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CNN This Morning
Tornadoes Collapse Buildings And Level Homes In Nebraska And Iowa; Demonstrations Sweep Across Colleges, Many Arrested; Rhetoric Between Iran And U.S., Israel Heating Up; Biden Says He's "Happy To Debate" Trump Ahead Of Election; Accusers Want New Trial After Sex Crimes Conviction Tossed; Report: Nearly 40 Percent Of Americans Live With Unhealthy Air Pollution. Aired 7-8a ET
Aired April 27, 2024 - 07:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[07:00:00]
AMARA WALKER, CNN ANCHOR: Over 100 years after the shipwreck, the mysteries and myths of the Titanic still draw explorers to the depths of the sea.
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, the history is well known, but the facts of the actual event remain a source of speculation and interest.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The two lookouts on duty at the time in the crow's nest were Frederick Fleet and Reginald Lee.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There was what the lookouts described as a slight haze all around the horizon. That's called a refraction haze, and that delayed the sighting of the iceberg.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They didn't see the iceberg until they were just practically right upon it.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Kind of rose up out of the ocean.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The lookouts described it as a dark mass that came through that haze.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They realized it was an iceberg and rang the warning bell. Three rings on the bell for an obstacle directly ahead and then telephoned the bridge.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Fleet called down and said iceberg dead ahead.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: CNN's original series, "HOW IT REALLY HAPPENED" with Jesse L. Martin, returns to CNN with a special two-hour premiere on the Titanic. That's tomorrow at 9:00, Eastern and Pacific.
WALKER: Welcome back everyone to CNN THIS MORNING. I'm Amara Walker alongside Victor Blackwell at a 7:00 a.m. Eastern here at our Atlanta studio, 6:00 a.m. Central where several communities are waking up to the aftermath of devastating tornadoes.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I got my babies in the basement. We covered up with a blanket. We got our dog down there. All of a sudden, the lights went out, and we heard everything being thrown around above us.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALKER: We are live in one of the hardest hit communities as a cleanup gets underway and we're tracking the threat for more severe storms today.
BLACKWELL: Pro-Palestinian protests are expected across college campuses again this weekend. The new calls for calm and what we're learning about the charges facing some of the protesters who are arrested.
WALKER: Tabloid King David Pecker lays out the paper trail in former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial in New York. The major takeaways from his four days of testimony and what's next in the trial.
BLACKWELL: Harvey Weinstein will be back in court on Wednesday, about a week after an appeals court overturned his conviction on sex crimes. What to expect from that appearance and what impact it could have on charges against him in the future.
WALKER: We begin this morning with the devastating tornadoes that tore through parts of Nebraska and Iowa, Friday, leaving pats of destruction behind them.
And a severe weather threat is not over, as dangerous storms that could possibly bring more tornadoes continue to pose a risk for over 50 million people from Michigan down to Texas today.
BLACKWELL: The Elkhorn community in Omaha, Nebraska was one of the hardest hit neighborhoods. Look at this, rows of homes decimated by these tornadoes. Families were left shaken, understandably, by the event. Listen to this woman. She had to hunkered down in her basement with her two young children.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We got home as fast as we could. I got my babies in the basement. We covered up with a blanket. We got our dog down there. All of a sudden, the lights went out and we heard everything being thrown around above us. And it was so scary. It was so scary. I was like so scared. Our neighbors, everybody, everyone's houses are, they're gone. They're gone.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLACKWELL: There were more than 70 reports of tornadoes Friday across at least five states. Another massive tornado touched down in a small town of Minden, Iowa. Video, look at this, similar to what we saw in Elkhorn, path of destruction, hundreds of families here displaced. Let's go now to CNN's Lucy Kafanov joining us from Omaha, Nebraska. What you're seeing behind you, I imagine, it's just a taste of what is surrounding you right now.
LUCY KAFANOV, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Victor. We are in that Elkhorn suburb of Omaha where you heard that woman who survived this terrifying tornado, the massive tornado that ripped through this neighborhood. This house right here is one of the luckier ones. It's still standing in some portions of it. But what you're seeing right here, this used to be the garage.
There's a roof right there on the ground behind the destruction part, there is a laundry room that we saw. There's even a bottle of Tide detergents right there. There's a kitchen back there. I was sort of walking around back there. Children's toys strewn across the lawn unclear if it's whether from this house or some of the other homes that are flattened around the neighborhood.
And take a look behind me down this street, we looked on Google Maps. There were supposed to be four homes down here. You could just see these two structures. Everything else down that street is completely flattened. Almost nothing salvageable. Take a look across the street -- I mean, that is supposed to be a garage. You can see the kitchen right there, no wall covering that at all.
A lot of the residents in this subdivision had to get evacuated. There was no power in this area, and so a lot of them are in shelters or just anywhere that's not here that's safer. We imagine they'll be returning to sort of see the status of their homes.
[07:05:35]
We know that first responders will likely be, and cleanup crews will likely be coming back here to assess the damage. There's concerns about gas leaks, there's concerns about getting the power on. There's concerns about how these families are going to be able to rebuild. We do know that this was a terrifying experience. Take a listen to this eyewitness from yesterday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was like a freight train. The noise was so loud. I'm not too afraid to admit it. I was crying like a baby because it's just the scariest feeling in the world.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's my son's bedroom. I told him to go to his mom's house. I'm glad he did.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
KAFANOV: And so, a lot of residents here have the trauma of experiencing that terror on Friday, but only two people were injured, according to the police chief. He says, that it could have been a lot worse had it not been for the early warnings that allowed people to get to safety. Guys, back to you. WALKER: Thank goodness for that early warning. Lucy Kafanov, thank you so much. I mean, just listening to the trauma and the voices of the people who survived this is incredible. Let's go now to CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar. So, the severe weather continues today. That means there's still a threat of tornadoes.
ALLISON CHINCHAR, CNN METEOROLOGIST: There is, and unfortunately, some of the same spots that got hit yesterday have the potential to have it all over again today, plus some new places as well. So, let's take a look at the areas that saw it yesterday. We had almost 80 total tornado reports, 33 wind reports, and nearly 60 hail reports.
And you can see a lot of the areas here, it looks like it's pretty spread out, but that's because it was a very widespread area that was impacted yesterday, and it's going to be very similar area today. Right now, we don't have too much in the way of active storms. We've got a couple here in Northern Arkansas, a few up around Michigan, and a couple over in Colorado.
But the potential here for development across the southern and central plains does exist as early as this morning that will really start to see the biggest potential for those strong to severe thunderstorms this afternoon and especially into the evening. And that ranges anywhere from Southern Texas all the way up through Michigan. The same potential threats, strong tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail.
But tornadoes are going to be an especially large concern, not just in general across this area, but you see this red area here with what kind of like the hash marks through it, this area is a particular concern for tornadoes that would be EF-3 strength or stronger. Those are pretty significant tornadoes. You're talking winds about 136 to 165 miles per hour.
Again, here you can see the afternoon. They really start getting to going, but some could occur even as early as this morning, then again through the overnight hours tonight. So, again, we mentioned last hour, I will mention it again today. Make sure before you go to bed tonight, you set those alerts on your phone or you have some other way like a weather radio to get those alerts before you go to bed.
BLACKWELL: All right, Allison, thank you. Pro-Palestinian protests, the sweeping college campuses across the country. Demonstrators are showing their support for the people in Gaza. They're also demanding universities divest from Israel-linked companies that are profiting from the conflict there.
WALKER: Many of the protests have been peaceful and on some campuses students chanted slogans while in others these scenes turned chaotic as schools called in the police to disperse the crowds leading to hundreds of arrests nationwide.
BLACKWELL: The demonstrations have sparked some anger, drawn some divisions between student communities and resulted in a surge of anti- Semitism and a lot of Jewish students feel unsafe on campus. Here's Jenn Sullivan with details.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JENN SULLIVAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Police and protesters clashing on college campuses as more universities join pro-Palestinian movements and call for peace. This, at Indiana University in Bloomington, where at least 33 people were arrested.
This disturbing moment caught on camera between a woman and police officer at Emory University in Atlanta. In the last few days, dozens of protesters have been arrested at Emory, according to authorities. Faculty members gathering on campus Friday, to express concerns about the violent arrests.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I watched my professors get tackled to the ground.
SULLIVAN: Tensions rising between police and protesters at the University of Texas in Alston.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We will not stop. We will not rest.
SULLIVAN: University officials pushing to shut down the demonstrations, putting the group who organized the protest on interim suspension.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a right to protest on campus. We're students here.
SULLIVAN: The Travis County Sheriff saying Thursday they arrested 57 people on campus. These protests emboldened by protests at Columbia University in New York City, where demonstrations stretched into a day, Friday.
[07:10:10]
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Eyes are on Columbia to be a leader in negotiations for divestment.
SULLIVAN: The pro-Palestinian protests spreading overseas. Protesters gathering at University College, London. A similar scene at the University of Paris.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are inspired by Columbia, Harvard, Yale, UNC, Vanderbilt, all these universities that have mobilized.
SULLIVAN: In New York, I'm Jenn Sullivan reporting.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALKER: The eighth day of former President Trump's criminal hush money trial saw three witnesses take the stand. Former National Enquirer publisher, David Pecker, wrapped up more than 10 hours of testimony. And Trump's longtime assistant testified that she saw Stormy Daniels inside Trump Tower.
BLACKWELL: Also, on the stand Michael Cohen's banker who facilitated the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels. CNN's Paula Reid has more for us. PAULA REID, CNN LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Amara and Victor. Well, after one week of testimony, the prosecutors have only gotten through one major witness, former tabloid King David Pecker.
Now, after he wrapped up Friday, they did call two witnesses just briefly to help them move into evidence some exhibits, and one of those two witnesses prompted something we haven't seen throughout this trial, a smile from the defendant.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: So, we have another day of court in a freezing courthouse, it's very cold in there.
REID (voice over): Former President Donald Trump still not warming up to the reality of being on trial in the New York hush money case. In court, David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, was back on the witness stand tying Pecker's non-prosecution agreement with federal prosecutors to an agreement he made to sell the National Enquirer, a deal contingent on the investigation into his company being resolved.
From a timing standpoint, it would have added onto the stress of the transaction, Pecker testified. They also tried to show how Pecker had other reasons beyond just helping Trump win the White House for running negative stories about Trump's opponents. Pecker testified that his magazine ran stories about Bill and Hillary Clinton prior to the 2015 Trump Tower meeting where an agreement to help Trump was allegedly breached.
Running those stories was beneficial to AMI, Pecker testified. After his testimony wrapped up prosecutors used the last few hours of the day to call two additional witnesses. The first was Trump's longtime assistant.
TRUMP: Rhona, let me have the calls please.
REID: Rhona Graff was a fixture in Trump's office for decades. She testified how before Trump became president, she was his gatekeeper, keeping close track of his contacts, e-mails, phone calls, and meetings. She told the jury it was a very stimulating, exciting, fascinating place to be.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
REID (on camera): The court is off on Monday, but on Tuesday, one of Cohen's former banking associates will be back on the stand to wrap up his testimony, and then it's unclear who the next significant witness will be. But again, it's only a three-day trial week next week. And the other thing we're waiting for is a decision from the judge about Trump's alleged violations of the gag order.
We had a hearing this past week about that, but we're still waiting for a decision there. And the alleged violations are racking up. Prosecutors allege more violations this week, and there's going to be another hearing on gag order violations next week. And Amra, Victor, it's just unclear what the judge's strategy is in holding out on a decision.
WALKER: All right, Paula Reid, thank you. Iran's government is striking a defiant stance toward Israel and the U.S., but the Iranian people are concerned about the escalating tensions. We will have a live report from Iran.
[07:14:00]
BLACKWELL: A CNN exclusive, former Attorney General Bill Barr says that former President Trump should not be anywhere near the Oval Office, but he's still planning to vote for it.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:18:48]
BLACKWELL: Rhetoric between Iran and the U.S. and Israel, it's all heating up. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told Iran on Friday not to be overconfident after the country's unprecedented attack on Israel earlier this month.
WALKER: CNN's Fred Pleitgen is the only Western reporter in Iran. He joins me now from the country's capital. Hi there, Fred. Tell us more about what you're hearing there on the ground from the people. Are they concerned?
FRED PLEITGEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, I think a lot of people here are concerned that things could escalate between Iran and Israel and then of course also as a result of that between Iran and the United States and the greater Middle East as well. Nevertheless, what we're also hearing and seeing on the ground is some pretty tough rhetoric coming from the Iranian government, the Iranian leadership, and also conservatives here in Iran as well. Here's what we witnessed.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN (voice over): Iran's hardliners flexing their muscles, screaming death to America and death to Israel at Tehran's main Friday prayers.
The staunchly conservative prayer leader saying the Islamic Republic will not back down.
Iran has warned it will take an even harder line towards the U.S. and towards Israel in the future, saying that if Israel attacks Iran or its assets one more time, the Iranians will strike back to their own territory.
Tensions in the Middle East remain at a boiling point, after Iran launched a massive drone and missile attack against Israel in retaliation for the bombing of its embassy compound in Syria, killing several top Revolutionary Guard commanders.
Israel, the U.S. and other allies managed to take down most of the Iranian drones and missiles, but Israel then hitting back with a limited strike against an airfield in central Iran. The hardliners flying massive Palestinian flags, ripping into Israel's
operation in Gaza and the U.S.'s support for Israel. The message here, Iran is ready for a confrontation.
"In fact, we are even happy about this," this man says. "We are praying day and night for a second and third attack." And he says, "We've had these threats for a long time, but the difference is now the people are strong, the IRGC is strong, and the army is strong, and we have strong tools."
And this cleric says, "If the Islamic Republic of Iran will have more conflicts in the future, it doesn't mean we are war mongering, we're just reacting to the bullies."
But on the streets of Tehran concern, the current tensions could escalate and even turn into war.
"I believe the situation will get worse," this man says, "as both sides are more combative and in my opinion it will lead to war and to calamity for people."
This woman says, "We are definitely concerned, worried, but what can we ordinary people do about it?"
Iran's leadership says its military is ready for combat, even as they say war is not in their interest.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PLEITGEN (on camera): So, as you can see there, it's a pretty tough talk that we're hearing and seeing on the streets of Tehran, especially coming, of course, from the conservatives, from the hardliners, but also from the Iranian leadership as well. And they have said that, quite frankly, for them, what's going on now is really a strategic shift where they say that if Iran is attacked, that then Iran will respond in a very harsh way, of course, not putting on any details on what exactly that could mean and when exactly that could happen, guys.
WALKER: Fred Pleitgen, good to have you. Thank you so much. New CNN polling shows Trump supporters feel he's not being treated the same as other defendants. Coming up, how his ongoing hush money trial is playing out on the campaign trail.
[07:22:35]
And the FDA says traces of bird flu has been found in milk in some grocery stores, how investigators are looking to get to the source.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[07:27:07]
BLACKWELL: In an interview with CNN, former Trump-appointed Attorney General Bill Barr, who has said in the past that Donald Trump should be nowhere near the Oval Office, said he'll still vote for him this November. Barr claimed that he believes a Trump presidency would be less dangerous than another President Biden.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BILL BARR, FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL: I think his whole administration is a disaster for the country.
KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN HOST: Is worse than subverting the peaceful transfer of power.
BARR: Did he succeed?
COLLINS: Only because Vice President Mike Pence stood in the way and now the people who are lining up to be V.P. again say that they will not do what Mike Pence did.
BARR: Look, I was very loud and saying I thought it was a whole the whole episode was shameful. And I'm very troubled by it. And that's why it's not an easy decision. But I think when you have a Hobson's choice, you have to pick the lesser of two evils.
COLLINS: You're voting for someone who you believe tried to subvert the peaceful transfer of power that can't even achieve his own policies, that lied about the election even after his attorney general told him that the election wasn't stolen, and as the former chief law enforcement in this country, you're going to vote for someone who is facing 88 criminal counts?
BARR: Oh, look, the 88 criminal counts, a lot of those are, and I've said --
COLLINS: Even if 10 of them are accurate?
BARR: The answer to your question is yes. I'm supporting, I'm supporting the Republican ticket.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALKER: All right. While the Defense Department says it is pledging $6 billion in long-term military aid for Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the announcement on Friday, calling it the largest security assistance package of its kind to date. It will include interceptors for Ukraine's air defense systems, counter drone systems and other critical equipment.
Now, this comes as days after President Joe Biden signed off on a massive foreign aid package that includes nearly $61 billion in assistance for Ukraine. For more now, I'm joined by Semafor political reporter, Kadia Goba. I really appreciate you joining us. And as you know, Kadia, Speaker Johnson, he broke from his party, many in his party, to pass this foreign aid bill, obviously relying on help from Democrats.
He's faced threats from the right flank over this move. You have some recent reporting on the consequences to Speaker Mike Johnson in terms of donors. What have you learned? KADIA GOBA, SEMAFOR POLITICAL REPORTER: Yes, I think when you think about quarter two and quarter three, a lot of donors and, you know, just people look and paying attention to politics will be looking at those months. I have to say that, you know, by passing this $61 billion package to Ukraine, I think from my reporting, Johnson was able to convince a lot of donors that he is able to fight off the right flank and actually get some bipartisan legislation through.
[07:30:01]
And that kind of just quell those suspicions that people had in the past about him, you know, whether or not he was able to step up in this role.
Now, that doesn't mean that he has convinced everyone. He has -- is doing a great job. And I think he'll probably have to, you know, convince some small donors that, you know, he is or probably try to convince some smaller donors to participate or to get involved.
(CROSSTALK)
WALKER: Yes.
GOBA: Because many -- I would say, some of the high-end donors are saying that they might as well just throw some of their money over to the Senate side at this point, because that chaos in the House is just too overwhelming.
WALKER: You know, yesterday, President Biden gave this surprise interview to Howard Stern, and, you know, he got really personal, he even talked about, you know, moments -- very personal moments about even contemplating suicide when his first wife and daughter passed away.
But he also said this about debating Trump.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
HOWARD STERN, DISC JOCKEY, TALK SHOW HOST, AUTHOR, AND TELEVISION PERSONALITY: I don't know if you're going to debate your opponent.
JOE BIDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am, somewhere, I don't know when. I'm happy to debate him.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
WALKER: I'm happy to debate him, as you heard there, Biden say. Obviously, that's a change from just last month when he was vague about it, saying that it would all depend on, on Trump's behavior.
Do you believe that Biden will a hand? Is that a good idea for Biden?
GOBA: You know, it's very unclear which -- what each candidate will do at this point. And I'll point out that Biden is saying this as the poll numbers between him and Trump are actually narrowing. But well, I will also point out is that President -- former President Trump notoriously did not debate during the primaries.
So, with that, along with the fact that he is in court and also trying to campaign, I don't see where there's going to be an opportunity here, I guess we'll have to see.
WALKER: Oh, what are your thoughts on President Biden giving this interview to an alternative media outlet? When during his presidency, he has given fewer and fewer news conferences, taking questions from reporters, fewer interviews of mainstream media? I'm sure, you know, he's in this feud with The New York Times.
Was this just a strategy on part of the Biden campaign? And how effective is it as he tries to reach out to this particular audience?
GOBA: Yes, I do think it is a strategy. The Biden campaign has received a lot of criticism that he's not getting his message out to voters, you know, who might not pay for a subscription to The New York Times or other outlets. So, I think, you know, traversing or trying out these other, you know, outlets is -- or mediums is the perfect way to reach out to some voters who he needs to convince that he's been doing a great job for the past three or four years, and to convince them to vote for him for the next four years.
So, yes, it's definitely a strategy. And I would imagine he will see him again, and like other media outlets or other outlets, especially like black and Latino or Spanish speaking outlets as well.
WALKER: And just quickly, these political -- these pro-Palestinian protests that we're seeing sweep across the nation at university campuses, is it just a distraction for the Biden campaign or will it be a political liability?
GOBA: Oh, I think, it's -- I mean, it gives really good talking points for Republicans, right? Republicans say Democrats aren't doing enough. Democrats say, well, you going to the campuses, exacerbating it. So, I think we're going to see this more and more escalation here.
But I will say that because school is kind of closing in a couple of weeks. It will be interesting to see if that all of this tapers off a bit, which would probably help the Biden administration.
WALKER: Kadia Goba, good to have you. Thanks so much.
Harvey Weinstein is getting his day in court.
[07:34:06]
What we are expecting now that the conviction of the disgraced Hollywood producer has been overturned?
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLACKWELL: The ruling overturning Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's conviction for sex crimes is being seen by some as a setback for the MeToo movement, especially, the more than 100 women who accused him of assault and harassment. Weinstein was convicted four years ago of two sex crimes in New York and sentenced to 23 years in prison, but continue to deny any non- consensual sexual activity.
Well, now, the New York State Court of Appeals has overturned that conviction. Let's bring it now defense attorney Misty Marris to discuss why. Misty, good morning to you.
So, this is about the testimony relating to prior bad acts. Explain how that testimony and those witnesses led to this decision to overturn.
MISTY MARRIS, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Yes, absolutely. Good morning.
So, basically, in New York State, prior bad act witnesses, meaning, witnesses that have nothing to do with the charges that are actually against the person in the courtroom.
There is a very, very narrow set of circumstances in New York, where prior bad act testimony, uncharged crimes, witnesses relating to an individual's propensity to commit a crime is allowed in.
[07:40:05]
In the Harvey Weinstein case, four women whose allegations were not charged, were permitted to testify before the court. The Appellate Court looked at that and said, this was improper. Under the New York state rules relating to prior bad acts. It was too prejudicial to the defendant.
And in addition to that, because all of that information, all of those uncharged crimes could be a part of cross examination, if Harvey Weinstein were to take the stand, it actually hindered his ability to testify in his own defense.
So, it's a very, very technical legal argument. And in New York, it is a very narrow set of circumstances where that type of evidence comes in. And the Appellate Court said this was a bridge too far. The judge allowed evidence and that should not have come into the courtroom. Therefore, this verdict is thrown out. And now, the case needs to be retried.
BLACKWELL: And Harvey Weinstein will not be going home. He will be moved from one facility to another, as he awaits a new trial.
Without those witnesses that speak to the prior bad acts, is this case harder to prove in this impending new trial?
MARRIS: Yes. This is what the prosecution is going to have to grapple with. Are they going to actually retry Harvey Weinstein? To your point, he is also convicted in California. He is serving a 16-year sentence. So, that California verdict is not impacted by the New York State Court of Appeals decision.
Now, that verdict is also going to be appealed. But the legal standards are a bit different in California. And there is a rule that's a bit more broad as to what evidence can come into the courtroom.
But in New York, prosecutors are going to have to really look at this case, and think, if all of this other evidence is not going to come into the courtroom, would it -- is it likely that Harvey Weinstein would be convicted? And there is so many other aspects to this, Victor.
The prosecutors need to grapple with, for instance?
Are they going to re-traumatize the victims in this case, who would have to testify, again, the two complainants that are at the core of this prosecution? So, there is a whole analysis as to whether or not this case would actually be retried. And I think a lot of it will hinge on whether or not the California verdict stance.
BLACKWELL: Ronan Farrow, who's extensively reported on Harvey Weinstein's -- the allegations, the conviction -- said something interesting in his conversation with Jake Tapper, in which he said that the prior bad acts, witnesses and overturning in the Harvey Weinstein case could inform what we watch in the Trump hush money trial and bringing in witnesses there.
Is there some residue on how we understand the Trump case from the Harvey Weinstein case?
MARRIS: Absolutely, it's very directly related. So, this appellate court decision is binding on New York State courts. And the reason why Harvey Weinstein is pretty much universally disliked. Right?
But from a legal perspective, this decision impacts any other case where there's a defendant where prior bad act testimony, prior bad act evidence is going to come into the courtroom. The reason that it directly impacts Trump is on two fronts. Number one, uncharged crimes, uncharged acts, uncharged information coming into the courtroom.
Will the judges make decisions where uncharged information and prior bad acts is actually going to come into the Trump courtroom? The other aspect of this is this idea of whether or not the defendant is basically left with the option of only staying silent. They cannot testify.
At this week, the Sandoval hearing. Sandoval hearings in New York State procedure where prosecutors are told by the judge what evidence can come in on cross examination. This is directly impacted by the appellate decision in the Trump case, because the judges decided that the E. Jean Carroll case can come in and cross.
That the New York State attorney general civil fraud finding can come in on cross examination if Trump were to testify. I would expect Trump's arguments to be exactly the same. That because the judge is allowing all of this other stuff in --
(CROSSTALK)
BLACKWELL: Yes. MARRIS: He has no choice but to stay silent. And that impacts his right to testify. So, this decision is teeing up some significant appellate issues, depending on the Trump turns out.
(CROSSTALK)
BLACKWELL: Wow.
MARRIS: They will be very, very relevant to that case.
BLACKWELL: Misty Marris, always helping us understand that. Thank you so much.
MARRIS: Thank you. Have a good day,
[07:44:51]
BLACKWELL: You too. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WALKER: More people are living in counties across the U.S. with unhealthy levels of air pollution.
BLACKWELL: That's the latest finding and a new report from the American Lung Association. Let's bring in now, CNN health reporter Jacqueline Howard. So, what's behind this increase?
JACQUELINE HOWARD, CNN HEALTH REPORTER: Yes. Victor and Amara, droughts, extreme heat, wildfires, those are all factors driving this increase.
And we know those are elements associated with climate change. So, in this new report, what we now know about 39 percent of people here in the United States currently live in places where they are breathing unhealthy air.
And that percentage, it's up from last year's report, when it was estimated that about a quarter of people live in places with unhealthy air pollution.
[07:50:00]
And I will say, since the Clean Air Act in 1970, as a nation, we've seen the amount of emissions from air pollutants fall about 78 percent. But we are still at a place where more than 100 million people are breathing unhealthy air. And this report does show some regional differences.
So, when you look at the cities, with the most ozone pollution, ozone is a big component of smog. Most of them are in the West, almost all are in California except one in Arizona. And then, when you look at the cities with the cleanest air, according to this report, most of them are in the east. There is one in Maine, one in North Carolina. So, this does help shed light on where the most air pollution is concentrated. And we know people who are pregnant, children, older adults, people with asthma, they're all the most vulnerable to air pollution. And we know air pollution is associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases. So, this is a major public health issue right now.
WALKER: Yes. A lot to be concerned about.
HOWARD: Yes.
WALKER: Right? Another thing to think about, especially if you're at home, you're just waking up and you're having your cereal with milk.
HOWARD: Oh, yes.
WALKER: There is this ongoing outbreak of bird flu and dairy cow. I mean, how concerned -- should we be concerned about this? Should we be checking our milk cartons?
HOWARD: I know. It is concerning. The FDA, CDC, USDA are all investigating this. And the latest that we've heard from the FDA is that the current commercial milk supply is still safe.
Here is one FDA official on that very issue. His name's Don Prater. Have a listen.
DONALD PRATER, ACTING DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR FOOD SAFETY AND APPLIED NUTRITION: We take this current situation and the safety of the milk supply very seriously. FDA and USDA have indicated that based on information currently available, our commercial milk supply is safe because both pasteurization process and the diversion or destruction of milk from sick cows. This remains the case right now.
HOWARD: But, of course, there is this ongoing investigation. And it's now required to test dairy cows and report any positive cases. And we know infected cows have been found in eight states. So far, there have been two human cases associated with this outbreak.
WALKER: Oh, my gosh.
HOWARD: So, this is an ongoing situation.
BLACKWELL: All right. Jacqueline Howard, thank you.
WALKER: Good to see you.
BLACKWELL: Be sure to tune in for one of the most unforgettable nights in Washington. The "WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS DINNER" President Biden and comedian Colin Jost headline the big event. Join CNN tonight for our special live coverage of a dinner hosted by Sara Sidner and John Berman. That's tonight at 7:00 p.m. Eastern, right here on CNN, also streaming on Max.
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[07:57:05] WALKER: There was an epic overtime ending in the NBA Playoffs between the Bucs and the Pacers.
BLACKWELL: Carolyn Manno is with us now so this game went back and forth, came down to the final seconds.
CAROLYN MANNO, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Yes, good morning to you both.
I mean, the Playoffs are where legacies are made. And there is no better place to be a legend than the state of Indiana. The home of basketball.
Let's start in overtime. A lot to this game. Bucks and Pacers tied at 150 with 20 seconds to go and Aaron Nesmith, hitting his only three quarter of the night, putting the Pacers ahead. But the Bucs would answer. And Khris Middleton who made a three in the final seconds of the fourth to force overtime, hitting another one to tie it that gap.
Middleton had 42 points. Indie calls a timeout in the huddle. You can see Tyrese Halliburton, telling his team, we are winning the game right now. And he was absolutely right. Halliburton driving, draining the game winner. He finished with 18 points and his first career playoff triple double as the Pacers outlast the Bucs to take a 2-1 series lead.
Elsewhere, things getting chippy. Late in game three between the Mavs and the Clippers, Russell Westbrook doing the twist and shout to Luca Doncic, grabbing, spinning the Dallas superstar.
Give him a little bit of push when Doncic says something. And then, P.J. Washington and Westbrook exchanging shoves. And before you know it, Russ actually shoved one of the officials. So, both he and Washington get ejected from this one. The Mavs would go on to win by 11 to go up to one.
Meantime, the New York Rangers are a game away from sweeping the Capitals out of the NHL playoffs. Chris Kreider, with a goal in the first moving him into a tie for third on the Rangers all time playoffs points list.
While New York's Igor Shesterkin, the netminder, just absolutely stellar, finishing with 28 saves in the three one win.
So, only four teams have gone up, three nothing and gone on to lose a playoff series in NHL history. So good news there for New York. Eight more playoff games across the NBA and NHL today, including seven on our family of networks. TNT and TBS, beginning at 1:00 Eastern. So, make sure you're on the couch for that.
And lastly, for you this morning, if you need any evidence that Chicago Bears fans are pinning their hopes on Caleb Williams as their team's savior under center. Here it is less than 24 hours after taking him with the first pick of the NFL draft.
The quarterbacks' gear has already almost sold out, according to fanatics. The only jerseys left are the orange adult, double XL, and the U.S. navy blue. Now, this record was set just 10 days ago, guys by Caitlin Clark of the Indiana fever. She broke it all wide open, and now, Caleb Williams setting a new record.
WALKER: Amazing. Carolyn Manno, thank you.
All right. Victor Blackwell. What's coming up on "FIRST OF ALL"?
BLACKWELL: All right. So, the mayor of Chicago is with us. Brandon Johnson is in Atlanta for a meeting of black mayors on issues, including voting rights.
But, of course, there is a lot more to discuss. The campus protests, Democratic Convention in Chicago coming up in August immigration a lot more.
[08:00:01]
So, we'll get into that. Also speaking of protests, concern about demonstrations is why some students at Morehouse say the college should rethink its invitation to President Biden, to speak at a graduation.
