desperate residents trapped for more than a week and the new winter threats we're tracking protesters and police clashing in atlanta. nearly two dozen now facing domestic terror charges. the ntsb investigating after another norfolk southern train derails in ohio. our one-on-one with transportation secretary pete buttigieg. we asked should the company be forced to pause operations jurors in the alex murdaugh double murder trial breaking their silence. what they say about his decision to take the stand. and he was the last original member of a legendary rock band remembering guitarist gary rossington. >> announcer: this is nbc "nightly news" with lester holt good evening, everyone and thank you for joining us chilling images tonight appear to show four americans kidnapped at gunpoint moments after crossing from texas into mexico on friday. tonight the fbi asking for the public's help,

offering a $50,000 reward to help locate the americans who were attacked by armed men after crossing from brownsville, texas into matamoros riding in a minivan bearing north carolina plates one woman seen being dragged into a pickup truck. a u.s. official tells nbc news the attack may have been a case of mistaken identity authorities say a mexican citizen was killed during the confrontation. gabe gutierrez reports it happened in an area that has become increasingly dangerous. >> reporter: these photos shared widely on social media appear to show the kidnapping's aftermath. the fbi says the four americans entered matamoros, mexico friday in a white minivan with north carolina license plates before armed gunmen opened fire and abducted them. a law enforcement official with knowledge of the matter tells nbc news this video depicts part of the kidnapping, appearing to show one woman walking on her own, forced into a white pickup truck armed men with bulletproof vests are

then seen dragging other people into the vehicle. >> we are closely following the assault and kidnapping of four u.s. citizens in matamoros, mexico. these sorts of attacks are unacceptable >> reporter: authorities say a mexican citizen was killed during the incident a law enforcement official tells nbc news the americans did not cross the border for any criminal purpose and that this appears to be a case of mistaken identity today mexico's president said they'd entered the country to buy medicine, although u.s. officials have not confirmed that we visited matamoros to report on migrant tent camps for years, but violence there has escalated. the city of about half a million people just across the border from brownsville, texas is home to warring factions of the gulf drug cartel. the shootouts on friday prompted the u.s. consulate to issue another security alert. tonight the fbi is offering a $50,000 reward for the safe return of the americans.

>> and gabe is with me now. do we know anything about the identities of the americans >> well, lester, the fbi has not confirmed any details but i just spoke with a family member of one of those abducted and she says the group was from south carolina but had a rental car with north carolina plates. she says the group crossed the border for a medical procedure. a law enforcement source with knowledge of the matter tells nbc news it was cosmetic surgery and the family is pleading for their safe return tonight, lester >> gabe gutierrez, thank you. let's turn now to those mid-air scares the latest, a man arrested for allegedly trying to open a plane's emergency exit door during a flight, then stab a flight attendant. that coming after a southwest flight was forced to land after a bird strike. here's tom costello. >> reporter: it happened on a united flight from l.a. to boston federal prosecutors say 45 minutes before landing a male passenger attempted to open an exit door between first class and coach. when flight attendants confronted the man he allegedly tried to stab one of them in the neck with a broken spoon. fellow passengers

tackled and subdued the passenger until the plane landed in boston 33-year-old francisco torres tonight being held on federal charges. meanwhile, smoke and panic on southwest flight 3923 sunday the 737 hit by birds as it took off from havana, cuba headed for fort lauderdale. the engine exploded and on fire. terrified passengers donned oxygen masks as the crew circled back, making an emergency landing in havana. >> smoke started coming into the cabin, and they just said stay in your seats and we had to start breathing. >> reporter: bird strikes are common, but rarely cause serious damage the miracle on the hudson landing in 2009 came after a flock of geese took out both of the plane's engines. meanwhile, tragedy on board a private plane when a passenger, 55-year-old dana hyde of maryland, was killed as the bombardier challenger plane hit severe turbulence the plane flying from new hampshire to

virginia making an emergency landing in connecticut. the ntsb says the pilots were dealing with a trim issue at the time, suggesting they may have hit clear air turbulence in a jet stream moving 50 to 100 miles an hour faster than normal >> clear air turbulence is not something that radar shows. so pilots are unable to see it in advance >> reporter: every year passengers and crew members suffer head lacerations, broken bones and bruises in severe turbulence >> this is exactly why we tell you to wear your seat belt because if you're not wearing your seat belt when severe turbulence like this happens it can actually be deadly >> reporter: the incidents are rare but they come as the faa prepares for an aviation safety summit next week. lester >> all right, tom, thank you. parts of southern california remain under a state of emergency tonight with many residents still trapped after days of historic snowfall. first responders still trying to reach those stranded with some running out of food and medicine miguel almaguer is there.

>> reporter: as blizzard-like conditions blanket california cities already buried under feet of snow -- >> we have neighbors who are panicking. they're without, you know, food, power, heat, medications. >> reporter: for nearly two weeks now trapped residents near lake arrowhead just two hours outside of los angeles have been pleading for help. today middle school teacher steve gaskell is a literal lifeline. his jeep loaded with meals and insulin for marisa kupsak's uncle who's stranded at home >> thank you >> it's overwhelming because my husband can't even come home he's stuck at the bottom of the hill >> reporter: as the desperate ration food and medicine, mounds of snow are trapping the most vulnerable, who can't dig or plow their way out. >> it's -- it's tough. it really is sorry. >> reporter: the national guard and

firefighters have been called in to help. but it's volunteers, some walking miles through waist-deep snow, making the difference >> i think the first responders are overwhelmed with the sheer volume of calls that they're getting >> reporter: with major roads being plowed, hand crews are slowly starting to reach senior citizens like sidney white. >> i can't see myself getting out of here without them >> reporter: but with more than nine feet of snowfall the weight of these storms was far too great for the only grocery store in the community of crestline. the parking lot now a free food distribution site for residents like the moncriefs, who were lucky to get past road blocks >> people want to go to their homes let them home. >> reporter: tonight the sense of desperation spelled out across this community as help finally arrives for some but not all >> so miguel, what is the situation right now with power and water? >> reporter: well, lester, people without power and water are

slowly getting it back i want to show you a live picture from our drone overhead it shows another major problem they're dealing with all across this area that heavy snowfall is collapsing roofs lester, the people in this area, they need help and they need it fast lester >> all right, miguel, thanks let's bring in dylan dreyer who's tracking all this dylan, when will the west coast get some relief >> well, where miguel is we're going to get some relief but the next storm is already making its way across central and northern california where over the next several days we're going to see rounds of snow so all the way through wednesday at least we will see several inches of snow and in the higher elevations of the sierra nevada mountain range we'll see about one to three feet of snow then we'll get a bit of a break before the next big storm system makes its way on shore for friday into saturday we also have a weak little system moving across lake erie right now. this is going to produce just enough snow to make things tricky for tuesday morning. heaviest amounts will be across north central pennsylvania but even in new york city just north of philly we could end up with enough on the roads to make things slippery for tomorrow morning. >> okay. dylan, thanks very much alarming scenes

outside atlanta where police say they faced a coordinated attack by rioters at the site of a planned police training facility. tonight more than 20 people are charged with domestic terrorism. blayne alexander has late details >> reporter: in atlanta a chaotic clash. atlanta police released this video that they say shows rioters throwing fireworks at officers and setting construction vehicles and a trailer on fire. in the end 23 charged with domestic terrorism. >> when you throw molotov cocktails, large rocks, a number of items at officers your only intent is to harm >> reporter: police call it a coordinated attack by violent agitators. of the 23 arrested only two are from georgia. while protesters say it all started at a family-friendly music festival and that officials used excessive force to arrest some who were not involved all of it centered around a planned public safety training center that opponents have dubbed cop city the planned site is right here 85 acres just outside

of atlanta a training facility for both atlanta police and fire. now, officers have been stationed nearby but they say they're going to increase their presence in the coming days. officials tout it as a way to improve community policing >> this is where your community and neighborhood watch programs will learn how to keep your neighborhood safe. >> reporter: but critics say it will do just the opposite. >> 90 acres of the forest are going to be destroyed right away to build cop city. so we see this as a further militarization of the police. >> reporter: this is the latest flashpoint in a fight that has stretched well over a year in january a protester was killed a georgia state patrol trooper injured. tonight protesters say that this is just the start of a week of demonstrations blayne alexander, nbc news, atlanta. we turn now to ohio and another derailment by a norfolk southern train. this one just a month after that toxic explosion in east palestine. all as there is growing outrage over the response by the rail company and the federal government jesse kirsch reports

>> reporter: tonight the ntsb is investigating another norfolk southern crash in ohio, the company's fourth derailment in this state in less than five months this springfield train wreck caught on camera the company says 28 cars went off the track this weekend with two crew members on board no injuries or public health threats were reported >> 212 rail cars, some of which were tank cars transporting hazardous materials. >> reporter: norfolk southern says the cars with hazardous materials were not among those that derailed today the company promising more investment in sensors that detect overheated wheel bearings >> even one derailment is too many. and yet the average in recent years has been several every single day. >> reporter: transportation secretary pete buttigieg says railroad standards need to change >> but it's really the entire industry that has been pushing hard to water down or delay safety regulations >> is it now time to try figuring out a way to possibly pause

norfolk southern's operations until these investigations are completed? >> well, the reality is that our economy depends on a strong freight rail network operating 24/7 we shouldn't have to shut down the rail system in this country in order to make sure that it is safe. >> reporter: still, some residents here don't fully trust what they're hearing from officials after last month's toxic derailment in east palestine more than 200 miles away >> i don't know if it's frustrating, but it's just kind of scary that i'm sure there's safety protocols in place and they're not being followed >> reporter: bipartisan calls for rail safety reform growing. meanwhile, norfolk southern's trains here once again on the move lester >> jesse kirsch, thank you. in 60 seconds, jurors in the alex murdaugh murder trial speak out about their guilty verdict, revealing their reactions after murdaugh took the stand.

a lawyer for alex murdaugh tells nbc news he is now off

suicide watch but remains in isolation in a south carolina prison and now we're hearing from some of the jurors who convicted him of murdering his wife and son here's catie beck. >> reporter: after six weeks of testimony and tears -- >> seeing my boys lay face down -- >> reporter: jurors in the alex murdaugh trial breaking their silence about the decision to seal his fate >> we already know that he's a lawyer, he's able to be emotional with cases, he's able to be emotional with himself. so i think we were kind of able to read right through that >> reporter: murdaugh found guilty and sentenced to life for killing his wife maggie and son paul. now a convicted murderer behind bars alex murdaugh will remain at the kirkland correctional center for at least 30 days to be processed and evaluated. murdaugh was on suicide watch for the first 72 hours and is now in protective custody, locked in isolation for 23 hours a day. jurors say murdaugh's fate was close to

decided from the first minutes inside the jury room. >> everyone had questions, but we were able to explain everything >> reporter: jurors say murdaugh's decision to take the stand in his own defense hurt his case more than it helped. >> i think that he believes that he's so convincing that he felt like that was his, you know, last resort >> reporter: but for several the cell phone video from the dog kennels tipped the scales to guilty some jurors accept they may never understand murdaugh's motive but have no doubt the punishment fits the crime >> he wanted to have control of everything. so i'm thinking it was more like greed, him being in control >> reporter: catie beck, nbc news, columbia, south carolina and next, as we continue tonight, our exclusive reporting on a new legal challenge to the near total abortion ban in texas.

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back with our nbc news exclusive a new lawsuit being filed in texas challenging the state's near total ban on abortion and seeking clarity on when doctors are allowed to intervene in dangerous pregnancies without a fear of prosecution. here's yamiche alcindor >> reporter: when amanda and josh zurawski found out they were expecting a baby girl they were overjoyed. the name they picked for her, willow. >> i mean, it was magical. the first 17 weeks were very easy, very smooth sailing >> reporter: but just before week 18 something felt wrong amanda's body was preparing for labor

too early. the news from her doctor was devastating. >> she said pretty quickly, you know, all in one breath, you're going to lose the baby, she's not going to survive i thought what they would do is go in and intervene immediately, but she told me that they couldn't because the baby's heart was still beating and i wasn't sick. >> reporter: laws in texas ban doctors from performing abortions except when a medical emergency endangers a person's life or major bodily function. those who violate the law could face up to life in prison take me into what it was like to wait >> i just existed in sorrow and fear. i was really, really scared >> this just isn't something that you do with any other kind of medical issue, is you have to ask am i sick enough to get treatment. it was just -- it was infuriating. >> reporter: three days after the diagnosis amanda's health deteriorated. doctors performed an abortion, but serious infections led to

sepsis and amanda spent three days in the icu. >> because of the law i very nearly died nothing about this is pro life >> reporter: now amanda is part of a group of seven plaintiffs represented by the center for reproductive rights who plan to file a lawsuit against the state of texas tonight. >> until there is a legal fight, nothing's going to change. and something has to change >> reporter: but john seago, president of texas right to life, who helped craft the texas heartbeat act, says the law is clear as written and that doctors like amanda's are misinterpreting it >> if they are saying they have to delay and wait the days like you're talking about, that is medical malpractice. but if it is uncertain that this child may survive or may not, texas is saying we don't jump to conclusions. >> doctors are saying the law is not clear and as a result i'm going to act on the side of being cautious and that means that i might have to wait for a woman to get sicker and sicker before i

can perform an abortion that i know she needs. >> that's the wrong conclusion >> reporter: nancy northup is the president of the center for reproductive rights. >> the issue here is not that the doctors are being too cautious the reality is without clarification of this texas law, without a change in the circumstances that are happening today it is going to come that women are going to die. >> reporter: seago disagrees. >> the law is not putting lives in danger the law is black and white about what a doctor can do and what he cannot do >> does it ever give you pause that there are situations that have happened after this law where women's lives have been put at risk >> yes our mission is to save lives. so the fact that some women's lives have been jeopardized is something that we take very seriously >> little outfit >> reporter: amanda and josh are still grieving their loss. >> i know. >> damn onesie gets me every time >> reporter: they hope something changes. >> i want nothing more than to have kids.

but i'm terrified to be pregnant again. >> reporter: yamiche alcindor, nbc news, austin, texas. we'll take a short break. up next, remembering one of rock's legendary guitarists

finally, he was the last surviving founding member of a classic southern rock band harry smith now on the legendary guitarist gary rossington. ♪ sweet home alabama ♪ >> reporter: gary rossington was one of

the original members of lynyrd skynyrd. he co-wrote "sweet home alabama." ♪ the jacksonville, florida-based band exemplified the blues-fused sound of southern rock. ♪ what's your name ♪ ♪ little girl ♪ ♪ what's your name ♪ >> reporter: "what's your name" was one of their biggest hits ♪ for many skynyrd was the sound of the '70s. but at the peak of their popularity the band's chartered plane crashed, killing bandmates ronnie van zant and steve gaines. ♪ rossington was terribly hurt but recovered and kept playing. rare was the performance where an audience member didn't raise a bic lighter and shout "freebird,"

rossington's signature solo ♪ today the band posted "gary is now with his skynyrd brothers and family in heaven, playing it pretty like he always does." gary rossington was 71 harry smith, nbc news. >> and that's "nightly news" for this monday. thank you for watching, everyone i'm lester holt. please take care of yourself and each other. good night ♪♪ well i tried to tell you so ♪ ♪ but i guess you didn't know ♪ ♪ as the saddest story goes ♪

♪ baby now i got the flow ♪ ♪ 'cause i knew it from the start ♪ ♪ baby when you broke my heart ♪ ♪ that i had to come again ♪ ♪ and show you that i'd win ♪ ♪ you lied to me ♪ ♪ all those times i said that i loved you ♪ ♪ you lied to me ♪ ♪ yes i cried yes i cried ♪ ♪ return of the mack there it is ♪ ♪ return of the mack come on ♪ ♪ oh my god ♪ ♪ you know that i'll be back ♪ ♪ so i'm back up in the game ♪ ♪ running things to keep my swing ♪ ♪ letting all the people know ♪ ♪ that i'm back to run the show ♪ ♪ 'cause what you did you know was wrong ♪ ♪ and all the nasty things you've done ♪ ♪ so baby listen carefully ♪ ♪ while i sing my comeback song ♪ ♪ you lied to me ♪ ♪ cause she said she'd never turn on me ♪ ♪ you lied to me ♪

♪ but you did but you did ♪ ♪ you lied to me ♪ ♪ all this pain you said i'd never feel ♪ ♪ you lied to me ♪ ♪ but i do but i do do do ♪ ♪ return of the mack it is ♪ ♪ return of the mack come on ♪ ♪ oh my god ♪ ♪ you know that i'll be back ♪ ♪ return of the mack once again ♪ ♪ return of the mack top of the world ♪ ♪ you know that i'll be back ♪♪ [cheers and applause] >> kelly: all right, everybody, welcome to "the kelly clarkson show"! and give it up for my band y'all! [cheers and applause] that was "return of the maca" by r&b singers mark morrison, music lovers and critics alike were

all over the song when it dropped in 1996. it's an incredibly fun song. everybody knows that, it's an allstate, to celebrate cross tracks of every celebration, which is a part of our celebration of black history month. we love this month. let's move on to our first guest, she remains the best selling female artist and country music history, that is incredible, her new album is called queen of me drops tomorrow and the tour is the same name kicking off april 28th, 4 days after the greatest day on earth which is my birthday, the latest single off the album is "giddyup" and is out now, and if all of that was not enough, you can see a documentary of her life on netflix called "not just a girl" give it up for shania twain! [cheers and applause] ♪ ♪ [cheers and applause] musical

♪ ♪ give it out, give it up! >> shania: thank you! >> kelly: thank you so much! i love that. i love that. well, we saw each other, was it people's choice awards? my daughter, i know she still talks about it, and it was so cool, honestly, to be there seeing alongside your songs, i love your music so much, obviously a big influence for me and a lot of female and male artists, but my daughter, different generations and she was singing along and dancing it was the coolest moment. >> shania: it was a really great moment, it was a friendship connection moment we were having, eating your potato chips. >> kelly: she was talking to me about ice cream. >> shania: ice cream episode, cheering for her mom, it was so lovely. >> shania: i said if she behaved i would take her to ice cream. i was like don't act crazy when we go. but you are so nice to her.

anyway, it was a really cool thing. >> shania: adore kids. >> kelly: it was just like talking to her like a normal human, like what's your favorite flavor, just hanging at the people's choice awards amaya daughter was like is this normal? i was like, no, she is really kind and cool. do you like events like that? i know that you perform at them, you kill at that. >> shania: the people's choice element of it is really great, it's always a special one when people are involved with making the decisions on who they love and who maybe they don't love. but yes, it was nice in that way, and i thought, you know to give a little ryan reynolds, who do you think you are, which i thought was fun. i thought the whole thing was really great, and i did not know that you were going to sit right beside me. it was a great surprise. >> kelly: i did not know either, and carrie was at the tables also. >> shania: she left before i got there. >> kelly: we all keep coming

in and out, because we have to present or perform, and i was like oh, they put us all in one little area, that's amazing. you are going out on tour, so what's different? you've toured forever, what's different customer glass, i saw you was in vegas. >> shania: oh, thank you, very much, yes, going out on tour and i will be -- it will be a las vegas show, so a whole other thing entirely different, i am going to be adding in a lot of new songs which is new music impressions of everything, of course i will do the classics too, and just a lot of fun out there, starting march, no, april. >> kelly: you have a ton of quick changes. people try to get me to do this thing, it's exhausting. >> shania: i am running back sarah -- >> kelly: have you ever missed a quick change, or just come out a bit like, well, it was not all

put together? >> shania: i did not quite make it. that would be such a fun game to do. us beyond that should be a game on the show, challenging next game on the show. >> shania: won the audience to try out, quick change down, see how quickly you can get out and into another set of clothes. >> kelly: i hosted the billboard, that's the only time i have done quick change, less than 3 minutes or 2 minutes, and it's super quick and it's like i don't -- >> shania: something breaks. >> kelly: you are just get it! >> shania: there is lots of swearing, 100%. >> kelly: we are very classy, that never happens! you have never come out on stage and just completely, because one time in my quick change they forgot to do something, they zipped me come about and i jumped around a lot on that tour, so my dress almost came completely off, and