tonight, breaking news a hurricane threat as severe flding triggers a state of emergcy in new orleans. threat of a tropical storm, even a hurricane increases in the days aheadwi the levies be able to hold the water back? on high anxiety tht in the big easy and beyond. >> nbc news exclusive, a new accuser says billionaire jeffrey epstein assaulted her when she was 15. did jeffrey epstein rape you>> yeah, he raped me, forcefully raped me. >> and president etrump's labor secry defending his involvement as a rfederal prosecuto in a lenient plea deal for epstein 11 years

ago. anrican has been found dead on a gree island, now the urgent search for her killer. new allegations by migrant children of sexual assault and buother a while held at a facility in get ona as we another look inside a facility in texas. families desperate to have children adevastated by fertility clinic mix up. >> families shouldn't meet their babies in the lobby of a hotel. >> after they say the clin implanted the wrong embryos. >> announcer: this is "nbc nigly news" with lester holt. >> good evening. there's bruise eaking news as we come on tonight. a hurricane watch for ancostal louisi mother casters

tracking a tropical cyclone likely to intensify into a named storm. eriggering a flash floodrgency and leaving neighborhoods under water. morgan chesky is in new orleans tonight. >> reporter: tonight louisiana under a state of emergency after a fast-moving rstorm threw watepouts and flash flooding that brought neorleans to a soggy stand still. in some areas, nearly rain in of just twoours. >> disabled cars all over the rain.it 's like a hurricane. >> reporter: canal street living up to its name. >> i'm struck. t 'm stranded out here. i don'ow what to do. >> reporter: when it comes to keeping the city dry, these drainage canals are crucial. only problem they can only handle so much water, leaving these low-lying neighborhoods at risk twith nothing moren a few inch of rain. the building tropical threat casting a shadow as far as texas. >> be prepared for this particular storm. this is the time to

start getting prepared. >> getting things together before this hurricane that has no name comes in. >> reporter: with the getting stronger, that name may come soon enough. morgan chesky, nbc news, new orleans. >> we are keeping a close eye on this developing threat. dylan, what are you seeing? >> reporhe heavy rain is already starting to make its way along the south owoast of louisiana. right it is a tropical cyclone number two, but tomorrow it could become a tropical storm. in friday there's a chancecould become a category one hurricane. we need to closely twatch the track as takes that turn to the north. east way we should see at least 10 inches of rain especially along south western louisiana. so, that is why we have to focus so much on the flooding potential. lester. >> thank you. under fire for his lenient handling of the jeffrey epstein x trafficking case, alex acosta is defying

calls for his head. acosta held a news conference this afternoon where he a dealded the p he made with epstein 11 years ago. >> we did what we did becauso we wanted t see epstein go to jail. he needed to go to jail. >> reporter: today labor secretary alex acosta, former u.s. torney in florida, says accused sex trafficker jeffrey epstein wouldn't hav served time in jail over a decade ago if his office hasn't stepped in. >> simply put, the palm beach state attorney's office was ready to let ep teen walkfree, no jail time, nothing. >> becse of a deal struck in 2008, epstein pleaded guilty to state charges including solicitg prostitution from a minor in exchange for avoiding federal prosecution. he was sentenced to 13 months,ced to register as a sex offender, and make financial restitution with victim what some critics have called the deal of the

century. in that agreement, the u.s. attorney makes it tlear that his office and fbi were investigating much more serious federal charges including the ones epstein had pleaded not guilty to this week in new york. sex trafficking and conspiracy. but acostays given the evidence they had at the time in florida, going to court would have been, in his words,ol a r of the dice. >> one of the tough questionsn these cases, what is the value of a secured guilty plea with registration versus ?rolling the dice >> reporter: the labor secretary also argued that today's juries and judges are more sympathetic to sexual assault victims. >> today's world does not allow some of the victim shaming that could have taken place at trial 12 years ago. >> reporter: lester, late today ther forme alorida state attorney issued statement saying that acosta's recollection of the matter is, quote, completely wrong and

that if acosta was that concerned about the case, he should have proceeded with federal charges. now to our exclusive nbc news interview with a new accuser has come forward with allegaons against epstein. she is not part of the indictment in new york against the billionaire who has pleaded not guilty. she says epstein raped her when she was in high school. if you have young children in the room, some of the descriptionsre a graphic. >> reporter: in 2001, je nnifer arose was 14 years old, a freshman at this new york high school when she says a woman approached her outside. the first time she brought up the nameje rey epstein, how did she describe him to you? >> he was just a great guy. she was saying he helped me, i struggled. she was similar to >> reporter: when you think of her now, you use thephrase, he said the recruiter. you felt like she was looking for someone. >> for sure. >> she says weeks

later the recruiter brought her to epstein's townhouse. she said she and epstein talked, drank wine. she was given $300 the secretary. after a few weeks of visits, arose says she went alone to his m massage roo where he pressured her into giving him a massage. >> at the same time i wascared. i kind of just followed. i would have just my underwear on because that's how he liked it. and i would just give massages and then he would potentially later on turn over and play with himself. then he would finish himself off. and then that would be the end of it. still would give me the 300. >> how often do you think you were there? >> once a week, twice a week my fresan year. >> after arose turned 15, she says things took a turn. >> just take your

underwear off a get on top. i said i didn't want to. and he, you know, very o forcefully kin brought me on to the table. i just did what i was -- what he told me to do. i was really scared and i was telling him to stop, please stop. >> and did he? >> no, he did not. >> arose says she did not tellone pleadly about her interactions with epstein. she eventuallyco nfided in four people, all confirm to nbc news that arose told them what happened years ago. >> did jeffrey epstein rape you? ef> yeah, he raped me, forcully raped me, knew exactly what he was doing. andnk i don't thi cared. ewhat hurtsven more so is that if i would have come forward sooner, then maybe he wouldn't have done it to other girls. >> nbc news reachedou to epstein's lawyers several times

but they have not responded. ss previous discuions with araoz's lawyers, epstein's lawyers challenged her credibility. >> what would you say hat say this is about getting money? >> he hurt me badly. i prefer not to go through that. so, this is one way for me to get justice. >> today lawyers for jennifer araoz told a new york intend to file a civil suit against epstein. next another nbc news exclusi revealing shocking treatment of migrant children at a detention center in arizona including sexual assault and taliation by border patrol agents. e tonight we'rtting the first glimpse inside the government's newest holding center in texas. >> f t the firste since a record surge of migrants at the border, conditions inside an arizona

detention center are in the spotlight. after nbc news s obtained dozenf reports from the department of health and human services chronic calling allegations of migrant children in custody. among the allegationsar these infinite reports from the yuma border patrol station, sexual assault. a 15-year-old girl from honduras described a large bearded officer putting his hands inside her bra, his hands down her pants and groping her. the officer was speaking to other officers and english laughing. another report, a 16-year-old guatemalan boy said after he and others in his cell complained about theta ste of food and ook er, officers sleeping mats out of atheir cells in retalin. although the allegations were made between april and june, the department of homeland security only now t responding our reporting. the allegations did not align with common

practice at our facilities and will be investigation. the allegation of sexual assault is already under investigation. both kers on sides of the aisle responding too. >> the top people ought to be fired now. w >> i there in april. i was tre at that yuma detenti facility, and they were doing the best they could under terrible circumstances. >> reporter: tonight questions remain, in oparticular whether not the agent accused of sexual assault is still working at the station. jac jac jacob soeb love nbc news. tonight reporters ha government the first tour of one of the largest holding facilities of migrant children. here they're taught english and the pledge if allegiance and slee these dorms an average of 45 days until they're placed with relatives or sponsors. some of this video provided by the

government. the cost of care for each child isp to $800 a day, up to $300 million set aside for this facility alone this year. >> is this much too late? >> we're never too much too late. first of all, one of the things that is known about this program and influxes at the border, they're obnpredictable. our js to be prepared. >> reporter: the department of health and human services is looking to open five more shelters in atlanta, dallas, houston, and san antonio. in san antonio, local officials are exasperated. it's already cost more than auarter million dollar since march. >> should taxpayers in the city be footing the bill for this? >> in a perfect rld, wnhe federal government wouldhe entire process from start to finish. >> here, this new facility i holding more than 200 children right now. its capacity will be 1,300. thank you. president trump won a

victory gal today when a federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit that alleged his washington, d.c. hotel violated the constitution. two democratic attorneys general had the president of illegally profiting from government guests at the trump international hotel. president trump celebrated the decision calling the lawsuit ridiculous. tonight the deepening mystery abroad after authorities in greece said they now believe an american scientist who had been missing for days was killed, her body discover oed in a tunnel. migu almaguer has late details in the shocking case and the investigation. >> was discovered 100 yards from the closest road insidehis abandoned world war ii bunker on the island of crete. a coroner in greece announcing suzanne eaton died of apparently suffocation, devastating news for family and friends. >> she reallyas an

incredibly exceptional scientist and human being who was so well-loved by so many >> reporter: a respected molecular biologist living in germany, eaton was in greece for a conference when s disappeared. her family thoug she went for a jog when her family was first recovered inside this network of old nazi tunnels on t island. now a much more sinister ending. tonight the hunt for a killer, but police in greece have released few details, no suspects, no motive. lester. >> miguel almaguer. thousands line new york city's canyon of heroes tod to cheer america's world cup champions as the u.s. women's soccer team ycelebrated their victor and vowed to fi t for equal pay. >> i woke up ready to get dressed at 3:00 a.m. >> this girl and her brother scrambled to dress and dash out the door to see their

heroes. joining 200,000 for the ticker tape parade in new york honoring the world champs, the u.s. women's soccer team. >> what does it tell you that women can do? >> don't give up. >> and for the fans celebrating the women's victory on the field, they now want to see them get winning paychecks. >> equal pay! equal pay! >> reporter: new york state moved the ball forward today with newua pay legislation. megan rapinoe called for charges nationwide. >> bemore, be better be better than you have before. >> i lant to beike that when i'm older. >> reporter: celebrating messagesof unity, empowering the next generation. >> there is a lot more ato tell youut tonight. just ahead the outraged parents breaking their silence after they say a rtility clinic mix up led to their baby being born to a total hetranger.

ystery at the vatican where investigators are trying to crack decades old cold case. that's why there's otezla. a otezla is not a cream. it's a pill that treats plaque psoriasis differently. with otezla, 75% clearer skin is achievable. don't use if you're allergic to otezla. it may cause severe diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. otezla is associated with an increased risk of depression. i tell your doctoryou have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts or if these feelings develop. some people taking otezla reported weight loss. your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. or upper respiraty tract infection and headache may occur. tell your doctor about your medicines, and if you're pregnant or planning to be. otezla. show more of you. ♪

(chis not jhurting you. doing if you can't make up your mind to quit for yourself, do it for those who love you. (announcer) for free help, call 1-8-quit now. heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea. ♪ausea, (vo) try new pepto liquicaps for fast relief and ultra-coating. (flight attendants) ♪ nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea. ♪ (vo) get powerfo relief with new peptsmol liquicaps.

next tonight new developments in a case. accusing a prominent fertility clinic of a shocking mix up that led to another woman giving birth to two babies shs one of them theirs. >> reporter: ai and her lived an unmanageable nightmare. unable to conceive, they went to cha fertility center hoping tave a second child. their embryos were implanted in a total stranger, an asian woman who thought she was pregnant with twin girl of her own. woman ch tha

was shocked when she gave birth to twin boys neither of which was asian descent. they were blindsided when the fertility clinic deliver the news. not oy that, the same fertility clinic implanted at least one embryo in anni that was not hers that she miscarried. all three embryos were implanted at the clin on the same day. >> they messed up three different families' lives and it's not okay. >> reporter: the manukyans a the new york couple are suing cha. the manukyans also had to file a separat lawsuit to bring their son home. >> you first met your baby six weeks after he was born on mother's day weekend. what was that like? dy> it was hard. nobohould meet their baby in a lobby of a hotel. >> reporter: they're

telling their story er hoping no oth family will have to endure their pain. we'll take a short break. coming up, what investigators hope to find in 19th century tombs at the vatican. (announcer) you can quit. for free help, call 1-800-quit now. w...that keep urillions of cells... active like you, your cells get hungry. every day.

feed them... ...with centrum® multigummies. so you can be unstoppable. now improved! better tasting feed your cells today. doctor bob, what should i take for back pain? i recommend applyiical berelievers first.ything, t salonpas lidocaine patch blocks pain receptors for effective, non-addictive relief. salonpas lidocaine. patch, roll-on or cream. hisamitsu. but 're also a company that controls hiv, fights cancer, repairs shattered bones, lieves depression, restores heart rhythms, heu back from strokes, and keephoyou healthy your w life.

we never stop taking care ofou. but allstate actually helps you drive safely... with drivewise. it lets you know when you go too fa... ...and brake too hard. with feedback to help you drive safer. giving you the power to actually lower your cost. unfortunately, it can't do anything about that. now that you know the truth... are you in good hands?

we're back now with that tip investigators hope is the key that finally helps them crack a cold case at the vatican that'saffled them for decades. nbc keir simmons in there tonight. >> reporter: it's the s to a 30 year mystery buried here inside vatican city. tomorrow morning, investigators will finally open two tombs inside this tiny cemetery searches for the remains o 15-year-old emmauela after an anonymous tip sent to her family. her brother anxious otonight. her mr still lives close by. she disappeared in 1983 without a trace last seen leaving a music lesson. the daught employee, multiple conspiracy theories grew even that she was

kidnapped in a plot to secure the release of the who shot the pope. if we found her remains there, the vatican would have to a investigate rder. the vatican is finally responded the family says. but they say for 36 years they were ignored. the vatican has always denied any knowledge of what happened. lester. >> keir simmons tonight. thank you. a remarkable sce on a highway near atlanta. that is money all er e road and people who stopped to pick it up. police say an armored car spilled as much as $175,000. but they warn it's not finder's keepers and they're asking people to return that cash. >>up next, the inspiring moment that brought a whole graduating class to its feet. in tonight's across the country, we walk. carryingwhlowers that signify y we want to end alzheimer's disease. but what if, one day, there was a white flower for alzhmer's first survivor?

what if there were millions of them? join us for the alzheimer's association walk to end alzheimer's. register today at alz.org/walk. (danny) after a long day of hard work... ...you have to dmore work? every day you're nearly fried to a crisp, professionally! can someone turn on the ac?! r no? ohht... ...'cause there isn't any.- here (vo) automatically sort your expenses and save over 40 hours a month. without you, we wouldn't have electricity. our hobby lyuld be going to bed e (vo) you earned it, we're here to make sure you get it. (danny) it's time to get yours!ba (vo) quickbooksing you. ♪work so hau give it everything yot♪ ♪strength of a lioness tough as a knot♪ ♪rocking the stage and we're never gonna stop♪ ♪all strength, no sweat... just in case you forgot♪ ♪all strength, no sweat... ♪no no no sweat...

so chantix can help you quit slow turkey.rkey. ong with support, chantix is proven to help you quit. with chantix you can keep smoking at first and ease into quitting. chantix reduces the urge so when the day arrives, you'll be more ready to kiss cigarettes goodbye. when you try to quit smoking, wyou may have nicotetix,in withdrawal symptoms. stop chantix and get help right away if you have chnkges in behavior or thig,

aggression, hostility, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts or actions, seizures, new or worse heart or blood vessel problems, sleepwalking, or life-threatening allergic and skin reactions. decrease alcohol use. use caution driv.g or operating machine tell your doctor if you've had mental health problems. the most common side effect is nausea.lo quit smoking sturkey. talk to your doctor about chantix.

iniring america, the high school student and the touching tribute he received from his entire graduating class. here's nbc's kevin tibbles. >> reporter: a quiet place is a safe place for jack higgins. the 21-year-old has autism, and for him, loud noise is unbearable. but it never stopped s im from taking classe new york. parents barbara and pat wanted him to graduate. >> he's one of our three kids, and we wanted him to have the same experience. >> reporter: we all know graduation can be a ruckus affair. but when it was jack's turn, the principal had a special request just for him. >> i would like everyone tnot clap and not cheer. >> reporter: and so it was. plugging his ears anticipating a racket, jack was met with silence and smiles.

>> maybe the most moving moment of my life. it was fantastic. >> i barely saw it because i was just crying. >> reporter: sometimes silence speaks volumes. kevin tibbles, nbc news. >> congratulations to jack and a tip of the hat to his classmates.at th "nightly news" for this wednesday. i'm lester holt. from all of us at nbc ne

lights, camera, access. ♪ >> meghan out and about for the first time with archie. bust not everyone i crazy about how she's conducting her affairs. >> you know, it's not