The BEST episodes of NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt

#1 - May 9 Mon

Season 2016 - Episode 130 - Aired 5/9/2016

#2 - Mar 8 Thu

Season 2018 - Episode 67 - Aired 3/8/2018

#3 - Apr 23 Tue

Season 2019 - Episode 111 - Aired 4/23/2019

#4 - July 10 Sat

Season 2021 - Episode 183 - Aired 7/10/2021

#5 - Oct 9 Mon

Season 2023 - Episode 272 - Aired 10/9/2023

#6 - Apr 28 Thu

Season 2016 - Episode 119 - Aired 4/28/2016

#7 - Nov 16 Thur

Season 2023 - Episode 305 - Aired 11/16/2023

Israel releases video it says shows Hamas tunnel after Al-Shifa hospital raid; Lester Holt one-on-one with Secretary Antony Blinken; Man who attacked Nancy Pelosi's husband found guilty; and more on tonight's broadcast.

#8 - Nov 19 Sun

Season 2023 - Episode 307 - Aired 11/19/2023

Former first lady Rosalynn Carter dies at age 96; New hope for release of hostages held in Gaza as U.S. official says deal 'closer' than it has been; An inside look at U.S. drone operations amid search for hostages held by Hamas; and more on tonight's broadcast.

#9 - Nov 14 Tue

Season 2023 - Episode 303 - Aired 11/14/2023

Israel says its military is now in control of Gaza City Center; 6 killed in Ohio crash involving student charter bus and semitruck; House Speaker Johnson pushes through spending bill, setting stage to avoid shutdown; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

#10 - Nov 9 Thur

Season 2023 - Episode 299 - Aired 11/9/2023

#11 - Oct 31 Tue

Season 2023 - Episode 292 - Aired 10/31/2023

Deadly strike on Gaza refugee camp; Months before mass shooting, people who knew Maine suspect warned of his behavior; Police release dramatic new video of Lahaina wildfires; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

#12 - Oct 17 Tue

Season 2023 - Episode 280 - Aired 10/17/2023

Lester Holt anchors from Israel with the latest coverage on the deadly Gaza hospital blast and on President Biden traveling to Israel.

#13 - Oct 12 Thur

Season 2023 - Episode 275 - Aired 10/12/2023

#14 - June 2 Sun

Season 2019 - Episode 149 - Aired 6/2/2019

#15 - Nov 15 Wed

Season 2023 - Episode 304 - Aired 11/15/2023

Israel releases video it says proves hospitals are being used by Hamas; Biden and Chinese President Xi have high-stakes meeting in San Francisco; Investigation underway into Ohio bus crash that killed 6 people; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

#16 - Nov 22 Wed

Season 2023 - Episode 310 - Aired 11/22/2023

FBI investigating fiery vehicle explosion at U.S.-Canada border; Record number of passengers flying this Thanksgiving; 50 hostages to be released, fighting to stop temporarily in Gaza; and more on tonight's broadcast.

#17 - Nov 21 Tue

Season 2023 - Episode 309 - Aired 11/21/2023

Premature baby evacuated from Gaza hospital reunited with family; Thanksgiving travel rush expected to break records this year; Activists in Missouri looking to put abortion rights on 2024 ballot; and more on tonight's broadcast.

#18 - Nov 20 Mon

Season 2023 - Episode 308 - Aired 11/20/2023

Inside an Israeli drone command center in the war against Hamas; severe weather as Thanksgiving travel rush underway; Rosalynn Carter remembered as mental health advocate; and more on tonight's broadcast.

#19 - Nov 17 Fri

Season 2023 - Episode 306 - Aired 11/17/2023

Israel announces death of second Hamas hostage found near Al-Shifa hospital; 17-year-old Palestinian American’s journey out of Gaza; FAA racing to address air traffic controller shortage as Thanksgiving travel rush begins; and more on tonight’s broadcast.

#20 - Nov 12 Sun

Season 2023 - Episode 301 - Aired 11/12/2023

U.S. announces new airstrikes in eastern Syria; Doctor details worsening conditions at Gaza City hospital; House Speaker Mike Johnson pushes plan to keep government open as shutdown deadline nears; and more on tonight's broadcast.

#21 - Nov 7 Tue

Season 2023 - Episode 297 - Aired 11/7/2023

#22 - Nov 3 Fri

Season 2023 - Episode 295 - Aired 11/3/2023

#23 - Nov 1 Wed

Season 2023 - Episode 293 - Aired 11/1/2023

First evacuees make way out of Gaza across Rafah border crossing; Donald Trump Jr. testifies in civil fraud trial in Manhattan; Biden kicks off outreach to rural voters as admin touts $5 billion in federal funding to farming; and more on tonight's broadcast.

#24 - Oct 26 Thur

Season 2023 - Episode 288 - Aired 10/26/2023

Lester Holt anchors tonight from Lewiston, Maine, covering the urgent manhunt for the gunman who killed at least 18 people. Also, Israel launched a "targeted" ground raid in Gaza, and there's news on the suspect wanted in the killing of a Maryland judge.

#25 - Oct 25 Wed

Season 2023 - Episode 287 - Aired 10/25/2023

Rep. Mike Johnson was elected Speaker of the House; President Biden says Israel has a 'right and resporsibility' to target Hamas, but must protect civilians; At least 22 people were killed in a Maine mass shooting.