Tonight, tornadoes touching down in the south as a massive storm marches northeast, twisters ripping across Tennessee. This funnel cloud plowing toward Nashville, live on TV. This firehouse destroyed. Residents trapped in homes. The same storm, dumping snow in the Rockies, sending this van spinning where the storm is heading next. Also breaking, the President of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania resigning after criticism over how she's handled anti-Semitism on campus. Will other university presidents be forced out? Major reversal. The Texas Supreme Court blocks this woman from having an emergency abortion. Her lawyers say her baby won't survive birth, and the mother's health is at risk. What happens next as time is running out? The $700 million man. The biggest contract in American sports history just announced. Ready, set, return. Inside the billion dollar industry of returning those holiday gifts, the retailers that are now charging you to send some items back, and Coffee Clash, the top secret McDonald's spinoff has just opened. The line, four hours long. Can it topple Starbucks? This is BBC Nightly News with Jose Diaz-Ballard. Good evening. We are tracking a massive and dangerous storm system impacting more than 65 million people this weekend.

A string of tornadoes tore across parts of the South today. As we come on the air, Nashville is under a tornado watch, and the National Weather Service is reporting homes and businesses damaged in the surrounding areas. Take a look at this. On the left, the firehouse in Rutherford, Tennessee, just hours ago. On the right, what it looks like now, destroyed. Thousands are without power throughout the area, and we are hearing reports of multiple injuries. But the storm is far over. Take a look at this. The storm stretches from the Great Lakes all the way down to the Gulf Coast. And in the next 24 hours, it is heading right for the Northeast. We are following it all for you tonight, and we begin with Priscilla Thompson in Mississippi.

Can you see it.

Right there? Tonight, severe storms battering the south. This tornado on the ground near Nashville, leaving homes destroyed and people trapped. An observed tornado on the ground in Clarksville, Tennessee, TD. This massive funnel looming over these houses throughout this neighborhood, the air filled with debris. As tonight, rescue efforts are underway to free people trapped and destroyed homes.

There.

Are some.

People that are injured and sighted that.

Some houses have been hit.

Moments before another twister ripping through the town of Rutherford. Are you all scared?

Well, definitely everyone around me.

Was.

Freaking out.

Ethan Goode captured these images and was shocked by the devastation.

The fire station had been destroyed.

There.

Was metal everywhere.

This is all that's left of the fire station, emergency vehicles covered by debris. 65 million people in the path of this massive storm system, stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf Coast, marching east and creating havoc along the way. This dashcam video, capturing a scary moment on a Utah Highway Friday as a van slid in front of a state trooper.

It caught me by surprise. I missed it by a foot or two. It was pretty close. I thought I was going to.

Hit him. In Colorado, drivers struggled through whiteout conditions. This 21 vehicle pile up injured five state police say, shutting down Interstate 70 for hours.

Priscilla joins us now from Jackson, Mississippi. Priscilla, that part of the south is facing a risk of severe weather later tonight.

That's right, Jose. The city is at risk for damaging winds, hail, and a possible tornado with a watch in effect through midnight. Jose.

Priscilla, Thompson, and Jackson, Mississippi, thank you. That same storm system is set to create major problems in the Northeast in the next 24 hours. Muralist, Angie, Lastman joins me.

Angie. Jose, the flood alerts are already up for 54 million people stretching from Maine down to Washington, DC, as this system works a little farther to the east. As we get into your Sunday, all that moisture arrives for the Eastern third of the country, bringing the potential for some heavy rainfall, some snowfall, and on top of that, the winds. Those winds don't really ramp up until Sunday night and into Monday, but they stick around for the beginning of our work week, and they could be intense at times. Rainfall rates, impressive, and that could lead us to the potential for three to four inches of rain by the time this is all said and done. We've got snowfall in parts of upstate New York and Vermont, 10 to 15 inches. And those winds, 52-mile per hour gust possible in Montau, Jose. Nantucket could inch up to 58 miles per hour, so down trees and power lines are a possibility.

Angie, Lawson, thank you so very much. Our other big story tonight, the President of the University of Pennsylvania has just resigned. It comes following a contentious back and forth in Congress this week over her comments about anti-Semitism on campus. George Solis reports from Penn.

My comments and the basic.

Idea-after days of mounting pressure, President of the University of Pennsylvania is now out. The Ivy League school board of trustee chair writing in a letter that President Liz McGill, has voluntarily tended her resignation. During five hours of congressional testimony on Tuesday, it was just a momentary exchange that created a firestorm for the university head.

I am asking.

Specifically calling.

For the genocide of Jews.

Does that constitute bullying or harassment?

If it is directed and severe or pervasive, it is harassment. If the speech becomes conduct, it can be harassment. Yes. Conduct, meaning committing the act of genocide?

New York Congresswoman, Eilidh Stephanik, pressed the presidents of Penn, Harvard, and MIT in a hearing about anti-Semitism on university campuses, McGill's failure to flatly reject calls for genocide resulted in widespread backlash, including from the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania.

Leaders have a responsibility to.

Speak.

And act with more clarity. Liz McGill failed to meet that.

Simple test. Following the hearing, McGill attempted to clarify her remarks with this video.

I was.

Focused on our university's long-standing.

Policies aligned with the US Constitution.

Which say that speech alone is.

Not.

Punishable. I was not focused on what I should have been.

The.

Irrefutable fact that a call for genocide.

Of Jewish.

People is a call for some of the most.

Terrible violence human beings can perpetrate. It's evil, plain and simple.

But that video didn't quiet her critics. With some of the school's mega donors threatening to pull hundreds of millions of dollars. The trustee's letter to Penn's community today quoting McGill saying, It has been my privilege to serve as the President of this remarkable institution.

George Solis is on Penn's campus tonight. George, what comes next?

Yeah, Josee, according to that letter from the board chair, Liz McGill will remain here at Penn as a tenured faculty member, and in the coming days, plans will be announced for interim leadership here at Penn.

Jose. George Solis in Philadelphia. Thank you. That anger boiling over at colleges comes as the war in the Middle East reaches a new level of desperation. Today, we're learning new details about the death of a hostage during an alleged rescue attempt by Israeli forces. Halley Jackson is in Tel Aviv for us tonight.

Israeli strikes pounding Gaza tonight as we're learning more about an Israeli hostage killed their 25-year-old Sahar Barouk, seen here in this video, released by Hamas. They claim he died in an Israeli rescue attempt, but Israel late tonight blames Hamas for his death. The IDF also says it tried to free hostages in a raid in which two soldiers were badly hurt. It's only the second time the IDF has publicly acknowledged trying to rescue abducted Israelis. Private Uri Megadish freed during the first attempt in October. In Tel Aviv tonight, other now former hostages released in last week's truths describing how every day felt like hell in captivity. Barely fed, barely sleeping, constant fear. Shuki Benjamin's brother still is not home, kidnapped, as he learned just last week.

At least after 56 days, we know he has some information about him.

For Yorden Goonan, a devastating Hanika without her sister, Romi.

My family and I were not lighting candles this year because our light is in captivity.

Israel hunting Hamas, including in schools, they say, like this one in the north, and releasing this video of soldiers ripping open a stuffed teddy bear inside.

A rifle. Guys, all this is inside a school. All this is inside the school that we're seeing right now.

Bbc News has not verified that footage. In the south of Gaza, which used to be a safe zone, the injured flooding a hospital after airstrikes at another hospital, a child in the arms of a first responder and near the border at this camp, people lining up for bags of flour, desperate for food. The Biden administration saying another border crossing is expected to open soon to help inspect aid trucks. Even as the UN Secretary General warns, Georgia is on the brink of a humanitarian collapse.

Halley joins us now. Halley, we're seeing more fallout from that US decision to block a United Nations Security Council vote to call for an immediate ceasefire.

That's right, Jose. There's new praise tonight from the Israeli Prime Minister, but condemnation from others like Syria with Iran warning US support of Israel could explode the situation.

Jose? Halley Jackson in Tel Aviv. Thank you. Tonight, an urgent twist in the country's battle over abortion. The Texas Supreme Court has blocked a ruling that would have allowed a pregnant woman to get an emergency abortion, which she says she needs to protect her life. Liz Croyd says more.

Tonight, a major legal battle over abortion rights unfolding in Texas, with the state Supreme Court stepping in to temporarily block a pregnant woman from obtaining an emergency abortion she's seeking after learning her fetus is non-viable.

I am.

Extremely.

Disappointed, but not.

Really surprised. Molly Duane is the attorney representing 31-year-old Kate Cox, the pregnant mother of two suing the state, claiming she's being denied care because of Texas's six-week abortion ban. Cox, who is 20 weeks pregnant, recently told BBC News that Doctor said proceeding with her pregnancy could pose significant risk to her own health and her ability to have more children in the future.

I was shocked when I found out I would not be able to.

Get the.

Medical care that I need.

Here in my home state.

On Thursday, a Texas judge ruled that Cox could terminate her pregnancy, but overnight, the state Supreme Court temporarily halted that ruling in response to an appeal from State Attorney General Ken Paxton. This legal battle now becoming one of the most high-profile abortion cases yet since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade in last year's Dobbs case. What is the significance of this case in terms of the broader debate over abortion access?

What's significant here is that we're now trying to hammer out some of the nuances of the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs. What we're finding is that things are a lot more complicated than simply the right to abortion or not the right to abortion.

Issuing a temporary stay on the lower court's decision will now give the Texas Supreme Court more time to issue a final ruling. But Cox's attorney says meantime, Cox's health is in limbo.

For Kate, this is health care.

That every hour.

Every minute, certainly every day, really counts. Liz, given the urgency of this case, what comes next?

Well, Jose, a decision from the Texas Supreme Court could come at any time. But Cox's attorney says time is really of the essence that Cox has already been to the emergency room four times due to complications from this pregnancy.

Liz Croyt, thank you very much. Coming up, Mcmystery revealed the new McDonald's spinoff finally opened. Can it take on Starbucks? Also, MLB's new $700 million man, the team that landed the baseball star with an astonishing new deal. It is the McDonald's mystery that has left fast-food fans hungry for details. What is their secretive new spin-off chain? Today, we have our answer. Maggie Vespa reports from the restaurant opening outside Chicago as the Golden Arches prepares to enter the battle for your coffee cash.

Hi, welcome to Coughmix.

How.

May I help you today? Tonight, the Hot new contender in America's Coffee Wars finally unveiled after a Mcflurry of mystery. Hi, Jane. Complete with a supersized rager in its parking lot.

We cut it off coming this way.

America's first ever, Cosmics is bringing suburban Chicago traffic to a standstill. Today's drive-through line, stretching for more than a mile through this Bowlingbrook shopping center. Wait times, topping four hours. I have been.

Waiting.

The sign since 9:45 this.

Morning.

So it's.

Route 117 right now. I have my order.

On.

Post-it, so I'm ready to go.

You got your order written out. We wrote it at home. Fresh Friday's grand opening, Cosmics is the, for now, drive-through-only side venture of fast-food giant McDonald's.

Hi, how are people?

Cosmics here.

I popped in from.

Outer space. Though it's named for an '80s era McDonald's character, Cosmics may be a nod to the future. This is McDonald's taking aim at America's love for customizable drinks, what the company's CEO called a $100 billion industry dominated by coffee icons like Starbucks and Duncan.

So McDonald's wants a piece of this business because it's very profitable. It's profitable because customers will visit frequently during the course of.

The day. They will add.

Flavors that will cost them a little bit extra, and they're often very loyal.

Can I get an island? Pick me up punch, please? On our trip through the drive-through, menu choices seemed endless. How insane has this been?

Insane.

With nine more Cosmics slated to open nationwide next year, the question, Can this fast-food giant drive American coffee addicts to start saying, I'm loving it. That is really good. That is really good. Maggie Vestp, BBC News, Bowlingbrook, Illinois.

Still ahead, we take you inside the New Ways. Retailers are trying to make returns easier. What you need to know before you hit the stores. We're back with an astonishing Major League mega deal. Angels player, Shohay Ohtani, just made a $700 million deal to play for the L. A. Dodgers. It's the biggest sports contract in American history. It came after a wild bidding war for the free agent. Tanya is the rare two-way player who both pitches and hits. And it was a lucky night for lottery in California. Take a look at this gas station. It's a Chevron in Southern California. Listen to this. It sold two winning mega million jackpot tickets last night. Both winners will split the nearly $400 million jackpot. With more of us shopping online this holiday season, sending stuff back isn't always easy. In fact, it can be a real headache. But now some companies are working to make returns a whole lot easier, but others could cost you. Here's Jake Ward with what you need to know before you buy.

Inside this Southern California warehouses, they are preparing for their Super Bowl.

This December, we're looking at millions of returns.

They come in by the truckload: boxes and boxes of clothes that didn't fit, and toys that weren't wanted. And they say business is booming. Last year, Americans returned nearly a trillion dollars worth of stuff. But the process...

It's just a hassle.

It can be a little bit annoying to leave my house.

And stand on long lines. The process of returning something is terrible.

Returns are really the worst part.

Of shopping online. David Soby is the CEO of Happy Returns, one of several companies springing up trying to make returns easier. Over 800 companies, including Land's End and Everlane, work with them. They have 10,000 drop-off locations around the country, and they don't require boxes or labels.

We joke in our office that tape is a four-letter word.

Just bring your product in the QR code and leave it. Happy Returns is not alone. Amazon allows you to drop off an item with no box at various stores. Returnmates will pick up right from your door for a fee. Target lets you return without getting out of your car, but someone's got to pay for it, and sometimes it's you.

Retailers are.

Burying this.

Burden.

Of the free returns, and so now they're trying to.

Balance their books.

Recently, big-name retailers like Amazon and H&M have started charging for some returns. So it's up to you to learn the system. First, check the return policy. How long do you have and are there any hidden feeds? Some charge you to send it back, while others offer free return shipping, but there may be a restocking fee. Getting to the Happy Returns warehouse is half the journey.

We've sorted them by merchant, and now we've taken all of Land's End returns, and we prepare those items to be sent back to Land's End in bulk on trucks that.

Leave here. This really is like a fulfillment center in reverse. That's right. And they're ready for when the season of giving turns into the season of giving it back. Jake Ward, NBC News, Santa Barita, California.

When we come back, there's good news tonight. The firefighters stepping up with hugs and haircuts to help one of their own. There's good news tonight. So often, the good news doesn't get as much attention as the bad. So every Saturday, we highlight the many people who spread joy and love. These are just some of those stories this week. In California, that's Jessenya Nunez, surrounded by family, waiting to get the results of her bar exam. I'm dead. At last, the results they all prayed for. She's a first-generation Salvadoran American who always dreamed of being a lawyer. My parents.

Are.

Immigrants from El Salvador. They're farm workers. I think this moment was like a big moment for our entire family. It feels.

Like the American dream.

In Connecticut, there was this sweet connection caught on camera between UPS driver Frank Sims and two-year-old Owen May, who lives on Frank's delivery route. You're welcome. I love you. I love you too. Mom Lillian watched from the driveway as her toddler gave Frank a hug. Thank you. Hi, buddy. Hi. How are you doing? How have you been? The pair are reuniting again during the busy holiday season. Look what I got for you. Bring joy and love in this world nowadays. It's like it'swith the children should know. And look at this little fighter from Pennsylvania. That's Ellie Cordez. The first grader, now cancer-free, is getting her chance to shine.

Then come.

On right.

Over here. She was the guest of honor who lit up Pittsburgh's downtown Christmas tree. Two, one. You lit the tree, Ellie. Awesome. And in Virginia, a moving show of support for the St. Louis, Christiansburg firefighter, Jeremy Compton. The dad of three, undergoing cancer treatment, was getting his head shaved at the station house when suddenly his fellow firefighters, one after another, after another, cut their hair, too. Did you know all the brothers were going to get their hair? No, I did not. I was blown away. Fellow firefighter Mike Hutcherson says they're all in this fight together. It was a no brainer. When Jeremy started to lose his hair, I was going to be there. Jeremy, this guy by your side is not just brother, but he's become family. I'm blessed with the support that I have. Thank you is not enough. I tell him all the time. The only thing I can tell you is thank you. That's ABC Nightly News for this Saturday, Kate Snow will be here tomorrow night. I'm Jose Diazbole reporting from New York. Thank you for the privilege of your time. Good night. One, two, three.

Thanks for watching. Stay updated about.

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