. >>> the new crackdown as pro-palestinian demonstrations spread on campuses, and after usc canceled its main commencement, will others follow? >>> our nbc news investigation, our crews in gaza documenting several deadly strikes in zones where israel told displaced civilians they'd be safe. >>> the promising news in king charles' battle with cancer and when he plans to return to his royal duties. >>> and after falling on hard times, the town that was saved by beer. >> announcer: this is "nbc nightly news" with lester holt. >>> good evening, and welcome. we are tracking a damaging tornado outbreak, that rampage across the center of the country. texas, oklahoma, nebraska among the states in the line of fire. a tornado emergency declared in parts of nebraska meaning large tornadoes were on the ground threatening population centers. many of the images as frightening as they are dramatic. tonight tornado watches stretching nearly 900 miles. we'll tell you who is at risk as we head into the night in a moment, but first jesse kirsch with the latest. jesse, this is hitting a wide area of the