Name: 'We have learned lessons': UNC president optimistic about spring semester during pandemic
Uploaded: 2021-02-04T20:31:30-0500
Duration: 926356
Description: UNC President Peter Hans says the stricter safety protocols in place at campuses across the university system should prevent a repeat of the fall semester, when larger campuses had to move classes online and send students home after spikes in coronavirus infections.

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UNC President Peter Hans says the stricter safety protocols in place at campuses across the university system should prevent a repeat of the fall semester, when larger campuses had to move classes online and send students home after spikes in coronavirus infections.

President Hans, We appreciate your time. Thanks for talking with us. It's a very challenging time. Good to see you, sir. Good to see you, my friend. I hope all is well with you. David. Yeah. We've got a lot to talk about. One thing I know you want to talk about is the cost of education and student debt. We're going to get to that in a minute. But first, let's talk about what everybody has to deal with right now. Being the pandemic, you've got 16 schools across the U. N. C. System. Let's focus on the largest of Carolina and state. Are you confident? With the measures in place as students are coming back to campus, we can avoid a repeat of what we had in the fall. I had to send students back home. I feel much better about our plans this semester than last semester. David, you know, I have a great sense of timing. I began this role on August 1st. Students were coming back onto campus, uh, in within a few weeks. Uh, state Chapel Hill on D. C. You got hit by an opening surge of positive cases largely caused by social gatherings off campus, and it disrupted undergraduate education at those three institutions. Although I'm very proud to point out that off the rest of our institutions, we were able to apply lessons learned on they made it through the semester quite successfully. In some cases, uh, exceptionally well would actually lower positive case counts than the surrounding community. But this semester, uh, state in Chapel Hill on D. C. You have adapted. They used reentry testing to start the semester. There is a very robust testing regimen in place, uh, to identify students, staff and faculty that may have the virus and isolate them from others. Toe slow the spread. Uh, there is reduced occupancy in the residence halls and their strict enforcement of the protocols that we know work, which obviously include wearing masks, social distancing and washing of hands. So I do feel, ah, sense of optimism about our ability. Thio Goethe, through undergraduate education this semester Do all the chancellor's share your optimism? I believe so. I believe so. This has been, ah, season of hardship for everyone. Azaz. You know, there are no easy answers here, just tough choices, but we remain committed to in person on campus learning where it is safe on, we can provide for the health of all of our students, faculty and staff. The chancellor's have been leading the way with very detailed efforts to ensure that that is three case we've provided, uh, resource is and guidance and coordination from the system office. But we've allowed them the ability to make choices about when they start. Do they start online? How many students on campus? Uh, they've involved all the stakeholders from students, faculty and staff in that decision making process. So, yes, I feel much better about the spring semester. Despite the fact that the community spread across the state is greater. We have learned lessons from last fall were applying them with humility, with caution and with determination. Well, it's rare Thio even hear somebody talk about humility. So let me quickly ask you, what have you not so much, what have you learned? But if you look back over those six months, if you could do it again, what would you have done differently? Oh, I think it is clear that we would have had ah, stronger testing regimen in place, uh, that we would have had a strict enforcement of student protocols around wearing masks and the social gatherings. That sort of, uh, a thing. But it's interesting, David, there is no evidence whatsoever of any in classroom transmission of the virus. So some parts of the planning last semester went well. Where I believe we have improved again is on the testing on D. Uh, the social distancing we have put a next ordinary amount of effort into bringing the campus community together toe apply the lessons learned from last fall. And I think that's the only approach we could take. Eyes is one from my position of humility, because again, in those three institutions, it was a bumpy start in the other 14. Quite successful. And we actually learned a lot from one another within the system about how to make it work. Well, Peter, I'm curious. And I spoke with the governor about this when he had to make a decision. So I'd like to ask you there. You you take over August 1st and immediately. You have to deal with this. Uh, what type of push back in the room, if you will. Were you receiving? You had to have had, uh input coming from sources that were welcomed and maybe a time, some that weren't that welcomed. Well, we have a lot of experts, David. Uh, you know, ah, lot of experts, but I think, uh, the advice to me all came from ah, good place. Even the constructive criticism, because there were things we could and should have done differently. But we know much more about the virus now than we knew then. And we've applied those lessons again with with a mixture of humility with caution or the health and safety of everyone involved on yet with determination. Because we know, uh, to offer those in person on campus experiences for our students are vital for their futures. Were their ability to learn and be successful. Yeah, Peter want just one more question about that? Were there nights that you were just tossing and turning and couldn't sleep in thinking? Oh, did I make the right decision? Should we go back and make a change now? I wish I hadn't done that. Well, I I think we probably all have a sleepless night or two. But when I started on August 1st, plans were in place. Ondas, I mentioned parts of that plan and worked quite well, particularly as it revolves around the safety in the classroom itself. Other parts we've improved upon. But I feel as much optimism as I can right now. Uh, still being very conscious of the fact that there is widespread, uh, community transmission of the virus that actually in many cases are campuses are safer for our students because there they can be tested. Uh, they could be traced and often treated if necessary. So we're putting that first and foremost trying to balance public health with public education. Peter AZM or, um, or the vaccine does become available, and it will become available. Are there any discussions about using large venues such as Keenan Stadium or Doubt Dowty? Fickle in O. R. Here in NC state to use those large facilities toe have max vaccination setups? Uh, absolutely. In fact, uh, here in Chapel Hill at the Friday Center is the first example of that, And throughout the state, you and see health has already provided over 100,000 vax the nation's 100,000 just through U N C. Health alone. We're in the midst of setting up mass vaccination clinics, Uh, UNC, Pembroke and C A and T and Western Carolina Uh, in concert with the local public health departments and local health care providers. Uh, in other areas such as Raleigh, NC State is working with Rex and Wake Med, Andi and others to provide a similar set up down in Greenville, E C U with Biden and and throughout the system because we're doing everything we can, uh, to serve the community served the state, uh, to bring this awful pandemic to an end. Peter, I've known you for 24 years. I know that you look at things that are right in front of you, but you also like to look at the arc and what's out there so beyond the pandemic and even during this pandemic, uh, something is very important to you is the cost of public education what that does to students and families. And as we're talking about this, there is more talk in Washington regarding the dealing of student debt and how to deal with it. Talk to us if you would, about what your vision is for keeping cost where they are, or even lowering those costs and how students can afford. Ah, higher education. Well, it's great question, David, because we do have to look beyond the pandemic is proud, as I am of the research that were conducting within the system. Uh, you know, you could be very proud of your public university on what we're doing to test vaccines, develop treatments like monoclonal antibodies, Uh, looking at the variants and trying to get ahead of that. Ah, lot of good work happening on that front. But looking past co vid, you're exactly right. I'm laser focused on lowering student debt at the same time raising our graduation rates because the worst thing that can happen is to, uh, not get your degree and accumulate debt along the way. You need that credential, uh, to develop intellectually, emotionally and in a practical sense, towards a career and a job. So I believe a laser focus on lowering the cost of higher education will help students, families and taxpayers, and we've got a great record here in the U. N. C. System, thanks to generous public support were in the top five in the country in terms of per capita investment in public higher education. Now we've got, uh, Ah, four year fixed tuition guarantee. If you can complete in four years no increase in your tuition. We have the N C Promise Program, $500 a semester at Elizabeth City State, UNC Pembroke in Western Carolina and for the fifth year in a row, David, the fifth year in a row. No tuition increase for in state students. Fifth year in a row. Now that's five on your side, David. Thank you. I'll pass that along to Monica. That's good. Uh, in all seriousness, uh, this is something that is almost plaguing so many families about how we're going to find debt. I know my own daughter. I've got a 15 year old granddaughter. She's already worried and planning about what's going to happen when my granddaughter goes to college. Peter, you were at Carolina in the mid to late eighties. Is that right? Uh, late eighties, Early nineties, late eighties, early nineties. Uh, E No, you were active during those times, but if someone had told you you were going to stand on the shoulders of Bill Friday and Tom Ross and Erskine Bowles and Margaret Spellings and others C. D. Spangler, who looks out above not only in Chapel Hill, but statewide toe one of the most remarkable higher education systems on the planet and said you would be the guy after you woke up from fainting. What do you think you might have said to someone? Yeah, I would not have bet on that outcome. A tall uh, But David, I do feel the weight of the responsibility. Uh, and I'll have to earn my name on that list of my predecessors over many years to come. But it's a joyful responsibility to wake up every day thinking about we've got a quarter million students, uh, 65,000 employees between the university system and U. N. C. Health doing great work every day for the people of the state and beyond. So to be a small part of that is very special, and I feel very fortunate and honored. Peter. One more question about what you do and how you do this. Uh, there have been Democrats and Republicans sitting in that chair where you sit. Now you have been you've handled politics definitely over the years, but it's no secret that you've worked in Republican administrations. How does one keep the politics out of the job as the president of the U. N C system. Or can you totally keep it out? Yeah, well, very carefully. Very carefully. David, I think it's incumbent upon me to engage Republicans, Democrats, independents, uh, libertarians, vegetarians. You name it all in support of public higher education because it serves all the people of this state. That's our role. That's our responsibility. And I think it's best that, um, we work to make sure that that remains the case. Always going forward, I will say the board of Governors has been very supportive of me. They've been swimming in their lane. I've been swimming in in mind, and I think we've got a chance here for some stability. And some continuity focused on the future about raising graduation rates, lowering the cost of college and providing mawr educational and economic opportunities for the people of the state on that will benefit everyone, regardless of politics. Well, may this system continue to be a beacon for the rest of the country. Peter Hans, president of the UNC system. We appreciate your time. Your insight. You are welcome back to talk with us at any time. Peter. Thank you so much, David. I appreciate that you take care

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'We have learned lessons': UNC president optimistic about spring semester during pandemic

UNC President Peter Hans

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Meteorologist Elizabeth Gardner, we're going to see a nice day for it today as some high thin cloud cover, temperatures will be warm, but our humidity stays on the low side. And that means if you're planning to have lunch outside today, it looks lovely for that temperature in the triangle around 78 degrees, some high thin clouds, but it stays nice and dry and our humidity remains low. So we get the green light for lunch outside today for sure. High temperatures this afternoon definitely warm, much warmer than normal. 86 in Raleigh, 85 in Durham and 90 in Fayetteville hit 89 officially yesterday in Raleigh Durham and in Fayetteville. And that ended up at least at RDU as the hottest day that we've seen so far this year. So it'll be a couple degrees cooler than that today. You can see the thunderstorm icons there. We are likely to have some scattered storms but not until the evening, starting at around eight or nine o'clock this evening. Some scattered storms from the triangle area southward. Our normal high is 73. We're looking at temperatures well above that all the way through Saturday, but it does look like we may have some cooler temperatures by Sunday into Monday. Our pollen counts are very high for trees but not pine pollen. That yellow pine pollen that's so messy has really started to taper off now. But mulberry oak ash and maple are still very high out there. This is a look at our pollen counts. We tend to see the tree pollen really tapering off at the end of April but some grass pollen tends to linger into May. Here's a look at the big picture. We have a cold front that's dropping across our area rain free, but eventually it lifts northward as a warm front and that's when we'll have potential for some scattered storms, we'll pause it there at five o'clock. And as that front lists northward notice around eight or nine o'clock, we have a line of storms that develops. We'll have some heavy rain with this, some blustery conditions and a lot of us will end up seeing that potential for storms. We'll likely have, as I mentioned, some windy conditions but not severe criteria. Likely that's 58 mile per hour winds or stronger. It's not likely to be that strong. We added some rain to the forecast for Wednesday initially looked like it would be mostly cloudy, but the models have really jumped on board with some showers. This is a look at lunchtime. So some rain in our western counties and it's out of here by around four or five o'clock in the afternoon. So a quick shower, but we give it a 30% chance. And Futurecast even shows a tiny shower lingering. Say after dinner time, temperatures, as I mentioned are going to be warm but cooler on Sunday and Monday, we'll see a front that comes through and slides southward during the day's Sunday. Saturday looks like a small chance of a thunderstorm late in the day, but Sunday looks like it could be a bit wetter.

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Hey there. Good afternoon. I'm Noah Klein. Welcome to this afternoon's runs for Tuesday, April 16th 2024. Let's get going here with the Carolina pick three. That first pick three number is four. Second number nine. Third number is four and our pick three fireball number is seven. Joining me for this afternoon's drawing is our auditor from mcconnell and Jones L LP. Now let's move to the Carolina pick four. That first pick four. Number is four. Second number is zero. Third number is 0/4 number three. And our pick for a fireball number is six. The North Carolina Education lottery has contributed over $10 billion education. Thank you for your support. Get your winning numbers each day at 3 p.m. and again at 11:22 p.m. right here on your exclusive station for the North Carolina Education Lottery.

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Good evening. I'm Gay. Her, welcome to tonight's joining with this tax day Monday, April 15th, 2024. Well, let's get started today tonight with our Carolina pick three. Our first week numbers is six. Our second number is nine and the third number is seven and our pick three. Fireball number is nine. Joining me for tonight's show is our auditor from mcconnell and Jones L LP. Now let's move to the Carolina pick four. Good luck. Everyone who's that first one and pick four number. It's a six. Our second number is nine. Third number is five and our fourth number tonight here it comes, it is a four and our pick for fireball number is eight. We turn now to the Carolina Cash Drive. If no one wins the top prize tonight, tomorrow's top prize is estimated at $130,000. Good luck. Everyone who's that first win in cash five number. It's 40. Our second number is seven. Third number. Tonight is 15. Our fourth number is 22 and the final number in our cash drive this evening is a nine. The North Carolina Education lottery has contributed over $10 billion to education. Get your winning numbers right here every night in your exclusive station for the North Carolina Education lottery. Thanks for playing. Good night.

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Good evening, America. I'm Michelle Isles. Tonight. We've got another life changing jackpot for you in an estimated amount of $66.5 million. Get your tickets out. We'll start things off tonight with the number seven right after that America. We have 56. Let's congratulate the lucky 30 of Nashua New Hampshire who won $1 million. Your next number up tonight is 61 that's followed by 16 and we'll round it out tonight with 41 now for your winning powerball number. Good luck everyone. It is 23 and your power play multiplier is three. Let's take another look at those winning numbers. Remember there are multiple ways to win. We'll see you back here Wednesday night. Good night, everyone. It's time to play America's favorite jackpot game this.

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<p>ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION, IF IT'S IN THE AFFIRMATIVE, WILL GIVE YOU A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF HOW THIS PARTICULAR JUROR VOTES. THE MERE FACT THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP, OR LIKE DONALD TRUMP, WILL NOT DISQUALIFY PEOPLE FROM THE JURY. THE TEST IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN, GIVEN WHAT YOU KNOW OR THINK ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DEFENDANT, CAN YOU SET THOSE IDEAS ASIDE AND JUDGE THIS CASE FAIRLY ON THE FACTS AND THE EVIDENCE. THE CHALLENGE HERE IS JUST REALISM. THIS IS SOMEONE THAT IS SO DIVISIVE IN THIS COUNTRY AND WE'RE IN A COUNTY THAT VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN, HOW DO YOU SUSS THROUGH THAT. I ACTUALLY THINK NORMALLY PEOPLE TRY TO GET OFF JURY DUTY. I THINK SOMETHING THEY NEED TO GUARD FOR HERE IS THE STEALTH JUROR, SOMEONE WHO WILL APPEAR PLAIN, NEUTRAL, BUT WANTS TO GET ON THE JURY, MAYBE BECAUSE THEY HAVE AN AGENDA OR SIMPLY THEY KNOW THIS IS A PART OF HISTORY AND THEY WANT TO BE PART OF HISTORY. &gt;&gt; AND THAT CAN CUT BOTH WAYS, STEALTH JUROR. IT ONLY TAKES ONE JUROR TO SIDE WITH THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND YOU HAVE A HUNG JURY. YOU NEED A UNANIMOUS JURY TO GET A CONVICTION IN THIS CASE. &gt;&gt; EXACTLY RIGHT. IT'S OFTEN SAID IT ONLY TAKES ONE TO HANG A JURY, BUT REALITY IS, IF JURORS DELIBERATE, AND YOU ONLY HAVE ONE OR TWO IN THE ROOM, THEY USUALLY GET HARANGUED INTO CHANGING THEIR VOTE. JUST ONE JUROR CAN HANG THE ENTIRE CASE. AND BY THE WAY, SOME F THE TRADITIONAL THOUGHTS ABOUT JURY SELECTION ARE FLIPPED ON THEIR HEAD. A DEFENSE ATTORNEY LIKE ME, IF SOMEONE COMES IN AND HAS A CONNECTION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR AN AFFINITY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU WANT THEM OFF THAT JURY. MAYBE IN A CASE LIKE THIS, THAT'S EXACTLY WHO DONALD TRUMP WANTS ON THE JURY, GIVEN VOTING PATTERNS AND OTHER THINGS BEHIND OUR AREA, THIS IS A UNIQUE JURY SELECTION, AND LAWYERS ARE INVOLVED IN JURY SELECTION IN NEW YORK, WHICH IS UNUSUAL. IN FEDERAL COURT, FOR EXAMPLE, I DON'T SAY A WORD UNTIL I'M SPOKEN TO BY THE JUDGE. THEY HAVE ONE ON ONE ACCESS TO QUESTION THE JURORS. &gt;&gt; WHICH IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH SIDES TO SEE THE FACTS AND SEE THE JURY POOL. &gt;&gt; LET ME TURN BACK TO LAURA JARRETT. WE ARE AWAITING THE FORMER PRESIDENT TO WALK INTO THE COURTROOM. JUST THE SPECTER, HE'S REQUIRED TO BE THERE EVERY DAY. HE HAS INDICATED THAT HE WANTS TO TESTIFY. IF HE DOES, HIS LAWYERS CAN'T STOP HIM FROM DOING SO. HOW DO YOU EXPECT THAT TO PLAY OUT DAY BY DAY? &gt;&gt; Reporter: THE TRICK OF IT IS, SAVANNAH, HE'S BEEN IN THIS COURTROOM BEFORE. HE'S BEEN HERE OBVIOUSLY FOR HIS ARRAIGNMENT AND PRETRIAL HEARINGS. THIS IS DIFFERENT. HIS APPEARANCE IS NOT VOLUNTARY, HE'S REQUIRED TO BE HERE UNLESS HE GETS SPECIAL DISPENSATION FROM THE JUDGE, AND THE JUDGE HAS MADE IT CLEAR, HE EXPECTS HIM TO BE HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY, WHICH IN THE MIDDLE OF A REELECTION CAMPAIGN IS ALSO JUST EXTRAORDINARY AND UNPRECEDENTED IF YOU REALLY THINK ABOUT IT. IT WILLBE INTERESTING TO SEE WHO'S DRIVING THIS. YOU TALK ABOUT HIM SAYING HE WANTS TO TESTIFY. THAT OBVIOUSLY POSES EXTREME RISK FOR HIM ACROSS EXAMINATION. OBVIOUSLY HE WOULD BE IN THE WITNESS CHAIR THERE UNDER OATH AND WOULD HAVE TO TESTIFY TRUTHFULLY IN FRONT OF THIS JURY AS THEY ASSESS HIS CREDIBILITY, AND WE HAVE SEEN HIM TESTIFY BEFORE, JUST RECENTLY IN HIS CIVIL FRAUD TRIAL, HE INSISTED UPON TESTIFYING IN THAT CASE. AND WE KNOW HOW THAT ONE TURNED OUT. IT MAY BE THE CASE HE DOESN'T TESTIFY, IN WHICH CASE THE PROSECUTION CAN'T COMMENT IN FRONT OF THE JURY. HE HAS A RIGHT NOT TO TESTIFY LIKE ANY OTHER DEFENDANT. THROUGHOUT THE TRIAL, WE SEE THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN WHAT DONALD TRUMP THE CANDIDATE NEEDS TO DO AND WHAT HIS LAWYERS THINK IS IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR HIM. &gt;&gt; WE ALSO HAVE "MEET THE PRESS" MODERATOR, KRISTEN WELK WITH US. THERE'S PROBABLY NO QUESTION HE'LL TESTIFY ON THE COURTHOUSE STEPS, THOUGH THERE IS A PARTIAL GAG ORDER IN THE CASE. WHAT IS THE TRUMP STRATEGY AS THIS CASE UNFOLDS? HE'S OFF THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND IN A COURTROOM. HOW DOES HE INTEND TO BALANCE THOSE THINGS? &gt;&gt; IT'S A GREAT QUESTION. WE HAVE SEEN IT PLAY OUT THROUGHOUT HIS PREVIOUS COURT CASES IN WHICH HE HAS MADE USE OF THE CAMERAS OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM. TOLD BY VISER CLOSE TO DONALD TRUMP, HE AND HIS TEAM WILL MAKE USE OF EVERY AVENUE TO THE MEDIA POSSIBLE. NO SURPRISE THERE. HE'S A FORMER REALITY TV STAR, AFTER ALL. HE KNOWS HOW TO DO THIS. SAVANNAH, HE HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR HE PLANS TO BE OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS MUCH AS HE CAN AFTER COURT. COURT'S NOT GOING TO BE IN SESSION ON WEDNESDAY. EXPECT HIM TO BE OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS WELL. HE'S CLOSE TO NEARBY PENNSYLVANIA. BIG BATTLEGROUND STATES. EXPECT TO SEE PRESIDENT BIDEN IN PENNSYLVANIA, BY THE WAY, THIS WEEK. HE HAS THREE SEPARATE STOPS IN PENNSYLVANIA. OING TO TRY TO COUNTER PROGRAM THIS. DON'T EXPECT HIM TO TALK ABOUT THE COURT CASE. HE'S GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY, ABORTION, OTHER ISSUES THAT HE THINKS WILL RESONATE. WE JUST GOT NEW POLLING NATIONALLY SHOWING THAT THIS RACE IS AS TIGHT AS A TICK. ALL OF THIS COULD POTENTIALLY RESONATE WITH MODERATES, INDEPENDENTS IN THE CRITICAL BATTLEGROUND STATES. SAVANNAH. &gt;&gt; WE CONTINUE TO KEEP OUR EYES ON THOSE DOORS. WE EXPECT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP TO WALK IN AS HIS CRIMINAL TRIAL, AN UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY, A CRIMINAL TRIAL FOR A FORMER PRESIDENT BEGINS ANY MINUTE NOW WITH JURY SELECTION. I WANT TO TURN TO DANNY CEVALLOS, ONE OF THE LAWYERS ON OUR PANEL THIS MORNING. LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CASE. THERE ARE FOUR CASES, CRIMINAL CASES PENDING AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT. THIS IS THE NEW YORK CASE. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ANALYSIS OF THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF THE VARIOUS CASES. THIS IS THE WEAKEST LEGALLY. WHY IS THAT? &gt;&gt; IT'S PROBABLY THE MOST DEFENSIBLE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. NUMBER ONE, THE ORIGINAL THEORY OF THE CASE IS THAT TRUMP FALSIFIED BUSINESS RECORDS AND ADDITIONALLY BECAUSE HE WAS DOING THAT TO CONCEAL ANOTHER CRIME, IT'S ELEVATED TO A FELONY IN NEW YORK. THE OTHER CRIME IT IS A FEDERAL CAMPAIGN VIOLATION, WHICH REALLY IS AN UNUSUAL PLACE. IT'S A NOVEL THEORY. NST NEVER REALLY BEEN TESTED IN NEW YORK COURTS. FALSIFICATION OF BUSINESS RECORDS HAS BEEN TESTED. A CRIME THAT IS PROSECUTED. THE PROSECUTION MUST PROVE NOT ONLY THAT THE BUSINESS RECORDS WERE FALSIFIED BUT ADDITIONALLY THAT IT WAS IN CONCEALMENT OF A CRIME. THE DEFENSE THERE COULD SIMPLY BE IT WASN'T FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES. IT WAS TO REDUCE THE EMBARRASSMENT THAT I WOULD HAVE WITH MELANIA. OR YOU MIGHT SEE A DEFENSE OF I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. THOSE ARE OTHER PEOPLE, MICHAEL COHEN ACTED ON HIS OWN. THAT'S WHY I SUSPECT YOU SEE WITNESSES, HOPE HICKS, PEOPLE AROUND HIM AND MAYBE HEARD HIM TALK ABOUT THINGS. MICHAEL COHEN HAS CREDIBILITY ISSUES. BUT I HAVE TO SAY, THAT'S A CLASSIC THING THAT ALL COOPERATING WITNESSES HAVE. IF HE'S INTRODUCING DOCUMENTS, THE PROSECUTION WILL SAY THE DOCUMENTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. &gt;&gt; MICHAEL COHEN IS THE FORMER LAWYER, THE PERSON WHO EXECUTED THESE PAYMENTS AND LATER WAS REIMBURSED. HE HAS PLEADED GUILTY. AND WHEN YOUCOOPERATING WITNESS LIKE THAT, THEY HAVE CREDIBILITY PROBLEMS. THE PROSECUTORS WILL HAVE TO SHORE HIM UP WITH CORROBORATING EVIDENCE. &gt;&gt; THEY ARE. THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TRY TO USE SOME DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE. THERE'S ONE RECORDING WE KNOW ABOUT. NOT ABOUT STORMY DANIELS, THE PORN STAR INVOLVED IN THESE HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS. THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS ON TAPE DISCUSSING HOW THE REIMBURSEMENT SCHEMES WILL WORK. PROSECUTORS WANT TO BRING IN ALL OF THAT TO FLESH OUT THE STORY. THEY WANT TO SHOW A PATTERN OF SUPPRESSING A BUNCH OF STORIES LEADING UP TO THE ELECTION, ALL IN SERVICE OF TRYING TO KEEP WHAT THEY SAY, PROSECUTORS SAY WAS DAMAGING INFORMATION FROM THE VOTERS. AS DANNY LAID OUT, THE DEFENSE IS GOING TO CONTINUALLY SAY THIS WASN'T ABOUT KEEPING INFORMATION FROM THE VOTERS BECAUSE THE VOTERS WOULD HAVE NEVER SEEN HOW I WAS DOCUMENTING ON MY BOOKS AND RECORDS. THIS WAS ABOUT A PERSONAL ISSUE, EMBARRASSMENT, KEEPING THE ISSUE FROM HIS WIFE, SAVANNAH. &gt;&gt; AND WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE PUBLIC WILL REACT, HOW THIS WILL PLAY POLITICALLY. OF ALL THE FACTS THAT ARE PENDING, THIS IS CERTAINLY THE STEAMIEST. THIS IS THE MIEST SETTLE OF FACTS. &gt;&gt; IT'S A SET OF FACTS THAT WAS KNOWN BEFORE THE PRESIDEWAS ELECTED IN 2016. IT WAS IN THE PUBLIC EYE PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY. &gt;&gt; A PORN STAR WHO HE ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING AN CONSENSUAL AFFAIR WITH. &gt;&gt; DENIES WRONG DOING. THE POLITICS IS INTERESTING BECAUSE THE TIMING PIECE, SAVANNAH. YOU BROUGHT UP THE IDEA THAT THIS IS PERCEIVED TO BE POTENTIALLY THE WEAKNESS CASE FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE. THOSE CLOSE TO THE FORMER PRESIDENT SEE A POLITICAL ADVANTAGE IN THIS CASE COMING UP FIRST AND NOT THE FEDERAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE CASE AND NOT THE CASE INVOLVING THE MISHANDLING, ALLEGEDLY OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS HERE. THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE ONE WE'RE SITTING HERE TALKING ABOUT, IN THE PUBLIC EYE, THEY SEE THIS AS POTENTIALLY USEFUL BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS KNOWN INFORMATION, IT IS HAPPENING IN NEW YORK CITY, WHERE THE FORMER PRESIDENT HAS AND CAN SAY, LOOK, IT'S MANHATTAN, THERE ARE A BUNCH OF DEMOCRATS LOOKING TO BE OUT TO GET ME. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE NAMES COMING UP. YOU CAN BE FORGIVEN FOR FLASHING BACK TO 2016. THAT IS THE VIBE. HOPE HICKS, WHO WE HAVEN'T SEEN FOR OR HEARD FROM IN YEARS. &gt;&gt; STORMY DANIELS WILL TESTIFY, KAREN McDOUGAL, ANOTHER WOMAN CLAIMS TO HAVE BEEN PAID OFF. SHE MAY BE A POTENTIAL WITNESS. &gt;&gt; THE "NATIONAL ENQUIRER" FOLKS INVOLVED IN THE CATCH AND KILL SCHEME, YOU SEE THE LIST OF POTENTIAL WITNESSES. WE ARE EXPECTING TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT POSSIBLY AS EARLY AS TODAY, THESE WERE ALL NAMES WE WERE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, WHO ARE COMING BACK AND RELIVING, AS YOU PUT IT, SOME OF THE STEAMY DETAILS OF WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED HERE. &gt;&gt; DANNY, ONE OF THE ISSUES, AND WE ONLY HAVE A COUPLE OF SECONDS LEFT, IS TIMING. THE FORMER PRESIDENT CAN SAY, LOOK, THIS WAS A PERSONAL MATTER, I USED PERSONAL FUNDS, THESE ARE MY BUSINESS RECORDS, NO ONE IS RELYING ON THEM. THEN WHY DID YOU DO IT IN THE WANING DAYS OF THE 2016 ELECTION. THIS STORY HAD BEEN OUT THERE FOR MUCH LONGER THAN THAT. &gt;&gt; EXACTLY RIGHT. THE TIMING IS PROBABLY THE PROSECUTION'S BEST PIECE OF EVIDENCE. HAD IT HAPPENED A YEAR OR TWO MORE, THERE'S NO CASE. THE PROSECUTION NEEDS TO TIME IN THE TIMING, TO GO AGAINST THE DEFENSE SAYING THIS IS A PERSONAL PAYMENT. &gt;&gt; DANNY CEVALLOS, HALLIE, AND KRISTEN WELKER, WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE OUR COVERAGE ON THE STREAMING NETWORK, NBC NEWS NOW, NBC.COM. WE'LL WRAP UP ON "NIGHTLY NEWS", AND WE'LL BE THE EYES AND EARS INSIDE THAT COURTHOUSE. MOST OF YOU WILL NOW RETURN TO MORE OF THE "TODAY" SHOW. I'M SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, THANKS FOR WATCHING. SELECTION SET TO BEGIN AT THE FIRST EVER CRIMINAL TRIAL OF A FORMERING AS WE SPEAK? &gt;&gt; I THINK THAT'S UP TO THE WAR CABINET AND PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU TO DECIDE, WE CERTAINLY WOULDN'T GET AHEAD OF ANY DECISIONS THEY MIGHT MAKE. THE PRESIDENT IN HIS CONVERSATION WITH PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU LAUDED THE AMAZING SUCCESS THEY HAD IN SHOOTING DOWN THE DRONES FIRED AT THEM. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE ACHIEVEMENT. AND HE URGED NETANYAHU TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THAT GREAT SUCCESS, WHAT THAT MEANT, THE MESSAGE IT SENT, ABOUT ISRAEL'S MILITARY SUPERIORITY AND THAT IRAN FAILED IN THAT WHEY TRIED TO DO. &gt;&gt; BEING BLUNT AS POSSIBLE, ESSENTIALLY WHAT THE WHITE HOUSE IS SAYING TO ISRAEL IS, AS BEEN REPORTED, TAKE THE WIN, IN THE TO RETALIATE? IS THAT THE U.S.'S POSITION, ISRAEL, DON'T RETALIATE? &gt;&gt; AGAIN, THE PRESIDENT MADE IT CLEAR TO PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU THAT THERE WAS MUCH TO -- MUCH TO BE PROUD OF THE OTHER NIGHT IN TERMS OF THE MILITARY SUCCESS. THE PRESIDENT HAS ALSO BEEN VERY CLEAR, IN MULTIPLE VENUES, THAT WE DO NOT SEEK A WAR WITH IRAN, WE DON'T WANT TO SEE A WIDER WAR IN THE REGION. &gt;&gt; WELL, AS WE ALL KNOW, THIS STRIKE FROM IRAN WAS IN RETALIATION FOR A STRIKE THAT ISRAEL TOOK AGAINST IRANIAN FORCES IN SYRIA THAT KILLED SEVEN IRGC OFFICERS. THE ISRAELIS GAVE NO HEADS UP TO ITS ALLY, THE U.S., WAS THAT NEEDLESSLY PROVOCATIVE? DO YOU THINK THAT ISRAEL BEARS SOME RESPONSIBILITY FOR ESCALATING THIS, AND GETTING US TO THIS POINT? &gt;&gt; WELL, LOOK, LET'S BE CLEAR HERE, IRAN HAS BEEN FUNDING, RESOURCING IRAN HAS BEEN FUNDING GROUPS GROUPS LIKE HAMAS, LIKE HAMAS, HEZBOLLAH, THE HEZBOLLAH, THE HOUTHIS DOWN IN YEMEN, ALSO OF HOUTHIS IN YEMEN. WHICH, ALSO, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ALL OF WHICH ALSO, WITH THE HAMAS, AT LEAST PROXY GROUPS, INCLUDING THOSE IN EXCEPTION OF HAMAS, THESE PROXY IRAQ AND SYRIA, ALSO GROUPS, INCLUDING THOSE IN IRAQ PARTICIPATED IN TH AND SYRIA, ALSO PARTICIPATED IN E STRIKE THESE STRIKES AGAINST ISRAEL ON AGAINST ISRAEL ON ISRAEL ISRAELI SOIL.I SOIL, IRAN IS THE ONE WHO WAS PROVIDING THE MEANS AND TH IRAN IS THE ONE WHO'S PROVIDING E RESOURCES THROUGH WH THE MEANS AND THE RESOURCES ICH THESE GROUPS THROUGH WHICH THESE GROUPS AND AND THEIR OWN MILITARY WAS ABLE THEIR OWN MILITARY WAS ABLE TO TO CONDUCT THIS UNPREC CONDUCT THIS UNPRECEDENTED EDENTED ATTACK ON ISRAEL. &gt;&gt; ATTACK ON ISRAEL. GIVEN THAT, &gt;&gt; SO GIVEN THAT, AND GIVEN WHAT AND GIVEN W THE WHITE HOUSE IS SIGNALING THE WHITE HOUSE IS SIGNALING ABOUT IT ABOUT ITS MESSAGING TO THE S MESSAGING TO THE ISRAELIS, I JUST WANT TO GO BACK ISRAELIS, I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO THE POINT HERE, IS THE WHITE HOUSE SAYI TO THE POINT HERE.NG, IN, YOU KNOW, BETWEEN TH IS THE WHITE HOUSE SAYING, YOU E LINES, ESSENTIALLY TO ISRAEL, KNOW, BETWEEN THE LINES, DON'T RETALIATE NOW? I MEAN, THE IRANIANS H ESSENTIALLY, TO ISRAEL, DON'T AVE RETALIATE NOW? CLAIMED THAT THEY HAVE THE IRANIANS HAVE CLAIMED THAT CONCLUDED THEIR RE THEY HAVE CONCLUDED THEIR SPONSE TO THE SYRIA ATTACK RESPONSE TO THE SYRIA ATTACK., SO IS IT THE U.S. SO IS IT THE U.S. POSITION THAT POSITION IF ISRAEL SITS TIGHT, THIS COULD THAT IF ISRAEL SITS TIGHT, THIS CAN END RIGHT NOW? END RIGHT NOW?&gt;&gt; WE WANT TO SEE DEESCALATION, CLEARLY, IN THE REGION, AND EVERYTHING &gt;&gt; WE WANT TO SEE DEESCALATION CLEARLY IN THE REGION, AND EVERYTHING THE PRESIDENT HAS DONE SINCE OCTOBER 7th HAS BEEN th HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO KEEP THIS FROM BECOMING A DESIGNED TO KEEP THIS FROM WIDER WAR, SAVANNAH, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOING TO KEEP LATCHED UP WITH ISRAELI COUNTERPARTS AND MAKE IT CLEAR AGAIN TO THE ISR BECOMING A WIDER WAR, SF SAVANNAH, THAT'S WHY WE'RE GOINGAELIS WE'LL DO WH TO KEEP LATCHED UP WITH THE AT WE HAVE TO DO TO DEFEND THEM AND HEL ISRAELI COUNTERPARTS.P THEM IN THEI THAT'S WHY WE WILL KEEP UP WITH R SELF-DEFENSE BUT WE OUR ISRAELI COUNTER PARTS AND MAKE IT CLEAR WE WILL DO WHAT WEDON'T WANT HAVE TO DO TO DEFEND THEM, HELP THEM IN THEIR SELF-DEFENSE, BUT TO SEE A WIDER WAR, WE ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A WAR WITH IRAN. &gt;&gt; ON THE OTHER HAND, IF ISRAEL DOES NOT WE DON'T WANT TO SEE A WIDER WAR. WE CERTAINLY ARE NOT LOOKING FOR A WAR WITH IRAN. &gt;&gt; ON THE OTHER HAND, IF ISRAEL DOES NOT RETALIATE, SOME SAY IF THE U.S. DOESN'T RESPOND DIRECTLY, THEN IRAN WILL SIMPLY POND DIRECTLY, THEN IRAN WILL SIMPLY BE EMBOLDENED, YOU'RE GETTING I BE EMBOLDEN.T FROM BOT HERE YOU'RE GETTING IT FROM BOTH SIDES.H SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN SAYS HE SIDES. SENATOR JOHN FETTERMAN DISAGREES WITH THE PRESIDENT, SEEMING TO RULE OUT DISAGREES WITH THE PRESIDENT TO ANY U.S RULE OUT ANY U.S. RESPONSE . RESPONSE AGAINST AGAINST IRAN.IRAN, AND DA AND CONGRESSMAN DARENSHAW N CRENSHAW, WHEN YOU DIMINISH THE RETURNS, THE ENEMY FEELS EMBOLDENED TO SAID WHEN YOU DIMINISH STRIKE. &gt;&gt; WHAT WE SAID THE OTHER NIGHT, DETERRENCE, THE ENEMY FEELS IS THAT IRAN IS NO EMBOLDENED TO STRIKE.T MILITARILY SUPERI &gt;&gt; I THINK WHAT WE SHOWED THE OTHER NIGHT IN CONCERT WITH OR, THAT I PARTNERS AND OF COURSE THE RAN IS NOT TEN FEET TALL, AND THAT WE WIL ISRAELIS IS THAT IRAN IS NOT MILITARILY SUPERIOR, THAT IRAN L AC IS NOT 10 FEET TALL AND THAT WE WILL ACT -- THAT ISRAEL IS NOT ALONE. IS NOT ALONE, WE WE WILL ACT WITH THEM ON THEIR WILL ACT WITH THEM IN T SELF-DEFENSE. SELF-DEFENSE. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN LOOK AT THE INCREDIBLE MILITARY ACHIEVEMENTS THE OTHER NIGHT, AND COME I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN LOOK AT AWAY WITH THE INCREDIBLE MILITARY ANY OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS THE OTHER NIGHT ANDIDEA THAT THE UNITED STATES, THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS NOT COME AWAY WITH ANY OTHER IDEA GOING TO S THAT THE UNITED STATES, THAT TAND BY OUR GO PRESIDENT BIDEN IS NOT GOING TO OD FRIEND AND ALLY ISRAEL AS THEY STAND BY OUR GOOD FRIEND AND DEFEND THE ALLY ISRAEL AS THEY DEFEND THEMSELVES.MSELVES. &gt;&gt; WE WILL BE HA &gt;&gt; WE WILL BE HAVING A MUCH VING A MUCH DIFFER DIFFERENT CONVERSATION HAD WE CONVERSATION HAD WE NOT HAD THAT INCREDIBLE, AS YOU MENTIONED, ABILI NOT HAD THAT INCREDIBLE, AS YOU TY TO REPE MENTIONED, ABILITY TO REPEL 99% L 99% OF THESE OF THESE MISSILES AND DRONES MISSILES AND DRONES THAT WERE COMING TOWARD ISRAEL, THAT WERE COMING TOWARD ISRAEL. DOES NETANYAHU'S ACTIONS IN THE REGION MAK DOES NETANYAHU'S ACTIONS IN THE E THE U.S. REGION MAKE THE U.S. NERVOUS? NERVOUS? &gt;&gt; I THINK WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TENSIONS &gt;&gt; I THINK WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT TENSIONS RISING ALL RISING ALL THROUGHOUT THE REGION, SAVANNAH, THROUGHOUT THE REGION, SAVANNAH. AND, AGAIN AND, AGAIN, EVERYTHING THAT THE , EVERYTHING THAT TH PRESIDENT HAS BEEN DOING AND E PRESIDENT HAS BEEN DOING, AND ADDING RESOURCES</p>

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Tuesday and Friday Mega Millions Drawing.

>> ACROSS AMERICA WITH MEGA JACKPOTS, IT'S MEGA MILLIONS. WHAT'S UP AMERICA? I'M JOHN CODE IS FRIDAY. APRIL 12TH AND TONIGHT'S MEGA MILLIONS JACKPOT IS AN ESTIMATED ANNUITIZED 125 MILLION DOLLARS TO WIN THAT JACKPOT. YOU MUST MATCH THESE 5 WHITE. PLUS THAT GOLD MEGA BALL. NOW, LET'S SEE IF I CAN MAKE YOU A MILLIONAIRE TONIGHT. FIRST WINNING NUMBER TONIGHT IS 18 FOLLOWED BY 14. UP NEXT, WE HAVE 12. THAT'S FOLLOWED BY ONE OF YOUR FINAL WHITE BALL NUMBER FOR THIS FRIDAY EVENING IS 66 NOW FOR THE MEGA BALL NUMBER. THAT IS 16 AGAIN TONIGHT WHEN THE NUMBERS ARE

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