> Reporter: SHE BELIEVES IT WASN'T BY ACCIDENT THAT HER 19-YEAR-OLD SON STEPHEN WAS KILLED, FOUND DEAD ON A RURAL ROAD IN HAMPTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA IN 2015. >> IN MY HEART THIS WAS NOT A HIT AND RUN. I THINK HE WAS MURDERED, AND I JUST NEED THE PROOF. >> Reporter: THE CASE REOPENED BY SOUTH CAROLINA INVESTIGATORS IN JUNE OF 2021, SAYING IT WAS BASED UPON INFORMATION GATHERED DURING THE COURSE OF THE DOUBLE MURDER INVESTIGATION OF PAUL AND MAGGIE MURDAUGH. ATTENTION TO THE CASE PEAKING IN MONTHS LEADING UP TO ALEX MURDAUGH'S TRIAL FOR THE CRIMES AND A NEW NETFLIX DOCUSERIES DRAWING TIES BETWEEN SMITH AND BUSTER MURDAUGH, WHO WERE HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES AND RUMORED BY SOME TO BE IN AN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP. >> AND THAT NAME WAS -- HE GOES BY BUSTER MURDAUGH. >> Reporter: BUT BUSTER MURDAUGH FOR THE FIRST TIME PUBLICLY CHALLENGING ANY AND ALL IMPLICATIONS THAT HE WAS INVOLVED. "I'VE TRIED MY BEST TO IGNORE THE VICIOUS RUMORS ABOUT MY INVOLVEMENT IN STEPHEN SMITH'S TRAGIC DEATH THAT CONTINUE TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE MEDIA AS I GRIEVE OVER THE BRUTAL MURDERS OF MY MOTHER AND BROTHER. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH AND MISS THEM TERRIBLY." MURDAUGH ADDING HE'S STILL COPING WITH THEIR LOSS AND THE INCARCERATION OF HIS FATHER WHILE BEING HARASSED. "THESE BASELESS RUMORS OF MY INVOLVEMENT WITH STEPHEN AND HIS DEATH ARE FALSE. I UNEQUIVOCALLY DENY ANY INVOLVEMENT IN HIS DEATH, AND MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE SMITH FAMILY." >> I NEED ANSWERS. I'M A MOTHER. I NEED ANSWERS. >> Reporter: AND HOW THOSE ANSWERS ARE FOUND WILL REST IN THE HANDS OF A JUDGE. SMITH'S ATTORNEYS SAY THEY PLAN TO PETITION THE COURT FOR PERMISSION TO EXHUME AND PRESENT EVIDENCE ABOUT WHY IT'S NECESSARY NOW. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT. CATIE BECK, THANK YOU. >>> STILL AHEAD, FLYING WITH A BABY. THE NEW PUSH THAT COULD HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON ANYONE WHO TRAVELS WITH A LITTLE >>> WE'RE BACK NOW WITH A RENEWED PUSH BY FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TO KEEP BABIES OFF LAPS AND IN THEIR OWN SEATS ON PLANES. MIGUEL ALMAGUER TELLS US WHY AND WHAT THIS COULD MEAN FOR FAMILIES. >> Reporter: THE RECENT FLIGHTS INVOLVING SEVERE TURBULENCE WHICH HAVE TURNED EVERYDAY ITEMS INTO PROJECTILES AND LEFT DOZENS INJURED UNDERSCORES THE NEED FOR PASSENGERS TO BE BUCKLED IN THEIR SEATS. BUT TONIGHT THE ASSOCIATION OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS IS AGAIN CALLING FOR THAT TO INCLUDE CHILDREN, EVEN THOSE UNDER 2 WHO CAN FLY FOR FREE IF THEY'RE SEATED ON THEIR PARENTS' LAPS. >> THIS IS A LIFE AND DEATH MATTER. A CHILD THAT'S NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED TODAY ON ANY ONE OF THOSE FLIGHTS THAT WE'VE SEEN RECENTLY, THAT CHILD IS GOING TO BE FLUNG TO THE CEILING, POTENTIALLY HIT THEIR HEAD, LIKELY GOING TO BE VERY HURT OR KILLED. >> Reporter: CITING FLIGHTS THAT HAVE CRASHED LEAVING INFANTS INJURED OR DEAD, THE UNION SAYS THE EVIDENCE IS CLEAR, CHILDREN UNDER 2 IN FAA-APPROVED CAR SEATS AND BUCKLED INTO THEIR OWN SEATS ARE SAFER THAN IN THE ARMS OF A PARENT. THE NTSB AND FAA SAY THE SAFEST PLACE FOR A CHILD UNDER 2 IS IN A CAR SEAT OR A RESTRAINT DEVICE. PARENT SCOTT FROMHEIM AGREES. >> YOU KNOW, SAFETY IS TOP IMPORTANCE FOR US ALWAYS AS NEW PARENTS WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE WOULD BE ALL GOOD, ANY TURBULENCE OR ANYTHING ELSE. >> Reporter: TONIGHT THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY SAYS SAFETY IS ALWAYS THE TOP PRIORITY. "WE SUPPORT AND FOLLOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GUIDELINES REGARDING SAFETY SEATS FOR CHILDREN." ONE CONCERN FOR SOME PARENTS, COST. FAMILIES ON TIGHT BUDGETS COULD PAY HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS MORE IN AIRFARES. IN THE WAKE OF TURBULENT FLIGHTS, LAWMAKERS FACE PRESSURE TO ACT. LESTER? >> ALL RIGHT. MIGUEL ALMAGUER, THANK YOU. >>> WHEN WE COME BACK, THE UNIQUE BOND THES >>> FINALLY TONIGHT, A GIRL SCOUT TROOP WITH AN ESPECIALLY EMPOWERING MESSAGE OF ACCESS AND INCLUSION. HERE'S KRISTEN DAHLGREN WITH OUR "INSPIRING AMERICA" REPORT. >> Reporter: IT'S A ONE-OF-A-KIND SISTERHOOD. >> THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A GIRL SCOUT IS THAT YOU GET TO LEARN ABOUT THINGS THAT YOU NEVER KNEW BEFORE. >> Reporter: GIRL SCOUT TROOP 6000 IS UNIQUE. WHILE THE TROOP MAY LOOK LIKE ANY OTHER GIRL SCOUT TROOP ON THE SURFACE, THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL THAT TIES THEM TOGETHER. >> I LOVE TROOP 6000. IT IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME. >> Reporter: EACH GIRL IN TROOP 6000 COMES FROM THE NEW YORK CITY SHELTER SYSTEM. >> WHEN YOU'RE IN A TROOP FULL OF GIRLS THAT HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES SO SIMILAR TO YOU YOU KIND OF JUST LIKE INSTANTLY BOND. >> Reporter: LAUNCHED IN 2017 BY A SINGLE MOTHER OF FIVE WHO HAD LOST HER HOME, GISELE BURGESS SOUGHT TO BREAK THE STIGMA AND GIVE GIRLS LIVING IN TEMPORARY HOUSING A SAFE PLACE. >> IT'S ABOUT BEING HEARD, BEING SEEN, BEING UNDERSTOOD. AND BEING ABLE TO SHARE WITHOUT THAT JUDGMENT. >> I WAS EXCITED TO MEET NEW PEOPLE AND MAKE FRIENDS. >> Reporter: RECENTLY TROOP 6000 GOT TOGETHER FOR WORLD THINKING DAY, ITS LARGEST EVENT SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN. ALL FEES, UNIFORMS, TRIPS AND PROGRAM MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED TO TROOP 6000 GIRLS AT NO COST. >> NO MATTER WHAT YOUR LIVING CIRCUMSTANCES ARE HERE IN NEW YORK CITY, WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITIES AS ANY OTHER GIRL. >> Reporter: TROOP 6000 ALSO SUPPORTS GIRLS AFTER THEY AND THEIR FAMILIES TRANSITION FROM TEMPORARY TO PERMANENT HOUSING. >> I THINK THE BEST THING PERSONALLY FOR ME IS THE SISTERHOOD WE HAVE. >> Reporter: AND IT'S THAT POWER OF CONNECTION AND FRIENDSHIP THAT'S HELPING MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR THESE GIRLS. ♪ MAKE NEW FRIENDS ♪ KRISTEN DAHLGREN, NBC NEWS. >> LOVE WHEN WE CAN END ON A SMILE. THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS MONDAY. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING. I'M LESTER HOLT. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER. GOOD NIGHT.