Monday, February 19, 2024 |
|
|
Monday, February 19, 2024 |
|
|
Good Monday afternoon. We’re tracking another powerful storm slamming the weather-weary West Coast, Alexei Navalny’s widow says Vladimir Putin is to blame for her husband’s death, and Minnesota investigators are searching for answers after three first responders were fatally shot. Here is what’s in our Nightly Rundown. |
|
|
Powerful storm slams California with heavy rain, possible floods |
Another storm fueled by an atmospheric river is pounding California today, and could cause dangerous flooding over ground already saturated after several days of rain this month. Flood watches are in effect for neary 35 million people across the state, and a flash flood warning has been issued for areas of coastal California, including parts of Los Angeles County, Santa Barbara County, and Ventura County. Evacuation warnings have been issued for parts of Santa Barbara County, and the airport there is closed today due to flooding. Parts of Los Angeles are also under an evacuation warning, in areas where authorities are concerned about more devastating mudslides. In Northern California overnight, firefighters rescued a man trapped in a tree after he became overwhelmed by floodwaters while camping, officials said. |
Navalny's widow blames Putin for his death, says Russia hiding body |
Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has directly blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for her husband’s death, and is vowing to continue his fight. “We know why Putin killed Alexei three days ago, we will tell you about it soon,” she said in a video posted online. “The most important thing we can do for Alexei and for ourselves is to continue to fight,” she added. “I will continue the life work of Alexei Navalny, and I call on you to stand with me.” Navalny’s widow also accused the Kremlin of hiding his body, to cover up his killing in an Arctic penal colony. The Kremlin has dismissed allegations that Putin was behind Navalny’s death, as well as Navalny’s near-fatal poisoning in 2020 with a military nerve agent. |
Biden says House GOP making a “big mistake” by not passing Ukraine aid |
President Joe Biden said today that House Republicans are “making a big mistake” by not passing more aid to Ukraine, in the wake of Alexei Navalny’s death and Russia’s biggest battlefield victory in months. The president was asked by reporters at the White House today whether he believes the House GOP had Navalny's “blood on their hands” for holding up Ukraine aid. “No, I wouldn't use that term,” Biden said. “They're making a big mistake not responding.” He added that it was “shocking” to see Republicans “walking away” from the threat of Russia. Last week, the Senate passed a $95 billion national security package that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan. House Speaker Mike Johnson has signaled he will not bring it to the floor because it doesn’t include a “single border policy change.” The White House has blamed “congressional inaction” for the fall of the key Ukrainian city of Avdiivka over the weekend. Former President Donald Trump broke his silence today about Navalny’s death, comparing it to his own legal problems, and without mentioning Putin. |
|
|
Minnesota police search for answers after three first responders fatally shot |
Investigators in Minnesota are searching for a motive after two police officers and a firefighter were fatally shot during a domestic violence call Sunday. Officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge and firefighter Adam Finseth, who also worked as a paramedic, were killed in the line of duty, the city of Burnsville said in a statement. Police were called to a home overnight Sunday for a report of an armed man barricaded inside with family members, the statement said. During negotiations, the man opened fire, killing Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth, and injuring another officer, according to the statement. The shooter was also found dead, and his family members were able to safely leave the home, the city said. |
|
|
What else we're watching: |
|
|
A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the fatal shooting of two people inside a Colorado university dormitory, police said. |
An early morning shooting at an Indianapolis Waffle House left at least one person dead and five others injured, police said. |
Israel has issued an ultimatum , saying it will launch a ground invasion of the southern Gaza city of Rafah unless Hamas releases its remaining hostages by the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts March 10. |
Police in Texas have a person of interest in custody in connection with the disappearance of an 11-year-old girl who never made it onto her school bus on Thursday. |
An American man has admitted to charges of murder and rape after he allegedly pushed two other U.S. tourists down a ravine, killing one of them, near a castle in Germany last year. |
High levels of this vitamin may raise your risk of heart disease, according to new research published today. |
|
|
Watch us this evening at 6:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. CT on NBC, or check your local NBC station listing. After the broadcast, access Nightly News video on NBCNightlyNews.com or the NBC News app. |
|
|
30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 |
|
|
|
