APPRECIATE IT. >>> THAT WRAPS UP THIS HOUR. COVERAGE PICKS UP RIGHT NOW. >>> TONIGHT A MAJOR STORM BRINGING RAIN, DANGEROUS WIND AND SNOW TO NEW ENGLAND AS IT LEAVES THE DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE PATH ALONG THE EAST COAST. ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS SUBMERGED WITH THE SYSTEM UNLEASHING HEAVY RAINFALL AND COASTAL FLOODING FROM FLORIDA UP TO MASSACHUSETTS. WINDS TOPPING 60 MILES PER HOUR IN SOME PLACES. DOWNING TREES AND POWER LINES. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS LEFT WITHOUT POWER AS TEMPERATURES BEGIN TO PLUMMET. SNOWY CONDITIONS ALSO LEADING TO A MAJOR PILEUP ON THE HIGHWAY IN MICHIGAN. THE WEATHER CAUSING DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS AT AIRPORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. WILL IT CONTINUE TO IMPACT HOLIDAY TRAVEL? WE HAVE THE TRACK. >>> PLUS GROWING OUTRAGE IN ISRAEL AFTER THE IDF KILLED THREE ISRAELI HOSTAGES IN GAZA DESPITE THEM HANGING A BANNER THAT READ SOS AND HAD HEBREW WRITING. THE FATHER OF ONE OF THE MEN TELLING NBC HALLIE JACKSON HE FEELS LIKE NETANYAHU'S GOVERNMENT MURDERED MY SON TWICE. THE HEAD OF THE CIA NOW REPORTEDLY IN ISRAEL AS TALKS RESUME FOR ANOTHER CEASE-FIRE AND THE RELEASE OF MORE HOSTAGES. >>> TRUMP'S SPEECH BACKLASH. AT RALLY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SAYING UNDOCUMENTED MIGRANTS ARE POISONING THE BLOOD OF OUR COUNTRY APHRASE USED BY HITLER IN THE MANIFESTO. TRUMP QUOTING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN AND CALLING NORTH KOREAN LEADER KIM JONG UN VERY NICE. THE SWIFT RESPONSE FROM THE BIDEN CAMPAIGN. >>> SLAUGHTERHOUSE CHILDREN. TAKING YOU INSIDE SLAUGHTERHOUSES IN THIS COUNTRY WHERE CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 14 ARE WORKING ILLEGALLY. SCRUBBING THE FACILITIES IN THE OVERNIGHT HOURS. THE CONDITIONS SO BAD THEY HAVE EVEN TURNED DEADLY. PLUS NEW VIDEO SHOWING THE MOMENT A FREIGHT TRAIN SLAMMED INTO A SEMI-TRUCK IN TEXAS. HOW THE TRUCK BECAME STUCK ON THE TRACKS. >>> AND TALK ABOUT GRANDMA BRAGGING RIGHTS, A WOMAN NOT A DOCTOR DELIVERING HER OWN GRAND DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT OF A CAR. THE MOM SHE REALIZED SHE HAD TO JUMP INTO ACTION. TOP STORIES START RIGHT NOW. >>> GOOD EVENING. I AM ELLISON BARBER IN FOR TOM LLAMAS. 14 MILLION PEOPLE ARE STILL UNDER FLOOD ALERTS AND MANY WITHOUT POWER AS THAT POWERFUL STORM MOVES ACROSS NEW ENGLAND. NEW VIDEO JUST COMING IN SHOWS RAGING WATER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE NEARBY AREA COMPLETELY FLOODED MULTIPLE BRIDGES AND ROADS CLOSED AT THIS HOUR. AND THE TOWN'S FIRE CHIEF THERE SAYING IT WAS WORSE THAN WHAT THEY SAW DURING TROPICAL STORM IRENE BACK IN 2011. ON NEW YORK'S LONG ISLAND COASTAL FLOODING REALLY HITTING THOSE LOW LYING AREAS AND MOVING INTO COMMUNITIES. ENORMOUS WAVES BATTERING THE COASTLINE. AND IN ANDOVER MASSACHUSETTS 20 MILES OUTSIDE BOSTON A MASSIVE TREE RIPPED OUT OF THE GROUND AND BLOCKING A ROAD. WIND GUSTS IN THE STATE TOPPING 60 MILES PER HOUR AT ONE POINT MORE THAN 200,000 CUSTOMERS LOST POWER THERE. BLUSTERY WIND CROSSING THE GREAT LAKES ALSO BRINGING SNOW TO PARTS OF WESTERN NEW YORK AND THE MIDWEST. THE DRONE FOOTAGE SHOWS A MULTIPLE CAR PILEUP ON A SNOWY INTERSTATE 94 IN KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN. NO WORD ON INJURIES. THE STORM CAUSED PROBLEMS ON ROADS BUT AT AIRPORTS AS PEOPLE TRIED TO GET A HEAD START. NEARLY 4,000 FLIGHT DELAYED TODAY. 550 CANCELED. TONIGHT WE ARE LEARNING THIS STORM HAS TURNED DEADLY. LET'S GET TO NBC EMILY. >> Reporter: WITH WHIPPING WINDS AND TORRENTIAL RAINS, A MONSTER STORM IS LEAVING BEHIND A MESS FOR MILLIONS TONIGHT AFTER BARRELING UP THE EAST COAST. WIND GUSTS TOPPING 60 MILES AN HOUR IN AT LEAST 7 STATES TODAY. DOWNING TREES ON TO HOMES AND CARS, AND WIPING OUT POWER TO NEARLY 800,000 AT ONE POINT. >> IT WAS RAINING TOO HARD AND THE WIND WAS BLOWING. AND EVERYTHING WAS SO CRAZY HERE. >> Reporter: PARTS OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY DECLARING EMERGENCIES AFTER FAST RISING FLOOD WATERS STRANDED DRIVERS. CAUGHT FAMILIES BY SURPRISE. FIRST RESPONDERS JUMPING INTO ACTION. >> YOU CAN'T MAKE OUT THE ROADWAY HERE IN BAY SHORE, NEW YORK WHERE FLOOD WATERS ARE CREEPING TOWARDS PEOPLE'S HOMES. >> I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD GET THIS BAD. >> Reporter: IN VERMONT, FIRE OFFICIAL EHAVING A WAITED A VILLAGE INUNDATED BY A COMBINATION OF RAIN AND SNOW MELT. >> WHAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING TODAY IS DANGEROUS AND THERE WILL BE DAMAGES. >> Reporter: THE SAME SYSTEM THAT SENT A CAR HYDROPLANING INTO ANOTHER AND KILLED TWO OTHERS AND NEARBY, A 35,000 POUND SEMI-TRUCK FLIPPED. >> THE CASE WHERE I SAW THAT I WOULD FLIP OVER. >> Reporter: IN THE GREAT LAKES EVENING SQUALLS LED TO THIS PILEUP. A DEADLY WINTER HIT HAMPERING THE START OF THE HOLIDAY WEEK. EM. >> EMILY JOINS US FROM NEW YORK. WE KNOW TRAVEL IS A BIG CONCERN FOR PEOPLE THIS WEEK. WHAT'S THE LATEST ON FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS AND POSSIBLE DELAYS? >> Reporter: YEAH, YOU BRING UP AN EXCELLENT POINT. SO MANY PEOPLE TRYING TO GET A HEAD START ON THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL WITH CHRISTMAS NOW A WEEK AWAY. AND WE SAW THE SEVERE STORMS TAKE A HEAVY IMPACT TO THE EARLY HOLIDAY TRAVEL. SOME 550 FLIGHTS WERE CANCELED TODAY. NEARLY 4,000 FLIGHTS WERE DELAYED. BOSTON AIRPORT TAKING THE BIGGEST HIT. >> YOU MENTIONED THE DANGEROUS WIND GUSTS, RIGHT. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER TONIGHT, AND I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE LEARNING NEW INFORMATION ABOUT SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO DIED IN THIS STORM. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US? >> Reporter: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. WIND GUSTS TOPPING 60 MILES AN HOUR AND AT LEAST 7 STATES. KNOCKING OUT POWER TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS AT THIS HOUR. NEARLY 800,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE WITHOUT POWER. KEEP IN MIND TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED TO PLUMMET OVERNIGHT. IN TERMS OF THE DEATHS WE ARE LEARNING NEW INFORMATION ONE OUT OF MASSACHUSETTS WHERE AN 89-YEAR-OLD MAN TRAGICALLY DIED. HE WAS INSIDE A TRAILER WHEN TREE, ACCORDING TO AUTHORITIES, FELL ON TOP OF IT AND IN MAINE, A 40-YEAR-OLD MAN DIED WHILE TRYING TO CLEAR DEBRIS OFF HIS ROOF. >> THANK YOU. >>> AND FOR MORE ON THE MILLIONS STILL UNDER WINTER WEATHER ALERTS NBC METEOROLOGIST BILL KARINS JOINS ME WITH THE FORECAST. WHERE ARE YOU WATCHING. >> MY FRIENDS IN MAINE ARE TAKING IT ON THE CHIN THIS AFTERNOON AND THIS EVENING. BY FAR THE WORST. ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE HOMES DON'T HAVE POWER RIGHT NOW. AND TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO DROP DRAMATICALLY IN THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS AND POWER CREWS WILL BE RUSHING TRYING TO DO IT BEST JOB THEY CAN. AND THE REASON MAINE WAS SO BAD IS THEY HAD THE HIGH WIND AND BANGOR HIT 68 MILE PER HOUR WINDS AND SNOW ON GROUND, AND TEMPERATURES TODAY WERE IN THE 50s AND POURED RAIN. EVERYONE ELSE HAD THE RAIN. SNOW MELT AND THE RAIN THAT'S WHY THE FRIENDS IN VERMONT AND NEW HAMPSHIRE HAD IT BAD. THE STORM IS ROCKETING OUT OF HERE BEHIND IT MORE TYPICAL, SNOW SHOWERS NEAR THE GREAT LAKES. EVERY WHERE YOU SEE MAROON IS A RIVER FLOOD WARNING. ALMOST EVERY MAJOR RIVER IN THE NORTHEAST. HIGHEST RIVERS ARE IN AREAS OF NEW JERSEY ALONG THE NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY BORDER AND A COUPLE NORTHERN PROVIDENCE AND NORTHERN PORTIONS OF NEW ENGLAND. NOT ALL THE DAMAGE IS COMPLETELY DONE YET. AT LEAST THE WIND ARE STARTING TO COME DOWN. NOW IN THE 20s, AND THE NANTUCKET IS 51 BUT EARLIER THEY WERE AT 70. COASTAL RESIDENTS SAYS IT ELT LIKE A STRONG TROPICAL STORM OR LOW END HURRICANE. EAST COAST, MIDDLE OF THE COUNTRY YOU ARE FINE. POTENTIALE TENSION SHIFTS TO THE WEST COAST WILL SEE THE STORM SYSTEM COMING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. BUT THAT'S GOING TO TAKE ITS SWEET TIME WITH A LITTLE BREAK HERE FOR US TO CATCH OUR BREATH. >> THANK YOU. >>> WE WANT TO TURN TO THE LATEST FROM THE MIDDLE EAST. NEW ROUND OF TALKS IS UNDERWAY WITH THE GOAL OF SECURING ANOTHER CEASE-FIRE AND RELEASE OF MORE HOSTAGES. NEGOTIATIONS COMING AS ANGER MOUNTS OVER THE DEATH OF THROW HOSTAGES KILLED BY IDF TROOPS. RICHARD ENGLE HAS DETAILS. >> Reporter: HAMAS RELEASED A VIDEO TONIGHT SHOWING THREE ELDERLY MALE HOSTAGES. MADE UNDER DURESS BUT PROOF THEY ARE ALIVE. IN THE PAST, HAMAS FREED HOSTAGES SHOWN IN SIMILAR VIDEOS. AN U.S. OFFICIAL TELLS NBC NEWS, CIA DIRECTOR BILL BURNS IS NOW IN TALKS WITH THE HEAD OF THE ISRAELI MASAD AND SENIOR QATARY OFFICIALS FOR A CEASE FIRE AND ISRAELI GOVERNMENT IS UNDER PRESSURE TO NEGOTIATE AS DETAILS EMERGE ABOUT THE THREE ISRAELI HOSTAGES WHO ARE MISTAKENLY KILLED BY ISRAELI TROOPS LAST WEEK. THE ISRAELI MILITARY SAYING HOSTAGE WERE SHOT AN THOUGH THEY SMEARED SOS WITH OLD FOOD AND HELP THREE HOSTAGES IN HEBREW ON WHITE BANNERS AND WERE CARRYING A WHITE FLAG. TODAY, IN ISRAEL, DEFENSE SECRETARY LLOYD AUSTIN SAID U.S. SUPPORT SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL'S RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES IS IRONCLAD BUT PROTECTING CIVILIANS IS A MORAL DUTY AND STRATEGIC IMPERATIVE. AND HE VOTED TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF NAVIGATION IN THE RED SEA AFTER AN ATTACK AGAINST COMMERCIAL SHIPS BY IRANIAN BACKED MILITANTS IN YEMEN. >> WE ARE TAKING ACTION TO BUILD AN INTERNATIONAL COALITION TO ADDRESS THE THREAT. >> Reporter: WE JOINED ISRAELI NAVAL PATROL TODAY OFF THE COAST OF GAZA. COMMANDERS WARNED US THAT HAMAS ALLIES ARE TRYING TO IMPOSE A NAVAL BLOCKADE ON ISRAEL AND RISK ESCALATING THE CONFLICT. >> THIS IS COMING FAST AND THIS IS DANGER FOR THE FREE ECONOMY, FOR THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY. >> Reporter: WHILE IN GAZA, MISERY IS EVERYWHERE. HUMAN RIGHTS WATCHERS ACCUSE ISRAEL OF USING STARVATION AS A WEAPON OF WAR AS AID TRUCKS ARRIVE, THEY ARE MOBBED OFTEN THE AID TRUCK CAN'T STOP. DROPPING BOXES AS THEY GO. OUT OF FEAR THEY WILL BE OVERRUN. BOTTLES OF FRESHWATER ARE FALLEN RESPOND DESPERATION. >> RICHARD ENGLE JOINS US FROM JERUSALEM. SO DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA POSSIBLY OF HOW FAR ALONG THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE FOR THE POTENTIAL RELEASE OF THE NEXT ROUND OF HOSTAGES? >> Reporter: WELL, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW HOW FAR ALONG THEY ARE. I WISH I KNEW. BUT, WE KNOW THESE ARE THE MOST SERIOUS TALKS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE SINCE THE LAST CEASE FIRE. THE CIA DIRECTOR THE HEAD OF THE MASAD VERY SENIOR OFFICIAL MEETING THESE ARE THE KIND OF DECISION MAKING DISCUSSIONS THAT WE HAD BEFORE WHEN THE CEASE-FIRE WAS IN PLACE. IT COULD BREAKDOWN. THERE'S A LOT OF THE DISCREPANCIES, TOO MANY TO GO THROUGH HERE BECAUSE THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT TACTICAL ITEMS, ABOUT HOW HOSTAGES COULD BE RELEASED, AND HOW MANY, WHICH HOSTAGES, WOMEN OLD MEN, ISRAELIS WANT ALL OF THE HOSTAGES RELEASED CLEARLY, HAMAS IS TALKING ABOUT A PERMANENT END TO HOSTILITIES. IT'S UNCLEAR IF THEY ARE WILLING TO RELEASE ALL OF THE HOSTAGES. THERE'S A REGIONAL DYNAMIC WHERE THEY ARE TRYING TO DE- ESCALATE TENSIONS IN THE RED SEA. SO THERE IS A ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF GROUND TO COVER. MANY PITFALLS BUT THEY ARE THE MOST SERIOUS TALKS SINCE THE LAST CEASE-FIRE WHICH DID WORK AND WAS ABLE TO RELEASE 105 HOSTAGES RELEASED. >> NBC NEWS CHIEF FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT RICHARD ENGINEEL, THANK YOU. >>> THE LOVED ONES OF THOSE THREE HOSTAGES KILLED BY ISRAELI TROOPS ARE NOW DEALING WITH ANGUISH AND OUT. NBC HALLIE JACKSON SPOKE WITH TWO OF THE FAMILIES AND HAS MORE FOR US TONIGHT. >> Reporter: AT THE SECOND DAY OF THE HUG AFTER HUG. >> HE WAS IN THE ARMY AND SPECIAL FORCES. HE IS A. >> Reporter: HE BELIEVES HIS SON PLOTTED AN ESCAPE FROM HAMAS TUNNELS ALONG WITH TWO OTHERS. >> IF YOU SEE THE SIGN, ALL IN HIS HANDWRITING. >> Reporter: THE SIGN SAYS SOS. >> YES. >> Reporter: THAT'S HIS WRITING. >> YES. THE ARMY DID NOT ACT AS AN ARMY. THEY ACT LIKE REBELS. THEY JUST SHOOT TO KILL. >> Reporter: IT'S NOT JUST GRIEF. >> I AM REALLY ANGRY. I ASKED THE GOVERNMENT STOP SHOOTING, AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED. >> Reporter: WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNMENT? >> YOU MURDERED MY SON TWICE AND LET HAMAS TAKE MY SON ON OCTOBER 7th, AND YOU KILLED MY SON ON THE DECEMBER 14th. THEY ARE NOT OUR LEADERS. THEY THINKING OF THEMSELVES. THEY ARE NOT THINKING ABOUT THE HOSTAGES. >> Reporter: HE WAS SHOT BY HIS MILITARY AT THE SAME TIME AS TWO OTHERS. AND AT THE FAMILY HOME HIS MOTHER WELCOMES VISITORS. INCLUDING AN ISRAELI POLITICIAN. WE CAN ONLY ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS HE SAYS. SHOW SAYS THEY ARE ALL THREE HEROES. THEY WENT OUT ESCAPED. THEY DID ALL THE WORK WAITING FOR YOU TO COME GET THEM. SHE TELLS HIM, I WILL NOT FORGIVE ANYONE. YOU DIDN'T ACCEPT HIS CONDOLENCES. WHY? BECAUSE THESE WORDS CAME LATE SHE SAID. LATER DESCRIBING HOW SHE KEEPS PLAYING IN HER HEAD HER SON'S FINAL MOMENT, THE CALL FOR HELP WHITE FLAG AND THIS IS WHAT I KEEP SEEING SHE TELLS US. I AM HURTING. FOR THESE FAMILIES, PAIN AND RAGE. AND FOR THIS COUNTRY, RECKONING. AND. >> HALLIE JACKSON JOINS US FROM TEL AVIV. IT IS HEART BREAKING TO HEAR HIS FATHER ESPECIALLY THE MOMENT WHEN YOU ASKED HIM WHAT HIS MESSAGE IS TO THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AND HE SAID YOU MURDERED MY SON TWICE. HE LET HAMAS TACK MY SON ON OCTOBER 7th AND THEN YOU MURDERED MY SON ON DECEMBER 14th. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL STAY, I THINK, WITH A LOT OF US FOR A LONG TIME. I KNOW IT'S SOMETHING ISRAELIS FEEL RIGHT NOW. WHEN YOU WERE TALKING TO FAMILIES AND PEOPLE WHO WERE CLOSE TO OTHER HOSTAGES, STILL INSIDE GAZA, WHAT DO THEY WANT TO SEE HAPPEN NEXT? >> Reporter: ONE THING. THEY WANT THE REST OF THE HOSTAGES OUT. TO TOP TO BOTTOM WHEN YOU GO TO THE ROAST TEST AND I WAS THERE THE HUGE ONE THIS WEEKEND ONE OF THE BIGGEST SINCE THE WAR BEGAN, PEOPLE MARCHING IN THE STREETS THEY WANT THOSE HOSTAGES RELEASED. THEY WANT SOME KIND OF NEGOTIATION TO GET ON THE TABLE. THEY WANT NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO GET TO A DEAL TO GET THOSE HOSTAGES HOME. AFTER THAT, LISTEN IT VARIES. I TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE A WHOLE SALE CHANGE IN GOVERNMENT. I TALKED TO OTHERS WON'T GO THAT FAR BUT THE BIGGEST THING IS TO GET PEOPLE HELD COSTAGE IN GAZA OUT AND THATS THEY SAY TIME IS RUNNING OUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE THREE ISRAELI HOSTAGES KILLED BY THEIR MILITARY SHOWS THERE'S AN URGENCY TO THIS ISSUE AND NETANYAHU GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO ACT THAT WAY. ALISON. >> HALLIE JACKSON, THANK YOU. >>> AS THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR PRESSES ON, FEARS OF THE GLOBAL IMPACT CONTINUE TO GROW. RICHARD ENGLE REPORTED IRAN BACKED GROUP ATTACKED COMMERCIAL SHIPS IN THE RED SEA CAUSING COMPANIES TO HALT SERVICES THROUGH EGYPT AND FORCING SHIPS TO TAKE THE LONGER ROUTE AROUND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE WHICH ADDS TIME AND COSTS THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN. FOR MORE ON THIS, I WANT TO BRING IN RYAN PETERSON WHO IS THE CEO OF THE SHIPPING COMPANY FLEX PORT. AND CURRENTLY HAS MANY CONTAINERS DIVERTED OR DELAYED. SO RYEAN, TALK TO US ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE RED SEA FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE. HOW MUCH IS IT IMPACTING YOUR BUSINESS RIGHT NOW AND WHEN YOU LOOK AHEAD, DO YOU FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE START OF JUST A NEVER ENDING IMPACT TO YOUR BUSINESS? >> OH I CAN'T SAY NEVER ENDING. IT'S DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. YOU KNOW, WHEN IT WILL WIND DOWN. WHAT'S HAPPENED IS REBEL GROUP IN YEMEN VERY WELL FUNDED REBEL GROUP FIRED MISSILES OVER 20 SHIPS IN COMMERCIAL SHIPS AS WELL AS U.S. NAVAL ASSETS IN THE RED SEA. AND THEY, A MISSILE HIT CONTAINER SHIP ON SATURDAY AND NEARLY MISSED TWO ON FRIDAY, AND SO, PRETTY MUCH ALL OF THE MAJOR OCEAN CARRIERS THAT DO CONTAINER SHIPPING HAVE NOW OPTED TO AVOID THE RED SEA AND SUEZ CANAL AND GOING LONG WAY AS YOU SHOWED THE VIEWERS. THAT ADDS TWO TO THREE WEEKS TO EACH JOURNEY CALL IT 25% LONGER SAILING. WHICH, YOU KNOW, THAT MEANS 25% REDUCTION IN CAPACITY OF THAT TRADE LANE. AND THAT'S A HUGE IMPACT. WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS WITH THE PANDEMIC A SMALL DECREASE IN SUPPLY OR SMALL INCREASE IN DEMAND CAN HAVE HUGE SWINGS IN THE PRICE. SO THE PRICE OF OCEAN FREIGHT AND AIR FREIGHT IS LIKELY TO SKY ROCKET FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND WE WILL SEE HOW LONG IT RESOLVED THE U.S. NAVY SENT TO CARRIER STRIKE GROUP TO THE REGION AND WILL PERHAPS DO THINGS MORE AGGRESSIVELY TO SHUT THIS DOWN. >> WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS AS A BUSINESS OWNER SHALL DOES IT MAKE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT YOUR BUSINESS WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE COMING WEEKS AND POSSIBLY MONTHS OR DO YOU FEEL OFF THE MISTIC SOMETHING WILL CHANGE AND PERHAPS REBELS WILL BACK OFF? >> WELL, YOU KNOW, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PRICE OF OCEAN FREIGHT IN THE EUROPE IS PROBABLY GOING TO GO UP THREE TIMES. WE WILL SEE HOW IT SHAKES OUT IN JANUARY. BUT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE A BIG PRICE INCREASE FROM ASIA TO EUROPE. AND A LOT OF FREIGHT ACTUALLY HIT U.S. EAST COAST THAT GOES THROUGH THE SEES AND IT'S A LONGER JOURNEY AROUND. THE PRICES ARE PROBABLY GOING UP THERE. ASIA TO U.S. YOU SEE PRICE INCREASE COMING DOWN THE LINE IN JANUARY OF MAYBE 2 TIMES. WE WILL SEE IT'S NOT FULLY CLEAR WHERE THE PRICES WILL LAND IN JANUARY. BUT YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE AN INCREASE. SO IF YOU ARE BUSINESS OWNER THAT'S NOT THE WORDS YOU WANT TO HEAR. >> EVEN IF THIS WERE IN BEST CASE SCENARIO TO BE SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AND MAYBE IT GETS RESOLVED SOMETHING CHANGES. CHANGES IN TERMS OF THE ISRAEL HAMAS WAR, BUT EITHER WAY, I MEAN A DISRUPTION LIKE THAT IS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE AFTER A DISRUPTION FOR CONSUMERS TO SEE THINGS QUOTE, UNQUOTE, RETURN TO NORMAL? ARE THERE LONG-TERM EFFECTS EVEN IF IT IS RESOLVED PEOPLE COULD BE SEEING AND FEELING IN THE PRICES AND HAVING ACCESS TO OTHER ITEMS THAT THEY NEED THAT MAYBE ARE NOT GETTING TO PLACES ON TIME LIKE WHAT WE SAW IN COVID. HOW LONG DOES SOMETHING LIKE THAT LAST? >> YEAH, IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS. BECAUSE TAKE FOR EXAMPLE THE CASE OF THE NAME OF THE SHIP THAT GOT HIT WITH THE MISSILE. FLEXPORT IS THE THIRD LARGEST FREIGHT BORDER IN THE UNITED STATES BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE CONTAINERS ON THE SHIP. BUT IT WAS MEANT TO GO TO BARCELONA AND PICK UP THREE CONTAINERS FOR ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND TAKE THEM TO MOROCCO. BUT OBVIOUSLY THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND NOW YOU HAVE TO FIND A DIFFERENT SHIP TO DO THAT. WELL, THE SHIP USED TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION BUT NOW IF YOU GOING AROUND THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE YOU HIT MOROCCO FIRST AND THEN BARCELONA SO IT'S OUT OF ORDER. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING ON THE GRAND SCALE OF MILLIONS OF CONTAINERS ALL THEM NEEDING A NEW JOURNEY AROUND THE WORLD AND NEW TRANSSHIPMENT HUB. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY AND IT WILL TAKE MONTHS TO WORK OUT LIKELY LEAD TO DELAYS AND VERY HIGH COSTS. >> ALL RIGHT. RYAN PETERSON CEO OF THE SHIPPING COMPANY FLEXPORT THANKS SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND INCITES. >>> TURNING TO THE RACE FOR 2024. FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP THE CLEAR FRONT-RUNNER FOR GOP NOMINATION SOARS IN THE POLLS BUT A NEW ROUND OF CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS HAS SPARKED OUTRAGE. THIS AS 2024 HOPEFUL NIKKI HALEY GAINS MOMENTUM IN NEW HAMPSHIRE. AND NBC NEWS CORRESPONDENT VAUGHN HILL YARD HAS THE STORY. >> Reporter: TONIGHT LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE THE IOWA CAUCUS, THE RACE FOR HE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION HEATING UP. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SPEAKING IN NEVADA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE OVER THE WEEKEND. THE REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER MAKING CONTROVERSIAL COMMENTS ABOUT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS. >> THEY ARE POISONING THE BLOOD OF OUR COUNTRY. THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. >> Reporter: CRITICS POINTING OUT THE TERM BLOOD POISONING WAS USED BY ADOLF HITLER AND TRUMP CALLING NORTH KOREAN DICTATOR KIM JONG UN VERY NICE AND QUOTING RUSSIAN PRESIDENT PUTIN, USING PUTIN'S WORDS TO DEFEND HIMSELF AGAINST THE CRIMINAL TRIALS AWAITING HIM. >> VLADIMIR PUTIN HAVE YOU HEARD OF VLADIMIR PUTIN? RUSSIA SAYS THAT BIDEN AND THIS IS A QUOTE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED PERSECUTION OF HIS POLITICAL RIVAL, IS VERY GOOD FOR RUSSIA BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE ROTTENNESS OF THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM. >> Reporter: BIDEN CAMPAIGN RESPONDING IN A STATEMENT ACCUSING TRUMP OF CHANNELING HIS ROLE MODEL AS PEAR DID HITLER AND PRAISED KIM JONG UN AND ONE REPUBLICAN RIVAL HAS REACTED TO THE REMARKS. FORMER NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE. >> HE IS DISGUSTING. AND WHAT HE IS DOING IS DOG WHISTLING. TO AMERICANS. >> Reporter: A NEW POLL OUT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE SHOWS TRUMP'S FORMER AMBASSADOR TO THE U.N. NIKKI HALEY SURGING IT HAS HER SOLIDLY IN SECOND AT 29%. 18 POINTS AHEAD OF FLORIDA GOVERNOR DESANTIS WHO SHE IS ATTACKING. >> I HAVE SEEN ALL OF THE COMMERCIALS THAT YOU ARE SEEING. AND IF YOU PUNCH ME I PUNCH BACK. RON DESANTIS HAS LIED IN EVERY ONE OF HIS COMMERCIALS. THEY HAVE BEEN FACT CHECKED ANYONE FROM CNN TO NEWS MAX HAS ALL SAID THAT THESE ARE WRONG. IF HE IS GOING TO LIE ABOUT ME, TRUTH ABOUT HIM? >> Reporter: DESANTIS ATTACKING HALEY'S ELECT ABILITY. >> A BASIC UNDESIRABLE TRUTH ABOUT WHERE WE ARE IN TERMS OF THE PARTY THAT THE ONLY PERSON RUNNING THAT CAN GET SIGNIFICANT SUPPORT FROM CORE REPUBLICANS AND CONSERVATIVE VOTERS IS ME. HALEY DOESN'T SHE CANNOT PIERCE INTO THAT. >> Reporter: NOW HALEY AND DESANTIS DUKE IT OUT FOR NUMBER TWO SPOT FOR THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS RETURNING IOWA TOMORROW FOR HIS FINAL CAMPAIGN EVENT FOR CHRISTMAS. THE CAMPAIGN THEN HAS PLANNED A TWO-WEEK BLADES AHEAD OF THE CAUCUS ON JANUARY 15th. JUST THIS AFTERNOON, THE CAMPAIGN IN A FUND RAISING EMAIL DECLARING THAT WITH BIG ENOUGH WIN ON JANUARY 15th TRUMP WOULD BE THE OUTRIGHT PRESUMMITISTSUMMIT SUMMITTIVE NOMINEE IMMEDIATELY. >> FOR MORE ON THE REMARKS AND STATE OF THE PREPUB CAN PRIMARY. A POLITICAL STRATEGIST AND FORMER CONGRESSIONAL AIDE TO TWO REPUBLICANS OF THE HOUSE. FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HE IS THE FRONT-RUNNER RIGHT NOW. NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE POLLS. IN THE REPORT HE LAID OUT COMMENTS TRUMP MADE ABOUT BLOOD POISONING AND HIS LANGUAGE ADOLF HITLER USED IN HIS BOOK THAT WOULD REALLY BE DISQUALIFYING FOR MOST CANDIDATES BUT DONALD COUPLE TRUMP IS NOT MOST POLITICAL CANDIDATES. HIS BASE IS SO DUG IN AND SO SUPPORTIVE OF HIM, IT ALMOST SEEMS LIKE ANY TIME SOMETHING CONTROVERSIAL COMES UP, HE DOES GET A PASS WITH HIS BASE. DO YOU THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE CASE THIS TIME? IS THERE ANY CHANCE THE ONGOING WAR IN ISRAEL AND REPUBLICAN PARTY STAUNCH SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL IN THAT CONTEXT MIGHT MEAN HE COULD SEE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR USING THAT PARTICULAR PHRASE? >> RIGHT NOW, WE SPEAK DONALD TRUMP CONTINUES TO GET PRAISE FROM THE FAR RIGHT WING OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAUSE FOR THEM, HE IS RESET THE RULES OF POLITICKING. AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GO BACK. ONCE YOU COME TO PLACE DONALD TRUMP HAS TAKEN POLITICS AND HE DIDN'T DO IT ALONE. BUT HE HAS MADE IT ALMOST NORMAL TO REACH FOR NOT REALLY ESSENTIALLY WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED THE UNDERVALUE OF AMERICAN THINKING BUT IT'S THE WORST OF WHAT'S OUT THERE GLOBALLY. IT'S ALMOST AS IF HE DOESN'T CARE TO BE A STUDENT OF HISTORY. AND FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME IN PARTICULAR, WHO ARE [INAUDIBLE] I AM SO BEYOND SHOCKED THAT THESE COMMENTS DON'T SEEM TO DRILL DOWN INTO OUR ELECTORATE TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DISENGAGED, WHO ARE APATHETIC ABOUT POLITICS AND DOESN'T WAKE THEM UP TO HEAR SOMEBODY TALK LIKE THIS BECAUSE WHAT THIS IS ESSENTIALLY IS SO RACIST AND IT IS SO OUTLANDISH THAT IT SHOULD DRIVE US TO BE FEARFUL OF WHERE OUR COUNTRY IS GOING, BUT ALSO, HOW VERY OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT. LOOKING AT THE TRUMP ORGANIZATION, HOW MANY IMMIGRANTS HAS IT EMPLOYED OVER THE YEARS. HE HAS ANOTHER SENSE REEF EXPECT FOR FELLOW MAN. EVERYBODY NOT JUST FELLOW REPUBLICANS. THAT HE DOESN'T DESERVE OF THE NOMINATION THIS TIME. YET HE CONTINUES TO GET THE SUPPORT OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAUSE HE IS SUPPOSEDLY SPEAKING ABOUT THEIR FEARS OF A CHANGING AMERICA. >> I WANT TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT NEW HAMPSHIRE POLL WE MENTIONED ONE MORE TIME IN THIS POLL, NIKKI HALEY SEEMS TO BE SLOWLY GAINING A FAIR AMOUNT OF GROUND IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE. SEE HER AT 29%. WHAT TO YOU MAKE OF THAT MOMENTUM? IS IT TEMPORARY OR UNIQUE TO NEW HAMPSHIRE OR COULD WE SEE A TURN FOR NIKKI HALEY? >> I SPENT SOMETIME IN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND VOTERS ARE MODERATE. AND THIS WAS OF COURSE PRIOR TO TRUMP'S RISE AND TRUMP GETTING THE NOMINATION BACK IN 2016. BUT I WILL SAY YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU LOOK AT GRANITE STATE NOWHERE IS MODEL EVERYONE HAS COMPLEXITIES. BUT AS YOU SEE TRUMP CONTINUING TO GIVE PRAISE TO THE DICTATORS, HE IS ALMOST LOOKING TO MANY REPUBLICANS AS IF HE WANTS TO BE ONE AND HE TOLD US THAT THIS PAST WEEK. SO NIKKI HALE CALLING HIM OUT OF FAILURES AND THE LINE HIM ADDING TO THE NATIONAL DEBT, SHE IS GOING BEYOND THAT. SHE SAID IT'S DANGEROUS TO HAVE SOMETHING WITH HIS VIEW. SHE HAS NOT BEEN VERY EXPLICIT BUT IF YOU READ BETWEEN THE LINES SHE IS GETTING MORE SO BY THE DAY. AND I THINK THAT'S A EW HAMPSHIRE IS PLACE WHERE THEY APPRECIATE THAT. SO I AM NOT SURPRISED AND I THINK THIS WILL SIGNALS A TREND. I THINK NIKKI HALEY IS NOT JUST COMING OFF AS THE ADULT IN THE ROOM. SHE WILL CONTINUE TO SHOW THAT SHE IS THE BEST POISED TO WIN A GENERAL ELECTION NO MATTER WHAT DEMOCRATS SHE IS UP AGAIN AGAINST. >> THANKS SO MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND INCITES AS ALWAYS. THANK YOU. >>> TELL'S HEAD, ACTOR JOHN ACT MAJORS CONVICT OF ASSAULTING HIS FORMER GIRLFRIEND. THE CREED 3 STAR IN COURT AS TWO GUILTY VERDICTS WERE READ. THE MOVE FROM MARVEL AND DISNEY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THAT CONVICTION. PLUS, HEAD OF THE FLORIDA REPUBLICAN PARTY STRIPPED OF HIS AUTHORITY AFTER HE WAS ACCUSED OF RAIN. WHY HIS WIFE THE COFOUNDER OF THE CONTROVERSIAL MOMS FOR LIBERTY GROUP IS NOW FACING CAUSE TO STEP DOWN. AND DOZENSF POPULAR QUAKER OATS PRODUCTS PULLED FROM THE SHELVES. WHAT CONSUMERS NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR. STAY WITH US. >>> BACK WITH TOP STORIES NEWS FEED. MARVEL STAR JONATHAN MAJORS CONVICT OF ASSAULTING UH-HUH RAZZ EGG AND ASSAULTING HIS EX GIRLFRIEND TWO OF THE FOUR CHARGES THEM STEM FROM A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARREST IN MARCH. HE IS BEST KNOWN FOR HIS WORK IN THE MARVEL FRANCHISE AND MOVIE CREED 3. MARVEL AND DISNEY DROPPED HIM FROM ANY UPCOMING PROJECTS. MAJORS WILL BE SENTENCED IN EARLY FEBRUARY. >>> A DRAMATIC TRAIN CRASH CAUGHT ON CAMERA IN TEXAS. SHOCKING VIDEO SHOWING A CARGO TRAIN SLAMMING INTO A SEMI TRAILER TRUCK AND DERAILING FROM THE TRACKS OUTSIDE OF FORT WORTH. OFFICIALS SAY THE TRUCK WAS STUCK TRYING TO CROSS THE TRACTION TRACKS. DIESEL FUEL AND OIL SPILLED BUT HAZMAT CREWS WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND SAY THERE'S NO DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. THE TRAIN'S CONDUCTOR SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES AND NO OTHER INJURIES. >>> A CONSUMER ALERT BAKER OATS RECALLING PRODUCTS. IT INCLUDES QUAKER CHEWY BARS AND GRANOLA OAT CEREAL. THE CHEWY BARS HAVE A BEST BEFORE DAY OF OCTOBER 2024. AND GRANOLA CEREALS ARE BEST BEFORE SEPTEMBER OF 2024. AND YOU CAN FIND THE FULL LIST ON OUR WEBSITE NBC NEWS.COM. >>> HEADING OVERSEAS TO THE VATICAN WHERE TODAY MARKS AN IMPORTANT SHIFT BY POPE FRANCIS IN RECOGNIZING SAME SEC COUPLES. AND NBC NEWS FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT MOLLY HUNTER ON THE ANNOUNCE MEN AND REACTION. >> Reporter: TONIGHT A RADICAL STEP IS OF INCLUSION POPE FRANCIS GIVING PERMISSION FOR CATHOLIC PRIESTS TO BLESS SAME SEX COUPLES A CHANGE OF PERCEPTION IS NOT DOCTRINE AND REFLECTIVE OF HIS PASTORAL VISION. >> HE DEALS IN BIG PICTURE BROAD BRUSH AND SENDS A BROAD MESSAGE. >> Reporter: THE NEW DECLARATION IS LANDMARK STEP SIGNALINGS THE WELCOMING OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY. BUT THE DOCUMENTS SIGNED BY POPE FRANCIS STRESSES THAT THE BLESSING OF SAME SEX COUPLES IS NOT THE SAME AS A MARRIAGE SACRAMENT IN THE EYES OF THE CHURCH. >> I AM SURE MANY PEOPLE WON'T BE SATISFIED AND THEY THINK IT'S ANYTHING SHORT OF MARRIAGE AND ANY SHORT OF EQUALITY IS OFFENSIVE AND ON THE OTHER HAND, SOME PEOPLE SEE THIS AS INCREMENTAL STEP. >> Reporter: U.S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS SAID IN STATEMENT EACH OF US NEEDS GOD'S HEALING LOVE AND MERCY IN OUR LIVES. >> IT'S AN OVERDUE DIZATION BUT GLAD IT IS MADE. >> THAT'S GREAT STEP FORWARD AND IT'S WONDERFUL NEWS TO BE HONEST. >> YOU KNOW, IT'S JESUS SAID LOVE WAS LOVE AND LOVE IS LOVE ISN'T IT. >> Reporter: THE DOOR NOW OPENED FOR THOSE NEVER FELT WELCOMED THANKS TO AN AGING POPE SPARKING CONTROVERSIAL DISCUSSION. >> IT WILL BE A STEP TOWARDS ALLOWING MARRIAGE. THAT'S NOT WHAT THE VATICAN IS MERGE BUT THAT'S HOW IT WILL BE PERCEIVED BY PEOPLE. >> Reporter: MOLLY HUNTER, NBC NEWS. >>> NOW TO TOP STORIES GLOBAL WATCH. AND WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS OUT OF MORNING CHINA. A 6.1 MAGNITUDE QUAKE STRIKING NEAR THE PROVINCE SO FAR MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE ARE CONFIRMED DEAD, BUT DOZENS MORE ARE INJURED. RESCUERS ARE SEARCHING THE LEVEL FOR SURVIVORS. >>> THE LANDMARK SECURITY TRIAL FOR HONG KONG DEMOCRACY ACTIVISTS BEGAN TODAY AFTER YEARS OF DELAYS. THE 76-YEAR-OLD ARRIVING IN COURT TO STAND TRIAL OVER CHARGES HE COLEWDED WITH FOREIGN FORCE UNDER HONG KONG'S NATIONAL SECURITY LAW. HE WAS ARRESTED IN 2020 AFTER A RAID ON THE OFFICE OF THE PRO DEMOCRACY NEWS PAPER HE FOUNDED AND FACES A SLEW OF LITIGATION SINCE HONG KONG'S MASSIVE PRO DEMOCRACY PROTEST IN 2019 AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO ALL CHARGES. >>> AND SEVERE FLOODS SLAMMING NORTHEASTERN AUSTRALIA AFTER A TROPICAL CYCLONE PASSED THROUGH THE REGION. FLOOD WATERS BRINGING A 9 FOOT LONG CROCODILE INTO ONE NEIGHBORHOOD IN QUEENSLAND. WILDLIFE CREWS TRAPPING AND REMOVING THE CREATURE. THE RECORD RAINFALL SUBMERGING CARS AND HOMES SHUTTING DOWN >>> BACK WITH THE ALARMING RESULTS OF THE YEAR LONG NBC NEWS INVESTIGATION. CHILDREN SOME OF THEM AS YOUNG AS 14 HIRED TO WORK IN SLAUGHTERHOUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS EVEN TURNING DEADLY. AND NBC NEWS HOMELAND SECURITY CORRESPONDENT JULIA ANSLEY HAS THE REPORT WITH DIGITAL VACCINE AND INVESTIGATIVE UNIT >> ADULTS ARE [INAUDIBLE] YOU WALK THROUGH THE PLANT AND YOU CAN'T WALK THROUGH IT WITHOUT GETTING ANIMAL PARTS ON YOU. OR BLOOD ALL OVER YOU. . >>> WHEN NIGHTTIME FALLS, MORE THAN 1300 SLAUGHTERHOUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY MUST BE SCRUBBED TOP TO BOTTOM. FORMER WORKERS SAYS CLEANING WAS CALLED THE KILL FLOOR WAS DANGEROUS WORK. THE FLOOR AN AS MUCH SLIPPERY COMBINATION OF BLOOD, ANIMAL FAT HARSH CHEMICALS AND WATER. 6,000 KIDS WERE WORKING ILLEGALLY ACROSS INDUSTRIES IN THE U.S. WITH AGENCY INVESTIGATING MORE THAN 800 CHILD LABOR CASES, AND 47 STATES. SOME EXPERTS SAY TODAY'S TIGHT LABOR MARKET IS IN PART TO BLAME FOR AN 88% SPIKE IN CHILDREN BEING ILLEGALLY EMPLOYED. ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES SINCE 2019. AS A RESULT, MORE UNDERAGE CHILDREN ARE WORKING IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS. SOME EMPLOYEES LOOK YOUNG, BUT ARE OVER 18. OTHERS ARE CLEARLY CHILDREN. ONE OF THOSE KIDS WORKING HERE IN HATTIESBURG MISSISSIPPI. WORKING THE NIGHT SHIP IN JULY. AND HE WAS KILLED AFTER GETTING SUCKED INTO EQUIPMENT THAT ACCIDENTALLY TURNED ON. HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD. HIS UNCLE TOLD US HE WAS HAPPY TEENAGER. [ SPEAKING IN GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: HE WORKS OVERNIGHT AT SLAUGHTERHOUSE AND BY DAY, ATTENDS A MIDDLE SCHOOL A FEW GRADES. HE WAS NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO GET CAUGHT IN THE MACHINE AND DIE IN PLANT. >> THE 48-YEAR-OLD MAN DIED FROM INJURIES FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT AT THE MARCH JACK POULTRY PLANT MONDAY NIGHT. >> Reporter: HE CAME TO THE U.S. FROM GUATEMALA IN THE LAST DECADE WITH THE FAMILY. BUT IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION MIGRANT CHILDREN ARRIVED IN THE COUNTRY ALONE. WITHOUT THE PARENTS. ON THEY ARE FROM GRADUATED MALLA DODGE CITY IS A THOUSAND MILE NORTHWEST OF HATTIESBURG ONE OF SMALL TOWNS CENTRAL AMERICAN MIGRANTS CALL HOME. ALL OF THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE ONE OR MORE SLAUGHTERHOUSES DRIVING THE LOCAL ECONOMY. >> THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WHO ARE WANTING TO BRING OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. SO THEY COME TACK THE SMUGGLERS AND SAY I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO WANTS TO COME HERE. >> SADLY SMUGGLERS HAVE THEIR PRICE. >> [ SPEAKING IN GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SLAUGHTERHOUSE WORKER SAID THEY ARE EMPLOYED LEGALLY AND ASKED NBC NEWS IF THEY COULD STAY ANONYMOUS OUT OF FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOB. THEY ARE ONE OF MANY WHO CAME FROM GUATEMALA TO WORK AT THE PLANT. [ SPEAKING IN GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] WE SPOKE TO FORMER MANAGER AT SLAUGHTERHOUSE CLEANER PACKER SANITATION SERVICEEN OR PSSI THEY ASKED TO STAY ANONYMOUS OUT OF FREE FROM SPEAKING OUT AND REPERCUSSIONS. >> YOU ARE AROUND SHARP INSTRUMENTS A LOT OF THEM AUTOMATED, AND THEY ARE NOT MATURE ENOUGH TO UNDERSTAND THAT THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO HURT THEM AND A LOT OF TIMES WILL KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T TREAT IT RIGHT. YOU HAVE TO RESPECT MACHINERY AND YOU HAVE TO TURN IT OFF. >> Reporter: THEY PAID 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR CIVIL PENALTY IN 2023 FOR VIOLATING CHILD LABOR LAWS. THEY MAINTAIN THEY DIDN'T KNOWINGLY HIRE CHILDREN. PSSI SAID THEY HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY AGAINST EMPLOYING ANYONE UNDER 18. AND THEY SAID THEY IMPLEMENTED ENHANCED SCREENING PROCESS AND TECHNOLOGIES IN THE HIRING PROCESS. SHANEON IS A U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATOR. HER FINDINGS LED TO PSSI BEING PENALIZED FOR EMPLOYING CHILDREN. >> YOU WALK INTO THE BUILDING BUT THE OPERATIONS ARE ENORMOUS. AND AS WE WALKED, I WAS LIKE THAT'S A KID. THAT'S A KID AND WE WOULD STOP AND TALK TO THEM BRIEFLY. >> Reporter: WE FOUND A SYSTEMIC FAILURE ON THE COMPANY'S PART THERE WERE 102 CHILDREN WE VERIFIED THEIR AGE AND IDENTITIES THAT WERE WORKING IN THE NIGHT SHIFT. IT'S DANGEROUS AND PROHIBITED AND PROHIBITED FOR A REASON BECAUSE IT'S SO DANGEROUS. >> YOU HAVE TO ACT LIKE AN ADULT AND BEHAVE LIKE AN ADULT AND PERFORM LIKE AN ADULT IN IF YOU MESS UP, YOU GET TREATED LIKE AN ADULT. >> Reporter: AND THEY GET PAID LIKE ADULTS. OFTEN WELL ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE. MANY IMMIGRANTS ARE DESPERATE FOR THE JOBS TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES. >> THERE'S REAL PRESSURES ON THEM TO FIND WORK. >> Reporter: ATTORNEY LARRY STINE HAS REPRESENTED MAR JACK FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES AND AGREED TO TALK TO US ABOUT DEVON'S DEATH. >> THE PEOPLE THAT PAY LOANS TO GET UP TO HERE AND I DON'T THINK THEY ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE KIND SHALL WE SAY. >> Reporter: IS IT HARD TO FILL THE JOBS WITH LEGAL PEOPLE WHO ARE LEGALLY ALLOWED TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES? >> IT IS HARD. YES. IT IS. >> Reporter: IS IT IMPOSSIBLE? >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IMPOSSIBLE BUT IT'S HARD. >> Reporter: SOME WORKERS AT MAR JACK USED STOLEN IDENTITIES TO GET THE JOB. A FACT COMMUNICATED TO THE COMPANY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. NBC NEWS OBTAINED POLICE REPORTS SHOWING THAT FOR YEARS, AMERICANS COMPLAINED TO MAR JACK AND CALLED THE LOCAL POLICE. THEY SAY THEIR IDENTITIES WERE STOLEN BY WORKERS WHO USED THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS TO GET JOBS AT THE PLANT. WE DISCOVERED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE DEATH, 16-YEAR-OLD DEVON USED IDENTITY OF A 32-YEAR-OLD MAN ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY. WAS THE COMPANY SURPRISED TO LEARN HE WAS 16 YEARS OLD? >> YES. THEY WERE SURPRISED. THAT I CAN TELL YOU THEY WERE SURPRISED AND HORRIFIED. >> Reporter: IF YOU CAN LOOK AT THIS TOO, DO YOU THINK HE LOOKS 32 YEARS OLD? >> NO HE DIDN'T LOOK 32 BUT HE MIGHT HAVE LOOKED 18. >> Reporter: HOW CAN IT BE NEWS TO MAR JAC PEOPLE WERE WORKING THERE UNDER FAKE IDs IFth THEY GOT CALLS. >> BECAUSE THEN YOU HAVE TO -- NOW YO YOU DEPEND ON CREDIBILITY OF THE PERSON CALLING OR THE PERSON THERE. AND WE ARE LIMITED THEY GAVE US A DOCUMENTATION AND WE CAN'T LOOK INTO IT. >> Reporter: STINE SAYS THE COMPANY'S HANDS ARE TIED. >> WE ARE PROHIBITED BY LAW FROM GOING BEYOND THAT SYSTEM. AND I KNOW THAT'S SAD REALITY, BUT THAT'S THE ONE FRANKLY ALL LAWYERS IN THE UNITED STATES OPERATE UNDER. >> Reporter: WE ASKED SHANNON WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR IF THE COMPANY GENERALLY WAS RESPONSIBLE IF THEY HAVE BEEN DUPED WITH FAKE PAPERS. >> SO THE COMPANY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR FOLLOWING THE CHILD LABOR PROVISIONS THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T WORK IN A MEAT PACKING CAPACITY UNTIL YOU ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE. AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO DUE DILIGENCE. >> WE PUT SIGNS ALL OVER THE FACILITIES. AND EVERY ENTRANCE NO ONE UNDER AGE 18 MAY ENTER AND IT'S IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. >> Reporter: MAR JAC SAYS HE WAS HIRED BY AN OUTSIDE STAFFING COMPANY AND THEY REQUIRES THAT COMPANY TO PROVIDE A PHOTO WHEN SOMEONE APPLIES FOR A JOB. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS NOT FINED MAR JAC IF THEY DO THE MAXIMUM FINE FOR HIRING A CHILD IS $15,130 PER INSTANCE. DO THE FANS HAVE AN WHY AM PACT ON HOW THE COMPANIES DO BUSINESS? >> I THINK THE PUBLICITY OF HAVING SOMETHING LIKE THAT IS FAR WORSE THAN THE PENALTY. IT NO ONE WANTS TO BE SEEN TO HIRE A CHILD. >> Reporter: ONE SOURCE OF THE PLANT TOLD US THEY WORRIED CHILDREN WERE STILL EMPLOYED EVEN AFTER THE DEATH. WE ASKED MAR-JAC AND THEY SAID THEY REVIEWED THE WORK FORCE AND DOES NOT BELIEVE THEY ARE EMPLOYING ANYONE UNDER 18. CAN YOU SAY DEFINITIVELY THERE ARE NO MORE CHILDREN WORKING FOR MAR JAC. >> LORD, THERE'S NO WAY I COULD EVER SAY THAT DEFINITIVELY. >> Reporter: AS NBC NEWS DOCUMENTED INSTANCES OF CHILD LABOR ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IT STARTED TO BECOME CLEAR HOW PREVALENT THE ISSUE IS THROUGHOUT MANY AMERICAN COMMUNITIES. >> THEY ARE FINDING THEMSELVES UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION. >> DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SAYS WHEN IT AMERICA INCORPORATED VIOLATED CHILD LABOR LAWS. >> A REPORT ACCUSE A FOOD MANUFACTURER OF VIOLATING CHILD LABOR LAWS. >> GERBER POULTRY FAMOUS FOR AMISH FARM CHICKEN. >> OUR KIDS ARE NOT FOR SALE. >> OUR KIDS ARE NOT FOR SALE. >> Reporter: NOW CONGRESS IS SCRAMBLING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX THE ISSUE. >> [ SPEAKING IN GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] >> GEE JOINS US FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. I MEAN YOUR REPORT IS FOCUSING ON A KID OF 16-YEAR-OLD BOY WHO PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKING A DRIVER'S TEST SOON AND INSTEAD AS YOUR REPORT ENDS HE IS SENT HOME TO HIS FAMILY IN A BOX. HAS THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RESPONDED TO THE DEATH? >> Reporter: THEY HAVE. AND THERE ARE TWO ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. ONE INTO HOW HE GOT THE JOB IN THE FIRST PLACE, AND LOOKING AT HOW HE WAS ABLE TO POTENTIALLY STEAL SOMEONE ELSE'S IDENTITY. WHAT THE COMPANY KNEW WHEN THEY HIRED HIM, AND THEY ARE LOOKING INTO HIS DEATH WHAT LED TO HIS DEATH, WHY THAT MACHINE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE TURNED OFF WAS STILL ON WHEN HE WAS PULLED INTO THE CONVEYOR BELT AND BOTH INVESTIGATIONS WE UNDERSTAND IT ARE STILL ONGOING. >> SOMETIMES THE MEAT PACKING SIDE OF THIS INDUSTRY CAN FEEL ISOLATED FROM THE FINAL FOOD. WE AS CONSUMERS ARE ACTUALLY EATING AT OUR DINNER TABLES AND KITCHENS. DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHERE SOME OF THE MAR JAC PRODUCTS END UP. >> Reporter: THEY END UP IN MANY PLACES. SUPERMARKETS, FAST-FOOD CHAINS ONE OF THE PLACES IS WELL-KNOWN TO AT LOVE US CHICK-FIL-A. AND WE REACHED OUT TO CHICK-FIL-A AND THEY SAID WE ARE REVIEWING OUR OWN PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATION AND RESPONSE PREPONDERANCE WE PURSUE THE STEPS NECESSARY TO HOLD OUR SUPPLIERS TO A HIGH SAFETY STANDARD AND ONE MAR JAC EMPLOYEE WHO SPOKE TO US SAID CHICK-FIL-A GIVES EMPLOYEES A COUPON EVERY YEAR FOR A FREE CHICK-FIL-A SANDWICH, ALLISON. >> JOY AINSLEY THANK YOU. >>> THE WOMAN GOING INTO LABOR ON A LOS ANGELES HIGHWAY THE MOMENT SHE REALIZED SHE WOULDN'T MAKE IT TO THE HOSPITAL AND HOW HER MOTHER STEPPED IN TO DELIVER THE CHILD >>> FINALLY A SPECIAL --Y FOR ONE CALIFORNIA FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. WOMAN GOING INTO LABOR ON WAY TO THE HOSPITAL HER OWN MOTHER NOT ONLY RIGHT BY HER SIDE BUT DELIVERING THE BABY. THIS ISN'T HOW ROSIE EXPECTED TO MEET HER GRANDDAUGHTER. >> YOU DELIVERED THE BABY GRANDMA? OH MY GOSH. >> SHE WAS BEAMING WITH JOY WHEN SHE HAD A MINUTE TO PROCESS IT. SHE IS NOT A DOCTOR. BUT SHE SUCCESSFULLY DELIVERED HER DAUGHTER HEALTHY BABY GIRL IN THE FAMILY CAR ON THE 5 FREEWAY IN LOS ANGELES. >> I TOOK MY SEAT BELT OFF AND LAID DOWN ON MY BACK. AND I TO BEING MY CLOTHES OFF, AND I AM LIKE, YOU GOT TO CALL 911 LIKE SHE IS GOING TO COME OUT. I CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE HOSPITAL. >> LESLIE SAYS SHE WAS FOUR DAYS AWAY FROM THE DUE DATE WHEN SHE STARTED TO FEEL INTENSE PAIN. WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A 20 MINUTE CAR RIDE TO THE CLOSEST HOSPITAL TURNED INTO A DELIVERY NO ONE WILL FORGET. >> I JUST LIKE OH MY GOD I AM NAKED AND GOING TO GIVE BIRTH TO IN MY DAD'S CAR. >> IT HAPPENED SO FAST. AND LESLIE SAID HER MOM JUMPED INTO ACTION. >> HER HEAD IS RIGHT THERE. I FEEL HER HEAD. AND SHE IS LIKE OH, YEAH, IT IS AND SHE FELT MY DAUGHTER'S HEAD FULL OF HAIR AND SHE IS LIKE OKAY I AM LIKE YOU KNOW WHAT I AM PUSHING. CASH HER. CASH PERHER. I GIVE THREE PUSHES AND HER HEAD IS OUT AND SHE FLIES OUT. >> PAIR MED, ARRIVED MINUTES AFTER THE BIRTH AND THE FATHER MIGUEL, WAS ABLE TO CUT THE BABY UMBILICAL CORD. >> LIKE A [INAUDIBLE] >> GRANDMA SMILING SAYING THEY NEVER EXPECTED BABY TO MAKE HER DEBUT THIS WAY BUT SHE IS JUST HAPPY EVERYONE IS SAFE. LESLIE AND HER NEW BABY ARE DOING WELL AND ONE DAY THE BABY WILL HEAR HOW SHE SURPRISED THEM ALL ON THE 5 IN THE BACK SEAT OF HER GRANDDAD'S CAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WATCHING TOP STORIES FOR TOM LLAMAS. I AM ALLISON BASHER IN NEW YORK. STAY THERE. MORE NEWS IS ON THE WAY.
