Tuesday, NBC “Nightly News” with Lester Holt will broadcast from downtown Montgomery as part of its “Across America Tour.”
The nationwide news program begins at 5:30 p.m. CT and will feature a special performance by the Alabama State University (ASU) Mighty Marching Hornets Band, per a university press release.
The band, under the direction of Dr. James Oliver, will march and perform as it joins Holt and NBC’s national news team during a live broadcast from the steps of the historic Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church.
The prominent anchor will also interview ASU alumna Althea Thomas, who has been playing the organ at the church since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was its pastor.
Alabamians in the Montgomery media market can also tune in to WSFA (channel 11) at 4 p.m. to hear ASU President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. speak live to Sally Pitts about the band and its upcoming performance.
More than sixty years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hired Althea Thomas at Montgomery, Alabama’s Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church, and she’s still going strong. @LesterHoltNBC has her story tonight on @NBCNightlyNews. #LesterAcrossAmerica pic.twitter.com/tkrmwn49j9
— NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt (@NBCNightlyNews) October 9, 2018
According to WSFA, Holt visited the National Memorial for Peace and Justice and talked with Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, earlier in the day.
“For lunch, Holt stopped by Montgomery’s iconic Chris’ Hotdogs,” WSFA added.
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.