The three evening newscasts were each expanded to an hour tonight following a busy news day that included the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight 17, shot down near the Russia-Ukraine border, and the launch of Israel’s ground offensive in Gaza following 10 days of heavy violence there.
NBC’s Brian Williams began with a report from Tom Costello on the Malaysia Airlines jet. “Nightly” stayed with the plane crash news until 6:47 p.m. when Williams went to Richard Engel in Gaza for a live report on the ground war.
ABC also began with the plane crash, leading with a report from chief global affairs correspondent Martha Raddatz. With David Muir anchoring, “World News” turned to Gaza at 6:43 p.m. with a report from Hamish MacDonald.
On CBS, Scott Pelley began with a brief synopsis of the Malaysian jet crash before bringing in a team of correspondents, including David Martin, Bob Orr, Margaret Brennan, Major Garrett and Jeff Pegues. “CBS Evening News” turned to Gaza at 6:42 p.m. with a report from Holly Williams.
The cable and business networks also have continuing coverage of both stories tonight and into tomorrow morning.