Melania Trump condemned her husband's comments Saturday, joining ranking Republican party officials in denouncing crude comments about women made by Donald Trump over a decade ago, with a handful withdrawing their endorsement of the presidential candidate or calling for him to step aside as the GOP nominee.

In a statement published on the GOP presidential nominee's website, Melania Trump said: "The words my husband used are unacceptable and offensive to me. This does not represent the man that I know. He has the heart and mind of a leader. I hope people will accept his apology, as I have, and focus on the important issues facing our nation and the world."

Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, was "beside himself" and his wife was furious, according to a person close to the couple, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the private discussion, the Associated Press reported.

After refusing to respond to questions from reporters Friday night, Pence released a statement Saturday saying he was "offended by the words and actions described by Donald Trump" and "cannot defend them." But, he added, "I am grateful that he has expressed remorse and apologized to the American people."

It is the first time Pence has publicly condemned controversial statements made by Trump. During the vice presidential debate Tuesday, the governor repeatedly dodged challenges to defend some of Trump's most inflammatory comments about women and immigrants when pressed by Hillary Clinton's runningmate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.

House Speaker Paul Ryan said he was "sickened" by Trump's remarks and angrily revoked an invitation for the real estate mogul to appear at a GOP event Saturday in Wisconsin. Pence canceled a scheduled appearance at the same event amid fallout from Friday's video.

"I hope Mr. Trump treats this situation with the seriousness it deserves and works to demonstrate to the country that he has greater respect for women than this clip suggests," Ryan said.

Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus has been a champion of the billionaire businessman's campaign since Trump won the party's nomination, but he was among the first Republicans to criticize the latest revelations from Trump's comments about women in a curt response.

"No woman should ever be described in these terms or talked about in this manner. Ever."

Newly released audio from 2005 revealed Trump bragging about trying to have sex with a married woman and made a series of profane, sexually charged comments about women. The recording was published Friday by The Washington Post and NBC News.

[[338107532, C]]

Sen. John McCain, who offered grudging support for the Republican candidate, withdrew his support for Trump Saturday, saying "Cindy and I will not vote for Donald Trump."

"Donald Trump’s behavior this week, concluding with the disclosure of his demeaning comments about women and his boasts about sexual assaults, make it impossible to continue to offer even conditional support for his candidacy, McCain said in a statement. "Cindy, with her strong background in human rights and respect for women fully agrees with me in this."

Two Utah Republicans, Gov. Gary Herbert and Rep. Jason Chaffetz, also withdrew their endorsements Friday, while former Gov. Jon Huntsman called for the candidate to step aside and let Pence take his place. 

Chaffetz, who is chairman of the House oversight committee, told a Utah television station he can “no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president.” He called Trump’s comments “some of the most abhorrent and offensive comments that you can possibly imagine.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell weighed in after more than five hours, calling the comments repugnant and unacceptable.

"As the father of three daughters, I strongly believe that Trump needs to apologize directly to women and girls everywhere, and take full responsibility for the utter lack of respect for women shown in his comments on that tape," McConnell said.

Rep. Mike Coffman, a Republican congressman in Colorado, also called on the candidate to step aside “for the good of the country and to give the Republicans a chance of defeating Hillary Clinton.” Coffman had previously refused to endorse Trump.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham wrote in tweet that he was "never comfortable with Donald Trump as our party nominee" and conservative Alabama congresswoman Martha Roby admitted to previously tolerating Trump's "antics" because she wanted to support the party's nominee. Now, she says Trump should "step aside and allow a responsible, respectable Republican to lead the ticket."

I have never been comfortable with Donald Trump as our Republican nominee.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 8, 2016

The highest-ranking female Republican in the House, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, released a statement declaring that "it is never appropriate to condone unwanted sexual advances or violence against women. Mr. Trump must realize that it has no place in public or private conversations today or in the past."

Ryan's spokesman and several others who criticized Trump's comments sidestepped the question of whether he should stay in the race.

Former Secretary of State and George W. Bush advisor Condoleezza Rice took to Facebook to announce that she would not support Trump, either. 

"Enough!" she posted. "Donald Trump should not be President.  He should withdraw. As a Republican, I hope to support someone who has the dignity and stature to run for the highest office in the greatest democracy on earth."

Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a former GOP primary opponent who has not endorsed Trump, called Trump's comments "wrong and offensive." 

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk, who have never been Trump fans, also took to Twitter to denounce him. 

[[396364731, C]]

But Trump's Virginia campaign chairman, Corey A. Stewart told The Washington Post that women voters wouldn't be moved by Trump's comments.

“When people voted for Donald Trump, they knew he wasn’t an angel,” said Stewart, a 2017 contender for Virginia governor and chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors. “They are not concerned that, at times, Donald Trump acts like a frat boy. Sometimes he does, but that’s okay.”

Trump held his ground in a video statement released early Saturday that made it clear he was staying in the race. “Anyone who knows me, knows these words don’t reflect who I am,” he said, before apologizing and claiming he has “changed.” 

“See you at the debate on Sunday,” he said.

NBC's Danielle Abreu contributed to this report.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon celebrated its 39th year Sunday with an exciting race that saw photo finishes, defending champions and new winners. 

Elite runners took to the streets, some looking to defend their titles and others making their Chicago debuts. 

In a sprint for the finish, Kenya's Abel Kibri beat out 2015 champion Dickson Chumba within seconds to take home his first Windy City win.

"So perfect, the course is amazing, the weather was so fine," he said after crossing the finish line.

In the women's event, defending champion Florence Kiplagat breezed to a victory, coming out ahead well into the final leg of the race and beating her 2015 time. 

"Winning a major race to me is fantastic," she said. "I love Chicago."

Wheelchair finishes stunned viewers, with Marcel Hug beating out former champion Kurt Fearnley in a shocking photo finish that came down to less than one second. Initial results indicated Fearnley had won, but after an official review Hug was declared the champion. 

"It was a crazy finish," Hug said. 

Tatyana McFadden also became the most accomplished champion in marathon history taking home her seventh Chicago victory in the women's wheelchair race. She too was in a race to the finish line with Manuela Schar following close behind. 

"It’s really good to have a win, especially being back at home," she said. 

Thousands of other runners also ran through 29 Chicago neighborhoods on a grand tour of the city as they fought to complete the 26.2 miles. 

Race Director Carey Pinkowski said the 2016 event saw the most starters in the race's history with 41,357 runners crossing the starting line. 

"It’s different than most sports because we have great athletes up front but there’s people from all abilities, from all walks of life, they come here, they run the same course, they experience the same thing, maybe it be 3 hours or 4 hours of 5 hours, maybe their first marathon or their 50th marathon," he said. "It’s really a celebration of humanity and dedication and sacrifice and people coming together and putting their differences aside for a day."

The weather made for an ideal race day with cool temperatures, sunny skies and light winds. 

The iconic event, which has generated millions for the city each year, now looks forward to its 40th anniversary set for next year. 

"We’ll get back to the drawing board and start planning and get ready for the 40th celebration," Pinkowski said. 

Hillary Clinton is leading Donald Trump in the key battleground states of Florida and Pennsylvania, including by double digits in the Keystone State due to her strength in Philadelphia and its suburbs, according to two brand-new NBC News/Wall Street Journal polls.

In Florida, the Democratic nominee is ahead of Trump by three points among likely voters, 45 percent to 42 percent, within the poll’s margin of error. Libertarian Gary Johnson gets 5 percent, and the Green Party’s Jill Stein gets 3 percent.

In Pennsylvania, Clinton’s lead over the Republican candidate is 12 points among likely voters, 49 percent to 37 percent, with Johnson at 6 percent and Stein at 4 percent. 

It would be virtually impossible for Trump to win the White House if he loses both states, especially Florida.

Both polls were conducted before Friday’s bombshell 2005 audio of Trump talking about groping and kissing women.

Hartford firefighters rescued a man and his dog from a fire on Plymouth Street Saturday afternoon.

Fire officials said were called to a multi-family home at 38 Plymouth Street for a reported fire. When they arrived on scene thy found fire showing from the third floor.

Firefighters rescued an elderly man and his dog from the building. A mother and her infant left the building on their own.

Fire officials said the mother and baby were taken to the hospital as a precaution. The man refused transport. No injuries were reported.

The American Red Cross is assisting the two families that live in the home with their immediate needs.

The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time.

Five people dead after a multi-vehicle car crash on Interstate 89 in Williston, Vermont, according to state police.

State police say they received a report late Saturday evening of a pick-up truck driving the wrong way on Interstate 89 going southbound in Bolton.

Police say the car later crashed into another vehicle on I-89 in Williston. One of the vehicles burst into flames near the median.

As a Williston police officer was pulling a female victim from the engulfed vehicle and another officer attempted to extinguish the fire, a man, later identified as 36-year-old Steven D. Bourgoin, stole an officer's police cruiser and took off southbound, state police said.

Bourgoin then struck seven other vehicles before coming to a stop while being chased by authorities, according to police.

He was later arrested and taken to the University of Vermont Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

The crash is still under investigation. Williston police are asking anyone with information to come foward.

It's unclear if Bourgoin has an attorney.

The names of the victims have not been released.

I-89 between exits 12 and 11 both northbound and southbound have reopened to thru traffic.

No other details were immediately available.

A Silver Alert has been issued for a 65-year-old man missing from Oxford.

Ernest Gazdik was last seen on September 30. He is described as 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, clean-shaven, with short, dirty blonde hair that is balding.

State police said it’s possible Gazdik is in the Bridgeport area.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Oxford Resident State Trooper’s Office at (203) 888-4353 or Troop A in Southbury at (203) 267-2200.

Flags will fly at half-staff Sunday in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Gov. Dannel Malloy ordered all US and state flags from sunrise until sunset Sunday as part of an annual observance that honors fallen firefighters across the country.

"We encourage all residents to participate in this national observance, so that we as a nation and a state can let every firefighter and first responder know just how much we collectively appreciate their service and the courage they display each and every day," Malloy said in a press release.

Since no flag should fly higher than the US flag, all flags should fly at half-staff Sunday.

The Greater New Haven County Columbus Day parade has been canceled due to the weather, according to the Hamden police department.

Officials initially said the parade would kick off as scheduled at 1 p.m. but changes in the forecast led the Columbus Day Committee and Guardian Chiefs to make the decision to cancel.

Town officials released the following statement:

"Unfortunately, due to the change in the weather forecast from 9AM (when the initial decision to move forward was made) and based on the recommendation of the Columbus Day Committee and our Guardian Chiefs that the Town err on the side of caution, the Columbus Day Parade has been cancelled."

The parade was scheduled to start at Hamden High School. The event is meant to celebrate the history of Christopher Columbus and the Italian-American community in the area.

An East Hartford man is in critical condition after being shot in Hartford Saturday night.

Hartford police said they responded to the area of 6 Cherry St. around 10:15 p.m. for reports of shots fired. When they arrived they searched the area and found a victim suffering three gunshot wounds to his legs in the driveway of 51 Orange St.

The victim, identified as Benjamin Glaston, 25, was taken to the hospital for treatment. Police said he is listed in critical but stable condition.

Police said they found four spent 9mm shell casings and other evidence at the Cherry Street scene. Major Crimes detectives and the Shooting Task force are investigating.

No suspect descriptions were immediately available.

Willimantic police have been investigating a scene on Emerald Avenue since early Sunday morning.

Willimantic police have been investigating a scene on Emerald Avenue since early Sunday morning.

Police told NBC Connecticut they were called to the Abracadabra restaurant and dance club at 600 Main Street around 1:45 a.m. Police said the investigation spread to another location.

Though police have not confirmed the address, an NBC Connecticut crew on scene reports detectives have been photographing evidence on Emerald Avenue and a crime scene has been established in the area.

Police have not confirmed the exact nature of the investigation, but did say the entire detective unit was involved in the case.

Neighbors told NBC Connecticut they woke up to what they believe was the sound of gunfire this morning.

“I heard pow, pow, pow and then I heard some woman screaming, and then I called police,” said Andrew Martin, who lives across the street from the scene.

Police said the incident has been contained and that there is no immediate danger to the public.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Wolcott police have released surveillance photos of a suspect accused of stealing from a local liquor store in September.

Wolcott police said the suspect pictured above stole a bottle of cognac from the Liquor Super Store on Meriden Road around 6:25 p.m. on September 21. The suspect reportedly fled in a silver four-door Chevrolet Aveo heading west on Meriden Road.

Anyone with information on this incident or who recognizes the suspect pictured above is asked to contact Wolcott police at (203) 879-1414.

Trumbull firefighters came across a four-legged friend while responding to a carbon monoxide alarm Saturday morning.

The Trumbull Volunteer Fire Company, No. 1 responded around 9 a.m. to 1069 Daniels Farm Road for a carbon monoxide alarm. When crews arrived on scene they found a slightly elevated carbon monoxide level of 45 ppm in the basement as a result of a malfunctioning furnace.

While firefighters ventilated the building they came across Texas, a pig that lives in the area. Firefighters shared a spot of breakfast with Texas, checked to make sure the carbon monoxide had cleared up and left the scene.

That's all folks!

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton went head to head in their second presidential debate in St. Louis Sunday night.

The rematch kicked off without a handshake, followed by questions regarding etiquette. Trump's recorded comments from 2005 about his pursuit of a married woman and Clinton's emails took center stage during the first 15 minutes of the town hall. 

#Nohandshake began trending on Twitter, as did #Obamacare. Trump said he'd completely repeal Obamacare and Clinton said the Affordable Care Act was not perfect. 

In a twist, the two candidates walked toward each other and shook hands at the end of the debate. 

Here's the top tweets reacting to tonight's debate. 

The already nasty presidential race got even nastier as Donald Trump's crass comments about forcing himself on women dominated the start of the second presidential debate Sunday night.

The release of the 11-year-old "Access Hollywood" video in which Trump describes himself sexually assaulting women was the first topic addressed as CNN’s Anderson Cooper, one of the moderators, repeatedly pressed him on whether he had indeed kissed and groped women without their consent.

"This is locker room talk," Trump said. "I'm not proud of it. I apologized to my family. I apologized to the American people. Certainly I'm not proud it but this is locker room talk."

He tried to turn the conversation to the beheadings and other barbaric behavior of ISIS and the control of the U.S. borders, but finally said, "No, I have not."

Despite his denials, two women have publicly accused him of touching them — kissing and groping without consent. 

His Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, took the opportunity to attack Trump's lewd remarks and to argue that he is not fit for the office. 

"I think it's clear to anyone who heard it that it represents exactly who he is because we've seen this throughout the campaign," she said. "We have seen him insult women, we've seen him rate women on their appearance, ranking them from one to 10, we've seen him embarrass women on TV and on Twitter." 

Trump has not only insulted women, but also African-Americans, Latinos, Muslims, immigrants, Hispanics and others, she said.

Relations between the two candidates are so bitter that they did not shake hands before the town-hall style debate, which also was moderated by ABC News' Martha Raddatz. They did shake hands at the end.

The tape has prompted a growing list of Republican party leaders to withdraw support for their nominee and left Trump defiantly rejecting calls to leave the race.

Trump tried to turn attention to Bill Clinton's infidelities instead, tweeting Sunday about Juanita Broaddrick's accusation that the former president had raped her. The nursing-home operator later signed an affidavit saying there was no assault, then recanted the affidavit. Bill Clinton denied the allegation when she first made it and he was never charged.

And immediately before the debate, Trump appeared on Facebook Live with Broaddrick and two other women who have accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct, Paula Jones and Kathleen Willey. The accused rapist of the fourth woman in the group, Kathy Shelton, was represented by Hillary Clinton.

"Mr. Trump may have said some bad words, but Bill Clinton raped me and Hillary Clinton threatened me and I don't think there's any comparison," Broaddrick said.

The women were in the audience with the Trump family during the debate, when Trump again said that Bill Clinton's behavior was worse than his words.

"Bill Clinton was abusive to women," he said. "Hillary Clinton attacked those same women."

Trump was already struggling with women, suburban women in particular, who were appalled by his stream of insults. He called Rosie O’Donnell a "big, fat pig," attacked Miss Universe Alicia Machado, for gaining weight after she won the contest and said of his former Republican primary rival Carly Fiorina: "Look at that face. Would anyone vote for that?”

But for many it was the "Access Hollywood" tape that proved a tipping point. An uproar erupted Friday when The Washington Post and then NBC News published the 2005 recording in which Trump is heard demeaning women.

"I'm automatically attracted to beautiful — I just start kissing them, it's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything," he tells Billy Bush, then an Access Hollywood anchor and now on the Today show. "Grab them by the p----. You can do anything."

NBC News obtained the tape from Access Hollywood, which is owned and distributed by NBCUniversal, the parent company of NBC News and MSNBC.

Trump, who was newly married to Melania Trump, is heard talking about pursuing a married woman, saying, "I moved on her actually, she was down in Palm Beach and I failed. I'll admit it. I did try to f--- her, she was married ... and I moved on her very heavily."

Trump responded with a statement in which he apologized if anyone was offended and a video in which he said he was wrong and again apologized. Both times he referred to Bill Clinton's affairs and in the video threatened, "Bill Clinton has actually abused women, and Hillary has bullied, attacked, shamed and intimidated his victims." 

Relatives of people killed in the March 2014 Oso, Washington, mudslide reached a $50 million settlement Sunday with the state. It just one day before their lawsuit was scheduled to go to trial, lawyers for the families said, NBC News reported.

The settlement, which must be approved by the judge overseeing the case, would dismiss almost all claims only hours before the civil trial was to have begun Monday in King County Superior Court.

One defendant in the case, a timber company accused of contributing to the danger of the slide zone, wasn't included in the settlement, meaning the civil trial was still scheduled to proceed Sunday night. The families are seeking unspecified damages.

Forty-three people were killed when the mudslide covered a square mile of Washington's Stillaguamish River Valley, destroying 49 buildings and closing a state highway for six months.