NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas Wednesday, January 14, 2026
13 snips
Jan 15, 2026 A massive Verizon wireless outage leaves major cities in chaos, disrupting emergency services. NASA pulls off a dramatic medical evacuation from the ISS for a sick astronaut. Meanwhile, President Trump sends mixed signals to Iranian protesters amidst troop movements. In other news, Timothy Busfield faces legal troubles, while younger generations take up 'grandma' hobbies like knitting and birdwatching. A rare FBI search of a Washington Post reporter's home raises eyebrows linked to a Pentagon case.
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Major Wireless Outage Exposes Fragility
- The Verizon outage left millions without calls, texts, or data across major U.S. cities and even hindered 911 access.
- Officials urged having backup emergency plans and alternative ways to contact authorities.
Cause Of Outage Remains Unclear
- Verizon did not say whether the outage was caused by a hack, leaving the root cause unclear.
- Past carrier outages have been tied to network configuration errors, not cyberattacks, suggesting multiple possible causes.
Have A Communication Backup Plan
- If cellular service fails, use a landline or go to a police station or firehouse to reach 911.
- Prepare backups and emergency plans for communication before outages occur.