Nightly News Full Broadcast (September 1st)

>>> TONIGHT, BREAKING NEWS OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST. SIX HOSTAGES FOUND KILLED IN GAZA INCLUDING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN CAPTURED ON OCTOBER 7th. THE ANGER AND ANGUISH BOILING OVER INTO THE STREETS OF ISRAEL TODAY. AMERICAN HERSH GOLDBERG-POLIN AMONG THE SIX FOUND KILLED MORE THAN 300 DAYS AFTER BEING CAPTURED. THE NEW STATEMENT FROM HIS FAMILY WHO HAD BEEN SO PUBLIC IN PLEADING FOR HIS RELEASE. THE HUGE PROTESTS RATCHETING UP THE PRESSURE ON PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU TO MAKE A DEAL FOR THE REMAINING HOSTAGES. >> WE'VE HAD ENOUGH SUFFERING. >> REACTION FROM FAMILIES AND THE WHITE HOUSE TONIGHT. >>> NEW QUESTIONS OVER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. THE GOLD STAR FAMILIES BLASTING VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS AND THE DISPUTE OVER WHETHER SHE, TOO, WAS INVITED TO ATTEND. >> AN NFL ROOKIE SHOT IN AN ARMED ROBBERY IN SAN FRANCISCO. THE VIDEO OF HIM STANDING UP, LOOK AT THIS, AFTER A BULLET WENT THROUGH HIS CHEST. THE LATEST ON HOW HE'S DOING. >>> TERRIFYING MOMENTS AS A SMALL PLANE CRASHES INTO AN OREGON TOWNHOUSE. THE PASSENGERS ONBOARD AND THE PERSON INSIDE THE HOME KILLED. >> A CLOSE NEIGHBOR SAID THE EXPLOSION SHOOK HIM OUT OF HIS CHAIR. >>> AND HOLIDAY HOTEL CHAOS. THOUSANDS OF STAFFERS ON STRIKE ON ONE OF THE BUSIEST WEEKENDS OF THE YEAR. SO COULD IT AFFECT YOUR NEXT TRIP? ♪♪ ♪♪ >>> THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH HALLIE JACKSON. >>> WE'RE COMING ON THE AIR TONIGHT WITH NEW FURY AND NEW GRIEF IN ISRAEL. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DEMONSTRATING IN THE STREETS. LOOK AT THIS. YOU CAN SEE THE SCALE OF THE PROTESTS HERE, ONE OF THE LARGEST SINCE OCTOBER 7th ALL HAPPENING AFTER SIX HOSTAGES WERE KILLED IN GAZA. ISRAEL BLAMING HAMAS FOR THE DEATHS. ONE OF THE VICTIMS, AN ISRAELI-AMERICAN WHOSE PARENTS HAVE BEEN LEADING VOICES IN THE PUSH FOR A CEASEFIRE. HERE THEY ARE SPEAKING AT THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION. THEIR VERY PUBLIC, VERY PAINFUL NIGHTMARE COMING TO THE WORST POSSIBLE END 330 DAYS AFTER THEIR SON AND DOZENS OF OTHERS WERE FIRST TAKEN. NOW THE PRESSURE INTENSIFYING ON ISRAEL'S PRIME MINISTER TO REACH A DEAL TO STOP THE FIGHTING WITH NEW CALLS FOR A BIG LABOR STRIKE STARTING TOMORROW THAT COULD EFFECTIVELY SHUT DOWN THE COUNTRY UNTIL THERE'S PROGRESS AT THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE TONIGHT STARTING WITH RAF SANCHEZ IN TEL AVIV. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, GRIEF AND ANGER ON THE STREETS OF TEL AVIV AFTER THE BODIES OF SIX YOUNG ISRAELI HOSTAGES WERE RECOVERED FROM GAZA INCLUDING AMERICAN HERSH GOLDBERG-POLIN. THE IDF SAYS THEY WERE EXECUTED BY HAMAS IN A TUNNEL UNDERNEATH THE CITY OF RAFAH AS ISRAELI TROOPS WERE CLOSING IN. PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU SAYING I WAS OUTRAGED TO THE DEPTHS OF MY SOUL BY THE HORRIFIC COLD-BLOODED MURDER OF SIX OF OUR HOSTAGES. >> Reporter: MUCH OF THE ANGER IS AIMED AT PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU. THESE PROTESTERS ACCUSE HIM OF BLOCKING A DEAL TO BRING THE HOSTAGES HOME. >> EVERY TIME IT'S A DIFFERENT EXCUSE. >> Reporter: TRADE UNIONS ANNOUNCING A GENERAL STRIKE TOMORROW THREATENING TO SHUT DOWN ISRAEL'S MAIN AIRPORT UNLESS NETANYAHU ACCEPTS A DEAL. AMONG THE HOSTAGES KILLED 40-YEAR-OLD CARMEL GAT. HER COUSIN GIL TELLS US THE LEADERS OF BOTH HAMAS AND ISRAEL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR HER DEATH. >> THESE LEADERS ARE TO BLAME AND THE TERROR ORGANIZATION IS TO BLAME AND THE GOVERNMENT THAT DECIDED TO SACRIFICE THE LIVES OF THE HOSTAGES. THEY'RE ALL TO BLAME. >> Reporter: FOR NEARLY 11 MONTHS HERSH'S PARENTS JON AND RACHEL CAMPAIGNED TIRELESSLY FOR HIS RELEASE, EVEN TAKING THEIR CASE TO THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION AND EVERY MORNING A PAINFUL RITUAL MARKING THE DAYS SINCE HIS KIDNAPPING. THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT BOTH SPOKE TO THEM TODAY. MR. BIDEN SAYING HE'S DEVASTATED AND OUTRAGED AT HERSH'S MURDER ADDING HAMAS LEADERS WILL PAY FOR THESE CRIMES. HERSH TURNED 23 JUST DAYS BEFORE OCTOBER 7th WHEN HE WAS KIDNAPPED FROM A MUSIC FESTIVAL. HIS ARM PARTLY SEVERED BY A HAMAS GRENADE. SINCE THEN HIS PARENTS' ONLY GLIMPSE OF THEIR ONLY SON WAS THIS HOSTAGE VIDEO RELEASED IN APRIL. WE MET THEM THE NEXT DAY. >> I MEAN, PAINFUL IS TOO SMALL OF A WORD OF WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR ANY PARENT. >> Reporter: HERSH'S FAMILY ALWAYS URGED COMPASSION FOR CIVILIANS IN GAZA WHERE A VACCINATION CAMPAIGN IS NOW UNDER WAY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF POLIO IN CHILDREN. >> HOW DO YOU STAY HOPEFUL? >> WE SAY ALL OF THE TIME HOPE IS MANDATORY. WE HAVE BEEN REMAINING HOPEFUL AND OPTIMISTIC THIS ENTIRE TIME BELIEVING, WILLING OURSELVES TO BELIEVE THAT HE IS ALIVE AND THAT HE IS COMING BACK. >> AND RAF JOINS US NOW. SO, RAF, WHAT ELSE DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE REMAINING AMERICAN HOSTAGES? >> Reporter: HALLIE, THERE ARE STILL SEVEN U.S. HOSTAGES IN GAZA, THREE OF THEM ARE CONFIRMED DEAD. THE OTHER FOUR ARE BELIEVED TO BE ALIVE AND HERSH GOLDBERG-POLIN WILL BE LAID TO REST TOMORROW IN JERUSALEM. HALLIE? >> RAF SANCHEZ LIVE FOR US IN TEL AVIV TONIGHT. THANK YOU. >>> LET'S BRING IN MATT BRADLEY WHO IS ALSO IN THE REGION. MATT, THE BIG QUESTION NOW IS WHAT THIS MOMENT MEANS NOW FOR THOSE CEASEFIRE TALKS? >> Reporter: GREAT QUESTION, HALLIE. THE LAST ROUND OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS ENDED IN DOHA ON THURSDAY NIGHT AND NOW THEY'RE DOWN TO SORT OF LOWER LEVEL WORKING LEVEL NEGOTIATIONS. THESE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PROAT THE TIMERS ARE REALLY HOPING THAT BENJAMIN NETANYAHU WILL COMPROMISE ON THE TALKS AND GET TO A DEAL. THEY THINK, A LOT OF THEM, THINK THAT THE MURDER OF THESE SIX HOSTAGES HAS VINDICATED SOMETHING THAT THEY'VE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG THAT NETANYAHU'S STRATEGY OF TRYING TO FREE THE REMAINING HOSTAGES THROUGH MILITARY PRESSURE JUST ISN'T GOING TO WORK AND THEY HAVE THE NUMBERS TO PROVE IT BECAUSE SO FAR ONLY EIGHT HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN FREED THROUGH MILITARY INCURSIONS AND ACTUALLY MORE THAN A HUNDRED WERE FREED DURING THE LAST WEEK-LONG CEASEFIRE IN NOVEMBER. HALLIE? >> MATT BRADLEY IN TEL AVIV, THANK YOU. >>> BACK HERE IN THE U.S. WE'RE HEARING FOR THE FIRST TIME DIRECTLY FROM VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS ABOUT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CONTROVERSIAL VISIT TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY LAST WEEK WITH THE WHITE HOUSE ALSO DENYING REPORTS THAT HARRIS, TOO, HAD BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND. HERE'S GABE GUTIERREZ. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, THE CONTROVERSY OVER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY HAS REIGNITED. VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS SLAMMING HIM FOR DISRESPECTING SACRED GROUND ALL FOR THE SAKE OF A POLITICAL STUNT. SHE'S CALLING THE CEMETERY A SOLEMN PLACE AND NOT A PLACE FOR POLITICS. >> WE LOST 15 GREAT, GREAT PEOPLE. >> Reporter: IT'S HER FIRST TIME WEIGHING IN AFTER THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN POSTED THIS HIGHLIGHT VIDEO ON TIKTOK SHOWING THE FORMER PRESIDENT LAYING A WREATH IN HONOR OF THE SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED DURING THE CHAOTIC MILITARY WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN. A CEMETERY SPOKESPERSON SAID FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS CAMPAIGN-RELATED ACTIVITY THERE. >> MR. PRESIDENT WHAT DID YOU THINK OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BEHAVIOR AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. >> I DON'T WANT TO ANSWER AND TELL YOU WHAT I THINK. >> ON SOCIAL MEDIA, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP POSTED A SERIES OF VIDEOS FROM GOLD STAR FAMILIES CRITICIZING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION. >> YOU HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT DISRESPECTFUL TO ME AND THE FAMILIES OF THE 13. >> WE INVITED PRESIDENT TRUMP. WE ARE THE ONES THAT ASKED FOR THE VIDEO AND THE PICTURES TO BE TAKEN. >> Reporter: EVEN THOUGH THE U.S. TROOP WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN WAS NEGOTIATED WITH THE TALIBAN DURING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, THE FORMER PRESIDENT BLAMES THE BIDEN WHITE HOUSE FOR ITS POOR EXECUTION. >> JOE BIDEN KILLED THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE HE WAS INCOMPETENT AND THEN THEY TELL ME THAT I USED THEIR GRAVES FOR PUBLIC RELATION SERVICES, AND I DIDN'T. >> IN AN INTERVIEW WITH NBC NEWS LAST WEEK TRUMP INSISTED HE KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THE VIDEO THAT WAS SHARED ON TIKTOK AND SAID THE GOLD STAR FAMILIES HAD INVITED HIM. >> YOU KNOW WHO THE FAMILIES ALSO INVITED? JOE BIDEN AND CAM KAMALA HARRYIS. WHERE WERE THEY? JOE BIDEN WAS SITTING ON A BEACH AND KAMALA HARRIS WAS IN WASHINGTON D.C. >> A WHITE HOUSE AIDE DENIES THE PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT WERE EVER INVITED. >> GABE IS JOINING US FROM OUTSIDE THE WHITE HOUSE. THIS IS ALL HAPPENING AS WE ROUND THE CORNER TO THE FINAL TWO MONTHS BEFORE ELECTION DAY WITH PLENTY OF CAMPAIGNING LEFT TO DO. >> Reporter: YES, HALLIE. THE HARRIS-WALZ CAMPAIGN IS PLANNING A BATTLEGROUND BLITZ TOMORROW WITH STOPS IN MICHIGAN, WISCONSIN AND A RARE JOINT EVENT WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN IN PENNSYLVANIA. FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IS ALSO EXPECTED TO HOLD A TOWN HALL IN THAT STATE ON WEDNESDAY. HALLIE? >> GABE, THANK YOU. >>> TO SAN FRANCISCO NOW WHERE NEW, DRAMATIC VIDEO SHOWS AN NFL ROOKIE WALKING CALMLY IN THE MOMENTS AFTER BEING SHOT IN THE CHEST DURING AN ATTEMPTED ROBBERY. A SHOOTING THAT HAPPENED DURING A STRUGGLE WITH THE ALLEGED THIEF. MARISA PARRA HAS THE DETAILS. >> Reporter: SHOCKING VIDEO SHOWS 49ERS ROOKIE PEARSALL AFTER HE WAS SHOT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. SAN FRANCISCO POLICE SAY THE 23-YEAR-OLD WAS THE VICTIM OF AN ATTEMPTED ARMED ROBBERY SATURDAY JUST HOURS AFTER SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AT A PUBLICITY EVENT. IN A FACEBOOK POST PEARSALL'S MOM WROTE, HE WAS SHOT IN THE CHEST AND IT EXITED OUT HIS BACK. IT MISSED HIS VITAL ORGANS. MY SON WAS SPARED TODAY BY THE GRACE OF GOD. IT HAPPENED HALF PAST 3:00 IN WITH USSELING UNION SQUARE. THE ROOKIE WAS WALKING ALONE WHEN THE TEEN PULLED A GUN AND TRIED TO ROB HIM AND THE TWO STRUGGLED AND BOTH PEARSALL AND THE SUSPECT WERE SHOT. >> WE NEED TO CONFIRM EXACTLY HOW. >> PEARSALL WAS SEEN ON KTVU VIDEO WALKING SLOWLY TO THE AMBULANCE WITH THE FIRST OF FIRST RESPONDERS HOLDING ON TO HIM. >> THE 17-YEAR-OLD SUSPECT IS NOW IN POLICE CUSTODY. MEANWHILE, PEARSALL HAS SINCE BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL. >> WE'RE 49ERS! [ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> THE ROOKIE WAS ON THE BRINK OF HIS NFL DEBUT AS THE 49ERS FIRST-ROUND PICK IN THE SPRING. HE WAS RECOVERING FROM HAMSTRING AND SHOULDER INJURIES DURING THE PRE-SEASON AND SAID LAST MONTH HE WAS EAGER TO PLAY. >> I'M UP FOR THE JOB, AND I'M EXCITED TO GET STARTED. >> SAN FRANCISCO'S MAYOR SPEAKING FOR FANS EVERYWHERE. >> HE HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HIM RECOVER AND GET BACK ON THE FIELD. >> Reporter: IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN HE'LL MAKE HIS RETURN TO RUNNING THE FIELD. RIGHT NOW THE FOCUS IS ON HIS RECOVERY. MARISA PARRA, NBC NEWS. >>> FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS TONIGHT ARE LOOKING INTO A TERRIFYING CAUGHT-ON-CAMERA PLANE CRASH THAT LEFT THREE PEOPLE DEAD IN OREGON. A CRASH THAT IGNITED A FIRE WHICH SPREAD TO OTHER BUILDINGS NEARBY. DANA GRIFFIN HAS MORE. >> Reporter: THIS WAS THE TERRIFYING AFTERMATH. >> WE THINK THAT AN AIRPLANE CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. >> Reporter: A ROW OF TOWNHOMES JUST OUTSIDE PORTLAND, OREGON, GOES UP IN FLAMES. LOOK AS THE PLANE CRASH IS CAUGHT ON CAMERA, A HUGE FIREBALL RISES ABOVE THE NEIGHBORHOOD. >> I DID SEE THE PILOT START VEERING TO THE LEFT, LIKE, VERY HARD. >> THE PLANE MUST BE BURIED IN BETWEEN THESE THREE CONDOS. THERE'S NO SIGN OF IT OUT HERE. >> Reporter: JOHN SAMPSON WAS THERE WHEN THE CESSNA WENT DOWN KILLING THE PILOT AND PASSENGER. >> THERE WAS A HUGE EXPLOSION THAT PRETTY MUCH ROCKED THE WHOLE AREA. >> Reporter: THE FIRE JUMPING FROM HOME TO HOME AS FIREFIGHTERS WORKED FRANTICALLY TO DOUSE THE FLAMES. ONE RESIDENT WAS KILLED, AUTHORITIES SAY. THE SHOCKING MOMENT HEARD ON RADIO TRAFFIC WITH THE TROUT DELL AIRPORT CONTROL TOWER JUST TWO MILES FROM THE CRASH SITE. >> CRASH, CRASH, CRASH. BIG BLACK SMOKE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. >> CONFIRMING YOU ARE REPORTING A PLANE CRASH. >> AFFIRMATIVE. TWIN -- TWIN AIRCRAFT. >> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS SAY THERE WAS NO MAY DAY CALL. WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT? >> THERE WAS NO MAY DAY CALL PERHAPS BECAUSE THE PILOT DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. THE PILOT DID ADMIT TO AIR TRAFFIC THAT HE WAS HAVING HANDLING PROBLEMS AND THIS WAS A TEST FLIGHT. >> Reporter: THE NTSB IS MOVING THE PLANE TO A SECURE FACILITY AS THEY PIECE TOGETHER WHAT WENT WRONG. FIVE FAMILIES ARE NOW DISPLACED FROM A CRASH NO ONE SAW COMING. DANA GRIFFIN, NBC NEWS. >>> STILL AHEAD TONIGHT THE BIG UNION STRIKE AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST HOTEL CHAINS IN THE COUNTRY RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. HOW LONG IT COULD LAST. ALSO, OUR FIRST LOOK AT HOW THE SUPREME COURT STRIKING DOWN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION H >>> BACK NOW WITH THE BIG STRIKE THREATENING TO THROW A WRENCH INTO HOLIDAY WEEKEND PLANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. HOTEL WORKERS AT SOME OF THE BIGGEST CHAINS IN THE WORLD NOW ON THE PICKET LINES AND TONIGHT EVEN MORE OF THOSE UNION MEMBERS SAY THEY MAY JOIN IN AND WALK OFF. ANTONIA HILTON REPORTS. ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Reporter: TONIGHT, SOME 10,000 HOTEL WORKERS ARE WALKING OFF THE JOB DURING THE BUSY HOLIDAY WEEKEND. FROM GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT, TO BOSTON, SAN FRANCISCO, SEATTLE AND EVEN IN HAWAII. >> WE WANT OUR SHARE! >> Reporter: THE STRIKE EXPECTED TO LAST UP TO THREE DAYS IN SOME CASES. IT'S AFFECTING THE HYATT, MARRIOTT AND HILTON CHAIRS AND ORGANIZED BY HOSPITALITY UNION UNITE HERE SAYING THEY'RE FIGHTING FOR HIGHER PAY, BETTER STAFFING AND REDUCED WORKLOADS AFTER MONTHS OF STALLED NEGOTIATIONS. >> AMERICAN HOTEL CHAINS MADE MAJOR CUTS TO SERVICES AND STAFF DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT NOW TRAVEL HAS REBOUNDED, BUT THE WORKERS SAY THEY'RE STILL FEELING THE SQUEEZE. >> THE HOTEL INDUSTRY HAS BOUNCED BACK FROM THE COVID ERA, RIGHT? THEY'RE SEEING RECORD PROFITS NOW IN 2024. WE NEED SOME OF THOSE PROFITS SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET BACK TO THE STANDARD OF LIVING AND MOVE FORWARD. >> Reporter: THIS STRIKE MAY BE THE FIRST OF MANY WITH THE POTENTIAL WITH MORE JOINING IN OTHER MAJOR CITIES IN THE DAYS AHEAD. >> HOW DO YOU THINK THE GUESTS THE TRAVELERS WILL FEEL THIS? >> WELL, IN MANY HOTELS I THINK YOU WILL SEE LIMITED SERVICES. SO THERE MAY NOT BE DAILY HOUSEKEEPING. THE POOL OR THE GYM OR THE SPA MAY BE CLOSED WHILE THE GUESTS ARE THERE. >> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO THE CHAINS IMPACTED AND ONLY HILTON RESPONDED SAYING THEY REMAIN COMMITTED TO NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH TO ACHIEVE AGREEMENTS. WORKERS WILL COME BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE SOON SO THEY CAN GET BACK TO PROVIDING THE EXPERIENCE TRAVELERS DESERVE. ANTONIA HILTON, NBC NEWS, OLD GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT. >>> WE ARE BACK IN A MOMENT WITH A BIG IMPACT FROM THE SUPREME COURT'S RULING ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS. >>> FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS SCHOOL YEAR WE'RE SEEING JUST WHAT KIND OF EFFECT THAT SUPREME COURT RULING EFFECTIVELY ENDING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS MEANS FOR SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST ELITE UNIVERSITIES. HERE'S REHEMA ELLIS. >> Reporter: AS M.I.T.'S INCOMING CLASS BEGAN ORIENTATION THIS WEEK IN CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY, THE PRESIDENT SPEAKING OUT OVER THE CLASS OF 2028. >> WHAT IT DOES NOT BRING IS A CONSEQUENCE OF LAST YEAR'S SUPREME COURT DECISION IS THE SAME DEGREE OF BROAD, RACIAL AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY. >> Reporter: THE ROUGHLY 1100 MEMBERS OF THE CLASS, THE FIRST SHAPED IN PART BY THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION STRIKING DOWN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN SCHOOL ADMISSIONS. >> I AM VERY SURPRISED AND I'M HONESTLY SHOCKED THAT IT WOULD HAVE DROPPED SO MUCH. >> Reporter: BLACK AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS MAKING UP JUST 5% OF STUDENTS COMPARED TO 13% IN THE PREVIOUS FOUR YEARS. HISPANIC STUDENTS 11%, DOWN FROM 15%, BUT ASIAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS UP 47% FROM 41%, AND WHITE STUDENTS HOLDING STEADY AT 37% FROM 38% PREVIOUSLY. STUDENTS WE SPOKE TO HERE ARE CONCERNED. >> I DO THINK, LIKE, WHEN I LOOK OUT AT MY CLASS YOU SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME AND MUCH FEWER PEOPLE WHO LOOK DIFFERENT FROM ME. >> DIVERSITY IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I CAME TO M.I.T. >> M.I.T. PROFESSOR DANIELLE WOOD BELIEVES CUTTING RACE FROM THE EQUATION WAS A MISTAKE. >> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU THINK IT DOES TO THE CAMPUS AT LARGE? >> I THINK IT HARMS THE CAMPUS. THERE'S A LOT OF RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS TO FEEL BOTH WELCOMED AND THAT THEY BELONG. PLUS, MORE DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS PRODUCE MORE INNOVATION. >> WOODS IS BOTH THE CHAIR OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDIES AT M.I.T. AND A FORMER STUDENT. >> I WOULD SAY THAT I'M IN MOURNING IN PART BECAUSE I KNOW THERE'S PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO MIGHT HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO STUDY AT M.I.T. AND THEY WON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. >> Reporter: AT LEAST THREE OTHER SCHOOLS RELEASING THEIR DATA SHOWING DIPS IN BLACK ENROLLMENT RANGING FROM SMALL TO 8%. >> HOW DO WE GET THE DESIRED RESULTS OF DIVERSITY WITHOUT COMPROMISING MERIT? >> DEBORAH ALEXANDER'S SON AUGIE IS STARTING THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS. SHE SAYS SHE VALUES DIVERSITY, BUT THAT THE PLAYING FIELD NEEDS TO BE LEVELED WELL BEFORE COLLEGE. >> ADMISSION TO COLLEGE SHOULD BE BASED ON, AGAIN, THE BEST FIT AND THE BEST FIT FOR AN ACADEMIC SETTING SHOULD BE THE ACADEMIC MERIT OF THE CHILD. >> Reporter: HERE AT M.I.T., THE UNIVERSITY IS VOWING TO FIND WAYS TO INCREASE DIVERSITY WITHOUT VIOLATING THE SUPREME COURT RULING. THAT MEANS INCREASING OUTREACH TO MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND PROMOTING ITS FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS. NINE STATES HAD PREVIOUSLY BANNED AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AT ITS PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES. MOST SAW A DROP IN MINORITY STUDENTS IMMEDIATELY LOOK AFTER. >> ARE YOU HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE? >> I HAVE TO STAY HOPEFUL BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT KEEPS US FOCUSED ON CREATING AND INNOVATING. >> Reporter: A LONG ROAD AHEAD FOR THE QUEST FOR DIVERSITY ON CAMPUS. REHEMA ELLIS. NBC NEWS, CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS. >>> WHEN WE COME BACK, THERE'S GOOD NEWS TONIGHT. HOW THE LITTLE BOY SHARED LIFE-SAVING NEWS WITH THE NURSES WHO MEAN SO MUCH TO HIM. >> I'M GETTING A NEW HEART!♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >>> THERE'S GOOD NEWS TONIGHT ABOUT SHARING GOOD NEWS AND A LITTLE BOY WHO COULDN'T WAIT TO TELL THE WORLD ABOUT A LIFE-SAVING UPDATE. >> HEY! >> HEY! >> I'M GETTING A NEW HEART! >> THIS IS THE MOMENT OF JOY WHEN 6-YEAR-OLD JOHN HENRY LEE FINALLY GOT TO SHARE HIS GOOD NEWS WITH STAFF AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC. >> PHYLLIS, I'M GETTING A NEW HEART! >> WHAT? OH, MY GOODNESS! >> THERE HE IS, MAKING THE ROUNDS THIS SPRING WITH MOM, SARAH. >> I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! >> GIVING HUGS AND LOTS OF LOVE TO THE NURSES AND DOCTORS WHO HAVE BEEN BY HIS SIDE FOR YEARS. >> I'M GETTING A NEW HEART! [ LAUGHTER ] >> A CELEBRATION FOR THE BRAVE LITTLE BOY BORN WITH A RARE HEART CONDITION WHO HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL HIS WHOLE LIFE. >> HE WAS, LIKE, WAIT. WE HAVE TO GO TELL EVERYBODY AND I WAS, LIKE, WE HAVE TO GO TELL EVERYBODY? HE'S, LIKE, YEAH. LET'S GO! >> I'M GETTING A NEW HEART! >> YAY! >> A PROUD MOMENT FOR NURSES LIKE LAURA BARTOCK WHO SAYS JOHN HENRY IS HER INSPIRATION. >> I THINK WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM JOHN HENRY'S ATTITUDE IS REALIZE THE BIGGER PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN LIFE. WE MAY HAVE BAD DAYS, BUT THESE KIDS HAVE TO LIVE IN A HOSPITAL, AND THEY'RE STILL SEEING THE GOOD SIDE OF LIFE AND THEY'RE STILL IDEALISTIC AND THEY'RE STILL HOPEFUL. >> THEN IN MAY JOHN HENRY FINALLY GOT THAT HEART GOING THROUGH SURGERY AND MONTHS OF REHAB. [ CHEERING ] >> BEFORE AN EMOTIONAL SENDOFF THIS SUMMER. [ CHEERING ] >> CONGRATULATIONS. YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOM, OKAY? >> EVERYONE DID THIS TOGETHER. IT'S NOT ONE PERSON DID THIS. THIS IS A WHOLE COMMUNITY WORTH OF PEOPLE THAT TOOK CARE OF HIM IN ORDER TO GET HIM WHERE HE IS TODAY. >> Reporter: NOW BACK HOME WITH HIS FAMILY. >> CAN I PLAY OUTSIDE? >> AND SPREADING THE WORLD ABOUT THE LIFE-SAVING GIFT OF ORGAN DONATION. >> ORGAN DONATION HAS GIVEN MY CHANCE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE. WITHOUT ORGAN DONATION HE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BE A KID, YOU KNOW? AND HE'S A KID AGAIN. [ CHEERING ] >> IT'S, LIKE, HE HAS A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE NOW. >> AND JOHN HENRY WAS SO INSPIRED BY ALL OF THE NURSES AND DOCTORS WHO HELPED HIM, HE NOW WANTS TO GO INTO MEDICINE WHEN HE GROWS UP SO HE CAN DO THE SAME. THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS SUNDAY. FOR ALL OF US HERE AT NBC,