ABC News - ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - December 23, 2024
The broadcast begins with Luigi Mangione's court appearance, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as an act of terrorism. His lawyer questions the fairness of the trial due to public statements and media coverage. Former President Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but is reportedly in good spirits and expected to be home by Christmas. Severe weather alerts are issued for the Northeast and West Coast, with potential travel disruptions due to snow and rain. A drone show in Orlando malfunctions, injuring a 7-year-old boy, prompting an FAA investigation. The report also covers a ski lift accident in Nevada, a House Ethics Committee report on Matt Gaetz, and a community's heartwarming response to fulfill a man's Christmas wish.
Key Points:
- Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to charges including terrorism-related murder; concerns raised about trial fairness.
- Bill Clinton hospitalized with a fever; expected to recover and be home by Christmas.
- Severe weather alerts for Northeast and West Coast; potential travel disruptions due to snow and rain.
- Drone show accident in Orlando injures a child; FAA investigating the malfunction.
- Community in Pennsylvania fulfills a man's Christmas wish by sending cookies, demonstrating collective kindness.
Details:
1. 🔪 Courtroom Drama: Accused Killer Faces Charges
1.1. Courtroom Drama: Luigi Mangione's Trial
1.2. Health and Safety Incidents
1.3. Political and Ethical News
1.4. Weather and Environmental Events
1.5. Miscellaneous News
2. 🏥 Breaking News: Bill Clinton Hospitalized
- Luigi Mangione appeared in court shackled and under heavy guard, pleading not guilty to 11 charges, including murder as an act of terrorism.
- His lawyer expressed concerns about the fairness of the trial due to public statements and the high-profile nature of his arrest.
- Mangione faces both state and federal charges; a state conviction could result in life imprisonment without parole, while a federal conviction could lead to a death sentence.
- The defense criticized the public display of Mangione's arrest, describing it as unnecessary and questioning the possibility of a fair trial.
3. 🌊 Pier Collapse: Dramatic Rescues in Santa Cruz
- A portion of the pier in Santa Cruz, California, collapsed, resulting in a dramatic rescue operation.
- People were rescued after falling into choppy waters when a section of the pier floated away.
- The rescue operation involved multiple emergency services, including the Coast Guard and local fire departments, who used boats and helicopters to safely retrieve individuals from the water.
- Prior to the collapse, the pier had been under scrutiny for structural weaknesses, which were exacerbated by recent storms, highlighting the need for urgent repairs.
4. ❄️ Winter Storm Alert: Northeast Braces for Impact
- Multiple people were rescued from the Pacific Ocean after a powerful surf caused part of the Santa Cruz Pier to collapse, demonstrating the immediate dangers posed by the storm.
- 100 feet of the wharf collapsed, leaving multiple victims in the water, which required a rapid response from rescuers using a jet ski to ensure safety.
- The wharf had been previously damaged by storms in February, indicating a recurring vulnerability to severe weather conditions.
- High surf warnings are in effect for the entire West Coast, from Mexico to Canada, highlighting the widespread nature of the threat.
- The National Weather Service has issued alerts for potential waves up to 60 feet in the Santa Cruz area, underscoring the severity of the storm and the need for preparedness across affected regions.
5. ⛷️ Ski Resort Chaos: Lift Malfunctions in Nevada and Colorado
- Frigid temperatures are causing significant weather disruptions, including a frozen fountain in New York City's Bryant Park.
- Overnight snow is expected to stick due to cold temperatures, with several inches forecasted in upstate New York and northern New England.
- Winter weather alerts are issued for Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C. due to potential ice glaze, urging caution for travelers.
- The West Coast is experiencing heavy rainfall, with up to half a foot of rain expected from Redding to Yurika and Medford.
- The Central Sierra is forecasted to receive over a foot of snow as the storm moves eastward.
- The Rockies are expected to have 1 to 3 inches of snow on Christmas Day, contributing to a white Christmas in the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes, and interior Northeast.
- New York City might experience its first white Christmas since 2009, with snow potentially reaching the coast in the Northeast.
6. 💼 Ethics Report: Matt Gaetz Under Scrutiny
6.1. Ski Lift Malfunctions at Heavenly Mountain Resort
6.2. Gondola Malfunction at Winter Park Resort
7. 🚁 Drone Disaster: Orlando Light Show Turns Tragic
7.1. Matt Gaetz Legal Allegations
7.2. Biden's Commutation of Death Sentences
8. 🎬 Hollywood Scandal: Blake Lively vs. Justin Baldoni
8.1. Incident and Injury Details
8.2. Investigation and Context
9. 🔍 Mystery Solved: Amazon Packages in the Woods
- Blake Lively accused director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment during 'It Ends With Us' filming.
- Allegations include Baldoni showing Lively nude videos, discussing sexual conquests, and criticizing her body and weight.
- Lively claims Baldoni improvised physical intimacy during a scene without her consent, insisting on repeated takes.
- An 80-page complaint was filed with the California Civil Rights Department detailing these allegations.
- Lively requested a meeting to establish safety protocols on set, which Baldoni agreed to, calling them 'reasonable and essential'.
- Despite agreements, Baldoni allegedly hired a crisis PR team to protect himself and tarnish Lively's reputation.
- Text messages suggest a plan to 'bury' Lively, though Baldoni's attorney denies the allegations, calling them false and outrageous.
- Baldoni's attorney plans to countersue Lively.
10. 👮♂️ Tragedy in North Carolina: Officer Killed in Line of Duty
- Greensboro Police Officer Michael Horan, a father of two, was killed while responding to a report of a man with a gun inside a grocery store.
- The suspect was apprehended after a high-speed chase approximately 150 miles away.
- The community has been deeply affected, with vigils held in honor of Officer Horan.
- An investigation is underway to understand the circumstances leading to the incident, with a focus on improving officer safety protocols.
11. 🌋 Volcanic Eruption: Kilauea's Fiery Display
- Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii erupted overnight, sending plumes of smoke and lava into the sky.
- Officials are closely monitoring the situation, particularly focusing on air quality.
- The eruption has prompted air quality warnings due to volcanic smog, affecting nearby communities.
- Emergency services are on high alert, with evacuation plans in place for residents in high-risk areas.
- This eruption is part of Kilauea's ongoing volcanic activity, which has historically impacted the region significantly.
12. 🍪 Sweet Surprise: Community Rallies for a Christmas Wish
- 80-year-old Jim, in hospice care in Alabama, expressed a craving for a Pittsburgh classic dessert, Kolache, which reminded him of home.
- Jim's daughter, Jill, posted a request on the Facebook group 'The Wedding Cookie Table Community' with over 300,000 members, asking for someone to bake Kolache for her father.
- Within hours, the community responded by sending not only Kolaches but also 98 boxes of Christmas cookies to Jim in Alabama.
- Jim and his family expressed gratitude and decided to pay it forward by donating cookies to hospice facilities, nursing homes, and homeless shelters in their area.