experts from around the bay area. world news tonight with david tonight, president biden addressing the nation about the downing of four objects over the u.s. and canada, including the chinese spy balloon shot down off the coast of south carolina. the president under growing pressure from both parties to speak directly to the american people about the incidents. all four objects shot down by u.s. fighter jets, beginning with that spy balloon. then three objects brought down three days in a row over alaska, the yukon, and lake huron. the president on what the u.s. has learned about those objects, and why he says shooting down china's balloon sent a clear message. martha raddatz in washington. also tonight, the georgia special grand jury recommending perjury charges linked to testimony about attempts to overturn the state's 2020 presidential election results by former president trump and his

allies. donald trump did not testify, but the grand jury believes some witnesses who did lied under oath. jonathan karl standing by. the major storm as we come on the air. tornado warnings in the south. 18 states on alert from mississippi to maine. severe storms, heavy snow, and rain. the system moving into the northeast tomorrow. rob marciano tracking it all. late word tonight, a police officer arrested for the deadly shooting of an unarmed man in louisiana. what the officer's body camera video shows after he responded to a domestic disturbance. new reporting tonight about the tragic shooting on the campus of michigan state university. authorities revealing the chilling two-page note written by the alleged gunman and listing other targets. frustrated residents demanding answers about the toxic train derailment in east palestine, ohio. the head of the epa on the ground today, trying to calm fears. some people complaining of headaches and nausea. many concerned about water and air quality, despite being told

both are safe. pennsylvania senator john fetterman still suffering effects of a stroke checking himself into walter reed, receiving treatment now for clinical depression. tesla announcing a recall because of issues with one of its most popular features and the risk of a possible crash. and news coming in tonight about bruce willis. what his family is now saying about his condition. good evening and thank you for joining us on this thursday night. i'm whit johnson, in for david tonight. and we begin with president biden before the cameras for the first time to address the string of unidentified objects shot down by u.s. fighter jets over the u.s. and canada. the president under pressure from all sides to speak to the possible threat. the president saying we don't know where the three most recent objects came from that were shot down last weekend, but nothing

suggests they were part of china's spy balloon program or engaged in surveillance from any other country. but he stood by his decision to send fighter jets to alaska, canada's yukon territory, and the great lakes to take the objects down, saying he will take action to any perceived threat. the president saying he's not looking for a new cold war with china, but not apologizing for shooting down their balloon and keening its remains. abc's chief global affairs anchor martha raddatz leading us off in washington. >> good afternoon. >> reporter: tonight, for the first time, president biden acknowledging that the three unidentified flying objects shot down after that chinese spy balloon swept across the country, were neither spying on the u.s. nor sent from another country. >> the intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions studying

weather or connell ducting other scientific research. >> reporter: the balloons were detected after norad adjusted radars to track smaller, slower craft at high altitude in light of that chinese incursion. the administration had deemed them a threat to civil aviation and sent fighter jets to shoot them down. >> definitely smaller than a car. >> reporter: one after another, over alaska, canada, and lake huron. from the president today, no regrets. >> if any object presents a threat to the safety and security of the american people, i will take it down. >> reporter: biden makes no apologies for shooting down the chinese spy balloon either, though relations between the u.s. and china now increasingly strained. the president today with this message -- >> we seek competition, not conflict with china. we're not looking for a new cold war. >> martha raddatz joining us from washington now. and martha, there are hundreds of balloons above the u.s. every day, we know that. and today, president biden

calling for new regulations to help keep track of them all. >> reporter: that's right, whit. the president wants to establish a better system to keep track of these balloons and update rules for launching them, not only in the u.s., but globally. none of that will be easy, and none of that will happen quickly, whit. >> all right, martha raddatz for us, thank you. next tonight, a special grand jury in georgia is recommending perjury charges after their investigation into attempts by former president trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election. the former president did not testify, but a number of his key supporters did. and without releasing names, the grand jury said there may be evidence that one or more of them lied. here's abc's chief washington correspondent jonathan karl. >> reporter: the georgia special grand jury investigating election interference by former president trump and his allies has heard from 75 witnesses, including top trump advisers rudy giuliani and former white house chief of staff mark meadows.

today, we learned a majority of the jurors believes one or more of those witnesses may have committed perjury. but we still don't know who. trump ally senator lindsey graham, who testified in georgia, today insisted he told the truth. >> but you're confident you're not one of the people who perjured themselves? >> i am confident i testified openly and honestly, yes. >> reporter: the judge overseeing the case released just a portion of the grand jury's final report, saying the full report includes, quote, a roster of who should or should not be indicted, and for what, in relation to the conduct and aftermath of the 2020 general election in georgia. so for now, who may be indicted is a mystery, and so is whether or not the grand jury believes donald trump himself should be charged. it was trump himself who was caught on tape pressuring georgia's republican secretary of state to, quote, find the votes he needed to win georgia. >> i just want to find

11,780 votes, which is one more than we have, because we won the state. so, what are we going to do here, folks? i only need 11,000 votes. fellas, i need 11,000 votes. give me a break. >> reporter: the jury was in total agreement on one point. quote, we find by unanimous vote that no widespread fraud took place in the georgia 2020 presidential election that could result in overturning that election. the decision on whether or not to pursue criminal charges against donald trump or any of his associates is now in the hands of the fulton county georgia district attorney. there's no indication as to when she will make that decision, but whit, back in january, she said her decision was, quote, imminent. >> jon karl for us tonight, thank you. now, to that major storm and the tornado threat at this hour. 18 states on alert, from mississippi to maine. severe weather to the south and heavy snow to the north. the system heading to the northeast. a tornado on the ground in

smithville, mississippi, here. severe weather into the night. treacherous driving for the morning commute in omaha. let's get right to abc's senior meteorologist rob marciano in alabama. rob, where's the threat headed next? >> reporter: well, whit, the northern part of this thing is going to go to the northeast. the southern part, it's coming right here. the rains have arrived here, and we are right smack in the middle of this big tornado watch that includes much of bialabama. this will slowly push to the east. the next several hours will be dicey here. so far, so good. we'll hope that holds. the low is crossing the great lakes and that will pull rain, sleet, and snow from chicago to milwaukee in detroit to the north country of new york and sthla saw w heen rerd spots, that heat and humidity will be wrung out tomorrow in the form of rain. new york city, i-95, baltimore, d.c. in the morning hours, before a cold wave sets in for the east. whit? >> a big change is on the way. all right, rob, thank you. now, to the arrest of a

louisiana police officer charged with negligent homicide in the fatal shooting of an unarmed man earlier this month. investigators looking carefully at the officer's body camera video. abc's chief justice correspondent pierre thomas with those images, and a warning, they are disturbing. >> reporter: tonight, newly released video showing police in shreveport, louisiana, responding to a 911 call on february 3rd. a woman claims her husband is drunk and acting erratically. within minutes, two officers arrive at the apartment complex. >> how are you doing? >> one with its body camera rolling. they find alonzo bagley, but no evidence of domestic violence or a weapon, but for some reason, bagley decides to run, jumping off the second floor balcony. police in hot pursuit. they catch him. bagley unarmed, his hands up, is shot. >> oh, god. you shot me.

>> reporter: police then frantic, literally begging him to live. >> hey, keep breathing. keep breathing. >> reporter: bagley later dying at the hospital. tonight, officer alexander tyler is charged with negligent homicide. prosecutors say he acted unprofessionally and recklessly. whit? >> pierre thomas reporting. thank you. now, to the search for answers after the deadly mass shooting at a michigan state university. police say the gunman left a two-page note listing threats against businesses, stores, and schools. and we're now getting a look at this body camera video from back in 2019, showing his arrest for felony gun possession. tonight, the explanation from authorities about how he was able to legally buy guns again. abc's alex perez in east lansing tonight. >> reporter: tonight, authorities hunting for a motive in that horrific attack at michigan state university. >> run! >> reporter: investigators say anthony mcrae was a man with a history of mental health issues

and possibly a grudge. >> in his wallet, he had a two-page note, that kind of gave us an idea of what his motive was. threats against a dozen local >> reporter: the note included threats against a dozen local businesses including a church, a grocery store where mcrae once worked, two schools in new jersey, and michigan state university. >> he was feeling slighted by the community and that might have been a motive. i can't confirm it, but that's kind of where they might be leaning towards. >> reporter: authorities say he killed junior arielle diamond anderson, sophomre brian fraser, and junior alexandria verner, later talking his own life as police closed in. this 2019 body camera video shows police arresting mcrae for felony gun possession. >> do you have any weapons on you right now? do you have any weapons on you or anything like that? >> yeah. >> reporter: those charges later reduced to a misdemeanor, allowing him to legally purchase the two .9 millimeter handguns used in monday's attack. and whit, some encouraging news tonight. one of the five students still hospitalized has been upgraded to stable condition.

the others remain in critical condition. whit? >> certainly a positive update there. alex, thank you. now, to the crisis of confidence in east palestine, ohio, after that train derailment and toxic spill nearly two weeks ago. the images still causing concern, though officials say the air is now clear, and the cleanup will protect public health. the head of the epa on the ground today, vowing, we will get to the bottom of this, and promising to hold the train company accountable. abc's alex presha in ohio tonight. >> reporter: tonight, after a train carrying toxic chemicals through eastern ohio derailed and officials executed a controlled release, the epa on the ground today, asking the residents of east palestine to trust them. >> if we say that the water is safe and the air is safe, we believe it, because we tested it and the data shows it. >> reporter: but residents say they are skeptical after mixed messaging. earlier this week, they were advised to consider drinking bottled water. now, they're told the tap is safe. epa administrator michael regan

telling me he believes the science, but understands the concern. >> if you are personally uncomfortable with those results and want to continue to have bottled water, then that's an p. >> reporter: kristina ferguson decided to move from her home to a hotel, only returning to her house sparingly. >> when i go in, i get a tingling. it's not a headache, it's pressure, it's dizziness. but it feels -- it just doesn't feel right. >> reporter: today, governor mike dewine requesting the cdc send medical experts to the a area. this afternoon, the white house responding. >> we're deploying teams from hhs and the cdc now. >> reporter: whit, today, norfolk southern, which on rated that train, writing an open letter to the town, saying, "we are here and we'll stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help east palestine recover and thrive." whit? >> and those residents demanding answers there. alex, thank you. now, to that new health setback for senator john

fetterman of pennsylvania, checking himself into the hospital for clinical depre depression. abc's senior congressional correspondent rachel scott joins us now. and this comes as senator fetterman is still suffering from the effects of a massive stroke last may. >> reporter: yes, whit, in fact, senator john fetterman was just released from the hospital a few days ago, after feel gt lightheaded. tonight, we have learned she's checked himself into walter reed medical center, where he's being treated for clinical depression. in a statement, his office says "while john has experienced depression off and on throughout his life, it only became severe in recent weeks." adding, "john is getting the care he needs and will soon be back to himself." his wife tweeting that she's so proud of him for getting that help. as for now, it is unclear how long he'll remain in the hospital. one source says it is expected more than just a few days. around 16 million adults struggle with depression every single year in this country. tonight, senators on both sides of the aisle are commending him for getting the help he needs and are wishing him well.

whit? >> rachel scott, our thanks to you. also at walter reed today, president biden, who was there for his annual checkup. a matter of high interest, as the president, who is now 80 years old, is expected to run again. abc's stephanie ramos at the white house for us, and stephanie, what are we learning from the president's doctor tonight? >> reporter: well, whit, that five-page detailed health report released right before our show. overall, president biden getting a clean bill of health. today, he spent three hours at walter reed understood going many tests. in that health report, the president's doctor says biden continues to be treated for four different conditions. a type of irregular heart rhythm, higher concentrations of fats or lip pilds in the blood, also known as high cholesterol, and season alabamaer will. s. the sumly says biden did not experience any long covid following his bout with the virus in july of 2022. his doctor also says that biden is fit to successfully execute the duties of the presidency. whit? >> stephanie ramos, thank you.

next tonight, tesla issuing a voluntary recall, because of a potential danger with its popular full self-driving feature. the company sending software updates to more than 362,000 vehicles. here's abc's transportation correspondent gio benitez. >> reporter: tonight, tesla recalling more than 360,000 cars equipped with its full self-driving beta software over concerns the tech can increase the risk of a crash. that recall impacting certain teslas made between 2016 and 2023, including popular model s and model x vehicles. federal road safety regulator nhtsa says the sof vehicles to exceed speed limits. rather than physically recalling vehicles, tesla will push software updates to the affected cars. tesla facing scrutiny over its self-driving tech from government with officials, including investigations from

the department of justice and nhtsa. >> look at how dangerous that is. >> reporter: earlier this month, this woman caught on camera, apparently asleep at the wheel of a tesla on a california highway. and whit, ceo elon musk is taking issue with the word recall, saying using that word for an over the air soft ware update is just plain wrong. whit? >> gio benitez, thank you. when we come back here, the news about bruce willis. what his family is now saying about his condition. get help reaching your goals with j.p. morgan wealth plan, a new tool in the chase mobile® app. use it to set and track your goals, big and small... and see how changes you make today... could help put them within reach. from your first big move to retiring poolside and the other goals along the way wealth plan can help get you there. j.p. morgan wealth management.

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next tonight, the family of actor bruce willis says his condition is advancing, and there is currently no cure or treatment to slow the disease. the family releasing a statement today, saying he's been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, which affects behavior, speech, and language. he retired from acting after the family revealed he was suffering from aphasia last year. when we come back, remembering a major league star on the field. and a hall of famer in the broadcast booth. i would be in real trouble. 'cause i have asthma. and i have depression. i have diabetes. and i struggle with my weight. for us, covid is a whole different ballgame. in fact, you could be one of almost 200 million americans with a high risk factor that makes covid... even riskier. which is why you need to be ready, and have a plan.

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4-year-old asher. mom, rachel, was having trouble breathing, and fell to the floor. she didn't know it, but she was in septic shock. >> i felt i was breathing through a straw. it was terrifying. and then eventually, i just didn't feel like i was breathing well at all. >> reporter: asher instantly springing into action. grabbing mom's phone and telling siri to call daddy. his dad, tyler. >> he held the side button down until he got siri and he said "call daddy" and it called my dad. >> he just knew how to do siri from watching us or -- i don't know what. >> reporter: her family calling the paramedics. asher unlocking the door and clearing a path for them to get to her. >> in that moment, he was so calm. >> he started clearing a path to me from the door. and just kept saying, "it's going to be okay." >> reporter: the paramedics

arriving and rushing mom to the hospital. mom rachel would make a full recovery. and the community so impressed by asher, they wanted to honor him. >> by far the youngest life-saving award recipient that we've ever given. >> tonight, a family, a community thankful. >> i'm so proud. >> and we are, too. way to go, asher. thank you so much for watching tonight. i'm whit johnson in new york. for david and all of us here, have a great night.

>> building a better bay area, living forward, finding solutions. this is abc. >> the people want chief armstrong. mayor fired the city's police chief, residents are taking a stand. >> the search underway for a missing toddler. thanks for joining us. >> this week the city of oakland has declared a state of emergency after a ransomware attack. city services have and disrupted. computers and phones are down. >> now word of paycheck problems. ryan curry has been following the story and he has the latest. >> sig hall telling people this building is closed. oakland is still dealing with an ongoing ransomware attack the city council approved a state of emergency allowing them to use extra funding to combat the issue. we >> should find out in terms of what is the ransom being

requested from the city. >> the councilmember says all of the computers and phones remain shut down. he says city employees might not be getting paid this week. >> timesheets are due today. are supposed to sign the timesheets like i normally do. that is going to be required at this time. >> he says there is a chance employees get paid eventually but he is not sure it will happen by the end of this week. oakland officials say emergency services like 911 are still working. at an event in city hall the mayor left early and refused to take questions about the issue. >> have this backup that represents current information. >> a cybersecurity professor says oakland is faced with a dilemma. paying the ransom usually into the form of cryptocurrency or backing up their system. he says backing up a full system can take a while and be expensive.