The Daily Nightly began on May 31, 2005. As Brian wrote in his first post it aims to provide a narrative of the broadcast day and a window into the editorial process at NBC Nightly News. Brian weighs in every weekday and NBC News correspondents and producers post regularly.
Brian Williams became the seventh anchor and managing editor in the history of NBC Nightly News on December 2, 2004. Read his full biography.
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This is our last weekday pre-Christmas break broadcast. We have a ton of news for this time of year, and there are folks we ought to be thinking of tonight. A lot of them. Tonight we will take time to pay tribute to the thousands who have volunteered to defend the country, and who tonight are on post in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Korean DMZ. We will report on the thousands of people who spent the night at the airport in Denver. Some of them are just now coming to grips with the notion of spending Christmas in a Denver hotel room... instead of with loved ones as they had intended. And a sidebar PR question for the FAA: After 4,700 people spent the night in the airport terminal after a crippling blizzard, why was the first aircraft allowed to take off (an event covered live on both local news and national cable news) a FedEx cargo wide body jet? I realize FedEx carries valuable goods and meaningful packages, especially this time of year, but aren't passengers -- human passengers -- the priority? Was it a too-linear reading of takeoff order or was there a good reason for it? Since the picture of the "first departure from DIA" was shown all over the world today, just asking...
Also in the news tonight: Today's dropped rape charges in the Duke case. Three cable news networks took the defense attorney's news conference live, and the language, dealing with sex acts and body parts, was unbelievable. I couldn't help but think of the daytime TV audience during what one of the attorneys almost comically went on to describe as "this wonderful season of the year." We'll have an update on the case tonight.
Also tonight: American losses in Iraq, and the President's visit to Walter Reed today. CNBC's Phil LeBeau, who reports on the automotive industry, will do the same for us tonight on a major milestone where the "Big Three" of Detroit are concerned. Also tonight, our Friday "Making a Difference" segment -- a very touching story of a Secret Santa who is secret no more.
I'll also close the broadcast tonight with a message provided me by a viewer.
As I write this, my office has been transformed into a gift-wrapping zone. And as I prepare to take some time off with my family, I want to wish all of you the very best this holiday season. Your time and attention -- and yes, even your scrutiny and criticism -- make this the best job imaginable. We couldn't do any of it without you, and I wish you a happy and safe holiday -- a Merry Christmas -- and it goes without saying: My very best wishes for a wonderful year ahead.
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The Saturday Before...
Brian, we hope that you and your family have the most wonderful Christmas! We thank you for your time and dedication to the news. Thanks so much!
Amber Williams, Houston, Missouri (Sent Dec 22, 2006 6:16:05 PM)
Merry Christmas, Brian! I hope you and your family enjoy a wonderful holiday together, and that you get to just kick back in your time off. Remember: chocolate is GOOD for you!!!
I hope 2007 brings all of us a chance for peace and genuine fulfillment. I'm looking foward to the newscasts that bring that home to us :)
To the troops overseas, and here too .. thank you for serving. Thank you for being away from home when you most want to see your families. Thank you for your dedication .. we love you. Vaya con Dios.
Lynn G. Minneapolis, MN (Sent Dec 22, 2006 5:58:10 PM)
Merry Christmas to your family, Brian, and all your colleagues and their families behind the Nightly News desk. I hope and pray you have better (aka happier/lighter) news stories to cover in '07!
~with cats Mackenzie & Sebastian and hamster Henrietta
Stephanie Umbro, Maine (Sent Dec 22, 2006 5:52:05 PM)
More than likely, the fedex jet was the one closest to the deicing station and runway when they were clearing. No point in making it wait while they cleared to the next plane...
Jeff Linder Marlton, NJ (Sent Dec 22, 2006 5:01:53 PM)
Merry Christmas Brian...We hope that your family and you have a blessed and safe Christmas and New Year. Our son-in-law is in the Army Reserves and there is the very real possibility that they will be deployed in the new year. This makes 2007 very uncertain for our daughter and her family. Stil, our family has been blessed many times over and we are all thankful to be able to once more be together to celebrate the true meaning of the season. We continue to pray for our military personsel stationed around the world and we pray for those who are still dealing with the effects of Katrina. Thanks to you and your staff for always keeping us informed. A big thank you for always including good positive stories in your broadcast. Again, Merry Christmas to your family and you, and also to your staff.
Pam, Indiana (Sent Dec 22, 2006 5:01:50 PM)
Brian -
Hope you saw the Peggy Noonan article today in the WSJ 'narrated' by you. What a great Christmas message.
Enjoy the holidays with your family -
Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT.
Joan Chapman, Cheshire, CT. (Sent Dec 22, 2006 4:57:33 PM)
does FedEx carry organs in route for transplant? Just a thought before the loony left goes off the deep end too far.
Big evil corporations grrrrrrr ehhehehehe
Dave, Tn (Sent Dec 22, 2006 4:38:08 PM)
Merry Christmas wishes to Brian and the correspondents and staff of Nightly News, their families, and to the posters to and readers of, this blog who have come to be a virtual on-line community.
Special thanks to editor, Rob Merrill, who must have had his eyes nearly fall out of his head on several occasions this year when comments reached the hundreds--even a thousand once, if I recall correctly. You have done Herculean work!
Am I being unrealistically optimistic when I express the wish that this nation will find some hint of peace in 2007? Let us hope not.
And Brian, let us hope a vacation will finally kill that horrible bug.
Happy holidays all...
Celine, JC-NJ (Sent Dec 22, 2006 4:35:23 PM)
Brian - regarding the FedEx cargo jet, it just goes to show you what the priority is: Money, not people. It is a recurring theme in everything. It's all about the money. FedEx had to get those packages out on time, or there would be hell to pay, right? So screw the 4700 people going nuts stuck in the airport.
Their gifts will be there on time, but they won't be there to open them because they'll be waiting for a flight. The irony...
Mich Sullivan, St. Petersburg, FL (Sent Dec 22, 2006 4:13:40 PM)
First flight a Fedex jet --- just goes to show money talks, everyone else can wait.
Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays and new year. May it be a safe one for all of us
Amanda - Ridgewood, NJ (Sent Dec 22, 2006 4:06:37 PM)
Brian--Happy holidays to you and yours!
Olivia, Peoria, Ill. (Sent Dec 22, 2006 4:06:23 PM)
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